Pariksha SaathiGeneral Studies
Indian Art and Culture: Practice Questions with Answers
234 practice questions on Indian Art and Culture, with answers; most also have an explanation or a worked solution. Try each one before you open its answer.
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Q.1
Which of the following was among the first four Indian sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983?
- A Khajuraho temples
- B Hampi monuments
- C Ajanta Caves
- D Sanchi stupa
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Ajanta Caves
The first Indian sites inscribed in 1983 were the Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Agra Fort and Taj Mahal. Khajuraho and Hampi were added in 1986 and Sanchi in 1989.
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Q.2
The Vaisheshika school of Indian philosophy, known for its atomic theory of matter, was founded by which sage?
- A Kapila
- B Kanada
- C Jaimini
- D Gautama
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Kanada
Kanada founded the Vaisheshika school and propounded that all matter is made of atoms (anu). Kapila founded Samkhya, Gautama founded Nyaya and Jaimini founded Mimamsa.
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Q.3
Which of the following versions of the Ramayana and their languages is correctly matched?
- A Kamba Ramayanam - Telugu
- B Krittivasi Ramayan - Bengali
- C Ranganatha Ramayanam - Kannada
- D Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilippattu - Tamil
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Krittivasi Ramayan - Bengali
Krittibas Ojha's Ramayan is the classic Bengali retelling of the epic. Kamba Ramayanam is in Tamil, Ranganatha Ramayanam in Telugu and Ezhuthachan's Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilippattu in Malayalam.
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Q.4
Monks of which Jain sect traditionally renounce all clothing?
- A Svetambara
- B Digambara
- C Sthanakvasi
- D Murtipujaka
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Digambara
Digambara ('sky-clad') monks renounce clothing as a sign of complete non-possession, while Svetambara ('white-clad') monks and nuns wear white garments. Sthanakvasi and Murtipujaka are branches of the Svetambara tradition.
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Q.5
Govardhana Matha, one of the four cardinal mathas traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, is located at which place?
- A Dwarka
- B Sringeri
- C Jyotirmath
- D Puri
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Puri
The four mathas are traditionally placed at Sringeri in the south, Dwarka in the west, Puri (Govardhana Matha) in the east and Jyotirmath near Badrinath in the north. Together they mark Shankaracharya's effort to organise Advaita monasticism across India.
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Q.6
The Dashavatara temple at Deogarh in Uttar Pradesh, an early stone temple in the Nagara style, was built in which period?
- A Mauryan
- B Kushana
- C Gupta
- D Pratihara
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Gupta
The Dashavatara Vishnu temple at Deogarh (Lalitpur district) dates to the early 6th century CE, in the Gupta period, and has a well-known panel of Vishnu reclining on Sheshanaga. It is built on the panchayatana plan.
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Q.7
Which of the following Hindi works and their authors is NOT correctly matched?
- A Maila Anchal - Phanishwar Nath 'Renu'
- B Madhushala - Harivansh Rai Bachchan
- C Tamas - Bhisham Sahni
- D Saket - Sumitranandan Pant
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Saket - Sumitranandan Pant
Saket, an epic that retells the Ramayana with a focus on Urmila, was written by Maithili Sharan Gupt. Maila Anchal (Renu), Madhushala (Bachchan) and Tamas (Bhisham Sahni) are correctly matched.
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Q.8
The Group of Monuments at Hampi, the ruins of the Vijayanagara capital, lies on the banks of which river?
- A Krishna
- B Kaveri
- C Tungabhadra
- D Godavari
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Tungabhadra
Hampi in Karnataka stands among granite boulders on the south bank of the Tungabhadra and was inscribed by UNESCO in 1986. The Vittala and Virupaksha temples are among its best-known monuments.
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Q.9
The Jain canonical texts (Agamas) were finally compiled and written down at a council held in the 5th or 6th century CE at which place?
- A Vallabhi
- B Pataliputra
- C Shravanabelagola
- D Rajgir
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) Vallabhi
The council at Vallabhi in Gujarat, presided over by Devardhi Kshamashramana, gave the Svetambara canon its written form. The earlier council at Pataliputra, in the Mauryan period, was led by Sthulabhadra.
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Q.10
Gita Govinda, the 12th-century Sanskrit lyrical poem on the love of Radha and Krishna whose songs are sung in Odissi performances, was composed by whom?
