HERITAGE SITES

1) TAJ MAHAL

Q.1. What is the meaning of Taj Mahal?

Ans. The crown of the palace
Q.2. Where is Taj Mahal located?
Ans. Agra

Q.3. Who was Taj Mahal built for?

Ans. Mumtaz Mahal whose full name was Mumtaz – i – Mahal Banu Begum
Q.4. When was the construction of Taj Mahal essentially completed?
Ans. 1643
Q.5. When was Taj Mahal designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Ans. 1983
Q.6. Which Mughal Empire built the Taj Mahal?
Ans. Shah Jahan built the Taj as a mausoleum for his wife, Arjumand Banu Begum. She was
known as Mumtaz Mahal, which means "beloved ornament of the palace". She was Shah
Jahan's third and favourite wife.

Q.7. Of what material is the outside of Taj Mahal mainly built?

Ans. White Marble

Q.8. How many years did it take to build the main body of Taj Mahal?
Ans. 12 years. Just the tomb and the plinth took 12 years to complete. The rest of the
surrounding buildings took 10 years to complete.
Q.9. When is the Taj Mahal open for night viewing?
Ans. Two nights before, the night of and two nights after the full moon.

Q.10. In what year did Taj Mahal become a UNESCO World Heritage site?
Ans. 1983

2) AJANTA AND ELLORA CAVES

Q.1. In which state are the caves located?

Ans. Maharashtra
Q.2. In which river banks are the caves located?
Ans. Waghora

Q.3. What form of fine arts are depicted at the caves?

Ans. Magnificent Paintings and Wall – Carved Sculptures

Q.4. What is the unique monument in Ellora caves?

Ans. Kailasa Temple

Q.5. When were the Ajanta caves first discovered and by whom?
Ans. In 1819 by a British officer on tiger hunt
Q.6. On which hills are the Ajanta caves located?
Ans. Sahyadri Hills

Q.7. How did Ajanta Caves get its name?

Ans. From a nearby village named Ajintha
Q.8. How many caves are there in Ajanta?
Ans. 30

Q.9. What do the paintings in Ajanta caves reveal about Indian Art?
Ans. Use of natural pigments, unique and skillful art through ancient primitive tools.
Q.10. How long did it approximately take to create the sculptures and painting in Ajanta
Caves?
Ans. Seven hundred years

3) HAMPI

Q.1. Name the river that surrounds Hampi

Ans. Tungabhadra

Q.2. Which Indian kingdom was Hampi the former capital of?
Ans. Vijaynagar
Q.3. Virupaksha temple is one of the most famous temples in Hampi. Name the
presiding deity in the temple.
Ans. Lord Shiva

Q.4. Name the type of architecture evidently seen in the Virupaksha Temple
Ans. Dravidian

Q.5. The stone wheels in the chariot in the Vittala temple are shaped in what foem?
Ans. Lotus
Q.6. Who founded the Empire of Vijaynagra?
Ans. Harihara and Bukka

Q.7. What is the other name for Virupaksha temple?

Ans. Pampapati temple
Q.8. Name the other important temple in Hampi which is considered to be among the more
ornate of Vijayanagara temples.
Ans. Vittala Temple

Q.9. What is the most famous in Vittala temple?

Ans, The stone chariot

Q.10. Hampi is believed to be the ______________________ , the ancient kingdom of

Vanaras in the Indian epic Ramayana.
Ans. Pampakshetra of Kishkinda
 4) CHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ TERMINUS

Q.1. What was it formerly known as?

Ans. Victoria Terminus
Q.2. Who designed the building?
Ans. British Architect F.W. Stevens

Q.3. How long the terminus took to complete?

Ans. 10 years. The work commenced in 1878
Q.4. What two countries does it represent?
Ans. The entrance gates to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) carry
two columns, one is crowned with a lion (representing the United Kingdom) and the other
with a tiger (representing India) and there are tympana expressing peacocks.
Q.5. What is the architectural construction of the station?
Ans. The architectural construction is completed through white limestone. The doors and
windows are made of Burma teak wood with some steel windows.

Q.6. What all architectural symbols are there in CSMT?

Ans. Some included are gargoyles, allegorical grotesques carrying standards and battle-axes,
and figures of relief busts representing the different castes and communities of India

Q.7. What is the significance of CSMT?

Ans. It was the first terminus station in subcontinent.
Q.8. What is the interesting fact of the stained glass?
Ans. The original stained glass with coats of arms and corresponding paintings of
locomotives.
Q.9. What are the distinctly noticeable features?
Ans. Ogee shaped arches

Q.10. What is the area covered by CSMT?

Ans. It is spaced across 2.58 hectares

5) FATEHPUR SIKRI

Q.1. Who built Fatehpur Sikri?

Ans. Emperor Akbar
Q.2. Where was it located and when was it built?
Ans. Its is located in Agra and was built in mid-16th century.

Q.3. On which hill ranges is it located?

