1. Which among the following Hindu Painters was sent by Jahangir to portrait Shah Abbas-I of Persia ?
[A] Basawan
[B] Bishan Das
[C] Dasarath
[D] Manohar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bishan Das]
Notes:
Bishandas was a 17th-century portrait painter at the court of the Mughal emperor Jahangir. Jahangir praised him as “unrivalled in the art of portraiture”. Though little is known of Bishandas’ life, his name can indicate that he was a Hindu. In 1613 he was sent on a diplomatic mission to Persia, to paint the Shah’s portrait. Here he was so successful that he remained until 1620, when he returned with the gift of an elephant.
2. Dr M Balmuralikrishna was a renowned artist of ______?
[A] Hindustani Vocal
[B] Carnatic Vocal
[C] Dhrupad Style
[D] Carnatic Instrumental
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Carnatic Vocal]
Notes:
Dr M Balmuralikrishna was a famous Carnatic vocalist. He belongs to Tamil Nadu. He died in 2016.
3. At which of the following places a Farm Radio was established as a Joint venture between All India Radio and UNESCO in 1956 for the purpose of broadcasting programmes related to agriculture?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Nagpur
[C] Hyderabad
[D] Pune
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Pune]
Notes:
The correct answer is Pune. In 1956, a Farm Radio was established in Pune as a joint venture between All India Radio and UNESCO. This initiative aimed to disseminate agricultural knowledge and practices to farmers, enhancing rural development. Pune was chosen due to its proximity to agricultural research institutions, making it an ideal location for such educational broadcasts.
4. Which among the following is NOT a classical language?
[A] Tamil
[B] Telugu
[C] Kannada
[D] Rajasthani
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Rajasthani]
Notes:
As of October 2024, India recognizes eleven classical languages: Tamil (2004), Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), Odia (2014), and, more recently, Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali (all in 2024). These languages are esteemed for their antiquity, rich literary heritage, and significant cultural contributions. The designation aims to preserve and promote India’s diverse linguistic legacy.
5. Which among the following is correct about “My Dear Kuttichathan”?
[A] It was First Malayalam Movie of India
[B] It was First 3-D Movie of India
[C] It was first technicolor movie of India
[D] It was first film in 70 mm
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [It was First 3-D Movie of India]
Notes:
My Dear Kuttichathan is a 1984 Malayalam-language film directed by Jijo Punnoose and produced by his father Navodaya Appachan. It was the first Indian film to be filmed in 3D format.
6. Gandhara art is a combination of which of the following styles?
[A] Indian Style + Kushan Style
[B] Greek Style + Kushan Style
[C] Indian Style + Greek Style
[D] Indian Style + Persian Style
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian Style + Kushan Style]
Notes:
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.
7. The craft of carpet making was first introduced in India in which of the following states?
[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Kashmir
[C] West Bengal
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kashmir]
Notes:
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.
8. Who among the following was the successor of Sikh Guru Har Krishan?
[A] Guru Angad Dev
[B] Guru Tegh Bahadur
[C] Guru Hargobind
[D] Guru Amar Das
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Guru Tegh Bahadur]
Notes:
Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth of ten Gurus of the Sikh religion. Tegh Bahadur continued in the spirit of the first guru, Nanak; his 116 poetic hymns are registered in Guru Granth Sahib. He was successor of Sikh Guru Har Krishan.
9. Madhuri Dixit is associated with which Indian Dance form?
[A] Bharatnatyam
[B] Kuchipudi
[C] Kathakali
[D] Kathak
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kathak]
Notes:
Madhuri Dixit, also known by her married name Madhuri Dixit Nene, is an Indian actress, producer, and television personality. She is associated with Kathak dance.
10. Match the following people with their respective century:
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A. Amir Khusro
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1. 14th century
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B. Kabir
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2. 13th century
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C. Abul Fazal
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3. 15th century
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D. Tukaram
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4. 16th century
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5. 17th century
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A B C D (UPSC Prelims 1985)
[A] 3 4 2 5
[B] 5 2 1 4
[C] 2 3 4 5
[D] 1 3 5 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [2 3 4 5]
Notes:
• Ab’ul Hasan Yamin ud-Din Khusrau is better known as Amir Khusrow Dehlavi. He was a Sufi musician, poet and scholar from India.
• Kabir was a 15th-century Indian mystic poet and saint, whose writings, according to some scholars, influenced Hinduism’s Bhakti movement.
• Shaikh Abu al-Fazal ibn Mubarak is also known as Abul Fazal. It was the Grand vizier of the Mughal emperor Akbar and author of the Akbarnama.
• Tukaram is also referred to as Sant Tukaram. He was a 17th-century Hindu poet and sant of the Bhakti movement in Maharashtra.