1. Sangai Festival is celebrated in which among the following states of India?
[A] Assam
[B] Manipur
[C] Bihar
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Manipur]
Notes:
The Manipur Sangai Festival is an annual calendar mega-event of the Government of Manipur spearheaded by the Tourism Department that seeks to showcase and promote the finest of Manipur’s arts & culture, adventure sports, indigenous cuisines, handloom & handicrafts, fine arts, indigenous games & music and various other niche products to a regional, national and global audience.
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. 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. The Saraswati Samman is an annual award for outstanding prose or poetry literary works in which of the following languages?
[A] Hindi Only
[B] Any Indian language or Dialect
[C] Any Indian Language included in 8th schedule of Indian Constitution
[D] Any Indo-Aryan language
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Any Indian Language included in 8th schedule of Indian Constitution]
Notes:
The Saraswati Samman is awarded for outstanding literary works in any Indian language included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This schedule recognizes 22 languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, and others, reflecting India’s linguistic diversity. Established in 1991 by the K. K. Birla Foundation, the award aims to promote and honor literary excellence across various Indian languages.
5. The following places represent the contemporary 4 Dhamas of Hindu Pilgrimage in India?
[A] Badrinath -Kedarnath – Amarnath – Vaishnodevi
[B] Badrinath – Kedarnatrh – Gangotri – Yamunotri
[C] Badrinath – Kedarnath – Rameshwaram – Puri
[D] Badrinath -Rameshwaram -Puri -Dwarka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Badrinath -Rameshwaram -Puri -Dwarka]
Notes:
Badrinath -Rameshwaram -Puri -Dwarka and they represent 4 corners of the country
6. Who among the following was the first Sikh Guru Martyr ?
[A] Guru Teg Bahadur
[B] Guru Har Govind
[C] Guru Arjun dev
[D] Guru Harkishan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Guru Arjun dev]
Notes:
The 5th guru of Sikhs, Guru Arjun Dev ji was the first Sikh Guru Martyr, who was executed by Mughal emperor Jahangir on charges of helping his rebel son, Prince Khurram with money and prayer. He built the Swarna Mandir (or Golden temple) in Amritsar and compiled Adigranth, the holy scripture of Sikhism.
7. Kashful Mahjub, the celebrated manual of Sufism was written by whom ?
[A] Khwaja Al Hujuiri
[B] Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti
[C] Khawaja Bahauddin Zakariya
[D] Shaikh Nasiruddin Mahmud
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Khwaja Al Hujuiri]
Notes:
The 11th century Sufi saint, Khwaja Al Hujuiri ( also known as Data Ganj Baksh) was the author of the celebrated manual on Sufism entitled “Kashful Mahjub”.
8. Chapchar Kut, Mim Kut and Pawl Kut are festivals celebrated in which state?
[A] Mizoram
[B] Kerala
[C] Goa
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Mizoram]
Notes:
The festivals are called Kut in Mizo language. The three Kuts viz. Chapchar Kut, Mim Kut and Pawl Kut are the three festivals which are connected with agricultural activities. These festivals are celebrated with feasts and dances.
9. Which of the following musical instruments is NOT of foreign origin?
[A] Flute
[B] Sitar
[C] Violin
[D] Tabla
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Flute]
Notes:
A bansuri is a side blown flute originating from the Indian subcontinent. It is an aerophone produced from bamboo.It is one of the most common instruments in the North Indian or Hindustani classical music.
10. The Nagara style of temple architecture is associated with which of the following?
[A] North India
[B] South India
[C] East India
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [North India]
Notes:
Nagara is the style of temple architecture which became popular in Northern India. It is common here to build an entire temple on a stone platform with steps leading up to it. Earliest temples had only one shikhara (tower), but in the later periods multiple shikharas came.
