Insights Static Quiz -419, 2019–Art and Culture

Solution: b)

Some of the features of Nagara style are:

The temples generally followed the Panchayatan style of temple making, which consisted of subsidiary shrines laid out in a crucified ground plan with respect to the principal shrine.

There were no water tanks or reservoirs present in the temple premises.

The temples were generally built on upraised platforms.

Solution: a)

In the Nagara School of Architecture the Shikharas were generally of three types:

Latina or rekha-prasad: They were square at the base and the walls curve inward to a point on the top.

Phamsana: They had a broader base and were shorter in height than the Latina ones. They slope upwards on a straight line.

Valabhi: They had a rectangular base with the roof rising into vaulted chambers. They were also called wagon-vaulted roofs.

Solution: b)

Odisha School of architecture examples: Sun Temple at Konark (also known as Black Pagoda as the first rays of the Sun entered the garbhagriha through the sea-facing pagoda), Jagannath temple at Puri, Lingaraj temple at Bhubaneswar.

Solution: b)

Statement 1: As per ASI Website, “While there is some evidence of architectural activity going back to the period of Mahendravarman-I (AD 600-30), the father of Mamalla, most of the monuments are attributed to the period of Narasimhavarman-I Mamalla (AD 630-68) – the Pallava ruler.

• On the other hand Ajanta caves were excavated in different periods (circa. 2nd century B.C. to 6th century A.D.) according to the necessity. So, 1 is wrong.

Statement 2: Mahabalipuram contains rock-cut rathas, sculptured scenes on open rocks like Arjuna’s penance, the caves of Govardhanadhari and Mahishasuramardini. So, it is more linked to the Vaishnavites.

• On the other hand, Ajanta is linked more to the Buddhist religious denomination.

Statement 2 is also wrong.

Statement 3: Both have rock-cut monuments, because cave cut Chaityas, Viharas and Stupas can be clearly seen at Ajanta. Also, the mural paintings that are made at Ajanta involve some rock-cutting as per ASI.

Mahabalipuram is famous for rock monuments as described above.

Only 3 is correct.

Solution: a)

Iltutmish introduced the Arabic coinage into India and the silver tanka weighing 175 grams became a standard coin in medieval India. The silver tanka remained the basis of the modern rupee.