Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Which monument built by Akbar architected alike Buddhist Monastery?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: A
Concept
Akbar’s architecture was famously syncretic, drawing inspiration from various Indian traditions. The Panch Mahal is a striking example of how he incorporated ancient Buddhist structural designs into his Mughal capital.Explanation
The Panch Mahal at Fatehpur Sikri is a five-storied, open-pillared structure. It is said that Akbar was inspired by the multistoried tiered designs of the Nalanda Buddhist University. Its layout, where each floor decreases in size as it ascends, closely resembles a Buddhist monastery.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Known as the 'Wind-Catcher Tower,' it was designed for air circulation to keep the royal ladies cool during the summer.
Logic 2: The ground floor has 84 columns, a number often significant in Indian numerology, and the tiers culminate in a single domed pavilion on the top floor.