Art and Culture

VidyaarOctober 27, 20260567 views

Q400. Which Carnatic raga corresponds most closely to Hindustani Raga Bilawal?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2026]

(A) Nat Bhairavi

(B) Kamavardhini

(D) Dheera Shankarabharanam

Answer: (D) Dheera Shankarabharanam

Explanation: Both Bilawal and Dheera Shankarabharanam use the seven natural notes of the major scale. Shankarabharanam is the twenty-ninth melakarta raga of the Carnatic system. The other listed ragas employ altered scale degrees and therefore do not match Bilawal.

Q399. Which of these temples possess Nagara-style shikharas?
1. Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami;
2. Huchimalligudi, Aihole;
3. Dashavatara, Deogarh;
4. Virupaksha, Pattadakal.

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2026]

(A) 1 and 2

(B) 2 and 3

(D) 3 and 4

Answer: (B) 2 and 3

Explanation: The Huchimalligudi temple at Aihole and the Gupta-period Dashavatara temple at Deogarh feature northern Nagara-style superstructures. Malegitti Shivalaya and the Virupaksha temple at Pattadakal are associated with the Dravida architectural tradition rather than the specified combination.

Q398. What is represented by the Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2026]

(A) A joyous folk dance

(B) Buddha in meditation

(D) The churning of the ocean

Answer: (A) A joyous folk dance

Explanation: The Bagh Cave murals in present-day Madhya Pradesh preserve important early Indian painting traditions. Hallisalasya depicts a festive group dance, offering evidence of communal performance, movement and costume rather than a standard iconographic scene of the Buddha or Hindu mythology.

Q397. In the aniconic phase of Buddhist art, what does an empty seat symbolise?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2026]

(A) Meditation of the Buddha

(B) First sermon of the Buddha

(D) Great Renunciation

Answer: (A) Meditation of the Buddha

Explanation: Early Buddhist sculptors frequently represented the Buddha without a human figure. Symbols such as the empty throne or seat pointed to his spiritual presence and meditation, while the wheel, footprints and other signs referred to associated events or teachings.

Q396. Regarding the Amaravati Stupa, which statements are correct?
1. It stood in the lower Krishna valley.
2. It ranked immediately after Sanchi in size.
3. Its sculptural tradition influenced Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2026]

(A) 1 only

(B) 1 and 3 only

(D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (B) 1 and 3 only

Explanation: Amaravati developed in the lower Krishna River basin and became a major centre of narrative Buddhist relief sculpture. Its artistic idiom travelled through maritime cultural contacts. The proposed ranking as second only to Sanchi in size is not accepted by the answer key.

Q395. Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur belonged to which Hindustani classical music gharana?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2026]

(A) Agra

(B) Gwalior

(D) Jaipur-Atrauli

Answer: (D) Jaipur-Atrauli

Explanation: Mallikarjun Mansur was an eminent vocalist associated with the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana, noted for its complex and relatively uncommon ragas. His performances illustrated its elaborate melodic architecture and precise development, making him a leading twentieth-century exponent of Hindustani khayal music.

Q394. In which ancient work is the expression kshetra-patni, meaning mistress of the field, found?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2026]

(A) Rigveda

(B) Atharvaveda

(D) Arthashastra

Answer: (B) Atharvaveda

Explanation: The expression occurs in the Atharvaveda, whose hymns reflect diverse aspects of early Indian religious and social life. Such references are useful for tracing agrarian practices and concepts in Vedic literature, distinct from later grammatical and statecraft treatises.

Q393. For what purpose were the Tai-Ahom Moidams, inscribed by UNESCO, constructed?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2026]

(A) Military fortresses

(B) Royal recreation centres

(D) Military drill centres

Answer: (C) Burial grounds for royalty and nobility

Explanation: Moidams are mound-burial structures of the Ahom dynasty in Assam, especially associated with Charaideo. Their underground chambers and earthen mounds embody the funerary practices and royal commemorative traditions of the Tai-Ahom community, rather than defensive or recreational functions.

Q392. Which description correctly identifies the Sikh festival Hola Mohalla?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2025]

(A) Women’s craft fair in Patiala

(B) Martial displays, communal kitchens and mock combat at Anandpur Sahib

(D) A celebration held exactly on Holi

Answer: (B) Martial displays, communal kitchens and mock combat at Anandpur Sahib

Explanation: Hola Mohalla was initiated under Guru Gobind Singh and is especially associated with Anandpur Sahib in Punjab. Nihang Sikhs demonstrate martial skills, horsemanship and mock battles, while community service and langar remain essential features of the celebration.

Q391. In the name of Arunachal Pradesh’s Nyokum festival, what does Kum signify?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2025]

(A) Harmony

(B) Purity

(D) Offering

Answer: (C) Collective spirit or unity

Explanation: Nyokum is a major traditional festival of the Nyishi people of Arunachal Pradesh. Its communal rituals honour the relationship between people, nature and spiritual forces. Kum refers to togetherness or collective participation rather than a single material offering.

Q390. In the Jawa festival of Jharkhand, what is represented by girls offering green melons?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2025]

(A) Long life and prosperity

(B) Abundant monsoon rainfall

(D) Marriage ceremonies

Answer: (C) Fertility and blessings for a male child

Explanation: The Jawa observance is linked to fertility, agricultural abundance and family aspirations in communities of Jharkhand. Symbolic offerings express wishes for reproduction and well-being. The imagery forms part of a wider regional tradition combining seasonal cycles and community ritual.

Q389. Dollu Kunitha, performed with large drums, belongs to which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2025]

(A) Andhra Pradesh

(B) Telangana

(D) Kerala

Answer: (C) Karnataka

Explanation: Dollu Kunitha is a vigorous group dance of Karnataka, traditionally associated with the Kuruba community and worship of Beereshwara. Dancers strap large drums to their bodies and execute synchronised movements, making powerful percussion central to the performance.

Q388. A raga containing six distinct notes is placed in which jaati?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2025]

(A) Audav

(B) Sampoorna

(D) Chatushra

Answer: (C) Shadav

Explanation: In Indian classical music, ragas are classified by the number of notes in their ascent or descent. Audav uses five, Shadav uses six, and Sampoorna uses seven. These categories are foundational for understanding melodic structures.

Q387. What is a fixed melodic composition called in Hindustani classical music?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2025]

(A) Kriti

(B) Bandish

(D) Shruti

Answer: (B) Bandish

Explanation: A bandish is a composed melodic piece set to a raga and tala, providing the framework for a Hindustani performance. Alap is free-rhythm melodic exploration, shruti denotes fine pitch divisions, and kriti is especially associated with Carnatic compositions.

Q386. At which matra is the khali of the ten-beat Jhaptaal marked?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2025]

(A) First

(B) Sixth

(D) Eleventh

Answer: (B) Sixth

Explanation: Jhaptaal contains ten matras arranged in groups of two, three, two and three. The sixth matra begins the empty or khali division, normally marked with a wave rather than a clap. Recognising vibhags helps performers maintain rhythmic orientation.

Q385. Which order of historical emergence was given for these classical dances:
1. Kathak,
2. Manipuri,
3. Bharatanatyam,
4. Mohiniyattam?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2025]

(A) 3-1-4-2

(B) 3-4-1-2

(D) 1-3-2-4

Answer: (C) 3-1-2-4

Explanation: In the keyed ordering, Bharatanatyam precedes Kathak, followed by Manipuri and Mohiniyattam. This type of comparison concerns the historical development of traditions, not the year in which the Sangeet Natak Akademi recognised each as classical.

Q384. Which temple roof term correctly corresponds to a wagon-vaulted shape?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2025]

(A) Phamsana—flat slope

(B) Valabhi—wagon vault

(D) Phamsana—curvilinear peak

Answer: (B) Valabhi—wagon vault

Explanation: Valabhi refers to a rectangular shrine crowned by a barrel- or wagon-vaulted roof. Latina denotes the simple curvilinear Nagara shikhara, while phamsana roofs are typically broader, with tiers rising toward the centre. These distinctions feature in temple terminology.

Q383. Thang-Ta, involving sword and spear techniques, originated in which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2025]

(A) Assam

(B) Nagaland

(D) Tripura

Answer: (C) Manipur

Explanation: Thang-Ta is the traditional martial art of Manipur, its name referring to sword and spear. It preserves combat techniques, ritual movement and performance elements of the Meitei cultural sphere, and may be presented in choreographed martial demonstrations.

Q382. The Koli folk dance is most closely associated with which community?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2025]

(A) Fishing community

(B) Farmers

(D) Weavers

Answer: (A) Fishing community

Explanation: Koli dance belongs to the fishing communities of coastal Maharashtra. Its formations and gestures often imitate rowing, casting nets and the movement of boats. The performance is accompanied by energetic group rhythm and celebrates the everyday working lives of fisherfolk.

Q381. In which city was the first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya founded by Vishnu Digambar Paluskar in 1901?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2025]

(A) Delhi

(B) Gwalior

(D) Lahore

Answer: (D) Lahore

Explanation: Vishnu Digambar Paluskar established Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in Lahore in 1901 to broaden access to systematic classical music education. The institution helped move musical training beyond exclusive hereditary traditions and contributed to the modern revival of Hindustani music.

Q380. Match the Rajasthan schools Kishangarh, Bikaner, Mewar and Marwar

with painters Nihalchand, Ali Raza, Sahibdin and Shivdas.

[RPSC RAS Prelims – 2025]

(A) Kishangarh–Nihalchand; Bikaner–Shivdas; Mewar–Sahibdin; Marwar–Ali Raza

(B) Kishangarh–Nihalchand; Bikaner–Ali Raza; Mewar–Sahibdin; Marwar–Shivdas

(D) Kishangarh–Nihalchand; Bikaner–Sahibdin; Mewar–Ali Raza; Marwar–Shivdas

Answer: (B) Kishangarh–Nihalchand; Bikaner–Ali Raza; Mewar–Sahibdin; Marwar–Shivdas

Explanation: Nihalchand created the famous Bani Thani image in Kishangarh. Ali Raza worked at Bikaner, Sahibdin was prominent in Mewar, and Shivdas is linked with Marwar. These associations help distinguish the major schools of Rajasthani miniature painting.

Q379. Which Haryana folk dance is named after a forehead ornament worn by married women?

[HSSC CET Group C – 2025]

(A) Ghoomar

(B) Loor

(D) Gugga dance

Answer: (C) Jhumar

Explanation: Jhumar takes its name from an ornament worn on the forehead and is an important women’s dance in Haryana. It is accompanied by local songs and rhythm, whereas Loor is associated with springtime and Gugga dance with Gugga Pir.

Q378. In which state’s Vaishnavite monasteries did the Sattriya dance evolve?

[SSC GD Constable – 2025]

(A) West Bengal

(B) Arunachal Pradesh

(D) Sikkim

Answer: (C) Assam

Explanation: Sattriya developed in Assamese Vaishnavite monastic centres called sattras and is associated with Sankardeva. It integrates devotional drama, expressive dance and religious music, and received recognition as a classical dance tradition in 2000.

Q377. Which classical dance originated in the village historically called Kuchelapuram?

[SSC GD Constable – 2025]

(A) Kathakali

(B) Kuchipudi

(D) Mohiniyattam

Answer: (B) Kuchipudi

Explanation: Kuchipudi takes its name from a village in Andhra Pradesh, historically known as Kuchelapuram. It developed as a dance-drama tradition with links to Siddhendra Yogi and includes performances such as Tarangam on a brass plate.

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2025]

(A) Thai Pongal is primarily for decorating cattle

(B) Mattu Pongal involves adorning and honouring cattle

(D) Bhogali Bihu features the Jallikattu event

Answer: (B) Mattu Pongal involves adorning and honouring cattle

Explanation: Mattu Pongal, observed during the Tamil harvest festival, honours cows and bulls for their role in agriculture. Cattle are washed, decorated and worshipped; the main Thai Pongal day focuses on thanksgiving to the Sun.

Q375. Harela, a festival linked with greenery and environmental well-being, belongs chiefly to which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2024]

(A) Madhya Pradesh

(B) Haryana

(D) Uttarakhand

Answer: (D) Uttarakhand

Explanation: Harela is especially celebrated in Uttarakhand, notably the Kumaon region. Families sow grains and later cut their green shoots as auspicious symbols. It connects the monsoon agricultural season with prayers for prosperity and ecological harmony.

Q374. Which three deities are installed at the Jagannath Temple of Puri?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2024]

(A) Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh

(B) Radha, Krishna, Balram

(D) Rama, Lakshmana, Janaki

Answer: (C) Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra

Explanation: The principal images worshipped at Puri are Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and their sister Subhadra. Their distinctive wooden forms are central to the annual Rath Yatra, a major ritual and cultural tradition of Odisha.

Q373. Which Rashtrakuta monarch is associated with constructing the Kailasa Temple at Ellora?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2024]

(A) Krishna I

(B) Indra III

(D) Amoghavarsha

Answer: (A) Krishna I

Explanation: The monumental Kailasanatha temple of Ellora is attributed to Rashtrakuta king Krishna I in the eighth century. Carved downward from a single rock mass, it is a landmark of Indian monolithic architecture and reflects South Indian temple design.

Q372. Chittani Ramachandra Hegde was a renowned performer of which art form?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2024]

(A) Chhau

(B) Chappeli

(D) Hutari

Answer: (C) Yakshagana

Explanation: Chittani Ramachandra Hegde was a celebrated Yakshagana artist from Karnataka, particularly associated with its Badagutittu style. Yakshagana combines dance, acting, music and expressive costume to narrate episodes from epics and regional legends.

Q371. Bharatanatyam is traditionally linked with which Indian state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2024]

(A) Karnataka

(B) Tamil Nadu

(D) Manipur

Answer: (B) Tamil Nadu

Explanation: Bharatanatyam developed in Tamil Nadu from the earlier Sadir dance traditions. It is distinguished by geometric movements, rhythmic footwork and expressive abhinaya. Modern performers and institutions helped bring it from temple-associated settings to public stages.

Q370. The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev is celebrated as which festival?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2024]

(A) Hola Mohalla

(B) Baisakhi

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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.

Q360. The Great Stupa of Sanchi is a major monument of which religion?

[RRB JE CBT 1 – 2024]

(A) Buddhism

(B) Hinduism

(D) Islam

Answer: (A) Buddhism

Explanation: Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh contains Buddhist stupas developed from the Mauryan period onwards. Its toranas depict scenes and symbols associated with the Buddha and Jataka narratives. The archaeological site is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage property.

Q359. Which pair of a dance and its state is correctly matched?

[CTET Paper I – 2024]

(A) Bihu—Assam

(B) Lavani—Tamil Nadu

(D) Kathak—Karnataka

Answer: (A) Bihu—Assam

Explanation: Bihu is a famous folk dance of Assam associated particularly with the Rongali New Year celebration. Lavani is linked with Maharashtra, Bharatanatyam with Tamil Nadu and Kathak primarily with northern India, especially Uttar Pradesh.

Q358. Pochampally is renowned for ikat saris and weaving in which state?

[CTET Paper I – 2024]

(A) Maharashtra

(B) Telangana

(D) Karnataka

Answer: (B) Telangana

Explanation: Pochampally is a major centre of ikat weaving in Telangana. Threads are tied and dyed before they are woven to create geometric patterns. The textile tradition is recognised through a Geographical Indication associated with the region.

Q357. The Hemis monastery festival is observed in which Indian union territory?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2024]

(A) Punjab

(B) Sikkim

(D) Ladakh

Answer: (D) Ladakh

Explanation: Hemis Festival is a Buddhist celebration at Hemis Monastery in Ladakh. Dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava, it features ceremonial masked cham dances, monastic music and colourful ritual displays. It is especially important in the region’s Tibetan Buddhist heritage.

Q356. Which festival includes worship of the Sun and his consort Usha in thanksgiving for sustaining life?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2024]

(A) Madai Festival

(B) Chhath Puja

(D) Sorath Sabha

Answer: (B) Chhath Puja

Explanation: Chhath Puja is strongly associated with Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring communities. Devotees make offerings to the setting and rising Sun, often while standing in water. The observance combines fasting, traditional songs and reverence for natural elements.

Q355. Which state government organises the Tansen Music Festival?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2024]

(A) Maharashtra

(B) Madhya Pradesh

(D) Uttar Pradesh

Answer: (B) Madhya Pradesh

Explanation: The Tansen Samaroh is held in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, to honour the celebrated Hindustani musician Tansen. It features performances by leading classical vocalists and instrumentalists and commemorates the city’s rich dhrupad and gharana traditions.

Q354. Which Indian percussionist and music director received the Padma Shri in 2019?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Sivamani

(B) Nucleya

(D) Naushad

Answer: (A) Sivamani

Explanation: Anandan Sivamani is a percussionist renowned for blending Indian rhythms with contemporary musical genres. His Padma Shri recognition in 2019 acknowledged his contribution to the performing arts, particularly percussion performance across recordings and concerts.

Q353. Dhalo is a folk dance native to which Indian state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Tamil Nadu

(B) Uttar Pradesh

(D) Goa

Answer: (D) Goa

Explanation: Dhalo is a women’s folk dance of Goa, frequently performed during winter nights. Participants form rows, sing traditional verses and move in synchrony. The dance is closely connected with Goan rural life and communal celebration.

Q352. Besides Bharatanatyam, which classical dance was Mrinalini Sarabhai known for?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Kathak

(B) Kathakali

(D) Odissi

Answer: (B) Kathakali

Explanation: Mrinalini Sarabhai trained in Bharatanatyam and Kathakali and founded the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts in Ahmedabad. She was admired for integrating classical technique with contemporary themes and for mentoring generations of performers.

Q351. Arjun Singh Dhurve received a Padma Shri for promoting Baiga dance traditions of which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Odisha

(B) Rajasthan

(D) Madhya Pradesh

Answer: (D) Madhya Pradesh

Explanation: Arjun Singh Dhurve is an exponent of the folk traditions of the Baiga community in Madhya Pradesh. His recognition highlighted tribal dance and song heritage, which transmit local belief, forest-linked customs and collective identity.

Q350. Vazhuvoor is a recognised style within which Indian classical dance?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Kathak

(B) Bharatanatyam

(D) Mohiniyattam

Answer: (B) Bharatanatyam

Explanation: Vazhuvoor is a bani or stylistic lineage of Bharatanatyam associated with Tamil Nadu. Known for fluid grace and expressive interpretation, it is one of several schools distinguished by teaching method, movement quality and approach to abhinaya.

Q349. The theoretical basis of Bharatanatyam is associated with which ancient treatise?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Arthashastra

(B) Vaimanika Shastra

(D) Natyashastra

Answer: (D) Natyashastra

Explanation: The Natyashastra, attributed to Bharata Muni, lays out fundamental principles of Indian dramaturgy, gesture, expression, movement and music. It provides a conceptual framework for several classical performing arts, including Bharatanatyam, rather than being an economic or legal text.

