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

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.