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Q42 (IAS/2023) History & Culture › Art & Architecture › Buddhist art and architecture Official Key

With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements : 1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin. 2. Stupa was generally a repository of relics. 3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition. How many of the statements given above are correct?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: B
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 2 (Only two). Statements 2 and 3 are correct, while Statement 1 is incorrect.

  • Statement 1 is incorrect: The concept of the Stupa is not Buddhist in origin. It originated from ancient Vedic funeral mounds (tumuli) used to bury the ashes of kings and heroes. The Rig Veda mentions the term 'Stupa' (meaning a heap or pile). Buddhism later adopted and sophisticated this pre-existing architectural form.
  • Statement 2 is correct: Stupas were primarily relic-repositories. They were built to house the physical remains (Saririka) of the Buddha or great monks, or objects they used (Paribhogika), making them sacred objects of veneration.
  • Statement 3 is correct: In Buddhist tradition, stupas served various purposes: some were votive (built by devotees to gain spiritual merit) and others were commemorative (built to mark important events or spots associated with the Buddha's life).
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
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PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements : 1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin. 2. Stupa was genera…
At a glance
Origin: From standard books Fairness: High fairness Books / CA: 10/10 · 0/10

This is a classic 'NCERT Line-by-Line' verification question. The trap lies entirely in Statement 1: NCERT Themes Part I (p. 96) explicitly states the tradition is 'pre-Buddhist'. The strategy is to pause at every sentence in NCERT that discusses 'origins', 'evolution', or 'transition' of cultural elements.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
In ancient India, was the concept of the stupa Buddhist in origin?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 5: Evolution of Society in South India > Numismatic > p. 63
Presence: 5/5
“Coins of pre-Satavahana chieftains and of the Satavahanas from Andhra-Karnataka region. Stupas: The stupa is a heap of clay that evolved out of earthen funerary mounds, in which the ashes of the dead were buried. Buddhist stupas evolved out of the burial of the ashes of the mortal remains of the Buddha. Buddhist sacred architecture originated with the eight stupas where the ashes were divided. Hemispherical shape, the stupa symbolizes the universe, and the Buddha represents the emperor of the spiritual universe. The stupa has a path around it for devotional circumambulation. • The coins issued by the Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, and the chieftains of the Sangam Age. • Roman copper, silver and gold coins.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly links Buddhist stupas to burial of the Buddha's ashes and their evolution from funerary mounds.
  • Describes the stupa's original hemispherical form and its symbolic role in Buddhist sacred architecture.
THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 7.3 The structure of the stupa > p. 96
Presence: 4/5
“The stupa (a Sanskrit word meaning a heap) originated as a simple semi-circular mound of earth, later called anda. Gradually, it evolved into a more complex structure, balancing round and square shapes. Above the anda was the harmika, a balconylike structure that represented the abode of the gods. Source 8”
Why this source?
  • Defines the stupa as originating as a semi-circular mound (anda), identifying its basic formative type.
  • Explains later architectural evolution (addition of harmika) while tracing the mound origin.
THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 7. Stupas > p. 97
Presence: 4/5
“Arising from the harmika was a mast called the yashti, often surmounted by a chhatri or umbrella. Around the mound was a railing, separating the sacred space from the secular world. The early stupas at Sanchi and Bharhut were plain except for the stone railings, which resembled a bamboo or wooden fence, and the gateways, which were richly carved and installed at the four cardinal points. Worshippers entered through the eastern gateway and walked around the mound in a clockwise direction keeping the mound on the right, imitating the sun's course through the sky. Later, the mound of the stupas came to be elaborately carved with niches and sculptures as at Amaravati, and Shahji-ki-Dheri in Peshawar (Pakistan).”
Why this source?
  • Describes early stupas at Sanchi and Bharhut with features (railings, gateways) and the ritual of circumambulation tied to Buddhist practice.
