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UPSC CSE Prelims 2014 — Art & Culture Questions with Answers
All 14 Art & Culture previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Prelims 2014, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.
Practice Art & Culture as a timed test →- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
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