QUESTION BANK

DAA 403 History of Architecture I Dip. In

Architecture Assistantship 2015-16 Credits: 3

UNIT 1:

THE BEGINNINGS OF ARCHITECTURE

1. a. Why do we study the history of architecture?

b. What does the term prehistory mean and when
did prehistoric architecture begin?
c. Give a brief description of mans achievements
during the Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic
periods.
2. a. What are the factors that influence the type of
architecture a particular society creates?
b.
Describe how these factors influenced prehistoric
structures.
c.
Describe, with sketches, the following Prehistoric
Structures:
i. Monoliths
ii. Dolmens
iii. Tumuli
iv. Lake Dwellings
3. Describe Neolithic Architecture with specific
reference to the following aspects:
a. Socio-Cultural Scenario
b. Building Material
c. Location and Design
4 During what period did the Great Indus Valley Civilization
flourish and why is this civilization called Great?
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5.Give a detailed description of the following aspects of the

Indus Valley Civilization:
a. physical characteristics
b. history
c. economy
d. culture
6. . Why are the civilizations of the Indus Valley considered
architecturally advanced?Explain through a detailed
description of the following aspects of the Indus Valley
Civilization:
a. resources
b. architecture
c. town planning
7.
a. What are the causes for the decline of the Indus
Valley Civilization?
b. Give a detailed description Post-Harrapan Civilization
otherwise known as the Classical Civilization of
Ancient India along with a timeline of development
from Pre-Harappan through to Hinduism.
8. a. What was the distinctive style of
Architecture which developed due to the
expansion of Buddhism?
b.Give a detailed description of the following with
examples:
i. Stupas
ii. Viharas
iii. Chaityas
9. With the help of sketches, give a thorough description of
the Sachi Stupa. Label and describe all its parts.
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10.
a.What are Viharas, and where are
they most abundantly found?
b.Draw a plan showing the layout of a
typical Vihara.
c.Give brief descriptions of the Ajanta and
Ellora viharas.
11.a. What are Chaityas? Describe the first prototype
Chaitya found in India.
b. Give a detailed description, with drawings of any one of
the following Chaityas:
Ajanta
Ellora
12 Define the following architectural terms associated with
Buddhist and Hindu structures:
Thatch
Canopies

Finial

Relief

HarmyasStone roll cornice Eaves

Spire
Pavillions
Verandah Collonade

Aedicules

Clerestory
Collonade

Iconic/Icon

Nave

Faade
Pediment

Vault

Barrel Vault

Gables

Dormers

Corinthian

Enshrining

Toranas

13. a. Through sketches, give a description of traditional

temple layouts. Give descriptions of all the parts of a
Hindu Temple( Shrine, JagatiAntarala, Mandapa,
Shikara/Vimana, Umlika, Gopuram, Urushringa,
Prakaras)
14. a. Elaborate on the Sculptural character of a Hindu
Temple. Why is it important to understand
when we
attempt to analyze the structural aspect of Hindu
Temple Architecture.
b. What is the importance of the aedicule in the
composition of the Temple.

15. a. Describe and make sketches of the following type of

temples:
Nagara temples, giving plan and elevation of any
one:
i.

Latina

ii.

ValabhI

iii.

Shekhari

iv.

BhumijI

Dravida style, make a sketch of a shala topped alpa

vimana.

UNIT 2:

EGYPT & WEST ASIATIC

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16.
a. What are the four distinct periods of great
architectural activity in Egyptian history?
b. In what period were the Great Pyramids built and
why are they considered the grandest and oldest
monuments of Egyptian skill?
c. What was the purpose of building them, the
material and method by which they were built.
d. Give a detailed description of the Pyramid of
Suphis, otherwise known as the Great Pyramid.
17.
a. Give a brief description of the characteristic
features of the tombs built by private persons.
b. What was the significant architectural development
which occurred in Middle Egypt during
the rule
of Beni Hassan? Give a description with sketches
of the Tomb of Beni Hassan.
18.
Why are the temples at Karnak and Luxor
considered the finest and most magnificent
temples ever erected?
e. Give a description, with illustrations, of Mammisi
at Edfou.
19. a. In what way had the column become the chief
means of obtaining effect?
b. Illustrate through sketches and descriptions the
various forms of Egyptian columns.

c. What is an obelisk? Describe their form, how

they were built and for what purpose they were
used.
20. Give a general analysis of Egyptian Buildings by
discussing the following points:
a. Plans
b. Walls
c. Roofs
d. Openings
e. Columns
f. Ornament
g. Architectural Character
21. a. Where is the Fertile Crescent and which
countries fall in the geographic area known as the
West Asiatic or The Ancient Near East?
b. Describe the chronological development of the
Sumarian, Babylonian, Assayrian and Persian
Kingdoms.
c. What were their social characteristics and beliefs?
22. What are the characteristics of Sumerian
Architecture? Describe with the help of sketches the
White Temple of Uruk and the Great Ziggurat, Ur.
23. Why is Mesopotamia known as The Cradle of
Civilization?
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24. Give a description of Assyrian architecture and

Babylonian architecture by describing Khorsabad,
The City of Babylon and Ishtar Gate.
25. By describing the Palace of Perspolis, explain how
Persians achieved greatness with their architectural
solutions.
26. Give a general description of the architectural
characteristics of the Ancient Near East by describing
the following:
i. Building Types
ii. Materials, Construction & Technology
iii. Principles of Architectural Organization
UNIT 3:

GREEK, ETRUSCIAN & ROMAN

27. How and when did the Greek Civilization develop?

Give a description of the geographical area and a
description of Minoan and Mycenaean art and
architecture.

