Static Quiz 19 May 2025 (Art and Culture)
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Static Quiz 19 May 2025 (Art and Culture) For UPSC Exam
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1. Question
Consider the following statements regarding the art and architecture of the Mauryan Empire:
1. The Ashokan pillars were primarily made of sandstone and topped with animal capitals.
2. The Sarnath Lion Capital was originally a part of a stupa.
3. Mauryan pottery was characterized by the use of Painted Grey Ware.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are incorrect?
Options:CorrectCorrect Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
• Statement 1: Correct. Ashokan pillars were primarily made of sandstone (e.g., Chunar sandstone) and often topped with animal capitals such as lions, elephants, or bulls, as seen in the Sarnath and Lauriya Nandangarh pillars.
• Statement 2: Incorrect. The Sarnath Lion Capital was the crowning element of an Ashokan pillar, not a stupa. Stupas are dome-shaped structures, while pillars were freestanding columns.
• Statement 3: Incorrect. Mauryan pottery is associated with Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW), known for its glossy finish, not Painted Grey Ware, which is linked to the later Vedic period (c. 1200–600 BCE).IncorrectCorrect Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
• Statement 1: Correct. Ashokan pillars were primarily made of sandstone (e.g., Chunar sandstone) and often topped with animal capitals such as lions, elephants, or bulls, as seen in the Sarnath and Lauriya Nandangarh pillars.
• Statement 2: Incorrect. The Sarnath Lion Capital was the crowning element of an Ashokan pillar, not a stupa. Stupas are dome-shaped structures, while pillars were freestanding columns.
• Statement 3: Incorrect. Mauryan pottery is associated with Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW), known for its glossy finish, not Painted Grey Ware, which is linked to the later Vedic period (c. 1200–600 BCE). - Question 2 of 5
2. Question
With reference to the Gupta period art, consider the following statements:
1. The Ajanta cave paintings predominantly depict scenes from Buddhist Jataka tales.
2. The iron pillar at Mehrauli is an example of advanced metallurgical skills.
3. Terracotta seals were the primary medium for Gupta inscriptions.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
Options:CorrectCorrect Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
• Statement 1: Correct. The Ajanta cave paintings, flourishing during the Gupta period (4th–6th century CE), primarily depict Buddhist Jataka tales, illustrating the Buddha’s previous lives, along with other religious themes.
• Statement 2: Correct. The iron pillar at Mehrauli, attributed to the Gupta period, is a testament to advanced metallurgical skills, as it has remained rust-resistant for over 1,500 years due to a protective oxide layer.
• Statement 3: Incorrect. Gupta inscriptions were typically on stone (e.g., pillars, rock edicts) or copper plates, not terracotta seals, which were more characteristic of the Harappan civilization.IncorrectCorrect Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
• Statement 1: Correct. The Ajanta cave paintings, flourishing during the Gupta period (4th–6th century CE), primarily depict Buddhist Jataka tales, illustrating the Buddha’s previous lives, along with other religious themes.
• Statement 2: Correct. The iron pillar at Mehrauli, attributed to the Gupta period, is a testament to advanced metallurgical skills, as it has remained rust-resistant for over 1,500 years due to a protective oxide layer.
• Statement 3: Incorrect. Gupta inscriptions were typically on stone (e.g., pillars, rock edicts) or copper plates, not terracotta seals, which were more characteristic of the Harappan civilization. - Question 3 of 5
3. Question
Consider the following pairs:
Ancient Indian Script Associated Language
Brahmi Prakrit
Kharoshthi Sanskrit
Tamil-Brahmi TamilHow many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Options:CorrectCorrect Answer: (b) Only two
Explanation:
• Brahmi – Prakrit: Correct. Brahmi script was widely used for Prakrit in Ashokan edicts and other early inscriptions, making it a primary script for this language.
• Kharoshthi – Sanskrit: Incorrect. Kharoshthi was primarily used for Prakrit and Gandhari in the northwest (e.g., Gandhara region), not Sanskrit, which was typically written in Brahmi or later scripts.
• Tamil-Brahmi – Tamil: Correct. Tamil-Brahmi, an adaptation of Brahmi, was used for the Tamil language in early inscriptions, such as those found in Tamil Nadu cave sites.IncorrectCorrect Answer: (b) Only two
Explanation:
• Brahmi – Prakrit: Correct. Brahmi script was widely used for Prakrit in Ashokan edicts and other early inscriptions, making it a primary script for this language.
• Kharoshthi – Sanskrit: Incorrect. Kharoshthi was primarily used for Prakrit and Gandhari in the northwest (e.g., Gandhara region), not Sanskrit, which was typically written in Brahmi or later scripts.
• Tamil-Brahmi – Tamil: Correct. Tamil-Brahmi, an adaptation of Brahmi, was used for the Tamil language in early inscriptions, such as those found in Tamil Nadu cave sites. - Question 4 of 5
4. Question
Consider the following pairs:
Ancient Indian Site Location
Lothal Gujarat
Dholavira Rajasthan
Kalibangan HaryanaHow many pair(s) given above is/are correctly matched?
Options:CorrectCorrect Answer: (a) Only one pair
Explanation:
• Lothal – Gujarat: Correct. Lothal, a prominent Harappan site known for its dockyard, is located in Gujarat.
• Dholavira – Rajasthan: Incorrect. Dholavira, another Harappan site famous for its water management system, is located in the Kutch region of Gujarat, not Rajasthan.
• Kalibangan – Haryana: Incorrect. Kalibangan, a Harappan site with evidence of plowed fields, is located in Rajasthan, not Haryana.IncorrectCorrect Answer: (a) Only one pair
Explanation:
• Lothal – Gujarat: Correct. Lothal, a prominent Harappan site known for its dockyard, is located in Gujarat.
• Dholavira – Rajasthan: Incorrect. Dholavira, another Harappan site famous for its water management system, is located in the Kutch region of Gujarat, not Rajasthan.
• Kalibangan – Haryana: Incorrect. Kalibangan, a Harappan site with evidence of plowed fields, is located in Rajasthan, not Haryana. - Question 5 of 5
5. Question
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct regarding ancient Indian universities?
1. Nalanda University was a major center for Buddhist learning and attracted students from across Asia.
2. Vikramashila University was established during the reign of the Gupta dynasty.
Select the correct statement using the codes given below:
Options:CorrectCorrect Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
• Statement 1: Correct. Nalanda University (5th–12th century CE) was a renowned center for Buddhist learning, attracting scholars from China (e.g., Xuanzang), Korea, and Southeast Asia, offering studies in Buddhism, logic, and sciences.
• Statement 2: Incorrect. Vikramashila University was established during the Pala dynasty (8th–12th century CE), under King Dharmapala, not the Gupta dynasty (4th–6th century CE).IncorrectCorrect Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
• Statement 1: Correct. Nalanda University (5th–12th century CE) was a renowned center for Buddhist learning, attracting scholars from China (e.g., Xuanzang), Korea, and Southeast Asia, offering studies in Buddhism, logic, and sciences.
• Statement 2: Incorrect. Vikramashila University was established during the Pala dynasty (8th–12th century CE), under King Dharmapala, not the Gupta dynasty (4th–6th century CE).
