Set 2 | Important Indian Art, Architecture and Sculpture Objectives
Indian Art, Architecture and Sculpture are an integral part of Indian Art and Culture, which is extremely beneficial for various examinations such as Civil services, State exams, SSCs, Railways, Banking and other One day exams. It provides a great opportunity to gain knowledge about the country’s history in order to excel in these competitive fields. Objectives on Indian Art and Culture for competitive exams.
MCQs on Indian Art, Architecture and Sculpture – Objective Questions and Answers
Q11. What kind of symbols or motifs are found within Ashokan Pillars?
[A] Bull
[B] Elephant
[C] Lion
[D] Spoked Wheel
View Explanation
Correct Answer is A, B, C & D.
Motifs are the patterns/symbols. Bull found in Rampurva pillars and also represent the asterism of Rishabha. Elephant found at Sankissa and symbolises the birth of Buddha. Lion found on the capitals of Vaishali, Lauriya Nandangarh, Sanchi and Sarnath. Quadruple lions at sarnath is one of the finest sculptures from the Mauryan period.
Q12. What kind of Stupa found at Sarnath?
[A] Mud Stupa
[B] Dharmarjika Stupa
[C] Dhamekh Stupa
[D] Brick Stupa
View Explanation
Correct Answer is C.
Dhamekh Stupa marked the spot where the first sermon has been given by Buddha to his disciples. Dharmarjika Stupa found at Taxila built by Ashoka and a part of eight shrines built in 3rd century BCE. Mud Stupa found at Vaishali and Piprahwa.
Q13. Features of Stupas during ancient time?
[A] Composed of Base, Dome and Pavillion
[B] Dome called Anda ,terrace called Medhi, upper part is of square structure called Harmika(Pavillion)
[C] Shaft called Yupa bearing the umbrellas is inserted(Chatra)
[D] Pradikshinapatha, a circulatory passage
View Explanation
Correct Answer is A, B, C & D.
All the options are correct. Dome rest on base and relics are kept in hollow space of the dome. Upper part is Harmika. Vedika are the ancient wooden railings used in stupa. Hiuen-tsang also mentions the existence of these columns erected in front of the stupas in his journal.
Q14. Whose Influence has been seen in the court art of the Maurya empire?
[A] Persian(Achaemenian)
[B] Europeans
[C] Mughals
[D] Aryan
View Explanation
Correct Answer is A.
Proclamations inscribed by Ashoka were influenced by Achaemenian style. Words dipi and lipi occurred in the inscriptions. Both Ashokan pillars and Achaemenian pillars used polished stones. Influence is not on complete basis, Ashoka transformed them into an epigraphic monument of unique cultural meaning and also had some differences.
Q15. What are the kinds of temples shrines in the early phase of temple?
[A] sandhara type
[B] nirandhara type
[C] sarvatobhadra type
[D] All of the above
View Explanation
Correct Answer is D.
During the early phases of temples, shrines were of three types that is sandhara type which is without pradikshinapatha (a path that is laid around the stupa), nirandhara types which consist of pradikshinapatha, sarvatobhadra types which are accessible from all sides.
Q16. What is the meaning of ‘Viharas’?
[A] A place for singing in ancient time
[B] Residence of monks
[C] Prayer hall
[D] None
View Explanation
Correct Answer is B.
Viharas are excavated in all the cave sites. These were considered as a residence of monks. It consist of veranda, hall and cells.
Q17. How many caves are found in Ajanta?
[A] 21
[B] 22
[C] 28
[D] 29
View Explanation
Correct answer is D.
Ajanta is one of the famous cave that is located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Ajanta comprises of 29 caves. It has four chaitya caves. The first Buddhist cave monuments date back to 2nd and 1st century BCE. During the Gupta period, many more richly decorated caves were added. Paintings and sculptures that are found at Ajanta are considered as the masterpiece of Buddhist religious art work.
Q18. Which cave is described as the “finest surviving examples of Indian art, particularly painting” by ASI?
[A] Ellora caves
[B] Nashik Caves
[C] Ajanta Caves
[D] Junagadh caves
View Explanation
Correct answer is C.
Ajanta caves consists of about 30 rock cut Buddhist cave monuments dating back from 2nd century BCE to 480 or 650 CE.
Q19. Whose painting is shown at Ajanta cave in cave 1?
[A] Bodhisattva padmapani
[B] Harishena
[C] Ravana
[D] Ashoka
View Explanation
Correct Answer is A.
Bodhisattva Padmapani is one who aspires to be a Buddha and is one of the masterpiece of the Ajanta caves. Bodhisattva Padmapani is shown sitting among the crowd of devotees, both princesses and commoners, holding a blue lotus flower in his right hand.
Q20. When was Ajanta cave declared as UNESCO’s world heritage site?
[A] 1981
[B] 1982
[C] 1983
[D] 1984
View Explanation
Correct Answer is C.
The paintings and sculptures of Ajanta, considered as the masterpiece of Buddhist art that has a series of 30 rock cut caves.
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