Central Indian monuments

Sanchi stupa

BASIC INFO:

• Buddist stupa
• Location- sanchi,mp
• Built by ASHOKA EMPOROR, MAYURAN DAYNASTY
• Unesco 1989
• Oldest surviving stone structure in india (3rd century)
• Enlarged by SHUNGAS
• Gatway by SATAVAHANAS dynasty
• Aniconism – Budda not show in human figure
• Dimension- 36.5m height -16.4m
Elemnts Feature Symbolize

Anda Hemispherical dome Universe and relic chamber of

budda

Chatra (triple umbrella) Symbol of high rank, royalty, and Umbrella showing protection
spiritual protection. and the Three Jewels.

Harmika Square railing on the top of anda, heavenly realm

Tornas Entrence 4 side Jataka tales and teachings of

budda

Vedika Enclosure the stupa

Axis (Yasti) The central pillar holding the The central pillar holding the
chatra chatra

Medhi Patheway for prathakshina

Sculpture Symbol

lotus purity

Wheel (dharma chakra) First serman

Lion capital Strength

Bodhi tree buddha

Jathaka tale Previous lives of budda

MCQs: Sanchi Stupa (10)

1. Sanchi Stupa is located in which state?
A) Bihar | B) Madhya Pradesh | C) Uttar Pradesh | D) Odisha
Answer: B) Madhya Pradesh
2. Who commissioned the original Sanchi Stupa?
A) Kanishka | B) Ashoka | C) Harsha | D) Chandragupta Maurya
Answer: B) Ashoka
3. The stupa was enlarged during which dynasty?
A) Maurya | B) Shunga | C) Gupta | D) Satavahana
Answer: B) Shunga
 4. The central dome of the stupa is called
A) Harmika | B) Chatra | C) Anda | D) Vedika
Answer: C) Anda
5. The toranas face which directions?
A) Only East | B) East and West | C) Four cardinal directions | D)
North only
Answer: C) Four cardinal directions
6. What do the carvings on the toranas mainly depict?
A) War scenes | B) Royal processions | C) Jataka tales | D) Daily life
Answer: C) Jataka tales
7. The Buddha is represented symbolically in early Sanchi carvings as
A) A divine human form | B) A lion | C) Symbols like tree or wheel | D)
None of these
Answer: C) Symbols like tree or wheel
8. The umbrella-like structure atop the stupa is known as
A) Vedika | B) Chatra | C) Harmika | D) Medhi
Answer: B) Chatra
9. Sanchi Stupa was included in UNESCO World Heritage list in
A) 1979 | B) 1989 | C) 1999 | D) 2009
Answer: B) 1989
10. The Sanchi Stupa mainly represents which religion?
A) Jainism | B) Buddhism | C) Hinduism | D) Zoroastrianism
Answer: B) Buddhism

Bastar palace
 • Kakatiya dynasty
• Location- jagdalpur , bastar , chattisgarh
• Royal residence and administration centre
• Capital shift – barsur to jagdalpur
• Style- hindu architecture, traditional tribal
• Materials – wood, stone, mud
• Design – intricate craving
• Close to Dalpat Sagar Lake
MCQs
1. Bastar Palace is located in
A. Raipur | B. Jagdalpur | C. Bilaspur
Ans: B
2. Which dynasty built the Bastar Palace?
A. Gupta | B. Kakatiya | C. Maurya
Ans: B
3. The main architectural style of Bastar Palace is a mix of
A. Mughal and Rajput | B. Mughal and Indian | C. Colonial and Indian
Ans: C
4. The palace served mainly as a
A. Temple | B. Fort | C. Administrative center
Ans: C
5. The Durbar Hall in the palace was used for
A. Religious rituals | B. Royal meetings | C. Festivals
Ans: B
6. Bastar Palace reflects which era’s influence?
A. Modern | B. British colonial | C. Mauryan
Ans: B
7. The palace is close to which lake?
A. Dalpat Sagar | B. Pichola | C. Naini Lake
Ans: A
8. What material is mainly used in the palace?
A. Brick | B. Stone and lime | C. Marble
Ans: B
9. Bastar Palace symbolizes
A. Mughal power | B. Tribal unity and royal heritage | C. Religious
devotion
Ans: B
10. The royal family of Bastar
A. Left the palace | B. Still resides in part of it | C. Lives abroad
 Gwalior Fort

Location- Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India

Nickname - “Gibraltar of India”
Built by- Raja Suraj Sen (8th century).
Expanded and beautified by- Raja Man Singh Tomar (15th century) for Queen
Mrignayani.
Babur emporer called – ‘ the pearl amongst the fotresses of hind’

Construction and Style

• Combines Rajput, Mughal, and Hindu architectural elements.
• Fort built mainly with sandstone and lime mortar.

