Art and architecture of Tamil nadu 7th Social Science Lesson 17 Questions in English

7th Social Science Lesson 17 Questions in English

17. Art and architecture of Tamil Nadu

1. Rock-cut shrines at Mahabalipuram dates back to

a) 8th century

b) 7th century

c) 10th century

d) None of the above

Explanation

Dravidian architecture is of indigenous origin. It advanced over time by a process of evolution. The earliest examples of the Tamil Dravidian architectural tradition were the 7th century rock-cut shrines at Mahabalipuram.

2. The later Chola epoch dates back to

a) 900 AD

b) 1000 AD

c) 1100 AD

d) 1600 AD

Explanation

In Tamil Nadu, the evolution of temple architecture took place in five stages: (1) The Pallava Epoch (A.D. 600 to 850); (2) Early Chola Epoch (A.D. 850 to 1100); (3) Later Chola Epoch (A.D. 1100 to 1350); (4) Vijayanagara/ Nayak Epoch (A.D. 1350 to 1600); and (5) Modern Epoch (After A.D. 1600).

3. The Pallava architecture was

a) Wood temples

b) Rock cut

c) Caves

d) None of the above

Explanation

The Pallava epoch witnessed a transition from rock-cut to free-standing temples. Rock-cut temples were initially built by carving a rock to the required design and then rocks were cut to build temples.

4. Which Pallava king was pioneer in rock cut architecture?

a) Brihadatta

b) Pallavavarman

c) Mahendravarman

d) None of the above

Explanation

The Pallava king Mahendravarman was a pioneer in rock-cut architecture. Mandagapattu temple was the first rock-cut temple built by him. The rock-cut cave structure has two pillars in the front that hold it.

5. The shore temple in Mahabalipuram is known as

a) Beach temple

b) Sivan lord temple

c) Seven pagodas

d) Both a and c

Explanation

The Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, also called the Seven Pagodas, was built by the Pallava king Narasimhavarman II. It is the oldest structural temple in South India.

6. Which of the following Ruler is also known as Rajasimha?

a) Brihadatta

b) Narasimhavarman I

c) Narasimhavarman II

d) Both b and c

Explanation

The structural temples were built using blocks of rock instead of a whole block as earlier. Narasimhavarman II, also known as Rajasimha, built the Kanchi Kailasanatha temple.

7. The Vaikuntha Perumal temple at Kanchipuram was built by

a) Narasimhavarman

b) Mahendravarman

c) Nandivarman II

d) All the above

Explanation

The Vaikuntha Perumal temple at Kanchipuram was built by Nandivarman II. Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) is built of cut stones rather than carved out of caves. It has two shrines, one dedicated to Siva and the other to Vishnu.

8. Pancha Pandava rathas consists of

a) Draupadi ratha

b) Arjuna ratha

c) Nagula Sahadeva ratha

d) All the above

Explanation

The Tamil Dravida tradition is exemplified by rock-cut monuments such as Pancha Pandava Rathas, namely Draupadi ratha, Dharmaraja ratha, Bheema ratha, Arjuna ratha and Nagula- Sahadeva ratha.

9. The outer walls of the rathas, especially of Arjuna, Bhima and Dharmaraja, are decorated with

a) Garlands

b) Niches

c) Motifs

d) Both c and b

Explanation

The outer walls of the rathas, especially of Arjuna, Bhima and Dharmaraja, are decorated with niches and motifs.

10. The niches have the sculptures of

a) Goddesses

b) Monarchs

c) Scenes from mythology.

d) All the above

Explanation

The niches have the sculptures of gods, goddesses, monarchs and scenes from mythology. The Arjuna’s Penance, carved on the face of a granite boulder, is a magnificent relief, measuring approximately 100 ft long by 45 ft high.

11. The Mamallapuram monuments and temples, including the Shore Temple complex, were notified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in

a) 2000

b) 1984

c) 2011

d) 1994

Explanation

The Mamallapuram monuments and temples, including the Shore Temple complex, were notified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

12. Who were the contemporary of Pallavas in architecture?

a) Early cholas

b) Kalabhras

c) Early Pallavas

d) None of the above

Explanation

Early Pandyas were the contemporaries of the Pallavas. Unlike the Pallavas, Pandyas installed deities in the sanctums in their cave temples. More than fifty cave temples have been found in different parts of the Pandyan Empire.

