Test is part of Rau’s IAS Test series for Preliminary Exam 202 3

Test ID
GENERAL STUDIES (PAPER–I)
1008

ART AND CULTURE

Time Allowed: 1 Hour Maximum Marks: 100

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This test is part of Rau’s IAS Test series for Preliminary Exam 202 3
1. With reference to the Bhimbetka paintings, of human form are crude in the Indus
consider the following statements: Valley.
1. The paintings of the Upper Palaeolithic 2. The seals of the Indus Valley are mostly
phase are linear representations. made of copper and occasionally of
2. Hunting scenes was the predominant steatite.
theme of the Mesolithic period 3. The script engraved on the seals give
paintings. great details about the Indus Valley
3. Green and black were the favourite Civilization.
colours of the artists of the Bhimbetka. Which of the statements given above are
Which of the statements given above are incorrect?
correct? (a) 1 and 2 only
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

5. Consider the following statements:

2. Consider the following statements:
1. The Indus Valley pottery consists chiefly
1. The ‘Lost Wax’ technique is associated
of hand-made wares.
with the stone statues of the Indus
Valley Civilization. 2. Necklaces and fillets were worn by both
the sexes in the Indus Valley
2. The popularity of bronze casting was
limited to Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. Civilization.

Which of the statements given above is/are 3. Spinning of cotton and wool was very
correct? common in the Indus Valley
(a) 1 only Civilization.

(b) 2 only Which of the statements given above are

correct?
(c) Both 1 and 2
(a) 1 and 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(b) 2 and 3 only

3. With reference to the Prehistoric rock (c) 1 and 3 only

paintings, consider the following (d) 1, 2 and 3
statements:
1. In India, the earliest paintings have 6. Consider the following statements:
been reported from the lower 1. The practice of Yaksha worship was
Palaeolithic times. assimilated in Buddhism and Jainism.
2. The caves of Bhimbetka were discovered
2. Similar to the Achaemenian’s, the
by archaeologist V.S.Wakankar.
Mauryan pillars are constructed in
Which of the statements given above is/are pieces by the mason.
correct?
3. The Mauryan pillar capital found at
(a) 1 only
Sarnath symbolises Mahapriniravana.
(b) 2 only
Which of the statements given above are
(c) Both 1 and 2 incorrect?
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
4. Consider the following statements:
(c) 1 and 3 only
1. Compared to the stone and the bronze
(d) 1, 2 and 3
statues, the terracotta representations

RAUSIAS-1008 1
7. Consider the following statements: 10. Consider the following statements:
1. The Lomus Rishi cave was donated by 1. In western India, the biggest rock cut
Ashoka for the Ajivika sect. Chaitya hall was excavated at Junnar.
2. The Stupa of Sanchi was built by stones 2. Ganeshleni Vihara was excavated at
during the time of Ashoka. Kanheri (Maharashtra).
3. There are no inscriptions mentioning 3. The largest cave excavation, with more
the names of the artisans associated than two hundred caves, has been
with construction of the Stupa. excavated at Karla.
Which of the statements given above is/are Which of the statements given above are
correct?
incorrect?
(a) 1 only
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

8. Consider the following statements:

11. The machinations of Chanakya against
1. One main characteristic in all the male
Chandragupta’s enemies are described in
images of the first–second centuries
which of the following sources?
BCE is the knotted headgear.
(a) Ashtadhyayi
2. Narrative reliefs, showing Siddhartha
Gautam’s mother, Queen Mayadevi’s (b) Mudrarakshasa
dream, is depicted at both Bharhut and (c) Arthashastra
Sanchi. (d) Indika
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
12. The term ‘Palibothra’ in ancient India refers
(a) 1 only to which of the following?
(b) 2 only (a) Pali texts written during the Buddhist
(c) Both 1 and 2 period.
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 (b) Villages donated to the Brahmans.
(c) A city with gates.
9. Consider the following statements:
(d) Organization of the military in the
1. In Sarnath Buddha images, the halo Mauryan Empire.
around the head has very little
ornamentation.
13. Consider the following statements:
2. The Buddha image at Mathura is
modelled on the lines of the earlier 1. The empire of the Cholas was known to
Yaksha images. the Greek traveller Megasthenes.
3. Buddha images in Mathura have plain 2. The Ashokan inscriptions mention
transparent drapery, whereas the about the Tamraparnis.
Sarnath Buddha depicts folds of the Which of the statements given above is/are
drapery. correct?
Which of the statements given above are (a) 1 only
correct? (b) 2 only
(a) 1 and 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

RAUSIAS-1008 2
14. Consider the following pairs mentioned in 17. Consider the following pairs:
the Sangam literature: S.N. Literature Author
S.N. Term Refers to 1. Mrichchhakatika Shudraka
1. Enadi The captains of the 2. Amarakosha Vishakhadatta
army 3. Malavikagnimitra Kalidas
2. Vellalas Rich peasants
How many pairs given above is/are
3. Arasar Ruling class correctly matched?
4. Pariyars Agricultural labourers (a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
How many pairs given above is/are
(c) Only three pairs
correctly matched?
(d) None of the pairs
(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
18. “A person can attain salvation through the
(c) Only three pairs acquisition of real knowledge and his
(d) All four pairs misery can be ended for ever. This
knowledge can be acquired through
15. Which of the following statements is/are perception (Pratyaksha), inference
(Anumana) and hearing (Shabda).”
correct about the Sangam literature texts?
The above description refers to which of the
1. Melkannakku throws light on the state
following philosophies?
formation during the Sangam age.
(a) Vaisheshika
2. Kilkanakku throws light on the code of
(b) Mimansa
conduct of the king and his court, social
(c) Samkhya
groups and occupations.
(d) Vedanta
Select the correct answer using the code
given below:
19. Brahmasutra of Badarayana forms the
(a) 1 only
basic text of which of the following
(b) 2 only philosophies?
(c) Both 1 and 2 (a) Mimansa
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 (b) Shamkhya
(c) Vedanta
16. Which of the following statements is/are (d) Charvaka
correct about the plays of the Gupta
period? 20. Which of the following statements is/are
1. They are all comedies and there are no correct about the connections of ancient
tragedies in these plays. India with other regions of the world?
2. The Shudras featuring in these plays 1. The Indian culture spread to South-east
spoke Pali language, while the higher Asia through the medium of Buddhism.
classes spoke Sanskrit. 2. India’s links to West Asia were by the
means of Christianity.
Select the correct answer using the code
Select the correct answer using the code
given below:
given below:
(a) 1 only
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

RAUSIAS-1008 3
21. Which of the following texts gives the How many pairs given above is/are
information about Trishala’s fourteen correctly matched?
dreams, when she conceives Mahavir? (a) Only one pair
(a) Kalpasutra (b) Only two pairs
(b) Sangrahini Sutra (c) Only three pairs

(c) Uttaradhyana Sutra (d) All four pairs

(d) Kalakacharyakatha
25. Consider the following statements:
1. Kala Bhavana was India’s first National
22. ‘Nimatnama’ is related to which of the
Art School.
following?
2. Both Abanindranath and E. B. Havell
(a) It is a book related to temple were critical of the Colonial Art Schools.
architecture.
3. Rabindranath Tagore’s Journey’s End
(b) It is a book related to martial arts. shows the influence of the Mughal and
(c) It is a book related to cave paintings. the Pahari miniatures.
(d) It is a book of recipes with a section on Which of the statements given above are
hunting. correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
23. Consider the following statements:
(c) 1 and 3 only
1. The writer of Gita Govinda was a court
(d) 1, 2 and 3
poet of Lakshmana Sen of Bengal.
2. Kavipriya was written in the honour of
26. The terms Utka, Svandhinpatika,
Rai Parbin, a celebrated courtesan of
Vasaksajja and Kalahantarita are related to
Orchha.
which of the following schools?
3. Bihari Satsai is composed in the form of (a) Pahari School
aphorisms and moralising witticism.
(b) Kangra School
Which of the statements given above is/are (c) Basohli School
correct?
(d) Guler School
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only 27. “Yogini is complimented by a group of white
(c) 1 and 3 only structures right at the top, as a tapering,
(d) 1, 2 and 3 visual note. The Yogini is pre-occupied with
a Myna bird, as if in conversation. The
Yogini is adorned with jewellery and her
24. Consider the following pairs: hair bun elongates her visual presence. The
S.N. Type of Painting State long scarves swirl in rhythmic circle around
her body, which has exquisite flora
1. Pabuji ki Phad Maharashtra
surrounding it in exquisite landscape”.
Painting
The above description is a theme of which
2. Pichhwai Rajasthan of the following paintings?
Painting (a) The Golconda School of Painting
3. Pithoro Painting Uttarakhand (b) The Bijapur School of Painting
4. Sawara Painting Madhya (c) The Ahmadnagar School of Painting
Pradesh (d) The Basohli School of Painting

