60. About the painting method at Ajanta, consider:
1. Clay mixed with rice husk and gum was covered with lime;
2. Artists drew outlines before adding colours.
Which is correct?
[UPSC NDA-I — General Ability Test, 21 Apr 2024]
A. Statement 1 alone
B. Statement 2 alone
C. Both statements
D. Neither statement
Answer: C. Both statements
Explanation: Ajanta’s painters carefully prepared the rock surface with plaster-like layers before outlining and applying colours. Their techniques helped create durable murals portraying Buddhist stories and courtly life. The famous caves in Maharashtra were inscribed by UNESCO in 1983.
59. In what year was the Jaipur Jantar Mantar observatory recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
[RPSC EO-RO — 14 May 2023, Shift 2]
A. 2015
B. 2020
C. 2005
D. 2010
Answer: D. 2010
Explanation: The Jaipur Jantar Mantar was inscribed in 2010. Built under Sawai Jai Singh II, it comprises monumental fixed instruments for astronomical observation. Its precision and architectural ingenuity demonstrate the blending of scientific practice and built form in eighteenth-century India.
58. Which railway in India, admitted to UNESCO’s Mountain Railways property in 2005, uses a rack-and-pinion system?
[SSC CGL Tier-I — 25 Jul 2023, Shift 3]
A. Nilgiri Mountain Railway
B. Kangra Valley Railway
C. Matheran Hill Railway
D. Kalka–Shimla Railway
Answer: A. Nilgiri Mountain Railway
Explanation: The Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Tamil Nadu uses an Abt rack-and-pinion mechanism on its steep section. UNESCO extended the Mountain Railways of India property to include it in 2005, recognising historic railway engineering in mountainous terrain.
57. The UNESCO World Heritage monument at Konark is in which state?
[SSC CHSL 2022 — conducted 16 Mar 2023, Shift 2]
A. Rajasthan
B. Madhya Pradesh
C. Chhattisgarh
D. Odisha
Answer: D. Odisha
Explanation: Konark Sun Temple is in Odisha near Puri. The thirteenth-century structure was commissioned by Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty and designed as Surya’s stone chariot. It gained UNESCO World Heritage recognition in 1984.
56. How many natural World Heritage properties were in India’s UNESCO list at the time of this examination?
[SSC MTS 2022 — conducted 18 May 2023, Shift 1]
A. Seven
B. Four
C. Six
D. Five
Answer: A. Seven
Explanation: India’s seven natural World Heritage properties include Kaziranga, Keoladeo, Manas, Sundarbans, the Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers parks, the Western Ghats and Great Himalayan National Park. These are distinct from India’s mixed property, Khangchendzonga National Park.
55. Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, inscribed by UNESCO, is located in which state?
[SSC MTS — 3 May 2023, Shift 1, memory-based]
A. Gujarat
B. Telangana
C. Karnataka
D. Kerala
Answer: B. Telangana
Explanation: Ramappa Temple is a Kakatiya-period Shaiva temple at Palampet in Telangana. Its UNESCO inscription occurred in 2021. The temple is known for detailed sculptures, a star-shaped plinth and construction methods adapted to local materials.
54. Which choice is an inscribed UNESCO World Heritage property?
[MP Forest Guard / Jail Prahari — 10 Jun 2023, Shift 2]
A. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
B. Hawa Mahal
C. Rani Roopmati Mahal
D. Charminar
Answer: A. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Explanation: The historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai, formerly Victoria Terminus, was inscribed in 2004. Designed by F W Stevens, it combines Victorian Gothic Revival design with Indian architectural elements and is an outstanding railway building.
53. Which landmark listed here is not itself a UNESCO World Heritage property?
[MP Forest Guard / Jail Prahari — 12 Jun 2023, Shift 3]
A. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
B. Ellora Caves
C. Nalanda Mahavihara archaeological site
D. Hawa Mahal
Answer: D. Hawa Mahal
Explanation: Hawa Mahal is a famous Jaipur landmark but not an individually inscribed World Heritage property. The Historic City of Jaipur is inscribed; however, that is distinct from a separate monument inscription. The other three options correspond to recognised World Heritage properties.
52. Ellora Caves, a UNESCO rock-cut monument complex, are found in which state?
[MP Forest Guard / Jail Prahari — 5 Jun 2023, Shift 3]
A. Himachal Pradesh
B. Maharashtra
C. Andhra Pradesh
D. Tamil Nadu
Answer: B. Maharashtra
Explanation: Ellora is in Maharashtra, near Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The cave complex contains Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments created over centuries. Its renowned Kailasa temple is carved from a single rock mass. UNESCO inscribed Ellora Caves in 1983.
51. Which cave complex among these is not an inscribed World Heritage Site?
[MP Forest Guard / Jail Prahari — 5 Jun 2023, Shift 3]
A. Borra Caves
B. Ajanta Caves
C. Elephanta Caves
D. Ellora Caves
Answer: A. Borra Caves
Explanation: Borra Caves in Andhra Pradesh are celebrated limestone caves but have no standalone UNESCO World Heritage inscription. Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta in Maharashtra are all recognised on the World Heritage List for their outstanding rock-cut monuments.
