Consider the following observations about the largest stupa at Sanchi:
- 1. Going by information available from the inscriptions on the railings of the stupa, the construction of part of one of its gateways was financed by the Guild of Ivory workers.
- 2. In its original early form, this stupa was plain except for the stone railings and the gateways, which were richly carved.
- 3. The panels on the four gateways contain sculptures only in the front and have no sculptures on the rear side.
- 4. In 1918, when the stupa was discovered, all of its four gates were intact but the mound was in poor condition.
- 5. Art historians have established clear connections between the sculptures of the stupa with events described in Jataka Tales.
- 6. War scenes have also been depicted in these sculptures.
Which of the observations given above are correct?
1, 2, 3 and 4 only
2, 3, 4 and 5 only
3, 4, 5 and 6 only
1, 2, 5 and 6 only
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2023
1. Correct: An inscription on the southern gateway mentions that a part of the gateway was financed by the guild of ivory workers from Vidisha.
2. Correct: The original Stupa built by Ashoka was a simple structure. It was later enlarged and encased in stone, and the elaborate stone railings and carved gateways (toranas) were added during the Sunga and Satavahana periods, making them richly carved while the mound remained relatively plain.
3. Incorrect: The gateways (toranas) are carved on both the inner and outer faces, depicting narratives and symbols.
4. Incorrect: The stupa was rediscovered by General Taylor in 1818, not 1918. By then, the gateways had fallen, and the mound was overgrown. Extensive restoration work was carried out later, notably by Sir John Marshall from 1912 to 1919.
5. Correct: Many sculptures on the gateways depict scenes from the Jataka tales (stories of Buddha’s previous lives) and important events from the life of Buddha (e.g., the Great Departure, Enlightenment).
6. Correct: While the primary themes are Buddhist narratives, some panels can be interpreted as depicting conflicts or symbolic battles, such as the defeat of Mara’s army during the Enlightenment, which represents the struggle against negative forces. These might be considered ‘war scenes’ in a broader, symbolic sense within the context of religious struggle.
Based on this assessment, statements 1, 2, 5, and 6 are considered correct.