UPSC CSE Prelims
Indian Paintings Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Showing solved Previous Year Questions for Chapter: Indian Paintings
Topic Breakdown: Scroll →
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.
-
Female dancers are shown dancing in a circle while striking small wooden sticks, similar to modern Dandiya or Garba.
-
The dancers are accompanied by female musicians playing instruments such as the hudukka (drum) and cymbals.
-
The painting is an important source for understanding the social and cultural life of ancient India.
-
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
-
The Bagh Caves are known for their vibrant mural paintings depicting both religious and secular themes.
-
The Hallisalasya mural is valued for showcasing everyday life, music, dance, and cultural traditions of the Gupta period.
-
It is often compared to modern Dandiya/Garba due to the use of sticks in the dance.
The well-known painting "Bani Thani" belongs to the
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — Kishangarh school
"Bani Thani" is an iconic 18th-century painting from the Kishangarh school of Rajasthan, often referred to as the Indian 'Mona Lisa'. It depicts a woman with elongated features and graceful elegance, believed to be a representation of the divine lover Radha or the poet-singer Bani Thani herself. This painting epitomizes the romantic and devotional themes characteristic of Kishangarh art under the patronage of Raja Sawant Singh.
📝 Short Notes: Rajasthani Schools of Miniature Painting
| School | Period | Key Features | Famous Works/Themes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kishangarh | 18th century | Elongated eyes and faces, graceful elegance, romantic themes, Radha-Krishna devotion | Bani Thani, Radha-Krishna series |
| Bundi | 17th-18th century | Bold colors, hunting scenes, royal life, lush vegetation, dynamic compositions | Ragamala series, Chaugan Players |
| Jaipur | 18th-19th century | Mughal influence, portraits, court scenes, vibrant colors | Gita Govinda series, royal portraits |
| Kangra | 18th-19th century | Soft colors, lyrical themes, delicate features, naturalistic landscapes, Pahari style | Gita Govinda, Bhagavata Purana, Nayika Bheda |
- Mewar School: One of the earliest Rajasthani schools, known for bold colors and religious themes like Ramayana and Bhagavata Purana illustrations.
- Marwar (Jodhpur) School: Known for portraits of rulers, bold outlines, and folk art influences.
- Bikaner School: Strong Mughal influence, fine detailing, and court scenes.
The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at -
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — Ajanta
The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most celebrated masterpieces of Indian art, located in Cave 1 of the Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra. This exquisite mural depicts the compassionate Bodhisattva holding a lotus (padma), showcasing exceptional artistic skill, graceful composition, and spiritual depth that exemplifies the zenith of Buddhist cave art (5th-6th century CE).
Why other options are incorrect:
Badami: Known for rock-cut Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist temples built by the Chalukyas (6th-8th century CE), but not famous for the Padmapani painting.
Bagh: These caves in Madhya Pradesh have Buddhist paintings similar in style to Ajanta, but the iconic Padmapani is specifically at Ajanta.
Ellora: Famous for rock-cut temples of three religions and the monolithic Kailasa temple, but the Padmapani painting is not found here.
🧐 Not Sure What to Study Next?
Get a personalised study plan based on your goals, time and revision needs.
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).
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.