Microtheme: "ArchitectureXCaves,Rock-cut" —
8 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

1. [2023] Consider the following pairs:
   Site : Well Known for
   1. Besnagar : Shaivite cave shrine
   2. Bhaja : Buddhist cave shrine
   3. Sittanavasal : Jain cave shrine
   How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
   • (a) Only one
   • (b) Only two
   • (c) All three
   • (d) None
   Correct Answer: (B) Only two
2. [2023] With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:
   1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.
   2. Stupa was generally a repository of relics.
   3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.
   How many of the statements given above are correct?
   • (a) Only one
   • (b) Only two
   • (c) All three
   • (d) None
   Correct Answer: (B) Only two
3. [2021] Which one of the following statements is correct?
   • (a) Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of Waghora river.
   • (b) Sanchi Stupa lies in the gorge of Chambal river.
   • (c) Pandu-lena Cave Shrines lie in the gorge of Narmada river.
   • (d) Amaravati Stupa lies in the gorge of Godavari river.
   Correct Answer: (A) Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of Waghora river.
4. [2016] What is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram?
   1. Both were built in the same period.
   2. Both belong to the same religious denomination.
   3. Both have rock-cut monuments.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below.
   • (a) 1 and 2 only
   • (b) 3 only
   • (c) 1 and 3 only
   • (d) None of the statements given above is correct
   Correct Answer: (B) 3 only
5. [2015] With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest?
   • (a) Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar
   • (b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli
   • (c) Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram
   • (d) Varaha Image at Udayagiri
   Correct Answer: (B) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli
6. [2014] With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs :
   Famous work of sculpture : Site
   1. A grand image of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana with numerous celestial musicians above and
   the sorrowful figures of his followers below : Ajanta
   2. A huge image of Varaha Avatar (boar incarnation) of Vishnu, as he rescues Goddess Earth
   from the deep and chaotic waters, sculpted on rock : Mount Abu
   3. ‘Arjuna’s Penance’/ ‘Descent of Ganga’ sculpted on the surface of huge boulders :
   Mamallapuram
   Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
   • (a) 1 and 2 only
   • (b) 3 only
   • (c) 1 and 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
7. [2013] Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is
   the difference between the two?
   • (a) Vihara is a place of worship, while Chaitya is the dwelling place of the monks
   • (b) Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
   • (c) Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the cave, while Vihara is the hall axial to it
   • (d) There is no materail difference between the two
   Correct Answer: (B) Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
8. [2013] With reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements:
   (1) The caves at Badami are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India.
   (2). The Barabar rock-cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya.
   (3). At Ellora, caves were made for different faiths.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 and 3 only
   • (c) 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (C) 3 only