[Mission 2023] STATIC QUIZ, 12 May 2023 – Art and Culture

Solution: d)

The chariot is actually a shrine dedicated to Garuda, built inside the Vittala Temple Complex.  The massive sculpture of Garuda, Lord Vishnu’s escort once was seated atop the chariot but it is empty at the present date. The Hampi Chariot has earned its name among the other three famous stone chariots in India- One in Konark, Odisha, and the other in Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu).

The chariot was built by King Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire during the 16^th century, who got fascinated with the Konark Sun temple chariot while fighting a battle in Odisha. The chariot is meant to represent the beauty and artistic perfection of the Empire.

It has come to have a sacrosanct presence and is internationally recognized as a world heritage site by the UNESCO.

Solution: c)

Vishakhdutta wrote Mudra Rakshasa (is a political drama and narrates ascent of king Chandragupta Maurya to power in India).

Solution: d)

• Satavahanas dominated the Deccan region from 1^st century BCE to 3rd century CE.
• The dynasty reached its zenith under the rule of Gautamiputra Satakarni and his successor Vasisthiputra Pulamavi.
• The kingdom fragmented into smaller states in the early 3rd century CE.
• They built chaityas and viharas. They also made grants of villages and lands to Buddhist monks. Vashishtaputra Pulamayi repaired the old Amaravathi stupa.
• Hala’s Sattasai is an excellent piece of Prakrit literature by them.

Solution: b)

Kalbelia:

It is a sensuous folk dance performed by the women of the Kalbelia community of Rajasthan. The costumes and dance movement are similar to that of the serpents. ‘Been’ (wind instrument played by snake charmers) is the popular musical instrument of this dance form. The UNESCO has inscribed Kalbelia folk songs and dances in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of

Humanity in 2010.

Solution: a)

Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli was created during Ashoka’s reign (272-231 BC). It is the earliest Buddhist sculpture of Odisha.

Lomus Rishi caves:  Located in the Barabar and Nagarjuni hills of Jehanabad district in Bihar, this rock-cut cave was carved out as a sanctuary. It was built during the Ashokan period of the Maurya Empire in the 3rd century BC, as part of the sacred architecture of the Ajivikas.

The Badami cave temples are a complex of Hindu and Jain cave temples located in Bagalkot district in northern part of Karnataka. The caves are considered an example of Indian rock-cut architecture, especially Badami Chalukya architecture, which dates from the 6th century.

Udayagiri Caves: It is a Hindu cave and was made during the Gupta reign. It contains the famous Varaha sculpture.