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Art & CultureMediumAsked in: NDA · NDA-I 2023, GAT

Near which one of the following cities in India have large statues of Kushana rulers been discovered ?

  1. A.Karnal
  2. B.Ropar
  3. C.Hisar
  4. D.Mathura

Correct answer

D. Mathura

Explanation

The correct answer is D, Mathura. At Mat, a village near Mathura, the Kushanas had a dynastic shrine (devakula) where life-size statues of their kings were found.

Mathura was the southern capital of the Kushana empire and a great centre of sculpture in red sandstone. Excavations at Mat brought to light the famous headless standing statue of Kanishka, inscribed with his name, wearing a long coat and heavy boots in Central Asian style, along with a seated statue identified with Vima Kadphises. These portrait statues show the Kushana idea of divine kingship; their coins too called the rulers devaputra, son of god. The Mathura school also produced some of the earliest images of the Buddha.

A is wrong because Karnal in Haryana has no such Kushana royal sculptures. B is wrong because Ropar in Punjab is known as a Harappan site on the Sutlej. C is wrong because Hisar in Haryana is known for Firoz Shah Tughlaq's fort and the nearby Harappan sites of Rakhigarhi and Banawali.

Exam tip: Headless statue of Kanishka – Mat, near Mathura; red sandstone marks the Mathura school.

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Q1.Art & CultureAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2024, GKHard

The royal portraits of Simhavishnu and Mahendravarman are found in which cave temple at Mamallapuram?

  1. A.Varaha Cave
  2. B.Ramanuja Cave
  3. C.Adivaraha Cave
  4. D.Trimurti Cave
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Adivaraha Cave

The Adivaraha cave temple at Mamallapuram has two rare royal portrait panels of the Pallava kings. One shows Simhavishnu seated between two queens, and the other shows his son Mahendravarman I standing with his two queens, with labels in the Pallava Grantha script naming them.

Q3.Art & CultureAsked in: NDA · NDA-II 2026, GATMedium

Consider the following statements :

I. The Kailasanatha temple of Kanchi is the earliest Pallava temple hewn from solid rock.

II. The Vaikuntha Perumal temple at Kanchi is a rare Pallava temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. A.I only
  2. B.II only
  3. C.Both I and II
  4. D.Neither I nor II
Show answer
Correct answer: B. II only

The Kailasanatha temple of Kanchi is a structural temple built of stone blocks, not a temple cut out of solid rock, so statement I is wrong.

Q5.Art & CultureAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2018, GKMedium

Which of the following National Parks of India are declared as World Heritage by UNESCO? 1. Keoladeo National Park 2. Sundarbans National Park 3. Kaziranga National Park 4. Ranthambore National Park Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A.1 and 2 only
  2. B.1, 2 and 3 only
  3. C.3 and 4 only
  4. D.1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 1, 2 and 3 only

Keoladeo, Sundarbans and Kaziranga national parks are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, while Ranthambore National Park is not one in its own right.