Art and Culture: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

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.

Explanation

Every monsoon the Gond and Korku tribes of Betul and Harda districts of Madhya Pradesh celebrate a month-long festival known as Hari Jiroti. This festival is dedicated to promoting greenery and environmental conservation. During Hari Jiroti community members engage in the plantation of saplings, especially those of fruit-bearing trees such as mango, guava, and jamun. This practice not only enhances the local ecosystem but also ensures a sustainable source of food and income for future generations.

Explanation

The Indian national calendar based on the Saka calendar was officially adopted on 22nd March 1957. This calendar is utilized alongside the Gregorian calendar for official purposes such as the Gazette of India, news broadcasts by All India Radio, and government communications. The Saka calendar commences with the month of Chaitra. In a common year (365 days): 1st Chaitra corresponds to 22nd March in the Gregorian calendar. In a leap year (366 days): 1st Chaitra corresponds to 21st March.

Explanation

The Bhakti movement was a devotional reform movement in medieval India, emphasizing love and devotion to a personal god over ritualistic practices. It spread across regions, with prominent saints like Kabir, who challenged religious orthodoxy; Ramanuja, who advocated for Vishnu worship; and Meerabai, a passionate devotee of Krishna.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Bijak is a collection of Kabir’s teachings(not Saint Dadu Dayal), a 15th-century mystic poet and saint who challenged ritualistic practices in Hinduism and Islam. His writings influenced the Bhakti movement and are included in the Guru Granth Sahib. He was a disciple of Ramananda.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Vallabhacharya’s philosophy came to be known as Pushti Marga. He founded the philosophy of Shuddhadvaita which believed in the absolute union. He was the first to advocate for Krishna Bhakti using the Maha Bhagavata Purana as a foundation.

Explanation

The Manganiyars are a traditional Muslim community of musicians from the Thar desert region of Rajasthan, India. Known for their rich musical heritage, they specialize in folk and devotional music, often performing for royalty, festivals, and religious occasions. Their repertoire includes Sufi songs, bhajans, and wedding songs, which are deeply rooted in the region’s cultural and spiritual life. The Manganiyars use traditional instruments such as the dholak, khartal, and sarangi, passing down their art through generations. Their performances are recognized for their emotional depth and storytelling, making them an integral part of Rajasthan’s musical tradition.

Explanation

According to the Linguistic Experts Committee, the following benchmarks must be met for a language to be considered "classical":

High antiquity of (its) is early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years. A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a heritage by generations of speakers. Knowledge texts, especially prose texts in addition to poetry, epigraphical and inscriptional evidence. The Classical Languages and literature could be distinct from its current form or could be discontinuous with later forms of its offshoots. Both Kannada and Telugu have been declared as ‘Classical Language/Languages’ by the Government. Gujarati has not been declared as a classical language by the government of India. The classical languages in our country are Tamil (2004), Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), Odia (2014), Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali (announcement made in 2024).

Explanation

Lokayata and Kapalika are not part of the six orthodox systems of Indian Philosophy. Lokayata philosophy, also known as Carvaka, is an ancient Indian materialistic school that rejects the supernatural and emphasizes empirical knowledge and sensory perception. It advocates for a life of pleasure and rationality, dismissing concepts like karma, rebirth, and the existence of gods. The Kapalika sect was a radical and esoteric Tantric Shaivite tradition that practiced intense rituals, including the use of skulls and other tantric symbols, to achieve spiritual liberation.

Explanation

The national motto of India "Satyameva Jayate" inscribed below the national emblem is derived from the Mundaka Upanishad. This ancient Sanskrit scripture is one of the principal Upanishads embedded within the Atharva Veda. The phrase "Satyameva Jayate" translates to "Truth alone triumphs." The adoption of ‘Satyameva Jayate’ as the national motto reflects India’s commitment to truth and righteousness, values deeply embedded in its ancient scriptures. The phrase was popularized during India’s independence movement and was chosen to symbolize the nation’s moral and ethical foundation.

Explanation

Monasteries in Buddhism serve as centers of spiritual practice, meditation, and learning, preserving Buddhist teachings and traditions. They also foster community life and support the monastic community in pursuing enlightenment.

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Tabo Monastery is located in Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh known for its ancient murals and manuscripts.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Lhotsava Lhakhang temple is in Nako village in the Kinnaur region of Himachal Pradesh. Zanskar Valley is in the Kargil district of Ladakh. It has been identified as one of the hundred most endangered heritage sites by the World Monuments Fund.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: Alchi temple complex is situated in Alchi village of Leh district, Ladakh. It was associated with Guru Rinchen Zangpo around the 10th century.

Explanation

Indian rock-cut architecture includes Badami caves (6th century AD), Barabar caves for the Ajivikas (3rd century BC), and Ellora caves (5th-10th centuries AD), showcasing diverse religious traditions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, with remarkable architectural complexity.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Badami caves were constructed by the Chalukya dynasty, in their capital Badami, which was earlier known as Vatapinagar. Barabar caves are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Barabar Caves were patronized by Emperor Ashoka and his successors. These are located in Jehanabad district, Bihar.

Statement 3 is correct: Ellora caves are a complex of Hindu (Caves 13-29), Buddhist (Caves 1-12) and Jain (Caves 30-34) monuments. These were built during the Rashtrakuta dynasty. It was designated as a World heritage site by UNESCO.