UPSC Static Quiz – Art and Culture : 7 February 2026

Solution: D

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. There was no influence of Gandhara style. But the beautiful statue of

standing Buddha at Mathura reveals a little Greek style.

Metallurgy had also made a wonderful progress during the Gupta period. The craftsmen were efficient in the art of casting metal statues and pillars. The Delhi Iron pillar of the Gupta period is still free from rust though completely exposed to sun and rain for so many centuries.

Solution: A

Statement 2 is incorrect.

• The emergence of the Gupta Empire in 4th century A.D. is often hailed as the “Golden period of Indian Architecture”.
• Temple architecture reached its climax during this period. Similarly, Buddhist and Jain art also reached its peak during the Gupta Age.
• The Gupta rulers, especially in the later phase, were Brahmanical rulers. However, they showed exemplary tolerance for all other religions.
• During the Gupta period, architectural development of the caves remained constant. However, the use of mural paintings on the walls of the caves became an added feature. Some of the finest examples of mural paintings can be found in the caves of Ajanta and Ellora.
• The figures in the Ajanta caves were done using fresco painting and demonstrate considerable naturalism.

Solution: D

Known as the “Khajuraho of Vidarbha”, the Markandeshwar temple complex is situated on the bank of River Wainganga in district Gadchiroli of Maharashtra.

• The temples belong to the Nagara group of temples of North India.
• On stylistic grounds, their date ranges in between 9-12th centuries CE.
• The temples belong to saiva, vaishnava and sakta faith. Most of the temples have a simple plan, with ardhamandapa, mandapa, antaralaand garbhagriha forming the component of the entire set up.

Solution: D

• Varadharaja and Ekamparanatha temples at Kanchipuram stand as examples for the magnificence of the Vijayanagara style of temple architecture.
• The Raya Gopurams at Thiruvannamalai and Chidambaram speak the glorious epoch of Vijayanagar. They were continued by the Nayak rulers in the later period.

Solution: B

The Islamic style also incorporated many elements from the traditional Indian style and a compound style emanated. The introduction of decorative brackets, balconies, pendentive decorations, etc in the architecture is an example in this regard. The other distinguishing features of Indo-Islamic architecture are the utilisation of kiosks (chhatris), tall towers (minars) and half-domed double portals.

The buildings and other edifices are generally decorated richly in geometrical and arabesque designs.