1. Consider the following regarding cheetah extinction and conservation efforts in India:
- Dire wolves were recently brought back using ancient DNA technology by Indian scientists.
- Cave paintings from the Neolithic age in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh indicate the historical presence of cheetahs in India.
- Between 1870 and 1925, the British colonial administration awarded bounties for killing cheetahs in India.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 2 and 3 only
[C] 1 and 3 only
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2 and 3 only]
Notes:- Dire wolves were brought back using ancient DNA technology, but not by Indian scientists. This was accomplished by US-based scientists (Colossal Biosciences).
- Neolithic cave paintings in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh do indeed confirm the historical presence of cheetahs in India.
- Bounties were offered by the British administration between 1870 and 1925, leading to a significant decline in the cheetah population in India.
2. In the context of ancient Indian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements:
- The Bagh Caves are known for their intricate sculptures rather than paintings.
- The Dhamnar caves are primarily known for their chaitya halls.
- Udayagiri-Khandagiri caves are known for their Jaina architecture.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only one]
Notes:- The Bagh Caves are known for their intricate sculptures rather than paintings: This is incorrect. The Bagh Caves are renowned for their exquisite fresco paintings, not sculptures.
- The Dhamnar caves are primarily known for their chaitya halls: This is correct. Dhamnar caves feature chaitya halls and monastic establishments.
- Udayagiri-Khandagiri caves are known for their Jaina architecture: This is correct. These caves are primarily associated with Jaina monastic traditions and architecture.
Thus, only one of the statements is correct. The correct answer is (A) Only one.
3. In the context of ancient Indian architecture, consider the following statements:
- The Udayagiri caves are primarily Jain in origin.
- The Bagh caves are known for their extensive fresco paintings.
- The Susunia cave is dedicated to the god Shiva.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only one]
Notes:- The Udayagiri caves are primarily Jain in origin: This is incorrect. The Udayagiri caves are associated with Hinduism and Buddhism, not primarily Jainism.
- The Bagh caves are known for their extensive fresco paintings: This is correct. The Bagh caves are famous for their beautiful frescoes dating back to the 5th century.
- The Susunia cave is dedicated to the god Shiva: This is incorrect. The Susunia cave is dedicated to Chakrasvamin (Vishnu), not Shiva.
Thus, only one of the statements is correct.
4. Consider the following statements:
- Pre-historic paintings are found only in the central Indian caves across the globe.
- The subjects of their drawings were human figures, human activities, geometric designs and animal symbols.
Which of the above is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2]
Notes:
Only the second statement is correct. The first statement is incorrect. Prehistoric paintings have been found in many parts of the world. Around the world, the walls of many caves of this time are full of finely carved and painted pictures of animals which the cave-dwellers hunted. The subjects of their drawings were human figures, human activities, geometric designs and animal symbols. In India the earliest paintings have been reported from the Upper Palaeolithic times.
5. The popular Bagh cave paintings are found in which Indian state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Sikkim
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
The Bagh Caves are a group of nine rock-cut monuments, situated among the southern slopes of the Vindhyas in Bagh town of Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh. These rock cut caves possess the most amazing mural paintings known to be made by ancient man.
6. Prolific Indian painter Maqbool Fida Husain predominantly used which of these animals to depict a lively and free spirit in his paintings?
[A] Cows
[B] Horses
[C] Tigers
[D] Elephants
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Horses]
Notes:
Maqbool Fida Husain was an Indian painter, regarded as India’s most prolific and world-renowned artist. He was one of the founding members of Bombay progressive Artists’ Group. He is known for his brightly colored works depicting horses, urban landscapes.
7. Which of the following statements are correct about the company school of architecture?
1) Company style is a hybrid Indo-European style of paintings.
2) A combination of traditional elements from Rajput and Mughal painting blended with Western treatment.
3) Paintings reflecting the Indian miniature tradition were usually small while those portraying the natural history paintings of plants and birds were significantly large.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 3
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
The following were the features of the Company School of Architecture.
1) Company style is a hybrid Indo-European style of paintings.
2) A combination of traditional elements from Rajput and Mughal painting blended with Western treatment.
3) Paintings reflecting the Indian miniature tradition were usually small while those portraying the natural history paintings of plants and birds were significantly large.
8. ‘Days of Glory’ and ‘Mourning en masse’ are the famous paintings of which Indian artist, who recently passed away?
[A] Nemai Ghosh
[B] Nagorav Vitthalrao Deshpande
[C] Satish Gujral
[D] Jayram Kulkarni
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Satish Gujral]
Notes:
Renowned artist and architect Satish Gujral recently passed away at the age of 94. He was much admired for his versatile art works in genres including painting, architecture, sculpture and graphic arts.
The artist was also the recipient of the second-highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan in 1999. He was the brother of former Prime Minister IK Gujral. His famous works include the Belgium Embassy in New Delhi and the alphabet mural on the wall of the Delhi High Court. ‘Days of Glory’ and ‘Mourning en masse’ are some among his most popular paintings.
9. The paintings of Jodhaiya Bai Baiga of which Indian state are being showcased at exhibition in Italy?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Gujarat
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Chhattisgarh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
In Italy, the paintings and artworks created by an 80-year-old tribal woman “Jodhaiya Bai Baiga” has being showcased at the ongoing exhibition at Milan, which is the global capital of fashion and design. Jodhaiya hails from Umaria district’s Lorha village of Madhya Pradesh. Her painting style mainly includes nature and animals. Her teacher Ashish Swami said that this will motivate other members of the Adivasi community to engage in different activities.
10. Ragmala Paintings:
- are a type of Rajput miniature paintings
- depict various Ragas of Indian Classical Music
- use colours and dresses of the characters to depict mode and time of Ragas
Which among the above is / are correct statements?
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
Ragmala paintings are a distinct feature of Rajput miniature paintings. These are pictorial representation of Indian Ragas and Raginis. The mode and time of Raga is expressed through brilliant colours and colourfully dressed Nayak and Nayikas. They are usually dressed in contemporary royal fashion.
