Art Culture and Heritage

Key Exam Oriented Topics

1. Architecture and Sculpture

1.1 Prehistoric and Ancient: Indus Valley Civilization town planning and artifacts, stupas, chaityas, viharas, and rock-cut architecture.
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1.2 Mauryan, Post-Mauryan, and Gupta: Mauryan pillars, Buddhist art (Gandhara, Mathura, Amaravati schools of art), and the development of art during the Gupta period.
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1.3 Temple Architecture: Detailed study of the Nagara, Dravidian, and Vesara styles including examples from the Pallava, Chola, and other dynasties.
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1.4 Medieval and Modern: Indo-Islamic architecture (Delhi Sultanate and Mughal styles), regional variations, and colonial-era architecture.
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2. Performing Arts

2.1 Dances

Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Sattriya; folk dances.

2.2 Music

Hindustani & Carnatic music, folk music, instruments, and major gharanas.

2.3 Theatre and Puppetry

Classical Sanskrit theatre, folk theatre, and puppetry (string, shadow, rod, glove).

2.4 Martial Arts

Traditional martial forms from different Indian regions.

3. Paintings and Pottery

3.1 Mural Paintings

Ajanta, Bagh and other ancient-medieval murals.

3.2 Miniature Paintings

Pala, Mughal, Rajput, and Pahari schools of miniature art.

3.3 Folk Paintings

Madhubani, Warli, Kalamkari, Pattachitra and other traditional arts.

3.4 Pottery and Numismatics

OCP, BRW, PGW, NBPW pottery styles & ancient Indian coins.

4. Literature and Philosophy

4.1 Ancient Literature

Vedic literature, Puranas, Buddhist (Jataka, Tripitaka), Jain literature, Sangam literature.

4.2 Medieval Literature

Bhakti and Sufi literature; works of major saints and poets.

4.3 Schools of Philosophy

Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, Vedanta & more.

5. Cultural and Heritage

5.1 Festivals and Fairs

Major national & regional festivals and their cultural significance.

5.2 Cultural Institutions

ASI, Sangeet Natak Akademi, and other cultural preservation bodies.

5.3 UNESCO Sites

UNESCO World Heritage Sites & Intangible Cultural Heritage in India.