Syllabus

UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025-26 — Complete Unit-wise Guide

UGC NET भारतीय संस्कृति सिलेबस 2025-26 — सम्पूर्ण Unit-wise Guide

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Quick Summary

  • UGC NET Indian Culture (Code 31) covers the prehistoric roots, Vedic heritage, classical arts, architecture, performing arts, and composite culture of India across 10 units
  • Topics include Indus Valley civilisation, temple architecture styles, classical dance forms, Indian painting traditions, folk culture, and cultural diversity in the post-independence era
  • Both tangible and intangible cultural heritage are examined

UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025-26 — Complete Unit-wise Guide

🏛️ UGC NET Indian Culture (Subject Code: 31) — Paper II covers the Indus Valley Civilisation, Vedic period, art and architecture, literature, performing arts, philosophy, science, social institutions, medieval and modern cultural history, and India's cultural heritage in the global context. 100 MCQs | 200 marks | No negative marking.

Indian Culture as a UGC NET subject draws on History, Art History, Philosophy, Literature, and Sociology. It tests both breadth (civilisational sweep from prehistoric times to the present) and depth (specific monuments, texts, philosophical schools, artistic styles). This comprehensive guide covers the complete 2025–26 syllabus.

Exam Pattern

Exam Pattern
ParameterDetails
Subject Code31
PaperII
Total Questions100 MCQs
Total Marks200
Duration3 hours
Negative MarkingNone
ModeCBT

Unit 1: Prehistoric and Protohistoric Cultures

  • Palaeolithic: Lower (Acheulian hand axes — Attirampakkam, Pahalgam), Middle (flake tools), Upper (blade/burin); rock art (Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh — UNESCO World Heritage Site).
  • Mesolithic: Microliths; Bagor (Rajasthan), Langhnaj (Gujarat); hunter-gatherer and early pastoralist communities.
  • Neolithic: Mehrgarh (Balochistan, c. 7000 BCE — earliest Neolithic in South Asia); Piklihal, Brahmagiri, Burzahom (Kashmir — pit dwellings).
  • Chalcolithic (Copper Age): Jorwe culture (Maharashtra — Inamgaon, Daimabad); Ahar-Banas culture (Rajasthan); Kayatha, Malwa cultures; coexistence with Harappan.
  • Iron Age: Painted Grey Ware (PGW) — upper Gangetic plain (c. 1200–600 BCE); linked to Later Vedic period; Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) — later.

Unit 2: Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilisation

  • Discovery and Extent: Harappa (1921, Daya Ram Sahni); Mohenjo-daro (1922, R.D. Banerji); c. 2600–1900 BCE; over 2,000 sites; stretched from Afghanistan (Shortugai) to Gujarat (Lothal, Dholavira) and Haryana (Rakhigarhi — largest site).
  • Urban Planning: Grid pattern; two-part cities (citadel + lower town); standardised burnt brick (4:2:1 ratio); Great Bath (Mohenjo-daro); Granaries; drainage system (most advanced of ancient world); Dholavira's water conservation.
  • Material Culture: Indus script (undeciphered, ~400 signs); seals (soapstone — Pashupati seal, unicorn most common); standardised weights and measures (binary/decimal); pottery (red ware with black paintings); bronze tools and weapons; cotton textile; beads (carnelian, lapis lazuli — trade with Mesopotamia).
  • Decline and Debates: Aryan invasion theory (Wheeler) → now largely discredited; climate change and drought (Famine Stele theory); river shifts (Ghaggar-Hakra = Saraswati?); Rakhigarhi genome study (2019 — Vasant Shinde, David Reich) — no steppe ancestry in Harappan individual, supports IVC-as-indigenous theory.
  • Cultural Continuities: Pashupati seal and Shiva; pipal tree worship; ritual bathing; fire altars at Kalibangan; mother goddess figurines; yoga postures.

