1B) Ancient History – Architecture (Prelims PYQs)

1] Consider the following pairs: [2022]

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

a) Only one pair
b) Only two pairs
c) Only three pairs
d) All four pairs

2] The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple at Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple?  [2022]
1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.
2. A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni.
3. Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

3] Which one of the following statements is correct? [2021]

a) Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of the Waghora river
b) Sanchi Stupa lies in the gorge of the Chambal river
c) Pandu-Lena Cave Shrines lie in the gorge of the Narmada river
d) Amaravati Stupa lies in the gorge of the Godavari river

Ans: a) Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of the Waghora river

4] With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements: [2021]
1) It is a circular temple built during the reign of Kachchhapaghata Dynasty.
2) It is the only circular temple built in India.
3) It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region.
4) Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 and 2
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 4
d) 2, 3 and 4

5] Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs? [2021]

a) Dholavira
b) Kalibangan
c) Rakhigarhi
d) Ropar

6] In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is ‘Ranyo Ashoka’ (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka? [2019]

a) Kanganahalli
b) Sanchi
c) Shahbazagrhi
d) Sohgaura

7] The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at: [2017]

a) Ajanta
b) Badami
c) Bagh
d) Ellora

8] Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples? [2017]
1. Arasavalli
2. Amarakantak
3. Omkareshwar
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

9] Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka? [2016]

a) Georg Bilhler
b) James Prinsep
c) Max Muller
d) William Jones

10] What is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram? [2016]
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 is correct

11] With reference to art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest? [2015]

a) Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar
b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli
c) Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram
d) Varaha Image at Udayagiri

12] With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs: [2014]

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

13] With reference to Buddhist history, tradition and culture in India, consider the following pairs: [2014]

Which of the above pairs given is/are correctly matched?
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

14] Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference between the two? [2013]

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 material difference between the two

15] With reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements: [2013]
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

16] Consider the following historical places: [2013]
1. Ajanta caves
2. Lepakshi temple
3. Sanchi stupa
Which of the above places is/ are also known for mural paintings?

a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 1, 2 and 3
d) None

We’re in the process of posting all the questions from 1995-2023. The tentative date of completion is 16 Dec 2023. We highly recommend purchasing our UPSC Prelims PYQ Book (2024 Edition) to access all questions in a single PDF.

UPSC Prelims PYQ Book (2024 Edition)

• Last 29 year questions (1995-2023)
• All answers according to UPSC Official Answer Key
• Subject-wise distribution of questions
• Topic-wise classification of each subject PYQs
• Graphs and tables to illustrate subject and topic-wise weightage
• More than 3200 questions across all subjects
• At a price that is affordable for all

Purchase PDF copy

Buy on Kindle