Q348. Which state is traditionally associated with Sattriya, the dance for which Ramkrishna Talukdar was honoured?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) West Bengal

(B) Assam

(D) Jharkhand

Answer: (B) Assam

Explanation: Sattriya arose in Assam’s Vaishnavite sattras and is closely associated with Srimanta Sankardeva’s devotional movement. Dancer Ramkrishna Talukdar is an exponent of this tradition, which combines rhythmic technique with narrative and spiritual expression.

Q347. Which listed musician is best known for playing a percussion instrument?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Ravi Shankar

(B) Vishwa Mohan Bhatt

(D) Bismillah Khan

Answer: (C) Pandit Ayodhya Prasad

Explanation: Pandit Ayodhya Prasad was associated with the tabla tradition. Ravi Shankar played sitar, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt is known for the Mohan veena, and Bismillah Khan for the shehnai. The options distinguish percussion from strings and wind instruments.

Q346. Ishwari Prasad is traditionally linked with the development of which dance form?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Manipuri

(B) Kathak

(D) Bharatanatyam

Answer: (B) Kathak

Explanation: Ishwari Prasad is remembered in Kathak tradition as an early figure associated with the Lucknow lineage. Kathak combines intricate footwork, spins and expressive storytelling, and later developed several important gharanas under court patronage.

Q345. Who is traditionally named as a founder of the Lucknow gharana of Kathak?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Sitara Devi

(B) Ishwari Prasad

(D) Rukmini Devi

Answer: (B) Ishwari Prasad

Explanation: Kathak accounts trace the Lucknow gharana’s early history to Ishwari Prasad. Later renowned figures such as Bindadin Maharaj and Birju Maharaj developed its expressive abhinaya and sophisticated rhythm, establishing Lucknow as a principal Kathak school.

Q344. Hassu Khan is associated with the foundation of which Hindustani music gharana?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Rampur

(B) Agra

(D) Patiala

Answer: (C) Gwalior

Explanation: Hassu Khan was an influential exponent of the Gwalior gharana, considered one of the oldest khayal singing traditions. The gharana stresses clarity of composition, measured raga development and balanced use of taans.

Q343. Who is commonly described as the father of modern dance in India?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Uday Shankar

(B) Birju Maharaj

(D) Guru Bipin Singh

Answer: (A) Uday Shankar

Explanation: Uday Shankar pioneered a modern Indian dance idiom by drawing inspiration from classical, folk and theatrical movement without confining himself to a single inherited tradition. His choreography influenced twentieth-century dance theatre and international recognition of Indian performance.

Q342. The folk dance Kud, associated with awardee Khemraj, is traditional to which region?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Haryana

(B) Jammu and Kashmir

(D) Punjab

Answer: (B) Jammu and Kashmir

Explanation: Kud is a community folk dance associated with the Jammu region, especially hill communities. Participants dance collectively to traditional music, often in celebration of local festivals. Its geographical association is Jammu and Kashmir rather than the neighbouring states listed.

Q341. Nati is a well-known group folk dance from which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Nagaland

(B) Kerala

(D) Himachal Pradesh

Answer: (D) Himachal Pradesh

Explanation: Nati is performed in the Himalayan valleys of Himachal Pradesh, often in circular or serpentine formations. The Kullu Nati is especially well known. Its coordinated movements, regional costumes and songs form a visible part of community festivals.

Q340. The annual Sirpur National Dance and Music Festival takes place in which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Jharkhand

(B) Chhattisgarh

(D) Madhya Pradesh

Answer: (B) Chhattisgarh

Explanation: Sirpur in Chhattisgarh is famous for its archaeological remains, including the Lakshmana Temple. Its dance and music festival brings cultural performances to this historic setting and connects contemporary arts with the region’s heritage.

Q339. U Srinivas was an acclaimed performer on which musical instrument?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Mandolin

(B) Violin

(D) Guitar

Answer: (A) Mandolin

Explanation: U Srinivas popularised the electric mandolin as a concert instrument in Carnatic classical music. His technique adapted the instrument to complex gamakas and ragas, earning him exceptional recognition as a virtuoso.

Q338. Radhe Shyam Barle was recognised for promoting Panthi, a dance of which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Bihar

(B) Chhattisgarh

(D) Odisha

Answer: (B) Chhattisgarh

Explanation: Panthi is associated with the Satnami community of Chhattisgarh and devotion to Guru Ghasidas. The dance incorporates energetic acrobatic formations and rhythmic songs. Radhe Shyam Barle is a noted exponent and advocate of this heritage.

Q337. What is the number of principal regional styles of Chhau dance?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Seven

(B) Three

(D) Five

Answer: (B) Three

Explanation: Chhau comprises three major regional styles: Seraikella of Jharkhand, Mayurbhanj of Odisha and Purulia of West Bengal. The traditions differ in masks, movement vocabulary and presentation while sharing martial and dramatic elements.

Q336. Who was honoured for reviving eco-friendly Etikoppaka toy-making techniques?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Victor Banerjee

(B) Devendra Jhajharia

(D) C V Raju

Answer: (D) C V Raju

Explanation: C V Raju helped revive Etikoppaka lacquered wooden toys of Andhra Pradesh through traditional craftsmanship and environmentally mindful techniques. The craft uses turned wood and coloured lacquer to create toys and decorative objects.

Q335. Dancer Aditi Mangaldas received the Mahari Award in connection with which dance?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Kathak

(B) Odissi

(D) Bharatanatyam

Answer: (A) Kathak

Explanation: Aditi Mangaldas is an acclaimed Kathak artist known for classical as well as contemporary choreographic work. Her performances and teaching engage with Kathak movement, rhythm and expressive storytelling, making her an important modern exponent.

Q334. Shivaputra Siddharamayya Komkalimath is the birth name of which vocalist?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Omkarnath Thakur

(B) Kumar Gandharva

(D) Dinkar Kaikini

Answer: (B) Kumar Gandharva

Explanation: Kumar Gandharva, born Shivaputra Siddharamayya Komkalimath, was a distinctive Hindustani classical vocalist. He became known for innovative interpretations of ragas and powerful presentations of nirgun bhajans, developing an individual style beyond rigid convention.

Q333. Yamini Krishnamurthy achieved distinction in Bharatanatyam and which other classical dance?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Kathak

(B) Manipuri

(D) Kathakali

Answer: (C) Kuchipudi

Explanation: Yamini Krishnamurthy was celebrated as a leading exponent of both Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. Her career helped popularise Indian classical dance internationally, and she received major civilian honours for her artistic contributions.

Q332. Which artist among the following is a distinguished Bharatanatyam exponent?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Birju Maharaj

(B) Padma Subrahmanyam

(D) Saswati Sen

Answer: (B) Padma Subrahmanyam

Explanation: Padma Subrahmanyam is a renowned Bharatanatyam dancer and scholar known for research on karanas described in the Natyashastra. Birju Maharaj and Saswati Sen are associated with Kathak, making their traditional training distinct.

Q331. Which listed musician has a recognised association with sarod performance?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Vilayat Khan

(B) Hariprasad Chaurasia

(D) Allauddin Khan

Answer: (D) Allauddin Khan

Explanation: Allauddin Khan was a legendary sarod player and teacher linked to the Maihar gharana. Vilayat Khan was a sitarist and Hariprasad Chaurasia a flautist. Although Annapurna Devi was his daughter, she is especially associated with surbahar.

Q330. Kalasam denotes a dance sequence used in which classical form?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Kathak

(B) Kathakali

(D) Manipuri

Answer: (B) Kathakali

Explanation: In Kathakali, kalasam describes a pure-dance rhythmic passage separating or embellishing expressive sequences. The form is distinguished by theatrical storytelling, codified hand gestures, facial expression, percussion and colourful character make-up.

Q329. The folk dances Giddha and Bhangra are mainly identified with which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Punjab

(B) Gujarat

(D) Bihar

Answer: (A) Punjab

Explanation: Giddha is traditionally performed by women in Punjab, while Bhangra has strong roots in Punjabi agrarian celebrations. Both use energetic rhythm and song but differ in movement structure, musical accompaniment and performance customs.

Q328. Which individual was honoured for reviving Manipuri dance and given the title Hanjaba?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Charu Malhar

(B) Darshana Jhaveri

(D) Kalavati Devi

Answer: (C) Bipin Singh

Explanation: Guru Bipin Singh was an influential scholar, choreographer and teacher of Manipuri dance. He worked with leading artists to revive and popularise its traditions, especially the devotional and dramatic forms linked to the region’s history.

Q327. Who established the KADAMB Centre for Dance in 1964?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Shovana Narayan

(B) Sitara Devi

(D) Kumudini Lakhia

Answer: (D) Kumudini Lakhia

Explanation: Kumudini Lakhia founded KADAMB in Ahmedabad to train Kathak dancers and explore innovative group choreography. She combined a strong classical foundation with new approaches to stage movement, costume and musical presentation.

Q326. Who founded the Kalakshetra institution and was a noted Bharatanatyam exponent?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Sonal Mansingh

(B) Saroja Vaidyanathan

(D) Mallika Sarabhai

Answer: (C) Rukmini Devi Arundale

Explanation: Rukmini Devi Arundale established Kalakshetra in Madras in 1936. The institution profoundly influenced Bharatanatyam education, stagecraft and transmission of classical arts, helping shape their modern public presentation.

Q325. M S Subbulakshmi is most closely associated with which musical tradition?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Ghazal

(B) Sufi music

(D) Carnatic classical

Answer: (D) Carnatic classical

Explanation: M S Subbulakshmi was among the most celebrated vocalists of the Carnatic tradition. Her concerts and devotional recordings reached international audiences; in 1998 she became the first musician to receive India’s Bharat Ratna.

Q324. Jamda is identified as a folk dance of which Indian state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Assam

(B) Maharashtra

(D) Jharkhand

Answer: (D) Jharkhand

Explanation: Jamda is associated with the folk cultural traditions of Jharkhand. Like other regional dances, it reflects community celebrations and the transmission of collective memory through rhythm, song and movement.

Q323. Which of these instrumentalists is celebrated for playing the mandolin?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Brij Bhushan Kabra

(B) Vishwa Mohan Bhatt

(D) M S Gopalakrishnan

Answer: (C) U Srinivas

Explanation: U Srinivas transformed the mandolin into a recognised solo instrument in Carnatic classical performance. Brij Bhushan Kabra and Vishwa Mohan Bhatt are especially associated with guitar adaptations, while M S Gopalakrishnan played violin.

Q322. Joravarsinh Jadav received the Padma Shri for his contribution to which folk tradition?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Yakshagana

(B) Bhavai

(D) Ghoomar

Answer: (B) Bhavai

Explanation: Joravarsinh Jadav researched and promoted Gujarat’s folk heritage, notably Bhavai, a traditional theatre-dance form. His cultural documentation helped preserve performance styles, folk narratives and the contribution of community artists.

Q321. Who was honoured for creating innovative ways to present Naga folk music?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Moa Subong

(B) C V Raju

(D) T Senka Ao

Answer: (A) Moa Subong

Explanation: Moa Subong is associated with the preservation and modern presentation of Naga folk music, including innovations involving traditional instruments. Such work helps keep local musical forms visible amid changing performance and recording technologies.

Q320. Raigarh is a recognised gharana of which Indian classical dance?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Odissi

(B) Kathakali

(D) Manipuri

Answer: (C) Kathak

Explanation: The Raigarh gharana of Kathak developed under the patronage of Maharaja Chakradhar Singh. It is celebrated for rhythmically elaborate compositions, technical experimentation and links with established Kathak lineages.

Q319. Pandit Jasraj, Bhimsen Joshi and Zakir Hussain are chiefly linked to which Indian music tradition?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Jazz

(B) Pop

(D) Carnatic classical

Answer: (C) Hindustani classical

Explanation: Jasraj and Bhimsen Joshi were major Hindustani classical vocalists, while Zakir Hussain was an internationally renowned tabla artist within the North Indian classical sphere. Their distinct performance roles share a common musical tradition.

Q318. The Bahmani monuments at Gulbarga represent which architectural tradition?

[SSC MTS – 2023]

(A) Deccan

(B) Mameluke

(D) Nagara

Answer: (A) Deccan

Explanation: Gulbarga was a capital of the Bahmani Sultanate, whose mosques and tombs illustrate the regional Deccan style of Indo-Islamic architecture. Local building techniques combined with Persian and Central Asian influences in the medieval Deccan.

Q317. Tusu Parab, a harvest festival, is principally associated with which state?

[SSC CHSL – 2023]

(A) Gujarat

(B) Sikkim

(D) Jharkhand

Answer: (D) Jharkhand

Explanation: Tusu Parab is celebrated around Makar Sankranti in Jharkhand and adjacent regions. Communities sing Tusu songs, prepare decorated structures and mark the conclusion of the agricultural season through collective fairs and processions.

Q316. Match the Champakkulam boat race, Somnath fair, Surajkund fair and Baneshwar fair to their states.

[SSC CHSL – 2023]

(A) Kerala, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana

(B) Rajasthan, Gujarat, Kerala, Haryana

(D) Kerala, Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan

Answer: (D) Kerala, Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan

Explanation: Champakkulam boat races are held in Kerala; the Somnath fair is in Gujarat; Surajkund crafts fair takes place in Haryana; and the Baneshwar tribal fair belongs to Rajasthan. Together they demonstrate the regional variety of India’s fairs.

Q315. Which Kerala classical dance uses elaborate facial make-up and a vigorous dramatic style?

[SSC MTS – 2023]

(A) Mohiniyattam

(B) Kuchipudi

(D) Odissi

Answer: (C) Kathakali

Explanation: Kathakali of Kerala uses layered facial make-up, stylised gestures, powerful training and percussion to portray epic characters. The intense expressive vocabulary distinguishes it from Mohiniyattam’s gentle lasya technique and from dance traditions belonging to other regions.

Q314. Where is the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies located?

[UPSC NDA II – 2023]

(A) Leh

(B) Kullu

(D) Gangtok

Answer: (A) Leh

Explanation: The Central Institute of Buddhist Studies is based at Choglamsar near Leh, Ladakh. It supports Buddhist learning, philosophy and Himalayan cultural studies under the Ministry of Culture, making it an important institution for preservation of this intellectual heritage.

Q313. Which set contains all three UNESCO World Heritage monuments in Delhi?

[UPSC CDS I – 2023]

(A) Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Jama Masjid

(B) Red Fort, India Gate, Qutub Minar

(D) Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate

Answer: (C) Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb

Explanation: Delhi’s World Heritage properties are the Red Fort Complex, the Qutb complex and Humayun’s Tomb. India Gate and Jama Masjid are important historic monuments but were not separately inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Q312. Regarding Sanchi, which statements are correct?
1. Three gateways stood in 1818 while a fourth lay fallen.
2. Sculptures there depict elephants, horses, monkeys and cattle.

[UPSC NDA II – 2023]

(A) 1 only

(B) 2 only

(D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2

Explanation: Early nineteenth-century descriptions of Sanchi record the preservation and damage of its gateways. Its relief sculpture depicts a rich variety of animals and Jataka scenes, offering insights into Buddhist religious art and everyday life.

Q311. Which animal is absent from the four animal images on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital?

[UPSC CAPF AC – 2023]

(A) Deer

(B) Lion

(D) Horse

Answer: (A) Deer

Explanation: The abacus of Ashoka’s Sarnath Lion Capital depicts a lion, bull, horse and elephant, separated by wheels. A deer is not among the four. The capital later inspired India’s national emblem.

Q310. Dhanyakataka, known as a Buddhist centre of the Mahasanghikas, was located in which region?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2023]

(A) Andhra

(B) Gandhara

(D) Magadha

Answer: (A) Andhra

Explanation: Dhanyakataka is identified with Dharanikota near Amaravati in the Krishna valley of Andhra Pradesh. The area was a thriving Buddhist centre under the Satavahanas and was closely connected to the great Amaravati stupa and regional trade.

Q309. Mopin is an agricultural festival celebrated by the Galo people of which state?

[SSC MTS – 2023]

(A) Sikkim

(B) Karnataka

(D) Arunachal Pradesh

Answer: (D) Arunachal Pradesh

Explanation: The Galo community celebrates Mopin in Arunachal Pradesh to seek healthy crops, prosperity and protection from misfortune. Traditional songs and group dance, including the Popir, are associated with the springtime observance.

Q308. Which feature was NOT part of the Sarnath Lion Capital?

[SSC CHSL – 2023]

(A) A cow representing the south

(B) Four lions

(D) A bell-shaped lotus base

Answer: (A) A cow representing the south

Explanation: The capital has four back-to-back lions above an abacus depicting a lion, bull, horse and elephant, with wheel motifs. Its base resembles a bell-shaped lotus. There is no directional cow of the kind described.

Q307. Which temple is called the Black Pagoda?

[SSC MTS – 2023]

(A) Omkareshwar at Puri

(B) Somnath

(D) Jagannath Temple, Hyderabad

Answer: (C) Konark Sun Temple

Explanation: The Konark Sun Temple of Odisha was called the Black Pagoda by European mariners, who used its imposing dark silhouette as a coastal landmark. The temple is modelled as the monumental stone chariot of Surya.

Q306. Yakshagana is a traditional dance-theatre form of which state?

[SSC MTS – 2023]

(A) Kerala

(B) Karnataka

(D) Rajasthan

Answer: (B) Karnataka

Explanation: Yakshagana flourishes along coastal Karnataka and combines elaborate costumes, live musicians, dialogue and dramatic dancing. Performances draw from epic stories and regional legends, with different styles associated with coastal districts.

Q305. Lingaraja Temple is located in which state?

[SSC CHSL – 2023]

(A) Odisha

(B) Karnataka

(D) Tamil Nadu

Answer: (A) Odisha

Explanation: Lingaraja Temple stands at Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and is a celebrated example of Kalinga architecture. Its soaring rekha deul, assembly halls and sculptural ornamentation illustrate the mature eastern Indian Nagara temple tradition.

Q304. Which fort served as the principal capital of the Qutb Shahi rulers?

[SSC CHSL – 2023]

(A) Chiktan Fort

(B) Rajgad Fort

(D) Golconda Fort

Answer: (D) Golconda Fort

Explanation: The Qutb Shahi dynasty ruled the Golconda Sultanate from the sixteenth century. Golconda Fort near Hyderabad functioned as its principal stronghold and capital before the foundation and development of Hyderabad. The complex is celebrated for its acoustics and gates.

Q303. The Ramappa Temple in Telangana is dedicated to which deity?

[SSC MTS – 2023]

(A) Rama

(B) Vishnu

(D) Shiva

Answer: (D) Shiva

Explanation: The Ramappa or Rudreshwara Temple at Palampet is dedicated to Shiva and dates to the Kakatiya period. It is distinguished by carved sandstone, lightweight floating bricks and a sculptural programme that reflects thirteenth-century Deccan craftsmanship.