13. Where were the early Pandyan architecture temples found?

a) Mayiladikurichi

b) Anaimalai

c) Tiruparankundram

d) All the above

Explanation

More than fifty cave temples have been found in different parts of the Pandyan Empire. The most important of them are found in Malaiyadikurichi, Anaimalai, Tiruparankundram and Tiruchirappalli.

14. The cave temples were dedicated to

a) Siva

b) Vishnu

c) Brahma

d) All the above

Explanation

The caves were dedicated to Siva, Vishnu and Brahma. In the Siva temple of Pandyas, the linga is carved out of the mother rock. The figure of Nandhi is also carved out of the rock.

15. Which of the following are placed either side of sanctum?

a) Vinayagar

b) Murugan

c) Dwarapalas

d) All the above

Explanation

The back side walls are divided into four niches on which the bas- relief images of Siva, Vishnu, Durga, Ganapathy, Subramanya, Surya, Brahma and Saraswathi are carved out. The dwarapalas figure on either side of sanctum.

16. The illustrious example for rock-cut style of Pandyan architecture is located in?

a) Tiruparankundram

b) Tirunelveli

c) Kazhugumalai

d) None of the above

Explanation

Rock-cut and structural temples are significant part of the Pandya architecture. The illustrious example for rock-cut style is unfinished Kazhugumalai Vettuvankoil temple. The Vettuvankoil, a monolithic temple at Kazhugumalai, is hewn out of a huge boulder on four sides. At the top of the temple, sculptures of Uma Maheswarar, Dakshinamoorthy, Vishnu and Brahma are found.

17. From the following find out the examples of Pandya architectural style?

a) Meenakshi Amman temple

b) Nellaiyappar temple

c) Both a and b

d) None of the above

Explanation

Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai and Nellaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli represent examples of Pandyas’ architectural style.

18. Which of the following have the bas relief of many deities: Siva, Vishnu, Brahma, Parvathi, Subramanya, Ganapathi and Dakshinamoorthy?

a) Tiruparankundram

b) Anaimalai

c) Kazhugumalai

d) All the above

Explanation

Tiruparankundram, Anaimalai and Kazhugumalai have the bas relief of many deities: Siva, Vishnu, Brahma, Parvathi, Subramanya, Ganapathi and Dakshinamoorthy. These are some remarkable images of the cave temples. Many early Pandya images unearthed from Madurai and its surrounding areas are now in Tirumalai Nayakkar museum at Madurai.

19. How many kilometers is Sittanavasal from Pudukkottai?

a) 19

b) 15

c) 20

d) 25

Explanation

Caves at Sittanavasal, 15 kilometers away from Pudukkottai, and at Tirumalaipuram in Sankarankovil taluk, Tirunelveli district, have outstanding early Pandya paintings.

20. How was the painting in Sittanavasal done by Jain monks?

a) Digital

b) Brushed

c) Resco

d) Fresco

Explanation

Sittanavasal was a residential cave of the Jain monks. They painted the walls with fresco painting. Unfortunately, we have lost many of those paintings. Among the surviving ones, the lotus pond is notable for its excellent execution of colors and exposition of the scene.

21. Which of the following things are found in paintings of Sittanavasal?

a) Lotus

b) Leaves

c) Man

d) All the above

Explanation

Among the surviving ones, the lotus pond is notable for its excellent execution of colors and exposition of the scene. The image of lotus flowers, leaves spread all over the pond, animals, elephants, buffalos, swans and a man who plucks the flowers look brilliant.

22. The Sittanavasal paintings have similarities with the

a) Bodh Gaya

b) Jataka paintings

c) Ajanta paintings

d) All the above

Explanation

The Sittanavasal paintings have similarities with the Ajanta paintings. Tirumalaipuram, from where we get early Pandya paintings, are in a damaged condition.

23. Whose period the Chola became the limelight?

a) Raja raja cholan

b) Rajendra cholan

c) Vijayalaya cholan

d) None of the above

Explanation

The Cholas came to limelight in A.D. 850 under Vijaylaya Chola and continued to govern the region for about four hundred years. For the Early Chola epoch, the temple at Dadapuram, near Tindivanam in Tamil Nadu, is worth mentioning.

24. The early Chola architecture followed the style of

a) Ajanta paintings

b) Chozhian

c) Sembiyan madhevi

d) None of the above

Explanation

The early Chola architecture followed the style of Sembilan Mahadevi. Temples with the increased number of devakoshta (niche) figures can be classified as belonging to the Sembiyan style.