Unit 3: Vedic and Epic Age

  • Rigvedic Culture (c. 1500–1000 BCE): Pastoral-agricultural; tribal polity (Jana, Vis, Kula); tribal assembly (Sabha, Samiti, Vidhata); Indra (warrior god), Varuna (cosmic order), Agni (fire), Soma; Rigveda — 1,028 hymns; Saraswati River as sacred.
  • Later Vedic Period (c. 1000–600 BCE): Agricultural expansion into Gangetic plain; rise of varna system; Atharva Veda; Brahmanas (ritual texts); Aranyakas; early Upanishads; Shatapatha Brahmana; Vajapeya and Ashvamedha sacrifices.
  • Upanishadic Philosophy: Ātman-Brahman identity; Sat-Chit-Ānanda; Samsāra; karma; mokṣa; Chāndogya ("Tat tvam asi"), Bṛhadāraṇyaka (Yājñavalkya-Gārgī dialogue).
  • Epics and Purāṇas: Mahābhārata (attributed to Vyāsa, c. 400 BCE–400 CE; 100,000 verses; Bhagavad Gītā within it — 18 chapters, karma yoga, jñāna yoga, bhakti yoga); Rāmāyaṇa (Vālmīki, 24,000 verses; Rāma as ideal king/man); 18 Mahā-Purāṇas (cosmology, genealogy, ritual).

Unit 4: Art and Architecture — Ancient Period

  • Mauryan Art (c. 322–185 BCE): Aśoka's stone pillars (polished sandstone, lion capital — national emblem of India; Sarnath, Lauriya Nandangarh); Dhamma Mahamatta edicts (14 Rock Edicts, Minor Rock Edicts, Pillar Edicts); Barabar caves (earliest rock-cut caves — Ajivikas); Pataliputra palace (wooden, Megasthenes description).
  • Post-Mauryan (Sunga, Satavahana): Sanchi Stupa (Aśokan core expanded; gateways — toranas with narrative reliefs — birth, life, enlightenment, first sermon, parinirvāṇa); Amaravati (marble stupa, Andhra Pradesh); Bharhut (narrative reliefs).
  • Gandhara and Mathura Schools: Gandhara — Greco-Buddhist art, first anthropomorphic Buddha (wavy hair, toga, realistic folds); Mathura — indigenous, Kushana period, red sandstone, thin drapery, spiritual expression; Amaravati — emotional, narrative.
  • Gupta Art (c. 320–550 CE) — Golden Age: Sarnath Buddha (Dharmachakra Mudra, transparent drapery — "spiritual otherworldliness"); Ajanta paintings (frescoes — Bodhisattva Padmapani, Vajrapani); Ellora (multi-faith — Buddhist, Hindu, Jain caves); Dashavatara temple (Deogarh); Vakataka connections.
  • Temple Architecture: Nagara (North India) — Shikhara, Garbhagriha, Mandapa; Dravida (South India) — Vimana, Gopuram, Prakara; Vesara (hybrid — Deccan); earliest temples: Sanchi Temple 17, Tigawa.
Sculptural Art Schools of India
Art SchoolPeriodLocationKey Feature
Gandhara1st–5th c. CENW India (modern Pak/Afghan)Greco-Buddhist; first Buddha images
Mathura1st–6th c. CEUttar PradeshIndigenous; Kushana patronage; red sandstone
Amaravati2nd c. BCE–3rd c. CEAndhra PradeshWhite marble; narrative; emotional
Gupta4th–6th c. CEPan-IndiaSpiritual expression; transparent drapery; Ajanta

Unit 5: Medieval Art, Architecture and Literature

  • Rashtrakuta and Chalukya: Kailasa temple, Ellora (Rashtrakuta, c. 757–783 CE — carved from single rock; largest monolithic structure); Badami cave temples (Chalukya — Vishnu, Shiva, Jain); Pattadakal (UNESCO — Vesara style).
  • Chola: Brihadeeshwara Temple, Thanjavur (Raja Raja Chola, 1010 CE — tallest vimana); bronze casting (Nataraja — Shiva as Lord of Dance); Gangaikondacholapuram; wall paintings.
  • Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Architecture: Qutb Minar (Qutb ud-Din Aibak, 1193); Alai Darwaza (first true dome and arch in India); Tughluqabad; Humayun's Tomb (1572 — prototype for Taj Mahal; Indo-Islamic architecture, Persian char-bagh garden); Akbar's Fatehpur Sikri; Taj Mahal (Shah Jahan, 1631–48, Agra — white marble inlay, four minarets, char-bagh); Red Fort (Delhi); Jama Masjid.
  • Medieval Literature: Sanskrit kāvya — Kālidāsa (Abhijñānaśākuntalam, Meghadūtam, Kumārasambhava, Raghuvaṃśa); Bhakti poetry — Tulsīdās (Rāmcharitmānas, Awadhi), Mīrābāī (Rajasthani/Braj), Kabīr (dohas), Sūrdās (Sūrsāgar), Tukārām (Marathi abhangas); Sufi poetry — Amīr Khusrau (Hindi/Persian); Tamil Sangam literature (Thirukkural — Thiruvalluvar).

