1. Who among the following was propounder of the Madhyamika Philosophy?
[A] Bhadrabahu
[B] Parshwanath
[C] Sheelbhadra
[D] Nagarjuna
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Correct Answer: D [ Nagarjuna ]
Notes:
Nagarjuna (ca. 2nd or 3rd century) was a patriarch of Mahayana and the founder of Madhyamika School.
2. The philosophy of “Nyaya Darshan” has been ascribed to who among following?
[A] Kanad
[B] Gautam
[C] Panini
[D] Bhartṛhari
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Correct Answer: B [Gautam]
Notes:
The philosophy of “Nyaya Darshan” has been ascribed to Gautama Maharishi, who is also known as Gautama Nyaya. Nyaya is one of the six orthodox (astika) schools of Indian philosophy, and it primarily focuses on the logical and epistemological aspects of philosophy. Nyaya Darshan provides a system of logic, reasoning, and argumentation to establish knowledge and truth. It is often associated with the Nyaya Sutras, a foundational text attributed to Gautama Maharishi, which outlines the principles and tenets of Nyaya philosophy.
3. At which of the following places a Farm Radio was established as a Joint venture between All India Radio and UNESCO in 1956 for the purpose of broadcasting programmes related to agriculture?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Nagpur
[C] Hyderabad
[D] Pune
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Correct Answer: D [Pune]
Notes:
The correct answer is Pune. In 1956, a Farm Radio was established in Pune as a joint venture between All India Radio and UNESCO. This initiative aimed to disseminate agricultural knowledge and practices to farmers, enhancing rural development. Pune was chosen due to its proximity to agricultural research institutions, making it an ideal location for such educational broadcasts.
4. At which of the following places, the only Swaminarayan temple is located in Pakistan?
[A] Islamabad
[B] Lahore
[C] Karachi
[D] Islamabad
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Correct Answer: C [Karachi]
Notes:
The Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Karachi is a Hindu temple that is the only Swaminarayan temple in Pakistan. Karachi is the capital of Sindh province of Pakistan.
5. In the Indian mythology, who sung Shiva Tandava Stotra?
[A] Ravana
[B] Rama
[C] Kuber
[D] Vibhishana
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Correct Answer: A [Ravana]
Notes:
Shiva Tandava Stotra is sung by Ravana in Ramayana. It is a Sanskrit sloka. Ravana is king of Lanka.
6. Who among the following Sikh Gurus struggled against Sati system and Pardah System ?
[A] Guru Nanak
[B] Guru Amardas
[C] Guru Hargovind
[D] Guru Teg Bahadur
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Correct Answer: B [Guru Amardas]
Notes:
Guru Amar Das ji, the 3rd guru of Sikhs, raised the status of women and gave them equality with men. Excerpts of the works contributed by him for the society are as follows:
a) Strictly prohibited the practice of Sati system and Pardah System.
b) Started the langar ( or community kitchen) to abolish caste system.
c) Started the Manji and Piri system by appointing 94 men as Manji and 52 women as Piris to spread Sikhism.
d) Composed Anand Sahib, a part of the Nitnem (daily prayers).
7. Gatka is an ancient martial art from which state of India?
[A] Punjab
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Andhra Pradesh
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Correct Answer: A [ Punjab]
Notes:
Gatka is an ancient martial art used by the Gurus to help defend the religious beliefs of Sikhi.
8. Odhra Magadha is the precursor to which Indian dance form?
[A] Kuchipudi
[B] Kathak
[C] Odissi
[D] Bharatnatyam
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Correct Answer: C [Odissi]
Notes:
Odissi is a dance of love and passion touching on the divine and the human, the sublime and the mundane. The Natya Shastra mentions many regional varieties, such as the south-eastern style known as the Odhra Magadha which can be identified as the earliest precursor of present day Odissi.
9. Who among the following wrote the national song of India?
[A] Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
[B] Rabindranath Tagore
[C] Lord Mountbatten
[D] Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
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Correct Answer: A [Bankim Chandra Chatterjee]
Notes:
The national song is called “Vande Mataram…”. The first Political occasion when it was sung was the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress. It was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.
10. Which of the following are the earliest rock-cut caves in western India?
[A] Nasik, Ellora and Ajanta
[B] Junnar, Kalyan and Pitalkhora
[C] Ajanta, Bhaja and Kondane
[D] Bhala, Pitalkhora and Kondane
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ajanta, Bhaja and Kondane]
Notes:
• The earliest rock-cut caves in western India are those at Ajanta, Bhaja and Kondane
• The Ajanta Caves are 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state of India.
• Bhaja Caves or Bhaje caves is a group of 22 rock-cut caves dating back to the 2nd century BC located in Pune district, near Lonavala, Maharashtra. The caves are 400 feet above the village of Bhaja, on an important ancient trade route running from the Arabian Sea eastward into the Deccan Plateau.
• The Kondana Caves are located in the small village of Kondana, 33 km north of Lonavala and 16 km northwest of Karla Caves. This cave group has 16 Buddhist caves. The caves were excavated in first century B.C. The construction on wooden pattern is notable. One can reach the cave by descending from Rajmachi village.