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U.P.P.C.S. Pre 1999

Buddhist Architecture of the Pala Era

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Who among the following had built the Sompura Mahavihar?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept The Pala Empire was a great patron of Mahayana Buddhism. They established several 'Mahaviharas' (great monasteries) which served as global centers of learning.

Explanation Dharmapala (c. 770–810 CE) founded the Sompura Mahavihara at Paharpur (modern Bangladesh). It is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in the Indian subcontinent and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option C is correct. Dharmapala is credited with building both Sompura and Vikramshila monasteries.
Logic 2: Kumaragupta-I is associated with Nalanda, and Harsha patronized Nalanda but did not build Sompura. Vijayasena belonged to the later Sena dynasty.

Active Recall

Question

What was the significance of Sompura Mahavihara in the 8th century?

Answer

It was a major intellectual hub that influenced Buddhist architecture and learning across Southeast Asia, particularly in Myanmar and Java.

Core Insight

The Sompura Mahavihara represents the zenith of the Pala style of architecture, blending Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu cultural elements.

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