UPSC Prelims 2014
Indian Art & Culture Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Explore 14 solved UPSC Prelims 2014 Indian Art & Culture questions with detailed step-by-step bilingual solutions, option analysis, and answer keys.
The national motto of India, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from
Detailed Explanation:
The national motto 'Satyameva Jayate' (Truth alone triumphs) is taken from the Mundaka Upanishad (3.1.6), one of the ancient Vedic texts.
It was adopted as the national motto on 26 January 1950 and inscribed in Devanagari script below the Lion Capital of Ashoka on India's national emblem, which appears on all currency notes and official documents.
Consider the following languages:
- Gujarati
- Kannada
- Telugu
Which of the above has/have been declared as ‘Classical Language / Languages’ by the Government?
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Gujarati has not been declared a Classical Language by the Government of India.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Kannada was accorded Classical Language status in 2008, recognizing its antiquity of over 2000 years and rich literary tradition.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Telugu was declared a Classical Language in 2008, meeting criteria of early texts dating to 1st millennium CE and independent literary heritage.
With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs:
| Famous work of sculpture | Site |
|---|---|
| 1. A grand image of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana with numerous celestial musicians above and the sorrowful figures of his followers below | Ajanta |
| 2. A huge image of Varaha Avatar (boar incarnation) of Vishnu, as he rescues Goddess Earth from the deep and chaotic waters, sculpted on rock | Mount Abu |
| 3. “Arjuna’s Penance” /”Descent of Ganga” sculpted on the surface of huge boulders | Mamallapuram |
Which of the pairs given above is/ are correctly matched?
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Pair 1 – Correct: Ajanta Cave 26 houses the grand Mahaparinirvana sculpture of Buddha with celestial musicians above and mourning disciples below, a masterpiece of Buddhist rock-cut art.
❌ Pair 2 – Incorrect: The colossal Varaha Avatar sculpture (rescuing Goddess Earth from cosmic waters) is located at Udayagiri Caves, Madhya Pradesh, not Mount Abu; Mount Abu features Dilwara Jain temples.
✅ Pair 3 – Correct: Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) contains the iconic "Arjuna's Penance"/"Descent of Ganga" – the world's largest open-air rock relief carved on two massive boulders.
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A community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their -
Detailed Explanation:
Manganiyars are a community of hereditary Muslim folk musicians from Western Rajasthan (Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jalore districts), renowned for their musical tradition in North-West India.
They serve as traditional performers and record keepers, preserving family histories and genealogies through songs based on oral tradition, receiving patronage from local communities.
With reference to India’s culture and tradition, what is ‘Kalaripayattu’?
Detailed Explanation:
Kalaripayattu is an ancient martial art that originated in Kerala (South India), considered one of the oldest fighting systems in the world.
It combines physical combat techniques, strikes, kicks, grappling, and weaponry, and is still practiced as a living tradition in parts of South India.
Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy?
Detailed Explanation:
The six orthodox (Astika) systems of Indian Philosophy are Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, and Vedanta.
Lokayata (Charvaka) is a heterodox (Nastika) materialistic school rejecting Vedic authority, and Kapalika is a Tantric Shaivite sect, not a philosophical system—neither belongs to the six systems.
Consider the following statements:
- ‘Bijak’ is a composition of the teachings of Saint Dadu Dayal.
- The Philosophy of PushtiMarg was propounded by Madhvacharya.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: 'Bijak' is a compilation of the teachings of Saint Kabir, the 15th-century mystic poet and philosopher, not Dadu Dayal. Dadu Dayal's teachings are compiled in 'Dadu Dayal ki Bani'.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The philosophy of Pushti Marg (Path of Grace) was propounded by Vallabhacharya (1479-1531), not Madhvacharya. Madhvacharya established the Dvaita (dualistic) philosophy, emphasizing duality between the soul and God.
With reference to ‘Changpa’ community of India, consider the following statement:
- They live mainly in the State of Uttarakhand.
- They rear the Pashmina goats that yield fine wool.
- They are kept in the category of Scheduled Tribes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Changpa community lives mainly in the Changtang plateau of Ladakh, not Uttarakhand. They inhabit the high-altitude cold desert regions bordering Tibet.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The Changpa are semi-nomadic pastoralists who rear Changthangi goats (also called Pashmina goats), which produce fine Pashmina wool used in luxury shawls.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: The Changpa community is recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in India, specifically in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements:
- Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama.
- It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam.
- It is based on classical Ragas and Talas of devotional songs composed by Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai.
