Indian Culture MCQs

Notes:
Makar Sankranti, also known as Makara Sankranti, is celebrated in various parts of the Indian subcontinent to observe the day which marks the shift of the sun into ever-lengthening days. While Makar Sankranti is most popular in West India, down south, the festival is known as Pongal and in the north, it is celebrated as Lohri. Uttarayan, Maghi, Khichdi are some other names of the same festival.

Notes:
Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a monument in Vavathurai, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu. It was built in 1970 in honour of Swami Vivekananda who is said to have attained enlightenment on the rock. According to local legends, it was on this rock that Goddess Kumari performed austerity. The rocks are surrounded by the Laccadive Sea.

Notes:
Pattachitra style of painting is one of the oldest and most popular art forms of Odisha. The name Pattachitra has evolved from the Sanskrit words patta, meaning canvas, and chitra, meaning picture. This artform is known for its intricate details as well as mythological narratives and folktales inscribed in it.

Notes:
Bhavai, also known as Vesha or Swang, is a popular folk theatre form of western India, especially in Gujarat. Bhavai is believed to have originated in the 14th century. Asaita Thakar is traditionally credited for its origin.

Notes:
Mahavir Swami’s teachings are compiled in 41 sutras, which are found in the Jainagams. The “Tatvarthadhigam Sutra” (300 AD) of Umaswati is an ancient and authentic scripture of Jain philosophy. Siddhasen Divakar (500 AD), Haribhadra (900 AD), Merutung (14th century), etc. are famous teachers of Jain philosophy.

Notes:
Mysore painting is an important form of classical South Indian painting that originated in the city of Mysore in Karnataka. These paintings are known for their elegance, muted colors, and attention to detail.
The process of making a Mysore painting involves several steps. The first stage consists in making a preliminary sketch of the image on the base. The base consists of cartridge paper affixed to a wooden base. A paste made from zinc oxide and Arabic gum is called “gesso paste”. With the help of a thin brush, all the ornaments and the parts of the throne or the arch which have some relief are painted to give a slight effect to the carving. It is allowed to dry. This is pasted on thin gold foil. The rest of the drawing is painted using watercolors. Only muted colors are used.

Notes:
Ashoka and his son Dasharatha had built caves for the abode of the sadhus of the Ajivaka sect by cutting the Barabar and Nagarjuna hills in Bihar. A sequel to this tradition can be seen in western and southern India in the form of Buddhist Chaityas.

Notes:
Humayun’s architecture – Humayun could not do any commendable work in terms of the development of art. His palace named ‘Dinpanah’ was destroyed by Sher Shah and his two mosques built at Agra and Fatehabad cannot be considered as fine specimens of art.

Notes:
The Charminar is one of the most recognizable examples of Qutb Shahi architecture. Qutb Shahi architecture is the distinctive style of Indo-Islamic architecture developed during the reign of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. It is also known as Golconda Sultanate.

Notes:
French architecture is seen in Puducherry, Bengal, Karaikal, Mahe, etc. French architecture made use of local raw materials and took into account the climatic conditions of the place.