Question

What was the purpose of the stupas built in southern India? a. defensive barriers to prevent invasions b. religious temples and living quarters c. astronomical devices to calculate geographic distances d. military barracks to house warriors e. irrigation systems to supply crops

Answer 1

The correct answer is B. Religious temples and living quarters.

Explanation

The Stupas are spiritual monuments that reflect the harmony and perfection of universal principles. Although the origin of the stupas is unknown, it is said that they were hills or piles of stones such as reliquaries or tombs of heroes and it is believed that their purpose was similar to that of the Egyptian pyramids. In the time of Prince Sidharta Gautama (6th century BC), the historical Buddha, its symbolic aspects developed in such a way that the meaning of the stupas was profoundly modified. Additionally, the Stupa reflect the harmony and perfection of universal principles which can be seen in the structures of this type of construction. So, the correct answer is B. Religious temples and living quarters.