gs1medium

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

  1. A.an assembly of village elders
  2. B.a religious sect
  3. C.a style of temple construction
  4. D.an administrative functionary
▶ Answer & Explanation

Correct answer: C. a style of temple construction

In ancient Indian temple architecture, 'Panchayatan' describes a style where the main shrine is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines, all dedicated to the same deity or different deities. This layout, resembling a quincunx, allowed for a harmonious and balanced design, often seen in Hindu temples.

Source: UPSC gs1 2014

Practice this question with answer tracking

Track your performance, build spaced repetition reviews, and see your weak areas.

Start practising free →