Unit 6: Performing Arts — Classical Traditions

  • Nāṭyaśāstra: Bharata Muni (c. 200 BCE–200 CE); comprehensive treatise on drama, music, dance; nine rasas (emotions — Shṛṅgāra, Hāsya, Karuṇa, Raudra, Vīra, Bhayānaka, Bībhatsa, Adbhuta + Śānta added later); Abhinaya — Āṅgika, Vāchika, Āhārya, Sātvika.
  • Classical Dance Forms: Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu — Devadasi tradition, revival by Rukmini Devi Arundale); Kathak (North India — Nawabi courts, Jaipur/Lucknow gharanas); Odissi (Odisha — Jagannath temple tradition, Kelucharan Mohapatra); Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh); Manipuri (Manipur — Vaishnavism); Kathakali (Kerala — elaborate make-up, Ramayana stories); Mohiniyattam (Kerala — feminine grace); Sattriya (Assam — Vaishnava monasteries, Shankardev).
  • Classical Music: Hindustani (North India — dhrupad, khayal, thumri; gharana system — Kirana, Agra, Gwalior, Jaipur; Tansen; Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa-Dha-Ni); Carnatic (South India — Tyāgarāja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, Syama Sastri — Trinity; kriti, varnam, thillana; 72 melakarta ragas).
  • Folk Performing Arts: Chhau (Purulia/Jharkhand/Odisha — masks); Yakshagana (Karnataka); Therukoothu (Tamil Nadu); Jatra (Bengal); Tamasha (Maharashtra); Pandavani (Chhattisgarh — Teejan Bai).

Unit 7: Indian Philosophy and Scientific Traditions

  • Six Orthodox Darśanas: Nyāya (logic and epistemology — Gautama, Vātsyāyana); Vaiśeṣika (atomic theory — Kaṇāda); Sāṃkhya (dualism — Puruṣa and Prakṛti — Kapila); Yoga (Pātañjali's Yoga Sūtras — eight limbs); Mīmāṃsā (ritual exegesis — Jaimini); Vedānta (Bādarāyaṇa's Brahmasūtras — Śaṅkara's Advaita, Rāmānuja's Viśiṣṭādvaita, Madhva's Dvaita).
  • Heterodox Systems: Cārvāka/Lokāyata (materialism — no soul, no afterlife); Buddhism; Jainism.
  • Indian Mathematics and Astronomy: Āryabhaṭa (Āryabhaṭīya, 499 CE — value of π as 3.1416, Earth rotates on axis, heliocentric hints, sine tables); Brahmagupta (Brāhmasphuṭasiddhānta, 628 CE — zero as number, negative numbers, quadratic equations); Bhāskara II (Līlāvatī, Siddhāntaśiromaṇi); Mādhava of Saṅgamagrāma (Kerala School, c. 1350–1425 — infinite series for π and trigonometric functions — precursor to calculus).
  • Medicine — Āyurveda: Caraka Saṃhitā (internal medicine — Āyurveda); Suśruta Saṃhitā (surgery — rhinoplasty, cataract surgery, 121 surgical instruments); Aṣṭāṅgahṛdayam (Vāgbhaṭa); Dhanvantari as deity of medicine.
  • Metallurgy: Wootz steel (high-carbon crucible steel, exported to Arabia and Rome — "Damascus steel" origin); Iron Pillar of Delhi (Gupta era, c. 5th c. CE — rust-resistant phosphoric iron, 99.72% pure); zinc smelting (Zawar mines, Rajasthan — world's oldest large-scale zinc smelter, 9th c. CE).