RAUSIAS-1008 4
28. Bihzad and Shah Muzaffar were the 2. Hinayana Buddhism is the dominant
painters during the period of which of the school of Buddhism at this site.
following Mughal emperors? 3. Caves related to Jains are also found
(a) Babur here.
(b) Akbar Which of the statements given above are
(c) Jahangir correct?
(d) Aurangzeb (a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
29. Consider the following statements about (c) 1 and 3 only
the Rashtrakutas: (d) 1, 2 and 3
1. According to Al-Masudi, the
Rashtrakuta king, Balhara, was the 32. Consider the following pairs of monuments
greatest king of India. and their location:
2. The Rashtrakutas patronised only 1. Chand Minar Daulatabad
Saivism and Vaishnavism.
2. Tomb of Itmad-ud- Delhi
3. The rock-cut temple of Siva at Ellora
Daula
was built by Krishna I.
3. Jahaz Mahal Mandu
Which of the statements given above are
correct? 4. Bibi ka Maqbara Aurangabad
(a) 1 and 2 only How many of the above pairs are correctly
(b) 2 and 3 only matched?
(c) 1 and 3 only (a) Only one pair
(d) 1, 2 and 3 (b) Only two pairs
(c) Only three pairs
30. Consider the following statements: (d) All four pairs
1. The Shatrunjay hills near Palitana are a
pilgrimage site related to Jainism. 33. Consider the following statements:
2. Lalitagiri and Vajragiri are the sites 1. Charbagh refers to a style of
related to Buddhism. architecture which was introduced by
3. The Sittanavasal caves in Tamil Nadu the Mughals.
are related to Vaishnavites. 2. Taj Mahal is placed in the centre of the
Which of the statements given above is/are Charbagh.
correct? 3. Humayun's Tomb is placed in the
(a) 1 and 2 only centre of the Charbagh.
(b) 2 and 3 only Which of the statements given above are
(c) 3 only correct?
(d) 1, 2 and 3 (a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
31. Consider the following statements about (c) 2 and 3 only
the Ellora caves: (d) 1, 2 and 3
1. Triple storey caves are found at this
site.

RAUSIAS-1008 5
34. Consider the following statements about 3. Transparent drapery, which becomes a
the Buddhist architecture: part of the body.
1. Chaityas were the places of residence of 4. All Buddha images are in seated
the Buddhist monks. posture only.
2. Viharas were the places of congregation Select the correct answer using the code
and worship. given below:
3. Harmika is a small square fencing atop (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
a Stupa. (b) 2, 3 and 4 only
Which of the statements given above is/are (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
correct? (d) 1, 2 and 4 only
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only 38. With respect to the ‘Vijayanagara murals’,
(c) 3 only consider the following statements:
1. The paintings at Tiruparakunram
(d) 1, 2 and 3
represent the early phase of the
Vijayanagara style.
35. Consider the following statements about 2. The Virupaksha temple has paintings
the Jain architecture: narrating episodes from the Ramayana
1. The Jain temples of Mount Abu have and the Mahabharata.
rich sculptural decoration on the 3. The Lepakshi temple has panels which
exterior. show the procession of Vidyaranya and
2. The sculpture of Bahubali at Shravana the incarnation of Vishnu.
Belagola was commissioned under the Which of the statements given above are
Hoysala dynasty. correct?
Which of the statements given above is/are (a) 1 and 2 only
correct? (b) 2 and 3 only
(a) 1 only (c) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 39. Consider the following statements about
the Nagara style of architecture:
36. The idea of ‘Begumpur’, i.e., a place with no 1. Latina Shikhara is a square at the base
pain, was popularised by which of the and the walls curve or slope inward to a
point on the top.
following saints?
2. Phamsana is a rectangular building
(a) Kabir Das
with a roof that rises into a vaulted
(b) Ravi Das
chamber.
(c) Guru Nanak 3. Valabhi building roofs are composed of
(d) Sur Das several slabs, that gently rise to a single
point over the centre of the building.
37. Which of the following are the features Which of the statements given above is/are
found in the Sarnath School of Sculpture? correct?
1. Use of sandstone as material for the (a) 1 only
construction of the sculptures. (b) 1 and 2 only
2. Slender and well-proportioned body, (c) 2 and 3 only
but slightly elongated. (d) 1, 2 and 3

RAUSIAS-1008 6
40. With respect to the “Deogarh temple”, 43. With respect to the “Dravida style of
consider the following statements: architecture”, consider the following
1. It is in the Panchayatana style of statements:
architecture. 1. The front wall has an entrance gateway
2. The temple depicts Shiva in various in its centre, known as the Gopuram.
forms. 2. The word ‘Shikhara’ is equivalent to the
Amlak and Kalasha of the north Indian
3. It is a classic example of the late Gupta
temples.
period type of temple.
3. At the entrance to the temple’s
Which of the statements given above are
Garbhagriha, it would be usual to find
correct?
the images of the river goddesses,
(a) 1 and 2 only Ganga and Yamuna.
(b) 2 and 3 only Which of the statements given above are
(c) 1 and 3 only correct?
(d) 1, 2 and 3 (a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
41. With respect to the “Lakshmana temple of (c) 1 and 3 only
Khajuraho”, consider the following (d) 1, 2 and 3
statements:
1. It is dedicated to Vishnu. 44. Consider the following statements:
2. It was built by the Chandela king, 1. The shore temple at Mahabalipuram
Dhanga. was built in the reign of
3. The temple has projecting balconies and Narasimhavarman I.
verandahs, thus very similar to the 2. The Brahadeeshwarar temple was
Deogarh temple. completed by Rajaraja Chola.
Which of the statements given above are 3. Mahabalipuram, known as
correct? Mamallapuram, is named after
Mahendravarman I.
(a) 1 and 2 only
Which of the statements given above are
(b) 2 and 3 only
incorrect?
(c) 1 and 3 only
(a) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
42. Consider the following statements:
(d) 1, 2 and 3
1. The Sun temple with a massive
rectangular stepped tank, at Modhera,
45. Which of the following cave/temples were
was built by Raja Bhimdev I of the
constructed by the Chalukya dynasty?
Solanki dynasty.
1. The Ravana Phadi Cave
3. Mount Abu is made up of grey
2. The Virupaksha Temple
sandstone.
3. The Papnath Temple
Which of the statements given above are
Select the correct answer using the code
correct?
given below:
(a) 1 only
(a) 2 only
(b) 2 only (b) 1 and 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (c) 2 and 3 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 (d) 1, 2 and 3 only

RAUSIAS-1008 7
46. The inscription at Mandagapattu depicts Which of the statements given above are
numerous titles, such as Vichitrachitta, correct?
Chitrakarapuli and Chaityakari, related to (a) 1 and 2 only
which of the following? (b) 2 and 3 only
(a) Rajendra Chola I (c) 1 and 3 only
(b) Narasimhavarman I (d) 1, 2 and 3
(c) Mahendravarman I
(d) Paramesvaravarman II 49. Consider the following statements:
1. Alauddin Khalji added an entrance door
47. With respect to the ‘Badami murals’, to the Qutab.
consider the following statements: 2. A striking feature of the Tughlaq
1. The Chalukyan king, Pulakesi I, architecture was the sloping walls.
patronised the excavation of the Badami Which of the statements given above is/are
caves. correct?
2. Murals in the Badami caves depict the (a) 1 only
royal hunting scenes.
(b) 2 only
Which of the statements given above is/are
(c) Both 1 and 2
correct?
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
50. Consider the following statements:
(c) Both 1 and 2
1. Kabir emphasised the unity of God.
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
2. Guru Nanak laid great emphasis on the
purity of character and conduct as the
48. Consider the following statements: first condition of approaching God.
1. The arch and the dome were not known 3. Guru Nanak had intention of founding
to the Indians earlier. a new religion.
2. In the sphere of decoration, the Turks Which of the statements given above are
eschewed representation of human and correct?
animal figures in their buildings.
(a) 1 and 2 only
3. The Turks added colour to their
(b) 2 and 3 only
buildings by using red sandstone.
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

