๐ Chapter 04 ยท MCQs ยท Indian Paintings
Indian Paintings โ Practice MCQs
10 practice questions on Mughal miniatures, Rajput, Pahari, and folk paintings for UPSC & PSC exams.
Q1The Ajanta cave paintings use which technique?
- A) True fresco (buon fresco)
- B) Fresco secco (dry fresco)
- C) Tempera
- D) Oil painting
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Answer: B โ Ajanta paintings use fresco secco โ painted on dry plaster, not wet plaster like true fresco.
Q2The famous “Bani Thani” painting belongs to which school?
- A) Mewar
- B) Kangra
- C) Kishangarh
- D) Bundi
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Answer: C โ “Bani Thani” was painted by Nihal Chand of the Kishangarh school and is often called the “Indian Mona Lisa.”
Q3Which Mughal emperor’s reign is considered the peak of naturalism in Mughal painting?
- A) Akbar
- B) Jahangir
- C) Shah Jahan
- D) Humayun
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Answer: B โ Jahangir’s reign is considered the peak of naturalism in Mughal painting, with detailed studies of animals, birds, and plants.
Q4Madhubani painting originated in which state?
- A) Rajasthan
- B) Bihar
- C) Odisha
- D) West Bengal
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Answer: B โ Madhubani (Mithila) painting originated in the Mithila region of Bihar and received a GI tag in 2007.
Q5Warli painting is associated with which community?
- A) Gond tribe of MP
- B) Warli tribe of Maharashtra
- C) Saura tribe of Odisha
- D) Bhil tribe of Rajasthan
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Answer: B โ Warli painting is associated with the Warli tribe of Palghar district, Maharashtra.
Q6Pattachitra painting is primarily associated with which deity?
- A) Shiva
- B) Jagannath (Vishnu)
- C) Durga
- D) Ganesha
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Answer: B โ Pattachitra from Odisha primarily depicts Lord Jagannath (a form of Vishnu) and related themes.
Q7The Kangra school of painting reached its peak under the patronage of:
- A) Raja Balwant Singh
- B) Maharaja Sansar Chand
- C) Raja Kripal Pal
- D) Raja Govardhan Chand
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Answer: B โ The Kangra school reached its peak under Maharaja Sansar Chand of Kangra (r. 1775โ1823 CE).
Q8Kalamkari painting is associated with which state?
- A) Rajasthan
- B) Odisha
- C) Andhra Pradesh
- D) Tamil Nadu
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Answer: C โ Kalamkari painting is associated with Andhra Pradesh, with two main centres: Srikalahasti (hand-drawn) and Machilipatnam (block-printed).
Q9Tanjore painting is known for its use of:
- A) Natural dyes on cotton
- B) Gold foil and semi-precious stones
- C) Geometric patterns on mud walls
- D) Scroll format with folk heroes
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Answer: B โ Tanjore (Thanjavur) painting is characterised by its use of gold foil and semi-precious stones embedded in the surface, giving it a rich, jewel-like appearance.
Q10The Hamzanama, a massive illustrated manuscript, was commissioned by which Mughal emperor?
- A) Humayun
- B) Akbar
- C) Jahangir
- D) Shah Jahan
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Answer: B โ The Hamzanama was commissioned by Akbar and contains approximately 1,400 large paintings completed between 1562โ1577 CE.