Best books for art and culture upsc prelims

Ideal for students preparing for UPSC. Book Title Author Purpose Why It’s Good for UPSC Prelims Indian Art and Culture Nitin Singhania Comprehensive understanding of Indian art, architecture, and culture One of the most recommended books for Art and Culture in UPSC prep. Covers everything from prehistoric art to modern-day Indian culture. Buy on Amazon … Read more

Prehistoric rock paintings in India Upsc Ncert Notes

The distant past when there was no paper or language or the written word, and hence no books or written documents, is called prehistory or as we often say, prehistroric times. How people lived in those times was difficult to surmise until scholars began to discover the places where prehistoric people lived. Excavation at these … Read more

Varna system and Varnashrama dharma Upsc

Varna system and Varnashrama dharma The ancient Indian Civilization evolved with the Varnashrama Dharma that started the principle of hierarchy i.e. Upper and Lower Strata. The Varna system is also called the Four Varna System. According to the Four Varna System, the people were divided into Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vysyas, and Shudras. This form of division … Read more

Cultural contribution of Pallavas Upsc

Pallavas Society and Literature Upsc

Cultural contribution of Pallavas Tamil society witnessed a great change during the Pallava period. The caste system became strong. The highest place of society is held by brahmins. Brahmin was granted lands by kings and nobles. Also, Brahmin was given the responsibility to look after the temples. Buddhism and Jainism declined during the Pallava period. … Read more

Chalukya Art and Architecture Upsc

Chalukya Art and Architecture Upsc

Temple Architecture Vesara Style: A blend of Nagara and Dravida architectural styles, this unique form of temple design emerged and thrived in the regions of Aihole, Badami, and Pattadakal. Notable Sites: Cave Temples: Pattadakal Pattadakal is renowned for its ten magnificent temples constructed during the 7th and 8th centuries, primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva. The … Read more

Art and architecture of Rashtrakutas Upsc

Rashtrakutas Art and Architecture

Art and architecture of Rashtrakutas The finest Rashtrakutas art and architecture were found at Ellora and Elephanta. Kailasa temple is a great temple at Ellora and has been excavated during ruling under Krishna-I. Kailasa temple was carved out from a huge rock of size 200 x 100 feet. The temple, the shrine has four parts … Read more

Lost wax technique upsc

lost wax technique upsc

Lost wax technique for Metal Works The lost-wax technique or process is used for making objects of metals. This process is mostly used in Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal. The technique differs slightly in each region. The low wax process involves different steps. First, the wax model of the image is … Read more

Thangka Painting Upsc

Thangka Painting Upsc

Thangka Painting Thangka paintings are commonly practiced in the states of Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and Arunachal Pradesh. Thangka painting plays a significant role in showcasing the artistic traditions of the region. Thangka paintings in Arunachal Pradesh often depict various aspects of Buddhist iconography, including representations of Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and other deities. These intricate paintings … Read more

Folk paintings of India Upsc

Folk paintings of India Upsc

Pattachitra It is traditional paintings of Odisha, where no pencil or charcoal is used but rather a brush is used to draw the outlines. These paintings have themes that are inspired by the Jagannath and the Vaishnava cult. Warli Painting These paintings are by the indigenous people who live in Gujarat and Maharashtra knowns as … Read more

Salient features of indian society upsc

salient features of indian society upsc

India is a vibrant and complex tapestry of cultures, traditions, and social dynamics that make it one of the most unique societies in the world. Let’s explore the remarkable salient features that define the Indian social landscape. Diversity: The Cornerstone of Indian Society India is a living testament to unity in diversity. The society is … Read more