1. Which of the following features of Indian temples resembles pylons of the Egyptian temples?
[A] Lat
[B] Vimana
[C] Gopura
[D] Shikhara
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Correct Answer: C [ Gopura ]
Notes:
Buddhists, Jains, and Hindus have directed an almost equal attention to the Gopura or gateways o f their towns and temples. These, both in form and purpose, resemble the pylons of the Egyptian temples.
2. The annual “Royal Kathina Ceremony” is associated with which of the following religions?
[A] Jainism
[B] Buddhim
[C] Parsi
[D] Sikhism
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Correct Answer: B [Buddhim]
Notes:
The Royal Kathina Ceremony is observed every year by Buddhist. It is observed in only one Buddhist temple outside Thailand and this year the Namphake Buddhist temple of Assam was selected. Kathina offering is an ancient Buddhist Tradition of offering special robe and other necessities to monks who maintain strict discipline of retreat during the rainy season. The main purpose of the ceremony is not merely for religious belief but also to strengthen the relationship between Thailand and other countries.
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. With which of the following is most closely related Rgyud-bzi practiced in many parts of North India?
[A] Medicine
[B] Custom
[C] Agriculture
[D] Sports
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Correct Answer: A [Medicine]
Notes:Rgyud-bzi is a practice of medicine that is practiced in many parts of North India. It is similar to Ayurveda and involves some principles of traditional Chinese medicine.
Rgyud-bzi is the standard book of Tibetan medicine. The book describes the Tibetan medical system as a tree. The tree is based on three routes of approaching wellbeing:
- Determining whether the body is healthy or ill
- Three types of evaluation
- A variety of complementary and alternative cures
Traditional Tibetan medicine is known as Sowa Rigpa. It is based on Buddhist tradition. Buddha’s teachings spread in Tibet after the eleventh century.
Tibetan medicine has long-term clinical practices and has proven beneficial in the treatment of chronic diseases. These include hepatitis, high altitude polycythemia, gastritis, stroke, cholecystitis, and rheumatism.
5. “Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health” is located in:
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamilnadu
[C] West Bengal
[D] Goa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamilnadu]
Notes:
The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, also known as the “Vailankanni Shrine,” is a famous Catholic pilgrimage site located in Vailankanni, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is renowned for its healing miracles and religious significance.
6. Which among the following states leads in Handloom and Handicrafts clusters in India?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Maharastra
[C] Odisha
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
The correct answer is Uttar Pradesh. It is a leading state in India for handloom and handicrafts, particularly known for its rich tradition of weaving, including the famous Banarasi sarees. Uttar Pradesh has numerous clusters, such as Varanasi for silk weaving and Bhadohi for carpets, contributing importantly to the state’s economy and cultural heritage. The state also supports artisans through various government initiatives and schemes aimed at preserving traditional crafts.
7. Which of the following instruments is also known as the "King of Percussion"?
[A] Mridangam
[B] Pakhawaj
[C] Ghatam
[D] Dholak
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Correct Answer: A [ Mridangam]
Notes:
Mridangam is also known as the “King of Percussion”
8. Muziris Heritage Project is a Green Project of which state?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Kerala
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
Muziris was an ancient seaport and urban centre on the Malabar Coast that dates from at least the 1st century BC. It was an important trading port, whose exports – especially black pepper–was well known across the world. Kerala has recently announced to develop the port as its first green project.
9. Which among the following ancient Indian scriptures are characterized by five characteristics or Pancha-Lakshana viz., history, cosmology (with various symbolical illustrations of philosophical principles), secondary creation, genealogy of kings and of Manvantaras?
[A] Itihasas
[B] Agamas
[C] Puranas
[D] Subhasitas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Puranas
]
Notes:
The Puranas are of the same class as the Itihasas. They have five characteristics (Pancha-Lakshana) viz., history, cosmology (with various symbolical illustrations of philosophical principles), secondary creation, genealogy of kings and of Manvantaras. All the Puranas belong to the class of Suhrit-Samhitas.
10. Who among the following is associated with the field of sculpture ?
[A] Ram Kinkar
[B] Raja Ravi Varma
[C] Manjit Bawa
[D] Saroja Vaidyanathan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ram Kinkar]
Notes:
Ramkinkar Baij was an Indian sculptor and painter, one of the pioneers of modern Indian sculpture and a key figure of Contextual Modernism. He is a noted scholar on Indian scriptures and a recipient of Padma Bhushan in 1999.