Ans. Vindhyan Range
Q.4. What is the most popular part of the city?
Ans. Jama Masjid

Q.5. What was the chief material used in building the city?
Ans. Red Sandstone
Q.6. In which assembly hall did Akbar meet the public?
Ans. Diwan e aam

Q.7. Why was Buland Darwaza constructed?

Ans. To commemorate the victory of Gujarat in 1572.

Q.8. What is the city known as?

Ans. City of victory
Q.9. Which hall was for private audience?
Ans. Diwan – i – khas also known as Jewel house
Q.10. Why was the city abandoned?
Ans. The artificial lake next to it dried up

6) JAIPUR

Q.1. What is Jaipur famously known as?

Ans. Pink City

Q.2. Which Hindu Rajput ruler was responsible for the construction of Jantar Mantar in the
early 18th century?
Ans. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II
Q.3. Who built the Hawa Mahal?
Ans. Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh

Q.4. Who planned the city?

Ans. Vidyadhar Bhattacharya

Q.5. How many gates surround Jaipur?

Ans. 8. These are: 1. Jorawar Singh Gate, 2. Surajpole Gate, 3. Sanganeri Gate, 4. New
Gate, 5. Ajmeri Gate, 6. Chandpole Gate, 7. Ghat Gate and 8. Samrat Gate.

Q.6. What is Jaipur known for all over the world?

Ans. Jaipur hosts the largest literature festival.
Q.7. What is Jaipur part of?
Ans. Jaipur is part of the Golden Tourism Triangle with two other cities i.e., Agra and Delhi.

Q.8. Why was the city painted pink in the first place?
Ans. In 1876, an impending visit from Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, prompted
then-Maharaja Ram Singh to have the entire city painted pink, a colour symbolizing welcome
and hospitality.

Q.9. What famous building is located in Jaipur?

Ans. Central Museum is one of the oldest museums in India.

Q.10. What famous lake is close by to Jaipur?

Ans. Sambhar is the largest saline lake near Jaipur.
 7) KONARK TEMPLE

Q.1. In which state is Konark Temple located?

Ans. Odisha
Q.2. Name the God who is worshiped in Konark temple?
Ans. Sun God

Q.3. Konark temple is considered as the ________ of Sun God.

Ans. Chariot
Q.4. The term ‘Kona’ refers to?
Ans. Angle
Q.5. Which king built the temple?
Ans. Narasimhadeva

Q.6. Name the Indian temple architecture that is depicted in Konark temple.
Ans. Kalinga Architecture

Q.7. How many horses are carved in the Konark temple and mounted on the gigantic chariot?
Ans. 24

Q.8. How many years did it take to complete the construction of Konark Temple?
Ans. 12 years
Q.9. Name the coast where Konark temple is located.
Ans. Bay of Bengal
Q.10. How many horses are used to pull the chariot of Sun God as seen in Konark temple?
Ans. 7

8) RED FORT

Q.1. Who is the architect of Red Fort?

Ans. Ustad Ahmad Lahouri

Q.2. What is Red Fort also known as?

Ans. Lal Quila
Q.3. Who built the Red Fort?
Ans. Shah Jahan

Q.4. Red Fort palace was a focal point of which medieval city?
Ans. Shahajahanabad

Q.5. Which gate of Red Fort was exclusively used by the emperor?
Ans. Khizrabad Gate

Q.6. The famous jewel throne of the emperor of Red Fort was known as ___________.
Ans. Peacock Throne
Q.7.  What building material was used to give the walls their red colour?

Ans. Red sandstone

Q.8. The nearby Yamuna River Water was diverted from the river to create the canal that ran
through the Red Fort. What is this canal called?
Ans. The stream of paradise

Q.9. How many of the main buildings have survived in the fort?
Ans. Six
Q.10. Name the main gate of Red Fort.
Ans. Lahore Gate
 9) KHAJURAHO

Q.1. The temples at Khajuraho were built by?

Ans. Chandelas
Q.2. The Khajuraho Temples are located in which state?
Ans. Madhya Pradesh
Q.3. The temples are constructed in which of the following styles?
Ans. Nagara Style

Q.4. Which is the largest temple?

Ans. Kanderiya Madhav Temple
Q.5. How long did it take to build the temples?
Ans. More than 100 years
Q.6. Where is the name derived from?
Ans. Hindi word Khajur meaning date palm
Q.7. On which ranges do these exist?
Ans. Vindhayan Range

Q.8. What are the temples made of?

Ans. The Khajuraho temples are made of sandstone, with a granite foundation that is almost
hidden.

Q.9. Who found the temples?

Ans. The Khajuraho temples were reported for the first time by Abu Rihan al Biruni in AD
1022 and the Arab traveller Ibn Battuta in AD 1335.
Q.10. When was it declared a World Heritage Site?
Ans. In 1986
10) AGRA FORT

Q.1. Who was the first person to live here?

Ans. Sikandar Lodi

Q.2. What material was used to construct the building?

