Q61. Which of the following provides the most appropriate explanation for the rapid spread of the Mathura school of art’s stylistic features across the Indian subcontinent?
Ancient Indian Art, Architecture and Science: RAS Prelims MCQs
79 RAS Prelims MCQs on ancient Indian art, architecture and science test monuments, schools of sculpture, metallurgy and mathematics. Ajanta, Bharhut, Amaravati and Gandhara, the Iron Pillar of Delhi, the zinc smelting at Zawar and the work of Aryabhata and Brahmagupta feature, and each explanation links the work to its dynasty or site.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 61–70 of 79 questions
Q62. Match the items in List I with the items in List II to identify the correct subjects of ancient texts.
| Ancient Texts | Central Subject Matter |
|---|---|
| A. Aryabhatiya | i. Alchemy and metallurgy |
| B. Ashtanga Hridaya | ii. Architecture and town planning |
| C. Rasaratnasamuccaya | iii. Astronomy and Mathematics |
| D. Manasara | iv. Ayurveda and internal medicine |
Explanation
Ancient Indian literature covers a wide range of scientific and technical subjects. The Aryabhatiya is a fundamental text on mathematics and astronomy, while the Ashtanga Hridaya is a core manual for Ayurvedic medicine. The Rasaratnasamuccaya deals with the chemical properties of minerals and metals, and the Manasara provides detailed rules and guidelines for architecture, sculpture, and urban planning.
Q63. Read the following statements regarding early ancient Indian architecture:
Statement I: The Lomas Rishi cave in the Barabar hills features a finely polished interior and a decorated entrance facade.
Statement II: It was excavated under the patronage of Ashoka for the monks of the Ajivika sect.
Which of the following is correct?
Statement I: The Lomas Rishi cave in the Barabar hills features a finely polished interior and a decorated entrance facade.
Statement II: It was excavated under the patronage of Ashoka for the monks of the Ajivika sect.
Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
The Lomas Rishi cave, part of the Barabar hill complex, is a masterpiece of early rock-cut architecture. It features a sophisticated, mirror-like interior polish and an entrance facade carved to resemble contemporary wooden structures. It was excavated during the reign of Emperor Ashoka specifically for the Ajivika sect, representing one of the earliest examples of state-sponsored religious architecture in ancient India.
Q64. Read the following statements regarding the development of astronomy in ancient India:
I. Brahmagupta authored the Brahmasphutasiddhanta.
II. Ancient Indian astronomers accurately calculated the duration of the solar year.
III. The concept of heliocentrism was universally accepted and codified in all ancient Vedic texts.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. Brahmagupta authored the Brahmasphutasiddhanta.
II. Ancient Indian astronomers accurately calculated the duration of the solar year.
III. The concept of heliocentrism was universally accepted and codified in all ancient Vedic texts.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Ancient Indian astronomy was highly advanced, with scholars like Brahmagupta and Aryabhata providing detailed calculations of the solar year and planetary movements. However, the concept of heliocentrism--the idea that the Earth revolves around the sun--was not a universally accepted or codified belief in ancient Vedic or scientific texts. Most ancient models remained geocentric, although they reached a high degree of mathematical accuracy.
Q65. Which of the following pairs regarding ancient Indian sculptural arts is correctly matched?
Explanation
The Didarganj Chauri Bearer is a quintessential example of Mauryan era art, distinguished by its monumental form and the characteristic mirror-like polish applied to its sandstone surface. Other pairings, such as Kanishka’s statue or the Elephanta Shiva, belong to the Kushana and post- Gupta periods respectively, while Yaksha figures were common across many indigenous traditions beyond just the Gandhara school.
Q66. A historian translates an ancient Sanskrit text that describes the preparation of Kshara (alkaline substances) using limestone and ashes for surgical use. This application of material science to medicine is most prominently detailed in which of the following works?
Explanation
The application of chemistry to medical practice is a notable feature of ancient Indian science. The Sushruta Samhita provides detailed instructions on how to prepare kshara, or alkaline substances, from various plant ashes and limestone. These substances were used for treating wounds and in surgical procedures, demonstrating that ancient physicians had a practical and sophisticated understanding of chemical reactions and their biological effects.
Q67. The following question consists of two statements -- Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer the question by selecting the appropriate option.
Assertion (A): The Amaravati school of art is renowned for its intense and emotionally expressive narrative reliefs.
Reason (R): It evolved under the patronage of the Satavahanas and Ikshvakus, completely devoid of any indigenous Indian influence.
