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MCQs on “Temple Architecture in India: Styles and Significance”
1. The Nagara style of temple architecture is primarily associated with which region of India?
a) Southern India
b) Northern India
c) Eastern India
d) Western India
Answer: b) Northern India
2. The Dravida style of temple architecture is predominantly found in which part of India?
a) Northern India
b) Western India
c) Southern India
d) Eastern India
Answer: c) Southern India
3. Which of the following temples is an example of the Dravida style of architecture?
a) Sun Temple, Konark
b) Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur
c) Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Khajuraho
d) Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar
Answer: b) Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur
4. Which of the following is the key feature of the Nagara style of temple architecture?
a) Curved pyramidal roofs
b) Vimana and Shikhara
c) Large central hall (Raya Gopuram)
d) Circular sanctum
Answer: b) Vimana and Shikhara
5. The concept of “Shikhara” is most commonly associated with which style of Indian temple architecture?
a) Dravida
b) Nagara
c) Vesara
d) Indo-Saracenic
Answer: b) Nagara
6. The temple at Khajuraho, known for its intricate carvings, follows which style of architecture?
a) Dravida
b) Nagara
c) Vesara
d) Indo-Saracenic
Answer: b) Nagara
7. Which temple is an example of the Vesara style of architecture?
a) Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
b) Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram
c) Chennakesava Temple, Belur
d) Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Khajuraho
Answer: c) Chennakesava Temple, Belur
8. The architectural style that combines features of both Dravida and Nagara styles is known as:
a) Indo-Saracenic
b) Vesara
c) Jain architecture
d) Islamic architecture
Answer: b) Vesara
9. In which century was the Brihadeeswarar Temple, a prime example of Dravida architecture, built?
a) 7th Century
b) 10th Century
c) 12th Century
d) 15th Century
Answer: b) 10th Century
10. The ‘mandapa’ in Hindu temple architecture refers to:
a) The main sanctum
b) The outer walls of the temple
c) The hall for gathering and worship
d) The tower above the sanctum
Answer: c) The hall for gathering and worship
11. The main deity’s idol is typically placed in which part of a temple?
a) Pradakshina path
b) Mandapa
c) Garbhagriha
d) Vimana
Answer: c) Garbhagriha
12. The Kailasa Temple in Ellora is an example of which type of temple architecture?
a) Nagara
b) Dravida
c) Cave temple
d) Indo-Saracenic
Answer: c) Cave temple
13. Which of the following is a prominent feature of the Shikhara in Nagara temples?
a) Pyramidal structure
b) Round dome
c) Multiple spires
d) Flat roof
Answer: a) Pyramidal structure
14. Which temple is known for its Indo-Saracenic style architecture, which blends Hindu, Islamic, and European styles?
a) Meenakshi Temple
b) Lotus Temple
c) Victoria Memorial
d) Gateway of India
Answer: c) Victoria Memorial
15. The first major example of Dravida architecture can be found in the temple of:
a) Brihadeeswarar, Thanjavur
b) Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram
c) Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
d) Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
Answer: b) Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram
16. Which of the following temple complexes is renowned for its intricate erotic sculptures and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
a) Ajanta Caves
b) Khajuraho Temples
c) Kailasa Temple, Ellora
d) Jagannath Temple, Puri
Answer: b) Khajuraho Temples
17. The famous Chola bronze sculptures of Hindu deities are usually associated with which temple?
a) Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur
b) Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
c) Kailasanatha Temple, Kanchipuram
d) Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
Answer: a) Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur
18. Which temple is an example of the Shikhara style of architecture, with a large dome and intricate carvings?
a) Golden Temple, Amritsar
b) Somnath Temple, Gujarat
c) Sun Temple, Konark
d) Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand
Answer: c) Sun Temple, Konark
19. The architecture of the Konark Sun Temple belongs to which style?
a) Dravida
b) Nagara
c) Indo-Saracenic
d) Indo-Islamic
Answer: b) Nagara
20. The ‘Pillared Hall’ in the temples is called:
a) Garbhagriha
b) Sabha Mandapa
c) Vimana
d) Pradakshina Path
Answer: b) Sabha Mandapa
21. The Brihadeeswarar Temple is dedicated to which Hindu deity?
a) Vishnu
b) Shiva
c) Brahma
d) Durga
Answer: b) Shiva
22. The architectural style of the temples in the Vijayanagara Empire is primarily a mixture of which two styles?
a) Dravida and Nagara
b) Nagara and Indo-Islamic
c) Dravida and Indo-Saracenic
d) Vesara and Dravida
Answer: a) Dravida and Nagara
23. The most famous feature of the temple of Somnath in Gujarat is its:
a) Golden dome
b) Giant entrance gate
c) Tall spire (Shikhara)
d) Temple tank
Answer: c) Tall spire (Shikhara)
24. The multi-storied spires of temples in South India are associated with which style?
a) Nagara
b) Dravida
c) Indo-Saracenic
d) Jain
Answer: b) Dravida
25. The ‘Shala’ roof is primarily used in which type of temple architecture?
a) Nagara
b) Dravida
c) Vesara
d) Jain
Answer: a) Nagara
26. Which of the following temples has an example of a ‘Raya Gopuram’ (towered gateway)?
a) Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur
b) Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
c) Sun Temple, Konark
d) Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Khajuraho
Answer: b) Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
27. Which of the following architectural elements is common in Dravida temples?
a) Large domes
b) Pyramidal roof structure
c) Small, symmetrical windows
d) Painted ceilings
Answer: b) Pyramidal roof structure
28. Which dynasty is credited with the construction of the famous Kailasa Temple at Ellora?
a) Gupta
b) Chola
c) Rashtrakuta
d) Maurya
Answer: c) Rashtrakuta
29. The famous “Mandapa” found in many Hindu temples is meant for:
a) The sanctum of the deity
b) The congregation of worshippers
c) Ritual performance
d) The temple priest’s quarters
Answer: b) The congregation of worshippers
30. Which temple is an example of a partially rock-cut temple built during the Gupta period?
a) Meenakshi Temple
b) Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh
c) Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
d) Brihadeeswarar Temple
Answer: b) Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh
These MCQs cover various aspects of Temple Architecture in India, from architectural styles to significant temples and their features. They will help in enhancing your understanding of this important cultural subject for the Civil Services Examination.
