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Q1History & Culture·Medieval Art, Architecture and LiteraturePYQ 2022
Consider the following statements:
1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.
2. A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni.
3. Pran Pratishtha of the reconstructed Somnath Temple (installation of the present-day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A1 and 2 onlyCorrect
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. Somnath is indeed one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and Al-Biruni provided a description of the temple in his work Kitab-ul-Hind. Statement 3 is incorrect because the installation ceremony of the reconstructed temple was performed in the presence of President Rajendra Prasad, not S. Radhakrishnan.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
Statement 2 is correct but statement 3 is incorrect. The Pran Pratishtha was associated with President Rajendra Prasad, not S. Radhakrishnan.
- Option C
Statement 1 is correct but statement 3 is incorrect. President Rajendra Prasad, not S. Radhakrishnan, presided over the temple's reconstruction ceremony.
- Option D
Statement 3 is incorrect. The reconstruction and consecration of Somnath Temple is associated with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's initiative and President Rajendra Prasad's participation, not S. Radhakrishnan.
Q2History & Culture·Medieval Art, Architecture and LiteraturePYQ 2021
Consider the following statements:
1. Mitakshara was the civil law for upper castes and Dayabhaga was the civil law for lower castes.
2. In the Mitakshara system, the sons can claim right to the property during the lifetime of the father, whereas in the Dayabhaga system, it is only after the death of the father that the sons can claim right to the property.
3. The Mitakshara system deals with the matters related to the property held by male members only of a family, whereas the Dayabhaga system deals with the matters related to the property held by both male and female members of a family.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A1 and 2
- B2 onlyCorrect
- C1 and 3
- D3 only
Explanation
Correct. The central distinction between the two systems is that under Mitakshara, sons acquire a right in ancestral property by birth (coparcenary right during the father's lifetime), while under Dayabhaga, sons can claim property only after the father's death. Statements 1 and 3 are incorrect.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 1 is incorrect. Mitakshara and Dayabhaga are not divided along caste lines but are regional legal traditions — Mitakshara prevailed in most of India while Dayabhaga was followed in Bengal and Assam.
- Option C
Statement 1 is incorrect (not based on caste distinction) and statement 3 is also incorrect (both systems deal with inheritance rules, not divided by gender in this simplistic manner).
- Option D
Statement 3 is incorrect. The Mitakshara system is not exclusively about male property, and the characterisation of Dayabhaga as covering both male and female property in the manner described is misleading.
Q3History & Culture·Medieval Art, Architecture and LiteraturePYQ 2021
With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements:
1. According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the weights, measures and accounts in the Vijayanagara Empire were similar to those in the Portuguese territories.
2. According to Nuniz, women in the Vijayanagara Empire were accomplished in wrestling, astrology, accounting and soothsaying.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2Correct
Explanation
Correct. Nuniz's account emphasises the broad range of skills among women at Vijayanagara, including martial, clerical, and divinatory functions in courtly and urban settings, but neither statement as framed is an accurate representation of his specific observations.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Nuniz's account does not specifically equate Vijayanagara weights and measures with Portuguese ones. His descriptions of the empire's systems were distinct.
- Option B
Nuniz's account does describe women at the Vijayanagara court as accomplished in multiple skills, but the specific combination given in statement 2 does not accurately represent all the skills he mentioned.
- Option C
Neither statement accurately represents Nuniz's account of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Q4History & Culture·Medieval Art, Architecture and LiteraturePYQ 2021
Consider the following statements:
1. The Chausath Yogini temple at Morena was built by the Kachchhapaghata rulers.
2. It is the only circular temple built in India.
3. It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region.
4. Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A1 and 2
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 and 4Correct
- D2, 3 and 4
Explanation
Correct. The Chausath Yogini temple at Morena was built by the Kachchhapaghata rulers and its circular design has led to a popular (though debated) belief that it inspired the design of the Indian Parliament building. It is a Tantric/Yogini shrine, not Vaishnava, and is not the only circular temple in India.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 2 is incorrect. While the Morena temple is circular, there are other circular Yogini temples in India, such as the one at Hirapur in Odisha.
