This page lists 3 previous year UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (General Studies Paper-I) questions on Art and Culture in the UPSC 2002 Prelims. Choose an option to see the correct answer and the full explanation on the same page.
Showing 1–3 of 3 questions
UPSC 2002Art and Culture · Literature
Q1. The ancient Indian play Mudrarakshasa of Visakh-adutt has its subject on:
Explanation
Mudrarakshasa by Vishakhadatta is a political drama revolving around the strategic acumen of Chanakya (Kautilya) in securing Chandragupta Maurya’s rise to power. The play narrates the clever maneuvering by Chanakya to win over Rakshasa, a loyal minister of the Nanda dynasty, to Chandragupta’s side. It provides valuable insights into Mauryan administrative policies and the importance of realpolitik during this era.
UPSC 2002Art and Culture · Buddhism and Jainism
Q2. Which one of the following statements is not correct?
Explanation
The statue of Gomateshwara, also known as Bahubali, at ShravanaBelagola in Karnataka represents Bahubali, the son of the first Tirthankara Rishabhanatha, not the last Tirthankara Mahavira. This monolithic statue, approximately 57 feet tall was commissioned by the Ganga dynasty minister and commander Chavundaraya.
UPSC 2002Art and Culture · Buddhism and Jainism
Q3. In ancient Indian Buddhist monasteries, a ceremony called Pavarana used to be held. It was the:
Explanation
Pavarana is a significant Buddhist ceremony observed at the end of Vassa, the three-month rainy season retreat for monks. During this retreat monks stay in a fixed monastery and refrain from extensive travel to avoid harming small creatures that emerge during the rains. On the full moon day of Ashvin (September-October) the Pavarana ceremony is held which marks the conclusion of Vassa. It serves as a day of confession when monks publicly acknowledge any offenses or mistakes they may have committed during their stay. It allows fellow monks to offer constructive criticism, fostering discipline and humility within the Sangha. It is an essential aspect of Vinaya (monastic discipline) which reinforces ethical behavior.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2002
(d) the court intrigues at the time of Chandragupta
2
2002
(a) The statue of Gomateshwara at ShravanaBelagola represents the last Tirthankara of Jains.
3
2002
(b) Confession by monks of their offenses committed during their stay in the monasteries during the rainy season
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Art and Culture?
This page covers 3 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Art and Culture in the UPSC 2002 Prelims, asked between 1995 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 Art and Culture?
Questions on Art and Culture in the UPSC 2002 Prelims are available for 26 years, from 1995 to 2024. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
