SALIENT ASPECTS OF ART FORMS FROM ANCIENT TO MODERN TIMES
Indian Heritage and Culture
Differentiate between Natural and Cultural heritage. (07/10)
The ancient civilization in Indian sub-continent differed from those of Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece in that its culture and traditions have been preserved without a breakdown to the present day. Comment. (2015/12.5)
The spirit of tolerance and love is not only an interesting feature of Indian society from very early times, but it is also playing an important part at the present. Elaborate. (2017/15)
Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss. (2018/10)
Indian Philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and their art in India. Discuss. (250 words) (2020/15)
Ancient Indian History
What are the major different styles of unglazed pottery making in India? (11/5)
Explain the role of geographical factors towards the development of Ancient India. (2023/10)
Indus Valley Civilization
Write about the chief features of the following: Town planning in Indus Valley Civilization. (96/2)
To what extent has the urban planning and culture of the Indus Valley Civilization provided inputs to the Present day urbanization? Discuss. (14/10)
Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture. (2025/10)
Vedic Age
What are the main features of Vedic society and religion? Do you think some of the features are still prevailing in Indian society? (2023/15)
Underline the changes in the field of society and economy from the Rig Vedic to the later Vedic period. (2024/10)
Ancient Kingdoms
How do you justify the view that the level of excellence of Gupta numismatic art is not at all noticeable in later times? (2017/10)
Discuss the main contributions of Gupta period and Chola period to Indian heritage and culture. (22/15)
Estimate the contribution of Pallavas of Kanchi for the development of art and literature of South India. (2024/10)
“Though the great Cholas are no more, yet their name is still remembered with great pride because of their highest achievements in the domain of art and architecture.” Comment. (2024/15)
Medieval Kingdoms
Write about Chauth and Sardeshmukhi. (08/2)
Write about: Ijara System. (09/2)
The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire-shaking battles fought at Panipat? (14/10)
Clarify how mid-eighteenth century India was beset with the spectre of a fragmented polity. (2017/10)
What were the major technological changes introduced during the Sultanate period? How did those technological changes influence the Indian society? (250 words) (2023/15)
Examine the main aspects of Akbar’s religious syncretism. (2025/10)
RELIGION
Jainism/ Buddhism
Write about the chief features of Mahayana Buddhism. (96/4)
Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives, successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate. (2016/12.5)
Pala period is the most significant phase in the history of Buddhism in India. Enumerate. (150 words) (2020/10)
What teachings of Buddha are most relevant today and why? Discuss. (150 words) (GS 4 2020/10)
Bhaktism/ Sufism
Explain the significance of the Bhakti Movement. (86/2)
Explain the significance of the Alwar Saints in the socio-religious context. (88/10)
Write about: Bhakti. (in about 20 words) (07/2)
Sufis and medieval mystic saints failed to modify either the religious ideas and practices or the outward structure of Hindu/Muslim societies to any appreciable extent. Comment. (14/10)
The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Discuss. (2018/15)
Evaluate the nature of the Bhakti literature and its contribution to Indian culture. (150 words) (2021/10)
LITERATURE
Though not very useful from the point of view of a connected political history of South India, the Sangam literature portrays the social and economic conditions of its time with remarkable vividness. Comment. (200 words) (13/10)
Taxila university was one of the oldest universities of the world with which were associated a number of renowned learned personalities of different disciplines. Its strategic location caused its fame to flourish, but unlike Nalanda, it is not considered as a university in the modern sense. Discuss. (14/10)
