UNESCO & Heritage Sites MCQs for UPSC Prelims

31 practice questions on UNESCO & Heritage Sites from the Art & Culture section of the UPSC Prelims syllabus. 31 come with a written explanation and 3 are actual previous year questions. Try the sample set below - the answer stays hidden until you ask for it.

7 Easy 12 Medium 12 Hard 3 from past papers

Sample questions

Q1
Previous year question medium

Consider the following properties included in the World Heritage List released by UNESCO: 1. Shantiniketan 2. Rani-ki-Vav 3. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas 4. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya How many of the above properties were included in 2023?

  1. A Only one
  2. B Only two
  3. C Only three
  4. D All four
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B - Only two

Shantiniketan in West Bengal and the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas in Karnataka were both inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in September 2023, so two of the listed properties qualify. Rani-ki-Vav, the stepwell at Patan in Gujarat, was inscribed in 2014, and the Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya was inscribed in 2002. Counting only the 2023 inscriptions gives exactly two properties.

Q2
Previous year question medium

With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements : 1. It is a song and dance performance. 2. Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance. 3. It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A 1, 2 and 3
  2. B 1 and 3 only
  3. C 2 and 3 only
  4. D 1 only
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B - 1 and 3 only

Manipuri Sankirtana is a ritual song-and-dance form that narrates the life and deeds of Lord Krishna, so statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong because, besides cymbals, the pung (a barrel drum) is integral to the performance, so cymbals are not the only instruments. Sankirtana was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2013. Hence 1 and 3 only.

Q3
Previous year question easy

Which one of the following was the latest inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO?

  1. A Chhau dance
  2. B Durga puja
  3. C Garba dance
  4. D Kumbh mela
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - Garba dance

Garba of Gujarat was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2023, making it the most recent Indian entry at the time of the examination. Durga Puja of Kolkata was inscribed in 2021, Kumbh Mela in 2017, and Chhau dance in 2010. Since the question asks for the latest inclusion, Garba is the correct choice.

Q4
medium

The Great Living Chola Temples, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprise which group of temples?

  1. A The Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and the Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram
  2. B The Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram, the Shore temple at Mahabalipuram, and the Meenakshi temple at Madurai
  3. C The Brihadisvara at Thanjavur, the Shore temple at Mahabalipuram, and the Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangam
  4. D The Airavatesvara at Darasuram, the Nataraja temple at Chidambaram, and the Ekambareswarar temple at Kanchipuram
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - The Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and the Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram

The UNESCO-listed Great Living Chola Temples are a serial property of three Chola-period temples: the Brihadisvara (Rajarajesvaram) temple at Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and the Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram. The Shore temple, Kanchipuram and Madurai temples are notable but belong to other inscriptions or are not part of this property.

Q5
medium

Which of the following pairs of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India and their associated dynasty/builders is correctly matched?

  1. A Group of Monuments at Hampi : Vijayanagara Empire
  2. B Khajuraho Group of Monuments : Pallava dynasty
  3. C Sun Temple, Konark : Chola dynasty
  4. D Rani-ki-Vav, Patan : Hoysala dynasty
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - Group of Monuments at Hampi : Vijayanagara Empire

The Group of Monuments at Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, so that pair is correct. The Khajuraho temples were built by the Chandelas (not the Pallavas); the Konark Sun Temple was built by the Eastern Ganga king Narasimhadeva I (not the Cholas); and Rani-ki-Vav stepwell at Patan was built by the Chaulukya (Solanki) dynasty (not the Hoysalas). Hence only the first pair is correctly matched.

Q6
hard

Among India's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which one is a 'mixed' (natural and cultural) property, recognised both for its outstanding biodiversity and for the sacred cultural landscape and folklore of the local communities?

  1. A Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim
  2. B Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh
  3. C Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal
  4. D Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim

Khangchendzonga National Park, inscribed in 2016, is India's first and (as of the durable list) only 'mixed' World Heritage Site, valued both for its alpine biodiversity and for the sacred myths, folklore and spiritual significance the mountain holds for Sikkimese communities. The Great Himalayan, Sundarbans, and Nanda Devi/Valley of Flowers parks are inscribed as natural sites only.

Q7
easy

The rock-cut caves at Ajanta and Ellora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site cluster, are located in which present-day state?

  1. A Maharashtra
  2. B Madhya Pradesh
  3. C Karnataka
  4. D Gujarat
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - Maharashtra

Both the Ajanta caves (renowned for their Buddhist murals) and the Ellora caves (notable for the monolithic Kailasa temple and Buddhist, Hindu and Jain excavations) are located in Maharashtra and are inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They are not in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka or Gujarat. Hence Maharashtra is the correct answer.

Q8
hard

Consider the following statements regarding India's cultural elements inscribed by UNESCO under the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: 1. Kutiyattam, a Sanskrit theatre tradition of Kerala, was among India's early inscriptions on the list. 2. The tradition of Vedic chanting has been recognised under this intangible heritage list. 3. Kumbh Mela has been inscribed on this intangible heritage list. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A 1 and 2 only
  2. B 2 and 3 only
  3. C 1 and 3 only
  4. D 1, 2 and 3
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D - 1, 2 and 3

Kutiyattam (Koodiyattam), the Sanskrit theatre of Kerala, was one of India's earliest elements recognised as intangible cultural heritage (statement 1 correct). The tradition of Vedic chanting is also inscribed on the Representative List (statement 2 correct). Kumbh Mela was inscribed on the same list as a festival of mass pilgrimage (statement 3 correct). All three statements are correct. Note that intangible heritage is distinct from World Heritage Sites (tangible monuments/natural sites).

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More Art & Culture topics

Painting 69 Indian Classical Music 64 Temple Architecture 64 Theatre & Puppetry 54 Religious Movements & Sects 54 Dance Forms 51 Handicrafts & Folk Traditions 50 Indian Philosophy 48 Coins, Pottery & Material Culture 48 Sculpture 47 Indo-Islamic Architecture 44 Language & Literature 44 Festivals & Fairs 36 Architecture 34