1/13/24, 4:00 PM UPSC_DPP 9

UPSC

Prarambh 2026
DPP: 9
Art and Culture

Q1 Consider the following statements with 1. Bani Thani is one of the most prominent
reference to the West Indian School of miniature paintings drawn under the
Paintings: patronage of Akbar.
2. The paintings during Akbar’s reign did not
1. This art form flourished due to the
witness cultural amalgamation with the
contribution of Jaina monks.
West.
2. The creation Kalakacharyakatha gives a
3. Shah Muzaffar was the most famous artist
pictorial representation of important events
present in Akbar's court.
in Mahavira’s life.
3. This art form expanded to places like Nepal Which of the statements given above is/are
and Sri Lanka. incorrect?
(A) 1 and 2 only (B) 1 and 3 only
How many of the above statements are
(C) 2 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3
correct?
(A) Only one (B) Only two Q5 Consider the following statements:
(C) All three (D) None
1. Rasikpriya is a common creation of the
Q2 Nimatnama, which introduced cookbooks to Malwa and Bikaner schools of painting.
miniature paintings, belongs to which school of 2. The paintings of the Kota School became
art? popular during the reign of Ram Singh I.
(A) Kangra School of Painting 3. The Bundi school has taken influence from
(B) Pala School of Painting the Deccani style of art.
(C) Sultanate School of Painting
Which of the statements given above is/are
(D) Mughal School of Painting
correct?
Q3 The famous manuscript, "Astasahasrika (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 1 and 3 only
Prajnaparamita," is a creation of (C) 2 and 3 only (D) 1, 2 and 3
(A) Bengal School of Paintings
Q6 The famous painting of Chaurpanchasika
(B) Pala School of Paintings
belongs to
(C) Malwa School of Paintings
(A) Bikaner School of Painting
(D) Pahadi School of Painting
(B) Bundi School of Painting
Q4 With reference to Mughal Paintings, consider (C) Kota School of Painting
the following statements: (D) Malwa School of Painting

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Answer Key
Q1 (D) Q4 (D)

Q2 (C) Q5 (D)

Q3 (B) Q6 (D)

