1. The Bhimbetka rock shelters are an archaeological site of the Palaeolithic period. It is located in which state?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
The Bhimbetka rock shelters are an archaeological site of the Palaeolithic, exhibiting the earliest traces of human life on the Indian Subcontinent. It is located in the Raisen District in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, near Abdullaganj town and inside the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary.
2. For which of the following the term Sandalwood is used?
[A] Kannada Cinema
[B] Telugu Cinema
[C] Tamil Cinema
[D] South Indian Cinema
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kannada Cinema]
Notes:
Sandalwood is the term used for Kannad cinema. Tollywood is used for Telugu cinema. Kollywood is used for Tamil Cinema.
3. Lavani is one of the most popular forms of dance and music that is practiced in which state?
[A] Maharastra
[B] Bihar
[C] Gujarat
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Maharastra]
Notes:
Lavani is a dance form that originated in the state of Maharashtra in India. It is known for its vibrant and energetic dance moves, as well as the colorful costumes and traditional music that accompanies it. Lavani is typically performed by female dancers, who sing and dance to the accompaniment of a dholak, a traditional Indian drum. The dance is often associated with the state’s folk tradition, and it is often performed at festivals and other celebrations.
4. Which among the following is India’s first library to computerize its hand written collection to disseminate through internet?
[A] Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Library
[B] Sarasvati Mahal Library
[C] Central Reference Library
[D] Bharati Bhavan Library
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Library]
Notes:
Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Library is India’s first library to computerize its hand written collection to disseminate through internet. It was opened in 1891 in Kolkata.
5. The doctrine of ‘Vyuhavada’ is associated with which among the following Sects (or) cults of India?
[A] Shaivism
[B] Vaishnavism
[C] Buddhism
[D] Jainism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vaishnavism]
Notes:
Vyuhavada is a Hindu philosophy related to Bhagwatism. So it is associated with the Vaishnavism.
6. Ghurrat-al-kamal (on music) was written by whom?
[A] Tansen
[B] Amir Khusrau
[C] Abul Fazl
[D] Minhaj-i-Siraj
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Amir Khusrau]
Notes:
The famous Sufi poet, Amir Khusrau was the author of the poem Ghurrat-ul-Kamaal (the Prime of Perfection). Excerpts of the works done by him are Tughluq Nama, Wast-ul-Hayat, Nuh Sipihr, Laila Majnun, etc. He was the court poet of Alauddin Khilji and a spiritual disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya, Delhi.
7. 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.
8. The terms “Maha Brinda Natyam” and “Jayamu Jayamu”, are associated with which of the following dance forms?
[A] Kathakali
[B] Kuchipudi
[C] Mohiniattam
[D] Sattriya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kuchipudi]
Notes:
Kuchipudi is a classical dance form, exclusive to the South-East Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It originated in a village of Krishna district in modern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It derives its name from this village. It is a dance-drama performance art, with its roots in the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text of Natya Shastra. Like all major classical dances of India, it was also developed as a religious art linked to travelling bards, temples and spiritual beliefs. The Kuchipudi style was conceived by Siddhendra Yogi, a talented Vaishnava poet of 17th century. It begins with an invocation to Lord Ganesha followed by Nritta (non-narrative and abstract dancing); shabdam (narrative dancing) and natya. The dance is accompanied by song which is typically Carnatic music. The singer is accompanied by musical instruments like Mridangam, violin, flute and tambura. Like other classical dances, Kuchipudi also comprises pure dance, mime and histrionics but it is the use of speech that distinguishes Kuchipudi’s presentation as dance drama.
9. Which of the following is located in Aurangabad? (UPSC Prelims 1989)
[A] Shahjehan’s tomb
[B] Tomb of Aurangzeb’s queen
[C] Akbar’s tomb
[D] Babur’s tomb
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tomb of Aurangzeb’s queen]
Notes:
The Bibi Ka Maqbara is a tomb located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. It was commissioned in 1660 by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in the memory of his first and chief wife Dilras Banu Begum.
10. Match the following people with their respective century:
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A. Amir Khusro
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1. 14th century
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B. Kabir
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2. 13th century
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C. Abul Fazal
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3. 15th century
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D. Tukaram
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4. 16th century
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5. 17th century
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A B C D (UPSC Prelims 1985)
[A] 3 4 2 5
[B] 5 2 1 4
[C] 2 3 4 5
[D] 1 3 5 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [2 3 4 5]
Notes:
• Ab’ul Hasan Yamin ud-Din Khusrau is better known as Amir Khusrow Dehlavi. He was a Sufi musician, poet and scholar from India.
• Kabir was a 15th-century Indian mystic poet and saint, whose writings, according to some scholars, influenced Hinduism’s Bhakti movement.
• Shaikh Abu al-Fazal ibn Mubarak is also known as Abul Fazal. It was the Grand vizier of the Mughal emperor Akbar and author of the Akbarnama.
• Tukaram is also referred to as Sant Tukaram. He was a 17th-century Hindu poet and sant of the Bhakti movement in Maharashtra.