The Bengal School of Art was an art movement and a style of painting linked with the Swadeshi movement. 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 in Shantiniketan, where India’s first national art school was founded. It did not begin there.
Option (2) Calcutta — Correct. The Bengal School originated in Calcutta, the centre of British power.
Option (3) Lahore — Incorrect. Lahore had an art school, but its primary focus was on crafts like metalwork and furniture. The movement did not start there.
Option (4) Madras — Incorrect. The art school in Madras also had its primary focus on crafts. The movement did not start 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. It was associated with the nationalist movement (Swadeshi) …” “Abanindranath Tagore and E. B. Havell …Similar art schools were established in Lahore, Bombay and Madras but their primary focus was on crafts like metalwork, furniture and curios. However, the one in Calcutta was more inclined towards fine arts.” |