Architecture in Ancient India

11. Consider the following observations about the largest stupa at Sanchi:

Consider the following observations about the largest stupa at Sanchi:

  • 1. Going by information available from the inscriptions on the railings of the stupa, the construction of part of one of its gateways was financed by the Guild of Ivory workers.
  • 2. In its original early form, this stupa was plain except for the stone railings and the gateways, which were richly carved.
  • 3. The panels on the four gateways contain sculptures only in the front and have no sculptures on the rear side.
  • 4. In 1918, when the stupa was discovered, all of its four gates were intact but the mound was in poor condition.
  • 5. Art historians have established clear connections between the sculptures of the stupa with events described in Jataka Tales.
  • 6. War scenes have also been depicted in these sculptures.

Which of the observations given above are correct?

1, 2, 3 and 4 only
2, 3, 4 and 5 only
3, 4, 5 and 6 only
1, 2, 5 and 6 only
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Let’s evaluate each statement based on historical and archaeological evidence related to the Great Stupa at Sanchi (Stupa No. 1):
1. Correct: An inscription on the southern gateway mentions that a part of the gateway was financed by the guild of ivory workers from Vidisha.
2. Correct: The original Stupa built by Ashoka was a simple structure. It was later enlarged and encased in stone, and the elaborate stone railings and carved gateways (toranas) were added during the Sunga and Satavahana periods, making them richly carved while the mound remained relatively plain.
3. Incorrect: The gateways (toranas) are carved on both the inner and outer faces, depicting narratives and symbols.
4. Incorrect: The stupa was rediscovered by General Taylor in 1818, not 1918. By then, the gateways had fallen, and the mound was overgrown. Extensive restoration work was carried out later, notably by Sir John Marshall from 1912 to 1919.
5. Correct: Many sculptures on the gateways depict scenes from the Jataka tales (stories of Buddha’s previous lives) and important events from the life of Buddha (e.g., the Great Departure, Enlightenment).
6. Correct: While the primary themes are Buddhist narratives, some panels can be interpreted as depicting conflicts or symbolic battles, such as the defeat of Mara’s army during the Enlightenment, which represents the struggle against negative forces. These might be considered ‘war scenes’ in a broader, symbolic sense within the context of religious struggle.

Based on this assessment, statements 1, 2, 5, and 6 are considered correct.

The Sanchi Stupa is a key example of early Indian Buddhist architecture and sculpture. Its expansion and embellishment over centuries reflect evolving artistic styles and patronage, including contributions from guilds and individuals. The sculptures are renowned for their narrative quality, depicting religious themes without anthropomorphic representation of the Buddha in the earliest phase.
The four elaborately carved gateways (toranas) facing the cardinal directions are the most striking features of the Great Stupa. They depict various scenes related to Buddhism, including Jataka stories, events from Buddha’s life (often represented by symbols like the Bodhi tree or chakra), and scenes of devotion and nature. The incorrect statements about carvings only on the front and the discovery/condition in 1918 are factual errors. The interpretation of ‘war scenes’ (Statement 6) might be debated depending on the strict definition, but depictions of conflict, particularly symbolic ones like Mara’s army, are present.

12. Depiction of the descent of the river Ganga from heaven in the form of

Depiction of the descent of the river Ganga from heaven in the form of relief sculpture on rock is at

Ellora
Mahabalipuram
Sanchi
Amaravati
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The correct answer is B) Mahabalipuram.
The depiction of the descent of the river Ganga from heaven is a famous relief sculpture found on a large rock face at Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) in Tamil Nadu. This magnificent relief, sometimes referred to as ‘Arjuna’s Penance’ or ‘Descent of the Ganges’, is a significant example of Pallava art from the 7th century. It illustrates a mythological tale involving Shiva, Bhagiratha, and the Ganga river.
Ellora is known for its rock-cut caves blending Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain art. Sanchi is famous for its Great Stupa and Buddhist art. Amaravati is known for its ancient Buddhist stupa and unique style of sculpture. While all are important historical sites, the specific relief depicting the Ganga’s descent is most prominently associated with Mahabalipuram.

