CHAPTER TEN ART OF SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST ASIA BEFORE 1200

Multiple Choice

1. In addition to their carved imagery and inscriptions, Ashokan pillars (Fig. 10-1) conveyed symbolic meaning as

A. a flag-bearing standard.

B. geographic markers.

C. a stupa.

D. the axis mundi.

Answer: D

Learning Objective: 10.b Interpret the meaning of works of South and Southeast Asian art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.

Topic: The Maurya Period

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It

2. The Indus Valley civilization thrived around the same time as

A. Etruscan culture.

B. Old Kingdom Egypt.

C. Classical Greece.

D. Imperial Rome.

Answer: B

Learning Objective: 10.c Relate South and Southeast Asian artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.

Topic: The Origins of Civilization in South Asia

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

3. How does the Male Torso (Fig. 10-5) found at Harappa forecast essential attributes of later Indian sculpture?

A. its small, intimate scale

B. the sensuous emphasis on the body

C. the use of nudity

D. the removable arts and head

Answer: B

Learning Objective: 10.c Relate South and Southeast Asian artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.

Topic: The Indus Civilization

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

4. A “fully enlightened being”—who sees the ultimate nature of the world and is no longer subject to the cycle of samsara—is known as a

A. buddha.

B. chakravartin.

C. yakshi.

D. bodhisattva.

Answer: A

Learning Objective: 10.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to South and Southeast Asian art, artists, and art history.

Topic: Buddhism

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

5. What do the lions represent in the Lion Capital from Sarnath (Fig. 10-6)?

A. four great rulers

B. four great temples of Sarnath

C. four buddhas of the earth

D. four cardinal directions

Answer: D

Learning Objective: 10.b Interpret the meaning of works of South and Southeast Asian art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.

Topic: The Maurya Period

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

6. Stories of the Buddha’s past lives are called

A. Jataka tales.

B. Mandapas tales.

C. Garbhagriha tales.

D. Toranas tales.

Answer: A

Learning Objective: 10.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to South and Southeast Asian art, artists, and art history.

Topic: The Period of the Shunga and Early Satavahana

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

7. What are used in Buddhist and Hindu art as physical expressions of different states of being?

A. mithuna

B. erotic figures

C. mudras

D. yakshi

Answer: C

Learning Objective: 10.b Interpret the meaning of works of South and Southeast Asian art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.

Topic: Hinduism

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

8. Which describes the garbhagriha, where a statue of the temple’s main god is kept in Hindu temples?

A. a windowless space

B. a light-filled chamber

C. a tower

D. a covered porch

Answer: A

Learning Objective: 10.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of South or Southeast Asian art.

Topic: The Period of the Shunga and Early Satavahana

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It

9. Built of stone blocks, what kind of construction was in the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Khajuraho (Fig. 10-29)?

A. corbelled arch

B. post-and-lintel

C. barrel and groin vault

D. waddle-and-daub

Answer: B

Learning Objective: 10.a Identify the visual hallmarks of South and Southeast Asian art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.

Topic: The Eighth through Twelfth Centuries

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

10. The erotic sculptures decorating the Kandariya Mahadeva (Fig. 10-30) are thought to express

A. Shiva’s consorts.

B. ceremonial rituals.

C. human divinity.

D. human lust.

Answer: C

Learning Objective: 10.b Interpret the meaning of works of South and Southeast Asian art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.

Topic: The Eighth through Twelfth Centuries

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It

11. What visible characteristic distinguishes Gandhara sculptures of the Buddha?

A. the ushnisha

B. the use of red sandstone

C. the defined folds in the robe

D. the Abhaya mudras

Answer: C

Learning Objective: 10.e Interpret a work of South and Southeast Asian art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.

Topic: The Kushan Period

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

12. The Eternal Shiva at the temple of Shiva at Elephanta (Fig. 10-24) conveys the range of Shiva’s powers through multiple

A. pillars.

B. arms.

C. expressions.

D. heads.

Answer: D

Learning Objective: 10.e Interpret a work of South and Southeast Asian art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.

Topic: Other Developments, Fifth to the Seventh Centuries

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It

13. The Female Figure Holding a Fly-Whisk (Fig. 10-7) is characteristic of Maurya period sculpture in the

A. figure’s fleshy sensuality.

B. high polished sandstone.

C. representation of a yakshi figure.

D. decorative adornment.

Answer: B

Learning Objective: 10.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of South or Southeast Asian art.

Topic: The Maurya Period

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It

14. The bodhisattva in the wall painting of Cave 1 in Ajanta (Fig. 10-19) is identified as Avalokiteshvara through the

A. lotus flower in his hand.

B. princely garments.

C. distinctive headdress.

D. use of color.

Answer: A

Learning Objective: 10.b Interpret the meaning of works of South and Southeast Asian art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.

Topic: The Gupta Period and Its Successors

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

15. What helped preserve the colossal sculpture Parinirvana of the Buddha at Gal Vihara (Fig. 10-31)?

A. the monastery

B. the environment

C. the superstructure

D. the granite

Answer: D

Learning Objective: 10.a Identify the visual hallmarks of South and Southeast Asian art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.

