1. Which is the largest Indian museum?
[A] Nizam’s Museum
[B] Salar Jung Museum
[C] AP state Archaeology Museum
[D] Indian Museum Kolkata
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Indian Museum Kolkata]
Notes:
Indian Museum Kolkata is the largest museum in India. It was founded by 1814. It is also the oldest Indian museum.
2. Which state government in India presents the National Kishore Kumar Award?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Gujarat
[D] Chhattisgarh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
The National Kishore Kumar Award is conferred by the Madhya Pradesh Government in India. This prestigious award, named after the legendary Indian actor, playback singer, director, and music producer Kishore Kumar, honours exceptional contributions in the Indian film and music industry. It is part of their initiative to promote arts and culture.
3. Who among the following is also venerated as “Second Buddha”?
[A] Padmasambhava
[B] Avalokitesvara
[C] Maitreya
[D] Mahasthamaprapta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Padmasambhava]
Notes:
Padmasambhava is venerated as the “second Buddha” by the Nyingma school, the oldest buddhist school in Tibet known of as “the ancient ones”.
4. Who among the following Sikh Gurus composed Anand Sahib (Hymn of Bliss)?
[A] Guru Angad
[B] Guru Amar Das
[C] Guru Tegh Bahadur
[D] Guru Arjun Dev
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Guru Amar Das]
Notes:
The third Guru, Guru Amar Das ji, composed the Anand Sahib (Hymn of Bliss). He is also known for introducing the Anand Karaj ( Sikh marriage ceremony) and started Sikh Manji system and Piri System.
5. Who among the following authors wrote “Mintakhab-ul-Tawarikh”?
[A] Kamgar Khan
[B] Abdul Qadir Badyuni
[C] Khafi Khan
[D] Mutamid Khan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Abdul Qadir Badyuni]
Notes:
An Indo-Persian historian and translator, Mullah Abdul Qadir Badyuni composed Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh (Selection of Chronicles) or Tarikh-i-Bada’uni (Bada’uni’s History) in 1595 AD. The work is compiled in three volumes viz. the first volume contains an account of Babur and Humayun, the second volume exclusively deals with Akbar’s reign up to 1595 AD and the third volume describes the lives and works of Muslim religious figures,scholars, physicians and poets
6. The Aitareya Aranyakas and the Kaushitaki Aranyakas are associated with which of the following Vedas?
[A] Rig-Veda
[B] Sama-Veda
[C] Yajur-Veda
[D] Atharva-Veda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Rig-Veda]
Notes:
Each Veda has its own Aranyakas and Upanisads. Aranyakas were mainly meant for ascetics who lived in forest. Kaushitaki Aranyakas and Aitareya Aranyakas are parts of Rig-Veda.
7. Artists of which of the following paintings are also known as Patua painters?
[A] Kalamkari
[B] Madhubani
[C] Kalighat
[D] Batik
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kalighat]
Notes:
Kalighat Paintings are hand-made drawings and sometimes machine-made. It is produced by a group of artists called ‘Patuas’, who live near the famous Kali temple at Kalighat in West Bengal.
8. “Pari-khanda” is a martial art created by Rajputs. This art is most commonly practised in which state of India?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bihar]
Notes:
"Pari-khanda" is a fighting form created by Rajputs and is still practised in many parts of Bihar. "Pari" means shield and "khanda" means sword.
9. Which of the following schools of philosophy was originally known as Lokayata and Brahaspatya?
[A] Charvaka
[B] Ajivika
[C] Samkhya
[D] Vaisheshika
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Charvaka]
Notes:
Charvaka system was originally called Lokayat or Brahaspatya. This school may be called one of the oldest school of Indian materialism. It rejects Vedas, rejects ritualism of Vedas and does not believe in god or any other super natural power. Ajita Kesakambali is thought to be the first Caravaka while Brihaspati is called its founder. Most of its literature is now lost and it is also not a living tradition as of now. It was called Lokayata because it was prevalent (ayatah) among the people (lokesu), and meant the world-outlook of the people.
10. Which among the following ancient Indian scriptures are characterized by five characteristics or Pancha-Lakshana viz., history, cosmology (with various symbolical illustrations of philosophical principles), secondary creation, genealogy of kings and of Manvantaras?
[A] Itihasas
[B] Agamas
[C] Puranas
[D] Subhasitas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Puranas
]
Notes:
The Puranas are of the same class as the Itihasas. They have five characteristics (Pancha-Lakshana) viz., history, cosmology (with various symbolical illustrations of philosophical principles), secondary creation, genealogy of kings and of Manvantaras. All the Puranas belong to the class of Suhrit-Samhitas.
