Indian Art, Architecture & Culture

Indian art and architecture is examined by matching a style to its period and patron. A stupa is Buddhist and Mauryan; a shikhara belongs to a Nagara temple in the north; a dome and minaret are Indo-Islamic. Learn the vocabulary and the questions answer themselves.

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Art & architecture — true or false?

6 statements · 12s each

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The two temple styles

A third style, Vesara, blends the two and is found in the Deccan.

The vocabulary that decides answers

• Stupa — Buddhist relic mound (Sanchi)
• Chaitya — Buddhist prayer hall
• Vihara — Buddhist monastery
• Shikhara — curved tower of a Nagara temple
• Vimana — pyramidal tower of a Dravida temple
• Gopuram — South Indian gateway tower

Sort by tradition

Which tradition does each belong to?

0/6

Taj Mahal

Which group does it belong to?

Buddhist

Hindu temple

Indo-Islamic

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Fix the facts

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1/3

How many main classical temple styles are usually distinguished?

4

16

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60%

Method, in order

Match the term to its meaning

Quick reference

Exam tip: Ajanta means painting, Ellora means sculpture. Both are in Maharashtra and both are rock-cut, which is exactly why options swap them.

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