Unit 8: South, East and Southeast Asia

The abhaya mudra displayed by Shiva’s right, forward-facing hand

• highlight his role as a teacher to show how one can stamp out ignorance of the illusory world

• denote intense meditation and balance as he engages in the processes of creation and destruction

• symbolize the division of the soul into different parts as it prepares for the final judgement of afterlife

• comfort the worshipper by indicating that one need not be afraid while in the presence of the god

The interior floor plan of the Taj Mahal exhibits the hasht bishisht (eight levels) principle, whereby the plan is divided into eight chambers surrounding a central room, alluding to the eight

• caliphs succeeding Mohammad

• levels of paradise for Muslims

• books from the sacred Koran

• months of the Islamic calendar

Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaikh to Kings demonstrates the

• strength of the Mughal ruler’s military aspirations in Europe

• coupling of religious values with Western-influenced art forms and styles

• rise of commemorative paintings commissioned by wealthy traders

• employment of political propaganda in wall murals within Mughal palaces

The Lakshmana Temple is an excellent example of which of the following type of Hindu temple?

• Nagara

• Chandella

• Mithuna

• Chhatapur

he abhaya mudra displayed by Shiva’s right, forward-facing hand

• highlight his role as a teacher to show how one can stamp out ignorance of the illusory world

• denote intense meditation and balance as he engages in the processes of creation and destruction

• symbolize the division of the soul into different parts as it prepares for the final judgement of afterlife

• comfort the worshipper by indicating that one need not be afraid while in the presence of the god

The interior floor plan of the Taj Mahal exhibits the hasht bihisht (eight levels) principle, whereby the plan is divided into eight chambers surrounding a central room, alluding to the eight

• caliphs succeeding Mohammad

• levels of paradise for Muslims

• books from the sacred Koran

• months of the Islamic calendar

Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaikh to Kings demonstrates the

• strength of the Mughal ruler’s military aspirations in Europe

• coupling of religious values with Western-influenced art forms and styles

• rise of commemorative paintings commissioned by wealthy traders

• employment of political propaganda in wall murals within Mughal palaces

Fan Kuan’s Travelers among Mountains and Streams is associated with Daoism because of its uncorrupted view of nature; however, the painting is also associated with Neo-Confucianism because of its

• portrayal of man’s dominance over natural forces

• use of scale in nature to suggest a social hierarchy

• emphasis on the effects of seasonal change

• use of text to highlight poetic qualities of nature

The portrait of Sin Sukju, created in the fifteenth century, reflects the impact of Confucianism on Korean artistic traditions

• with its focus on compassion, self-awareness, and enlightenment

• with its emphasis on the Way and yin and yang, the balance of opposites

• with its focus on connecting to powerful spirits in the natural world

• with its emphasis on duty, loyalty, respect, and ancestor worship

Based on its monumental scale, art historians have theorized that the Buddha at the Longmen Caves was created to popularize Buddhist teachings throughout Asia as well as to

• intimidate European traders and invaders

• claim superiority over nearby statues linked with other religions

• dominate large courtyards used for communal worship

• reinforce the political power of imperial rule