Q150. The Elephanta Festival of arts and culture takes place in or near which city?
[WBCS Mains GK – 2019]
(A) New Delhi
(B) Thiruvananthapuram
(C) Jaipur
(D) Mumbai
Answer: (D) Mumbai
Explanation: The Elephanta Festival celebrates performing arts at the historic Elephanta Caves near Mumbai. The rock-cut island sanctuary provides a striking cultural backdrop for music and dance performances.
Q149. Which central Indian temple is nicknamed the Khajuraho of Vidarbha?
[UPPSC PCS Prelims – 2019]
(A) Markandeshwar Temple
(B) Kailash Temple
(C) Manudevi Temple
(D) Bhimashankar Temple
Answer: (A) Markandeshwar Temple
Explanation: The Markandeshwar temple complex in Maharashtra is sometimes called the Khajuraho of Vidarbha due to its detailed sculptural decoration. Its temple architecture reflects medieval artistic traditions in the Vidarbha region.
Q148. The book Venushilpa by artist Upendra Maharathi deals with which craft?
[UPPSC PCS Prelims – 2019]
(A) Jewellery making
(B) Painting
(C) Bamboo craft
(D) Marble carving
Answer: (C) Bamboo craft
Explanation: Upendra Maharathi contributed to the revival and study of Indian traditional crafts, notably bamboo work. Venushilpa explores bamboo as a craft material and its potential in traditional design and craftsmanship.
Q147. Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi is a celebrated example of which architecture?
[RRB Group D – 2018]
(A) British
(B) Chola
(C) Mughal
(D) Magadhan
Answer: (C) Mughal
Explanation: Humayun’s Tomb was commissioned by his widow and completed in the sixteenth century. It is an early monumental example of Mughal garden-tomb architecture, employing Persian-influenced forms and a symmetrical charbagh layout.
Q146. The famous Rajasthani painting Bani Thani belongs to which school?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2018]
(A) Bundi
(B) Jaipur
(C) Kangra
(D) Kishangarh
Answer: (D) Kishangarh
Explanation: Bani Thani is an iconic painting of the Kishangarh school in Rajasthan, often linked with painter Nihal Chand and the eighteenth-century court of Savant Singh. Its long eyes and refined profile became characteristic of the school’s devotional portraiture.
Q145. Which language is not characteristically associated with the Bastar region?
[CGPSC Prelims – 2018]
(A) Gondi
(B) Halbi
(C) Bhatri
(D) Sadari
Answer: (D) Sadari
Explanation: Gondi, Halbi and Bhatri are widely connected with the multilingual tribal area of Bastar in Chhattisgarh. Sadari, also known as Nagpuri in other contexts, is more characteristic of northern tribal regions and is not the expected Bastar answer.
Q144. Jajalladev Mahotsav was organised in which town?
[CGPSC Prelims – 2018]
(A) Kurud
(B) Kawardha
(C) Janjgir
(D) Jashpur
Answer: (C) Janjgir
Explanation: Jajalladev Mahotsav commemorates the regional historical and cultural legacy associated with Janjgir in Chhattisgarh. It highlights local history, public celebrations and performances, reflecting the state’s efforts to preserve its distinctive heritage.
Q143. Ganga Dussehra is traditionally observed in which Hindu calendar month?
[CGPSC Prelims – 2018]
(A) Chaitra
(B) Vaishakha
(C) Jyeshtha
(D) Ashadha
Answer: (C) Jyeshtha
Explanation: Ganga Dussehra marks the traditional descent of the river Ganga and is observed on the tenth day of the bright half of Jyeshtha. River bathing, charitable acts and devotional rituals are characteristic features of the festival.
Q142. What is the traditional duration of the Bastar Dussehra celebration?
[CGPSC Prelims – 2018]
(A) 105 days
(B) 15 days
(C) 70 days
(D) 75 days
Answer: (D) 75 days
Explanation: Bastar Dussehra is an unusually long festival centred on the goddess Danteshwari in Chhattisgarh. Its rituals extend over approximately seventy-five days, unlike many other Dussehra celebrations, and include elaborate ceremonies involving different Bastar communities.
Q141. Bade Bhajan Ramnami Mela is held in which month?
[CGPSC Prelims – 2018]
(A) Paush
(B) Magh
(C) Bhadrapada
(D) Phalgun
Answer: (A) Paush
Explanation: The Ramnami community of Chhattisgarh observes gatherings devoted to recitation and devotional songs. Bade Bhajan Ramnami Mela is traditionally associated with the month of Paush, bringing adherents together for worship and communal participation.
