UPSC Prelims 2026
Indian Art & Culture Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Explore 7 solved UPSC Prelims 2026 Indian Art & Culture questions with detailed step-by-step bilingual solutions, option analysis, and answer keys.
Which one of the following statements with regard to the Moidams, built by the Tai-Ahom kingdom and inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is/are correct ?
- They acted as army fortresses.
- They were recreation centres of the Royals and Nobles.
- They were burial grounds of the Royals and Nobles.
- They were battle drill centres of the Royals and Nobles.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Detailed Explanation:
Moidams (Maidams) are the traditional burial mounds of the Tai-Ahom Kingdom in Assam.
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Statement 1 is Incorrect: Moidams were not army fortresses.
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Statement 2 is Incorrect: They were not recreation centres for royals and nobles.
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Statement 3 is Correct: Moidams served as burial grounds (royal necropolis) for Ahom kings, queens, and nobles.
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Statement 4 is Incorrect: They were not battle drill centres.
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Therefore, only Statement 3 is correct, making Option C the correct answer.
Why Other Statements Are Wrong
| Statement | Why Incorrect? |
|---|---|
| Army fortresses | Moidams were funerary monuments, not military structures. |
| Recreation centres | No historical evidence suggests their use for leisure activities. |
| Battle drill centres | They were burial sites, not military training grounds. |
Which of the following temples has/have a Nagara-style shikhara ?
- Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami
- Huchimalligudi Temple, Aihole
- Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh
- Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal
Select the answer using the code given below :
Detailed Explanation:
The Nagara style of temple architecture is characterized by a curvilinear (beehive-shaped) shikhara and is mainly associated with North India.
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Statement 1 is Incorrect: Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami is built in the Dravida style and does not have a Nagara shikhara.
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Statement 2 is Correct: Huchimalligudi Temple, Aihole features a curvilinear Nagara-style shikhara.
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Statement 3 is Correct: Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh is one of the earliest examples of a Nagara-style temple in North India.
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Statement 4 is Incorrect: Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal is a classic Dravida-style temple with a pyramidal vimana.
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Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correct, making Option B the correct answer.
Nagara vs Dravida Architecture
| Feature | Nagara Style | Dravida Style |
|---|---|---|
| Region | North India | South India |
| Tower | Curvilinear Shikhara | Pyramidal Vimana |
| Top Element | Amalaka and Kalasha | Stupika |
| Plan | Generally Square | More Complex Layouts |
| Examples | Dashavatara Temple, Kandariya Mahadeva Temple | Brihadeshwara Temple, Virupaksha Temple |
Important Facts
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Aihole is known as the "Cradle of Indian Temple Architecture."
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Pattadakal contains both Nagara and Dravida style temples.
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Dashavatara Temple (Deogarh) is a famous Gupta-period temple and an early example of Nagara architecture.
Memory Trick:
👉 Nagara = North = Curved Shikhara
👉 Dravida = South = Pyramid Tower
The Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves represents :
Detailed Explanation:
The Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves (Madhya Pradesh) depicts a joyous folk dance performed by a group of women.
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Female dancers are shown dancing in a circle while striking small wooden sticks, similar to modern Dandiya or Garba.
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The dancers are accompanied by female musicians playing instruments such as the hudukka (drum) and cymbals.
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The painting is an important source for understanding the social and cultural life of ancient India.
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Therefore, Option A is the correct answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong
| Option | Why Incorrect? |
|---|---|
| Buddha in a meditative pose | Hallisalasya is a secular folk-dance scene, not a Buddhist religious depiction. |
| Shiva and Parvati on Kailasha | This theme is associated with Hindu cave art such as Ellora and Elephanta, not Bagh Caves. |
| Samudramanthan | The Hallisalasya mural does not depict the Churning of the Ocean. |
| A joyous folk dance | Depicts women dancing and musicians performing. ✅ |
Bagh Caves
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Dhar District, Madhya Pradesh |
| Period | 5th–6th Century CE (Gupta Period) |
| Type | Rock-cut Buddhist Viharas |
| Famous Cave | Cave 4 – Rang Mahal |
| Art Style | Murals and fresco-like paintings |
| Hallisalasya Painting | Depicts a lively folk dance scene |
Important Facts
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The Bagh Caves are known for their vibrant mural paintings depicting both religious and secular themes.
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The Hallisalasya mural is valued for showcasing everyday life, music, dance, and cultural traditions of the Gupta period.
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It is often compared to modern Dandiya/Garba due to the use of sticks in the dance.
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Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music ?
Detailed Explanation:
Indian classical music has two major traditions: Hindustani (North Indian) and Carnatic (South Indian). Many ragas in these systems have equivalent scales.
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Dheera Shankarabharanam in Carnatic music is equivalent to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music.
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Both use all Shuddha (natural) notes and correspond to the Western Major Scale (Ionian Mode).
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Nat Bhairavi, Kamavardhini, and Hanumatodi correspond to other Hindustani thaats/ragas.
