[Mission 2024] STATIC QUIZ, 3 July 2023 – Art and Culture

Solution: d)

The Buddhist canonical literature is in Pali which includes Tipitaka (threefold basket). Buddhist literature is also abundantly available in Sanskrit, which includes the great epic Buddhacharita by Aswaghosha (78 A.D.).

Like the Buddhist stories, the Jain tales in general are didactic in character. They are written in some forms of Prakrit. Jain literature is available in Sanskrit too, like the Upamitibhava Prapancha Katha of Siddharasi (906 A.D.).

Solution: d)

The above-mentioned sites are Neolithic paintings sites from south India

Prehistoric Rock Painting

1.The granite rocks of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh provided suitable canvases to the Neolithic man for his paintings.

2. There are several such sites but more famous among them are Kupgallu, Piklihal and Tekkalkota.
3. Three types of paintings have been reported from here—paintings in white, paintings in red ochre over a white background and paintings in red ochre.

Solution: b)

Statement 2 is incorrect.

Sixth century BCE marks the beginning of new religious and social movements in the Gangetic valley in the form of Buddhism and Jainism which were part of the shraman tradition.

Stupa, vihara and chaitya are part of Buddhist and Jaina monastic complexes but the largest number belongs to the Buddhist religion.

The yakshas are a broad class of nature-spirits, usually benevolent, but sometimes mischievous or capricious, connected with water, fertility, trees, the forest, treasure and wilderness. They appear in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist texts, as well as ancient and medieval era temples of South Asia and Southeast Asia as guardian deities.

Solution: c)

The theme of Mara Vijaya has been painted in the caves of Ajanta. It is sculpted near the colossal Buddha image of Mahaparinibbana. The panel shows the image of the Buddha in the centre surrounded by Mara’s army along with his daughter. The event is part of the enlightenment.

In Ellora, The Brahmanical Cave Nos. 13–28 have many sculptures. Many caves are dedicated to Shaivism, but the images of both Shiva and Vishnu and their various forms according to Puranic narrative are depicted. Among the Shaivite themes, Ravana shaking Mount Kailash, Andhakasurvadha, Kalyanasundara are profusely depicted whereas among the Vaishnavite themes, the different avatars of Vishnu are depicted.

The image of Maheshmurti at Elephanta cave dates back to early sixth century C.E. It is located in main cave shrine.

Varaha sculpture belongs to Udaigiri cave site from Madhya Pradesh.

Solution: d)

Temple architecture

1.Various forms or aspects of the main divinity are to be found on the outer walls of the sanctum. The deities of directions, i.e., the ashtadikpalas face the eight key directions on the outer walls of the sanctum and/or on the outer walls of a temple.

2.Subsidiary shrines around the main temple are dedicated to the family or incarnations of the main deity.

3.Finally, various elements of ornamentation such as gavaksha, vyala/yali, kalpa-lata, amalaka, kalasha, etc. are used in distinct ways and places in a temple.