Indian Architecture: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Art and Culture)

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The concept of stupa originates from pre-Buddhist burial mounds in India which were used for funerary purposes such as burial mounds called ’Megalithic cairns’. Buddhism adopted and transformed these existing structures into significant religious monuments. While the architectural form of the Stupa was adapted and refined by Buddhists, its origins are not exclusively Buddhist.

Statement 2 is correct: Stupas were primarily built to serve as repositories of sacred relics. These relics could include the ashes or bodily remains of the Buddha, his disciples, or other revered figures. Example: the Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh) is believed to mark the spot where the Buddha delivered his first sermon. The relics were placed in a small chamber called the ’harmika’ at the center of the stupa, making it a focal point for veneration and pilgrimage.

Statement 3 is correct: Stupas serve both votive and commemorative functions often constructed as acts of reverence and offerings to the Buddha or other enlightened figures. They are built to honor important events, individuals, or historical locations. Stupas also function as centers of devotion, meditation, and pilgrimage. For example, the Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon.

Explanation

Ashoka’s Rock Edicts are distributed across South Asia and are categorized as Major and Minor Rock Edicts. These inscriptions highlight Emperor Ashoka’s principles of governance and his promotion of Dhamma, or ethical conduct. Major Rock Edict Sites: Dhauli (Odisha), Girnar (Gujarat), Mansehra and Shahbazgarhi (Pakistan), Jaugada (Odisha), Erragudi (Andhra Pradesh) Kalsi (Uttarakhand), Sopara (Maharashtra) etc. Minor Rock Edict Sites: Sopara (Maharashtra), Maski, Brahmagiri and Gavimath (Karnataka), Bairat (Rajasthan) etc.

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Dhauli is an important site of Ashoka’s Major Rock Edicts in Odisha, located near Bhubaneswar. The inscriptions mention Ashoka’s policy of Dhamma and his remorse after the Kalinga War (261 BCE). The site also features the famous Elephant Carving which symbolizes the emergence of Buddhism.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: Erragudi or Yerragudi rock edict is located in Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh. It mentions Ashoka’s efforts to spread Dhamma (morality and non-violence). The edicts here are inscribed on a granite rock and are written in Brahmi script and Prakrit language.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Jaugada is not located in Madhya Pradesh. It is actually located in the Ganjam district of Odisha. It is another significant site of Ashoka’s major rock edicts. The edicts here are written in Brahmi script.

Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: Kalsi is actually in Uttarakhand, not Karnataka. It is the only Ashokan Major Rock Edict site in North India. It highlights Ashoka’s message of non-violence, moral conduct, and religious tolerance. The edicts here are inscribed in the Brahmi script and are significant because they mark the northernmost extent of Ashoka’s empire. 4 Art and Culture

Explanation

The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple projects in Somnath Temple complex in August 2021. The Somnath temple, also called Deo Patan, is located in Prabhas Patan, Veraval in Gujarat, India.

Statement 1 is correct: Somnath Temple, is believed to be the first among the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. Apart from Somnath, other famous jyotirlingas are Mallikarjuna (Andhra Pradesh), Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh), Bhimashankar (Maharashtra), Baidyanath (Jharkhand), Kashi Vishwanath (Uttar Pradesh) etc.

Statement 2 is correct: Al-Biruni, an Arab traveler, gave a highly favorable description of Somanth temple in Kitab Al-Hind (Book of India). It is believed to have inspired Mahmud of Ghazni’s expedition in 1024 AD.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The contemporary Somnath temple’s reconstruction was started under the orders of the first Home Minister of India, Vallabhbhai Patel. The then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, did the Pran-Pratistha at the existing temple in 1951.

Explanation

India’s cave architecture is a unique form of ancient rock-cut architecture, primarily serving religious and monastic purposes. Ex-Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Elephanta Caves (Maharashtra), Udayagiri Caves (Madhya Pradesh), Badami Caves (Karnataka) etc.

Option (a) is correct: The Ajanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. They are carved into a horseshoe-shaped cliff along the Waghora River. The caves are renowned for their exquisite Buddhist rock-cut architecture and paintings, dating from the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE.

Option (b) is incorrect: The Sanchi Stupa is located in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh near the town of Sanchi. It is not in the gorge of the Chambal River but on a hill near Betwa River. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains one of the oldest Buddhist stupas.

Option (c) is incorrect: The Pandu-Lena (Trirashmi) Caves are located near Nashik, Maharashtra.The closest river is the Godavari River, not Narmada. These are Buddhist rock-cut caves, dating from 1st century BCE to 6th century CE and have inscriptions related to the Satavahanas and Western Kshatrapas.

