upsc general study 10years pape

GS Paper 1

By Year
By Subject

UPSC Previous Year Solved Papers
ART & CULTURE

1. Which one of the following pairs of composers in different languages and their works on the Mahabharata theme is correctly matched?

Sarladasa

Kasirama

Tikkana

Pampa

Explanation: D. Pampa: Pamapa- Father of Kannada poetry wrote Adi purana, and Vikramarjunaya Vijaya. Tikkana- Telugu version of Mahabharata in 13th Century along with Nannaya (11th century)and Yerrapragada (14th century). Sarladasa

2. Which of the following dances involves solo performance?

Bharatanatyam

Kuchipudi

Mohiniattam

Odissi

Explanation: A. Bharatanatyam involves solo performance.

3. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists:

Explanation: B. Varahmihira - Brihat Samhita ; Visakadatta

4. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?

Mrichchakatikam
Buddhacharita
Mudrarakshasha
Harshacharita

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1, 2, 3 and 4

1, 3 and 4

1 and 4

2 and 4

Explanation: B. BuddhaCharita was written by Ashvaghosh. He is believed to be the first Sanskrit dramatist and is considered the greatest Indian poet prior to Kalidasa.

5. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?

Mrichchakatikam
Buddhacharita
Mudrarakshasha
Harshacharita

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1, 2, 3 and 4

1, 3 and 4

1 and 4

2 and 4

Explanation: B. BuddhaCharita was written by Ashvaghosh. He is believed to be the first Sanskrit dramatist and is considered the greatest Indian poet prior to Kalidasa.

6. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists:

Explanation: A. Balamurali Krishna associate with Carnatic vocal, Mita Pandit associated with Hindustani Vocal. Kanya Kumari associated with Violin, Nikhil bannerjee is an eminent sitarist of Maihae Gharana.

7. Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

Bakti ltihas : Badal Sarkar

Sita Swayamvar : Vishnu Das Bhave

Yayati : Girish Karnad

Giddha : Jabbar Patel

Explanation: D. Giddh is play, written by Vijay Tendulkar. It is based on accused and greedy people.

8. The Raga which is sung early in the morning is

Todi

Darbari

Bhopali

Bhimpalasi

Explanation: A. Raga Todi is primarily sung early in the morning period. Raga Darbari is played in night which is thought to have brought into North Indian music by Miyan tansen. Raag bhopali is sung in night. Rag Bhim palas is sung in Day.

9. Consider the following statements regarding the Chakiarkoothu form of dance:

It is performed by Chakiar caste
It cannot be traditionally witnessed by the higher caste Hindus
Mizhavu is the accompanying instrument
Its theatre form is called koothambalam

Which of these statements are correct?

1, 3 and 4

1, 2 and 3

2, 3 and 4

1, 2 and 4

Explanation: D. Chakiarkoothu is a performance art from Kerala. It is primarily a type of highly refined monolog where the performer narrates episodes from Hindu epics i.e, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

10. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

A. Kalamandalam Kshemavaty 1. Kathakali
B. Kottakkal Sivaraman 2. Manipuri
C. Lakshmi Viswanathan 3. Mohiniattam
D. N. Madhabi Devi 4. Bharatanatyam

Codes:

Explanation: C. The correct match is as follows: Kalamandalam Kshemavaty

11. Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

India's first technicolour film

India's first 3-D film

India's first insured film

India's first actress to win the Bharat Ratna

Explanation: D. Meena Kumari is not the recipient of Bharat Ratna.

12. In which one of the following cities is the Lingaraja Temple located?

Bhubaneswar

Bijapur

Kolkata

Shravananbelagola

Explanation: A. Lingaraja Temple was constructed by Yayati Kesari, ruler of Orissa. It is located in Bhubaneshwar.

13. Consider the following pairs:

Gatka, a traditional martial art : Kerala
Madhubani, a traditional painting : Bihar
Singhey Khababs Sindhu Darshan Festival : Jammu &Kashmir

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

1 and 2 only

3 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

Explanation: C. Gatka is an Indian martial arts focused primarily on weapons, especially swords and stick fighting. Gatka martial artists consider this ancient martial arts style as the "mother of all martial arts". This martial arts was developed in Punjab, India. It is often associated with Punjabi or Sikh forms of combat.

14. Chapchar Kut is a festival celebrated in the state of:

Arunanchal Pradesh

Assam

Mizoram

Sikkim

Explanation: C. Chapchar kut is a festival celebrated in the state of Mizoram.

