Art and Culture Questions

The correct answer is These are the main two styles of temple architecture in India.

Key Points

• The main component of the Indian temple architecture are the following:
  • Garbhagriha (womb-house):. It is a cave-like structure housing the chief deity of the temple.
  • Mandapa: It is the entrance of the temple.
  • Shikhara/Vimana: It is a mountain-like structure on top. In north India, it is called Shikhara.
    • Shape: Curve.
    • In south India, it is called Vimana.
    • Shape: Pyramidal tower.
  • Amalaka: Notched stone disk at the top of the temple. Mostly seen in north Indian temples.
  • Pedestal: It is a raised platform of stone on which temples are built.

Important Points

Additional Information

• Vesara Architecture:
  • E.g: Ladkhan temple of Aihole.
  • It has two principal components Vimana & Mandapa joined by Antrala.
  • It is a mixture of both Nagara & Dravidian style of temple architecture.
  • It is also known as Chalukya style or Karnataka style.
  • It follows mostly Dravida style up to the boundaries and then Nagara style features in the superstructure.

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 Gupta.

Key Points

• Gupta Dynasty:
  • ​The Gupta empire was founded by Sri Gupta. 
  • The Gupta Empire rose in Magadha around the 4th century AD and covered the greater part of Northern India.
  • The Gupta Period is popularly known as the ‘Golden Age of India’.

Additional Information

• Nanda Dynasty:
  • Nanda Dynasty ruled during 344 BC-323 BC.
  • Nanda dynasty was founded by Mahapadma Nanda.
  • Mandivardhana the last ruler of the Shishunaga dynasty was overthrown by Mahapadma Nanda and started the Nanda dynasty.
  • It is considered to be the first non-Kshatriya dynasty and ruled for 100 years. 
  • Dhanananda was The last king of the Nanda Dynasty.
• Maurya Dynasty:
  • ​Brihadratha was the last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty.
  • Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan dynasty. He defeated the Nanda king Dhanananda with the help of Chanakya/Kautilya.
  • Ashoka was the son of Bindusara and one of the greatest rulers of the Mauryan Empire. Ashoka fought the battle of Kalinga.
• Sunga Dynasty:​
  • ​Devabhuti was the last ruler of the Sunga dynasty.
  • He was assassinated by his minister Vasudeva.
  • Pushyamitra sunga was the founder of the Sunga dynasty.
  • Pushyamitra Sunga assassinated the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha and established the Sunga dynasty.
  • Agnimitra Sunga was the son and successor of Pushyamitra Sunga.
  • Agnimitra Sunga was the main protagonist in the play Malvikagnimitram written by Kalidasa.