UPSC Static Quiz – Art and Culture : 24 January 2025

Solution: d)

The Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahṛdayaloka-Locana were included in the UNESCO Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register for their profound impact on literature and culture. However, the Arthashastra was not part of this inclusion.

Solution: b)

Persian literature flourished in medieval India, especially during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal periods.

• Statement 1 is correct: Persian was adopted as the official language of administration and the court during the Delhi Sultanate, replacing regional languages. It became a medium for communication, administration, and literary expression.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Histories written in Persian, such as Tarikh-e-Firuz Shahi and Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, focused on chronicling the achievements of rulers and socio-political developments rather than engaging in philosophical discourse.
• Statement 3 is correct: Amir Khusrau, often called the “Parrot of India,” was a prolific writer in Persian. He contributed extensively to Persian literature, composing poetry (including ghazals and masnavis) and prose, showcasing his versatility and literary genius.

Solution: a)

Guru Nanak’s teachings rejected the prevailing religious practices such as idol worship and reliance on intermediaries like priests or religious leaders for attaining spiritual progress (Statement 1 is correct).

He emphasized a direct connection with the divine through devotion and ethical living. Furthermore, Guru Nanak promoted the concept of sangat (congregational worship) and langar (community kitchen) to foster social equality and communal harmony (Statement 3 is correct).

However, he did not advocate renunciation of worldly possessions or ascetism. Instead, he urged his followers to live a righteous life while fulfilling familial and social responsibilities (Statement 2 is incorrect). Salvation, according to Guru Nanak, could be achieved through devotion, honest living, and service to humanity.

Solution: d)

Modern Indian art is widely considered to have begun with the Bengal School of Painting, emerging in the early 20th century.

Bengal School, spearheaded by artists like Abanindranath Tagore, was a reaction against the dominance of colonial art styles, such as European academic art and Company Paintings. These colonial styles often exoticized Indian subjects and catered to Western tastes.

Solution: d)

Awanad/Avanaddha Vadya instruments, also known as membranophones, are defined by their ability to generate sound through the vibration of stretched membranes. These instruments typically consist of one or more faces covered with hide or skin, which is struck to produce musical notes. The sound is created when the stretched membrane vibrates in response to being struck, either by hand or with a tool like a stick or mallet.

Examples of Awanad Vadya include the tabla, mridangam, dhol, and congo, which are widely used in both classical and folk music traditions in India. They are essential in maintaining rhythm and time during performances. Unlike stringed (Tata Vadya) or wind instruments (Sushira Vadya), these instruments do not produce melody but serve a rhythmic purpose. Their versatility allows them to be used across genres, from devotional and classical music to regional folk and celebratory traditions.