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BPSC 2014 — Art & Culture Questions with Answers

All 14 Art & Culture previous-year questions from BPSC 2014, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

1. Q1.Indian Languages

   Consider the following languages: 1. Gujarati 2. Kannada 3. Telugu. Which of the above has/have been declared as 'Classical Language/Languages' by the Government?

   • a)1 and 2 only
   • b)3 only
   • c)2 and 3 only
   • d)1, 2 and 3

   Explanation: By 2014, Kannada and Telugu had been declared Classical Languages, but Gujarati had not.

2. Q2.Tribes

   With reference to 'Changpa' community of India, consider the following statements:

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 and 3 only
   • c)3 only
   • d)1, 2 and 3

   Explanation: The Changpa rear Pashmina goats and are listed as Scheduled Tribes, but they live in Ladakh, not Uttarakhand, so only 2 and 3 are correct.

3. Q3.Temple Architecture

   With reference to the cultural history of India, the term 'Panchayatan' refers to

   • a)An assembly of village elders
   • b)A religious sect
   • c)A style of temple construction
   • d)An administrative officer

   Explanation: In Indian cultural history, 'Panchayatan' denotes a style of temple construction with a main shrine and four subsidiary shrines.

4. Q4.Indian Philosophy

   Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy?

   • a)Mimamsa and Vedanta
   • b)Nyaya and Vaisheshika
   • c)Lokayata and Kapalika
   • d)Samkhya and Yoga

   Explanation: Lokayata (Charvaka) and Kapalika are not part of the six orthodox systems of Indian philosophy.

5. Q5.Ancient Literature

   The national motto of India, 'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from

   • a)Katha Upanishad
   • b)Chandogya Upanishad
   • c)Aitareya Upanishad
   • d)Mundaka Upanishad

   Explanation: 'Satyameva Jayate' is taken from the Mundaka Upanishad.

6. Q6.Handicrafts

   Consider the following towns of India: 1. Bhadrachalam 2. Chanderi 3. Kancheepuram 4. Karnal. Which of the above are famous for the production of traditional sarees/fabric?

   • a)1 and 2 only
   • b)2 and 3 only
   • c)1, 2 and 3
   • d)1, 3 and 4

   Explanation: Chanderi and Kancheepuram are famous for traditional fabric/sarees, so 2 and 3 are correct.

7. Q7.Classical Dance

   With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements: 1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama. 2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam. 3. It is based on classical Ragas and Talas of devotional songs composed by Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai.

   • a)1 only
   • b)1 and 2 only
   • c)2 and 3 only
   • d)1, 2 and 3

   Explanation: Sattriya combines music, dance and drama and is a centuries-old Vaishnavite tradition of Assam, but it is not based on Tulsidas/Kabir/Mirabai compositions, so only 1 and 2 are correct.

8. Q8.Calendars

   Chaitra 1 of the national calendar based on the Saka Era corresponds to which one of the following dates of the Gregorian calendar in a normal year of 365 days?

   • a)22nd March (or 21st March)
   • b)15th May (or 16th May)
   • c)31st March (or 30th March)
   • d)21st April (or 20th April)

   Explanation: Chaitra 1 of the Saka-based national calendar corresponds to 22 March (21 March in a leap year).

9. Q9.Sculpture

   With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs of Famous work of sculpture and Site: 1. A grand image of Buddha's Mahaparinirvana with celestial musicians above and sorrowful followers below - Ajanta; 2. A huge image of Varaha Avatar of Vishnu rescuing Goddess Earth, sculpted on rock - Mount Abu; 3. 'Arjuna's Penance'/'Descent of Ganga' sculpted on huge boulders - Mamallapuram.

   • a)1 and 2 only
   • b)3 only
   • c)1 and 3 only
   • d)1, 2 and 3

   Explanation: The Buddha Mahaparinirvana image is at Ajanta and Arjuna's Penance at Mamallapuram; the Varaha image is at Udayagiri, not Mount Abu, so only 1 and 3 are correct.

10. Q10.Martial Traditions

    With reference to India's culture and tradition, what is 'Kalaripayattu'?

    • a)It is an ancient devotional cult of Shaivism that is still prevalent in some parts of South India.
    • b)It is an ancient art of bronze and brass work that is still found in the Coromandel region.
    • c)It is an ancient form of dance-drama and a living tradition in the northern parts of Malabar.
    • d)It is an ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India.

    Explanation: Kalaripayattu is an ancient martial art and a living tradition in parts of South India.

11. Q11.Folk Dance

    Consider the following pairs of dance and State: 1. Garba - Gujarat; 2. Mohiniattam - Odisha; 3. Yakshagana - Karnataka. Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

    • a)1 only
    • b)2 and 3 only
    • c)1 and 3 only
    • d)1, 2 and 3

    Explanation: Garba (Gujarat) and Yakshagana (Karnataka) are correctly matched; Mohiniattam is from Kerala, not Odisha, so 1 and 3 are correct.

12. Q12.Buddhist Heritage

    With reference to Buddhist history, tradition and culture in India, consider the following pairs of Famous shrine and Location: 1. Tabo monastery and temple complex - Spiti Valley; 2. Lhotsava Lhakhang temple, Nako - Zanskar Valley; 3. Alchi temple complex - Ladakh.

    • a)1 only
    • b)2 and 3 only
    • c)1 and 3 only
    • d)1, 2 and 3

    Explanation: Tabo (Spiti Valley) and Alchi (Ladakh) are correctly matched; Nako's Lhotsava Lhakhang is in Kinnaur, not Zanskar, so only 1 and 3 are correct.

13. Q13.Bhakti Movement

    Consider the following statements: 1. 'Bijak' is a composition of the teachings of Saint Dadu Dayal. 2. The Philosophy of Pushti Marg was propounded by Madhvacharya.

    • a)1 only
    • b)2 only
    • c)Both 1 and 2
    • d)Neither 1 nor 2

    Explanation: Both statements are wrong: 'Bijak' contains Kabir's teachings and Pushti Marg was propounded by Vallabhacharya, not Madhvacharya.

14. Q14.Folk Traditions

    A community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their

    • a)their martial arts tradition in Northeast India
    • b)their musical tradition in Northwest India
    • c)their classical vocal music tradition in South India
    • d)their Pattachitra tradition in Central India

    Explanation: The Manganiyars are known for their musical tradition in North-West India (Rajasthan).