2018 · Q98
Which one of the following statements about Buddhist Stupas in India is not correct?
General KnowledgeHistory of India
- AAshoka played an important role in popularizing the Stupa cult.
- BThey were repositories of relics of Buddha and other monks.
- CThey were located in rural areas.
- DThey were located close to trade routes.
Explanation
Ashoka did popularise the stupa cult (A correct), and stupas were repositories of the Buddha's and monks' relics (B correct). They were deliberately sited near trade routes and important towns such as Vidisha (Sanchi) so that pilgrims and merchants could reach them (D correct). They were not characteristically rural foundations — the Ashokavadana records relics distributed to every important town — so C is the statement that is not correct.