Q100. Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2026]
- It was located in the lower Krishna valley.
- In India, it was next only to the Sanchi Stupa in size.
- The Amaravati school influenced later South Indian sculpture and spread to Sri Lanka and South-East Asia.
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B. 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Amaravati stood in the lower Krishna valley and its sculptural tradition influenced South and Southeast Asia. The stupa was actually larger than Sanchi, making statement 2 incorrect.
Q99. Which of the following temples has/have a Nagara-style shikhara?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2026]
- Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami
- Huchimalligudi Temple, Aihole
- Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh
- Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal
A. 1 and 2
B. 2 and 3
C. 3 only
D. 3 and 4
Answer: B. 2 and 3
Explanation: Huchimalligudi demonstrates an early curvilinear Nagara shikhara, while Deogarh’s Dashavatara Temple is an early Nagara example. Malegitti Shivalaya and Virupaksha follow Dravida forms.
Q98. The Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves represents:
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2026]
A. A joyous folk dance
B. Buddha in a meditative pose
C. Shiva and Parvati on Kailasha
D. Samudramanthan
Answer: A. A joyous folk dance
Explanation: Hallisalasya is a celebrated Bagh Cave mural depicting a lively group dance. The Bagh murals are important examples of the classical Indian painting tradition associated with rock-cut monasteries.
Q97. Which historical process is best reflected by the evolution of temple architecture in India?
[SSC CGL 2025 Tier-II – Held 19 January 2026]
A. Sudden cultural change
B. Foreign architectural dominance
C. Decline of indigenous art
D. Continuous interaction of religion and regional styles
Answer: D. Continuous interaction of religion and regional styles
Explanation: Indian temple architecture evolved gradually through regional traditions, religious requirements and local artistic practices, producing distinct Nagara, Dravida, Vesara and numerous regional sub-styles.
Q96. The Sanchi Stupa gateways are known for sculptures depicting scenes from ______.
[SSC MTS 2025 – Held 11 February 2026]
A. Vedas
B. Ramayana
C. Mahavira’s life
D. Jataka stories
Answer: D. Jataka stories
Explanation: Sanchi’s magnificent toranas contain narrative reliefs based largely on Jataka stories and episodes associated with Buddha, frequently representing him symbolically rather than in human form.
Q95. A typical example of early cave architecture is the Lomas Rishi Cave in the Barabar Hills of ______.
[SSC MTS 2025 – Held 4 February 2026]
A. Kerala
B. Jharkhand
C. Gujarat
D. Bihar
Answer: D. Bihar
Explanation: Lomas Rishi Cave belongs to the Barabar Hills in Bihar. Dating to the Mauryan age, its rock-cut façade imitates earlier wooden architectural forms and features remarkable stone polishing.
Q94. Ekattarso Mahadeva Temple is also known as ______.
[SSC MTS 2025 – Held 4 February 2026]
A. Chausath Yogini Temple
B. Virupaksha Temple
C. Somnath Temple
D. Dilwara Temple
Answer: A. Chausath Yogini Temple
Explanation: The circular Chausath Yogini or Ekattarso Mahadeva Temple is situated at Mitawali in Madhya Pradesh. Its circular arrangement of shrines makes it architecturally distinctive.
Q93. The Rashtrakutas were primarily known for which architectural marvel?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I 2026]
A. Brihadeeswara Temple
B. Konark Sun Temple
C. Sanchi Stupa
D. Kailasa Temple at Ellora
Answer: D. Kailasa Temple at Ellora
Explanation: Rashtrakuta king Krishna I commissioned the Kailasa Temple at Ellora. Cave 16 is an extraordinary monolithic monument excavated vertically from a single mass of basalt rock.
Q92. What is the primary material used in the eighth-century Kailasanatha Temple at Kanchipuram?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I 2026]
A. Granite
B. Brick
C. Sandstone
D. Marble
Answer: C. Sandstone
Explanation: Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman II Rajasimha commissioned the Kailasanatha Temple. Its sandstone construction permitted extensive sculptural ornamentation and represents an important stage of early structural Dravidian architecture.
Q91. Which feature of the Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar reflects the Nagara architectural style?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I 2026]
A. Stepped pyramidal vimana
B. Circular stupa dome
C. Ornate gopuram entrance
D. Curvilinear shikhara tower
Answer: D. Curvilinear shikhara tower
Explanation: Lingaraja represents the Kalinga variety of Nagara architecture. Its soaring curvilinear rekha-deul over the sanctum is a defining characteristic of eastern Indian Nagara temple design.