Exercise Solutions Available
Step-by-step answers for all textbook questions in this chapter
Buildings: Stupas and Temples
The Stupa
A stupa is a domed building that holds a relic (often of the Buddha or a holy person).
| Part | What it is |
|---|---|
| Relic casket | A box (often in the centre) holding the sacred relic |
| Dome (anda) | The round mound of the stupa |
| Path (pradakshina patha) | A walkway around it for circling |
| Torana | Decorated gateways |
| Chatra | The umbrella-like top |
- Famous stupas: Sanchi and Amaravati.
The Temple
Early temples had a flat roof; later ones grew tall shikharas (towers).
| Part | Use |
|---|---|
| Garbhagriha | The innermost room holding the idol |
| Shikhara | The tower above the garbhagriha |
| Mandapa | The hall for worshippers |
Temples were built of brick at first, then of stone; kings and queens built them to earn merit.
Paintings: The Ajanta Caves
- The Ajanta caves (Maharashtra) have beautiful wall paintings made about **1500 years ago.
- They show Buddhist stories and scenes of daily life — kings, dancers, animals and plants.
- Famous for their fine detail and bright colours.
Books and Epics
Sanskrit Works
| Work | About |
|---|---|
| Ramayana | By Valmiki — the story of Rama |
| Mahabharata | By Vyasa — the story of the Kauravas and Pandavas |
| Puranas | Old stories about gods and creation, now written down |
| Aryabhatiya | By Aryabhata — mathematics and astronomy |
Tamil Epics
| Epic | Author |
|---|---|
| Silappadikaram | Ilango |
| Manimekalai | Sattanar |
Science: Ayurveda and Aryabhata
- Ayurveda is the ancient Indian system of medicine.
- Charaka Samhita — by Charaka, on medicine.
- Sushruta Samhita — by Sushruta, famous for surgery.
- Aryabhata was a great mathematician and astronomer:
- He wrote the Aryabhatiya.
- He said day and night are caused by the Earth's rotation.
- He understood eclipses and gave a value close to pi.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Stupa | A domed shrine holding a relic |
| Garbhagriha | The innermost room of a temple holding the idol |
| Shikhara | The tower over the garbhagriha |
| Torana | The gateway of a stupa |
| Pradakshina | Walking around a sacred object |
| Purana | An old story about gods and the world |
| Ayurveda | Ancient Indian system of medicine |
| Aryabhata | Great mathematician and astronomer |
Exam Tips
- A stupa has a relic in a casket, a dome, a pradakshina path, toranas and a chatra — learn the parts.
- A temple's garbhagriha holds the idol; the shikhara is the tower; the mandapa is the hall.
- Ajanta = cave paintings (Buddhist stories, ~1500 years ago) — a 1-mark identification.
- Epics: Ramayana (Valmiki), Mahabharata (Vyasa); Tamil epics Silappadikaram (Ilango) & Manimekalai (Sattanar).
- Aryabhata wrote the Aryabhatiya; said the Earth's rotation causes day and night — a very common 1-mark fact.
- Ayurveda: Charaka (medicine) and Sushruta (surgery).
Frequently Asked Questions
A stupa has a central box holding a relic (often of the Buddha), a rounded dome, a path around it for pradakshina, gateways called toranas, and a chatra (umbrella) on top.