Consider the following observations about the largest stupa at Sanchi:
- 1Going 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.
- 2In its original early form, this stupa was plain except for the stone railings and the gateways, which were richly carved.
- 3The panels on the four gateways contain sculptures only in the front and have no sculptures on the rear side.
- 4In 1918, when the stupa was discovered, all of its four gates were intact but the mound was in poor condition.
- 5Art historians have established clear connections between the sculptures of the stupa with events described in Jataka Tales.
- 6War scenes have also been depicted in these sculptures.
Which of the observations given above are correct?
- A1, 2, 3 and 4 only
- B2, 3, 4 and 5 only
- C3, 4, 5 and 6 only
- D1, 2, 5 and 6 only
Explanation
An inscription on the southern gateway records that part of its construction was financed by the guild of ivory workers of Vidisha, so statement 1 is correct. The original Mauryan brick stupa was plain; the stone casing, railings and richly carved gateways were added later, chiefly under the Satavahanas, so statement 2 is correct. The torana architraves bear sculptures on both faces, not the front only, so statement 3 is wrong, and Sanchi was discovered by General Taylor in 1818, not 1918, so statement 4 is wrong. Many panels depict Jataka tales (5), and siege and battle scenes also appear on the gateways (6). Hence 1, 2, 5 and 6 are correct.