UPSC Prelims 2022 Q96: Art & Culture – Architecture & World Heritage
The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple at
Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple?
1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.
2. A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al - Biruni.
3. Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present day temple) was done by
President S. Radhakrishnan.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
Somnath Temple
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. It is a Jyotirlinga shrine | Correct | It is traditionally the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas |
| 2. Al-Biruni described it | Correct | Al-Biruni wrote about Somnath in Kitab-ul-Hind, including Mahmud of Ghazni's raid (1025) |
| 3. The present temple's Pran Pratishtha was done by S. Radhakrishnan | Incorrect | It was done by President Dr Rajendra Prasad on 11 May 1951 |
Timeline:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1025 | Raided by Mahmud of Ghazni |
| 1947 | Sardar Patel pledges reconstruction |
| 1951 | Rajendra Prasad installs the deity, despite Nehru's reservations |
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Somnath is a Jyotirlinga and was described by Al-Biruni.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 3 is wrong; Rajendra Prasad, not Radhakrishnan, performed the 1951 Pran Pratishtha.
- (c) Incorrect. It drops Al-Biruni's account and keeps the wrong President.
- (d) Incorrect. S. Radhakrishnan became President only in 1962, long after 1951.
Key point
Somnath: first Jyotirlinga; described by Al-Biruni; raided by Mahmud (1025); rebuilt with Patel's push; Pran Pratishtha by Rajendra Prasad (1951).
Remember
Somnath 1951 installation = Rajendra Prasad.
Common mistakes
- Naming S. Radhakrishnan, who was Vice-President in 1952 and President from 1962.
- Not knowing Al-Biruni came to India with Mahmud and described Somnath.
- Forgetting Sardar Patel's role in the rebuilding.
Exam tip
Check dates against office terms. In 1951 the President was Rajendra Prasad (1950-62).
Sources
- Al-Biruni — Kitab-ul-Hind (tr. E. C. Sachau)
- Shree Somnath Trust — History of the temple