UPSC Prelims 2021 Q31: Art & Culture – Architecture & World Heritage
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 4
- (d) 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (c) 1 and 4
Explanation
Chausath Yogini Temple, Mitaoli (Morena)
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Circular temple built under Kachchhapaghata dynasty | TRUE | Built c. 1055 CE by King Devapala of the Kachchhapaghata dynasty. Circular structure with 64 chambers (yoginis) around a central shrine. |
| 2 | Only circular temple built in India | FALSE | India has several circular temples: Chausath Yogini temples at Khajuraho, Ranipur-Jharial (Odisha), Hirapur (Odisha), Bhedaghat (Jabalpur). Mitaoli is NOT the only one. |
| 3 | Meant to promote Vaishnava cult | FALSE | It is a Tantric Shakti temple dedicated to 64 Yoginis (female Tantric deities), NOT Vaishnava. |
| 4 | Design inspired Indian Parliament building | TRUE | Popular belief holds that architect Herbert Baker was inspired by this circular temple when designing the Sansad Bhavan (1912-1927), though no direct evidence exists. |
Statements 1 and 4 are correct. Answer: (c).
Answer: (c) 1 and 4.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 2 is false - India has several circular Chausath Yogini temples (Khajuraho, Ranipur-Jharial, Hirapur, Bhedaghat).
- (b) Incorrect. Statements 2 and 3 are both wrong.
- (c) CORRECT. Statements 1 (Kachchhapaghata dynasty, c. 1055 CE) and 4 (inspired Parliament building design belief) are correct.
- (d) Incorrect. Statements 2 and 3 are wrong; the temple is Tantric Shakti, not Vaishnava.
Key point
Chausath Yogini Temple, Mitaoli (Morena, MP) = Kachchhapaghata dynasty (c. 1055 CE) + Tantric Shakti (64 Yoginis) + popular belief of inspiring Parliament design. NOT the only circular temple; NOT Vaishnava.
Remember
Chausath Yogini Temple at Mitaoli (Morena) was built under the Kachchhapaghata dynasty c. 1055 CE (statement 1 correct) and is popularly believed to have inspired the Indian Parliament building design (statement 4 correct). It is NOT the only circular temple and NOT Vaishnava. Answer: (c) 1 and 4.
Common mistakes
- Assuming any circular structure is unique. Multiple Chausath Yogini temples exist across MP, UP, Odisha.
- Confusing Yogini worship (Tantric Shakti) with Vaishnava (Vishnu-centred). Yoginis are female Tantric deities.
- Not knowing the Kachchhapaghata dynasty (Gopagiri/Gwalior region, 10th-12th c.), successors of Chandelas.
Exam tip
Chausath Yogini temples: Mitaoli (MP), Khajuraho (MP), Bhedaghat (MP), Ranipur-Jharial (Odisha), Hirapur (Odisha). All are Tantric Shakti sites with 64 female deities. Mitaoli's design popularly linked to Parliament House (Herbert Baker, 1927).
Sources
- Archaeological Survey of India - Chausath Yogini Temple Site Notice
- MP State Tourism - Morena Heritage Circuit