MCQs on “The Evolution of Indian Art: From Ancient to Modern Times”

Which of the following is the earliest evidence of Indian art?
a) Rock-cut caves of Ajanta
b) Terracotta figurines of the Indus Valley Civilization
c) Stupas of Sanchi
d) Paintings of Ellora
Answer: b) Terracotta figurines of the Indus Valley Civilization
The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro is associated with which type of art form?
a) Sculpture
b) Urban planning and architecture
c) Painting
d) Metalwork
Answer: b) Urban planning and architecture
Which Mauryan ruler is known for promoting Buddhist art and architecture?
a) Chandragupta Maurya
b) Ashoka
c) Bindusara
d) Samudragupta
Answer: b) Ashoka
The Lion Capital of Ashoka, which is now India’s national emblem, was found at:
a) Sanchi
b) Sarnath
c) Lumbini
d) Bodh Gaya
Answer: b) Sarnath
Which of the following sites is known for its Buddhist Chaitya halls?
a) Ajanta
b) Elephanta
c) Karle
d) Ellora
Answer: c) Karle

The Kailasa Temple at Ellora was built during the reign of which dynasty?
a) Mauryas
b) Chalukyas
c) Rashtrakutas
d) Pallavas
Answer: c) Rashtrakutas
Which type of painting flourished under the Gupta period?
a) Fresco
b) Miniature
c) Murals at Ajanta
d) Tanjore
Answer: c) Murals at Ajanta
The Khajuraho temples, known for their intricate sculptures, belong to which dynasty?
a) Maurya
b) Chola
c) Chandela
d) Pala
Answer: c) Chandela
Which art form is closely associated with the Mughal period?
a) Tanjore painting
b) Miniature painting
c) Madhubani painting
d) Pattachitra
Answer: b) Miniature painting
Which Mughal emperor was a patron of the arts and established a painting atelier?
a) Babur
b) Akbar
c) Aurangzeb
d) Humayun
Answer: b) Akbar

The Bengal School of Art was founded by:
a) Raja Ravi Varma
b) Rabindranath Tagore
c) Abanindranath Tagore
d) Nandalal Bose
Answer: c) Abanindranath Tagore
Who is considered the father of modern Indian painting?
a) Amrita Sher-Gil
b) Raja Ravi Varma
c) Abanindranath Tagore
d) Jamini Roy
Answer: b) Raja Ravi Varma
The painting “Bharat Mata” is associated with which artist?
a) Rabindranath Tagore
b) Abanindranath Tagore
c) Jamini Roy
d) Amrita Sher-Gil
Answer: b) Abanindranath Tagore
Which artist is famous for his rural Bengali folk-inspired works?
a) Raja Ravi Varma
b) Jamini Roy
c) Amrita Sher-Gil
d) Nandalal Bose
Answer: b) Jamini Roy
Who was the first Indian artist to achieve global recognition for her work?
a) Rabindranath Tagore
b) Amrita Sher-Gil
c) Abanindranath Tagore
d) Raja Ravi Varma
Answer: b) Amrita Sher-Gil

The Dravidian style of architecture is predominantly found in:
a) Northern India
b) Western India
c) Eastern India
d) Southern India
Answer: d) Southern India
Which temple is an example of the Nagara style of architecture?
a) Brihadeshwara Temple
b) Sun Temple, Konark
c) Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram
d) Lingaraja Temple
Answer: b) Sun Temple, Konark
The Taj Mahal is an example of which style of architecture?
a) Indo-Islamic
b) Dravidian
c) Nagara
d) Vesara
Answer: a) Indo-Islamic
The Rajput style of architecture is characterized by:
a) Forts and palaces with intricate carvings
b) Rock-cut temples
c) Chaitya halls
d) Stupas
Answer: a) Forts and palaces with intricate carvings
Which colonial architectural style is best represented by the Rashtrapati Bhavan?
a) Gothic Revival
b) Indo-Saracenic
c) Neo-Classical
d) Art Deco
Answer: b) Indo-Saracenic

Warli painting originates from which Indian state?
a) Gujarat
b) Madhya Pradesh
c) Maharashtra
d) Rajasthan
Answer: c) Maharashtra
The Kalamkari art form is traditionally practiced in:
a) West Bengal
b) Tamil Nadu
c) Andhra Pradesh
d) Karnataka
Answer: c) Andhra Pradesh
Which of the following is a traditional tribal art form of Odisha?
a) Madhubani
b) Pattachitra
c) Tanjore
d) Gond
Answer: b) Pattachitra
Which folk art is known for its use of vibrant colors and geometric patterns?
a) Warli
b) Madhubani
c) Gond
d) Kalamkari
Answer: b) Madhubani
Which dance-drama form of Kerala uses elaborate face painting and costumes?
a) Kathak
b) Kathakali
c) Bharatanatyam
d) Mohiniyattam
Answer: b) Kathakali

Who introduced the concept of “Art for Art’s Sake” in Indian modern art?
a) Abanindranath Tagore
b) Rabindranath Tagore
c) Raja Ravi Varma
d) Amrita Sher-Gil
Answer: b) Rabindranath Tagore
Ellora Caves are an example of which religions’ art forms?
a) Hinduism and Buddhism
b) Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism
c) Hinduism and Jainism
d) Buddhism only
Answer: b) Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism
Which inscription mentions the construction of the Sanchi Stupa?
a) Allahabad Pillar inscription
b) Ashokan edicts
c) Hathigumpha inscription
d) Nasik cave inscriptions
Answer: b) Ashokan edicts
Which style of painting became prominent in Rajasthan during the medieval period?
a) Pahari
b) Rajput
c) Tanjore
d) Deccan
Answer: b) Rajput
Which organization oversees the preservation of Indian heritage sites?
a) UNESCO
b) Archaeological Survey of India
c) INTACH
d) Ministry of Culture
Answer: b) Archaeological Survey of India

These questions aim to cover the evolution of Indian art from ancient to modern times, encompassing key milestones, styles, and cultural forms.