Art & Culture MCQs – Set 16: Advanced Questions for UPSC/PSC/CGL Exam Prep

  1. Which of the following is a sacred river depicted in many Indian art forms?
    (A) Krishna
    (B) Godavari
    (C) Ganga
    (D) Narmada
    Answer: (C)
  2. Which folk dance is traditionally performed by the Lambadi tribe?
    (A) Kolattam
    (B) Veeranatyam
    (C) Banjara
    (D) Thiruvathira
    Answer: (C)
  3. The decorative floral design in Mughal architecture is called –
    (A) Jaali
    (B) Pietra Dura
    (C) Mandala
    (D) Aipan
    Answer: (B)
  4. The Ajanta caves were rediscovered during the rule of –
    (A) Akbar
    (B) British East India Company
    (C) Aurangzeb
    (D) Tipu Sultan
    Answer: (B)
  5. Which style of painting is known for its bold colors, natural dyes, and depiction of deities on cloth scrolls?
    (A) Warli
    (B) Kalamkari
    (C) Gond
    (D) Kangra
    Answer: (B)
  6. Which classical dance form is known for vigorous movements and painted faces representing mythological characters?
    (A) Mohiniyattam
    (B) Kathakali
    (C) Odissi
    (D) Sattriya
    Answer: (B)
  7. Which Indian folk song is associated with the rainy season and longing for the beloved?
    (A) Sohar
    (B) Kajri
    (C) Bhajan
    (D) Alha
    Answer: (B)
  8. Which of these is a Jain pilgrimage site known for intricate marble temples?
    (A) Ellora
    (B) Dilwara
    (C) Bhubaneshwar
    (D) Mamallapuram
    Answer: (B)
  9. Which classical dance form was traditionally performed by temple girls in Tamil Nadu?
    (A) Bharatanatyam
    (B) Kuchipudi
    (C) Odissi
    (D) Mohiniyattam
    Answer: (A)
  10. Which Mughal monument was built in memory of Mumtaz Mahal?
    (A) Humayun’s Tomb
    (B) Red Fort
    (C) Taj Mahal
    (D) Jama Masjid
    Answer: (C)
  11. The ancient rock-cut temples at Elephanta are dedicated to which deity?
    (A) Vishnu
    (B) Brahma
    (C) Shiva
    (D) Durga
    Answer: (C)
  12. Which traditional performance art of Assam involves song, dance, and drama?
    (A) Bhaona
    (B) Tamasha
    (C) Chhau
    (D) Ramlila
    Answer: (A)
  13. Which of the following is not a percussion instrument?
    (A) Mridangam
    (B) Tabla
    (C) Shehnai
    (D) Dhol
    Answer: (C)
  14. Which art form is traditionally used to depict scenes from epics and legends in Rajasthan?
    (A) Gond
    (B) Phad
    (C) Kalamkari
    (D) Bhil
    Answer: (B)
  15. In which state is the famous Sun Temple at Modhera located?
    (A) Odisha
    (B) Gujarat
    (C) Rajasthan
    (D) Madhya Pradesh
    Answer: (B)
  16. Which classical musician is known for popularizing the santoor in Indian classical music?
    (A) Shivkumar Sharma
    (B) Zakir Hussain
    (C) Amjad Ali Khan
    (D) Bismillah Khan
    Answer: (A)
  17. The religious sect ‘Baul’ belongs to which state?
    (A) Odisha
    (B) West Bengal
    (C) Assam
    (D) Tripura
    Answer: (B)
  18. Which architectural structure is a blend of Indo-Islamic and Persian styles?
    (A) Konark Temple
    (B) Gol Gumbaz
    (C) Qutub Minar
    (D) Lotus Temple
    Answer: (C)
  19. The folk theatre form ‘Maach’ belongs to which Indian state?
    (A) Gujarat
    (B) Rajasthan
    (C) Madhya Pradesh
    (D) Bihar
    Answer: (C)
  20. ‘Yaksha Gana’ is associated with which state?
    (A) Tamil Nadu
    (B) Kerala
    (C) Karnataka
    (D) Andhra Pradesh
    Answer: (C)
  21. Which is the oldest known Sanskrit drama?
    (A) Shakuntalam
    (B) Mrichchhakatika
    (C) Svapnavasavadatta
    (D) Mudrarakshasa
    Answer: (C)
  22. The Lodi Gardens in Delhi are associated with which architectural style?
    (A) Mughal
    (B) Sultanate
    (C) Rajput
    (D) Colonial
    Answer: (B)
  23. The traditional art of storytelling in Tamil Nadu using painted scrolls is called –
    (A) Tholu Bommalata
    (B) Villupattu
    (C) Harikatha
    (D) Kathakalakshepam
    Answer: (B)
  24. Which Indian musical scale is equivalent to the Western ‘do-re-mi’ scale?
    (A) Tala
    (B) Raga
    (C) Swara
    (D) Shruti
    Answer: (C)
