1. Western classical elements can be seen in the Gandhara School of Art as reflected in the Buddha’s
1. usina, urna and elongated ears.
2. head
3. heavy folds of the robe.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer & Explanation
c) 2 and 3 only. Usina is a top knot of hair. Urna refers to mole. They along with elongated ears were indigenous style. The depiction of head like the Greek God and heavy folds of the robe are western element.
2. One could attain salvation by performing the Vedic sacrifices with all their rituals which needed the services of the priests. This was the belief of which school of Indian philosophy
a) Vaisheshika
b) Mimamsa
c) Vedanta
d) Nyaya
Answer & Explanation
b) Mimamsa. The aim of Mimamsa is to give rules for the interpretation of the Vedas, the earliest scriptures of Hinduism, and to provide a philosophical justification for the observance of Vedic ritual. The goal of Mimamsa is to provide enlightenment on dharma, which in this school is understood as the set of ritual obligations and prerogatives that, if properly performed, maintains the harmony of the world and furthers the personal goals of the performer. Since dharma cannot be known through either perception or reasoning, one must depend on revelation in the Vedas, which are considered eternal, authorless, and absolutely infallible.
3. Consider the following statements about Arya Samaj:
1. It repudiated caste system and the fourfold Varna division.
2. It started a Shudhi movement to reconvert people to Hinduism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer & Explanation
b) 2 only. While Arya Samaj repudiated the caste system, it upheld the fourfold Varna division of society. It started a Shudhi movement to reconvert people to Hinduism.
4. Which of the following Bhakti saints were contemporaries?
1. Kabir
2. Guru Nanak
3. Dadu Dayal
4. Tukaram
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 and 4 only
c) 2, 3 and 4 only
d) 1 and 4 only
Answer & Explanation
a) 1 and 2 only. Kabir and Guru nanak were contemporaries. Kabir (1440-1518) ; Guru Nanak (1469-1539) ; Dadu Dayal (1544-1603) ; Tukaram (1608-1649)
5. With reference to Barabar caves, consider the following statements:
1. They were built during the reign of Ashoka.
2. They were dedicated to ajivikas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer & Explanation
c) Both 1 and 2. The Barabar Caves are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, mostly dating from the Maurya Empire (322–185 BCE), some with Ashokan inscriptions, located in the Jahanabad district, Bihar, 24 km north of Gaya. These rock-cut chambers date back to the 3rd century BC, Maurya period, of Ashoka (r. 273-232 BCE) and his son Dasaratha Maurya. Though Buddhists themselves, they allowed various Jain sects to flourish under a policy of religious tolerance. The caves were used by ascetics from the Ajivika sect.
6. Which of the following is/are feature of the Dravida style of temple architecture?
1. curvilinear shikara
2. recessed sculptures
3. gopuram
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer & Explanation
b) 2 and 3 only. Curvilinear shikara is a feature of the Nagara style. The other two features – recessed sculptures and gopuram are feature of Dravida style.
7. With reference to phad paintings, consider the following statements:
1. They are the folk paintings of Maharashtra.
2. Their themes include rural life, animals, and narratives of folk deities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer & Explanation
b) 2 only. Phad paintings are folk paintings of Rajasthan. Their themes includes rural life, animals, and narratives of folk deities, like Pabuji and Dev Narayan. The ancient tradition of scroll painting survives in Rajasthan as Phad. A Phad is a long rectangular cloth painting that tells of the adventures and travails of Pabuji, a local hero or other epic heroes. The Hindu has covered phad paintings regularly in last few months.
8. Which of the following pairs of Indian embroidery is correctly matched with their state?
1. Kashida : Karnataka
2. Phulkari : Punjab
3. Kasuti : West Bengal
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 2 only
d) none
Answer & Explanation
c) 2 only. Kashida is of Jammu Kashmir, while Kasuti is of Karnataka. Phulkari is of Punjab.
9. Many new elements were added in Indian architecture during the Muslism rule. These include
1. use of shapes instead of natural forms.
2. use of calligraphy as inscriptional art.
3. use of trabeated roof.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer & Explanation
a) 1 and 2 only. Trabeated roof was used before the Muslims came. The Muslims added the feature of arcuate roof as reflected in the dome and double dome in their buildings. Indian architecture took new shape with the advent of Islamic rule in India towards the end of the twelftth century AD. Islam introduced new elements into the Indian architecture including: use of shapes (instead of natural forms); inscriptional art using decorative lettering or calligraphy; inlay decoration and use of colored marble, painted plaster and brightly colored glazed tiles. This question was formed using this article –
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Islam_in_India10. Which of the following literary works were composed during the Gupta’s period?
1. Kathasaritsagar by Somdev
2. Vikramanyadevcharita by Bilhana
3. Gita Govinda by Jayadev
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 only
d) none
Answer & Explanation
d) none. All the above works are of medieval period, while Gupta age was in the ancient period.
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