Indian Culture MCQs

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Bani Thani is a famous painting from Kishangarh style.

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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.

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Panch Mahal is a palace in Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh. The Panch Mahal meaning ‘Five level Palace’ was commissioned by Akbar . This structure stands close to the Zenana quarters which supports the supposition that it was used for entertainment and relaxation.

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The Kathasaritsagar ( or Ocean of the Streams of Stories) is a famous 11th-century collection of Indian legends, fairy tales and folk tales as retold in Sanskrit by Somadeva, a Shaiva Brahmin.

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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.

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Kuchipudi is a classical dance form, exclusive to the South-East Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It originated in a village of Krishna district in modern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It derives its name from this village. It is a dance-drama performance art, with its roots in the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text of Natya Shastra. Like all major classical dances of India, it was also developed as a religious art linked to travelling bards, temples and spiritual beliefs. The Kuchipudi style was conceived by Siddhendra Yogi, a talented Vaishnava poet of 17th century. It begins with an invocation to Lord Ganesha followed by Nritta (non-narrative and abstract dancing); shabdam (narrative dancing) and natya. The dance is accompanied by song which is typically Carnatic music. The singer is accompanied by musical instruments like Mridangam, violin, flute and tambura. Like other classical dances, Kuchipudi also comprises pure dance, mime and histrionics but it is the use of speech that distinguishes Kuchipudi’s presentation as dance drama.

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Sikhism is strictly monotheistic and believes that there is only One God. Guru Nanak prefixed the numeral “IK” (one) to the syllable Ongkar to stress the idea of God’s oneness, that the Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer is One.

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Harmandir Sahib is popularly known as the Golden Temple of Amritsar. It was built by the Sikh guru Ramdas.

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The Kathak dance form achieved a greater dimension under the patronage of Wajid Ali Shah. He choreographed his own dance form which was known as Rahas and the dance moves were similar to the Kathak.

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The term ‘Trithankhar’ is associated with the Jain religion. Parshavanath was the twenty-third Jain trithankar. There are in total twenty-four trithankar in Jain religion who propagated the Jain philosophy from time to time.