1. Which of the following are key features of the Gandhara School of Art?
- Lifelike statues of Buddha
- Stress on portraying the physical features
- Numerous folds and turns in the dress
- Heavy use of spotted red sandstone
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 3
[B] Only 1, 2 & 3
[C] Only 2, 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
Gandhara School of Art is known for lifelike Buddha statues, emphasis on physical features, and detailed garment folds. However, it primarily used schist and stucco, not spotted red sandstone, which is characteristic of the Mathura School of Art. Spotted red sandstone is not a feature of Gandhara style sculpture.
2. With reference to the Bahubali monolith image of Gomateshwara at Shravanabelagola, which of the following statements regarding the Kayotsarga posture is/are correct:
- Kayotsarga is a type of meditation that can be practiced only by standing in a steady position without any body movements.
- Most images of the Jain tirthankaras are depicted in Kayotsarga posture.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2]
Notes:
Statement 1 is incorrect as Kayotsarga can be practiced while standing, sitting, or lying down without body movements. Statement 2 is correct because most Jain tirthankara images are traditionally depicted in the Kayotsarga posture, symbolizing renunciation and meditation in Jain iconography.
3. Consider the following statements with reference to the prehistoric paintings at Bhimbetka:
- The most painted animals were deer and stag.
- There is little depiction of birds.
- Human forms have generally been depicted with bows and arrows.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1 is correct
[B] 1, 2 and 3 are correct
[C] Only 2 and 3 are correct
[D] Only 1 and 2 are correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1, 2 and 3 are correct]
Notes:
All three statements are correct: Deer and stag are indeed the most painted animals at Bhimbetka, bird depictions are minimal, and human forms are often shown wielding bows and arrows, highlighting hunting scenes. These characteristics distinguish Bhimbetka's Mesolithic cave art, providing insights into prehistoric life and artistic practices in the Indian subcontinent.
4. Consider the following pairs of mathas established by Adi Shankaracharya with the respective states where they are located:
- Jyotiramatha – Uttarakhand
- Sharadapitha – Gujarat
- Govardhanamatha – Odisha
- Shringerimatha – Karnataka
Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] 2, 3 and 4 only
[C] 2 and 4 only
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 and 4]
Notes:
Adi Shankaracharya founded four prominent Mathas in different regions of India: Jyotiramatha in Uttarakhand, Sharadapitha in Gujarat, Govardhanamatha in Odisha, and Shringerimatha in Karnataka. These four Mathas are correctly paired with their states and represent major spiritual centres established to uphold and propagate Advaita Vedanta across India.
5. Consider the following pairs of puppetry arts with states where they are practised:
- Kundhei – Odisha
- Gombeyatta – Karnataka
- Putul Nautch – West Bengal
Which of the above is/are correct?
[A] 1 & 2 Only
[B] 3 Only
[C] 2 & 3 Only
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
The string puppets of Orissa are known as Kundhei. Made of light wood, the Orissa puppets have no legs but wear long flowing skirts. The traditional rod puppet form of West Bengal is known as Putul Nautch. They are carved from wood and follow the various artistic styles of a particular region. The string puppets of Karnataka are called Gombeyatta.
6. Consider the following statements about the archaeological site Mahasthangarh:
- It is an urban archaeological site discovered in Bangladesh
- It has been declared as the cultural capital of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) for the year 2016-17
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] 1 Only
[B] 2 Only
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:
Both are correct statements
Mahasthangarh, the 3rd century BC archaeological site in Bogra, Bangladesh, has been declared as the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) cultural capital for the year 2016-17. It was the ancient capital of Pundravardhana i.e. home of the Pundra, a group of people not speaking languages of the Indo-European family.
7. Which of the following statements are propounded by the Sankhya Philosophy?
- The sattva, rajas, and tamas are the underlying qualities from which the universe we perceive is derived.
- The whole universe is evolved from the gunas.
- The gunas are always changing or transforming into one another.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[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:
All three statements are correct as per Sankhya philosophy. It asserts the universe is constituted from the three gunas—sattva, rajas, and tamas—which are the fundamental qualities. The universe evolves from these gunas, which are in constant transformation or interconversion, forming the basis of all material existence and phenomena.
8. Consider the following sites:
- Apatani Cultural Landscape
- Thembang Fortified Village
- Moidams
Which among the above is / are located in North East India?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] 1, 2 and 3
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] Only 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1, 2 and 3]
Notes:
All three sites—Apatani Cultural Landscape (Arunachal Pradesh), Thembang Fortified Village (Arunachal Pradesh), and Moidams, the burial mounds of Ahom Dynasty (Assam)—are located in North East India. These sites have been identified for inclusion under the list of World Heritage Sites as per government records and Lok Sabha questions.
9. Consider the following statements with reference to the personal appearance and adornment practices of the Indus Valley people:
- The women wore bangles, a majority of which were handmade from terra-cotta.
- Beads played an important role in the dress of Indus Valley people.
- Harappans wore clothes of cotton.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Only 2
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]
Notes:
All three statements are correct. Women wore mostly handmade terra-cotta bangles, but bangles of shell, copper and bronze also existed. Beads, a prominent industry, featured extensively in Indus Valley dress, as confirmed by figurines. Harappans typically wore clothes made of cotton, and possibly also used leather and wool. These are well attested through archaeological and iconographic evidence.
10. Consider the following statements with reference to the teachings of Gautam Buddha and Mahavira:
- Both emphasized upon Ahimsa
- Both rejected existence of soul
- Both rejected existence of god
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 and 2
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:
Both Gautam Buddha and Mahavira emphasized Ahimsa (statement 1). However, regarding the soul, Buddha denied the concept of an eternal, unchanging self while Mahavira affirmed its existence (statement 2 incorrect). Mahavira explicitly rejected the existence of God, whereas Buddha remained non-committal and did not categorically deny it (statement 3 incorrect).
