Q42 · UPSC Prelims 2023 · Set A · Art and Culture

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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?

A Only one
B Only two
C All three
D None

Correct answer: (b) Only two

Explanation

  1. A

    Only one

    Only one. Relics and votive use both hold; origin is the miss.

  2. B

    Only two

    Only two. Stupa as relic-chamber and as votive/commemorative in Buddhism. The form is not Buddhist in origin — pre-Buddhist burial mounds exist.

  3. C

    All three

    All three. Statement 1 over-claims origin.

  4. D

    None

    None. Relic and commemorative uses are standard.

Summary. Official key is (b) only two. A stupa commonly holds relics and serves as a votive and commemorative Buddhist monument. Mound burial predates Buddhism, so ‘Buddhist in origin’ is the false limb.