UPSC Indian Culture
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41. Consider the following statements:
- Champwine is a wine made from grapes grown in the Champhai district of Manipur.
- Judima, a home-made rice wine of Assam’s Dimasa tribe, is the first traditional brew in all of Northeast India to receive a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
[A] Both 1 and 2
[B] Only 1
[C] Only 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
Champwine is indeed made from grapes cultivated in Champhai, Manipur, not rice. Judima, a rice wine from Assam’s Dimasa tribe, is recognized as the first traditional brew from Northeast India to obtain a GI tag. Therefore, both statements are correct based on recent recognitions and facts pertaining to regional beverages.
42. As part of India’s G20 Presidency, which of the following cities have been selected for key meetings focusing on the “culture track”?
- Agra
- Khajuraho
- Bhubaneswar
- Hampi
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 3
[B] Only 2 & 4
[C] Only 1, 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
During India’s G20 Presidency (2022–2023), key ‘culture track’ meetings are scheduled in Agra, Khajuraho, Bhubaneswar, and Hampi. All four cities have significant cultural heritage; Agra (Taj Mahal), Khajuraho, and Hampi are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, while Bhubaneswar is near Konark Sun Temple, also a UNESCO site.
43. Consider the following pairs:
- Champaka-sreshthikathanaka – Hemavijaya
- Antarakatha-samgraha – Rajasekhara
- The Kathamahodadhi – Somachandra
- The Katharatnakara – Jinakirtisuri
Which of the pairs given above are matched correctly?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Only 3 and 4
[D] Only 1 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2 and 3]
Notes:
Pair 2 (Antarakatha-samgraha – Rajasekhara) and Pair 3 (The Kathamahodadhi – Somachandra) are correct. Champaka-sreshthikathanaka was written by Jinakirtisuri, while Katharatnakara was authored by Hemavijaya in the 16th century, not Jinakirtisuri. Therefore, only option 2 correctly identifies the matched pairs among those listed.
44. Consider the following statements regarding the ‘Kittel font’:
- It is a font of Sino-Tibetan languages.
- The font has been named after lexicographer, linguist and philologist Ferdinand Kittel.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Both 1 and 2
[C] Only 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 2]
Notes:
The Kittel font is not related to Sino-Tibetan languages; it is a Kannada typeface named after Ferdinand Kittel, who was a noted lexicographer and linguist. The digital version is a revival of a typeface created between 1830-1900, specifically for the Kannada script, and has no connection with Sino-Tibetan languages.
45. Consider the following statements regarding the Mother Tongue Survey in India:
- The Ministry of Home Affairs has conducted a Mother Tongue Survey, including field videography of various languages and dialects across the country.
- As per the latest linguistic census, more than fifty percent of India’s population declared Hindi as their mother tongue.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Neither 1 nor 2]
Notes:
The Ministry of Home Affairs—not Ministry of Culture—conducted the Mother Tongue Survey of India (MTSI). According to the 2011 linguistic census, 43.6% (52.8 crore) of the population declared Hindi as their mother tongue—not over 50%. Therefore, both statements are incorrect as per the factual details and official government sources.
46. With reference to literary figures and their impact, consider the following statements:
- Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” was inspired by his experiences in the Napoleonic Wars.
- Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs. Dalloway” is a reflection of her struggles with mental health and the modernist movement.
- Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” was banned in several libraries due to its portrayal of race and social issues.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All three]
Notes:
- Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” was inspired by his experiences in the Napoleonic Wars: This is correct. Tolstoy fought in the war and incorporated his observations into the narrative.
- Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs. Dalloway” is a reflection of her struggles with mental health and the modernist movement: This is correct. The novel explores themes of mental illness and the passage of time.
- Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” was banned in several libraries due to its portrayal of race and social issues: This is correct. The book has faced censorship for its language and themes surrounding race relations.
