Fine Arts Test - 8

The correct answer is Elephanta Caves.

Key Points

• Maheshmurti:
  • The Elephanta Caves are a collection of cave temples predominantly dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. It is located on Gharapuri Island which is 10 km away from the city of Mumbai, Maharashtra.
  • The image of Maheshmurti at Elephanta Caves dates back to the early 6th century CE.
  • The image is large.
  • The central head is the main Shiva figure whereas the other two visible heads are of Bhairava and Uma.
  • The central face is in high relief having a round face, thick lips and heavy eyelids.
  • The lower lip is prominently protruded showing a very different characteristic.
  • The all-inclusive aspect of Shiva.
  • The Elephanta sculptures are known for their remarkable qualities of surface smoothness, elongation and rhythmic movement.
  • The Elephanta Caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

• Sculpture of Maheshmurti in Elephanta Caves

Additional Information

• Ellora Caves:
  • Ellora Caves are a group of caves located in Maharastra, central India.
  • All of the Ellora monuments were built during the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
  • The Ellora Caves are listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and are celebrated for their Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain temples and monuments dating back to the 6th to 8th century CE.
  • The most spectacular example is the 8th century CE Kailasa temple which, at 32 metres high, is the largest rock-cut monument in the world.

• Ellora Caves by Rashtrakuta Dynasty
• Dashavatar Temple:
  • The Dashavatara Temple is an early 6th-century temple located at Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh.
  • It has a simple, one-cell square plan and is one of the earliest Hindu stone temples still surviving today.
  • It was Built in the Gupta Period.
  • The temple at Deogarh is dedicated to Lord  Vishnu.

• Dashavatar Temple by Gupta Empire
• Bhitargaon Temple:
  • Bhitargaon Temple is the largest Indian brick temple to survive from the time of the Gupta Empire.
  • The walls are decorated with terracotta panels depicting aquatic monsters, Shiva and Vishnu etc.

• Bhitargaon Temple by Gupta Empire

The correct answer is Jains.

Key Points

• Udaygiri-Khandagiri Caves:
  • The rock-cut cave tradition also existed in Odisha.
  • The earliest examples are the Udaigiri-Khandagiri caves in the vicinity of Bhubaneswar.
  • These caves are scattered and have inscriptions of Kharavela, the Jain king. 
  • According to the Kharvela inscriptions, the caves were meant for Jain monks.
  • The big caves include a cave with a pillared veranda with cells at the back. The upper part of the cells is decorated with a series of chaitya arches and narratives that continue in the folklores of the region. 

• Udaygiri Khandagiri Caves in Odisha.

Additional Information

• Some important caves attributed to the Buddhists: 

  • Caves	Location
    Ajanta Caves	Maharashtra
    Kanheri Caves	Maharashtra
    Bhaja Caves	Maharashtra
    Karla Caves	Maharashtra
    Bedsa Caves	Maharashtra

• Cave attributed the Ajivikas:
  • Barabar Caves located in the state of Bihar were attributed to the Jains and were donated by Emperor Asoka.
• Caves attributed to Jains:

  Caves	Location
  Ambapuram Cave	Andhra Pradesh
  Badami Caves	Karnataka
  Vallimalai Caves	Tamil Nadu
  Siddhachal Caves	Madhya Pradesh

The correct answer is Bagh Caves.

Key Points

• Bagh Caves:
  • The Bagh Caves are a group of 5 caves consisting of Buddhist mural paintings and are located in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh.
  • These rock-cut cave monuments are not natural but were carved over some time during ancient India mostly during the Satvahana period. 
  • The most significant of the five caves is Cave No. 4, commonly known as the Rang Mahal, meaning the Palace of Colours, where paintings on the wall and ceilings are still visible.

• Rang Mahal of Bagh Caves

Additional Information 

• Bedsa Caves:
  • Bedsa Cave sare a group of Buddhist rock-cut monuments situated in Maval taluka, Pune District, Maharashtra.
  • The history of the caves can be dated back to the Satavahana period in the 1st century BCE.

• Bedsa Caves
• Kanheri Caves:
  • The Kanheri Caves are a group of caves and rock-cut monuments located on the western outskirts of Mumbai, Maharashtra. 
  • Kanheri flourished under the patronage of Satavahana, Traikutakas, Vakatakas and Silaharas and through donations made by the wealthy merchants of the region.
  • The earliest reference to Kanheri is ascribed to Fa-Hein who visited India during 399-411 CE.

• Kanheri Caves
• Karla Cave:
  • The Karla Caves are a group of ancient Buddhist Indian rock-cut caves at Karli near Lonavala, Maharashtra.
  • The main cave called the Great Chaitya cave, or Cave No.8, features a large, intricately carved chaitya, or prayer hall, dating back to 120 CE. This is the largest rock-cut chaitya in India, measuring 148 ft.
  • The shrines were developed over the period from the 2nd century BCE to the 5th century CE.
  • Traders and Satavahana rulers granted the construction of these caves. 

• Karla Caves

The correct answer is Cave No.26.

