UPSC CSE Prelims
Mural Paintings Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Practice solved questions for Mural Paintings with detailed step-by-step solutions, key insights, and trend analysis for UPSC CSE PRELIMS.
Solved Previous Year Questions
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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.
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.
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.
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