2014 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2014 · GS Paper I
Question 44: History and Culture
With reference to the cultural history of India, the term 'Panchayatan' refers to
aan assembly of village elders
ba religious sect
ca style of temple construction
dan administrative functionary
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
Panchayatan is a style of temple construction in which the main shrine stands on a platform with four subsidiary shrines at its corners, making five shrines in all. It is a pattern of the Nagara tradition of north India, seen from the Gupta and later periods. It does not mean an assembly of village elders, a religious sect or an administrative functionary, even though the word looks like 'panchayat'.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. An assembly of village elders is a panchayat, not a panchayatan.
- (b) Wrong. Panchayatan is an architectural plan, not a sect.
- (c) Right. Panchayatan is a temple style with a main and four subsidiary shrines.
- (d) Wrong. It is not an official's title.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.