(Papers) UPSC Pre Topic Wise Papers : Culture

2017 :

1. With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements:
1. It is a song and dance performance.
2. Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance.
3. It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 3
(d) Only 1
Ans: B
Exp: Manipuri Sankirtana is a form of performing art involving ritual singing, drumming and dancing performed in the temples and domestic spaces in Manipur State in India. Through the performances which exhibit unparalleled religious devotion and energy, the performers narrate the many stories of Krishna often moving the spectators to tears. Dances are very much based upon the cymbals (kartal or manjira) and the ylindrical drum known as Manipuri mridang or pung.

2. The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one ofthe most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at
(a) Ajanta
(b) Badami
(c) Bagh
(d) Ellora
Ans: A

3. Consider the following pairs : Traditions Communities
1. Chaliha Sahib Festival — Sindhis
2. Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra — Gonds
3. Wari-Warkari — Santhals
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None of the above
Ans: A
Exp: Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra is a festival of Gharwali and kumauoni people in Uttarakhand Wari Warkari or Varkari(Pandharpur Wari) is a Maharashtrian festival celebrated by Marathas.

4. Which of the following is/are famous for Suntemples?
1. Arasavalli
2. Amarakantak
3. Omkareshwar
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: A

2016 :

1. Consider the following pairs: Famous place Region
1. Bodhgaya : Baghelkhand
2. Khajuraho : Bundelkhand
3. Shirdi : Vidarbha
4. Nasik (Nashik) : Malwa
5. Tirupati : Rayalaseema
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched? (a) 1, 2 and 4
(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5
(c) 2 and 5
(d) 1, 3, 4 and 5
Ans: C
Exp: Malwa region includes districts of western Madhya Pradesh and parts of south-eastern Rajasthan. Baghelkhand covers the northeastern egions ofMadhya Pradesh and a small area of western Uttar Pradesh. Vidarbha is the eastern region of the Indian state of Maharashtra, comprising Nagpur Division and Amravati Division.

2. What is/are common to the two historical placesknown as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram?
1. Both were built in the same period.
2. Both belong to the same religious denomination.
3. Both have rock-cut monuments.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None of the statements given above is correct
Ans: B
Exp: Both are rock cut monuments.

3. With reference to the religious history of India,consider the following statements:
1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism.
2. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment.
3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) Only 2
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: B
Exp: Bodhisattva is central to Mahayana Sect.

4. Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally
(a) Agriculturists
(b) Warriors
(c) Weaves
(d) Traders
Ans: D

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5. With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements:
1. Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry.

2.Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: C

2015 :

1. Consider the following pairs: Pace of Pilgrimage Location
1. Srisailam : Nallamala Hills
2. Omkareshwar : Satmala Hills
3. Pushkar :Mahadeo Hills
Which of the above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and.3
Ans: A
Exp: Srisailam is reputed for the shrine of Lord Mallikarjuna on the flat top of Nallamala Hills. Omkareshwar is one of the Dwadasa yotirlingas situated on the Mandhata hills in Vindhya Mountains of Madhya pradesh. The Pushkar valley is formed between the two parallel ranges of the Aravalli hills.

2. With reference to the art and archaeological historyof India, which one among the following was madeearliest?
(a) Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar
(b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli
(c) Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram
(d) Varaha Image at Udayagiri
Ans: B
Exp: Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneshwar: It is believed that the temple might have been built during the time of Lelat Indra Kesari (615 to 657 A.D.) Rock cut elephant at Dhauli: It is situated on top of a major edict of Ashoka inscribed immediately after the Kalinga War. Rock cut monument at Mahabalipuram: PallavaPeriod Varaha image at udayagiri: Gupta Period

3. Which one of the following was given classicallanguage status recently?
(a) Odia
(b) Konkani
(c) Bhojpuri
(d) Assamese
Ans: A
Exp: On February 20th 2014, Odia became the sixth and latest language of the country to get “classical language’’ status after the Union Cabinet conceded a long-pending demand for putting it in the same league as Sanskrit, amil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.

