Q60. Which statements accurately distinguish Kuchipudi from Bharatanatyam?
1. Spoken dialogues can feature in Kuchipudi;
2. Brass-plate dancing is characteristic of Bharatanatyam, not Kuchipudi.
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2012]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both
(D) Neither
Answer: (A) 1 only
Explanation: Traditional Kuchipudi dance-drama permits spoken dialogue, and some presentations feature tarangam dancing on the edge of a brass plate. The latter feature is not distinctive to Bharatanatyam, so the second statement is inaccurate.
Q59. Apart from the Ajanta murals, which caves preserve well-known painting examples often associated with the Gupta period?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2010]
(A) Bagh Caves
(B) Ellora Caves
(C) Lomas Rishi Cave
(D) Nasik Caves
Answer: (A) Bagh Caves
Explanation: The Bagh Caves of Madhya Pradesh preserve important ancient wall-painting remains, often studied alongside Ajanta. Their surviving artistic fragments provide evidence of classical-period Buddhist visual culture and mural technique.
Q58. In which state is the Buddhist Tabo Monastery situated?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2009]
(A) Sikkim
(B) Himachal Pradesh
(C) Arunachal Pradesh
(D) Uttarakhand
Answer: (B) Himachal Pradesh
Explanation: Tabo Monastery stands in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Founded in the tenth century, it preserves Buddhist wall paintings, sculptures and manuscripts that are important for the history of trans-Himalayan art.
Q57. Where is the famous Virupaksha Temple situated?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2009]
(A) Madurai
(B) Kanchipuram
(C) Hampi
(D) Tiruchirappalli
Answer: (C) Hampi
Explanation: Virupaksha Temple is a major functioning shrine at Hampi in Karnataka, once the capital of Vijayanagara. It is dedicated to Shiva and forms a prominent part of the UNESCO-listed Group of Monuments at Hampi.
Q56. Umakant and Ramakant Gundecha were celebrated exponents of which performing art?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2009]
(A) Dhrupad vocal music
(B) Kathak dance
(C) Sarod performance
(D) Tabla playing
Answer: (A) Dhrupad vocal music
Explanation: The Gundecha brothers were renowned for their duet renditions of Dhrupad, one of the oldest surviving Hindustani classical vocal genres. Their performances helped introduce the tradition’s expansive alap and rhythmic compositions to wider audiences.
Q55. The Jain temples of Palitana are located near which Gujarat city?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2008]
(A) Bhavnagar
(B) Vadodara
(C) Surat
(D) Rajkot
Answer: (A) Bhavnagar
Explanation: The Shatrunjaya hill temple complex at Palitana lies in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district. It is one of Jainism’s foremost pilgrimage destinations, featuring a dense ensemble of marble shrines built across several centuries.
Q54. Bimbavati Devi is well known as an exponent of which classical dance?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2008]
(A) Manipuri
(B) Kuchipudi
(C) Bharatanatyam
(D) Odissi
Answer: (A) Manipuri
Explanation: Bimbavati Devi is an acclaimed exponent of Manipuri dance, a graceful classical tradition connected with the northeastern state of Manipur. The form often draws on Vaishnava themes and characteristic flowing, restrained movements.
Q53. Who wrote the famous poem Subh-e-Azadi?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2008]
(A) Sahir Ludhianvi
(B) Faiz Ahmed Faiz
(C) Muhammad Iqbal
(D) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
Answer: (B) Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Explanation: Faiz Ahmed Faiz wrote the Urdu poem Subh-e-Azadi, expressing the complicated emotions surrounding independence and Partition in 1947. Its imagery contrasts the long-awaited dawn of freedom with unresolved suffering and disillusionment.
Q52. Which mapping of literary figures to works is accurate: Bankim Chandra, Dinabandhu Mitra and Premchand?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2008]
(A) Debi Chaudhurani; Chandrakanta; Shatranj ke Khiladi
(B) Nil Darpan; Chandrakanta; Debi Chaudhurani
(C) Debi Chaudhurani; Nil Darpan; Shatranj ke Khiladi
(D) Nil Darpan; Shatranj ke Khiladi; Chandrakanta
Answer: (C) Debi Chaudhurani; Nil Darpan; Shatranj ke Khiladi
Explanation: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote Debi Chaudhurani, Dinabandhu Mitra authored the indigo-protest drama Nil Darpan, and Premchand wrote Shatranj ke Khiladi. The works mark important stages in Bengali and Hindi prose and drama.
Q51. At which place is the Vittala Temple known for its musical pillars?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2007]
(A) Badami
(B) Aihole
(C) Hampi
(D) Srirangam
Answer: (C) Hampi
Explanation: The Vijayanagara-period Vittala Temple at Hampi is celebrated for its finely carved pillars and stone chariot. The complex illustrates the sophisticated temple architecture, sculptural decoration and festive traditions of the imperial city.
