2012 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2012 · GS Paper I

Question 67: History and Culture

With reference to Dhrupad, one of the major traditions of India that has been kept alive for centuries, which of the following statements are correct?

  1. 1.Dhrupad originated and developed in the Rajput kingdoms during the Mughal period.
  2. 2.Dhrupad is primarily a devotional and spiritual music.
  3. 3.Dhrupad Alap uses Sanskrit syllables from Mantras.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

a1 and 2 only
b2 and 3 only
c1, 2 and 3
dNone of the above is correct

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

Dhrupad is a stately form of Hindustani vocal music with deep devotional and spiritual roots. Its alap is sung with syllables drawn from Sanskrit mantras. It did not originate in the Mughal period: it grew out of older medieval temple traditions and was patronised at Gwalior under Man Singh Tomar before the Mughals, and later flourished at the Mughal court.

  • 1. Dhrupad's roots are older and it did not originate in Rajput kingdoms during Mughal rule.
  • 2. It is primarily devotional and spiritual music.
  • 3. Its alap uses syllables drawn from Sanskrit mantras.
Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong: statement 1 on a Rajput, Mughal-period origin is false.
  • (b) Correct: it is devotional and its alap uses syllables from mantras.
  • (c) Wrong: statement 1 is false, as its roots are older than the Mughal period.
  • (d) Wrong: statements 2 and 3 are correct.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.