Q40. The Bhitargaon Brick Temple is situated in which state?
[SSC MTS 2023]
A. Odisha
B. Jharkhand
C. Uttar Pradesh
D. Madhya Pradesh
Answer: C. Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: Bhitargaon is located near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. The fifth-century Gupta temple is particularly significant because substantial portions of its ancient brick superstructure survive.
Q39. “Gopuram” is a characteristic entrance feature of which architectural tradition?
[SSC MTS 2022 – Held 2023]
A. South Indian temple architecture
B. Buddhist architecture
C. Jain architecture
D. North Indian temple architecture
Answer: A. South Indian temple architecture
Explanation: Gopurams are monumental gateways to enclosed South Indian temple complexes. They became increasingly dominant visually in later Dravidian architecture, particularly under Pandya, Vijayanagara and Nayaka patronage.
Q38. The largest monolithic rock-cut temple is associated with which cave complex?
[SSC MTS 2022 – Held 2023]
A. Udayagiri
B. Ajanta
C. Ellora
D. Badami
Answer: C. Ellora
Explanation: Ellora’s Kailasa Temple is an enormous monolithic complex excavated from basalt. It was constructed under Rashtrakuta patronage and represents an extraordinary achievement in subtractive rock-cut architecture.
Q37. Mahabalipuram monuments principally represent the architecture of which dynasty?
[SSC MTS 2022 – Held 2023]
A. Chandella
B. Pallava
C. Pala
D. Gupta
Answer: B. Pallava
Explanation: The Pallavas created Mahabalipuram’s cave temples, monolithic rathas and structural shrines, making the site an important laboratory for the development of early Dravidian architecture.
Q36. Dilwara is renowned as a complex of ______ temples.
[SSC MTS 2022 – Held 2023]
A. Buddhist
B. Hindu
C. Jain
D. Sikh
Answer: C. Jain
Explanation: Dilwara consists of five major Jain temples at Mount Abu. They are famous for exceptionally refined marble carving, ornamental ceilings, pillars and domed interiors.
Q35. Which of the following temples is situated in Tamil Nadu?
[SSC CHSL 2022 – Held 2023]
A. Shore Temple
B. Kailasa Temple, Ellora
C. Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
D. Jagannath Temple
Answer: A. Shore Temple
Explanation: The Shore Temple is located at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu. Built during the Pallava period, it is among the earliest surviving major structural stone temples of southern India.
Q34. The Konark Sun Temple is situated in which state?
[SSC CHSL 2022 – Held 2023]
A. Rajasthan
B. Madhya Pradesh
C. Chhattisgarh
D. Odisha
Answer: D. Odisha
Explanation: Konark lies on Odisha’s coast near Puri. The thirteenth-century temple is a masterpiece of Kalinga architecture and was conceived as the colossal chariot of Surya.
Q33. Lingaraja Temple is situated in which state?
[SSC CHSL 2022 – Held 2023]
A. Odisha
B. Karnataka
C. Maharashtra
D. Tamil Nadu
Answer: A. Odisha
Explanation: Lingaraja Temple is located at Bhubaneswar in Odisha. Its rekha-deul sanctum tower and associated halls represent the mature form of the regional Kalinga-Nagara architectural tradition.
Q32. Which statement correctly describes Nagara temple architecture?
[SSC MTS 2022]
A. It has no tower or shikhara
B. Elaborate boundary walls are compulsory
C. It has no kalasha
D. Garbhagriha is directly beneath the principal tower
Answer: D. Garbhagriha is directly beneath the principal tower
Explanation: In the Nagara tradition, the main shikhara rises directly above the sanctum or garbhagriha, emphasizing the vertical axis between the deity and the temple’s highest point.
Q31. Khajuraho temples are examples of which temple architectural style?
[SSC MTS 2022]
A. Dravida
B. Vesara
C. Nagara
D. Hoysala
Answer: C. Nagara
Explanation: Khajuraho represents a highly developed Central Indian Nagara tradition, featuring soaring clustered shikharas, raised platforms and richly carved exterior walls under Chandela patronage.
