Indian culture and heritage Topics to cover
Ancient Indian Culture
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Indus Valley Civilization – town planning, art, seals, script, religion
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Vedic Culture – Early & Later Vedic Age: religion, society, rituals
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Religious Developments:
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Jainism (Tirthankaras, doctrines)
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Buddhism (life of Buddha, teachings, councils)
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Mauryan and Post-Mauryan Art – Ashokan pillars, Sanchi Stupa, Gandhara & Mathura schools
🏛️ 2. Architecture in India
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Ancient Architecture:
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Temple architecture – Nagara, Dravida, Vesara styles
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Cave architecture – Ajanta, Ellora, Elephanta
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Medieval Architecture:
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Indo-Islamic architecture (Delhi Sultanate, Mughal)
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Forts and palaces (Red Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Golconda Fort)
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Modern Architecture:
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British-era buildings (Victoria Memorial, Rashtrapati Bhavan)
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Modern developments
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🎨 3. Indian Art and Painting
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Classical Paintings:
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Ajanta, Bagh caves
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Mughal, Rajput, Pahari, Deccan schools
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Modern Paintings:
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Bengal School, Raja Ravi Varma, Amrita Sher-Gil
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Folk and Tribal Art:
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Madhubani, Warli, Gond, Pattachitra
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🎭 4. Performing Arts
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Classical Dances (8 classical):
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Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Sattriya, Mohiniyattam
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Folk Dances:
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Bihu, Garba, Ghoomar, Kalbeliya, Lavani
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Classical Music:
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Hindustani vs Carnatic
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Ragas, Instruments, Gharanas
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Folk Music: Baul, Bhavageet, Bhajan, Lavani, Dandiya
📖 5. Indian Literature
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Ancient Texts:
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Vedas, Upanishads, Epics (Ramayana, Mahabharata)
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Classical Literature:
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Sanskrit: Kalidasa, Bhasa
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Tamil Sangam Literature
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Medieval Bhakti & Sufi Literature
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Modern Writers:
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Tagore, Premchand, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Subramania Bharati
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🛕 6. Religion and Philosophy
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Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism
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Bhakti & Sufi movements
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Philosophical schools: Vedanta, Sankhya, Nyaya
🧵 7. Handicrafts and Textiles
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Famous crafts: Pottery, woodwork, brassware
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Textiles: Banarasi, Chikankari, Kanjeevaram, Pashmina
🧬 8. Festivals and Fairs
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National festivals: Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas, Navratri, Baisakhi, Onam
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Local festivals: Hornbill (Nagaland), Pushkar (Rajasthan), Hemis (Ladakh)
📜 9. Indian Languages and Scripts
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Classical languages of India (Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia)
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Scripts: Brahmi, Kharosthi, Devanagari
🏆 10. Cultural Institutions and Heritage Sites
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ASI, IGNCA, Sangeet Natak Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Ajanta, Hampi, Qutub Minar, etc.)
📅 11. Modern Cultural Developments
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Cultural reforms during British period (Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj)
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Revival of Indian art and heritage
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Government schemes (Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, Adopt a Heritage)
✅ Current Affairs Topics (2024–2025):
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New UNESCO Heritage sites
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GI tags for Indian handicrafts
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Recent cultural festivals in news
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Schemes for heritage conservation (HRIDAY, PRASAD)
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Digital initiatives like Indian Culture Portal, NMMA
📝 Suggested MCQ Sources:
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Lucent GK
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NCERT (Class 6–12) – History, Art & Culture
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Nitin Singhania (Culture)
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India Year Book – Culture Section
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Previous year papers (UPSC/JKSSB/SSC)
Would you like short notes or MCQs on any specific topic above (e.g., classical dances