RAUSIAS-1008 8
Answers &
Explanations
of

TEST ID: 1008

GENERAL STUDIES (PAPER – I)

Art and Culture

 ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS OF
Art and Culture
GS Paper-I: (1008)

1. Answer: (a) grinding various rocks and minerals.

Explanation: They got red from haematite (known as
 The rock art of Bhimbetka has been Geru in India). The green came from a
classified into various groups, on the green variety of a stone, called
bases of style, technique and chalcedony. White might have been
superimposition. The drawings and made out of limestone.
paintings can be categorised into seven
historical periods. Main periods are- 2. Answer: (d)
Period I, Upper Palaeolithic; Period II,
Explanation:
Mesolithic; and Period III, Chalcolithic.
The paintings of the Upper Palaeolithic  The art of bronze casting was practised
phase are linear representations, in on a wide scale by the Harappans.
green and dark red, of huge animal Their bronze statues were made using
figures, such as bisons, elephants, the ‘Lost Wax’ technique, in which the
tigers, rhinos and boars, besides stick- wax figures were first covered with a
like human figures. A few are wash coating of clay and allowed to dry. Then
paintings, but mostly they are filled the wax was heated and the molten wax
with geometric patterns. The green was drained out through a tiny hole
paintings are of the dancers and the red made in the clay cover. The hollow
ones of the hunters. mould, thus, created was filled with
 The largest number of paintings belongs molten metal, which took the original
to Period II that covers the Mesolithic shape of the object. Once the metal
paintings. During this period, the cooled, the clay cover was completely
themes are multiple, but the paintings removed.
are smaller in size. Hunting scenes  Bronze casting was popular at all the
predominate. The hunting scenes depict major centres of the Indus Valley
the people hunting in groups, armed Civilization. The copper dog and bird
with barbed spears, pointed sticks, of Lothal and the bronze figure of a bull
arrows and bows. In some paintings,
from Kalibangan are, in no way, inferior
these primitive men are shown with
to the human figures of copper and
traps and snares, probably to catch the
bronze from Harappa and Mohenjo-
animals. The hunters are shown
Daro. Metal casting appears to be a
wearing simple clothes and ornaments.
continuous tradition. The late
Sometimes, the men have been adorned
Harappan and Chalcolithic sites, like
with elaborate head-dresses and
sometimes painted with masks also. Daimabad in Maharashtra, yielded
excellent examples of metal cast
 The artists of Bhimbetka used many
sculptures. They mainly consist of
colours, including various shades of
human and animal figures. It shows
white, yellow, orange, red ochre,
how the tradition of figure sculpture
purple, brown, green and black. But,
continued down the ages.
white and red were their favourite
colours. The paints were made by

RAUSIAS-1008 1
3. Answer: (b)  The archaeologists have discovered
Explanation: thousands of seals, mostly made of
 Prehistoric paintings have been found steatite, and occasionally of agate,
in many parts of the world. We do not chert, copper, faience and terracotta,
really know if the Lower Palaeolithic with beautiful figures of animals, such
people ever produced any art objects. as unicorn bull, rhinoceros, tiger,
But, by the Upper Palaeolithic times, elephant, bison, goat, buffalo, etc. The
we see a proliferation of artistic realistic rendering of these animals in
activities. Around the world, the walls various moods is remarkable.
of many caves of this time are full of  The purpose of producing seals was
finely carved and painted pictures of mainly commercial. It appears that the
animals, which the cave-dwellers seals were also used as amulets, carried
hunted. The subjects of their drawings on the persons of their owners, perhaps
were human figures, human activities, as modern-day identity cards. The
geometric designs and animal symbols. standard Harappan seal was a square
In India, the earliest paintings have plaque 2×2 square inches, made from
been reported from the Upper steatite. Every seal is engraved in a
Palaeolithic times. pictographic script, which is yet to be
 The caves of Bhimbetka were discovered deciphered. Thus, they do not provide
in 1957–58 by eminent archaeologist details about the Indus Valley
V.S.Wakankar. Civilization. Some seals have also been
found in ivory. They all bear a great
 It is an interesting fact that the first
variety of motifs, most often of animals,
discovery of rock paintings was made in
including those of the bull, with or
India in 1867–68 by an archaeologist,
without the hump, the elephant, tiger,
Archibold Carlleyle, twelve years before
goat and also monsters.
the discovery of Altamira in Spain.
Cockburn, Anderson, Mitra and Ghosh
were the early archaeologists, who 5. Answer: (b)
discovered a large number of sites in Explanation:
the Indian sub-continent.  A large quantity of pottery excavated
from the sites, enables us to
4. Answer: (b) understand the gradual evolution of
Explanation: various design motifs, as employed in
different shapes and styles. The Indus
 The Indus Valley people made terracotta
Valley pottery consists chiefly of very
images also, but compared to the stone
fine wheel-made wares, very few
and the bronze statues, the terracotta
being hand-made. Plain pottery is more
representations of human form are
common than painted ware. Plain
crude in the Indus Valley. They are
pottery is generally of red clay, with or
more realistic in Gujarat sites and
without a fine red or grey slip. It
Kalibangan. The most important among
includes knobbed ware, ornamented
the Indus figures are those representing
with rows of knobs. The black painted
Mother Goddess. In terracotta, we also
ware has a fine coating of red slip, on
find a few figurines of bearded males
which geometric and animal designs are
with coiled hair, their posture rigidly
executed in glossy black paint.
upright, legs slightly apart and the arms
parallel to the sides of the body.  The Harappan men and women
decorated themselves with a large
variety of ornaments produced from

RAUSIAS-1008 2
 every conceivable material, ranging from  The tradition of constructing pillars is
precious metals and gemstones, to bone very old and it may be observed that the
and baked clay. While necklaces, fillets, erection of the pillars was prevalent in
armlets and finger-rings were commonly the Achamenian Empire as well. But
worn by both the sexes, women wore the Mauryan pillars are different from
girdles, earrings and anklets. Hoards of the Achamenian pillars. The Mauryan
jewellery found at Mohenjo-Daro and pillars are rock-cut pillars, thus
Lothal include necklaces of gold and displaying the carver’s skills, whereas
semi-precious stones, copper bracelets the Achamenian pillars are
and beads, gold earrings and head constructed in pieces by a mason.
ornaments, faience pendants and  The Mauryan pillar capital found at
buttons, and beads of steatite and Sarnath, popularly known as the Lion
gemstones. All ornaments are well Capital, is the finest example of the
crafted. It may be noted that a cemetery Mauryan sculptural tradition. It is also
has been found at Farmana in Haryana our national emblem. It is carved with
where the dead bodies were buried with considerable care—voluminous roaring
ornaments. lion figures firmly standing on a circular
 It is evident from the discovery of a abacus, which is carved with the figures
large number of spindles and spindle of a horse, a bull, a lion and an
whorls in the houses of the Indus Valley elephant in vigorous movement,
that spinning of cotton and wool was executed with precision, showing
very common. Spinning is indicated by considerable mastery in the sculptural
finds of whorls made of the expensive techniques. This pillar capital,
faience, as also of the cheap pottery and symbolising
shell. Men and women wore two Dhammachakrapravartana (The first
separate pieces of attire, similar to the sermon by the Buddha), has become a
dhoti and the shawl. The shawl covered standard symbol of this great
the left shoulder, passing below the historical event in the life of the
right shoulder. Buddha.

