'The Descent of the Ganga' is a
- A.relief sculpture at Mamallapuram
- B.poem by Bhatti
- C.temple built by Rashtrakutas
- D.painting at Ajanta
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, relief sculpture at Mamallapuram. The Descent of the Ganga is a huge open-air rock relief carved under the Pallavas at Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) in Tamil Nadu.
Carved in the seventh century, mainly under Narasimhavarman I Mamalla, it covers the face of two giant granite boulders about 27 metres long and 9 metres high. A natural cleft between them stands for the river coming down from heaven, with nagas swimming in it, and gods, sages, hunters and life-size elephants crowd towards it. Some scholars read it instead as Arjuna's Penance. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram'.
B is wrong: Bhatti wrote the Bhattikavya, a Sanskrit poem on the Ramayana that also teaches grammar.
C is wrong: the best-known Rashtrakuta temple is the rock-cut Kailasa temple at Ellora.
D is wrong: the Ajanta paintings show Jataka tales and the Buddha, and are paintings, not a relief.
Exam tip: Descent of the Ganga (Arjuna's Penance), Shore Temple and the Rathas are Pallava works at Mamallapuram.
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