๐ Chapter 03 ยท PYQs ยท Medieval Architecture
Medieval Architecture โ Previous Year Questions
UPSC, APPSC, and TGPSC previous year questions on medieval architecture with detailed answers.
The Qutb Minar was completed by:
- A) Qutb-ud-din Aibak
- B) Iltutmish
- C) Balban
- D) Alauddin Khalji
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Answer: B โ The Qutb Minar was begun by Qutb-ud-din Aibak and completed by Iltutmish. Firoz Shah Tughlaq later repaired the top two storeys.
With reference to the Mughal period of Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct? (1) Humayun’s Tomb was the first garden tomb in India. (2) The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. 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. Humayun’s Tomb (1572 CE) was the first garden tomb in India, and the Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for Mumtaz Mahal.
The Gol Gumbaz is located in which city?
- A) Hyderabad
- B) Bijapur (Vijayapura)
- C) Gulbarga
- D) Badami
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Answer: B โ The Gol Gumbaz is located in Bijapur (now Vijayapura), Karnataka. It is the mausoleum of Muhammad Adil Shah of the Adil Shahi dynasty.
With reference to the Mughal architecture, the term “pietra dura” refers to:
- A) A type of dome construction
- B) Inlay work using semi-precious stones
- C) A style of calligraphy
- D) A type of garden layout
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Answer: B โ Pietra dura refers to the technique of inlaying semi-precious stones (lapis lazuli, carnelian, jade, turquoise) into marble to create decorative patterns. It was perfected during Shah Jahan’s reign.
The Charminar in Hyderabad was built by which ruler?
- A) Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah
- B) Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah
- C) Abdullah Qutb Shah
- D) Abul Hasan Qutb Shah
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Answer: B โ The Charminar was built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 CE to commemorate the founding of Hyderabad and the end of a plague epidemic.
Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar. Which of the following is NOT located at Fatehpur Sikri?
- A) Buland Darwaza
- B) Tomb of Salim Chishti
- C) Moti Masjid
- D) Panch Mahal
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Answer: C โ The Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) is located in Agra Fort, not at Fatehpur Sikri. It was built by Shah Jahan as a private mosque.
The Golconda Fort is associated with which dynasty?
- A) Adil Shahi
- B) Qutb Shahi
- C) Nizam Shahi
- D) Barid Shahi
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Answer: B โ The Golconda Fort is associated with the Qutb Shahi dynasty of Hyderabad. It was later captured by Aurangzeb in 1687 CE.
The Iron Pillar in the Qutb Minar complex was originally erected by which ruler?
- A) Ashoka
- B) Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya)
- C) Samudragupta
- D) Skandagupta
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Answer: B โ The Iron Pillar in the Qutb Minar complex was erected by Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) in the 4th century CE. It is remarkable for its rust-resistance over 1,600 years.
The Jama Masjid in Delhi, the largest mosque in India, was built by:
- A) Akbar
- B) Jahangir
- C) Shah Jahan
- D) Aurangzeb
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Answer: C โ The Jama Masjid in Delhi was built by Shah Jahan between 1644โ1656 CE. It can accommodate approximately 25,000 worshippers.
Which of the following pairs is correctly matched? (Monument โ Builder)
- A) Humayun’s Tomb โ Humayun
- B) Agra Fort โ Shah Jahan
- C) Fatehpur Sikri โ Akbar
- D) Red Fort โ Jahangir
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Answer: C โ Fatehpur Sikri was built by Akbar (1571โ85 CE). Humayun’s Tomb was built by Haji Begum; Agra Fort was built by Akbar; Red Fort was built by Shah Jahan.