Consider the following statements and select the correct answer using the codes given below : 1. The Sun temple of Multan is mentioned by Hiuen Tsang, Abuzaiyid, Al-Masudi and Alberuni. 2. The pilgrimage to Sambapur was associated with Sun worship.
- (a)Only 1 is correct
- (b)Only 2 is correct
- (c)Both 1 and 2 are correct
- (d)Neither 1 nor 2 is correct
Correct — C, Both 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 1: the famous Aditya (Sun) temple at Multan is recorded by a chain of travellers — the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang, 641 CE) called it the region's chief solar shrine, and the Arab writers Abu Zaid (al-Sirafi), al-Masudi (10th century) and Alberuni (al-Biruni, early 11th century, who saw its ruins) all describe it. Statement 2: in the Samba tradition, Krishna's son Samba, cured of leprosy by worshipping Surya, is said to have founded the first Sun temple at Sambapura, so the Sambapura pilgrimage is tied to Sun (Surya) worship. Both statements hold, so the answer is (c).
- (a)Only 1 is correct — Understates the case — statement 2 is also correct, since Sambapura's pilgrimage is genuinely linked to Sun worship through the Samba legend.
- (b)Only 2 is correct — Understates the case — statement 1 is also correct; the Multan Sun temple is well attested by Hiuen Tsang, al-Masudi and Alberuni among others.
- (d)Neither 1 nor 2 is correct — Both statements are in fact correct, so 'neither' is wrong.
Sun (Surya) worship was a major cult in early-medieval India. The Aditya temple at Multan was one of its most celebrated and wealthy centres, repeatedly noted by foreign travellers for its idol and offerings. The associated legend of Samba — cured of leprosy by propitiating Surya and founding a solar temple at Sambapura — is preserved in the Samba Purana and links the Maga (Shakadvipi) Brahmin priesthood to Sun worship.
This is a 'two-statement' culture question. Students who recognise the traveller-accounts of Multan's Sun temple and the Samba–Surya story mark both correct; the trap is doubting statement 2 because the exact location of Sambapura is debated. Note statement 2 only ties Sambapura's pilgrimage to Sun worship, which is well supported, regardless of that geographic debate.
- Multan's Aditya (Sun) temple is described by Hiuen Tsang (641 CE), al-Masudi and Alberuni (and the Arab traveller Abu Zaid).
- In the Samba Purana, Samba is cured of leprosy by worshipping Surya and founds the first Sun temple at Sambapura.
- The Sambapura pilgrimage is therefore associated with Sun (Surya) worship.
- Maga / Shakadvipi Brahmins were traditionally the priests of the Sun cult.
- Marking statement 2 wrong because scholars dispute whether Sambapura is Multan — the statement only links Sambapura to Sun worship, which is correct
- Confusing which travellers described Multan (Hiuen Tsang and the Arab geographers) with those who did not
UPPSC uses two-statement true/false items on art & culture; UPSC often pairs a foreign traveller with what he described or asks which sites are famous for Sun temples.
Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples? 1. Arasavalli 2. Amarkantak 3. Omkareshwar. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer(a) 1 only
Tests the same theme — Sun temples and Surya worship in India (Arasavalli houses a major Surya Narayana temple).
- practice — not a real PYQ
The wealthy Aditya (Sun) temple famously described by Hiuen Tsang and Alberuni was located at:
- (a)Multan
- (b)Konark
- (c)Modhera
- (d)Thanesar
Answer(a) Multan — its Sun temple was recorded by Hiuen Tsang, al-Masudi and Alberuni.
- practice — not a real PYQ
According to the Samba legend, Krishna's son Samba was cured of leprosy by worshipping which deity?
- (a)Shiva
- (b)Vishnu
- (c)Surya
- (d)Ganesha
Answer(c) Surya — after which he is said to have founded a Sun temple at Sambapura.