Key Points

• Gautam Buddha:
  • Gautam Buddha is also known as Shakyamuni is the founder of Buddhism. 
  • He was born in 563 BCE  in the province of Kapilavastu, Lumbini now in Nepal.
  • The Buddhist holy book is called Tripitakas.
• Cave No.26:
  • Cave No. 26 is very big and the entire interior hall is carved with a variety of Buddha images, the biggest one being the Mahaparinirvana image.
  • Mahaparinirvana is the term used to express the death of Buddha which happened in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.

• Mahaparinirvana image in Cave No.26

Additional Information

• Cave No.19:
  • Cave 19 is a chaitya-griha datable to the 5th century CE.

• Cave No.19 of Ajanta
• Cave No.5:
  • Cave no.5 an unfinished excavation, was planned as a monastery.

• Cave No.5 of Ajanta
• Cave No.11:
  • Cave No.11 is a monastery from the later 5th century.
  • The cave has a few paintings showing Bodhisattvas and the Buddha.
  • Of these, the Padmapani, a couple gathered to pray, a pair of peafowl, and a female figure painting have survived in the best condition.

• Cave No.11 of Ajanta

The correct answer is Karla Caves.

Key Points

• Karla Cave:
  • The Karla Caves are a group of ancient Buddhist Indian rock-cut caves at Karli near Lonavala, Maharashtra.
  • The main cave called the Great Chaitya cave, or Cave No.8, features a large, intricately carved chaitya, or prayer hall, dating back to 120 CE. This is the largest rock-cut chaitya in India, measuring 148 ft.
  • The shrines were developed over the period from the 2nd century BCE to the 5th century CE.
  • Traders and Satavahana rulers granted the construction of these caves. 

• Karla Caves

Additional Information

• Kanheri Caves:
  • The Kanheri Caves are a group of caves and rock-cut monuments located on the western outskirts of Mumbai, Maharashtra. 
  • Kanheri flourished under the patronage of Satavahana, Traikutakas, Vakatakas and Silaharas and through donations made by the wealthy merchants of the region.
  • The earliest reference to Kanheri is ascribed to Fa-Hein who visited India during 399-411 CE.

• Kanheri Caves
• Nashik Caves:
  • Nashik caves are ancient rock-cut caves built on the Trirashmi hill of Nashik, Maharashtra dating back been the 1st century BCE and the 3rd century CE.
  • The Nashik caves also known as Trirashmil Caves have Buddhist sculptures that are significant to early examples of Indian rock-cut architecture initially representing the Hinayana tradition.

• Nashik Caves
• Bedse Caves:
  • Bedse Cave are a group of Buddhist rock-cut monuments situated in Maval taluka, Pune District, Maharashtra.
  • The history of the caves can be dated back to the Satavahana period in the 1st century BCE.

• Bedse Caves

The correct answer is Kesaria Stupa, Bihar.

Key Points

•   Kesaria Stupa:
  • The Kesaria Stupa is at largest Buddhist stupa.
  • It is located in the Champaran district of Bihar.
  • Kesariya Stupa has a circumference of almost 400 feet and a height of 104 feet.
  • The original Kesariya stupa can be dated back to the time of Ashoka (250 BCE), as the remains of a capital of a Pillar of Ashoka were discovered from there.
  • The Kesariya stupa shows many architectural similarities with the Buddhist temple located in Indonesia, Borobodur which points to a historical connection between east India and South East Asia.

• Kesaria Stupa in Bihar

Additional Information

•  Dhamek Stupa:
  • Dhaka is one of the most famous Buddhist stupas located in Sarnath near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
  • It was built in 249 BCE during the reign of King Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty.
  • The significance of this sacred place is that it marks the spot where Lord Buddha preached the first sermon to his five disciples after attaining enlightenment in Bodh Gaya. 

• Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh
• Sanchi Stupa:
  • The Great Stupa at Sanchi is one of the most important Buddhist monuments reflecting gem of Buddhist art and architecture.
  • It is located in Sanchi Town, Madhya Pradesh.
  • This Stupa is the oldest stone structure in India that was built during the Mauryan period. Originally commissioned in the 3rd century BCE by Emperor Asoka.

  • This huge hemispherical dome consists of a central chamber where the relics of Lord Buddha are placed. Four ornamental gateways facing four directions.

  • Sanchi Stupa is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1989.

• Sanchi Stupa in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

• Shanti Stupa:

  • Shanti Stupa is a Buddhist white-domed stupa in Leh district, Ladakh.
  • It was built in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu, Gyomyo Nakamura and is part of the Peace Pagoda mission. 

• Shanti Stupa in Leh, Ladakh

The correct answer is Ajivikas.

Key Points

• Lomas Rishi Cave:
  • The Lomas Rishi Cave is one of the man-made caves of the  Barabar Caves located in the Barabar and Nagarjuna hills of Jehanabad district of Bihar.
  • The cave was donated by Ashoka for the Ajivika sect.
  • The rock-cut cave carved at Barabar hills near Gaya in Bihar is known as the Lomas Rishi cave.
  • The facade of the cave is decorated with the semicircular chaitya arch as the entrance. The elephant frieze carved in high relief on the chaitya arch shows considerable movement.
  • The interior hall of this cave is rectangular with a circular chamber at the back.
  • The entrance is located on the side wall of the hall.

