Maurya Empire (Part -I)

41. Which one of the following is considered the best Stupa ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008]

(a) Amravati
(b) Bharhut
(c) Sanchi
(d) Sarnath

Correct Answer: (c) Sanchi

Solution:From the perspective of architecture, the Stupa of Sanchi is considered as the best. Sanchi is located in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh. This stupa was built by Ashoka. It is famous across the world for its stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars, which dated back to the 3ʳᵈ century B.C. The Stupa of Bharhut is situated in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh. Bharhut stupa was discovered by Alexander Cunningham. Amravati Stupa is located on the right bank of Krishna river in the Palnadu district of Andhra Pradesh. Colin Mackenzie traced this Stupa in 1797 A.D. Dhamekh Stupa of Sarnath (Varanasi) was built during the time of Ashoka, whose present form was built during the Gupta period. This stupa is designed on the flat surface without raising the base.

42. Who of the following ruler constructed the 'Sanchi Stupa' ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1991]

(a) Bimbisara
(b) Ashoka
(c) Harshavardhana
(d) Pusyamitra

Correct Answer: (b) Ashoka

Solution:From the perspective of architecture, the Stupa of Sanchi is considered as the best. Sanchi is located in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh. This stupa was built by Ashoka. It is famous across the world for its stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars, which dated back to the 3ʳᵈ century B.C. The Stupa of Bharhut is situated in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh. Bharhut stupa was discovered by Alexander Cunningham. Amravati Stupa is located on the right bank of Krishna river in the Palnadu district of Andhra Pradesh. Colin Mackenzie traced this Stupa in 1797 A.D. Dhamekh Stupa of Sarnath (Varanasi) was built during the time of Ashoka, whose present form was built during the Gupta period. This stupa is designed on the flat surface without raising the base.

43. Who constructed the 'Sanchi Stupa' ? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1995, 2006, 2012]

(a) Chandragupta
(b) Kautilya
(c) Gautam Buddha
(d) Ashoka

Correct Answer: (d) Ashoka

Solution:From the perspective of architecture, the Stupa of Sanchi is considered as the best. Sanchi is located in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh. This stupa was built by Ashoka. It is famous across the world for its stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars, which dated back to the 3ʳᵈ century B.C. The Stupa of Bharhut is situated in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh. Bharhut stupa was discovered by Alexander Cunningham. Amravati Stupa is located on the right bank of Krishna river in the Palnadu district of Andhra Pradesh. Colin Mackenzie traced this Stupa in 1797 A.D. Dhamekh Stupa of Sarnath (Varanasi) was built during the time of Ashoka, whose present form was built during the Gupta period. This stupa is designed on the flat surface without raising the base.

44. Which among the following Stupa gateway depicts the pilgrimage to the Bodhi tree by Ashoka with his two queens ? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2022]

(a) Bharhut
(b) Sanchi
(c) Sonari
(d) Satdhara

Correct Answer: (b) Sanchi

Solution:The depiction of Ashoka's pilgrimage to the Bodhi Tree with his two queens is associated with the Great Stupa at Sanchi, located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, is one of the oldest and most well preserved Buddhist Stupa. The Toranas are rich in symbolism and serve as visual narratives of important Buddhist events.

45. It was also ancient name of world famous tourist destination of Sanchi [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

(a) Kaknam
(b) Ventravati
(c) Besnagari
(d) Dashpura

Correct Answer: (a) Kaknam

Solution:Sanchi is situated at Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh. Number of stupas are erected here over top of a mountain. There are total 3 stupas here. Stupa number 1 is primary stupa. Stupa 2 has remains of Dhamma Mahamatyas of Ashoka while remains of Sariputra and Mudgalayan have been found from Stupa 3. These stupas were constructed by Ashoka. 4ᵗʰ CE Gupta inscription calls it Kaknam Mahavihara.