๐ Chapter 02 ยท PYQs ยท Temple Architecture
Ancient Temple Architecture โ Previous Year Questions
UPSC, APPSC, and TGPSC previous year questions on temple architecture with detailed answers.
The Nagara, the Dravida and the Vesara are the:
- A) Three main racial groups of the Indian subcontinent
- B) Three main linguistic divisions into which the languages of India can be classified
- C) Three main styles of medieval Indian temple architecture
- D) Three main musical gharanas prevalent in India
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Answer: C โ Nagara, Dravida (Dravidian), and Vesara are the three main styles of medieval Indian temple architecture.
With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements: (1) Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama. (2) It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam. (3) It is performed only during festive occasions using traditional musical instruments. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A) 1 only
- B) 1 and 2 only
- C) 2 and 3 only
- D) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: B โ Sattriya is indeed a combination of music, dance and drama, and is a living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam. However, it is not performed only during festive occasions โ it is performed in satras (monasteries) as part of daily religious practice.
With reference to the cultural history of India, the memorandum “Chaturanga” is associated with which of the following?
- A) Dance
- B) Chess
- C) Martial art
- D) Music
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Answer: B โ Chaturanga is the ancient Indian predecessor of chess, originating in the Gupta period.
In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs: (1) Nagara style โ North India (2) Vesara style โ Deccan (3) Dravida style โ South India. Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- A) 1 and 2 only
- B) 2 and 3 only
- C) 1 and 3 only
- D) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: D โ All three pairs are correctly matched. Nagara = North India, Vesara = Deccan, Dravida = South India.
The Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram was built by which Pallava king?
- A) Narasimhavarman I
- B) Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha)
- C) Mahendravarman I
- D) Paramesvaravarman I
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Answer: B โ The Shore Temple was built by Narasimhavarman II (also known as Rajasimha) around 700 CE.
With reference to the Ellora Caves, which of the following statements is/are correct? (1) Buddhist, Hindu and Jain rock-cut temples are found there. (2) The Kailasa Temple is a monolithic structure. Select the correct answer:
- A) 1 only
- B) 2 only
- C) Both 1 and 2
- D) Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: C โ Both statements are correct. Ellora has Buddhist (1โ12), Hindu (13โ29), and Jain (30โ34) caves. The Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) is indeed a monolithic structure carved from a single rock.
The famous Bodhisattva Padmapani painting is found in which cave at Ajanta?
- A) Cave 2
- B) Cave 1
- C) Cave 17
- D) Cave 10
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Answer: B โ The famous Bodhisattva Padmapani painting is located in Cave 1 at Ajanta.
With reference to the Hoysala temples, which of the following statements is correct?
- A) They are built in the Nagara style
- B) They are built in the Dravidian style
- C) They are built on a star-shaped platform
- D) They are built using granite
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Answer: C โ Hoysala temples are built on a distinctive star-shaped (stellate) platform and are made of soapstone (chloritic schist), not granite.
Aihole is known as the “cradle of Indian architecture.” It is located in which state?
- A) Maharashtra
- B) Andhra Pradesh
- C) Karnataka
- D) Tamil Nadu
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Answer: C โ Aihole is located in Bagalkot district, Karnataka. It contains over 125 temples built by the Badami Chalukyas.
The Konark Sun Temple is designed in the form of a chariot with how many wheels?
- A) 12
- B) 16
- C) 24
- D) 28
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Answer: C โ The Konark Sun Temple is designed as a chariot of the Sun God with 24 wheels (representing 24 hours of the day or 24 fortnights of the year) and 7 horses.