Q302. Ilyas Khan, born into a musical family in Lucknow, became famous for playing which instrument?

[SSC MTS – 2023]

(A) Tabla

(B) Sitar

(D) Mridangam

Answer: (B) Sitar

Explanation: Ustad Ilyas Khan was a noted sitar exponent associated with the Imdadkhani or Etawah musical lineage. The sitar is a plucked long-necked lute central to Hindustani instrumental performance. Its resonance derives from sympathetic strings and the jawari bridge.

Q301. Which instrument was principally played by Pandit Ram Narayan?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Ghatam

(B) Tabla

(D) Sarangi

Answer: (D) Sarangi

Explanation: Pandit Ram Narayan was a pioneering sarangi soloist who helped establish the instrument as an independent Hindustani concert voice. The bowed sarangi has a notably vocal sound and had formerly been associated heavily with accompanying khayal and thumri singing.

Q300. Ram Narayan and Sultan Khan, celebrated musicians from Rajasthan, both played which instrument?

[Rajasthan CET Graduate – 2023]

(A) Sarangi

(B) Kamaycha

(D) Sitar

Answer: (A) Sarangi

Explanation: Both Pandit Ram Narayan and Ustad Sultan Khan became internationally respected sarangi performers. The bowed string instrument uses sympathetic strings and a fingernail-based technique, allowing ornaments resembling the human voice. Rajasthan has contributed many renowned sarangi players.

Q299. The Agni or fire dance of Rajasthan is practised by men of which religious sect?

[RPSC RAS Prelims – 2023]

(A) Bishnoi

(B) Ramsnehi

(D) Dadupanth

Answer: (C) Jasnathi Siddha

Explanation: Members of the Jasnathi Siddha tradition are celebrated for performing the Agni Nritya on glowing embers. The community is associated particularly with Bikaner and neighbouring districts. Drum rhythms and devotional calls accompany the display of ritual endurance.

Q298. Match the cultural sites:
Besnagar—Shaivite cave;
Bhaja—Buddhist cave;
Sittanavasal—Jain cave.

How many are correct?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2023]

(A) One

(B) Two

(D) None

Answer: (B) Two

Explanation: Bhaja in Maharashtra contains Buddhist rock-cut caves; Sittanavasal in Tamil Nadu preserves Jain painting and cave heritage. Besnagar near Vidisha is known for the Heliodorus pillar rather than a Shaivite cave shrine. Therefore the second and third pairs agree.

Q297. Which Indian classical dance developed from the historical Sadir Attam tradition?

[SSC CPO – 2023]

(A) Bharatanatyam

(B) Kuchipudi

(D) Kathakali

Answer: (A) Bharatanatyam

Explanation: The temple-linked Sadir or Dasiattam tradition of Tamil Nadu evolved into modern Bharatanatyam. Nineteenth- and twentieth-century choreographers codified its repertoire, while performers adapted it for public stages, preserving angular technique, rhythmic precision and expressive storytelling.

Q296. The Odisha festival Raja Parba traditionally continues for how many days?

[SSC CHSL – 2023]

(A) Five

(B) Six

(D) Three

Answer: (D) Three

Explanation: Raja Parba, celebrated around Mithuna Sankranti, honours womanhood and the regenerative power of the earth. Three principal festival days feature swings, special foods and social gatherings. A subsequent ritual bathing of Mother Earth follows the main observances.

Q295. The Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque is situated in which city?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Panipat

(B) Lahore

(D) Delhi

Answer: (D) Delhi

Explanation: Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque is located within Delhi’s Qutb complex at Mehrauli, close to the Qutb Minar and Iron Pillar. Established under Qutb-ud-din Aibak, its early structures illustrate the beginnings of Delhi Sultanate architecture.

Q294. Asad Ali Khan was a renowned player of which string instrument?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Rudra Veena

(B) Ghatam

(D) Mohan Veena

Answer: (A) Rudra Veena

Explanation: Ustad Asad Ali Khan was among the outstanding performers of the rudra veena, a long plucked instrument strongly connected with dhrupad music. His playing helped preserve the instrument’s austere melodic style during a period when it became relatively uncommon on stage.

Q293. Which festival is widely regarded as the most prominent annual celebration of Kerala?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Diwali

(B) Onam

(D) Makaravilakku

Answer: (B) Onam

Explanation: Onam is Kerala’s renowned harvest-season festival, remembered through the legend of King Mahabali. The celebrations include pookalam floral decorations, onasadya meals, cultural performances and sporting events such as traditional boat races in some areas.

Q292. The dhaank is a principal instrument of which folk dance?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Rai

(B) Saira

(D) Kaathi

Answer: (D) Kaathi

Explanation: Kaathi is listed in the examined folk-dance association with the dhaank percussion instrument. Folk performances frequently depend on region-specific drums for rhythm and movement, illustrating the close connection between local instruments and communal dances.

Q291. The traditional festival Shad Suk Mynsiem belongs to which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Meghalaya

(B) Assam

(D) Goa

Answer: (A) Meghalaya

Explanation: Shad Suk Mynsiem is an important spring thanksgiving dance festival of the Khasi community in Meghalaya. Men and women perform in traditional attire to celebrate peace, blessings and cultural continuity, with music supplied by indigenous instruments.

Q290. Thaipoosam is a major religious festival especially associated with which Indian state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Bihar

(B) Andhra Pradesh

(D) Goa

Answer: (C) Tamil Nadu

Explanation: Thaipusam, also spelled Thaipoosam, is celebrated mainly by Tamil Hindu communities in honour of Murugan. Devotees undertake processions and forms of penance, often carrying kavadi. The occasion falls near the Tamil month of Thai.

Q289. Which classical dance is performed to Carnatic music among the listed forms?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Kathak

(B) Kuchipudi

(D) Sattriya

Answer: (B) Kuchipudi

Explanation: Kuchipudi developed in Andhra Pradesh and uses the Carnatic musical system. Performances combine pure rhythmic dance with dramatic storytelling and expressive passages. Kathak usually employs Hindustani music, while Odissi and Sattriya possess their own regional musical traditions.

Q288. Chhau dance is especially popular in which state among those given?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Tamil Nadu

(B) Andhra Pradesh

(D) West Bengal

Answer: (D) West Bengal

Explanation: Purulia Chhau is a celebrated masked martial-dance tradition of West Bengal. Related styles are also performed in Seraikella, Jharkhand, and Mayurbhanj, Odisha. Themes frequently draw upon epics, heroic episodes and local folklore.

Q287. Kanak Rele was particularly associated with which Indian classical dance?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Kathakali

(B) Bharatanatyam

(D) Mohiniyattam

Answer: (D) Mohiniyattam

Explanation: Kanak Rele became a prominent performer, choreographer and researcher of Mohiniyattam, the classical dance of Kerala. She also founded the Nalanda Dance Research Centre, helping give systematic academic attention to traditional Indian dance practices.

Q286. The custom of breaking a suspended Dahi-Handi during festivities is linked to which festival?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Janmashtami

(B) Buddha Purnima

(D) Ravidas Jayanti

Answer: (A) Janmashtami

Explanation: Dahi-Handi celebrations commemorate the childhood exploits of Krishna during Janmashtami. Teams form human pyramids to reach a decorated earthen pot suspended above the ground, especially in Maharashtra. The event has become an energetic public cultural tradition.

Q285. Powada, a ballad-performance folk tradition, is associated with which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Rajasthan

(B) Maharashtra

(D) Gujarat

Answer: (B) Maharashtra

Explanation: Powada is a Marathi ballad tradition featuring spirited narration of heroic deeds and historical episodes. Performers known as shahirs celebrate figures such as Shivaji through forceful singing and percussion. Its dramatic delivery combines oral history, music and community pride.

Q284. Which ancient Tamil practice called Vattakirutal is described in Sangam poems?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2023]

(A) Employment of royal female guards

(B) Debates among philosophers in royal assemblies

(D) Ritual fasting to death by a defeated king

Answer: (D) Ritual fasting to death by a defeated king

Explanation: Vattakirutal or vadakkiruttal appears in Tamil Sangam literature as an act of ritual self-starvation, often connected with a ruler or warrior facing dishonour. It offers evidence of early Tamil heroic and ethical conventions.

Q283. How many author–text pairs are right:
Devichandragupta–Bilhana;
Hammira Mahakavya–Nayachandra Suri;
Milindapanha–Nagarjuna;
Nitivakyamrita–Somadeva Suri?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2023]

(A) Only one

(B) Only two

(D) All four

Answer: (B) Only two

Explanation: Hammira Mahakavya is attributed to Nayachandra Suri, and Nitivakyamrita to Somadeva Suri. Devichandragupta is traditionally linked with Vishakhadatta, while Milindapanha records philosophical exchanges involving Nagasena, not authorship by Nagarjuna.

Q282. Which institution awards recognitions for achievement in classical Indian dance?

[SSC CHSL Tier I – 2023]

(A) INTACH

(B) Sangeet Natak Akademi

(D) Lalit Kala Akademi

Answer: (B) Sangeet Natak Akademi

Explanation: The Sangeet Natak Akademi is India’s apex national academy devoted to music, dance and drama. Its annual awards honour outstanding performers and scholars, while Sahitya Akademi concentrates on literature and Lalit Kala Akademi on visual art.

Q281. Which distinction was conferred on the Manipuri dance guru Bipin Singh?

[SSC CHSL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Saraswati Samman

(B) Kalamandalam Puraskar

(D) Padma Shri

Answer: (C) Sangeet Natak Akademi Award

Explanation: Guru Bipin Singh was honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Manipuri dance. He taught, choreographed and helped revive traditional Manipuri repertoires, making a significant contribution to the national profile of the classical dance.

Q280. Meenakshi Chitharanjan received a Sangeet Natak Akademi award for which dance?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Bharatanatyam

(B) Odissi

(D) Kuchipudi

Answer: (A) Bharatanatyam

Explanation: Meenakshi Chitharanjan received recognition for her contribution to Bharatanatyam. Her teaching and performances represent the Tamil classical dance tradition, known for geometric movement, expressive abhinaya and rhythmic precision.

Q279. Neena Prasad was given a Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for contributions to which classical dance?

[SSC CHSL Tier I – 2023]

(A) Bharatanatyam

(B) Mohiniyattam

(D) Odissi

Answer: (B) Mohiniyattam

Explanation: Neena Prasad is a noted Mohiniyattam exponent whose choreography and training have supported the Kerala dance tradition. Her Akademi recognition acknowledges sustained work in a style distinguished by graceful circular movement and expressive storytelling.

Q278. Raja and Radha Reddy were honoured with a Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for which form?

[SSC Selection Post HSC – 2023]

(A) Sattriya

(B) Kathak

(D) Kuchipudi

Answer: (D) Kuchipudi

Explanation: Raja and Radha Reddy are distinguished Kuchipudi dancers and choreographers associated with Andhra Pradesh’s classical dance heritage. Their performances have promoted the style internationally and won several major cultural distinctions.

Q277. Sujata Mahapatra won a Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for which dance?

[SSC GD Constable – 2023]

(A) Odissi

(B) Kathak

(D) Modern dance

Answer: (A) Odissi

Explanation: Sujata Mohapatra is an acclaimed Odissi dancer noted for lyrical movement and abhinaya. Her national award recognises artistic contributions to the classical dance tradition of Odisha and its transmission through teaching and performances.

Q276. Gopika Varma won a Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for achievement in which classical dance?

[SSC CPO Paper I – 2023]

(A) Kathak

(B) Bharatanatyam

(D) Kuchipudi

Answer: (C) Mohiniyattam

Explanation: Gopika Varma is a distinguished exponent of Kerala’s Mohiniyattam. Her work as a dancer and teacher has promoted a graceful form noted for flowing steps, nuanced expression and carefully coordinated hand gestures.

Q275. Ratikant Mohapatra received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for which dance style?

[SSC Selection Post Matric – 2023]

(A) Odissi

(B) Manipuri

(D) Kathakali

Answer: (A) Odissi

Explanation: Ratikant Mohapatra is an Odissi dancer, choreographer and teacher from Odisha. His artistry belongs to a classical tradition that uses tribhanga postures, sculptural poses and expressive abhinaya to communicate devotional and literary themes.

Q274. Laxmipriya Mohapatra is identified with which Indian classical dance?

[SSC CPO – 2022]

(A) Sattriya

(B) Kathakali

(D) Bharatanatyam

Answer: (C) Odissi

Explanation: Laxmipriya Mohapatra was an early female exponent of the revived Odissi dance tradition and wife of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. Her performances supported the movement to establish Odissi as a major classical dance.

Q273. The Sun Temple of Konark is popularly known by what nickname?

[RRB NTPC – 2022]

(A) White Pagoda

(B) Black Pagoda

(D) Bronze Pagoda

Answer: (B) Black Pagoda

Explanation: The thirteenth-century Konark Sun Temple is known as the Black Pagoda, a name used by sailors for its striking dark silhouette. It embodies the chariot of the Sun god with carved wheels and horses.

Q272. India Gate was originally named what?

[DSSSB Patwari – 2022]

(A) Anglo-Afghan War Memorial

(B) All-India War Memorial

(D) All British Soldiers Memorial

Answer: (B) All-India War Memorial

Explanation: India Gate in New Delhi was conceived as the All-India War Memorial to commemorate soldiers of the British Indian Army killed in World War I and other campaigns. Edwin Lutyens designed the monumental arch.

Q271. Which symbols were used by early Buddhist artists to represent the Buddha without showing a human image?

[UPSC NDA I – 2022]

(A) Empty throne and stupa only

(B) Wheel and tree only

(D) Empty throne, wheel, tree and stupa

Answer: (D) Empty throne, wheel, tree and stupa

Explanation: Early aniconic Buddhist reliefs represented the Buddha through symbols including the throne, dharma wheel, Bodhi tree, footprints and stupa. Such imagery appears at monuments like Sanchi and Bharhut before anthropomorphic Buddha statues became widely established.

Q270. Which statements about Somnath Temple are correct?
1. It is a Jyotirlinga.
2. Al-Biruni described it.
3. President Radhakrishnan consecrated the present shrine.

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2022]

(A) 1 and 2 only

(B) 2 and 3 only

(D) All three

Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only

Explanation: Somnath in Gujarat is traditionally counted among the twelve Jyotirlingas. The eleventh-century scholar Al-Biruni discussed its shrine. The reconstructed temple was ceremonially inaugurated in 1951 by President Rajendra Prasad, not Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

Q269. Which statements on Sanchi sculpture are correct?
1. Shalabhanjika occurs.
2. It is a woman with lotuses and elephants.
3. The motif has non-Buddhist folk roots.

[UPSC CDS I – 2022]

(A) 1, 2 and 3

(B) 2 and 3 only

(D) 1 and 3 only

Answer: (D) 1 and 3 only

Explanation: Shalabhanjika figures are associated with fertility and auspicious nature imagery, often depicted embracing or touching trees. The woman with lotuses and elephants instead evokes Gajalakshmi. Its adoption at Sanchi demonstrates the incorporation of wider folk motifs into Buddhist decorative sculpture.

Q268. Which among these Indian festivals falls mainly in August–September?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Makar Sankranti

(B) Kite Festival

(D) Onam

Answer: (D) Onam

Explanation: Onam is Kerala’s principal harvest festival, celebrated during the Malayalam month of Chingam, generally in August or September. The celebration remembers Mahabali and features floral designs, feasts, processions and boat races in various locations.

Q267. Bodo is primarily spoken in which Indian state?

[RRB NTPC – 2022]

(A) Assam

(B) Jharkhand

(D) Karnataka

Answer: (A) Assam

Explanation: Bodo belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family and is spoken principally in Assam, especially the Bodoland region. It became an Eighth Schedule language through the Ninety-second Constitutional Amendment, reflecting India’s multilingual cultural heritage.

Q266. Which dynasty erected the Khajuraho temples between approximately 950 and 1050 CE?

[SSC CPO – 2022]

(A) Gurjara-Pratihara

(B) Rashtrakuta

(D) Chandela

Answer: (D) Chandela

Explanation: The Chandelas of Bundelkhand constructed the celebrated temples at Khajuraho in present-day Madhya Pradesh. Their richly carved Nagara-style shrines include Kandariya Mahadeva and Lakshmana Temple, now forming part of a UNESCO World Heritage complex.

Q265. Ustad Sultan Khan was internationally known for playing which instrument?

[SSC CPO – 2022]

(A) Drums

(B) Sarangi

(D) Flute

Answer: (B) Sarangi

Explanation: Ustad Sultan Khan was a sarangi virtuoso from Rajasthan who brought the bowed instrument to prominent international stages. He also collaborated with musicians outside classical genres. The sarangi’s sympathetic strings create the sustained, singing tones that distinguish its sound.

Q264. Craftspeople of Bidar were especially associated with inlay work using which two metals?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Gold and bronze

(B) Bronze and silver

(D) Copper and silver

Answer: (D) Copper and silver

Explanation: Bidriware is named after Bidar in Karnataka. Its dark alloy surfaces carry intricate silver or copper inlay, often floral or geometric. The contrast is created by specialised casting, engraving and chemical blackening, preserving an Indo-Deccan decorative tradition.

Q263. Kathak flourished under Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of which kingdom?

[SSC CHSL – 2022]

(A) Hyderabad

(B) Rampur

(D) Jaunpur

Answer: (C) Awadh

Explanation: Wajid Ali Shah ruled Awadh from Lucknow and patronised Kathak, thumri and courtly performing arts. His nineteenth-century court helped refine Kathak’s expressive and rhythmic traditions, especially the Lucknow gharana, before Awadh’s annexation in 1856.

Q262. Approximately how tall is the Qutb Minar in Delhi?

[SSC CPO – 2022]

(A) 75 metres

(B) 77 metres

(D) 71 metres

Answer: (C) 73 metres

Explanation: The Qutb Minar is approximately 72.5 metres tall, conventionally rounded to 73 metres in objective questions. Its construction began under Qutb-ud-din Aibak and continued under successors, making it a landmark of early Delhi Sultanate architecture.

Q261. Amritlal Vegad was a noted figure in which field?

[MPPSC Prelims – 2022]

(A) Sculpture

(B) Painting

(D) Music

Answer: (B) Painting

Explanation: Amritlal Vegad was a painter, collage artist and writer associated with Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. He studied at Santiniketan under Nandalal Bose and became known for artistic depictions and travel writing inspired by the Narmada.

Q260. The first Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque at Delhi dates to the last decade of which century?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Eleventh

(B) Thirteenth

(D) Twelfth

Answer: (D) Twelfth

Explanation: Qutb-ud-din Aibak began the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque in the 1190s, placing its earliest phase in the closing decade of the twelfth century. The complex illustrates the earliest monumental architecture of the Delhi Sultanate.

