The correct option is (c) Both 1 and 2.
Explanation
The architectural and structural details of the Mauryan capital, Pataliputra, are primarily known through the accounts of the Greek ambassador Megasthenes in his work Indika, as well as archaeological findings corresponding to the period.
- Statement 1 is Correct: Megasthenes described Pataliputra as a large, parallelogram-shaped city surrounded by a wooden wall. This fortification was punctuated by 570 towers and had 64 gates.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Due to the abundance of timber in the region, wood was the primary building material. The houses were typically two or three stories high and were constructed of wood and mud brick. The royal palace itself was largely made of wood, distinguished by intricate carvings, although stone was introduced later during the Mauryan period.
Key Takeaway: Pataliputra was a fortified city characterized by extensive wooden architecture, including a massive wooden palisade with 64 gates and multi-storied residential structures built from wood and mud brick.