1. Which among the following is the hallmark feature of the Dravida style of temple architecture?
[A] Shikara
[B] Gopura
[C] Vimana
[D] Mandapa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vimana]
Notes:
Vimana is a term for the tower above the Garbhagriha or Sanctum sanctorum in a Hindu temple in Dravidian style.
2. The Varkari sect in Maharashtra was founded by __?
[A] Tukaram
[B] Namdev
[C] Visoba Khechar
[D] Dhyaneshwar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Dhyaneshwar]
Notes:
The sect is believed to have originated in Karnataka and migrated to Maharashtra later. The followers of the sect believe that Dnyaneshwar laid the foundation stone, which is evident from the saying “Dnyanadev rachila paya”
3. Which among the following temples of India is known as Black Pagoda?
[A] Sun Temple, Konark
[B] Brihadeeswara Temple, Tanjore
[C] Lord Jagannath Temple, Puri
[D] Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sun Temple, Konark ]
Notes:
Konark Sun Temple is a 13th century temple of Odisha, built by Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. It is also known as Black Pagoda. It’s a World Heritage Site. It is considered as architectural marvel for which Odisha, best known worldwide.
4. Which of the following is considered the oldest language in the history of India?
[A] Sanskrit
[B] Telugu
[C] Hindi
[D] Tamil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Tamil]
Notes:
Tamil language holds the title as the oldest language in India. It is about 5000 years old and is still widely used in parts of India and Sri Lanka. It is a part of the Dravidian language family, distinct from the Indo-European languages like Hindi and Sanskrit that largely influenced other languages in northern parts of India.
5. Which among the following are called Dharamchakra ?
[A] The chakra which is a weapon of lord Vishnu in Hindu Mythology
[B] The first sermon of Mahavira Jain
[C] The chakra which has 24 spokes in the central white band in Indian Flag
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [The chakra which has 24 spokes in the central white band in Indian Flag]
Notes:
The Ashoka Chakra is a depiction of the Dharma Chakra which has 24 spokes in the central white band in Indian Flag. The circular Ashoka Chakra represents the progressiveness of the country.
6. Calico Textile Museum is located at:
[A] Ahmedabad
[B] Hyderabad
[C] Kochi
[D] Chennai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ahmedabad]
Notes:
The Calico Museum of Textiles is located in the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat. The museum is managed by the Sarabhai Foundation.
7. Vedantham Satyanarayan is known to be a greatest guru of which of the following dance forms?
[A] Odissi
[B] kathak
[C] Bharatnatyam
[D] Kuchipudi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kuchipudi]
Notes:
Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma, popularly known as Satyam, was an Indian classical dancer and choreographer. She is considered as an expert of Kuchpudi dance.
8. In context with the Indian music, Abhang are the devotional songs dedicated to which among the following gods?
[A] Jagannatha
[B] Narayana
[C] Vitthala
[D] Vamana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vitthala]
Notes:
Abhanga is kind of devotional poetry / bhajan dedicated to Vittala and the first to sing Abhanga was Sant Tukaram.
9. Consider the following:
- Ellora Caves
- Mahabalipuram Caves
- Khajuraho Temple
Which among the following is the correct set of dynasties to which the above three are ascribed to?
[A] Rastrakuta, Pallava, Chandella
[B] Rastrakuta, Chola, Chandella
[C] Saatvahana, Pallava, Chandella
[D] Saatvahana, Chola, Chandella
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Rastrakuta, Pallava, Chandella]
Notes:
- Ellora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India. It is associated with Rashtrakuta.
- The Cave Temples of Mahabalipuram are part of the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, less well-known than the ratha temples. It is associated with Chola.
- The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a group of Hindu temples and Jain temples in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh. It is associated with Chandelas.
10. It is a traditional festival celebrated in the month of March-April after completion of the Jhum operation for agriculture. It is one of three annual festivals of the Mizos tribe celebrated to mark three different stages of the agricultural cycle. This festival is celebrated to thank the gods for saving the people from harm during the clearing of forest on hill slopes for Jhum cultivation at the beginning of a year. The name of the festival is _?
[A] Losar
[B] Kandhei Jatra
[C] Chapchar Kut
[D] Hornbill
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chapchar Kut]
Notes:
Chapchar Kut is a traditional festival of Mizoram. It is celebrated in the month of March-April after completion of the Jhum operation i.e., jungle-clearing for agriculture. It is one of three annual festivals of the Mizos tribe celebrated to mark three different stages of the agricultural cycle. The festival is to be celebrated to thank the gods for saving the people from harm during the clearing of forest on hill slopes for Jhum cultivation at the beginning of a year. This festival is said to have involved in 1450-1700 A.D. in a village called Suaipui in Mizoram.