- Option B
Statement 2 is incorrect (not the only circular temple) and statement 3 is also incorrect (it is a Yogini/Tantric temple, not Vaishnava).
- Option D
Statement 3 is incorrect as the temple is dedicated to 64 Yoginis and is associated with Tantric worship, not Vaishnavism. Statement 2 is also incorrect.
Q5History & Culture·Medieval Art, Architecture and LiteraturePYQ 2019
Building Kalyana Mandapas was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of:
- AChalukya
- BChandela
- CRashtrakuta
- DVijayanagaraCorrect
Explanation
Correct. The Vijayanagara Empire was notable for constructing large pillared halls called Kalyana Mandapas (marriage halls) within temple complexes. These were used for ritual ceremonies, including the symbolic marriage of deities, and are a hallmark of Vijayanagara temple architecture at sites like Hampi and Lepakshi.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
The Chalukyas contributed significantly to temple architecture with the Vesara style, but Kalyana Mandapas were not their distinctive feature.
- Option B
The Chandelas are famous for the Khajuraho group of temples, which are known for their sculptural ornamentation rather than Kalyana Mandapas.
- Option C
The Rashtrakutas are known for rock-cut architecture like the Kailasa temple at Ellora, not for Kalyana Mandapas.
Q6History & Culture·Medieval Art, Architecture and LiteraturePYQ 2009
Where is the famous Virupaksha temple located?
- ABhadrachalam
- BChidambaram
- CHampiCorrect
- DSrikalahasti
Explanation
Correct. The Virupaksha temple is located at Hampi, the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire in Karnataka. It is one of the oldest and most sacred temples at the site, dedicated to Lord Shiva as Virupaksha, and remains an active place of worship.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Bhadrachalam in Telangana is known for a temple dedicated to Lord Rama, not the Virupaksha temple.
- Option B
Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu is famous for the Nataraja temple dedicated to Shiva as the cosmic dancer, not the Virupaksha temple.
- Option D
Srikalahasti in Andhra Pradesh has a famous Shiva temple, but it is not the Virupaksha temple of Hampi fame.
Q7History & Culture·Medieval Art, Architecture and LiteraturePYQ 2006
In Indian history, who was Abdul Hamid Lahori?
- AAn important military commander during Akbar's reign
- BAn official historian of the reign of Shah JahanCorrect
- CAn important noble and confidant of Aurangzeb
- DA chronicler and poet during the reign of Muhammad Shah
Explanation
Correct. Abdul Hamid Lahori was the official court historian of Shah Jahan. He authored the Padshahnama (also called Badshahnama), which is the official chronicle of Shah Jahan's reign and an important primary source for Mughal history.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Abdul Hamid Lahori was not a military commander. He was a literary figure associated with the Mughal court of Shah Jahan.
- Option C
Lahori was not particularly associated with Aurangzeb's court. He was commissioned by Shah Jahan to write the imperial chronicle.
- Option D
Lahori lived during Shah Jahan's reign (r. 1628-1658), not during the much later reign of Muhammad Shah (r. 1719-1748).
Q8History & Culture·Medieval Art, Architecture and LiteraturePYQ 2003
Consider the following statements:
1. Kitab-i-Nauras, a collection of songs in praise of Hindu deities and Muslim saints, was written by Ibrahim Adil Shah II.
2. Amir Khusrau was the originator in India of the early form of the musical style known as Qawwali.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2Correct
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Bijapur composed Kitab-i-Nauras, which uniquely praised both Hindu deities like Saraswati and Ganesh as well as Muslim saints, reflecting the syncretic culture of the Deccan. Amir Khusrau is traditionally credited with originating the Qawwali musical form in India.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
While statement 1 is correct, statement 2 is also correct, making this answer incomplete.
- Option B
While statement 2 is correct, statement 1 is also correct, making this answer incomplete.
