1. The first novel written by Sunil Gangopadhyay is :
[A] Athmo Prakash (Self-Revelation)
[B] Pratham Alo (First Light)
[C] Purba Pachim (East and West)
[D] Shei Shomay (Those Days)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Athmo Prakash (Self-Revelation)]
Notes:
Starting off his six-decade literary career as a bohemian poet and editor of Kritibas, a monthly poetry magazine, Sunil Gangopadhyay wrote his first novel, Athmo Prakash (Self-Revelation), at the behest of the editor of the hugely popular periodical Desh for its special Durga Puja edition. Two of the most critically acclaimed films of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray — Pratidwandi and Aranyer Din Ratri — were based on novels written by him.
2. Sayana, an important commentator on Vedas was associated with which among the following empires?
[A] Chola Empire
[B] Vijayanagar Empire
[C] Hoyasala Empire
[D] Bahmani Empire
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vijayanagar Empire]
Notes:
Sayana was an important commentator on the Vedas. His commentary on the Rigveda was edited by Max Müller, 1849-1875.He flourished under the king Bukka I and his successor Harihara II in the Vijayanagar Empire.
3. Yājñavalkya Smrti was written in which among the following era?
[A] Vedic Period
[B] Later Vedic Period
[C] Maurya Period
[D] Gupta Period
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Gupta Period]
Notes:
The Yājñavalkya Smrti is a Dharma-related texts of Hinduism composed in Sanskrit. It is dated to between the 3rd to 5th-century CE, and belongs to the Gupta period.
4. Brahma Sutra of Badrayan are the logical point of starting of which of the following philosophies?
[A] Vaisheshika
[B] Nyaya
[C] Vedanta
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vedanta]
Notes:
The Brahma Sutras is a Sanskrit text, attributed to Badarayana, estimated to have been completed in approx. 400-450 CE. It talks about the vedic philosophy of Vedanta.
5. Who among the following was instrumental in designing New Delhi in collaboration with Edwin Lutyens?
[A] John Abel
[B] Thomas Warr Attwood
[C] Simon Basil
[D] Herbert Baker
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Herbert Baker]
Notes:
Herber Baker was instrumental in designing New Delhi in collaboration with Edwin Lutyens. Lutyens also designed Viceroy’s House, which is now known as the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
6. In which of the following fields Moortidevi Award is conferred?
[A] Science & Technology
[B] Law
[C] Literature
[D] Social Services
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Literature]
Notes:
Moortidevi Award is given by Bharatiya Jnanpith to Indian writers writing in 22 Indian languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution and English. It was instituted in 1961 but was first given in 1983. The first recipient of the award was the Kannada writer C. K. Nagaraja Rao (1983) for his novel, Pattamahadevi Shantala Devi.
7. Ancient Bhima Devi Temple is located in which state ?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Haryana
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Haryana]
Notes:
Bhima Devi Temple Complex, also known as Khajuraho of North India is located in Pinjore town in Panchkula district of Haryana. This temple was built between 8-11 century AD and is known for its erotic sculptures like Khajuraho.
8. In which of the following city Elephant festival is celebrated annually?
[A] Jaipur
[B] Jodhpur
[C] Kota
[D] Ajmer
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jaipur]
Notes:
The Elephant Festival is an annual event that is celebrated in Jaipur every year; it attracts tons of visitors from around the country. This festival of spring also signifies celebrating the colours of the season.
9. Who was Namdev ?
[A] He was a Tailor by caste
[B] His bhakti songs have been included in the Adi Granth
[C] He was considered to be the part of the Varkari tradition
[D] All of these
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of these]
Notes:
Namdev is considered to be a part of the varkari tradition (Vaishnava devotional tradition) was born in Maharashtra in 1270 AD, belong to chipi (cloth painter) caste. He composed hymns on Marathi and some of his verses were included in the Guru Granth Sahib (or Adi Granth). He was a precursor of Kabir and Guru Nanak. His abhangas (or devotional lyrics) were known as Namdevachi.
10. Which of the following is indicated by the oval ring around the original figure of Shiva Nataraja?
[A] Universe
[B] Cosmic Fire
[C] Cycle of birth and death
[D] Cosmic rhythm
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Cosmic Fire]
Notes:
There is an oval ring around the original figure of Shiva Nataraja. It represents the cosmic fire he uses to destroy the universe as part of the cycle of destruction and creation. Each flame has three points. In the eleventh and twelfth centuries, a round circle of fire with flames of five points became typical for the Shiva Nataraja image.