- A Vidyapati
- B Jayadeva
- C Chandidas
- D Surdas
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Jayadeva
Jayadeva composed the Gita Govinda in Sanskrit; its ashtapadis are sung in the Jagannath temple at Puri and in Odissi recitals. Vidyapati and Chandidas wrote later Radha-Krishna songs in Maithili and Bengali respectively.
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Q.11
The Bhimbetka rock shelters, famous for prehistoric cave paintings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are located in which state?
- A Madhya Pradesh
- B Chhattisgarh
- C Uttar Pradesh
- D Karnataka
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) Madhya Pradesh
Bhimbetka lies in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, near Bhopal. It was discovered by V.S. Wakankar in 1957 and inscribed by UNESCO in 2003; its paintings span the Palaeolithic to the historical period.
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Q.12
Prithviraj Raso, the heroic poem on the life of Prithviraj Chauhan, is attributed to which poet?
- A Chand Bardai
- B Jagnik
- C Narpati Nalha
- D Keshavdas
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) Chand Bardai
Prithviraj Raso is traditionally attributed to Chand Bardai, said to be the court poet and friend of Prithviraj Chauhan. Jagnik is linked with the Alha-khand and Narpati Nalha with the Bisaldev Raso.
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Q.13
Bathukamma, a floral festival in which women arrange seasonal flowers in a conical stack and later immerse it in water, is associated with which state?
- A Karnataka
- B Telangana
- C Tamil Nadu
- D Maharashtra
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Telangana
Bathukamma is celebrated by the women of Telangana for nine days around Navaratri and is a state festival of Telangana. Bonalu, which also has state-festival status, is another major festival of the state.
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Q.14
Which of the following pairs of natural World Heritage Site and state is NOT correctly matched?
- A Sundarbans National Park - West Bengal
- B Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks - Uttarakhand
- C Kaziranga National Park - Assam
- D Great Himalayan National Park - Arunachal Pradesh
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Great Himalayan National Park - Arunachal Pradesh
The Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area, inscribed in 2014, is in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. The other three pairs are correct.
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Q.15
Which of the following folk dance and state pairs is NOT correctly matched?
- A Lavani - Maharashtra
- B Bihu - Assam
- C Garba - Gujarat
- D Karma - Kerala
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Karma - Kerala
Karma is a tribal dance of the Karma festival performed in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, not Kerala. Lavani, Bihu and Garba are correctly matched.
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Q.16
Which classical dance form takes its name from a village in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh and was systematised by Siddhendra Yogi?
- A Yakshagana
- B Bharatanatyam
- C Mohiniyattam
- D Kuchipudi
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Kuchipudi
Kuchipudi is named after the village Kuchipudi in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. Siddhendra Yogi is regarded as its founder; the dance includes the famous Tarangam performed on the rim of a brass plate.
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Q.17
Ustad Bismillah Khan, who was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2001, was a maestro of which musical instrument?
- A Sarod
- B Santoor
- C Shehnai
- D Sitar
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Shehnai
Bismillah Khan of Varanasi brought the shehnai from wedding processions to the concert stage. Amjad Ali Khan is associated with the sarod, Shivkumar Sharma with the santoor and Ravi Shankar with the sitar.
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Q.18
Amir Khusrau, the poet-musician traditionally credited with shaping the qawwali, was a disciple of which Sufi saint?
- A Moinuddin Chishti
- B Baba Farid
- C Bakhtiyar Kaki
- D Nizamuddin Auliya
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Correct answer: (D) Nizamuddin Auliya
Amir Khusrau was a devoted disciple of Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya of the Chishti order in Delhi and is buried in the same dargah complex. Moinuddin Chishti's dargah is at Ajmer.
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Q.19
The 'Tribhanga' posture, in which the body is bent at the neck, waist and knee, is a characteristic feature of which classical dance?
- A Kathak
- B Manipuri
- C Kuchipudi
- D Odissi
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Odissi
Odissi of Odisha is known for the tribhanga (three-bend) and chowk (square) postures, seen also in temple sculptures of Odisha. Kathak is known for footwork and chakkars (spins).
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Q.20
In a Hindu temple, what is the small innermost chamber that houses the main deity called?
- A Mandapa
- B Pradakshina patha
- C Garbhagriha
- D Antarala
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Garbhagriha
The garbhagriha ('womb-house') is the sanctum where the principal image is installed. The mandapa is the pillared hall for devotees, the antarala is the vestibule between hall and sanctum, and the pradakshina patha is the path for circumambulation.
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Q.21
Which of the following schools of Vedanta and their exponents is NOT correctly matched?