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Hints & Solutions
Q1 Text Solution:
Answer: (d) None
Statement 1 is incorrect: The 19th century saw
the emergence of the Western Indian Painting
School, which combined Western and Indian
creative traditions. It flourished in states like
Gujarat, and other parts of Central India
between 1350 to 1450, with rich detailing
producing Jain paintings. The Jain School of
Painting emerged within the Western Indian
Painting School as a result of the Jain
community, which was primarily made up of
merchants, traders, and businessmen, who
were settled in the region. They were the ones
who gave patronage to Jain paintings.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Jain School of
Painting emerged within the Western Indian
Painting School. The prominent Jain Texts for
Artistic Interpretation included:
Kalpasutra: It depicts events from the lives of
the 24 Tirthankaras, focusing on five key
incidents – conception, birth, renunciation,
enlightenment, the first sermon, and
salvation.
Kalakacharyakatha: It tells the adventurous
tale of Acharya Kalaka on a quest to rescue
his abducted sister from an evil king.
Uttaradhyana Sutra: It outlines Mahavir’s
teachings on the conduct monks should
adopt.
Sangrahani Sutra: A 12th-century
cosmological text detailing the universe’s
structure and space mapping.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Western Indian
Painting School combined Western and Indian
creative traditions. flourished in states like
Gujarat, and other parts of Central India
between 1350 to 1450. During the eleventh and
twelfth centuries, the Palas of eastern India
produced illustrated manuscripts that served as
the basis for the Pala School of Painting. This
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art form expanded to places like Nepal, Tibet,
Burma, Sri Lanka, and Java. This was the last
major period of Buddhist art in India, spanning
from 750 CE to the middle of the twelfth
century.
Q2 Text Solution:
Answer: (c)
The Sultanate paintings developed around
the same time when West India flourished
with Jaina paintings. Following the end of
the 12th century, as the Sultanate ruled over
parts of north, east, and west India, they
brought about influences from the Persian,
Turkic, and Afghan cultures, all of which
amalgamated within Indian culture.
The "Book of Delicacies," or "Nimatnama,"
which was written by Ghiyath Shah (Sultan
of Malwa) between the years of 1500 and
1510 CE and contains advice on medicine
and cosmetics as well as hunting methods
and recipes, is a notable example. (Hence,
option (c) is correct).
Q3 Text Solution:
Answer: (b)
Pala School of Paintings:
During the eleventh and twelfth centuries,
the Palas of eastern India produced
illustrated manuscripts that served as the
basis for the Pala School of Painting. This
was the last major period of Buddhist art in
India, spanning from 750 CE to the middle of
the twelfth century.
With their flowing, sinuous lines and muted
color tones, Pala paintings can be
distinguished from Jain paintings. The Ajanta
art was echoed in the sculptural styles of the
monasteries, which resembled their painting
depictions. One of the best examples of a
palm leaf manuscript from the Pala school of
Buddhism is the "Astasahasrika
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Prajnaparamita," or "Perfection of Wisdom."
The painting was completed at the Nalanda
monastery in the eleventh century, under the
reign of King Ramapala. (Hence, option (b) is
correct)
Q4 Text Solution:
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Statement 1 is incorrect: Of all the Rajasthani
miniatures, Kishangarh paintings are the most
stylized. The depiction of Bani Thani is one of
the most prominent examples of the Kishangarh
school of paintings. A singer renowned for her
unmatched grace and beauty was Bani Thani.
She worked as an attendant for the wife of Raj
Singh and was a talented dancer, singer, and
poet. A distinctive painting style from
Kishangarh was influenced by Bani Thani's
distinctive facial features. Bani Thani's features
are shown as having curved eyes, a pointy
nose, sharp eyebrows, thin lips, and distinctive
curls of hair that spiral down each cheek. Artist
Nihal Chand is credited for developing this
style, commonly showing Sawant Singh and
Bani Thani as Krishna and Radha.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Akbar made attempts
to promote cultural fusion. So, he ordered
famous Sanskrit texts—the Ramayana and the
Mahabharata, known as Razm Nama—to be
translated into Persian and illustrated. With
contact with the English Crown in particular,
the European influence began to show in
Mughal artworks. Paintings from the age of
Akbar ranged from elaborate depictions of
Persian and Hindu myths to events at the royal
court.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Babur brought a
fusion of Persian and Central Asian cultural
and artistic elements to India in 1526. His
autobiography, Baburnama, offers a thorough
description of his political path entwined with
his enduring love of the arts. His memoirs
included noteworthy comments from artists
such as Shah Muzaffar, renowned for his
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portrayal of hairstyles, and Bihzad, famed for
his intricate compositions.
Q5 Text Solution:
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Statement 1 is correct: Malwa School of
developed around Madhya Pradesh between
1600 and 1700 CE. The Malwa School identifies
a wide region of Central India as its origin
rather than a single kingdom or king's court, in
contrast to the specificity of Rajasthani schools,
which developed and flourished in those same
territorial kingdoms. The paintings are in the
form of Jain manuscripts. The famous painting
of Chaurpanchasika belongs to this school.
Some of the notable works from this period
include a series of Rasikapriya illustrations
dated to 1634, a Ramayana folio, and a series
of Ragamala paintings painted by Madho Das
dated to the later decades of the seventeenth
century. Bikaner's paintings inherited Mughal
grace and a muted color scheme because of
her longstanding ties to the Mughals. Ustad Ali
Raza, a master from Delhi, was employed by
Karan Singh. From around 1650 onwards, his
works represent the beginning of the Bikaner
School. Master craftsman Ruknuddin combined
Mughal, Deccani, and indigenous styles in his
works during the time of Anup Singh. The
Ramayana, Rasikapriya, and Durga Satpsati
are just a few of the important works he
illustrated.
Statement 2 is correct: These paintings were
derived from the Bundi school itself because,
until 1625, Bundi and Kota were segregated and
were considered to be one territory. One of the
most important paintings of this school depicts
Madho Singh appreciating Jahangir's valor.
This tradition of painting started under Jagat
Singh. Hunting scenes were a prominent theme
of this school of painting. The Kota School of
Painting's subject matter had greatly
broadened during the time of Ram Singh I
(1686–1708).
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Statement 3 is correct: Renowned for its
flawless color perception and design, the Bundi
School of Painting reached its pinnacle in the
17th century. The "Bundi Ragamala" dated 1591,
which was painted during Bhoj Singh's reign, is
a prime example of an early Bundi painting.
With important contributions from artists like
Sahibdin and Manohar, the school flourished,
especially under the leadership of Rao Chattar
Sal and Rao Bhao Singh. With an emphasis on
vibrant colors, the paintings incorporated
Deccani aesthetics. Hunting was a hobby for
rulers like Bishen Singh and Ram Singh, who
produced a lot of artwork with hunting themes.
Central India as its origin rather than a
single kingdom or king's court, in contrast to
the specificity of Rajasthani schools, which
developed and flourished in those same
territorial kingdoms.
The paintings are in the form of Jain
manuscripts. The famous painting of
Chaurpanchasika belongs to this school.
Some of the notable works from this period
include a series of Rasikapriya illustrations
dated to 1634, a Ramayana folio, and a
series of Ragamala paintings painted by
Madho Das dated to the later decades of
the seventeenth century.

Q6 Text Solution: A series illustrating a Sanskrit poem called

Answer: (d) the Amaru Śataka (1652) also belongs to this

Malwa School of Paintings: school along with illustrations of the

These paintings developed around Madhya Bhagavata-Purana, and other Hindu

Pradesh between 1600 and 1700 CE. The devotional and literary works. (Hence, option

Malwa School identifies a wide region of (d) is correct).

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