Question

UPSC Prelims 2014 Question:

With reference to the cultural history of India, the term 'Panchayatan' refers to

  1. 1. an assembly of village elders
  2. 2. a religious sect
  3. 3. a style of temple construction
  4. 4. an administrative functionary

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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