6. Answer: (b) 7. Answer: (a)

Explanation: Explanation:
 Ashoka emerged as the most powerful  The rock-cut cave carved at the Barabar
king of the Mauryan dynasty, who hills, near Gaya, in Bihar, is known as
patronised the Buddhist Shraman the Lomus Rishi cave. The facade of the
tradition in the third century BCE. cave is decorated with the semi-circular
Religious practices had many Chaitya arch as the entrance. The
dimensions and were not confined to elephant frieze carved in high relief on
just one particular mode of worship. the Chaitya arch shows considerable
The worship of Yakshas and mother- movement. The interior hall of this cave
goddesses were prevalent during that is rectangular with a circular chamber
time. So, multiple forms of worship at the back. The entrance is located on
existed. Nevertheless, Buddhism the side wall of the hall. The cave was
became the most popular social and donated by Ashoka for the Ajivika sect.
religious movement. Yaksha worship  Stupa, Vihara and Chaitya are parts of
was very popular before and after the the Buddhist and the Jaina monastic
advent of Buddhism and it was complexes, but the largest number
assimilated in Buddhism and Jainism. belongs to the Buddhist religion. One of

RAUSIAS-1008 3
 the examples of the structure of a Stupa  Carving techniques at Sanchi appear
in the third century BCE is at Bairat in more advanced than Bharhut. Symbols
Rajasthan. The great Stupa at Sanchi continue to be used representing the
was built with bricks during the time Buddha. At Sanchi Stupa-I, the
of Ashoka, and later it was covered
narratives get more elaborated,
with stone and many new additions
however, the depiction of the dream
were made. From the second century
episode remains very simple, showing
BCE onwards, we get many
the reclining image of the queen and the
inscriptional evidences mentioning
donors and, at times, their profession. elephant at the top.

 The pattern of patronage has been a

very collective one and there are very 9. Answer: (a)
few examples of royal patronage. Explanation:
Patrons range from lay devotees to the
 From the first century CE onwards,
Gahapatis and the kings. Donations by
Gandhara (now in Pakistan), Mathura
the guilds are also mentioned at several
in northern India and Vengi in Andhra
sites. However, there are very few
inscriptions mentioning the names of Pradesh emerged as important centres
the artisans, such as Kanha at of art production. Buddha, in the
Pitalkhora and his disciple Balaka at symbolic form, got a human form in
the Kondane caves in Maharashtra. Mathura and Gandhara. The sculptural
Artisans’ categories, like stone carvers, tradition in Gandhara had the
goldsmiths, stone-polishers, carpenters, confluence of Bactria, Parthia and the
etc., are also mentioned in the local Gandhara tradition. The local
inscriptions. sculptural tradition at Mathura became
so strong that the tradition spread to
8. Answer: (c) other parts of northern India. The best
Explanation: example in this regard is the Stupa
 Jataka stories became a part of the sculptures found at Sanghol in Punjab.
Stupa decoration. Interestingly, with the The Buddha image at Mathura is
rise in the construction of the Stupas in modelled on the lines of the earlier
various parts of the country, regional Yaksha images, whereas in Gandhara it
stylistic variations also began to has Hellenistic features.
emerge. One main characteristic in all
 Many Buddha images in Sarnath have
the male images of the first–second
centuries BCE is the knotted headgear. plain transparent drapery, covering
In many sculptures it is very consistent. both the shoulders, and the halo
Narrative reliefs at Bharhut show how around the head has very little
the artisans used the pictorial language ornamentation, whereas the Mathura
very effectively to communicate stories. Buddha images continue to depict
In one such narrative, showing Queen folds of the drapery in the Buddha
Mayadevi’s (The mother of Siddhartha images, and the halo around the head
Gautam) dream, a descending elephant is profusely decorated. One can visit
is shown. The queen is shown reclining
museums at Mathura, Sarnath,
on the bed, whereas an elephant is
Varanasi, New Delhi, Chennai,
shown on the top, heading towards the
Amaravati, etc., to study the features of
womb of Queen Mayadevi.
the early sculptures.

RAUSIAS-1008 4
10. Answer: (d) 12. Answer: (c)
Explanation: Explanation:
 In Karla, the biggest rock-cut Megasthenes, who was the Greek
Chaitya hall was excavated. The cave ambassador to the court of Chandragupta,
consists of an open courtyard, with two states that numerous cities existed in
pillars, a stone screen wall to protect India, but he considered Pataliputra to be
from rain, a veranda, a stone-screen the most important. He calls it
wall as facade, an apsidal vault-roof Palibothra. This Greek term means a
Chaitya hall with pillars and a Stupa at city with gates.
the back. The Karla Chaitya hall is According to him, Pataliputra was bounded
decorated with human and animal by a deep ditch and a wooden wall crowned
figures. They are heavy in their with 570 towers and had 64 gates.
execution and move in the picture
space. The Vihara caves at Nashik were 13. Answer: (b)
excavated with front pillars carved with
Explanation:
Ghata-base and Ghata-capital with
The Pandya state was known to
human figures.
Megasthenes, who lived in Pataliputra.
 One such Vihara cave was also
The earlier Sangam texts are familiar with
excavated at Junnar, in Maharashtra,
the rivers Ganges and Son, and also with
which is popularly known as
Pataliputra, the capital of the Magadhan
Ganeshleni, because an image of
Empire. The Ashokan inscriptions mention
Ganesha, belonging to a later period,
the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Keralaputras
was installed in it. Later, a Stupa was
and the Satyaputras living on the borders
added at the back of the hall of the
of the empire. Of these, only the
Vihara and it became a Chaitya-Vihara.
Satyaputras are not clearly identified.
The Stupas in the 4th and the 5th
Tamraparnis, or the people of Sri Lanka,
centuries CE have Buddha images
are also mentioned.
attached. Junnar has the largest cave
excavations – more than two hundred
caves around the hills of the town – 14. Answer: (d)
whereas; Kanheri in Mumbai has a Explanation:
hundred and eight excavated caves. The Sangam literature throws light on the
1Art&Culture(MC)13QAE(02072022) rise of the social classes during the Sangam
period. The warrior class was an important
11. Answer: (b) element in the polity and society. The
captains of the army were invested with the
Explanation:
title of Enadi at a formal ceremony.
Chandragupta of the Mauryan dynasty took
However, we have no clear idea about the
advantage of the Nandas in the last days of
Vaishyas. Civil and military offices were
their rule. With the help of Chanakya, who
held under both the Cholas and the
is known as Kautilya, he overthrew the
Pandyas by the Vellalas, or the rich
Nandas and established the rule of the
peasants. The ruling class was called
Maurya dynasty.
Arasar and its members had marriage
The machinations of Chanakya against relations with the Vellalas, who formed the
Chandragupta’s enemies are described in fourth caste. They held the bulk of the land
detail in the Mudrarakshasa, a play and thus, constituted the cultivating class,
written by Vishakhadatta in the 9th divided into the rich and the poor. The rich
century. did not plough the land themselves, but
employed labourers to undertake this.

