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Consider the following statements regarding the ‘Nagara Style’ of temple architec-
ture:
1. The entire temple is built on a high stone platform called a ‘Jagati’.
2.Unlike the Dravida style, it generally does not have elaborate boundary walls or gate-
ways (Gopurams).
3. The presence of a water tank within the temple premises is a mandatory feature of
this style.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A
1 and 2
- B
2 and 3
- C
1 and 3
- D
1,2 and 3
Explanation
• Statement 1 is correct: Nagara temples rise from raised stone platforms called Jagatis.
• Statement 2 is correct: Nagara layouts generally lack the imposing protective boundary
walls or monumental gateways (Gopurams) typical of Dravida schools.
• Statement 3 is incorrect (UPSC Core Trap): Temples of the southern Dravidian style
feature mandatory interior water tanks (Kalyani). While northern temples are placed
near rivers, internal ritual tanks are not standard Nagara features.
With reference to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, consider the following pairs:
1. Koodiyattam: Sanskrit theatre of Kerala.
2. Mudiyettu: Ritual theatre and dance drama of Tamil Nadu.
3. Kalbelia: Folk songs and dances of Rajasthan.
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched
- A
1 only
- B
1 and 3 only
- C
1 ,2 and 3
- D
2 and 3
Explanation
Correct Answer: B (1 and 3 only)
Syllabus Connection: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists and Folk Traditions. • Pair 1 is correctly matched: Koodiyattam is Kerala’s ancient Sanskrit temple drama tra dition, performed by the Chakyars and Nambiars. • Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: While Mudiyettu is a spectacular ritualistic theater based on the epic clash of Kali and Darika, it belongs to Kerala, not Tamil Nadu. • Pair 3 is correctly matched: Kalbelia features snake-like flowing black dances accompa nied by traditional Rajasthani songs, performed by the Kalbelia nomadic tribe
Who was the principal still photographer and trusted collaborator who documented Satyajit Ray’s life for over two decades, now being showcased in a color exhibition?
- A
Utpal Dutt
- B
Bandi Chandragupta
- C
Nemai Ghosh
- D
Pradip Phanjoubam
Explanation
Nemai Ghosh documented Ray from 1968 (Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne) until 1992. The exhibition at DAG features his rarely-seen color photographs.
o Why others are incorrect: A was a theatre personality Ghosh worked with. B was an art director who introduced Ghosh to Ray. D is an editor/author writing about Manipuri cinema.
Which of the following describes the ‘Sattriya’ dance form?
1. It was introduced by the great Vaishnava saint Srimanta Sankaradeva in Assam.
2. It is performed in monasteries called ‘Sattras’.
3. It wasrecognizedasaclassical dance ofIndia bytheSangeetNatakAkademiintheyear 2000.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A
1 and 2
- B
1 and 3
- C
2 and 3
- D
1,2 and 3
Explanation
Correct Answer: D (1, 2, and 3) Syllabus Connection: Classical Dance Forms.
• Whyall statements are correct: Sattriya is the newest classical dance form, integrated as a regular classical form in 2000 CE. It was designed in 15th-century Assam by saint Sankaradeva to propagate Neo-Vaishnavite beliefs in monasteries called Sattras.
Consider the following statements regarding ‘Kalamkari’ painting:
1. It is a type of hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile produced in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
2. It uses only natural dyes derived from plants, roots, and minerals.
3. TheMachilipatnamstyle ofKalamkari is primarily influenced by Hindutempletraditions and depicts mythological scenes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct
- A
1 only
- B
1 and 2
- C
2 and 3
- D
1.2 and 3
Explanation
Correct Answer: B (1 and 2 only) Syllabus Connection: Traditional Indian Handloom and Crafts.
• Statement 1 is correct: Kalamkari is a widely recognized cotton canvas craft native to Andhra Pradesh. •
Statement 2 is correct: Pure Kalamkari relies exclusively on organic pigments extracted from madder root, pomegranate rinds, iron rust, and leaves. • Statement3isincorrect: Thetemple-inspired mythology style is Srikalahasti Style. The Machilipatnam Style features block prints depicting nature and geometric designs de veloped to cater to Persian and export tastes
Consider the following statements regarding the Gandhara School of Art:
1. It was heavily influenced by Greco-Roman elements, often referred to as Indo-Greek
art.
2. The school primarily used white marble as the medium for sculptures.
3. It flourished under the patronage of the Kushana dynasty, particularly during the
reign of Kanishka.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A
1 and 2 only
- B
2 and 3 only
- C
1 and 3 only
- D
1,2and3
Explanation
Post-Mauryan Art and foreign-influenced schools of sculpture.
