Q. In the Islamic buildings that were built in India, the elements of decoration did not include:
(a) calligraphy
(b) depiction of living beings
(c) geometry
(d) foliage
Ans: (b) depiction of living beings
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) depiction of living beings.
In Islamic buildings built in India, the elements of decoration typically did not include the depiction of living beings. This is due to the influence of Islamic art and the interpretation of Islamic religious principles, which discourage the representation of living beings in a realistic manner. Islamic art in India, including architecture, often relied on other decorative elements such as calligraphy (a prominent feature), geometric patterns, intricate floral motifs (foliage), and abstract designs. These elements were used to create beautiful and intricate ornamentation in Islamic architecture throughout India. However, the portrayal of human or animal figures in a naturalistic way was generally avoided.