UPSC Prelims 2014 · GS Paper I
Question 85: History and Culture
With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs :
| Famous work of sculpture | Site | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | A grand image of Buddha's Mahaparinirvana with numerous celestial musicians above and the sorrowful figures of his followers below | Ajanta |
| 2. | A huge image of Varaha Avatar (boar incarnation) of Vishnu, as he rescues Goddess Earth from the deep and chaotic waters, sculpted on rock | Mount Abu |
| 3. | "Arjuna's Penance"/"Descent of Ganga" sculpted on the surface of huge boulders | Mamallapuram |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
The grand Mahaparinirvana image of the Buddha, with celestial musicians above and mourning disciples below, is in Ajanta (Cave 26), so pair 1 is right. 'Arjuna's Penance' or 'Descent of the Ganga' is carved on huge rocks at Mamallapuram, so pair 3 is right. The huge rock image of Varaha rescuing Bhudevi is found at places such as Udayagiri, Badami and Mamallapuram, but not at Mount Abu, so pair 2 is wrong.
- 1. The Mahaparinirvana image is in Ajanta.
- 2. The great Varaha rock sculpture is at Udayagiri, Badami and elsewhere, not Mount Abu.
- 3. Arjuna's Penance is at Mamallapuram.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. The Varaha sculpture is not at Mount Abu.
- (b) Wrong. Pair 1 is also correct.
- (c) Right. Ajanta and Mamallapuram are correct.
- (d) Wrong. Pair 2 is mismatched.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.