47. Consider the following Arts of India:
- Kho Kho
- Kalaripayattu
- Mallakhamb
- Lathi Khela
Which of the above is/are included in the Indian Martial Arts?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All Four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only three]
Notes:
- Kho Kho is a tag sport played by teams of 12 players, emphasizing speed and agility. kho kho is a traditional Indian sport, not a martial art
- Kalaripayattu – Kerala:Kalaripayattu, one of the oldest martial arts in existence, is rooted in ancient knowledge of the human body. It originated in Kerala between the 3rd century BC and the 2nd century AD and is now practiced in Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu. The term ‘Kalari’, derived from Malayalam, refers to a gymnasium or combat arena, meaning ‘threshing floor’ or ‘battlefield.’ Interestingly, the word ‘Kalari’ first appears in Tamil Sangam literature with similar meanings. Kalaripayattu is also regarded as the precursor and father of modern Kung Fu.
- Mallakhamb – Madhya Pradesh: Mallakhamb is a traditional sport from the Indian subcontinent where athletes perform aerial yoga, gymnastic postures, and wrestling grips using a stationary or hanging wooden pole, cane, or rope. The name “Mallakhamb” is derived from the words “malla” (meaning wrestler) and “khamb” (meaning pole), literally translating to “wrestling pole.” This sport, historically used by wrestlers for training, is especially popular in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
- Lathi Khela – West Bengal: Lathi is a wooden weapon to fight and is an ancient weapon used in martial arts in India. Lathi or stick are used in martial arts in the state of Punjab and Bengal. Lathi is also popular for its utility in sports specially in the Indian villages. A practitioner is known as lathial.
48. In the light of India’s rich cultural heritage, consider the following statements regarding religious and cultural events:
| Festival |
State(s) and Description |
| Maha Kumbh Mela |
Held every 12 years at sacred river confluences, a major Hindu pilgrimage. |
| Pushkar Camel Fair |
One of the largest livestock fairs held annually in Pushkar, Rajasthan attracts tourists and traders. |
| Hornbill Festival |
Celebrated annually in Kohima to showcase the rich culture of the Naga tribes with various traditional dances and performances. |
| Jagannath Rath Yatra |
A famous festival in Puri featuring massive chariots carrying Lord Jagannath is celebrated annually with grand processions. |
Which of the following pairs is/are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All four]
Notes:
- Maha Kumbh Mela: Correct. Held every 12 years at four sacred river confluences in India (Allahabad, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain), the Maha Kumbh Mela is a major Hindu pilgrimage attracting millions of devotees.
- Pushkar Camel Fair: Correct. It is one of the largest livestock fairs in the world, held annually in Pushkar, Rajasthan. This fair draws both tourists and traders, making it a vibrant cultural and economic event.
- Hornbill Festival: Correct. Celebrated annually in Kohima, Nagaland, the Hornbill Festival showcases the rich culture of the Naga tribes, featuring traditional dances, performances, and tribal arts.
- Jagannath Rath Yatra: Correct. The Jagannath Rath Yatra is a famous festival held in Puri, Odisha, where grand processions with massive chariots carry Lord Jagannath. It is celebrated annually and attracts thousands of devotees.
Thus, all four pairs are correct.
49. Regarding the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, consider the following statements:
- Kailash Mansarovar is a pilgrimage site for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bonpos.
- The yatra route includes crossing the Lipulekh Pass.
- Kailash Mansarovar is located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All three]
Notes:
- Kailash Mansarovar is a pilgrimage site for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bonpos: This is correct. It is considered sacred by multiple religions.
- The yatra route includes crossing the Lipulekh Pass: This is correct. The Lipulekh Pass is a key transit point for the pilgrimage.
- Kailash Mansarovar is located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China: This is correct. It is situated in Tibet, near Mount Kailash.
Thus, all statements are correct. The correct answer is (c) All three.
50. Which of the following are correctly matched with their contributions?
- Amaru – Amaru Shataka (love poetry)
- Bilhana – Vikramankadeva Charita
- Vidyaranya – Panchadasi
- Bhavabhuti – Gita Govinda
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] 1, 2 and 3 only
[B] 2 and 4 only
[C] 1 and 3 only
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1, 2 and 3 only]
Notes:
Amaru wrote Amaru Shataka, noted for romantic poetry. Bilhana authored Vikramankadeva Charita. Vidyaranya composed Panchadasi, an Advaita Vedanta text. Bhavabhuti was famous for Sanskrit plays like Uttara Ramacharita, not Gita Govinda, which was written by Jayadeva. Hence, statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct, while 4 is incorrectly matched.
