CBSE Class 11 History of Indian Arts Syllabus 2026-27

CBSE has released the latest CBSE Class 11 History of Indian Arts Syllabus for the academic session 2026-27 on April 2, 2026. The updated syllabus must be followed for annual examinations, internal assessments, and project work.

The CBSE Class 11 History of Indian Arts syllabus explains the course structure, unit-wise topics, exam pattern, marking scheme, and practical details prescribed by CBSE for the 2026-27 session. The syllabus helps learners understand important topics and prepare effectively for board examinations.

Below, you can check the detailed unit-wise syllabus summary and latest paper pattern for the new academic session 2026-27.

You can also directly download the official CBSE Class 11 History of Indian Arts Syllabus 2026-27 PDF from the link given below.

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Table Of Contents−
CBSE Class XI MLQB 01

CBSE Class 11 History of Indian Arts Latest Syllabus 2026-27

Theory Paper
Unit wise Weightage

30 Marks
Time: 2 Hours

Units History of Indian Art Marks
1 Pre-Historic rock paintings and art of Indus / Sindhu Saraswati Civilization (Indus valley Civilization) Buddhist, Jain and Hindu Art 15
2 Temple Sculptures, Bronzes and
Artistic aspects of Indo-Islamic architecture 		15

CBSE Class 11 History of Indian Arts Syllabus 2026-27: Unit-wise Summary

Units Content
Pre-Historic Rock-Paintings
1.
  • Introduction
  • Period and Location
  • Study and appreciation of following pre-historic paintings: Wizard's Dance, Bhimbethaka
  • Extension: In about 1500 miles. Harappa & Mohenjo-daro (Now in Pakistan) Ropar, Lothal, Rangpur, Alamgirpur, Kali Bangan, Banawali and Dholavira (in India)
2 Study and appreciation of following: Sculptures in Bronze and Terra cottas: Introduction to Method of Bronze casting
  • Dancing girl (Mohenjo-daro) Bronze, 10.5 x 5 x 2.5 cm. Circa 2500 B.C. (Collection: National Museum, New Delhi).
  • Male Torso (Harappa) Red lime Stone, 9.2 x 5.8 x 3 cms. Circa 2500 B.C. (Collection: National Museum, New Delhi)
  • Mother Goddess (Mohenjo-daro) terracotta, 22.8 x 5 c Circa2500 B.C. (Collection: National Museum, New Delhi)
3 Study and appreciation of following Seal:
  • Bull (Mohenjo-daro)Stone (Steatite), 2.5 x 2.5 x 1.4 cm. Circa 2500 B.C. (Collection: National Museum, New Delhi).
  • Decoration on earthen wares: Painted earthen-ware (Jar) Mohenjo-daro (Collection: National Museum, New Delhi).
Buddhist, Jain and Hindu Art (3rd century B.C. to 8th century A.D.)
1. General Introduction and understanding of Art during
  • Mauryan Period: Mirror like polish (eg. Chauri Bearer from Didar Ganj/Yakshi called Monalisa of India, Iron Pillar of Qutab Minar that has never rusted. Shunga:
  • Kushana Period: evolution and mutation of Gandhara, Mathura
  • Gupta Period: Amalgamation of Gandhara, Mathura into Gupta Style
2. Study and appreciation of following Sculptures.
  1. Lion Capital from Sarnath
    Circa: 3rd Century BCE Period: Mauryan
    Material: Polished sandstone,
    Collection: Sarnath Museum, U.P.
  2. Chauri Bearer from Didar Ganj (Yakshi)
    Circa 3rd Century BCE Period: Mauryan
    Material: Polished sandstone, Collection: Patna Museum, Bihar.
  3. Seated Buddha from Katra Mound, Mathura
    Circa 3rd Century C.E.
    Period: Kushan (Mathura Style)
    Material: Red-spotted Sandstone, Collection: Govt. Museum, Mathura
  4. Jain Tirthankara
    Circa: 5th Century
    Period: Gupta period:5th Century CE Material: Stone
    Collection: State Museum, Lucknow U.P.
3. Introduction to Ajanta Location
Period: 5th Century CE No of caves:30
Chaitya Caves: 5(9,10,19,26,29) subject matter- Buddha meditating Vihara Caves: 25 subject matter- Bodhisattva
Padmapani Techniques: Rock cut Architecture, sculpture, fresco painting
Unit 2 Temple Sculpture, Bronzes and
artistic aspects of Indo- Islamic Architecture
(A) Artistic aspects of Indian Temple sculpture Period: 6th Century CE to 13th Century CE

1. Introduction to Temple Sculpture
Overview of temple sculpture practices in India, with a focus on key periods, regions, and stylistic developments between the 6th and 13th centuries CE.
2. Study and Appreciation of Notable Temple Sculptures:
  • Descent of Ganga
    • Period: Circa 7th Century CE
    • Dynasty: Pallava
    • Material: Granite Rock
    • Location: Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
  • Trimurti
    • Period: Circa 9th Century CE
    • Material: Stone
    • Location: Elephanta, Maharashtra
  • Lakshmi Narayana (Kandariya Mahadev Temple)
    • Period: Circa 10th Century CE
    • Dynasty: Chandela
    • Material: Stone
    • Location: Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
  • Cymbal Player (Konark Sun Temple)
    • Period: Circa 13th Century CE
    • Dynasty: Ganga Dynasty
    • Material: Stone
    • Location: Odisha
  • Mother and Child (Vimal-Shah Temple, Dilwara)
    • Period: Circa 13th Century CE
    • Dynasty: Solanki Dynasty
    • Material: White Marble
    • Location: Mount Abu, Rajasthan
(B) Bronzes:
  1. Introduction to Indian Bronzes.
  2. Method of casting (solid and hollow)
  3. Study and appreciation of following South Indian Bronze:
Nataraj
  • Period: Circa 12th Century CE
  • Dynasty: Chola
  • Location: Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu
  • Collection: National Museum, New Delhi
(C) Artistic aspects of the Indo-Islamic architecture:
  1. Introduction
  2. Study and appreciation of following architecture:
  • Qutub Minar, Delhi
  • Gol Gumbad of Bijapur

Practical Paper
Unit wise Weightage

70 Marks
Time: 6 Hours (3+3)

Units Content Marks
1 Nature and Object Study 25
2 Painting Composition 25
3 Portfolio Assessment 20
70

The Changes for Class 11 (2026-27) Year-end Board Examinations are as under:

(Class-11)
Periodic Assessment Academic Session 2025-26 Academic Session 2026-27
Composition of question paper for year-end examination/ Board Examination (Theory)
  • Competency Focused Questions in the form of MCQs/ Case Based Questions, Source-based Integrated Questions or any other type = 50%
  • Select response type questions (MCQ) = 20%
  • Constructed response questions (Short Answer Questions/Long Answer type Questions, as per existing pattern) = 30%
  • Competency Focused Questions in the form of MCQs/ Case Based Questions, Source-based Integrated Questions or any other type = 50%
  • Select response type questions (MCQ) = 20%
  • Constructed response questions (Short Answer Questions/Long Answer type Questions, as per existing pattern) = 30%

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