< Issue No. 5 (2009)Article
World’s First Intelligence Quiz? Arhant Mahinda queries Sinhala King Devanampiya-Tissa
Mahinda, Arhant, N/A
Abstract
“Devanampiya-Tissa who had already heard of Buddhism from his friend Asoka received the Buddhist missionaries with the greatest kindness and regard. During their first conversation, Mahinda, in order to gauge the king’s intelligence and capacity to understand, put him some questions. This test, which can be regarded as the first intelligence test recorded in history and, though simple and easy at first glance, required a clear and acute mind to answer it.”