  • Shows how the stupa's physical form and devotional use became integrated into Buddhist sacred sites.
Statement 2
In ancient India, was the stupa generally used as a repository of relics?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 7.1 Why were stupas built? > p. 96
Presence: 5/5
“There were other places too that were regarded as sacred. This was because relics of the Buddha such as his bodily remains or objects used by him were buried there. These were mounds known as stupas. The tradition of erecting stupas may have been pre-Buddhist, but they came to be associated with Buddhism. Since they contained relics regarded as sacred, the entire stupa came to be venerated as an emblem of both the Buddha and Buddhism. According to a Buddhist text known as the Ashokavadana, Asoka distributed portions of the Buddha's relics to every important town and ordered the construction of stupas over them.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly identifies stupas as mounds where relics of the Buddha (bodily remains or objects used by him) were buried.
  • Notes the practice of distributing Buddha's relics and constructing stupas over them (Asoka), linking stupas to relic deposition and veneration.
Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: The Rise of Empires > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 112
Presence: 5/5
“The big, round hemispherical structure in the centre of the stūpa is called the aṇḍa. It represents the universe and is often built to house sacred relics. People walk around it in a circle as a form of worship (pradakṣhiṇa).”
Why this source?
  • Describes the anda (central hemispherical element) as often built to house sacred relics.
  • Connects architectural form directly to the purpose of enshrining relics and to ritual practice (circumambulation).
History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 5: Evolution of Society in South India > Numismatic > p. 63
Presence: 4/5
“Coins of pre-Satavahana chieftains and of the Satavahanas from Andhra-Karnataka region. Stupas: The stupa is a heap of clay that evolved out of earthen funerary mounds, in which the ashes of the dead were buried. Buddhist stupas evolved out of the burial of the ashes of the mortal remains of the Buddha. Buddhist sacred architecture originated with the eight stupas where the ashes were divided. Hemispherical shape, the stupa symbolizes the universe, and the Buddha represents the emperor of the spiritual universe. The stupa has a path around it for devotional circumambulation. • The coins issued by the Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, and the chieftains of the Sangam Age. • Roman copper, silver and gold coins.”
Why this source?
  • Explains that stupas evolved out of earthen funerary mounds where ashes of the dead were buried, linking origin to burial/relic function.
  • Specifically ties Buddhist stupas to the burial of the Buddha's ashes, reinforcing the repository role.
Statement 3
In ancient Indian Buddhist tradition, was the stupa used as a votive structure?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 7.1 Why were stupas built? > p. 96
Presence: 5/5
“There were other places too that were regarded as sacred. This was because relics of the Buddha such as his bodily remains or objects used by him were buried there. These were mounds known as stupas. The tradition of erecting stupas may have been pre-Buddhist, but they came to be associated with Buddhism. Since they contained relics regarded as sacred, the entire stupa came to be venerated as an emblem of both the Buddha and Buddhism. According to a Buddhist text known as the Ashokavadana, Asoka distributed portions of the Buddha's relics to every important town and ordered the construction of stupas over them.”
Why this source?
  • Links stupas to burial of Buddha's relics and their ritual veneration
  • Notes stupas were erected over distributed relics (royal/official constructions)
THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 7. Stupas > p. 97
Presence: 4/5
“Arising from the harmika was a mast called the yashti, often surmounted by a chhatri or umbrella. Around the mound was a railing, separating the sacred space from the secular world. The early stupas at Sanchi and Bharhut were plain except for the stone railings, which resembled a bamboo or wooden fence, and the gateways, which were richly carved and installed at the four cardinal points. Worshippers entered through the eastern gateway and walked around the mound in a clockwise direction keeping the mound on the right, imitating the sun's course through the sky. Later, the mound of the stupas came to be elaborately carved with niches and sculptures as at Amaravati, and Shahji-ki-Dheri in Peshawar (Pakistan).”
Why this source?
  • Describes architectural features built to separate sacred space and facilitate worship
