UPSC Prelims 2001 Q58: Art & Culture – Architecture & World Heritage
Hoysala monuments are found in
- (a) Hampi and Hospet
- (b) Halebid and Belur
- (c) Mysore and Bangalore
- (d) Sringeri and Dharwar
Answer: (b) Halebid and Belur
Explanation
Where Hoysala monuments are found
| Place | Monuments |
|---|---|
| Belur | Chennakeshava Temple (1117), built by Vishnuvardhana |
| Halebid (Dwarasamudra) | Hoysaleswara Temple; the Hoysala capital |
| Hampi and Hospet | Vijayanagara monuments |
| Sringeri | Vidyashankara Temple and the Shankara math |
The Hoysala dynasty built star-shaped temples on raised platforms in soapstone. The best examples are at Belur and Halebid, and also at Somanathapura. In 2023 these three became the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas'.
Answer: (b) Halebid and Belur.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Hampi and Hospet have Vijayanagara monuments.
- (b) CORRECT. Belur and Halebid have the finest Hoysala temples.
- (c) Incorrect. Mysore and Bangalore are not Hoysala temple centres.
- (d) Incorrect. Sringeri and Dharwar are not Hoysala monument sites.
Key point
Hoysala temples: stellate plan, raised platform (jagati), soapstone, lathe-turned pillars; UNESCO 2023.
Remember
Hoysala = Belur and Halebid (and Somanathapura).
Common mistakes
- Choosing Hampi, the best-known Karnataka heritage site.
- Mixing Hoysala with Vijayanagara or Chalukya sites.
- Forgetting Halebid was the Hoysala capital.
Exam tip
Karnataka by dynasty: Badami/Aihole/Pattadakal — Chalukya; Belur/Halebid — Hoysala; Hampi — Vijayanagara.
Sources
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas (inscribed 2023)
- NCERT Class XI — An Introduction to Indian Art, chapter 'Temple Architecture and Sculpture'