Q60. Which Rashtrakuta ruler was associated with the great Shiva temple at Ellora?
[RPSC Assistant Professor History 2024]
A. Krishna II
B. Krishna I
C. Dantidurga
D. Dhruva
Answer: B. Krishna I
Explanation: Krishna I is credited with commissioning Ellora’s Kailasa Temple, a monumental eighth-century monolithic Shiva temple and one of the greatest architectural achievements of the Rashtrakutas.
Q59. Which shikhara style was used prominently during the period of Rana Kumbha?
[RPSC Assistant Professor History 2024]
A. Vesara
B. Dravida
C. Nagara
D. Gothic
Answer: C. Nagara
Explanation: Temple architecture of Mewar and much of northern India followed Nagara traditions, distinguished principally by vertically rising curvilinear shikharas over the sanctum.
Q58. In which state are the Elephanta Caves located?
[SSC MTS 2024]
A. Rajasthan
B. Karnataka
C. Maharashtra
D. Odisha
Answer: C. Maharashtra
Explanation: Elephanta Caves lie on Gharapuri Island in Mumbai Harbour, Maharashtra. Their monumental Shaiva sculptures, particularly the three-faced Maheshmurti, are masterpieces of Indian rock-cut art.
Q57. The Dravidian style of temple architecture is predominantly associated with:
[SSC MTS 2024]
A. Western India
B. Northern India
C. Eastern India
D. Southern India
Answer: D. Southern India
Explanation: Dravida architecture developed predominantly in southern India and typically employs a tiered pyramidal vimana, enclosed temple compounds and, particularly in later periods, monumental gopurams.
Q56. In South Indian temple architecture, the pyramidal tower over the sanctum is called:
[SSC MTS 2024]
A. Vahana
B. Mandapa
C. Vimana
D. Shikhara
Answer: C. Vimana
Explanation: The Dravidian vimana rises in diminishing storeys above the garbhagriha. It contrasts with the curvilinear shikhara commonly associated with the Nagara tradition of northern India.
Q55. The famous Dilwara Jain temples are located at:
[SSC MTS 2024]
A. Mount Abu
B. Ajmer
C. Jaipur
D. Surat
Answer: A. Mount Abu
Explanation: Dilwara at Mount Abu, Rajasthan, contains a celebrated group of Jain marble temples distinguished by extraordinarily intricate ceilings, pillars, domes and sculptural ornamentation.
Q54. Which temple is NOT an example of Nagara architecture?
[SSC MTS 2024]
A. Lingaraja Temple
B. Kailasanatha Temple, Kanchipuram
C. Kandariya Mahadeva Temple
D. Sun Temple, Konark
Answer: B. Kailasanatha Temple, Kanchipuram
Explanation: Kailasanatha at Kanchipuram is a Pallava temple belonging to the southern Dravidian tradition. Lingaraja, Kandariya Mahadeva and Konark represent regional forms of Nagara architecture.
Q53. The Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram was built under which dynasty?
[SSC MTS 2024]
A. Chola
B. Chera
C. Chalukya
D. Pallava
Answer: D. Pallava
Explanation: Narasimhavarman II Rajasimha of the Pallava dynasty commissioned the Shore Temple. It represents the structural stage of Pallava architecture after earlier cave and monolithic experiments.
Q52. The temples of Gangaikondacholapuram were built under which ruler?
[SSC MTS 2024]
A. Vijayalaya
B. Mahendravarman
C. Akbar
D. Rajendra Chola I
Answer: D. Rajendra Chola I
Explanation: Rajendra Chola I established Gangaikondacholapuram as his imperial capital and built its great Shiva temple, continuing and refining the monumental Dravidian architecture pioneered at Thanjavur.
Q51. Ganesh Ratha, a celebrated monolithic shrine, is located at:
[SSC MTS 2024]
A. Mahabalipuram
B. Sarnath
C. Gangaikondacholapuram
D. Kanchipuram
Answer: A. Mahabalipuram
Explanation: Ganesh Ratha is one of Mahabalipuram’s Pallava monolithic monuments, carved from granite and demonstrating the experimentation that helped shape later structural Dravidian temples.