Topic: The Eighth through Twelfth Centuries

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

16. The rock-cut relief Descent of the Ganges (Fig. 10-26) is probably meant to

A. serve as an allegory of the king’s penance.

B. teach Hindu beliefs through dramatic narratives.

C. provide a focus for meditation and ritual devotion.

D. record a historical event.

Answer: A

Learning Objective: 10.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of South or Southeast Asian art.

Topic: The Pallava Period

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

17. On the toranas of the Great Stupa at Sanchi (Fig. 10-9), Jataka tales of the Buddha’s past lives are organized according to

A. where the action occurred.

B. importance of lesson.

C. chronological order.

D. alphabetical order.

Answer: A

Learning Objective: 10.e Interpret a work of South and Southeast Asian art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.

Topic: The Period of the Shunga and Early Satavahana

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It

18. What are Buddhist religious monuments that frequently hold sacred relics and are venerated through circumambulation?

A. temples

B. viharas

C. amalakas

D. stupas

Answer: D

Learning Objective: 10.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to South and Southeast Asian art, artists, and art history.

Topic: The Period of the Shunga and Early Satavahana

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

19. What are the names for the two types of rock-cut halls that were made for Buddhist monastic communities?

A. shikhara and amalaka

B. mandapas and plinth

C. vihara and chaitya

D. torana and garbhagriha

Answer: C

Learning Objective: 10.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to South and Southeast Asian art, artists, and art history.

Topic: The Period of the Shunga and Early Satavahana

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

20. The Mathura style of Buddhist sculpture evolved from representations of indigenous male nature deities called

A. mudras.

B. katras.

C. bodhisattvas.

D. yakshas.

Answer: D

Learning Objective: 10.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to South and Southeast Asian art, artists, and art history.

Topic: The Kushan Period

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

21. In what style is the temple of Vishnu at Deogarh (Fig. 10-16)?

A. northern

B. eastern

C. western

D. southern

Answer: A

Learning Objective: 10.a Identify the visual hallmarks of South and Southeast Asian art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.

Topic: The Gupta Period and its Successors

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

22. What divides the depiction of drunkenness from that of moderation in the relief of Scene of Drunkenness and Moderation (Fig. 10-37)?

A. a table

B. a tree

C. an instrument

D. a wine jug

Answer: B

Learning Objective: 10.a Identify the visual hallmarks of South and Southeast Asian art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.

Topic: Century

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

23. In 2001, the Taliban destroyed two colossal statues of Buddha carved from the rock of a cliff in

A. Pakistan.

B. Afghanistan.

C. Uzbekistan.

D. India.

Answer: B

Learning Objective: 10.c Relate South and Southeast Asian artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.

Topic: Other Developments, Fifth to the Seventh Centuries

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

24. The palace site of Sigiriya (Fig. 10-19) is located on a plateau in what country?

A. Cambodia

B. Laos

C. Vietnam

D. Sri Lanka

Answer: D

Learning Objective: 10.c Relate South and Southeast Asian artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.

Topic: Other Developments, Fifth to the Seventh Centuries

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

25. What do the locations of the shrines at the Loro Jonggrang (Fig. 10-38) suggest?

A. occupation

B. status

C. wealth

D. piety

Answer: B

Learning Objective: 10.b Interpret the meaning of works of South and Southeast Asian art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.

Topic: Sixth to the Ninth Century

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

Short Answer

1. Why did Ashoka erect monuments to Buddha?

Answer: He was remorseful at the destruction and carnage of war. He turned instead to spreading moral teachings.

Learning Objective: 10.c Relate South and Southeast Asian artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.

Topic: Chapter Introduction

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

2. What are the two styles of sculpture that appear in the ancient Indus civilization?

Answer: The geometric style of sculpture can be seen in Torso of a “Priest-King” (Fig. 10-4) and is classified by thick lips and long slit eyes. The naturalistic style can be seen in Male Torso (Fig. 10-5) and is characterized by a curving, sensual form.

Learning Objective: 10.e Interpret a work of South and Southeast Asian art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.

Topic: The Indus Civilization

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It

3. How did Siddhartha Gautama reach enlightenment?

Answer: Siddhartha left his princely duties to live in the wilderness and understand the human condition. After six years of meditation, he attained enlightenment.

Learning Objective: 10.c Relate South and Southeast Asian artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.

Topic: Buddhism

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

4. What is a stupa, and what are its primary physical characteristics?

Answer: Derived from burial mounds, stupas hold relics. Each structure is surrounded by toranas and sits on a terrace topped by a dome, mast, and disk-shaped “umbrellas.”

Learning Objective: 10.a Identify the visual hallmarks of South and Southeast Asian art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.

Topic: The Period of the Shunga and Early Satavahana

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

5. Who are the three main deities of Hinduism?

Answer: Vishnu is a god who works for order and well-being. Shiva is both creator and destructor, male and female, light and dark. Devi is the Great Goddess who controls riches and fertility.

Learning Objective: 10.c Relate South and Southeast Asian artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.

