UPSC Static Quiz – Art and Culture : 03 July 2024

Solution: d)

In the history of Indian art and architecture, the Gupta period occupies an important place. Both the Nagara and Dravidian styles of art evolved during this period. But most of the architecture of this period had been lost due to foreign invasions like that of Huns.

• The temple at Deogarh near Jhansi and the sculptures in the temple at Garhwas near Allahabad remain important specimen of the Gupta art.
• The Buddha statue unearthed at Saranath was unique piece of Gupta art. The Bhitari monolithic pillar of Skandagupta is also remarkable.
• Metallurgy had also made a wonderful progress during the Gupta period.
• The gigantic copper statue of Buddha, originally found at Sultanganj now kept at Birmingham museum, was about seven and a half feet height and nearly a ton weight.
• The Delhi Iron pillar of the Gupta period is still free from rust though completely exposed to sun and rain for so many centuries.
• The paintings of the Gupta period are seen at Bagh caves near Gwalior. The mural paintings of Ajantha mostly illustrate the life of the Buddha as depicted in the Jataka stories.

Solution: b)

Rummindei Pillar Edicts (Lumbini): These inscriptions come under the Minor Pillar Inscriptions. These contain inscriptions recording their dedication. The inscriptions mentions Ashoka’s visit to Lumbini (Rummindei), Rupandehi district, Nepal, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
Ashoka exempted Lumbini from paying tax, and fixed its contribution of grain at one – eighth. The inscriptions are written in Brahmi script.

Allahabad Prashasti or prayaga Prashasti is an inscription found at Allahabad. It is written in Sanskrit. As the name suggest it is a Prashasti, written in praise of the ruler Samudragupta, a ruler of Gupta dynasty by his court poet Harishena.

Aihole Inscription: The inscription is written in Sanskrit and it is in Kannada script. There is a mention about the defeat of Harshavardhana by Pulakeshin II and the victory of Chalukyas over Pallavas. It also mentions
about the shifting of the capital from Aihole to Badami. They were written by Ravikirti, the court poet of Pulakeshi II who reigned from 610 to 642 CE.

Solution: d)

 In all the mentioned places we find Ashokan inscription.

Solution: a)

Option A: The Gandhara School made sculptures of the Buddha in various sizes, shapes and postures. The reliefs depict Buddha’s birth, his renunciation and his preaching. It was the Mathura school which carved female figures.

Option B: It originated during the reign of Indo-Greek rulers but the real patrons of this school of art were the Sakas and the Kushanas, particularly Kanishka.

Option C: The home of the Gandhara School of art is the territory in and around Peshawar in north-western India. It is the Mathura school that was based in UP.

Solution: d)

He completed the construction of the famous Rajarajeswara temple or Brihadeeswara temple at Tanjore in 1010 A.D.

He also helped in the construction of a Buddhist monastery at Nagapattinam.

During his reign, the texts of the Tamil poets Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar were collected and edited into one compilation called Thirumurai.

Further, He initiated a massive project of land survey and assessment in 1000 which led to the reorganization of the country into individual units known as valanadus.