The story of the monkey king is shown on a piece of sculpture found from a stupa at _____ in Central India.

Correct option is D

Correct Answer: (d) Bharhut
Explanation:
· The story of the Monkey King (a Jataka tale) is depicted on a sculptural panel found at the Bharhut Stupa in Central India (present-day Madhya Pradesh).
· The Bharhut sculptures are among the earliest examples of Buddhist narrative art, dating to the Shunga period (2nd century BCE).
Information Booster:
· Jataka tales illustrate previous lives of the Buddha and were commonly carved on early Buddhist stupas.
· Bharhut Stupa is famous for:
· Detailed narrative reliefs
· Use of Prakrit inscriptions in Brahmi script
· Symbolic representation of Buddha through aniconic symbols (like footprints, throne, Bodhi tree).
· The Monkey King story teaches the values of self-sacrifice and leadership.
Additional Knowledge (More Important Facts for Other Options):
· (a) Amaravati:
· Located in Andhra Pradesh; known for its Amaravati School of Art (Satavahana period).
· Rich Buddhist sculptures but not the source of the Monkey King panel.
· (b) Nagarjunakonda:
· Also in Andhra Pradesh; a major Buddhist centre with stupas and monasteries from Ikshvaku period.
· (c) Lumbini:
· Birthplace of Gautama Buddha (Nepal).