Q21. Which of the following statements concerning the Panch Mahal in Fatehpur Sikri is incorrect?
Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music: RAS Prelims MCQs
67 RAS Prelims MCQs on medieval art, architecture, literature and music cover the arcuate system, the Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri, Mughal and Rajput painting, Persian and vernacular literature, and Hindustani music. Each question links a building, painter, poet or raga to its patron, region and period.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 21–30 of 67 questions
Q22. Match List I (Regional Medieval Monument) with List II (Associated Regional Style/ Location):
Select the correct code:
| Regional Medieval Monument | Associated Regional Style/Location |
|---|---|
| A. Adina Mosque | i. Jaunpur Architecture |
| B. Atala Mosque | ii. Bengal Architecture |
| C. Gol Gumbaz | iii. Malwa Architecture |
| D. Hindola Mahal | iv. Bijapur Architecture |
Explanation
The Adina Mosque is in the Bengal style, the Atala Mosque in the Jaunpur style, the Gol Gumbaz is a Bijapur monument and the Hindola Mahal is in Malwa. This gives A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii.
Q23. The medieval architectural style of Bengal is distinctly recognized by the adoption of which of the following indigenous elements?
Explanation
Bengal architecture is known for the Bangla roof, a curved, sloping roof derived from traditional thatched huts. Brick and terracotta were used because stone was scarce.
Q24. Consider the following statements about regional architectural styles in medieval India:
I. The Bengal style frequently utilized terracotta tiles and brick for surface decoration due to the lack of stone.
II. The Jaunpur style is characterized by massive, sloping pylons on the main mosque facades.
III. The Jaunpur mosques prominently featured towering, elaborate minarets at the corners of their courtyards.
IV. The Bijapur style utilized deeply overhanging cornices supported by elaborate stone brackets.
Which of the combinations given above is incorrect?
I. The Bengal style frequently utilized terracotta tiles and brick for surface decoration due to the lack of stone.
II. The Jaunpur style is characterized by massive, sloping pylons on the main mosque facades.
III. The Jaunpur mosques prominently featured towering, elaborate minarets at the corners of their courtyards.
IV. The Bijapur style utilized deeply overhanging cornices supported by elaborate stone brackets.
Which of the combinations given above is incorrect?
Explanation
Bengal used terracotta and brick because stone was scarce, Jaunpur mosques had massive sloping pylons and Bijapur had deep cornices on brackets. Jaunpur mosques had no tall corner minarets, so III is incorrect.
Q25. Identify the odd one out among the following historical monuments based on their regional architectural classification:
Explanation
Ibrahim Rauza, the Jama Masjid and the Gol Gumbaz are in the Bijapur style, while Bara Gumbad is a Lodi-period monument in Delhi. So it is the odd one out.
Q26. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur is famous for its ‘whispering gallery’ where even the softest sound can be heard across the dome.
Reason (R): The structure utilizes a highly complex system of intersecting arches designed by European acoustical engineers imported by the Adil Shahis.
Select the correct answer from the codes below:
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur is famous for its ‘whispering gallery’ where even the softest sound can be heard across the dome.
Reason (R): The structure utilizes a highly complex system of intersecting arches designed by European acoustical engineers imported by the Adil Shahis.
Select the correct answer from the codes below:
Explanation
The Gol Gumbaz has a famous whispering gallery, so the assertion is true. The effect comes from the shape and acoustics of its huge dome, not from European engineers, so the reason is false.
Q27. Which two Persian master painters were brought to India by Emperor Humayun, subsequently laying the foundational style of the Mughal atelier?
Explanation
Humayun brought the Persian painters Mir Sayyid Ali and Abd al-Samad to India. They laid the base of the Mughal atelier.
Q28. Consider the following features regarding early Mughal painting:
I. It originated primarily to illustrate grand historical and mythological manuscripts.
II. The earliest surviving major project of this period is the monumental Hamza Nama.
III. It completely rejected the use of vibrant colors, preferring muted, monochromatic Persian tones.
IV. The style reflects a synthesis of Safavid elegance and vibrant, dynamic Indian traditions.
V. The inclusion of elaborate decorative borders (margins) became a hallmark of the style.
Which of the combinations given above is correct?
I. It originated primarily to illustrate grand historical and mythological manuscripts.
II. The earliest surviving major project of this period is the monumental Hamza Nama.
III. It completely rejected the use of vibrant colors, preferring muted, monochromatic Persian tones.
IV. The style reflects a synthesis of Safavid elegance and vibrant, dynamic Indian traditions.
V. The inclusion of elaborate decorative borders (margins) became a hallmark of the style.
Which of the combinations given above is correct?
Explanation
Early Mughal painting began with illustrated manuscripts, the Hamza Nama is its major early project, it blended Safavid elegance with Indian vigour and had decorative borders. It was not muted or monochromatic, so III is wrong.
Q29. The establishment of a formal imperial painting workshop (Tasvir Khana) in the Mughal court was formally initiated during the reign of which emperor?
Explanation
The formal imperial painting workshop, the Tasvir Khana, was set up under Akbar.
Q30. Which of the following is the correct statement regarding the medieval manuscript ‘Nimat Nama’?
Explanation
The Nimat Nama is a recipe book from the Malwa Sultanate. It carries early miniature paintings with Persian influence from before the Mughals.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 21 | (a) It was exclusively designed to serve as the main treasury and mint for Akbar’s empire. |
| 22 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 23 | (d) The ‘Bangla’ roof, featuring a distinctively sloping, convex shape derived from traditional thatched huts. |
| 24 | (b) III only |
| 25 | (c) Bara Gumbad |
| 26 | (c) A is true but R is false. |
| 27 | (b) Mir Sayyid Ali and Abd al-Samad |
| 28 | (a) I, II, IV and V |
| 29 | (a) Akbar |
| 30 | (c) It is a recipe book from the Malwa Sultanate featuring early, pre-Mughal Persian- influenced miniature paintings. |
Key facts from Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music
- The arcuate system uses load-bearing arches and domes with keystones; it was brought by Islamic builders.
- Akbar built the Buland Darwaza to mark the conquest of Gujarat; the Taj Mahal follows the Timurid hasht-bihisht plan with a double dome.
- Humayun brought the Persian painters Mir Sayyid Ali and Abd al-Samad; the Tasvir Khana was set up under Akbar.
- The Bani Thani, called the Mona Lisa of India, was painted by Nihal Chand under Raja Savant Singh of Kishangarh.
- Surdas wrote in Braj Bhasha, Jayasi in Awadhi and Kalhana composed the Rajatarangini on the kings of Kashmir.
- Qawwali was popularised by the Chishti Sufis; Dhrupad was patronised by Raja Man Singh Tomar of Gwalior.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music?
This page has 67 practice MCQs on Medieval Art, Architecture, Literature and Music (Medieval Indian History). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What is the arcuate system of architecture?
A system of building with load-bearing arches and domes made with keystones. It was introduced by Islamic builders and replaced the older trabeate system of horizontal beams, though in the Sultanate period the two were often combined.
Why was the Buland Darwaza built?
Akbar built the Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri to commemorate his conquest of Gujarat in 1573. It is one of the tallest gateways in the world and is usually asked along with the other buildings of the complex.
Who painted the Bani Thani?
The painter Nihal Chand, under the patronage of Raja Savant Singh of Kishangarh. Its elongated eyes and refined features made the Kishangarh school famous, and the portrait is called the Mona Lisa of India.