Unit 8: Social and Cultural Institutions

  • Varna and Jāti: Varṇa — four-fold functional division (Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, Śūdra) as textual ideal; jāti — endogamous birth-based community; untouchability; Ambedkar's annihilation of caste; caste in contemporary India (reservations, inter-caste marriage).
  • Āśrama System: Brahmachārya (student), Gṛhastha (householder), Vānaprastha (forest dweller), Sannyāsa (renunciant); ideal life course for twice-born males.
  • Marriage and Family: Eight forms of marriage (Brahma, Daiva, Ārṣa, Prājāpatya — approved; Āsura, Gandharva, Rākṣasa, Paiśāca — disapproved); joint family system; women's property rights (stridhan); Sati (practice and abolition, Sati Prevention Act 1987); child marriage.
  • Education — Gurukula to Modern: Vedic gurukula system; Nālandā University (5th c. CE–1193 CE — international centre; destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji); Takṣaśilā; Vikramaśilā; colonial education (Macaulay Minute 1835 — English medium); Wood's Dispatch (1854); Kothari Commission (1964–66).
  • Festivals: Pan-Indian — Diwali, Holi, Durga Puja, Eid, Christmas, Baisakhi, Onam; regional richness; seasonal and agricultural origins; UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list (Kumbh Mela 2017, Nawrouz, Yoga 2016).

Unit 9: Modern Cultural Renaissance and National Movement

  • 19th Century Renaissance: Raja Rammohun Roy (Brahmo Samaj, widow remarriage, Sati abolition 1829); Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (widow remarriage, women's education); Swami Dayananda Saraswati (Arya Samaj, back to Vedas); Ramakrishna and Vivekananda (universalism; Chicago 1893 World Parliament of Religions speech); Jyotiba Phule (Satyashodhak Samaj, anti-caste).
  • Nationalist Culture: Rabindranath Tagore (Nobel Prize 1913 — Gitanjali; Shantiniketan/Visva-Bharati; national anthems of India and Bangladesh); Abanindranath Tagore (Bengal School of Art — revivalist, Bharat Mata); Nandalal Bose (Haripura Congress murals, 1938); Amrita Sher-Gil (modern Indian painting).
  • Cinema and Popular Culture: Dadasaheb Phalke (Raja Harishchandra, 1913 — first Indian film); Hindi film industry (Bollywood); parallel cinema (Satyajit Ray — Pather Panchali, 1955; Apu Trilogy); New Wave directors (Mrinal Sen, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Girish Kasaravalli); Filmfare Awards, National Film Awards.
  • Modern Literature: Premchand (Godan, Gaban — social realism, Hindi/Urdu); Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay (Anandamath — Vande Mataram); Munshi Premchand; Ismat Chughtai; Saadat Hasan Manto; Jnanpith Award (highest Indian literary award).

Unit 10: India's Cultural Heritage — UNESCO and Global Context

  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites: India has 42 World Heritage Sites (as of 2024) — 34 cultural, 7 natural, 1 mixed; recent additions include Hoysala temples (2023); notable: Taj Mahal, Ajanta, Ellora, Hampi, Konark Sun Temple, Mahabodhi Temple, Red Fort, Jantar Mantar.
  • Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH): UNESCO 2003 Convention; India's ICH list: Kumbh Mela, Yoga, Vedic chanting, Kutiyattam (Sanskrit theatre), Mudiyettu (Kerala ritual), Ramman, Ramlila, Nowruz, Chhau dance.
  • ASI (Archaeological Survey of India): Founded 1861 (Alexander Cunningham); under Ministry of Culture; protects monuments under AMASR Act 1958; 3,693 centrally protected monuments.
  • Cultural Diplomacy: Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR, 1950 — founded by Maulana Azad); cultural centres abroad; Yoga as soft power; Buddhist circuit diplomacy; Nalanda University revival (2014); India@75 and G20 cultural events (2023 — Kashi, Konark, Hampi venues).
  • Threats to Heritage: Urbanisation and encroachment; climate change (coastal sites, Sundarbans); armed conflict (Bamiyan Buddhas); illicit trafficking of cultural property (UNESCO 1970 Convention); digital preservation (National Mission on Manuscripts).
Selected UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
MonumentPeriodStyle/SignificanceUNESCO Status
Sanchi Stupa3rd c. BCE – 1st c. CEBuddhist; Aśokan + later gatewaysWHS 1989
Ajanta Caves2nd c. BCE – 5th c. CEBuddhist; paintings + sculpturesWHS 1983
Ellora Caves6th–11th c. CEHindu, Buddhist, Jain; Kailasa templeWHS 1983
Taj Mahal1631–1648 CEMughal; white marble; char-baghWHS 1983
Konark Sun Temple13th c. CENagara; chariot of the Sun GodWHS 1984
Hampi14th–16th c. CEVijayanagara Empire; Dravidian + IslamicWHS 1986
Hoysala Temples11th–14th c. CEVesara; star-shaped platformsWHS 2023