Ans. The main material of the buildings in the fort were also red sandstone, but the only
extant building is the Jahangir Mahal, the others were reconstructed entirely with white
marble by Shah Jahan, such as the Khas Mahal and Diwan-i-Aam .

Q.3. Which is the main entrance of Agra Fort?

Ans. The Lahori Gate which is also known as the Amar Singh Gate is the main
entrance for visitors.
Q.4.Who built the Agra Fort?
Ans. The construction of the Agra fort was started around 1565, when the initial structures
were built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, and subsequently taken over by his grandson Shah
Jahan, who added most of the marble creations to the fort.

Q.5. What was the Moti Masjid?

Ans. The Moti Masjid which was originally the Friday Mosque and Nagina Masjid the Royal
Oratory, are also Shah Jahan‘s white mosques.

Q.6. What was it originally?

Ans. The Agra Fort was originally a brick fort of Hindu Sikarwar Rajputs.
Q.7. What is interesting about sheesh mahal?
Ans. The Sheesh Mahal, made of Belgian glass, was of vital importance to the recreational
activity of the Mughal kings. Although it is now closed for the visitors, but legends say that
lighting a candle in one corner of the room would light up the room in numerous ways and
the light rays criss-cross each other in a magnificent way, credits to the angular positioning of
the glass.
Q.8. Why are there temples in the fort?
Ans. Although it shows and is a classic example of Islamic architecture, but the fort has a
separate section for Hindu temples and places where Hindu people would worship their gods.
It was since Akbar’s wife, Jodha Bai, was a Hindu, so Akbar out of love and loyalty and faith
in his kingdom had made Hindus equally accessible to the benefits of the fort.

Q.9. Why is there a 60-degree incline upon entering?

Ans. It was made 60 degrees inclined so that during the siege the enemy elephants and horses
can’t climb with great efficiency. Moreover, super heated oil used to be poured down so that
the entrance gets jammed.

Q.10. How many years did it take to construct the fort?

Ans. Eight years

11) HUMAYUN’S TOMB

Q.1. The main tomb took how many years to build?
Ans. 8

Q.2. What was the amount paid by Bega Begum to build the tomb?
Ans. 1.5 million rupees

Q.3. The highly geometrical and enclosed paradise garden is divided into 4 squares by
pathways called?
Ans. Khiyaban

Q.4. When did Humayun die?

Ans. 27th January, 1556
Q.5. Who was the architect?
Ans. Mirza Ghayas
Q.6. What material was used for construction?
Ans. Red Sandstone

Q.7. Who else’s tomb is here?

Ans. Apart from Humayun, the tomb is also the final resting place of his wife Hamida Bahu
Begum, Shah Jahan’s son Dara Shikoh and other prominent Mughals from the royal family.
Q.8. When was it declared as World Heritage Site?
Ans. In 1993

Q.9. What is unique about this monument?

Ans. This Tomb was the first ever garden style tomb to be constructed in India.

Q.10. After how long post Humayun’s death did the tomb’s construction start?

Ans. 14 years
 12) ELEPHANTA CAVES

Q.1. What was the island originally called?

Ans. The island on which Elephanta Caves are sited was originally called Gharapuri. It was
the Portuguese who renamed it as Elephanta, after they got a large stone elephant near their
landing place.

Q.2. How many excavations are there?

Ans. There are seven cave excavations, dating back to 6th-7th centuries A.D. that form a part
of Elephanta Cave complex.

Q.3. What are the caves made from?

Ans. Solid Stone

Q.4. Which is the main sculpture?

Ans. Trimurti Sadasiva, is the main sculpture inside the Elephanta Caves. The image, 20 ft in
height, is that of the three headed-Lord, representing Panchamukha (five headed) Shiva. 

Q.5.What is Lord Shiva also depicted as?

Ans. At Elephanta Caves, Lord Shiva is also depicted as Yogisvara - Lord of Yogis, seated
on a lotus, and as Shiva Nataraja, the many-armed cosmic dancer. 

Q.6. Which is the most impressive cave in Elephanta?

Ans. Cave 1, representing the evolved Brahmanical rock-cut architecture, is the most
impressive cave on Elephanta Island.

Q.7. How were these sculptures defaced?

Ans. Most of the sculptures inside the caves were defaced by the Portuguese, who used them
for target practice, in the 17th century.

Q.8. What is unique about cave 1?

Ans. The 7-metre-high masterpiece “Sadashiva”  dominates the entrance to Cave 1. The
sculpture represents three aspects of Shiva: the Creator, the Preserver, and the Destroyer.

Q.9. When was it declared as World Heritage Site?

Ans. 1987

Q.10. When were the caves constructed?

Ans. The rock-cut Elephanta Caves were constructed about the mid-5th to 6th centuries AD. 

13) SUNDARBANS

Q.1. How big is the Sundarbans?

Ans. Sundarbans (India) is 10 times bigger than the city of Venice. Comprising 4000 sq. km,
the Sundarbans Forest on Indian side has 102 islands, out of which 54 are inhabited and rest
of the area is covered with the forest.
Q.2. What is unique about the Sundarbans?