RAUSIAS-1008 5
 Agricultural operations were generally the refer to the grants of the villages and also
task of the members of the lowest class to the descent of the kings from the solar
(Kadaisiyar), whose status appears to have and the lunar dynasties.
differed little from that of the slaves. Some
artisans were not differentiated from the 16. Answer: (a)
agricultural labourers. The Pariyars were
Explanation:
the agricultural labourers, who also worked
The plays produced in India during the
with animal skins and used them as mats.
Gupta period have two common features.
Several outcastes and forest tribes suffered
First, they are all comedies; no tragedies
from extreme poverty and lived from hand
are found. Secondly, the characters of the
to mouth. We notice sharp social
higher and the lower classes do not speak
inequalities in the Sangam age.
the same language. Women and the
Shudras featuring in these plays use
15. Answer: (c) Prakrit, whereas the higher classes use
Explanation: Sanskrit.
The Sangam literature can roughly be
divided into two groups, narrative and 17. Answer: (b)
didactic. The narrative texts are called
Explanation:
Melkannakku or Eighteen Major Works.
Bhasa was an important poet in the early
They comprise 18 major works consisting
phase of the Gupta period and he wrote 13
of 8 anthologies and 10 idylls. The didactic
plays. He wrote in Sanskrit, but his dramas
works are called Kilkanakku or Eighteen
also contain a substantial amount of
Minor Works.
Prakrit. He was the author of a drama
The narrative Sangam (Melkannakku or
called Dradiracharudatta, which was
Eighteen Major Works) texts give some idea
later re-fashioned as Mrichchhakatika or
of the state formation, in which the army
the Little Clay Cart by Shudraka. The
consisted of the groups of warriors, and the
play deals with the love affair of a poor
taxation system and judiciary arose in a
Brahmana trader with a beautiful
rudimentary form. The texts also tell us
courtesan and is considered one of the best
about trade, merchants, craftsmen and
works of ancient drama.
farmers. They speak of several towns, such
The Gupta period also saw the development
as Kanchi, Korkai, Madurai, Puhar and
of Sanskrit grammar, based on the works
Uraiyur. Of them, Puhar, or
of Panini and Patanjali. This period is
Kaveripattanam, was the most important.
particularly memorable for the
The Sangam references to the towns and
compilation of Amarakosha by
the economic activities are corroborated by
Amarasimha, who was a luminary in the
the Greek and the Roman accounts, and by
court of Chandragupta II.
the excavation of the Sangam sites.
 Mālavikāgnimitram (Pertaining to
Many of the Sangam texts, including the
Mālavikā and Agnimitra) tells the story
didactic ones, were written by the
of king Agnimitra, who falls in love with
Brahmana scholars of Prakrit or Sanskrit.
the picture of an exiled servant girl,
The didactic texts (Kilkanakku or Eighteen
named Mālavikā. When the queen
Minor Works) cover the early centuries of
discovers her husband's passion for this
the Christian era and prescribe a code of
girl, she becomes infuriated and has
conduct, not only for the king and his
Mālavikā imprisoned, but as fate would
court, but also for various social groups
have it, Mālavikā is, in fact, a true-born
and occupations. These categories could
princess, thus legitimizing the affair. It
have been possible only after the 4th
is written by Kalidasa.
century, when the Brahmanas rose in
number under the Pallavas. The texts also

RAUSIAS-1008 6
  Abhijñānaśākuntalam (Of the recognition Samkhya system and the creation of the
of Śakuntalā) tells the story of world was attributed to both. According to
king Duṣyanta who, while on a hunting the new view, nature and the spiritual
trip, meets Śakuntalā, the adopted element, together, create the world. Thus,
daughter of sage Kanu and the real at the outset, the Samkhya School of
daughter Philosophy was materialistic, but later it
of Vishwamitra and Menaka, and tended to become spiritualistic. Initially,
marries her. A mishap befalls them according to this School, a person can
when he is summoned back to the attain salvation through the acquisition of
court: Śakuntala, pregnant with their real knowledge and his misery can be
child, inadvertently offends a ended for ever. This knowledge can be
visiting Durvasa and incurs a curse, acquired through perception (Pratyaksha),
whereby Duṣyanta forgets her entirely, inference (Anumana) and hearing (Shabda).
until he sees the ring he has left with Such a method is characteristic of a
her. On her trip to Duṣyanta's court in scientific system of inquiry.
an advanced state of pregnancy, she
loses the ring and has to come away 19. Answer: (c)
unrecognized by him. The ring is found
Explanation:
by a fisherman, who recognizes the
Vedanta means the end of the Veda. The
royal seal and returns it to Duṣyanta,
Brahmasutra of Badarayana, compiled in
who regains his memory of Śakuntala
the 2nd century BC, formed its basic
and sets out to find her.
text.
 Vikramōrvaśīyam (Ūrvaśī Won by
Later, two famous commentaries were
Valour) tells the story of
written on it, one by Shankara, in the 9th
king Pururavas and the celestial
century, and the other by Ramanuja, in the
nymph Ūrvaśī, who fall in love. As an
12th century. Shankara considers Brahma
immortal, she has to return to the
to be without any attributes, but
heavens, where an unfortunate accident
Ramanuja’s Brahma had attributes.
causes her to be sent back to the earth
as a mortal; with the curse that she will Shankara considered knowledge, or Jnana,
die (and thus, return to the heavens) to be the chief means of salvation, but
the moment her lover lays his eyes on Ramanuja’s road to salvation lay in
the child which she will bear him. After practising devotion/loving faith. The
a series of mishaps, including Ūrvaśī's Vedanta Philosophy is traced to the earlier
temporary transformation into a vine, Upanishads.
the curse is lifted and the lovers are
allowed to remain together on the earth. 20. Answer: (b)
Explanation:
18. Answer: (c) Though, trade with the Roman and the
Explanation: Byzantine empires declined, religious
Samkhya, literally ‘count’, seems to relations continued.
have originated first. According to the Buddhism connected India with Central
early Samkhya philosophy, the presence of and East Asia, but Christianity linked it
the divine agency is not essential to the with West Asia.
creation of the world. The world owes its The Indian culture also spread to South-
creation and evolution more to nature, or east Asia, but not through the medium
Prakriti, than to God. This was a rational of Buddhism. Except in the case of Burma,
and scientific view. Around the 4th century it was mostly diffused through the
AD, in addition to Prakriti, Purusha or Brahmanical cults. The name
spirit was introduced as an element in the Suvarnabhumi was given to Pegu and

RAUSIAS-1008 7
 Moulmein in Burma, and merchants from the ‘Song of the Cowherd’, is a lyrical poem
Broach, Banaras and Bhagalpur traded in Sanskrit, evoking Shringara Rasa,
with Burma. portraying the mystical love between Radha
and Krishna through worldly imageries.
21. Answer: (a) Kavipriya, another poetic work by Keshav
Explanation: Das, was written in the honour of Rai
Parbin, a celebrated courtesan of Orchha.
Among the most widely illustrated
It is a tale of love, and its tenth chapter,
canonical text in the Jain tradition is
evocatively titled Baramasa, engages with
Kalpasutra. It has a section, reciting
the most enduring climactic description of
events from the lives of the 24 Tirthankaras
the 12 months of the year. While
– from their births to salvation – that
illustrating the daily life of the people in
provides a biographical narrative for the
different seasons and alluding to festivals
artists to paint. The five key incidents
falling therein, Keshav Das describes how
roughly elaborated as – conception, birth,
the Nayika prevails upon the Nayaka not to
renunciation, enlightenment and first
leave her and proceed on a journey.
sermon, and salvation from the lives of the
Tirthankaras and the events leading to and Bihari Satsai, authored by Bihari Lal,
around these – comprise most part of the constituting 700 verses (Satsai), is
Kalpasutra. composed in the form of aphorisms and
moralising witticism. It is largely held that
Kalpasutra gives the information about
he composed the Satsai around 1662, while
Trishala’s fourteen dreams, when she
he was at the court of Jaipur, working for
conceives Mahavir.
Mirza Raja Jai Singh, as the patron’s name
Kalakacharyakatha narrates the story of
appears in several verses of the Satsai. The
Acharya Kalaka, who is on a mission to
Satsai has been largely painted at Mewar
rescue his abducted sister (a Jain nun)
and less frequently in the Pahari School.
from an evil king.
Note: Ragas are traditionally envisioned in
Uttaradhyana Sutra contains the teachings
divine or human form in romantic or
of Mahavir that prescribe the code of
devotional contexts by the musicians and
conduct that the monks should follow.
the poets. Each Raga is associated with a
Sangrahini Sutra is a cosmological text specific mood, time of the day and season.
composed in the 12th century that The Ragamala paintings are arranged in
comprises the concepts about the structure albums and organized in the format of
of the universe and the mapping of the families.
space.
Each family is headed by a male Raga,
having six female consorts, called the
22. Answer: (d) Raginis. The six main Ragas are Bhairava,
Explanation: Malkos, Hindol, Dipak, Megha and Shri.
Nimatnama (Book of Delicacies) was
painted at Mandu, during the reign of Nasir 24. Answer: (b)
Shah Khalji (1500–1510 CE). Explanation:
It is a book of recipes with a section on Among the many popular traditions of
hunting, and also has methods for painting, Mithila or Madhubani painting of
preparation of medicines, cosmetics,
Bihar; Warli painting of Maharashtra;
perfumes and directions on their use.
Pithoro painting of north Gujarat and
western Madhya Pradesh; Pabuji ki Phad
23. Answer: (d) from Rajasthan; Pichhwai of Nathdwara
Explanation: (Rajasthan); Gond and Sawara painting of
Composed in the 12th century by Jayadeva, Madhya Pradesh; and Pata Chitra of
who is believed to have been the court poet Orissa (Odisha) and Bengal; etc., are few
of Lakshmana Sen of Bengal, Gita Govinda, examples.

