QUESTION 1
GS1
10 marks
The rock-cut architecture represents one of the most important sources of our knowledge of early Indian art and history. Discuss.
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Discuss how rock-cut caves and temples tell us about early Indian art, religion, society and economy.
DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.
Demand-wise check
- 1Phases: Mauryan Barabar caves (Ajivika), Buddhist chaityas and viharas (Karle, Bhaja, Ajanta), Brahmanical and Jain (Ellora, Elephanta, Udayagiri), monolithic (Kailasa, Mahabalipuram rathas)≈30 words
- 2Art: evolution of sculpture and painting styles (Ajanta murals)≈30 words
- 3History: patronage by kings, merchants and guilds (donor inscriptions), religious change, trade routes along the Western Ghats≈30 words
- 4Limits: mostly religious, elite patronage; needs other sources≈30 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
Chronological phasesWhat each reveals (art, religion, economy, polity)LimitsConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Only describing caves without saying what we learn from them
- No inscription or patronage evidence
Draw this
- Timeline of rock-cut sites from Barabar to Kailasa
Value addition
- FactDonor inscriptions at Karle and Nashik record gifts by merchants, guilds and Yavanas, showing trade-funded religious building.Epigraphia Indica / ASI
- FactEllora's Kailasa temple (8th century, Rashtrakuta Krishna I) was carved top-down from a single rock.ASI
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Ajay R Raj · AIR 109 · Page 13 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Ritika Chitlangia · Page 8 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Abhishek Singh · Page 7 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Akansh Dhull · AIR 3 · Page 23 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
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