  25. Which Indian folk form uses shadow puppetry and leather dolls?
    (A) Puppetry of Assam
    (B) Tholu Bommalata
    (C) Pavakoothu
    (D) Kathputli
    Answer: (B)
  26. Which form of devotional music was popularized by Saint Kabir?
    (A) Abhanga
    (B) Doha
    (C) Bhajan
    (D) Qawwali
    Answer: (C)
  27. The ‘Pallava Grantha’ script was used primarily to write –
    (A) Sanskrit
    (B) Tamil
    (C) Telugu
    (D) Pali
    Answer: (A)
  28. Which deity is primarily worshipped in Odissi dance performances?
    (A) Krishna
    (B) Rama
    (C) Ganesha
    (D) Shiva
    Answer: (A)
  29. Which region is best known for the Bhavai folk theatre?
    (A) Rajasthan
    (B) Gujarat
    (C) Punjab
    (D) Haryana
    Answer: (B)
  30. Who is known as the father of modern Indian painting?
    (A) Nandalal Bose
    (B) Raja Ravi Varma
    (C) Amrita Sher-Gil
    (D) Abanindranath Tagore
    Answer: (B)
  31. The Indian instrument ‘Veena’ typically has how many main strings?
    (A) 4
    (B) 5
    (C) 7
    (D) 6
    Answer: (C)
  32. Which temple is known for its unique star-shaped platform?
    (A) Somnath Temple
    (B) Hoysaleswara Temple
    (C) Jagannath Temple
    (D) Mahakaleshwar Temple
    Answer: (B)
  33. Which Indian language has the richest tradition of devotional poetry (Bhakti Kavya)?
    (A) Tamil
    (B) Hindi
    (C) Marathi
    (D) All of the above
    Answer: (D)
  34. ‘Pattachitra’ is closely associated with the worship of –
    (A) Lord Shiva
    (B) Lord Rama
    (C) Lord Jagannath
    (D) Goddess Durga
    Answer: (C)
  35. The art of carving on red sandstone is mostly found in –
    (A) Jaipur
    (B) Varanasi
    (C) Fatehpur Sikri
    (D) Bhubaneswar
    Answer: (C)
  36. Which musical instrument is essential in Carnatic vocal concerts for rhythm support?
    (A) Tanpura
    (B) Tabla
    (C) Mridangam
    (D) Dholak
    Answer: (C)
  37. Which Bhakti saint was known for composing devotional songs in Braj Bhasha?
    (A) Meera Bai
    (B) Surdas
    (C) Namdev
    (D) Tulsidas
    Answer: (B)
  38. Which Indian dance form tells the story of Lord Rama’s life and is performed in monasteries?
    (A) Bharatanatyam
    (B) Kuchipudi
    (C) Sattriya
    (D) Mohiniyattam
    Answer: (C)
  39. Which of these art forms originated as a means of ritualistic worship and evolved into a classical dance?
    (A) Odissi
    (B) Kathak
    (C) Bharatanatyam
    (D) All of the above
    Answer: (D)
  40. Which form of embroidery is done using white thread on white fabric in Uttar Pradesh?
    (A) Phulkari
    (B) Kantha
    (C) Chikankari
    (D) Zardozi
    Answer: (C)
  41. The Ellora Caves are located near –
    (A) Aurangabad
    (B) Pune
    (C) Nashik
    (D) Nagpur
    Answer: (A)
  42. Which folk theatre uses humor and satire to narrate socio-political stories?
    (A) Nautanki
    (B) Jatra
    (C) Bhavai
    (D) Tamasha
    Answer: (C)
  43. Which temple town is located at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and river Ganga?
    (A) Puri
    (B) Varanasi
    (C) Rameswaram
    (D) Ganga Sagar
    Answer: (D)
  44. Who is the composer of the ‘Krishna Leela Tarangini’?
    (A) Narayana Teertha
    (B) Tyagaraja
    (C) Muthuswami Dikshitar
    (D) Bhadrachala Ramadas
    Answer: (A)
  45. Which dance form is sometimes referred to as ‘the dance of sculptures’?
    (A) Odissi
    (B) Kathak
    (C) Sattriya
    (D) Manipuri
    Answer: (A)
  46. Which of these is not a traditional percussion instrument of India?
    (A) Kanjira
    (B) Mridangam
    (C) Sitar
    (D) Dhol
    Answer: (C)
  47. Which art form includes decorating walls with rice paste in eastern India?
    (A) Alpana
    (B) Kolam
    (C) Mandana
    (D) Aipan
    Answer: (A)
  48. The ‘Gita Govinda’ inspired devotional performances in which classical dance form?
    (A) Bharatanatyam
    (B) Odissi
    (C) Kathak
    (D) Kuchipudi
    Answer: (B)
  49. Who composed the Tamil Bhakti classic ‘Tirukkural’?
    (A) Kambar
    (B) Thiruvalluvar
    (C) Ilango Adigal
    (D) Nammalwar
    Answer: (B)
  50. Which folk dance of Odisha uses large wooden masks and martial steps?
    (A) Chhau
    (B) Sambalpuri
    (C) Dalkhai
    (D) Ghumura
    Answer: (A)

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