Indian Art & Culture

Indian Art & Culture: Complete Guide for Competitive Exams

Indian Art & Culture represents the diverse heritage of India, shaped by thousands of years of history, religions, kingdoms, and artistic expressions. This guide covers major components of Indian culture that frequently appear in UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, and state-level exams.

1. Indian Architecture

India’s architecture evolved through ancient, medieval, and modern periods:

a) Ancient Architecture

• Harappan architecture – Town planning, Great Bath, Granaries
• Mauryan period – Ashokan pillars, rock-cut caves
• Gupta period – Temple architecture, Ajanta caves

b) Temple Styles

• Nagara (North India): Curvilinear shikhara, examples – Khajuraho
• Dravida (South India): Pyramid-shaped gopuram, examples – Brihadeeswara Temple
• Vesara (Deccan): Fusion of both, examples – Hoysala temples

2. Indian Classical Dances

There are 8 classical dance forms:

• Bharatanatyam
• Kathak
• Kathakali
• Kuchipudi
• Odissi
• Manipuri
• Mohiniyattam
• Sattriya

Each dance form has unique costumes, expressions, and music traditions.

3. Indian Music

Indian music has two major classical traditions:

• Hindustani music (North India)
• Carnatic music (South India)

Important components include ragas, talas, gharanas, and classical instruments like sitar, veena, sarod, tabla, mridangam, and flute.

4. Indian Paintings

Major schools of painting:

• Mughal School – Jahangir period masterpieces
• Rajput School – Mewar, Marwar, Bundi styles
• Pahari School – Miniature paintings
• Bengal School – Abanindranath Tagore
• Madhubani, Warli, Kalamkari – Folk & tribal art forms

5. Literature & Languages

Indian literature spans ancient to modern periods:

• Vedic literature – Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads
• Epics – Ramayana, Mahabharata
• Classical literature – Kalidasa’s works
• Sangam literature – Ancient Tamil texts
• Medieval Bhakti & Sufi poetry – Kabir, Tulsidas, Meera Bai

22 languages are recognized in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

6. Religions & Philosophy

India is home to several world religions:

• Hinduism
• Buddhism
• Jainism
• Sikhism
• Islam
• Christianity

Philosophical schools include Nyaya, Sankhya, Yoga, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, Vedanta, and Buddhist philosophies.

7. UNESCO World Heritage Sites

India has 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including:

• Taj Mahal
• Qutub Minar
• Hampi
• Khajuraho
• Sanchi Stupa
• Western Ghats
• Sundarbans

8. Festivals of India

Indian festivals represent unity in diversity:

• Diwali
• Holi
• Eid
• Christmas
• Pongal
• Onam
• Navratri
• Guru Nanak Jayanti

Exam Importance

Indian Art & Culture is highly important for:

• UPSC Prelims & Mains
• SSC CGL & CHSL
• Banking exams (IBPS, SBI)
• Railways
• State PSC exams

Candidates should focus on architecture, dance, music, religion, literature, and heritage sites.