Q259. The roof of Hemkund Sahib gurdwara is shaped like an upturned what?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Rose

(B) Marigold

(D) Lotus

Answer: (D) Lotus

Explanation: Gurdwara Sri Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand stands beside a high-altitude lake sacred to Sikhs. Its modern structure has a striking inverted-lotus roof adapted to the snowy Himalayan setting. The distinctive design makes the pilgrimage shrine instantly recognisable.

Q258. Which traditional wind instrument is described as a Mangal Vadya?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Shehnai

(B) Santoor

(D) Damaru

Answer: (A) Shehnai

Explanation: The shehnai is considered an auspicious, or mangal, musical instrument and is played at weddings, temples and ceremonial gatherings. Ustad Bismillah Khan popularised it as a classical solo concert instrument with a lyrical melodic range.

Q257. Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra was a leading exponent of which dance?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Kuchipudi

(B) Manipuri

(D) Odissi

Answer: (D) Odissi

Explanation: Kelucharan Mohapatra was among the principal gurus responsible for the twentieth-century revival and formalisation of Odissi. His choreography drew from Odisha’s temple sculpture, mahari and gotipua traditions, helping Odissi reach national and international audiences.

Q256. Rukmini Devi Arundale was a major exponent of which classical dance?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Bharatanatyam

(B) Manipuri

(D) Odissi

Answer: (A) Bharatanatyam

Explanation: Rukmini Devi Arundale was a key figure in the twentieth-century revival of Bharatanatyam and founded Kalakshetra in Chennai in 1936. Her productions reshaped costume, presentation and arts education while drawing from the older Tamil dance tradition.

Q255. The performance of Kuchipudi uses which system of classical music?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Kajri

(B) Chaiti

(D) Hindustani

Answer: (C) Carnatic

Explanation: Kuchipudi is a classical dance from Andhra Pradesh that traditionally accompanies Carnatic compositions. Dance-drama sequences combine rhythmic footwork, expressive acting and music built around South Indian ragas and talas.

Q254. The buffalo-racing festival Kambala is a traditional event of which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Karnataka

(B) Pattadakal

(D) Mahamastakabhisheka

Answer: (A) Karnataka

Explanation: Kambala is a traditional buffalo race associated with the coastal districts of Karnataka. Competitors drive buffalo pairs through muddy waterlogged tracks, accompanied by large local gatherings. The event reflects the agrarian culture and local heritage of the Tulu-speaking coastal region.

Q253. The Sikh and Punjabi harvest festival Baisakhi usually falls in which month?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) April

(B) February

(D) March

Answer: (A) April

Explanation: Baisakhi is observed in mid-April and marks a new harvest season in Punjab. Sikhs also commemorate the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. Processions, prayers and communal service are important observances.

Q252. Which of these performance traditions is characteristic of Bihar?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Ghoomar

(B) Kalbelia

(D) Kummatti

Answer: (C) Bidesia

Explanation: Bidesia is a popular folk theatre and song tradition of Bihar associated with Bhikhari Thakur. Its stories often explore migration, family separation and social issues. Ghoomar and Kalbelia belong to Rajasthan, whereas Kummatti is linked with Kerala.

Q251. Tarangmel is a folk dance performed in which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Goa

(B) Madhya Pradesh

(D) Kerala

Answer: (A) Goa

Explanation: Tarangmel is a traditional Goan folk dance associated with festive occasions. Participants carry decorated banners or tarangas and perform rhythmic movements in procession-like formations, reflecting Goa’s varied Hindu folk performance heritage.

Q250. Which classical dance is mentioned in the text Vyavaharmala?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Sattriya

(B) Mohiniyattam

(D) Odissi

Answer: (B) Mohiniyattam

Explanation: Vyavaharamala is frequently cited in accounts of the historical development of Mohiniyattam in Kerala. The reference supports study of the dance’s literary background and older practice, before institutional revival in modern times.

Q249. Ummatt-aat folk dance belongs to which place or region?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Itanagar

(B) Kasauli

(D) Gangtok

Answer: (C) Coorg

Explanation: Ummattat is a traditional dance of Kodava women in Kodagu, or Coorg, Karnataka. Dancers wear characteristic attire and perform graceful movements in groups, often during festive gatherings and celebrations of the region’s distinctive cultural identity.

Q248. Which Tamil Hindu festival falls during the Tamil solar month of Thai?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Karaga

(B) Bihu

(D) Thaipusam

Answer: (D) Thaipusam

Explanation: Thaipusam takes place during the Tamil month of Thai and honours Murugan, especially in Tamil communities. Temple processions, offerings and kavadi rituals are central practices. The celebration is also important among Tamil diaspora communities.

Q247. At the princely court of Maihar, where Allauddin Khan performed, which present-day state was it located?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Tripura

(B) Uttar Pradesh

(D) Chhattisgarh

Answer: (C) Madhya Pradesh

Explanation: Maihar is in present-day Madhya Pradesh. Baba Allauddin Khan was a major Hindustani instrumental master connected with the Maihar gharana, and his pupils included Ali Akbar Khan and Ravi Shankar. His influence transformed twentieth-century Indian instrumental music.

Q246. Siddhendra Yogi is traditionally credited with developing which dance tradition?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Mohiniyattam

(B) Kathakali

(D) Kuchipudi

Answer: (D) Kuchipudi

Explanation: Siddhendra Yogi is associated with the development of Kuchipudi dance-drama in Andhra Pradesh. Traditional narratives credit him with shaping the Bhama Kalapam repertoire and training male Brahmin performers from Kuchipudi village in the form.

Q245. Who designed the Open Hand Monument at Chandigarh?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Matthew Nowicki

(B) Maxwell Fry

(D) Albert Mayer

Answer: (C) Le Corbusier

Explanation: Le Corbusier designed the Open Hand Monument for Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex. The moving hand symbolises the exchange of ideas and peaceful openness. The modernist urban landscape is part of a UNESCO World Heritage serial property of his architectural work.

Q244. Me-Dam-Me-Phi is an ancestor-veneration festival celebrated in which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Goa

(B) Himachal Pradesh

(D) Madhya Pradesh

Answer: (C) Assam

Explanation: Me-Dam-Me-Phi is observed by the Tai-Ahom community of Assam to honour departed ancestors. Traditional prayers and offerings are made to seek their blessings and to preserve the cultural memory of Ahom family and community life.

Q243. Ustad Abdul Karim Khan was a prominent exponent of which Hindustani gharana?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Jaipur

(B) Gwalior

(D) Kirana

Answer: (D) Kirana

Explanation: Abdul Karim Khan was a founding figure of the modern Kirana gharana, renowned for its sustained, nuanced treatment of melodic notes. His influential style shaped Hindustani vocal music, and later artists such as Bhimsen Joshi helped popularise this school.

Q242. The formation of the Khalsa Panth is commemorated on which Punjabi festival?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Lohri

(B) Hola Mohalla

(D) Baisakhi

Answer: (D) Baisakhi

Explanation: Guru Gobind Singh inaugurated the Khalsa on Baisakhi in 1699 at Anandpur Sahib. The day already held significance as a spring harvest celebration. Sikhs observe it with prayers, processions and remembrance of the five beloved ones.

Q241. Which vocal music form originated in the Punjab region?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Bhajan

(B) Tappa

(D) Ghazal

Answer: (B) Tappa

Explanation: Tappa is a brisk and ornamented vocal genre linked historically to Punjab and the songs of camel drivers. Its quick melodic turns and rhythmic energy later found a place in Hindustani semi-classical repertoire through performers such as Shori Mian.

Q240. Ponung and Tapu are popular traditional dances of which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Goa

(B) Bihar

(D) Chhattisgarh

Answer: (C) Arunachal Pradesh

Explanation: Ponung and Tapu are associated with communities of Arunachal Pradesh. Ponung is particularly associated with Adi women performing in lines, accompanied by ritual songs and a leader. These forms preserve social and agricultural narratives through dance.

Q239. Which of the following folk dances is associated with Arunachal Pradesh?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Panwariya

(B) Dhaman

(D) Garba

Answer: (C) Buiya

Explanation: Buiya is a traditional dance of Arunachal Pradesh, associated with local ceremonial and community celebrations. Garba belongs to Gujarat, illustrating how folk dances can be recognised through distinctive regional performance contexts.

Q238. Which annual cultural celebration is also called Vijaya Utsav?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Hampi Festival

(B) Gangasagar Mela

(D) Konark Dance Festival

Answer: (A) Hampi Festival

Explanation: Hampi Utsav is also known as Vijaya Utsav and celebrates the cultural legacy of the Vijayanagara capital in Karnataka. Music, dance, processions and local art displays draw attention to Hampi’s monumental heritage.

Q237. A nattuvanar traditionally conducts and recites rhythmic syllables for which dance recital?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Kuchipudi

(B) Odissi

(D) Bharatanatyam

Answer: (D) Bharatanatyam

Explanation: In a Bharatanatyam performance, the nattuvanar directs rhythmic coordination, often using small cymbals and spoken syllables called sollukattu. This role is integral to the relationship between dancer, percussionist, vocalist and the structured dance repertoire.

Q236. Which of these classical dance forms originated in Assam?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Sattriya

(B) Lavani

(D) Chhau

Answer: (A) Sattriya

Explanation: Sattriya developed through the Vaishnavite monasteries, or satras, of Assam and is associated with Srimanta Sankardeva. Its traditional repertoire includes devotional storytelling, dance-drama and distinctive costumes and music, and it is recognised as a classical Indian dance.

Q235. The Lokrang cultural festival is organised in which Indian state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Jharkhand

(B) Gujarat

(D) Madhya Pradesh

Answer: (D) Madhya Pradesh

Explanation: Lokrang is an annual cultural festival of Madhya Pradesh, associated with Bhopal and the celebration of folk traditions. It presents regional dance, music, visual arts and crafts, highlighting both local and wider Indian cultural heritage.

Q234. Which Indian dance-drama uses distinct face colours to represent different character types?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Odissi

(B) Kathakali

(D) Mohiniyattam

Answer: (B) Kathakali

Explanation: Kathakali uses an elaborate make-up code in which colours and designs indicate characters’ moral and psychological qualities. Green pacha faces commonly denote noble heroes, while other combinations mark different temperaments. Its highly stylised storytelling developed in Kerala.

Q233. The Durga Temple at Aihole is approximately how many years old?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) 1700

(B) 2000

(D) 1400

Answer: (D) 1400

Explanation: The Durga Temple at Aihole in Karnataka dates approximately to the seventh or eighth century, about fourteen centuries before the referenced exam. Despite its name, it is notable for apsidal planning and early Chalukya architecture.

Q232. Hindustani vocalist Gangubai Hangal was a celebrated representative of which gharana?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Patiala

(B) Kirana

(D) Gwalior

Answer: (B) Kirana

Explanation: Gangubai Hangal was a renowned Kirana gharana singer from Karnataka. Her powerful khayal style emphasised rich vocal tone and expansive melodic development. She trained in the musical lineage of Sawai Gandharva and became a major twentieth-century classical artist.

Q231. Which musical instrument among these is not a percussion instrument?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Mridangam

(B) Sarod

(D) Ghatam

Answer: (B) Sarod

Explanation: Sarod is a plucked string instrument of Hindustani classical music, unlike the mridangam, tabla and ghatam, all of which generate rhythms through striking. The sarod has a fretless fingerboard and is played with a plectrum.

Q230. Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu was renowned as a player of which instrument?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Violin

(B) Veena

(D) Mandolin

Answer: (A) Violin

Explanation: Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu was a celebrated violinist in the Carnatic classical tradition. He developed a refined technique and taught generations of students. The violin, though of European origin, became an important instrument in South Indian classical concerts.

Q229. Sunanda Nair is primarily associated with which classical dance?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Kathak

(B) Odissi

(D) Mohiniyattam

Answer: (D) Mohiniyattam

Explanation: Sunanda Nair is known for Mohiniyattam, Kerala’s graceful classical dance, as both performer and teacher. Her productions and instruction showcase the form’s delicate movement, expressive storytelling and distinctive regional musical and costume traditions.

Q228. The Wangala harvest festival is traditionally celebrated by which community?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Bhil

(B) Garo

(D) Bhutia

Answer: (B) Garo

Explanation: Wangala is a major post-harvest festival of the Garo community in Meghalaya. Often described as the Hundred Drums Festival, it honours the sun deity Saljong and features communal dancing and drumming in traditional clothing.

Q227. Jata-Jatin is a folk dance and song performance associated with which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Manipur

(B) Odisha

(D) West Bengal

Answer: (C) Bihar

Explanation: Jata-Jatin is a folk dance and dramatic song tradition of Bihar, especially the Mithila region. Performed predominantly by women, it tells stories of separation, family relationships and everyday social experiences through enactment and music.

Q226. Which folk form is NOT traditionally associated with Gujarat?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Garba

(B) Dandiya Raas

(D) Vinchhudo

Answer: (C) Bidesiya

Explanation: Bidesiya belongs to the folk theatre traditions of Bihar, notably associated with Bhikhari Thakur. Garba, Dandiya Raas and Vinchhudo are linked with Gujarati performance cultures, including celebrations during Navratri and community gatherings.

Q225. Bimbavati Devi is an accomplished performer of which classical dance?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Chhau

(B) Manipuri

(D) Odissi

Answer: (B) Manipuri

Explanation: Bimbavati Devi is a respected Manipuri classical dancer connected with the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipuri Dance Academy tradition. Manipuri is known for its delicate flowing movement, devotional themes and distinctive raslila and pung cholom performance styles.

Q224. For how many days does the Nagaland Hornbill Festival traditionally run?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Five

(B) Ten

(D) Twenty

Answer: (B) Ten

Explanation: Nagaland’s annual Hornbill Festival is commonly held from 1 to 10 December, a ten-day celebration at Kisama Heritage Village near Kohima. It brings together Naga community dances, songs, food, sporting demonstrations and craftsmanship.

Q223. Which Sikkim festival is also known as Bhoomi Puja or Chandi Puja?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Losar

(B) Barahimizong

(D) Indra Jatra

Answer: (C) Sakewa

Explanation: Sakewa is a festival of the Kirat Rai community in Sikkim and neighbouring Himalayan areas. Its dances and rituals express respect for the earth and nature, explaining associations with Bhoomi Puja or Chandi Puja.

Q222. Which musician–instrument pairing is incorrect?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) K. Vaidyanathan—Sitar

(B) Ram Narayan—Sarangi

(D) Bismillah Khan—Shehnai

Answer: (A) K. Vaidyanathan—Sitar

Explanation: Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan was primarily a celebrated Carnatic violinist, not a sitarist. Ram Narayan performed on sarangi, Vilayat Khan on sitar and Bismillah Khan on shehnai. These associations are frequently examined as instrumental-music facts.

Q221. Sundaram Balachander was particularly renowned for playing which instrument?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Mridangam

(B) Bansuri

(D) Santoor

Answer: (C) Veena

Explanation: S. Balachander was a highly influential Carnatic veena performer who developed innovative fingering and musical techniques. The Saraswati veena is a plucked string instrument with a large resonating gourd-like body and characteristic movable frets.

Q220. Makaravilakku at the sacred shrine of Lord Ayyappa is observed in which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2022]

(A) Telangana

(B) Kerala

(D) Karnataka

Answer: (B) Kerala

Explanation: Makaravilakku is associated with the Sabarimala shrine of Ayyappa in Kerala around Makar Sankranti. The pilgrimage season culminates in ritual worship and a symbolic light viewed by devotees from surrounding hill areas.

Q219. Which Ashokan inscription sites are correctly paired with their states:
Dhauli–Odisha;
Erragudi–Andhra Pradesh;
Jaugada–Madhya Pradesh;
Kalsi–Karnataka?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2022]

(A) Dhauli and Erragudi only

(B) Dhauli, Erragudi and Jaugada

(D) All four pairs

Answer: (A) Dhauli and Erragudi only

Explanation: Dhauli is in Odisha, while Erragudi is in Andhra Pradesh. Jaugada is actually in Odisha, and Kalsi lies in Uttarakhand. Their rock edicts demonstrate the territorial spread of Ashokan epigraphy and Mauryan governance.

Q218. Nizamuddin Panipati translated the Sanskrit Yogavasistha into Persian during which Mughal emperor’s reign?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2022]

(A) Akbar

(B) Humayun

(D) Aurangzeb

Answer: (A) Akbar

Explanation: The Persian translation of Yogavasistha was undertaken in Akbar’s reign as part of a wider Mughal intellectual engagement with Sanskrit philosophical literature. The project illustrates translation and interreligious scholarship at the imperial court.

Q217. Which texts belong to Jain religious literature: Nettipakarana, Parishishtaparvan, Avadanashataka and Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2022]

(A) 1, 2 and 3 only

(B) 2 and 4 only

(D) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: (B) 2 and 4 only

Explanation: Parishishtaparvan and Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana are Jain works associated with historical and religious narratives. Nettipakarana belongs to Buddhist exegetical literature, while Avadanashataka is a Buddhist collection of narrative traditions.

Q216. How many pairs are correct:
–Aryadeva–Jain philosopher;
–Dignaga–Buddhist scholar;
–Nathamuni–Vaishnava scholar?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2022]

(A) None

(B) Only one

(D) All three

Answer: (C) Only two

Explanation: Dignaga made significant contributions to Buddhist logic and epistemology, while Nathamuni is associated with the Sri Vaishnava tradition. Aryadeva, however, was a Buddhist Madhyamaka thinker, so the label of Jain philosopher is incorrect.

Q215. Which statement about ancient South Indian Sangam literature is correct?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2022]

(A) Its poems contain no material-cultural references

(B) The system of varna was known to Sangam poets

(D) It dismisses all magical beliefs as irrational

Answer: (B) The system of varna was known to Sangam poets

Explanation: Sangam poetry illuminates political authority, trade, warfare, social ranks and everyday material life. Its authors knew of varna concepts, although Tamil society had its own patterns of organisation distinct from northern normative texts.

Q214. Which artist is linked with the modified slide-guitar instrument Mohan Veena?

[WBCS Mains GK – 2022]

(A) Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt

(B) Doraiswamy Iyengar

(D) Zia Mohiuddin Dagar

Answer: (A) Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt

Explanation: Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt popularised a modified slide guitar known as the Mohan Veena. His Hindustani instrumental performances brought the instrument to international attention, including through cross-cultural collaborations.

Q213. Who founded the Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri?

[WBCS Mains GK – 2022]

(A) Shah Jahan

(B) Aurangzeb

(D) Jahangir

Answer: (C) Akbar

Explanation: Emperor Akbar established the Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri to host discussions among scholars of different religious traditions. His interest in comparative religious ideas formed part of wider changes in his imperial court culture.

Q212. Which among Kathak, Odissi, Bhangra and Manipuri is not recognised as an Indian classical dance?