Krishnadeva Raya, the King of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but was also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss. (2016/12.5)
Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of the history of India. (2018/10)
Persian literary sources of medieval India reflect the spirit of the age. Comment. (250 words) (2020/15)
Evaluate the nature of the Bhakti literature and its contribution to Indian culture. (150 words) (2021/10)
Estimate the contribution of Pallavas of Kanchi for the development of art and literature of South India. (2024/10)
VISUAL ARTS
Architecture
To which dynasty did the kings, who built the temples at Khajuraho belong? To whom were the temples dedicated? Name the temple, which occupies the pride of place there. (Not more than 50 words) (83/10)
Point out the chief characteristics of the architecture of any two: (30 words each) (i) Temples of Khajuraho, (ii) Taj Mahal, and (iii) Victoria Memorial. (85/8)
What were the new elements introduced by the Muslim rulers in the development of Indian architecture? (50 words) (87/10)
Evaluate the chief characteristics of Rock-cut temple architecture. (50 words) (88/5)
Chief characteristics of Nagara style of architecture. (89/2)
Chandella school of architecture. (91/2)
Write about the chief feature of the Mughal Architecture at Fatehpur Sikri. (93/2)
Write about Dravidian architecture. (95/2)
Write about Chaitya. (97/2)
Sarnath Pillar. (03/2)
Bhawani Mandir. (05/2)
Write in 20 words: (i) Brihadeshwara Temple, Tanjore, (ii) Golconda Fort, and (iii) ‘Rama Sethu’. (08/2 each)
Why is Laurie Baker called “the conscience keeper of Indian architecture”? (12/5)
Mesolithic rock cut architecture of India not only reflects the cultural life of the times but also a fine aesthetic sense comparable to modern painting. Critically evaluate this comment. (2015/12.5)
Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives, successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate. (2016/12.5)
The rock-cut architecture represents one of the most important sources of our knowledge of early Indian art and history. Discuss. (150 words) (2020/10)
Indian Philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and their art in India. Discuss. (250 words) (2020/15)
Discuss the significance of the lion and bull figures in Indian mythology, art and architecture. (22/15)
Chola Architecture
Evaluate the chief characteristics of: Chola architecture. (88/5)
Write about Chola architecture and Gopuram. (98/4)
Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture. Discuss. (13/5)
Discuss the main contributions of Gupta period and Chola period to Indian heritage and culture. (22/15)
“Though the great Cholas are no more, yet their name is still remembered with great pride because of their highest achievements in the domain of art and architecture.” Comment. (2024/15)
Sculpture
Evaluate the chief characteristics of the Gandhara School of Art. (50 words) (88/5)
Write about the chief feature of the Mathura School of Art. (93/2)
Write about Gandhara School of Art. (94/2)
Write about Gandhara school of Art. (00/2)
Gandhara sculpture owed as much to the Romans as to the Greeks. Explain. (14/10)
Highlight the Central Asian and Greco-Bactrian elements in the Gandhara art. (19/10)
How will you explain that medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days? (22/10)
‘The sculptors filled the Chandella artform with resilient vigor and breadth of life.’ Elucidate. (2025/10)
Paintings
What are the basic differences between Mughal style of painting and Rajput style of painting? (50 words) (85/7)
Origin and development of Oriental Art. (86/10)
Write about the chief characteristics of the following: (i) Kishangarh style of painting, and (ii) Neo-art movement of Rabindranath Tagore. (89/2 each)
Kangra School of Painting. (90/2)
Sunga art. (97/2)
Write about the chief feature of the Bundi School of Painting. (93/2)
Vijayanagara Art. (97/2)
Kulu School. (98/2)
Write about chief features of Neo-art movement. (99/2)
