2018 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2018 · GS Paper I
Question 42: History and Culture
The well-known painting “Bani Thani” belongs to the
aBundi school
bJaipur school
cKangra school
dKishangarh school
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
Bani Thani, often called the Mona Lisa of India, is a Kishangarh painting attributed to the artist Nihal Chand, who worked under Raja Sawant Singh of Kishangarh in the 18th century. It shows an idealised woman with elongated lotus-shaped eyes, arched eyebrows and a slender nose, hallmarks of the Kishangarh style, said to be modelled on Bani Thani, a singer-poet of the court. Bundi, Jaipur and Kangra schools each have their own distinct features.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Bundi school is known for hunting and court scenes with lush landscapes, not Bani Thani.
- (b) Jaipur school is known for portraits and court scenes, not this work.
- (c) Kangra school is known for lyrical Pahari romance, not this painting.
- (d) Right: Bani Thani is a Kishangarh painting.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2018, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.