Q.1. Vedantham Satyanarayan is known to be a greatest guru of which of the following dance forms?
[A] Odissi
[B] kathak
[C] Bharatnatyam
[D] Kuchipudi
Answer: D [Kuchipudi]
Notes:
Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma, popularly known as Satyam, was an Indian classical dancer and choreographer. She is considered as an expert of Kuchpudi dance.
Q.2. Identify the famous Indian dance form with the help of information below:
- The artistes of this dance form are called Bhagavatulus
- The Vijaynagara kings Patronised this dance form as did Golkonda rulers after them.
- Swapanasundari is a very famous dancer of this form.
Select the correct answer from options given below:
[A] Yakshagana
[B] Kuchipudi
[C] Dollu Kunitha
[D] Bharatnatyam
Answer: B [Kuchipudi]
Notes:
Kuchipudi is the correct answer. Kuchipudi is a classical dance form based mainly in Andhra Pradesh / Telangana states of India
Q.3. Consider the following terms:
- Sallekhana
- Das Lakshana
- Eightfold path Which of the above is/are related to Jainism?
[A] 1 & 2 Only
[B] 3 Only
[C] 2 & 3 Only
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Answer: A [ 1 & 2 Only]
Notes:
Noble Eightfold Path consists of eight practices: right view, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right “Samadhi”. It is an early summary of the path of Buddhist practices leading to liberation from samsara, the painful cycle of rebirth.
Q.4. At which of the following places, stone sculpture of a larger than life figure of a horse was founded?
[A] Mathura
[B] Deogarh
[C] Sultanganj
[D] Khairigarh
Answer: D [Khairigarh]
Notes:
A stone sculpture of a larger than life figure of a horse which is probably representing an Ashwamedha horse can be found at Khairigarh in Uttar Pradesh. It is carved out of beige sandstone.
Q.5. What is the most common and basic prayer of Jainism?
[A] Satkara
[B] Puruskar
[C] ?amokara
[D] Parishkaar
Answer: C [?amokara]
Notes:
Parasparopagraho Jivanam is the motto of Jainism which implies that the function of souls is to help one another and the ?amokara mantra is its most common and basic prayer practiced by Jains across the world.
Q.6. Who among the following is the Persian mathematician and poet composer of the world famous Rubbayat?
[A] Omar Khayyám
[B] Muhammad Iqbal
[C] Sultan Bahu
[D] Mirza Ghalib
Answer: A [Omar Khayyám]
Notes:
Rubbayat is written by Omar Khayyam. It is collection ruba i.e .persian poems.
Q.7. Consider the following pairs of festivals with their months of celebration:
- Ramanavmi – Chaitra
- Makar Sankranti – Pausa
- Dussehra – Bhaado
- Ganesh Chaturthi – Ashwin
Which of the above are correctly matched?
[A] 1 and 2 Only
[B] 1, 2 and 3 Only
[C] 2, 3 and 4 Only
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A [ 1 and 2 Only]
Notes:
Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Ashwin and Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in the month of Bhaadrapada according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar.
Q.8. Which of the following styles of music are associated with Hindustani Classical Music?
- Dhamar
- Bhajan
- Kajari
- Ghazal
Select the correct option from codes given below:
[A] 1, 2 & 3 Only
[B] 2 & 3 Only
[C] 2, 3 & 4 Only
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
Dhamar is one of the talas used in Hindustani classical music. Bhajan refers to any song with religious theme or spiritual ideas, in a regional Indian language. Kajari is a genre of semi-classical singing, popular in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Ghazal is a poetic form with rhyming couplets and a refrain, each line sharing the same meter.
Q.9. Which of the following temples built during the Gupta period has a square tower of Shikhara?
1) Dasavatar Temple at Deogarh
2) Bhitargaon temple
3) Mahadev Temple at Nachna Kuthar
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 3
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] 1, 2 & 3
[D] Only 3
Answer: C [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
In the early Gupta period, the Shikhara was not much prominent as compared to the later Gupta period. Dasavatar Temple at Deogarh, Bhitargaon temple, and Mahadev Temple at Nachna Kuthar have a square tower of Shikhara.
