Ancient History – Architecture
2024 Prelims PYQs
1] Consider the following information: [2024]
Archaeological Site – State – Description
1. Chandraketugarh – Odisha – Trading Port town
2. Inamgaon – Maharashtra – Chalcolithic site
3. Mangadu – Kerala – Megalithic site
4. Salihundam – Andhra Pradesh – Rock-cut cave shrines
In which of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
a) 1 and 2
b) 2 and 3
c) 3 and 4
d) 1 and 4
2023 Prelims PYQs
1] Consider the following pairs: [2023]
Site : Well known for
1. Besnagar : Shaivite cave shrine
2. Bhaja : Buddhist cave shrine
3. Sittanavasal: Jain cave shrine
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
2] With reference to the Indian History, Alexander Rea, A.H. Longhurst, Robert Sewell, James Burgess and Walter Elliot were associated with? [2023]
a) Archaeological excavations
b) Establishment of English Press in Colonial India
c) Establishment of Churches in Princely States
d) Construction of railways in Colonial India
3] With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements: [2023]
1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.
2. Stupa was generally a repository of relics.
3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
2022 Prelims PYQs
1] Consider the following pairs: [2022]
Site of Ashoka’s major rock edicts Location
1. Dhauli Odisha
2. Erragudi Andhra Pradesh
3. Jaugada Madhya Pradesh
4. Kalsi Karnataka
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
a) Only one pair
b) Only two pairs
c) Only three pairs
d) All four pairs
2] The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple at Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple? [2022]
1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.
2. A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni.
3. Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
2021 Prelims PYQs
1] Which one of the following statements is correct? [2021]
a) Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of the Waghora river
b) Sanchi Stupa lies in the gorge of the Chambal river
c) Pandu-Lena Cave Shrines lie in the gorge of the Narmada river
d) Amaravati Stupa lies in the gorge of the Godavari river
2] With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements: [2021]
1) It is a circular temple built during the reign of Kachchhapaghata Dynasty.
2) It is the only circular temple built in India.
3) It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region.
4) Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 2
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 4
d) 2, 3 and 4
3] Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs? [2021]
a) Dholavira
b) Kalibangan
c) Rakhigarhi
d) Ropar
2019 Prelims PYQs
1] In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is ‘Ranyo Ashoka’ (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka? [2019]
a) Kanganahalli
b) Sanchi
c) Shahbazagrhi
d) Sohgaura
2017 Prelims PYQs
1] The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at: [2017]
a) Ajanta
b) Badami
c) Bagh
d) Ellora
2] Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples? [2017]
1. Arasavalli
2. Amarakantak
3. Omkareshwar
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Prelims 2025 Mock Test - Free Download
2016 Prelims PYQs
1] Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka? [2016]
a) Georg Bilhler
b) James Prinsep
c) Max Muller
d) William Jones
2] What is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram? [2016]
1. Both were built in the same period
2. Both belong to the same religious denomination
3. Both have rock-cut monuments
Select the correct answer using the code given below`
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) None is correct
2015 Prelims PYQs
1] With reference to art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest? [2015]
a) Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar
b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli
c) Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram
d) Varaha Image at Udayagiri
2014 Prelims PYQs
1] With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs: [2014]
Famous work of sculpture Site
1. A grand image of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana with numerous celestial musicians above and the sorrowful figures of his followers below: Ajanta
2. A huge image of Varaha Avatar (boar incarnation) of Vishnu, as he rescues Goddess Earth from the deep and chaotic waters, sculpted on rock: Mount Abu
3.”Arjuna’s Penance”/ “Descent of Ganga” sculpted on the surface of huge boulder: Mamallapuram
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
2] With reference to Buddhist history, tradition and culture in India, consider the following pairs: [2014]
Famous Shrine Location
1. Tabo monastery and temple complex: Spiti Valley
2. Lhotsava Lhakhang: Zanskar Valley
3. Alchi Temple Complex: Ladakh
Which of the above pairs given is/are correctly matched?
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
2013 Prelims PYQs
1] Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference between the two? [2013]
a) Vihara is a place of worship, while Chaitya is the dwelling place of the monks
b) Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
c) Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the cave, while Vihara is the hall axial to it
d) There is no material difference between the two
2] With reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements: [2013]
