Q1. Consider the following statements
- Ajanta caves are exclusively Mahayana in nature.
- Ajanta paintings depict both religious and secular themes.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both
d) None
Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
- Ajanta includes both Hinayana and Mahayana caves.
- Frescoes depict Jataka tales, kings, musicians, dancers — showing secular life as well.
Q2. The Great Stupa at Sanchi is located near which ancient city that served as a political centre of the Mauryas?
a) Rajgir
b) Ujjain
c) Vidisha
d) Pataliputra
Correct Answer: (c) Vidisha
Explanation:
- Sanchi lies near Vidisha (Madhya Pradesh), an important Mauryan centre.
- Ashoka’s wife Devi was from Vidisha — linked to origin of Sanchi complex.
Q3.Which of the following best represents the transition from Hinayana to Mahayana art?
a) Use of toranas at Sanchi
b) Carving of Buddha image in human form
c) Spread of monasteries along trade routes
d) Use of brick instead of stone
Correct Answer: b) Carving of Buddha image in human form
Explanation:
- The defining shift — depiction of Buddha in anthropomorphic form (1st century CE) — marks Mahayana influence.
- Artistic transition accompanied by philosophical expansion of Buddhism.
Q4.Consider the following statements
- The earliest Buddhist stupas were solid structures without any chambers.
- The relics of Buddha or monks were often enshrined in stupas.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
- Early stupas (Sanchi, Bharhut) were solid hemispherical mounds, symbolic of the cosmos, containing relics (sarira) in reliquaries.
- The interior chamber concept came later in chaitya halls, not in stupas.
Q5.If an archaeologist finds a chaitya hall with a horseshoe-shaped window façade, apsidal plan, and ribbed wooden ceiling, it most likely belongs to:
a) Early Hinayana phase
b) Mahayana phase
c) Gupta period cave art
d) Pala–Sena period
Correct Answer: (a) Early Hinayana phase
Explanation:
- The horseshoe-shaped chaitya arch and apsidal plan are hallmarks of early Hinayana architecture (e.g., Karle, Bhaja, Bedsa caves).
- The design imitated wooden prototypes before use of stone became standard.
