Art & Culture PYQs

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1. Prelims 2026Q2Sculpture

   What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography ?

   aThe meditation of the BuddhabThe Buddha’s First SermoncThe Buddha’s MahaparinibbanadThe Buddha’s Mahabhinishkramana
2. Prelims 2026Q4Sculpture

   Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct ?

   1.It was located in the lower Krishna valley.

   2.In India, it was next only to the Sanchi Stupa in size.

   3.The Amaravati school of sculpture made a lasting impact on the later South Indian sculpture, and its products were carried to Sri Lanka and South-east Asia.

   Select the answer using the code given below :

   a1 onlyb1 and 3 onlyc2 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
3. Prelims 2026Q9Music

   Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur, the famous classical singer from Karnataka, represented the :

   aAgra GharanabGwalior GharanacPatiala GharanadJaipur-Atrauli Gharana
4. Prelims 2026Q11Music

   Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music ?

   aNat BhairavibKamavardhinicHanumatodidDheera Shankarabharanam
5. Prelims 2026Q14Architecture

   Which of the following temples has/have a Nagara-style shikhara ?

   1.Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami

   2.Huchimalligudi Temple, Aihole

   3.Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh

   4.Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal

   Select the answer using the code given below :

   a1 and 2b2 and 3c3 onlyd3 and 4
6. Prelims 2026Q15Religion & Philosophy

   Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is not included ?

   aDeva (gods)bYaksha (demi-gods)cManushya (humans)dTiryancha (animals and plants)
7. Prelims 2026Q16Painting

   The Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves represents :

   aA joyous folk dancebBuddha in a meditative posecThe depiction of Shiva and Parvati on KailashadSamudramanthan (Churning of the Ocean)
8. Prelims 2026Q27Architecture

   Which one of the following statements with regard to the Moidams, built by the Tai-Ahom kingdom and inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is/are correct ?

   1.They acted as army fortresses.

   2.They were recreation centres of the Royals and Nobles.

   3.They were burial grounds of the Royals and Nobles.

   4.They were battle drill centres of the Royals and Nobles.

   Select the answer using the code given below :

   a1 onlyb1 and 3c3 onlyd2 and 4
9. Prelims 2025Q18Music

   The first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, a music training school, was set up in 1901 by Vishnu Digambar Paluskar in

   aDelhibGwaliorcUjjaindLahore
10. Prelims 2024Q60Heritage, Institutions & Awards

    Which one of the following was the latest inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO ?

    aChhau dancebDurga pujacGarba dancedKumbh mela
11. Prelims 2024Q63Literature & Languages

    Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhasa ?

    aKavyalankarabNatyashastracMadhyama-vyayogadMahabhashya
12. Prelims 2024Q65Heritage, Institutions & Awards

    Consider the following properties included in the World Heritage List released by UNESCO :

    1.Shantiniketan

    2.Rani-ki-Vav

    3.Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas

    4.Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya

    How many of the above properties were included in 2023 ?

    aOnly onebOnly twocOnly threedAll four
13. Prelims 2023Q42Architecture

    With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements :

    1.The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.

    2.Stupa was generally a repository of relics.

    3.Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.

    How many of the statements given above are correct?

    aOnly onebOnly twocAll threedNone
14. Prelims 2023Q46Literature & Languages

    With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs :

    Literary work : Author

    1.Devichandragupta : Bilhana

    2.Hammira-Mahakavya : Nayachandra Suri

    3.Milinda-panha : Nagarjuna

    4.Nitivakyamrita : Somadeva Suri

    How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

    aOnly onebOnly twocOnly threedAll four
15. Prelims 2023Q47Religion & Philosophy

    "Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious sects." The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?

    aBuddhismbJainismcShaivismdVaishnavism
16. Prelims 2023Q82Architecture

    Consider the following pairs :

    Site : Well known for

    1.Besnagar : Shaivite cave shrine

    2.Bhaja : Buddhist cave shrine

    3.Sittanavasal : Jain cave shrine

    How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

    aOnly onebOnly twocAll threedNone
17. Prelims 2022Q56Religion & Philosophy

    With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs :

    Historical person : Known as

    1.Aryadeva — Jaina scholar

    2.Dignaga — Buddhist scholar

    3.Nathamuni — Vaishnava scholar

    How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?

    aNone of the pairsbOnly one paircOnly two pairsdAll three pairs
18. Prelims 2022Q95Religion & Philosophy

    The world's second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja ?

    aThe best means of salvation was devotion.bVedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative.cLogical arguments were essential means for the highest bliss.dSalvation was to be obtained through meditation.
19. Prelims 2022Q96Architecture

    The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple at Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple ?

    1.Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.

    2.A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni.

    3.Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below :

    a1 and 2 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
20. Prelims 2021Q31Architecture

    With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements :

    1.It is a circular temple built during the reign of Kachchhapaghata Dynasty.

    2.It is the only circular temple built in India.

    3.It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region.

    4.Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    a1 and 2b2 and 3 onlyc1 and 4d2, 3 and 4