RAUSIAS-1008 8
 Note: Pithoro paintings, painted by the whose husband is subject to her will;
Rathva Bhils of the Panchmahal region in Vasaksajja awaits her beloved’s return
Gujarat and Jhabua in the neighbouring from a voyage and decorates the bed with
state of Madhya Pradesh, are done on the flowers in a welcoming gesture; and
walls of the houses to mark special or Kalahantarita is the one who resists her
thanks-giving occasions. These are large beloved when he seeks to soften her pride
wall paintings, representing rows of and repents when he comes late.
numerous and magnificently coloured Even though describing the Ashta Nayikas
deities, depicted as horse riders. remained a favourite among the poets and
the painters, none of them is treated with
25. Answer: (a) as much flair as the Abhisarika, the one
Explanation: who hastens to meet her beloved braving
all hazards.
Kala Bhavana was India’s first National Art
School.
Abanindranath enjoyed the support of the 27. Answer: (b)
British administrator and the principal of Explanation:
the Calcutta School of Art, E. B. Havell. Yogini, Bijapur (Seventeenth Century)
Both Abanindranath and Havell were
critical of the Colonial Art Schools and the
manner in which the European taste in art
was being imposed on the Indians.
They firmly believed in creating a new type
of painting, that was Indian, not only in
subject matter, but also in style. For them,
the Mughal and the Pahari miniatures, for
example, were more important sources of
inspiration, rather than either the
Company School of Painting or the
academic style taught in the Colonial Art
Schools.
Abanindranath Tagore designed a
curriculum to include and encourage
techniques and themes in the Indian art
traditions. Abanindranath’s ‘Journey’s
End’ shows the influence of the Mughal
and the Pahari miniatures, and his
desire to create an Indian style in
painting.
Paintings from Bijapur in the sixteenth
26. Answer: (a) century have a richly illustrated
Explanation: encyclopaedia known as the Nujum al-
The depiction of Ashta Nayikas or ‘eight Ulum dated 1570. Among the 876
heroines’ is one of the most painted miniatures, which adorn this remarkable
themes in the Pahari paintings, involving little volume, many illustrate weapons and
the depiction of women in various utensils, while others the constellations.
dispositions and emotive states. To mention The women are shown in south Indian
a few – Utka is the one who is anticipating dress, tall and slender as those in the
the arrival of her beloved and patiently Ragamala paintings.
waits for him; Svandhinpatika is the one

RAUSIAS-1008 9
 The school of Bijapur was patronised by Ali Also, Shah Muzaffar finds a mention as a
Adil Shah I (1558–1580) and his successor painter, who Babur thought excelled in
Ibrahim II (1580–1627), both patrons of art the representation of hairstyle.
and literature. The latter was also an expert Note: Babur was succeeded by his son
in Indian music and author of a book on Humayun in 1530, who unfortunately fell
this subject, Nauras-nama. He was the prey to political unrest and his life took
owner of Nujum al-Ulum manuscript and many unexpected turns. Dethroned by an
might have commissioned the Ragamala Afghan, Sher Khan (Sher Shah), Humayun
series in the 1590s. took refuge in the court of the Safavid
The theme of another Deccani painting is Persian ruler, Shah Tahmasp.
Yogini – one who believes in yoga, leads a It was during his exile in Shah Tahmasp’s
disciplined life of physical and emotional court that Humanyun witnessed the
training, pursues spiritual and intellectual magnificent artistic tradition of miniature
explorations, and is famous for paintings and manuscripts. He was thrilled
renunciation of worldly attachments. But to see the skillful artists in practice,
such an attitude was not usual, and creating splendid works of art for Shah
therefore, extraordinary in practice. Tahmasp. With the assistance of Shah
This work is attributed to an artist, about Tahmasp, Humayun established his court
whom there is no record. It is to be noted in Kabul in 1545.
that the artist prefers a vertical
composition, where the long standing figure 29. Answer: (c)
of the Yogini is complimented by a group of
Explanation:
white structures right at the top, as a
According to Al-Masudi, who visited India
tapering, visual note. The Yogini is
at that time, the Rashtrakuta king, Balhara
preoccupied with a myna bird as if in
or Vallabharaja, was the greatest king of
conversation. The Yogini is adorned with
India, and most of the Indian rulers
jewellery and her hair bun elongates her
accepted his suzerainty and respected his
visual presence. The long scarves swirl in
envoys. He possessed large armies and
rhythmic circle around her body, which has
innumerable elephants.
exquisite flora surrounding it in exquisite
landscape. The Rashtrakuta rule in the Deccan, thus,
lasted for almost two hundred years, till the
end of the tenth century.
28. Answer: (a)
The Rashtrakuta rulers were tolerant in
Explanation:
their religious views and patronised not
Babur had a keen eye for portraiture and only Saivism and Vaishnavism, but
this is also recorded in his memoirs. Jainism as well.
Among the artists, who find mention in
His successor, Amoghavarsha, is said to
Babur’s memoirs, is Bihzad.
have been a Jain, but be also patronised
Bihzad’s work was dainty, but he did not other faiths.
draw the faces well. He used to greatly
The Rashtrakutas allowed the Muslim
lengthen the double chin (Ghab-Ghab) and
traders to settle and permitted Islam to be
drew bearded faces admirably.
preached in their dominions. The Muslims
Bihzad was a master artist from the had their own headman and had large
Persian School of Painting, Herat (now in mosques for their daily prayers in many of
present day Afghanistan) and was known the coastal towns in the Rashtrakuta
for his sophisticated compositions and Empire. This tolerant policy helped to
colour tints.

RAUSIAS-1008 10
 promote foreign trade, which enriched the plastered and painted, but nothing visible
Rashtrakutas. is left.
The famous rock-cut temple of Siva at The Brahmanical caves are dedicated to
Ellora was built by one of the Rashtrakuta Shaivism, but the images of both Shiva and
kings, Krishna I, in the ninth century. Vishnu, and their various forms according
The Rashtrakuta kings were great patrons to Puranic narrative are depicted. Ravana
of arts and letters. In their courts, we find shaking mount Kailash comes under
not only Sanskrit scholars, but also poets Shaivite themes.
and others who wrote in Prakrit and in the
Apabhramsha, the so-called corrupt 32. Answer: (c)
languages, which were the fore-runners of Explanation:
various modern Indian languages.
Chand Minar: It is located in Daulatabad.
The great Apabharamsha poet, It was built in Turkish style in 1435 by Ala-
Svayambhu, lived at the Rashtrakuta ud-din Bahamani of the Bahamani
court. kingdom. It is a 210 feet tapering tower,
divided into four storeys.
30. Answer: (a) The Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula, Agra: It is a
Explanation: Mughal mausoleum in the city of Agra in
The great Jain pilgrimage site in the the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Often
Shatrunjay hills near Palitana in Kathiawar described as a "jewel box", sometimes
(Gujarat), is imposing with scores of called the "Bachcha Taj" or the "Baby Taj",
temples clustered together. the tomb of Itmād-ud-Daula is often
Major Buddhist monasteries were regarded as a draft of the Taj Mahal. The
developed in Orissa (Odisha). Lalitagiri, mausoleum was commissioned by Nur
Vajragiri and Ratnagiri are the most Jahan, the wife of Jahangir, for her father
famous of them. Mirzā Ghiyās Beg, originally a Persian Amir
in exile.
The Sittanavasal caves in Tamil Nadu
are related to Jainism. Jahaz Mahal, Mandu: Situated between
two artificial lakes, this two-storied
architectural marvel is so named as it
31. Answer: (c)
appears as a ship floating in water. Built by
Explanation: Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din-Khalji, it served as a
Ellora has 34 Buddhist, Brahmanical and harem for the Sultan.
Jain caves. It is a unique art-historical site Bibi ka Maqbara, Aurangabad: It is the
in the country, as it has monasteries burial mausoleum of Emperor Aurangzeb's
associated with three religions, dating from wife, Dilras Banu Begum (posthumously
the 5th century CE onwards to the 11th known as Rabia-ud-Daurani). The site is 3
century CE. km from Aurangabad city. It is an imitation
There are 12 Buddhist caves having of the Taj Mahal at Agra and is popularly
many images belonging to Vajrayana known as the "Taj of the Deccan”.
Buddhism, like Tara, Mahamayuri,
Akshobhya, Avalokiteshwara, Maitrya,
33. Answer: (b)
Amitabha etc. The Buddhist caves are big
Explanation:
in size and are of single, double and triple
storeys. Ajanta also has excavated double- Charbagh is a Persian-style garden layout,
storeyed caves, but at Ellora, triple storey in which the main building is put at the
is a unique achievement. All the caves were centre of a quadrilateral garden, divided by
walkways or flowing water into four smaller

