Art and Culture has played a crucial role in IAS Prelims Exam in recent years. In last few years, the paper of IAS Prelims Exam has witnessed several number of questions based on the Art and Culture which are very important for the Civil Services IAS aspirants to cover during their preparation of IAS Prelims Exam.
Q1. Which of the following is/are true about Mauryan architecture?
1. Mauryans introduced stone mansonry on a wide scale.
2. Barabar caves in Gaya is the earliest example of caves hewed by Mauryan artisans for monks.
3. Polished pillars of Mauryan empire was made of single piece of sandstone.
Select the correct answer from the following codes
a.Only 1
b.Only 1 and 2
c.Only 2 and 3
d.1,2 and 3
Answer: d
Explanation: Mauryan artisans started the practise of hewing out caves from rocks for monks to live in. The earliest examples are Barabar caves at a distance of 30 Km from Gaya. Each pillar is made of single piece of buff coloured sandstone.
Q2. Which of the following is/are true about Barabar caves?
1. It is also known as Lomus Rishi cave.
2. It was patronised by Chandra Gupta Maurya for Ajivika sect.
3. The facade of cave is decorated with chaitya arch.
Select the correct answer from the following codes
a.Only 1
b.Only 1 and 2
c. Only 2 and 3
d. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d
Explanation: The rock-cut cave carved at Barabar hills near Gaya in Bihar is known as Lomus Rishi cave. The elephant frieze carved in high relief on the chaitya arch shows considerable movement. Lomus Rishi cave is an isolated example of this period.
Q3. Consider the following statements
1. Stupa, vihara and chaitya are part of Buddhist and Jaina monastic complexes.
2. During time of Ashoka the great stupa at sanchi was built with bricks.
Select the correct answer from the following codes
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: c
Explanation: Stupa, Vihara and chaitya are part of Buddhist and Jaina monastic complexes but the largest number belongs to the Buddhist religion. Bairat in Rajasthan is best example of stupa.
Q4. Dhammachakrapravartana commemorates
Select the correct answer from the following codes
a. Enlightment of Buddha
b. First sermon of Buddha
c. 8 fold path of Buddha.
d. code of conduct laid down by Buddha for his followers.
Answer: b
Explanation: Sarnath lion capital is one of the finest examples of sculpture from Mauryan period. Built in commemoration of historical event of the first sermon or Dhamma chakra pravartana by Buddha at Sarnath, the capital by Ashoka.
Q5. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?
Sculptures Location
1.Bharhut - Bihar
2.Bhaja - Maharashtra
3.Jaggayyapeta- Andhra Pradesh
Select the correct answer from the following codes
a.Only 1
b.Only 1 and 2
c.Only 2 and 3
d.1,2 and 3
Answer: c
Explanation: Some of the prominent examples of finest sculpture are found at Vidisha, Bharhut (Madhya Pradesh); Bodhgaya(Bihar) Jaggayyapeta (Andhra Pradesh);Mathura (Uttar Pradesh); Khandagiri –udaigiri (Odisha); Bhaja near Pune and Pavani near Nagpur(Maharasthra).
Q6. Which of the following is/are true regarding Bharhut sculpture?
1. They are tall like images of Yaksha and Yakshini.
2. It is one of the prominent examples of Mauryan sculpture.
3. Queen Mayadevi’s dream is significant event in Bharhut sclpture.
Select the correct answer from the following codes
a.Only 1
b.Only 1 and 2
c.Only 2 and 3
d.1,2 and 3
Answer: d
Explanation: It is post Mauryan art. Bharhut sculptures are tall like images of yaksha and yakshini in Mauryan period.
Q7. With reference to Sanchi stupa, which of the following is/are true?
1. Carving technique are not much advanced than Bharhut.
2. Buddha and Manushi Buddha’s are represented using symbols.
3. Narratives are more elaborated in Sanchi stupa.
Select the correct answer from the following codes
a.Only 1
b.Only 1 and 2
c.Only 2 and 3
d.1,2 and 3
Answer: c
Explanation: Carving technique appear more advanced than Bharhut, symbols continue to be used representing the Buddha and Manushi Buddha’s or the past Buddha’s. At the sanchi stupa narratives get more elaborated.
Q8. Consider the following statements
1. Historical narrative of Buddha’s visit to Kapilavasta is carved in Bharhut stupa.
2. According to textual tradition there are 24 Buddha’s.
Select the correct answer from the following codes
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: b
Explanation: Historical narrative of Buddha’s visit to Kapilavasta is carved in sanchi stupa which also contains siege of kushinara, Buddha’s visit to kapilavastu visit of Ashoka to Ramgrama stupa. According to textual tradition there are 24 Buddha’s but only first one Dipankar and the last six are pictorially represented, remaining Buddha’s are represented symballically.
Q9. With reference to Mathura school, which of the following is/are true?
1. It is the confluence of Bactria, Parthian and local Gandhara tradition.
2. Buddha image is modelled on lines of yaksha images.
3. Though Buddhist images are found in large numbers images of Vaishnavi and Shaiva faiths are also found.
Select the correct answer from the following codes
a.Only 1
b.Only 1 and 2
c.Only 2 and 3
d.1,2 and 3
Answer: c
Explanation: Gandhara school is the confluence of Bactria, Parthian and local Gandhara tradition images in Mathura get sensual ,rotundity increases, they become fleshier.
Q10. Which of the following is/are true about Gandhara School of art?
1. Buddha image has Hellenistic features.
2. Halo around the head of Buddha has little ornamentation.
3. Gandhara school of art flourished in kosambi and Sarnath.
Select the correct answer from the following codes
a.Only 1
b.Only 1 and 2
c.Only 2 and 3
d.1,2 and 3
Answer: b
Explanation: In Mathura school halo around the head is profusely decorated. Mathura school of art flourished in kosambi and Sarnath.
