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. Among the five monolithic rathas of Pallavas at Mahabalipuram, the largest is ___?
[A] Arjuna
[B] Bhima
[C] Dharmaraja
[D] Draupadi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Dharmaraja]
Notes:
Mahabalipuram Temples: Pallava dynasty: The five monolithic rathas are square or oblong in plan, pyramidal in elevation and varying in their overall dimensions. the Dharmaraja ratha constructed in Pallava style is the largest of all, having huge pillats in the portico with statue of lions, pyramidal tower and turret roof.
3. Which among the following ancient authors has complained of the drain of gold to India (due to trade hegemony of ancient India)?
[A] Ptolemy
[B] Nero
[C] Strabo
[D] Pliny
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Pliny]
Notes:
The lamentation of the Roman writer Pliny in the 1st century A.D refers to heavy drain of Gold from Roman into India in payment of her imports from India. He writes that the drain of Gold is in return for unproductive luxuries. The Roman gold and silver were steadily drained into South India in exchange not only for spices, but also muslin, silk and other costly luxuries.
4. Brahma Sutra of Badrayan are the logical point of starting of which of the following philosophies?
[A] Vaisheshika
[B] Nyaya
[C] Vedanta
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vedanta]
Notes:
The Brahma Sutras is a Sanskrit text, attributed to Badarayana, estimated to have been completed in approx. 400-450 CE. It talks about the vedic philosophy of Vedanta.
5. 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.
6. Sattriya dance, which is one of the eight principal classical Indian dance traditions is from which of the following states?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Manipur
[C] Mizoram
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Assam]
Notes:
Sattriya or Sattriya Nritya is one of the eight principal classical Indian dance traditions of Assam in India. Sattriya has remained a living tradition since its creation by the founder of Vaishnavism in Assam, the great saint Srimanta Sankardev, in 15th century Assam.
7. Sylheti language is a dialect of which of the following languages ?
[A] Sindhi
[B] Bengali
[C] Odia
[D] Punjabi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bengali]
Notes:
Sylheti is a language spoken by the Sylheti people, who are primarily found in the Sylhet Division of northeastern Bangladesh and in the adjacent parts of the Indian state of Assam. Sylheti is part of the Eastern Indo-Aryan language group and is closely related to Bengali, the national language of Bangladesh. It is written in the Bengali script and has its own distinctive vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Sylheti is spoken by around 15 million people and is an important language for commerce and education in the Sylhet region. It is also used as a literary language, and there is a rich tradition of Sylheti poetry, prose, and drama.
8. The oldest recorded Indian Music dates back to 1902 when India’s first disc featured a khayal in Raag Jogiya by one of these singers. Identify the singer:
[A] Abdul Wahid Khan
[B] Govindrao Tembe
[C] Gauhar Jan
[D] Abdul Karim Khan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gauhar Jan]
Notes:
Gauhar Jan, born as Angelina Yeoward, was of the foremost musicians in the Hindustani classical music tradition during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in India. She is known especially for her ghazal style and singing in several languages such as Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, and more. A critical performer in khyal style music, she was notable enough to perform in the first recording sessions held in India circa 1902.
9. Who among the following propounded the Dvaitadvaita philosophy?
[A] Sankaradeva
[B] Madhvacharya
[C] Nimbarka
[D] Ramanuja
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Nimbarka]
Notes:
The 13th century saint of Andhra, Acharya Nimbarka is known for propagating the Vaishnava Theology of Dvaitadvaita (duality in unity) also known as Bhedabheda (Difference in Non-difference). According to him, the Brahmans, the souls and the world are identical yet distinct. Even after merger, they remain distinct. He was the founder of Sanak Sampradaya of Vaishnavism. The works attributed to him are Vedanta Parijata Saurabha (a short story on Brahma Sutras) , Dashashloki, Shri Krishnastava raja and Madhvamukavardhana.
10. Khwaja Fariduddin Masud is popularly known by what name?
[A] Bahauddin Zakaria
[B] Shah Barkatullah
[C] Baba Farid
[D] Hamiddudin Nagauri
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Baba Farid]
Notes:
Khwaja Fariduddin Masud, better known as Baba Farid, was a highly revered Islamic scholar in the 12th-century. This saintly figure is known for his contributions to Punjabi literature, having composed numerous verses and hymns. His wisdom revolved around themes of God’s love, and he was instrumental in spreading the message of Sufism, a mystical sect of Islam. His teachings and works continue to hold spiritual significance among believers.