Art and Culture UPSC Prelims Questions. We covered all the Art and Culture UPSC Prelims Questions in this post for free so that you can practice well for the exam.
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Art and Culture UPSC Prelims Objective Questions for Students
Which city of Uttar Pradesh is famous for the ‘Wood carving cottage industry’?
(a) Gorakhpur
(b) Saharanpur
(c) Meerut
(d) Kanpur
Option b – Saharanpur
Which of the following is a silk textile-producing center in Bihar? ( Art and Culture UPSC Prelims Questions )
(a) Motipur
(b) Bajari
(c) Bhagalpur
(d) Dalmianagar
Option c – Bhagalpur
Which of the following bamboo species is largely found in Chhattisgarh?
(a) Dendrocalamus strictus
(b) Bambusa arundinacea
(c) Bambusa nutans
(d) Bambusa burmanica
Option a – Dendrocalamus strictus
Which of the following ornament is worn on the neck? ( Art and Culture UPSC Prelims Questions )
(a) Aiethi
(b) Nangmori
(c) Sutiya
(d) Tarki
Option c – Sutiya
Famous Meenakari ‘Theva Kala’ is associated with
(a) Bikaner
(b) Jaipur
(c) Banswara
(d) Pratapgarh
Option d – Pratapgarh
Sylhet of Bengal was world famous for what? ( Art and Culture UPSC Prelims Questions )
(a) Silk cloth
(b) Cotton
(c) Painting
(d) Muslin cloth
Option d – Muslin cloth
In which of the following book, did Abul Fazal mention clothes, metalwork, house building, religious activities, etc?
(a) Futunat-i-Firozshahi
(b) Ain-i-Akbari
(c) Nuskha-e-Dilkusha
(d) Nun Siphar
Option b – Ain-i-Akbari
Which of the following statement(s) is/are not correct? ( Art and Culture UPSC Prelims Questions )
(a) Kimkhab work in silver and gold wires with silk yarns.
(b) Koftgari, inlaying gold or silver wires on metals like steel, etc.
(c) Minakari is the art of enameling on metal
(d) All of the above
Option d – All of the above
‘Kalamkari painting refers to
(a) a hand-painted cotton textile in South India.
(b) a handmade drawing on bamboo handicrafts in North-East India.
(c) a block-painted woolen cloth in the Western Himalayan region of India.
(d) a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in North-Western India.
Option a – a hand-painted cotton textile in South India
Which of the following statement(s) is/are not correct? ( Art and Culture UPSC Prelims Questions )
(a) Paper-thin, biscuit-colored pottery is a style of glazed pottery.
(b) Kangra (Himachal Pradesh) is well-known for its blue pottery.
(c) Delhi, Khurja, and Jaipur are noted for their famed black pottery.
(d) All of the above
Option d – All of the above
Which one of the following statements regarding various handicrafts in India is not true?
(a) Dhokra handicraft originated in Madhya Pradesh and is famous for its simplicity.
(b) The artisans involved in Brass handicrafts are famously known as Kansaris.
(c) Pottery has its origin during the Indus Valley Civilisation.
(d) The paper handicraft industries are mainly located in Tamil Nadu.
Option d – The paper handicraft industries are mainly located in Tamil Nadu
‘Kashida’ is a type of embroidery that is famous in which of the Indian state? ( Art and Culture UPSC Prelims Questions )
(a) Punjab
(b) West Bengal
(c) Jammu and Kashmir
(d) Rajasthan
Option c – Jammu and Kashmir
(a) paper folding
(b) flower arrangement
(c) tree cutting
(d) sand art
Option b – flower arrangement
The colorful art named Nandana block print, which uses graceful yet aligned arrangements of motifs on fabric is practiced in the Tarapur village of
(a) Uttarakhand
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Odisha
(d) Maharashtra
Option b – Madhya Pradesh
First Deendayal Handicraft Sankul’s trade facilitation center is located at ( Art and Culture UPSC Prelims Questions )
(a) Agra
(b) Varanasi
(c) Kanpur
(d) Gorakhpur
Option b – Varanasi
Which of the following places is well known for the embroidery form of ‘Chikankari’?
(a) Hyderabad
(b) Jaipur
(c) Bhopal
(d) Lucknow
Option d – Lucknow
Who was the grandfather of Arjun, the hero of Mahabharata? ( Art and Culture UPSC Prelims Questions )
(A) Vichitravirya
(B) Shantanu
(C) Chitrangad
(D) Devadutt
Option a – Vichitravirya
What is ‘Kaaba’?
