Mosques & Churches — Set 3

Correct Answer: A. Tomb of Akbar

• **Tomb of Akbar** = The architecture of Kolkata's Nakhoda Masjid, its principal mosque, is heavily inspired by this Mughal emperor's tomb at Sikandra. • **1926** — The Nakhoda Masjid was built in this year and is notable for its capacity to accommodate up to 10,000 people. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Buland Darwaza]: This is a grand gateway, not a tomb that would serve as an architectural model for a mosque; [Gol Gumbaz]: A large dome tomb in Karnataka, but not the inspiration for Nakhoda Masjid; [Taj Mahal]: While an iconic tomb, its architecture is not the direct model for Nakhoda Masjid.

Correct Answer: B. Sacred Heart Basilica

• **Sacred Heart Basilica** = This French-style church in Puducherry is distinguished by its brown and white Neo-Gothic facade and rare stained glass panels. • **Neo-Gothic facade** — This distinctive architectural style, with its brown and white colors, makes the Sacred Heart Basilica a prominent landmark in Puducherry. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges]: This church is known for its pink facade and rare oil-and-lime stucco work, not Neo-Gothic; [St. Andrew's Church]: This church is not the one famously known for the described facade in Puducherry; [Immaculate Conception Cathedral]: While a significant church in Puducherry, it doesn't match the specific brown and white Neo-Gothic description.

Correct Answer: A. A strand of hair

• **A strand of hair** = The Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar is revered for housing the 'Moi-e-Muqaddas', believed to be a hair from the Prophet Muhammad. • **1979** — The present white marble structure of the shrine, located on the western bank of Dal Lake, was completed in this year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [A wooden staff]: While relics of saints often include staffs, this is not the specific relic associated with Hazratbal Shrine; [An ancient manuscript]: Although Islamic shrines may contain religious texts, a manuscript is not the central relic here; [A silk robe]: A silk robe is not the relic for which Hazratbal Shrine is famous.

Correct Answer: B. St. Francis Church

• **St. Francis Church** = This church in Kochi holds historical significance as the original burial site of the renowned Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. • **1524** — Vasco da Gama died in Kochi in this year and was initially buried at St. Francis Church before his remains were moved to Lisbon after 14 years. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Santa Cruz Basilica]: While an important church in Kochi, it is not primarily known as Vasco da Gama's original burial site; [Our Lady of Hope]: This church is not associated with Vasco da Gama's burial; [St. George Church]: This church is not the one famous for being Vasco da Gama's original burial place.

Correct Answer: A. Shaking Minarets

• **Shaking Minarets** = The Sidi Bashir Mosque in Ahmedabad is world-famous for its unique structural feature, locally known as 'Jhulta Minar'. • **'Jhulta Minar'** — This refers to the mosque's Shaking Minarets, where shaking one minaret causes the other to vibrate, a mystery to engineers. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Whispering Gallery]: This feature is found in places like Gol Gumbaz or St. Paul's Cathedral, not Sidi Bashir Mosque; [Hanging Arches]: While arches are common, 'hanging arches' are not the defining feature of this mosque; [Underground Tunnels]: There's no such known unique feature for Sidi Bashir Mosque.

Correct Answer: B. Gothic Revival

• **Gothic Revival** = The All Saints Cathedral in Prayagraj, also known as Patthar Girja, is a prominent example of this architectural style, designed by William Emerson. • **William Emerson** — This British architect designed the cathedral, making it an impressive example of 13th-century Gothic style architecture. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Baroque]: Baroque architecture is characterized by elaborate ornamentation, distinct from the Gothic style of this cathedral; [Byzantine]: Byzantine architecture is known for domes and mosaics, not matching the cathedral's style; [Indo-Saracenic]: This style blends Indian and Islamic features, but All Saints Cathedral is distinctly European Gothic Revival.

Correct Answer: A. Asafi Masjid

• **Asafi Masjid** = This mosque in Lucknow is an integral part of the Bara Imambara complex and is remarkable for its main hall lacking support pillars. • **Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula** — He commissioned the construction of Asafi Masjid, along with the Bara Imambara, during a famine to generate employment. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Jama Masjid]: Lucknow has a Jama Masjid, but it's not the one famed for being pillar-less within the Bara Imambara complex; [Tile Wali Masjid]: This is another significant mosque in Lucknow, but not part of Bara Imambara or known for this feature; [Moti Masjid]: This mosque is not located within the Bara Imambara complex and does not share this specific architectural fame.

Correct Answer: B. Basilica of Our Lady of Graces

• **Basilica of Our Lady of Graces** = Located in Sardhana near Meerut, this church is considered the largest in North India. • **Begum Samru** — This local ruler, who converted to Catholicism, was instrumental in building this basilica, which is modeled after St. Peter's Basilica. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [St. John's Church]: While an important church in Meerut, it is not recognized as the largest in North India; [St. Mary's Church]: There are many St. Mary's Churches; this specific one is not the largest in North India; [All Saints Cathedral]: Located in Prayagraj, it is a significant cathedral but not the largest church in North India compared to the Basilica of Our Lady of Graces.

Correct Answer: B. Qutb Shahi

• **Qutb Shahi** = The Toli Masjid in Hyderabad was constructed during the reign of this dynasty, specifically by Mir Musa Khan, a royal architect. • **1671** — Mir Musa Khan, the royal court's architect, built the Toli Masjid in this year, located on the way to Golconda Fort. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Nizam Shahi]: The Nizam Shahi dynasty ruled in Ahmednagar, distinct from the Qutb Shahis of Golconda/Hyderabad; [Bahmani]: The Bahmani Sultanate preceded the Qutb Shahi dynasty; [Adil Shahi]: The Adil Shahi dynasty ruled from Bijapur, not Hyderabad where Toli Masjid is located.

Correct Answer: B. Medak

• **Medak** = The Medak Cathedral, a prominent church and one of the largest in Asia, is located in this city in Telangana. • **Stained glass windows** — The cathedral is renowned for its massive, intricate stained glass windows, which depict scenes from the Bible. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Hyderabad]: While a major city, Medak Cathedral is in Medak itself, not Hyderabad; [Warangal]: A historic city in Telangana, but not the location of Medak Cathedral; [Nizamabad]: Another city in Telangana, but the cathedral is specifically in Medak.