1. Who among the following authors is known for his satires exposing the evils of contemporary society ?
[A] Ksemendra
[B] Pravarsena
[C] Sriharsa
[D] Visakhadutta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ksemendra]
Notes:
Kshemendra was a Kashmirian poet of the 11th century, writing in Sanskrit.In his most of the works like ‘Kalavilas’, ‘Narma Mala’ describes the inner weakness of man and society and the corrupt official machinery of those times.In his one of the work ‘Samaya Matrika’ ,he depicted super seductress ‘Kankali’ character By depicting it ,he wishes to reform the degradation in the society. In short Ksemendra had chosen the vehicle of satire.
2. Kargam is a folk dance of which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Karnataka
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Karagam is a traditional dance of Tamil Nadu, which is performed by male dancers. In this dance, the dancer wears dhoti and garlands, and dons a kalash, or pitcher, filled with water and uncooked rice on his head (as a symbol of life and fertility). The The pitcher, decorated by a flower-bedecked conical bamboo frame, is balanced by the dancer on his head. Karagam dancers move in a procession throughout the village to reach the temple of the goddess, accompanied by the drum called nadaswaram and other instruments.
3. The following places represent the contemporary 4 Dhamas of Hindu Pilgrimage in India?
[A] Badrinath -Kedarnath – Amarnath – Vaishnodevi
[B] Badrinath – Kedarnatrh – Gangotri – Yamunotri
[C] Badrinath – Kedarnath – Rameshwaram – Puri
[D] Badrinath -Rameshwaram -Puri -Dwarka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Badrinath -Rameshwaram -Puri -Dwarka]
Notes:
Badrinath -Rameshwaram -Puri -Dwarka and they represent 4 corners of the country
4. Which state of India is associated with the Folk Dance Teratali?
[A] Haryana
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Punjab
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rajasthan]
Notes:
Tera Tali is a famous folk dance of Rajasthan. It is Performed by the ‘Kamar’ tribe. The women folk sit on the ground while performing the Tera Tali.
5. Who among the following Sikh Gurus started the Manji and Piri system?
[A] Guru Angad
[B] Guru Amar Das
[C] Guru Tegh Bahadur
[D] Guru Arjun Dev
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Guru Amar Das]
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).
6. With reference to India’s culture and tradition, what is ‘Pookalam’?
[A] It is a type of Indian tribal martial dance in the state of Manipur
[B] It is a type of type of flower Rangoli in the state of Kerala
[C] It is a type of musical instrument used in Carnatic music
[D] It is a type of painting famous in the state of Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [It is a type of type of flower Rangoli in the state of Kerala]
Notes:
Pookalam is a beautiful and intricate floral design or arrangement that is traditionally created during the festival of Onam in the Indian state of Kerala. Onam is one of the most significant festivals in Kerala and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and cultural fervor. Pookalam plays a central role in the festivities, and it is a symbol of the rich cultural heritage of the state.
7. The Aitareya Aranyakas and the Kaushitaki Aranyakas are associated with which of the following Vedas?
[A] Rig-Veda
[B] Sama-Veda
[C] Yajur-Veda
[D] Atharva-Veda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Rig-Veda]
Notes:
Each Veda has its own Aranyakas and Upanisads. Aranyakas were mainly meant for ascetics who lived in forest. Kaushitaki Aranyakas and Aitareya Aranyakas are parts of Rig-Veda.
8. In which Indian city, would you find the mosque with “Shaking Minarets”?
[A] Hyderabad
[B] Ahmedabad
[C] Lucknow
[D] Allahabad
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Correct Answer: B [Ahmedabad]
Notes:
Sidi Bashir Mosque is a former mosque in the city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Only the central gateway and two minarets survive; they are known as the Jhulta Minar or Shaking Minarets.
9. Who among the following was the successor of Sikh Guru Har Krishan?
[A] Guru Angad Dev
[B] Guru Tegh Bahadur
[C] Guru Hargobind
[D] Guru Amar Das
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Guru Tegh Bahadur]
Notes:
Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth of ten Gurus of the Sikh religion. Tegh Bahadur continued in the spirit of the first guru, Nanak; his 116 poetic hymns are registered in Guru Granth Sahib. He was successor of Sikh Guru Har Krishan.
10. Theatre production of Peter Brooks’ “Mahabharata” features whom among the following? (UPSC Prelims 1986)
[A] Victor Banerjee
[B] Mallika Sarabhai
[C] Shashi Kapoor
[D] Naseeruddin Shah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mallika Sarabhai]
Notes:
Peter Brook’s 1989 film, The Mahabharata which means “The Political Story of the Human Race “was originally planned as a 9-hour version of the 18-volume Sanskrit text is based on his celebrated stage production. Mallika Sarabhai is a dancer/actor who plays Draupadi in Brook’s film.