Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is Trumpet. Key Points

• A string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings.
• The most common string instruments in the string family are guitar, electric bass, violin, viola, cello, double bass, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, and harp.
• The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family.
• Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BC.
• They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a “buzzing” sound.
• As with all brass instruments, the sound is produced by blowing air through closed lips, producing a “buzzing” sound into the mouthpiece and starting a standing wave vibration in the air column inside the trumpet.
• Therefore trumpet is not a type of stringed instrument.
• Image of Trumpet-

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The correct answer is James Prinsep.

• James Princep was a European scholar who deciphered the edicts of the Ashoka.

Key Points

• James Prinsep -
  • He was an English scholar, orientalist, and antiquarian.
  • He was the founding editor of the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal.
  • He is best remembered for his understanding of the Kharosthi and Brahmi scripts of ancient India.

Additional Information

•  V Gordon Childe -
  • He was an Australian archaeologist specializing in the study of European prehistory.
  • He became the first exponent of Marxist archeology in the Western world.​
• Alexander Cunningham -
  • He became famous as a famous scholar of Indian archaeology, historical geography, and history.
  • He is considered the father of the Archaeological Survey of India.

The correct answer is Garadi.

Key Points

• Garadi is a dance performed in Puducherry.
• And it is the most famous dance of Puducherry.
• This dance has a mythological origin.
• When Rama defeated Ravana, the vanars danced to celebrate his victory.
• It is performed during all festivals of the region.
• It lasts for five to eight hours.​

Additional Information

• Garba is a form of dance which originated in the state of Gujarat in India.
• Gambhira Dance, a folk dance in West Bengal (India), performed by the devotees of Goddess Shakti, in the dance hall of Chandi Mandir.
• Alkap is a form of Bengali folk performance popular in the districts of Murshidabad, Malda and Birbhum in West Bengal and Chapai Nawabganj.

The Sculpture of Mathura school were influenced by the stories and imageries of all three religions- Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.

Key Points

Mathura School of Art:

• Mathura was a great centre of art and culture during the period of the Kushans.
• In Gandhara art the Greco- Roman influence is strongly present.
• In Mathura art, the important religions of India, such as Brahmanism, Jainism and Buddhism are represented. It is believed that the first Buddha images were carved at Mathura at the same time as in the Gandhara School.
• Mathura has produced Buddha images of various dimensions. The Mathura style evolved with native spirit and elements.
• There are quite a number of female figures on the railings of the stupas, and these are beautifully attired according to Indian taste.
• The spirit of Mathura sculpture displays the peaceful atmosphere. The features are naturalistic rather than realistic.
• The Indian elements derived from the ideal yogi type, namely the lotus feet and the meditative gaze.
• Mathura artists rejected the Greco- Roman realistic features and chose naturalistic features to create the sculptures. The entire figure clothed with refinement. 

 Additional InformationAmaravati School of Sculpture: 

• During the Satavahana period, an aesthetic movement of greater magnitude developed in Andhra Pradesh.
• Several stupas with refined sculptures of exceptional beauty are the contributions of this period.
• The sculptures belonging to Amaravati school are found in the valley of Krishna on the sites and museums of Jaggayyapetta, Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda. 
• The Amaravati style is more elegant and sophisticated. The sculptured panels of Amaravati are characterised by delicacy of forms, and linear grace.
• Numerous scenes of dance and music adorn these reliefs displaying joy of life. The sculptural remains of Amaravati, known as the 'marbles' are created by using white limestone. It creates the illusion of marble and is as fresh as when it was carved.
• It reflects narratives theme based on life of Buddha and Jataka stories Buddha is depicted both in human as well as in animal form
• Both religious and secular images were present in this style.

Gandhara School 

• It was based on Greco-Roman norms encapsulating foreign techniques and an alien spirit.
• The foreign influence is evident from the sculptures of Buddha in which they bear resemblance to the Greek sculptures.
• Grey sandstone (Blue-grey Mica schist to be precise) is used in Gandhara School of Art.
• The Gandharan Buddha image was inspired by Hellenistic realism, influenced by Persian, Scythian, and Parthian models. 
• In this art, Buddha’s curls were altered into wavy hair.
• The head of the Buddha matched very much with Greek God Apollo.
• Gandharan sculptures show strong Greek influences in the depiction of a ‘man-god’ and of wavy hair, sandals and extensive drapery.
• The depiction of Buddha as a ‘man-god’ in Gandharan sculpture is believed to be inspired from Greek mythology.
• Some examples of Gandharan art depict both Buddha and the Greek god, Hercules.

The correct answer is Fatehpur Sikri.

• Akbar commissioned the construction of a white marble tomb for Shaikh Salim Chishti next to the majestic Friday mosque at Fatehpur Sikri.
• The Mosque is also known as Jama Masjid.
• The gateway to this tomb is known as Buland Darwaza (The door of victory).
• It was built in 1602 A.D. to commemorate Akbar's victory over Gujarat.
• Buland Darwaza is the highest gateway in the world and is an example of Mughal architecture.

Additional Information

• The city Fatehpur Sikri itself was founded as the capital of the Mughal Empire in 1571 by Emperor Akbar.
• It served this role from 1571 to 1585.
• Akbar abandoned it due to a campaign in Punjab and was later completely abandoned in 1610. 
• Fatehpur Sikri is currently a town in the Agra District of Uttar Pradesh.