Which of the statements given above is /are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Sattriya is a combination of music, dance, and drama, incorporating storytelling through movement, expressions, and devotional songs.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam, originated in the 15th century by Srimanta Sankardev as part of the neo-Vaishnavite movement.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Sattriya is based on compositions by Sankardev and Assamese saints, not Tulsidas, Kabir, or Mirabai, who belonged to different regional Bhakti traditions; it uses distinct Assamese Ragas and Talas.
With reference to the cultural history of India, the term ‘Panchayatan’ refers to
Detailed Explanation:
Panchayatan (from Sanskrit: pañcha = five + āyatana = dwelling) is a temple architectural style where the main shrine is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines at the four corners of the platform, creating a total of five shrines.
This style was popularized during the Gupta period (4th–6th century CE) and became a defining feature of Nagara-style temple architecture in North India, symbolizing the worship of five deities (Panchadevata): Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Surya, and Ganesha/Skanda.
With reference to Buddhist history, tradition and culture in India. Consider the following pairs:
| Famous Shrine | Location |
|---|---|
| 1. Tabo monastery and temple complex | Spiti Valley |
| 2. Lhotsava Lhakhang temple | Nako Zanskar Valley |
| 3. Alchi temple complex | Ladakh |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Pair 1 – Correct: Tabo Monastery and Temple Complex is located in Tabo village, Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, founded in 996 CE, known as the 'Ajanta of the Himalayas'.
❌ Pair 2 – Incorrect: Lhotsava Lhakhang temple is located in Nako village, Kinnaur district, not in Zanskar Valley. Nako is in the Trans-Himalayan region of Kinnaur, featuring Nako Lake and Nako Monastery (1025 CE).
✅ Pair 3 – Correct: Alchi Temple Complex (Alchi Gompa) is a Buddhist monastic complex located in Alchi village, Leh District, Ladakh, famous for its 11th-12th century murals and Indo-Himalayan art.
Consider the following pairs
- Garba : Gujarat
- Mohiniattam : Odisha
- Yakshagana : Karnataka
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Garba is a traditional folk dance of Gujarat, performed during Navratri in honour of Goddess Durga.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Mohiniyattam is a classical dance form of Kerala, not Odisha. It features graceful, feminine movements performed solo by women.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Yakshagana is a traditional theatre form of Karnataka, combining dance, music, dialogue, and elaborate costumes to depict mythological stories.
Consider the following towns of India:
- Bhadrachalam
- Chanderi
- Kancheepuram
- Karnal
Which of the above are famous for the production of traditional sarees / fabric?
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Bhadrachalam (Telangana) is a major pilgrimage site famous for Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple, not for traditional saree or fabric production.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Chanderi (Madhya Pradesh) is renowned for Chanderi sarees and fabrics, characterized by lightweight texture, sheer feel, and fine zari work on silk and cotton.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Kancheepuram (Tamil Nadu) is world-famous for hand-woven Kancheepuram silk sarees, distinguished by heavy silk, contrasting borders, and temple-inspired motifs.
❌ Statement 4 – Incorrect: Karnal (Haryana) is known for agricultural production (rice) and National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), not for traditional textile manufacturing.
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?
Detailed Explanation:
The Saka Era calendar (Indian National Calendar) is a solar calendar synchronized with the Gregorian calendar.
Chaitra 1 (the first month) coincides with March 22 in a normal year (365 days) and March 21 in a leap year (366 days), ensuring alignment with the spring equinox.
UPSC Prelims 2014 - Indian Art & Culture Chapter-wise Distribution
Miscellaneous & Current Affairs
4 Qs (28.6%)Indian Architecture
3 Qs (21.4%)Indian Handicrafts, Fairs & Festivals
2 Qs (14.3%)Indian Dance
2 Qs (14.3%)Bhakti & Sufi Movements
1 Qs (7.1%)Indian Music
1 Qs (7.1%)Languages & Literature in India
1 Qs (7.1%)UPSC Prelims 2014 - Indian Art & Culture Questions FAQs
Q1 How many Indian Art & Culture questions were asked in UPSC Prelims 2014?
Q2 What is the chapter-wise question distribution for Indian Art & Culture in UPSC Prelims 2014?
- Miscellaneous & Current Affairs: 4 questions (28.6%)
- Indian Architecture: 3 questions (21.4%)
- Indian Handicrafts, Fairs & Festivals: 2 questions (14.3%)
- Indian Dance: 2 questions (14.3%)
- Bhakti & Sufi Movements: 1 questions (7.1%)
- Indian Music: 1 questions (7.1%)
- Languages & Literature in India: 1 questions (7.1%)