Q72 · UPSC Prelims 2018 · Set A · Art and Culture

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With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements:1.White marble was used in making Buland Darwaza and Khankah at Fatehpur Sikri.2.Red sandstone and marble were used in making Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza at Lucknow.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A 1 only
B 2 only
C Both 1 and 2
D Neither 1 nor 2

Correct answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

  1. A

    1 only

    (a) 1 only. Buland Darwaza and the khanqah complex at Fatehpur Sikri are predominantly red sandstone with marble inlay, not buildings “made of white marble” in the Taj sense. Statement 1 is therefore incorrect. This option is not the key.

  2. B

    2 only

    (b) 2 only. Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza at Lucknow are brick-and-lime/stucco Nawabi monuments, not red sandstone-and-marble Mughal construction. Statement 2 is incorrect. This option is not the key.

  3. C

    Both 1 and 2

    (c) Both 1 and 2. Both material claims fail. This option is not the key.

  4. D

    Neither 1 nor 2

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2. Fatehpur Sikri’s great gate is red sandstone, not a white-marble fabric; Lucknow’s Imambara and Rumi Darwaza are not sandstone-and-marble Mughal work. Neither statement stands. This option is the official key.

Summary. Official key is (d) Neither 1 nor 2. Akbar’s Fatehpur Sikri uses red sandstone as the main facing, with marble as accent—not white marble as the body of Buland Darwaza. Awadh’s Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza are brick monuments of the late 18th century, not red sandstone and marble. Both statements are therefore false. The stored key is (d).

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