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An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I

Class 11 · Art & Culture

Real UPSC Prelims questions from 2016–2026, linked to this book. Try each one first, then open the answer. 2026 answers follow UPSC's provisional answer key.

Ch 2 · Arts of the Indus Valley

Prelims 2025 · Q72

The famous female figurine known as 'Dancing Girl', found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of

  1. (a)carnelian
  2. (b)clay
  3. (c)bronze
  4. (d)gold
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (c)

NCERT answers it: Class 11 An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I, Ch 2 (Arts of the Indus Valley).

An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I (ch 2): the best example of a human figure in bronze from the Indus Valley is the statue popularly called the 'Dancing Girl'. So (c).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2025), question 72 ↗

Ch 4 · Post-Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture

Prelims 2016 · Q65

What is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram?

  1. 1.Both were built in the same period.
  2. 2.Both belong to the same religious denomination.
  3. 3.Both have rock-cut monuments.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)None of the statements given above is correct
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (b)

NCERT answers it: Class 11 An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I, Ch 4 (Post-Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture).

An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I (ch 4): Ajanta's caves date from about the 2nd century BCE to the 5th century CE. Mahabalipuram's rock-cut caves came under the Pallavas. The periods and patrons differ, but both are rock-cut. So (b).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2016), question 65 ↗

Prelims 2017 · Q69

The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at

  1. (a)Ajanta
  2. (b)Badami
  3. (c)Bagh
  4. (d)Ellora
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (a)

NCERT answers it: Class 11 An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I, Ch 4 (Post-Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture).

An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I (ch 4): the famous Padmapani and Vajrapani paintings are in Cave No. 1 at Ajanta. So (a).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2017), question 69 ↗

Prelims 2023 · Q42

With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:

  1. 1.The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.
  2. 2.Stupa was generally a repository of relics.
  3. 3.Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

  1. (a)Only one
  2. (b)Only two
  3. (c)All three
  4. (d)None
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (b)

NCERT answers it: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part I, Theme 4 (Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings: Cultural Developments (c. 600 BCE–600 CE)); Class 11 An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I, Ch 4 (Post-Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture).

Themes in Indian History, Part I (Theme 4): stupas were mounds where relics of the Buddha were buried, but the tradition may have been pre-Buddhist. An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I (ch 4) describes votive stupas. So 2 and 3 are right, 1 is not: (b).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2023), question 42 ↗

Ch 5 · Later Mural Traditions

Prelims 2025 · Q14

Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles 'Mattavilasa', 'Vichitrachitta' and 'Gunabhara'?

  1. (a)Mahendravarman I
  2. (b)Simhavishnu
  3. (c)Narasimhavarman I
  4. (d)Simhavarman
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (a)

NCERT answers it: Class 11 An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I, Ch 5 (Later Mural Traditions).

An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I (ch 5): the Mandagapattu inscription names Mahendravarman I with many titles, such as Vichitrachitta. So (a).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2025), question 14 ↗

Ch 6 · Temple Architecture and Sculpture

Prelims 2020 · Q24

Consider the following events in the history of India:

  1. 1.Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja
  2. 2.Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman – I
  3. 3.Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka – I
  4. 4.Pala dynasty founded by Gopala

What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest time?

  1. (a)2 – 1 – 4 – 3
  2. (b)3 – 1 – 4 – 2
  3. (c)2 – 4 – 1 – 3
  4. (d)3 – 4 – 1 – 2
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (c)

NCERT answers it: Class 11 An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I, Ch 6 (Temple Architecture and Sculpture); Class 7 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2), Ch 3 (Empires and Kingdoms: 6th to 10th Centuries); Class 9 Understanding Society: India and Beyond, Ch 5 (State and Society up to 1000 CE).

NCERT places Mahendravarman I before about 640 CE, when his successor took the Pallava throne (Indian Art, Part I, ch 6). The Palas came to power in the 8th century (same chapter). Bhoja of the Pratiharas ruled in the 9th century (Exploring Society, Class 7 Part 2, ch 3), and Parantaka I in the 10th (Understanding Society, Class 9, ch 5). So 2-4-1-3: (c).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2020), question 24 ↗

Prelims 2023 · Q45

Consider the following dynasties:

  1. 1.Hoysala
  2. 2.Gahadavala
  3. 3.Kakatiya
  4. 4.Yadava

How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in early eighth century AD?

  1. (a)Only one
  2. (b)Only two
  3. (c)Only three
  4. (d)None
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (d)

NCERT answers it: Class 7 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2), Ch 4 (Turning Tides: 11th and 12th Centuries); Class 11 An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I, Ch 6 (Temple Architecture and Sculpture); old Class 7 Our Pasts – II, Ch 2 (Kings and Kingdoms); Class 8 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1), Ch 3 (The Rise of the Marathas).

How to solve it with NCERT: NCERT places all four dynasties well after the 8th century: the Kakatiyas rose in the 12th century (Class 7 Exploring Society Part 2, ch 4). The Hoysalas rose after Chola power waned (Class 11 An Introduction to Indian Art I, ch 6). The Gahadavalas were rivals of Prithviraja III, who ruled 1168–1192 (old Class 7 Our Pasts II, ch 2). The Yadavas ruled Maharashtra in the 13th century (Class 8 Exploring Society Part 1, ch 3). So none of them was founded in the early 8th century. Answer (d).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2023), question 45 ↗

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