1. Two schools, viz. Mathura School of Art and Gandhara School of Art flourished in which among the following era?
[A] Shakas
[B] Kushans
[C] Satavahanas
[D] Guptas
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Correct Answer: B [Kushans]
Notes:
Mathura and Gandhara schools of art flourished during the Kushana era. The Mathura school of art developed in the first century AD during the reign of Kushan emperor Kanishka. The Gandhara school of art also developed in the first century AD during the reign of Kanishka. The Gandhara school of art is known for the first sculptural representations of the Buddha in human form. The school was influenced by Greek methodologies. The Gandhara school of art developed in what is now northwestern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan between the 1st century BCE and the 7th century CE. The Mathura school of art achieved its pinnacle during the Gupta period (6th or 7th century). The period of Kushana King Kanishka, Huviska and Vasudeva is considered to be the golden age for the Mathura school of art
2. Among the five monolithic rathas of Pallavas at Mahabalipuram, the largest is ___?
[A] Arjuna
[B] Bhima
[C] Dharmaraja
[D] Draupadi
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Correct Answer: C [Dharmaraja]
Notes:
Mahabalipuram Temples: Pallava dynasty: The five monolithic rathas are square or oblong in plan, pyramidal in elevation and varying in their overall dimensions. the Dharmaraja ratha constructed in Pallava style is the largest of all, having huge pillats in the portico with statue of lions, pyramidal tower and turret roof.
3. Who among the following was known as Bengal’s Greata Garbo?
[A] Suchitra Sen
[B] Amaravati
[C] Kanan Devi
[D] Bharathi Shirodkor
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Correct Answer: A [Suchitra Sen]
Notes:
Legendary actress Suchitra Sen was popularly known as Bengal’s Greata Garbo. Sen began her career with the Bengali film “Shesh Kothay” in 1952. She is well known for her role in Devdas and Aandhi. She died at the age of 82.
4. Brahma Sutra of Badrayan are the logical point of starting of which of the following philosophies?
[A] Vaisheshika
[B] Nyaya
[C] Vedanta
[D] None of the above
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Correct Answer: C [Vedanta]
Notes:
The Brahma Sutras is a Sanskrit text, attributed to Badarayana, estimated to have been completed in approx. 400-450 CE. It talks about the vedic philosophy of Vedanta.
5. Kumarila Bhatta , who was a Hindu philosopher and scholar from Prayag, was an acharya of which of the following ?
[A] Mimansa
[B] Samkhya
[C] Vedanata
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mimansa]
Notes:
Kumārila Bhatta was a Hindu or brahminical philosopher and Mīmāṃsā scholar from early medieval India. He is famous for many of his various theses on Mimamsa, such as Mimamsaslokavarttika. The aim of Mimamsa is to give rules for the interpretation of the Vedas.
6. Who among the following Indian painters was elected as Associate of the Grand Salon in Paris in 1933?
[A] Asit Kumar Haldar
[B] M F Hussain
[C] Amrita Shergill
[D] K Mazumdar
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Correct Answer: C [Amrita Shergill]
Notes:
Amrita Sher-Gil was a Hungarian-Indian painter. She has been called “one of the greatest avant-garde women artists of the early 20th century” and a “pioneer” in modern Indian art. She was elected as Associate of the Grand Salon in Paris in 1933.
7. Sidi Bashir Mosque is located at:
[A] Ahmedabad
[B] Delhi
[C] Jaipur
[D] Hyderabad
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Correct Answer: A [Ahmedabad]
Notes:
The mosque is also called Jhulta Minar or Shaking Minarets.
8. Which of the following temple in India was called as “The Black Pagoda” by the Europeans?
[A] Tirumala Tirupati , Andhra Pradesh
[B] Kamakhya Temple -Assam
[C] Konark Sun Temple, Orissa
[D] Jagannath Temple, Orissa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Konark Sun Temple, Orissa]
Notes:
Konark Sun Temple, Orissa was called as “The Black Pagoda” by the Europeans. The temple is attributed to king Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty about 1250 CE.
9. The oldest recorded Indian Music dates back to 1902 when India’s first disc featured a khayal in Raag Jogiya by one of these singers. Identify the singer:
[A] Abdul Wahid Khan
[B] Govindrao Tembe
[C] Gauhar Jan
[D] Abdul Karim Khan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gauhar Jan]
Notes:
Gauhar Jan, born as Angelina Yeoward, was of the foremost musicians in the Hindustani classical music tradition during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in India. She is known especially for her ghazal style and singing in several languages such as Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, and more. A critical performer in khyal style music, she was notable enough to perform in the first recording sessions held in India circa 1902.
10. Ghurrat-al-kamal (on music) was written by whom?
[A] Tansen
[B] Amir Khusrau
[C] Abul Fazl
[D] Minhaj-i-Siraj
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Amir Khusrau]
Notes:
The famous Sufi poet, Amir Khusrau was the author of the poem Ghurrat-ul-Kamaal (the Prime of Perfection). Excerpts of the works done by him are Tughluq Nama, Wast-ul-Hayat, Nuh Sipihr, Laila Majnun, etc. He was the court poet of Alauddin Khilji and a spiritual disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya, Delhi.
