Where is the famous Gupta period Deogarh Temple situated ?
- A.Uttar Pradesh
- B.Madhya Pradesh
- C.Chhattisgarh
- D.Rajasthan
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, Uttar Pradesh. The Dashavatara temple at Deogarh stands in Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh, on the bank of the Betwa river.
Built around the early sixth century, it is one of the earliest Hindu temples in north India and is dedicated to Vishnu. It follows the panchayatana plan, with a main shrine on a raised platform and four smaller shrines at the corners. It is often cited as the first north Indian temple to carry a shikhara, a tower over the sanctum, though only part of it survives. Its famous panels show Vishnu reclining on Sheshanaga, Gajendra Moksha and Nara-Narayana.
B is wrong because Madhya Pradesh has the other well-known Gupta temples, at Sanchi (Temple 17) and Tigawa, but not Deogarh. C is wrong because Chhattisgarh is known for the later brick Lakshmana temple at Sirpur. D is wrong because Rajasthan has no Gupta temple of this fame.
Exam tip: Deogarh Dashavatara temple is in Lalitpur, UP, panchayatana style, with an early shikhara.
Practice Questions
View allConsider the following statements with reference to the Nataraj bronze sculpture of Chola period :
1. Shiva is shown balancing himself on his right leg representing tirobhava.
2. Shiva is shown raising his left leg in bhujangatrasita stance, representing kicking away the illusion from the devotee's mind.
3. The main right hand holds the damaru, Shiva's favourite musical instrument.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
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In the Chola Nataraja it is the raised left leg, in the bhujangatrasita pose, that stands for tirobhava, kicking away the veil of illusion from the devotee's mind.
Read the full explanation →Consider the following statements about the literary language Apabhramsha :
1. It appeared in recognizable forms by the sixth century.
2. It developed out of mixtures of regional vernaculars with the Prakrits and Sanskrit.
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
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- A.1 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.None of the above
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- A.Kozhikode
- B.Chennai
- C.Varanasi
- D.Gwalior
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Read the full explanation →The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), which is developing Science Centres/Museums/Innovation Hubs in India, works under
- A.the Ministry of Science and Technology
- B.the Ministry of Culture
- C.the Ministry of Education
- D.the Ministry of Earth Sciences
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Read the full explanation →