• Lomas Rishi Cave

Additional Information

• Barbar Caves:
  • Barabar Hills are a cluster of four caves. These four caves are Lomas Rishi Caves, Sudama caves, Vishwakarma Caves, and Karan Chaupar caves.
  • Barabar caves can be dated back to the 3rd Century BC  in the Mauryan Empire (322 BCE -185 BCE).
  • Barabar Caves were constructed by emperor Ashoka for the use of Ajivakas.
• Chaitya:
  • A chaitya is a hall used for offering prayers by Buddhists.
• Some important caves attributed to the Buddhists: 

  • Caves	Location
    Ajanta Caves	Maharashtra
    Kanheri Caves	Maharashtra
    Bhaja Caves	Maharashtra
    Karla Caves	Maharashtra
    Bedse Caves	Maharashtra

• Caves attributed to Jains:

  • Caves	Location
    Ambapuram Cave	Andhra Pradesh
    Badami Caves	Karnataka
    Vllimalai Caves	Tamil Nadu
    Siddhachal Caves	Madhya Pradesh

The correct answer is Sunga Dynasty.

Key Points

• Terracotta art executed during pre-Mauryan and Mauryan periods is redefined at its best during the Sunga period.
• The Sunga art aims at the collective expression of the ideas and ideologies of the people of Madhyadesa and eastern India and reflects their tastes and preferences.
• The Sunga period is also marked by the emergence of mould-made terracotta plaques in the cities of the Gangetic valley. 
• The main bulk of such terracotta plaques is found in Mathura. Ahichchatra, Kausambi, Rajghat, Buxar, Patna, Vaisali, Lauriya-Nandangarh, Chandraketugarh and Tamluk.
• They are dated from the beginning of the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century BCE.
• Chandraketugarh of West Bengal emerged as an important centre for the terracotta arts of the Shunga period.

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• Plaque from Chandraketugarh of the Sunga Period

Additional Information

• Mauryan Art:
  • Mauryan art was patronized by Emperor Ashok.
  • The most significant remains of monumental Mauryan art include the remains of the royal palace at the city of Pataliputra, a monolithic rail at Sarnath, the Bodhimandala or the altar resting on four pillars at Bodhgaya, sculptures of Yaksha and Yakshini in different parts of North India, the rock-cut chaitya-halls in the Barabar Caves near Gaya including the Sudama cave bearing the inscription dated the 12th regnal year of Ashoka, Among Pillars of Asoka the Lion Capital in Sarnath is the most important.
• Gupta Art:
  • The Gupta period is also known for its Hindu and Jain sacred imagery fashioned from terracotta, stone, and metal.
  • Surviving terracotta examples include sculptural plaques that were meant to adorn the walls of temples.
  • Important temples built by the Guptas are Dasavatar Temple of Deogarh, Vishnu Temple of Tigawa Jabalpur, Shiva Temple of Bhumara, Parvati Temple of Nachria Kathura., Mukund Darra Temple of Kota etc.
• Kushan Art:
  • Celebrated for Buddhist and Hindu sculptures the Gandhara and Mathura School of Art were patronized by the Kushan Empire.

The correct answer is Building of Konagamana Stupa of Buddha.

Key Points

• Nigali Sagar Pillar Inscription:
  • It was originally located at Kapilvastu.
  • This pillar is engraved in Brahmi script and Pali language.
  • It mentions that Ashoka increased the height of the stupa of Buddha Konagamana to double its size and erected a stone pillar to mark the birthplace of Kanakamuni Buddha on the occasion of the twentieth year of his coronation.

• Nigalisagar Pillar Inscription

Additional Information

• Major Rock Edict XIII:
  • The accounts of the Kalinga war were depicted in Rock Edict XIII.
  • The Kalinga war made a deep impact on his mind that he went to the path of Dhamma or peace in his later life.
• Junagarh inscription:
  • It was built to provide information about the Sudarshan lake that the lake was an artificial reservoir.
  • The Junagarh rock inscription of engraved by Saka ruler Rudradaman.It is also known as the Girnar Rock inscription of Rudradaman.
• Rummendei Pillar Inscription:
  • This Pillar inscription provides an account that Asoka travelled to the birthplace of Buddha after the twentieth year of his reign and made some offerings personally.
  • Then he erected a stone pillar and lowered the amount of taxes of the residents living there.

The correct answer is Shiva.

Key Points

• Elephanta Caves:
  • Elephanta Caves are a collection of cave temples predominantly dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva.
  • Elephanta Caves are located east of Mumbai in Maharashtra.
  • The Elephanta Caves contain rock-cut stone sculptures hewn from solid basalt rock.
  • The carvings narrate Hindu mythologies.
  • The most important sculptures are the large monolithic 20 feet of Trimurti Sadashiva, (three-faced Shiva), Nataraja, Yogishvara etc.
  • Elephanta Caves are designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

• Entrance of Elephanta Caves