Question Discussion & Solution

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 Gujarat.

Key Points

• 'Rani ki Vav' is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites is located in the state of Gujarat.
  • "Rani ki Vav" is a stepwell situated in the town of Patan in the Gujarat state of India. It is located on the banks of the Saraswati river.
  • "Rani ki vav" is considered the finest and one of the largest examples of stepwell architecture in Gujarat.
  • "Rani ki vav" has been declared a Monument of National Importance and protected by the Archaeological Sites Act (ASI). It was added to the list of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites on 22 June 2014.
  • "Rani ki vav" was named India's "Cleanest Iconic Place" at the 2016 Indian Sanitation Conference.

Additional Information

• "Rani-ki-Vav" was initially built as a memorial to a king in the 11th century AD. Its construction is attributed to Udayamati, daughter of Khengara of Saurashtra, queen, and spouse of the 11th-century Chaulukya king Bhima I.
  • It has spiritual significance and represents the sanctity of water. The sculptures in stepwell depict numerous Hindu deities including Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, goddesses (Devi), Ganesha, Kubera, Lakulisha, Bhairava, Surya, Indra, and Hayagriva.

The correct answer is Bihar.

• Mithila painting (also known as Madhubani Painting) originated in a small village, known as Maithili, in the Bihar state of India.

Key Points

• Themes of the Maithili painting revolve around Hindu deities like Krishna, Rama, Lakshmi, Shiva, Durga, and Saraswati.
  • The natural themes that are used include the Sun, the Moon, and religious plants like tulsi.
• The painting was traditionally done by womenfolk on freshly plastered mud walls and floors of huts, but now they are also done on cloth, handmade paper, and canvas.
• One can also find paintings based on scenes from the royal courts and social events, like weddings.
  • If any empty space is left after painting the main theme, it is filled up with the motifs of flowers, animals, and birds or geometric designs.
• Mithila painting, as a domestic ritual activity, was unknown to the outside world until the massive India-Nepal border earthquake of 1934 when the houses and walls tumbled down.
  • Then British colonial officer in Madhubani District, William G. Archer, while inspecting the damage 'discovered' the paintings on the newly exposed interior walls of Mithila homes. 

The correct answer is A hand-painted cotton textile in South India.

• Kalamkari painting refers to a hand-painted cotton textile in South India.

Key Points

• Kalamkari derives its name from Kalam meaning Pen, and Kari meaning work, literally Pen-work.
• A Kalamkari artist uses a bamboo or date palm stick pointed at one end with a bundle of fine hair attached to the pointed end which serves as the brush or pen.
• There are two distinctive styles of Kalamkari art in India
  • The Srikalahasti style
  • The Machilipatnam style of art.

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.