Architecture PYQs

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1. Prelims 2026Q14Architecture

   Which of the following temples has/have a Nagara-style shikhara ?

   1.Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami

   2.Huchimalligudi Temple, Aihole

   3.Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh

   4.Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal

   Select the answer using the code given below :

   a1 and 2b2 and 3c3 onlyd3 and 4
2. Prelims 2026Q27Architecture

   Which one of the following statements with regard to the Moidams, built by the Tai-Ahom kingdom and inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is/are correct ?

   1.They acted as army fortresses.

   2.They were recreation centres of the Royals and Nobles.

   3.They were burial grounds of the Royals and Nobles.

   4.They were battle drill centres of the Royals and Nobles.

   Select the answer using the code given below :

   a1 onlyb1 and 3c3 onlyd2 and 4
3. Prelims 2023Q42Architecture

   With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements :

   1.The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.

   2.Stupa was generally a repository of relics.

   3.Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.

   How many of the statements given above are correct?

   aOnly onebOnly twocAll threedNone
4. Prelims 2023Q82Architecture

   Consider the following pairs :

   Site : Well known for

   1.Besnagar : Shaivite cave shrine

   2.Bhaja : Buddhist cave shrine

   3.Sittanavasal : Jain cave shrine

   How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

   aOnly onebOnly twocAll threedNone
5. Prelims 2022Q96Architecture

   The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple at Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple ?

   1.Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.

   2.A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni.

   3.Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.

   Select the correct answer using the code given below :

   a1 and 2 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
6. Prelims 2021Q31Architecture

   With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements :

   1.It is a circular temple built during the reign of Kachchhapaghata Dynasty.

   2.It is the only circular temple built in India.

   3.It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region.

   4.Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building.

   Which of the statements given above are correct?

   a1 and 2b2 and 3 onlyc1 and 4d2, 3 and 4
7. Prelims 2021Q49Architecture

   Which one of the following statements is correct?

   aAjanta Caves lie in the gorge of Waghora river.bSanchi Stupa lies in the gorge of Chambal river.cPandu-lena Cave Shrines lie in the gorge of Narmada river.dAmaravati Stupa lies in the gorge of Godavari river.
8. Prelims 2019Q11Architecture

   Building 'Kalyaana Mandapas' was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of

   aChalukyabChandelacRashtrakutadVijayanagara
9. Prelims 2018Q72ArchitectureAnswer disputed

   With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements :

   1.White marble was used in making Buland Darwaza and Khankah at Fatehpur Sikri.

   2.Red sandstone and marble were used in making Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza at Lucknow.

   Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

   a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
10. Prelims 2017Q75Architecture

    Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples ?

    1.Arasavalli

    2.Amarakantak

    3.Omkareshwar

    Select the correct answer using the code given below :

    a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
11. Prelims 2016Q65Architecture

    What is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram?

    1.Both were built in the same period.

    2.Both belong to the same religious denomination.

    3.Both have rock-cut monuments.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    a1 and 2 onlyb3 onlyc1 and 3 onlydNone of the statements given above is correct
12. Prelims 2015Q69Architecture

    In a particular region in India, the local people train the roots of living trees into robust bridges across the streams. As the time passes, these bridges become stronger. These unique 'living root bridges' are found in

    aMeghalayabHimachal PradeshcJharkhanddTamil Nadu
13. Prelims 2014Q44Architecture

    With reference to the cultural history of India, the term ‘Panchayatan’ refers to

    aan assembly of village eldersba religious sectca style of temple constructiondan administrative functionary
14. Prelims 2014Q89Architecture

    With reference to Buddhist history, tradition and culture in India, consider the following pairs :

    Famous shrine : Location

    1.Tabo monastery and temple complex : Spiti Valley

    2.Lhotsava Lhakhang temple, Nako : Zanskar Valley

    3.Alchi temple complex : Ladakh

    Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

    a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
15. Prelims 2013Q4Architecture

    With reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements:

    1.The caves at Badami are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India.

    2.The Barabar rock-cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya.

