Question
UPSC Prelims 2014 Question:
With reference to the cultural history of India, the term 'Panchayatan' refers to
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Option 3: a style of temple construction
Detailed Solution
Explanation:
- The temple in Deogarh (in Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh) was built in the early sixth century CE. It is a classic example of a late Gupta Period type of temple.
- This temple is in the panchayatana style of architecture where the main shrine is built on a rectangular plinth with four smaller subsidiary shrines at the four corners
- It has a total number of five shrines, hence the name, panchayatana.
- The tall and curvilinear shikhara also corroborates this date. This makes it an early example of a classic nagara style of temple.
Therefore, option (3) is the correct answer.
Subject: History | Architecture and Sculptures
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