UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2023

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?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None

Answer

Correct Answer

Only two

Explanation

Statements 2 and 3 are correct: stupas served as relic repositories and were votive/commemorative structures. However, statement 1 is incorrect, as the stupa tradition pre-dates Buddhism and was not exclusively Buddhist in origin (burial mound traditions existed earlier and were adopted/adapted by Buddhism).

Topics: buddhist architecture, history, relics and votive structures, stupa