Culture in India: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Art and Culture)

Explanation

Shantiniketan located in West Bengal is the home of Rabindranath Tagore’s Visva-Bharati University. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in September 2023 for its cultural and educational significance. Santiniketan which means ‘abode of peace’ started taking shape in 1901, and it was this place Tagore later put up the foundations of Visva Bharati University. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas: The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas locatd in Karnataka, include the Hoysala temples at Belur, Halebid, and Somnathapura. These temples were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in September 2023 for their exceptional architecture and artistry. The shrines are characterized by hyper-real sculptures and stone carvings that cover the entire architectural surface, a circumambulatory platform, a large-scale sculptural gallery, a multi-tiered frieze, and sculptures of the Sala legend. Other sites:

Rani-ki-Vav located in Gujarat is an 11th-century stepwell known for its intricate architecture and sculptures. These stepwells are a distinctive form of subterranean water resource and storage systems on the Indian subcontinent, and have been constructed since the 3rd millennium BC. It was included in UNESCO WHS list in 2014. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya is one of the four holy sites related to the life of the Lord Buddha, and particularly to the attainment of Enlightenment. The first temple was built by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century B.C., and the present temple dates from the 5th or 6th centuries. It was included in the UNESCO WHS list in 2002.

Explanation

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Besnagar (located in Madhya Pradesh) is not known for being a Shaivite Cave Shrine. It is known for Garuda Pillar dedicated to lord Vasudeva by Heliodorus, an envoy of an Indo-Greek ruler Antialkidas in the court of Bhagabhadra. Heliodorus followed Vaishnava Sect.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: Bhaja (located in Maharashtra) is renowned for its Buddhist cave complex dating back to the 2nd century BCE. The 22 cave complex is part of the early phase of Buddhist rock-cut architecture and include a chaitya (prayer hall) and viharas (monastic cells).

Pair 3 is correctly matched: Sittanavasal (located in Tamil Nadu) is famous for its Jain cave complex which dates back to the 2nd century BCE. The site includes a rock-cut cave temple with beautiful frescoes depicting Jain themes such as the Samavasarana (divine preaching hall).

Explanation

Sangam literature, composed between 300 BCE and 300 CE, is a collection of Tamil poems reflecting ancient South Indian society, culture, and politics. It was composed by poets at the Sangam councils held in Madurai and include contributions from poets like Agastya, Kapilar, and Nakkirar. The literature is divided into Eighteen Greater and Ten Lesser Anthologies, covering themes of love (akam), valor (puram), and ethics. Key texts include Tolkappiyam (grammar), Purananuru (heroic poetry), and Akananuru (love poetry), offering insights into the region’s political, social, and religious life. The two major Tamil epics, Silappathikaram and Manimekalai, are cornerstones of Tamil literature and reflect the cultural and spiritual life of ancient Tamil society

Option (b) is correct: Sangam literature does make references to the social classification of Varna, which was a system of social classification in ancient India based on occupation and birth. Sangam Literature provides valuable details about the Sangam society and polity.Social classification of varna was known to Sangam poets.There is mention of social classes like the Arashar (kings), Vaishiyar (traders), and Velalar (farmers).

Explanation

Akbar had commissioned the translation of many Sanskrit works such as Mahabharata, Ramayana, Lilavati, and Yogavashishta into the Persian language. A Maktab Khana (translation bureau) was also established at Fatehpur Sikri for this purpose.

Option (a) is correct: The "Yoga Vasistha" was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of Akbar. It was commissioned by Akbar as part of his efforts to bring together different religious and philosophical ideas, bridging the gap between Hinduism and Islam. This translation helped introduce key concepts from Vedanta, Yoga, and Hindu philosophy to Persianspeaking audiences

Explanation

India’s tribal languages reflect its rich cultural diversity, with hundreds of languages spoken by indigenous communities. These languages belong to various linguistic families, including Indo-Aryan and Dravidian. There are also other smaller language families, such as Austroasiatic (Ex-Munda languages) and Tibeto-Burman (Ex-Bodo). Examples of Tribal Languages include Halbi (Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra), Ho (Jharkhand, Odisha), Kui (Odisha), Gondi (Central India), Korku (Madhya Pradesh), Kurukh (Odisha, Jharkhand), and Bhili (Rajasthan, Gujarat).

