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Introduction
Indian culture is a diverse topic. It encompasses cultural aspect from ancient, medieval to modern times. Coming to questions from this section, aspirants finds them difficult to solve. There are many reasons for this.
Quite understandably culture is quite factual and not an easy dish to prepare. Moreover, it has unending aspects to be covered that is beyond anyone’s capability unless born with luck factor. Joke’s apart :-). Again, the best way to prepare is from analysis of past year papers and following a simple strategy. What can be a simple strategy if the subject is tough?
Indian culture comprises of Art, Architecture and Literature. Almost every single book available in the market will explain in length and breadth about the syllabus and domains. So, can you memorize everything given? To tell you frankly even if you memorize everything, you cannot solve the questions as some of them are analytical and probably one in a million will be gifted with such a beautiful memory (actually none, unless he/she possess such supernatural power like our superstar chitti’-Rajinikanth in the movie Robot 🙂
Hence, the very purpose of this article here is to create an easy mind map for your preparation.
We will go chronologically and sometimes by division like Art, Architecture and Literature.
Now, hell of lot of resources, Isn’t it?
All you have to do is be selective in reading the books (Remember Baba’s mantra- not to read a book from cover to cover). Following the strategy given here will make sure that you have prepared culture without much difficulty. Also, a standard source to prepare culture is Current Affairs.
Since this section, overlaps with Ancient, Medieval and Modern History, you will see certain topics repeated here.
From Mauryan Empire the developments in the above field became prominent.
If we start dividing and covering each and every ruler’s domains based on them, then we will end up writing a book that we definitely don’t want. Let us make it simple.
Visual Art can be broadly divided into Paintings, Architecture, Sculpture and Pottery.
Example (2012 Prelims Questions Paper):
Lord Buddha’s image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called ‘Bhumisparsha Mudra’. It symbolizes (a) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to watch over Mara and to prevent Mara from disturbing his meditation (b) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara (c) Buddha’s reminder to his followers that they all arise from the Earth and finally dissolve into the Earth, and thus this life is transitory (d) Both the statements (a) and (b) are correct in this context Solution (b) |
Example (2013 Prelims Questions Paper):
Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference 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 the two Solution (b) |
Architecture:
Focus:
Example (2014 Prelims Questions Paper):
With reference to the cultural history of India, the term ‘Panchayatan’ refers to
1. an assembly of village elders 2. a religious sect’ 3. a style of temple construction 4. an administrative functionary Solution: C |
Post Mauryan Art
Miniature Painting
Focus
Modern Painting
Few Examples from Previous Year Question Paper’s
Consider the following historical places: (2013)
1. Ajanta Caves 2. Lepakshi Temple 3. Sanchi Stupa Which of the above places is / are also known for mural paintings? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) None Solution (b) |
Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was (2014)
1. the mosque for the use of Royal Family 2. Akbar’s private chamber prayer 3. the hall in which Akbar held discussions with scholars of various religions. 4. the room in which the nobles belonging to different religions gathered to discuss religious affairs. Solution 3 |
Note: In 2014, UPSC asked more questions based on locations and terms. You should be prepared to handle such questions. Do not read extensively, just focus on few aspects that we mentioned above like Locations, Features, Similarities and dissimilarities etc. Nobody can remember everything. Try to make your learning simple. Later we will put some questions that we frame from newspapers to make you understand that culture can also be prepared smartly from day to day current events.
Note: At the end of this Section, a link is provided wherin you can access all the Previous year UPSC questions that had appeared under ‘Culture’ Section since 2011.