1. The “Nayanars” from ancient times were primarily associated with which Hindu deity?
[A] Vishnu
[B] Shiva
[C] Hanuman
[D] Ganesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shiva]
Notes:
The Nayanars were a group of 63 saints specifically associated with Lord Shiva. They were notable figures in Tamil Nadu who propagated the Bhakti Movement with their devotional teachings, poetic expressions, and fervor for their deity. Their heartfelt verses are renowned in Tamil literature. This period marked a significant transition from ritualistic worship towards a more personal and emotional approach towards divinity, contributing significantly to the cultural and spiritual heritage of Tamil Nadu.
2. Who was the founder of Lingayat Sect ?
[A] Jagjivan Das
[B] Basava
[C] Ramdas
[D] Kabir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Basava]
Notes:
Lingayatism was founded by the 12th century Kannada poet and a social reformer Basava and gave Ishta linga – in the form of a universal divine concept for worship.Their devotees have the Shiva as a centre of worship in the form of Linga. Basava was the Prime Minister of Kalacuri Bijjala, King at Kalyani (1156 AD).
3. Who among the following Sikh Gurus is known for introducing the Anand Karaj?
[A] Guru Angad
[B] Guru Amar Das
[C] Guru Tegh Bahadur
[D] Guru Arjun Dev
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Guru Amar Das]
Notes:
Guru Amar das ji, the 3rd guru of Sikhs, is known for introducing the Anand Karaj ( Sikh marriage ceremony). As per the rules and regulations of Sikhism, persons not conceding the Sikh faith cannot be joined in marriage by the Anand Karaj ceremony.The notable points are Sikhs practise monogamy and widows or widowers may remarry.
4. Who among the following authors wrote “Chandayan”?
[A] Abdul Qadir Badyuni
[B] Mulla Daud
[C] Kamgar Khan
[D] Mutamid Khan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mulla Daud]
Notes:
Mulla Daud was the first poet in the ideology of Sufism belonged to Dalmau (Raebareli). His famous poem “Laur Chanda”( or Chandayan) was composed in Avadhi language in 14th century AD. It’s a love story of Norak and Chanda. He presented his work to his patron Jaunashah, who was a noble of Firoj Shah Tughlaq.
5. Which among the following is NOT among the Panchabhutas as per ancient Indian philosophy?
[A] Earth
[B] Fire
[C] Water
[D] Space
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Space]
Notes:
There are nine substances viz. prithvi (earth), ap (water), tejas (fire), vayu (air), akasha (ether), kala (time), dik (space), atman (self) and manas (mind). The first five are called bhutas (Panchabhutas) the substances having some specific qualities so that they could be perceived by one or the other external senses.
6. Which among the following term correctly represents the religious and belief systems in which items in nature such as animals, trees or mountains can have spiritual value?
[A] Animism
[B] Syncretic religion
[C] Tribalism
[D] Hybrid religion
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Animism]
Notes:
Animistic religions such as voodoun are based on items in nature having spiritual value. Syncretic religions are ones that have integrated the beliefs of two or more other religions. An example would be Sikhism, drawing from both Hinduism and Islam. Please don’t confuse with tribalism. Although many of the world’s tribal groups have animistic beliefs, they are identified as a social unit, not a religion. Hybrid religious practices can describe the syncretic or involve the worship of two or more religions simultaneously
7. It is a traditional festival celebrated in the month of March-April after completion of the Jhum operation for agriculture. It is one of three annual festivals of the Mizos tribe celebrated to mark three different stages of the agricultural cycle. This festival is celebrated to thank the gods for saving the people from harm during the clearing of forest on hill slopes for Jhum cultivation at the beginning of a year. The name of the festival is _?
[A] Losar
[B] Kandhei Jatra
[C] Chapchar Kut
[D] Hornbill
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chapchar Kut]
Notes:
Chapchar Kut is a traditional festival of Mizoram. It is celebrated in the month of March-April after completion of the Jhum operation i.e., jungle-clearing for agriculture. It is one of three annual festivals of the Mizos tribe celebrated to mark three different stages of the agricultural cycle. The festival is to be celebrated to thank the gods for saving the people from harm during the clearing of forest on hill slopes for Jhum cultivation at the beginning of a year. This festival is said to have involved in 1450-1700 A.D. in a village called Suaipui in Mizoram.
8. The Putul Nautch puppetry art belongs to which state of India?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [West Bengal ]
Notes:
The traditional rod puppet form of West Bengal is known as Putul Nautch. They are carved from wood and follow the various artistic styles of a particular region
9. Which one of the following films was not directed by Satyajit Ray ?
[A] Pather Panchali
[B] Charulata
[C] Aparajita
[D] Salaam Bombay
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Salaam Bombay]
Notes:
Satyajit Ray was an Indian filmmaker who worked prominently in Bengali cinema and who has often been regarded as one of the great directors of world cinema. Ray was awarded India’s highest award in cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, in 1984 and India’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, in 1992.
10. Gandhara art is a combination of which of the following styles?
[A] Indian Style + Kushan Style
[B] Greek Style + Kushan Style
[C] Indian Style + Greek Style
[D] Indian Style + Persian Style
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian Style + Kushan Style]
Notes:
Gandhara art, style of Buddhist visual art that developed in what is now northwestern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan between the 1st century bce and the 7th century bce. It is a combination of Indian style and Kushan style.