Ans. Sundarbans has got the world’s largest coastal mangrove forest (an area of about 10,000
km2, with enormous beauty shared between India (4,000 km2) and Bangladesh (6,000 km2 ).

Q.3. What has it been named after?

Ans. Sundarban Jungle has been named after the large mangrove trees Sundari (Heritiera
littoralis).

Q.4. How many tigers are there?

Ans. Sundarbans Tiger Reserve is estimated to have 400 majestic and fiery Royal Bengal
Tigers. 

Q.5. What shouldn’t be missed there?

Ans. Phytoplanktons – the small micro-organisms that reflect light in the dark new moon.
Q.6. What is Gosaba?
Ans. Gosaba (13 ft from the sea level) is the biggest and last inhabited island on Sundarbans.

Q.7. Which are the main rivers in Sundarbans?

Ans. The main rivers falling in the Bay of Bengal, through the Sundarbans, are the Ganges,
Brahmaputra, Padma, and Meghna.

Q.8. Why is Sunderbans famous?

Ans. Sundarban is the world’s largest delta. This delta also called the Bengal Delta or Green
Delta, is made from the integration of both the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers.

Q.9. Why are the tides unique?

Ans. Sundarbans has a unique Tidal Phenomenon occurring twice a day. There are high tides
are formed when the water level rises around 6-10 feet and low tides when the huge mud land
area lying flat.
Q.10. When was it declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Ans. 1987
 14) KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK

Q.1. Where is it located?

Ans. It is located in Golaghat and Nagaon, in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam in
northeast India.

Q.2. What all species are in the park?

Ans. It is well known for one horned rhino. The Park also has elephants, swamp deer, wild
water buffalo, etc. It also has a wide range of flora. It also has 15 threatened species of fauna. It
is also a breeding ground for many species of big cats like leopards and Bengal tigers. It also has
many species of birds and is designated as an ‘Important Bird Area’ by Birdlife International. The
Park has about 2413 rhinos.

Q.3. What is fascinating about the park?

Ans. It is inhabited by two of the largest snakes in the world, the Reticulated Python and
Rock Python, as well as the longest venomous snake in the world, King Cobra.
Q.4. Who built it?
Ans. It is the British who should be credited with the creation of Kaziranga National Park. It
was in 1904 when Mary Curzon, wife of Lord Curzon, persuaded him to take immediate and
effective steps to protect the rhinos in the region. And that is how the Kaziranga National
Park came into being on 1st June, 1905.

Q.5. When was it declared a World Heritage Site?

Ans. Central Government recognized it as a national park in 1974 and in 1985 UNESCO declared
Kaziranga as a World Heritage Site.

Q.6. What is unique about the Eastern Swamp Deer?

Ans. It is the only habitat for them. Popularly known as ‘Barasingha’, this species can grow
up to 6 feet in height.

Q.7. What is it locally known as?

Ans. Kaziranga is also locally known as the land of red Goats (Deer). This is because, it derives its
name from the words Kazi and Ranga. Kazi in Karbi language (one of the local dialects of Assam)
means ‘Goat’. And Ranga means ‘Red’.
Q.8. What are the four major rivers that flow across?
Ans. The four major rivers that cross are Brahmaputra, Diphlu, Mora Diphlu and Mora Dhansiri.
Q.9. What is the vegetation like?

Ans. The landscape of Kaziranga is of sheer forest, tall elephant grass, rugged reeds, marshes
& shallow pools.

Q.10. What is special about the park?

Ans. Kaziranga is home to the highest density of tigers among protected areas in the world,
and was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006.

15) MAHABALIPURAM

Q.1. On which coast is Mahabalipuram located?

Ans. Coromandel Coast
Q.2.  How many monuments are there in Mahabalipuram?
Ans. Four hundred

Q.3. What is the other name for Mahabalipuram?

Ans. Mamallapuram

Q.4. Which prominent empire/dynasty constructed the ancient monuments and temples
in Mahabalipuram?
Ans. Pallava dynasty

Q.5. How many types of monuments are present in Mahabalipuram?

Ans. Four

Q.6. Name the king who built the ancient monuments and temples in Mahabalipuram.
Ans. Narasimma Varman
7. What is the name of the five temples that are carved out from a single rock in the
shape of a chariot?
Ans. Pandava Rathas

Q.8.  During what time period were the ancient monuments and temples of Mahabalipuram
built?
Ans. Between 7th and 8th centuries

Q.9. Name the monument that is a huge boulder on a slope with only the tip of the boulder
touching the ground.
Ans. Krishna’s Butter Ball

Q.10. Name the temple that was built on top of cave temple.

Ans.  Olakkaneshwara temple

 16) CHAMPANER-PAVGADH

Q.1. Where is it located?

Ans. It is located in Panchmahal district in Gujarat, India.
Q.2. What is the Pavgadh hill constructed with?
Ans. The Pavagadh hill constructed by reddish-yellow coloured stone.

