1. Two schools, viz. Mathura School of Art and Gandhara School of Art flourished in which among the following era?
[A] Shakas
[B] Kushans
[C] Satavahanas
[D] Guptas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kushans]
Notes:
Mathura and Gandhara schools of art flourished during the Kushana era. The Mathura school of art developed in the first century AD during the reign of Kushan emperor Kanishka. The Gandhara school of art also developed in the first century AD during the reign of Kanishka. The Gandhara school of art is known for the first sculptural representations of the Buddha in human form. The school was influenced by Greek methodologies. The Gandhara school of art developed in what is now northwestern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan between the 1st century BCE and the 7th century CE. The Mathura school of art achieved its pinnacle during the Gupta period (6th or 7th century). The period of Kushana King Kanishka, Huviska and Vasudeva is considered to be the golden age for the Mathura school of art
2. The temples at Belur, Halebidu and Somnathpura are supreme examples of which among the following types of Temple Architecture?
[A] Nagara
[B] Dravida
[C] Gadag
[D] Vesara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Vesara]
Notes:
The architecture of the temples at Belur, Halebidu, and Somanathpura epitomizes the Vesara style of Temple Architecture. This style is a unique blend of two major architectural styles – Nagara, native to North India, and Dravida, native to South India. The Vesara style is thus considered a hybrid form, authentic to regions where the influence of these two styles intersect, showing a confluence of northern and southern architectural traditions. This fusion style notably exhibits intricate detailing and complex designs, reflecting the sophisticated craftsmanship of the era.
3. Which among the following Kings built the Kailashnath Temple of Ellora ?
[A] Rashtrakuta king Krishna I
[B] Narasimhavarman II
[C] Rashtrakuta king Krishna II
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rashtrakuta king Krishna I]
Notes:
Rashtrakuta king, krishna-1 had built the kailash temple of ellora. It is considered as the wonder of rock-out architecture. Kailasanath Temple is a famous temple, one of the 34 monasteries and temples, known collectively as the Ellora Caves, extending over more than 2 km, that were dug side by side in the wall of a high basalt cliff in the complex located at Ellora, Maharashtra, India.
4. Veda which is partly in prose and partly in verses is ___ ?
[A] Rigveda
[B] Samaveda
[C] Yajurveda
[D] Atharvaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Yajurveda]
Notes:
Adhyayas of Yajur Veda, made up partly of verses and partly of prose, contain a number of prayers and sacrificial formulae. Extensive details for carrying out different sacrifices are given in the chapters of the Yajur Veda.
5. Which among the following is known as the earliest example of Panchayatana style of temple?
[A] Dashavatara temple at Deogarh
[B] Temple at Pathari
[C] Shatrughneshwara temple at Bhubaneshwar
[D] Lakshmana temple at Sirpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Dashavatara temple at Deogarh]
Notes:
The Dashavatara Temple or Vishnu Temple also called Gupta temple at Deogarh. It was built in the Gupta Period (320 to c. 600 AD ). Archaeologists have inferred that it is the earliest known Panchayatana temple in North India. A hindu temple is a Panchayatana one when the main shrine is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines.
6. The Saraswati Samman is an annual award for outstanding prose or poetry literary works in which of the following languages?
[A] Hindi Only
[B] Any Indian language or Dialect
[C] Any Indian Language included in 8th schedule of Indian Constitution
[D] Any Indo-Aryan language
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Any Indian Language included in 8th schedule of Indian Constitution]
Notes:
The Saraswati Samman is awarded for outstanding literary works in any Indian language included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This schedule recognizes 22 languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, and others, reflecting India’s linguistic diversity. Established in 1991 by the K. K. Birla Foundation, the award aims to promote and honor literary excellence across various Indian languages.
7. Which among the following is true about the Saint Jnaneswar ?
[A] He wrote Jnaneswari
[B] He wrote commentary on Bhagwad Gita
[C] He was the pioneer Bhakti saint of Maharashtra
[D] All of these
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of these]
Notes:
Saint Jnaneswar was a famous poet-saint of Maharashtra was born in 1275 AD in Alandi, Maharashtra. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu who wrote Jnaneswari (a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita) and translated Bhagwad Gita into the Marathi language. Excerpts of his works are Amrutanubhava, Commentary on Yoga Vashishtha, Changdev Pasashti, etc.
8. Who among the following was the last Guru of Sikhs ?
[A] Guru Teg Bahadur
[B] Guru Har Kishan
[C] Guru Govind Singh
[D] Guru Angad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Guru Govind Singh]
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.
9. Naubat Khana at Red fort (Delhi) was:
[A] the mosque for the use of Royal Family
[B] an orchestra house used for playing music five times a day at propitious hours.
[C] a place of gathering for spiritual leaders for discussion on religious matters.
[D] a hall for meeting general public and redressing public grievances.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ an orchestra house used for playing music five times a day at propitious hours. ]
Notes:
Naubat Khana was an orchestra house used for playing music five times a day at propitious hours.It was built by Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri and Shahjahan at Red fort in Delhi.
10. The Putul Nautch puppetry art belongs to which state of India?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [West Bengal ]
Notes:
The traditional rod puppet form of West Bengal is known as Putul Nautch. They are carved from wood and follow the various artistic styles of a particular region