Q30. The ribbed stone disc at the summit of a North Indian temple shikhara is called:
[SSC MTS 2022]
A. Kalasha
B. Antarala
C. Amalaka
D. Jagati
Answer: C. Amalaka
Explanation: The amalaka is a large ribbed disc placed near the summit of a Nagara shikhara. Above it usually sits the kalasha, completing the temple’s vertical composition.
Q29. The popular style of temple architecture in northern India is called:
[SSC MTS 2022]
A. Panchayatana
B. Nagara
C. Shikhara
D. Dravida
Answer: B. Nagara
Explanation: Nagara broadly denotes the northern Indian temple tradition. It commonly features a curvilinear shikhara, square sanctum and distinctive regional variants such as Odisha and Central Indian forms.
Q28. An entrance gateway called a “Gopuram” is particularly characteristic of:
[SSC MTS 2022]
A. Buddhist architecture
B. Nagara architecture
C. Dravidian architecture
D. Indo-Islamic architecture
Answer: C. Dravidian architecture
Explanation: Gopurams are monumental gateway towers piercing the enclosure walls of South Indian temples. Their importance increased considerably in later phases of the Dravidian architectural tradition.
Q27. Brihadeshwara Temple at Thanjavur is a major example of Dravidian architecture of which dynasty?
[SSC MTS 2022]
A. Chera
B. Chola
C. Hoysala
D. Pandya
Answer: B. Chola
Explanation: Rajaraja Chola I constructed Brihadeshwara at Thanjavur around 1010 CE. Its enormous pyramidal vimana represents the monumental culmination of early imperial Chola architecture.
Q26. The Khajuraho group of monuments contains temples belonging principally to which religions?
[SSC MTS 2022]
A. Hindu only
B. Jain only
C. Both Hindu and Jain
D. Neither Hindu nor Jain
Answer: C. Both Hindu and Jain
Explanation: Surviving Khajuraho monuments include major Hindu and Jain temples. Their coexistence illustrates religious plurality under the Chandellas while maintaining a broadly shared architectural vocabulary.
Q25. Which of the following is a Buddhist temple in India?
[RRB Group D 2022]
A. Nidhivan Temple
B. Gorakhnath Temple
C. Mahabodhi Temple
D. Vishwanath Temple
Answer: C. Mahabodhi Temple
Explanation: Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya commemorates Buddha’s enlightenment. Its great brick tower is among the most significant surviving examples of ancient Buddhist structural architecture.
Q24. The famous Palitana Jain temple complex is located in which state?
[RRB Group D 2022]
A. Rajasthan
B. Karnataka
C. Gujarat
D. Jharkhand
Answer: C. Gujarat
Explanation: Palitana’s extensive Jain temple complex occupies Shatrunjaya Hill in Gujarat. Hundreds of marble shrines make the sacred hill one of Jainism’s foremost pilgrimage and architectural centres.
Q23. Which symbol at Sanchi represents Buddha’s first sermon at Sarnath?
[RRB NTPC CBT-II 2022]
A. Empty seat
B. Wheel
C. Bodhi tree
D. Elephant
Answer: B. Wheel
Explanation: The Dharmachakra or Wheel of Law symbolises Buddha’s first sermon and the “turning of the wheel of Dharma.” Early Buddhist art frequently represented Buddha through symbols.
Q22. With reference to the Chausath Yogini Temple near Morena, which statements are correct?
- It is circular and associated with the Kachchhapaghata dynasty.
- It is India’s only circular temple.
- It promoted Vaishnavism.
- Popular tradition links its design to India’s Parliament building.
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2021]
A. 1 and 2
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 4
D. 2, 3 and 4
Answer: C. 1 and 4
Explanation: The temple is circular and associated with Kachchhapaghata patronage. Other circular Yogini temples exist, and its cult was Shaiva-Shakta rather than Vaishnava.
Q21. Which statement is correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2021]
A. Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of the Waghora River
B. Sanchi Stupa lies in the Chambal gorge
C. Pandu-lena caves lie in the Narmada gorge
D. Amaravati Stupa lies on the Godavari
Answer: A. Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of the Waghora River
Explanation: Ajanta’s caves were excavated into a horseshoe-shaped cliff overlooking the Waghora River. Sanchi, Nasik’s Pandavleni caves and Amaravati occupy different geographical settings.
