1. Which of the following features of Indian temples resembles pylons of the Egyptian temples?
[A] Lat
[B] Vimana
[C] Gopura
[D] Shikhara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Gopura ]
Notes:
Buddhists, Jains, and Hindus have directed an almost equal attention to the Gopura or gateways o f their towns and temples. These, both in form and purpose, resemble the pylons of the Egyptian temples.
2. In which among the following states, the people following Baul tradition are found?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Gujarath
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [West Bengal]
Notes:
Baul are a group of mystic minstrels from Bengal. Bauls constitute both a syncretic religious sect and a musical tradition. Bauls are a very heterogeneous group, with many sects, but their membership mainly consists of Vaishnava Hindus and Sufi Muslims. They can often be identified by their distinctive clothes and musical instruments. Not much is known of their origin. Lalon Fakir is regarded as the most important poet-practitioner of the Baul tradition. Baul music had a great influence on Rabindranath Tagore’s poetry and on his music (Rabindra Sangeet). Though Bauls comprise only a small fraction of the Bengali population, their influence on the culture of Bengal is considerable. In 2005, the Baul tradition was included in the list of “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO.
3. Which among the following is the most famous Bronze Image of Chola Period?
[A] Murugan
[B] Nataraja
[C] Venkateshwar
[D] Vishunu
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Correct Answer: B [Nataraja]
Notes:
Chola art: The most famous of all the bronze icons is that of Nataraja, the Divine Dancer. The symbolism presents Siva as lord of the cosmic dance of creation and destruction.
4. Which among the following is known as the earliest example of Panchayatana style of temple?
[A] Dashavatara temple at Deogarh
[B] Temple at Pathari
[C] Shatrughneshwara temple at Bhubaneshwar
[D] Lakshmana temple at Sirpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Dashavatara temple at Deogarh]
Notes:
The Dashavatara Temple or Vishnu Temple also called Gupta temple at Deogarh. It was built in the Gupta Period (320 to c. 600 AD ). Archaeologists have inferred that it is the earliest known Panchayatana temple in North India. A hindu temple is a Panchayatana one when the main shrine is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines.
5. Husari and Bihunas are two main forms of dancing of which among the following states?
[A] Assam
[B] Bihar
[C] Orissa
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Assam]
Notes:
Husari and Bihunas belongs to Assam. Husari is carol singing. Bihu songs and dances invariably follow the main item of Husari singing.
6. Where are the headquarters of the North East Zone Cultural Centre located?
[A] Guwahati
[B] Itanagar
[C] Aizawl
[D] Dimapur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Dimapur]
Notes:
The North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), one of the seven zonal centres established by the Indian government, is situated in Dimapur in Nagaland. These cultural centres were designed to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of India. NEZCC includes Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.
7. Which chapter of Mahabharata deals with fruitless efforts to bring about peace between the Kurus and the Pandavas ?
[A] Vana Parva
[B] Virat Parva
[C] Udyog Parva
[D] Drona Parva
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Udyog Parva]
Notes:
Udyog Parva of Mahabharata deals with fruitless efforts to bring about peace between the Kurus and the Pandavas. There are 18 parvas.
8. Who among the following poet/poetess is well known for his work ‘Brahmarakshas’?
[A] Harishankar Parsai
[B] Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh
[C] Subhadra Kumari Chauhan
[D] Nida Fazli
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh ]
Notes:
Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh was one of the most prominent Hindi poets, essayist, literary and political critic, and fiction writers of the 20th century.He also remained assistant-editor of journals like, Naya Khun and Vasudha.He is best known for his long poems:Brahma-rakshasa, Chand ka Muh Teda hai,Andhere Mein and Bhuri Bhuri Khak Dhul.
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 Langas and Manganiars communities are known for:
[A] martial arts in North-East India
[B] classical vocal music in South India
[C] pietra dura tradition in Central India
[D] musical tradition in North-West India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [musical tradition in North-West India]
Notes:
The Langas and Manganiars are Muslim communities of traditional musicians who are known for their Sufi music. They have lived in the Thar Desert region of western Rajasthan for centuries, and also in villages along the Pakistan border. They are hereditary communities who make their livings as musical performers and genealogists for higher-caste patrons