Option (d) is incorrect: The Amaravati Stupa is located in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the largest Buddhist stupas in India built during the Satavahana period (2nd century BCE). It was rediscovered by Colin Mackenzie in 1797 and located on the banks of the Krishna River, not the Godavari River.

Explanation

Mughal and Nawabi architecture is marked by the use of red sandstone, white marble, and intricate brickwork. This choice reflects cultural influences seen in monuments like the Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Bara Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, and the Taj Mahal.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Buland Darwaza (Gate of Magnificence) and Khankah (Sufi monastery) at Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar to commemorate his victory over Gujarat. It is made of red sandstone, with some white marble used for decorative inlays. White marble is not the primary material.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Bada Imambara, located in Lucknow was built by Asaf-ud-daula in 1784. It was built to give employment and revenue to the public This structure has been made by interlocking bricks without the use of mortar in its construction. Rumi Darwaza is also located in Lucknow, built by Nawab of Awadh Asaf-ud-daula. It is built using lakhauri bricks, coated with lime. It does not use red sandstone or marble. Stucco ornamentation (gajkari) was used to decorate the monuments, giving it a deep relief effect even on flat walls.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Ajanta Caves were built in two phases: Satavahana period (2nd century BCE) and later in the Vakataka period (5th-6th century CE). They are primarily associated with Buddhist art and culture. They are famous for murals, sculptures, and rock-cut chaityas (prayer halls) and viharas (monasteries). Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) was built in the 7th-8th century CE during the reign of Narasimhavarman I (630-668 CE) of Pallava dynasty.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Ajanta caves are mostly dedicated to Buddhist denominations while Mahabalipuram is known for rock-cut monolithic temples, cave temples, and the Shore Temple (structural temple built with granite blocks) mostly dedicated to Shaivaite and Vaishnavite traditions.

Statement 3 is correct: Both Mahabalipuram and Ajanta are one of the finest examples of rock-cut monuments. The Ajanta Caves are a series of rock-cut caves carved into a horseshoe-shaped cliff housing chaityas and viharas with intricate carvings and paintings. The monuments at Mahabalipuram include rock-cut temples and bas-reliefs such as the Shore Temple, the Pancha Rathas and the Arjuna’s Penance relief.

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra) are famous for their rock-cut Buddhist architecture including sculptures and paintings from the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE. The Mahaparinirvana of Buddha (his final passing away) is depicted in Cave 26 where a huge reclining Buddha (over 23 feet long) is shown lying on his right side, with his disciples mourning below and celestial beings above. They were built under the patronage of Satavahana and Vakataka rulers.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: The Varaha Avatar sculpture is not located at Mount Abu. It is found at Udayagiri Caves near Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh. The Udayagiri Caves are famous for their early Gupta period rock-cut sculptures, including the iconic Varaha panel depicting Vishnu rescuing Goddess Earth (Bhudevi) from the ocean. Mount Abu (Rajasthan) is primarily known for its Dilwara Temples (11th-13th century CE) of Jain architecture.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: The Arjuna’s Penance or Descent of the Ganges is a massive open-air rock relief located at Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) in Tamil Nadu. It depicts scenes from Hindu mythology such as the story of Arjuna’s penance and the descent of the Ganges to earth. It is one of the largest open-air rock reliefs in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Explanation

The Ibadat Khana was built by Emperor Akbar in 1575 as a place for holding discussions with scholars of various religions, including Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism. These discussions were part of Akbar’s efforts to promote religious tolerance and understand different faiths, which eventually led to the formulation of his Din-i-Ilahi (Divine Faith)-a synthesis of various religious principlesand a syncretic religious doctrine.

Option (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

The mosque at Fatehpur Sikri is the Jama Masjid which was built for public worship and is one of the largest mosques in India. The Ibadat Khana was not Akbar’s private prayer chamber. Akbar’s private prayer chamber was likely located within the palace complex. While the Ibadat Khana was a place for religious discussions but it was not specifically a room for nobles.

Explanation

Indian rock-cut architecture includes Badami caves (6th century AD), Barabar caves for the Ajivikas (3rd century BC), and Ellora caves (5th-10th centuries AD), showcasing diverse religious traditions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, with remarkable architectural complexity.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Badami caves were constructed by the Chalukya dynasty, in their capital Badami, which was earlier known as Vatapinagar. Barabar caves are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Barabar Caves were patronized by Emperor Ashoka and his successors. These are located in Jehanabad district, Bihar.

Statement 3 is correct: Ellora caves are a complex of Hindu (Caves 13-29), Buddhist (Caves 1-12) and Jain (Caves 30-34) monuments. These were built during the Rashtrakuta dynasty. It was designated as a World heritage site by UNESCO.