1. The Nuakhai festival is predominantly observed in which state?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Odisha
[C] Karnataka
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Odisha ]
Notes:
It is the most important festival of western Odisha and it takes place in the bright half of the month of Bhadrab on an auspicious day fixed by the astrologers. Though the festival is intended for eating new rice of the year, it is observed as a general festival. On this occasion the new rice is cooked with milk and sugar (Kshiri) and then offered as Bhog to Goddess Laxmi.
2. The festival Baisakhi or Vaisakhi is commemorates which among the following important event of Sikh History?
[A] Establishment of Akal Takht
[B] Establishment of Khalasa Panth
[C] Establishment of Guru Granth Sahib as permanent guru of Sikhs
[D] Foundation of Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Establishment of Khalasa Panth]
Notes:
The festival of Baisakhi is to commemorate Establishment of Khalasa Panth . The term ‘Khalsa’ means sovereign or free. It was on this day in 1699, when the tenth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji established the Khalsa Panth.
3. Who among the following preached the doctrine of One religion, one caste and one God for mankind?
[A] Jyotiba Phule
[B] Vivekananda
[C] Sri Narayan Guru
[D] Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sri Narayan Guru]
Notes:
Sri Narayana Guru preached the doctrine of ‘One caste, One religion, One God.’ Its worth note that one of his athiest disciples, Sahadaran Ayyapan, changed into ‘no religion, no caste and no God for mankind.
4. The annual “Royal Kathina Ceremony” is associated with which of the following religions?
[A] Jainism
[B] Buddhim
[C] Parsi
[D] Sikhism
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Correct Answer: B [Buddhim]
Notes:
The Royal Kathina Ceremony is observed every year by Buddhist. It is observed in only one Buddhist temple outside Thailand and this year the Namphake Buddhist temple of Assam was selected. Kathina offering is an ancient Buddhist Tradition of offering special robe and other necessities to monks who maintain strict discipline of retreat during the rainy season. The main purpose of the ceremony is not merely for religious belief but also to strengthen the relationship between Thailand and other countries.
5. The Flamingo Festival is celebrated in__?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Karnataka
[C] Kerala
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
The annual “Flamingo Festival” began at Sullurpeta near the Pulicat lake bird sanctuary in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. The festival was being held every year to bring together the people and various departments in the task of preserving the Pulicat Lake and surroundings. Every year approximately 15,000 Greater Flamingos are reported to visit the lake along with pelicans, kingfishers, herons, painted storks, spoonbills and ducks.
6. In which city is the dargah (tomb) of sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti located ?
[A] Delhi
[B] Ghaziabad
[C] Ajmer
[D] Gwalior
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Correct Answer: C [Ajmer]
Notes:
Ajmer Sharif Dargah is a sufi shrine of the sufi saint, Moinuddin Chishti, located at Ajmer, Rajasthan. He was born in Sanjar. He is considered as the founder of the Chisti order of Sufism.
7. Four Noble Truths are one of the most fundamental truths of which of the following religion?
[A] Jainism
[B] Buddhism
[C] Islam
[D] Hinduism
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Correct Answer: B [Buddhism]
Notes:
There are four noble truths of Buddhism:a. The world is full of sorrowb. Desire is the cause of sorrowc. If desire is conquered all sorrow is won overd. Desire can be conquered by following eight fold paths (Ashtangirka Marg)
8. Which among the following was India’s first indigenously made color film.?
[A] Mughal-e-Azam
[B] Kisan Kanya
[C] Devdas
[D] Daulat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kisan Kanya]
Notes:
Kisan Kanya written by saadat Hassan manto and produced by Ardeshir Irani
9. Who among the following was instrumental in designing New Delhi in collaboration with Edwin Lutyens?
[A] John Abel
[B] Thomas Warr Attwood
[C] Simon Basil
[D] Herbert Baker
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Correct Answer: D [Herbert Baker]
Notes:
Herber Baker was instrumental in designing New Delhi in collaboration with Edwin Lutyens. Lutyens also designed Viceroy’s House, which is now known as the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
10. 1996 was UN’s fiftieth anniversary year and this year was declared by United nations as “Year for Tolerance”. The same time frame also coincided with 125th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. In this connection, UNESCO had established a new award in the name of an Indian philanthropist for Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence. Who is this Indian philanthropist?
[A] Aga Khan III
[B] Dinshah Irani
[C] Ghanshyam Das Birla
[D] Madanjeet Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Madanjeet Singh]
Notes:
The correct answer is Madanjeet Singh. In 1995, UNESCO established the “Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence” to honor his contributions to peace and tolerance. Singh was an Indian diplomat and a prominent advocate for non-violence, aligning with the UN’s declaration of 1995 as the “Year for Tolerance” and the 125th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who is renowned for his philosophy of non-violence.
