2016 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2016 · GS Paper I

Question 65: History and Culture

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

  1. 1.Both were built in the same period.
  2. 2.Both belong to the same religious denomination.
  3. 3.Both have rock-cut monuments.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a1 and 2 only
b3 only
c1 and 3 only
dNone of the statements given above is correct

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

Ajanta's caves are Buddhist rock-cut monuments, made between roughly the 2nd century BCE and the 6th century CE. Mahabalipuram's monuments are Pallava work of the 7th century and Hindu, Shaiva and Vaishnava in character. So they differ in period and religion. What they share is rock-cut architecture: caves and monolithic rathas.

  • 1. Ajanta spans the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE; Mahabalipuram is mainly 7th century.
  • 2. Ajanta is Buddhist; Mahabalipuram is Hindu.
  • 3. Both have rock-cut monuments.
Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) They are not of the same period or religion.
  • (b) Right: only rock-cut monuments are common to both.
  • (c) They were not built in the same period.
  • (d) Both have rock-cut monuments, so statement 3 is correct.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2016, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.