Medieval India Test - 8

Red Fort in New Delhi was built by Shah Jahan in the 17^th century. It is known so because of its tall standing walls made of red sandstone. It was the residence of Mughal emperors. Now, it is the place where the Prime Minister hoists national flag on Independence Day. In the year 2007, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Buland Darwaza is the main entrance to the palace situated in Fatehpur Sikri. It wa built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1572 to memorialise victory over Gujarat. It is one of the most known examples of Mughal architecture, besides being the highest gateway in the world. It is built using red sandstone highlighted by black and white marble.

Quli Qutb Shah was the fifth ruler of Qutb Shah dynasty. He built the Char Minar in Hyderabad in the 16^th century. There is a mosque on its top floor. It is famous for celebrations of Muslim festivals. Mir Momim Astarwadi was its architect, who built it in Indo-Islamic architectural style. Currently, Archaeological Survey of India is its caretaker.

The temple was built by Vimal Shah and designed by Vastupala-Tejpal, Jain ministers of Dholka, between the 11^th and 13^th centuries AD and are famous for their use of marble and intricate marble carvings. The five marble temples of Dilwara are a sacred pilgrimage place of the Jains.

Mauryan art encompasses the arts produced during the period of the Mauryan Empire (4th to 2nd century BCE), which was the first empire to rule over most of the Indian subcontinent. It represented an important transition in Indian art from use of wood to stone. Rampurva bull capital is an example of Mauryan art.

The Rampurva bull capital is noted as one of the seven remaining animal capitals from the pillars of Ashoka. It is composed of a lotiform base, with an abacus decorated with floral designs, and the realistic depiction of a zebu bull.