Q71. Nalanda University, a peak center for Mahayana Buddhist learning, attracted scholars from across Asia. Which renowned Chinese traveler provided a detailed account of the academic life and strict admission procedures at Nalanda?
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 71–79 of 79 questions
Q72. Match the items in List I with the items in List II to identify the correct artistic centers and their predominant styles.
| Ancient Regions or Cities | Predominant Art or Architectural Styles |
|---|---|
| A. Sanchi | i. Nagara style structural temples |
| B. Mathura | ii. Indigenous red sandstone sculptures |
| C. Mahabalipuram | iii. Monolithic ratha temples and rock reliefs |
| D. Khajuraho | iv. Early brick and stone stupa architecture |
Explanation
Ancient Indian artistic centers are defined by their unique contributions. Sanchi is the site of iconic early stupas, while Mathura is famous for its indigenous red sandstone sculptures. Mahabalipuram is renowned for its monolithic ratha temples and massive rock reliefs from the Pallava period. Khajuraho represents the zenith of the medieval Nagara style with its complex and highly decorated structural temples.
Q73. Which ancient Indian text extensively discusses the preparation of various alloys, metallic salts, and amalgamations, demonstrating advanced chemical knowledge?
Explanation
The Rasaratnakara is a foundational text in the field of Indian alchemy and chemistry, traditionally attributed to the scholar Nagarjuna. This work contains extensive information on the processing of mercury, the preparation of various metallic salts and alloys, and the transformation of base metals. It reflects a sophisticated tradition of laboratory practice and chemical experimentation aimed at medical and industrial applications.
Q74. Read the following statements regarding the evolution of temple architecture in ancient India:
I. Early Gupta temples were simple, flat-roofed structures with a shallow porch.
II. The Dashavatara temple at Deogarh is an early example of a temple with a shikhara.
III. The Panchayatana style features a central shrine surrounded by four subsidiary shrines.
IV. Brick temples were completely unknown during the Gupta period.
V. The transition from rock-cut caves to structural temples began significantly during the Gupta era.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. Early Gupta temples were simple, flat-roofed structures with a shallow porch.
II. The Dashavatara temple at Deogarh is an early example of a temple with a shikhara.
III. The Panchayatana style features a central shrine surrounded by four subsidiary shrines.
IV. Brick temples were completely unknown during the Gupta period.
V. The transition from rock-cut caves to structural temples began significantly during the Gupta era.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
The Gupta period witnessed a remarkable transition from rock-cut architecture to structural temples, incorporating both stone and brick. While many early structures were flat-roofed, the Dashavatara temple introduced the shikhara and the Panchayatana layout. Notable brick constructions like the Bhitargaon temple prove that brick was indeed utilized for religious architecture, refuting the claim that such temples were unknown during this era.
Q75. Which of the following statements correctly describes the "Vesara" style of temple architecture?
Explanation
The Vesara style of temple architecture, which flourished in the Deccan region under dynasties like the Chalukyas, is essentially a hybrid tradition. It selectively incorporates structural elements from both the northern Nagara style, such as the shikhara shapes, and the southern Dravida style, such as the vimana design and ornamentation. This synthesis created a distinct regional architectural identity in central India.
Q76. Which of the following statements regarding the scientific development in ancient India is incorrect?
Explanation
While ancient India made monumental strides in astronomy, medicine, and metallurgy, the formalization of the laws of gravity is not attributed to Charaka. Charaka was a physician whose expertise lay in internal medicine and Ayurveda. Concepts related to planetary motion and reflected light were correctly identified by astronomers like Aryabhata, while the lost-wax technique demonstrated advanced practical chemical and metallurgical knowledge.
Q77. Arrange the following ancient Indian scholars in chronological order of their primary contributions.
I. Aryabhata
II. Charaka
III. Bhaskaracharya
IV. Brahmagupta
Select the correct order from the options given below.
I. Aryabhata
II. Charaka
III. Bhaskaracharya
IV. Brahmagupta
Select the correct order from the options given below.
Explanation
The intellectual history of ancient India follows a chronological path starting with the medical contributions of Charaka in the early centuries CE. This was followed by the groundbreaking mathematical and astronomical work of Aryabhata in the late fifth century. Brahmagupta furthered these sciences in the seventh century, while Bhaskaracharya represented the later medieval peak of Indian mathematical and astronomical scholarship.
Q78. Which of the following features is not a characteristic of the Amaravati school of art?
Explanation
The Amaravati school of art is renowned for its vibrant and dynamic aesthetic. Unlike some other traditions that emphasized static, meditative poses, Amaravati sculptures are characterized by intense movement, crowded compositions, and figures shown in various naturalistic and expressive postures. This school focused on vivid narrative storytelling, frequently depicting scenes of royal life, processions, and everyday activities alongside religious themes.
Q79. The intricate rock-cut Kailasanatha temple at Ellora was carved entirely out of a single rock face. Which of the following represents the most appropriate description of its construction technique?
Explanation
The Kailasanatha temple at Ellora is a unique engineering marvel.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 71 | (a) Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) |
| 72 | (a) A-iv, B-ii, C-iii, D-i |
| 73 | (a) Rasaratnakara |
| 74 | (a) IV only |
| 75 | (b) It features a hybridisation of the northern and southern styles. |
| 76 | (c) The concept of gravity was fundamentally discovered and mathematically formulated by Charaka. |
| 77 | (a) II, I, IV, III |
| 78 | (a) Exclusive use of spiritual, meditative poses with completely static figures. |
| 79 | (b) It was excavated top-downwards from the roof to the base. |
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.