1. The Varkari sect in Maharashtra was founded by __?
[A] Tukaram
[B] Namdev
[C] Visoba Khechar
[D] Dhyaneshwar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Dhyaneshwar]
Notes:
The sect is believed to have originated in Karnataka and migrated to Maharashtra later. The followers of the sect believe that Dnyaneshwar laid the foundation stone, which is evident from the saying “Dnyanadev rachila paya”
2. In which city is the dargah (tomb) of sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti located ?
[A] Delhi
[B] Ghaziabad
[C] Ajmer
[D] Gwalior
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ajmer]
Notes:
Ajmer Sharif Dargah is a sufi shrine of the sufi saint, Moinuddin Chishti, located at Ajmer, Rajasthan. He was born in Sanjar. He is considered as the founder of the Chisti order of Sufism.
3. After a defeat in prolonged debate on Vedic philosophies, who among the following is known to have become disciple of Adi Sankara and later became first head of Sringeri Mutt?
[A] Hastamalaka
[B] Totakacharya
[C] Padmapada
[D] Madana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Madana]
Notes:
Madana Misra was defeated in a debate by his contemporary ,Adi Shankara. He is said to have become a disciple of Adi Sankara. Maṇḍana Miśra’s wife was Ubhaya Bharati.
4. In which of the following states of India , a festival called Chapchar Kut is celebrated in March ?
[A] Assam
[B] Mizoram
[C] Karnataka
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mizoram]
Notes:
The Chapchar Kut is a festival of Mizoram, India. It is celebrated during March after completion of their most arduous task of jhum operation i.e., jungle-clearing (clearing of the remnants of burning). It is a spring festival celebrated with great favour and gaiety.
5. Navalinga Temples, the nine temples cluster of the 9th century built by the Amoghavarsha I of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty was located in which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Karnataka
[D] Maharastra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Karnataka]
Notes:
The Navalinga temple cluster is located in Kukkanur town of Karnataka. This 9th century complex was built during the reign of King Amoghavarsha I or his son Krishna II of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty. They are build in Dravidian style.
6. Who among the following was the disciple of Vallabhacharya?
[A] Surdas
[B] Dhanna
[C] Raidas
[D] Kabir Das
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Surdas]
Notes:
Saint Surdas ji was a 15th-century blind saint and an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna, known for his devotional songs dedicated to Lord Krishna. He being a disciple of guru Vallabhacharya was a advocator of the Shuddhadvaita school of Vaishnavism (also known as Pushti Marg).
7. Which among the following is true about the Saint Jnaneswar ?
[A] He wrote Jnaneswari
[B] He wrote commentary on Bhagwad Gita
[C] He was the pioneer Bhakti saint of Maharashtra
[D] All of these
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of these]
Notes:
Saint Jnaneswar was a famous poet-saint of Maharashtra was born in 1275 AD in Alandi, Maharashtra. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu who wrote Jnaneswari (a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita) and translated Bhagwad Gita into the Marathi language. Excerpts of his works are Amrutanubhava, Commentary on Yoga Vashishtha, Changdev Pasashti, etc.
8. Who among the following Sikh Gurus is known for introducing the Anand Karaj?
[A] Guru Angad
[B] Guru Amar Das
[C] Guru Tegh Bahadur
[D] Guru Arjun Dev
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Guru Amar Das]
Notes:
Guru Amar das ji, the 3rd guru of Sikhs, is known for introducing the Anand Karaj ( Sikh marriage ceremony). As per the rules and regulations of Sikhism, persons not conceding the Sikh faith cannot be joined in marriage by the Anand Karaj ceremony.The notable points are Sikhs practise monogamy and widows or widowers may remarry.
9. 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.
10. 'Bhand Pather' is the traditional folk theatre of which state?
[A] Assam
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Jammu and Kashmir
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jammu and Kashmir]
Notes:
The Bhand Pather is not a monologue but a social drama which incorporates mythological legends and contemporary social satire. Bhands are the traditional folk entertainers and plays of the Bhands are called pather. It is predominantly practised in Jammu & Kashmir.
