1. Sayana, an important commentator on Vedas was associated with which among the following empires?
[A] Chola Empire
[B] Vijayanagar Empire
[C] Hoyasala Empire
[D] Bahmani Empire
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vijayanagar Empire]
Notes:
Sayana was an important commentator on the Vedas. His commentary on the Rigveda was edited by Max Müller, 1849-1875.He flourished under the king Bukka I and his successor Harihara II in the Vijayanagar Empire.
2. Kargam is a folk dance of which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Karnataka
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Karagam is a traditional dance of Tamil Nadu, which is performed by male dancers. In this dance, the dancer wears dhoti and garlands, and dons a kalash, or pitcher, filled with water and uncooked rice on his head (as a symbol of life and fertility). The The pitcher, decorated by a flower-bedecked conical bamboo frame, is balanced by the dancer on his head. Karagam dancers move in a procession throughout the village to reach the temple of the goddess, accompanied by the drum called nadaswaram and other instruments.
3. Which School of Art is also recognized as the “mature” school?
[A] Kushana School
[B] Andhra School
[C] Arafat School
[D] Mathura School
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kushana School]
Notes:
The Kushana School of Art, also known as the mature school, has a unique amalgamation of Indian and Greek artistry. The school flourished during the Kushana Empire and was greatly influenced by the cultural confluence with the Romans. While the Gandhara and Mathura schools predominantly shaped the Kushana Art, the amalgamation formed a mature phase in the evolution of Indian art, hence earning the moniker.
4. Consider the following matches:
- Khudabaksh Oriental Library
- Library of Tibetan Works and Archives
- Indira Gandhi Rastriya Manav sangrahalaya
The states in which the above are located are as follows:
[A] Bihar, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh
[B] Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh
[C] Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh
[D] Bihar, Sikkim, Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
Khudabaksh Oriental Library – Patna,
Library of Tibetan Works and Archives-Dharamsala,
Indira Gandhi Rastriya Manav sangrahalaya – Bhopal
5. The Sangai Festival is celebrated in __:
[A] Assam
[B] Manipur
[C] Mizoram
[D] Nagaland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Manipur]
Notes:
Sangai festival is celebrated in Manipur. It is celebrated by the state tourism department every year. It is celebrated near Loktak lake.
6. Who among the following is known to establish ‘Indore Gharana’?
[A] Ustad Amir Khan
[B] Ustad Bade Mohammad Khan
[C] Abdul karim Khan
[D] Rehmat ali khan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ustad Amir Khan ]
Notes:
Ustad Amir Khan is said to have established Indore Gharana.
7. Who is the author of the celebrated literary work, Gita Govinda?
[A] Jayadeva
[B] Bhavabhuti
[C] Kalidasa
[D] Manu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jayadeva]
Notes:
The Gita Govinda, a 12th-century work that expresses the divine love of the Hindu deity Krishna and his consort Radha, was composed by the renowned poet Jayadeva. Jayadeva was a prominent poet of Bengal, revered as one of the five gems in the court of Lakshman Sen, the ruler of the Sena dynasty. His lyrical compositions significantly influenced the Bhakti movement, promoting devotion to deity through song.
8. Which of the following is not related to the Gandhara School of Art? (UPSC Prelims General Studies 1980)
[A] Ellora
[B] Ajanta
[C] Khajuraho
[D] Elephanta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Khajuraho]
Notes:
Gandhara art is known for the first sculptural representations of the Buddha in human form. The art was primarily Mahayana and shows Greco-Roman influence. All the Ellora caves ,Ajanta caves and Elephanta caves has the influence of Gnadhara school of art but the Khajuraho temple does not relate to this art form.
9. Match the columns:
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(A) Amaranth
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(1) Buddhist caves
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|
(B) Rock cut temples
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(2) Jain saint
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(C) Ajanta
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(3) Hindu shrine
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(D) Bahubali
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(4) Mahabalipuram
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A B C D (UPSC Prelims 1985)
[A] 3 4 2 1
[B] 4 3 1 2
[C] 3 4 1 2
[D] 4 3 2 1
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [3 4 1 2]
Notes:
• Amaranth cave is a Hindu shrine located in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m.
• A rock cut temple is carved from a large rock and excavated and cut to imitate a wooden or masonry temple with wall decorations and works of art. Pancha Rathas is an example of monolith Indian rock cut architecture dating from the late 7th century located at Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Ajanta Caves are 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE in Aurangabad.
• Bahubali a much revered figure among Jains was the son of Rishabhanatha, the first tirthankara of Jainism, and the younger brother of Bharata Chakravartin.
10. According to the Mimamsa system of philosophy, which one of the following liberation is possible by means of? (UPSC Prelims 1995)
[A] Jnana
[B] Bhakti
[C] Yoga
[D] Karma
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Karma]
Notes:
According to the Mimamsa system of philosophy, liberation is possible by means of Karma. It was started by Jaimini.