UPSC Prelims 2018 GS Paper I · Q42 of 100 History medium

The well-known painting "Bani Thani" belongs to the

  1. (a) Bundi school
  2. (b) Jaipur school
  3. (c) Kangra school
  4. (d) Kishangarh school ✓ UPSC's answer

Why the answer is (d)

• 'Bani Thani' was painted around 1750 by Nihal Chand at the court of Raja Sawant Singh (Nagari Das) of Kishangarh, Rajasthan, portraying the poet-singer Bani Thani as Radha with elongated eyes, arched brows and a pointed nose — option (d).

• It is called the 'Indian Mona Lisa' and defines the Kishangarh school's idealised profile.

• Bundi (a) is known for hunting and Ragamala scenes, Jaipur (b) for Mughal-influenced portraits, Kangra (c) for lyrical Pahari Radha-Krishna paintings.

• Hence option (d).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) Bundi school
Bundi school is known for hunting scenes, not Bani Thani.
(b) Jaipur school
Jaipur school did not produce Bani Thani.
(c) Kangra school
Kangra is a Pahari school; Bani Thani is Rajasthani (Kishangarh).

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2018, held on 3 June 2018. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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