Temple Architecture: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Art and Culture)
1 previous year UPSC Prelims question on Temple Architecture (Art and Culture). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–1 of 1 question
UPSC 2014Art and Culture · Temple Architecture
Q1. With reference to the cultural history of India, the term ‘Panchayatan’ refers to:
Explanation
Indian temple architecture is diverse, with distinct regional styles such as the Nagara (northern), Dravida (southern), and Vesara (a blend of both). The Panchayatan style is a sub-school of Nagara architecture, specifically prevalent in North India.
Option (c) is correct:
Panchayatan is a temple architecture style where the main shrine (garbhagriha) is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines, forming a quincunx (four smaller shrines at the corners and one main shrine in the center). The term comes from the Sanskrit words Pancha (five) and ayatana (containing). The Dashavatara Vishnu Temple in Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh, built in the early 6th century AD, follows this style, with the main shrine on a rectangular plinth and four subsidiary shrines at the corners, totaling five shrines. Other temples that follow the Panchayatan style are Kandariya Mahadeva Temple (Khajuraho, MP), built during the Chandela period and the Lakshmana Temple (Khajuraho, MP).
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2014
(c) A style of temple construction
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Temple Architecture?
This page covers 1 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Temple Architecture (Art and Culture), asked from 2012 to 2021. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Temple Architecture?
Questions on Temple Architecture (Art and Culture) are available for 6 years, from 2012 to 2021. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
