Art and Culture: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

Explanation

Paramitas are qualities to be perfected in order to attain a state of self enlightened Universal Buddha (a samma sambuddha) a term prevalent in Eastern and Northern Buddhist traditions. Paramitas These are qualities to be perfected in order to transcend into a self enlightened Universal Buddha. Here, The Fourth Noble Truth outlines the Eightfold Path, which is a practical guideline for attaining the cessation of suffering (nirvana), while the Ten Paramitas focus more on the qualities required of a Bodhisattva, both paths lead toward enlightenment. Following are the Ten Paramitas: Generosity, Morality, Patience, Energy, Meditation, Wisdom, Skillful means, Resolution, Power, Knowledge.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Sthaviravadins were an early Buddhist sect that later became associated with Theravada Buddhism, not Mahayana.

Statement 2 is correct: Mahasanghika was further subdivided into several sects including Lokottarvadin, Kavya Variks, Kaukkitikas in coming years. Lokottarvadin was based on the philosophy of Lokottar Buddha or Supernatural Buddha.

Statement 3 is correct: The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghika fostered Mahayana Buddhism. They attributed divinity to Buddha and worship of Buddha in Statue form started which is still prevalent in modern days.

Explanation

In ancient Indian Non-Vedic religious traditions like Buddhism and Jainism, distinct roles and terminologies were used to describe various types of spiritual practitioners and followers such as Parivrajaka, Shramana and Upasaka.

Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Sanskrit word Parivrajaka means renunciant & wanderer in English. Ajita Keshkambalin, Makhkhali Goshala, Gauthama Buddha, and Vardhamana Mahavira are a few well-known examples for Parivrajaka.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Brahmins were privileged as intermediaries between God and its followers, making them socially dominant groups of the society. There have been many movements that tried to distance themselves from this practice and belief. Shramanas were one such group. Famous among them were Buddhists, Jains, lokayats, and Ajivikas. The Shramanas included a variety of ascetics, monks and lay followers of various sects. They renounced worldly life to search for the truth about life and the universe. The main feature of Shramana was their equal treatment. They lived as an equal member of the order, without any caste distinctions.

Pair 3 is correct: Lay followers of Buddhism were known as Upsakas or Upasikas. This title is used for the followers of Buddhism who were not monks, nuns and took certain vows.

Explanation

Vijayanagara art and architecture, flourishing from the 14th to 16th centuries, blends Dravidian styles with Islamic and Persian influences. Notable for grand temples like Virupaksha and the Hampi ruins, it features large gopurams, intricate carvings, and expansive courtyards, reflecting both devotion and royal splendor.

Option (d) is correct: Kalyan Mandapa (or Kalyana Mandapam) is an architectural feature commonly seen in South Indian temples, especially during the Vijayanagara period (14th-17th century). These mandapas were used for ceremonial purposes, such as the symbolic marriage of deities. The Virupaksha Temple and Hazara Rama Temple in Hampi are prime examples of Vijayanagara architecture which feature Kalyana Mandapams with intricately carved pillars and large open spaces. The Kalyan Mandapa serves as a ceremonial hall within the temple complex, specifically built for conducting marriage rituals of deities, symbolizing the divine wedding of the presiding deity. The mandapas are often elaborately decorated with sculptures, intricate carvings, and motifs depicting deities, mythological scenes, and floral patterns.

Explanation

Buddhism has several sects, with the main ones being Theravada, which follows the earliest teachings of the Buddha, and Mahayana, which emphasizes the Bodhisattva path and compassion for all beings. Additionally, Vajrayana (or Tibetan Buddhism) incorporates esoteric practices and is a significant branch of Mahayana. All three statements are features of Mahayana Buddhism. The Mahayana sect of Buddhism emerged during the Fourth Buddhist Council held in Kashmir during the reign of Kanishka. The deification of Buddha and worship of images of Buddha and Bodhisattvas was a distinctive feature of this sect. A Bodhisattvas is someone who has compassion within himself or herself and who can make another person smile or help someone suffer less.

Explanation

Mughal and Nawabi architecture is marked by the use of red sandstone, white marble, and intricate brickwork. This choice reflects cultural influences seen in monuments like the Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Bara Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, and the Taj Mahal.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Buland Darwaza (Gate of Magnificence) and Khankah (Sufi monastery) at Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar to commemorate his victory over Gujarat. It is made of red sandstone, with some white marble used for decorative inlays. White marble is not the primary material.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Bada Imambara, located in Lucknow was built by Asaf-ud-daula in 1784. It was built to give employment and revenue to the public This structure has been made by interlocking bricks without the use of mortar in its construction. Rumi Darwaza is also located in Lucknow, built by Nawab of Awadh Asaf-ud-daula. It is built using lakhauri bricks, coated with lime. It does not use red sandstone or marble. Stucco ornamentation (gajkari) was used to decorate the monuments, giving it a deep relief effect even on flat walls.

Explanation

Rajput regional paintings, flourishing in Rajasthan from the 16th to 19th centuries, are known for their vibrant colors, detailed depictions of court life, and themes from Hindu mythology. Styles like Mewar, Marwar, and Bundi showcase ornate portraits, landscapes, and historical events with a distinctive blend of Persian and Indian artistic traditions.

Option (d) is correct: Bani Thani paintings are a distinctive style of Indian miniature art that originated in the 18th century in the Rajput kingdom of Kishangarh, Rajasthan. Bani Thani painted by artist Nihal Chand is often referred to as the "Mona Lisa of India" and depicts a courtesan who was the muse and beloved of Raja Sawant Singh. The painting is characterized by its graceful curves, large eyes, and delicate features.

Explanation

Carnatic music is a classical music tradition of South India, characterized by its intricate ragas (melodies) and talas (rhythms), with a strong emphasis on vocal performance and improvisation. Prominent early singers include Muthuswami Dikshitar, Syama Sastri, and Tyagaraja, who significantly contributed to its development through their compositions and performances.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Tyagaraja is known for his devotional songs (Kritis) to Lord Rama and not Lord Krishna.

Statement 2 is correct: He innovated the technique of structural variations of musical lines and created new Ragas.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Annamacharya belonged to the 15th century whereas Tyagaraja belonged to the 18th century and so they are non-contemporary.

Statement 4 is correct: Annamacharya is renowned for his keertanas (devotional songs), most of which are dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, the deity of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati.

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

Sthanakvasi is a branch of Svetambara Jainism that was started in 1653 AD by a merchant named Lavaji. It holds that the path to soul purification and achieving Nirvana/Moksha does not include idol worship.

Option (b) is correct:

The Sthanakvasi sect is a reformist sect within Jainism. It emerged in the 15th century CE as a reaction against the perceived ritualism and temple-centric practices of the Murtipujaka (idol-worshipping) Jains.mThe Sthanakvasis emphasize asceticism, non-violence (ahimsa), and meditation. They reject the worship of idols and instead focus on spiritual practices and the study of Jain scriptures.mThe sect derives its name from the term "Sthanak", meaning a place of worship, which is typically a simple hall rather than an ornate temple.