CAPF AC 2023 Q15: Ancient History – Buddhism & Jainism

CAPF AC 2023, Paper I (General Ability and Intelligence) · Ancient History

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?

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(c) 3, 4, 5 and 6 only
(d) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only

Answer: (d) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only

Explanation

The Great Stupa at Sanchi

How to think: check each observation against the NCERT account of Sanchi.

Two of them contain plain errors: the date and the claim about the rear side.

Observation	Verdict	Fact
1. Part of a gateway was financed by the guild of ivory workers	Correct	An inscription records the gift of the ivory workers of Vidisha
2. The early stupa was plain except for the railings and gateways	Correct	The mound was plain; the gateways were richly carved
3. Panels are carved only on the front	Wrong	The gateways are carved on both faces
4. Discovered in 1918 with all four gates intact	Wrong	Discovered in 1818; three gateways were standing and the mound was in good condition
5. Sculptures are linked to the Jataka tales	Correct	For example the Vessantara Jataka
6. War scenes are also shown	Correct	For example the war over the Buddha's relics

So the correct observations are 1, 2, 5 and 6.

Answer: (d) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Incorrect. It includes the false observations 3 and 4.
(b) Incorrect. It includes 3 and 4 and leaves out 1 and 6.
(c) Incorrect. It includes 3 and 4 and leaves out 1 and 2.
(d) CORRECT. Observations 1, 2, 5 and 6 are true.

Key point

Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh): stupa first built under Ashoka, enlarged by the Shungas, gateways (toranas) added in the Satavahana period; discovered 1818; saved by the Begums of Bhopal (Shahjehan Begum and Sultan Jehan Begum); ivory workers of Vidisha; Jataka scenes; Buddha shown through symbols; UNESCO site 1989.

Remember

Sanchi: discovered 1818, ivory workers of Vidisha, Jataka panels.

Common mistakes

Not noticing the date 1918; Sanchi was discovered in 1818.
Accepting that the gateways are carved on one side only.
Forgetting the famous inscription of the ivory workers' guild.

Exam tip

Educated guess: observations 3 and 4 always appear together in the wrong options. If you can reject either one, say the date 1918, three options fall at once and only (d) remains.

Sources

NCERT Class XII History — Themes in Indian History Part I, Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings (Sanchi)
NCERT Class XI Fine Arts — An Introduction to Indian Art, Chapter 4: Post-Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture

← Q14All CAPF AC 2023 questionsQ16 →

Practise CAPF AC PYQs Take a timed mock