Q.3. Why is it famous?

Ans. Pavagadh hill was a famous Hindu fortress under the Solanki kings of Gujarat followed
by Khichi Chauhans.
Q.4. What are the temple styles?
Ans. All the temples are of the Nagara style having garbhagriha, mandapa and an entrance
porch.

Q.5. What do the fortifications consist of?

Ans. The fortification is consisted of massive sandstones with intermediate bastions with
beautiful balconies. Out of the massive ruins, five mosques are still in good condition.
Q.6. Which is the most famous mosque?
Ans. The most important mosques among them is the Jama Masjid which is located 50 meter
east of the royal enclosure.

Q.7. When was it declared as part of UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Ans. 2004

Q.8. What is unique about Jama Masjid?

Ans. On the east side, there is porch with some delicate perforated stonework. It looks
like jaalis or lattices carved out of stones. This kind of welcome gate is an architectural
element usually seen in temples, in the form of Gopurams. The Jami Masjid is the only
mosque where you find a front gate like this.

Q.9. What is the ek minar masjid?

Ans. The mosque with one pillar. It is nestled amidst the mountains and all there is is one
pillar standing tall surrounding by nothing. The gate of the pillar is now locked permanently.
There is some exquisite carving under the balconies of the pillar on each floor.
Q.10. What is unique about Kevada Masjid?
Ans. The distinguishing part of Kevada Masjid is the Cenotaph in front. Cenotaph is a tomb
without the actual grave, built in honour of the person whose grave is elsewhere. 

17) BHIMBETKA ROCK SHELTERS

Q.1. Where are they located?

Ans. It is located in Madhya Pradesh inside the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary.

Q.2. On which ranges is it situated?

Ans. The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka are in the foothills of the Vindhyan Mountains on the
southern edge of the central Indian plateau.
Q.3. Where is the name of the derived from?
Ans. The name Bhimbetka is associated with Bhima, a hero-deity of the epic Mahabharata.
The word Bhimbetka is said to derive from Bhimbaithka meaning "sitting place of Bhima".

Q.4. How many caves are there?

Ans. 600

Q.5. What are the cave paintings like?

Ans. The cave paintings show tremendous similarity to the aboriginal rock paintings of the
Savanna regions of Australia, the paintings done by pygmies of the Kalahari Desert and the
Palaeolithic Lascaux cave paintings of France.
Q.6. What do the paintings describe?
Ans. These paintings demonstrate the lifestyle and everyday activities of our ancestors.
Various community activities, like birth, burial, dancing, religious rites, hunting scenes,
animal fighting and merrymaking, also pictured in these paintings. Pictures of animals like
rhinoceros, tigers, wild buffalo, bears, antelopes, boars, lions, elephants, lizards etc. also
descripted.

Q.7. What is unique about the colours used for painting?

Ans. It is quite amazing that the colours of the paintings at Bhimbetka have skilfully avoided
the vagaries of time. Natural red and white pigments are common colours used in these
paintings. Green and yellow colours are also used.The colours are a combination of
manganese, hematite, wooden coal, soft red stone, plant leaves and animal fats.

Q.8. To what time do the oldest painting date back?

Ans. The oldest of all the paintings dates back to around 12,000 years back, while the latest is
around 1000 years old.
Q.9. Who discovered these caves?
Ans. Dr V. S. Wakankar, a most renowned archaeologists, discovered these caves in 1958.
Q.10. When was it declared a world heritage site?
Ans. 2003

18) GREAT LIVING CHOLA TEMPLES

Q.1. How many temples come under the Chola Temples?

Ans. There are 3 main temples. They are: The Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur, the
Brihadeeswarar Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Airavatesvara Temple at
Darasuram.

Q.2. What deity are all these temples dedicated to?

Ans. Lord Shiva
Q.3. What architecture has been used to build these temples?
Ans. The Chola rules carried forward the Dravidian architecture of temple-building set by the
Pallavas but took their design to the next level. They used granite for the construction of
sculptures of warriors, kings, dancers, deities and more. The temples they built were huge,
standing tall to depict their glory.
Q.4. Why is Brihadeeswarar temple in Thanjavur famous?
Ans. It is over 1,000 years old and has the tallest temple tower (vimanam) in the world. A
statue of the sacred bull Nandi, carved out of a single rock adorns the entrance of the temple.
The temple houses a 3.7m tall lingam of Lord Shiva.

Q.5. Why is Brihadeeswarar temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram famous?

Ans. It was built by King Rajendra Chola I, the son of King Raja Raja Chola I. This temple is
built in the same way as the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur but it is smaller than it.
Many believe it is to keep the father-son hereditary respect intact and also because this
temple serves as the feminine equivalent of the temple in Thanjavur. But the Shiva lingam at
this temple is taller than the Thanjavur temple. 

Q.6. What are the attractions in Brihadeeswarar temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram?