15. Match List-I (Artist) with List-II (Art) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

A. Hira Battacharya 1. Bharatanatyam dance
B. Malini Rajurkar 2. Hindustani vocal music
C. Pratiba Prahlad 3. Kuchipudi dance
D. Vampati Chinna Satyam 4. Pupperty

Codes:

A-4; B-2; C-1; D-3

A-3; B-1; C-2; D-4

A-4; B-1; C-2; D-3

A-3; B-2; C-1; D-4

Explanation: A. Hira Bhatacharya is associated with Puppetry. Malini Rajurkar is associated with Hindustani vocal, Pratiba Prahlad is associated with Bharatnatyam and Vampati Chinna Satyam is associated with Kuchipudi dance.

16. With reference to Dhrupad, one of the major traditions of India that has been kept alive for centuries, which of the following statements are correct?

Dhrupad originated and developed in the Rajput kingdoms during the Mughal period.
Dhrupad is primarily a devotional and spiritual music.
Dhrupad Alap uses Sanskrit syllables from Mantras.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

None of the above is correct

Explanation: B. Dhrupad is primarily a spiritual and devotional music and it uses Sanskrit syllables from mantras.

17. How do you distinguish between Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dances?

Dancers occasionally speaking dialogues is found in Kuchipudi dance but not in Bharatanatyam.
Dancing on the brass plate by keeping the feet on its edges is a feature of Bharatanatyam but Kuchipudi dance does not have such a form of movements.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation: A. Only statement 1, is correct.

18. Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference between the two?

Vihara is a place of worship, while Chaitya is the dwelling place of the monks

Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks

Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the cave, while Vihara is the hall axial to it

There is no material difference between the two

Explanation: B. Chaityas refer to the halls enclosing the stupas. Chaityas were probably constructed to hold large numbers of devotees for prayer. Viharas on the other hand are constructions built in ancient India in order to provide resting places for the wandering Buddhist monks.

19. In the context of cultural history of India, a pose in dance and dramatics called 'Tribhanga' has been a favourite of Indian artists from ancient times till today. Which one of the following statements best describes this pose?

One leg is bent and the body is slightly but oppositely curved at waist and neck

Facial expressions, hand gestures and make-up are combined to symbolize certain epic or historic characters

Movements of body, face and hands are used to express oneself or to tell a story

A little smile, slightly curved waist and certain hand gestures are emphasized to express the feelings of love or eroticism.

Explanation: A. The pose 'Tribhanga' is the favourite posture of Lord Krishna. We have often seen Lord Krishna standing in tribhanga posture before his cow 'Kamdhenu' or whenever he is playing his flute. He is often called Tribhana Murari.

20. Consider the following historical places:

Ajanta Caves
Lepakshi Temple
Sanchi Stupa

Which of the above places is/are also known for mural paintings?

1 only

1 and 2 only

1, 2 and 3

None

Explanation: B. Ajanta Caves have mural paintings in caves 1, 2, 16 and 17. Some of the paintings were commissioned by Harisena of Vakataka dynasty. The theme of the paintings was Jataka tales. Lepakshi Temple is renowned for being one of the best repositories of mural paintings of the Vijaynagar kings. Sanchi Stupa has many beautiful sculptures but not mural paintings.

21. With reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements:

The caves at Badami are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India.
The Barabar rock-cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya.
At Ellora, caves were made for different faiths.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 and 3 only

3 only

1, 2 and 3

Explanation: C. The Barbara rock cut caves are the oldest rock cut caves. They were originally made for the Ajivikas during the Mauryan period (322-185 BCE). The Ellora caves were built between 5th century and 10th century. There were 34 caves out of which 12 were Buddhist caves, 17 were Hindu caves and 5 were Jain caves. The proximity of the caves clearly demonstrates the religious harmony prevalent at that period of time.

22. With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements:

Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama.
It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam.
It is based on classical Ragas and Talas of devotional songs composed by Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai.

Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

1 only

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

Explanation: D. Sattriya dance form was introduced in the 15th century A.D by the great Vaishnava saint and reformer of Assam, Mahapurusha Sankara deva as a powerful medium for propagation of the Vaishnava faith. It is a neo-Vaishnava treasure of Assamese music, dance and drama. Music of Sattriya dance comprises of classical ragas (melodies), talas (rhythms) and traditional songs. Tulsidas, Kabir and Mira were Vaishnavite.

23. With reference to India's culture and tradition, what is 'Kalaripayattu?

It is an ancient Bhakti cult of Shaivism still prevalent in some parts of South India

It is an ancient style bronze and brasswork still found in southern part of Coromandel area

It is an ancient form of dance-drama and a living tradition in the northern part of Malabar

It is an ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India

Explanation: D. Kalaripayattu is an ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of Kerala/ South India.

