1. God knows man’s virtues and inquires not his caste; in the next world there is no caste. This teaching is of __?
[A] Kabir
[B] Guru Nanak
[C] Chaitanya
[D] Ramananda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Guru Nanak]
Notes:
Guru Nanak said that a man was to be honoured for his devotion to God and not for his social position. He said– “God knows man’s virtues and inquires not his caste; in the next world there is no caste.”
2. The Flamingo Festival is celebrated in__?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Karnataka
[C] Kerala
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
The annual “Flamingo Festival” began at Sullurpeta near the Pulicat lake bird sanctuary in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. The festival was being held every year to bring together the people and various departments in the task of preserving the Pulicat Lake and surroundings. Every year approximately 15,000 Greater Flamingos are reported to visit the lake along with pelicans, kingfishers, herons, painted storks, spoonbills and ducks.
3. After a defeat in prolonged debate on Vedic philosophies, who among the following is known to have become disciple of Adi Sankara and later became first head of Sringeri Mutt?
[A] Hastamalaka
[B] Totakacharya
[C] Padmapada
[D] Madana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Madana]
Notes:
Madana Misra was defeated in a debate by his contemporary ,Adi Shankara. He is said to have become a disciple of Adi Sankara. Maṇḍana Miśra’s wife was Ubhaya Bharati.
4. Hymns composed by which among the following rulers have been incorporated in Guru Grantha sahib of Sikhs?
[A] Jaydev
[B] Swami Haridas
[C] Namdev
[D] Dhyaneshwar
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Correct Answer: A [Jaydev]
Notes:
Hymns composed by Jaydev have been incorporated in Guru Grantha sahib of Sikhs. The hymns are written in a mixture of Sanskrit and eastern Apabhramsha. There are records narrating how Jayadeva’s work had a profound influence on Guru Nanak during his visit to Puri.
5. Sidi Bashir Mosque is located at:
[A] Ahmedabad
[B] Delhi
[C] Jaipur
[D] Hyderabad
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Correct Answer: A [Ahmedabad]
Notes:
The mosque is also called Jhulta Minar or Shaking Minarets.
6. Nipponzon Myohoji Buddhist temple or commonly called Peace Pagoda or Shanti Stupa was established by who among the following?
[A] Fuji Guru
[B] Ashoka
[C] King Devanampiyatissa
[D] Mahatma Gandhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Fuji Guru]
Notes:
Fujii was greatly inspired by his meeting with Mahatma Gandhi in 1931 and decided to devote his life to promoting non-violence.
7. Bageshwari Qamar is woman player of which of the following music instruments?
[A] Ghatam
[B] Shehnai
[C] Pakhawaj
[D] Santoor
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shehnai]
Notes:
Bageshwari Qamar is a woman player of Shehnai.
8. The establishment of Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) enshrines which among the following objectives ?
[A] Protection from Pollution
[B] Tourism Development
[C] Economy Hub
[D] Transportation facilities
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Protection from Pollution]
Notes:
Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) covers an area of 10,400 sq km around the Taj Mahal. Its objective is to protect the monument from pollution.
9. Which of the following is indicated by the oval ring around the original figure of Shiva Nataraja?
[A] Universe
[B] Cosmic Fire
[C] Cycle of birth and death
[D] Cosmic rhythm
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Cosmic Fire]
Notes:
There is an oval ring around the original figure of Shiva Nataraja. It represents the cosmic fire he uses to destroy the universe as part of the cycle of destruction and creation. Each flame has three points. In the eleventh and twelfth centuries, a round circle of fire with flames of five points became typical for the Shiva Nataraja image.
10. Shahtoosh is the name given to a specific kind of shawl, made from hair of __:
[A] Tibetan Antelope
[B] Snow Leopard
[C] Himalayan Wild Yak
[D] Black Bear
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Tibetan Antelope]
Notes:
Shahtoosh is the name given to a specific kind of shawl, which is woven with the down hair of the Tibetan antelope (chiru), by master weavers of Kashmir. The Shahtoosh shawl is now a banned item with possession and sale being illegal in most countries for the Chiru is an endangered species under CITES.