Miscellaneous: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Medieval History)
2 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Miscellaneous (Medieval History). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–2 of 2 questions
UPSC 2009Medieval History · Miscellaneous
Q1. Where is the famous Virupaksha temple located?
Explanation
The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, dedicated to Lord Shiva, has been operational since the 7th century AD. It is a prime example of Vijayanagara architecture built by Lakkan Dandesha, a chieftain under King Deva Raya II and features intricate carvings, sculptures, and towering Gopuras adorned with Hindu mythological scenes. The temple’s central shrine houses Lord Virupaksha, an incarnation of Shiva. Surrounding the temple are smaller shrines, mandapas (pillared halls), and a spacious courtyard. Over the centuries, various dynasties have contributed to its expansion and preservation. Beyond its religious significance, the temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi, which showcases the ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire.
UPSC 2009Medieval History · Miscellaneous
Q2. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:
List-I (Famous temple)
List-II (State)
A. Vidyashankara temple
1. Andhra Pradesh
B. Rajarani temple
2. Karnataka
C. Kandariya Mahadeo temple
3. Madhya Pradesh
D. Bhimesvara temple
4. Orissa
Explanation
Indian temple architecture is categorized into three styles. The Nagara Style (North) features beehive-shaped Shikharas and intricate carvings, as seen in the Kandariya Mahadeo Temple and Konark Sun Temple. The Dravida Style (South) is known for pyramid-like structures and towering Vimanams, exemplified by the Brihadeshwara and Meenakshi Temples. The Vesara Style blends Nagara and Dravida elements, seen in the Chenna-Keshava Temple at Somanathapura.
Option (a) is correct: The correct pairings are as follows:
Vidyashankara Temple, located in Sringeri, Karnataka, is a 14th-century temple that showcases ancient Indian astronomy and architecture. Built in 1338 AD, it combines Hoysala and Dravidian styles, with a shrine honoring Sri Vidyathirtha, a key figure in Vijayanagara history. Rajarani Temple is situated in Bhubaneswar, Orissa is famous for its exquisite Kalinga architecture and temple built with red and yellow coloured sandstone, which referred as Rajarani in local language Kandariya Mahadeo Temple is one of the largest and most artistically important Hindu temples, found in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. Bhimesvara Temple is located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, and its architecture dates back to the Eastern Chalukya period characterized by Dravidian and Vesara elements.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2009
(c) Hampi
2
2009
(a) A-2; B-4; C-3; D-1
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Miscellaneous?
This page covers 2 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Miscellaneous (Medieval History), asked from 1996 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Miscellaneous?
Questions on Miscellaneous (Medieval History) are available for 13 years, from 1996 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