28. The Greek Civilization is virtually known to be the

parent of Western and European culture. Explain
this by describing the following :
i. Language
ii. Government
iii.Science
iv. Philosophy
v.Religion & Mythology
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vi. Pottery & Art

29. a. Give a brief description of Greek Temple
Architecture.
b. What are the three distinct orders (styles)
of Greek Architecture and what are the features
which differentiate them?
c. The Parthenon is considered as perfect
example of a fully developed Doric Order Temple.
Give a brief description of the Temple and its
construction.
30. Using the example of the Parthenon describe the
Greek Doric Order with specific reference to the
following elements:
i. proportion
ii. column detailing
iii. the entablature
iv. the cornice
v. the pediment
31. The Parthenon presents examples of
extraordinary refinement in an attempt to correct
optical illusion. Describe these corrections.
32.
Apart from Egyptian influences on Greek
architecture, what other traditions have influenced
Greek architecture and in what order can these
influences been seen.
33.
Through examples of buildings and with the help
of sketches, describe in detail the Greek Ionic
order.
34.
Using sketches and by citing examples of
buildings, describe in detail the Greek Corinthian
order.
35.
Give a thorough analysis of Greek Architecture
by discussing the following architectural features:
a. Plans
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b. Walls
c. Roofs
d. Openings
e. Columns
f. Ornament
g. Architectural Character
36.
Giving a historical sketch of the origin and
development of Etruscian cities, describe the
character of their building techniques and how the
Etruscians exhibited a high degree of civilization
through their architectural skill.
37.
What was the great change in building activity
during the Roman Imperial Rule when Roman
conquest and domination spread throughout Europe
and Africa.
38.
What were Basilicas? Give an account of some
important Basilicas of Rome and state what the
importance of Basilicas was for the future of Early
Christian Architecture.
39.
a. Give a brief description of the Theaters and
Amphitheatres which came to be built in Imperial
Rome.
b. Give a detailed description of the most stupendous
of Amphitheatres ever built The Colusseum.
40.
Give a detailed description of that great
ancient building of Rome called the Pantheon.
41 .Give a thorough analysis of Roman Architectural
activity by discussing the following architectural
features:
a. Plans
b. Walls
c. Roofs
d. Openings
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e. Columns
f. Ornament
g. Architectural Character
UNIT 4:
MEDIEVAL ARCHITECTURE OF THE WEST:
EARLY CHRISTIAN, ROMANESQUE & GOTHIC
Q42. a. Give a timeline of the major architectural
movements from around 300AD (the time that
Christianity became the legalized state religion) till
the 20th Century.
b. Give a description of the religious condition with the
advent of Judaism and the birth of Christ.
c. How did this influence the building activity of the
time?
d. With the use of illustrative sketches, expound on the
essential features of the Early Christian Basillica
Q43. Through a plan and sectional drawing label and
describe the features of a Greek Cross Basilica.
Q44. How did Constantines decision to make Christianity
the state religion profoundly impact the architecture
of the period.
Q45. In what ways were the S.Apollinaire in Classe,
Ravanna (533-549 AD) and the Sta.Costanze, Rome
significant in the understanding of the Early Christian
Basilica form?
Q46. a. When and how did Byzantine art and architecture
come to its full development?
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b. How does the San Vitale, Ravanna (526-547

AD)exemplify the monumental work of the First
Golden Age in Byzantine architecture?
Q47. In what way is the Hagia Sophia the greatest of
artistic and engineering masterpieces of its age?

Q48. Through a thorough description, prove how St.

Sarin, France demonstrates the way in which
Romenesque architecture gave way to Gothic
architecture.
Q49. Describe the following characteristics of
Romanesque structures:
a Faade and external decoration
b Towers
c Walls
d Buttresses
e Arches and wall openings
Q50. Describe the following characteristics of
Romanesque structures:
a Arcading
b Piers
c Columns
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d Capitals
e Sculpture
f Architectural Embellishment
Q51. By the end of the Romanesque period, what were
the engineering changes that made possible and
entirely new style Gothic?
Q52. Give a thorough description of St. Denis and the
Abbot Suger.
Q53. Through drawings explain how vaults, ribbed vaults
and groin vaults work.
Q54. Through drawings explain how flying buttresses
work.
UNIT 5:
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE & ADVENT OF
ISLAM IN INDIA
54.
Give a detailed account of the origins and
influences of Islamic Architecture by giving a.date
line of significant events from Abraham till the last
Muslim presence in
55. Give an analysis of Islamic Building Types describing
a. Climactic adaptations
b. Construction techniques
c. Distinguishing architectural features
56. a.
b.

How did Islam advance into India?

Give a description of Islamic Architecture under
Imperial Rule up till the Khalji Dynasty
focusing on
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monuments like the Alai Darwaza, Qutb-Minar,

Quwaat al-Islam mosque, Tomb of Iltutmish.
57. a. In what way were the Tughluqs prolific providers of
architecture?
b. What new features did the Lodi and Sur traditions
bring to Islamic Architecture in India.
58.Give an account of the Iranian and non-Islamic sources
that influenced and finally contributed to the
development of the Mughul aesthetics in architecture.

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