1. 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.
2. In which century, the Rajatarangini of Kalhana was composed?
[A] 10th
[B] 11th
[C] 12th
[D] 13th
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [12th]
Notes:
The Rajatarangini ( “The River of Kings”) is a metrical historical chronicle of north-western Indian subcontinent, particularly the kings of Kashmir, written in Sanskrit by Kashmiri Brahman Kalhana in 12th century CE.
3. Which among the following are called Dharamchakra ?
[A] The chakra which is a weapon of lord Vishnu in Hindu Mythology
[B] The first sermon of Mahavira Jain
[C] The chakra which has 24 spokes in the central white band in Indian Flag
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [The chakra which has 24 spokes in the central white band in Indian Flag]
Notes:
The Ashoka Chakra is a depiction of the Dharma Chakra which has 24 spokes in the central white band in Indian Flag. The circular Ashoka Chakra represents the progressiveness of the country.
4. In which type of following classical dance forms of India the Pung which is a drum is a integral part?
[A] Bharatnatyam
[B] Kathakali
[C] Kuchipudi
[D] Manipuri
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Manipuri]
Notes:
Punj or Drum dance is a dance that belongs to Manipur. The Pung cholom is a Manipuri dance. It is the soul of Manipuri Sankirtana music and classical Manipuri dance.
5. ‘BHAGORIA’ is the traditional folk dance of which tribe?
[A] Bhil
[B] Gond
[C] Korku
[D] Baiga
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bhil]
Notes:
Tribal dance forms are Karma and Saili (Gonds), Bhagoria (Bhils), Lehangi (Saharias) and Thaapti (Kokru), Pardhauni (Baiga).
6. Who among the following authors wrote “Ganga Lahri”?
[A] Bhimsen
[B] Sujan Rai
[C] Padma Shankar
[D] Jagannatha Pandit
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Jagannatha Pandit ]
Notes:
Jagannatha Pandit wrote a poem (of 52 Sanskrit Shlokas) in praise of Ganga known as Ganga Lahari. He was a poet, scholar and musician in the courts of the Mughal emperors Jehangir and Shah Jahan. Excerpts of his works are Rasa Gangadharam (Alankara Sastram), Five Vilasams, etc.
7. Who among the following poet was the author of the Tamil version of the Valmiki’s Ramayana known as “Ramavataram”?
[A] Kamban
[B] Arinjaya
[C] Uttamchola
[D] Kudal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kamban]
Notes:
Kamban was author of the Tamil version of the Valmiki’s Ramayana known as Kamba Ramayana (or Ramavataram).
8. Which of the following is not a correct statement about Buddhist Canonical literature?
[A] Abhidhamma Pitaka was compiled in third Buddhist Council
[B] Digha Nikaya is a part of the Sutta Pitaka
[C] Vinaya Pitaka primarily deals with monastic rules for monks and nuns
[D] Sutta Pitaka deals with philosophy and psychology and lays down methods for training the mind.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Sutta Pitaka deals with philosophy and psychology and lays down methods for training the mind. ]
Notes:
Abhidhamma Pitaka is the third and latest of the Pali canonical texts recognized in the early Buddhist Theravāda tradition. Its compilation is dated to the third Buddhist Council, held during the reign of the Mauryan emperor Asoka, that is, c. third century BCE. The text focuses on philosophy and psychology and lays down methods for training the mind.
9. With reference to India's culture and tradition, what is "Kambala"?
[A] an annual buffalo race held traditionally in Karnataka
[B] a martial art practiced in Manipur
[C] a folk art of Kerala
[D] an ancient style bronze and brasswork of Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ an annual buffalo race held traditionally in Karnataka]
Notes:
Kambala is an annual buffalo race held traditionally in Karnataka state of India. The event was recently in news, when after the ban on Jallikattu; the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has asked Karnataka government to ban the race citing reasons of cruelity to animals.
10. Which among the following term correctly represents the religious and belief systems in which items in nature such as animals, trees or mountains can have spiritual value?
[A] Animism
[B] Syncretic religion
[C] Tribalism
[D] Hybrid religion
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Animism]
Notes:
Animistic religions such as voodoun are based on items in nature having spiritual value. Syncretic religions are ones that have integrated the beliefs of two or more other religions. An example would be Sikhism, drawing from both Hinduism and Islam. Please don’t confuse with tribalism. Although many of the world’s tribal groups have animistic beliefs, they are identified as a social unit, not a religion. Hybrid religious practices can describe the syncretic or involve the worship of two or more religions simultaneously
