Q80. Which Mauryan architectural structure is famous for its beautifully sculpted gateways?
[SSC CHSL 2025 Tier-I]
A. Sanchi Stupa
B. Amaravati Temple
C. Ajanta Caves
D. Nalanda University
Answer: A. Sanchi Stupa
Explanation: Sanchi’s four elaborately sculpted toranas contain Buddhist narratives and symbols. Although the original stupa was commissioned under Ashoka, its gateways were added during later phases.
Q79. Meenakshi Amman Temple was originally constructed by ______.
[SSC CHSL 2025 Tier-I]
A. Kulasekhara
B. Karikala Chola
C. Pulakeshin I
D. Narasimhadeva I
Answer: A. Kulasekhara
Explanation: Tradition associates the early temple with Pandyan ruler Kulasekhara. The present monumental complex, especially its spectacular gopurams, owes much to major expansions during the Nayaka period.
Q78. Which period is often called the “Golden Age” of early Indian temple architecture?
[SSC CHSL 2025 Tier-I]
A. Gupta period
B. Maurya period
C. Delhi Sultanate period
D. Mughal period
Answer: A. Gupta period
Explanation: Gupta architecture marks an important transition toward permanent freestanding Hindu temples, with sanctums, mandapas and emerging shikharas that became fundamental to subsequent Indian temple architecture.
Q77. The eighth-century Kailasa Temple at Ellora is located in which state?
[SSC CHSL 2025 Tier-I]
A. Madhya Pradesh
B. Rajasthan
C. Maharashtra
D. Gujarat
Answer: C. Maharashtra
Explanation: Ellora lies in Maharashtra. Its celebrated Kailasa Temple, Cave 16, was created under Rashtrakuta patronage and is among the world’s largest monolithic rock-cut architectural complexes.
Q76. In Hindu temple architecture, the chamber containing the principal deity is called:
[SSC CHSL 2025 Tier-I]
A. Garbhagriha
B. Mandapa
C. Shikhara
D. Vahana
Answer: A. Garbhagriha
Explanation: The garbhagriha, literally “womb chamber,” is the innermost and most sacred part of a Hindu temple. The principal deity is installed there, normally beneath the main tower.
Q75. The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in:
[SSC CHSL 2025 Tier-I]
A. Haryana
B. Bihar
C. Punjab
D. Assam
Answer: B. Bihar
Explanation: The Mahabodhi Temple stands at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, where Buddha attained enlightenment. Its surviving brick architecture represents an exceptionally important development in ancient Buddhist architecture.
Q74. What is a “mandapa” in traditional Indian temple architecture?
[SSC CGL 2025]
A. Gateway tower
B. Boundary wall
C. Pillared hall for worshippers
D. Water tank
Answer: C. Pillared hall for worshippers
Explanation: A mandapa is a pillared hall situated before or around a temple’s sanctum. It provides space for congregational worship, ceremonies and transitional movement toward the garbhagriha.
Q73. Ancient temple architecture in Uttarakhand is primarily influenced by which style?
[SSC CGL 2025]
A. North Indian Nagara
B. Indo-Gothic
C. Vesara
D. Chalukyan
Answer: A. North Indian Nagara
Explanation: Uttarakhand temples largely belong to the northern Nagara tradition, commonly featuring curvilinear shikharas over square sanctums, adapted regionally to Himalayan materials and environmental conditions.
Q72. Consider the following statements about the Shore Temple:
- It exemplifies Dravidian architecture built of carved granite blocks.
- It demonstrates the transition from Pallava rock-cut monuments to structural temples.
[SSC CGL 2025]
A. Both are true and 2 explains 1
B. Both true but 2 does not explain 1
C. 1 true, 2 false
D. Both false
Answer: A. Both are true and 2 explains 1
Explanation: The Shore Temple belongs to the mature structural phase of Pallava architecture. Its granite construction followed earlier Pallava experimentation with cave excavation and monolithic rathas at Mahabalipuram.
Q71. The Kailasa Temple at Ellora was carved from:
[SSC CGL 2025]
A. One single rock
B. Cement blocks
C. Three adjoining rocks
D. A cluster of separate stones
Answer: A. One single rock
Explanation: Kailasa is a monolithic temple excavated downward from a single basalt mass. Removing enormous quantities of rock created a freestanding architectural complex rather than a conventional constructed temple.
