With reference to the cultural history of India, the term ‘Panchayatan’ refers to
- (a) an assembly of village elders
- (b) a religious sect
- (c) a style of temple construction ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) an administrative functionary
Why the answer is (c)
• Panchayatana is a temple layout in which the main shrine stands on a raised platform with four subsidiary shrines at its corners, as at the Dashavatara temple (Deogarh), Lakshmana temple (Khajuraho) and the Brahmeswara temple (Bhubaneswar) — option (c).
• It is not a village assembly (a, panchayat), a sect (b) or an official (d).
• Hence option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) an assembly of village elders
- A village assembly is a panchayat, not panchayatana.
- (b) a religious sect
- Panchayatana is not a sect.
- (d) an administrative functionary
- It is not an administrative post.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2014, held on 24 August 2014. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.