UPSC Prelims 2015
Indian Art & Culture Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Explore 4 solved UPSC Prelims 2015 Indian Art & Culture questions with detailed step-by-step bilingual solutions, option analysis, and answer keys.
Kalamkari painting refers to -
Detailed Explanation:
Kalamkari is a traditional hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile art from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in South India.
The name derives from 'kalam' (pen) and 'kari' (craftsmanship), featuring natural dyes and depicting mythological scenes, Hindu epics, and temple motifs in the two major styles: Srikalahasti (freehand drawing) and Machilipatnam (block-printing).
Which one of the following was given classical language status recently?
Detailed Explanation:
Odia was granted Classical Language status in February 2014, making it the 6th classical language of India and the most recent addition at the time this question was asked.
Classical Languages of India (up to 2014): Tamil (2004), Sanskrit (2005), Telugu (2008), Kannada (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014). Konkani, Bhojpuri, and Assamese did not have classical status in 2014-15.
Note: In October 2024, five more languages—Marathi, Bengali, Pali, Prakrit, and Assamese—were added to the list.
With reference to art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest?
Detailed Explanation:
Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli was created during the Mauryan Empire under Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE (c. 260 BCE), making it the earliest monument among the options.
Varaha Image at Udayagiri dates to the Gupta period (c. 401-402 CE), Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram were built by the Pallava dynasty in the 7th-8th centuries CE, and Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar was constructed in the 11th century CE.
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Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of Buddha?
- Avanti
- Gandhara
- Kosala
- Magadha
Select the correct answer using the code given below
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 (Avanti) – Incorrect: Avanti kingdom (capital Ujjain) had no direct association with Buddha's life; Buddhism spread here later during Mauryan period.
❌ Statement 2 (Gandhara) – Incorrect: Gandhara became a Buddhist art centre under Kushanas (1st-2nd century CE), centuries after Buddha's time; no connection to his life events.
✅ Statement 3 (Kosala) – Correct: Kosala kingdom included Kapilavastu (Buddha's birthplace, though Lumbini technically in Shakya territory) and Sravasti where Buddha spent many rainy seasons (vassas) teaching.
✅ Statement 4 (Magadha) – Correct: Magadha was central to Buddha's ministry; he attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, gave first sermon at Sarnath (near Magadha), spent years in Rajgriha under King Bimbisara's patronage, and attained Parinirvana at Kushinagar.
UPSC Prelims 2015 - Indian Art & Culture Chapter-wise Distribution
Religions in India
1 Qs (25%)Indian Architecture
1 Qs (25%)Languages & Literature in India
1 Qs (25%)Indian Paintings
1 Qs (25%)UPSC Prelims 2015 - Indian Art & Culture Questions FAQs
Q1 How many Indian Art & Culture questions were asked in UPSC Prelims 2015?
Q2 What is the chapter-wise question distribution for Indian Art & Culture in UPSC Prelims 2015?
- Religions in India: 1 questions (25%)
- Indian Architecture: 1 questions (25%)
- Languages & Literature in India: 1 questions (25%)
- Indian Paintings: 1 questions (25%)