1. Famous sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya settled in Delhi during the times of __:
[A] Akbar
[B] Jahangir
[C] Shahjahan
[D] Aurangjeb
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Correct Answer: A [Akbar]
Notes:
Nizamuddin Auliya was a famous sufi saint. During rule of akbar, he had settled down in delhi. He was highly respected by the people. Beside his grave in Delhi, a big mosque has been built.
2. Who among the following was known as Bengal’s Greata Garbo?
[A] Suchitra Sen
[B] Amaravati
[C] Kanan Devi
[D] Bharathi Shirodkor
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Correct Answer: A [Suchitra Sen]
Notes:
Legendary actress Suchitra Sen was popularly known as Bengal’s Greata Garbo. Sen began her career with the Bengali film “Shesh Kothay” in 1952. She is well known for her role in Devdas and Aandhi. She died at the age of 82.
3. A Fire temple is a place of worship for _____?
[A] Sikhs
[B] Zoroastrians
[C] Buddhists
[D] Shinto’s
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Correct Answer: B [Zoroastrians]
Notes:
A fire temple in Zoroastrianism is the place of worship for Zoroastrians, often called dar-e mehr (Persian) or agiyari (Gujarati). In the Zoroastrian religion, fire together with clean water (see aban), are agents of ritual purity.
4. Rumtek Monastery is lcoated in which state?
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Jammu and Kashmir
[D] Sikkim
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Correct Answer: D [Sikkim]
Notes:
Rumtek Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in the Indian state of Sikkim, near the capital city of Gangtok. It is the largest monastery in Sikkim and one of the most important centers of the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery is known for its traditional Tibetan architecture and art, and for its collection of sacred texts and artifacts. It is also the seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa, the head of the Kagyu sect.
5. The annual “Royal Kathima Ceremony” is associated with which of the following religions?
[A] Jainism
[B] Buddhism
[C] Parsi
[D] Sikhism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Buddhism]
Notes:
The Royal Kathina Ceremony is observed every year by Buddhist. It is observed in only one Buddhist temple outside Thailand and this year the Namphake Buddhist temple of Assam was selected. Kathina offering is an ancient Buddhist Tradition of offering special robe and other necessities to monks who maintain strict discipline of retreat during the rainy season. The main purpose of the ceremony is not merely for religious belief but also to strengthen the relationship between Thailand and other countries.
6. ‘Gwalior Gharana’ is one of the oldest Gharana based on which form of Hindustani classical music?
[A] Dhrupad
[B] Khayal
[C] Thumri
[D] Tarana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Khayal]
Notes:
Gwalior Gharana is one of the oldest Khyal Gharanas of Hindustani classical music. The rise of the Gwalior Gharana started with the reign of the great Mughal emperor Akbar.The favorite singers of this patron of the arts, such as Miyan Tansen, first amongst the vocalists at the court, came from the town of Gwalior.
7. Who among the following propounded the Dvaitadvaita philosophy?
[A] Sankaradeva
[B] Madhvacharya
[C] Nimbarka
[D] Ramanuja
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Correct Answer: C [Nimbarka]
Notes:
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.
8. 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.
9. The Shatapatha Brahmana is a Hindu sacred text associated with:
[A] Sukla Yajurveda
[B] Krishna Yajurveda
[C] Atharvaveda
[D] Samaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Sukla Yajurveda]
Notes:
The Shatapatha Brahmana has 100 adhyayas. It belongs to Later Vedic Period. It is a prose text describing Vedic rituals, history and mythology associated with the Sukla Yajurveda. According to Shatapatha Brahmana both Devas and Asuras are said to have been born from Prajapati, the lord of creatures.
10. “Paika Akhada” is also known as sword fighting. This martial art is predominantly practised in which state of India?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Odisha
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Odisha]
Notes:
Paika Akhada is a traditional martial art that originated in the ancient Kalinga kingdom in Odisha, India. It’s still practiced in the state capital of Bhubaneshwar, Khurda, and Puri. Paika Akhada is a combination of dance and martial arts. The term “paika” comes from the Sanskrit word “padatika” which means foot soldiers. The term “akhada” refers to a place in rural Odisha where military training is given.