More than 4,500 years ago, the artisans of Dholavira transformed stone into a remarkable work of art. Today, their legacy lives on in India’s enduring tradition of stone craftsmanship, revealing a remarkable thread of artistic continuity across millennia.

Dating from the 11th century CE, the Lingaraja Temple, locally known as Kirttivasa, at Bhubaneswar, faces east and is dedicated to Lord Siva. It is the culmination of the Kalinga style of temple architecture, marking the zenith of architectural activity in every respect. The temple comprises a deul, jagamohana, natamandira and bhogamandapa, all aligned on the same axis. The deul is pancharatha on plan and the bada is of panchanga type. Its richly sculpted walls feature dikpalas, divinities, graceful female figures and various narrative subjects. The majestic gandi is adorned with miniature rekha temples or angashikharas, projecting lions and a chaitya window motif. The pyramidal jagamohana with its pidhas arranged in two tiers, each crowned by a lion above a bho motif, has friezes depicting infantry, cavalry and elephants. The temple compound is dotted with about 120 shrines, including the Bhubaneswari and Savitri temples of Khakhara order and the Parvati Temple, a Ganga monument remarkable for its exuberant carvings. Lingaraja Temple stands as a magnificent expression of Odisha’s architectural and sculptural heritage.

AD means Anno Domini, a Latin term meaning “in the year of the Lord,” while CE means Common Era. Both use the same year numbering and refer to the same years in history. The difference is simply in terminology. CE is a more neutral term commonly used in historical and academic contexts.

Gokulchand Temple is located at Gokulnagar in Bankura District, West Bengal. The temple was built in 1643 C.E. The east-facing laterite temple belongs to the Pancharatna type and is the largest of the laterite temples in Bankura District. Besides a verandah with a triple-arched facade on each of its four sides, the temple also has an ambulatory around the sanctum chamber, which is a notable feature. The panels depicting the Dasavatara, along with many other sculptures on the east and south walls, are an uncommon feature of the period in which the temple was built. The shape and design of the ratnas on the roof are also distinctive. The central ratna is much larger than the four corner ones; while the central ratna is octagonal, the corner ratnas are square. All the ratnas are designed with grace and fine proportion.

The archaeological site of Obra, District Chatra, Jharkhand, comprises rich evidence of Megalithic monuments, iron smelting activity and disturbed habitation deposits. Owing to rapid destruction caused by anthropogenic activities, including house building and agricultural practices, archaeological excavation was undertaken to understand the nature of the Megalithic monuments and their associated cultural remains. The excavation covered four areas, including Megaliths, a furnace and habitation deposits. Excavations around the Menhirs revealed pots arranged in clusters and circular patterns, along with cremated human remains and associated grave goods. The ceramic assemblage primarily comprises Red Ware and red slipped ware, decorated with incised and stamped designs. Antiquities recovered from the burial context include beads of semi-precious stones, copper and bronze ornaments, iron objects, arrowheads, fish hooks and bone beads. Anthropological study of the skeletal remains has further provided insights into cremation practices, health conditions and cultural practices of the past population.

The historic Purana Qila, New Delhi, witnessed the ceremonial lighting of Aashirwad Ka Diya on the occasion of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's 76th birthday. The ceremonial lamp was lit by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, adding to the spirit of this special occasion. #puranaqila #pmo #asimonuments

The Sejakpur Shiva Temple, also known as the Navlakha Temple, is located in Sejakpur, Sayla, District Surendranagar, Gujarat. Built in the 12th century, the temple stands on a high brick platform and comprises a main shrine with a circumambulatory path around it. In front of the shrine is a closed hall with small porches on either side, crowned by a dome-shaped roof with simple carvings. The name “Navlakha” signifies that the temple was built at a considerable cost. A beautiful glimpse into the architectural heritage of Gujarat, the Navlakha Temple continues to reflect the craftsmanship of its time.

Located on the embankment of Ana Sagar Lake in Ajmer, Rajasthan, the Marble Pavilions, locally known as Anasagar Baradari, were built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1637 CE. The artificial Ana Sagar Lake was constructed by Arnoraj of the Chauhan dynasty between 1135 and 1150 CE. The monument comprises five marble pavilions and a royal bath (hamaam). The third pavilion is the largest and was built on the pattern of the Diwan-i-Khas of the Red Fort in Delhi. The pavilions, with their marble balustrades and parapet walls, overlook the lake and reflect the elegance of Mughal architecture. During the British period, the pavilions were used as the residence of the Commissioner of Ajmer and his officers, with alterations made to the original structure. Today, Anasagar Baradari is a Centrally Protected Monument of National Importance.

The answer to the previously asked question is B — Govardhan Giridhari, Hoysaleshwara Temple, Halebidu, Karnataka.

The Stone Temple at Ganesh Bagh, Chitrakut, Uttar Pradesh was built in the nineteenth century by the Maratha ruler Binayak Rao, a descendant of Peshwa Bajirao. The temple consists of a small sanctum with an attached mandapa. Its stone architectural design is admirable for both its execution and design. The temple houses beautiful idols of various deities, such as Lakshmi and Saraswati, along with exquisite reliefs depicting episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, enshrined within small chambers. A massive seven-storey stepwell has been constructed on the premises for water management. It is an excellent example of ancient engineering, designed to ensure the availability of water. In front of the temple lies a large pond, alongside the remains of grand structures from that era, renowned for their beautiful arches and intricate stone carvings.

