1. 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.
2. “Shesher Kabita” is the reknowned work of which among the following legends?
[A] Rabindranath Tagore
[B] Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay
[C] Narendranath Mitra
[D] Dinabandhu Mitra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rabindranath Tagore]
Notes:
Shesher Kabita is a novel by Rabindranath Tagore, widely considered a landmark in Bengali literature. The novel was serialised in 1928 from Bhadro to Choitro in the magazine Probashi, and was published in book form the following year.
3. 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”.
4. ‘Me-Dam-Me-Phi’ festival is a festival of which the communities in North Eastern India?
[A] Tai-Ahom
[B] Deori Tribe
[C] Garo
[D] Khasi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tai-Ahom]
Notes:
‘Me-Dam-Me-Phi’ festival of the Tai Ahom community of Assam.The Tai-Ahoms extend offerings to their departed ancestors and offer sacrifices to Gods in traditional manner..
5. The doctrine of ‘Vyuhavada’ is associated with which among the following Sects (or) cults of India?
[A] Shaivism
[B] Vaishnavism
[C] Buddhism
[D] Jainism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vaishnavism]
Notes:
Vyuhavada is a Hindu philosophy related to Bhagwatism. So it is associated with the Vaishnavism.
6. Who among the following was the poets composed Sur Sagar?
[A] Surdas
[B] Mira Bai
[C] Jagjivan Das
[D] Kabir Das
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Surdas]
Notes:
Saint Surdas ji was an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna and Radha, known for his devotional songs dedicated to Lord Krishna. He composed Sur Sagar (Ocean of Melody), Sur Saravali and Sahitya Ratna. He was blind from birth belong to saguna school of Bhakti Kal.
7. Which of the following is / are examples of Indian martial arts?
- Thang-Ta
- Kalaripayattu
- Silambam
- Mudiyettu
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1, 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
Thang-ta
Thang-ta is a weapon-based Indian martial art created by the Meitei of Manipur. In the Manipuri language, thang means sword and ta means spear, referring to the art’s primary weapons. Thang Ta is also a popular form in Manipuri dance.
Silambam
Silambam is a weapon-based Indian martial art from Tamil Nadu, but also traditionally practised by the Tamil community of Sri Lanka and Malaysia. It is closely related to Keralan kalaripayat and Sri Lankan angampora.
Kalaripayattu
Kalaripayattu is an Indian martial art from Kerala. It is one of the most ancient fighting systems that are even practiced today. It was originally practised in Kerala and some parts of Karnataka. Today it is practiced in Kerala, Tamil Nadu as well as Karnataka and some parts of Shri Lanka.
Mudiyettu
Mudiyettu is the name of a dance drama of Kerala, which is based upon the mythological tale of battle, depicting glory and triumph of Bhagavathy over the demon Darika. This along with Koodiyattam, Ram Lila and Vedic Chanting have been recognized by the UNESCO as ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”.
8. In context with Indian literature, which among the following scriptures is called Suhrit-Samhitas or the Friendly Treatises?
[A] Itihasas
[B] Puranas
[C] Agamas
[D] Darsanas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Itihasas]
Notes:
There are four books under this heading: The Valmiki-Ramayana, the Yogavasishtha, The Mahabharata and the Harivamsa. These embody all that is in the Vedas, but only in a simpler manner. These are called the Suhrit-Samhitas or the Friendly Treatises, while the Vedas are called the Prabhu-Samhitas or the Commanding Treatises with great authority. These works explain the great universal truths in the form of historical narratives, stories and dialogues. These are very interesting volumes and are liked by all, from the inquisitive child to the intellectual scholar.
9. Dandia is a form of dance associated with which of the following state?
[A] Haryana
[B] Punjab
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Gujarat]
Notes:
Dandiya are the featured dances of Navratri evenings in Gujarat. Dandiya is the traditional folk dance form of Gujarat & Rajasthan India, and is associated with scenes of Holi, and lila of Krishna and Radha at Vrindavan.
10. Who designed the city of Chandigarh? (UPSC Prelims 1980).
[A] Le Corbusier
[B] Jacob Epstein
[C] Rodhin Auguste
[D] Ferdinand M. V. De Lesseps
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Le Corbusier]
Notes:
Chandigarh is the dream city of India’s first Prime Minister, Sh. Jawahar Lal Nehru. It was planned by the famous French architect Le Corbusier. It is located at the foothills of Shivaliks. It is known as one of the best experiments in urban planning and modern architecture in the twentieth century in India.