UPSC Static Quiz – Art and Culture : 19 June 2024

UPSC Static Quiz – Art and Culture : 19 June 2024 We will post 5 questions daily on static topics mentioned in the UPSC civil services preliminary examination syllabus. Each week will focus on a specific topic from the syllabus, such as History of India and Indian National Movement, Indian and World Geography, and more.

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• Question 1 of 5 1. Question The Konark Sun Temple is usually associated with which of the following? Rule of Ganga dynasty Kalinga architecture Odisha’s Golden triangle How many of the above options is/are correct? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: c) Built in the 13th century, the Konark temple was conceived as a gigantic chariot of the Sun God, with 12 pairs of exquisitely ornamented wheels pulled by seven horses. It was built by King Narasimhadeva I, the great ruler of Ganga dynasty. The temple is included in UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 for its architectural greatness and also for the sophistication and abundance of sculptural work. The temple is perfect blend of Kalinga architecture, heritage, exotic beach and salient natural beauty. Konark is the third link of Odisha’s Golden Triangle. The first link is Jagannath Puri and the second link is Bhubaneswar (Capital city of Odisha). This temple was also known as ‘BLACK PAGODA’ due to its dark colour and used as a navigational landmark by ancient sailors to Odisha. Similarly, the Jagannath Temple in Puri was called the “White Pagoda”. Incorrect Solution: c) Built in the 13th century, the Konark temple was conceived as a gigantic chariot of the Sun God, with 12 pairs of exquisitely ornamented wheels pulled by seven horses. It was built by King Narasimhadeva I, the great ruler of Ganga dynasty. The temple is included in UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 for its architectural greatness and also for the sophistication and abundance of sculptural work. The temple is perfect blend of Kalinga architecture, heritage, exotic beach and salient natural beauty. Konark is the third link of Odisha’s Golden Triangle. The first link is Jagannath Puri and the second link is Bhubaneswar (Capital city of Odisha). This temple was also known as ‘BLACK PAGODA’ due to its dark colour and used as a navigational landmark by ancient sailors to Odisha. Similarly, the Jagannath Temple in Puri was called the “White Pagoda”.

#### 1. Question

The Konark Sun Temple is usually associated with which of the following?

• Rule of Ganga dynasty

• Kalinga architecture

• Odisha’s Golden triangle

How many of the above options is/are correct?

• a) Only one

• b) Only two

• c) All three

Solution: c)

• Built in the 13th century, the Konark temple was conceived as a gigantic chariot of the Sun God, with 12 pairs of exquisitely ornamented wheels pulled by seven horses.

• It was built by King Narasimhadeva I, the great ruler of Ganga dynasty. The temple is included in UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 for its architectural greatness and also for the sophistication and abundance of sculptural work. The temple is perfect blend of Kalinga architecture, heritage, exotic beach and salient natural beauty.

• Konark is the third link of Odisha’s Golden Triangle. The first link is Jagannath Puri and the second link is Bhubaneswar (Capital city of Odisha). This temple was also known as ‘BLACK PAGODA’ due to its dark colour and used as a navigational landmark by ancient sailors to Odisha. Similarly, the Jagannath Temple in Puri was called the “White Pagoda”.

Solution: c)

• Built in the 13th century, the Konark temple was conceived as a gigantic chariot of the Sun God, with 12 pairs of exquisitely ornamented wheels pulled by seven horses.