- A Advaita - Adi Shankaracharya
- B Vishishtadvaita - Ramanujacharya
- C Dvaita - Madhvacharya
- D Shuddhadvaita - Nimbarka
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Shuddhadvaita - Nimbarka
Shuddhadvaita (pure non-dualism) was taught by Vallabhacharya, while Nimbarka is associated with Dvaitadvaita (dualistic non-dualism). The other three pairs are correctly matched.
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Q.22
The Ajanta caves are carved into a horseshoe-shaped rocky cliff overlooking the gorge of which river?
- A Godavari
- B Waghora
- C Tapi
- D Purna
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Waghora
The Buddhist caves of Ajanta in Maharashtra are cut into the scarp above a horseshoe-shaped bend of the Waghora river. The Godavari and the Tapi are major rivers that do not flow past the site.
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Q.23
Which style of colonial architecture blended Indian features such as domes, chhatris and jharokhas with Gothic and neo-classical elements?
- A Indo-Saracenic
- B Art Deco
- C Baroque
- D Neo-Palladian
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) Indo-Saracenic
Indo-Saracenic architecture flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; examples include the Madras High Court and the Mysore Palace. Art Deco, with streamlined geometric forms, came later along Mumbai's Marine Drive.
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Q.24
Dollu Kunitha, a vigorous drum dance performed by men of the Kuruba community, is a folk dance of which state?
- A Kerala
- B Karnataka
- C Andhra Pradesh
- D Tamil Nadu
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Karnataka
Dollu Kunitha is a group dance of Karnataka in which men beat large drums (dollu) slung from their necks while performing energetic, acrobatic movements.
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Q.25
Consider the following statements about Pattadakal in Karnataka: 1. It has temples built in both the Nagara and the Dravida styles. 2. It was an important centre of the Chalukyas of Badami. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A 1 only
- B 2 only
- C Both 1 and 2
- D Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
Pattadakal, a UNESCO site since 1987, has Nagara temples such as Kashi Vishwanatha and Galaganatha alongside Dravida temples such as Virupaksha and Mallikarjuna, mostly built under the Chalukyas of Badami in the 7th-8th centuries.
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Q.26
In a Buddhist stupa, what is the small square railed enclosure on top of the dome, from which the umbrella (chhatra) rises, called?
- A Harmika
- B Vedika
- C Medhi
- D Yashti
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) Harmika
The harmika crowns the dome (anda) and is believed to symbolise the abode of the gods; the yashti (shaft) carrying the chhatra rises from it. The vedika is the railing around the stupa and the medhi is the raised terrace.
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Q.27
Chikankari, the delicate white thread embroidery on fine muslin, is a GI-tagged craft of which city?
- A Varanasi
- B Bhagalpur
- C Agra
- D Lucknow
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Lucknow
Chikankari embroidery is the signature craft of Lucknow and is said to have been patronised by Nur Jahan. Varanasi is famous for Banarasi brocade silk and Bhagalpur for tussar silk.
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Q.28
The Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's national academy for music, dance and drama, was the first of the three national akademis to be set up. In which year was it established?
- A 1950
- B 1953
- C 1954
- D 1961
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) 1953
The Sangeet Natak Akademi was set up by a government resolution of 1952 and inaugurated in January 1953. The Sahitya Akademi (literature) and Lalit Kala Akademi (fine arts) followed in 1954.
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Q.29
Which Carnatic vocalist was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1998?
- A D.K. Pattammal
- B M.L. Vasanthakumari
- C M. Balamuralikrishna
- D M.S. Subbulakshmi
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) M.S. Subbulakshmi
M.S. Subbulakshmi received the Bharat Ratna in 1998, becoming the first musician to be given the award. D.K. Pattammal and M.L. Vasanthakumari were her eminent contemporaries in Carnatic vocal music.
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Q.30
Consider the following folk dances and the states they belong to. Which pair is NOT correctly matched?
- A Raut Nacha - Chhattisgarh
- B Dandiya Raas - Gujarat
- C Padayani - Punjab
- D Dhamal - Haryana
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Padayani - Punjab
Padayani is a ritual art of the Bhagavati temples of Kerala, not a dance of Punjab. Raut Nacha (Yadav community of Chhattisgarh), Dandiya Raas (Gujarat) and Dhamal (Haryana) are correctly matched.
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Q.31
Sarhul, the spring festival in which sal blossoms are offered at the sacred grove, is a major festival of the tribal communities of which state?
