1. Which of the following are two works of Kalidasa?
[A] Raghuvamsha and Kiratarjuniya
[B] Kumara Sambhav and Raghuvamsha
[C] Malti Madhava and Kumara Sambhava
[D] Malti Madhav and Kumara Sambhava
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Kumara Sambhav and Raghuvamsha ]
Notes:
Kalidasa was one of the gems of the court of Gupta king Chandragupta II (375–415 CE). The poems he wrote were usually of epic proportions and were written in classical Sanskrit. He wrote two epic poems called Kumara sambhava, which means birth of Kumara and the Raghuvamsha, which means dynasty of Raghu. There are also two lyric poems written by Kalidasa known as Meghadutta that stands for cloud messenger and the Ritusamhara that means description of the seasons. Meghadutta is one of the finest works of Kalidasa in terms of world literature. The beauty of the continuity in flawless Sanskrit is unmatched till date. The most famous and beautiful work of Kalidasa is the Shakuntalam. It is the second play of Kalidasa after he wrote Malavikagnimitra. The Shakuntalam tells the story of king Dushyant who falls in love with a beautiful girl Shakuntala, who happens to be the daughter of a saint.
2. World Conservation Monitoring Centre, a biodiversity information and assessment arm of the United Nations Environment Programme is located at ?
[A] Cambridge
[B] New York
[C] Geneva
[D] Paris
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Cambridge]
Notes:
The United Nation Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre is an executive agency of UN Environment Programme, which is based in Cambridge (UK). It was previously managed by IUCN, UN Environment Programme and WWF.
3. World Press Freedom Day is observed on which date?
[A] June 1
[B] May 3
[C] May 31
[D] July 24
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [May 3]
Notes:
World Press Freedom Day is observed every year on May 3. The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, and is intended to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom and to remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression. World Press Freedom Day is an opportunity for journalists, media professionals, and members of the public to come together and reflect on the importance of a free and independent press, and to support efforts to promote and defend press freedom around the world.
4. Which among the following was the immediate result of the Velvet Revolution of 1989 in Czechoslovakia ?
[A] It ended the authoritative rule & first democratic elections were held
[B] The country was peacefully split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia
[C] Czechoslovakia was turned into a federation of the Czech Socialist Republic and Slovak Socialist Republic
[D] The economy of the country got devastated
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [It ended the authoritative rule & first democratic elections were held]
Notes:
The Velvet Revolution of 1989 was a series of peaceful protests and political events that took place in Czechoslovakia, leading to the overthrow of the Communist government and the transition to a democratic system. The Velvet Revolution, which is also known as the Gentle Revolution, began in November 1989 with a student demonstration in Prague, which was met with a violent response from the government. This sparked widespread protests and strikes, which quickly spread across the country and put pressure on the government to reform. After weeks of protests and negotiations, the Communist leadership was forced to resign, and a new government was formed. The Velvet Revolution is considered to be one of the key events of the collapse of the Communist bloc in Eastern Europe.
5. COMESA is a regional organization active in which of the following?
[A] South America
[B] Africa
[C] Asia Pacific
[D] Central Asia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Africa]
Notes:
COMESA- Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
6. Which of the following central paramilitary forces does not have its headquarters in New Delhi?
[A] Border Security Force
[B] Indo-Tibetan Border Police
[C] Assam Rifles
[D] Rastriya Rifles
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Assam Rifles]
Notes:
The correct answer is Assam Rifles. Unlike the Border Security Force (BSF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which are headquartered in New Delhi, the Assam Rifles is based in Shillong, Meghalaya. Established in 1835, it is one of the oldest paramilitary forces in India, primarily tasked with maintaining peace in the northeastern states.
7. Who among the following authors wrote “Hasanaat ul-Aarifin”?
[A] Yahaya bin Ahmed Sirhindi
[B] Dara Shikoh
[C] Ziauddin Barni
[D] Nizamuddin Ahmed
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Dara Shikoh]
Notes:
Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, wrote Hasanaat ul-Aarifin (virtues of the saints). Some of the famous works done by him are Safinat ul- Awliya, Sakinat ul-Awliya, Risaala-i Haq Numa, Iksir-i ‘Azam (Diwan-e-Dara Shukoh), etc.
8. Who among the following authors wrote “Tabuqat-i-Akbari”?
[A] Mulla Daud
[B] Abbas Khan Sherwani
[C] Ziauddin Barni
[D] Nizamuddin Ahmed
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Nizamuddin Ahmed]
Notes:
Khwajah Nizamuddin Ahmed wrote “Tabuqat-i-Akbari” in the reign of Akbar, it was completed in 1593 AD. The book compiled the history of India from 986 AD to 38th year of Mughal emperor Akbar’s reign. It is a very important source for the history of the Sayyid and Lodi Sultans.
9. Who among the following author wrote Humayunnama ?
[A] Humayun
[B] Akbar
[C] Hamida Begum
[D] Gulbadan begum
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Gulbadan begum]
Notes:
The Humayunnama was written by Gulbadan begum (his half-sister). The book provide the account of the life of Mughal Emperor Humayun.
10. Who wrote Sri Kalahasteeshwara Mahatyam?
[A] Dhurjati
[B] Allasani Peddana
[C] Pingali Surana
[D] Nandi Thimmana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Dhurjati]
Notes:
Dhurjati composed Sri Kalahasteeshwara Mahatyam (The grace/miracles of lord Shiva) and Sri Kalahasteeshwara Satakam (100+ poems in the praise of lord Shiva). He was in the court of the Emperor Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529 AD) and was one of the Ashtadiggajas (the group of eight Telugu poets).