Caves & Stupas — Set 1
Arts & Culture · गुफाएं और स्तूप · Questions 1–10 of 50
Which of the following sites contains the earliest rock-cut caves in India, dating back to the Mauryan period?
Correct Answer: C. Barabar Caves
• **Barabar Caves** = These are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India. • **Mauryan period** — they were mostly excavated during the reign of Emperor Ashoka for the Ajivika sect. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Ajanta Caves]: date from the 2nd century BCE to 5th century CE, later than Mauryan; [Udayagiri Caves]: are primarily Jain and date to the 1st century BCE; [Ellora Caves]: are a mix of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments dating from the 6th to 10th century CE.
The famous Great Stupa at Sanchi was originally commissioned by which Indian emperor?
Correct Answer: D. Ashoka
• **Ashoka** = Emperor Ashoka the Great commissioned the Great Stupa at Sanchi. • **3rd century BCE** — it was intended to house the relics of Lord Buddha and spread Dhamma. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Harsha]: ruled in the 7th century CE, much later; [Kanishka]: a Kushan emperor from the 1st-2nd century CE, known for promoting Buddhism but not Sanchi; [Chandragupta Maurya]: Ashoka's grandfather, primarily focused on empire building.
In which state are the Ajanta Caves, famous for their ancient Buddhist paintings and sculptures, located?
Correct Answer: C. Maharashtra
• **Maharashtra** = The Ajanta Caves are situated in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. • **2nd century BCE to the 5th century CE** — these caves were built in two phases and are a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for masterpieces of Buddhist religious art. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Gujarat]: hosts Buddhist caves like Junagadh but not Ajanta; [Karnataka]: is home to Hindu and Jain cave temples like Badami, not Ajanta; [Madhya Pradesh]: features Buddhist caves like Bagh, known for similar paintings, but not Ajanta.
What is the hemispherical dome-like structure of a Buddhist stupa called?
Correct Answer: A. Anda
• **Anda** = The 'Anda' represents the mound of the earth or the universe in Buddhist symbolism. • **All traditional stupas** — this architectural feature is central to their design. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Yashti]: refers to the mast rising from the harmika, holding the chatra; [Torana]: refers to the ceremonial gateways at the cardinal points; [Harmika]: is the square railing on top of the anda, encircling the yashti.
Which cave system is famous for the 'Vishvakarma Cave', which is a rare example of a multi-storied rock-cut monastery?
Correct Answer: D. Ellora
• **Ellora** = The Vishvakarma Cave is Cave 10 at the Ellora complex and serves as a major Chaitya hall. • **Cave 10** — it is popularly known as the 'Carpenter's Cave' because the stone was carved to look like wooden beams. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Karle]: is famous for its large Chaitya hall but not for a multi-storied Vishvakarma Cave; [Ajanta]: is renowned for its Buddhist mural paintings, not Vishvakarma Cave; [Kanheri]: is a large group of Buddhist caves, but the Vishvakarma Cave is specifically located at Ellora.
The 'Lion Capital', which is now the National Emblem of India, was originally found at which stupa site?
Correct Answer: C. Sarnath
• **Sarnath** = The Lion Capital was originally placed atop the Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath. • **Four Asiatic lions** — it features four Asiatic lions standing back to back on a circular abacus. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Amravati]: is famous for its elaborate limestone carvings, not the Lion Capital; [Bharhut]: is known for its stupa and early Buddhist railings, but not this specific capital; [Sanchi]: hosts famous stupas and toranas, but the Lion Capital was found at Sarnath.
The Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves are located in which Indian state?
Correct Answer: D. Odisha
• **Odisha** = The Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves near Bhubaneswar in Odisha were carved out as residential blocks for Jain monks. • **King Kharavela** — they were largely patronized by King Kharavela of the Mahameghavahana dynasty. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Rajasthan]: is famous for its forts and palaces, not these Jain caves; [Tamil Nadu]: features ancient rock-cut temples, but Udayagiri and Khandagiri are not located there; [Madhya Pradesh]: is home to numerous cave systems like Bhimbetka and Bagh, but not these specific Jain caves.
Which part of a stupa refers to the stone gateways often decorated with intricate narrative carvings?
Correct Answer: D. Torana
• **Torana** = Toranas are the ceremonial gateways located at the four cardinal points of a stupa. • **Sanchi** — these gateways are famous for depicting scenes from the Jataka tales at Sanchi. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Pradakshina Patha]: refers to the circumambulatory path around the stupa; [Chhatri]: is the umbrella-like structure atop the harmika; [Medhi]: refers to the circular drum or base on which the anda rests.
Which of the following caves is located on an island near the Mumbai coast?
Correct Answer: A. Elephanta Caves
• **Elephanta Caves** = The Elephanta Caves are located on Gharapuri Island near the Mumbai coast. • **5th to 8th centuries** — they date back to this period and are famous for the massive Trimurti sculpture of Shiva. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Bedse Caves]: are located in the Pune district, on the mainland; [Bhaja Caves]: are also in the Pune district, on the mainland; [Kanheri Caves]: are within Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai, but on the mainland, not an island.
The 'Dhamekh Stupa', which marks the exact spot of the Buddha's first sermon, is located in?
Correct Answer: B. Sarnath
• **Sarnath** = The Dhamekh Stupa is a massive cylindrical structure located at Sarnath near Varanasi. • **Gupta period** — it was built during the Gupta period over an earlier Mauryan foundation, marking the spot of Buddha's first sermon. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Lumbini]: is the birthplace of Buddha; [Bodh Gaya]: is where Buddha attained enlightenment; [Kushinagar]: is the site of Buddha's Mahaparinirvana (passing away).