25. ______ is an illustrious example of early temple that was re-fashioned in the days of Sembiyan Mahadevi.

a) Tiruvannamalai

b) Villupuram

c) Tiruppurambiyam

d) Both a and c

Explanation

Tiruppurambiyam is an illustrious example of early temple that was re-fashioned in the days of Sembiyan Mahadevi.

26. Which of the following temples shows the epoch of later Cholas?

a) Thanjavur temple

b) Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple

c) Thirumalainayakar temple

d) Both a and b

Explanation

The maturity attained by Chola architecture is reflected in the two magnificent temples of Thanjavur and Gangaikonda Cholapuram. The magnificent Thanjavur Big Temple dedicated to Siva, completed around A.D.1009, is a fitting memorial to the material achievements of the time of Rajaraja.

27. _______is one among the tallest man-made shikaras of the world.

a) Thanjavur temple

b) Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple

c) Airavateshwar temple

d) None of the above

Explanation

At the time the Big Temple of Thanjavur was constructed, it was a huge temple complex. The 216 feet vimana (structure over the garbhagriha) is notable as it is one among the tallest man-made shikaras of the world. Due to its massive height, the shikara is called the Dakshina Meru. The huge bull statue (Nandi) measures about 16 feet long and 13 feet height and is carved out of a single rock.

28. Gangaikonda Cholapuram served as the Chola capital for about

a) 300 years

b) 250 years

c) 100 years

d) 350 years

Explanation

Gangaikonda Cholapuram served as the Chola capital for about 250 years, until the decline of the Cholas and the rise of the Pandyas. The Brihadeeshwara temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram, built by Rajendra Chola, is undoubtedly as worthy a successor to the Brihadeeshwara temple of Thanjavur.

29. The height of Brihadeeshwara temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram is

a) 30 m

b) 55m

c) 333m

d) 88m

Explanation

The height of the temple is 55 metres. The sanctum has two storeys as in the big temple at Thanjavur. The outer wall has many projections with niches and recesses on three sides. In the niches there are the images of Siva, Vishnu and other gods.

30. Which of the following shrines were found in Brihadeeshwara temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram?

a) Chandeeswarar

b) Ganesa

c) Mahishasura Mardhini

d) All the above

Explanation

The outer wall has many projections with niches and recesses on three sides. In the niches there are the images of Siva, Vishnu and other gods. This temple complex has the shrines of Chandeeswarar, Ganesa and Mahishasura Mardhini.

31. Dharasuram, Airavateshwar temple is found in

a) Tanjore

b) Kumbakonam

c) Jayankondam

d) None of the above

Explanation

Dharasuram, near Kumbakonam, is a Later Chola period temple, rich in architectural splendour, dedicated to Iravatheswara (Siva as god of lord Indira’s elephant).

32. Who constructed the temple of Airavateshwar temple in Kumbakonam?

a) Raja raja cholan

b) Rajendra cholan

c) Raja raja II

d) None of the above

Explanation

Rajaraja II constructed this temple. This temple is another landmark of the Chola architecture. The Mahamandapam is an elaborate structure. The entire structure looks like a ratha because it has four wheels at the Mahamandapam.

33. The pillayarpatti temple belongs to

a) 11th century

b) 13th century

c) 15th century

d) None of the above

Explanation

The contribution of Later Pandyas to South Indian art was significant. A case in point is the cave temple at Pillayarpatti (near Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu) belonging to 13th century. This temple is important both for its sculptures and for an inscription.

34. The specialty of pillayarpatti temple is

a) It has many gopurams

b) One big tower

c) Vinayaga statue with two arms and trunk in right.

d) Cave temple

Explanation

A beautiful Ganesha is carved facing the entrance. The importance of the figure, referred to Desivinayaga in the cave inscription, is that there are two arms with the trunk turning to the right.

35. Which of the following construction emerged during Vijayanagar Epoch?

a) Constructing mandapas

b) Big sanctum

c) Naturally constructed

d) None of the above

Explanation

During the Vijayanagara epoch, a new form of construction emerged. It is the mandapam (pavilion) to where the gods are carried every year. Pillared outdoor mandapams are meant for public rituals with the ones in the east serving as the waiting room for devotees, which adorn the large temples.

36. Which of the following sculptures are found in pillars of mandapas during Vijayanagara epoch?

a) Horses

b) Lions

c) The gods

d) All the above

Explanation

These mandapams attract attention for its monolithic pillars. On these pillars are sculptured horses, lions and the gods.

