Indian Architecture Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

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Questions and Answers

What is the main religion in Asia according to the text?

Hinduism (correct)

Christianity

Buddhism

Islam

Who were the chief gods in Hinduism as per the text?

Osiris, Isis, Horus

Aphrodite, Apollo, Zeus

Odin, Thor, Loki

Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva (correct)

Which dynasty was established under King Ashoka in 300 BC?

Mughal Dynasty

Mauryan Dynasty (correct)

Sikh Empire

Gupta Dynasty

Who gave up his princely life to search for wisdom?

Gautama Siddhartha Signup and view all the answers

Which architectural style is characterized by profuse carved ornamentation combining religious and sensuous elements?

Gupta Architecture Signup and view all the answers

Who established the 16 separate kingdoms all over India?

Aryans Signup and view all the answers

What architectural feature is described as a mound containing sacred relics called 'Dagoba'?

Stupa Signup and view all the answers

Which architectural style is described as a 'Combination of the Vedic Cult, Buddhism and Brahmanism'?

Hindu/Brahman Architecture Signup and view all the answers

What type of architectural space is described as 'A monastery designed with courts or shrines with a central square space surrounded by priest's chambers'?

Vihara Signup and view all the answers

Which dynasty is described as the 'center of classical Indian Art and Literature'?

Gupta Dynasty Signup and view all the answers

Which ancient Indian people are described as uniting northern India and establishing an empire in 320 BC?

Mauryas Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of a Vihara in ancient India?

A Buddhist monastery and residence for monks Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of Hindu temple architecture?

Designed to bring humans and deities together symbolically Signup and view all the answers

What is a Rath in the context of Hindu temple architecture?

A monolithic freestanding temple carved from solid rock Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a Rath temple?

Pancha Rathas, Mahabalipuram Signup and view all the answers

What is a Vimana in the context of Hindu temple architecture?

The main sanctuary of a Hindu temple where the deity is enshrined Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the world's largest functioning Hindu temple?

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Indian Architecture

Characterized by Hindu and Buddhist monuments, with rhythmic stratified motifs and profuse carved ornamentation, often combining the religious and the sensuous.
Architecture is the outcome of diverse religious beliefs, pattern of worship, prevailing climatic conditions, available building materials, technologies, social structure, topography, climate, culture, historical and linguistic patterns, and symbolism.

History and Influences

Indian Architecture is the third great civilization to emerge in a fertile river valley, with the Indus River civilization emerging in 2500 BC in present-day Pakistan and Northwest India.
Major cities of the Indus River civilization were Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, each ruled by priest-kings, with citadels atop the city, lasting around 800 years.
The Aryans from the north moved to India in 1500 BC, setting up 16 separate kingdoms, and eventually establishing the Mauryan Empire in 300 BC under King Ashoka.

Hinduism

Hinduism is the main religion in Asia, one of the world's oldest surviving religions, originating from the indigenous Dravidians and Aryan invaders.
Chief Gods: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva.
Belief in Reincarnation, where the soul comes back to life in a different body.
Caste System: Priests, warriors and nobles, farmers and traders, laborers and servants, untouchables.

Buddhism

Emerged as a response to the caste system, with Gautama Siddhartha (563-483 BC) renouncing his princely life to search for wisdom.
After six years of wandering, he found enlightenment through meditation, overcoming human weaknesses including greed and anger.
Salvation or Nirvana is achieved by releasing attachment to desire and the self.

Architectural Styles

Buddhist Architecture: Stambha (columns with inscriptions), Stupa (mounds containing sacred relics), Chaitya (assembly halls), Vihara (monasteries).
Jain Architecture: Temples patterned from Buddhist temples.
Hindu/Brahman Architecture: Combination of verdict cult, Buddhism, and Brahmanism.

Specific Architectural Examples

The Site of Sanchi: A group of Buddhist monuments, including monolithic pillars, palaces, temples, and monasteries.
The Great Stupa, Sanchi: The oldest existing Stupa in India.
Nalanda: A renowned Buddhist Monastic University in ancient Magadha (Bihar), India.
Pallava and Dravidian styles: Indian Architecture in the Pallava period.
Kiva: A large underground or partly underground chamber used for religious ceremonies or councils.

Hindu Temple

"Mandir" in India: A symbolic house, seat of the body of divinity for Hindus.
A structure designed to bring human beings and gods together using symbolism to express the ideas and beliefs of Hinduism.
Examples: Rath (monolithic freestanding Hindu temple), Parasurameswara Temple, Jagannath Temple, Lingaraja Temple, Chaturbhuj Temple, Vimana (a sanctuary of a Hindu temple).

Shiva vs Vishnu Temples

Shaivite Temples: For Shiva, facing east.
Vaishnavite Temples: For Vishnu, facing west.
Examples: Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Shore Temple, Tamil Nadu.

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Description

Explore the architectural character and features of Indian architecture on the Indian subcontinent, characterized by Hindu and Buddhist monuments. This style includes structures that share the same site, have rhythmic stratified motifs, and profuse carved ornamentation, often combining religious and sensuous elements.