Important Books

Reference Books
BookAuthorCoverage
An Introduction to Indian CultureNihar Ranjan RayBroad cultural survey
The Wonder That Was IndiaA.L. BashamAncient Indian civilisation comprehensive
History of Indian ArtPercy BrownArt and architecture survey
Indian Philosophy (2 vols.)S. RadhakrishnanComplete philosophical systems
A History of Sanskrit LiteratureA.B. KeithClassical literature
Medieval India from Sultanat to the MughalsSatish ChandraMedieval culture and history
📚 Preparation Tip: Units 4 (Ancient Art) and 5 (Medieval Art) yield the most questions on monuments — memorise dates, builders, styles, and UNESCO status. Unit 6 (Performing Arts) tests all eight classical dance forms. Unit 2 (Harappan) and Unit 3 (Vedic) are also heavily tested. Make flashcards for art schools, temple styles, and literary works.

FAQs

Who can appear for UGC NET Indian Culture?

Candidates with an MA/M.Phil. in History, Art History, Cultural Studies, Sanskrit, Indian Languages, Philosophy, or Musicology with at least 55% (50% for reserved) from a recognised university are eligible.

Is Indian Culture syllabus vast?

Yes, but highly structured. It spans prehistory to present. The strategy is to cover art and architecture, performing arts, and Harappan civilisation first — these three clusters typically contribute 40–50% of questions.

How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites should I know?

Know all 42 by name and state. The exam frequently tests recent additions (Hoysala 2023, Dholavira 2021), type (cultural/natural), and period of construction.

UGC NET भारतीय संस्कृति सिलेबस 2025-26 — सम्पूर्ण इकाईवार मार्गदर्शिका

🏛️ UGC NET भारतीय संस्कृति (विषय कोड: 31) — पेपर II में सिंधु घाटी सभ्यता, वैदिक काल, कला-स्थापत्य, साहित्य, प्रदर्शनकारी कलाएं, दर्शन, विज्ञान, सामाजिक संस्थाएं, मध्यकालीन-आधुनिक सांस्कृतिक इतिहास और UNESCO धरोहर शामिल हैं।

भारतीय संस्कृति एक व्यापक विषय है जो इतिहास, कला इतिहास, दर्शनशास्त्र, साहित्य और समाजशास्त्र को एकत्रित करता है। इस लेख में आप 2025–26 के सम्पूर्ण पाठ्यक्रम का इकाईवार विश्लेषण पाएंगे।

परीक्षा पैटर्न

परीक्षा पैटर्न
पैरामीटरविवरण
विषय कोड31
पेपरII
कुल प्रश्न100 MCQ
कुल अंक200
समय3 घंटे
नकारात्मक अंकननहीं
माध्यमCBT

इकाई 1: प्रागैतिहासिक और प्रोटो-ऐतिहासिक संस्कृतियां

  • पुरापाषाण: Lower (Acheulian हस्त कुल्हाड़ी — अत्तिरांपक्कम, पहलगाम), Middle (flake tools), Upper (blade/burin); शैल चित्रकला (भीमबेटका, मध्य प्रदेश — UNESCO विश्व धरोहर)।
  • मध्यपाषाण: Microliths; बागोर (राजस्थान), लंघनाज (गुजरात)।
  • नवपाषाण: मेहरगढ़ (बलूचिस्तान, c. 7000 BCE — दक्षिण एशिया में सबसे पुराना); बुर्जहोम (कश्मीर — गड्ढा आवास)।
  • ताम्रपाषाण: जोर्वे संस्कृति (महाराष्ट्र); अहार-बानास (राजस्थान); Harappan के साथ सह-अस्तित्व।
  • लौह युग: चित्रित धूसर मृद्भांड (PGW) — ऊपरी गंगा मैदान (c. 1200–600 BCE); उत्तरी काले चमकदार मृद्भांड (NBPW)।

