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Consider the following pairs : (Historical place) (Well-known for) 1. Burzahom : Rock-cut shrines 2. Chandraketugarh : Terracotta art 3. Ganeshwar : Copper artefacts Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 4 (2 and 3). Here is the detailed explanation for each pair:
- Pair 1 is incorrect: Burzahom (Jammu & Kashmir) is a celebrated Neolithic site known for its unique pit-dwellings, polished stone tools, and distinctive burials. It is not associated with rock-cut shrines, which are features of much later architectural periods (like Ajanta or Ellora).
- Pair 2 is correct: Chandraketugarh, located in West Bengal, was a major urban center from the Mauryan to the Gupta periods. It is world-renowned for its exquisite terracotta art, including figurines and plaques that depict various social and religious themes.
- Pair 3 is correct: Ganeshwar (Rajasthan) is the center of the Ganeshwar-Jodhpura culture. It is famous for its prolific production of copper artefacts, such as arrowheads, spearheads, and bangles, supplying copper to Harappan sites.
Since pairs 2 and 3 are accurately matched, Option 4 is the right choice.
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewA classic 'Mix & Match' of eras. Ganeshwar is a direct lift from NCERT Class 12 (Themes I). Burzahom is an 'Elimination by Chronology' trap (Neolithic sites don't have historic rock-cut architecture). Chandraketugarh is the differentiator, requiring knowledge beyond basic NCERTs (often found in Fine Arts or Nitin Singhania).
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Direct description of Burzahom places it in the Neolithic period with pit-houses and stone tools, not in the later periods when rock-cut shrines are known to appear.
A student could note the chronological gap and check that most named rock-cut shrine complexes belong to much later historic periods, making it less likely for a Neolithic site like Burzahom to feature such shrines.
Defines rock-cut cave groups (Ajanta, Ellora, Bagh, Udayagiri) and associates them with distinctive later stylistic developments.
A student can compare the geographic and temporal centres of famous rock-cut shrines with Burzahom’s Neolithic Kashmir location to judge plausibility.
States that major rock-cut shrines (Ellora, Elephanta) belong to specific medieval dynasties (e.g., Rashtrakutas) and display complex monolithic workmanship.
A student could use this rule that sophisticated rock-cut shrines are products of later historic polities to infer that an Early/Neolithic site like Burzahom probably lacks such monuments.
Describes Kashmir’s karewa deposits and valley geology (lacustrine deposits rather than extensive exposed rock formations).
A student might combine this geological note with a map or geology reference to assess whether local rock suitable for large rock-cut shrines would commonly occur around Burzahom.
Lists Himalayan pilgrimage centres (e.g., Amarnath, Hazratbal) as important shrines in the region but treats them as pilgrimage sites rather than rock-cut cave shrines.
A student could use this to separate ‘shrine/pilgrimage centre’ types from ‘rock-cut cave’ types and then ask which category Burzahom fits historically and archaeologically.
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