Mosques & Churches — Set 5

Correct Answer: C. St. Thomas

• **St. Thomas** = The San Thome Basilica in Chennai is built over the tomb of St. Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. • **52 AD** — St. Thomas is traditionally believed to have arrived in India in 52 AD and was martyred near Chennai. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: St. Peter: St. Peter is associated with Rome; St. Paul: St. Paul's missionary journeys are well-documented, but not burial in India; St. John: St. John, 'the beloved disciple', died in Ephesus.

Correct Answer: B. Sidi Bashir Mosque

• **Sidi Bashir Mosque** = The Sidi Bashir Mosque in Ahmedabad is famous for its 'Jhulta Minar' or 'Shaking Minarets'. • **Shaking Minarets** — The unique architectural marvel allows one minaret to vibrate while the other vibrates in sympathy. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Jama Masjid: Ahmedabad's Jama Masjid is known for its grand architecture but not 'shaking minarets'; Sidi Saiyyed Mosque: Sidi Saiyyed Mosque is famous for its intricate stone latticework 'Jali'; Sarkhej Roza: Sarkhej Roza is a tomb and mosque complex, not known for shaking minarets.

Correct Answer: B. Kochi

• **Kochi** = St. Francis Church, where Vasco da Gama was originally buried, is located in Fort Kochi, Kerala. • **1503** — This historic church, built in 1503, is considered one of the oldest European churches in India. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Goa: Goa has prominent churches like the Se Cathedral and Basilica of Bom Jesus; Kannur: Kannur has historical significance but not this specific church; Mahe: Mahe is a former French colony with its own unique history.

Correct Answer: A. Moorish

• **Moorish** = The Spanish Mosque in Hyderabad is a rare example of Moorish architecture in India. • **Cordoba** — Its design notably resembles the famous Mezquita-Cathedral of Cordoba in Spain, with horseshoe arches. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Dravidian: Dravidian architecture is distinct, characterized by stepped pyramids and gopurams found in South India; Mughal: Mughal architecture is known for domes, arches, and minarets, like the Taj Mahal; Rajput: Rajput architecture is found in Rajasthan, featuring chhatris and intricate carvings.

Correct Answer: B. Moti Masjid

• **Moti Masjid** = The Moti Masjid, known as the 'Pearl Mosque', is located within the Red Fort complex in Delhi. • **1659** — Emperor Aurangzeb commissioned the construction of this mosque in 1659 for his personal prayers. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Jama Masjid: Delhi's Jama Masjid is much larger and built by Shah Jahan; Fatehpuri Masjid: Fatehpuri Masjid is in Chandni Chowk, built by Fatehpuri Begum; Sunheri Masjid: Sunheri Masjid is another historic mosque in Delhi, but Moti Masjid is the 'Pearl Mosque'.

Correct Answer: C. French-Baroque

• **French-Baroque** = The Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Puducherry is a prime example of this architectural style, reflecting strong French colonial influence. • **1791** — The year the cathedral was completed, establishing it as the mother church of the Archdiocese of Puducherry. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Gothic]: This style is characterized by pointed arches and flying buttresses, which don't define the cathedral; [Portuguese]: While other colonial powers existed, this specific cathedral was built under French rule; [Modernist]: This style emerged much later and is characterized by minimalist design, unlike the traditional cathedral.

Correct Answer: C. Kerala

• **Kerala** = This state is home to the 'Cheraman Juma Mosque', which is traditionally considered the oldest mosque in India. • **629 AD** — The traditional year of the mosque's founding by Malik Deenar in Kodungallur, making it a significant historical site. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Tamil Nadu]: While it has significant historical sites, the Cheraman Juma Mosque is not located here; [Gujarat]: Gujarat has a rich Islamic history but is not home to India's oldest mosque; [Karnataka]: Known for its historical temples and monuments, but not the location of the Cheraman Juma Mosque.

Correct Answer: B. Patthar Girja

• **Patthar Girja** = The 'All Saints Cathedral' in Prayagraj is famously known by this name, which translates to 'Stone Church', due to its extensive stone construction. • **19th century** — The period when the cathedral was designed by the British architect William Emerson, showcasing Gothic Revival architecture. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Lal Girja]: This name implies a red color, which is not characteristic of the stone construction; [Safed Girja]: This name implies a white color, which does not accurately describe the stone; [Neela Girja]: This name implies a blue color, which is incorrect for the cathedral's appearance.

Correct Answer: A. Asafi Masjid

• **Asafi Masjid** = The 'Bara Imambara' in Lucknow contains a major mosque known as **Asafi Masjid**, named after its builder, Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula. • **18th century** — The late **18th century** is when Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula built the Asafi Masjid within the Bara Imambara complex. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Jama Masjid]: This is a common name for congregational mosques, but not the specific name of the mosque in Bara Imambara; [Moti Masjid]: This name refers to other historical mosques in India, not the one in Lucknow's Bara Imambara; [Tile Wali Masjid]: This name is not associated with the mosque inside the Bara Imambara complex.

Correct Answer: A. Arthunkal Church

• **Arthunkal Church** = The **Arthunkal Church**, officially St. Andrew's Basilica, in Kerala is a major center of pilgrimage for the annual feast of St. Sebastian. • **Thousands of devotees** — Each year, **thousands of devotees** from across the state visit Arthunkal for the feast of St. Sebastian, making it one of South India's most important Christian shrines. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Malayattoor Church]: Known for its mountain pilgrimage associated with St. Thomas, not St. Sebastian; [Edappally Church]: One of the oldest churches in Kerala, but its primary pilgrimage is not for St. Sebastian's feast; [Parumala Church]: A major Orthodox Christian pilgrimage center, especially for the feast of St. Gregorios, not St. Sebastian.