1. Who is known as the Father of Tamil literature?
[A] Nakkirar
[B] Pushyamitra
[C] Aggatiyam
[D] Agastaya
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Correct Answer: D [ Agastaya ]
Notes:
As per Tamil sources, the father of Tamil literature is ‘Agastaya’.
2. Akshardham temple, which is situated in Delhi, is revered for which Hindu deity?
[A] Swaminarayan
[B] Shiva
[C] Krishna
[D] Ganesh
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Correct Answer: A [Swaminarayan]
Notes:
The temple is located near the banks of the Yamuna River. The temple was opened to the general public on 6th November 2005. It holds the Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple.
3. In context with the Mahayana Buddhism faith, the future Buddha is ___?
[A] Krakuchanda
[B] Amitabha
[C] Maitreya
[D] Kanak Muni
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Correct Answer: C [Maitreya]
Notes:
Maitreya is a future Buddha. . According to scriptures, Maitreya will be a successor of the historic Sakyamuni Buddha, who in the Buddhist tradition is to appear on Earth, achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma.
4. Which among the following is first Classical Language?
[A] Sanskrit
[B] Konkani
[C] Malayalam
[D] Tamil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Tamil]
Notes:
The new category of classical language was created in 2004 and Tamil was declared first classical language of India. Classical languages in India refer to those languages that have been given the status of classical languages by the government of India. This status is given to languages that have a long literary history and have made a significant contribution to the cultural heritage of India. The classical languages of India are Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. These languages have a rich history and have been instrumental in the development of many aspects of Indian culture, including literature, art, and music.
5. Which among the following is the oldest surviving rock-cut cave in India ?
[A] Bagh Caves
[B] Ellora Caves
[C] Uday Giri Caves
[D] Barabar Caves
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Correct Answer: D [Barabar Caves]
Notes:
Barabar Caves in Bihar is one of the oldest surviving rock cut cave in India. It dates from the mauryan empire.
6. Ancient Bhima Devi Temple is located in which state ?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Haryana
[D] Punjab
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Correct Answer: C [Haryana]
Notes:
Bhima Devi Temple Complex, also known as Khajuraho of North India is located in Pinjore town in Panchkula district of Haryana. This temple was built between 8-11 century AD and is known for its erotic sculptures like Khajuraho.
7. Who was the second guru of Sikhs ?
[A] Guru Angad
[B] Guru Amardas
[C] Guru Ramdas
[D] Guru Arjun Dev
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Guru Angad]
Notes:
Guru Angad Dev ji (1504 -1552 AD) was the 2nd Guru of Sikhs, who popularised the use of simplified script, known as Gurmukhi script, by modifying the old Punjabi characters. It became the medium of writing the Punjabi language in which the hymns of the Gurus are expressed.
8. Which of the following Sikh guru founded Swarna Mandir ?
[A] Guru Arjun Dev
[B] Guru Nanak
[C] Guru Govind Singh
[D] Guru Teg Bahadur
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Correct Answer: A [Guru Arjun Dev]
Notes:
The 5th guru of Sikhs, Guru Arjun Dev ji built the Swarna Mandir (or Golden temple) in Amritsar and compiled Adigranth, the holy scripture of Sikhism. He was executed by Mughal emperor Jahangir on charges of helping his rebel son, Prince Khurram with money and prayer.
9. The holy text of Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib is written in which script?
[A] Urdu
[B] Bihari
[C] Gurmukhi
[D] Farsi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gurmukhi]
Notes:
The Guru Granth Sahib is written in Gurmukhi and has 1,430 pages. It contains 5,894 hymns arranged into 31 musical groupings.The fifth Gurus of Sikhs, Guru Arjun Dev ji laid the foundation of holy book of Sikhs , Guru Granth Sahib (or Adi granth). It is a compilation of teachings and writings by Guru Nanak dev ji and other Sikh Gurus in addition to the Hindu and Muslim saints.
10. The temple architecture of which among the following has shown a transition from the Rock Cut Architecture to the Stone built temples?
[A] Cholas
[B] Cheras
[C] Chalukyas
[D] Pallavas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Pallavas]
Notes:
The Pallava architecture shows the transition from the Rock Cut Architecture to the Stone built temples. § The earliest examples of the Pallava art are the rock cut temples of the 7th century AD, while the later examples are of structural temples built in 8th and 9th century. § The rock cut reliefs of the Pallavas are the earliest surviving royal portraits after the Kushana images. § At the end of 6th century, King Harsha ruled in the North and he patronized the Buddhist Institutions. In South, Pallavas expanded themselves from the much of the Andhra Pradesh of today to much of Tamil Nadu. The Pallava Kings are known to be one of the greatest patrons of the art, music, architecture, dance and literature. King Mahendravarman was a poet and a playwright who wrote a satire on contemporary life titled “Mattavilasa Prahasana”. Another King of Pallava Dynasty named Rajsimha (Narsimhamvaraman) was such a great lover of art that he used the title “Kalasamudra” for himself.