UPSC Prelims 2013
Indian Art & Culture Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Explore 8 solved UPSC Prelims 2013 Indian Art & Culture questions with detailed step-by-step bilingual solutions, option analysis, and answer keys.
With reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements:
- The caves at Badami are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India.
- The Barabar rock-cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya.
- At Ellora, caves were made for different faiths.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Barabar Caves in Bihar (3rd century BCE, Mauryan period) are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, not the Badami Caves (6th–7th centuries CE, Chalukyas).
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The Barabar Caves were made for the Ajivika sect by Emperor Ashoka and his grandson Dasaratha, not by Chandragupta Maurya.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Ellora Caves (6th–9th centuries CE) were excavated for three faiths — Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism — reflecting religious harmony.
Consider the following Bhakti Saints:
- Dadu Dayal
- Guru Nanak
- Tyagaraja
Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over?
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Guru Nanak (1469-1539) was actively preaching when Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat (1526), marking the fall of the Lodi dynasty.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Dadu Dayal (1544-1603) was born 18 years after the fall of the Lodi dynasty.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Tyagaraja (1767-1847), a Carnatic music composer, lived more than two centuries later.
Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism?
Detailed Explanation:
Nirvana in Buddhism literally means "blowing out" or "extinguishing", referring to the extinction of the flame of desire (trishna), hatred, and ignorance.
It represents the cessation of suffering (dukkha) and the end of the cycle of rebirth (samsara), achieved when all cravings and attachments are eliminated, not the annihilation of self or a mere blissful state.
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With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Sankhya school:
- Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of the soul.
- Sankhya holds that it is the self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent.
Which of the statements given above is /are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Sankhya school accepts the theory of rebirth and transmigration of the soul (Purusha). The cycle of samsara continues due to ignorance of the distinction between Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter).
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Sankhya holds that liberation (kaivalya) is achieved through self-knowledge (viveka-jnana) – the discriminative knowledge distinguishing Purusha from Prakriti. Being an atheistic school, it denies the role of any external agent or God in liberation.
Which of the following statements is/are applicable to Jain doctrine?
- The surest way of annihilating Karma is to practice penance.
- Every object, even the smallest particle has a soul.
- Karma is the bane of the soul and must be ended.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Nirjara (annihilation of karma) in Jain doctrine is achieved through penance (tapas) and austerities, which help shed accumulated karmic particles from the soul.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Jainism believes in universal vitalism – every object including stones, water, fire, and air possesses a soul (jiva), making even the smallest particle a living entity.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Karma is viewed as subtle matter that binds the soul and obstructs its natural qualities of infinite knowledge and bliss; liberation (moksha) requires complete elimination of karmic bondage.
All three statements are correct.
Consider the following historical places:
- Ajanta Caves
- Lepakshi Temple
- Sanchi Stupa
Which of the above places is/are also known for mural paintings?
Detailed Explanation:
Mural paintings are artworks painted directly on walls or ceilings, integral to the surface.
✅ Ajanta Caves: Famous for Buddhist mural paintings depicting Jataka tales and religious themes from 2nd century BCE to 5th century CE.
✅ Lepakshi Temple: Contains Vijayanagara-era mural paintings from 16th century, depicting scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Vaishnava themes.
❌ Sanchi Stupa: Known for stone carvings and sculptures on gateways (toranas), but does not have mural paintings.
In the context of the cultural history of India, a pose in dance and dramatics called ‘Tribhanga’ has been a favourite of Indian artists from ancient times till today. Which one of the following statements best describes this pose?
Detailed Explanation:
Tribhanga (meaning 'three bends') is a classical standing pose in Indian art and dance where the body forms a gentle S-shaped curve with bends at three points: neck, waist, and knee.
This tri-bent posture creates opposite curves at the waist and neck, making it the most graceful and sensuous pose in traditions like Odissi dance and temple sculpture, frequently depicted in images of Lord Krishna.
Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference between the two?
Detailed Explanation:
Chaitya is a Buddhist prayer hall or shrine that contains a stupa at one end, serving as a place of worship and congregation.
Vihara is a residential monastery consisting of a central hall with small cells (living quarters) connected to it, where monks resided, meditated, and studied.
UPSC Prelims 2013 - Indian Art & Culture Chapter-wise Distribution
Religions in India
2 Qs (25%)Indian Architecture
2 Qs (25%)Miscellaneous & Current Affairs
1 Qs (12.5%)Bhakti & Sufi Movements
1 Qs (12.5%)Indian Dance
1 Qs (12.5%)Indian Paintings
1 Qs (12.5%)UPSC Prelims 2013 - Indian Art & Culture Questions FAQs
Q1 How many Indian Art & Culture questions were asked in UPSC Prelims 2013?
Q2 What is the chapter-wise question distribution for Indian Art & Culture in UPSC Prelims 2013?
- Religions in India: 2 questions (25%)
- Indian Architecture: 2 questions (25%)
- Miscellaneous & Current Affairs: 1 questions (12.5%)
- Bhakti & Sufi Movements: 1 questions (12.5%)
- Indian Dance: 1 questions (12.5%)
- Indian Paintings: 1 questions (12.5%)