1. Which of the following features of Indian temples resembles pylons of the Egyptian temples?
[A] Lat
[B] Vimana
[C] Gopura
[D] Shikhara
Show Answer
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 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. The Pagodas at Mahabalipuram had been constructed by ___?
[A] Cholas
[B] Chalukyas of Kalyani
[C] Pallavas
[D] Pandyas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Pallavas]
Notes:
Pallava dynasty: the reign of Narasimhavarman I : constructed five rath temples at the port town of Mamllapuram (Mahabalipuram) These are now known as seven raths or Pagodas.
4. Who among the following is the author of Kitab-ur-Rehla?
[A] Maulana Sharafuddin Ali Yazid
[B] Amir Timur
[C] Ibn-i-Batuta
[D] Khwaja Abdullah Malik Isami
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ibn-i-Batuta]
Notes:
Ibn batutta was an Arab traveler and adventure frm Morocoo. His book is a primary source of history of the region of Muhmmad bin Tughluq it throws ligh on the socio-political condition of his times.
5. Which among the following is the correct description of Nagara , Dravida and Vesara?
[A] The three main racial groups
[B] Three Linguistic Divisions
[C] Three main styles of Indian temple architecture
[D] Musical Gharanas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Three main styles of Indian temple architecture]
Notes:
Nagara, Dravida, and Vesara are indeed the three main styles of Indian temple architecture. 1. Nagara: Predominantly found in northern India, characterized by curvilinear shikhara (tower) and intricate carvings. 2. Dravida: Common in southern India, featuring pyramid-shaped towers (vimanas) and extensive use of stone. 3. Vesara: A hybrid style combining elements of both Nagara and Dravida, seen in regions like Karnataka. These styles reflect the diverse cultural and religious influences across India, with temples serving as important architectural and spiritual landmarks.
6. 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.
7. Who is the author of the celebrated literary work, Gita Govinda?
[A] Jayadeva
[B] Bhavabhuti
[C] Kalidasa
[D] Manu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jayadeva]
Notes:
The Gita Govinda, a 12th-century work that expresses the divine love of the Hindu deity Krishna and his consort Radha, was composed by the renowned poet Jayadeva. Jayadeva was a prominent poet of Bengal, revered as one of the five gems in the court of Lakshman Sen, the ruler of the Sena dynasty. His lyrical compositions significantly influenced the Bhakti movement, promoting devotion to deity through song.
8. Thillana is a format of which of the following dances? (UPSC Prelims 1992)
[A] Kathak
[B] Kuchipudi
[C] Odissi
[D] Bharatnatyam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bharatnatyam]
Notes:
• Thillana is one of the presentation styles in Bharatanatyam, where a host of dancers perform together, exploring the extent of strong kinetics. This style requires exemplary skills in terms of rhythm, timing and synchronization in order to radiate the unique performance charm associated with it.
• It is usually the culminating piece of a Bharatanatyam performance. Graceful body movements and some elements of Abhinaya (acting) combine in Thillana.
• Bharatanatyam, an ancient Indian classical dance form which had its origin in Tamil Nadu has also roots in the Natya Sastra, a treatise on dance by sage Bharata. This dance form is the manifestation of the ancient Indian idea of the celebration of the eternal universe through the celebration of the beauty of the mortal human body.
9. Which one of the following languages belongs to the Austric group? (UPSC Prelims 1998)
[A] Marathi
[B] Ladakhi
[C] Khasi
[D] Tamil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Tamil]
Notes:
Austric group (Nishada) spoken by 1.38% of total Indian population, this group includes mainly tribal languages and dialects of the central tribal belt, Khasi and Jaintia hills of Meghalaya and Nicobar island.
10. Consider the following pairs:
- Mrichchakatikam — Shudraka
- Buddhacharita — Vasuvandhu
- Mudrarakshasha — Vishakhadatta
- Harshacharita — Banabhatta
Select the correctly matched pairs using the codes given below: (UPSC Prelims 1998)
[A] 1, 2, 3 and 4
[B] 1, 3 and 4
[C] 1 and 4
[D] 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1, 3 and 4]
Notes:
Explanation: Buddhacharita is an epic poem in the Sanskrit mahakavya style on the life of Gautama Buddha by Aśvaghoṣa, composed in the early second century CE. Of the poem’s 28 cantos, the first 14 are extant in Sanskrit complete.