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An Introduction to Indian Art, Part II

Class 12 · 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 1 · The Manuscript Painting Tradition

Prelims 2020 · Q31

With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term 'paramitas'?

  1. (a)The earliest Dharmashastra texts written in aphoristic (sutra) style
  2. (b)Philosophical schools that did not accept the authority of Vedas
  3. (c)Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path
  4. (d)Powerful merchant guilds of early medieval South India
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (c)

NCERT answers it: Class 12 An Introduction to Indian Art, Part II, Ch 1 (The Manuscript Painting Tradition).

How to solve it with NCERT: Class 12 An Introduction to Indian Art II, ch 1, translates 'Prajnaparamita' as 'Perfection of Wisdom', so 'paramita' means 'perfection'. Only option (c) is about perfections. Answer (c).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2020), question 31 ↗

Ch 2 · The Rajasthani Schools of Painting

Prelims 2018 · Q42

The well-known painting "Bani Thani" belongs to the

  1. (a)Bundi school
  2. (b)Jaipur school
  3. (c)Kangra school
  4. (d)Kishangarh school
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (d)

NCERT answers it: Class 12 An Introduction to Indian Art, Part II, Ch 2 (The Rajasthani Schools of Painting).

An Introduction to Indian Art, Part II (ch 2): Nihal Chand's painting of Bani Thani is discussed under the Kishangarh school. So (d).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2018), question 42 ↗

Ch 3 · The Mughal School of Miniature Painting

Prelims 2019 · Q17

Who among the following Mughal Emperors shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to album and individual portrait?

  1. (a)Humayun
  2. (b)Akbar
  3. (c)Jahangir
  4. (d)Shah Jahan
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (c)

NCERT answers it: Class 12 An Introduction to Indian Art, Part II, Ch 3 (The Mughal School of Miniature Painting).

An Introduction to Indian Art, Part II (ch 3): single paintings mounted in albums (muraqqas) became popular under Jahangir, unlike Akbar's workshop, where manuscripts were mass-produced. So (c).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2019), question 17 ↗

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