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question With reference to the Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, a World heritage site, consider the following statements. It hosts both Hindu temples and a Buddhist Sanctuary. It was constructed by the Cholas. It represents architectural forms both from the north and south of India. How many of the above statements is/are correct? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: a) Only Statement 3 is correct. Pattadakal represents the high point of an eclectic art which, in the 7th and 8th centuries under the Chalukya dynasty, achieved a harmonious blend of architectural forms from northern and southern India. An impressive series of nine Hindu temples, as well as a Jain sanctuary, can be seen there. Three very closely located sites in the State of Karnataka provide a remarkable concentration of religious monuments dating from the great dynasty of the Chalukya (c. 543-757). There are the two successive capital cities – Aihole (ancient Aryapura), Badami, and Pattadakal, the ‘City of the Crown Rubies’ (Pattada Kisuvolal). The latter was, moreover, for a brief time the third capital city of the Chalukya kingdom; at the time the Pallava occupied Badami (642-55). While Aihole is traditionally considered the ‘laboratory’ of Chalukya architecture, with such monuments as the Temple of Ladkhan (c. 450) which antedate the dynasty’s political successes during the reign of King Pulakeshin I, the city of Pattadakal illustrates the apogee of an eclectic art which, in the 7th and 8th centuries, achieved a harmonious blend of architectural forms from the north and south of India. Incorrect Solution: a) Only Statement 3 is correct. Pattadakal represents the high point of an eclectic art which, in the 7th and 8th centuries under the Chalukya dynasty, achieved a harmonious blend of architectural forms from northern and southern India. An impressive series of nine Hindu temples, as well as a Jain sanctuary, can be seen there. Three very closely located sites in the State of Karnataka provide a remarkable concentration of religious monuments dating from the great dynasty of the Chalukya (c. 543-757). There are the two successive capital cities – Aihole (ancient Aryapura), Badami, and Pattadakal, the ‘City of the Crown Rubies’ (Pattada Kisuvolal). The latter was, moreover, for a brief time the third capital city of the Chalukya kingdom; at the time the Pallava occupied Badami (642-55). While Aihole is traditionally considered the ‘laboratory’ of Chalukya architecture, with such monuments as the Temple of Ladkhan (c. 450) which antedate the dynasty’s political successes during the reign of King Pulakeshin I, the city of Pattadakal illustrates the apogee of an eclectic art which, in the 7th and 8th centuries, achieved a harmonious blend of architectural forms from the north and south of India.

#### 2. Question

With reference to the Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, a World heritage site, consider the following statements.

• It hosts both Hindu temples and a Buddhist Sanctuary.

• It was constructed by the Cholas.

• It represents architectural forms both from the north and south of India.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• a) Only one

• b) Only two

• c) All three

Solution: a)

Only Statement 3 is correct.

• Pattadakal represents the high point of an eclectic art which, in the 7th and 8th centuries under the Chalukya dynasty, achieved a harmonious blend of architectural forms from northern and southern India. An impressive series of nine Hindu temples, as well as a Jain sanctuary, can be seen there.

• Three very closely located sites in the State of Karnataka provide a remarkable concentration of religious monuments dating from the great dynasty of the Chalukya (c. 543-757). There are the two successive capital cities – Aihole (ancient Aryapura), Badami, and Pattadakal, the ‘City of the Crown Rubies’ (Pattada Kisuvolal).

• The latter was, moreover, for a brief time the third capital city of the Chalukya kingdom; at the time the Pallava occupied Badami (642-55). While Aihole is traditionally considered the ‘laboratory’ of Chalukya architecture, with such monuments as the Temple of Ladkhan (c. 450) which antedate the dynasty’s political successes during the reign of King Pulakeshin I, the city of Pattadakal illustrates the apogee of an eclectic art which, in the 7th and 8th centuries, achieved a harmonious blend of architectural forms from the north and south of India.

Solution: a)

Only Statement 3 is correct.

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question They introduced the art of excavating temples from the rock, and the Dravidian style of temple architecture began with their rule. They were? a) Cheras b) Pallavas c) Eastern Chalukyas d) Jaffna Correct Solution: b) Pallava age was a great age of temple building. It was a gradual evolution starting from the cave temples to monolithic rathas and culminated in structural temples. The development of temple architecture under the Pallavas can be seen in several stages, which started with Mahendravarman I introducing rock-cut temples. This style of Pallava temples are seen at places like Mandagappattu, Mahendravadi, Mamandur, Dalavanur, Tiruchirappalli, Vallam, Siyamangalam and Tirukalukkunram. Incorrect Solution: b) Pallava age was a great age of temple building. It was a gradual evolution starting from the cave temples to monolithic rathas and culminated in structural temples. The development of temple architecture under the Pallavas can be seen in several stages, which started with Mahendravarman I introducing rock-cut temples. This style of Pallava temples are seen at places like Mandagappattu, Mahendravadi, Mamandur, Dalavanur, Tiruchirappalli, Vallam, Siyamangalam and Tirukalukkunram.

#### 3. Question

They introduced the art of excavating temples from the rock, and the Dravidian style of temple architecture began with their rule. They were?

• b) Pallavas

• c) Eastern Chalukyas

Solution: b)

• Pallava age was a great age of temple building.

• It was a gradual evolution starting from the cave temples to monolithic rathas and culminated in structural temples.

• The development of temple architecture under the Pallavas can be seen in several stages, which started with Mahendravarman I introducing rock-cut temples.

• This style of Pallava temples are seen at places like Mandagappattu, Mahendravadi, Mamandur, Dalavanur, Tiruchirappalli, Vallam, Siyamangalam and Tirukalukkunram.

