20 questionswith explanationsfor RAS, Patwari, VDO and other Rajasthan exams
Vimal Shah, who built the Vimal Vasahi temple at Dilwara in 1031, was a minister of which ruler?
Answer: (2) Bhimdev I (Chaulukya)
Explanation
Vimal Shah was the minister (dandanayaka) of the Chaulukya (Solanki) king Bhimdev I of Gujarat.
Consider the following statements about the Jain temple at Ranakpur: 1. Its chief architect (sutradhar) was Depa. 2. It is known for its 1,444 carved pillars. 3. Its main deity is Neminath. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (1) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
The Chaumukha temple at Ranakpur, designed by Depa, has 1,444 pillars and is dedicated to Adinath, not Neminath.
The Someshwar temple, the best preserved temple of the Kiradu group, is dedicated to:
Answer: (4) Shiva
Explanation
The Someshwar temple at Kiradu, built in the Solanki (Maru-Gurjara) style, is a Shiva temple and the best preserved of the group.
The Jain temple at Osian, built in the reign of the Pratihara king Vatsaraja, is dedicated to:
Answer: (1) Mahavira
Explanation
The Mahavira temple at Osian, among the oldest Jain temples of western India, dates to Vatsaraja's reign (late 8th century).
Consider the following statements about the Chand Baori at Abhaneri: 1. It is attributed to Raja Chand of the Nikumbha dynasty. 2. It has 13 storeys of steps. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (3) Both 1 and 2
Explanation
The Chand Baori, built by the Nikumbha ruler Raja Chand (8th–9th century), has 13 storeys and about 3,500 steps.
The Harshat Mata temple at Abhaneri is dedicated to a goddess regarded as the goddess of:
Answer: (2) Joy and happiness
Explanation
Harshat Mata, as her name suggests, is worshipped as the goddess of joy and happiness.
Rani ji ki Baori at Bundi was built in 1699 by:
Answer: (3) Rani Nathavati
Explanation
Rani Nathavati, queen of Rao Raja Anirudh Singh of Bundi, built the Rani ji ki Baori in 1699.
Who was the architect of the Hawa Mahal of Jaipur?
Answer: (4) Lal Chand Ustad
Explanation
The Hawa Mahal was designed by Lal Chand Ustad for Sawai Pratap Singh.
Consider the following statements about the Hawa Mahal of Jaipur: 1. It was built in 1799. 2. It has seven storeys. 3. It has 953 small windows (jharokhas). Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (3) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
The Hawa Mahal (1799) has 953 jharokhas but five storeys, not seven.
The Jal Mahal of Jaipur stands in the middle of which lake?
Answer: (1) Man Sagar
Explanation
The Jal Mahal stands in Man Sagar lake on the Jaipur–Amer road.
The 'Mubarak Mahal' in the City Palace of Jaipur, built as a reception hall for guests, was built by:
Answer: (2) Sawai Madho Singh II
Explanation
The Mubarak Mahal was built at the end of the 19th century by Sawai Madho Singh II.
Which haveli of Jaisalmer, built by a prime minister of the state, is known as 'Jahaj Mahal' because its upper storey resembles a ship?
Answer: (4) Salim Singh ki Haveli
Explanation
Salim Singh ki Haveli, built by Diwan Salim Singh, has a projecting top storey shaped like a ship.
The fresco technique used on the painted havelis of Shekhawati, in which colours are applied on wet lime plaster, is locally called:
Answer: (1) Ala-gila
Explanation
Shekhawati murals were made by the 'ala-gila' (araish) method, i.e. true fresco on wet lime plaster.
The Bhandasar Jain temple, dedicated to the fifth Tirthankara Sumatinath and begun by the merchant Bhandasa Oswal in 1468, is located in:
Answer: (2) Bikaner
Explanation
The Bhandasar Jain temple of Bikaner was begun in 1468 and completed in 1514; legend says ghee was mixed into its mortar.
Which instrument of the Jantar Mantar at Jaipur is regarded as the world's largest stone sundial?
Answer: (3) Samrat Yantra
Explanation
The Samrat Yantra, about 27 m high, is the world's largest stone sundial.
Arrange the following in chronological order of construction (earliest first): 1. Ranakpur Jain temple 2. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur 3. Vimal Vasahi, Dilwara 4. Luna Vasahi, Dilwara
Answer: (1) 3, 4, 1, 2
Explanation
Vimal Vasahi (1031), Luna Vasahi (1230), Ranakpur (begun 1439) and Hawa Mahal (1799).
The Ambika Mata temple, called the 'Khajuraho of Mewar', is located at:
Answer: (2) Jagat (Udaipur)
Explanation
The 10th-century Ambika Mata temple at Jagat near Udaipur is known as the Khajuraho of Mewar.
The group of early medieval temples including the Ghateshwar Mahadev temple is at:
Answer: (4) Baroli (Chittorgarh)
Explanation
The Baroli temples near Rawatbhata (Chittorgarh), with the Ghateshwar Mahadev temple as the finest, date to about the 10th century.
Umaid Bhawan Palace of Jodhpur, designed by Henry Vaughan Lanchester, is built on which hill?
Answer: (3) Chittar hill
Explanation
Umaid Bhawan (built 1929–1943 for Maharaja Umaid Singh) stands on Chittar hill and is also called Chittar Palace.
The Sheesh Mahal of Amer fort, decorated with mirror work, is also known as:
Answer: (2) Jai Mandir
Explanation
The Sheesh Mahal of Amer, built by Mirza Raja Jai Singh, is also called Jai Mandir.