Indian Culture MCQs

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It is the most important festival of western Odisha and it takes place in the bright half of the month of Bhadrab on an auspicious day fixed by the astrologers. Though the festival is intended for eating new rice of the year, it is observed as a general festival. On this occasion the new rice is cooked with milk and sugar (Kshiri) and then offered as Bhog to Goddess Laxmi.

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Mahabalipuram Temples: Pallava dynasty: The five monolithic rathas are square or oblong in plan, pyramidal in elevation and varying in their overall dimensions. the Dharmaraja ratha constructed in Pallava style is the largest of all, having huge pillats in the portico with statue of lions, pyramidal tower and turret roof.

Notes:
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the month of January. It is mainly observe in countries where there is a significant presence of Tamil community such as India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, Thailand and Myanmar.

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Bishnupur is located in West Bengal. It’s known for its Hindu temples made from local terracotta, such as the pyramid-shaped Rasmancha, established around 1600.

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Watson’s Hotel, also known as Esplanade Mansion, is located in Mumbai. Built in 1867, it is recognized as India’s oldest surviving cast iron building. The structure showcases Victorian Gothic architecture and was originally a luxury hotel. Its unique cast iron framework was sourced from the UK, reflecting the colonial era’s architectural trends.

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Guru Amardas Ji was the third Guru of the Sikhs and took over the mantle of Sikh Guruship in 1552 at the age of 73. He was known for establishing the Manji system for missionary activities in various parts of India. His commitment to equality for humans has also left an indelible mark on the culture and principles of Sikhism. He initiated the tradition of free food distribution (langar) to all visitors, without concerning for their religious or social status.

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Guru Angad Dev Ji, the 2nd guru of Sikhs, invented a new script for Punjabi language known as “Gurmukhi” in order to make the scriptures (Guru writings) available for the common people of the society. Gurmukhi means “from the mouth of the Guru.”

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Mulla Daud was the first poet in the ideology of Sufism belonged to Dalmau (Raebareli). His famous poem “Laur Chanda”( or Chandayan) was composed in Avadhi language in 14th century AD. It’s a love story of Norak and Chanda. He presented his work to his patron Jaunashah, who was a noble of Firoj Shah Tughlaq.

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Gandhara art, style of Buddhist visual art that developed in what is now northwestern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan between the 1st century bce and the 7th century bce. It is a combination of Indian style and Kushan style.

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Carpet making was first introduced in India in Kashmir in the 15th Century. Sultan Zain ul-Abadin is believed to have brought carpet weavers from Persia and Central Asia to train local weavers.