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Place Sanchi Stupa
Asked 3 times across 3 UPSC exams over 12 years (2013–2025), peaking in 2013.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 1 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 2013
- Recurs across 3 years (2013–2025)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 2013 → CAPF 2023 → NDA 2025
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (2 of 3) are since 2016.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
NDA2025
Which one of the following sculptures found at Sanchi Stupa is NOT directly inspired by Buddhist ideas?
- A Empty seat
- B Shalbhanjika ✓
- C Tree
- D Wheel
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Art & Culture › Architecture & Sculpture
CAPF2023
Consider the following observations about the largest stupa at Sanchi
- Going by information available from the inscriptions on the railings of the stupa, the construction of part of one of its gateways was financed by the Guild of Ivory workers
- In its original early form, this stupa was plain except for the stone railings and the gateways, which were richly carved
- The panels on the four gateways contain sculptures only in the front and have no sculptures on the rear side
- In 1918, when the stupa was discovered, all of its four gates were intact but the mound was in poor condition
- Art historians have established clear connections between the sculptures of the stupa with events described in Jataka Tales
- War scenes have also been depicted in these sculptures
Which of the observations given above are correct ?
- A 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
- B 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
- C 3, 4, 5 and 6 only
- D 1, 2, 5 and 6 only ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Art & Culture › Architecture & Sculpture
CSE2013
Consider the following historical places
- Ajanta Caves
- Lepakshi Temple
- Sanchi Stupa
Which of the above places is/are also known for mural paintings?
- A 1 only
- B 1 and 2 only ✓
- C 1, 2 and 3
- D None
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Art & Culture › Painting & Visual Arts
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