Architecture in Ancient India (Part-II)

41. Where is the famous Virupaksha temple located ? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2009]

(a) Bhadrachalam
(b) Childambaram
(c) Hampi
(d) Srikalahsti

Correct Answer: (c) Hampi

Solution:The Virupaksha Temple is located at Hampi, Bengaluru in the state of Karnataka. This temple is devoted to Lord Shiva, who is known as Virupaksha here.

Virupaksha Temple is located in Hampi in the Vijayanagara district of Karnataka, India, situated on the banks of the river Tungabhadra, a 7th-century temple of Lord Shiva. It is part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is dedicated to Sri Virupaksha. The temple was built by Lakkan Dandesha, a nayaka (chieftain) under the ruler Deva Raya II, also known as Prauda Deva Raya of the Vijayanagara Empire.

42. The Nagara, the Dravide the Vesara are : [I.A.S. (Pre) 2012, 1995]

(a) The three main racial groups of the Indian subcontinent.
(b) The three main linguistic divisions into which the languages of India can be classified.
(c) The three main styles of Indian temple architecture.
(d) The three main musical gharanas were prevalent in India.

Correct Answer: (c) The three main styles of Indian temple architecture.

Solution:The Nagar, Dravida and Vesara are three main styles of temple architecture. In these, the Dravida style of the temple construction was developed in South India while the Nagara style of temples construction was developed in North India. Vesara style is a mixture of Nagara and Dravidian styles.

43. With reference to the cultural history of India, the term Panchayatan' refers to - [I.A.S. (Pre) 2014]

(a) An assembly of village elders
(b) A religious sect
(c) A style of temple construction
(d) An administrative functionary

Correct Answer: (c) A style of temple construction

Solution:A temple that has a central shrine surrounded by four subsidiary shrines is called Panchayatana. The origin of the name is the Sanskrit words Pancha (five) and ayatana (containing) .
The example of Panchayatana Temple are
(i) Kandariya Mahadeo Temple - Khajurao
(ii) Brahmeshwar Temple, Lingaraja Temple - Bhubaneswar
(iii) Dashavatara Temple - Deogarh (U.P)

44. Naimisharanya famous pilgrimage is located in which of the following district ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2002]

(a) Ujjain
(b) Mathura
(c) Sitapur
(d) Jabalpur

Correct Answer: (c) Sitapur

Solution:Naimisharanya is located in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh. It is believed that Sage Dadhichi gladly gave up his bones to Devas here. The bone of Sage Dadhichi was used to make the weapon Vajra. This weapon was then used by Lord India to defeat the Asuras to reclaim as the king of Devloka.

45. With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs : [I.A.S. (Pre) 2014]

Famous work of sculpture	Site
1. A grand image of Buddha's Mahaparinirvan a with numerous celestial musicians above and the sorrowful figures of his followers below	Ajanta
2. A huge image of Varaha Avatar (Boar incarnation) of Vishnu, as he rescues Goddess Earth from the deep and shaotic waters, sculpted on rock	Mount Abu
3. 'Arjuna's Penance"/Descent of Ganga" Sculpted on the surface of huge boulders	Mamallapuram

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Solution:Among the given pairs, 1 and 3 are correct while 2 is not correct. In the cave number 26 of Ajanta, a grand statue of Mahatma Buddha is engraved. This statue is related with the 'Mahaparinirvana' of Buddha. So statement (1) is correct. The huge statue of Varaha Avatar of Lord Vishnu is described in the Udaygiri caves of Madhya Pradesh, not in Mount Abu Rajasthan. So statement (2) is not correct. 'Arjuna's Penance' sculpted on the surface of huge boulders in Mamallapuram also known as Mahabalipuram is in Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu. So statement (3) is also correct.

46. With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest ? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2015]

(a) Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneshwar
(b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli
(c) Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram
(d) Varaha Image at Udayagiri

Correct Answer: (b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli

Solution:Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneshwar was built between 10ᵗʰ-11ᵗʰ century A.D. Rockcut monuments at Mahabalipuram are built between 7ᵗʰ-8ᵗʰ century AD creation. At Udaygiri, Varaha image is 5ᵗʰ century creation. Rock cut elephant at Dhauli was created during the reign of Ashoka (273-232 B.C.). This is the oldest among the four.