1. The caves at Badami are the oldest Surviving rock-cut caves in India.
2. The Barabar rock-cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya.
3. At Ellora, caves were made for different faiths.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
3] Consider the following historical places: [2013]
1. Ajanta caves
2. Lepakshi temple
3. Sanchi stupa
Which of the above places is/ are also known for mural paintings?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 1, 2 and 3
d) None
2012 Prelims PYQs
1] The Nagara, the Dravida and the Vesara are the: [2012]
a) Three main racial groups of the Indian subcontinent
b) Three main linguistic divisions into which the languages of India can be classified
c) Three main styles of Indian temple architecture
d) Three main musical Gharanas prevalent in India
2010-1995 Prelims PYQs
1] There are only two known examples of cave paintings of the Gupta period in ancient India. One of these is paintings of Ajanta Caves. Where is the other surviving example of Gupta paintings? [2010]
a) Bagh Caves b) Ellora Caves
c) Lomas Rishi cave d) Nasik caves
2] Where is the famous Virupaksha temple located? [2009]
a) Bhadrachalam b) Chidambaram
c) Hampi d) Srikalahasti
3] In which State is the Buddhist site Tabo Monastery located? [2009]
a) Arunachal Pradesh
b) Himachal Pradesh
c) Sikkim
d) Uttarakhand
Prelims 2025 Mock Test - Free Download
4] Match List with List II and select the correct ANSWER using the code given below the lists: [2009]
List I (Famous Temple) List II (State)
A. Vidyashankara 1. Andhra Pradesh
B. Rajarani Temple 2. Karnataka
C. Kandariya Mahadeo 3. Madhya Pradesh
D. Bhimeswara temple 4. Orissa
A B C D
a) 2 4 3 1
b) 2 3 4 1
c) 1 4 3 2
d) 1 3 4 2
5] Near Which one of the following cities are Palitana Temples located? [2009]
a) Bhavnagar b) Mount Abu
c) Nasik d) Ujjain
6] Where is the famous Vijaya Vitala temple having its 56 carved pillars emitting musical notes located? [2008]
a) Belur b) Bhadrachalam
c) Hampi d) Srirangam
7] Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists: [2006]
List 1 (Place of archaeological Monument) List 2 (State)
A. Sisupalgarh 1. Assam
B. Piprahwa 2. Manipur
C. Goalpara 3. Orissa
D. Bishnupur 4. Uttar Pradesh
A B C D
a) 2 4 1 3
b) 2 1 4 3
c) 3 4 1 2
d) 3 1 4 2
8] Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched? [2006]
a) Vikramshila Monastery: Uttar Pradesh
b) Hemkund Gurudwara: Himachal Pradesh
c) Udayagiri Caves: Maharashtra
d) Amaravati Buddhist Stupa: Andhra Pradesh
9] Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched? [2006]
Monastery – State
a) Dhankar Monastery – Himachal Pradesh
b) Rumtek Monastery – Sikkim
c) Tabo Monastery – Himachal Pradesh
d) Kye Monastery – Arunachal Pradesh
10] The initial design and construction of which massive temple took place during the reign of Suryavarman II? [2006]
a) Sri Mariamman Temple
b) Angkor Vat
c) Batu Caves Temple
d) Kamakhya Temple
11] The Allahabad Pillar inscription is associated with which one of the following? [2006]
a) Mahapadma Nanda
b) Chandragupta Maurya
c) Ashoka
d) Samudragupta
12] Consider the following sites/monuments: [2005]
1. Champaner- Pavagadh Archaeological Park
2. Chhatrapati Shivaji Railway Station, Mumbai
3. Mamallapuram
4. Sun Temple (Konark Temple)
Which of the above are included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO?
a) 1, 2 and 3 b) 1,3 and 4
c) 2 and 4 d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
13] The Archaeological Survey of India is an attached office of the Department / Ministry of: [2004]
a) Culture
b) Tourism
c) Science and Technology
d) Human Resource Development
14] Which one of the following statements is not correct? [2002]
a) The status of Gomateshwara at Sravanabelagola represents the last Tirthankara of Jains
b) India’s largest Buddhist monastery is in Arunachal Pradesh
c) The Khajuraho temples were built under Chandela Kings
d) The Hoysalesvara temple is dedicated to Siva
15] In which one of the following cities is the Lingaraja Temple located? [2001]
a) Bhubaneswar
b) Bijapur
c) Kolkata
d) Shravanabelagola
Prelims 2025 Mock Test - Free Download
16] Hoysala monuments are found in: [2001]
a) Hampi and Hospet
b) Halebid and Belur
c) Mysore and Bangalore
d) Sringeri and Dharwar
17] Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched? [2001]
a) Harappan Civilisation – Painted Grey Ware
b) The Kushans – Gandhara School of Art
c) The Mughals – Ajanta Paintings
d) The Marathas – Pahari School of Painting
18] Assertion (A): The Gandhara School of art bears the mark of Hellenistic influence.
Reason (R): Hinayana form was influenced by that art. [1998]
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false
d) A is false, but R is true
19] Which one of the following ancient Indian records is the earliest royal order to preserve foodgrains to be utilised during the crises in the country? [1998]
a) Sohagaura Copperplate
b) Rummindei pillar edict of Asoka
c) Prayaga Prasasti
d) Mehrauli Pillar inscription of Chandra
20] The Asokan major rock edicts which tell us about the Sangam Kingdom include rock edicts: [1998]
a) I and X b) I and XI
c) II and XIII d) II and XIV
21] Which one of the following statements regarding Asokan stone pillars is incorrect? [1997]
a) These are highly polished
b) These are monolithic
c) The shaft of pillars is tapering in shape
d) These are parts of architectural structures
22] Which one of the following edicts mentions the personal name of Asoka? [1997]
a) Kalsi
b) Rummindei
c) Special Kalinga Edict
d) Maski
23] Which one of the following sculptures invariably used green schist as the medium? [1996]
a) Maurya sculptures
b) Mathura sculptures
c) Bharhut sculptures
d) Gandhara sculptures.
24] The name by which Asoka is generally referred to in his inscriptions is: [1995]
a) Chakravarti b) Dharmadeva
c) Dharmakirti d) Priyadasi
25] The Nagara, the Dravida and the Vesara are: [1995]
a) The three main racial groups of the Indian subcontinent
b) The three main linguistic divisions into which the languages of India can be classified
c) The three main styles of Indian temple architecture
d) The three main musical gharanas prevalent in India
26] Bronze icons of Nataraja cast during the Chola period invariably show the deity with: [1995]
a) Eight hands b) Six hands
c) Four hands d) Two hands
