Sculpture: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Art and Culture)
1 previous year UPSC Prelims question on Sculpture (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 1–1 of 1 question
UPSC 1995Art and Culture · Sculpture
Q1. Bronze icons of Nataraja cast during the Chola period invariably show the deity with:
Explanation
The Nataraja bronze sculptures, of the Chola period (9th-13th century CE), are celebrated masterpieces of Indian art, symbolizing the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva. These icons, crafted using the lost-wax (cire perdue) casting technique, exemplify the technical and artistic sophistication of the era. An outstanding example is the Nataraja statue from Chidambaram, where Shiva is depicted in dynamic motion. Spiritual symbolism in these sculptures underscore the Chola dynasty’s devotion to Shaivism. The iconic Chola Bronze sculptures of Nataraja, the cosmic dance form of Shiva, depict the deity with four hands. Each hand represents different symbolic gestures (mudras): one holds a drum, another a flame, the third makes the ‘abhaya mudra’ (a sign of fearlessness), and the fourth points to the raised foot, symbolizing liberation.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
1995
(c) Four hands
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Sculpture?
This page covers 1 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Sculpture (Art and Culture), asked from 1995 to 1996. 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 Sculpture?
Questions on Sculpture (Art and Culture) are available for 2 years, from 1995 to 1996. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