इकाई 2: सिंधु घाटी (हड़प्पा) सभ्यता

  • खोज और विस्तार: हड़प्पा (1921, दया राम साहनी); मोहनजोदड़ो (1922, R.D. बनर्जी); c. 2600–1900 BCE; 2,000+ स्थल; राखीगढ़ी (सबसे बड़ा स्थल)।
  • नगर नियोजन: ग्रिड पैटर्न; दो-भागीय नगर (दुर्ग + निचला नगर); मानकीकृत पकी ईंट (4:2:1); महास्नानागार (मोहनजोदड़ो); जल निकासी प्रणाली।
  • भौतिक संस्कृति: सिंधु लिपि (अपठित, ~400 चिह्न); मुहरें (पशुपति मुहर, एकश्रृंगी सबसे सामान्य); मानकीकृत माप; कपास वस्त्र; कार्नेलियन-लापीस लाजुली मोती (मेसोपोटामिया व्यापार)।
  • पतन और बहस: आर्य आक्रमण सिद्धांत → अब काफी हद तक अस्वीकृत; जलवायु परिवर्तन; नदी परिवर्तन (घग्गर-हकरा = सरस्वती?); राखीगढ़ी genome अध्ययन (2019 — वसंत शिंदे, David Reich) — कोई Steppe ancestry नहीं।

इकाई 3: वैदिक और महाकाव्य युग

  • ऋग्वैदिक संस्कृति (c. 1500–1000 BCE): पशुपालन-कृषि; जन, विश, कुल; सभा, समिति, विधाता; इंद्र, वरुण, अग्नि, सोम; 1,028 सूक्त।
  • उत्तर वैदिक काल (c. 1000–600 BCE): गंगा मैदान में विस्तार; वर्ण व्यवस्था; अथर्व वेद; ब्राह्मण; आरण्यक; प्रारंभिक उपनिषद।
  • उपनिषदिक दर्शन: आत्मन-ब्रह्म तादात्म्य; सत-चित-आनंद; संसार; कर्म; मोक्ष।
  • महाकाव्य और पुराण: महाभारत (व्यास, 1,00,000 श्लोक — भगवद्गीता); रामायण (वाल्मीकि, 24,000 श्लोक); 18 महापुराण।

इकाई 4: कला और स्थापत्य — प्राचीन काल

  • मौर्य कला: अशोक के स्तंभ (चमकदार बलुआ पत्थर, सिंह शीर्ष — राष्ट्रीय प्रतीक; सारनाथ); बराबर गुफाएं (पहली रॉक-कट गुफाएं)।
  • मौर्योत्तर: सांची स्तूप (गेटवे — तोरण; जन्म-जीवन-ज्ञान-प्रवचन-परिनिर्वाण की कथाएं); अमरावती (संगमरमर); भरहुत।
  • गांधार और मथुरा कलाविद्यालय: गांधार — ग्रीको-बौद्ध; प्रथम मानवरूपी बुद्ध; मथुरा — स्वदेशी, लाल बलुआ पत्थर, आध्यात्मिक अभिव्यक्ति।
  • गुप्त कला — स्वर्ण युग: सारनाथ बुद्ध (धर्मचक्र मुद्रा); अजंता भित्तिचित्र (बोधिसत्त्व पद्मपाणि); एलोरा; दशावतार मंदिर (देवगढ़)।
  • मंदिर स्थापत्य: नागर (उत्तर — शिखर, गर्भगृह, मंडप); द्रविड़ (दक्षिण — विमान, गोपुरम); वेसर (मिश्रित — दक्कन)।
भारत के शिल्प कलाविद्यालय
कलाविद्यालयकालस्थानमुख्य विशेषता
गांधार1–5वीं शताब्दी CEउत्तर-पश्चिम भारतग्रीको-बौद्ध; प्रथम बुद्ध मूर्तियां
मथुरा1–6ठी शताब्दी CEउत्तर प्रदेशस्वदेशी; कुशाण संरक्षण; लाल बलुआ पत्थर
अमरावती2वीं BCE–3री CEआंध्र प्रदेशसफेद संगमरमर; कथात्मक
गुप्त4–6ठी शताब्दी CEपूरे भारतआध्यात्मिक अभिव्यक्ति; अजंता