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Therefore, Option D is the correct answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong
| Option | Hindustani Equivalent | Why Incorrect? |
|---|---|---|
| Nat Bhairavi | Asavari Thaat | Not equivalent to Bilawal |
| Kamavardhini (Pantuvarali) | Poorvi Thaat | Different note structure |
| Hanumatodi | Bhairavi Thaat | Different scale |
| Dheera Shankarabharanam | Bilawal Thaat / Raga Bilawal | ✅ Correct Answer |
Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct ?
- It was located in the lower Krishna valley.
- In India, it was next only to the Sanchi Stupa in size.
- The Amaravati school of sculpture made a lasting impact on the later South Indian sculpture, and its products were carried to Sri Lanka and South-east Asia.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Detailed Explanation:
The Amaravati Stupa (Maha Chaitya) was an important Buddhist monument of ancient India.
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Statement 1 is Correct: It was located in the lower Krishna River valley in present-day Andhra Pradesh.
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Statement 2 is Incorrect: Amaravati Stupa was larger than the Great Stupa at Sanchi and is considered one of the largest stupas in India.
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Statement 3 is Correct: The Amaravati School of Sculpture greatly influenced later South Indian art and spread to Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia through trade and cultural contacts.
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Therefore, Statements 1 and 3 are correct, making Option B the correct answer.
Statement-wise Analysis
| Statement | Status | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| It was located in the lower Krishna valley. | ✅ Correct | Situated in present-day Andhra Pradesh along the Krishna River. |
| It was next only to the Sanchi Stupa in size. | ❌ Incorrect | Amaravati Stupa was actually larger than Sanchi Stupa. |
| Its sculpture influenced South India, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. | ✅ Correct | Amaravati art spread through maritime trade and cultural exchanges. |
Amaravati Stupa & Amaravati School of Art
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh |
| River Valley | Lower Krishna Valley |
| Period | Mainly Satavahana Period |
| Also Known As | Maha Chaitya |
| Material Used | White Limestone |
| Art Style | Amaravati School (Andhra School) |
Important Features
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Famous for its intricate narrative relief sculptures depicting Jataka tales and events from Buddha's life.
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Early Buddhist art at Amaravati largely followed the aniconic tradition, later incorporating Buddha images.
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Influenced later Pallava, Chola, Sri Lankan, and Southeast Asian sculpture traditions.
Consider the following statements with regard to the film 'Boong':
- The film has recently won the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award in the Children's and Family Film category.
- The film is directed by Lakshmipriya Devi.
- This is the first Indian film to win a BAFTA award in the Children's and Family Film category.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Boong is a Manipuri-language coming-of-age film that achieved a historic milestone at the BAFTA Awards.
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Statement 1 is Correct: Boong won the BAFTA Award for Best Children's and Family Film.
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Statement 2 is Correct: The film was written and directed by Lakshmipriya Devi.
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Statement 3 is Correct: It became the first Indian film to win a BAFTA award in the Children's and Family Film category.
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Therefore, all three statements are correct, making Option A the correct answer.
Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur, the famous classical singer from Karnataka, represented the :
Detailed Explanation:
Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur (1910–1992) was one of the greatest Hindustani classical vocalists from Karnataka and is best known as a leading exponent of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana.
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He received advanced training under Ustad Manji Khan and Ustad Bhurji Khan, sons of the gharana's founder Ustad Alladiya Khan.
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He was renowned for his mastery over rare and complex ragas.
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Therefore, Option D is the correct answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong
| Gharana | Why Incorrect? |
|---|---|
| Agra Gharana | Known for powerful voice culture and rhythmic complexity, but not associated with Mallikarjun Mansur. |
| Gwalior Gharana | Mansur initially trained in this style but later became a Jaipur-Atrauli exponent. |
| Patiala Gharana | Famous for Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and intricate taans; unrelated to Mansur. |
| Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana | Mallikarjun Mansur's principal gharana. ✅ |
Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founder | Ustad Alladiya Khan |
| Type | Hindustani Classical Music |
| Speciality | Rare ragas, complex layakari, intricate taans |
| Famous Exponent | Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur |
| Style | Open-throated singing and sophisticated raga presentation |
Important Facts
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The Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana is one of the most respected gharanas of Hindustani music.
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It is particularly known for preserving and performing rare (Jod and Sankirna) ragas.
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Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur played a major role in popularizing this tradition across India.
UPSC Prelims 2026 - Indian Art & Culture Chapter-wise Distribution
Indian Music
2 Qs (28.6%)Miscellaneous & Current Affairs
1 Qs (14.3%)Indian Sculpture
1 Qs (14.3%)Indian Paintings
1 Qs (14.3%)Indian Architecture
1 Qs (14.3%)UNESCO Cultural Heritage
1 Qs (14.3%)UPSC Prelims 2026 - Indian Art & Culture Questions FAQs
Q1 How many Indian Art & Culture questions were asked in UPSC Prelims 2026?
Q2 What is the chapter-wise question distribution for Indian Art & Culture in UPSC Prelims 2026?
- Indian Music: 2 questions (28.6%)
- Miscellaneous & Current Affairs: 1 questions (14.3%)
- Indian Sculpture: 1 questions (14.3%)
- Indian Paintings: 1 questions (14.3%)
- Indian Architecture: 1 questions (14.3%)
- UNESCO Cultural Heritage: 1 questions (14.3%)