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RAS question

Arrange the following architectural monuments in the CORRECT chronological order of their construction (earliest to latest): 1. Purana Qila (Delhi) 2. Kandariya Mahadeva temple (Khajuraho) 3. Alai Darwaza (Delhi) 4. Humayun's Tomb (Delhi)

Correct answer: (B) 2 → 3 → 1 → 4.

The correct chronological order is Kandariya Mahadeva temple, Alai Darwaza, Purana Qila, and Humayun's Tomb.

  1. (A)

    1 → 2 → 3 → 4

  2. (B)

    2 → 3 → 1 → 4

  3. (C)

    3 → 2 → 1 → 4

  4. (D)

    2 → 1 → 3 → 4

Explanation

Kandariya Mahadeva at Khajuraho comes first because it is placed around 1000 CE under the Chandellas. Alai Darwaza follows: the UNESCO/ICOMOS evaluation for the Qutb complex records that Alai Darwaja was built in 1311 by Alau'd-Din Khalji, placing it firmly in the Sultanate phase. Purana Qila is later, tied to Sher Shah Suri and Humayun around 1538-1545. Humayun's Tomb comes last in this list because it is placed in 1565-1572, after Purana Qila. The sequence therefore moves from Chandella temple architecture to Sultanate architecture and then to early Mughal Delhi.

Why the other options are wrong

  • (A) It begins with Purana Qila, but Kandariya Mahadeva, dated around 1000 CE, is earlier than both Purana Qila and Alai Darwaza.
  • (C) It places Alai Darwaza before Kandariya Mahadeva, although Alai Darwaza is dated to 1311 and Kandariya Mahadeva is placed around 1000 CE.
  • (D) It reverses Purana Qila and Alai Darwaza, even though Alai Darwaza was built in 1311 and Purana Qila belongs to the later 1538-1545 phase.

Concept

This tests architectural chronology across Rajput/Chandella, Sultanate and early Mughal phases. It recurs in RAS because monument questions often check whether aspirants can connect patrons, styles and dates in a single timeline.

Source

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