1. Where is the Tagore Centre for the Study of Culture and Civilization ?
[A] Shimla
[B] Kolkata
[C] Chennai
[D] Dehrdun
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Correct Answer: A [Shimla]
Notes:
To pay a befitting tribute to the man of letters, Nobel Laureate, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, on his 150th birth anniversary, the Government of India has set up a ‘Tagore Centre for the Study of Culture and Civilization’ (TCSCC) at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla. The objectives of the Centre include: to encourage the study of Tagore’s work; support translations of Tagore’s work into other Indian languages; promote comparative study of his work with poets, artists and writers in other parts of India and the world; study the elements of his Humanist philosophy and his cosmopolitanism; and explore his concerns regarding the relationship between science and society.
2. The festival Baisakhi or Vaisakhi is commemorates which among the following important event of Sikh History?
[A] Establishment of Akal Takht
[B] Establishment of Khalasa Panth
[C] Establishment of Guru Granth Sahib as permanent guru of Sikhs
[D] Foundation of Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Establishment of Khalasa Panth]
Notes:
The festival of Baisakhi is to commemorate Establishment of Khalasa Panth . The term ‘Khalsa’ means sovereign or free. It was on this day in 1699, when the tenth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji established the Khalsa Panth.
3. In which city is the dargah (tomb) of sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti located ?
[A] Delhi
[B] Ghaziabad
[C] Ajmer
[D] Gwalior
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Correct Answer: C [Ajmer]
Notes:
Ajmer Sharif Dargah is a sufi shrine of the sufi saint, Moinuddin Chishti, located at Ajmer, Rajasthan. He was born in Sanjar. He is considered as the founder of the Chisti order of Sufism.
4. Which among the following is the oldest surviving rock-cut cave in India ?
[A] Bagh Caves
[B] Ellora Caves
[C] Uday Giri Caves
[D] Barabar Caves
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Correct Answer: D [Barabar Caves]
Notes:
Barabar Caves in Bihar is one of the oldest surviving rock cut cave in India. It dates from the mauryan empire.
5. Which among the following is NOT a classical language?
[A] Tamil
[B] Telugu
[C] Kannada
[D] Rajasthani
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Correct Answer: D [Rajasthani]
Notes:
As of October 2024, India recognizes eleven classical languages: Tamil (2004), Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), Odia (2014), and, more recently, Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali (all in 2024). These languages are esteemed for their antiquity, rich literary heritage, and significant cultural contributions. The designation aims to preserve and promote India’s diverse linguistic legacy.
6. In which of the following states of India Rigon Thupten Mindroling monastery is located , which was inaugurated by Dalai Lama in 2010?
[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Odisha
[D] Sikkim
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Correct Answer: C [Odisha]
7. Who among the following is known for the famous quote “an uncontrolled pen serves but to destroy.”?
[A] Jawahar Lal Nehru
[B] Mahatma Gandhi
[C] Leo Tolstoy
[D] Rabindranath Tagore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mahatma Gandhi]
Notes:
The name of the autobiography of Gandhiji is “The Story of My Experiments with Truth”. It was published in 1927. In this book he wrote “In the very first month of Indian Opinion, I realised that the sole aim of journalism should be service. The newspaper press is a great power, but just as an unchained torrent of water submerges whole countryside and devastates crops, even so an uncontrolled pen serves but to destroy”.
8. Which period is regarded as the Golden age of Telugu literature?
[A] Satavahana rule
[B] Eastern Chalukyan rule
[C] Vijayanagara rule
[D] Kakatiya rule
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Correct Answer: C [Vijayanagara rule]
Notes:
The period of Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1565) is regarded as the Golden age of Telugu literature.
9. Khwaja Fariduddin Masud is popularly known by what name?
[A] Bahauddin Zakaria
[B] Shah Barkatullah
[C] Baba Farid
[D] Hamiddudin Nagauri
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Correct Answer: C [Baba Farid]
Notes:
Khwaja Fariduddin Masud, better known as Baba Farid, was a highly revered Islamic scholar in the 12th-century. This saintly figure is known for his contributions to Punjabi literature, having composed numerous verses and hymns. His wisdom revolved around themes of God’s love, and he was instrumental in spreading the message of Sufism, a mystical sect of Islam. His teachings and works continue to hold spiritual significance among believers.
10. For the first time, Indian Music genres were divided into Marga Sangeet (Classical Music) and Desi Sangeet (Folk Music) by __?
[A] Natyashashtra
[B] Brihaddeshi
[C] Sangeet Ratnakara
[D] Sangeet Martand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Brihaddeshi]
Notes:
In post Gupta period, a great treatise only after Natya Shastra was composed in Sanskrit as Brihaddeshi by Matanga Muni. Brihaddeshi is the first text that speaks about raga and distinguishes the music genres into Marga Sangeet (Classical Music) and Desi Sangeet (Folk Music). Brihaddeshi was also the important work on Indian music before the Islam came and influenced the Indian music. Brihaddeshi was based upon the Natya Shastra itself and has clarified many things which were unclear in the Bharata’s text.