Ans. The monolithic representation of Navagrahas in the shape of a chariot and the sculptures
of Chandeswarar and Gnanasaraswathi.
Q.7. What is great about Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram?
Ans. The vimanam of the temple is 24m high. The front mandapam is in the form of a huge
chariot drawn by horses. It is said the temple is said to have built with nitya-vinoda,
‘perpetual entertainment in mind’.

Q.8. Who built these temples?

Ans. The Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram (built by Rajendra I, and completed in
1035), Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur and the Airavatesvara Temple (built by Rajaraja II) at
Darasuram. 

Q.9. What is the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur known as?

Ans.  It has been regarded as a ‘landmark in the evolution of building art in south India’ and
its vimana as a ‘touchstone of Indian architecture as a whole’.

Q.10. When was it declared as a world heritage site?

Ans. In 1987

19) VALLEY OF FLOWERS NATIONAL PARK

Q.1. Where is it located?
Ans. Valley of Flowers National Park is an Indian national park since 1982, nestled high in
the West Himalayas.

Q.2. What are the majority of flowers included?

Ans. The majority of flowers include Orchids, Poppies, Primulas, Calendulas, Daisies and
Anemones as well as alpine forests of Birch and Rhododendron.

Q.3. Which animals and birds is it home to?

Ans. The richly diverse area serves as home to rare and endangered animals, including the
Asiatic Black Bear, Snow Leopard, Brown Bear and Blue Sheep. The region lies within the
Western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area.

Q.4. What are some restrictions?

Ans. Settlements have been prohibited in the national park and grazing in the areas banned.

Q.5. How did it get its name?

Ans. Frank S. Smythe, mountaineer, explorer, and botanist introduced the Valley to the world
as the Valley of Flowers. He had camped in the valley for several weeks in the monsoon of
1937 and performed valuable exploratory work.[4] Smythe authored a book called "The Valley
of Flowers" which unveiled the beauty and floral splendours of the valley and thus threw
open the doors of this verdant jewel to nature-enthusiasts all over the world.

Q.6. It is part of which biosphere reserve?

Ans. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

Q.7. When is the park open for visitors?

Ans. The Park is open only during summer from June to October and it is covered by heavy
snow for the rest of the year.

Q.8. How many species of flowers are there?

Ans. The Forest Research Institute in 1992 recorded 600 species of angiosperms and 30
pteridophytes in the valley and surroundings, discovering 58 new records for the valley of
which 4 were new for Himalayan state. 

Q.9. How many new species of flowers were found?

Ans. The Flowers was surveyed and inventoried in 1987 by the Botanical Survey of India, in
1992 by the Forest Research Institute and in 1997 by the Wildlife Institute of India which
found five species new to science.

Q.10. When was it declared a World Heritage Site?

Ans. 1988

20) MAHABODHI TEMPLE

Q.1. Why is it famous?

Ans. one of the holiest sites of Buddhism, marking the spot of the Buddha’s Enlightenment
(Bodhi). 

Q.2. Where is it located?

Ans. It is located in Bodh Gaya (in central Bihar state, northeastern India) on the banks of the
Niranjana River.

Q.3. Who was it built by?

Ans. The Mahabodhi Temple is one of the oldest brick temples in India. The original
structure, later replaced, was built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, one of Buddhism’s most
important proselytes.
Q.4. Why was it built?
Ans. To commemorate Buddha’s enlightenment.

Q.5. What famous structure is also there?

Ans. One of the most famous of Ashoka’s many pillars (on which he had engraved his edicts
and his understanding of religious doctrine) stands at the southeast corner of the temple.

Q.6. What is Buddha’s varjasana? Ans.

Ashoka’s stone slab purporting to mark the exact position where the Buddha sat is
traditionally called the Buddha’s vajrasana (literally “diamond throne” or “thunder seat”). 

Q.7. How is the temple guarded?

Ans. Stone railings surround the temple as well as the Bodhi tree. 
Q.8. Where is the Bodhi Tree?
Ans. A descendant of the Bodhi tree under which the Buddha is said to have sat until he
attained enlightenment stands adjacent to the temple.

Q.9. Where is the shrine?

Ans. A shrine inside the temple holds a yellow sandstone statue of the Buddha encased in
glass.

Q.10. When was it declared a world heritage site?

Ans. 2002

21) NILGIRI MOUNTAIN RAILWAY LINE

Q.1. What places does it connect?
Ans. This railway is a 46 km single track gauge connecting Mettupalayam with Ooty. 

Q.2. Who built it?

Ans. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway was built by the British in 1908.

Q.3. How long is the railway track?

Ans. 45.88 kilometres

Q.4. When was it built?

Ans. In 1854, plans were made to build a mountain railway from Mettupalayam to the Nilgiri Hills.
However, it took the decision-makers 45 years to cut through the bureaucratic red tape and
complete the construction.

Q.5. What is unique about the line?

