Q: 44 (IAS/2014)
question_subject:
History
question_exam:
IAS
stats:
0,303,185,126,12,303,47
keywords:
{'term panchayatan': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'village elders': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'temple construction': [0, 0, 0, 2], 'religious sect': [0, 0, 0, 4], 'administrative functionary': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'india': [8, 1, 7, 13], 'cultural history': [0, 0, 0, 1]}
In the cultural history of India, the term "panchayatan" refers to a style of temple construction. Panchayatan is a Sanskrit word that means "five-part composition" or "five-fold system." In this style of temple architecture, the main shrine is surrounded by four smaller shrines at the four corners of a square, forming a pentagon or a cross shape. The five shrines together are believed to represent the five elements of nature - earth, water, fire, air, and ether. This style of temple construction was popular during the Gupta period (4th to 6th century CE) and is still used in some parts of India today.