[WBCS Mains GK – 2022]

(A) Kathak

(B) Odissi

(D) Manipuri

Answer: (C) Bhangra

Explanation: Bhangra is a lively folk dance of Punjab closely associated with agricultural celebration. Kathak, Odissi and Manipuri are among the Indian classical dance systems recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Q211. Which of these temples belongs to the Vaishnavite tradition?

[UPSC CDS II – 2021]

(A) Srirangam

(B) Chidambaram

(D) Thanjavur Brihadisvara

Answer: (A) Srirangam

Explanation: The Ranganathaswamy Temple of Srirangam is dedicated to Vishnu as Ranganatha and is an important Sri Vaishnava pilgrimage site. The temples at Chidambaram, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Thanjavur are prominently associated with Shiva.

Q210. Ankiya Nat, a one-act devotional drama tradition, belongs to which region?

[SSC CHSL – 2021]

(A) Bihar

(B) Tamil Nadu

(D) Assam

Answer: (D) Assam

Explanation: Ankiya Nat was developed by Srimanta Sankardeva in Assam as a form of Vaishnavite religious theatre. Plays are performed as Bhaona, often involving musicians, narration, masks and spiritual messages in satras or namghars.

Q209. Which town was an important centre for Indian chintz cotton textiles?

[HSSC State Exam – 2021]

(A) Burhanpur

(B) Masulipatnam

(D) Dhaka

Answer: (B) Masulipatnam

Explanation: Masulipatnam on the Andhra coast became a major centre for painted and printed cotton chintz traded internationally. The region’s kalamkari traditions represent related techniques in which cloth is decorated with natural dyes and intricate patterns.

Q208. Which fort was initially built by the Kakatiya dynasty?

[SSC MTS – 2021]

(A) Panhala

(B) Raigad

(D) Golconda

Answer: (D) Golconda

Explanation: Golconda was initially fortified by the Kakatiya rulers in the medieval Deccan, before being developed by later Bahmani and Qutb Shahi powers. The surviving fort near Hyderabad reflects this long sequence of political and architectural changes.

Q207. Where is Sri Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple, situated?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2021]

(A) Manali

(B) Patna

(D) Jalandhar

Answer: (C) Amritsar

Explanation: Sri Harmandir Sahib stands in Amritsar, Punjab, and is Sikhism’s most revered gurdwara. Built within the Amrit Sarovar, its shrine complex is known for devotional kirtan, the Guru Granth Sahib and the institution of langar.

Q206. Ali-Aye-Ligang, a springtime sowing festival, is observed in which state?

[SSC CHSL – 2021]

(A) Kerala

(B) Bihar

(D) Chhattisgarh

Answer: (C) Assam

Explanation: Ali-Aye-Ligang is a traditional agricultural festival of the Mising community in Assam. It marks the beginning of the sowing season and features communal feasting, folk music and Gumrag dance.

Q205. Ranmale is a traditional folk theatre of which state?

[SSC MTS – 2021]

(A) West Bengal

(B) Goa

(D) Chhattisgarh

Answer: (B) Goa

Explanation: Ranmale is a Goan folk theatre tradition performed during festivals such as Shigmo. Dialogue, mythological stories and music are staged in village settings, preserving community drama distinct from Goa’s better-known Dhalo dance.

Q204. Tholu Bommalata is a traditional shadow-puppetry form of which state?

[SSC MTS – 2021]

(A) Andhra Pradesh

(B) Karnataka

(D) Maharashtra

Answer: (A) Andhra Pradesh

Explanation: Tholu Bommalata uses translucent leather puppets manipulated behind an illuminated screen in Andhra Pradesh. The dramas often tell Ramayana or Mahabharata stories. Related traditions include Karnataka’s Togalu Gombeyaata and Kerala’s Tholpavakoothu.

Q203. The Eco-Retreat festival is organised by which Indian state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2021]

(A) Odisha

(B) Tamil Nadu

(D) Bihar

Answer: (A) Odisha

Explanation: Odisha’s Eco Retreat initiative offers seasonal tourism and cultural experiences in locations including coastal and natural heritage settings. Its programmes combine local food, arts and recreational activities with temporary accommodation, linking tourism to regional culture.

Q202. The Sao Joao festival is traditionally celebrated in which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2021]

(A) Karnataka

(B) Kerala

(D) Goa

Answer: (D) Goa

Explanation: Sao Joao is a Goan monsoon festival honouring Saint John the Baptist. Participants wear floral headgear and traditionally leap into wells or water bodies, celebrating with songs and community gatherings in Goa’s distinctive Christian folk culture.

Q201. Siddhendra Yogi is recognised as Adi Guru of which dance form?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2021]

(A) Kuchipudi

(B) Kathakali

(D) Kathak

Answer: (A) Kuchipudi

Explanation: Siddhendra Yogi is traditionally associated with the shaping of Kuchipudi dance-drama in Andhra Pradesh. The village repertoire combines expressive acting, brisk rhythmic dance and Carnatic music, and its historic productions include Bhama Kalapam.

Q200. Lezim is a traditional folk dance especially associated with which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2021]

(A) Karnataka

(B) Gujarat

(D) Bihar

Answer: (C) Maharashtra

Explanation: Lezim is an energetic folk exercise-dance of Maharashtra using a small handheld instrument with jingling metal discs. Groups move rhythmically in coordinated formations, and the form is common in school displays, cultural gatherings and processions.

Q199. Chinkara, a traditional musical instrument of Madhya Pradesh, belongs to which category?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2021]

(A) Plate percussion

(B) Wind instrument

(D) Membranophone

Answer: (C) String instrument

Explanation: Chinkara is a small traditional bowed string instrument associated with folk musicians of central India. Its strings produce melody through bowing, distinguishing it from instruments that rely on vibrating air columns, struck metal surfaces or stretched membranes.

Q198. The Nalwari cattle fair is organised in which Indian state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2021]

(A) Jammu and Kashmir

(B) Uttarakhand

(D) Punjab

Answer: (C) Himachal Pradesh

Explanation: Nalwari Mela is a traditional cattle fair at Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh. Besides livestock trading, its festivities feature sports, community events and local cultural activities, illustrating how fairs historically connected commerce and social life.

Q197. Which river gorge contains the celebrated Buddhist Ajanta cave complex?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2021]

(A) Waghora river

(B) Chambal river

(D) Godavari river

Answer: (A) Waghora river

Explanation: Ajanta lies in a horseshoe-shaped ravine cut by the Waghora River in Maharashtra. Its excavated Buddhist monasteries and prayer halls contain major examples of early Indian narrative mural painting and sculptural work.

Q196. The terms Halbi, Ho and Kui refer to what?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2021]

(A) Northwestern folk dances

(B) Musical instruments

(D) Tribal languages

Answer: (D) Tribal languages

Explanation: Halbi, Ho and Kui are languages spoken by tribal communities in different parts of India. They belong to varied linguistic traditions, making them relevant to India’s rich language diversity and cultural anthropology.

Q195. In ancient Indian literary history, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara are remembered as what?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2021]

(A) Jain monks

(B) Playwrights

(D) Political philosophers

Answer: (B) Playwrights

Explanation: Bhavabhuti is a well-known Sanskrit dramatist, while Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara are associated with theatrical composition in Indian literary traditions. The question tests familiarity with classical dramatic authors rather than architects or philosophers.

Q194. Pandit Jasraj was celebrated predominantly in which branch of Indian performing arts?

[WBCS Mains GK – 2021]

(A) Vocal music

(B) Instrumental music

(D) Tabla solo

Answer: (A) Vocal music

Explanation: Pandit Jasraj was a prominent Hindustani classical vocalist associated with the Mewati gharana. He was respected for his melodic exposition, devotional repertoire and distinctive contribution to classical singing across generations.

Q193. Hariprasad Chaurasia is best known for playing which instrument?

[WBCS Mains GK – 2021]

(A) Sitar

(B) Santoor

(D) Violin

Answer: (C) Flute

Explanation: Hariprasad Chaurasia is one of India’s best-known bansuri players, associated with the Hindustani classical tradition. He expanded the bamboo flute’s concert repertoire and became known for expressive phrasing and collaboration.

Q192. Ali Akbar Khan achieved distinction as a virtuoso of which instrument?

[WBCS Mains GK – 2021]

(A) Sitar

(B) Sarod

(D) Violin

Answer: (B) Sarod

Explanation: Ali Akbar Khan was a master of the sarod and an important representative of the Maihar gharana. He also promoted the teaching of Indian classical music internationally through his educational institutions.

Q191. Who created the celebrated Rock Garden at Chandigarh?

[WBCS Mains GK – 2021]

(A) Pupul Jayakar

(B) Le Corbusier

(D) Nek Chand

Answer: (D) Nek Chand

Explanation: Nek Chand built the Rock Garden using discarded ceramics, broken household material and other recycled objects. The garden developed into a remarkable open-air environment of imaginative sculptures and architectural forms in Chandigarh.

Q190. The monumental monolithic Gommateshwara statue is situated at which place?

[WBCS Mains GK – 2021]

(A) Rameswaram

(B) Madurai

(D) Shravanabelagola

Answer: (D) Shravanabelagola

Explanation: The tall freestanding statue at Shravanabelagola in Karnataka depicts the Jain spiritual figure Bahubali. Carved from a single mass of stone, it is a celebrated work of medieval sculptural art.

Q189. Where are the famous Jain Dilwara Temples situated?

[WBCS Mains GK – 2021]

(A) Uttar Pradesh

(B) Rajasthan

(D) Madhya Pradesh

Answer: (B) Rajasthan

Explanation: The Dilwara Jain temples stand at Mount Abu in Rajasthan and are famous for the remarkably intricate marble ceilings, pillars and doorways. They exemplify the rich craftsmanship of western Indian temple architecture.

Q188. Balchao and Sorpotel are traditional culinary specialities of which state?

[SSC MTS – 2021]

(A) Karnataka

(B) Uttarakhand

(D) Punjab

Answer: (C) Goa

Explanation: Balchao is a tangy spiced Goan preparation often made with seafood, while sorpotel is a seasoned meat stew of Indo-Portuguese heritage. Both reflect culinary exchanges visible in Goa’s regional food traditions.

Q187. Mohiniyattam originated in which Indian state?

[SSC CHSL – 2020]

(A) Assam

(B) West Bengal

(D) Andhra Pradesh

Answer: (C) Kerala

Explanation: Mohiniyattam developed in Kerala and is marked by graceful lasya movements, white-and-gold costume and expressive storytelling. Its revival received support from Kerala Kalamandalam. It is distinct from the more vigorous dance-drama tradition of Kathakali.

Q186. Birds, animals and luxuriant natural settings are particularly prominent in which Rajasthani painting school?

[Rajasthan State Exam – 2020]

(A) Bundi

(B) Nathdwara

(D) Bikaner

Answer: (A) Bundi

Explanation: Bundi miniature paintings often portray dense foliage, elephants, peacocks, dramatic monsoon skies and hunting or courtly scenes. The neighbouring Kota school shares a strong interest in landscape and animals, whereas Kishangarh is famed for stylised devotional portraits.

Q185. The Udayagiri and Khandagiri Jain caves lie in which state?

[SSC CPO – 2020]

(A) Uttarakhand

(B) Chhattisgarh

(D) Odisha

Answer: (D) Odisha

Explanation: Udayagiri and Khandagiri near Bhubaneswar preserve Jain rock-cut cells and inscriptions of ancient Kalinga. The Hathigumpha inscription is associated with King Kharavela. These caves are separate from Gupta-period Udayagiri caves near Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh.

Q184. Bhavai and Kalbelia are traditional dance forms of which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2020]

(A) Assam

(B) Rajasthan

(D) Haryana

Answer: (B) Rajasthan

Explanation: Bhavai and Kalbelia both belong to Rajasthan’s diverse folk performance heritage. Bhavai performers often balance pots while dancing; Kalbelia’s fluid, serpentine movements are associated with the Kalbelia community and its music.

Q183. Jawara, a dance celebrating prosperity, originates in which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2020]

(A) Gujarat

(B) Kerala

(D) Rajasthan

Answer: (C) Madhya Pradesh

Explanation: Jawara is a folk dance of Madhya Pradesh, traditionally performed during festivities connected with crops and communal well-being. The dance includes balanced or carried baskets of germinated grain, symbolising growth, fertility and agricultural prosperity.

Q182. Which festival name translates roughly to the merrymaking of the gods?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2020]

(A) Lai Haraoba

(B) Makar Sankranti

(D) Pongal

Answer: (A) Lai Haraoba

Explanation: Lai Haraoba is a traditional festival of Manipur celebrating local deities and the renewal of life. Maibi priestesses perform elaborate rituals and dances that symbolically narrate creation, making it a particularly significant Meitei cultural tradition.

Q181. Which of the listed dances is not traditionally from Jammu and Kashmir?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2020]

(A) Hafiza

(B) Dumhal

(D) Rouf

Answer: (C) Dangi

Explanation: Dangi is not typically grouped with Jammu and Kashmir’s folk dances. Rouf is a Kashmiri women’s dance, Dumhal is associated with ceremonial performance and Hafiza belongs to traditional Kashmiri musical culture. Regional associations distinguish these forms.

Q180. At which shrine is the Ambubachi Fair held annually?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2020]

(A) Jagannath Temple

(B) Kedarnath Temple

(D) Kamakhya Temple

Answer: (D) Kamakhya Temple

Explanation: Ambubachi Mela takes place at the Kamakhya Temple near Guwahati in Assam. The observance honours the goddess’s annual menstruation and the regenerative power of the earth, bringing many devotees to this important Shakti pilgrimage site.

Q179. The monolithic Dharmaraja Ratha monument is situated where?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2020]

(A) Khajuraho

(B) Kanchipuram

(D) Mahabalipuram

Answer: (D) Mahabalipuram

Explanation: Dharmaraja Ratha is one of the Pancha Rathas at Mamallapuram, or Mahabalipuram, in Tamil Nadu. The seventh-century Pallava monuments were carved from single rock masses and record experiments with early Dravidian temple forms.

Q178. Which dance and state are correctly paired?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2020]

(A) Padayani—Kerala

(B) Dalkhai—Karnataka

(D) Thang-Ta—Bihar

Answer: (A) Padayani—Kerala

Explanation: Padayani is a ritual folk performance of Kerala, involving striking masks, drums and dancing at certain Bhagavati temples. Dalkhai belongs to Odisha, Kalbelia to Rajasthan and Thang-Ta is a martial tradition of Manipur.

Q177. Biraja Temple, Rajarani Temple and Samaleswari Temple are all in which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2020]

(A) Assam

(B) Odisha

(D) Tamil Nadu

Answer: (B) Odisha

Explanation: Biraja Temple is at Jajpur, Rajarani Temple in Bhubaneswar and Samaleswari Temple in Sambalpur, all in Odisha. Together they illustrate the state’s wide range of temple sites, divine traditions and Kalinga architectural heritage.

Q176. Which state observes the Lai Haraoba festival?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2020]

(A) Goa

(B) Kerala

(D) Manipur

Answer: (D) Manipur

Explanation: Lai Haraoba is a prominent Meitei ritual festival in Manipur. Dance, song and sacred ceremonies honour local deities called Umang Lais, and its choreography evokes traditional conceptions of life and the creation of the universe.

Q175. Which of these major heritage sites is located in Madhya Pradesh?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2020]

(A) Bhimbetka

(B) Lepakshi

(D) Hampi

Answer: (A) Bhimbetka

Explanation: Bhimbetka Rock Shelters in Madhya Pradesh preserve prehistoric rock paintings and archaeological evidence of long human occupation. The complex near Bhopal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a landmark of prehistoric artistic expression.

Q174. Which monument is NOT part of the Qutb complex in Delhi?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2020]

(A) Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

(B) Qutb Minar

(D) Buland Darwaza

Answer: (D) Buland Darwaza

Explanation: Buland Darwaza stands at Fatehpur Sikri in Uttar Pradesh and was commissioned by Akbar. The Qutb complex in Delhi includes Qutb Minar, Alai Darwaza and Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, along with several other early Sultanate structures.

Q173. Why is the Halshashthi festival traditionally celebrated?

[CGPSC Prelims – 2020]

(A) For a good crop harvest

(B) For a husband’s longevity

(D) For material wealth

Answer: (C) For a son’s longevity

Explanation: Halshashthi, or Harchhath, is a regional Hindu observance associated with Balarama and prayers for the well-being and long lives of sons. Women follow prescribed fasting and ritual practices, reflecting household festival traditions of central India.

Q172. Khamb Swang is a ritual performance tradition of which community?

[CGPSC Prelims – 2020]

(A) Korku

(B) Muria

(D) Munda

Answer: (A) Korku

Explanation: Khamb Swang is associated with the Korku community and involves performance around a sacred pillar. Its ceremonies relate to regional beliefs about Meghnath and rain, blending ritual, dramatic enactment and music in central Indian tribal traditions.

Q171. Regarding Desher Katha by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar, which claims are correct?
1. It warned of colonial control over thought;
2. It encouraged swadeshi plays and songs;
3. Its use of desh meant Bengal alone.

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2020]

(A) 1 and 2 only

(B) 2 and 3 only

(D) All three

Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only

Explanation: Deuskar’s Desher Katha criticised colonial economic exploitation and encouraged swadeshi awareness. Its influence extended to popular political expression such as street theatre and folk song; the idea of desh was not restricted simply to Bengal.

Q170. Which archaeologist recognised the prehistoric importance of the rock paintings of Bhimbetka?

[UPPSC PCS Prelims – 2020]

(A) M. S. Vats

(B) H. D. Sankalia

(D) V. N. Mishra

Answer: (C) V. S. Wakankar

Explanation: Vishnu Shridhar Wakankar identified the prehistoric importance of Bhimbetka’s rock shelters in Madhya Pradesh. Their paintings depict hunting, dancing, animals and social life and illuminate long histories of subcontinental visual expression.

Q169. Lavani is a popular folk dance and song tradition of which state?

[SSC GD Constable – 2019]

(A) Maharashtra

(B) Rajasthan

(D) Bihar

Answer: (A) Maharashtra

Explanation: Lavani is a vigorous musical-dance genre of Maharashtra, frequently performed to the rhythms of dholki. Its expressive songs, swift tempo and nine-yard sari costume are prominent in Maharashtra’s folk performance heritage, including tamasha theatre.

Q168. Which site among Konark, Bodh Gaya, Akshardham and Hampi exemplifies Dravidian temple architecture?

[SSC GD Constable – 2019]

(A) Konark

(B) Bodh Gaya

(D) Hampi

Answer: (D) Hampi

Explanation: Hampi’s Vijayanagara temples, including Virupaksha and Vittala, display features of southern Dravidian architecture such as gateway towers and ornate pillared halls. Konark belongs to Kalinga architecture and Bodh Gaya is a major Buddhist shrine.

