Indian Art and Culture GK for UPSC: Important 100+ One-Liner Questions & Answers
Preparing for the UPSC exam? Here’s a list of over 100 one-liner questions and answers based on Indian art and culture GK for UPSC, covering diverse aspects like classical dances, architecture, literature, festivals, and more.
- Q: Which is the oldest form of Indian classical dance?
A: Bharatanatyam. - Q: What is the main theme of Ajanta cave paintings?
A: Buddhist religious art. - Q: Where are the Ellora caves located?
A: Maharashtra. - Q: Who wrote the epic ‘Ramayana’?
A: Sage Valmiki. - Q: Which dance form is associated with the state of Kerala?
A: Kathakali. - Q: What does ‘Natya Shastra’ deal with?
A: Ancient Indian treatise on performing arts. - Q: Which temple is known as the ‘Black Pagoda’?
A: Konark Sun Temple. - Q: Who built the Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur?
A: Rajaraja I of Chola dynasty. - Q: Which classical dance form is from Manipur?
A: Manipuri. - Q: In which state is the Sanchi Stupa located?
A: Madhya Pradesh. - Q: Which Mughal emperor commissioned the Taj Mahal?
A: Shah Jahan. - Q: What is ‘Madhubani’ associated with?
A: Folk painting from Bihar. - Q: Which text is considered the earliest Indian grammar text?
A: Ashtadhyayi by Panini. - Q: Who was the author of ‘Abhijnanashakuntalam’?
A: Kalidasa. - Q: What is the significance of ‘Khajuraho Temples’?
A: They are famous for erotic sculptures. - Q: Which musical instrument is associated with Ravi Shankar?
A: Sitar. - Q: Which festival is known as the Festival of Lights?
A: Diwali. - Q: Where is the Jagannath Temple located?
A: Puri, Odisha. - Q: Which dance form uses Thumri music style?
A: Kathak. - Q: What is the traditional puppetry of Odisha called?
A: Kundhei Nacha. - Q: Which is the national bird of India?
A: Peacock. - Q: Which language is known as the “mother of all languages”?
A: Sanskrit. - Q: Which deity is worshipped in the Meenakshi Temple?
A: Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati). - Q: Which dance form is performed during Navratri in Gujarat?
A: Garba. - Q: Which state is famous for Bihu dance?
A: Assam. - Q: What is the central motif of Warli paintings?
A: Triangle and circle. - Q: Which city is known as the ‘City of Lakes’?
A: Udaipur. - Q: Which is the only floating national park in the world?
A: Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur. - Q: Who is known as the father of Indian archaeology?
A: Alexander Cunningham. - Q: Which civilization gave us the Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro?
A: Indus Valley Civilization. - Q: Which Indian site is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a wildlife sanctuary?
A: Manas Wildlife Sanctuary. - Q: What is the folk theatre of Karnataka called?
A: Yakshagana. - Q: Which temple is dedicated to the Sun God in India?
A: Konark Sun Temple. - Q: What is the name of the ancient Indian system of medicine mentioned in Vedic texts?
A: Ayurveda. - Q: Which book is also known as the fifth Veda?
A: Natya Shastra. - Q: Who composed the ‘Gayatri Mantra’?
A: Sage Vishwamitra. - Q: Which dance form is performed exclusively by men in Kerala?
A: Kathakali. - Q: Which place is famous for its Tanjore paintings?
A: Tamil Nadu. - Q: Which religion follows the Tripitakas?
A: Buddhism. - Q: Which Indian monument was built to commemorate the visit of King George V?
A: Gateway of India. - Q: Which is the largest Hindu temple in the world?
A: Angkor Wat (originally in Cambodia but dedicated to Hinduism). - Q: Which is the sacred text of Zoroastrianism followed in India?
A: Zend Avesta. - Q: Which is the most visited religious site in India?
A: Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. - Q: What is the term used for Indian classical music schools?
A: Gharanas. - Q: Which dance form is performed seated?
A: Ottamthullal. - Q: Which is the only temple in India that commemorates a military victory?
A: Vijaya Vittala Temple, Hampi. - Q: Which is the oldest surviving school of Indian philosophy?
A: Samkhya. - Q: Which dance form is associated with Lasya and Tandava styles?
A: Bharatanatyam. - Q: Which is the main scripture of Jainism?
A: Agamas. - Q: Which is the highest literary award in India?
A: Jnanpith Award. - Q: Which dance form has three gharanas – Jaipur, Banaras, and Lucknow?
A: Kathak. - Q: Which festival marks the beginning of the New Year in Tamil Nadu?
A: Pongal. - Q: Which state is known for Kuchipudi dance?
A: Andhra Pradesh. - Q: What is the meaning of ‘Raga’ in Indian classical music?
A: Melodic framework for improvisation. - Q: Which is the national flower of India?
