Q370. The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev is celebrated as which festival?
[SSC CGL Tier I – 2024]
(A) Hola Mohalla
(B) Baisakhi
(C) Gurpurab
(D) Chappar Mela
Answer: (C) Gurpurab
Explanation: Guru Nanak Gurpurab commemorates the birth of Sikhism’s first Guru. Observances commonly include kirtan, processions, recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib and langar. It is distinct from the martial Hola Mohalla celebration and the harvest-associated Baisakhi.
Q369. Mohiniyattam is closely identified with which movement quality or style?
[SSC CGL Tier I – 2024]
(A) Samapadam
(B) Tribhanga
(C) Chowk
(D) Lasya
Answer: (D) Lasya
Explanation: Mohiniyattam of Kerala is characterised by soft, graceful lasya movements and gentle swaying of the torso. Tribhanga and chowk are hallmark positions of Odissi. These stylistic distinctions help differentiate the major Indian classical dance traditions.
Q368. Where is the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy located?
[SSC CGL Tier I – 2024]
(A) Imphal
(B) Ukhrul
(C) Chandel
(D) Thoubal
Answer: (A) Imphal
Explanation: The Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy is based in Imphal. As an important institution for Manipuri dance and associated arts, it supports formal education and preservation of performance traditions connected with the region.
Q367. Kathakali is chiefly performed in which state?
[SSC CGL Tier I – 2024]
(A) Assam
(B) Manipur
(C) Uttar Pradesh
(D) Kerala
Answer: (D) Kerala
Explanation: Kathakali is a dance-drama tradition of Kerala distinguished by elaborate make-up, costume, stylised gestures and percussion. Performances frequently dramatise stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Its sophisticated character types are identified partly through facial colours.
Q366. Which was most recently inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list among Chhau, Durga Puja, Garba and Kumbh Mela?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2024]
(A) Chhau
(B) Durga Puja
(C) Garba
(D) Kumbh Mela
Answer: (C) Garba
Explanation: Garba of Gujarat was added to UNESCO’s Representative List in 2023. Chhau traditions were inscribed in 2010, Kumbh Mela in 2017, and Durga Puja in Kolkata in 2021. Thus Garba was the latest of these four.
Q365. Which work is traditionally attributed to the Sanskrit playwright Bhasa?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2024]
(A) Kavyalankara
(B) Natyashastra
(C) Madhyama-vyayoga
(D) Mahabhashya
Answer: (C) Madhyama-vyayoga
Explanation: Madhyama-vyayoga is among the plays attributed to Bhasa. Natyashastra is associated with Bharata Muni, Mahabhashya with Patanjali, and Kavyalankara with Bhamaha. These authors and texts represent distinct fields of dramaturgy, grammar and poetics.
Q364. Sanghabhuti, a Buddhist monk active in China during the fourth century CE, commented on which text?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2024]
(A) Prajnaparamita Sutra
(B) Visuddhimagga
(C) Sarvastivada Vinaya
(D) Lalitavistara
Answer: (C) Sarvastivada Vinaya
Explanation: Sanghabhuti is linked with the Sarvastivada Vinaya tradition, which concerns monastic discipline. His journey and translation-related work exemplify the spread of Buddhist literature and scholastic exchange between the Indian subcontinent and China.
Q363. Which of these UNESCO World Heritage properties were inscribed in 2023?
1. Santiniketan;
2. Rani-ki-Vav;
3. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas;
4. Mahabodhi Temple.
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2024]
(A) Only one
(B) Only two
(C) Only three
(D) All four
Answer: (B) Only two
Explanation: Santiniketan and the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas entered the World Heritage List in 2023. Rani-ki-Vav was listed in 2014 and the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in 2002, leaving exactly two inscriptions from the stated year.
Q362. For which rows are the archaeological site, state and description matched?
1. Chandraketugarh—Odisha—port;
2. Inamgaon—Maharashtra—Chalcolithic;
3. Mangadu—Kerala—Megalithic;
4. Salihundam—Andhra Pradesh—rock-cut cave.
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2024]
(A) 1 and 2
(B) 2 and 3
(C) 3 and 4
(D) 1 and 4
Answer: (B) 2 and 3
Explanation: Inamgaon is an important Chalcolithic site in Maharashtra and Mangadu is a megalithic site in Kerala. Chandraketugarh lies in West Bengal, while Salihundam is primarily known for Buddhist remains rather than the stated rock-cut classification.
Q361. The famous Gol Gumbaz dome stands at which of the following monuments?
[SSC MTS – 2024]
(A) GlampEco
(B) Teela
(C) Gol Gumbaz
(D) Calico Dome
Answer: (C) Gol Gumbaz
Explanation: Gol Gumbaz is the vast domed tomb of Muhammad Adil Shah at Vijayapura in Karnataka. The monument is noted for its immense unsupported interior and remarkable Whispering Gallery, in which sound can travel around the dome.