Q167. What is the innermost and most sacred chamber of a Hindu temple called?

[SSC GD Constable – 2019]

(A) Gopuram

(B) Mandapam

(D) Garbhagriha

Answer: (D) Garbhagriha

Explanation: The garbhagriha houses the principal image or symbol of the deity and is the central sacred focus of a Hindu temple. A mandapa is a hall, a gopuram an entrance gateway tower and pradakshina patha a circumambulatory passage.

Q166. Which state holds the Hornbill Festival, popularly called the Festival of Festivals?

[RRB ALP CBT II – 2019]

(A) Nagaland

(B) Sikkim

(D) Jammu and Kashmir

Answer: (A) Nagaland

Explanation: Nagaland celebrates the Hornbill Festival at Kisama near Kohima. It showcases the music, dances, attire, crafts and food traditions of its many Naga communities, bringing diverse cultural expressions together at a single annual gathering.

Q165. Ghoomar is a traditional folk dance of which state?

[RRB JE CBT I – 2019]

(A) Gujarat

(B) Rajasthan

(D) Sikkim

Answer: (B) Rajasthan

Explanation: Ghoomar is a well-known women’s group dance of Rajasthan. Its characteristic circular movement makes the long, colourful ghaghras flare outward. The dance appears during weddings, festivals and other family celebrations, especially in Rajput cultural contexts.

Q164. Which musician is associated with the courts of Man Singh Tomar of Gwalior and Bahadur Shah of Gujarat?

[UPSC CAPF AC – 2019]

(A) Baiju Bawra

(B) Tansen

(D) Rang Khan Kalawant

Answer: (A) Baiju Bawra

Explanation: Baiju Bawra, traditionally identified as Baiju Nayak, is linked with the musical court of Raja Man Singh Tomar at Gwalior and later Bahadur Shah of Gujarat. Accounts connect him to the dhrupad singing tradition and regional musical legend.

Q163. Which ancient Indian script was normally written from right to left?

[BPSC 65th Prelims – 2019]

(A) Brahmi

(B) Sharada

(D) Nandinagari

Answer: (C) Kharosthi

Explanation: Kharosthi was used especially in Gandhara and northwestern parts of the subcontinent. Derived in part from the Aramaic writing tradition, it was normally written from right to left, whereas Brahmi and many descendant scripts run left to right.

Q162. The sixteenth-century literary work Chandimangala was composed in which language?

[UPSC CDS II – 2019]

(A) Sanskrit

(B) Tamil

(D) Odia

Answer: (C) Bengali

Explanation: Chandimangala belongs to Bengal’s Mangal-kavya literary tradition and celebrates the goddess Chandi. Mukundarama Chakravarti is among its best-known authors. Such vernacular devotional poetry illustrates the development of regional Indian language and performance cultures.

Q161. Which Mughal emperor emphasised individual portraits and paintings collected in albums over large illustrated manuscripts?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2019]

(A) Humayun

(B) Akbar

(D) Shah Jahan

Answer: (C) Jahangir

Explanation: Jahangir’s court encouraged detailed portraiture, natural history paintings and works collected in muraqqa albums. His refined aesthetic differed from the huge illustrated narrative manuscript projects that had characterised Akbar’s workshop. Artists such as Ustad Mansur flourished under his patronage.

Q160. Which statement about Tansen is incorrect?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2019]

(A) Akbar bestowed the title Tansen

(B) He composed dhrupads dedicated to deities

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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.

Q150. The Elephanta Festival of arts and culture takes place in or near which city?

[WBCS Mains GK – 2019]

(A) New Delhi

(B) Thiruvananthapuram

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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.

Q140. Which statement is correct regarding material used at Fatehpur Sikri and Bara Imambara at Lucknow?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2018]

(A) Both used extensive white marble

(B) Fatehpur Sikri is chiefly red sandstone, while Bara Imambara is not primarily red sandstone

(D) Bara Imambara is largely built of white marble

Answer: (B) Fatehpur Sikri is chiefly red sandstone, while Bara Imambara is not primarily red sandstone

Explanation: Fatehpur Sikri is renowned for its red sandstone Mughal architecture. Bara Imambara at Lucknow, commissioned by Asaf-ud-Daula, was constructed primarily using brick and lime mortar rather than being a comparable red-sandstone monument.

Q139. Regarding Tyagaraja and Annamacharya, which statements are correct?
1. Most Tyagaraja kritis praise Krishna;
2. Tyagaraja devised new ragas;
3. They lived at the same time;
4. Annamacharya composed songs for Venkateswara.

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2018]

(A) 1 and 3 only

(B) 2 and 4 only

(D) 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (B) 2 and 4 only

Explanation: Tyagaraja created or popularised musical forms and ragas, while Annamacharya composed devotional songs to Lord Venkateswara. Tyagaraja lived centuries after Annamacharya, and his major kritis focus largely on Rama rather than Krishna.

Q138. Which village in Karnataka is particularly famous as a Sanskrit-speaking village?

[WBCS Mains GK – 2018]

(A) Pimpri

(B) Prayagraj

(D) Korba

Answer: (C) Mattur

Explanation: Mattur near Shivamogga in Karnataka is noted for the active use and promotion of Sanskrit among its residents. The village is frequently cited in discussions about efforts to maintain India’s classical linguistic heritage.

Q137. Ghoomar is a celebrated traditional folk dance of which Indian state?

[WBCS Mains GK – 2018]

(A) Karnataka

(B) Gujarat

(D) Andhra Pradesh

Answer: (C) Rajasthan

Explanation: Ghoomar originated in Rajasthan and features rhythmic circular movement, commonly performed by women at social celebrations and festivals. Its sweeping skirts and coordinated turns make it a recognisable form of Rajasthani folk performance.

Q136. In which state is Rumtek Monastery situated?

[WBCS Mains GK – 2018]

(A) Sikkim

(B) Arunachal Pradesh

(D) Manipur

Answer: (A) Sikkim

Explanation: Rumtek, near Gangtok in Sikkim, is a major monastery of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. Its contemporary complex is an important centre of Buddhist ritual, teaching and artistic heritage.

Q135. The Someshwar temple at Kiradu and Harshat Mata temple at Abhaneri exemplify which architectural tradition?

[Rajasthan State Exam – 2017]

(A) Gupta

(B) Gurjara-Pratihara

(D) Dravida

Answer: (B) Gurjara-Pratihara

Explanation: Both temples represent northwestern Indian Nagara design associated with the Gurjara-Pratihara sphere. Their sculptural and structural features are important evidence of early medieval temple architecture in Rajasthan. The temples differ from the southern Dravida architectural idiom.

Q134. Which Mughal ruler’s reign is regarded as a high point of Mughal miniature painting?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2017]

(A) Humayun

(B) Akbar

(D) Shah Jahan

Answer: (C) Jahangir

Explanation: Mughal miniature painting reached exceptional naturalistic refinement under Jahangir. Court painters produced fine portraits, animal studies and allegorical images, while individual pictures became increasingly valued alongside illustrated manuscripts.

Q133. Gopal, Udai, Hukma and Jiwan were artists associated with which painting school?

[Rajasthan State Exam – 2017]

(A) Amber–Jaipur

(B) Bikaner

(D) Mewar

Answer: (A) Amber–Jaipur

Explanation: These painters were linked with the Amber–Jaipur painting tradition. Courtly ateliers in the Jaipur region combined local Rajasthani imagery with Mughal-influenced portraiture and manuscript illustration, developing distinctive compositions and decorative techniques.

Q132. Which Mughal emperor commissioned the Jama Masjid in Delhi?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2017]

(A) Akbar

(B) Humayun

(D) Shah Jahan

Answer: (D) Shah Jahan

Explanation: Shah Jahan built the Jama Masjid, or Masjid-i Jahan Numa, in Shahjahanabad during the mid-seventeenth century. The monumental mosque uses red sandstone, marble, domes and a large congregational courtyard.

Q131. Which musician–art pairing is incorrect?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2017]

(A) Muthuswami Dikshitar—Carnatic music

(B) Parveen Sultana—Singing

(D) Nandalal Bose—Flute

Answer: (D) Nandalal Bose—Flute

Explanation: Nandalal Bose was a major modern Indian painter associated with Santiniketan, not a flute performer. Muthuswami Dikshitar was a Carnatic composer, Parveen Sultana a Hindustani vocalist and M. S. Gopalakrishnan a violinist.

Q130. At which event was the first Hunar Haat launched to promote minority-community artisans?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2017]

(A) Pushkar Fair 2016

(B) India International Trade Fair, New Delhi 2016

(D) Kumbh Mela 2015

Answer: (B) India International Trade Fair, New Delhi 2016

Explanation: Hunar Haat was launched during the India International Trade Fair in New Delhi in 2016 to give traditional artisans and craftspeople a market platform. It later expanded through exhibitions in different cities, showcasing Indian handmade products.

Q129. Match Lingaraja Temple, Tijara Mandir and Venkateswara Temple with Shiva, Mahavira and Vishnu.

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2017]

(A) Lingaraja–Vishnu; Tijara–Shiva; Venkateswara–Mahavira

(B) Lingaraja–Shiva; Tijara–Mahavira; Venkateswara–Vishnu

(D) Lingaraja–Vishnu; Tijara–Mahavira; Venkateswara–Shiva

Answer: (B) Lingaraja–Shiva; Tijara–Mahavira; Venkateswara–Vishnu

Explanation: Lingaraja Temple of Bhubaneswar is predominantly Shaivite; Tijara Jain temple in Rajasthan is dedicated to Mahavira; and Tirupati’s Venkateswara Temple is sacred to Vishnu. Each shrine represents a different important religious and architectural tradition.

Q128. Match
Gauri Shankar Devilal, Hariprasad Chaurasia, M. F. Husain and Zakir Hussain

with Kathak, flute, painting and tabla.

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2017]

(A) Flute; tabla; painting; Kathak

(B) Painting; Kathak; flute; tabla

(D) Kathak; painting; flute; tabla

Answer: (C) Kathak; flute; painting; tabla

Explanation: Gauri Shankar Devilal was associated with Kathak, Hariprasad Chaurasia is a celebrated bansuri player, M. F. Husain was a modern painter and Zakir Hussain was a tabla virtuoso. The item tests recognition of several performing and visual arts.

Q127. Match Yamini Krishnamurthy, M. S. Subbulakshmi, Vishnu Digambar Paluskar and Shivkumar Sharma with their art forms.

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2017]

(A) Bharatanatyam; vocalist; Hindustani musician; santoor

(B) Musician; vocalist; santoor; Bharatanatyam

(D) Musician; Bharatanatyam; vocalist; santoor

Answer: (A) Bharatanatyam; vocalist; Hindustani musician; santoor

Explanation: Yamini Krishnamurthy was a famous Bharatanatyam dancer, M. S. Subbulakshmi a Carnatic vocalist, Vishnu Digambar Paluskar a Hindustani musician and music educator, and Shivkumar Sharma a celebrated santoor player.

Q126. Rukmini Devi Arundale was a noted choreographer in which classical dance?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2017]

(A) Opera

(B) Lavani

(D) Dandiya

Answer: (C) Bharatanatyam

Explanation: Rukmini Devi Arundale transformed the modern stage presentation of Bharatanatyam and founded Kalakshetra in 1936. She promoted a distinctive aesthetic incorporating traditional music, choreography and visual design within systematic dance education.

Q125. Kondagaon in Chhattisgarh is especially famous for which type of traditional craft?

[CGPSC Prelims – 2017]

(A) Ghadwa metal craft

(B) Iron craft

(D) Bamboo craft

(E) None of these

Answer: (C) Woodcraft

Explanation: Kondagaon and surrounding Bastar localities preserve traditions of carved wooden objects, ritual figures and community handicrafts. The region is also known for bell-metal, terracotta and other crafts, but the indexed state-exam question identifies woodcraft.

Q124. Kudukh is principally a language of which community?

[CGPSC Prelims – 2017]

(A) Kamar

(B) Kol

(D) Gond

(E) None of these

Answer: (C) Oraon

Explanation: Kudukh, also written Kurukh, is the language of the Oraon community and belongs to the Northern Dravidian language family. It is spoken in parts of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and neighbouring states, illustrating the diversity of tribal languages.

Q123. The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is found in which place?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2017]

(A) Ajanta Caves

(B) Badami Caves

(D) Ellora Caves

Answer: (A) Ajanta Caves

Explanation: The famous Padmapani Bodhisattva mural survives at Cave 1 of Ajanta in Maharashtra. Holding a lotus, the graceful figure is among the best-known visual achievements of Indian Buddhist painting and devotional iconography.

Q122. Which of the following locations contains a Sun Temple: Arasavalli, Amarkantak and Omkareshwar?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2017]

(A) Arasavalli alone

(B) Amarkantak alone

(D) All three

Answer: (A) Arasavalli alone

Explanation: Arasavalli in Andhra Pradesh has an old temple dedicated to Surya. Amarkantak is better known for temples and the origins of the Narmada River, whereas Omkareshwar is especially associated with a Shiva Jyotirlinga.

Q121. For Manipuri Sankirtana, which statements are correct?
1. It combines music and dance;
2. Only cymbals accompany it;
3. It narrates Krishna’s life and deeds.

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2017]

(A) 1, 2 and 3

(B) 1 and 3 only

(D) 1 only

Answer: (B) 1 and 3 only

Explanation: Manipuri Sankirtana is a Vaishnava ritual performance involving song, dance and devotional narration associated with Krishna. Percussion such as pung drums accompanies cymbals, making the claim that cymbals are the only instrument incorrect.

Q120. In which year was the Sangeet Natak Akademi established?

[WBCS Mains GK – 2017]

(A) 1951

(B) 1953

(D) 1956

Answer: (B) 1953

Explanation: The Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s national academy of music, dance and drama, was established in 1953. It recognises practitioners, supports artistic traditions and contributes to the preservation of the performing arts.

Q119. Which musician among Ali Akbar Khan, Vilayat Khan, Bismillah Khan and Ahmad Jan Thirakwa was a leading tabla player?

[WBCS Mains GK – 2017]

(A) Ali Akbar Khan

(B) Vilayat Khan

(D) Ahmad Jan Thirakwa

Answer: (D) Ahmad Jan Thirakwa

Explanation: Ahmad Jan Thirakwa was a renowned tabla maestro of Hindustani classical music. The other names refer respectively to noted performers of sarod, sitar and shehnai, making the percussion exponent readily distinguishable.

Q118. Which city in India was recognised by UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network as a City of Music?

[WBCS Mains GK – 2017]

(A) Kolkata

(B) Varanasi

(D) Lucknow

Answer: (B) Varanasi

Explanation: Varanasi entered UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network as a City of Music in 2015. Its musical culture embraces Hindustani classical traditions, devotional performance, gharanas and a long history of artistic patronage.

Q117. Which Kerala temple suffered a devastating fireworks accident on 10 April 2016?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2016]

(A) Chottanikkara Temple

(B) Puttingal Temple

(D) Mannarasala Temple

Answer: (B) Puttingal Temple

Explanation: Puttingal Devi Temple in Paravur, Kerala, was the site of the April 2016 fireworks disaster. The accident occurred during a temple festival and prompted a nationwide discussion about safety rules surrounding large ceremonial firework displays.

Q116. Sattriya is a classical dance originating in which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2016]

(A) Manipur

(B) Uttar Pradesh

(D) Andhra Pradesh

Answer: (C) Assam

Explanation: Sattriya originated in Assam’s Vaishnavite monastic institutions and is associated with Srimanta Sankardeva. It integrates devotion, music and expressive dance-drama and gained recognition as one of India’s classical dance traditions in 2000.

Q115. Ragini is a regional folk-song tradition particularly associated with which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2016]

(A) Kashmir

(B) Kerala

(D) Manipur

Answer: (C) Haryana

Explanation: Ragini is a popular form of folk singing in Haryana, frequently performed in open-air community settings. Its verses may express love, heroism or social themes, and they form an important part of the region’s oral artistic heritage.

Q114. India’s famous Konark Sun Temple is located in which state?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2016]

(A) Rajasthan

(B) Andhra Pradesh

(D) Tamil Nadu

Answer: (C) Odisha

Explanation: The thirteenth-century Sun Temple at Konark is in Odisha. Commissioned under the Eastern Ganga dynasty, it was designed as Surya’s enormous stone chariot with carved wheels and horses and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2016]

(A) They are both Buddhist monasteries

(B) They are both examples of rock-cut monuments

(D) Both are dedicated exclusively to Jainism

Answer: (B) They are both examples of rock-cut monuments

Explanation: The Ajanta cave complex and monuments at Mahabalipuram both use rock-cut architectural techniques. However, their religious associations, geography, chronology and sponsoring dynasties differ substantially; Ajanta is chiefly Buddhist, while Mahabalipuram reflects Pallava Hindu patronage.

Q104. Which Sanskrit play presents the love story of the son of the founder of the Shunga dynasty?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2016]

(A) Svapnavasavadattam

(B) Malavikagnimitram

(D) Ratnavali

Answer: (B) Malavikagnimitram

Explanation: Kalidasa’s Malavikagnimitram dramatises the romance of King Agnimitra, son of the Shunga founder Pushyamitra, and Malavika. It is a notable example of classical Sanskrit court drama drawing on a historical dynastic background.

Q103. What were Magadhas known for in the cultural history of ancient India?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2016]

(A) Renunciation and ascetic wandering

(B) Managing temple land grants

(D) Memorising pedigrees, dynastic chronicles and epic traditions

Answer: (D) Memorising pedigrees, dynastic chronicles and epic traditions

Explanation: Magadhas were traditionally linked with genealogical recitation, praise and the preservation of dynastic narratives. Such bards and chroniclers helped transmit royal lineages and heroic accounts within the oral culture of ancient India.

Q102. Which of the following Indian personalities was a celebrated painter:
–Amrita Sher-Gil,
–V. Shantaram,
–Mallika Sarabhai or
–Uday Shankar?

[WBCS Mains GK – 2016]

(A) Amrita Sher-Gil

(B) V. Shantaram

(D) Uday Shankar

Answer: (A) Amrita Sher-Gil

Explanation: Amrita Sher-Gil was a pioneering twentieth-century Indian modernist painter. V. Shantaram was a filmmaker, while Mallika Sarabhai and Uday Shankar are principally celebrated for their contributions to dance and theatre.

Q101. Raja Ravi Varma is principally famous as which kind of artist?

[WBCS Mains GK – 2016]

(A) Athlete

(B) Painter

(D) Theatre personality

Answer: (B) Painter

Explanation: Raja Ravi Varma was a pioneering painter whose mythological imagery combined Indian subject matter with European-influenced realist techniques. Printed reproductions of his art helped popularise devotional iconography across the country.

