Question

Arrange the following architectural texts in chronological order-
(A) Mayamata
(B) Mānsāra
(C) Śānkhyāyana Gṛhya Sūtra
(D) Samarāngaņasūtradhāra
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A), (B), (C), (D)
• B. (B), (D), (C), (A)
• C. (C), (A), (D), (B)
• D. (C), (B), (D), (A)

Hint:

For chronology questions, it's helpful to remember key time periods: Vedic/Sūtra period (pre-Common Era), Gupta/Post-Gupta period (early centuries CE), and the Early Medieval period (c. 1000-1200 CE) where many royal patrons like King Bhoja flourished.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Concept Clarification
Objective: Arrange given Indian architectural texts chronologically from earliest to latest.
Step 2: Text Dating
(C) Śānkhyāyana Gṛhya Sūtra: Late Vedic/Sūtra period (approx. 500-200 BCE). Focuses on domestic rituals, including construction.
(A) Mayamata: Vāstu Śāstra text, post-Gupta period (likely 8th-10th centuries CE).
(D) Samarāngaņasūtradhāra: Treatise on architecture/engineering by Raja Bhoja (reigned c. 1010-1055 CE), thus 11th century CE.
(B) Mānsāra: Vāstu Śāstra text, generally considered later than Mayamata and Samarāngaṇasūtradhāra, possibly post-11th century CE.
Step 3: Chronological Ordering
1. Śānkhyāyana Gṛhya Sūtra (C)
2. Mayamata (A)
3. Samarāngaņasūtradhāra (D)
4. Mānsāra (B)
Sequence: C, A, D, B.
Step 4: Final Determination
The correct chronological order is (C), (A), (D), (B). This corresponds to option (C).