Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is Rampurva, Bihar.

Key Points

The Bull capital of Ashoka:

• It is from Rampurva, Bihar.
• It belongs to the third century B.C.
• It is a mixture of Persian and Indian elements.
• The lotus capital is entirely formalistic.
• The motifs on the abacus are beautiful decorative elements like the rosette, palmette, and the acanthus ornaments, none of them is Indian.
• The crowning element of the bull capital, that is the bull proper, is a masterpiece of Indian craftsmanship, showing a humped bull, well modelled, with its soft flesh beautifully represented, with its strong legs, sensitive nostrils, and the ears cocked as if it were listening.

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The correct answer is Gol Gumbaz.

• The Gol (Round) Gumbaz (Dome) is the mausoleum of Muhammad Adil Shah II of the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur.
• Gol Gumbaz is the second-largest dome ever built, next in size only to St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Key Points

• Gol Gumbaz:
  • Gol Gumbaz is the most famous monument in Vijayapura. It is the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah (ruled 1627–1657).
  • A particular attraction in this monument is the central chamber, where every sound is echoed seven times.
  • Another attraction at the Gol Gumbaz is the Whispering Gallery, where even minute sounds can be heard clearly 37 meters away.
  • Its vast dome is said to be the Second Largest dome, unsupported by pillars, in the world, after St. Peter’s in the Vatican City of Rome.

Important Points

• Neela Gumbad:
  • The Nila Gumbad is one of the earliest Mughal era structures and was built in 1530.
  • Nila Gumbad was built on an island in the Yamuna, and later, just abutting to it, when Humayun’s Tomb was built in the year 1569-70, Nila Gumbad and other adjoining structures were incorporated in the complex.
• Chota Imambara:
  • Chota Imambara is one such historical and religious place of Lucknow. Chota Imambara is also known as Hussainabad Imambara.
  • It was built by Muhammad Ali Shah third Nawab of Awadh.
  • The tombs of Muhammad Ali Shah and other members of his family are inside the Imambara.
  • The building is also known as the Palace of Lights because of its decorations and chandeliers during special festivals, like Muharram.
• Chini Ka Rauza:
  • It is the mausoleum of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's prime minister, Afzal Khan Aalmi, who was also known as Maula Shukrullah,
  • The mausoleum was built in 1635 in Etmadpur (Agra) and is just a kilometre away from the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah.
  • Chini-ka-Rauza is believed to be the first structure in India to have been embellished extensively using glazed porcelain tiles and is regarded by many as a significant landmark in Indo-Persian architecture.

The correct answer is Dravida Style.

• The architecture style of temple developed by Cholas is called Dravidian or Dravida architecture style.
• The majority of the existing structures are located in the Southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.

The correct answer is Kerala.

• Makaravilakku is an annual festival held on Makar Sankranti in the Kerala states.

Key Points

• Makaravilakku is an annual festival held on Makara Sankranti at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple in Kerala.
  • Makara Jyothi is a star that appears in the sky on Makara Samkramam, when the Sun moves from dhanu Rasi (Sagittarius) to Makaram Rasi (Capricorn) on the first day of the Malayalam month of Makaram, January 14 (Makara Sankranti) this year.
  • Onam is the most important and popular festival in Kerala. Celebrated with much pomp and fervor, Onam is a harvest festival.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Tomb of Sultan Balban.

Key Points

• ​Tomb of Sultan Balban:
  • It is located in Mehrauli, New Delhi.
  • It is considered to be the first structure to have a true dome and an arch.

Additional Information

• Adhai din ka Jhonpra:
  • It is one of the oldest mosques in India and is located in the city of Ajmer, Rajasthan.
  • It is built by Qutb-ud-din Aibak.
• Quwwat ul Islam Mosque:
  • It is located within the Qutub Minar complex at Mehrauli in Delhi.
  • It was built by the Qutub-ud-din Aibak.
• Alai Darwaza:
  • It is the southern gateway of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque.
  • It is made up of red sandstone.
  • It was built by Alauddin Khalji in 1311 AD.
  • It is located in the Qutb complex, Mehrauli, Delhi.
• Alai Minar An incomplete Minar ambitiously started by Sultan but was left incomplete.