Seven Wonders

1. Meenakshi Amman temple is located in __?

  1. Kerala
  2. Tamil Nadu
  3. Telangana
  4. Orissa
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Answer: Option B. Tamil Nadu

The Meenakshi Temple, an ancient Hindu temple located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, stands on the southern bank of the Vaigai River. Dedicated to Thirukamottam Udaya aaludaiya nachiyar Meenakshi (an incarnation of Parvati) and her consort, Sundareshwar (a form of Shiva). The temple os om the central place in the temple town of Madurai, as described in Tamil Sangam literature. References to the temple goddess date back to the 6th century CE. This temple is part of the Paadal Petra Sthalam, a group of 275 temples worshipping Lord Shiva in the verses of Tamil Saiva Nayanars from the 6th to 9th centuries CE.

2. Where is Dholavira located?

  1. Gujarat
  2. Rajasthan
  3. Madhya Pradesh
  4. Uttar Pradesh
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Answer: Option A. Gujarat

Dholavira, located in Gujarat, is an archaeological site associated with the time of the Indus Valley Civilization. Situated at Khadirbet in Bhachau Taluka of Kutch District, it derives its name from a nearby village about 1 kilometer to the south. This village is approximately 165 kilometers away from Radhanpur. Locally known as Kotada Timba, the site preserves the remains of an ancient city from the Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan civilization. Positioned on the Tropic of Cancer, Dholavira was discovered in 1967-68 by J. P. Joshi from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). It ranks as the fifth largest among the eight major Harappan sites found to date, alongside Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Ganeriwala, Rakhigarhi, Kalibangan, Rupnagar, and Lothal.

3. Who built the Red Fort in Delhi?

  1. Humayun
  2. Jahangir
  3. Shah Jahan
  4. Aurangzeb
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Answer: Option C. Shah Jahan

On 12th May 1639, Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan initiated the building of the Red Fort after choosing to move his capital from Agra to Delhi. The fort, initially adorned with shades of red and white to reflect Shah Jahan’s personal preferences, was designed by architect Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, renowned for his work on the Taj Mahal.

4. Jaisalmer Fort was built by __?

  1. King Rawal Jaitsi Singh
  2. King Rawal Jaisal Singh
  3. King Rawal Harraj Singh
  4. King Rawal Lunkaran Singh
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Answer: Option B. King Rawal Jaisal Singh

King Rawal Jaisal Singh constructed the Jaisalmer Fort in 1156. Situated in the far northwest of Rajasthan, near the border of India and Pakistan, this imposing fortress commands the landscape. It’s often referred to as Sonar Kila, meaning “Golden Fort,” owing to its radiant sandstone walls and structures. Positioned along the east-west caravan route, linking India and Central Asia with the Middle East and North Africa, the fort thrived.

5. Who built the Konark Sun Temple?

  1. Purushottam Dev
  2. Kapilendra Deva Routaray
  3. Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva
  4. Narasimhadeva I
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Answer: Option D. Narasimhadeva I

The Sun Temple of Konark was constructed by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty around 1250 CE to commemorate his triumph over the Muslims. However, it fell into neglect during the early 17th century after being defiled by an envoy of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Dedicated to the Hindu deity Surya, the temple is situated 35 km northeast of Puri.

The temple complex features a towering chariot, reaching a height of 100 feet, adorned with colossal wheels and horses, though much of it lies in ruins today.

Recognized for its cultural significance, the temple complex was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

6. Who built Nalanda University?

  1. Samudragupta
  2. Chandragupta II
  3. Kumaragupta I
  4. Skandagupta
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Answer: Option C. Kumaragupta I

Nalanda University, founded by Kumaragupta of the Gupta dynasty in the 5th century BC, attracted support from notable rulers like King Harshavardhana of Kannauj and the Pala Rulers, as well as numerous scholars. Regarded as the world’s earliest residential university, it thrived as a hub of learning and intellectual exchange from the 5th century CE until 1200 CE.

Tragically, Nalanda met its demise at the hands of Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji, who, seeking to eradicate knowledge, Buddhism, and Ayurveda, set ablaze its famed library. Despite this destruction, Nalanda’s significance was recognized when it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on January 9, 2009.

In a remarkable revival, Nalanda University was reinstated in 2010 and is now recognized as an institution of national importance. Situated in Rajgir within Bihar’s Nalanda district, it operates under the aegis of the Ministry of External Affairs.

7. Who built the Khajuraho temples?

  1. The Chandelas
  2. The Mauryas
  3. Nandas
  4. The Kanvas
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Answer: Option A. The Chandelas

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments comprises Hindu and Jain temples located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, these temples are renowned for their architectural representation of the Nagara style and the presence of erotic sculptures.

Constructed mainly by the Chandela dynasty between 950 AD and 1050 AD, historical records suggest that by the 12th century, Khajuraho boasted 85 temples across a sprawling 20 square kilometers.

The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple stands out for its profusion of sculptures, showcasing intricate details and symbolic representations of ancient Indian art.

Annually, in February, the Khajuraho Dance Festival takes place, showcasing various classical Indian dance forms against the backdrop of temples such as Chitragupta and Vishwanath.

8. Where was the SS Great Eastern built?

  1. Toledo Iron Works in Miami, Florida
  2. Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd
  3. Dowlais Ironworks also at Merthyr Tydfil
  4. Millwall Iron Works on the River Thames, London, England
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Answer: Option D. Millwall Iron Works on the River Thames, London, England

The SS Great Eastern was a steamship made of iron that used both sails and paddle wheels. It was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and constructed by John Scott Russell & Co. at the Millwall Iron Works on the River Thames in London, England.

9. Where is Bell Rock Lighthouse located?

  1. Located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, USA
  2. North Sea off Scotland’s east coast
  3. Oregon coast, USA
  4. San Francisco, California
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Answer: Option B. North Sea off Scotland’s east coast

The Bell Rock Lighthouse, situated near Angus, Scotland, is the oldest surviving lighthouse exposed to the sea. Constructed by Robert Stevenson between 1807 and 1810, it stands on the Bell Rock in the North Sea, approximately 11 miles east of the Firth of Tay. With a height of 35 meters, its light can be seen from up to 35 statute miles inland.

10. What type of bridge is the Brooklyn Bridge?

  1. hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge
  2. Arch bridge
  3. Truss bridge
  4. Cable-Stayed bridge
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Answer: Option A. hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge, located in New York City, stretches across the East River connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn. It’s a hybrid combination of a cable-stayed and suspension bridge. It officially opened on May 24, 1883, making it the first permanent crossing of the East River.