13. Consider the following statements: Statement I: The rich sculptural

Consider the following statements:

  • Statement I: The rich sculptural tradition of Mathura is distinguished by its principal medium, the white spotted red sandstone
  • Statement II: The white spotted red sandstone is locally available in Mathura region
Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I
Both the statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I
Statement I is true but Statement II is false
Statement I is false but Statement II is true
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Both statements are individually true, and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I.
– Statement I is true. The Mathura school of art, which flourished from the 1st to the 3rd centuries CE, is well known for its sculptures, primarily made from a distinctive red sandstone, often found with white spots. This material is a defining characteristic of the Mathura style.
– Statement II is true. The red sandstone used by the Mathura sculptors was readily available from quarries in the region surrounding Mathura, such as those at Sikri and Rupbas.
– Statement II directly explains why Statement I is true. The rich sculptural tradition of Mathura utilized white spotted red sandstone because this material was easily accessible locally. The availability of the raw material in the region directly influenced the characteristic medium of the sculptures produced there.
– The Mathura school developed independently of the Gandhara school, although there was interaction between the two. While Gandhara art used grey schist or stucco, Mathura art used local red sandstone.
– The Mathura school produced sculptures of various deities, including Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Jina Tirthankaras, and Hindu deities like Vishnu and Shiva, as well as Yakshas and Yakshinis.

14. The Nagar style of architecture developed mostly in

The Nagar style of architecture developed mostly in

South India
North India
North-West India
North-East India
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The correct option is B) North India.
Indian temple architecture is broadly classified into three styles: Nagar, Dravida, and Vesara. The Nagar style, characterized by its curvilinear shikhara (spire), developed and is predominantly found in the northern regions of India, extending into central and eastern parts as well.
The Nagar style typically includes a sanctuary (garbhagriha) and one or more mandapas (halls) covered by shikharas. Examples include the Khajuraho temples, Sun Temple at Konark, Lingaraj Temple at Bhubaneswar, and temples in Rajasthan and Gujarat. The Dravida style is found in South India and features tiered pyramidal towers (vimanas). The Vesara style, found in the Deccan, is a hybrid blend of Nagar and Dravida characteristics.

15. India is a land of many beautiful ancient temples. Which one among the

India is a land of many beautiful ancient temples. Which one among the following temples displays the most extensive and sumptuous rock-cut shrines and is the most marvellous architectural freak in India ?

The Rath temple at Mamallapuram
The Kailash temple at Ellora
The Chaturbhuja-Vishnu temple at Khajuraho
The Kailash temple at Kanchi
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The correct option is B) The Kailash temple at Ellora.
The description “most extensive and sumptuous rock-cut shrines” and “most marvellous architectural freak” perfectly fits the Kailash Temple (Cave 16) at Ellora. It is a monolithic structure carved out of a single rock face, designed to replicate a structural temple, and is unparalleled in scale and craftsmanship among rock-cut monuments in India.
The Kailash Temple at Ellora, built by the Rashtrakuta dynasty (likely under King Krishna I in the 8th century), is one of the most spectacular examples of Indian rock-cut architecture. It is carved top-down from a single massive rock, creating a complete temple complex with a main shrine, gateway, pavilions, and courtyard. The Rath temples at Mamallapuram are also monolithic but are much smaller and less complex. The temples at Khajuraho and the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchi are structural temples, built stone by stone, not rock-cut.

16. Which one of the following temple complexes of India does not represen

Which one of the following temple complexes of India does not represent the typical Nagara style ?

Tigawa, Madhya Pradesh
Nachna, Rajasthan
Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh
Mammalapuram, Tamil Nadu
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The correct option is D) Mammalapuram, Tamil Nadu.
The temple complexes at Mammalapuram (Mahabalipuram) in Tamil Nadu were built by the Pallava dynasty and are prime examples of Dravidian style architecture. The Dravidian style is distinct from the Nagara style (Northern Indian style) primarily characterized by its vimana (pyramidal tower over the sanctum), large temple complexes with gopurams (gateway towers), mandapas, and water tanks.
Tigawa (Kankali Devi Temple), Nachna (Parvati Temple), and Deogarh (Dashavatara Temple) are all sites featuring temples from the Gupta period (4th-6th centuries CE) which are considered early examples or transitional forms of the Nagara style of temple architecture in North India.

17. Which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. The Ajanta cav

Which of the following statements is/are correct ?

