1. Which among the following Mudra is the gesture of Buddha as depicted in his first sermon?
[A] Abhaya Mudra
[B] Dhyana Mudra
[C] Dharmachakra Mudra
[D] Bhumisparsa Mudra
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Correct Answer: C [ Dharmachakra Mudra ]
Notes:
The sermon Buddha gave to the five monks was his first sermon, called the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. The Seated Buddha from Gandhara is an early statue of the Buddha made in Gandhara, in modern Pakistan, in the 2nd or 3rd century The pose, which was to become one of a number of standard ones, shows Buddha as a teacher setting the wheel of Dharma in motion (Dharmachakra Mudra). Buddha did this following his enlightenment and after delivering his first sermon at the deer park at Sarnath near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
2. Castle Naggar heritage site is located in __:
[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Punjab
[C] Odisha
[D] Haryana
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Correct Answer: A [Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
Naggar Castle is a medieval castle, located in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. It was Built by Raja Sidh Singh of Kullu in around 1460 A.D. It was the official seat of kings for centuries.
3. Which School of Art is also recognized as the “mature” school?
[A] Kushana School
[B] Andhra School
[C] Arafat School
[D] Mathura School
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Correct Answer: A [Kushana School]
Notes:
The Kushana School of Art, also known as the mature school, has a unique amalgamation of Indian and Greek artistry. The school flourished during the Kushana Empire and was greatly influenced by the cultural confluence with the Romans. While the Gandhara and Mathura schools predominantly shaped the Kushana Art, the amalgamation formed a mature phase in the evolution of Indian art, hence earning the moniker.
4. Dhundiraj Govind was the first name of which of the following legends of Indian Cinema?
[A] Dada Saheb Phalke
[B] Dev Anand
[C] Guru Datt
[D] Prithviraj Kapoor
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Correct Answer: A [Dada Saheb Phalke]
Notes:
Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, popularly known as Dadasaheb Phalke, was an Indian producer-director-screenwriter, known as the Father of Indian cinema. His debut film, Raja Harishchandra, was the first Indian movie in 1913, and is now known as India’s first full-length feature film. His first name is Dhundiraj Govind.
5. In which type of following classical dance forms of India the Pung which is a drum is a integral part?
[A] Bharatnatyam
[B] Kathakali
[C] Kuchipudi
[D] Manipuri
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Correct Answer: D [Manipuri]
Notes:
Punj or Drum dance is a dance that belongs to Manipur. The Pung cholom is a Manipuri dance. It is the soul of Manipuri Sankirtana music and classical Manipuri dance.
6. The Zend-Avesta is the sacred book of _?
[A] Jews
[B] Christian
[C] Parsis
[D] Buddhist
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Correct Answer: C [Parsis]
Notes:
Zend-Avesta is the sacred book of Zoroastrianism. It contains the teachings of the prophet Zoroaster, as well as the cosmogony, law, and liturgy of the religion. The Parsees still use the Zend-Avesta as their bible and prayer book.
The Zend-Avesta is written in the Avestan language, which is also called the Zend language. The Avestan language is an eastern Iranian language.
The Zend-Avesta is all that remains of a much larger body of scripture. It is believed to be Zarathushtra’s transformation of a very ancient tradition.
7. Which of the following sites of India is inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list?
[A] Lotus temple
[B] Ancient Buddha site
[C] Meenakshi Temple
[D] Ellora caves
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ellora caves]
Notes:
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites are important places of cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972. Total number of UNESCO World Heritage Site in India is 37 (1 mixed, 7 Natural and 29 Cultural).
8. Sanjukta Panigrahi was famous for which of the following dances?
[A] Manipuri
[B] Kaththak
[C] Bharatnatyam
[D] Odissi
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Correct Answer: D [Odissi]
Notes:
Sanjukta Panigrahi was a dancer from India, who was the foremost exponent of Indian classical dance Odissi. Sanjukta was the first Odia woman to embrace this ancient classical dance at an early age and ensure its grand revival.
9. Who was the pioneer of the ‘Indian Society of Oriental Art’?
[A] B.C. Sanyal
[B] Abanindranath Tagore
[C] Nandlal Bose
[D] Jamini Roy
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Correct Answer: B [Abanindranath Tagore]
Notes:
Abanindranath Tagore was a renowned Indian artist and the creator of the ‘Indian Society of Oriental Art’. Abanindranath Tagore was a nephew of Rabindranath Tagore. He was an Indian painter. He was first Indian artist to gain international recognition and was the principal artist.
10. Who was the first Hindi writer to receive Jnanpith Award?
[A] Mahadevi Verma
[B] Sumitranandan Pant
[C] Dr. Ramdhari Singh Dinkar
[D] S.H. Vatsyayan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sumitranandan Pant]
Notes:
Sumitranandan Pant was an Indian poet. He was one of the most celebrated “Progressive” left-wing 20th century poets of the Hindi language and was known for romanticism in his poems which were inspired by nature, people and beauty within.