Assertion (A): The Amaravati school of art is renowned for its intense and emotionally expressive narrative reliefs.
Reason (R): It evolved under the patronage of the Satavahanas and Ikshvakus, completely devoid of any indigenous Indian influence.
Explanation
The Amaravati school is celebrated for its dynamic and emotionally charged narrative reliefs, which represent a high point in early Indian art. However, it was not devoid of indigenous influence. On the contrary, while it flourished under the Satavahanas and Ikshvakus and possibly had some contact with foreign styles, its artistic language remained deeply rooted in local traditions and themes.
Q68. What was the primary cause for the large-scale establishment of Viharas in ancient India?
Explanation
The establishment of Viharas in ancient India was driven by the lifestyle of Buddhist and Jain monks. Originally, these monks were mendicants who traveled constantly. However, during the monsoon season, travel became impossible. This led to the creation of permanent residential quarters, or Viharas, where monks could stay collectively during the rains, eventually evolving into large-scale centers of education and monastic life.
Q69. Read the following statements regarding scientific knowledge in Vedic texts:
I. The Rigveda describes an ancient calendar system based on lunar and solar cycles.
II. The Atharvaveda contains references to the anatomy of the human body.
III. The Vedic people possessed the knowledge of working with metals like copper and bronze.
IV. The concept of zero was mathematically formalized with a symbol in the early Rigvedic hymns.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The Rigveda describes an ancient calendar system based on lunar and solar cycles.
II. The Atharvaveda contains references to the anatomy of the human body.
III. The Vedic people possessed the knowledge of working with metals like copper and bronze.
IV. The concept of zero was mathematically formalized with a symbol in the early Rigvedic hymns.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Vedic texts demonstrate significant early scientific knowledge, including a calendar system based on celestial cycles, basic anatomical observations, and the practical use of metals like copper. However, while the concept of "nothingness" or zero existed philosophically, the mathematical formalization of zero as a specific numeric symbol and its use in calculations were developments that occurred later in the post-Vedic period.
Q70. In ancient Indian architectural treatises (Vastu Shastra), what does the term "Mandapa" signify?
Explanation
In ancient Indian temple architecture, the Mandapa is a crucial functional space. It is a large, pillared hall that leads to the inner sanctum or Garbhagriha. The Mandapa served as a venue for various public activities, including religious congregational prayers, ritual dances, and musical performances, allowing the community to participate in the spiritual life of the temple complex.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 61 | (d) Its indigenous style resonated with multiple religious traditions. |
| 62 | (a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii |
| 63 | (c) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. |
| 64 | (c) III only |
| 65 | (a) Didarganj Chauri Bearer - Highly polished Mauryan period sculpture. |
| 66 | (c) Sushruta Samhita |
| 67 | (c) A is true but R is false. |
| 68 | (c) The need for permanent monastic quarters during the monsoon season. |
| 69 | (a) I, II and III only |
| 70 | (d) The pillared hall preceding the sanctum for public rituals. |
Key facts from Ancient Indian Art, Architecture and Science
- The Ajanta caves are rock-cut monuments excavated in a horseshoe-shaped gorge.
- The Bharhut stupa is known for narrative bas-reliefs of Jataka tales; the Amaravati Stupa is a Satavahana work.
- Gandhara sculpture shows the Buddha with curly hair and flowing drapery under Hellenistic and Roman influence.
- The Iron Pillar of Delhi resists rust because of a protective passive film of misawite.
- Zawar in Rajasthan is known for ancient zinc smelting with retorts and distillation furnaces.
- Aryabhata set rules for square and cube roots; Brahmagupta wrote the Khandakhadyaka.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Ancient Indian Art, Architecture and Science?
This page has 79 practice MCQs on Ancient Indian Art, Architecture and Science (Ancient Indian History). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Why does the Iron Pillar of Delhi not rust?
It forms a protective passive film of misawite on its surface. This thin layer of iron, oxygen and phosphorus compounds shields the metal underneath, which is why the pillar has resisted corrosion for many centuries.
What is Zawar in Rajasthan known for?
Zawar has retorts and distillation furnaces from ancient and medieval times and is known for early zinc smelting. It shows that India had an advanced metallurgical tradition and was among the first to produce zinc on a large scale.
Who wrote the Khandakhadyaka?
Brahmagupta, the ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer. The Khandakhadyaka is a text on astronomy and mathematics, and it is usually asked together with Aryabhata’s work on roots and the idea of a spherical Earth.