Question 15 from UPSC CSE 2018 - Art and Culture

Question

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?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. 1 only

Strategy: Identify architectural material keywords for each monument. Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri is notable for its use of red sandstone extensively, but it also features prominent white marble inlays and panels, especially in Quranic inscriptions; thus, statement 1 is correct. For Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza in Lucknow, historical knowledge tells us their construction prioritized cost-effective materials like brick and lime plaster, along with stucco, rather than red sandstone or marble; hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Key Info: Buland Darwaza, constructed in 1575 by Emperor Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri, is famous for its monumental scale and fusion of red sandstone and white marble. The marble, though not the primary structural material, is integral to its décor—used for inlay work, inscription panels, and ornamental highlights, especially Quranic texts. Buland Darwaza exemplifies Mughal architecture's refinement in combining Persian and indigenous Indian motifs. The adjoining khanqah (Sufi lodge) also features a mix of these materials.

Bara Imambara (Asafi Imambara) and Rumi Darwaza, built in Lucknow during the late 18th century by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula, are exemplary of Awadhi architecture. Faced with financial constraints, architects employed bricks and lime mortar as the principal materials. Stucco ornamentation (gajkari) was used for intricate surface work. Red sandstone and marble were minimally or not at all used in these structures; instead, finishes imitated pricier stonework's appearance. Rumi Darwaza, inspired by a gateway in Istanbul (Constantinople), is noted for its imposing height and decorative stucco work, but not for use of traditional Mughal building stones. Bara Imambara's hall, famed as one of the world's largest arched constructions without beams, highlights masterful use of local materials. This architectural evolution marked a significant deviation from Mughal traditions due to changing economic and social contexts under the Nawabs of Awadh.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Both 1 and 2

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Neither 1 nor 2