24. Consider the following pairs:

Garba : Gujarat
Mohiniattam : Odisha
Yakshagana : Karnataka

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

1 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation: C. Yakshgana is a theatre form of Karnataka. Mohiniattam is from Kerala and Garba is a dance form from Gujarat.

25. Consider the following statements:

Bijak' is a composition of the teachings of Saint Dadu Dayal.
The Philosophy of Pushti Marg was propounded by Madhvacharya.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation: D. Statement 1 is wrong because Kabir founded a community

26. Consider the following languages:

Gujarati
Kannada
Telugu

Which of the above has/have been declared as Classical Language/ Languages by the Government?

1 and 2 only

3 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

Explanation: C. The languages declared as 'Classical Language/ Languages' by the Government are Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odiya. Following six languages are included in the list of Classical Languages: Tamil (since 2004) Sanskrit (since 2005) Telugu (since 2008) Kannada (Since 2008) Malayalam (since 2013) Odiya (since 2014).

27. Kalamkari painting refers to

a hand-painted cotton textile in South India

a handmade drawing on bamboo handicrafts in North-East India

e a block-painted woollen cloth in Western Himalayan region of India

a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in North- Western India

Explanation: A. Kalamkari painting is a type of hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile which are produced in parts of India and in Iran. The Machilipatnam Kalamkari craft made at Pedana nearby Machilipatnam in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. It evolved with patronage of the Mughals and the Golconda sultanate.

28. Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples?

Arasavalli
Amarakantak
Omkareshwar

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

Explanation: A. Andhra Pradesh state Govt. website says Arasavalli in Srikakulam district has sun temple.

29. Consider the following pairs:

Chaliha Sahib Festival - Sindhis
Nanda Raj JaatYatra - Gonds
Wari-Warkari -Santhals

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

1 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

None of the above

Explanation: A. Chaliha Sahib: Sindhi festival regarding Jhulelal; Nanda Raj JaatYatra: Nanda Devi related festival in Uttarakhand. Gonds are not native to this state; Wari-Warkari: Wari is a pilgrimage for the Warkari sect related to Pandharpur god Vithobain Maharashtra, and it's part of Bhakti movement rather than festival of a particular tribal group. Besides, Santhals are not native to this state.

30. With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements:

It is a song and dance performance.
Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance.
It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1, 2 and 3.

1 and 3 only

2 and 3 only

1 only

Explanation: B. In Manipuri Sankirtana, two drummers and ten singer dancers are usually present. Meaning either cymbals are not the only instrument OR they're using drums instead of cymbals. Males dancers play Pung and Kartal during Manipuri Sankirtana.

31. With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements:

White marble was used in making Buland Darwaza and Khankah at Fatehpur Sikri.
Red sandstone and marble were used in making Ilara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza at Lucknow.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation: A. Buland Darwaza constructed in red and yellow standstones with white marble inlay in the span of the arches. Khankah too contains white marbles.

32. Consider the following pairs Craft vs Heritage of:

Puthukkuli shawls : Tamil Nadu
Sujni embroidery : Maharashtra
Uppada Jamdani saris : Karnataka

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?

1 only

1 and 2

3 only

2 and 3

Explanation: A. Sujni embroidery belongs to Bihar. Upada Jamdani Sarees belongs to Andhra Pradesh.

33. Consider the following pairs of Tradition vs State:

Chapchar Kut festival : Mizoram
Khongjom Parba ballad: Manipur
Thang-Ta dance : Sikkim

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?

1 only

1 and 2

3 only

2 and 3

Explanation: B. Khongjom Parva is an important folk music from the state of Manipur. It is a popular ballad genre which is a musical narration of the battle of Khongjom fought between the British army and the Manipuri resistance forces in 1891.Thang Ta is the exclusive martial dance form of Manipur. Thang means sword and Ta means spear.

34. The well-known painting "Bani Thani" belongs to the

Bundi school

Jaipur school

Kangra school

Kishangarh school

Explanation: D. Paintings at Kishangarh is associated with the most romantic legends - Sawant Singh and his beloved Bani Thani. and of the intertwining of lives and myths, romance and bhakti. It is sometimes argued that the women in 'bani thani' is said to resemble the character of Radha.

35. Building 'Kalyaana Mandapas' was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of

Chalukya

Chandela

Rashtrakuta

Vijayanagara

Explanation: B. In the Vittala Temple of Hampi, pavilions or mandapas that were meant to celebrate the marriages of dieties were known as Kalyan Mandapa.