Indian Culture MCQs

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Kshemendra was a Kashmirian poet of the 11th century, writing in Sanskrit.In his most of the works like ‘Kalavilas’, ‘Narma Mala’ describes the inner weakness of man and society and the corrupt official machinery of those times.In his one of the work ‘Samaya Matrika’ ,he depicted super seductress ‘Kankali’ character By depicting it ,he wishes to reform the degradation in the society. In short Ksemendra had chosen the vehicle of satire.

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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.

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The Basilica of Bom Jesus holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier and is a Roman Catholic basilica located in Goa. It is a part of the Churches and convents of Goa UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Lavani is a dance form that originated in the state of Maharashtra in India. It is known for its vibrant and energetic dance moves, as well as the colorful costumes and traditional music that accompanies it. Lavani is typically performed by female dancers, who sing and dance to the accompaniment of a dholak, a traditional Indian drum. The dance is often associated with the state’s folk tradition, and it is often performed at festivals and other celebrations.

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Kumbha (Kumbha means pot) Mela is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage that takes place at the following four locations of India: 

1. Prayag (near the city of Allahabad, in the state of Uttar Pradesh) at the confluence of three rivers Ganga (Ganges), Yamuna and Saraswati 
2. Haridwar (in the state of Uttarakhand) where the river Ganga enters the plains from Himalayas 
3. Ujjain (in Madhya Pradesh), on the banks of Ksipra river, and 
4. Nasik (in Maharashtra) on the banks of Godavari river. 

The pilgrimage occurs four times every twelve years, once at each of the four locations. Each twelve-year cycle includes the Maha (great) Kumbh Mela at Prayag, attended by millions of people, making it the largest pilgrimage gathering around the world.

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The Tangaliya shawl is an indigenous craft from Gujarat, specifically associated with the Dang region. It is known for its unique weaving technique that incorporates intricate patterns and vibrant colors. The shawls are traditionally made using wool and are characterized by their durability and warmth. The GI recognition in 2009 helps protect the traditional craftsmanship and promotes the artisans’ work, ensuring that the cultural heritage of Gujarat is preserved.

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Tera Tali is a famous folk dance of Rajasthan. It is Performed by the ‘Kamar’ tribe. The women folk sit on the ground while performing the Tera Tali.

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Saint Surdas ji was an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna and Radha, known for his devotional songs dedicated to Lord Krishna. He composed Sur Sagar (Ocean of Melody), Sur Saravali and Sahitya Ratna. He was blind from birth belong to saguna school of Bhakti Kal.

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Guru Gobind Singh dev ji (1666-1708 AD) was the last and 10th guru of Sikhs, was born in Patna. He was the son of Guru Tegh Bahadur (the 9th Sikh Guru) and Mata Gujri. At the end of his life, he passed the Guruship of the Sikhs to the Eleventh and Eternal Sikh Guru, the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

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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”.