- A Jharkhand
- B Gujarat
- C Kerala
- D Haryana
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) Jharkhand
Sarhul is celebrated by tribal communities of Jharkhand such as the Oraon and Munda to welcome the new year, with worship of the sal tree at the sarna (sacred grove). Karma is another major tribal festival of the state.
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Q.32
Which school of Indian philosophy, also called Lokayata, was materialist and rejected the authority of the Vedas and belief in life after death?
- A Charvaka
- B Mimamsa
- C Nyaya
- D Vedanta
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) Charvaka
The Charvaka or Lokayata school held that perception is the only valid means of knowledge and denied the soul and rebirth; it is traditionally traced to Brihaspati. Mimamsa, by contrast, upheld the Vedas and Vedic ritual.
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Q.33
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, a natural World Heritage Site inscribed in 1985 and known for the golden langur and pygmy hog, is located in which state?
- A West Bengal
- B Arunachal Pradesh
- C Meghalaya
- D Assam
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Assam
Manas lies in the Himalayan foothills of Assam along the border with Bhutan. Assam's other natural World Heritage Site is Kaziranga National Park, also inscribed in 1985.
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Q.34
Which of the following folk dance and state pairs is correctly matched?
- A Fugdi - Kerala
- B Bagurumba - Manipur
- C Dhalo - Punjab
- D Jat-Jatin - Bihar
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Jat-Jatin - Bihar
Jat-Jatin is a folk dance of the Mithila region of north Bihar. Fugdi and Dhalo are women's folk dances of Goa, and Bagurumba is a dance of the Bodo community of Assam.
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Q.35
The Upanishads, the philosophical texts that form the concluding portion of the Vedic literature, are collectively also known as what?
- A Brahmanas
- B Aranyakas
- C Vedanta
- D Samhitas
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Vedanta
The Upanishads are called Vedanta (end of the Vedas) because they come at the end of Vedic literature and contain its philosophical essence. The Samhitas are the hymn collections, Brahmanas deal with rituals and Aranyakas are forest texts.
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Q.36
The Brahma Sutras, the foundational text of the Vedanta school of philosophy, are attributed to whom?
- A Jaimini
- B Badarayana
- C Patanjali
- D Gautama
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Badarayana
Badarayana composed the Brahma Sutras (Vedanta Sutras), which systematise the teachings of the Upanishads and were commented upon by Shankara, Ramanuja and Madhva. Patanjali composed the Yoga Sutras.
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Q.37
Bidriware, a metal handicraft in which silver is inlaid on a blackened zinc-copper alloy, originated in which place?
- A Bidar, Karnataka
- B Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh
- C Jaipur, Rajasthan
- D Cuttack, Odisha
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) Bidar, Karnataka
Bidriware takes its name from Bidar in Karnataka, where it developed under the Bahmani sultans in the 14th-15th century; it holds a GI tag. Moradabad is known for brassware and Cuttack for silver filigree (tarakasi).
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Q.38
Which of the following musician and instrument pairs is correctly matched?
- A Pandit Shivkumar Sharma - Santoor
- B Ustad Amjad Ali Khan - Sitar
- C Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia - Sarangi
- D Ustad Zakir Hussain - Pakhawaj
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) Pandit Shivkumar Sharma - Santoor
Shivkumar Sharma made the santoor, a Kashmiri folk instrument, a classical concert instrument. Amjad Ali Khan plays the sarod, Hariprasad Chaurasia the bansuri (flute) and Zakir Hussain the tabla.
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Q.39
Ustad Mansur, the painter celebrated for his studies of birds, animals and flowers, worked in the court of which Mughal emperor?
- A Akbar
- B Shah Jahan
- C Humayun
- D Jahangir
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Jahangir
Jahangir's reign is considered the peak of Mughal painting, and he gave Ustad Mansur the title Nadir-ul-Asr. Humayun brought the Persian masters Mir Sayyid Ali and Abdus Samad, and Akbar's court produced the Hamzanama.
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Q.40
The Basilica of Bom Jesus, which holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, is part of which UNESCO World Heritage Site?
- A Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai
- B Historic City of Ahmedabad
- C Churches and Convents of Goa
- D Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Churches and Convents of Goa
The Churches and Convents of Goa, inscribed in 1986, are monuments of the Portuguese period in Old Goa; the Basilica of Bom Jesus and the Se Cathedral are among them.
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Q.41
The Sittanavasal cave, known for its Jain murals of a lotus pond with fish, birds and animals, is located in which state?
