15 questionswith explanationsfor RAS, Patwari, VDO and other Rajasthan exams
The Great Stupa at Sanchi was originally commissioned by:
Answer: (2) Ashoka
Explanation
The Sanchi stupa was first built in brick by Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE and later enlarged with stone.
The rock-cut caves of the Barabar hills in Bihar were donated by Ashoka to which sect?
Answer: (3) Ajivikas
Explanation
Inscriptions in the Barabar caves record Ashoka's gift of these caves to the Ajivika ascetics.
The monolithic Kailasa temple (Cave 16) at Ellora was built under which Rashtrakuta ruler?
Answer: (4) Krishna I
Explanation
The Kailasa temple, carved out of a single rock, was built in the 8th century under the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I.
Consider the following statements: 1. The Ajanta caves are exclusively Buddhist. 2. The Ellora caves include Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves. 3. The Ajanta caves are located in Madhya Pradesh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (1) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
Ajanta has only Buddhist caves while Ellora has Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves; both are in Maharashtra.
Consider the following statements about temple architecture: 1. Nagara-style temples usually have elaborate boundary walls with large gateways. 2. In Dravida-style temples, the main tower over the sanctum is called the vimana. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (2) 2 only
Explanation
NCERT notes that Nagara temples do not usually have elaborate boundary walls or gateways, which are Dravida features (gopurams); the Dravida tower over the sanctum is the vimana.
Match List-I (School of sculpture) with List-II (Main material used): List-I: A. Gandhara B. Mathura C. Amaravati List-II: 1. Spotted red sandstone 2. White limestone 3. Blue-grey schist Choose the correct code:
Answer: (4) A-3, B-1, C-2
Explanation
Gandhara sculptures are mostly in blue-grey schist, Mathura in spotted red sandstone and Amaravati in white limestone (often loosely called 'Amaravati marble').
The construction of the Qutub Minar, begun by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, was completed by:
Answer: (1) Iltutmish
Explanation
Aibak built only the first storey; his successor Iltutmish completed the Qutub Minar (Firoz Shah Tughlaq later only repaired its top after lightning damage).
The Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri was built by Akbar to commemorate his victory over:
Answer: (2) Gujarat
Explanation
Akbar built the Buland Darwaza to commemorate his conquest of Gujarat (1572-73).
The tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah at Agra, noted for early use of pietra dura inlay in Mughal architecture, was built by:
Answer: (3) Nur Jahan
Explanation
Nur Jahan built this white-marble tomb for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg (Itimad-ud-Daulah) during Jahangir's reign.
Ustad Mansur, famous for his paintings of birds and animals, was a court painter of which Mughal emperor?
Answer: (3) Jahangir
Explanation
Ustad Mansur worked at Jahangir's court, when Mughal painting reached its peak in nature studies.
The foundation of Mughal painting was laid by two Persian masters brought to India by Humayun. They were:
Answer: (1) Mir Sayyid Ali and Abdus Samad
Explanation
Humayun brought Mir Sayyid Ali and Abdus Samad from Persia; under Akbar they led the work on the Hamzanama.
Match List-I (Sanskrit work) with List-II (Author): List-I: A. Abhijnanashakuntalam B. Mrichchhakatika C. Mudrarakshasa D. Svapnavasavadatta List-II: 1. Vishakhadatta 2. Bhasa 3. Kalidasa 4. Shudraka Choose the correct code:
Answer: (1) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
Explanation
Kalidasa wrote Abhijnanashakuntalam, Shudraka Mrichchhakatika and Vishakhadatta Mudrarakshasa; Svapnavasavadatta is attributed to Bhasa.
Which of the following poets wrote the 'Harshacharita'?
Answer: (4) Banabhatta
Explanation
Banabhatta, Harsha's court poet, wrote the Harshacharita; Bilhana wrote the Vikramankadevacharita and Padmagupta the Navasahasankacharita.
Kalhana's 'Rajatarangini' (12th century) is a historical chronicle of:
Answer: (1) Kashmir
Explanation
Kalhana's Rajatarangini, written in Sanskrit around 1148-49 CE, narrates the history of the kings of Kashmir.
The Persian translation of the Mahabharata prepared under Akbar's patronage is known as:
Answer: (2) Razmnama
Explanation
The Mahabharata was translated into Persian as the Razmnama ('Book of War') in Akbar's translation bureau (Maktab Khana).