Q.10. How many vows do Jains take while practicing Jainism?
[A] Five
[B] Four
[C] Six
[D] Seven
Answer: A [Five]
Notes:
A practicing Jain takes five main vows while adhering to the core belief of Jain Dharma which include ahi?sa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (not stealing), brahmacharya (sexual continence), and aparigraha (non-possessiveness).
Q.11. Consider the following medicine types:
- Sowa-Rigpa
- Ayurveda
- Siddha
- Unani
Which of the above have legal recognition among Indian Systems of Medicine under the Department of AYUSH?
[A] Only 2 & 3
[B] Only 2, 3 & 4
[C] Only 1, 2 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
All the above got legal recognition among Indian Systems of Medicine under the Department of AYUSH.
Q.12. Identify the temple of India with the help of given information:
1.Shiva, the main diety of this temple is worshipped in the form of Harihara (combination of Shiva and Vishnu).
2.The structure is built in deula form of architecture
3.It is said to be constructed between 8th to mid-13th century by Somavamsi rulers
Choose the correct from options given below:
[A] Lingaraja Temple
[B] Brihadeshwara Temple
[C] Kailashnath Temple
[D] Lepakshi Temple
Answer: A [ Lingaraja Temple]
Notes:
Lingraja Temple, situated at Bhubaneswar of Khurda district in Orissa, is an example of deula architecture.
Q.13. Which among the following arts of India come under the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity?
- Koodiyattam
- Ram Lila
- Vedic Chanting
- Mudiyettu
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1, 2 & 3
[B] Only 1, 3 & 4
[C] Only 1 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Answer: D [ 1, 2, 3 & 4 ]
Notes:
Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage are established by UNESCO aiming to ensure the better protection of important intangible cultural heritages worldwide and the awareness of their significance. All the given option are part of that list.
Q.14. Which of the following built the Balakrishna temple?
[A] Deva Raya I
[B] Deva Raya II
[C] Krishna Deva Raya
[D] Achutya Deva Raya
Answer: C [Krishna Deva Raya]
Notes:
One of the important temples built by Krishna Deva Raya was the Balakrishna temple. It was built for the image of Balakrishna brought from Orissa. Vittalaswamy and Hazara Ramaswamy temples were also built by Krishna Deva Raya.
Q.15. The concepts of Brahman (ultimate reality) and Atman (soul, self) are central ideas in which of the following Hindu religious books?
[A] Vedas
[B] Upnishadas
[C] Both of the above
[D] None of the above
Answer: B [Upnishadas]
Notes:
The central ideas in all of the Upanishads are Brahman (ultimate reality) and Atman (soul, self).”Know that you are the Atman” is their thematic focus.
Q.16. Identify the famous Indian painting with the help of given information:
- The artists of this painting are called ‘Patuas’
- The painting is traditionally done on cloth or paper with water colour
- The themes of the painting are based on Hindu goddesses, and other mythological characters from Ramayana and Mahabharat
Select the correct answer from options given below:
[A] Pattachitra
[B] Kalamkari
[C] Madhubani
[D] Kalighat
Answer: D [Kalighat]
Notes:
The above given characteristics are of Kalighat paintings of West Bengal.
Q.17. Consider the following statements about Ajanta caves:
- The earliest caves were excavated during the Satavahana dynasty
- Ajanta caves were the first archaeological site in India to be inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] 1 Only
[B] 2 Only
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:
First statement is correct because the earliest caves were excavated during the Satavahana-period caves. Second statement is also correct because Agra Fort and the Ajanta Caves were India’s first two sites to be inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list in 1983.
Q.18. The Dongria Kondh tribe has recently won a heroic victory against mining giant Vedanta Resources in an iconic fight to save their sacred hills. The Dongria Kondh tribe are residents of _?
