History & Culture chapter practice
Practise 100+ Music, Dance, Literature and Philosophy MCQs for UPSC Prelims in History & Culture, including 45+ previous year questions. The sample set below is shown with correct answers and explanations.
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The first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, a music training school, was set up in 1901 by Vishnu Digambar Paluskar in [2025]
Explanation
Correct. Vishnu Digambar Paluskar founded the first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in Lahore in 1901 to institutionalise Hindustani classical music training outside hereditary court and gharana settings.
Who among the following is associated with 'Songs from Prison', a translation of ancient Indian religious lyrics in English? [2021]
Explanation
Correct. Gandhi translated devotional and religious verses in prison, and Songs from Prison is associated with that body of reflective translation work.
With reference to Madanapalle of Andhra Pradesh, which one of the following statements is correct? [2021]
Explanation
Correct. Rabindranath Tagore stayed at Madanapalle and produced the English rendering 'The Morning Song of India' there.
With reference to Mian Tansen, which one of the following statements is not correct? [2019]
Explanation
Correct (not correct statement). Tansen was the musician's established name, not simply a title granted by Akbar. His original name was Ramtanu Pandey and 'Tansen' was a name he acquired before Akbar's court.
Consider the following pairs: [2018] Tradition — State 1. Chapchar Kut festival — Mizoram 2. Khongjom Parba ballad — Manipur 3. Thang-Ta dance — Sikkim Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Correct. Chapchar Kut is a harvest festival of Mizoram celebrated after bamboo cutting. Khongjom Parba is a Manipuri ballad tradition commemorating the Battle of Khongjom (1891).
With reference to cultural history of India, consider the following statements: [2018] 1. Most of the Tyagaraja Kritis are devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna. 2. Tyagaraja created several new ragas. 3. Annamacharya and Tyagaraja are contemporaries. 4. Annamacharya kirtanas are devotional songs in praise of Lord Venkateshwara. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Correct. Tyagaraja did create new ragas, and Annamacharya's kirtanas are indeed devoted to Lord Venkateshwara of Tirupati.
With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements: [2017] 1. It is a song and dance performance. 2. Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance. 3. It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Correct. Manipuri Sankirtana combines singing and dance and is performed as a devotional offering narrating Krishna's life. It was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2013.
Consider the following pairs: [2017] Tradition — Communities 1. Chaliha Sahib Festival — Sindhis 2. Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra — Gonds 3. Wari-Warkari — Santhals Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Explanation
Correct. Chaliha Sahib is a 40-day festival observed by the Sindhi community in honour of Jhulelal. The other pairs are incorrect.
Which one of the following was given classical language status recently? [2015]
Explanation
Correct. In the context of the 2015 examination, Odia was granted Classical Language status in 2014, making it the sixth Indian language to receive this recognition.
A community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their [2014]
Explanation
Correct. Manganiyars are hereditary folk musicians of western Rajasthan (North-West India), especially associated with rich vocal and instrumental traditions performed for patron communities.
With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements: [2014] 1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama. 2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam. 3. It is based on classical ragas and talas of devotional songs composed by Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Correct. Sattriya developed in the Vaishnavite sattra (monastery) tradition of Assam established by Srimanta Sankaradeva. It integrates music, dance, and drama and is a living tradition of Assamese Vaishnavites.
With reference to India's culture and tradition, what is 'Kalaripayattu'? [2014]
Explanation
Correct. Kalaripayattu is an ancient martial art tradition associated especially with Kerala and parts of South India, involving weapons, unarmed combat, and healing techniques.
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