Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
A rare inscription from the time of Vikramaditya I of the Badami Chalukya dynasty was recently found at Madapura Lake in Davangere district, Karnataka. Vikramaditya I ruled from 644 Common Era (CE) to 681 CE. He became king after the defeat of his father Pulakeshin II by the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I. His most important military success was the recapture of Vatapi, the Chalukya capital, from the Pallavas. He supported temple architecture and encouraged the construction of freestanding temples, a key feature of Chalukya style. The inscription offers new insights into his rule and regional history.

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Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently found 11 Satavahana-era inscriptions in the Gundaram Forest of Telangana’s Peddapalli district. Two inscriptions mention the Chutu dynasty and a Satavahana prince named Kumāra Hakusiri. These inscriptions are written in early Brahmi script and show religious and political symbols. The Satavahana dynasty was founded by Simuka after the Mauryan Empire, around mid-1st century BCE. The word “Satavahana” in Prakrit means “driven by seven,” symbolizing the chariot of the Sun God. Their main regions were Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. They ruled from capitals like Pratishthana (Paithan) and Amaravati.

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Archaeologists have recently discovered prehistoric tools from the Lower Paleolithic age at Mangar Bani, highlighting its ancient human presence. Mangar Bani is a sacred grove and Paleolithic site located in the Aravalli hills on the Delhi-Haryana border. It lies within the only primary forest in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), meaning the forest is largely untouched by human activities and contains native tree species. Evidence shows continuous human occupation from around 100,000 years before present (BP) to 1000 AD. The site also has rock shelters and ancient rock and cave paintings estimated to be 20,000 to 40,000 years old.

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Malwa Utsav is one of the biggest cultural festivals of Madhya Pradesh. It is celebrated mainly in Madhya Pradesh to promote Indian dance, music, and art. The recent Malwa Utsav was held from 6 to 12 May 2025 at Lalbagh Complex, Indore. The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh participated in this grand event. It is organised by Lok Sanskriti Manch and has been celebrated for the past 25 years. The aim is to preserve and promote folk culture and traditions. It provides a platform and market to local artists and craftsmen. The festival promotes national integration and cultural exchange. Folk artists from across India and Madhya Pradesh performed dances and music.

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The Supreme Court has recently allowed the Uttar Pradesh government to carry out its ₹500 crore development plan for the Shri Banke Bihari Temple Corridor in Vrindavan. Shri Banke Bihari Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, located in Vrindavan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh. The word “Banke” means bent in three places, and “Bihari” refers to the supreme enjoyer, describing the idol’s posture. The temple was established by Swami Haridas, guru of the legendary musician Tansen. Built in 1864, it showcases fine Indian craftsmanship with oil paintings of deities.

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The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), along with the World Monuments Fund India (WMFI) and the TCS Foundation, has recently completed the conservation of Rajon ki Baoli. Rajon ki Baoli, also called Rajon ki Bain, is a 16th-century stepwell located in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, South Delhi. It was built in 1506 CE by Daulat Khan during the rule of Sikander Lodi of the Lodi dynasty, the last dynasty before the Mughals. The stepwell showcases Lodi-era architecture and traditional water conservation techniques. It served as a water source and summer retreat, mainly used by masons for drinking and cooking.

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After 12 years, the Pushkar Kumbh Mela began in Uttarakhand on May 15, 2025, inaugurated by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at Keshav Prayag in Mana village. The Mela is held at the sacred confluence of the Alaknanda and Saraswati rivers, attracting many Vaishnavite devotees, especially from South India. It is celebrated when Jupiter enters Gemini, a rare astrological event believed to purify the soul and grant moksha (liberation). Mana village holds historical importance as the place where Maharishi Ved Vyas lived and where saints Ramanujacharya and Madhvacharya received divine wisdom. The Uttarakhand government has improved pedestrian pathways, added bilingual signs, and deployed police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams for pilgrim safety. Unlike larger Kumbh Melas, this one offers a peaceful and personal spiritual experience, strengthening north-south spiritual ties and continuing until May 26, 2025.

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The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has recently asked for revisions to the excavation report submitted by the archaeologist who led the Keezhadi project. The Keezhadi excavation site is near Madurai in Tamil Nadu, on the banks of the Vaigai River. It is a major Sangam-era settlement dating from the 5th century BCE to the 3rd century CE. The site reveals a well-planned, literate, and craft-based urban society. Keezhadi suggests that South India had early urbanisation independent of North Indian cultures. It is considered one of Tamil Nadu’s most important archaeological discoveries after Adichanallur.

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A rare Kannada inscription was discovered in Haveri, Karnataka, dating back to 18th August 1539 CE. It records a mass humanitarian disaster due to “bara” (drought), resulting in 6,307 deaths. This is India’s earliest known inscription that explicitly mentions the human toll of a natural disaster. The deceased were buried with respects paid to God Basaveshwara. Inscriptions are historical texts carved on stone or metal to record important events, decrees, or donations. This finding gives rare insight into how ancient societies documented and responded to climate-related tragedies.

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Prime Minister recently visited the Karni Mata Temple in Rajasthan. The temple is located in Bikaner district, Rajasthan. It is dedicated to Karni Mata, believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The temple was established by Rao Jaitasi to celebrate the victory of the Bikaner King over Mughal King Kumaran. It belongs to the Shakta Sampradaya, a religious sect devoted to Goddess worship. The temple is unique worldwide because thousands of rats freely move inside it.