1. Kumarila Bhatta , who was a Hindu philosopher and scholar from Prayag, was an acharya of which of the following ?
[A] Mimansa
[B] Samkhya
[C] Vedanata
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mimansa]
Notes:
Kumārila Bhatta was a Hindu or brahminical philosopher and Mīmāṃsā scholar from early medieval India. He is famous for many of his various theses on Mimamsa, such as Mimamsaslokavarttika. The aim of Mimamsa is to give rules for the interpretation of the Vedas.
2. What is the title of the first chapter of the Muslim holy book, the Qur’an?Al-Adiyat
[A] Al-Adiyat
[B] Al-Fatiha
[C] Al-Hijr
[D] Al-Fath
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Al-Fatiha]
Notes:
Al-Fatiha is the title of the first chapter of the Muslim holy book, the Qur’an. Al-Fātiḥah is The Opening or The Opener. George Sale translates simply as the Preface, or Introduction) is the first chapter of the Quran.
3. Consider the following matches:
- Khudabaksh Oriental Library
- Library of Tibetan Works and Archives
- Indira Gandhi Rastriya Manav sangrahalaya
The states in which the above are located are as follows:
[A] Bihar, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh
[B] Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh
[C] Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh
[D] Bihar, Sikkim, Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
Khudabaksh Oriental Library – Patna,
Library of Tibetan Works and Archives-Dharamsala,
Indira Gandhi Rastriya Manav sangrahalaya – Bhopal
4. Who was Guru Nanak ?
[A] A Bhakti Saint and social reformer
[B] Sikh Guru
[C] Founder of Sikhism
[D] All of these
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of these]
Notes:
Guru Nanak dev was a Nirguna Bhakti saint and social reformer, born at Rai Bhoi Ki Talvandi near Lahore in April 15, 1469 AD. He was the first Sikh Guru and the founder of Sikhism.The verses composed by him were collected in the Adi Granth, written in Gurmukhi script..
5. Which among the following is NOT among the Panchabhutas as per ancient Indian philosophy?
[A] Earth
[B] Fire
[C] Water
[D] Space
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Space]
Notes:
There are nine substances viz. prithvi (earth), ap (water), tejas (fire), vayu (air), akasha (ether), kala (time), dik (space), atman (self) and manas (mind). The first five are called bhutas (Panchabhutas) the substances having some specific qualities so that they could be perceived by one or the other external senses.
6. Which of the following is not among the six branches of Indian painting (shadanga)?
[A] Lavanya
[B] Sadrsya
[C] Varnikabhanga
[D] Khams
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Khams]
Notes:
Shadanga or six limbs of Indian Painting are as follows:
Rupabheda: The knowledge of appearances.
Pramanam: Correct perception, measure and structure/proportion.
Bhava: Action of feelings on forms.
Lavanya Yojanam: Infusion of grace, artistic representation.
Sadradhyam: likeness or verisimilitude.
Varnikabhanga: Artistic manner of using the brush and colors.
7. In which of the following paintings, artists use distinct symbols like fish to represent good luck and serpents as symbol for protection against illness, accidents and evil forces?
[A] Patachitra
[B] Kangra
[C] Madhubani
[D] Phad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Madhubani]
Notes:
Madhubani painting is practiced in the Mithila state of Nepal and in the Bihar state of India. The artists of these paintings use distinct symbols like fish to represent good luck and serpents as symbol for protection against illness, accidents and evil forces.
8. India's Rural Olympics, formally known as the Kila Raipur Sports Festival, is held annually in which state of India?
[A] Jammu & Kashmir
[B] Punjab
[C] Chhattisgarh
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Punjab]
Notes:
Kila Raipur Sports Festival, popularly known as the Rural Olympics, is held annually in Kila Raipur (near Ludhiana), in Punjab, India.
9. The Nagara style of temple architecture is associated with which of the following? (UPSC Prelims 1986)
[A] North India
[B] South India
[C] East India
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [North India]
Notes:
Nagara is the style of temple architecture which became popular in Northern India. It is common here to build an entire temple on a stone platform with steps leading up to it. Earliest temples had only one shikhara (tower), but in the later periods multiple shikharas came.
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.
