UPSC Mains 2016 · GS I · Q1 · 12.5 marks · 200 words

Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate.

हिन्दी में

प्रारम्भिक बौद्ध स्तूप-कला, लोक वर्ण्य-विषयों एवं कथानकों को चित्रित करते हुए बौद्ध आदर्शों की सफलतापूर्वक व्याख्या करती है। विशदीकरण कीजिए।

Art and Culture Architecture

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “What is the significance of Stupa art in the context of Buddhist architecture and culture? Discuss its various elements and symbolism and their role in conveying Buddhist beliefs.”

Rahul ShekharAIR 46 · CSE 2024 · 198 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a date or context

Stupa art began its relevance in Ashokan times and continued to grow for centuries that followed.

Body · points and prose

Diagram

[Stupa diagram sketch] Harmika on top Three umbrellas above labelled as: Buddhas, Dhammas, Sangha Dome labelled as: Anda Path around the base: Pradakshina path Gateway labelled as: Torana

Significance of Stupa art in Buddhist architecture and culture →

Elements	Significance
(1) Torana ↓ 4 in Sanchi	• Entrance gate • Stories of past life of Buddha
(2) Pradakshina path	• Circumambulatory path • Taking rounds • Mentioned in Buddhist texts
(3) Anda	• Usually hollow • Sometimes stored relics of Buddha • Eg. Vaishali stupa
(4) 3 ratnas of Buddhism at the top	• Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha.
(5) Harmika	• Shaft • leads from world of desires to freedom and heaven.
(6) Boundary wall	• Engravings are found at places. Eg. Amaravathi
(7) Material of construction	• Based on local availability.
(8) Sculptures	• Rarely found. • Eg. Kashmir → Kushana era stupas.
9) Motifs	• Elephant Symbol of Buddhism
10) Paintings	• Buddha attaining enlightenment.

Close · a summary

Stupas are best glimpses of Buddhist art and thus culture and they need to be conserved.

1 more topper’s answer to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2016, General Studies Paper I, Q1. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.