इकाई 5: मध्यकालीन कला, स्थापत्य और साहित्य

  • राष्ट्रकूट और चालुक्य: कैलाश मंदिर, एलोरा (राष्ट्रकूट, c. 757–783 CE — एकल शिला से निर्मित); बादामी गुफा मंदिर; पट्टदकल (UNESCO)।
  • चोल: बृहदेश्वर मंदिर, तंजावुर (राजराज चोल, 1010 CE); नटराज कांस्य (शिव — नृत्य का स्वामी); भित्तिचित्र।
  • दिल्ली सल्तनत और मुगल स्थापत्य: कुतुब मीनार (1193); हुमायूं का मकबरा (1572 — ताज महल का प्रोटोटाइप); फतेहपुर सीकरी; ताज महल (1631–48, शाहजहां — सफेद संगमरमर, char-bagh)।
  • मध्यकालीन साहित्य: कालिदास (अभिज्ञानशाकुंतलम, मेघदूत); भक्ति कविता — तुलसीदास (रामचरितमानस), मीराबाई, कबीर, सूरदास, तुकाराम; सूफी — अमीर खुसरो; तमिल — तिरुक्कुरल।

इकाई 6: प्रदर्शनकारी कलाएं — शास्त्रीय परंपराएं

  • नाट्यशास्त्र: भरत मुनि (c. 200 BCE–200 CE); नौ रस; अभिनय — आंगिक, वाचिक, आहार्य, सात्विक।
  • शास्त्रीय नृत्य: भरतनाट्यम (तमिलनाडु — देवदासी परंपरा, रुक्मिणी देवी); कत्थक (उत्तर भारत — जयपुर/लखनऊ घराने); ओडिसी (ओडिशा — जगन्नाथ मंदिर); कुचिपुड़ी (आंध्र); मणिपुरी; कथकली (केरल); मोहिनीअट्टम; सत्त्रिया (असम — शंकरदेव)।
  • शास्त्रीय संगीत: हिंदुस्तानी (ध्रुपद, ख्याल, ठुमरी; घराना — तानसेन); कर्नाटक (त्यागराज, मुत्तुस्वामी दीक्षित, श्यामा शास्त्री — Trinity; 72 मेलकर्ता राग)।
  • लोक प्रदर्शनकारी कलाएं: छऊ; यक्षगान; तेरुकूत्तु; जात्रा; तमाशा; पंडवाणी।

इकाई 7: भारतीय दर्शन और वैज्ञानिक परंपराएं

  • छह आस्तिक दर्शन: न्याय, वैशेषिक (परमाणुवाद — कणाद), सांख्य (द्वैतवाद — पुरुष-प्रकृति), योग (पतंजलि — अष्टांग), मीमांसा, वेदांत (शंकर-रामानुज-मध्व)।
  • भारतीय गणित और खगोल: आर्यभट्ट (π≈3.1416, पृथ्वी घूर्णन, 499 CE); ब्रह्मगुप्त (शून्य, ऋण संख्याएं, 628 CE); भास्कर II (लीलावती); माधव (केरल विद्यालय, c. 1350–1425 — π की अनंत श्रृंखला — कलन का अग्रदूत)।
  • आयुर्वेद: चरक संहिता (आंतरिक चिकित्सा); सुश्रुत संहिता (शल्य चिकित्सा — rhinoplasty, 121 शल्य उपकरण); अष्टांगहृदयम (वाग्भट)।
  • धातुकर्म: Wootz steel; दिल्ली का लौह स्तंभ (गुप्त काल — जंग-रोधी फॉस्फोरिक लोहा); जावर खानें (राजस्थान — विश्व की सबसे पुरानी बड़े पैमाने की जस्ता-प्रगलन भट्टी)।

इकाई 8: सामाजिक और सांस्कृतिक संस्थाएं

  • वर्ण और जाति: चतुर्वर्ण — ब्राह्मण, क्षत्रिय, वैश्य, शूद्र; जाति — अंतर्विवाही जन्म-आधारित समुदाय; अस्पृश्यता; अंबेडकर की जाति उन्मूलन की दृष्टि।
  • आश्रम व्यवस्था: ब्रह्मचर्य, गृहस्थ, वानप्रस्थ, संन्यास।
  • विवाह और परिवार: 8 विवाह प्रकार; संयुक्त परिवार; स्त्रीधन; सती (निषेध अधिनियम 1987); बाल विवाह।
  • शिक्षा: वैदिक गुरुकुल; नालंदा (5वीं शताब्दी CE–1193 CE); तक्षशिला; मैकाले मिनट (1835); Wood's Dispatch (1854); कोठारी आयोग (1964–66)।
  • त्योहार: दीवाली, होली, दुर्गा पूजा, ईद, क्रिसमस, बैसाखी, ओणम; UNESCO: कुंभ मेला (2017), योग (2016)।

