IAS Prelims Exam: Art and Culture: Significant Sculptures of various Kingdoms in India

Art and Culture has played a crucial role in IAS Prelims Exam in recent years. In last few years, the paper of IAS Prelims Exam has witnessed several number of questions based on the Art and Culture which are very important for the Civil Services IAS aspirants to cover during their preparation of IAS Prelims Exam.

Q1. Famous Ashokan pillars are found in which of the following places?    
1.  Sanchi
2. Sarnath
3. Lauriya Nandangarh

Select the correct answer from the following codes
a.    Only 1
b.    Only 1 and 2
c.    Only 2 and 3
d.    1,2 and 3

Answer: d
Explanation: Famous Ashokan pillars are from Lauriya Nandangarh in Bihar, Sanchi and Sarnath. The most remarkable of them all is highly polished monolithic lion capital found at Sarnath, which is now emblem of government of India.

Q2. Animals inscribed in Ashokan pillars depict which of the following Buddhist concepts?
1. Morality     
2. Peity
3. Humanity

Select the correct answer from the following codes
a.    Only 1
b.    Only 1 and 2
c.    Only 2 and 3
d.    1,2 and 3

Answer: d

Explanation: The great Buddhist emperor Ashoka caused the figures like the bull, lion and elephant and had them inscribed with the Buddhist concepts of morality, humanity and piety which he wished his people to follow.

Q3. The Bull capital of Ashoka is:
a.    Sarnath
b.    Sanchi
c.    Rampurva
d.    Didarganj

Answer: c

Explanation: The Bull capital of Ashoka from Rampurva, Bihar also belonging to third century B.C is an interesting study as it is a mixture of Persian and Indian elements.

Q4. With reference to Mauryan art, which of the following are correctly matched?
        ART                                  PLACE
1. Torse of male figure                - Dhauli
2. Depiction of elephant emerging from Rock       -Lohanipur
3. Chauri bearer (yakshi)                                    -Didarganj

Select the correct answer from the following codes
a.    Only 3
b.    Only 1 and 2
c.    Only 2 and 3
d.    1,2 and 3

Answer: a

Explanation: At Dhauli in Orissa, there is a masterly representation of an elephant depicted as if emerging from a rock which has been so cut that it resembles the front part of an elephant including head and trunk. Torso of a male figure from Lohanipur represents a Jain Tirthankara or a saviour of Digambara sect.

Q5. Dwarfish yaksha from Pithalkhora caves in central India is good example of:
Select the correct answer from the following codes
a.    Satavahana art
b.    Sunga art
c.    Mauryan art
d.    Gupta art

Answer: b
Explanation: Another good example of Sunga art on the second century B.C is the jovial figures, the dwarfish yaksha from pithalkhora caves in central India carrying a bowl of abunndanca on his head.

Q6. Taming of Nalagiri, a mad elephant sculpture belonging to second century B.C is found in
 Select the correct answer from the following codes
a.    Amravati
b.    Barhut
c.    Sanchi
d.    Sarnath

Answer: a

Explanation: A relief medallion from Amravati belonging to second century A.D. is a masterly representation of a scene showing the subjugation or taming of Nalagiri, a mad elephant let loose on Buddha in the streets of Rajagriha by his wicked cousin, Devadatta.

Q7. Magnificent standing image of Buddha is remarkable example of:
a.    Mauryan art
b.    Gupta art
c.    Shunga art
d.    Harsha art

Answer: b

Explanation: The images of the standing Buddha is an excellent example of Gupta at in its maturity from Sarnath. The softly moulded figure has its hand in the attitude of assuring protection.

Q8. Kingdom of Gurjara pratihara kingdom embraced which of the following states?
1. Maharashtra
2.  Gujarat
3. Uttar Pradesh

Select the correct answer from the following codes
a.    Only 1
b.    Only 1 and 2
c.    Only 2 and 3
d.    1,2 and 3

Answer: c

Explanation: The Gujara pratiharas had a vast kingdom that embraced the territory of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.

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