Indian Culture MCQs

Notes:
Santhara, also known as Sallekhana, is an important religious ritual in Jainism. It refers to a practice of voluntary death achieved through fasting. The tradition believes it to purify the soul and release it from the cycle of death and rebirth. Contrary to being considered suicide, it is viewed as an act of spiritual liberation and is usually undertaken after giving away all belongings, entering a state of meditation, and securing permission from spiritual authorities. It remains a controversial subject in modern-day law, due to issues about the legality and morality of death by self-starvation.

Notes:
Fautuhat-i-Ferozshahi was authored by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq himself. He was a Turkic Muslim ruler of the Tughlaq Dynasty, who reigned over the Sultanate of Delhi from 1351 to 1388 A.D.

Notes:
Vimana and Shikara are the man features of Dravida style of temple architecture. Unlike the nagara temple, the dravida temple is enclosed within a compound wall. The vimana is like a stepped pyramid that rise up geometrically rather than the curving shikhara of north India.

Notes:
Saint Alphonsa became the first person of Indian origin to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 2008. She was known for her severe ascetism and spiritual suffering. A commemorative coin was issued by the Government of India in her memory in 2009, highlighting her significance and contribution to Indian Christian history. She is the second Indian to be elevated to sainthood, following Gonsalo Garcia, a 16th-century martyr who was canonized in 1862.

Notes:
To spread Sikhism among the people, Guru Amar Das ji, the 3rd guru of Sikhs, started the Manji and Piri system by appointing  94 men as Manji and 52 women as Piris. Excerpts of the works contributed by him for the society are as follows:
a) Strictly prohibited the practice of Sati system and Pardah System.
b) Started the langar ( or community kitchen) to abolish caste system.
c) Composed Anand Sahib, a part of the Nitnem (daily prayers).

Notes:
Kovai Kora cotton is a blend of silk and cotton and Kora another product that is found more in the Sirumugai area of Tamil Nadu.  This art is mostly practised by people belonging to the Devanga community, who are involved mostly in weaving Kovai Kora cotton saris and they are the pioneers also in making the product. It received GI status in 2014.

Notes:
Siddhasena Divakara was a Digambara monk in the fifth century CE. He was a contemporary of Vikramaditya and wrote Nyayavatra, a work on pure logic.

Notes:
The Amman and Kalyana Mandapam are regarded as essential components of temple architecture within the Vijayanagara Empire. This empire, founded in 1336 AD by Harihara and Bukka, is characterized by distinctive architectural features:

• Kalyana Mandapam: This is a square, elevated platform enclosed by intricately adorned pillars. It served as the site for ceremonies symbolizing the marriage between the temple’s deity and their consort.
• Amman Shrine: A subsidiary shrine dedicated to the consort of a male deity.
• Raya Gopurams: These are imposing gateways.
• Garbhagriha: The central sanctum of a temple.
• Pillared Halls: Halls featuring elaborately decorated pillars.
• High Towers: Prominent spires.
• Wide Marriage Halls: Expansive halls used for marriage ceremonies.
• Meeting Halls: Spaces for gatherings.
• Spring Pavilions: Pavilion-like structures.

The Vijayanagara Empire drew inspiration from earlier empires, including the Hoysala, Chola, and Chalukya, amalgamating these influences to create a distinctive and unique architectural style.

Notes:
Gandhara art is known for the first sculptural representations of the Buddha in human form. The art was primarily Mahayana and shows Greco-Roman influence. All the Ellora caves ,Ajanta caves and Elephanta caves has the influence of Gnadhara school of art but the Khajuraho temple does not relate to this art form.

Notes:
Lotus is the National Flower of India. It is a sacred flower and occupies a unique position in the art and mythology of ancient India and has been an auspicious symbol of Indian culture since time immemorial. India is rich in flora.