Monuments of India

Ustad Amhad Lahori, the famous Mughal Court Architect designed which of the following World Heritage Sites (Select All that Apply)

• Jama Masjid, Delhi

• Taj Mahal, Agra

• Humayun Tomb, Delhi

• Red Fort, Delhi

Answer explanation

Ustad Ahmad Lahori (c.1580–1649) also known as Ahmad Ma'mar Lahori was the chief Mughal architect during the reign of emperor Shah Jahan. He was a skilled engineer who, owing to his architectural abilities, received the title of Nadir-ul-Asar (wonder of the age) from Shah Jahan. His architecture is a combination of Indo-Islamic and Persian architectural styles, and thus a major example of Indo-Persian culture

What is "Jantar Mantar"?

• A beautiful garden built for the princesses

• A secret hidden treasure site

• An observatory consisting of architectural astronomy instruments

Answer explanation

“Jantar Mantar” means “instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens”.It consists of 13 architectural astronomy instruments. Jantar Mantar located in New Delhi is built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur in the year 1724. The maharaja built five observatories during his ruling time in the 18th century. Among these five the one in Delhi is the first to be built. The other four observatories are located in Ujjain, Mathura, Varanasi, and Jaipur. The largest one of them is located in Jaipur.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is a key railway station reflecting British Architecture is located in which city?

• Chennai, Tamil Nadu

• Mumbai, Maharashtra

• Bengaluru, Karnataka

• Hyderabad, Telangana

Answer explanation

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus ( formerly Victoria Terminus, Bombay ) is a historic railway terminus and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. The terminus was designed by a British born architectural engineer Frederick William Stevens from an initial design by Axel Haig, in an exuberant Italian Gothic style. Its construction began in 1878 and was completed in 1887, the year marking 50 years of Queen Victoria's rule. In March 1996 the station name was changed from Victoria Terminus to "Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus" after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It is the busiest station in Mumbai.

1. Which monument in Mumbai is an iconic landmark and was built to commemorate the visit of King George V?

• India Gate

• Gateway of India

• Buland Darwaza

Answer explanation

The Gateway of India is an arch-monument built in the early 20th century in the city of Mumbai (Bombay), India. It was erected to commemorate the landing of King-Emperor George V, the first British monarch to visit India, and Queen Mary in December 1911. The monument overlooks the Arabian Sea.

1. Which monument in Jaipur is known as the "Palace of the Winds"?

• Rani Ki Chatri

• Jal Mahal

• Hawa Mahal

• Amber Palace

Answer explanation

Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of the Winds, is a five-storey building in Jaipur, India, completed in 1799 as an extension to the Royal City Palace.⁰¹ It is the tallest building in the world without a foundation and is a masterpiece of Rajput and Mughal architecture. The structure was built in 1799 by the Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh

1. Which monument in Hampi is a stunning example of Dravidian architecture and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu?

• Meenakshi Temple

• Virupaksha Temple

• Tirumala Venkateswara Temple

• Kedarnath Temple

Answer explanation

The Vittala Temple or Vitthala Temple in Hampi is an ancient monument that is well-known for its exceptional architecture and unmatched craftsmanship. It is considered to be one of the largest and the most famous structure in Hampi. The temple is located in the north eastern part of Hampi, near the banks of the Tungabhadra River. The iconic temple has amazing stone structures such as the incomparable stone chariot and the fascinating musical pillars. The renowned Vittala Temple dates back to the 15^th century. It was built during the reign of King Devaraya II (1422 – 1446 A.D.), one of the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire. Several portions of the temple were expanded and enhanced during the reign of Krishnadevaraya (1509 – 1529 A.D.), the most famous ruler of the Vijayanagara dynasty. He played a significant role in giving the monument its present look.

The Virupaksha Temple is also known as Shri Vijaya Vitthala Temple. It is dedicated to Lord Vitthala, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. An idol of Vitthala-Vishnu was enshrined in the temple.

1. Which monument in Gujarat is an ancient city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stepwells?

• Dholavira

• Mahabalipuram

• Chand Baori

• Rani Ki Vav

Answer explanation

Rani Ki Vav (lit. 'The Queen's Stepwell') is a stepwell situated in the town of Patan in Gujarat, India. It is located on the banks of the Saraswati River. Its construction is attributed to Udayamati, the spouse of the 11th-century Chaulukya king Bhima I. Silted over, it was rediscovered in the 1940s and restored in the 1980s by the Archaeological Survey of India. It has been listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India since 2014.

1. Which monument is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is located in Agra?

• Red Fort

• Hawa Mahal

• Taj Mahal

• Qutub Minar

Answer explanation

The Taj Mahal is located on the right bank of the Yamuna River in a vast Mughal garden that encompasses nearly 17 hectares, in the Agra District in Uttar Pradesh. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal with construction starting in 1632 AD and completed in 1648 AD, with the mosque, the guest house and the main gateway on the south, the outer courtyard and its cloisters were added subsequently and completed in 1653 AD. The existence of several historical and Quaranic inscriptions in Arabic script have facilitated setting the chronology of Taj Mahal. For its construction, masons, stone-cutters, inlayers, carvers, painters, calligraphers, dome builders and other artisans were requisitioned from the whole of the empire and also from the Central Asia and Iran. Ustad-Ahmad Lahori was the main architect of the Taj Mahal.

Which monument in Delhi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was built for a deceased (dead) Mughal Ruler?

• Humayun's Tomb

• Akbar's Tomb

• Shah Jahan's Tomb

• Aurangzeb's Tomb

Answer explanation

Humayun's Tomb is a garden tomb located in Nizamuddin East, Delhi, India. It was commissioned by Humayun's first wife and chief consort, Empress Bega Begum, under her patronage in 1558, and designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas and his son, Sayyid Muhammad, Persian architects chosen by her.⁰ The tomb was built by his widow, Biga Begum (Haji Begum), in 1569-70, 14 years after Humayun's death, at a cost of 1.5 million rupees. The architect was Mirak Mirza Ghiyath. The tomb contains abou

Which monument in Meghalaya is a living root bridge and is a unique example of bioengineering?

• Cherrapunji Caves

• Shillong Peak

• Mawlynnong Village

• Double-Decker Living Root Bridge

Answer explanation

The Double-Decker Living Root Bridge is a popular tourist attraction in Meghalaya, India. The Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge is located 45 km from Cherapunji and can be reached via trekking with 6500 steps.¹ The bridge is 3 km long and stands at a height of 2400 feet. The trek to the upper bridge, which is 20 meters long, is a tough but worthwhile task.³ Due to tourism, the health of the root bridge has degraded.