In which one of the following states are the Guntupalle Buddhist Caves located ?
- A.Andhra Pradesh
- B.Karnataka
- C.Tamil Nadu
- D.Kerala
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, Andhra Pradesh. 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. It has rock-cut monastic cells (viharas) and a circular rock-cut chaitya hall with a stupa inside, its entrance carved to copy a wooden arch. The hill also has many brick and stone stupas and inscriptions of the Mahameghavahana rulers, linked with Kharavela's line of Kalinga. The site shows how early Buddhism spread along the Krishna and Godavari valleys, the same region as Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda.
B is wrong because Karnataka's well-known Buddhist site is Sannati and its famous caves are the Hindu and Jain caves of Badami. C is wrong because Tamil Nadu has no such rock-cut Buddhist cave complex. D is wrong because Kerala is not known for early Buddhist rock-cut caves.
Exam tip: Andhra Buddhist sites to remember are Guntupalle, Amaravati, Nagarjunakonda, Bhattiprolu and Salihundam.
Practice Questions
View allConsider 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 →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 →With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs:
1. Parivrajaka - Renunciant and Wanderer
2. Shramana - Priest with a high status
3. Upasaka - Lay follower of Buddhism
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.1 and 3 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
A parivrajaka is a wandering renunciant and an upasaka is a lay follower, but a shramana is an ascetic, not a high-status priest.
Read the full explanation →Consider the following statements about Ellora:
1. This art-historical site is associated exclusively with Buddhism.
2. The Kailasa temple at Ellora has been built of dressed stone and kiln fired bricks.
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
Ellora has Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves, and the Kailasa temple was carved out of a single rock, not built of stone blocks and bricks.
Read the full explanation →The art piece "In Memoriam" was a creation of which one of the following European painters?
- A.Thomas Jones Barker
- B.Joseph Noel Paton
- C.Thomas Daniell
- D.Charles D'Oyly
Show answer
The Scottish painter Joseph Noel Paton painted "In Memoriam" in 1858 in response to the revolt of 1857. The painting shows British women and children huddled together, clutching the Bible and waiting helplessly for an attack, an image meant to recall the killings at Kanpur (Cawnpore).
Read the full explanation →