Depiction of the descent of the river Ganga from heaven in the form of relief sculpture on rock is at
- A.Ellora
- B.Mahabalipuram
- C.Sanchi
- D.Amaravati
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, Mahabalipuram. The huge open-air rock relief at Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) in Tamil Nadu, known as the Descent of the Ganga or Arjuna's Penance, shows the river coming down from heaven to the earth.
The relief was carved under the Pallava kings in the seventh century, mainly in the time of Narasimhavarman I Mamalla. It is cut on the face of two huge boulders, about 27 metres long and 9 metres high, with a natural cleft between them that stands for the river, filled with serpent figures. Gods, sages, animals and a life-size group of elephants crowd towards the river. Mahabalipuram is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A is wrong because Ellora is known for its rock-cut caves, including the Kailasa temple, not this river relief. C is wrong because Sanchi is famous for its Buddhist stupa and carved gateways. D is wrong because Amaravati is known for Buddhist stupa sculptures in white limestone under the Satavahanas.
Exam tip: Descent of the Ganga or Arjuna's Penance = Mahabalipuram, Pallavas, Narasimhavarman I.
Practice Questions
View allConsider the following pairs : Craft — Heritage of 1. Puthukkuli shawls — Tamil Nadu 2. Sujni embroidery — Maharashtra 3. Uppada Jamdani saris — Karnataka Which of the pairs given above is/are correct ?
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2
- C.3 only
- D.2 and 3
Show answer
Puthukkuli shawls come from Tamil Nadu, but Sujni embroidery belongs to Bihar and Uppada Jamdani saris to Andhra Pradesh.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following animals does not come under the category of four noble animals (Maha-Ajaneya Pasu) carved on the round drum (Anda-Phalaka) of the lion capital at Sarnath?
- A.Deer
- B.Lion
- C.Bull
- D.Horse
Show answer
The round drum below the lions of the Sarnath capital carries an elephant, a bull, a horse and a lion; there is no deer.
Read the full explanation →Consider the following statements about Ajanta Cave paintings :
1. The paintings depict yakshas, gandharvas and apsaras.
2. The artists have used the technique of providing "multiple perspectives".
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.Both 1 and 2
- D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
The Ajanta paintings show yakshas, gandharvas and apsaras among their figures, and their painters used multiple perspectives to show crowded scenes.
Read the full explanation →In which one of the following states are the Guntupalle Buddhist Caves located ?
- A.Andhra Pradesh
- B.Karnataka
- C.Tamil Nadu
- D.Kerala
Show answer
The Guntupalle Buddhist caves lie in the Eluru region of Andhra Pradesh, in the old West Godavari district. Guntupalle is one of the oldest Buddhist sites of the Andhra country, dating back to around the 2nd century BCE.
Read the full explanation →With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:
1. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism.
2. Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary, but existed forever in a latent form.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.Both 1 and 2
- D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Sautrantika and Sammitiya were schools of Buddhism, not Jainism, while the Sarvastivada view is correctly stated. After the Buddha's death the Buddhist order split into several early schools, traditionally counted as eighteen.
Read the full explanation →