• Statement 1 is correct: The Gandhara School developed a dual character: technical
Hellenistic-Roman concepts blended with Buddhist iconography. Common traits include
Buddha’s wavy curls, Greek-profile nose, and heavy, toga-like drapery.
• Statement 2 is incorrect (Trap): This is a classic historical material trap. The Gandhara
School heavily utilized grey-blue schist stone (and later stucco plaster) for sculpting.
White marble was characteristic of the southern Amaravati School of Art.
• Statement 3 is correct: The primary patronage was provided by the Kushana dynasty,
which simultaneously nurtured the indigenous Mathura School.
With reference to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, consider the following pairs:
1. Koodiyattam: Sanskrit theatre of Kerala.
2. Mudiyettu: Ritual theatre and dance drama of Tamil Nadu.
3. Kalbelia: Folk songs and dances of Rajasthan.
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- A
1 only
- B
1 and 3 only
- C
2 and 3 only
- D
1 ,2 and 3 only
Explanation
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists and Folk Traditions.
• Pair 1 is correctly matched: Koodiyattam is Kerala’s Sanskrit-language temple drama
tradition, performed by the Chakyars and Nambiars.
• Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: While Mudiyettu is a spectacular ritualistic theater based
on the epic clash of Kali and Darika, it belongs to Kerala, not Tamil Nadu.
• Pair 3 is correctly matched: Kalbelia features snake-like flowing black dances accom-
panied by traditional Rajasthani songs, performed by the Kalbelia nomadic tribe.
Consider the following statements about the ‘Ajanta Caves’:
1. They consist of both Chaityas (prayer halls) and Viharas (monasteries).
2. The paintings were executed using the ‘Fresco-secco’ technique.
3. The caves depict themes from both Buddhism and Jainism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct
- A
1 and 2
- B
2 and 3
- C
1 and 3
- D
1,2 and 3
Explanation
Correct Answer: A (1 and 2 only) Syllabus Connection: Ancient Caves and Paintings.
• Statement 1 is correct: The Ajanta site displays 29 rock-cut caves incorporating both residential Viharas (monasteries) and prayer halls (Chaityas).
• Statement 2 is correct: Unlike western frescoes that paint on wet lime plaster, Ajanta painters used the Fresco-secco technique, applying pigments to a dry layer of clay, cow dung, and rice husk bound with lime
. • Statement 3 is incorrect (High-Priority Trap): Ajanta is exclusively Buddhist in theme. The nearby Ellora Caves contain religious shrines representing Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism
Consider the following statements regarding the Vesara Style of Architecture:
1. It is a hybrid style that combines features of both Nagara (North) and Dravida (South)
styles.
2. The style was initiated by the Pallavas and reached its zenith under the Cholas.
3. The trend was to reduce the height of the temple towers (Vimana) while increasing
the complexity of the ground plan.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A
1 only
- B
1 and 3 only
- C
2 and 3 only
- D
1 , 2 and 3
Explanation
Evolution of Temple Architecture
• Statement 1 is correct: The Vesara style acts as a stylistic hybrid, standardizing elements from Northern (Nagara) and Southern (Dravida) temple structures.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Vesara was pioneered and popularized by the Chalukyas of Badami (Karnataka) in the 7th-century CE. The Pallavas and Cholas were pure champions
of the Dravida style.
• Statement 3 is correct: Architects of this style compressed the towering Dravidian tiers
(Vimanas) and focused intensely on expanding intricate ground layouts (e.g., star-shaped
or Stellate bases) and elaborate horizontal carvings.
With reference to the history of Indian Rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements:
1. The caves at Barabar were built during the Mauryan period for the Ajivika sect.
2. At Ellora, caves were made for Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
3. TheUdayagiri-Khandagiri caves in Odisha were primarily built under the patronage of the Satavahana rulers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct
- A
1 only
- B
1 and 2
- C
1 and 3
- D
ALL
Explanation
Correct Answer: B (1 and 2 only) Difficulty Level: Hard Syllabus Connection: Ancient Rock-cut Architecture and Dynastic Patronage. • Statement 1 is correct: The Barabar caves (including Lomas Rishi cave) represent the earliest rock-cut shrines in India, carved under Mauryan patronage for Ajivika ascetics. • Statement 2 is correct: Ellora houses 34 rock caves that collectively represent Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain systems. • Statement 3 is incorrect: The Udayagiri-Khandagiri cave complexes in Odisha were pa tronized by King Kharavela of the Chedi Dynasty to host Jain monks, not by the Satava hanas
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These are sample questions with their answers. Log in to attempt them, track your accuracy, earn coins and save every session to your history.