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
Show Answer
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. Where is located the “Hazur Sahib” Gurudwara, which is one of the five takhts of Sikhism?
[A] Amritsar
[B] Patna
[C] Nanded
[D] Bhatinda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Nanded ]
Notes:
The location of the five Takhts is as follows: Akal Takht, at Amritsar, Keshgar Sahib, at Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, Patna Sahib, at Patna, Hazur Sahib, at Nanded and Damdama Sahib, at Talwandi Sabo, Bhatinda or Bathinda.
3. 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.
4. The famous World Heritage Site “Basilica of Bom Jesus” is located in which among the following places in India?
[A] Pondichery
[B] Mahe
[C] Daman
[D] Goa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Goa]
Notes:
The Basilica of Bom Jesus holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier and is a Roman Catholic basilica located in Goa. It is a part of the Churches and convents of Goa UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5. Which state is famous for Lavi Fair?
[A] Gujarath
[B] Punjab
[C] Orissa
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
The Lavi Fair is primarily held in Himachal Pradesh, particularly in the town of Rampur Bushahr. This fair, celebrated in November, has historical significance as it dates back to the 16th century and is associated with trade and cultural exchange. It attracts traders and visitors from various regions, showcasing local handicrafts, traditional foods, and folk performances. The fair is a vibrant reflection of the region’s rich cultural heritage.
6. What is the earlier name of “Leh Singhe-Khababs Festival”?
[A] Ladakh Festival
[B] Leh Darshan
[C] Sindhu Darshan
[D] Sindhu Festival
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sindhu Darshan]
Notes:
Sindhu Darshan Festival is a festival of India held every year on full moon day (on Guru Purnima) in June. It is held at Leh, in Ladakh District of Ladakh. It is the other name for “Leh Singhe-Khababs Festival”.
7. Rumtek Monastery is lcoated in which state?
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Jammu and Kashmir
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Sikkim]
Notes:
Rumtek Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in the Indian state of Sikkim, near the capital city of Gangtok. It is the largest monastery in Sikkim and one of the most important centers of the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery is known for its traditional Tibetan architecture and art, and for its collection of sacred texts and artifacts. It is also the seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa, the head of the Kagyu sect.
8. The Saga Dawa festival marks the life of Buddha. It is most commonly celebrated in which state?
[A] Jammu & Kashmir
[B] Sikkim
[C] Assam
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sikkim]
Notes:
Saga Dawa festival marks the life of Buddha. Buddha Jayanti in Bhutia language is called Saga Dawa.
9. The motif of ‘Hampi with Chariot’ is printed on the reverse of which currency notes?
[A] One Rupee Note
[B] Rs. 500 note
[C] Rs. 1000 note
[D] Rs. 50 note
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Rs. 50 note]
Notes:
The new 50 rupees banknote from India is in a bright turquoise colour. On the obverse side of the Rs.50 note is a portrait of Mahatmi Gandhi, India’s independence movement leader. On the reverse side of the ₹50 bill is an image of the stone chariot in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi.
10. “Females are inferior to males,” said Aristotle. Actually, it is not true. The true statement would be that females are different from males. More research is required in this regard. What conclusions can be obtained from the above lines? (UPSC Prelims 1986)
[A] Aristotle was a male chauvinist
[B] Females may be inferior to males
[C] Nothing can be said about the superiority of males unless research is done
[D] Research is required to clearly tell the differences between the males and the females
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Research is required to clearly tell the differences between the males and the females]
Notes:
In his Politics, Aristotle saw women as subject to men, but as higher than slaves, and lacking authority; he believed the husband should exert political rule over the wife. Among women’s differences from men were that they were, in his view, more impulsive, more compassionate, more complaining, and more deceptive. He gave the same weight to women’s happiness as to men’s, and in his Rhetoric stated that society could not be happy unless women were happy too. Whereas Plato was open to the potential equality of men and women, stating both that women were not equal to men in terms of strength and virtue, but were equal to men in terms of rational and occupational capacity, and hence in the ideal Republic should be educated and allowed to work alongside men without differentiation, Aristotle appears to have disagreed.