  • Specifies worshippers performed clockwise circumambulation around the stupa
History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 5: Evolution of Society in South India > Numismatic > p. 63
Presence: 4/5
“Coins of pre-Satavahana chieftains and of the Satavahanas from Andhra-Karnataka region. Stupas: The stupa is a heap of clay that evolved out of earthen funerary mounds, in which the ashes of the dead were buried. Buddhist stupas evolved out of the burial of the ashes of the mortal remains of the Buddha. Buddhist sacred architecture originated with the eight stupas where the ashes were divided. Hemispherical shape, the stupa symbolizes the universe, and the Buddha represents the emperor of the spiritual universe. The stupa has a path around it for devotional circumambulation. • The coins issued by the Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, and the chieftains of the Sangam Age. • Roman copper, silver and gold coins.”
Why this source?
  • Explains stupas evolved from funerary mounds containing ashes/relics
  • Highlights devotional circumambulation and the stupa's symbolic role in worship
Statement 4
In ancient Indian Buddhist tradition, was the stupa used as a commemorative structure?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 7.1 Why were stupas built? > p. 96
Presence: 5/5
“There were other places too that were regarded as sacred. This was because relics of the Buddha such as his bodily remains or objects used by him were buried there. These were mounds known as stupas. The tradition of erecting stupas may have been pre-Buddhist, but they came to be associated with Buddhism. Since they contained relics regarded as sacred, the entire stupa came to be venerated as an emblem of both the Buddha and Buddhism. According to a Buddhist text known as the Ashokavadana, Asoka distributed portions of the Buddha's relics to every important town and ordered the construction of stupas over them.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly links stupas with burial of the Buddha's bodily remains or objects, making them monuments marking sacred relics.
  • Notes that stupas were venerated as emblems of the Buddha and Buddhism, implying a commemorative function.
  • Cites Asoka distributing relics and ordering stupas to be constructed over them, showing deliberate commemoration.
History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 5: Evolution of Society in South India > Numismatic > p. 63
Presence: 5/5
“Coins of pre-Satavahana chieftains and of the Satavahanas from Andhra-Karnataka region. Stupas: The stupa is a heap of clay that evolved out of earthen funerary mounds, in which the ashes of the dead were buried. Buddhist stupas evolved out of the burial of the ashes of the mortal remains of the Buddha. Buddhist sacred architecture originated with the eight stupas where the ashes were divided. Hemispherical shape, the stupa symbolizes the universe, and the Buddha represents the emperor of the spiritual universe. The stupa has a path around it for devotional circumambulation. • The coins issued by the Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, and the chieftains of the Sangam Age. • Roman copper, silver and gold coins.”
Why this source?
  • States that the stupa evolved from earthen funerary mounds used to bury ashes of the dead, establishing a funerary/commemorative origin.
  • Specifically links Buddhist stupas to burial of the Buddha's mortal remains, reinforcing their role as commemorative structures.
  • Describes ritual features (hemispherical mound, path for circumambulation) consistent with monuments created to honor the deceased.
Pattern takeaway: While the 2023 options format (Only one/two) removed elimination by options, the content source remained fundamental (NCERT). The shift is from 'identifying the wrong statement' to 'knowing the exact truth value of every statement'. Superficial reading is now fatal.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter with a Trap. Direct lift from NCERT Themes in Indian History Part I, Chapter 4, Page 96.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Ancient Architecture > Mauryan & Post-Mauryan Art > Stupa Architecture & Symbolism.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 4 technical types of Stupas: 1. Saririka (Body relics), 2. Paribhogika (Objects used by Buddha), 3. Uddeshika (Commemorative of events), 4. Votive (Small, built for merit). Also note: Jaina Stupas existed (e.g., Kankali Tila, Mathura).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: The examiner tests 'Continuity vs. Invention'. Always verify if a cultural practice was *invented* by a religion or *adopted* by it. Stupas (burial mounds) are a universal/pre-historic concept, not an exclusive Buddhist invention.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Stupa originated as funerary mound (anda)
💡 The insight