Topic: Hinduism

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

6. Why did the Gandhara and Mathura schools thrive?

Answer: Rulers of the Kushan period were eclectic in their religious views and supported a wide range of religious institutions. The tolerant climate and royal images allowed the schools to thrive.

Learning Objective: 10.c Relate South and Southeast Asian artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.

Topic: The Kushan Period

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

7. What is depicted on the entrance to the temple of Vishnu at Deogarh (Figs. 10-16 and 10-17)?

Answer: Large panels sculpted in relief with images of Vishnu appear on the temple’s exterior. In the panel Vishnu Lying on the Cosmic Waters, the main figure dreams the universe into existence.

Learning Objective: 10.b Interpret the meaning of works of South and Southeast Asian art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.

Topic: The Gupta Period and its Successors

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It

8. Explain the iconography and cultural significance of Shiva Nataraja (Fig. 10-33).

Answer: Shiva is seen as the Lord of the Dance with four arms on the prostrate body of a dwarf figure. Fire encircles the figure and represents destruction. His front left arm signifies liberation.

Learning Objective: 10.b Interpret the meaning of works of South and Southeast Asian art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.

Topic: The Chola Period

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

9. What makes the Rajarajeshvara Temple (Fig. 10-32) a monumental southern-style temple?

Answer: It is a walled compound with a longitudinal axis. The temple has a flat roof with walls rising two stories with large cornices.

Learning Objective: 10.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of South or Southeast Asian art.

Topic: The Chola Period

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It

10. What was the bhakti movement in Hinduism and how is it reflected in art?

Answer: It stresses the intimate, personal, and loving relation with the god, and complete devotion and surrender to the deity. Erotic sculpture and everyday iconography stresses this point.

Learning Objective: 10.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to South and Southeast Asian art, artists, and art history.

Topic: The Eighth through Twelfth Centuries

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It

Essay

1. How would you compare and contrast northern- and southern-style temples?

Answer:

1. The southern style temple has a flat roof, as opposed to the pyramidal roof of the northern style.

2. The northern style temple sits on a stone terrace that sets off a sacred space from the mundane world.

3. The northern style temple usually consists of post-and-lintel construction only with many shikhara built around the main tower; the southern style temple has a large, two-story exterior wall.

4. In both styles, the exterior walls are very ornamental, including niches and relief sculpture.

Learning Objective: 10.e Interpret a work of South and Southeast Asian art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.

Topic: The Eighth through Twelfth Centuries; The Chola Period

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It

2. How do representations of Buddha differ throughout South and Southeast Asia?

Answer:

1. The region, climate, and local trade routes determined the style of Buddhist images.

2. The Gandhara Style was influence by the Western world through trade and shows a Classical figure and garments.

3. The Mathura style through the Kushan and Gupta periods shows Buddha in a frontal pose with curved lines and a seated pose.

4. In Sri Lanka and Thailand, images of Buddha have Classical, Indian, and local influences and are reminiscent of the Mathura style.

Learning Objective: 10.b Interpret the meaning of works of South and Southeast Asian art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.

Topic: The Flourishing of Buddhism and Hinduism; Early Art and Architecture of Southeast Asia

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It

3. How are Hindu monuments different from Buddhist monuments? Provide examples.

Answer:

1. Stupas are based on burial mounds and have large domes, such as The Great Stupa at Sanchi (Fig. 10-8).

2. Hindu temples have shikharas, elaborate towers, and mandapas, such as Loro Jonggrang (Fig. 10-38)

3. Buddhist monuments house relics and emphasize the circular structure and idea of the world; Hindu monuments take many forms and center around a sacred representation in the garbhagriha.

4. Both emphasize a sacred space and symbolize a sacred mountain.

Learning Objective: 10.a Identify the visual hallmarks of South and Southeast Asian art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.

Topic: The Period of the Shungra and Early Satavahana

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

4. Compare and contrast the Angkor style in Cambodia with the Dvaravati style in Thailand.

Answer:

1. Angkor Wat was decorated with elaborate relief carvings depicting Hindu narratives and stories of rulers.

2. Symmetry seems to be important to both styles, as seen in Figure 10-34 and Figure 10-43.

3. The Dvaravati-style Buddha shows curled hair and long robes consistent with the Mathura style. Buddha is shown with a large head and a slim waist with the typical mudras.

4. The Angkor style shows figures with implied motion and curved forms.

Learning Objective: 10.e Interpret a work of South and Southeast Asian art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.

Topic: Early Art and Architecture of Southeast Asia

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It

5. Discuss the style, content, and purpose of Indus Valley seals. What do they reveal about early civilizations?

Answer:

1. Seals show animal and human figures with stylized and naturalistic, realistic proportions.

2. Seals were made from hard stone, usually steatite, and fired to produce a lustrous, white surface, possibly symbolizing wealth and a belief in the afterlife.

3. The seals were most likely linked to trade and ownership, similar to the cylinder seals from Mesopotamia.

4. The people of the Indus Valley had an elaborate writing system, economic system, class system, and religious system.

Learning Objective: 10.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of South or Southeast Asian art.

Topic: The Indus Civilization

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It