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UPSC Art & Culture Syllabus, Exam Pattern
UPSC Art & Culture for Prelims Exam Syllabus
Art & Culture – UPSC Prelims Exam: Complete Index syllabus:
Part 1: Introduction to Indian Art & Culture
1. Importance of Art & Culture in Indian Heritage
2. Sources for Study (NCERTs, Nitin Singhania, CCRT, etc.)
3. Art & Culture in UPSC Prelims – Previous Year Trend Analysis
Part 2: Indian Architecture and Sculpture
A. Cave & Rock-Cut Architecture
4. Prehistoric Rock Shelters – Bhimbetka
5. Buddhist Cave Architecture – Chaityas & Viharas (Ajanta, Ellora, Karla, etc.)
6. Jain and Hindu Rock-Cut Architecture
B. Stupa Architecture
7. Origin and Features of Stupas
8. Major Stupas – Sanchi, Amaravati, Bharhut, etc.
C. Temple Architecture
9. Nagara Style (North Indian Temples)
10. Dravida Style (South Indian Temples)
11. Vesara Style (Deccan Temples)
12. Famous Temples – Kailasa (Ellora), Brihadeeswara, Khajuraho, Sun Temple
D. Pillars and Inscriptions
13. Mauryan Pillars – Ashokan Edicts
14. Inscriptions – Languages, Scripts, Importance (Prayag Prashasti, Hathigumpha, etc.)
E. Indo-Islamic Architecture
15. Features – Arches, Domes, Minarets
16. Sultanate Architecture
17. Mughal Architecture – Taj Mahal, Humayun's Tomb, Fatehpur Sikri
18. Regional Styles – Deccan, Rajput, Bengal
F. Modern Indian Architecture
19. Colonial Era Styles – British, French, Portuguese
20. Lutyens’ Delhi
21. Post-Independence Architecture – Le Corbusier, Charles Correa
G. Indian Sculpture & Iconography
22. Prehistoric and Early Sculptures – Harappan, Mauryan, Sunga
23. Gandhara, Mathura, Amravati Schools
24. Temple Sculptures – Chola Bronzes, Iconography of Deities
25. Jain and Buddhist Sculptures
26. Modern Sculptures and Artists
Part 3: Religion & Philosophy
A. Religions
27. Indus Valley Civilization and Early Religious Practices
28. Hinduism – Evolution, Concepts, Deities
29. Buddhism – Teachings, Sects, Art & Architecture
30. Jainism – Principles, Sects, Symbols
31. Sikhism – Gurus, Teachings
32. Islam – Beliefs, Sufism, Cultural Impact
33. Christianity – Arrival, Growth, Cultural Contributions
B. Philosophies
34. Upanishadic Philosophy – Concepts of Brahman, Atman
35. Six Orthodox Schools – Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, Vedanta
36. Buddhist Philosophy – Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path
37. Jaina Philosophy – Anekantavada, Syadvada
38. Medieval Philosophies – Bhakti, Sufi, Vedantic Thought
39. Other Ancient Philosophies – Charvaka, Ajivika
Part 4: Bhakti and Sufi Movements
40. Bhakti Movement – Saints, Impact, Literature
41. Sufi Movement – Orders (Chisti, Suhrawardi), Principles, Cultural Impact
Part 5: Indian Paintings
A. Ancient and Medieval Paintings
42. Prehistoric Cave Paintings
43. Ajanta, Bagh Paintings
44. Jain and Buddhist Manuscript Paintings
B. Miniature Paintings
45. Mughal School
46. Rajput School (Rajasthani, Pahari)
47. Deccan School
C. Modern Indian Paintings
48. Company Paintings
49. Bengal School of Art
50. Contemporary Artists – Raja Ravi Varma, Amrita Sher-Gil, M. F. Husain
D. Folk Paintings
51. Madhubani, Warli, Pattachitra, Kalamkari, etc.
Part 6: Indian Literature
A. Ancient Literature
52. Sanskrit Literature – Vedas, Upanishads, Epics
53. Prakrit and Pali Literature – Jataka Tales, Jain Agamas
54. Sangam and Tamil Literature
B. Medieval Literature
55. Bhakti and Sufi Literature – Kabir, Tulsidas, Amir Khusro
56. Regional Poets and Saints
C. Modern Literature
57. Literature during British India
58. Freedom Movement and Literary Contributions
59. Notable Indian Authors, Sahitya Akademi and Nobel Winners
Part 7: Indian Dance, Drama & Puppetry
A. Dance
60. Classical Dance Forms – Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Odissi, etc.
61. Folk Dances – Bihu, Ghoomar, Lavani, Garba, etc.
62. Conceptual Aspects – Natya Shastra, Mudras, Themes
B. Drama and Theatre
63. Sanskrit Theatre – Kalidasa, Bhasa
64. Medieval and Folk Theatres – Yakshagana, Nautanki, Tamasha
C. Puppetry
65. Types – String, Shadow, Rod, Glove
66. Regional Traditions – Andhra, Rajasthan, Odisha
Part 8: Indian Music
A. Classical Music
67. Hindustani Classical Music
68. Carnatic Classical Music
69. Gharanas, Instruments, Composers
B. Folk Music
70. Regional Styles and Instruments – Bhavageet, Baul, Lavani, etc.
Part 9: Foreign Travelers in India
71. Chinese Travelers – Fa-Hien, Hiuen Tsang
72. Arab Travelers – Al-Biruni, Ibn Battuta
73. European Accounts – Marco Polo, Tavernier, Manucci
Part 10: Science, Technology & Education
A. Science and Technology
74. Ancient Indian Contributions – Astronomy, Mathematics, Medicine
75. Medieval Developments – Metallurgy, Surgery, Architecture
B. Education System
76. Ancient Institutions – Nalanda, Takshashila, Gurukul
77. Medieval & Colonial Education – Madrasas, Missionary Schools
Part 11: UNESCO and Cultural Heritage
A. UNESCO Heritage Sites
78. Cultural Sites – Hampi, Khajuraho, Qutub Minar, etc.
79. Natural & Mixed Sites
B. Intangible Cultural Heritage
80. Recognized Indian Elements – Yoga, Ramlila, Kumbh Mela, etc.
C. Creative Cities Network
81. Indian Cities in UNESCO Network (Chennai – Music, Jaipur – Crafts, etc.)
D. Protection and Preservation
82. Role of ASI, INTACH, NCF, Ministry of Culture
83. Cultural Acts & Heritage Laws
84. Major Museums and Conservation Projects
Part 12: Indian Festivals, Fairs & Institutions
A. Festivals
85. Religious Festivals – Diwali, Eid, Holi, Christmas
86. Tribal and Seasonal Festivals – Onam, Hornbill, etc.
B. Fairs and Cultural Events
87. Kumbh Mela, Pushkar, Surajkund Crafts Mela
C. Cultural Institutions & Awards
88. National Academies – Sangeet Natak, Lalit Kala, Sahitya
89. IGNCA, ICCR, ZCCs
90. Cultural Awards – Padma Awards, Bharat Ratna, Kalidas Samman
UPSC Art & Culture Prelims Exam Pattern
Duration : 60 Minutes
No.of Question : 100
Total Marks : 100
FAQs
UPSC Art & Culture Exam Syllabus Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
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