4. 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 woollen cloth in Western Himalayan region of India
(d) a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in NorthWestern India
Ans: A
Exp: Kalamkari is an ancient Indian art that originated about 3000 years ago. It derives its name from Kalam meaning Pen, and Kari meaning rk,literally Pen-work. The Kalamkari artist uses a
bamboo or date palm stick pointed at one end with a bundle of fine hair attached to this pointed end to serve as the brush or pen. These paintings were earlier drawn on cotton fabric only, but now we can see these paintings on silk and other materials as well. The Kalamkari art includes both, printing and painting In ancient India, the art of painting using organic colors and dyes was very popular, but this style of painting originated at Kalahasti (80 miles north of Chennai) and at Masulipatnam (200 miles east of Hyderabad). The paintings then used to depict Hindu Deities and the scenes from Hindu mythology.

2014 :

1. Every year, a monthlong ecologically importantcampaign/festival is held during which certain communities/ tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees.Which of the following are such communities/tribes?
(a) Bhutia and Lepcha
(b) Gond and Korku
(c) lrula and Toda
(d) Sahariya and Agariya
Ans: B

2. With reference to ‘Changpa’ community of India, consider the following statement :
1. They live mainly in the State of Uttarakhand.
2. They rear the Pashmina goats that yield a fine wool.
3. They are kept in the category of Scheduled Tribes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) Only 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: B

3. With reference to the cultural history of India, theterm ‘Panchayatan’ refers to
(a) an assembly of village elders
(b) a religious sect
(c) a style of temple construction
(d) an administrative functionary
Ans: C

4. Which one of the following pairs does not form partof the six systems of Indian Philosophy?
(a) Mimamsa and Vedanta
(b) Nyaya and Vaisheshika
(e) Lokayata and Kapalika
(d) Sankhya and Yoga
Ans: C

5. Consider the followingstatements:
1. ‘Bijak’ is a composition of the teachings of Saint Dadu Dayal.
2. The Philosophy of Pushti Marg was propounded by Madhvacharya.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: D

6. The national motto of India, ‘ Satyameva Jayate’inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from
(a) Katha Upanishad
(b) Chandogya Upanishad
(c) Aitareya Upanishad
(d) Mundaka Upanishad
Ans: D

7. With reference to the famous Sattriya dance,consider the following statements:
1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama.
2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam.
3. 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?
(a) Only 1
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: B

8. With reference to the Indian history of art andculture, consider the following pairs: Famous work of sculpture Site
1. A grand image of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana with numerous celestial musicians above and the sorrowful figures of his followers below :Ajanta
2. A huge image of Varaha Avatar (boar incarnation) of Vishnu, as he rescues Goddess Earth from the deep and chaotic waters, sculpted on rock : Mount Abu 4
3. “Arjuna’s Penance”/“Descent of Ganga” sculpted on the surface of huge boulders : Mamallapuram Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) Only 3
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: C

9. With reference to the famous Sattriya dance,consider the following statements:
1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama.
2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam.
3. 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?
(a) Only 1
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: B

10. With reference to India’s culture and tradition, whatis ‘Kalaripayattu’?
(a) It is an ancient Bhakti cult of Shaivism still prevalent in some parts of South India
(b) It is an ancient style bronze and brasswork still found in southern part of Coromandel area
(c) It is an ancient form of dance-drama and a living tradition in the northern part of Malabar
(d) It is an ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India
Ans: D

11. With reference to Buddhist history, tradition andculture in India, consider the following pairs : Famous shrine Location
1. Tabo monastery and : Spiti Valley temple complex
2. Lhotsava Lhakhang : Zanskar Valley temple, Nako
3. Alchi temple complex : Ladakh
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: C

12. Consider the followingstatements:
1. ‘Bijak’ is a composition of the teachings of Saint Dadu Dayal.
2. The Philosophy of Pushti Marg was propounded by Madhvacharya.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: D

13. A community of people called Manganiyars is wellknown for their
(a) Martial arts in North-East India
(b) Musical tradition in North-West India
(c) Classical vocal music in South India
(d) Pietra dura tradition in Central India
Ans: B

