If you are an art and culture UPSC exam aspirant, you are searching for the best Art and Culture books specifically for UPSC. We’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ll guide you on selecting the best books that contain everything in the UPSC examination syllabus. The books we’ll share below will help bring art and culture knowledge to life and sharpen your understanding of the course.
These books are not your regular art and culture books but detailed and thrilling books that will reveal the evolution of civilization. Come with us and select the Indian art books that contain subject-wise questions, everything about Indian history, previous year question papers, and all you need to know to ace the UPSC civil services exam.
1• “Indian Art and Culture” By Nitin Singhania
- Nitin Singhania (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 632 Pages – 01/01/2017 (Publication Date) – McGraw Hill Education (Publisher)
All the UPSC examination aspirants searching for books on art and culture to enable them to ace their exams should check out this book, Indian Art and Culture, written by Nitin Singhania. This well-known textbook gives readers deep and detailed coverage of India’s rich and artistic cultural heritage. This book, Indian Art and Culture, is mainly used as a reference for competitive examinations in India.
Furthermore, it is your go-to for any topic related to classical music, medieval art, folk dances, and the evolution of language. This book also serves as a valuable guide for understanding everything about the historical and cultural foundation of the Indians.
2• “A Brief History of Modern India.” By Rajiv Ahir
- Spectrum Books Pvt.Ltd. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 848 Pages – 01/01/2019 (Publication Date) – Spectrum Books Pvt.Ltd. (Publisher)
To understand India’s history from the mid-18th century till date and to better prepare yourself for the art and culture UPSC exam, “A Brief History Modern India,” written by Rajiv Ahir, should be your go-to. This book also digs deep into the essential events, socio-economic changes, and political developments in the modern period of Indian history. It also provides readers with all the knowledge of the Indians’ journey through the transformation age. You need this book to understand the history of modern India.
3• “An Introduction to Indian Art” by NCERT
- NCERT (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 131 Pages – IBD Dehradun (Publisher)
An Introduction to Indian Art By NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) should be on top of your list when selecting Art and Culture Books for the UPSC recruitment examination. The book is comprehensive to all those interested in learning about the cultural heritage of the Indians. The Introduction to Indian Art textbook covers everything about Indian history, from ancient and medieval to modern times. So, this book is a foundational guide for everyone studying Indian Art and Culture in the academic context. It is one of the reasons most students are expected to have a copy of this textbook. Furthermore, it contains past questions and answers and exposes readers to a complete syllabus for the examination.
4” “History of Indian Art” by Vidya Dehejia
- Vidya Dehejia (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 03/01/1998 (Publication Date) – Phaidon Press Ltd (Publisher)
Vidya Dehejia, out of his deep knowledge of the artistic traditions of the Indian people, authored this book, History of India, which helps readers grasp all that has to do with the rules of the Indians. This book helps students preparing for the Art and Culture UPSC test understand the deep things about Indian history and ancient civilization. It also spans contemporary art. You can learn the history and stuff like sculpturing, painting, architecture, classical music, etc. The History Of Indian Art textbook is a valuable resource that will help you scale through your UPSC test.
5• “Cultural Heritage of India” by Kapila Vatsyayana
- Hardcover Book
- Kapila Vatsyayan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 1068 Pages – 04/01/2006 (Publication Date) – Vedanta Press & Bookshop (Publisher)
In preparation for your Art and Cultural UPSC recruitment test, you need this rich textbook, “Cultural Heritage of India,” by Kapila Vatsyayana. Kapila, through this seminal project, exposes students and all lovers of Indian culture to the different cultural traits of the Indians. It digs deep into the various aspects of the Indian heritage, like literature and philosophy. Access to this textbook will open your eyes to the rich heritage of the Indians, and music is no exception. This is a must-have for everyone preparing for the Art and Culture UPSC test. It will expose them to everything needed to ace the test and reach—Their dream placement.
If you are still trying to understand UPSC’s meaning and desire additional art and culture books for UPSC, the following answer will help you gain more insights.
What Does UPSC Mean?
UPSC means the Union Public Service Commission. This constitutional body is in charge of all the examinations for recruitment into the Indian Civil Services and Central Government offices.
Which Books Are Irresistible to Read for Art and Culture?
Aside from the list of art and culture books for UPSC discussed above, the following are also irresistible books you should read:
- Roy C. Craven wrote Indian Art
- Craven, Roy C (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 10/11/1986 (Publication Date) – Thames & Hudson (Publisher)
- Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
- Singh, Ramesh (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 748 Pages – 07/30/2023 (Publication Date) – McGraw-Hill (Publisher)
- Your UPSC preparation is not complete without Indian Architecture by Percy Brown
- Brown, Percy (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 438 Pages – 11/16/2010 (Publication Date) – Read Books (Publisher)
- Ensure to read Wonder That Was Culture A.L. Bashar
- Hardcover Book
- A.L. Basham (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 568 Pages – 01/01/1967 (Publication Date) – Sidgwick & Jackson, London (Publisher)
What are the Tips for Effective Preparation of Art and Culture for UPSC
When preparing for the UPSC exam, the following tips are super practical to help you ace your exam:
- Study and understand the UPSC syllabus for art and culture
- Select NCERT textbooks to help you
- Making relevant notes will be beneficial
- Studying hard-to-understand visual art will enable you to pass some parts of the exams
- Understand all that has to do with martial arts
- Utilize online resources and join groups
- Prepare effectively for the mock exams
Final Thought
Selecting the best art and culture books for the UPSC recruitment examination can be challenging, but we’ve made it seamless with the books we reviewed above. The above books will serve as a valuable guide to help you ace your UPSC exam and not only understand India’s history.