The small rock-cut cave, located on the top of Chandan Shahid Hill in Ashikpur, Rohtas district of Bihar, is presumed to be an Ashokan cave that features the characteristic Mauryan polish on its interior. Inside the cave, an inscription of eight lines is engraved on a small rocky boulder. Although part of the inscription is damaged, it has been ascertained that it represents Minor Rock Edict-I of Emperor Ashoka.

Look closely, think carefully and identify the heritage treasure. Give your answers and in the comment section below.

Located at Aihole in Hungund of Bagalkot district, Charanti Math, also known as Murphadryavar Gudi, comprises two temples situated close to the Konti Gudi group. Both temples were under the control of a matha, Charantimatha, giving them their present name. The first temple dates to the 6th–8th century CE and is built in the Kalyana Chalukya style. Facing north, it consists of a portico, main hall, antechamber, sanctum and two subsidiary shrines on the east and west. The temple features sculptures of Tirthankaras, including Mahavira with two Yaksha attendants. The shrine entrances also feature Tirthankaras seated on lion-thrones, while floral designs adorn the doorjambs. The superstructure is of the stepped-pyramid variety, with miniature temple models decorating the exterior walls. The second temple dates to the 12th century CE and was constructed in 1120 CE, according to an inscription within it. Built in the Kalyana Chalukya style, it is a twin temple with a common veranda and faces south. Both temples share a common dividing wall and are alike, each housing 12 Tirthankaras. Miniature shikharas of stepped-pyramid and curvilinear types are carved above the lintel, while an elaborately carved miniature temple model on the dedicatory block houses a figure of a Tirthankara. Floral motifs and miniature human and animal figures on the doorjambs showcase the workmanship of the temple.

Located on a small hillock known as Madanachal, the Kedar Temple was built in 1753 CE on the foundation of a pre-Ahom stone temple, which was originally larger in plan. The present temple comprises a garbhagriha, mukhamandapa, and mandapa. The temple enshrines a Shiva Linga made of rough-hewn stone. Materials from the earlier temple were reused in its construction. The sikhara is crowned with an amlaka and kalasa, while the brick-built mandapa is lime-plastered and presently covered with a tin roof. The exterior niches are adorned with figures of deities. An inscription, inscribed in 1680 Saka (1758 CE) and attached to the southwest side of the temple, mentions that the Ahom King Rajeswar Singha (1751–1769 CE) had two masonry walls erected along the temple by his official Dasarath Duwara Barphukan.

Roshanara laid out this garden in 1650 CE, when her father, Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, built Modern Delhi and made grants of land to his courtiers and relatives. In the thirteenth year of the reign of Aurangzeb, Roshanara died in Delhi and was buried in this garden. The garden was later altered and improved by Colonel Cracroft, Commissioner of the Delhi Division. Although the old ruined buildings were removed, a portion of the masonry canal and the eastern gateway of the garden were carefully preserved. The garden no longer retains its peculiar oriental features, but the mausoleum of Roshanara still exists and remains in good order. The tomb consists of four two-storied corner rooms and a central room, connected by a verandah. The corner rooms have entrances on all four sides, with corresponding openings in the upper storey, reached by steps in the wall. Between the corner rooms are four heavy stone pillars supporting scalloped arches ornamented with engraved foliage. At the centre is a square-shaped room containing the grave of Roshanara. The floor is paved with marble, and a deep stone weathering runs around the inner walls. Of the various water cuts and fountains that once adorned the garden, there now remains a long tank between the eastern gateway and the mausoleum.

Located at Jagatgram on the eastern bank of the Yamuna River in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand, the Archaeological Site and Remains of Ashwamedha Yagya came into light in the early 1950's . The site was excavated between 1952 and 1954, revealing three excavated sites with well-designed brick altars shaped like a Syena, or hawk/eagle, with spread wings, where the king performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice. A brick bearing a Sanskrit inscription in Brahmi characters, dated to the late 3rd century CE, was recovered from one of the altars. The inscription records that King Silavarman, also known as Pona, of Yugasaila and belonging to the Vrishagana gotra, performed four Ashvamedha sacrifices here. It also indicates that, during the 3rd century CE, this western part of the Central Himalaya was perhaps known as Yugasaila.

The ancient remains at Boxanagar, locally known as Nath Badi, are situated in Shipahijala district of Tripura. The available archaeological evidence suggests that the Buddhist establishment at Boxanagar dates back to circa 6th century CE and continued until the 12th century CE. Successive excavations at Boxanagar have revealed a massive brick-built stupa, a Vihara, a monastery, and a burnt-brick structure. The massive brick-built stupa has a Triratha projection design, eight mouldings that decrease in size upwards, and a tapering medhi crafted from burnt bricks. The harmika chamber is square in plan. The Vihara has a rectangular plan. Its superstructure is completely damaged except for the surviving side walls. The brick-built monastery has a long corridor between rows of five cells on each side. Excavation of another mound at Boxanagar revealed a fully burnt-brick structure with Triratha projections and a square sacred chamber. In front of this structure is a rectangular hall enclosed by a wall, with a brick-rammed floor likely used for congregational purposes. A wide Pradakshinapatha surrounds these structures. Notable antiquities found during the excavation include three bronze images of the Buddha, moulded bricks, miniature votive stupas, sealings, and silver coins.