The Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath, associated with the Buddha’s first sermon, was originally built by which ruler?

Introduction / Context:
This question asks about the construction of the Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath, an important Buddhist monument. Sarnath is traditionally the place where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon (Dhammachakrapravartana). Many stupas and pillars in such sacred sites were either founded or enlarged by particular rulers. Knowing which emperor was responsible for building or enlarging these monuments is a common theme in questions on ancient Indian history and art.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath is mentioned explicitly.
- Options include Akbar, Humayun, Ashoka and Narasimha.
- You are expected to connect the stupa with the appropriate historical period and dynasty, especially the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, known for spreading Buddhism and erecting stupas and pillars.

Concept / Approach:
The original stupa at Sarnath was built during the reign of Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya dynasty, who ruled in the 3rd century BCE. Ashoka sponsored numerous stupas, pillars and monasteries at key Buddhist sites. While the Dhamek Stupa has undergone later additions and repairs, its origin is connected to Ashoka's patronage. Akbar and Humayun were Mughal emperors of a much later era and had no role in building this ancient Buddhist monument, and Narasimha as an option does not match the known patronage history of Sarnath.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Place the Dhamek Stupa in time: it is an ancient Buddhist monument, with origins in the Mauryan period. Step 2: Recall that Emperor Ashoka, after his conversion to Buddhism, promoted Buddhist architecture by constructing numerous stupas and pillars at important sites like Sarnath, Sanchi and others. Step 3: Recognize that Akbar and Humayun belong to the 16th-century Mughal period, far removed from the early Buddhist Mauryan era. Step 4: Therefore, the appropriate ruler associated with the original construction of the Dhamek Stupa is Ashoka, making option C correct.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify by linking key Buddhist sites with Ashokan monuments: the Ashokan pillar at Sarnath, the stupas at Sanchi and sites at Bodh Gaya all date from Ashoka's time. The presence of Ashokan inscriptions and characteristic polished sandstone helps date these structures. In contrast, Mughal architecture features domes and minarets and is associated with Islamic monuments like forts and mosques, not early Buddhist stupas.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, Akbar, and option B, Humayun, are both Mughal emperors of the 16th century CE, long after the period in which Buddha lived and the original Buddhist stupas were built. They were not responsible for Dhamek Stupa's construction. Option D, Narasimha, does not correspond to any widely recognized patron of Sarnath's main stupa in standard history texts. Only Ashoka is consistently associated with the foundation of stupas at early Buddhist pilgrimage sites.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students may confuse the contributions of various dynasties to religious art, mixing up Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic architectural patronage. Another frequent error is to focus only on the fame of Mughal rulers like Akbar, assuming they built all major Indian monuments. To avoid such mistakes, it is helpful to categorize monuments by period and religion: Mauryan–Buddhist stupas and pillars; Gupta and later–Hindu and Buddhist temples; Sultanate and Mughal–mosques, forts and tombs.

Final Answer:
The Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath was originally built under the patronage of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka.