1. Which among the following Kings built the Kailashnath Temple of Ellora ?
[A] Rashtrakuta king Krishna I
[B] Narasimhavarman II
[C] Rashtrakuta king Krishna II
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rashtrakuta king Krishna I]
Notes:
Rashtrakuta king, krishna-1 had built the kailash temple of ellora. It is considered as the wonder of rock-out architecture. Kailasanath Temple is a famous temple, one of the 34 monasteries and temples, known collectively as the Ellora Caves, extending over more than 2 km, that were dug side by side in the wall of a high basalt cliff in the complex located at Ellora, Maharashtra, India.
2. The famous “Ganga Sagar Mela”, an annual fair is held in which state of India?
[A] Bihar
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Jharkhand
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [West Bengal]
Notes:
The Ganga Sagar Mela is a religious festival and second biggest fair of India after Kumbha Mela of India celebrated on Sagardwip (Sagar Island) in West Bengal state of India. The fair is a six-day fair held in the month of January and on the day of Makar Sankranti, a ritual of pilgrims taking bath in holy water and visiting nearby famous Kapil Muni Temple is performed.
3. Aihole is called the cradle of Indian temple architecture. Which among the following dynasty is related to the construction of magnificent temples in Aihole?
[A] Chalukya
[B] Chola
[C] Chera
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Chalukya]
Notes:
The Aihole temples were built in the late 7th century by the dynasty of the Chalukyas. It is the largest of a group of over 120 temples at Aihole. The architecture of the temple is predominantly Dravida with Nagara style also is used in certain areas.
4. Which among the following is the main feature of Dravida Style of Temple architecture?
[A] Gopuram
[B] Garbha Griha
[C] Vimana & Shikhara
[D] Manastambha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vimana & Shikhara]
Notes:
Vimana and Shikara are the man features of Dravida style of temple architecture. Unlike the nagara temple, the dravida temple is enclosed within a compound wall. The vimana is like a stepped pyramid that rise up geometrically rather than the curving shikhara of north India.
5. Kashful Mahjub, the celebrated manual of Sufism was written by whom ?
[A] Khwaja Al Hujuiri
[B] Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti
[C] Khawaja Bahauddin Zakariya
[D] Shaikh Nasiruddin Mahmud
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Khwaja Al Hujuiri]
Notes:
The 11th century Sufi saint, Khwaja Al Hujuiri ( also known as Data Ganj Baksh) was the author of the celebrated manual on Sufism entitled “Kashful Mahjub”.
6. Brihadeshwar temple built by the Cholas in Thanjore is dedicated to which god?
[A] Vishnu
[B] Shiva
[C] Brahma
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shiva]
Notes:
The Chola emperor Rajaraja Chola I built Brihadeshwar temple at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva in the form of a Lingam called Peruvudaiya, Rasjarajeshwaramudvya.
7. The Phad painting is a religious scroll painting practiced in which state of India?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Odisha
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Rajasthan]
Notes:
The phad painting is a religious scroll painting, traditionally done on a long piece of cloth or canvas, known as phad. This type of painting is mainly practised in Rajasthan and the narratives of the folk deities of Rajasthan, mostly of Pabuji and Devnarayan are depicted on the phads. These paintings are often carried from one place to another by the traditional singers called Bhopas.
8. The Zend-Avesta is the sacred book of _?
[A] Jews
[B] Christian
[C] Parsis
[D] Buddhist
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Parsis]
Notes:
Zend-Avesta is the sacred book of Zoroastrianism. It contains the teachings of the prophet Zoroaster, as well as the cosmogony, law, and liturgy of the religion. The Parsees still use the Zend-Avesta as their bible and prayer book.
The Zend-Avesta is written in the Avestan language, which is also called the Zend language. The Avestan language is an eastern Iranian language.
The Zend-Avesta is all that remains of a much larger body of scripture. It is believed to be Zarathushtra’s transformation of a very ancient tradition.
9. In which of the following areas, “Garba” dance form is common?
[A] Punjab
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Gujarat]
Notes:
Garba is a form of dance which originated in the state of Gujarat in India. The name is derived from the Sanskrit term Garbha and Deep. Many traditional garbas are performed around centrally lit lamp or a picture or statue of the Goddess Shakti.
10. Which beautiful and imposing mosque is located in the middle of the sea?
[A] Haji Ali Dargah
[B] Fatehpur Sikri
[C] Char Minar
[D] Lal Quila
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Haji Ali Dargah]
Notes:
The Haji Ali Dargah can only be reached during low tide as it is situated about 500 yards into the sea. The mosque is built over the tomb of Saint Haji Ali. According to legend, he died on a pilgrimage to Mecca and his casket reached Bombay. It contained a note that said it should be buried wherever it landed.