Insights Static Quiz -400, 2019–Art and Culture

Solution: b)

Ellora Caves: Cave No. 16 is Kailash temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was developed under the patronage of Rashtrakuta king Krishna I and was carved out of a monolith, and even has a courtyard.

Mandapeshwar Caves: Located in Borivalli near Mumbai and also known as Montperir caves, it was developed in late gupta period as a Brahmanical cave. However, it was later converted into a Christian cave.

Udayagiri caves (not to be confused with Udayagiri-Khandagiri Caves in Odisha) It is located in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh. Created in early 5th century AD under the patronage of Chandragupta II, it is famous for having numerous sculptures on the hill walls. The sculpture of Varaha or Boar incarnation of the Vishnu is notable.

Solution: c)

The Edicts of Ashoka are a collection of 33 inscriptions on the Pillars of Ashoka. These inscriptions

were dispersed throughout the country and it represents the first tangible evidence of Buddhism.

These inscriptions show Ashoka’s devotion towards the Buddhist philosophy. The inscriptions show his efforts to spread and develop the Buddhist dharma throughout his kingdom. The edicts mainly focus on social and moral precepts rather than specific religious practices or the philosophical dimension of Buddhism.

Prayag-Prashasti is the name given to the Allahabad Pillar. “Prayag” means a meeting place for something or someone. Prayag is an ancient name of Allahabad as it is the meeting place or ‘Sangam’ of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. Prashasti means “in praise of someone” and is a eulogy. The Allahabad Prasasti was originally engraved on the Ashokan Pillar in Kausambhi near Allahabad.

The Gupta age saw a decline in the development of stupas. However, Dhamek stupa at Sarnath near Varanasi is a fine example of stupa developed during this period.

Solution: b)

The stupa at Sarnath was built to mark the place where the Buddha first taught his message.

Solution: c)

According to the Manusmriti, the paternal estate was to be divided equally amongst sons after the death of the parents, with a special share for the eldest. Women could not claim a share of these resources.

• The Manusmriti laid down the “duties” of the chandalas. They had to live outside the
  village, use discarded utensils, and wear clothes of the dead and ornaments of iron.

They could not walk about in villages and cities at night. They had to dispose of the bodies of those who had no relatives and serve as executioners.

Solution: c)

Nuakhai is the chief festival of Western Odisha. In this festival of Odisha farmers are in possession of new rice of the season.