Major Structures inside the Fort

1. Man Mandir Palace – Built by Raja Man Singh Tomar; decorated with
glazed tiles and lattice work.

2. Gujari Mahal – Built for Queen Mrignayani; now serves as an

archaeological museum.

3. Teli ka Mandir – Temple blending Dravidian and Nagara styles; features a

large shikhara and intricate carvings.
Does not have mandapa

4. Sas-Bahu Temple – Dedicated to Vishnu; example of Nagara style temple

architecture.
5. Chaturbhuj Temple – Houses an inscription featuring the second oldest
known use of zero.

Architectural Features
• High fort walls following the contour of the hill.
• Decorative tile work in blue and yellow patterns.
• Large gates: Hathi Pol, Badalgarh Gate, and Alamgiri Gate.
• Combination of military defense and residential palace designs.
 Symbolism
• Represents Rajput valor, royal pride, and architectural grandeur.
• Symbol of Gwalior’s strategic and cultural importance through centuries.

MCQ
1. Gwalior Fort is located in
A. Rajasthan | B. Madhya Pradesh | C. Gujarat
Ans: B
2. Gwalior Fort is also known as
A. Diamond Fort | B. Gibraltar of India | C. Hill Fort of Glory
Ans: B
3. Who built Gwalior Fort?
A. Man Singh Tomar | B. Suraj Sen | C. Akbar
Ans: B
4. For whom did Man Singh Tomar build Gujari Mahal?
A. Jodha Bai | B. Mumtaz Mahal | C. Queen Mrignayani
Ans: C
5. Which ruler described Gwalior Fort as “The pearl among fortresses of
Hind”?
A. Akbar | B. Babur | C. Shah Jahan
Ans: B
6. Gwalior Fort is mainly made of
A. Marble | B. Sandstone | C. Brick
Ans: B
7. Man Mandir Palace is known for its
A. Marble carvings | B. Glazed tiles | C. Gold plating
Ans: B
8. Teli ka Mandir combines
A. Dravidian and Nagara styles | B. Indo-Saracenic and Gothic | C.
Chola and Vijayanagara styles
Ans: A
9. Sas-Bahu Temple is dedicated to
A. Shiva | B. Vishnu | C. Durga
Ans: B
10. Which temple inside Gwalior Fort mentions the early use of zero?
A. Sas-Bahu | B. Chaturbhuj | C. Teli ka Mandir
Ans: B
11. The Gujari Mahal today functions as
A. School | B. Museum | C. Temple
Ans: B
12. The architecture of Gwalior Fort mainly belongs to
A. Mughal | B. Rajput | C. Indo-Gothic
Ans: B
13. The fort’s walls are approximately
A. 10 ft high | B. 35 ft high | C. 70 ft high
Ans: B
14. Which dynasty expanded Gwalior Fort?
A. Mauryan | B. Tomar | C. Gupta
Ans: B
15. The blue and yellow tile work is mainly found on
A. Gujari Mahal | B. Man Mandir Palace | C. Sas-Bahu Temple
Ans: B
16. Gwalior Fort overlooks which city?
A. Jaipur | B. Gwalior | C. Indore
Ans: B
 17. The architectural style shows influence of
A. Dravidian only | B. Hindu and Mughal | C. Gothic
Ans: B
18. Gwalior Fort symbolizes
A. Love | B. Valor and Power | C. Wealth
Ans: B

Shiv Temple – Chandkhuri

• Location- Chandkhuri, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
• Also Known As- Che Mashi Shiva Temple
• Period : 10th–11th Century AD
• Architectural Style- Nagara Style
• Pancha Ratha Plan (five projections on the walls)

Architectural Features

• Door Jambs: Depiction of river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna

• Lintel Carving: Image of Gaja Laxmi

• Sculptural Panels:

o Depiction of wrestling between Bali and Sugriva

o Scene of weeping Tara (Bali’s wife) beside the dead body of her husband
 Special Feature

• The temple does not have a Mandapa (hall)

MCQs

1. Where is the Shiv Temple located?

a) Bhubaneshwar, Odisha
b) Chandkhuri, Chhattisgarh
c) Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
d) Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh
→ Ans: b) Chandkhuri, Chhattisgarh

2. What is another name for the Shiv Temple at Chandkhuri?

a) Rudreshwar Temple
b) Che Mashi Shiva Temple
c) Kailasanatha Temple
d) Amarnath Temple
→ Ans: b) Che Mashi Shiva Temple

3. The Shiv Temple of Chandkhuri belongs to which period?

a) 8th–9th century AD
b) 9th–10th century AD
c) 10th–11th century AD
d) 12th–13th century AD
→ Ans: c) 10th–11th century AD

4. Which architectural style is the Shiv Temple built in?

a) Dravidian
b) Nagara
c) Vesara
d) Gupta
→ Ans: b) Nagara

5. What type of ground plan does the temple follow?

a) Triratha plan
b) Pancharatha plan
c) Saptaratha plan
d) Ekakuta plan
→ Ans: b) Pancharatha plan
 6. The door jambs of the temple depict which goddesses?
a) Parvati and Saraswati
b) Ganga and Yamuna
c) Lakshmi and Durga
d) Tara and Sita
→ Ans: b) Ganga and Yamuna

7. Which deity is carved on the lintel of the temple?

a) Vishnu
b) Gaja Lakshmi
c) Shiva
d) Durga Mahishasuramardini
→ Ans: b) Gaja Lakshmi

8. Which mythological wrestling scene is depicted in the carvings?

a) Arjuna and Karna
b) Rama and Ravana
c) Bali and Sugriva
d) Krishna and Kansa
→ Ans: c) Bali and Sugriva

9. The weeping figure of Tara in the temple carvings represents:

a) Joy of victory
b) Sorrow over Bali’s death
c) Worship of Shiva
d) Celebration of Sugriva’s success
→ Ans: b) Sorrow over Bali’s death

10. Which structural element is missing in this temple?

a) Shikhara
b) Mandapa
c) Sanctum (Garbhagriha)
d) Antarala
→ Ans: b) Mandapa

JAI VILAS PALACE

 • Location- GWALIOR , MP
• Built by – maharaja jayajirao scindia
• Style :- European-italical ‘renaissance & classical style’
• 1874-1884
• Architect – Sir Michael filose (Italian)
• Royal residence of scindia family

MCQ

1. Where is Jai Vilas Palace located?

a) Jaipur
b) Gwalior
c) Bhopal
d) Indore
→ Ans: b) Gwalior

2. Who built the Jai Vilas Palace?

a) Man Singh Tomar
b) Jayajirao Scindia
c) Ranoji Scindia
d) Daulat Rao Scindia
→ Ans: b) Jayajirao Scindia

3. Which European architect designed Jai Vilas Palace?

a) Sir Herbert Baker
b) micheal filose
c) Edwin Lutyens
d) William Emerson
→ Ans: b) micheal filose

4. Which architectural style does the palace follow?

a) Indo-Islamic
 b) Mughal
c) European / Italianate
d) Dravidian
→ Ans: c) European / Italianate

5. What is the palace currently used as?

a) Government office
b) Museum and royal residence
c) Art gallery
d) Hotel
→ Ans: b) Museum and royal residence

6. Which famous feature is found in the Durbar Hall of Jai Vilas Palace?
a) India’s largest chandelier
b) Revolving stage
c) Glass dome ceiling
d) Water-cooled marble floor
→ Ans: a) India’s largest chandelier

7. The palace was built to welcome which British monarch?

a) Queen Victoria
b) (Edward VII)
c) King George V
d) Queen Elizabeth II
→ Ans: b) Prince of Wales (Edward VII)

8. Which museum is housed within the palace?

a) Madhav Rao Museum
b) Jiwaji Rao Scindia Museum
c) Rani Mahal Museum
d) Tomar Heritage Museum
→ Ans: b) Jiwaji Rao Scindia Museum