    3.At Ellora, caves were made for different faiths.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
16. Prelims 2013Q36Architecture

    Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference between the two?

    aVihara is a place of worship, while Chaitya is the dwelling place of the monksbChaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monkscChaitya is the stupa at the far end of the cave, while Vihara is the hall axial to itdThere is no material difference between the two
17. Prelims 2012Q24Architecture

    The Nagara, the Dravida and the Vesara are the

    athree main racial groups of the Indian subcontinentbthree main linguistic divisions into which the languages of India can be classifiedcthree main styles of Indian temple architecturedthree main musical Gharanas prevalent in India
18. Prelims 2009Q15Architecture

    In which State is the Buddhist site Tabo Monastery located?

    aArunachal PradeshbHimachal PradeshcSikkimdUttarakhand
19. Prelims 2009Q26Architecture

    Where is the famous Virupaksha temple located ?

    aBhadrachalambChidambaramcHampidSrikalahasti
20. Prelims 2009Q37Architecture

    Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:

    List I (Famous Temple)

    A.Vidyashankara temple

    B.Rajarani temple

    C.Kandariya Mahadeo temple

    D.Bhimesvara temple

    List II (State)

    1.Andhra Pradesh

    2.Karnataka

    3.Madhya Pradesh

    4.Orissa

    aA-2, B-4, C-3, D-1bA-2, B-3, C-4, D-1cA-1, B-4, C-3, D-2dA-1, B-3, C-4, D-2
21. Prelims 2008Q80Architecture

    Near which one of the following cities are Palitana Temples located?

    aBhavnagarbMount AbucNasikdUjjain
22. Prelims 2007Q126Architecture

    Where is the famous Vijaya Vittala Temple having its 56 carved pillars emitting musical notes located?

    aBelurbBhadrachalamcHampidSrirangam
23. Prelims 2006Q3Architecture

    Match List – I with List – II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:

    List – I (Place of Archaeological Monument)

    A.Sisupalgarh

    B.Piprahwa

    C.Goalpara

    D.Bishnupur

    List – II (State)

    1.Assam

    2.Manipur

    3.Orissa

    4.Uttar Pradesh

    aA-4, B-1, C-3, D-2bA-1, B-2, C-3, D-4cA-3, B-4, C-1, D-2dA-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
24. Prelims 2006Q12Architecture

    Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?

    aVikramsila Monastery : Uttar PradeshbHemkund Gurudwara : Himachal PradeshcUdayagiri Caves : MaharashtradAmaravati Buddhist Stupa : Andhra Pradesh
25. Prelims 2006Q66Architecture

    Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

    Monastery — State

    aDhankar Monastery — Himachal PradeshbRumtek Monastery — SikkimcTabo Monastery — Himachal PradeshdKye Monastery — Arunachal Pradesh
26. Prelims 2006Q81Architecture

    The initial design and construction of which massive temple took place during the reign of Suryavarman II?

    aSri Mariamman TemplebAngkor VatcBatu Caves TempledKamakhya Temple
27. Prelims 2006Q82Architecture

    Indian Airlines (now renamed ‘Indian’) have redesigned their logo which is a graphic wheel. This logo has been inspired from which one of the following?

    aHampi TemplesbMamallapuram TemplescSun Temple, KonarkdKhajuraho Temple
28. Prelims 2002Q16Architecture

    Which one of the following statements is not correct?

    aThe statue of Gomateshwara at Sravanabelagola represents the last Tirthankara of JainsbIndia’s largest Buddhist monastery is in Arunachal PradeshcThe Khajuraho temples were built under Chandela KingsdThe Hoysalesvara temple is dedicated to Siva
29. Prelims 2001Q5Architecture

    In which one of the following cities is the Lingaraja Temple located?

    aBhubaneswarbBijapurcKolkatadShravanabelagola
30. Prelims 2001Q58Architecture

    Hoysala monuments are found in

    aHampi and HospetbHalebid and BelurcMysore and BangaloredSringeri and Dharwar