Solution: b)

• Pallava age was a great age of temple building.

• It was a gradual evolution starting from the cave temples to monolithic rathas and culminated in structural temples.

• The development of temple architecture under the Pallavas can be seen in several stages, which started with Mahendravarman I introducing rock-cut temples.

• This style of Pallava temples are seen at places like Mandagappattu, Mahendravadi, Mamandur, Dalavanur, Tiruchirappalli, Vallam, Siyamangalam and Tirukalukkunram.

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question In Vijayanagara temple architecture Tall Raya Gopurams or gateways and the Kalyanamandapam with carved pillars can be found in the temple premises No animal figurines were to be found on the pillars of these temples Which of the above statements is/are incorrect? a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Correct Solution: b) Statement 1: The chief characteristics of the Vijayanagara architecture were the construction of tall Raya Gopurams or gateways and the Kalyanamandapam with carved pillars in the temple premises. The sculptures on the pillars were carved with distinctive features. Large mandapams contain one hundred pillars as well as one thousand pillars in some big temples. Statement 2: The horse was the most common animal found in these pillars. These mandapams were used for seating the deity on festival occasions. Also, many Amman shrines were added to the already existing temples during this period. Incorrect Solution: b) Statement 1: The chief characteristics of the Vijayanagara architecture were the construction of tall Raya Gopurams or gateways and the Kalyanamandapam with carved pillars in the temple premises. The sculptures on the pillars were carved with distinctive features. Large mandapams contain one hundred pillars as well as one thousand pillars in some big temples. Statement 2: The horse was the most common animal found in these pillars. These mandapams were used for seating the deity on festival occasions. Also, many Amman shrines were added to the already existing temples during this period.

#### 4. Question

In Vijayanagara temple architecture

• Tall Raya Gopurams or gateways and the Kalyanamandapam with carved pillars can be found in the temple premises

• No animal figurines were to be found on the pillars of these temples

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

• (b) 2 only

• (c) Both 1 and 2

• (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: b)

Statement 1: The chief characteristics of the Vijayanagara architecture were the construction of tall Raya Gopurams or gateways and the Kalyanamandapam with carved pillars in the temple premises. The sculptures on the pillars were carved with distinctive features.

Large mandapams contain one hundred pillars as well as one thousand pillars in some big temples.

Statement 2: The horse was the most common animal found in these pillars.

These mandapams were used for seating the deity on festival occasions.

Also, many Amman shrines were added to the already existing temples during this period.

Solution: b)

Large mandapams contain one hundred pillars as well as one thousand pillars in some big temples.

Statement 2: The horse was the most common animal found in these pillars.

These mandapams were used for seating the deity on festival occasions.

Also, many Amman shrines were added to the already existing temples during this period.

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question The State Emblem of India is an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Asoka. Consider the following about the Sarnath figure. In the original figure, the Lion Capital has six lions mounted back-to-back on a circular abacus. The abacus of the figure rests on a bell-shaped lotus. Apart from Lion, only horse and elephant are the other animals that have been depicted on the figure. How many of the above statements is/are correct? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: a) Only Statement 2 is correct. Statement 1: There are only four lions resting on the circular abacus in the original figure. Statement 2 and 3: The frieze of the abacus is adorned with sculptures in high relief of an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by intervening Dharma Chakras. The abacus rests on a bell shaped lotus. Incorrect Solution: a) Only Statement 2 is correct. Statement 1: There are only four lions resting on the circular abacus in the original figure. Statement 2 and 3: The frieze of the abacus is adorned with sculptures in high relief of an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by intervening Dharma Chakras. The abacus rests on a bell shaped lotus.

#### 5. Question

The State Emblem of India is an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Asoka. Consider the following about the Sarnath figure.

• In the original figure, the Lion Capital has six lions mounted back-to-back on a circular abacus.

• The abacus of the figure rests on a bell-shaped lotus.

• Apart from Lion, only horse and elephant are the other animals that have been depicted on the figure.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• a) Only one

• b) Only two

• c) All three

Solution: a)

Only Statement 2 is correct.

Statement 1: There are only four lions resting on the circular abacus in the original figure.

Statement 2 and 3: The frieze of the abacus is adorned with sculptures in high relief of an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by intervening Dharma Chakras. The abacus rests on a bell shaped lotus.

Solution: a)

Only Statement 2 is correct.

Statement 1: There are only four lions resting on the circular abacus in the original figure.

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