NTA UGC NET/JRF Exam JUNE-2025 ARCHAEOLOGY

The Tirthankara images in Jain art are typically depicted in two principal postures:
A. Dhyana (Meditative posture): The seated, cross-legged position symbolizing deep meditation and enlightenment.
B. Kayotsarga (Standing posture): The erect, motionless stance representing renunciation and detachment from the physical body.
Postures like Parinirvana and Sayan are associated with Buddhist iconography, not Jain. The correct option is 1: A and B only.

The Samharamurtis of Shiva represent his fierce, destructive forms used for subduing evil. These include:
A. Kalarimurti: depicts Shiva conquering Yama (god of death) to save Markandeya.
B. Sarabheshamurti: shows Shiva as Sarabha, subduing the fierce Narasimha avatar of Vishnu.
C. Mallarisivamurti: represents Shiva destroying the demon Malla.
The correct option is 4: A, B and C only.

Epigraphical evidence indicates that Nagarjunakonda was a major center of multiple Buddhist schools, including:
A. Mahaviharavasin (affiliated with the Mahasanghika tradition)
B. Mahisasaka
C. Bahusrutiya
D. Aparmahavanaseliya
All four are mentioned in inscriptions found at the site, demonstrating its cosmopolitan and scholastic character during the Ikshvaku period.
The correct option is 1: A, B, C and D.

The Mesolithic sites that provided evidence of the early domestication of sheep and goat in India are Bagor and Adamgarh.
A. Bagor (Rajasthan): Excavations revealed faunal remains from the earliest phase (Phase I) dating to around the 5th millennium BCE, confirming domestication of animals such as sheep, goat, and cattle - marking
one of the earliest instances of animal husbandry in India.
B. Adamgarh (Madhya Pradesh): Faunal studies from the Mesolithic levels indicate domesticated species of sheep and goat, showing early pastoral activities in central India.
The correct option is 2: A and B only.

The Saivite temples that depict numerous karanas (dance poses) from Bharata's Natya Shastra include:
A. Brihadisvara Temple, Tanjore: features many karanas carved on the inner walls of the Nataraja niches.
D. Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram: explicitly dedicated to the dancing Shiva (Nataraja), with sculptural representations of the 108 karanas.
The correct option is 3: A and D only.

Matching Temples with Their Locations:
A. Dasavatara Temple: III. Devgarh (Gupta period Vishnu temple, Uttar Pradesh)
B. Kankali Devi Temple: II. Nachna-Kuthar (Gupta era temple dedicated to the goddess)
C. Parvati Temple: I. Tigwa (Early Gupta temple, Madhya Pradesh)
D. Maniyar Math: IV. Rajgir (Brick structure associated with Naga worship)
The correct match is 2: A-III, B-I, C-II, D-IV.

The orientation of Vishnu's head in Sayanamurti (reclining form) is believed to produce different spiritual effects for devotees, as per Vaishnava
iconography:
A. East: IV. Shantidam (Peace): Brings tranquility and auspiciousness.
B. West: II. Pushtidam (Vigor): Symbolizes strength, prosperity, and nourishment.
C. South: I. Jayadam (Victory): Represents triumph and the removal of obstacles.
D. North: III. Abhicharikam (Depredation): Considered inauspicious, linked with destructive powers.
The correct match is 1: A-IV, B-II, C-I, D-III.

The Five Dhyani Buddhas are celestial Buddhas in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, each associated with a specific color, direction, and symbolic meaning:
A. Amitabha: III. Red: Symbol of compassion and love; presides over the West.
B. Akshobhya: I. Blue: Represents unshakable wisdom; presides over the East.
C. Vairochana: IV. White: Embodies the essence of all Buddhas; presides over the center.
D. Amoghasiddhi: II. Green: Represents accomplishment and fearlessness; presides over the North.
The correct match is 1: A-III, В-I, C-IV, D-II.

The Dakshinapatha kings mentioned in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription of Samudragupta are rulers from South India who submitted or were conquered during his southern campaign:
A. Mahendra: IП. Kosal: Ruled the region corresponding to present-day Chhattisgarh and western Odisha.
B. Hastivarma: IV. Vengi: A ruler of the Vishnukundin lineage in the Andhra region.
C. Kubera: III. Devarashtra: Controlled the area corresponding to present-day Maharashtra.
D. Mahendragiri: I. Pishtapur: Likely ruled in the coastal Andhra region near modern Pithapuram.
The correct match is 1: A-II, B-IV, C-III, D-I.

A. Ambakheri (U.P.): IV. Ochre Coloured Pottery Culture: Ambakheri yielded typical OCP pottery, linked to the Copper Hoard Culture in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab, dating to the late Harappan and early Iron Age.
В. Bahaal (Maharashtra): I. Northern Black Polished Ware Culture: Finds of NBPW pottery at Bahaal mark the Iron Age and early historic phase, showing the spread of this culture beyond the Ganga valley.
C. Farmana (Haryana): II. Pre-Harappan Culture: Farmana revealed Early/PreHarappan (Hakra Ware) remains, representing the proto-urban phase before the Mature Harappan civilization.
D. Lakhiopir (Sindh, Pakistan): III. Painted Grey Ware Culture: Lakhiopir is associated with PGW pottery, characteristic of the early Iron Age and often linked with the Vedic period.
The correct match is 4: A-IV, B-I, C-II, D-III.