इकाई 9: आधुनिक सांस्कृतिक पुनर्जागरण

  • 19वीं शताब्दी का पुनर्जागरण: राजा राममोहन राय (ब्रह्म समाज, सती उन्मूलन 1829); ईश्वरचंद्र विद्यासागर (विधवा पुनर्विवाह, महिला शिक्षा); दयानंद सरस्वती (आर्य समाज); विवेकानंद (Chicago 1893); जोतिबा फुले (सत्यशोधक समाज)।
  • राष्ट्रवादी संस्कृति: रवींद्रनाथ टैगोर (नोबेल 1913 — गीतांजलि; शांतिनिकेतन); अबनींद्रनाथ टैगोर (Bengal School); नंदलाल बोस (हरिपुरा Congress भित्तिचित्र)।
  • सिनेमा: दादासाहब फाल्के (राजा हरिश्चंद्र, 1913 — प्रथम भारतीय फिल्म); सत्यजित राय (पथेर पांचाली, 1955)।

इकाई 10: भारत की सांस्कृतिक धरोहर — UNESCO और वैश्विक संदर्भ

  • UNESCO विश्व धरोहर स्थल: भारत में 42 स्थल (2024 तक) — 34 सांस्कृतिक, 7 प्राकृतिक, 1 मिश्रित; हाल की वृद्धि: होयसल मंदिर (2023), धोलावीरा (2021)।
  • अमूर्त सांस्कृतिक धरोहर: UNESCO 2003 Convention; भारत: कुंभ मेला, योग, वैदिक जप, कूटियाट्टम, मुडियेट्टु, रम्मन, रामलीला, छऊ।
  • ASI: स्थापना 1861 (Alexander Cunningham); AMASR Act 1958; 3,693 केंद्रीय संरक्षित स्मारक।
  • सांस्कृतिक कूटनीति: ICCR (1950 — मौलाना आजाद); बौद्ध सर्किट; नालंदा पुनरुद्धार (2014); G20 सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रम (2023 — काशी, कोणार्क, हम्पी)।
भारत के चुनिंदा UNESCO विश्व धरोहर स्थल
स्मारककालस्थापत्य/महत्वUNESCO
सांची स्तूप3री BCE – 1री CEबौद्ध; अशोकन + बाद के गेटवे1989
अजंता गुफाएं2री BCE – 5वीं CEबौद्ध; चित्र + मूर्तियां1983
ताज महल1631–1648 CEमुगल; सफेद संगमरमर1983
कोणार्क सूर्य मंदिर13वीं शताब्दीनागर; सूर्य के रथ का प्रतीक1984
हम्पी14–16वीं शताब्दीविजयनगर साम्राज्य1986
होयसल मंदिर11–14वीं शताब्दीवेसर; तारा आकार की नींव2023

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Indian Philosophy (2 vols.)S. Radhakrishnanदार्शनिक प्रणालियां

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न

UGC NET भारतीय संस्कृति के लिए कौन पात्र है?

इतिहास, कला इतिहास, सांस्कृतिक अध्ययन, संस्कृत, दर्शनशास्त्र या संगीतशास्त्र में न्यूनतम 55% (आरक्षित: 50%) के साथ MA/M.Phil. वाले अभ्यर्थी पात्र हैं।

कौन सी इकाइयां सबसे अधिक प्रश्न देती हैं?

Unit 4 (प्राचीन कला), Unit 5 (मध्यकालीन कला), और Unit 6 (प्रदर्शनकारी कलाएं) मिलकर 40–50% प्रश्न देती हैं। Unit 2 (हड़प्पा) और Unit 10 (UNESCO) भी अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण हैं।

UNESCO स्थलों की जानकारी कितनी जरूरी है?

सभी 42 स्थलों के नाम और राज्य जानें। परीक्षा में हाल के परिवर्धन (होयसल 2023, धोलावीरा 2021), प्रकार (सांस्कृतिक/प्राकृतिक) और निर्माण काल पूछे जाते हैं।

UGC NET Indian Culture Syllabus 2025-26 — Complete Unit-wise Guide - Syllabus | RojgarDekho

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