1. Sangai Festival is celebrated in which among the following states of India?
[A] Assam
[B] Manipur
[C] Bihar
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Manipur]
Notes:
The Manipur Sangai Festival is an annual calendar mega-event of the Government of Manipur spearheaded by the Tourism Department that seeks to showcase and promote the finest of Manipur’s arts & culture, adventure sports, indigenous cuisines, handloom & handicrafts, fine arts, indigenous games & music and various other niche products to a regional, national and global audience.
2. Who among the following has written “Bharat Durdasha”?
[A] Maithili Sharan Gupt
[B] Munshi Prem Chand
[C] Swami Sahajanand Saraswati
[D] Bharatendu Harishchandra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bharatendu Harishchandra]
Notes:
Bharatendu Harishchandra (1850 – 1885) lived only for 34 years but he was such a great writer that he is known as father of modern Hindi literature as well as Hindi theatre. His pen name was “Rasa”. The title “Bharatendu” was conferred on him at a public meeting by scholars of Kashi in 1880 for his role in the development of Hindi Literature. Government of India confers the Bharatendu Harishchandra Awards since 1983 to promote original writings in Hindi mass communication.
3. Husari and Bihunas are two main forms of dancing of which among the following states?
[A] Assam
[B] Bihar
[C] Orissa
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Assam]
Notes:
Husari and Bihunas belongs to Assam. Husari is carol singing. Bihu songs and dances invariably follow the main item of Husari singing.
4. The famous painting “Bani Thani” is from which among the following styles of Painting?
[A] Kishangarh Painting
[B] Phad Painting
[C] Rajput painting
[D] None of them
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kishangarh Painting]
Notes:
Bani Thani is a famous painting from Kishangarh style.
5. In which of the following states of India , a festival called Chapchar Kut is celebrated in March ?
[A] Assam
[B] Mizoram
[C] Karnataka
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mizoram]
Notes:
The Chapchar Kut is a festival of Mizoram, India. It is celebrated during March after completion of their most arduous task of jhum operation i.e., jungle-clearing (clearing of the remnants of burning). It is a spring festival celebrated with great favour and gaiety.
6. Which among the following is the oldest surviving rock-cut cave in India ?
[A] Bagh Caves
[B] Ellora Caves
[C] Uday Giri Caves
[D] Barabar Caves
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Barabar Caves]
Notes:
Barabar Caves in Bihar is one of the oldest surviving rock cut cave in India. It dates from the mauryan empire.
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. With reference to India’s culture and tradition, what is Kayotsarga?
[A] Meditation technique
[B] Martial art
[C] Buddhist festival
[D] Style of temple architecture in India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Meditation technique]
Notes:
Kayotsarga is a yogic posture or meditation technique which is an important part of the Jain meditation. Kayotsarga means to give up one's physical comfort and body movements, thus staying steady, either in a standing or other posture, and concentrating upon the true nature of the soul.
9. The largest Nandi in India is found at which of the following temples?
[A] Chaumundeshwari Temple, Mysore
[B] Brihadeshwara Temple, Thanjavur
[C] Ekambaranatha Temple, Kanchipuram
[D] Lepakshi Temple, Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Lepakshi Temple, Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
The Lepakshi temple, also known as Veerbhadra temple is located in the tiny hamlet of Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh. It is a paragon of excellent architecture and art. It is famous as it has largest Nandi.
10. The Muslims march seven times round the Kaaba as path of their Haj pilgrimage .At which of the following places they march? (UPSC Prelims 1980).
[A] Riyadh
[B] Mecca
[C] Rabat
[D] Jeddah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mecca]
Notes:
The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is the holiest city of Muslims. It is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey, and can support their family during their absence.