Option (d) is correct:

Halbi is spoken in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra. It is an Indo-Aryan language influenced by Marathi and Odia. It is used by the Halba tribe and is recognized as a lingua franca among tribal communities in Bastar region. Ho is spoken in Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh. It belongs to the Munda language family which a branch of the Austroasiatic languages. The Ho tribe is an ethnic Munda community which primarily speaks this language. It has its own script called Warang Citi developed by tribal scholar Lako Bodra. Kui is a spoken mainly in Odisha by the Kandha (Kondh) tribe. It is a Dravidian language closely related to Gondi and Telugu. The Kandha tribe has a rich oral traditio and Kui plays a significant role in their cultural expressions.

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Bhilsa is the medieval name of the modern day Vidisha city of Madhya Pradesh. Vidisha was also known as Besnagar in ancient times. King Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty served as the Governor of Vidisha during his father’s regime. It is known for its archaeological sites including the Udayagiri Caves and the Heliodorus Pillar.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Dwarasamudra was the capital of the Hoysala kingdom in the 11th century. Today it is known as Halebidu - a town located in Hassan district in Karnataka and is known for exquisite Hoysala architecture, including the Hoysaleswara Temple.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: Girinagar also known as Girnar or Revatak Parvat is a group of mountains in the Junagadh district of Gujarat. Temples situated on Mount Girnar are sacred to both Digambar and Swetambars branches of Jainism.

Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: Thanesar (Thaneshwar) is an old Hindu pilgrimage town of Haryana that was famous as Sthanesvara in ancient times. Thaneshwar was ruled by the great King Harsha of the Vardhan dynasty.

Explanation

Pair 1 is correct: Chapchar Kut is a spring festival of Mizo people in Mizoram. It is celebrated in March after they complete their jhum cultivation (Jungle clearing).

Pair 2 is correct: The Khongjom Parba is a traditional ballad form from Manipur. It commemorates the bravery of Manipuri warriors, particularly the Battle of Khongjom fought during the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891. The ballad is performed with a combination of singing and storytelling with the accompaniment of instruments like the dholak (a type of drum).

Pair 3 is incorrect: Thang-Ta is an ancient Manipuri Martial Art dance developed from the war environment of Manipur by the Meitei community. Thang-Ta was also known as Huyen Lallong which means ‘The art of sword and the spear’.

Explanation

India’s cultural landscape is marked by a wide array of religious traditions that include the Chaliha Sahib Festival (Sindhis), Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra (Garhwalis), Wari-Warkari (Maharashtrians), Baisakhi (Punjabis), Bohag Bihu (Assamese), and Onam (Keralites)

Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Chaliha Sahib Festival is a significant religious festival celebrated by the Sindhi community. It is dedicated to Jhulelal the patron saint of the Sindhis and involves 40 days of fasting, prayers, and rituals.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: The Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra is a major pilgrimage in Uttarakhand associated with Garhwali and Kumaono community, not Gond community. It is a traditional yatra (pilgrimage) that takes place every 12 years, and involves a journey to the Nanda Devi peak.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: The Wari-Warkari tradition is associated with the Warkari sect of Maharashtra, not the Santhal community. The Warkari sect is a devotional movement centered around the worship of Lord Vitthal (a form of Lord Krishna) and involves an annual pilgrimage to the Pandharpur temple.

Explanation

The Malavikagnimitra is a Sanskrit play by Kalidas. The play tells the love story of Agnimitra the son Of Pushyamitra Shunga- the founder of the Shunga dynasty. He falls in love with the servant girl named Malavika.

Option (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect Swapnavasavadatta: A Sanskrit play by Bhasa that tells the story of the love between King Udayana of Vatsa and his wife Vasavadatta, with themes of separation, reunion, and devotion. Meghadoota: A lyrical Sanskrit poem by Kalidasa in which a yaksha (a celestial being) sends a message to his beloved through a cloud, expressing longing and deep emotion. Ratnavali: A Sanskrit play by Harsha that explores the romantic and political intrigue surrounding the king Udayana and his love for Ratnavali, with themes of virtue, love, and diplomacy.

Explanation

The designations ‘Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila’ were used for village officers in medieval India. Mahattara was used to denote the village headman. They played a crucial role in local governance, overseeing agricultural activities, resolving disputes, and ensuring the welfare of the villagers. Pattakila is generally identified with the modern term ’Patel’ and was believed to be the king’s representative in the village. Their responsibilities included collecting taxes, maintaining law and order, and implementing the directives of the central administration at the village level.