(A) Hindu Shrine
(B) Jew’s Shrine
(C) Muslim Shrine
(D) None of the above
Option c – Muslim Shrine
What is the Jewish place of worship called? ( Art and Culture UPSC Prelims Questions )
(A) Church
(B) Synagogue
(C) Mosque
(D) None of these
Option b – Synagogue
Where was the first Sanskrit University Chair established?
(A) England
(B) France
(C) Germany
(D) Russia
Option b – France
The earliest reference to the ‘Magnetic Compass’ is found in ( Art and Culture UPSC Prelims Questions )
(A) Miftahul Fuzala
(B) Chachnama
(C) Ranazatu’s Safar
(D) Jawamiul Hikayat
Option d – Jawamiul Hikayat
Four Mathas established by Adi Shankaracharya are
(A) Joshimath, Dwarka, Puri, Sringeri
(B) Sringeri, Dwarka, Joshimath. Prayag
(C) Dwarka, Joshimath, Prayag, Kanchi
(D) Puri, Sringeri, Dwarka, Varanasi
Option a – Joshimath, Dwarka, Puri, Sringeri
In India, many pilgrims travel to Srisailam, which is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, is located
(A) in Tapovan near Uttaranchal
(B) in Tamil Nadu near Arunachal
(C) in Andhra Pradesh near Kurnool
(D) in Kerala near Kaladi
Option c – in Andhra Pradesh near Kurnool
In which State is the Buddhist site Tabo Monastery located?
(A) Arunachal Pradesh
(B) Himachal Pradesh
(C) Sikkim
(D) Uttarakhand
Option b – Himachal Pradesh
Losoong is a festival that is celebrated in
(A) Tibet
(B) Arunachal Pradesh
(C) Sikkim
(D) Kerala
Option c – Sikkim
Chapchar Kut is a festival celebrated in the States of
(A) Arunachal Pradesh
(B) Assam
(C) Mizoram
(D) Sikkim
Option c – Mizoram
Ijtima Festival (Mela) is celebrated in
(A) Indore
(B) Bhopal
(C) Jabalpur
(D) Raipur
Option b – Bhopal
In which year was the Nahargarh Fort in Jaipur built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II?
(a) 1734
(b) 1800
(c) 1780
(d) 1805
Option a – 1734
The Gol Gumbad (Gumbaz) is the mausoleum of Muhammad Adil Shah.
(a) Allahabad
(b) Agra
(c) Bijapur
(d) Delhi
Option c – Bijapur
Building ‘Kalyana Mandapas’ was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of
(a) Chalukya
(b) Chandela
(c) Rashtrakuta
(d) Vijayanagara
Option d – Vijayanagara
Which among the following is the best temple of Vijayanagar Art?
(a) Hampi
(b) Pattadakal
(c) Amravati
(d) Khajuraho
Option a – Hampi
Which of the following is not correctly matched?
(a) Ajmer – Quwwat-ul-Islam
(b) Jaunpur – Atala Masjid
(c) Malwa – Jahaz Mahal
(d) Gulbarga – Jamia Masjid
Option a – Ajmer – Quwwat-ul-Islam
India’s first tomb constructed in the Indo-Islamic style was
(a) Humayun’s Tomb
(b) Balban’s Tomb
(c) Aibak’s Tomb
(d) Alauddin’s Tomb
Option b – Balban’s Tomb
Which one of the following is an Octagonal Tomb?
(a) Tomb of Sikandar Lodi
(b) Tomb of Balban
(c) Tomb of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
(d) Tomb of Firuz Shah Tughlaq
Option a – Tomb of Sikandar Lodi
‘Kirti Stambh’ of Chittor was constructed during the rule of
(a) Rana Kumbha
(b) Rana Hammir
(c) Rana Ratan Singh
(d) Rana Sangram Singh
Option a – Rana Kumbha
Which of the following tomb is placed in the center of a large garden and resembles a prototype of the Taj Mahal?
(a) Akbar’s tomb at Sikandra
(b) Itmad-ud-Daula’s tomb at Agra
(c) Shershah’s tomb at Sasaram
(d) Humayun’s tomb at Delhi
Option d – Humayun’s tomb at Delhi
Who built the Ibadatkhana at Fatehpur Sikri?
