UPSC - CSE · General Studies I
Art and Culture
Indian art forms, literature and architecture from ancient to modern times, with religion and philosophy.
- 24 articles
- 4 topic areas
- Last updated Nov 2026
Prehistoric India Mesolithic Age in India: Microliths, Sites and Bhimbetka Rock Paintings
The Mesolithic Age, about 12,000 to 10,000 years ago, was the age of microliths, of hunters' camps such as Bagor and of the Bhimbetka rock paintings.
Bhakti & Sufi Sufi Silsilas in India: Chishti, Suhrawardi, Qadiri and Naqshbandi Orders
The Sufi silsilas were orders of Muslim mystics; the Chishti, Suhrawardi, Qadiri and Naqshbandi shaped medieval India through the khanqah and the dargah.
Bhakti & Sufi Sufi Movement in India: Sufism Meaning, Origin, Doctrines and Practices
The Sufi movement, the mystical path within Islam, began in Iraq, taught love of God through the stages of the path and met the Bhakti saints…
Bhakti & Sufi Regional Bhakti Movement: Varkari, Chaitanya, Sankardev and Women Saints
Regional bhakti movement: Varkari saints of Pandharpur, Chaitanya's Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Sankardev of Assam, Mirabai, Lal Ded and women bhakti saints.
Bhakti & Sufi Saguna Bhakti: Tulsidas, Surdas, the Ramcharitmanas and the Ashtachhap
Saguna bhakti explained: saguna and nirguna bhakti compared, Tulsidas and the Ramcharitmanas, Vallabha's Pushtimarg, Surdas and the Ashtachhap poets.
Bhakti & Sufi Nirguna Bhakti: Kabir, Guru Nanak, Ravidas and the Sant Tradition
Nirguna bhakti, taught by Kabir, Guru Nanak, Ravidas and Dadu Dayal, is devotion to a formless God that spoke against caste and ritual.
Bhakti & Sufi The Vedanta Acharyas and the Lingayat Reform Movement
The Vedanta acharyas and Lingayat movement for UPSC: Ramanuja, Madhva, Nimbarka and Vallabha, the four Vedanta schools, and Basava's Virashaiva reform.
Bhakti & Sufi Nayanars and Alvars: The South Indian Origins of Bhakti
The Nayanars and Alvars for UPSC: the Shaiva and Vaishnava poet-saints of Tamil south India, the Tevaram and Divya Prabandham, and the origins of Bhakti.
Bhakti & Sufi Bhakti Movement in India: Origin, Philosophy, Causes, Features and Saints
The Bhakti movement in India: who started it, saguna and nirguna philosophy, causes, features, saints of south and north India, and its legacy.
The Mughals Mughal Art and Architecture: Buildings, Gardens, Painting and Calligraphy
Mughal art for UPSC: Mughal architecture from Humayun's Tomb to the Taj Mahal, its features and gardens, the Mughal school of painting, Nastaliq, Tansen.
Medieval Deccan Deccan Sultanate Architecture: Gol Gumbaz, Charminar, Bidar and Golconda
Deccan Sultanate architecture for UPSC: Bahmani Gulbarga and Bidar, the Gol Gumbaz and Ibrahim Rauza of Bijapur, Golconda, the Charminar, Deccani art.
Medieval Deccan The Art and Architecture of Vijayanagara: Hampi
Vijayanagara art and architecture for UPSC: the Dravidian style, the Virupaksha and Vitthala temples of Hampi, the Lotus Mahal, and the UNESCO heritage.
Delhi Sultanate Indo-Islamic Architecture of the Delhi Sultanate
Indo-Islamic architecture of the Delhi Sultanate for UPSC: the true arch and the dome, the Qutb Minar, the Alai Darwaza, and the Tughlaq and Lodi styles.
Peninsular The Pallava Temples: Mamallapuram and Kanchipuram
The Pallava temples for UPSC: the Pancha Rathas and Descent of the Ganges at Mamallapuram, the structural Shore Temple, and the Kanchipuram Kailasanatha.
Peninsular The Chalukya Temples: Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal
The Chalukya temples for UPSC: the Badami caves, Aihole the cradle of the temple, Pattadakal the Heritage Site, and the Nagara, Dravida and Vesara styles.
Early Medieval Society, Economy, Religion and Temple Architecture
Early-medieval society, religion and temple architecture for UPSC: feudal society, Adi Shankara, Bhakti saints, and the Nagara, Dravida and Vesara styles.
Gupta Empire Gupta Art and Architecture: Sculpture, Ajanta Paintings, Temples and Coins
Gupta art and architecture, from the Mathura and Sarnath Buddhas and the Ajanta and Bagh paintings to the first temples at Deogarh and the gold coins.
Gupta Empire The Gupta Golden Age: Classical Sanskrit Literature and Learning
Gupta Sanskrit literature for UPSC: Kalidasa and Shakuntala, the Mudrarakshasa, the Mrichchhakatika, the Amarakosha and the navaratna legend explained.
Post-Mauryan India Gandhara, Mathura and Amaravati: The Post-Mauryan Schools of Art
The Gandhara, Mathura and Amaravati schools of art for UPSC: the first Buddha images, Greco-Roman Gandhara, indigenous Mathura, marble Amaravati reliefs.
Mauryan Empire Mauryan Society, Art and Architecture
Mauryan society, art and architecture for UPSC: the Ashokan pillars, the Sarnath Lion Capital, the Mauryan polish, stupas, the Barabar caves and folk art.
Vedic Age Vedic Literature and the Knowledge Systems of the Vedas
Vedic literature and knowledge systems for UPSC: the four Vedas, the Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads, the six Vedangas, and the Sulbasutras and astronomy.
Indus Valley Harappan Art, the Seals and the Undeciphered Indus Script
Harappan art, seals and script for UPSC: the steatite seals and the unicorn, the bronze Dancing Girl, the Priest-King, and the undeciphered Indus script.
Indus Valley Harappan Town Planning, Architecture and Engineering
Harappan town planning gave cities a citadel, gridded streets, standard bricks and covered drains, with the Great Bath and Dholavira's reservoirs.
Classical Dance Forms of India: The 8 Classical Dances, Their States and Features
India's eight classical dance forms share the Natya Shastra's grammar; each belongs to a region, and the Ministry of Culture adds Chhau as a ninth.
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