1. Bobbili veena, also known as Saraswathi Veena or the Ekanda Veena, is a large plucked string instrument used in Carnatic classical music. It is made from which of the following trees?
[A] Sandalwood
[B] Jackwood
[C] Bamboo
[D] Rosewood
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Correct Answer: B [Jackwood]
Notes:
Bobbili veena, also known as Saraswathi Veena or the Ekanda Veena, is a large plucked string instrument used in Carnatic classical music. It is carved from a single piece of Jackwood. Jackwood is a rainforest tree.
2. Which of the following was the birth place of Guru Nanak ?
[A] Shakargarh
[B] Sultanpur
[C] Nankana Sahib
[D] Shahkot
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Correct Answer: C [Nankana Sahib]
Notes:
Nankana Sahib was the birth place of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikh religion. He was born in 1469 in a khatri family. He had strong faith in worship of Nirakar Brahma.
3. The Flamingo Festival is celebrated in__?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Karnataka
[C] Kerala
[D] Bihar
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Correct Answer: A [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
The annual “Flamingo Festival” began at Sullurpeta near the Pulicat lake bird sanctuary in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. The festival was being held every year to bring together the people and various departments in the task of preserving the Pulicat Lake and surroundings. Every year approximately 15,000 Greater Flamingos are reported to visit the lake along with pelicans, kingfishers, herons, painted storks, spoonbills and ducks.
4. Shintoism is a religion or belief expanded greatly in which country?
[A] China
[B] Thailand
[C] Burma
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Japan]
Notes:
Shintoism is a Japanese religion that originated in prehistoric times. The word “Shinto” literally means “the way of the gods”. Shinto is Japan’s indigenous belief system and predates historical records. The practices, attitudes, and institutions that make up Shinto revolve around the Japanese land and seasons and their relation with the human inhabitants. Shinto is classified as an East Asian religion by scholars of religion. Its practitioners often regard it as Japan’s indigenous religion and as a nature religion. Shinto has occupied an important national position for long periods in the history of Japan, particularly in recent times. As Japan expanded and became an empire in the 1900s, Shinto also became an important spiritual support mechanism for justifying Japanese expansion.
5. Which among the following sects was founded by Saint Tukaram?
[A] Pranami Sampraday
[B] Varkari Sect
[C] Rudra Sampradaya
[D] Sri Sampradaya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Varkari Sect]
Notes:
Varkari Sect is founded by saint Tukaram. It is a vasihnavite tradition. It is geographically associated with Maharashtra.
6. In which state of North east India “Dree Festival” which is a crop harvest festival is observed?
[A] Meghalaya
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Assam
[D] Nagaland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Arunachal Pradesh]
Notes:
“Dree Festival” which is a crop harvest festival is observed in Arunachal Pradesh. The Apatanis, who inhabit a tranquil pine clad valley called Ziro at the core of Lower Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh, are famous for their unique practice of wet rice cultivation.
7. 1996 was UN’s fiftieth anniversary year and this year was declared by United nations as “Year for Tolerance”. The same time frame also coincided with 125th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. In this connection, UNESCO had established a new award in the name of an Indian philanthropist for Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence. Who is this Indian philanthropist?
[A] Aga Khan III
[B] Dinshah Irani
[C] Ghanshyam Das Birla
[D] Madanjeet Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Madanjeet Singh]
Notes:
The correct answer is Madanjeet Singh. In 1995, UNESCO established the “Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence” to honor his contributions to peace and tolerance. Singh was an Indian diplomat and a prominent advocate for non-violence, aligning with the UN’s declaration of 1995 as the “Year for Tolerance” and the 125th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who is renowned for his philosophy of non-violence.
8. Who was the second guru of Sikhs ?
[A] Guru Angad
[B] Guru Amardas
[C] Guru Ramdas
[D] Guru Arjun Dev
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Correct Answer: A [Guru Angad]
Notes:
Guru Angad Dev ji (1504 -1552 AD) was the 2nd Guru of Sikhs, who popularised the use of simplified script, known as Gurmukhi script, by modifying the old Punjabi characters. It became the medium of writing the Punjabi language in which the hymns of the Gurus are expressed.
9. Who among the following Guru of Sikhs invented Gurumukhi ?
[A] Guru Angad
[B] Guru Amar Das
[C] Guru Nanak
[D] Guru Govind Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Guru Angad]
Notes:
Guru Angad Dev Ji, the 2nd guru of Sikhs, invented a new script for Punjabi language known as “Gurmukhi” in order to make the scriptures (Guru writings) available for the common people of the society. Gurmukhi means “from the mouth of the Guru.”
10. Who was the founder of Radha Swami Satsang in Agra?
[A] Radha Kant Dev
[B] Baba Ram Singh
[C] Keshab Chandra Sen
[D] Shiv Dayal Sahib
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Shiv Dayal Sahib]
Notes:
The Radhasoami Satsang was founded in Agra in 1861 by Shiv Dayal Sahib. The sole purpose of this satsang is to experience the divinity of God who resides in all of us. To realize the truth of the concept that there is only one God and we are all expressions of his love.