(a) Shah Jahan
(b) Aurangzeb
(c) Akbar
(d) Jahangir
Option c – Akbar
Which of the following Mughal buildings is said to possess the unique feature of being exactly equal in length and breadth?
(a) Agra Fort
(b) Red Fort
(c) Buland Darwaza
(d) Taj Mahal
Option d – Taj Mahal
Out of the capital of Akbar’s Kingdom, Buland Darwaja, Panch Mahal, and Akbar Mausoleum, which are located in the same place?
(a) Panch Mahal and Akbar’s Mausoleum.
(b) Buland Darwaja, Panch Mahal, and Akbar’s Mausoleum.
(c) Capital of Akbar’s Kingdom, Buland Darwaja, Panch Mahal.
(d) None of the above
Option c – Capital of Akbar’s Kingdom, Buland Darwaja, Panch Mahal
Which one of the following statements about Fatehpur Sikri is not correct?
(a) It was located on the direct road to Ajmer.
(b) Akbar commissioned the building of a marble tomb for Sheikh Salim Chisti next to the Friday mosque at Fatehpur Sikri.
(c) The arched gateway or Buland Darwaza was meant to remind visitors of the Mughal victory in Gujarat.
(d) In 1585, the capital of the Mughal emperor shifted from Fatehpur Sikri to Delhi.
Option d – In 1585, the capital of the Mughal emperor shifted from Fatehpur Sikri to Delhi
The mosque, Khair-ul-manzil opposite the Purana Qila in Delhi was constituted by whom?
(a) Hamida Banu Begum
(b) Salima Sultan
(c) Jiji Anga
(d) Maham Anga
Option d – Maham Anga
In which of the following forts, Jahangir Mahal is located?
(a) Lahore Fort
(b) Agra Fort
(c) Red Fort
(d) Allahabad Fort
Option b – Agra Fort
One of the observatories established by Sawai Jai Singh was at
(a) Agra
(b) Indore
(c) Ujjain
(d) Jodhpur
Option c – Ujjain
The Rath temples at Mahabalipuram were built by
(a) Cholas
(b) Pallavas
(c) Chedis
(d) Chalukyas
Option b – Pallavas
The Biraja Temple, the Rajarani Temple, and the Samaleswari Temple are all located in
(a) Odisha
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) Assam
(d) Kerala
Option a – Odisha
The mighty gateways found at the temples of South India are called
(a) Shikhars
(b) Gopuram
(c) Devalayas
(d) Mandaps
Option b – Gopuram
The Sun Temple of Modhera lies in which state?
(a) Bihar
(b) Gujarat
(c) Odisha
(d) Bengal
Option b – Gujarat
Which among the following is the largest and tallest surviving temple in Orissa?
(a) Brahmesvara Temple
(b) Jagannath Temple
(c) Lingaraj Temple
(d) Rajarani Temple
Option c – Lingaraj Temple
Which of the following Orissan Temples has a sikhar of Dravidian styles?
(a) Jagannath
(b) Lingaraj
(c) Rajarani
(d) Vaital Deul
Option d – Vaital Deul
Who was the Chola king under whose reign the Brihadishvara Temple of Thanjavur was constructed?
(a) Rajendra I
(b) Kulottunga I
(c) Rajaraja I
(d) Rajadhiraj I
Option c – Rajaraja I
(a) Chalukyas
(b) Cholas
(c) Chera
(d) Pandya
Option a – Chalukyas
Rock-cut temples of Mahabalipuram were built by
(a) Pallavas
(b) Cholas
(c) Chalukyas
(d) Rashtrakutas
Option a – Pallavas
The inscription which proves Chandragupta’s sway over Western India is
(a) Kalinga Rock Edict
(b) Girnar Rock Edict of Ashoka
(c) Junagarh Rock Edit of Rudradaman
(d) Sopara Rock Edict of Ashoka
Option c – Junagarh Rock Edit of Rudradaman
Which foreign influence is seen in the rock-cut architecture of India?
(a) Arabic
(b) Persian
(c) Indo-European
(d) Greek
Option b – Persian
(a) Satavahana, Chalukyas, Cholas, Hoysalas
(b) Cholas, Hoysalas, Satavahana, Chalukyas
(c) Cholas, Hoysalas, Chalukyas, Satavahana
(d) Hoysalas, Chalukyas, Cholas, Satavahana
Option a – Satavahana, Chalukyas, Cholas, Hoysalas
With reference to the art and archaeological history of India which one among the following was made earliest?
