Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is Decorating the walls with floral designs made of semi-precious stones.

Key Points

• Pietre dura is Italian plural meaning hardstones or hard rocks.
• Pietra dura is also known as Parchin Kari or Parchin Kari.
• The term was used for the inlay technique of using cut and fitted, highly polished colored stones to create images.
• It is considered decorative art.
• The Pietre dure art got its most popularizing time during Shahjahan's reign.
• Shahjahan used poietre dure tehcnique of arhitechture in Taj Mahal.

The correct answer is (A)-(4), (B)-(3), (C)-(1), (D)-(2).

Key Points

• Onam:
  • It is a harvest festival of Kerala.
  • It is celebrated to commemorate the arrival of King Mahabali.
  • The festival lasts for ten days.
  • It is also a harvest festival and falls on the 22nd Nakshatra Thiruvonam in the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam, which in the Gregorian calendar overlaps with August–September.
• Hornbill:
  • ​Hornbill festival is the premier festival of Nagaland held every year in the first week of December.
  • The festival is named after the hornbill, the globally respected bird and which is displayed in folklore in most of the state’s tribes.
  • This festival usually takes place in Kohima.
  • The Festival's highlights include the Traditional Naga Morungs Exhibition and sale of Arts and crafts, flower shows, cultural medley etc.
• Losar:
  • ​Losar is a festival in Tibetan Buddhism.
  • The holiday is celebrated on various dates depending on location (Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, India) tradition.
  • It marks the Tibetan New year that resonated with the large Tibetan and Buddhist communities that inhabit the region.
  • In India, it is celebrated in places like Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
• Ugadi:
  • ​Ugadi also referred to as Yugadi is a major festival that is celebrated in the southern states of Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
  • As per the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated as the beginning of a new year.
  • Famous festivals of Karnataka are Kanakadasa Jayanti and Karaga.

The correct answer is a-1, b-3, c-2.

Key Points

• ​Basically, there are 3 kinds of temple architecture:
  1. Vesara Style
  2. Nagara Style
  3. Dravida Style
• Nagara Style:
  • ​The Nagara style is associated with the land between the Himalayas and Vindhyas and developed regionally in the Northern parts of India.
  • The structure comprises two buildings, the main taller shrine and an adjoining mandapa which is short.
  • The foremost difference between these two buildings is the shape of the shikhara.
  • In the main shrine, a bell-shaped structure is added.
  • Originally in Nagara style, there were no pillars.
  • Example: Dashavatara Vishnu Temple, Deogarh, UP, Khajuraho Temples (MP), Konark Sun Temple.
  • 
• ​Dravida Style:
  • Dravida style advanced in the South, throughout the Chola Empire, between 9th–12th Century AD.
  • It is seen in the region between the Krishna and Kaveri rivers.
  • In Dravida, style temple is situated within an ambulatory hall.
  • There are multiple stories called Vimana, built above the Garbhagriha.
  • Mandapa is a pillared hall.
  • Gopuram is the high gate in this courtyard.
  • Example: Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram, Brihadiswara Temple, Tanjore.
  • 
• Vesara Style: 
  • ​Vesara style is at times related to the region between the Krishna River and Vindhyas that emerged during the early medieval period.
  • Many temples in Central India and Deccan have used the Vesara style with regional modifications.
  • It is a fusion style of both Nagara and Dravida styles of temple architecture.
  • In this style structures are finely finished, figures are much decorated and well-polished.
  • Example: The Hoysalas temples at Belur.
  • 

The correct answer is Bhavai – Gujarat.

Key Points

• Bhavai is a folk dance popular in Rajasthan.
• The male or female performer balance a number of earthen pots or brass pitchers as they dance nimbly swimming with the soles of their feet first on top of the glass and on the edge of the sword or on the rims of the brass plate during the performance.
• Bhavai is also one of the most colourful performances of the state as the women wear bright coloured Ghaghra cholis and dupattas.
• The men from these communities offer the music to this dance, using string and percussion instruments.

Confusion Points

• Bhavai dance is often misinterpreted from ‘Bhavai’ which is a folk theatre form of Gujarat. 

Additional Information

The correct answer is Moinuddin Chishti.

Key Points

• Ajmer Sharif Dargah is the tomb of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
  • Moinuddin Chishti was a 13th-century Sufi saint and philosopher.
  • Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti was an extremely pious saint who devoted himself to providing relief to the poor.
  • His idea behind doing this was to educate the public about the importance of selfless service.
  • The teachings of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti are so popular that visitors literally throng the dargah to pay their respects at his grave.

Additional Information

• Ajmer Sharif Dargah was built by the ruler Humayun during the rule of the Mughal Empire.
  • This Ajmer pilgrimage is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India.
  • It was the residence of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti between 1192 and 1236 AD and houses his tomb.
  • It is the mausoleum of the revered Sufi saint, which is visited by people of all castes, creeds, and religions.
  • The white marble dome of Chishti's Dargah, as it is seen today, was built in 1532.
  • There are eight tombs in the complex besides those of Chishti belonging to his family members.