A: Lotus. - Q: Which dance form is performed wearing masks?
A: Chhau. - Q: Which Indian structure is shaped like a chariot?
A: Konark Sun Temple. - Q: Which dynasty is associated with the construction of Khajuraho temples?
A: Chandela dynasty. - Q: Which is the largest monastery in India?
A: Hemis Monastery, Ladakh. - Q: Which dance form originated in the temples of Kerala?
A: Mohiniyattam. - Q: Which festival is celebrated with flying kites in Gujarat?
A: Uttarayan. - Q: Which dance form is performed by women dressed as Krishna?
A: Raas Leela. - Q: Which is the national animal of India?
A: Bengal Tiger. - Q: Which is the first Indian site to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List?
A: Ajanta Caves. - Q: Which is the only Indian mountain peak listed as a UNESCO site?
A: Mount Abu. - Q: Which dance form is accompanied by instruments like tabla, harmonium, and sarangi?
A: Kathak. - Q: Which is the oldest Veda?
A: Rigveda. - Q: Which is the oldest surviving Sanskrit drama?
A: Shudraka’s Mrichchhakatika. - Q: Which dance form is associated with the devadasi tradition?
A: Bharatanatyam. - Q: Which is the main language of the Bhakti movement literature?
A: Regional languages. - Q: Which is the primary source of information about ancient Indian music?
A: Natya Shastra. - Q: Which is the most popular martial art of Kerala?
A: Kalaripayattu. - Q: Which is the national fruit of India?
A: Mango. - Q: Which dance form uses fast footwork and spins?
A: Kathak. - Q: Which is the only Indian city with a French legacy?
A: Pondicherry. - Q: Which is the most ancient temple still in worship in India?
A: Mundeshwari Temple, Bihar. - Q: Which is the only surviving example of Gupta-era temple architecture?
A: Bhitargaon Temple. - Q: Which dance form is performed in honor of Lord Krishna?
A: Raslila. - Q: Which is the national tree of India?
A: Banyan Tree. - Q: Which is the main theme of the Ram Leela performance?
A: Life story of Lord Rama. - Q: Which is the main center of Kathakali?
A: Kerala. - Q: Which is the most important feature of Dravidian temple architecture?
A: Gopuram. - Q: Which is the most revered pilgrimage site for Sikhs?
A: Golden Temple, Amritsar. - Q: Which is the official script of Hindi?
A: Devanagari. - Q: Which is the most ancient university in the world located in India?
A: Nalanda University. - Q: Which dance form is inspired by nature and daily life?
A: Manipuri. - Q: Which is the main language of the Vedas?
A: Sanskrit. - Q: Which is the most sacred river in Hinduism?
A: Ganges. - Q: Which is the most popular folk dance of Punjab?
A: Bhangra and Gidda. - Q: Which is the national anthem of India?
A: Jana Gana Mana. - Q: Which is the national song of India?
A: Vande Mataram. - Q: Which is the most famous textile craft of West Bengal?
A: Baluchari saree. - Q: Which is the main material used in terracotta art in West Bengal?
A: Clay. - Q: Which is the most famous sculpture of the Indus Valley Civilization?
A: The Dancing Girl. - Q: Which is the main festival of Goa?
A: Carnival. - Q: Which is the most prominent symbol of Sikhism?
A: Khanda. - Q: Which is the main component of traditional rangoli?
A: Colored powders or rice. - Q: Which is the most famous miniature painting style of Rajasthan?
A: Rajput painting. - Q: Which is the main element of tribal art in India?
A: Nature and mythology. - Q: Which is the most famous example of Indo-Islamic architecture?
A: Taj Mahal. - Q: Which is the main purpose of the Kumbh Mela?
A: Ritual bathing in sacred rivers. - Q: Which is the most ancient form of storytelling in India?
A: Kathakatha. - Q: Which is the most revered scripture in Jainism?
A: Agamas. - Q: Which is the main deity worshipped in the Hoysaleswara Temple?
A: Lord Shiva. - Q: Which is the main subject of miniature paintings of Mughal era?
A: Court life and portraits. - Q: Which is the most famous classical dance of Odisha?
A: Odissi. - Q: Which is the most sacred text of Zoroastrianism?
A: Avesta. - Q: Which is the main musical form of Carnatic music?
A: Kriti. - Q: Which is the most widely practiced religion in India?
A: Hinduism. - Q: Which is the most iconic symbol of Indian independence movement?
A: Charkha (spinning wheel).
Conclusion
For UPSC aspirants, mastering Indian art and culture GK for UPSC is crucial. This compilation of 100+ one-liners covers major topics related to Indian heritage, traditions, and cultural diversity. Regular revision of these points will help strengthen your preparation and boost confidence in the General Studies Paper-I section.