Explanation:
 The Harappan people were aware of almost all the metals except iron. They manufactured gold and silver objects.
 A number of copper tools and weapons have also been discovered. The common tools included an axe, saws, chisels, knives, spearheads and arrowheads.
 There is evidence of the use of the bronze though in a limited manner. The most famous specimen in this regard is the bronze ‘dancing girl’ figurine discovered at Mohenjodaro.
 It is a nude female figure, with a right arm on the hip and left arm hanging in a dancing pose. She is wearing a large number of bangles.
 Pottery-making was also an important industry in the Harappan period. These were chiefly wheel-made and were treated with a red coating and had decorations in black.
 The painted motifs, generally noticed on the pottery, are pipal leaves, fish-scale design, intersecting circles, zigzag lines, horizontal bands and geometrical motifs with floral and faunal patterns. The Harappan pottery is well baked and fine in decorations.

Explanation:
Mahayana Buddhism flourished in India between the 2nd century BCE and the 12th century CE, focusing on Bodhisattvas and elaborate stories like Jatakas.
Theravada Buddhism, established earlier, emphasizes the Buddha’s life and teachings with simpler iconography.
 Option a): Ellora features both Theravada and Mahayana caves, making it less likely as A solely depicting Mahayana themes.
 Option b): Ajanta primarily showcases Mahayana themes, aligning with A’s description. Ellora’s diverse mix makes it less suitable for B.
 Option c): Bhaja and Karla are both Theravada cave complexes, contradicting the descriptions of A and B.
 Option d): This matches the descriptions best – Karla mainly portrays Theravada themes, while Bhaja aligns with A’s focus on Mahayana stories.

Explanation:
 The word paramita means ‘perfection’ or ‘completeness’. The Mahayana Buddhist texts contain many references to six paramitas (or perfections) of the character and understanding (here, ‘understanding’ refers to intellect).

Explanation:
The elements of Jain architecture are characterized by their simplicity, elegance, and emphasis on symmetry and proportion.
 With regard to architecture, the Jains adopted the local building traditions of Vaishnava and Dravidian styles while evolving their style.
 The exquisite Jain architecture consists of caves, temples, monasteries and other structures.
 In ancient times, they received great patronage under the ruling dynasties of Cholas, Pallavas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas and other kingdoms.
 Jain temples are called ‘Basadis’ in Karnataka region and ‘Derasar’ in Western India.

Explanation:
 Considering the background of these agricultural nomadic invaders, it is evident that the architecture of the Vedic Period was neither monumental nor permanent nor concentrated in urban development. With the disappearance of the Indus valley culture and its cities, the new Indo-Aryan population was largely distributed in small settlements located in the plains and forests. The building materials that they used were the ones most readily obtainable for constructing shelters like wood, bamboo, thatch, and, probably only later, brick. Buildings of this kind were expected from people without any kind of tradition of colossal architecture.
 The architecture of the Vedic period encompasses huts of round and square shape, and also some tower like structures.
 In the Vedas there is reference of fire alters and sacrificial halls. In the epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata there are indication of shrines and assembly halls. It is significant to note that stone is only occasionally referred to as a building material.
 The Ramayana and the Mahabharata refers to big painted halls, so there might have been the convention of wall paintings in those times. Later features of Hindu and Buddhist architecture as the horseshoe-shaped chaitya arch presumably had their origin in the Vedic Period.