1. Castle Naggar heritage site is located in __:
[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Punjab
[C] Odisha
[D] Haryana
Show Answer
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.
2. Dappu Dance is a famous dance form of which among the following states?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Assam
[C] Gujarath
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
Dappu Dance belongs to Andhra Pradesh.The Dappu is made of goatskin, a tambourine-like drum is beaten with sticks creating a rhythm that is softened only by the ankle bells that the 16 to 20 dancers wear.
3. Vachaspati Puraskar is awarded by the K.K. Birla Foundation, for outstanding contribution to which of the following?
[A] Scientific research
[B] Sanskrit Literature
[C] Literary work in any Indian language
[D] Dance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sanskrit Literature]
Notes:
Vachaspati Puraskar, instituted by the KK Birla Foundation in 1992, is given to honour a writer’s work in Sanskrit published during the last 10 years.
4. In which Indian state are 838 temples of a distinctive faith located on a single mountain?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Gujarat
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gujarat]
Notes:
The state of Gujarat, specifically in the city of Palitana, holds a remarkable distinction of having 838 Jain temples located on a single mountain. Jainism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has a strong community still in India. These temples are a major pilgrimage site for Jains and are a testament to the architectural prowess of ancient artisans.
5. Nirmal Hridaya is located in:
[A] Bangalore
[B] Chennai
[C] Hyderabad
[D] Kolkata
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kolkata]
Notes:
Nirmal Hriday is Mother Teresa`s first home for the dying, located next to the famous Kali Temple in Kalighat, is now one of 300 affiliated organizations all over the world, set up by her. A very small building, it is characterized by neo-Mughal style mini domes on the roof.
6. World Heritage Day is observed on which date?
[A] 28 January
[B] 18 April
[C] 22 May
[D] 21 June
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [18 April]
Notes:
World Heritage Day is observed every year on 18 April. This day offers an opportunity to Protect and preserve the valuable assets and cultural heritage with the help of International Community. It was approved in 1983 by UNESCO.
7. In which Indian city, would you find the mosque with “Shaking Minarets”?
[A] Hyderabad
[B] Ahmedabad
[C] Lucknow
[D] Allahabad
Show Answer
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.
8. Which Indian city is well known across the world for its film industry?
[A] Bangalore
[B] Hyderabad
[C] Pune
[D] Mumbai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Mumbai]
Notes:
Mumbai, formerly Bombay, the capital of the western state of Maharashtra is the financial capital of India. It is equally famous for its film industry also known as’Bollywood’.India produces the maximum number of films in the world every year.
9. Who among the following built the Konark’s Sun Temple?
[A] Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva
[B] Narasimhadeva I
[C] Kapilendra Deva Routaray
[D] Purushottam Dev
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Narasimhadeva I]
Notes:
Based on Brahmin beliefs, Konark’s Sun Temple was built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I (1238-1250 CE) of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty and dedicated to Sun God Surya.
10. What is the best definition of Upanishads? (UPSC Prelims General Studies 1980)
[A] These are religious books of Hindus
[B] There are the books dealing with ancient Hindu laws
[C] There are books on social behaviour of man
[D] These are the prayers to God
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [These are religious books of Hindus]
Notes:
The Upanishads are a collection of texts of religious and philosophical nature. These were written in India probably between 800 BCE and 500 BCE.The teachings of the Upanishads revolve around four primary spiritual themes. The first and most important is the realization that the ultimate, formless, and inconceivable Brahman is the same as Atman, as our internal soul. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is one of the Principal Upanishads and one of the oldest Upanishadic scriptures of Hinduism.
