INDIAN HERITAGE &

CULTURE
MAINS ANALYSIS(2015)

Official SYLLABUS in MAINS

Indian Heritage & Culture

Indian culture will cover the salient
aspects of Art Forms, Literature and
Architecture from ancient to
modern times

Questions over the Years..

Section

2013

2014

2015

Culture

3 ( 20 marks)

4 ( 40 marks)

2 ( 25 marks)

From the past few years, the trend of the Culture questions has changed from
fact-oriented to more analytical and logical type of questions.

This has made it both easy and difficult for the candidates.
A deeper understanding of the subject rather than just mugging up points is
required for tackling the questions in the Mains exam.

SHIFT IN THE NATURE OF QUESTIONS..

Discuss the Tandava dance as recorded in the early Indian inscriptions.

2013

Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple

architecture. Discuss.

2013

Sufis and medieval mystic saints failed to modify either the religious ideas and
practices or the outward structure of Hindu / Muslim societies to any
2014
appreciable extent. Comment.
To what extent has the urban planning and culture of the Indus Valley
Civilization provided inputs to the present day urbanization? Discuss.

2014

The ancient civilization in Indian sub-continent differed from those of Egypt,

Mesopotamia and Greece in that its culture and traditions have been preserved 2015
without a breakdown to the present day. Comment.
Mesolithic rock cut architecture of India not only reflects the cultural life of the
times but also a tine aesthetic sense comparable to modern painting. Critically 2015
evaluate this comment.

XIth NCERT( Old) Ancient

India by R.S. SHARMA

Introduction to Indian ArtPart 1 ( NCERT)

A.L. BASHAMs Wonder

That Was India

The ancient civilization in Indian sub-continent differed

from those of Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece in that its
culture and traditions have been preserved without a
breakdown to the present day. Comment.

Structure
One has to explain through
examples that how culture
and traditions in India were
preserved without
breakdown and is existing
till today.

The ancient past of Egypt, Mesopotamia( modern Iraq) and

Greece ( Europe) had a complete break with the past, as evident
with the changes seen in terms of religion, culture, values, etc
examples In Egypt, construction of large structures called pyramids
have now almost disappeared. It has now got Islamized
while in the past it was dominated by varying polytheistic
beliefs and Christianity.
Mesopotamia produced multiple empires and civilizations
rather than any single civilization.
The ancient Greeks were a deeply religious people. They
worshipped many gods in human form eg Zeus, Athena, but
Religion in modern Greece is dominated by Greek Orthodox
Church( role of Church)

Ancient Indian Civilization ( Harappan and Vedic) continuity in modern times.

Religion- mother goddess, fertility cult, proto-shiva, worship of trees(pipal)
Fire altars found at lothal and Kalibangan during Harappan Civilization and increasing
significance of yajnas or sacrifices from Vedic age till today.
Cultural life and dressing styles- pottery , game of dice, chess, comb, beaded
necklaces, saree type clothing, bangles, etc.
Agriculture- wheels, bullock cart, grains( barley, wheat, rice, etc)
Urban towns- harappan times- citadel, granary, streets, weights and measures, etc.house plans, drainage system came to be followed in later times as well
Social inequality existed in towns in Vedic pd- inequalities reinforced- Varna system.
Family system- patriarchal values,etc.

knowledge of vedas , Upanishads, etc transmitted from generation to generation.

Significance of ritual bathing and holy bath traced back to Harrapan times ( Great
Bath- Mohenjodaro) is continued till today eg taking dip in Holy Ganges, Yamuna, etc is
still practiced by people.

 Mesolithic rock cut architecture of

India not only reflects the cultural life
of the times but also a fine aesthetic
sense comparable to modern
painting. Critically evaluate this
comment.

In what ways rock cut

architecture during
Mesolithic pd depicted
cultural life
Rock paintings in what
ways comparable to
modern paintings in terms
of fine aesthetic sensecritical evaluation

 Salient characteristics of the rock art of Mesolithic

period :
the cave paintings were at a large the depictions of hunting
or rituals.
In addition to animals there are human figures and hunting
scenes, giving a clear picture of the weapons they used:
barbed spears, pointed sticks, bows and arrows.
The depiction of communal dances, birds, musical
instruments, mothers and children, pregnant women,
men carrying dead animals, drinking and burials appear
in rhythmic movement.
Use of natural colours- colours made by grinding various
rocks and minerals, brushes were made of plant fibre.

Modern Indian Art :features

Freedom and autonomy to the painter, acceptance to
artistic expression
Art on the whole acquired an autonomy of its own and
the artist an individual status as never before.
Interpretation now derived, variety complex.
technique and method have acquired a new significance,
new aesthetique , particularly in regard to the use of
colour, in the concept of design and structure, texture,
and in the employment, of unconventional materials etc.
Painting done on canvas, use of oil colours;water
colour on paper.
Modern forms- portraits, folk art, lifestyles, etc.