1. King Ashvapati of the Upanishadic Age was the ruler of which among the following Kingdoms?
[A] Kekaya
[B] Matsya
[C] Panchala
[D] Sursena
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Correct Answer: A [ Kekaya ]
Notes:
LATER VEDIC AGE – The Kekaya kingdom was situated on the bank of River Beas, east of Gandhar kingdom. King Aswapati ruled Kekaya when Janak was the king of Videha.
2. Shaphee Lanphee, a traditional textile fabric, is a GI product from which of the following states?
[A] Assam
[B] Manipur
[C] Jammu & Kashmir
[D] Andhra Pradesh
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Correct Answer: B [Manipur]
Notes:
Shaphee Lanphee is a traditional textile fabric woven and embroidered by Meitei women of Manipur. The fabric was, in the past, presented as a gift of honour (Mana Phee) to the soldiers for their bravery in a successful war, and to the praise-worthy chiefs of the Nagas of Manipur by the king of Manipur.
3. Bobbili veena, also known as Saraswathi Veena or the Ekanda Veena, is a large plucked string instrument used in Carnatic classical music. It is made from which of the following trees?
[A] Sandalwood
[B] Jackwood
[C] Bamboo
[D] Rosewood
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jackwood]
Notes:
Bobbili veena, also known as Saraswathi Veena or the Ekanda Veena, is a large plucked string instrument used in Carnatic classical music. It is carved from a single piece of Jackwood. Jackwood is a rainforest tree.
4. Kambala Sport is held in which state?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Gujarath
[C] Tamilnadu
[D] Kerala
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Correct Answer: A [Karnataka]
Notes:
Kambala is an annual buffalo race held in Karnataka and also in some parts of Kerala such as Kasaragod.
5. Chakan Gaan-Ngai, a post-harvest festival is celebrated in __:
[A] Manipur
[B] Sikkim
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Arunachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Manipur]
Notes:
Celebration of the biggest post-harvest festival of the Zeliangrong community, Chakan Gaan-Ngai, also popularly known as Gaan-Ngai was kick-started in Manipur recently with different organizations celebrating the festival in their own manner with traditional gaiety and religious fervour. The State Level celebration of the festival was organized by State Level Gaan Ngai-2013 Committee at Langol Tarung village with Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh as Chief Guest.
6. Akshardham temple, which is situated in Delhi, is revered for which Hindu deity?
[A] Swaminarayan
[B] Shiva
[C] Krishna
[D] Ganesh
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Correct Answer: A [Swaminarayan]
Notes:
The temple is located near the banks of the Yamuna River. The temple was opened to the general public on 6th November 2005. It holds the Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple.
7. According to the beliefs of the Pasupata sect, Siva is the lord of Pasu. Pasu here refers to __?
[A] Lion
[B] Bull
[C] Parvati
[D] Jiva
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Correct Answer: D [Jiva]
Notes:
The Pasupata was a Saivite sect associated with Siva in his aspect of the “Herdsman” (pasu, “animal” and pati, “lord”). The devotees of Pashupati Siva are called Pashupatas.
8. Which among the following ancient authors has complained of the drain of gold to India (due to trade hegemony of ancient India)?
[A] Ptolemy
[B] Nero
[C] Strabo
[D] Pliny
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Correct Answer: D [Pliny]
Notes:
The lamentation of the Roman writer Pliny in the 1st century A.D refers to heavy drain of Gold from Roman into India in payment of her imports from India. He writes that the drain of Gold is in return for unproductive luxuries. The Roman gold and silver were steadily drained into South India in exchange not only for spices, but also muslin, silk and other costly luxuries.
9. 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.
10. Who among the following Arab scholars studied Sanskrit and astronomy for a decade at Varanasi ?
[A] Alberuni
[B] Amir Khusrau
[C] Al’bidari
[D] Al’Masher
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Alberuni]
Notes:
Alberuni , the Arab astronomer who studied Sanskrit and astronomy for a decade at Varanasi.