The stupa began as a semi-circular earthen funerary mound (anda) used to contain mortal remains and relics.

High-yield for questions on religious architecture and origins of Buddhist practice; links archaeological form to ritual function and helps distinguish Buddhist monuments from other sacred structures. Mastery enables concise answers on origin, typology and identification of early stupa sites.

📚 Reading List :
  • THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 7.3 The structure of the stupa > p. 96
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 5: Evolution of Society in South India > Numismatic > p. 63
🔗 Anchor: "In ancient India, was the concept of the stupa Buddhist in origin?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Key architectural elements of early stupas
💡 The insight

Early stupas combined the anda with elements like the harmika, yashti and protective railings and gateways.

Essential for art-and-architecture and culture questions; helps in source-based questions and site comparisons (Sanchi, Bharhut, Amaravati). Knowing elements aids dating, interpreting ritual layout (circumambulation) and answering structural-development questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 7. Stupas > p. 97
  • THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 7.3 The structure of the stupa > p. 96
🔗 Anchor: "In ancient India, was the concept of the stupa Buddhist in origin?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Stupa development tied to Buddhist relic worship
💡 The insight

Buddhist stupas evolved specifically to house and commemorate relics (notably the Buddha's ashes), shaping their form and devotional use.

Crucial for explaining the religious purpose behind architectural forms in essays and mains answers; connects to topics on relic cults, evolution of devotional practices and the spread of Buddhist sacred architecture.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 5: Evolution of Society in South India > Numismatic > p. 63
  • THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 7. Stupas > p. 97
🔗 Anchor: "In ancient India, was the concept of the stupa Buddhist in origin?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Stupas as repositories of sacred relics
💡 The insight

Stupas were constructed to enshrine bodily remains or objects associated with the Buddha and other sacred remains.

High-yield for questions on Buddhist sacred architecture and Ashokan patronage; links archaeology, religious practice and polity (relic distribution). Mastery helps answer questions on function, symbolism and pilgrimage sites.

📚 Reading List :
  • THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 7.1 Why were stupas built? > p. 96
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: The Rise of Empires > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 112
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 8: How the Land Becomes Sacred > What is 'Sacredness'? > p. 169
🔗 Anchor: "In ancient India, was the stupa generally used as a repository of relics?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Funerary origins of stupas
💡 The insight

Stupas developed from earlier earthen funerary mounds used to bury ashes and mortal remains.

Useful for essays and prelims about cultural continuity and archaeological continuity from pre-Buddhist to Buddhist practices; connects funerary archaeology to religious architecture and material culture.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 5: Evolution of Society in South India > Numismatic > p. 63
  • THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 7.1 Why were stupas built? > p. 96
🔗 Anchor: "In ancient India, was the stupa generally used as a repository of relics?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Stupa form linked to ritual (anda, railings, pradakshina)
💡 The insight

Architectural elements like the anda, harmika, railings and gateways structured relic enshrinement and ritual circumambulation.

Helps explain why form follows function in sacred architecture; valuable for source-based questions, map/site descriptions (Sanchi, Amaravati) and understanding how architecture shapes devotional practice.

📚 Reading List :
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: The Rise of Empires > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 112
  • THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 7. Stupas > p. 97
🔗 Anchor: "In ancient India, was the stupa generally used as a repository of relics?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Stupa as relic-mound and object of veneration
💡 The insight

Stupas were built over the Buddha's bodily remains or objects and were venerated as sacred emblems.

High-yield for questions on Buddhist sacred architecture and ritual: explains why stupas functioned as focal points of worship and pilgrimage, linking material remains to devotional practices; connects to topics on relic cults and patronage in ancient India.

📚 Reading List :
  • THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 7.1 Why were stupas built? > p. 96
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 5: Evolution of Society in South India > Numismatic > p. 63
🔗 Anchor: "In ancient Indian Buddhist tradition, was the stupa used as a votive structure?"
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The 'Shalabhanjika' Motif. On the same Sanchi gateways (Toranas) discussed in this chapter, NCERT highlights the sculpture of a woman swinging from a tree. This predicts a future question on how 'folk traditions' and 'auspicious symbols' were integrated into Buddhist art despite not being doctrinally Buddhist.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

The 'Cultural Monolith' Fallacy. In Ancient History, statements claiming a rigid, exclusive origin ('The concept of X is Y in origin') are usually FALSE. Indian culture is syncretic; burial mounds (Tumuli) are a universal human feature, so attributing the 'concept' solely to Buddhism is historically illogical.

🔗 Mains Connection

Mains GS1 (Heritage) to GS2 (IR): The 'Buddhist Circuit' (Sanchi, Sarnath, Bodh Gaya) is a pillar of India's 'Act East Policy'. Stupa diplomacy connects India with Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Japan, leveraging shared heritage for geopolitical bonding.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2016 · Q50 Relevance score: 2.52

With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements : 1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism. 2. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment. 3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IAS · 2020 · Q72 Relevance score: 2.01

With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements : 1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism. 2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism. 3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered the Mahayana Buddhism. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

CDS-I · 2018 · Q98 Relevance score: 1.48

Which one of the following statements about Buddhist Stupas in India is not correct?

CAPF · 2025 · Q52 Relevance score: 0.34

With reference to the ancient architectural development in the hills of North Indian States, consider the following statements : 1. The temple 'Garbhagriha' and 'Shikhara' were made in a Rekha-prasada or Latina style. 2. The Pandrethan Temple in Kashmir is built on a plinth in the middle of a tank. 3. The Jageshwar Temple is located in Garhwal region. 4. The Lakshana Devi Mandir shows the influence of the post-Gupta tradition. How many statements given above are correct?