Buddhist Sites — Set 4

Correct Answer: C. Uttar Pradesh

• **Uttar Pradesh** = Sankissa is a revered Buddhist site located in the Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh. • **Ashokan pillar** — The site features an Ashokan pillar with an elephant capital, signifying its ancient importance. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Bihar]: Many Buddhist sites are in Bihar, but Sankissa is not among them; [Haryana]: This state is not known for Sankissa; [Rajasthan]: Primarily known for Rajput history and culture, not this specific Buddhist site.

Correct Answer: D. Rajgir

• **Rajgir** = Rajgir was the first capital of Magadha and a favorite retreat for the Buddha. • **Single-seater ropeway** — Visitors often take the single-seater ropeway to reach the summit where the Vishwa Shanti Stupa is located. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Vaishali]: An important Buddhist site, but not known for the Vishwa Shanti Stupa and its specific ropeway; [Bodh Gaya]: The place of Buddha's enlightenment, not associated with this stupa and ropeway; [Nalanda]: Famous for its ancient university, not for the Vishwa Shanti Stupa and ropeway.

Correct Answer: C. Visakhapatnam

• **Visakhapatnam** = Bojjannakonda and Lingalakonda are significant Buddhist sites located near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. • **4th-9th centuries CE** — These sites contain numerous rock-cut stupas, monasteries, and statues dating back to this period. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Amravati]: Known for its own famous stupa, but not Bojjannakonda and Lingalakonda; [Vijayawada]: An important city in Andhra Pradesh, but these specific sites are not located there; [Warangal]: A historical city in Telangana, not associated with these Buddhist hills.

Correct Answer: D. Nagpur

• **Nagpur** = Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and his followers converted to Buddhism at Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur, Maharashtra. • **1956** — The mass conversion took place in **1956** on the day of Ashok Vijaya Dashami. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Mumbai]: A major city in Maharashtra but not the site of Deekshabhoomi; [Aurangabad]: Known for Ajanta and Ellora caves, not Deekshabhoomi; [Pune]: Another major city in Maharashtra, but not the location of this specific event and memorial.

Correct Answer: B. Ladakh

• **Ladakh** = Phyang Monastery is a significant Buddhist landmark located near Leh in Ladakh. • **16th century** — The monastery, belonging to the Drikung Kagyu school, was founded in the **16th century**. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Sikkim]: Has many monasteries (e.g., Rumtek), but not Phyang; [Spiti]: A region in Himachal Pradesh with its own distinct monasteries (e.g., Ki Monastery), but not Phyang; [Lahaul]: Another region in Himachal Pradesh, also not the location of Phyang Monastery.

Correct Answer: B. Bhaja Caves

• **Bhaja Caves** = The Bhaja Caves, located near Pune, are famous for their Hinayana Buddhist rock-cut architecture, including a 'Dancing Panel'. • **22 rock-cut caves** — The complex consists of **22 rock-cut caves** and is known for its wooden architecture replications. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Bedse Caves]: Nearby rock-cut caves, but Bhaja is specifically known for the 'Dancing Panel'; [Karla Caves]: Famous for its grand chaitya hall, but not primarily the 'Dancing Panel'; [Kanheri Caves]: A large group of caves near Mumbai, but Bhaja holds the specific distinction of the 'Dancing Panel' as a Hinayana site.

Correct Answer: D. Junagadh Caves

• **Junagadh Caves** = The Junagadh district in Gujarat houses significant Buddhist cave complexes like Khapra Kodia, Baba Pyare, and Uparkot caves. • **Ashokan era** — These sites prove the existence of Buddhist monks in Gujarat since the **Ashokan era**. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Uparkot]: While a part of the Junagadh cave group, 'Junagadh Caves' is the more encompassing answer for the complex; [Khambhalida]: An important Buddhist cave site in Gujarat, but Junagadh represents a larger cluster; [Sana Caves]: Another significant Buddhist cave site in Gujarat, distinct from the Junagadh complex.

Correct Answer: C. Pemayangtse

• **Pemayangtse** = Pemayangtse Monastery in West Sikkim is renowned for its 'Cham' masked dances performed during the Tibetan New Year. • **Seven-tiered wooden structure** — It is famous for a **seven-tiered wooden structure** representing Zangdog Palri. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Rumtek]: A prominent monastery and seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage, but Pemayangtse is specifically known for the 'Cham' dances mentioned; [Enchey]: An important Nyingma monastery in Gangtok, but not primarily associated with this specific dance fame; [Phensang]: Another monastery in Sikkim, but Pemayangtse holds the specific renown for these masked dances.

Correct Answer: A. East Champaran

• **East Champaran** = The Kesaria Stupa, one of the world's largest stupas, is located in the East Champaran district of Bihar. • **Maurya and Gupta periods** — It is believed to have been built by the Lichchhavis and later expanded during the **Maurya and Gupta periods**. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [West Champaran]: A neighboring district, but Kesaria is specifically in East Champaran; [Saran]: A district in Bihar, but not the location of the Kesaria Stupa; [Muzaffarpur]: Another district in Bihar, not home to the Kesaria Stupa.

Correct Answer: C. Urn inscriptions claiming to be the relics of Buddha

• **Urn inscriptions** = Piprahwa Stupa gained international attention due to urn inscriptions claiming to contain the relics of Buddha. • **Kapilavastu** — Inscriptions found on reliquary vases at Piprahwa suggest the site is the ancient **Kapilavastu** where Buddha grew up. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [The Ashokan Edicts]: Ashokan edicts are found on pillars and rocks elsewhere, not the primary find at Piprahwa; [A statue of Mahaprajapati]: While significant, statues are not the unique find that brought international attention to Piprahwa; [The largest monastery ruins]: While there are ruins, the relics and inscriptions were the key discovery.