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UPSC Mains PYQs

1053 questions

Every General Studies question since 2013, ready to attempt. Model answers arrive week by week.

Indian Heritage and Culture

32 questions

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2025

  1. 2025 · GS1 · 10 marksExamine the main aspects of Akbar’s religious syncretism.
  2. 2025 · GS1 · 10 marksDiscuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture.
  3. 2025 · GS1 · 10 marksThe sculptors filled the Chandella artform with resilient vigor and breadth of life. Elucidate.

2024

  1. 2024 · GS1 · 10 marksEstimate the contribution of the Pallavas of Kanchi for the development of art and literature of South India.
  2. 2024 · GS1 · 15 marksThough the great Cholas are no more, their name is still remembered with great pride because of their highest achievements in the domain of art and architecture. Comment.
  3. 2024 · GS1 · 10 marksUnderline the changes in the field of society and economy from the rig vedic to the later vedic period.

2023

  1. 2023 · GS1 · 15 marksWhat were the major technological changes introduced during the Sultanate period? How did those technological changes influence Indian society?
  2. 2023 · GS1 · 10 marksExplain the role of geographical factors towards the development of Ancient India.

2022

  1. 2022 · GS1 · 15 marksDiscuss the main contributions of Gupta period and Chola period to Indian heritage and culture
  2. 2022 · GS1 · 10 marksHow will you explain the medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days?
  3. 2022 · GS1 · 15 marksDiscuss the significance of the lion and bull figures in Indian mythology, art and architecture.

2021

  1. 2021 · GS1 · 10 marksEvaluate the nature of Bhakti Literature and its contribution to Indian culture.

2020

  1. 2020 · GS1 · 15 marksIndian Philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and their art in India. Discuss.
  2. 2020 · GS1 · 10 marksPala period is the most significant phase in the history of Buddhism in India. Enumerate.
  3. 2020 · GS1 · 15 marksPersian literary sources of medieval India reflect the spirit of the age. Comment.
  4. 2020 · GS1 · 10 marksThe rock-cut architecture represents one of the most important sources of our knowledge of early Indian art and history. Discuss.

2019

  1. 2019 · GS1 · 10 marksHighlight the Central Asian and Greco Bactrian elements in the Gandhara art.

2018

  1. 2018 · GS1 · 10 marksAssess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of the history of India.
  2. 2018 · GS1 · 15 marksThe Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Discuss.
  3. 2018 · GS1 · 10 marksSafeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Comment.

2017

  1. 2017 · GS1 · 10 marksHow do you justify the view that the level of excellence of the Gupta numismatic art is not at all noticeable in later times?

2016

  1. 2016 · GS1 · 12.5 marksEarly Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives, successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate.
  2. 2016 · GS1 · 12.5 marksKrishnadeva Raya, the king of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but was also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss.

2015

  1. 2015 · GS1 · 12.5 marksThe ancient civilization in the Indian sub continent differed from those of Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece in that its culture and traditions have been preserved without breakdown to the present day. Comment.
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