Distinguish between the ‘Rajasthani’ and ‘Pahari’ schools of paintings, or ‘Madhubani’ and ‘Manjusha’ styles of paintings. (10/12)
The ‘flute-playing Krishna’ theme is very popular in Indian art. Discuss. (12/15)
Rock Edicts
Write about: Maski. (09/2)
PERFORMING ARTS
Dances
Which are the classical dances of India? Where did they originate? Name one distinguished dancer (who is living) of each school of classical dance. Are the efforts adequate for promotion of such dances in India? If not, what further measures would you suggest for the promotion of classical dances? (80/25)
In which regions of India did the following dances originate? (i) Bhangra (ii) Garba (iii) Mohini Attam (iv) Kathak (v) Bamboo dance. (81/5)
Where did the following folk dances originate? What are their usual themes? (i) Gidda, (ii) Baul, (iii) Chhau. (83/6)
With which regions of India are the following dances associated? (i) Odissi, (ii) Kuchipudi, (iii) Kathakali, (iv) Manipuri, and (v) Kathak. (84/10)
With which State are the following folk dances associated? (i) Dandi Ras, (ii) Suisini, (iii) Bhangra, (iv) Mauni, and (v) Karagam. (85/5)
Chief Characteristics of Kathakali. (90/2)
What are the main forms of classical dance in India? Indicate two features of each. (88/10)
Write short note: Manipuri dance. (91/2)
Write about Kathakali. (92/2)
Write about Indian Ballet. (94/2)
Write about Pinnal Kolattam. (08/2)
List the salient features of the important folk dances of either Central India or North Eastern India. (09/10)
List the classical dance forms of India as per the Sangeet Natak Akademi. (11/5)
Bagurumba folk dance. (12/2)
Discuss the Tandava dance as recorded in early Indian inscriptions. (100 words) (13/5)
Music
Where did the following songs originate? What are their usual themes? (i) Kathakeertans also known as Harikatha and Kathakata. (83/2)
On what instrument does Ustad Amjad Ali Khan play? (87/2)
What are the main contributions of the following to the enrichment of Indian music? (i) Amir Khusrau, (ii) Tansen, (iii) Mohammad Shah Rangila, (iv) Thyagaraja, and (v) Ravi Shankar. (two sentences each) (85/10)
Write about the chief characteristics of the Carnatic music. (89/2)
Chief Characteristics of Hindustani Classical Music. (90/2)
Write about Khayal. (97/2)
What are the important similarities and differences between the Hindustani and the Carnatic styles of classical music? (09/10)
What are the groups into which musical instruments in India have traditionally been classified? (12/5)
Theatre
Who wrote the play Ghasiram Kotwal? (82/2)
Where did the Yakshagana originate? What are its usual themes? (83/2)
What efforts have been made to develop theatre in India? Name any two important persons associated with the development of this art. (85/10)
Where did the following traditional Folk Theatres originate? (i) Yatra, (ii) Tamasha, (iii) Kuttiyattam, (iv) Bhavai, and (v) Nautanki. (87/5)
Yakshagana. (97/2), (06/2), (07/2)
Write on any five of the following traditional theatre forms: (i) Bhand Pather, (ii) Swang, (iii) Maach, (iv) Bhaona, (v) Mudiyettu, and (vi) Dashavatar. (11/5)
MISC ART FORMS
Festivals/Fairs
In which State(s) of India are the following festivals celebrated by a large number of people? (i) Baisakhi, (ii) Rath Yatra, (iii) Bihu, (iv) Pongal, and (v) Onam. (81/5)
What is the significance of Kumbh fair? Where is it held? (87/5)
Shab-i-Barat. (90/2), (95/2)
Baisakhi. (91/2), (99/2)
Janmashtami. (91/2)
Ram Navami. (92/2)
Dev Deepavali. (94/2)
Ganesh Chaturthi. (95/2)
Distinguish either between the ‘Moatsu’ and ‘Yemshe’ festivals of Nagaland or the ‘Losar’ and ‘Khan’ festivals of Arunachal Pradesh. (11/5)
Institutions
Explain the importance of Asiatic Society of Bengal. (84/5)
Write about ICCR in 20 words. (01/2)
Comment on the significance of fire in Zoroastrianism. (12/5)
Explain briefly the importance of Indian Council for Cultural Relations. (84/5)
When and where was the Lalit Kala Akademi founded? What are its main functions? (85/10)
Explain briefly the importance of the Sahitya Akademi. (86/5)
Explain briefly the importance of the National Archives of India. (87/5)
What do you know about the Lalit Kala Akademi? (97/2)