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Art and Culture – UPSC GS1

This module of the GS Paper 1: History, Culture, Geography & Society course covers architecture, temples, dance, music and painting. It has 2 study lessons and a 16-question practice quiz. Free lessons can be read in full; premium lessons show a preview.

Lessons in this module

1. Indian Architecture and Temple Styles

Free 8 min

Ajanta (Maharashtra) – Buddhist caves famous for paintings (murals). Ellora – Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves side by side. The Kailasa temple (Cave 16) was carved out of a single rock under the Rashtrakuta king…

2. Performing Arts, Paintings and Heritage

Premium 8 min

The Sangeet Natak Akademi recognises eight classical dance forms. The Ministry of Culture also lists Chhau. Hindustani (north; Persian influence; forms such as dhrupad, khayal and thumri) and Carnatic (south; kriti-based). Carnatic trinity: Tyagaraja, Muthuswami…

 Module quiz: Art and Culture (16 questions)

Maps & infographics in this module

Map of important monuments of India grouped by style: Nagara, Dravida, Vesara, rock-cut caves, Buddhist and Indo-Islamic
Location of frequently asked monuments.
Illustration comparing Nagara, Dravida and Vesara temple towers
Nagara = shikhara; Dravida = vimana and gopuram; Vesara = mix.
The Kandariya Mahadeva temple at Khajuraho, a Nagara-style temple
The Kandariya Mahadeva temple at Khajuraho, a Nagara-style temple. Credit: Wikimedia Commons · CC0.
William Hodges' view of the Great Pagoda (Brihadeeswarar Temple) at Tanjore, a Dravida-style temple
William Hodges' view of the Great Pagoda (Brihadeeswarar Temple) at Tanjore, a Dravida-style temple. Credit: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain.
Map of India highlighting home states of classical dances: Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, Sattriya
Kathak developed across north India (Lucknow, Jaipur, Banaras gharanas); Uttar Pradesh is shaded as its main centre.
A Kathakali performance
A Kathakali performance. Credit: Wikimedia Commons · CC0.

Frequently asked questions

Lessons: Indian Architecture and Temple Styles; Performing Arts, Paintings and Heritage.

Answer: Gopurams and a pyramidal vimana. Dravida temples have pyramid-shaped vimanas and large gateways called gopurams.

Answer: Rashtrakutas. Rashtrakuta king Krishna I built the monolithic Kailasa temple.

Answer: Rajaraja I. Rajaraja I (Chola) built it in the early 11th century.

Answer: Assam. Sattriya was introduced by Srimanta Sankardev in Assam.

Related modules

Ancient India3 lessons
Prehistoric and Harappan India3 lessons
Vedic Age, Mahajanapadas and Heterodox Religions4 lessons
Mauryas to Guptas5 lessons
Medieval India2 lessons
Early Medieval and Delhi Sultanate5 lessons
Mughals, Marathas and Bhakti–Sufi Movements5 lessons
Modern India4 lessons
Advent of Europeans and British Expansion5 lessons
Revolt of 1857 and Socio-Religious Reform4 lessons
Indian National Movement7 lessons
Post-Independence Consolidation4 lessons
World History2 lessons
World History in Depth6 lessons
Indian Art, Architecture and Literature6 lessons
Indian Geography2 lessons
Indian Physical and Economic Geography6 lessons
World Geography2 lessons
Physical Geography in Depth5 lessons
Geophysical Phenomena and Resource Distribution4 lessons
Indian Society2 lessons
Indian Society in Depth6 lessons

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