Ans. It is the only meter gauge rack railway in India.
Q.6. How long does the journey take?
Ans. The uphill journey takes around 290 minutes (4.8 hours), and the downhill journey takes
215 minutes (3.6 hours).

Q.7. What does the train run on?

Ans. The steam locomotives can be used on any part of the line, while the diesel locomotives
can operate only on the section between Coonoor and Udagamandalam.

Q.8. When was it labelled as UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Ans. 1994
Q.9. What kind of tickets are issued?
Ans. Even though the NMR supplies networked computerized ticketing systems for onward
journeys, it still issues Edmondson style manual tickets for the Udhagamandalam-
Mettupalayam journey to preserve its 'World Heritage Site' status. 

Q.10. Where is it located?

Ans. Tamil Nadu

22) BASILICA OF BOM JESUS

Q.1. How old is the church?

Ans. 400 years! The foundation stone of the church was laid on November 24th, and was
completed in 1605.

Q.2. What architectural style is used?

Ans. The church was built using Baroque architectural style, which was the most popular
style of architecture in the sixties.
Q.3. What is unique about the church?
Ans. Basilica of Bom Jesus holds the tomb and mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, whose
body was brought from China to the church after two years of his death.

Q.4. What is famous about St. Francis?

Ans. It is said that Francis Xavier’s dead body still has divine powers, because of which it has
not deteriorated to date. 

Q.5. What is a public attracting process?

Ans. According to Report, every 10 years this body is kept for the public. The body is placed
in a glass coffin. Even today, this body is not rotten.

Q.6. What is the church made like?

Ans. The roof of this church was made of tile. This church is built in the shape of a cross. The
flying butterflies have been made in the northern direction of this church.
Q.7. When was the foundation stone laid?
Ans. The foundation stone of the Basilica of Bom Jesus Church was laid on 24 November
1594 and the church was completed on 15 May 1605 by Father Alexia de Menezes.

Q.8. What does ‘Bom Jesus’ mean?

Ans. Bom Jesus', literally meaning 'Good or Holy Jesus', is the name used for the infant
Jesus.
Q.9. What inspired the building?
Ans. The design of the basilica was inspired from St. Paul’s Church but that church stands in
ruins now.
Q.10. When was it declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Ans. 1986

23) CHITTORGARH FORT

Q.1. How many structures are there inside the fort?

Ans. 63
Q.2. What is the fort’s aerial view like?
Ans. A whale

Q.3. What is it famous for?

Ans. It is Asia’s largest fort with a circumference of 13 kilometres.

Q.4. How many gates are there?

Ans. The Fort has seven gates, namely Bhairon Pol, Padan Pol, Hanuman Pol, Ganesh Pol,
Jorla Pol, Ram Pol and Laxman Pol.

Q.5. What are the key structures of Fort?

Ans. Key structures in the Fort include Kirti Stambh, Vijay Stambh, Padmini Palace,
Gaumukh Reservoir, Rana Kumbha Palace, Meera Mandir, Kalikamata Mandir, Jain Mandir
and Fateh Prakash Palace.
Q.6. Where does the fort gets its name from?
Ans. Built in the 7th century AD by the Mauryans, the fort gets its name from the Mauryan
ruler, Chitrangda Mori.

Q.7. How many water bodies are there in the fort?

Ans. The prudent framework of the fort consists of 84 water bodies out of which only 22
remain. Fed by the natural rainwater and catchments, the total water storage capacity of the
water bodies comprising of ponds, wells, and step-wells is of 4 billion liters, sufficient for an
army of 50,000.

Q.8. Under what is it a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Ans. Chittorgarh Fort is now listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites under Hill Forts
of Rajasthan.

Q.9. How many Jauhar’s have taken place here?

Ans. It is said that the fort has witnessed the Jauhar Pratha 3 times.

Q.10. What is the fort also called as?

Ans. Water Fort

24) QUTUB MINAR COMPLEX

Q.1. Why is it famous?
Ans.  It is considered to be the Tower of Victory, built by Qutubuddin Aibak in the 12th
century to mark the end of rule by the last Hindu Kingdom.

Q.2. Who built Qutub Minar?

Ans. The Qutub Minar was built in three stages by three rulers of Delhi (Qutab-ud-din Aibak
built one storey followed by his successor, Shams-ud-din Iltutmishwho built three storeys
more and finally Firoze Shah Tughlak who built the final and fifth storey) and was finally
completed in the 14th century.

Q.3. What is famous in Qutub – Minar?

Ans. There is a mosque called Quwwat-Ul-Islam, built in the same compound as the minaret.
Though in ruins, it is noted to be the first mosque built in India.
Q.4. How to reach the top of minaret?
Ans. There are 379 stairs inside the minaret to reach the top.

Q.5. What is fascinating about the pillars?

Ans. There is a 2,000 years old iron pillar in the complex that hasn’t rusted in over two
centuries.

Q.6. What was supposed to happen in 19th century?

Ans. In the 19th century, there was a sixth storey to be added to the minar, a cupola,
which was brought down since it didn’t look appealing. 