Q100. Which musician is credited with creating Raga Kameshwari?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2015]

(A) Amjad Ali Khan

(B) None of these

(D) Uday Shankar

Answer: (C) Ravi Shankar

Explanation: Pandit Ravi Shankar, the renowned Hindustani sitar virtuoso, created several new ragas, including Kameshwari. He was influential in introducing Indian classical instrumental music to international audiences through concerts and collaborations.

Q99. Which among these is traditionally the oldest major form of Hindustani vocal composition?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2015]

(A) Dhrupad

(B) Thumri

(D) None of the options

Answer: (A) Dhrupad

Explanation: Dhrupad is among the oldest surviving forms of North Indian classical vocal music. Associated with temple traditions and medieval royal courts, it features extended alap followed by a structured composition supported by pakhawaj percussion.

Q98. Which listed dance is a folk form rather than an Indian classical dance?

[SSC CGL Tier I – 2015]

(A) Mohiniyattam

(B) Kathakali

(D) Garba

Answer: (D) Garba

Explanation: Garba is a traditional Gujarati folk dance commonly performed during Navratri. Mohiniyattam, Kathakali and Manipuri are recognised Indian classical dances with formally developed techniques and repertoires. The question tests the distinction between folk and classical performance.

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2015]

(A) Brihadisvara Temple

(B) Elephanta Caves

(D) Jagannath Temple

Answer: (B) Elephanta Caves

Explanation: Elephanta Island near Mumbai contains monumental sculptures carved from living rock, most famously the large three-faced Shiva. The complex is an important example of early medieval Shaiva artistic patronage and religious iconography.

Q88. What does the term Kalamkari refer to?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2015]

(A) Hand-painted cotton cloth in southern India

(B) Hand-drawn bamboo art from northeastern India

(D) Decorative silk paintings from northwestern India

Answer: (A) Hand-painted cotton cloth in southern India

Explanation: Kalamkari is a textile decoration tradition associated with Andhra Pradesh, employing hand-drawn and painted designs on cotton. Natural dyes and narrative motifs distinguish its regional traditions, including Srikalahasti and Machilipatnam.

Q87. Which Indian language was most recently accorded classical-language status among Odia, Konkani, Bhojpuri and Assamese, as of the 2015 examination?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2015]

(A) Odia

(B) Konkani

(D) Assamese

Answer: (A) Odia

Explanation: Odia obtained classical-language status in 2014. Assamese received classical status only in 2024, so the examination’s historical wording and answer must be understood in its 2015 context, not confused with present-day language recognition.

Q86. Which Chhattisgarh folk song often invokes the river Ganga?

[CGPSC Prelims – 2014]

(A) Bhojali

(B) Jawara

(D) Sua

(E) Panthi

Answer: (A) Bhojali

Explanation: Bhojali songs accompany rituals involving sprouted grain and reverence for nature. The river Ganga appears as a sacred image in the verses. The associated celebration reflects the close relationship between community song, agriculture and fertility.

Q85. Bhadauni songs are traditionally sung at which occasion?

[CGPSC Prelims – 2014]

(A) Birth

(B) Death

(D) Marriage

(E) Thread ceremony

Answer: (D) Marriage

Explanation: Bhadauni is associated with wedding celebrations within Chhattisgarh’s regional singing traditions. Marriage songs preserve expressions of blessing, kinship and humour, often accompanying household rites through which local oral culture is transmitted.

Q84. In which traditional month is the Jethauni festival observed?

[CGPSC Prelims – 2014]

(A) Magh

(B) Baisakh

(D) Kartik

(E) Agahan

Answer: (D) Kartik

Explanation: Jethauni, connected with the Dev Uthani Ekadashi observance, occurs in the month of Kartik. It is regarded as an auspicious transition in the annual religious calendar and is associated with the resumption of certain ceremonies.

Q83. The Goncha festival of Bastar is celebrated during which Hindu month?

[CGPSC Prelims – 2014]

(A) Jyeshtha

(B) Ashadha

(D) Bhadrapada

(E) Agahan

Answer: (B) Ashadha

Explanation: Goncha is a Rath Yatra-related festival centred on Jagdalpur in the Bastar region. Celebrated around the month of Ashadha, it combines devotion to Jagannath with local customs, processions and distinctive community festivities.

Q82. Damakheda in Chhattisgarh is a notable centre of which tradition?

[CGPSC Prelims – 2014]

(A) Satnami sect

(B) Kabir Panth

(D) Ancient ruined temple

(E) Excavation site

Answer: (B) Kabir Panth

Explanation: Damakheda is a recognised religious centre of the Kabir Panth in Chhattisgarh. The site hosts gatherings of devotees and commemorates the teachings of Kabir, whose poetry emphasises devotion and ethical conduct beyond rigid distinctions.

Q81. Which traditional Chhattisgarh ornament is worn around the neck?

[CGPSC Prelims – 2014]

(A) Ainthi

(B) Nagmori

(D) Tarki

(E) Kardhani

Answer: (C) Sutiya

Explanation: Sutiya is a traditional neck ornament. Other regional adornments include arm jewellery such as Nagmori, waist ornaments like Kardhani and earrings such as Tarki. Local ornament names are important markers of traditional attire and craftsmanship.

Q80. Nagmori ornament is worn on which part of the body?

[CGPSC Prelims – 2014]

[CGPSC Prelims – 2013]

(A) Dendrocalamus strictus

(B) Bambusa arundinacea

(D) Bambusa burmanica

(E) None of these

Answer: (A) Dendrocalamus strictus

Explanation: Dendrocalamus strictus is commonly called male or solid bamboo and is widespread across central India. Bamboo supports Chhattisgarh’s basket making, construction and many local craft industries, making its regional botanical associations relevant to traditional handicrafts.

Q67. Which pair of sitar players is particularly associated with Chhattisgarh’s musical tradition?

[CGPSC Prelims – 2013]

(A) Arun Kumar Sen and Anita Sen

(B) Shekhar Sen and Kalyan Sen

(D) Sulakshana Pandit and Vijaya Pandit

(E) Manjula Dasgupta and Ashish Dasgupta

Answer: (C) Vimalendu Mukherjee and Budhaditya Mukherjee

Explanation: Acharya Vimalendu Mukherjee settled in the Chhattisgarh region and became a notable sitar teacher. His son Budhaditya Mukherjee earned international recognition as a Hindustani sitar virtuoso, continuing the family’s instrumental musical lineage.

Q66. What primarily distinguishes a Buddhist chaitya from a vihara?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2013]

(A) A chaitya was royal housing and vihara a marketplace

(B) A chaitya was a prayer hall and vihara a monastic residence

(D) They were identical structures

Answer: (B) A chaitya was a prayer hall and vihara a monastic residence

Explanation: A chaitya-griha is a hall for religious gathering and worship, commonly centred on a stupa. A vihara is a residential monastery or dwelling space for monks, though many developed additional shrines over time.

Q65. Which sites are widely known for early Indian mural painting: Ajanta, Lepakshi and Sanchi?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2013]

(A) Ajanta only

(B) Ajanta and Lepakshi

(D) All three

Answer: (B) Ajanta and Lepakshi

Explanation: Ajanta is renowned for Buddhist cave murals, while the Virabhadra Temple at Lepakshi contains notable Vijayanagara-era ceiling paintings. Sanchi is especially celebrated for its stone stupas and relief carvings, not a comparable mural tradition.

Q64. Which statements about rock-cut caves are correct?
1. Badami contains India’s earliest surviving excavations;
2. Chandragupta Maurya donated Barabar caves to Ajivikas;
3. Ellora includes caves of multiple religions.

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2013]

(A) 1 only

(B) 2 and 3 only

(D) All three

Answer: (C) 3 only

Explanation: Ellora contains Buddhist, Hindu and Jain rock-cut monuments. The Barabar caves were principally associated with Ashoka and his successors, not the specified Chandragupta attribution, and early excavations elsewhere predate the Badami cave temples.

Q63. In Indian iconography, what does the Tribhanga pose signify?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2013]

(A) A figure with bends at leg, waist and neck

(B) A masked figure enacting an epic

(D) A figure holding a ceremonial parasol

Answer: (A) A figure with bends at leg, waist and neck

Explanation: Tribhanga literally means three bends, with the standing body curving gracefully at three points. The posture is frequently seen in sculptural representation and classical dance, emphasising rhythm, balance and fluid movement.

Q62. What are Nagara, Dravida and Vesara in early Indian culture?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2012]

(A) Three language families

(B) Classical musical modes

(D) Forms of mural painting

Answer: (C) Styles of temple architecture

Explanation: Nagara denotes the northern temple architectural tradition, Dravida the southern, while Vesara is commonly used for Deccan or hybrid forms. These terms classify structural forms, superstructures and regional building conventions.

Q61. In reference to Dhrupad, which claims are correct?
1. It originated solely in Rajput courts under the Mughals;
2. It has deep devotional or spiritual associations;
3. Its alap can use syllables derived from Sanskrit mantras.

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2012]

(A) 1 and 2 only

(B) 2 and 3 only

(D) None

Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only

Explanation: Dhrupad is a major historic Hindustani classical vocal form with older devotional roots. Its elaborated alap uses distinctive syllabic patterns, often associated with sacred phrases; it cannot simply be said to have originated in Mughal-period Rajput courts.

Q60. Which statements accurately distinguish Kuchipudi from Bharatanatyam?
1. Spoken dialogues can feature in Kuchipudi;
2. Brass-plate dancing is characteristic of Bharatanatyam, not Kuchipudi.

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2012]

(A) 1 only

(B) 2 only

(D) Neither

Answer: (A) 1 only

Explanation: Traditional Kuchipudi dance-drama permits spoken dialogue, and some presentations feature tarangam dancing on the edge of a brass plate. The latter feature is not distinctive to Bharatanatyam, so the second statement is inaccurate.

Q59. Apart from the Ajanta murals, which caves preserve well-known painting examples often associated with the Gupta period?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2010]

(A) Bagh Caves

(B) Ellora Caves

(D) Nasik Caves

Answer: (A) Bagh Caves

Explanation: The Bagh Caves of Madhya Pradesh preserve important ancient wall-painting remains, often studied alongside Ajanta. Their surviving artistic fragments provide evidence of classical-period Buddhist visual culture and mural technique.

Q58. In which state is the Buddhist Tabo Monastery situated?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2009]

(A) Sikkim

(B) Himachal Pradesh

(D) Uttarakhand

Answer: (B) Himachal Pradesh

Explanation: Tabo Monastery stands in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Founded in the tenth century, it preserves Buddhist wall paintings, sculptures and manuscripts that are important for the history of trans-Himalayan art.

Q57. Where is the famous Virupaksha Temple situated?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2009]

(A) Madurai

(B) Kanchipuram

(D) Tiruchirappalli

Answer: (C) Hampi

Explanation: Virupaksha Temple is a major functioning shrine at Hampi in Karnataka, once the capital of Vijayanagara. It is dedicated to Shiva and forms a prominent part of the UNESCO-listed Group of Monuments at Hampi.

Q56. Umakant and Ramakant Gundecha were celebrated exponents of which performing art?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2009]

(A) Dhrupad vocal music

(B) Kathak dance

(D) Tabla playing

Answer: (A) Dhrupad vocal music

Explanation: The Gundecha brothers were renowned for their duet renditions of Dhrupad, one of the oldest surviving Hindustani classical vocal genres. Their performances helped introduce the tradition’s expansive alap and rhythmic compositions to wider audiences.

Q55. The Jain temples of Palitana are located near which Gujarat city?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2008]

(A) Bhavnagar

(B) Vadodara

(D) Rajkot

Answer: (A) Bhavnagar

Explanation: The Shatrunjaya hill temple complex at Palitana lies in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district. It is one of Jainism’s foremost pilgrimage destinations, featuring a dense ensemble of marble shrines built across several centuries.

Q54. Bimbavati Devi is well known as an exponent of which classical dance?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2008]

(A) Manipuri

(B) Kuchipudi

(D) Odissi

Answer: (A) Manipuri

Explanation: Bimbavati Devi is an acclaimed exponent of Manipuri dance, a graceful classical tradition connected with the northeastern state of Manipur. The form often draws on Vaishnava themes and characteristic flowing, restrained movements.

Q53. Who wrote the famous poem Subh-e-Azadi?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2008]

(A) Sahir Ludhianvi

(B) Faiz Ahmed Faiz

(D) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

Answer: (B) Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Explanation: Faiz Ahmed Faiz wrote the Urdu poem Subh-e-Azadi, expressing the complicated emotions surrounding independence and Partition in 1947. Its imagery contrasts the long-awaited dawn of freedom with unresolved suffering and disillusionment.

Q52. Which mapping of literary figures to works is accurate: Bankim Chandra, Dinabandhu Mitra and Premchand?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2008]

(A) Debi Chaudhurani; Chandrakanta; Shatranj ke Khiladi

(B) Nil Darpan; Chandrakanta; Debi Chaudhurani

(D) Nil Darpan; Shatranj ke Khiladi; Chandrakanta

Answer: (C) Debi Chaudhurani; Nil Darpan; Shatranj ke Khiladi

Explanation: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote Debi Chaudhurani, Dinabandhu Mitra authored the indigo-protest drama Nil Darpan, and Premchand wrote Shatranj ke Khiladi. The works mark important stages in Bengali and Hindi prose and drama.

Q51. At which place is the Vittala Temple known for its musical pillars?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2007]

(A) Badami

(B) Aihole

(D) Srirangam

Answer: (C) Hampi

Explanation: The Vijayanagara-period Vittala Temple at Hampi is celebrated for its finely carved pillars and stone chariot. The complex illustrates the sophisticated temple architecture, sculptural decoration and festive traditions of the imperial city.

Q50. Who wrote the Bengali work Bahubivah?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2007]

(A) Raja Rammohan Roy

(B) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

(D) Rabindranath Tagore

Answer: (B) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

Explanation: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar published Bahubivah as part of his critique of polygamy and social injustice. His Bengali prose also helped shape educational and literary reform in nineteenth-century Bengal.

Q49. Which medieval ruler commissioned the great Angkor Wat complex in Cambodia?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2006]

(A) Jayavarman VII

(B) Suryavarman II

(D) Harshavardhana

Answer: (B) Suryavarman II

Explanation: Angkor Wat was constructed in the reign of the Khmer king Suryavarman II. Although situated outside India, it demonstrates the transmission and reinterpretation of Indian religious iconography and temple architectural ideas in Southeast Asia.

Q48. Who is praised in the Allahabad Pillar inscription composed by Harishena?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2006]

(A) Chandragupta Maurya

(B) Ashoka

(D) Samudragupta

Answer: (D) Samudragupta

Explanation: Harishena’s Prayaga Prashasti, inscribed on the Allahabad Pillar, celebrates the conquests and accomplishments of Gupta ruler Samudragupta. Its elaborate Sanskrit eulogy is a major source for classical Indian court literature and political history.

Q47. Which state is home to the Buddhist Kye (Key) Monastery?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2006]

(A) Sikkim

(B) Arunachal Pradesh

(D) Himachal Pradesh

Answer: (D) Himachal Pradesh

Explanation: Key or Kye Monastery stands high above the Spiti River in Himachal Pradesh. Its tiered complex remains an important centre of Tibetan Buddhist learning and ritual, with painted religious imagery and monastic collections.

Q46. The celebrated Buddhist stupa site of Amaravati is in which present-day state?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2006]

(A) Odisha

(B) Bihar

(D) Andhra Pradesh

Answer: (D) Andhra Pradesh

Explanation: Amaravati lies near the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh. Its ancient Buddhist stupa was ornamented with richly carved narrative reliefs, and its sculptures helped define a distinguished regional artistic school.

Q45. Where is the Mama-Bhanja Temple situated?

[CGPSC Prelims – 2005]

(A) Barsur

(B) Tala

(D) Ratanpur

Answer: (A) Barsur

Explanation: The historic Mama-Bhanja Temple stands at Barsur in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district. Barsur preserves several early medieval temples and sculptural remains, reflecting the architectural and religious heritage of the Bastar region.

Q44. The Bhoramdeo Temple of Chhattisgarh is generally dated to which century?

[CGPSC Prelims – 2005]

(A) Fourteenth

(B) Eleventh

(D) Fifth

Answer: (B) Eleventh

Explanation: Bhoramdeo Temple, situated in Kabirdham district, is broadly dated to the eleventh century and is associated with the regional Nagavanshi rulers. Dedicated to Shiva, its elaborate sculptures have earned it the popular description Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh.

Q43. Devdas Banjare was famous for which cultural activity?

[CGPSC Prelims – 2005]

(A) Pandavani

(B) Panthi dance

(D) Dhokra craft

Answer: (B) Panthi dance

Explanation: Devdas Banjare was an influential exponent of Panthi dance, a Satnami community performance tradition of Chhattisgarh. The dance’s vigorous movements and devotional lyrics honour Guru Ghasidas and represent an important element of the state’s cultural identity.

Q42. Which among Champaner-Pavagadh, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mamallapuram and Konark are UNESCO World Heritage sites?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2005]

(A) Konark only

(B) Konark and Mamallapuram

(D) All four

Answer: (D) All four

Explanation: Each listed site appears on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Together they represent varied Indian heritage: fortified landscapes, colonial railway architecture, Pallava rock-cut monuments and the thirteenth-century Sun Temple of Konark.

Q41. Which historical revolt is the background for Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel Anandamath?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2005]

(A) Bhil uprising

(B) Rangpur rebellion

(D) Sanyasi rebellion

Answer: (D) Sanyasi rebellion

Explanation: Anandamath draws upon the Sanyasi and Fakir disturbances in late eighteenth-century Bengal. The novel is especially remembered for introducing Vande Mataram, which later achieved important status in India’s nationalist cultural tradition.

Q40. Which of the following artists is famous for playing the flute?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2004]

(A) Debu Chaudhuri

(B) Madhup Mudgal

(D) Shafaat Ahmad

Answer: (C) Ronu Majumdar

Explanation: Ronu Majumdar is a leading exponent of the Indian bansuri or bamboo flute. Debu Chaudhuri was a sitarist, Madhup Mudgal a Hindustani vocalist, and Shafaat Ahmad Khan a tabla musician.

Q39. What is the principal storyline of Shudraka’s Sanskrit drama Mrichchhakatika?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2003]

(A) A merchant’s romance with a courtesan

(B) A Gupta emperor defeating western Kshatrapas

(D) A Gupta ruler’s marriage in Kamarupa

Answer: (A) A merchant’s romance with a courtesan

Explanation: Mrichchhakatika, or The Little Clay Cart, centres on the romance involving Charudatta and Vasantasena. The play is admired for its portrayal of urban society, lively characters and the mixture of romance with social and political tensions.

Q38. Consider the claims:
1. Ibrahim Adil Shah II composed Kitab-i-Nauras;
2. Amir Khusrau is traditionally associated with formative Indian qawwali.