  • 1. The Ajanta caves have been painted with scenes from Jainism.
  • 2. The crowning achievement of Ellora caves is the colossal monolithic Kailasanath temple.
  • 3. The Ajanta caves have been built over a period of eight centuries by different rulers.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1, 2 and 3
1 and 3 only
2 only
2 and 3 only
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Statements 2 and 3 are correct, while statement 1 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect. The Ajanta caves are primarily associated with Buddhism, featuring paintings and sculptures depicting the Jataka tales (stories of the Buddha’s previous lives) and scenes from his life. Statement 2 is correct. The Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) at Ellora is a monumental monolithic rock-cut temple dedicated to Shiva and is widely considered the most outstanding architectural achievement among the Ellora caves. Statement 3 is correct. The Ajanta caves were built over a considerable period, dating from roughly the 2nd century BCE (Satavahana period) to the 5th-6th centuries CE (Vakataka period), involving different phases of construction and patronage by various rulers over about eight centuries.
The Ellora caves complex includes shrines and monasteries of three different religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism, reflecting the religious harmony prevalent during the periods of their construction (roughly 6th to 10th centuries CE).

18. Consider the following pairs: Place Well-known for 1. A

Consider the following pairs:

Place Well-known for
1. Alchi Temple Lakshmidevi sculpture
2. Sthaneshwar Temple Ardhanarishvara sculpture
3. Jain Temple at Osian Image of Vrishabhanatha

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
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Statement 1 is incorrect. Alchi Monastery in Ladakh is a significant Buddhist site, renowned for its unique wall paintings (murals) and sculptures depicting Buddhist themes, heavily influenced by Kashmiri and Central Asian styles. It is not primarily known for a Lakshmidevi sculpture, which is a Hindu deity.
Statement 3 is correct. Osian in Rajasthan is known for its ancient Hindu and Jain temples. The Jain temples there contain images of Jain Tirthankaras, and images of Vrishabhanatha (Adinatha), the first Tirthankara, are indeed found and celebrated there.
Statement 2 is correct. Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple is a famous Shiva temple in Thanesar, Haryana. While it is known for its historical significance and as a pilgrimage site, it also contains significant sculptures, including depictions of Ardhanarishvara (a form of Shiva). It is considered well-known for such iconographies within its collection.
Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correctly matched, while statement 1 is not.
Knowledge of prominent archaeological and religious sites and their well-known features is required. Alchi is Buddhist art (murals), Osian Jain temples feature Tirthankaras, and Sthaneshwar temple features various Shiva forms.
Osian was a major religious centre between the 8th and 11th centuries. The Jain temples there are fine examples of Pratihara architecture. Sthaneshwar temple has ancient roots, linked to the Pushyabhuti dynasty.

19. Consider the following statements regarding Sanchi and its archaeologi

Consider the following statements regarding Sanchi and its archaeological findings :

  • 1. When Sanchi was discovered in 1818, three of its four gateways were still standing, the fourth was lying on the spot where it had fallen
  • 2. Animals depicted at Sanchi include elephants, horses, monkeys and cattle

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Only 1
Only 2
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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Statement 1: Sanchi was discovered in 1818 by General Taylor. Historical accounts confirm that at the time of discovery, three of the four gateways (Toranas) of the Great Stupa (Stupa 1) were standing, while the fourth (the northern gateway) had fallen. So, statement 1 is correct.
Statement 2: The carvings on the gateways and railings at Sanchi, particularly Stupa 1, are renowned for depicting various scenes from Jataka tales and events from the life of Buddha. These carvings include numerous representations of animals such as elephants, horses, monkeys, cattle, deer, lions, etc., often used symbolically or as part of narrative scenes. So, statement 2 is correct. Since both statements are correct, the answer is C.
Both the condition of Sanchi gateways upon discovery in 1818 and the variety of animals depicted in its sculptures are historically and archaeologically accurate facts.
Sanchi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Madhya Pradesh, India, famous for its Great Stupa built by Emperor Ashoka. The gateways are particularly noted for their intricate and detailed carvings.

20. Consider the following statements about the Nagara style of temple arc

Consider the following statements about the Nagara style of temple architecture :

  • 1. This style of temples are commonly found in the areas between Himalayas and Vindhyas.
  • 2. The most striking feature of this style is its pyramidal shikhara.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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The correct answer is A.
Statement 1 is correct. The Nagara style of temple architecture is predominantly found in the region spanning from the Himalayas in the north to the Vindhya mountains in central India.
Statement 2 is incorrect. While some sub-types of Nagara shikhara, like the Phamsana type, can be somewhat pyramidal, the most characteristic and striking feature of the main shikhara in the Nagara style is typically its curvilinear (Rekha-prasada) form, resembling a beehive, not a pyramid. Pyramidal superstructures are more characteristic of Dravidian Vimanas or the mandapas within the Nagara style.
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