The Bengal School of Art was an art movement and a style of painting. In which city did it originate?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Calcutta
Option (1) Shantiniketan — Incorrect. The movement later influenced artists at Shantiniketan, where India’s first national art school was founded. It did not begin there.
Option (2) Calcutta — Correct. It began in Calcutta, the centre of British power, and later spread to other parts of the country.
Option (3) Bombay — Incorrect. Bombay had its own art school, whose students were trained in realistic studies. The movement did not begin there.
Option (4) Lahore — Incorrect. Lahore had an art school that focused on crafts like metalwork and furniture. The movement did not begin there.
NCERT (2026-27): “The Bengal School The term ‘Bengal School of Art’ is not fully accurate. It is true that the first move to create a modern, nationalist school happened in Bengal but it was not restricted to this region alone. It was an art movement and a style of painting that originated in Calcutta, the centre of British power, but later influenced many artists in different parts of the country, including Shantiniketan, where India’s first national art school was founded.” |