Q.7. What is it considered as?

Ans. The Qutub Minar was perceived as the symbol of the beginning of Muslim rule in India.
Q.8. Where is it located?
Ans. Delhi
Q.9. How tall is the Qutub Minar?
Ans. 73 metres
Q.10. What else is there inside?
Ans. More than half a dozen monuments like mosques, pillar etc.

25) KAILASA TEMPLE

Q.1. Where is it located?

Ans. It is one of the temples in Ellora Caves
Q.2. What is it?
Ans. A megalith carved out of a single rock, it is considered as one of largest single
monolithic excavation in the world.

Q.3. What kind of architecture is there?

Ans. The architecture of Kailasa Temple is notable for its vertical excavation, the work
started at the top and moved downwards, rolling down the large boulders split from the
mountain using steel rod drills. 

Q.4. Who built it?

Ans. It was constructed by Rashtrakuta king Krishna I in 756-773 CE
Q.5. How long did it take to complete the temple?
Ans. It was built only in 18 years
Q.6. What is it devoted to?
Ans. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the architecture of the temple resembles the sacred Mount
Kailash, the mystical abode of the presiding deity. 

Q.7. What is the temple like from the inside?

Ans. There are two inner courtyards flanking the entry passage and each has a gigantic
monolithic elephant along with 15 m tall victory pillars. There is an image of sacred bull,
Nandi, facing the Shivalinga. The Nandi mandapa and main Shiva temple are 7 m tall and
built over two floors. The base level gives an effect as if elephants are holding the entire
structure.

Q.8. What is an interesting fact about the temple?

Ans. It cannot be destroyed. It is said that 1000 people were sent to destroy the temple in the
year 1682. They worked for 3 years but they could break and disfigure a few statues only.
Aurangzeb finally gave up on this task and realizing that it was impossible to completely
destroy the temple as the rock was simply too hard to demolish.
Q.9. Where did its name come from?
Ans. It’s believed that when discovered it was completely covered by white plaster and
looked like kailash mountain, that's why it was given the name “Kailas Temple” and
dedicated to lord siva.

Q.10. What is unique about the ceiling

Ans. It has the largest cantilevered rock ceiling in the world.
 26) ST. AUGUSTINE TOWERS

Q.1. Where is it located?

Ans. Monte Santo (Holy Hill) at Velha Goa (Old Goa).
Q.2. Who built it?
Ans. It was built by the Augustinian friars who arrived in Goa in 1587.

Q.3. What was it built with?

Ans. It was initially built from laterite stone and was colossal in size, almost forty-six meters
high.

Q.4. What is its status today?

Ans. As an effect of natural decay, weathering and partial demolition, the facade of the
church including the 46 meters tall tower again fell in 1938. 
Q.5. When was it declared a UNESCO heritage site?
Ans. In 1986, UNESCO declared these ruins as a World Heritage Site.

Q.6. What happened to Bell tower?

Ans. There was a bell in the tower of St. Augustine Church which was first positioned in a
fort named, 'Aguada Light House' where it persisted from 1841 AD to 1871 AD. 

Q.7. What all did include?

Ans. It comprised the church of Our Lady of Grace, the Convent of Saint Augustine, The
College of Populo, and The Seminary of St Guilherme.
Q.8. When did the decline star?
Ans. By the year 1835, this church was very strong. Then it became neglected after religious
orders were passed by the administration of Portugal.

Q.9. Who was it dedicated to?

Ans. Built between 1597 and 1602 by the Order of St. Augustine, this church is dedicated to
the Lady of Grace. 

Q.10. When did it collapse?

Ans. The main dome of the church collapsed in 1842, after which the entire structure
gradually collapsed.

27)KEOLADEO NATIONAL PARK

Q.1. What was it formerly known as?

Ans. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Q.2. Where is it located?
Ans. Bharatpur, Rajasthan

Q.3. How many species of birds are supposedly there?

Ans. Over 230 species of birds are known to be resident. 

Q.4. When was it created?

Ans. The sanctuary was created 250 years ago and is named after a Keoladeo (Shiva) temple
within its boundaries.

Q.5. When was it established as a National Park?

Ans. The Park was established as a national park on 10 March 1982. 
Q.6. What was it formerly used as?
Ans. Duck-hunting reserve of the Maharajas 

Q.7. What type of birds come here?

Ans. It is a wintering area for large numbers of aquatic birds from Afghanistan,
Turkmenistan, China and Siberia.

Q.8. How was it formed?

Ans. This ‘Bird Paradise’ was developed in a natural depression wetland that was managed as
a duck shooting reserve at the end of the 19th century. 

Q.9. When was it declared as a UNESCO Heritage Site?

Ans. 1985

Q.10. What is unique about it?

Ans. This is the only park in India that is completely enclosed by a 2 m high boundary wall
that minimises the possibilities of any encroachment and biotic disturbances, but there is no
possibility of a buffer zone.