Indian Culture MCQs
1. Elephanta Caves are predominantly attributed to which Hindu God?
[A] Lord Shiva
[B] Lord Hanuman
[C] Lord Indra
[D] Lord Brahma
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Lord Shiva]
Notes:
Elephanta is a small island in sea and located at about 6.2 miles (North-East) from Gateway of India, Mumbai. Five caves are discovered in Elephanta hills, which are related to hindu religion and especially related to Lord Shiva.
2. Who among the following authors is known for his satires exposing the evils of contemporary society ?
[A] Ksemendra
[B] Pravarsena
[C] Sriharsa
[D] Visakhadutta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ksemendra]
Notes:
Kshemendra was a Kashmirian poet of the 11th century, writing in Sanskrit.In his most of the works like ‘Kalavilas’, ‘Narma Mala’ describes the inner weakness of man and society and the corrupt official machinery of those times.In his one of the work ‘Samaya Matrika’ ,he depicted super seductress ‘Kankali’ character By depicting it ,he wishes to reform the degradation in the society. In short Ksemendra had chosen the vehicle of satire.
3. 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
Show Answer
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.
4. Pandit Jasraj belongs to which among the following Gharanas?
[A] Kirana
[B] Jaipur
[C] Banaras
[D] Mewati
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Mewati]
Notes:
Pandit Jasraj was an Indian classical vocalist, belonging to the Mewati gharana. His musical career spanned 75 years resulting in national and international fame, respect and numerous major awards and accolades. He died in August 2020.
5. Which among the following regions in India is largest installed capacity of electricity generation ?
[A] Northern India
[B] Western India
[C] Eastern India
[D] Southern India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Western India]
6. In context with the Indian music, Abhang are the devotional songs dedicated to which among the following gods?
[A] Jagannatha
[B] Narayana
[C] Vitthala
[D] Vamana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vitthala]
Notes:
Abhanga is kind of devotional poetry / bhajan dedicated to Vittala and the first to sing Abhanga was Sant Tukaram.
7. In which of the following Central Asian countries, the “Sharq Taronalari” film festival is held biennially, in which many Indian artists also take part?
[A] Kazakhstan
[B] Uzbekistan
[C] Kyrgyzstan
[D] Tajikistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uzbekistan]
8. With reference to Indian culture, what is Nabakalebara?
[A] An annual Hindu festival held in the Padmanabhaswamy Temple at Thiruvananthapuram
[B] A festival observed in the Jagannath Temple at Puri.
[C] A festival held on the occasion of Makar Sankranti at Sagardwip Island near Kolkata.
[D] A festival observed once in six years at Ganga Ghats, of Varanasi.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [A festival observed in the Jagannath Temple at Puri.]
Notes:
Nabakalebara is a festival observed in the Shree Jagannath Temple at Puri. It marks a symbolic recreation of wooden forms of the four deities of Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshana at Jagannath temple. The occasion occurs every 12th or 19th year of the previous Nabakalebara. The event was in news because Department of Economic Affairs says that coins minted in July 2015, have Lord Jagannath”s depiction incorrect, and calls for more designs.
9. 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.
10. India's Rural Olympics, formally known as the Kila Raipur Sports Festival, is held annually in which state of India?
[A] Jammu & Kashmir
[B] Punjab
[C] Chhattisgarh
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Punjab]
Notes:
Kila Raipur Sports Festival, popularly known as the Rural Olympics, is held annually in Kila Raipur (near Ludhiana), in Punjab, India.
