In the Great Stupa at Sanchi there are ________ gateways known as ‘Toranas’ at the cardinal points to the compass.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. 4 gateways.
In the Great Stupa at Sanchi, there are four gateways, known as Toranas, located at the cardinal points of the compass—north, south, east, and west. These intricately carved stone gateways were constructed during the Mauryan and post-Mauryan periods, around the 1st century BCE. Each Torana is richly decorated with reliefs depicting events from the life of Buddha, Jataka tales, and symbolic motifs. The Toranas serve both a ritualistic and architectural purpose, guiding devotees around the stupa in a circumambulatory path (pradakshina), reflecting Buddhist artistic and spiritual traditions of ancient India.