Forts & Palaces — Set 4

Correct Answer: D. Purana Qila

• **Purana Qila** = This fort in Delhi is also known as the Old Fort and is considered the 'sixth city of Delhi'. • **1533 AD** — This is the approximate year when Humayun began the construction of Purana Qila. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Lodi Fort]: It refers to various structures built by the Lodi dynasty, not specifically one 'sixth city' built by Humayun; [Siri Fort]: Built by Alauddin Khalji, it was the second city of Delhi; [Feroz Shah Kotla]: Built by Feroz Shah Tughlaq, it was the fifth city of Delhi.

Correct Answer: A. Indo-Saracenic

• **Indo-Saracenic** = This architectural style is a grand blend of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles, seen predominantly in Mysore Palace. • **1912 AD** — The current Mysore Palace, designed by Henry Irwin, was completed in this year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Gothic]: While it incorporates some Gothic elements, it's not the primary style; [Mughal]: This style is prominent in North India, not the primary influence in Mysore; [Dravidian]: This is an ancient South Indian temple architectural style, distinct from the palace's design.

Correct Answer: D. Qila Mubarak

• **Qila Mubarak** = Located in Patiala, this fort was built by the Maharaja of Patiala and is known for its beautiful wall paintings. • **1764 AD** — This is the year when Qila Mubarak in Patiala was originally constructed by Baba Ala Singh. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Gobindgarh Fort]: Located in Amritsar, it has a different history not tied to Patiala Maharajas; [Anandpur Sahib Fort]: A series of five forts in Anandpur Sahib, significant to Sikh history but not built by Patiala rulers for their residence; [Bathinda Fort]: An ancient fort, not specifically built by the Maharaja of Patiala for residential purposes or known for wall paintings in the same context.

Correct Answer: B. Bharatpur

• **Bharatpur** = This city in Rajasthan is home to Lohagarh Fort, famous for its impregnable mud walls. • **1733 AD** — This is the year when Maharaja Suraj Mal of the Jat dynasty began constructing Lohagarh Fort. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Alwar]: While also in Rajasthan, Alwar is known for Bala Qila, not Lohagarh Fort; [Kota]: Known for Kota Garh, a different fort; [Ajmer]: Home to Taragarh Fort, which is not Lohagarh Fort.

Correct Answer: A. Kangra Fort

• **Kangra Fort** = This fort in Himachal Pradesh is considered one of India's oldest, with a history spanning thousands of years. • **Thousands of years** — The history of Kangra Fort dates back this long, with mentions even found in the Mahabharata. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Nurpur Fort]: Also in Himachal Pradesh, but less ancient and famous than Kangra Fort; [Sujunpur Tira Fort]: Another historical fort in Himachal, but not considered among the oldest or part of the Katoch kingdom in the same way; [Arki Fort]: Located in Solan district, known for its specific history with the Baghal state, not the oldest.

Correct Answer: B. Bay of Bengal

• **Bay of Bengal** = One side of the Kanyakumari Fort, also known as Vattakottai, uniquely faces this body of water. • **1752 AD** — The construction of Vattakottai Fort, built by Dutch captain De Lannoy for the Travancore kings, was completed around this year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [River]: The fort is on the coast, not a river; [Indian Ocean]: While Kanyakumari is at the confluence of three seas, this specific fort faces the Bay of Bengal; [Western Ghats]: These are a mountain range, which would be behind the fort, not directly facing it.

Correct Answer: B. Srirangapatna Fort

• **Srirangapatna Fort** = This Karnataka fort was built by Hyder Ali and later strengthened by Tipu Sultan with unique French influences. • **1782 AD** — Tipu Sultan began his reign and significantly reinforced Srirangapatna Fort around this year, incorporating French architectural styles. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Chitradurga Fort]: Known for its unique seven-tiered fortifications by the Nayakas, not Hyder Ali or Tipu Sultan; [Bidar Fort]: Associated with the Bahmani and Barid Shahi dynasties, located in northern Karnataka; [Bellary Fort]: Built by Hyder Ali but less known for specific French influence and not as prominent a capital.

Correct Answer: B. Bikaner

• **Bikaner** = This city in Rajasthan is home to Gajner Palace, a red sandstone summer resort on a lake. • **1920s** — Maharaja Ganga Singh built Gajner Palace during this decade, intending it as a hunting lodge and summer retreat. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Jaisalmer]: Famous for Jaisalmer Fort (Golden Fort), not Gajner Palace; [Mount Abu]: A hill station known for Dilwara Temples and Gaumukh, no Gajner Palace; [Pushkar]: Famous for its holy lake and Brahma Temple, not home to Gajner Palace.

Correct Answer: A. Gingee Fort

• **Gingee Fort** = This fort in Tamil Nadu was famously named the 'Troy of the East' by the British due to its impregnable nature. • **Three hills** — Gingee Fort is strategically laid out across these, contributing to its reputation as an impregnable fortress. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Vellore Fort]: Known for its grand moats and double fortifications, but not called 'Troy of the East'; [Dindigul Fort]: A hill fort of significant historical importance, but not this specific epithet; [Sankagiri Fort]: Another historic fort in Tamil Nadu, but the 'Troy of the East' title belongs to Gingee.

Correct Answer: B. Rani Ahilyabai Holkar

• **Rani Ahilyabai Holkar** = Ahilya Fort, situated on the Narmada River banks, was the residence of this benevolent Maratha queen. • **1767 AD** — This was the year Rani Ahilyabai Holkar began her reign, transforming Maheshwar into a center of art, culture, and industry. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Rani Lakshmibai]: The Queen of Jhansi, known for her role in the 1857 revolt, not associated with Ahilya Fort; [Rani Padmini]: A legendary queen of Chittor, famous for Jauhar, not associated with Ahilya Fort; [Rani Chennamma]: Queen of Kittur, known for resisting the British, not associated with Ahilya Fort.