Question map
Not attempted Correct Incorrect ★ Bookmarked
Loading…
Q114 (CDS-I/2024) History & Culture › Art & Architecture › Rock-cut architecture Answer Verified

The royal portraits of Simhavishnu and Mahendravarman are found in which cave temple at Mamallapuram?

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: A
Explanation

The royal portraits of the Pallava kings Simhavishnu and Mahendravarman I are located in the Adivaraha (or Varaha) Cave Temple at Mamallapuram. This rock-cut temple, excavated during the reign of Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla), is renowned for its sculptural excellence and royal patronage [1]. The cave features two significant relief panels: one depicting Simhavishnu seated with his two queens and another showing Mahendravarman I leading his two queens. These portraits are rare examples of secular portraiture within a religious rock-cut structure, underscoring the transition of Pallava art from rock-cut phases to structural maturity [2]. While Mamallapuram is famous for the Shore Temple and Pancha Rathas, the Adivaraha Cave remains a critical site for identifying the lineage and physical representations of early Pallava monarchs [2].

Sources

  1. [1] https://frontline.thehindu.com/arts-and-culture/article30176987.ece
  2. [2] https://berhamporegirlscollege.ac.in/uploads/5508Pallava_Art_and_Architecture-UG-2-sem-27-04-2020.pdf
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
50%
got it right
✓ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2025 · Q14 Relevance score: 0.12

Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles 'Mattavilasa', Vichitrachitta' and 'Gunabhara'?

CDS-I · 2016 · Q54 Relevance score: -0.77

Which one of the following is the common element between the Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora and the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram ?

IAS · 2014 · Q85 Relevance score: -3.03

With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs: 1. A grand image of Buddha's Mahaparinirvana with numerous celestial musicians above and the sorrowful figures of his followers below - Ajanta 2. A huge image of Varaha Avatar (boar incarnation) of Vishnu, as he rescues Goddess Earth from the deep and chaotic waters, sculpted on rock - Mount Abu 3. "Arjuna's Penance" / "Descent of Ganga" sculpted on the surface of huge boulders - Mamallapuram Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

IAS · 2006 · Q16 Relevance score: -3.34

The initial design and construction of which massive temple took place during the reign of Suryavarman II?

CDS-I · 2014 · Q40 Relevance score: -3.40

Which one of the following was a temple built by the Chola Kings?