Buddhist Art And Architecture in General Studies - UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2026 Questions & Answers (English)

UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2026 General StudiesBuddhist Art And Architecture

Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct?

It was located in the lower Krishna valley.
In India, it was next only to the Sanchi Stupa in size.
The Amaravati school of sculpture made a lasting impact on the later South Indian sculpture, and its products were carried to Sri Lanka and South-east Asia.

Select the answer using the code given below:

1 only

1 and 3 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

View Answer

Correct Answer: B — 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 2 is the trap. Amaravati was not "next only to Sanchi" in size; it was larger in scale.

Amaravati Stupa is considered one of the largest and most elaborate Buddhist stupas of ancient India. Many historians believe it surpassed Sanchi Stupa in overall scale and artistic richness during its peak.

Sanchi Stupa is the largest surviving.

so statement 2 is false.

That leaves statements 1 and 3 as the valid combination.

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UPSC CSE PRELIMS 2026, General Studies, Buddhist Art And Architecture - Questions and Answers