Read the passage and answer the following question:
The tradition of erecting stupas may have been pre-Buddhist, but they came to be associated with Buddhism. Since they contained relics regarded as sacred, the entire stupa came to be venerated as an emblem of both the Buddha and Buddhism... Asoka distributed portions of Buddha's relics to every important town and ordered the construction of stupas over them. By the 2nd century BCE, a number of stupas, including those at Bharhut, Sanchi and Sarnath had been built.
Which of the following structure in a 'stupa' represents abode of the gods?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Harmika
Option (1) Anda — Incorrect. The anda is the semi-circular mound of earth with which the stupa began.
Option (2) Harmika — Correct. Above the anda was the harmika, a balcony-like structure that represented the abode of the gods.
Option (3) Yashti — Incorrect. The yashti is the mast that arose from the harmika.
Option (4) Chhatri — Incorrect. The chhatri is the umbrella that often surmounted the yashti.
Note: A same/similar question was asked in CUET (UG) in the papers below.
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| – | 29-05 S1 | – | 27-05 S1 02-06 S3 | – |
NCERT (2026-27): “7.3 The structure of the stupa … The stupa (a Sanskrit word meaning a heap) originated as a simple semi-circular mound of earth, later called anda. Gradually, it evolved into a more complex structure, balancing round and square shapes. Above the anda was the harmika, a balconylike structure that represented the abode of the gods. Arising from the harmika was a mast called the yashti, often surmounted by a chhatri or umbrella. Around the mound was a railing, separating the sacred space from the secular world.…” |