RAUSIAS-1008 11
 parts. The Charbagh style was brought to 36. Answer: (b)
India by the Mughals. Humayun's Tomb Explanation:
and Taj Mahal in India are the most Guru Ravi Das held in his heart a pious
famous examples of this style. desire to create a society where no one
Though both the Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi faced discrimination on the basis of caste,
and Taj Mahal in Agra have been gender, social and economic status; where
constructed in the Charbagh style, there people would pay no taxes and enjoy the
are some differences in the style of freedom to freely migrate to the places of
architecture: their choice. He envisioned a society with
1. Taj Mahal is constructed at one of people living in harmony without any sort
the edges of the Charbagh, close to of discrimination. He named this ideal
river Yamuna. society “Begampur” (A place with no pain)”.
2. Humayun’s Tomb has been constructed
at the centre of the Charbagh. 37. Answer: (a)
Explanation:
34. Answer: (c) Characteristics of the Sarnath School of
Explanation: Sculpture:
Harmika is a small square fencing atop the 1. Transparent drapery, which becomes a
Anda or the semi-circular dome of the part of the physical body.
Stupa. 2. Slender and well-proportioned body.
In Buddhism, Chaitya is a place of 3. Many sculptures of the Buddha in
congregation and worship. standing posture have been found.
In Buddhism, Vihara is a place of 4. Use of sandstone material.
residence of the Buddhist monks. 5. Halo around the head has very little
ornamentation.
35. Answer: (d)
Explanation: 38. Answer: (a)
The Jain temples at Mount Abu were Explanation:
constructed by Vimal Shah. These With the decline of power of the Chola
temples have a notable simplistic dynasty in the thirteenth century, the
exterior, in contrast with exuberant Vijayanagara Dynasty (fourteenth-sixteenth
marble interiors. Their rich sculptural centuries) captured and brought under its
decoration, with deep undercutting, creates control the region from Hampi to Trichy,
a lace-like appearance. The temple is with Hampi serving as its capital. Many
famous for its unique patterns on every paintings survive in a number of temples.
ceiling and graceful bracket figure along
The paintings at Tiruparakunram, near
the domed ceilings.
Trichy, done in the fourteenth century,
Karnataka has a rich heritage of Jain represent the early phase of the
shrines and at Shravana Belagola, the Vijayanagara style.
famous statue of Gomateshwara, the
In Hampi, the Virupaksha temple has
granite statue of Lord Bahubali, which
paintings on the ceiling of its Mandapa,
stands eighteen metres or fifty-seven
narrating the events from dynastic history
feet high, is the world’s tallest monolithic and episodes from the Ramayana and the
free-standing structure. It was Mahabharata. Among the important
commissioned by Camundaraya, the panels are the ones which show
General-in-Chief and Prime Minister of Vidyaranya, the spiritual teacher of
the Ganga kings of Mysore.

RAUSIAS-1008 12
 Bukkaraya Harsha, being carried in a The tall and curvilinear Shikhara also
palanquin in a procession and the corroborates this date. The presence of this
incarnations of Vishnu. curving Latina or Rekha-Prasada type of
In Lepakshi, near Hindupur, in present Shikhara also makes it clear that this is an
Andhra Pradesh, there are glorious early example of a classic Nagara style of
examples of Vijayanagara paintings on the temple.
walls of the Shiva temple. This west-facing temple has a grand
doorway with standing sculptures of female
39. Answer: (a) figures, representing the Ganga on the left
side and the Yamuna on the right side.
Explanation:
The temple depicts Vishnu in various
The style of temple architecture that
forms. There are three main reliefs of
became popular in northern India is known
Vishnu on the temple walls:
as Nagara. There are many sub-divisions of
Sheshashayana on the south; Nara-
the Nagara temples, depending on the
Narayan on the east; and Gajendramoksha
shape of the Shikhara. The most common
on the west. The temple is west-facing,
name for the simple Shikhara, which is
which is less common, as most temples are
square at the base and whose walls curve
east or north-facing.
or slope inward to a point on the top, is
called the 'Latina' or the Rekha-Prasada
type of Shikara. 41. Answer: (a)
The second major type of architectural form Explanation:
in the Nagara order is the Phamsana. The Lakshmana temple of Khajuraho,
Phamsana buildings tend to be broader dedicated to Vishnu, was built in 954 by
and shorter than the Latina ones. Their the Chandela king, Dhanga. A Nagara
roofs are composed of several slabs that temple, it is placed on a high platform
gently rise to a single point over the accessed by stairs. There are four smaller
centre of the building, unlike the Latina temples in the corners and all the towers or
ones, which look like sharply rising tall Shikharas rise high, upward in a curved
towers. pyramidal fashion, emphasising the
The third main sub-type of the Nagara temple’s vertical thrust ending in a
building is what is generally called the horizontal fluted disc, called an Amalak,
Valabhi type. These are rectangular topped with a Kalash or vase. The crowning
buildings with a roof that rises into a elements: Amalak and Kalash, are to be
vaulted chamber. found on all Nagara temples of this period.
The temple also has projecting balconies
and verandahs, thus very different from
40. Answer: (c)
the Deogarh temple.
Explanation:
The Deogarh temple (in Lalitpur district,
42. Answer: (a)
Uttar Pradesh) was built in the early sixth
Explanation:
century CE. This makes it a classic
example of a late Gupta period type of About the temples in the north-western
temple. This temple is in the Panchayatana parts of India, including Gujarat and
style of architecture, where the main shrine Rajasthan etc.
is built on a rectangular plinth, with four The stone used to build the temples ranges
smaller subsidiary shrines at the four in colour and type. While sandstone is the
corners (making it a total number of five commonest, a grey to black basalt can be
shrines, hence the name, Panchayatana). seen in some of the tenth to the twelfth

