Culture in India: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Art and Culture)
2 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Culture in India (Art and Culture). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–2 of 2 questions
UPSC 2022Art and Culture · Culture in India
Q1. Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct?
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).
UPSC 2022Art and Culture · Culture in India
Q2. "Yoga Vasistha" was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of:
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
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2022
(b) The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.
2
2022
(a) Akbar
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Culture in India?
This page covers 2 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Culture in India (Art and Culture), asked from 2013 to 2024. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Culture in India?
Questions on Culture in India (Art and Culture) are available for 10 years, from 2013 to 2024. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
