1. 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.
2. In which state is Darbhanga Castle located?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Bihar
[C] West Bengal
[D] Madhya Pradesh
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Correct Answer: A [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
Darbhanga Castle is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, in Prayagraj, next to Allahabad University. Interestingly, despite its name which might suggest a connection to Darbhanga in Bihar, it is in fact based in Uttar Pradesh. This castle illustrates the rich and diverse architectural history of India, with its stylistic influences drawn from a range of periods and locations.
3. Which state of India is associated with the Folk Dance Teratali?
[A] Haryana
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Punjab
[D] Gujarat
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Correct Answer: B [Rajasthan]
Notes:
Tera Tali is a famous folk dance of Rajasthan. It is Performed by the ‘Kamar’ tribe. The women folk sit on the ground while performing the Tera Tali.
4. Which of the following Sikh guru founded Swarna Mandir ?
[A] Guru Arjun Dev
[B] Guru Nanak
[C] Guru Govind Singh
[D] Guru Teg Bahadur
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Correct Answer: A [Guru Arjun Dev]
Notes:
The 5th guru of Sikhs, Guru Arjun Dev ji built the Swarna Mandir (or Golden temple) in Amritsar and compiled Adigranth, the holy scripture of Sikhism. He was executed by Mughal emperor Jahangir on charges of helping his rebel son, Prince Khurram with money and prayer.
5. With reference to India’s culture and tradition, what is “Huyen Langlon”?
[A] It is an ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India
[B] It is an Indian martial art from Manipur
[C] It is a stick dance native to Andhra Pradesh
[D] It is a Clay relief work, a unique form of art practiced by tribal women in the Kutch area
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [It is an Indian martial art from Manipur]
Notes:Huyen Langlon is an Indian martial art that originated in Manipur. The name comes from the Meitei language, where “huyen” means “war” and “langlon” means “knowledge” or “art”.
There are two main components to the sport:
- Thang-ta: Armed combat
- Sarit sarak: Unarmed fighting
The primary weapons used in Huyen Langlon are the thang (sword) and ta (spear). Other weapons include the shield and the axe. According to local legends, the art form originated from Tin Sidaba, the creator of the Meitei people. The British banned the art during the Anglo-Manipur War in 1891, but it was reintroduced by Maharaja Churachand in 1934.
6. Padam, Javali, Kriti and Keerthanam are varnams of which of the following dance forms?
[A] Kathak
[B] Manipuri
[C] Bharatnatyam
[D] Odishi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bharatnatyam]
Notes:
Bharatnatyam is a major genre of Indian classical dance that originated in the Hindu temples of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring regions. Today this dance form is very much popular in South Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
7. Book titled “Matoshree” is based on life of _?
[A] Sarojini Naidu
[B] Ahilyabai Holkar
[C] Madam Bhikaji Cama
[D] Savitribai Phule
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Correct Answer: B [Ahilyabai Holkar]
Notes:
The book Matoshree is based on the life of Maratha Queen Ahilyabai Holkar. The book was written by former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the book in New Delhi on April 11, 2017.
The book covers the life of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, who ruled the Holkar Empire from 1767 to 1795. The Holkar Empire was located in the Malwa region.
8. Write the following in chronological order
1. Puri—Jagannath temple
2. Meenakshi temple
3. Mahabalipuram temples
4. Qutab Minar (UPSC Prelims 1984)
[A] 1, 2, 4, 3
[B] 1, 4, 2, 3
[C] 1, 4, 3, 2
[D] 2, 3, 1, 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [2, 3, 1, 4]
Notes:
Puri—Jagannath temple – 1161
Meenakshi temple – 6th century
Mahabalipuram temples – 7th century
Qutab Minar – 1193
9. Arrange the following in proper sequence :
(i) “Vinayapitaka”
(ii) “Gita Govinda”
(iii) “Raghuvansha”
(iv) “Atharvaveda” (UPSC Prelims 1986)
[A] (iii), (ii), (i), (iv)
[B] (iv), (iii), (ii), (i)
[C] (iv), (i), (iii), (ii)
[D] (ii), (iv), (iii), (i)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [(iv), (i), (iii), (ii)]
Notes:
• The Tripitaka is considered to be a record of the words of the Buddha. The Pali canon was written down in the first century CE. The Tripitaka contains the following sections: Vinaya Pitaka – this contains the rules telling monks and nuns how to behave with each other, and within society.
• Gita Govinda -1977
• Raghuvamsha was one of two great court epics written in Sanskrit by Kalidasa about the 5th century. It consists of 19 cantos composed of some 1,570 verses.
• The Atharvaveda was likely compiled as a Veda contemporaneously with Samaveda and Yajurveda, or about 1200 BC – 1000 BC.
10. Jainism differed from Buddhism in which of the following aspects? (UPSC Prelims 1989)
[A] Faith in Karma
[B] Doctrine of Ahimsa
[C] Belief in fasting
[D] Rejection of Yagna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Belief in fasting]
Notes:
According to Buddhist Sangha is proper for attainment of Moksha and they hate self-mortifications and severe penances. Jainism believes in fasts and severest penances. Buddhists do not believe in the existence of soul whereas Jainism believes the existence of soul in every living being.