RAUSIAS-1008 13
 century temple sculptures. The most the entrance to the north Indian
exuberant and famed is the temple’s Garbhagriha, it would be usual
manipulatable soft white marble, which to find the images, such as the Mithunas
is also seen in some of the tenth to the and the river goddesses, Ganga and
twelfth century Jain temples in Mount Yamuna, in the south you will generally
Abu and the fifteenth century temple at find the sculptures of fierce Dvarapalas,
Ranakpur. or the door-keepers, guarding the
Among the most important art-historical temple. It is common to find a large water
sites in the region is Samlaji in Gujarat, reservoir, or a temple tank, enclosed within
which shows how earlier artistic traditions the complex. Subsidiary shrines are either
of the region mixed with a post-Gupta style incorporated within the main temple tower,
and gave rise to a distinct style of or located as distinct, separate small
sculpture. A large number of sculptures shrines beside the main temple.
made of grey schist have been found in this
region, which can be dated between the 44. Answer: (c)
sixth and the eighth centuries CE. Explanation:
The Sun temple at Modhera dates back to The Pallavas were one of the ancient south
the early eleventh century and was built by Indian dynasties that were active in the
Raja Bhimdev I of the Solanki dynasty in Andhra region from the second century CE
1026. There is a massive rectangular onwards and moved south to settle in Tamil
stepped tank, called the Surya Kund in Nadu.
front of it.
Their early buildings, it is generally
The influence of the woodcarving tradition assumed, were rock-cut, while the later
of Gujarat is evident in the lavish carving ones were structural. However, there is
and sculpture work. However, the walls of reason to believe that the structural
the central small shrine are devoid of buildings were well known, even when the
carving and are left plain as the temple rock-cut ones were being excavated. The
faces the east and, every year, at the time early buildings are generally attributed to
of the equinoxes, the Sun shines directly the reign of Mahendravarman I, a
into this central shrine. contemporary of the Chalukyan king,
Pulakesin II of Karnataka.
43. Answer: (a) Narasimhavarman I, also known as
Explanation: Mamalla, who acceded the Pallava
Unlike the Nagara temple, the Dravida throne around 640 CE, is celebrated for
temple is enclosed within a compound wall. the expansion of the empire, avenging
The front wall has an entrance gateway in the defeat his father had suffered at the
its centre, which is known as the Gopuram. hands of Pulakesin II, and inaugurating
The shape of the main temple tower, known most of the building works at
as the Vimana in Tamil Nadu, is like a Mahabalipuram, which is known after
stepped pyramid, that rises up him as Mamallapuram.
geometrically, rather than the curving The shore temple at Mahabalipuram was
Shikhara of north India. In the south built later, probably in the reign of
Indian temples, the word ‘Shikhara’ is used Narasimhavarman II, also known as
only for the crowning element at the top of Rajasimha, who reigned from 700 to 728
the temple, which is usually shaped like a CE.
small Stupika, or an octagonal cupola – The magnificent Shiva temple of Thanjavur,
this is equivalent to the Amlak and Kalasha called the Rajarajeswara or
of the north Indian temples. Whereas at Brahadeeshwarar temple, was completed

RAUSIAS-1008 14
 around 1009 by Rajaraja Chola, and is the 46. Answer: (c)
largest and the tallest of all Indian temples. Explanation:
The Pallava kings, who succeeded the
45. Answer: (d) Chalukya kings in parts of south India,
Explanation: were also the patrons of arts.
By about 750 CE, the early western Mahendravarma I, who ruled in the seventh
Chalukya control of the Deccan was taken century, was responsible for building
by the Rashtrakutas. Their greatest temples at Panamalai, Mandagapattu and
achievement in architecture is the Kanchipuram. The inscription at
Kailashnath temple at Ellora. Mandagapattu mentions
Mahendravarman I with numerous titles,
The early western Chalukyas ruled most of
such as Vichitrachitta (curious-minded);
the Deccan till the mid-eighth century,
Chitrakarapuli (tiger among artists); and
when they were superseded by the
Chaityakari (temple builder), which show
Rashtrakutas. The early Chalukyan activity
his interest in art activities.
also takes the form of rock-cut caves, while
the later activity is of structural temples.
The earliest is probably the Ravana Phadi 47. Answer: (d)
cave at Aihole, which is known for its Explanation:
distinctive sculptural style. Badami was the capital of the early
The most elaborate of all Chalukyan Chalukyan dynasty, which ruled the region
temples, at Pattadakal, made in the reign of from 543 to 598 CE. With the decline of the
Vikramaditya II (733-44), by his chief Vakataka rule, the Chalukyas established
queen Loka Mahadevi, is the Virupaksha their power in the Deccan. The Chalukya
temple. Another important temple from this king, Mangalesha, patronised the
site is the Papnath temple, dedicated to excavation of the Badami caves. He was
Lord Shiva. the younger son of the Chalukya king,
By contrast, other eastern Chalukyan Pulakesi I, and the brother of Kirtivarman I.
temples, like the Mahakuta, five kilometres The paintings in this cave depict palace
from Badami, and the Swarga Brahma scenes. One shows Kirtivarman, the son of
temple at Alampur, show a greater Pulakesi I, and the elder brother of
assimilation of the northern styles from Mangalesha, seated inside the palace with
Orissa (Odisha) and Rajasthan. The other his wife and feudatories watching a dance
temples are the Durga temple at Aihole, the scene. Towards the corner of the panel are
Lad Khan temple at Aihole in Karnataka. the figures of Indra and his retinue.
With the waning of the Chola and the
Pandya power, the Hoysalas of Karnataka 48. Answer: (b)
grew to prominence in south India and Explanation:
became the most important patrons
The arch and the dome were known to the
centred at Mysore.
Indians earlier, but they were not used on a
The remains of around hundred temples large scale. Moreover, the correct scientific
have been found in the southern Deccan. method of constructing the arch was rarely
The Hoysaleshvara temple (The Lord of the employed. The architectural device
Hoysalas) at Halebid in Karnataka was generally used by the Indians consisted of
built in dark schist stone by the Hoysala putting one stone over another, narrowing
king in 1150. Dedicated to Shiva as the gap till it could be covered by a coping-
Nataraja, the Halebid temple is a double stone or by putting a beam over a slab of
building, with a large hall for the Mandapa stones.
to facilitate music and dance.

RAUSIAS-1008 15
 The Turkish rulers used both the dome and However, there is no any ‘batter’ in the
arch method as well as the slab and beam buildings of Firuz Tughlaq. A second
method in their buildings. feature of the Tughlaq architecture was the
In the sphere of decoration, the Turks deliberate attempt to combine the
eschewed representation of human and principles of the arch, and the lintel and
animal figures in their buildings. Instead, beam in their buildings. This is found in a
they used geometrical and floral designs, marked manner in the buildings of Firuz
combining them with panels of inscriptions Tughlaq.
containing verses from the Quran.
Thus, the Arabic script itself became a 50. Answer: (a)
work of art. The combination of these Explanation:
decorative devices was called arabesque. Kabir, who is generally placed in the
They also freely borrowed Hindu motifs fifteenth century, emphasised the unity of
such as the bell motif the bel motif, God whom he calls by several names, such
swastika, lotus, etc. Thus, like the Indians, as Rama, Hari, Govinda, Allah, Sain,
the Turks were intensely fond of Sahib, etc.
decoration. The skill of the Indian stone-
He strongly denounced idol-worship,
cutters was fully used for the purpose.
pilgrimages, bathing in holy rivers or taking
The walls of the small tomb of Iltutmish part in formal worship, including namaz.
(near the Qutab Minar, Delhi) were so Nor did he consider it necessary to
intricately carved that hardly a square inch abandon the life of a householder for the
is left vacant. sake of a saintly life.
The Turks also added colour to their Like Kabir, Guru Nanak laid emphasis on
buildings by using red sandstone. Yellow the one God, by repeating whose name and
sandstone or marble was used in these dwelling on it with love and devotion one
buildings for decoration and to show off the could get salvation without distinction of
colour of red sandstone. caste, creed or sect.
However, Nanak laid great emphasis on the
49. Answer: (c) purity of character and conduct as the first
Explanation: condition of approaching God, and the need
The Khalji period saw a lot of building of a guru for guidance.
activity. Alauddin Khalji built his capital at Like Kabir, he strongly denounced idol-
Siri, a few kilometres away from the site worship, pilgrimages and other formal
around the Qutab. observances of the various faiths.
Alauddin planned a tower twice the height Nanak had no intention of founding a
of the Qutab, but did not live to complete it. new religion. His catholic approach aimed
But he added an entrance door to the at bridging distinctions between the Hindus
Qutab. This door, which is called the Alai and the Muslims, in order to create an
Darwaza, has arches of very pleasing atmosphere of peace, goodwill and mutual
proportions. It also contains a dome which, give and take. This was also the aim of
for the first time, was built on correct Kabir.
scientific lines.
A striking feature of the Tughlaq
architecture was the sloping walls. This is
called ‘batter’and gives the effect of
strength and solidity to the building.

RAUSIAS-1008 16