UPSC Art and Culture

PRAMBANAN TEMPLE COMPLEX

Prambanan, a 9th-century Indonesian Hindu temple, highlights deep Indo-Indonesian ties. Scholars note that its Karana dance sculptures mirror those at Thanjavur, tracking back to the Natyasastra. India’s 2026 restoration initiative showcases cultural diplomacy, preserving shared heritage and religious harmony.

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JHARKHAND'S FOUR TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS RECEIVE GI TAG: SIGNIFICANCE, ECONOMIC BENEFITS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE

In 2026, Jharkhand's Bhagaiya silk, Kuchai silk, Munda jewellery, and bamboo craft secured the Geographical Indication (GI) tag with NABARD's assistance. This recognition legally protects indigenous craftsmanship, boosts export potential, and promotes sustainable economic growth for marginalized tribal artisans.

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THE DANCING GIRL OF MOHENJO-DARO: ART, CULTURE AND LEGACY OF THE HARAPPAN CIVILIZATION

The Mohenjo-daro Dancing Girl, a 10.5-cm bronze artefact from the Indus Valley Civilization, showcases advanced lost-wax metallurgical techniques. Discovered in 1926, this iconic sculpture reflects the high aesthetic sophistication, cultural richness, and artistic mastery of India's earliest urban society.

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SUN TEMPLE AT KONARK: HISTORY, ARCHITECTURE, CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

Built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I, the Konark Sun Temple exemplifies Kalinga architecture. Designed as a colossal solar chariot with highly accurate sundial wheels, this UNESCO site undergoes extensive ASI and technological conservation to combat coastal erosion.

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SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI AWARDS: INDIA'S HIGHEST HONOUR IN PERFORMING ARTS

The Sangeet Natak Akademi, under the Ministry of Culture, preserves India's performing arts. In June 2026, it honored 51 artists for 2021-2024.

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SANCHI STUPA: HISTORY, FEATURES, ARCHITECTURE

The Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of India's oldest stone structures. Commissioned by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, this hemispherical brick and stone dome enshrines sacred relics of Lord Buddha.

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RUPA TARAKASI OF CUTTACK: HISTORY, PROCESS, SIGNIFICANCE

Rupa Tarakasi is a 500-year-old intricate silver filigree craft from Cuttack, Odisha. Awarded a GI tag, it holds deep cultural significance for Odissi dance and festivals, though artisans face severe challenges from rising silver prices and modernization.

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ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDINGS AT PATTINAMARUDHUR SITE

Excavations at Pattinamarudhur in Thoothukudi by the Tamil Nadu government have revealed an ancient trading settlement linked to the Pandyan port of Korkai. Findings, including a terracotta figurine, highlight Sangam-era maritime trade and refined craftsmanship.

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NETHERLANDS RETURNED THE 11TH-CENTURY CHOLA-ERA COPPER PLATES

The repatriation of the 11th-century Chola copper plates from the Netherlands highlights India's rich maritime and cultural heritage. Ancient epigraphic records like the Uttaramerur inscriptions, these artifacts offer profound insights into early Indian administration and scripts.

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BHOJSHALA DISPUTE: HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND HIGH COURT VERDICT

The Bhojshala complex in Madhya Pradesh, originally an 11th-century Sanskrit learning centre built by Raja Bhoja, was recently declared a Hindu temple by the High Court based on ASI surveys, quashing the 2003 order permitting Muslim prayers.

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KAKATIYA ARCHITECTURE AND THOUSAND PILLAR TEMPLE RESTORATION

The Archaeological Survey of India successfully restored the 12th-century Kalyana Mandapa at Hanamkonda's Thousand Pillar Temple using traditional Kakatiya sandbox technology. This highlights the architectural brilliance of the Kakatiyas, alongside the Ramappa Temple, renowned for its floating bricks.

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WHO WAS SAMRAT SAMPRATI? THE "JAIN ASHOKA"

Samrat Samprati (c. 224–215 BCE) was the grandson of Emperor Ashoka and a Mauryan ruler from Ujjain. Known as the "Jain Ashoka," he is credited with spreading Jainism across Western and Southern India.

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