1. Lal Ded (Lalla Yogeshwari) was a practitioner of which of the following traditions?
[A] Tibetan Buddhism
[B] Kashmir Shaivism
[C] Sri Sampradaya
[D] Smartism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Kashmir Shaivism ]
Notes:
Lal Ded, better known as Lalla Yogeshwari, ranks as a great mystic poetess of the 14th century. She was an ardent practitioner of Kashmir Shaivism that is also known as Trika Shastra founded by Vasu Gupta.
2. Who built a temple of Augustus at Muzris?
[A] Romans
[B] Cholas
[C] Pandyas
[D] Cheras
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Romans ]
Notes:
Muzris was an ancient port city in what is now the modern state of Kerala. It was an important trading center in antiquity. There are indications that there may have been a temple dedicated to the Roman emperor Augustus built at Muzris during his reign, reflecting the trade connections between Rome and southern India at that time. However, the exact details and nature of this temple are not well attested in the available historical sources.
3. The Pagodas at Mahabalipuram had been constructed by ___?
[A] Cholas
[B] Chalukyas of Kalyani
[C] Pallavas
[D] Pandyas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Pallavas]
Notes:
Pallava dynasty: the reign of Narasimhavarman I : constructed five rath temples at the port town of Mamllapuram (Mahabalipuram) These are now known as seven raths or Pagodas.
4. 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.
5. Who among the following was known as Bengal’s Greata Garbo?
[A] Suchitra Sen
[B] Amaravati
[C] Kanan Devi
[D] Bharathi Shirodkor
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Suchitra Sen]
Notes:
Legendary actress Suchitra Sen was popularly known as Bengal’s Greata Garbo. Sen began her career with the Bengali film “Shesh Kothay” in 1952. She is well known for her role in Devdas and Aandhi. She died at the age of 82.
6. Sabarimala is located in which of the following states?
[A] Kerala
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kerala]
Notes:
Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage centre located at the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District, Perunad grama panchayat in Kerala.
7. “Shesher Kabita” is the reknowned work of which among the following legends?
[A] Rabindranath Tagore
[B] Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay
[C] Narendranath Mitra
[D] Dinabandhu Mitra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rabindranath Tagore]
Notes:
Shesher Kabita is a novel by Rabindranath Tagore, widely considered a landmark in Bengali literature. The novel was serialised in 1928 from Bhadro to Choitro in the magazine Probashi, and was published in book form the following year.
8. Who among the following has written the famous Bangla book “Agni Vina”?
[A] Rabindra Nath Tagore
[B] Kazi Nazrul Islam
[C] Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
[D] Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kazi Nazrul Islam]
Notes:
Kazi Nazrul Islam was a famous Bengali poet, musician and revolutionary who pioneered poetic works invoking powerful spiritual rebellion against fascism and oppression. Accomplishing a plethora of highly praised works through his life, Nazrul is officially known as the ‘National poet of Bangladesh’ and celebrated in India.
9. Which among the following statements about Devadasis is not true?
[A] According to Paes, Devadasis held a highly esteemed position in Vijayanagar society.
[B] The Devadasi system originated solely during the Vijayanagar era.
[C] Devadasi implies that the girls were married to deities.
[D] All the above statements are true.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [The Devadasi system originated solely during the Vijayanagar era.]
Notes:
The Devadasi system, which involves dedicating girls to a deity, predates the Vijayanagar era. This tradition, prevalent in South India, had Devadasis performing music and dance in temples. While their status varied over time, foreign travelers like Paes and Nuniz noted Devadasis’ respected position in Vijayanagar society.
10. Who among the following wrote Astanga Sangraha?
[A] Banabhatta
[B] Vagabhatta
[C] Aryabhatta
[D] Kalhana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vagabhatta]
Notes:
Vagbhata is one of the most influential classical writers of ayurveda. Several works are associated with his name as author, principally the Ashtanga Sangraha and the Ashtāngahridayasaṃhita .
