1. Castle Naggar heritage site is located in __:
[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Punjab
[C] Odisha
[D] Haryana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
Naggar Castle is a medieval castle, located in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. It was Built by Raja Sidh Singh of Kullu in around 1460 A.D. It was the official seat of kings for centuries.
2. The first novel written by Sunil Gangopadhyay is :
[A] Athmo Prakash (Self-Revelation)
[B] Pratham Alo (First Light)
[C] Purba Pachim (East and West)
[D] Shei Shomay (Those Days)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Athmo Prakash (Self-Revelation)]
Notes:
Starting off his six-decade literary career as a bohemian poet and editor of Kritibas, a monthly poetry magazine, Sunil Gangopadhyay wrote his first novel, Athmo Prakash (Self-Revelation), at the behest of the editor of the hugely popular periodical Desh for its special Durga Puja edition. Two of the most critically acclaimed films of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray — Pratidwandi and Aranyer Din Ratri — were based on novels written by him.
3. Dappu Dance is a famous dance form of which among the following states?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Assam
[C] Gujarath
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
Dappu Dance belongs to Andhra Pradesh.The Dappu is made of goatskin, a tambourine-like drum is beaten with sticks creating a rhythm that is softened only by the ankle bells that the 16 to 20 dancers wear.
4. Famous Mukheshawar Temple & Ananta Basudeva temple is located in which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Haryana
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Odisha]
Notes:
Famous Mukheshawar Temple & Ananta Basudeva temple is located in Odisha. Ananta Vasudeva Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu located in Bhubaneswar, the state capital of Odisha, India. The Mukteshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva in the temple city of Bhubaneswar, is a delightful expression of Odiyan architecture.
5. 1996 was UN’s fiftieth anniversary year and this year was declared by United nations as “Year for Tolerance”. The same time frame also coincided with 125th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. In this connection, UNESCO had established a new award in the name of an Indian philanthropist for Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence. Who is this Indian philanthropist?
[A] Aga Khan III
[B] Dinshah Irani
[C] Ghanshyam Das Birla
[D] Madanjeet Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Madanjeet Singh]
Notes:
The correct answer is Madanjeet Singh. In 1995, UNESCO established the “Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence” to honor his contributions to peace and tolerance. Singh was an Indian diplomat and a prominent advocate for non-violence, aligning with the UN’s declaration of 1995 as the “Year for Tolerance” and the 125th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who is renowned for his philosophy of non-violence.
6. 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.
7. Who was the founder of Radha Swami Satsang in Agra?
[A] Radha Kant Dev
[B] Baba Ram Singh
[C] Keshab Chandra Sen
[D] Shiv Dayal Sahib
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Shiv Dayal Sahib]
Notes:
The Radhasoami Satsang was founded in Agra in 1861 by Shiv Dayal Sahib. The sole purpose of this satsang is to experience the divinity of God who resides in all of us. To realize the truth of the concept that there is only one God and we are all expressions of his love.
8. Which of the following was the first language to be included in the list of Classical Languages of India?
[A] Tamil
[B] Sanskrit
[C] Telugu
[D] Pali
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Tamil]
Notes:
Tamil was the first Classical Language of India. The government declared Tamil (in 2004) & Sanskrit (in 2005). Later the government declared Kannada and Telugu (in 2008) as classical languages of India. In 2013, Malayalam was also given status of classical language. In 2014, Odiya was also given the status of Classical language.
9. World Heritage Day is observed on which date?
[A] 28 January
[B] 18 April
[C] 22 May
[D] 21 June
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [18 April]
Notes:
World Heritage Day is observed every year on 18 April. This day offers an opportunity to Protect and preserve the valuable assets and cultural heritage with the help of International Community. It was approved in 1983 by UNESCO.
10. Who wrote the Novel ‘Pather Dabi’in Bengali?
[A] Saratchandra Chattopadhay
[B] Kazi Nazrul Islam
[C] Bankimchandra
[D] Rabindranath Tagore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Saratchandra Chattopadhay]
Notes:
Saratchandra Chattopadhay wrote the Novel ‘Pather Dabi’in Bengal. It was banned by the British because it was a rebellious book which stirred anger in the hearts of Indian people for the British.