Q160. Which statement about Tansen is incorrect?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2019]
(A) Akbar bestowed the title Tansen
(B) He composed dhrupads dedicated to deities
(C) He composed praise songs for patrons
(D) He helped develop ragas
Answer: (A) Akbar bestowed the title Tansen
Explanation: The appellation Tansen is traditionally linked to the Gwalior court rather than being a title first bestowed by Akbar. Tansen later became one of Akbar’s best-known court musicians and is widely associated with dhrupad composition and raga development.
Q159. Popir is a folk dance tradition from which state?
[SSC GD Constable – 2019]
(A) Arunachal Pradesh
(B) Mizoram
(C) Maharashtra
(D) Haryana
Answer: (A) Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation: Popir is a traditional women’s dance associated with the Adi community of Arunachal Pradesh, especially during Mopin celebrations. Group movement, song and distinctive attire express communal well-being and reinforce the importance of agricultural and seasonal festivals.
Q158. Bali Trutiya is a festival observed principally in which state?
[SSC MTS – 2019]
(A) Nagaland
(B) Punjab
(C) Telangana
(D) Odisha
Answer: (D) Odisha
Explanation: Bali Trutiya is a regional observance of Odisha, traditionally kept by married women. It forms part of the state’s rich calendar of household rituals and seasonal worship, distinct from the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland and Bonalu of Telangana.
Q157. Which Sikh Guru completed the Harmandir Sahib shrine in Amritsar?
[SSC CGL Tier I – 2019]
(A) Guru Angad Dev
(B) Guru Arjan Dev
(C) Guru Har Rai
(D) Guru Ram Das
Answer: (B) Guru Arjan Dev
Explanation: Guru Arjan Dev oversaw the completion of the Harmandir Sahib at Amritsar. Guru Ram Das had earlier helped establish the sacred city and its tank. The shrine later acquired its gilded appearance under Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Q156. The Nyishi tribal community is native to which Indian state?
[SSC CGL Tier I – 2019]
(A) Tamil Nadu
(B) Bihar
(C) Arunachal Pradesh
(D) Chhattisgarh
Answer: (C) Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation: The Nyishi are among the major indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh. Their social ceremonies and oral traditions are important to the region’s heritage, and the Nyokum festival is a well-known communal celebration.
Q155. Which Indian state is associated with the traditional sport-dance called Thoda?
[SSC CGL Tier I – 2019]
(A) Sikkim
(B) Andhra Pradesh
(C) Haryana
(D) Himachal Pradesh
Answer: (D) Himachal Pradesh
Explanation: Thoda is a traditional archery-based martial sport of Himachal Pradesh, especially its hill districts. Team movements and ceremonial displays combine competitive skill with community festivities and music, making it a distinctive regional martial tradition.
Q154. Who sponsored the gilding of Harmandir Sahib, giving the Golden Temple its famous appearance?
[SSC CGL Tier I – 2019]
(A) Maha Singh
(B) Ranjit Singh
(C) Duleep Singh
(D) Charat Singh
Answer: (B) Ranjit Singh
Explanation: Maharaja Ranjit Singh patronised the gilding and renovation of Harmandir Sahib at Amritsar during the nineteenth century. The shrine’s gold-covered exterior gave rise to its popular English name, the Golden Temple.
Q153. The Deorani and Jethani temples of Chhattisgarh are located where?
[CGPSC Prelims – 2019]
(A) Talagaon
(B) Malhar
(C) Ratanpur
(D) Kharod
Answer: (A) Talagaon
Explanation: The Deorani–Jethani temple complex is located at Tala or Talagaon near Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. It is noted for archaeological sculpture and early temple remains, including an extraordinary multi-headed anthropomorphic Shiva image.
Q152. The traditional ornament called Khinwan is worn on which body part?
[CGPSC Prelims – 2019]
(A) Nose
(B) Ear
(C) Finger
(D) Neck
Answer: (B) Ear
Explanation: Khinwan is a type of ear ornament from Chhattisgarh. Regional jewellery terminology distinguishes ear ornaments from nose rings, necklaces, armlets and waistbands, providing useful information about local material culture and dress.
Q151. Building kalyana mandapas was a notable feature of temple construction under which kingdom?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2019]
(A) Chalukya
(B) Chandela
(C) Rashtrakuta
(D) Vijayanagara
Answer: (D) Vijayanagara
Explanation: Vijayanagara temple builders developed spacious ceremonial halls called kalyana mandapas, often used for divine marriage festivities. These pillared structures are particularly associated with elaborate architecture at Hampi and other south Indian temple centres.
