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Question 31 of 75 · Buddhism & Jainism
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The terms 'Anda', 'Harmika' and 'Yashti' are related to the structure of a:

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Answer: Option C — Buddhist stupa

Detailed Solution

"Anda", "Harmika" and "Yashti" are parts of a Buddhist stupa.

Parts of a stupa:

"Anda": the hemispherical (dome-shaped) mound, which forms the main body of the stupa; it represents the dome of heaven. It usually contained the relics.

"Harmika": a small square railing or balcony-like structure on top of the anda; it is believed to represent the abode of the gods.

"Yashti": a mast or pole rising from the harmika, which supports the umbrellas.

"Chhatra": umbrellas (one or three) placed on the yashti, symbolising honour and protection.

"Medhi": a raised circular terrace or base on which the anda rests; it often had a path for walking around.

"Pradakshina patha": a path for circumambulation (walking around the stupa in a clockwise direction) as an act of worship.

"Vedika": a railing that encloses the stupa and the path.

"Torana": decorated gateways in the railing, usually in the four cardinal directions.

What is a stupa?

"Stupa" means a mound.

NCERT describes a stupa as a mound which contains a relic casket with remains of the Buddha or his followers, or objects used by them, such as bones, teeth, hair or ashes.

Stupas were built at places associated with the Buddha's life, and at places where relics were enshrined.

After the Buddha's death, his relics are said to have been divided into eight parts and placed in eight stupas.

Ashoka is said to have redistributed the relics and built many stupas.

Famous stupas:

  • Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh), Bharhut (Madhya Pradesh), Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh), Dhamek (Sarnath).
  • Stupas are also called "chorten" in Tibet and "dagoba" in Sri Lanka.

Why not the other options?

  • ✗Hindu temples have a garbhagriha, mandapa and shikhara or vimana.
  • ✗Mosques have a mihrab, minbar, domes and minarets.
  • ✗Jain basadis are temples with Tirthankara images.

Quick tip

Remember: stupa parts = Anda (dome), Harmika (railing on top), Yashti (mast), Chhatra (umbrella), Medhi (terrace), Vedika (railing), Torana (gateway).

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Buddhism & Jainism — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Buddhism & Jainism, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

Buddhism and Jainism arose in the 6th century BCE as reform movements. This topic covers the lives and teachings of Gautama Buddha and Mahavira, the Jain tirthankaras, the Buddhist councils, the sects of both religions, their sacred texts and the places linked to them. Common questions cover the four great events of the Buddha's life and their places (birth at Lumbini, enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, first sermon at Sarnath, death at Kushinagar), the four Buddhist councils with their kings and venues, and the Jain sects Digambara and Shvetambara. Learning the councils as a table of place, king and president is the fastest way to revise. Practise the Buddhism and Jainism questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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