Q. The first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, a music training school, was set up in 1901 by Vishnu Digambar Paluskar in which city? (UPSC Prelims 2025)
Answer: Lahore
Notes: The correct answer is [D] Lahore. Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, a legendary figure in Hindustani classical music, founded the first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya on May 5, 1901.

• Establishment in Lahore (Correct): Paluskar chose Lahore (now in Pakistan) to establish his first institution. His primary goal was to democratize music education, which was previously confined to the Gharana system (secretive, family-based oral traditions). He wanted to make classical music accessible to the common public and give it a respectable status in society.
• Expansion to Bombay: A second branch of the Mahavidyalaya was later established in Bombay (Mumbai) in 1908. This branch eventually became the center of his activities after the Lahore school faced financial difficulties.
• Delhi (Incorrect): While the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in New Delhi is currently one of the most famous branches, it was established much later (in 1939) by his disciple, Pandit Vinaya Chandra Maudgalya.
• Gwalior (Incorrect): Although Paluskar was trained in the Gwalior Gharana under Pandit Balakrishnabuwa Ichalkaranjikar, he did not set up the first Mahavidyalaya there. Gwalior is famous for being the oldest Khyal gharana but was not the site of this specific institutional milestone.

Paluskar is also credited with developing a notation system for Indian classical music and for his iconic arrangement of the bhajan "Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram".