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UPSC CSE Prelims 2018 — Art & Culture Questions with Answers

All 8 Art & Culture previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Prelims 2018, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

1. Q1.Indian Painting

   The well-known painting 'Bani Thani' belongs to which school of art?

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

   Explanation: 'Bani Thani' is a celebrated miniature painting of the Kishangarh school of Rajasthani painting, often called India's Mona Lisa, attributed to the artist Nihal Chand.

2. Q2.Festivals

   Consider the following pairs of festival/tradition and State. Which one of the following is correctly matched? Chapchar Kut festival —

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

   Explanation: Chapchar Kut is a spring festival celebrated by the people of Mizoram after the completion of jhum (slash-and-burn) clearing operations.

3. Q3.Temple Architecture

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

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

   Explanation: In temple architecture, 'panchayatan' is a style in which the main shrine is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines at the corners, forming a group of five.

4. Q4.Medieval Architecture

   The well-known 'Gol Gumbaz' at Bijapur, famous for its acoustic system and large dome, was built during the reign of which dynasty?

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

   Explanation: Gol Gumbaz, the mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah, was built by the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur and is famous for its whispering gallery and one of the largest domes in the world.

5. Q5.Handicrafts and Textiles

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

   • a)The money which is tendered in courts of law to defray the fee of legal cases
   • b)The money which a creditor is under compulsion to accept in settlement of his claims
   • c)The bank money in the form of cheques, drafts, bills of exchange, etc.
   • d)The metallic money in circulation in a country

   Explanation: All three are famous for traditional textiles: Bhadrachalam (Telangana), Chanderi (Madhya Pradesh) and Kancheepuram (Tamil Nadu) are renowned weaving centres for sarees and fabrics.

6. Q6.Crafts of India

   Consider the following pairs: Craft Heritage of 1. Puthukkuli shawls — Tamil Nadu 2. Sujni embroidery — Maharashtra 3. Uppada Jamdani saris — Karnataka Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?

   • a)1 only
   • b)1 and 2
   • c)3 only
   • d)2 and 3
7. Q7.Religion

   With reference to the religious practices in India, the "Sthanakvasi" sect belongs to

   • a)Buddhism
   • b)Jainism
   • c)Vaishnavism
   • d)Shaivism
8. Q8.Architecture

   With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements: 1. White marble was used in making Buland Darwaza and Khankah at Fatehpur Sikri. 2. Red sandstone and marble were used in making Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza at Lucknow. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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