UPSC Prelims 2006 Q3: Art & Culture – Architecture & World Heritage
Match List - I with List - II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:
List - I (Place of Archaeological Monument)
A. Sisupalgarh
B. Piprahwa
C. Goalpara
D. Bishnupur
List - II (State)
1. Assam
2. Manipur
3. Orissa
4. Uttar Pradesh
Code: A B C D
- (a) 4 1 3 2
- (b) 1 2 3 4
- (c) 3 4 1 2
- (d) 1 3 2 4
Answer: (c) 3 4 1 2
Explanation
Archaeological sites and their States
| Site | State | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| A. Sisupalgarh | 3. Orissa (Odisha) | Early historic fortified city near Bhubaneswar (c. 3rd century BCE) |
| B. Piprahwa | 4. Uttar Pradesh | Buddhist stupa with relic casket — linked to Kapilavastu (Siddharthnagar district) |
| C. Goalpara | 1. Assam | Ancient rock-cut and temple remains on the Brahmaputra |
| D. Bishnupur | 2. Manipur | Ancient site and Vishnu temple (15th century) |
Note: there is also a famous Bishnupur in West Bengal (terracotta temples), but West Bengal is not in List II — so here it is Manipur.
Answer: (c) 3 4 1 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Sisupalgarh is in Odisha, not UP.
- (b) Incorrect. Sisupalgarh is not in Assam, and Piprahwa is not in Manipur.
- (c) CORRECT. Sisupalgarh-Odisha, Piprahwa-UP, Goalpara-Assam, Bishnupur-Manipur.
- (d) Incorrect. Piprahwa is in UP, not Odisha.
Key point
Sisupalgarh = Odisha (fortified city); Piprahwa = UP (Buddha relics, Kapilavastu); Goalpara = Assam; Bishnupur = Manipur (here).
Remember
Piprahwa (UP) holds Buddha's relics; Sisupalgarh is an ancient fort city in Odisha.
Common mistakes
- Picking West Bengal for Bishnupur out of habit — read List II; only Manipur fits.
- Linking Piprahwa to Nepal — the Indian site is in Siddharthnagar, UP.
- Confusing Sisupalgarh (Odisha) with Sishupal stories from the Mahabharata.
Exam tip
Piprahwa relics were in news in 2025 when the Piprahwa gems were brought back to India. Anchor B-4 first, then A-3.
Sources
- Archaeological Survey of India — Sisupalgarh, Piprahwa excavations
- NCERT Class XII — Themes in Indian History Part I, Ch 2 and Ch 4
- Ministry of Culture — Piprahwa relics (2025)