- A Kerala
- B Karnataka
- C Tamil Nadu
- D Andhra Pradesh
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Tamil Nadu
Sittanavasal, in Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu, is a Jain rock-cut shelter whose ceiling paintings show a lotus pond. Bagh in Madhya Pradesh and Ajanta in Maharashtra are other ancient mural sites.
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Q.42
The Capitol Complex at Chandigarh, inscribed by UNESCO in 2016 as part of a transnational World Heritage Site, is the work of which architect?
- A Laurie Baker
- B Charles Correa
- C Edwin Lutyens
- D Le Corbusier
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Le Corbusier
The Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier planned Chandigarh in the 1950s; his Capitol Complex is one of 17 sites in seven countries in 'The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier'.
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Q.43
Consider the following statements: 1. English is one of the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. 2. Sindhi was added to the Eighth Schedule by the 21st Constitutional Amendment in 1967. Which of these statements is/are correct?
- A Only 1
- B Only 2
- C Both 1 and 2
- D Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Only 2
Only statement 2 is correct. English is not in the Eighth Schedule, although it continues to be used for official purposes of the Union under the Official Languages Act, 1963; Sindhi became the 15th scheduled language through the 21st Amendment of 1967.
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Q.44
Kalamkari of Andhra Pradesh has two main styles. In the Srikalahasti style designs are drawn freehand with a pen (kalam). What does the Machilipatnam style mainly use?
- A Tie-and-dye
- B Mirror embroidery
- C Carved wooden blocks for printing
- D Wax-resist batik
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Carved wooden blocks for printing
Machilipatnam Kalamkari is largely block-printed with natural dyes and shows Persian-influenced motifs, while hand-drawn Srikalahasti Kalamkari usually depicts temple and epic themes. Both have GI tags.
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Q.45
Theyyam, a ritual dance in which the performer is believed to embody a deity, is mainly performed in the northern Malabar region of which state?
- A Kerala
- B Karnataka
- C Goa
- D Tamil Nadu
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) Kerala
Theyyam is performed at village shrines (kavus) in Kannur and Kasaragod districts of north Kerala. Performers wear elaborate costumes, tall headgear and bold face painting.
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Q.46
Consider the following statements about the Carnatic Trinity: 1. Most of Tyagaraja's kritis are in Telugu. 2. Muthuswami Dikshitar composed his kritis mainly in Sanskrit. Which of these statements is/are correct?
- A Only 1
- B Only 2
- C Both 1 and 2
- D Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Tyagaraja composed mostly in Telugu, while Dikshitar's kritis, including the Kamalamba Navavarana series, are mainly in Sanskrit. Syama Sastri, the third member, also composed largely in Telugu.
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Q.47
Arrange the following monuments in chronological order of construction, earliest first: 1. Charminar, Hyderabad 2. Alai Darwaza, Delhi 3. Taj Mahal, Agra 4. Humayun's Tomb, Delhi
- A 2-1-4-3
- B 2-4-1-3
- C 4-2-1-3
- D 2-4-3-1
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) 2-4-1-3
The Alai Darwaza was built in 1311, Humayun's Tomb around 1565-72, the Charminar in 1591 and the Taj Mahal between about 1632 and 1653.
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Q.48
The 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003 added four languages to the Eighth Schedule. Which of the following was NOT one of them?
- A Bodo
- B Dogri
- C Konkani
- D Santhali
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Konkani
The 92nd Amendment added Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Santhali, taking the number of scheduled languages to 22. Konkani, along with Manipuri and Nepali, had been added earlier by the 71st Amendment of 1992.
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Q.49
The UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Great Living Chola Temples' includes the Brihadeeswara temple at Thanjavur, the temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and which third temple?
- A Airavatesvara temple, Darasuram
- B Nataraja temple, Chidambaram
- C Meenakshi temple, Madurai
- D Ranganathaswamy temple, Srirangam
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) Airavatesvara temple, Darasuram
The Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram near Kumbakonam, built by Rajaraja Chola II, completes the group. Thanjavur was inscribed in 1987 and the other two temples were added in 2004.
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Q.50
Who was the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism, who lived about 250 years before Mahavira?
- A Rishabhanatha
- B Neminatha
- C Parshvanatha
- D Mahavira
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Parshvanatha
Parshvanatha, who is associated with Varanasi, was the 23rd Tirthankara and taught four vows; Mahavira, the 24th, added the fifth vow of brahmacharya. Rishabhanatha was the first and Neminatha the 22nd.
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Authored by an AI assistant (Claude) from its own general knowledge of stable, well-established facts (no live lookup) - not reviewed by a subject-matter expert; verify against an official source before relying on any fact.