Match List-I with List-II
| List-I Monuments | List-II Symbolism | ||
| (A) | Chaityas | (I) | Mounds containing relics of Buddha |
| (B) | Stupas | (II) | Buddhist shrines |
| (C) | Harmika | (III) | Separating sacred space from the secular world |
| (D) | Railing | (IV) | Abode of gods |
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → (A)-(II), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(III)
(A) Chaityas — this matches (II) Buddhist shrines. Sites regarded as sacred, such as places with special trees or unique rocks, with small shrines attached to them, were sometimes described as chaityas; Buddhist literature mentions several.
(B) Stupas — this matches (I) Mounds containing relics of Buddha. Places where relics of the Buddha, such as his bodily remains or objects used by him, were buried were mounds known as stupas.
(C) Harmika — this matches (IV) Abode of gods. Above the anda was the harmika, a balcony-like structure that represented the abode of the gods.
(D) Railing — this matches (III) Separating sacred space from the secular world. Around the mound was a railing, separating the sacred space from the secular world.
NCERT (2026-27): “7. Stupas … From earliest times, people tended to regard certain places as sacred. These included sites with special trees or unique rocks, or sites of awe-inspiring natural beauty. These sites, with small shrines attached to them, were sometimes described as chaityas. Buddhist literature mentions several chaityas.… 7.1 Why were stupas built? … There were other places too that were regarded as sacred. This was because relics of the Buddha such as his bodily remains or objects used by him were buried there. These were mounds known as stupas.… 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 balcony-like 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.…” |