37. Jalagandeshwara temple is found in

a) Kanchipuram

b) Vellore

c) Chennai

d) Kanchipuram

Explanation

The Kalyanam mandapam at Kanchipuram (Varadharaja Perumal temple) and at Vellore (Jalagandeshwara temple) are notable examples. The most celebrated of these mandapams in temple of Madurai is the Pudumandapam.

38. Massive gopurams at the four sides of temple are specialization of

a) Vijayanagar epoch

b) Chola epoch

c) Pandya epoch

d) None

Explanation

The main features of the Vijayanagar and Nayak architecture are decorated mandapas, ornamental pillars, life-size images, gopuras, prakaras, music pillars, floral works and stone windows during the 15th to 17th centuries. Tanks are attached to the temples. Gateways to temple are constructed from four directions with massive gopurams.

39. Alakiya nimbi temple is found in

a) Tirupur district

b) Tiruvannamalai district

c) Tirunelveli district

d) None of the above

Explanation

The practice of fitting the niches with sculptures continued during the Nayak period. There was an increased use of major sculpted figures (relief sculpture) as found at the Alakiya Nambi temple at Tirukkurungudi (Tirunelveli district) and the Gopalakrishna temple in the Ranganatha temple complex at Srirangam. The southern festival mandapam of Adinatha temple at Azhwar Tirunagari and the porch of the Nellaiyappar temple at Tirunelveli are other notable examples.

40. The 1000 pillar mandapam is found in

a) All temples

b) Meenakshi temple

c) Varatharaja temple

d) None of the above

Explanation

In Tamil Nadu, the image of deities attached to composite columns gradually freed themselves from the core column. The 1000-pillar mandapam of the Meenakshi- Sundareswarar temple, Pudumandapam at Madurai, Rathi Mandapam at Tirukkurungudi and Vanamamalai Temple at Nanguneri are illustrious examples for the mandapam architecture of this period.

41. Which of the pillars are found in Vijayanagar epoch?

a) Yazhi pillars

b) Horse pillars

c) Peacock pillars

d) Both a and b

Explanation

The pillars of this period are more decorative than the previous period. Monolithic gigantic yazhi pillars, horse pillars with life-size portraits of mythological and royal family members, common folk, animals and floral works were made. Musical pillars were the peculiar feature of this time.

42. Which of the following is common feature in pillars of mandapas?

a) Sitting elephant

b) Sitting lion

c) Sitting goddess

d) None of the above

Explanation

A sitting lion at the top of the pillars is a common feature in the mandapams. The windows are carved out on the walls of the sanctum and mandapams.

43. The Subramanya shrine in the Big Temple is constructed by

a) Cholas

b) Pandya’s

c) Cheras

d) Vijayanagara empire

Explanation

The Jalagandeshwara temple at Vellore, the temples at Thadikompu near Dindugal and Krishnapuram near Tirunelveli and the Subramanya shrine in the Big Temple Thanjavur are most remarkable edifices of Vijayanagar epoch.

44. Vijayanagar and Nayak paintings are found in

a) Tiruvellarai

b) Azhaharkoil

c) Tiruvannamalai

d) All the above

Explanation

Vijayanagar and Nayak paintings are seen at Varadharaja Perumal temple at Kanchipuram, Kudalazhagar Temple at Madurai and the temples of Srivilliputhur, Tiruvellarai, Azhaharkoil, Tiruvannamalai and Srirangam. The paintings mostly have the stories from Ramayana, palace scenes and mythological stories.

45. Who were the feudatories of Madurai Nayaks, ruled Ramanathapuram and contributed to the Ramanathaswami temple architecture?

a) Pandya’s

b) Sheshtras

c) Sethupathi

d) None of the above

Explanation

The Sethupathis, as the feudatories of Madurai Nayaks, ruled Ramanathapuram and contributed to the Ramanathaswami temple architecture. In the temple of Rameswaram, the predominance of corridors is striking. It is claimed that this temple has the longest set of corridors in the world.

46. Which temple has the longest set of corridors in the world?

a) Rameswaram

b) Madurai

c) Tirunelveli

d) None of the above

Explanation

In the temple of Rameswaram, the predominance of corridors is striking. It is claimed that this temple has the longest set of corridors in the world. The temple has three sets of corridors. The outer set of the temple’s corridors has a height of almost 7 meters and stretches for about 120 meters in both the eastern and western directions. The corridors to the north and to the south, on the other hand, are about 195 meters in length. The outer corridor is also remarkable for the number of pillars that support it, which is over 1200 in number. Moreover, many of these pillars are decorated by ornate carvings. The innermost set of corridors is the oldest of the three.