[A] Shivalik Hills
[B] Anamalai Hills
[C] Ashambu Hills
[D] Niyamgiri Hills
Answer: D [Niyamgiri Hills]
Notes:
Vedanta, a powerful multinational corporation bent on mining in the area. The Dongria Kondh tribe of India’s Niyamgiri Hills have won a heroic victory against mining giant Vedanta Resources to save their sacred hills.
Q.19. When did Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti died?
[A] 1200 CE
[B] 1135 CE
[C] 1235 CE
[D] 1140 CE
Answer: C [1235 CE]
Notes:
Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti was a Persian Muslim preacher, ascetic, religious scholar, philosopher, and mystic from Sistan. He came to India and settled in Ajmer in 1206 CE. His popularity increased after his death in 1235 CE.
Q.20. Which of the following schools of thoughts is known for its belief in Niyati (“Fate”) or doctrine of absolute determinism?
[A] Adaita Vedanta
[B] Vaisesika
[C] Ajivika
[D] Yoga
Answer: C [Ajivika]
Notes:
The Ajivika school of Hindu philosophy believes in Niyati (fate) doctrine of absolute determinism. The philosophy is premised on the doctrine that there is no free will and that what happens is predetermined and preordained resulting out a function of cosmic principles.
Q.21. Consider the following Indian handicrafts:
- Kanjeevaram sarees
- Kota doria
3.Orissa Ikat - Pochampalli Ikat
Which of the above has/have GI (Geographical Indication) Status?
[A] 1 Only
[B] 1 & 2 Only
[C] 1, 2 & 3 Only
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
All given handicrafts have GI (Geographical Indication) status
Q.22. Artists of which of the following paintings are also known as Patua painters?
[A] Kalamkari
[B] Madhubani
[C] Kalighat
[D] Batik
Answer: C [Kalighat]
Notes:
Kalighat Paintings are hand-made drawings and sometimes machine-made. It is produced by a group of artists called ‘Patuas’, who live near the famous Kali temple at Kalighat in West Bengal.
Q.23. Consider the following statements about the Angami tribals of India:
- They are Naga tribe native to Nagaland state in North-East India
- They are listed as a Scheduled Tribe, in the 6th schedule of the Indian Constitution
- They are known for the Sekrenyi celebrations every February
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] 1 & 2 Only
[B] 2 & 3 Only
[C] 1 & 3 Only
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Answer: C [1 & 3 Only]
Notes:
Second statement is incorrect because they are listed in the 5th schedule of the Indian constitution. Angami tribe belongs to the extreme north eastern part of the country, in the state of Nagaland. Tenyidie is the most common language spoken among the Angamis in Nagaland. The total population of the Angamis is around 12 million. Agriculture is the main occupation. They cultivate rice and grains on the hilly terrains. Christianity is the major religion followed among the Angami tribal people. Sekrenyi is the main festival celebrated among the Angamis in Nagaland. The festival falls in the month of February and marks the beginning of the lunar year. This ten day festival is also known as the Phousnyi among the local people.
Q.24. Which of the following was the first in the four Sufi Silsilah to be established in Indian sub-continent?
[A] Chisti
[B] Suhrawardi
[C] Qadiriyahs
[D] Naqshbandis
Answer: A [Chisti]
Notes:
The Sufis were organised in Silsilahs (i.e., orders, which basically represented an unbreakable chain between the Pir, the teacher, and the murids, the disciples) by the 12th century. The four most popular Silsilahs among these were the Chistis, Suhrawardis, Qadiriyahs, and Naqshbandis.
Q.25. In which of the following Upnishads is the practice of pratyahara mentioned ?
[A] Chandogya Upanishad
[B] Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
[C] Shvetashvatara upanishad
[D] Brahmasutra upanishad
Answer: A [Chandogya Upanishad ]
Notes:
The practice of pratyahara (concentrating all of one’s senses on self) is mentioned in hymn 8.15 of Chandogya Upanishad (c. ~ 800-700 BCE).