- Option D
Both statements are historically well-attested. Ibrahim Adil Shah II's Kitab-i-Nauras is a documented work, and Amir Khusrau's contribution to Qawwali is widely recognised.
Q9History & Culture·Medieval Art, Architecture and LiteraturePYQ 2002
The historian Barani refused to consider the state in India under Delhi Sultans as truly Islamic because:
- AThe majority of the population did not follow Islam
- BThe Muslim theologians were often disregarded
- CThe Sultan supplemented the Muslim law by framing his own regulationsCorrect
- DReligious freedom was accorded to non-Muslims
Explanation
Correct. Ziauddin Barani, a 14th-century historian and political thinker, argued that the Delhi Sultans could not claim to run a truly Islamic state because they supplemented Muslim law (Sharia) with their own secular regulations and customary laws (zawabit).
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
While the majority population was non-Muslim, Barani's specific criticism was about the Sultan's administrative practice of supplementing Sharia with secular regulations, not about demographics.
- Option B
Barani's concern was not primarily about theologians being disregarded but about the fundamental character of the legal system under the Sultans.
- Option D
While religious tolerance existed to some degree, Barani's primary objection was to the Sultan's practice of making laws that went beyond or modified the Sharia.
Q10History & Culture·Medieval Art, Architecture and LiteraturePYQ 2001
Hoysala monuments are found in:
- AHampi and Hospet
- BHalebid and BelurCorrect
- CMysore and Bangalore
- DSringeri and Dharwar
Explanation
Correct. Halebid (ancient Dwarasamudra) was the capital of the Hoysala dynasty, and Belur was another important centre. The Hoysalesvara temple at Halebid and the Chennakesava temple at Belur are the finest examples of Hoysala architecture, known for their intricate soapstone carvings.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Hampi and Hospet are associated with the Vijayanagara Empire (14th-16th centuries), not the Hoysala dynasty.
- Option C
While the Hoysalas ruled in the Karnataka region, Mysore and Bangalore are not the primary sites of their architectural masterpieces.
- Option D
Sringeri is associated with Adi Shankaracharya's matha, and Dharwar is not a major Hoysala architectural site.
Q11History & Culture·Medieval Art, Architecture and LiteraturePYQ 1999
'The king was freed from his people and they from their king'. On whose death did Badauni comment thus?
- ABalban
- BAlauddin Khalji
- CMuhammad-bin-TughlaqCorrect
- DFiroz Shah Tughlaq
Explanation
Correct. The historian Badauni made this famous remark about Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq (d. 1351), whose reign was marked by ambitious but often impractical schemes that caused immense suffering to his subjects, leading to mutual relief at his passing.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Balban was known as a stern ruler, but this particular comment by Badauni was not made about his death. Balban died in 1287.
- Option B
Alauddin Khalji was a powerful but oppressive ruler. However, Badauni's famous remark was not directed at his death.
- Option D
Firoz Shah Tughlaq was generally regarded as a benevolent ruler who tried to reverse many harsh policies of his predecessor. This comment would not fit his reign.
Q12History & Culture·Medieval Art, Architecture and LiteraturePYQ 1999
Consider the following statements: The striking feature of the Jama Masjid in Kashmir completed by Zain-ul-Abidin include(s):
I. Turret
II. Similarity with Buddhist pagodas
III. Persian style
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- AI alone
- BI, II and IIICorrect
- CII and III
- DI and III
Explanation
Correct. The Jama Masjid of Kashmir, associated with Zain-ul-Abidin, uniquely combines turrets, a pagoda-like multi-tiered structure reminiscent of Buddhist architecture, and Persian stylistic elements, reflecting Kashmir's syncretic architectural tradition.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
While the mosque does feature turrets, this answer excludes the other two correct features, making it incomplete.
- Option C
This excludes the turret feature, which is a notable architectural element of the mosque.
- Option D
This excludes the similarity with Buddhist pagodas, which is one of the most distinctive features of Kashmiri mosque architecture.