RAS question
The architectural treatise 'Roop Mandan', which gives information on sculpture and iconography, was authored by:
Correct answer: (B) Mandan.
Roop Mandan, the architectural treatise associated with sculpture and iconography, was authored by Mandan, the noted architect in Rana Kumbha's court.
Explanation
Mandan is the right answer because he belongs to the architectural tradition of medieval Mewar under Maharana Kumbha. eSamskriti describes Mandan as a famous architect who, under Kumbha's patronage, kept medieval Indian architectural science alive through his texts and lists Roop Mandanam among the works he compiled on Mewar's regional architecture. Roop Mandan deals with sculpture and iconography, alongside Prasad Mandan on temples, Griha Mandan on residential architecture, and Vastu Sar Mandan on Vastu shastra. So the question is testing the author of a specialised architectural treatise, not the ruler or another court figure.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Jaita is associated with the architecture of Vijay Stambh, whereas Roop Mandan is attributed to Mandan.
- (C) Rana Kumbha was Mandan's patron and is linked with writing on music, not with authoring Roop Mandan.
- (D) Natha was a scholar in Kumbha's court, but Roop Mandan is not attributed to him.
Concept
This tests Rajasthan History, Art and Culture through the attribution of medieval Mewar architectural texts. RAS often repeats such items because court patronage, architecture, sculpture and named treatises are compact factual markers of Rajasthan's cultural history.