UPSC Prelims 1997 · General Studies

Question 48: History and Culture

Which one of the following statements regarding Asokan stone pillars is incorrect?

aThese are highly polished

bThese are monolithic

cThe shaft of pillars is tapering in shape

dThese are parts of architectural structures

AnswerThe answer is (d).

Asokan pillars were free-standing columns, set up to carry edicts and symbols such as the lion capital, and were not parts of buildings. They were monolithic (cut from a single stone, mostly Chunar sandstone), highly polished with the famous Mauryan polish, and tapering, with the shaft thinning towards the top. The incorrect statement is the one calling them parts of architectural structures.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) They are highly polished, the Mauryan polish, so this statement is correct.
(b) Each shaft is cut from a single stone, so it is monolithic: correct.
(c) The shaft tapers towards the top: correct.
(d) Right: the pillars stood alone and were not parts of buildings, so this is the incorrect statement.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1997, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.