Indian Culture MCQs

Notes:
Ibn batutta was an Arab traveler and adventure frm Morocoo. His book is a primary source of history of the region of Muhmmad bin Tughluq it throws ligh on the socio-political condition of his times.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Bhagvatgita belongs to Bhishma parva. There are total in 18 parvas in Mahabharata.

Notes:
Namdev is considered to be a part of the varkari tradition (Vaishnava devotional tradition) was born in Maharashtra in 1270 AD, belong to chipi (cloth painter) caste. He composed hymns on Marathi and some of his verses were included in the Guru Granth Sahib (or Adi Granth). He was a precursor of Kabir and Guru Nanak. His abhangas (or devotional lyrics) were known as Namdevachi.

Notes:
Tulsidas ji belonged to Saguna school of Bhakti Kal. He is best known as the author of the epic Ramcharitmanas ( a story of Lord Rama in hindi) and the other works composed by him are Vinaypatrika, Kavitavali, Janaki Mangal, Gitavali, etc.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
The six schools of Hindu Philosophy are Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa and Vedanta. These are also called the Astika.

Notes:
Kuchipudi is a classical dance form, exclusive to the South-East Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It originated in a village of Krishna district in modern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It derives its name from this village. It is a dance-drama performance art, with its roots in the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text of Natya Shastra. Like all major classical dances of India, it was also developed as a religious art linked to travelling bards, temples and spiritual beliefs. The Kuchipudi style was conceived by Siddhendra Yogi, a talented Vaishnava poet of 17th century. It begins with an invocation to Lord Ganesha followed by Nritta (non-narrative and abstract dancing); shabdam (narrative dancing) and natya. The dance is accompanied by song which is typically Carnatic music. The singer is accompanied by musical instruments like Mridangam, violin, flute and tambura. Like other classical dances, Kuchipudi also comprises pure dance, mime and histrionics but it is the use of speech that distinguishes Kuchipudi’s presentation as dance drama.

Notes:
Ramkinkar Baij was an Indian sculptor and painter, one of the pioneers of modern Indian sculpture and a key figure of Contextual Modernism. He is a noted scholar on Indian scriptures and a recipient of Padma Bhushan in 1999.

Notes:
Rouff is a traditional folk dance that originates from Kashmir. It is usually performed by women during special occasions and festivals, particularly during harvest season. The dancers often wear colorful traditional Kashmiri clothing and move in a synchronized manner. The beauty of this dance form is amplified by the serene and scenic locales of Kashmir where it is often performed. Rouff not only serves as a form of entertainment and celebration, but also represents and reflects the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir.