Q30. Who first translated the Bhagavad Gita into English?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2001]
(A) William Jones
(B) Charles Wilkins
(C) Alexander Cunningham
(D) John Marshall
Answer: (B) Charles Wilkins
Explanation: Charles Wilkins published an English translation of the Bhagavad Gita in 1785, an important event in European encounters with Sanskrit philosophy. His work preceded many later translations and influential Orientalist studies.
Q29. Which Hindustani raga is traditionally rendered in the early morning?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2000]
(A) Todi
(B) Darbari Kanada
(C) Bhoopali
(D) Bhimpalasi
Answer: (A) Todi
Explanation: Raga Todi is associated with morning performance, especially late morning in many concert traditions. Darbari Kanada is typically heard late at night, while Bhimpalasi belongs to the afternoon group of ragas.
Q28. About Chakyar Koothu, which statements are true?
I. It is linked to the Chakyar community;
II. Upper-caste Hindus could not traditionally watch it;
III. Mizhavu accompanies it;
IV. Koothambalam is its theatre.
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2000]
(A) I, III and IV
(B) I, II and III
(C) II, III and IV
(D) I, II and IV
Answer: (A) I, III and IV
Explanation: Chakyar Koothu is a traditional Sanskritic theatre form of Kerala, performed by members of the Chakyar community. The copper drum mizhavu provides accompaniment, and performances commonly take place in purpose-built koothambalam temple theatres.
Q27. Which matches Balamuralikrishna, Mita Pandit, Kanyakumari and Nikhil Banerjee with their musical specialties?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2000]
(A) Carnatic vocal; Hindustani vocal; Violin; Sitar
(B) Carnatic vocal; Sitar; Violin; Ghatam
(C) Sitar; Hindustani vocal; Carnatic vocal; Ghatam
(D) Carnatic vocal; Violin; Hindustani vocal; Sitar
Answer: (A) Carnatic vocal; Hindustani vocal; Violin; Sitar
Explanation: M. Balamuralikrishna excelled in Carnatic vocal music; Mita Pandit is a Hindustani singer; A. Kanyakumari is a Carnatic violinist; and Nikhil Banerjee was a major Hindustani sitarist.
Q26. Which is correct about the Aham and Puram poems of the Padinen Kilkanakku corpus?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2000]
(A) They continued Sangam themes and were classified among post-Sangam works
(B) They were written entirely in Pali
(C) They belong exclusively to Vedic hymnody
(D) They were first composed under British rule
Answer: (A) They continued Sangam themes and were classified among post-Sangam works
Explanation: Aham and Puram are key thematic divisions in classical Tamil poetics, concerning inner life and public action. Later post-Sangam texts maintained links with the older literary milieu while also developing distinctive didactic emphases.
Q25. How are Abanindranath Tagore’s paintings usually characterised?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1999]
(A) Realistic
(B) Socialistic
(C) Revivalistic
(D) Impressionistic
Answer: (C) Revivalistic
Explanation: Abanindranath Tagore was a leading figure in the Bengal School, which sought to revive Indian aesthetic traditions while responding to colonial academic painting. His work drew on Mughal miniatures, Japanese washes and indigenous themes.
Q24. Which author is traditionally regarded as an early pioneer of Urdu poetic expression?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1999]
(A) Amir Khusrau
(B) Mirza Ghalib
(C) Bahadur Shah Zafar
(D) Faiz Ahmad Faiz
Answer: (A) Amir Khusrau
Explanation: Amir Khusrau is traditionally associated with early Hindavi and Indo-Persian literary expression that contributed to the later development of Urdu. His verse and legendary musical associations remain central to the cultural memory of Delhi.
Q23. Which statement about theatre is incorrect?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1999]
(A) Nil Darpan portrayed exploitation of indigo cultivators
(B) Ghashiram Kotwal was written by Vijay Tendulkar
(C) Nabanna was written by Nabin Chandra Das
(D) Urdu theatre was influenced by Parsi theatre
Answer: (C) Nabanna was written by Nabin Chandra Das
Explanation: Nabanna, the influential Bengali drama on the Bengal famine, was authored by Bijon Bhattacharya, not Nabin Chandra Das. It became an important production in the Indian People’s Theatre Association movement.
Q22. Match these books with authors: The Indian War of Independence, Anandamath, The Life Divine, Sadhana.
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1999]
(A) Bankim Chandra; Savarkar; Tagore; Aurobindo
(B) Bankim Chandra; Savarkar; Aurobindo; Tagore
(C) Savarkar; Bankim Chandra; Tagore; Aurobindo
(D) Savarkar; Bankim Chandra; Sri Aurobindo; Rabindranath Tagore
Answer: (D) Savarkar; Bankim Chandra; Sri Aurobindo; Rabindranath Tagore
Explanation: V. D. Savarkar wrote The Indian War of Independence, Bankim Chandra wrote Anandamath, Sri Aurobindo authored The Life Divine and Rabindranath Tagore wrote Sadhana. These works belong to different literary and philosophical traditions.
Q21. The Jama Masjid of Srinagar is notable for which architectural characteristics:
1. Turrets;
2. Features reminiscent of Buddhist pagodas;
3. Persian-style influences?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1999]
(A) 1 only
(B) 1, 2 and 3
(C) 2 and 3 only
(D) 1 and 3 only
Answer: (B) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: The historic Jama Masjid of Srinagar combines Kashmiri wooden forms with influences often described as pagoda-like and Persian. Its distinctive roof profile and religious architecture reflect exchanges across Himalayan and Central Asian traditions.
