GK Questions and Answers on the Indian Mural Painting

There are more than 20 locations in India containing murals from second century BC to 8th - 10th century AD. It mostly includes natural caves and rock-cut chambers. A distinguishing characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture. 

1. The word mural derived from which language?

A. Latin

B. English

C. Arabic

D. Sanskrit

Ans: A

Explanation: The word ‘mural’ derived from the Latin word ‘murus’ which means wall. Hence, A is the correct option.

2. Which of the following is the correct definition of Mural Painting?

A. Any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on canvas

B. Any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other permanent surface.

C. any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a cloth.

D. Any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on human body.

Ans: B

Explanation: Mural Painting can be defined as any piece of artwork painted or applied directly onto a wall, ceiling or other larger permanent surfaces, flat, concave or convex, to be precise. Hence, B is the correct option.

3. Which of the following is/are the example of cave paintings?

A. Ajanta Caves

B. Armamalai Cave

C. Badami Cave Temples

D. All of the above

Ans: D

Explanation: Indian cave paintings and rock cut structures that reflect the ingenuity and skill of their masters. Ajanta Caves, Armamalai Cave and Badami Cave Temples are the best example of Mural Paintings or cave paintings. Hence, D is the correct option.

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4. Which of the following cave paintings is documented as the Chitrasutra of the Vishnudharmottara Purana?

A. Ajanta Caves

B. Armamalai Cave

C. Badami Cave Temples

D. All of the above

Ans: A

Explanation: The painting of Ajanta caves is documented as the Chitrasutra of the Vishnudharmottara Purana. This was a verbal tradition, which would have come over many centuries, passed on through guilds of painters. Hence, A is the correct option.

5. Which of the following statement is/are correct about the characteristics of Mural Painting?

A. It depict the activities of a particular civilization‘s people.

B. It is a combination of wide variety of artistic style

C. Both I and II

D. Neither I nor II

Ans: C

Explanation: Mural Painting is an oldest human art form, as cave paintings at numerous ancient human settlements suggest, and can be found all over globe. It depict the activities of a particular civilization‘s people, encapsulating a moment in time, and range from scenes of hunting, gathering, and family life, to religious and funerary scenes. It is a combination of wide variety of artistic style, Realism with a dramatic sense of scale and amazing depth. Hence, C is the correct option.

6. Which of the following ancient treatise discuss at length all aspects of painting, including murals?

A. Vishnudharmottara

B. Silpashastra

C. Manasollasa

D. All of the above

Ans: D

Explanation: India has a rich tradition of mural wealth. The treatises such as Vishnudharmottara, Silpashastra, Manasollasa, Shilparatna, Narada-shilpa-shastra and Kashyapa-shilpa, discuss at length all aspects of painting, including murals. Hence, D is the correct option.

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7. Mural Painting is -------- dimensional form of artwork.

A. two

B. three

C. four

D. five

Ans: B

Explanation: Mural Painting is three-dimensional form of artwork. Hence, B is the correct option.

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8. Which of the following cave painting is focus on the life of Buddhas and Jatakas?

A. Kerala Murals

B. Bagh Murals

C. Ajanta Murals

D. None of the above

Ans: C

Explanation: Ajanta Murals (paintings carved on solid substances like rocks or caves), mainly focus on the life of Buddhas and Jatakas, with a great deal of beauty and tenderness carved by artists. Hence, C is the correct option.

9. Which of the following temple is a huge rock cut monolithic structure built in the South Indian style?

A. Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora

B. Bagh Murals

C. Both A and B

D. none of the above

Ans: A

Explanation: The Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora dates back to the period of the 8^th century Rashtrakoota ruler Krishna. It is a huge rock cut monolithic temple built in the South Indian style. The temple is known for its architectural grandeur as well as its sculptural splendour. Hence, A is the correct option.

10. Which of the following is not types of Indian Mural Paintings?

A. Tempera Painting

B. Oil Painting

C. Fresco painting

D. All of the above

Ans: D

Explanation: There are mainly four types of Mural Paintings: Tempera Painting, Oil Painting, Fresco painting and Encaustic Painting. Hence, D is the correct option.

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