(a) Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar
(b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli
(c) Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram
(d) Varaha Image of Udayagiri
Option b – Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli
(a) Shiva temple at Ellora
(b) Ajanta caves
(c) Khajuraho temples
(d) Rathas of Mahabalipuram
Option a – Shiva temple at Ellora
Which of the following caves is famous for “Trimurti”?
(a) Ajanta
(b) Bhaja
(c) Elephanta
(d) Ellora
Option c – Elephanta
Which of the following statements about Elephanta Island is correct?
(a) It was given its name by the British after a large elephant structure was located there.
(b) It contains one large cave.
(c) It is well-known for its spectacular carving of Vishnu described in the Vishnudharmottara Purana.
(d) It is associated with the Pashupata sect.
Option b – It contains one large cave
Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain rock-cut caves co-exist at
(a) Ajanta
(b) Elephanta
(c) Ellora
(d) Karle
Option c – Ellora
Caves of Ajanta and Ellora are located in
(a) Nasik
(b) Mumbai
(c) Aurangabad
(d) Pune
Option c – Aurangabad
The Arts of Ajanta were mainly patronized by
(a) Chalukyas
(b) Pallavas
(c) Vakatakas
(d) Gangas
Option c – Vakatakas
Ajanta caves are linked with
(a) Ramayana
(b) Mahabharata
(c) Jataka stories
(d) Panchatantra stories
Option c – Jataka stories
Who built Konark Sun Temple?
(a) Narasimhadeva Varman
(b) Rajendra Chola
(c) Ashoka
(d) Krishnadevaraya
Option a – Narasimhadeva Varman
The ‘Great Bath’ was found at the archaeological site of
(a) Ropar
(b) Harappa
(c) Mohenjodaro
(d) Kalibangan
Option c – Mohenjodaro
From where the evidence of rock-cut architecture was found, with reference to Harappa Civilisation?
(a) Kalibangan
(b) Dholavira
(c) Kot Diji
(d) Amri
Option c – Kot Diji
What was used normally in the construction of Royal Houses during the Mauryan period?
(a) Wood
(b) Mud and Lime
(c) Burnt Brick
(d) Sandstone
Option a – Wood
Which one of the following is not a work on Architecture?
(a) Manasara
(b) Samarangana Sutradhara
(c) Mahavastu
(d) Mayamata
Option c – Mahavastu
Consider the following literary sources:
- Account of foreign traveler Ibn Battuta.
- Srirangam copper-plates inscription of Devaraya II.
- Manucharitam written by Allasani Peddanna
- Maduravijayam was written by the poet Gangadevi.
How many of the above sources can be referred to study the Vijaynagar Empire in India?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Option d – All four
Which of the following were the reasons behind the conflict between the Vijayanagar Kingdom and the Bahamani Sultanate during Medieval times?
- Control over the area between rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra.
- Control over the Krishna and Godavari basin.
- Control over the Konkan belt of the Marathwada region.
- It was essentially a Hindu-Muslim conflict due to religious differences.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Option b – 1, 2 and 3
With reference to the regional kingdoms of the Medieval period, consider the following statements:
- Sharqi dynasty had its authority over Awadh and a large part of Ganga-Yamuna doab.
- After the succession of Balban, Bengal remained under the direct control of the Delhi Sultanate permanently.
- Alauddin Khalji was the first Sultan to annex Gujarat to the Delhi Sultanate.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Option b – Only two
Who of the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna and undertook to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity to whom all the land south of the river Krishna was supposed to belong?
(a) Amoghavarsha I
(b) Ballala II
(c) Harihara I
(d) Prataparudra II
Option c – Harihara I
With reference to the Vijayanagar administration, which of the following statements is correct?
(a) Nadu was the highest administrative unit and it was divided into mandalams which were further divided into sthalas.
(b) Vijayanagar rulers gave full powers to the local authorities in the administration.
(c) Chola traditions of village self-government were strengthened further under the Vijayanagar rulers.
(d) Taxes were imposed on a limited number of products as Vijayanagar Empire was primarily a military state.
Option b – Vijayanagar rulers gave full powers to the local authorities in the administration
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