Indian Culture MCQs

Notes:
Tawang monastery is the largest of its kind in the country and is one of the largest monasteries in Asia. It is said to be one of the biggest Buddhist monasteries in the world outside of Lhasa, Tibet. It is also known by another Tibetan name, ‘Galden Namgey Lhatse’, which means ‘celestial paradise in a clear night’.

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.

Notes:
Christianity represents about a third of the world’s population and is the world’s largest religion. A study has found that Christians make up about 32 percent of the world’s population, followed by Muslims, the second largest group. Hindus are the third largest group, followed by Buddhists and Jews.

Notes:
Vimana and Shikara are the man features of Dravida style of temple architecture. Unlike the nagara temple, the dravida temple is enclosed within a compound wall. The vimana is like a stepped pyramid that rise up geometrically rather than the curving shikhara of north India.

Notes:
The Gathas are 17 Avestan hymns believed to have been composed by Zarathushtra himself. They are most sacred of the texts of Zorastrianism. They form the core of the Zoroastrian liturgy. They are arranged in five different modes or metres.

Notes:
The Tangaliya shawl is an indigenous craft from Gujarat, specifically associated with the Dang region. It is known for its unique weaving technique that incorporates intricate patterns and vibrant colors. The shawls are traditionally made using wool and are characterized by their durability and warmth. The GI recognition in 2009 helps protect the traditional craftsmanship and promotes the artisans’ work, ensuring that the cultural heritage of Gujarat is preserved.

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.

Notes:
Chenrezig in the Tibetan Buddhism refers to Avalokiteshwara. Avalokiteshwara is a combination of Ava meaning down, Lokita meaning to behold or observe the world and Eshwara meaning sovereign, master or ruler. Hence Avalokiteshwara implies ‘The lord who gazes down at the world’.

Notes:
Guru Gobind Singh dev ji (1666-1708 AD) was the last and 10th guru of Sikhs, was born in Patna. He was the son of Guru Tegh Bahadur (the 9th Sikh Guru) and Mata Gujri. At the end of his life, he passed the Guruship of the Sikhs to the Eleventh and Eternal Sikh Guru, the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

Notes:
In Vedic literature the six Vedangas are: Siksa, Vyakarana, Chandas, Niruktas, Jyotisa and Kalpa. Brahmana is not a vedanga.