KHAJURAHO TEMPLES
• Chhatarpur, MP

• Built by Chandela dynasty

 • 950–1050 CE

• Nagara style

• UNESCO – 1986

• Complex had 85 temples

• Now 25 remain

• Hindu & Jain

• Dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, Jain Tirthankaras

Arch. Features

• High plinth

• Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum)

• Shikhara (tower)

• Mandaps (with ornate pillars)

• Erotic sculptures on outer walls

• Sandstone used for carvings

• Key Temples

• Kandariya Mahadev Temple

– largest & tallest (31 m) temple in khajuraho

–Erotic sculptures
– 84 spires– Dedicated to shiva
• Lakshmana Temple
 – Intricate wall carvings

• Chaturbhuj Temple –dedicated to lord vishnu

• Parasvanat temple- jain temple

• Adinath temple – jain temple

 MCQ
1. Khajuraho Temples are located in which state?
a) Rajasthan
b) Madhya Pradesh
c) Uttar Pradesh
d) Gujarat
→ b) Madhya Pradesh

2. Who built the Khajuraho Temples?

a) Maurya dynasty
b) Chola dynasty
c) Chandela dynasty
d) Gupta dynasty
→ c) Chandela dynasty

3. The construction period of Khajuraho Temples was:

a) 850–950 CE
b) 950–1050 CE
c) 1050–1150 CE
d) 800–900 CE
→ b) 950–1050 CE

4. Khajuraho Temples are examples of which architectural style?

a) Dravidian
b) Vesara
c) Nagara
d) Indo-Islamic
→ c) Nagara

5. Khajuraho Temple complex originally had how many temples?

a) 25
b) 50
c) 85
d) 100
→ c) 85

6. How many temples remain today in Khajuraho?

a) 25
b) 35
 c) 20
d) 40
→ a) 25

7. Khajuraho Temples were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in:

a) 1972
b) 1986
c) 1990
d) 2001
→ b) 1986

8. Which material is mainly used for carvings in Khajuraho Temples?

a) Marble
b) Sandstone
c) Granite
d) Limestone
→ b) Sandstone

9. The Khajuraho Temples are famous for:

a) Large domes
b) Erotic sculptures
c) Mughal paintings
d) Marble flooring
→ b) Erotic sculptures

10. The architectural plan of Khajuraho Temples is based on:

a) Greek style
b) Panchayatana style
c) Mughal style
d) Buddhist style
→ b) Panchayatana style

11. The tallest temple at Khajuraho is:

a) Lakshmana Temple
b) Kandariya Mahadev Temple
c) Vishvanatha Temple
d) Parshvanath Temple
→ b) Kandariya Mahadev Temple

12. Height of Kandariya Mahadev Temple is approximately:

a) 21 m
 b) 31 m
c) 41 m
d) 51 m
→ b) 31 m

13. Kandariya Mahadev Temple is dedicated to:

a) Shiva
b) Vishnu
c) Brahma
d) Adinath
→ a) Shiva

14. Lakshmana Temple is dedicated to:

a) Shiva
b) Vishnu
c) Parvati
d) Surya
→ b) Vishnu

15. Jain Temples in Khajuraho are:

a) Kandariya & Vishvanatha
b) Parsvanath & Adinath
c) Lakshmana & Chaturbhuj
d) None
→ b) Parsvanath & Adinath

16. Khajuraho Temples mainly belong to which religions?

a) Hindu and Jain
b) Buddhist and Hindu
c) Jain and Sikh
d) Buddhist and Jain
→ a) Hindu and Jain

17. Which feature is common in all Khajuraho Temples?

a) High plinth
b) Dome
c) Arches
d) Minarets
→ a) High plinth
18. The tower above the sanctum is called:
a) Mandapa
b) Garbhagriha
c) Shikhara
d) Vimana
→ c) Shikhara

19. The main hall used for gatherings in temples is called:

a) Garbhagriha
b) Mandapa
c) Antarala
d) Pradakshina
→ b) Mandapa

20. The erotic sculptures of Khajuraho mainly represent:

a) Mythological scenes
b) Daily life & divine union
c) Battle scenes
d) Mughal court life
→ b) Daily life & divine union