14. Consider the following languages:
1. Gujatati
2. Kannada
3. Telugu
Which of the above has/have been declared as ‘Classical Language / Languages’ by the Government?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) Only 3
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: C

15. With reference to the famous Sattriya dance,consider the following statements:
1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama.
2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam.
3. 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?
(a) Only 1
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: B

16. A community of people called Manganiyars is wellknown for their
(a) Martial arts in North-East India
(b) Musical tradition in North-West India
(c) Classical vocal music in South India
(d) Pietra dura tradition in Central India
Ans: B

17. With reference to India’s culture and tradition, whatis ‘Kalaripayattu’?
(a) It is an ancient Bhakti cult of Shaivism still prevalent in some parts of South India
(b) It is an ancient style bronze and brasswork still found in southern part of Coromandel area
(c) It is an ancient form of dance-drama and a living tradition in the northern part of Malabar
(d) It is an ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India
Ans: D

2013 :

1. Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas,while the others are called Viharas. What is thedifference between the two?
(a) Vihara is a place of worship, while Chaitya is the dwelling place of the monks
(b) Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
(c) Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the cave, while vihara is the hall axial to it
(d) There is no material difference between th two
Ans: B

2. Which one of the following describes best theconcept of Nirvana in Buddhism?
(a) The extinction of the flame of desire
(b) The complete annihilation of self
(c) A state of bliss and rest
(d) A mental stage beyond all comprehension
Ans: A

3. Which of the following characterizes/ characterizethe people of Indus Civilization?
1. They possessed great palaces and temples.
2. They worshipped both male and female deities.
3. They employed horse-drawn chariots in warfare.
Select the correct statement/ statements using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) Only 2
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None of the statements given above is correct
Ans: B

4. With reference to the history of Indian rock-cutarchitecture, consider the following statements:
1. The caves at Badami are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India.
2. The Barabar rock-cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya.
3. At Ellora, caves were made for different faiths.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) Only 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: C

5. In the context of cultural history of India, a pose indance and dramatics called ‘Tribhanga’ has been afavorite of Indian artists from ancient times till today.Which one of the following statements bestdescribes this pose?
(a) One leg is bent and the body is slightly but oppositely curved at waist and neck
(b) Facial expressions, hand gestures and make-up are combined to symbolize certain epic or historic characters
(c) Movements of body, face and hands are used to express oneself or to tell a story
(d) A little smile, slightly curved waist and certain hand gestures are emphasized to express the feelings of love or eroticism
Ans: A

6. Consider the following Bhakti Saints:
1. Dadu Dayal
2. Guru Nanak
3. Tyagaraja
Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over?
(a) 1 and 3
(b) Only 2
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 2
Ans: B

7. Consider the following historical places:
1. Ajanta Caves
2. Lepakshi Temple
3. Sanchi Stupa
Which of the above places is / are also known for mural paintings?
(a) Only 1
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None
Ans: B

8. With reference to the history of philosophical thoughtin India, consider the following statements regardingSankhya school:
1. Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of soul.
2. Sankhya holds that it is the self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent.
Which of the statements given above is /are correct?
a. Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: C

2012 :

1. The Nagara, the Dravida and the the Vesara arethe
(a) Three main racial groups of the Indian subcontinent
(b) Three main linguistic divisions into which the languages of Indian can be classified
(c) Three main styles of Indian temple architecture
(d) Three main musical Gharanas prevalent in India
Ans: C

2. With reference to Dhrupad, one of the majortraditions of India that has been kept alive forcenturies, which of the following statements arecorrect?
1. Dhrupad originated and developed in the Rajput kingdoms during the Mughal period.
2. Dhrupad is primarily a devotional and spiritual music.
3. Dhrupad Alap uses Sanskrit syllables from Mantras.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None of the above is correct
Ans: B

3. How do you distinguish between kuchipudi andbharatnatyam dances?
1. Dancers occasionally speaking dialogues i found in kuchipudi dance but not in bharatnatyam.
2. Dancing on the brass plate by keeping the feet on its edges is a feature of bharatnatyam but have such a form of movements. Correct
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: A