Which are correct?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2003]

(A) 1 only

(B) 2 only

(D) Neither

Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2

Explanation: Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Bijapur wrote Kitab-i-Nauras, reflecting his patronage of music and plural devotional culture. Amir Khusrau is traditionally connected with the development of South Asian Sufi musical forms including qawwali.

Q37. Which statement about the Gommateshwara monument at Shravanabelagola is correct?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2002]

(A) It depicts Bahubali, a revered Jain figure

(B) It depicts the final Tirthankara Mahavira

(D) It is a Gupta imperial portrait

Answer: (A) It depicts Bahubali, a revered Jain figure

Explanation: The enormous monolithic statue at Shravanabelagola represents Bahubali, also called Gommateshwara. He is revered in Jain tradition but is not the twenty-fourth Tirthankara, who is Mahavira. The sculpture embodies renunciation and self-control.

Q36. Which mapping is correct: Hiren Bhattacharya, Malini Rajurkar, Pratibha Prahlad, Vempati Chinna Satyam?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2002]

(A) Puppetry; Hindustani vocal; Bharatanatyam; Kuchipudi

(B) Kuchipudi; Bharatanatyam; Hindustani vocal; Puppetry

(D) Kuchipudi; Hindustani vocal; Bharatanatyam; Puppetry

Answer: (A) Puppetry; Hindustani vocal; Bharatanatyam; Kuchipudi

Explanation: The match brings together puppetry, Hindustani singing, Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. Malini Rajurkar was a distinguished khayal vocalist, Pratibha Prahlad is associated with Bharatanatyam and Vempati Chinna Satyam was a major Kuchipudi guru.

Q35. What is the subject of Vishakhadatta’s Sanskrit political drama Mudrarakshasa?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2002]

(A) A war between gods and demons

(B) A romance between a prince and a tribal woman

(D) Court intrigue around Chandragupta Maurya

Answer: (D) Court intrigue around Chandragupta Maurya

Explanation: Mudrarakshasa dramatises political manoeuvring around the establishment of Chandragupta Maurya’s rule, especially Chanakya’s efforts to win over Rakshasa. It is valued as an early Sanskrit example of statecraft and intrigue in drama.

Q34. The Lingaraja Temple is a landmark temple in which city?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2001]

(A) Bhubaneswar

(B) Ujjain

(D) Puri

Answer: (A) Bhubaneswar

Explanation: Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar is a major monument of Kalinga-style temple architecture. Dedicated to Shiva as Harihara, it demonstrates the characteristic tower and assembly-hall arrangement of Odisha’s medieval temples.

Q33. The Hoysala dynasty’s famous temples are found at which two Karnataka towns?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2001]

(A) Badami and Aihole

(B) Belur and Halebidu

(D) Mysuru and Srirangapatna

Answer: (B) Belur and Halebidu

Explanation: The Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebidu are noted for star-shaped platforms and exceptionally intricate soapstone carving. Dedicated to Hindu deities, they represent the characteristic sculptural and architectural language of the Hoysala period.

Q32. Which correctly matches four dancers with their forms:
–Kalamandalam Kshemavaty,
–Kottakkal Sivaraman,
–Lakshmi Viswanathan
–N. Madhabi Devi?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2001]

(A) Kathakali; Mohiniyattam; Manipuri; Bharatanatyam

(B) Mohiniyattam; Kathakali; Bharatanatyam; Manipuri

(D) Mohiniyattam; Kathakali; Manipuri; Bharatanatyam

Answer: (B) Mohiniyattam; Kathakali; Bharatanatyam; Manipuri

Explanation: Kalamandalam Kshemavaty practised Mohiniyattam, Kottakkal Sivaraman performed Kathakali, Lakshmi Viswanathan excelled in Bharatanatyam and N. Madhabi Devi was associated with Manipuri. Their careers represent four different regional classical systems.

Q31. Which historical period and visual-art tradition are correctly paired?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2001]

(A) Harappan civilisation—Painted Grey Ware

(B) Kushan period—Gandhara School of Art

(D) Marathas—Pahari miniature painting

Answer: (B) Kushan period—Gandhara School of Art

Explanation: Gandhara sculpture developed in the northwestern subcontinent, particularly under Kushan patronage, and assimilated Hellenistic artistic elements. Painted Grey Ware is much later than the Mature Harappan age, while Ajanta and Pahari paintings belong to different contexts.

Q30. Who first translated the Bhagavad Gita into English?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2001]

(A) William Jones

(B) Charles Wilkins

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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.

Q20. Consider the assertion that Gandhara sculpture reflects Hellenistic influence and the reason that Hinayana Buddhism was shaped by this art. Which is correct?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1998]

(A) Both true and reason explains assertion

(B) Both true but reason does not explain assertion

(D) Assertion false, reason true

Answer: (C) Assertion true, reason false

Explanation: Gandhara art reveals Greco-Roman stylistic influences, notably in drapery and naturalistic representation. Yet its anthropomorphic Buddha imagery is not evidence that the earlier Hinayana tradition was determined by that artistic form.

Q19. Which pairs of classical texts and authors are correctly matched:
–Mrichchhakatika–Shudraka;
–Buddhacharita–Vasubandhu;
–Mudrarakshasa–Vishakhadatta;
–Harshacharita–Banabhatta?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1998]

(A) All four

(B) 1, 3 and 4

(D) 2 and 3 only

Answer: (B) 1, 3 and 4

Explanation: Mrichchhakatika is attributed to Shudraka, Mudrarakshasa to Vishakhadatta and Harshacharita to Banabhatta. Buddhacharita was composed by Ashvaghosha rather than Vasubandhu, a different Buddhist scholar.

Q18. Which Mughal-period author referred to the European discovery of America?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1997]

(A) Malik Muhammad Jayasi

(B) Amir Khusrau

(D) Abul Fazl

Answer: (D) Abul Fazl

Explanation: Abul Fazl, Akbar’s chronicler and author of the Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari, incorporated information about regions and events beyond India into his learned prose. He is the author identified in this historical literature question.

Q17. Which pairings of Sanskrit authors with major works are correct:
Varahamihira–Brihat Samhita;
Vishakhadatta–Devichandraguptam;
Shudraka–Mrichchhakatika;
Bilhana–Vikramankadeva Charita?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1997]

(A) Only first two

(B) All four

(D) Only second and fourth

Answer: (B) All four

Explanation: Varahamihira wrote Brihat Samhita, Vishakhadatta is associated with Devichandraguptam, Shudraka with Mrichchhakatika and Bilhana with Vikramankadeva Charita. Their texts span scientific, dramatic and historical Sanskrit literature.

Q16. Which poet and regional language associated with Mahabharata retellings are correctly paired?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1997]

(A) Sarala Dasa—Bengali

(B) Kashiram Das—Odia

(D) Pampa—Kannada

Answer: (D) Pampa—Kannada

Explanation: Pampa was an early Kannada literary figure associated with the Vikramarjuna Vijaya, also called Pampa Bharata. The other pairings mix up the languages of notable Mahabharata translators and poets.

Q15. In which Upanishad does the conversation between Nachiketa and Yama occur?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1997]

(A) Chandogya Upanishad

(B) Mundaka Upanishad

(D) Kena Upanishad

Answer: (C) Katha Upanishad

Explanation: The Katha Upanishad presents Nachiketa’s conversation with Yama, the lord of death. Their dialogue probes questions about the Self, mortality and liberation, making it a landmark philosophical text.

Q14. Which ancient Indian script was normally written from right to left?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1997]

(A) Brahmi

(B) Nandinagari

(D) Kharoshthi

Answer: (D) Kharoshthi

Explanation: Kharoshthi was used principally in northwestern South Asia and is written from right to left. Its direction differs from Brahmi and many of the descendant Indic scripts, which are written left to right.

Q13. The Buddhist text Milindapanha records a dialogue between King Menander and which monk?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1997]

(A) Nagasena

(B) Nagarjuna

(D) Kumarila Bhatta

Answer: (A) Nagasena

Explanation: Milindapanha, or Questions of Milinda, presents a philosophical exchange between Indo-Greek ruler Menander and Buddhist monk Nagasena. It is especially noted for logical dialogues about identity, rebirth and the non-self doctrine.

Q12. What is the equivalent Vikrama Samvat date for a Badami inscription dated Shaka year 465?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1997]

(A) 601

(B) 300

(D) 407

Answer: (A) 601

Explanation: The Vikrama era begins roughly 135 years before the Shaka era, making Shaka 465 equivalent to approximately Vikrama Samvat 600 or 601 depending on calendrical reckoning. The examination answer is 601.

Q11. With which famous temple were the traditional devadasis closely associated in Odisha?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1996]

(A) Jagannath Temple at Puri

(B) Sun Temple at Konark

(D) Mukteshwar Temple at Bhubaneswar

Answer: (A) Jagannath Temple at Puri

Explanation: Women serving in the ritual arts at Puri’s Jagannath Temple were historically known as maharis. Their dance tradition is among the cultural streams associated with the later development and heritage of Odissi.

Q10. Which folk theatrical form is correctly matched with Assam?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1996]

(A) Naqqual

(B) Tamasha

(D) Baha

Answer: (C) Ankiya Nat

Explanation: Ankiya Nat is a devotional dramatic form associated with Srimanta Sankardeva’s Assamese neo-Vaishnavite movement. Plays in this tradition combine narrative, song, instrumental accompaniment and theatre, often performed at satras and namghars.

Q9. During whose reign did Mughal painting attain a widely recognised zenith?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1996]

(A) Humayun

(B) Akbar

(D) Shah Jahan

Answer: (C) Jahangir

Explanation: The Mughal painting atelier flourished during Jahangir’s reign, with an increased interest in refined portraiture, flora, fauna and realistic observation. Important artists included Ustad Mansur and Bishandas.

Q8. Which nineteenth-century Indian historical novel was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1996]

(A) Rast Goftar

(B) Durgeshnandini

(D) Nibandhamala

Answer: (B) Durgeshnandini

Explanation: Durgeshnandini, published in 1865, is one of Bankim Chandra’s early Bengali historical romances. Its popularity helped establish prose fiction as a major form in modern Bengali literature.

Q7. Which of these is NOT an early Jain canonical literary work?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1996]

(A) Therigatha

(B) Acharanga Sutra

(D) Brihatkalpa Sutra

Answer: (A) Therigatha

Explanation: Therigatha is a Buddhist Pali collection of verses attributed to early women renunciants. The other listed texts belong to Jain religious literature, making their literary and doctrinal traditions distinct.

Q6. Which ancient Indian treatise discussed a deserted wife’s right to seek divorce?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1996]

(A) Kamasutra

(B) Manavadharmashastra

(D) Arthashastra

Answer: (D) Arthashastra

Explanation: Kautilya’s Arthashastra discusses marriage arrangements, separation and certain grounds for divorce in its treatment of social and legal relations. It is a political and administrative treatise that also contains detailed rules for domestic life.

Q5. Who composed the Krishna-themed poetry collection Prem Vatika?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1996]

(A) Bihari

(B) Surdas

(D) Kabir

Answer: (C) Raskhan

Explanation: Raskhan, a celebrated poet of Krishna devotion, wrote Prem Vatika. His Braj Bhasha poetry illustrates the devotional synthesis and literary richness of early modern north Indian bhakti traditions.

Q4. In medieval Sanskrit grammatical discussions, what did apabhramsha commonly signify?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1996]

(A) Rajput outcastes

(B) Departure from Vedic ritual

(D) A type of non-Sanskrit verse metre

Answer: (C) Vernacular linguistic forms preceding many modern languages

Explanation: Apabhramsha denotes late Middle Indo-Aryan literary and linguistic forms that contributed to the development of various modern Indo-Aryan languages. It occupies an important position in the history of Indian vernacular expression.

Q3. The Gol Gumbaz monument, celebrated for its great dome, stands at which place?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1995]

(A) Hyderabad

(B) Gulbarga

(D) Bijapur

Answer: (D) Bijapur

Explanation: Gol Gumbaz is the mausoleum of Muhammad Adil Shah at Vijayapura, historically known as Bijapur, in Karnataka. Its massive unsupported dome and famous whispering gallery are significant achievements of Deccan Sultanate architecture.

Q2. Chola-period bronze representations of the dancing Shiva, Nataraja, generally show how many arms?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1995]

(A) Eight

(B) Six

(D) Two

Answer: (C) Four

Explanation: The familiar Chola bronze Nataraja generally has four arms holding symbolic objects and gestures. The dancing Shiva stands within a flaming aureole, visually expressing cosmic creation, preservation and dissolution.

Q1. Which regional painting tradition was least influenced by the Mughal miniature school?

[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1995]

(A) Pahari painting

(B) Rajasthani painting

(D) Kalighat painting

Answer: (D) Kalighat painting

Explanation: Kalighat pat paintings arose around nineteenth-century Kolkata as briskly painted popular images, developing in a different social and artistic setting from courtly Mughal miniature traditions. Pahari and Rajasthani schools had stronger links to Mughal aesthetic influence.

Q400. Which Carnatic raga corresponds most closely to Hindustani Raga Bilawal?

Q399. Which of these temples possess Nagara-style shikharas? 1. Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami; 2. Huchimalligudi, Aihole; 3. Dashavatara, Deogarh; 4. Virupaksha, Pattadakal.

Q398. What is represented by the Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves?

Q397. In the aniconic phase of Buddhist art, what does an empty seat symbolise?

Q396. Regarding the Amaravati Stupa, which statements are correct? 1. It stood in the lower Krishna valley. 2. It ranked immediately after Sanchi in size. 3. Its sculptural tradition influenced Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.

Q395. Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur belonged to which Hindustani classical music gharana?

Q394. In which ancient work is the expression kshetra-patni, meaning mistress of the field, found?

Q393. For what purpose were the Tai-Ahom Moidams, inscribed by UNESCO, constructed?

Q392. Which description correctly identifies the Sikh festival Hola Mohalla?

Q391. In the name of Arunachal Pradesh’s Nyokum festival, what does Kum signify?

Q390. In the Jawa festival of Jharkhand, what is represented by girls offering green melons?

Q389. Dollu Kunitha, performed with large drums, belongs to which state?

Q388. A raga containing six distinct notes is placed in which jaati?

Q387. What is a fixed melodic composition called in Hindustani classical music?

Q386. At which matra is the khali of the ten-beat Jhaptaal marked?

Q385. Which order of historical emergence was given for these classical dances: 1. Kathak, 2. Manipuri, 3. Bharatanatyam, 4. Mohiniyattam?

Q384. Which temple roof term correctly corresponds to a wagon-vaulted shape?

Q383. Thang-Ta, involving sword and spear techniques, originated in which state?

Q382. The Koli folk dance is most closely associated with which community?

Q381. In which city was the first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya founded by Vishnu Digambar Paluskar in 1901?

Q380. Match the Rajasthan schools Kishangarh, Bikaner, Mewar and Marwar with painters Nihalchand, Ali Raza, Sahibdin and Shivdas.

Q379. Which Haryana folk dance is named after a forehead ornament worn by married women?

Q378. In which state’s Vaishnavite monasteries did the Sattriya dance evolve?

Q377. Which classical dance originated in the village historically called Kuchelapuram?

Q376. During Pongal, which description of the cattle-related celebration is correct?

Q375. Harela, a festival linked with greenery and environmental well-being, belongs chiefly to which state?

Q374. Which three deities are installed at the Jagannath Temple of Puri?

Q373. Which Rashtrakuta monarch is associated with constructing the Kailasa Temple at Ellora?

Q372. Chittani Ramachandra Hegde was a renowned performer of which art form?

Q371. Bharatanatyam is traditionally linked with which Indian state?

Q370. The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev is celebrated as which festival?

Q369. Mohiniyattam is closely identified with which movement quality or style?

Q368. Where is the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy located?

Q367. Kathakali is chiefly performed in which state?

Q366. Which was most recently inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list among Chhau, Durga Puja, Garba and Kumbh Mela?

Q365. Which work is traditionally attributed to the Sanskrit playwright Bhasa?

Q364. Sanghabhuti, a Buddhist monk active in China during the fourth century CE, commented on which text?

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.

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.

Q361. The famous Gol Gumbaz dome stands at which of the following monuments?

Q360. The Great Stupa of Sanchi is a major monument of which religion?

Q359. Which pair of a dance and its state is correctly matched?

Q358. Pochampally is renowned for ikat saris and weaving in which state?

Q357. The Hemis monastery festival is observed in which Indian union territory?

Q356. Which festival includes worship of the Sun and his consort Usha in thanksgiving for sustaining life?

Q355. Which state government organises the Tansen Music Festival?

Q354. Which Indian percussionist and music director received the Padma Shri in 2019?

Q353. Dhalo is a folk dance native to which Indian state?

Q352. Besides Bharatanatyam, which classical dance was Mrinalini Sarabhai known for?

Q351. Arjun Singh Dhurve received a Padma Shri for promoting Baiga dance traditions of which state?

Q350. Vazhuvoor is a recognised style within which Indian classical dance?

Q349. The theoretical basis of Bharatanatyam is associated with which ancient treatise?

Q348. Which state is traditionally associated with Sattriya, the dance for which Ramkrishna Talukdar was honoured?

Q347. Which listed musician is best known for playing a percussion instrument?

Q346. Ishwari Prasad is traditionally linked with the development of which dance form?

Q345. Who is traditionally named as a founder of the Lucknow gharana of Kathak?

Q344. Hassu Khan is associated with the foundation of which Hindustani music gharana?

Q343. Who is commonly described as the father of modern dance in India?

Q342. The folk dance Kud, associated with awardee Khemraj, is traditional to which region?

Q341. Nati is a well-known group folk dance from which state?

Q340. The annual Sirpur National Dance and Music Festival takes place in which state?

Q339. U Srinivas was an acclaimed performer on which musical instrument?

Q338. Radhe Shyam Barle was recognised for promoting Panthi, a dance of which state?

Q337. What is the number of principal regional styles of Chhau dance?

Q336. Who was honoured for reviving eco-friendly Etikoppaka toy-making techniques?

Q335. Dancer Aditi Mangaldas received the Mahari Award in connection with which dance?

Q334. Shivaputra Siddharamayya Komkalimath is the birth name of which vocalist?

Q333. Yamini Krishnamurthy achieved distinction in Bharatanatyam and which other classical dance?

Q332. Which artist among the following is a distinguished Bharatanatyam exponent?

Q331. Which listed musician has a recognised association with sarod performance?

Q330. Kalasam denotes a dance sequence used in which classical form?

Q329. The folk dances Giddha and Bhangra are mainly identified with which state?

Q328. Which individual was honoured for reviving Manipuri dance and given the title Hanjaba?

Q327. Who established the KADAMB Centre for Dance in 1964?

Q326. Who founded the Kalakshetra institution and was a noted Bharatanatyam exponent?

Q325. M S Subbulakshmi is most closely associated with which musical tradition?

Q324. Jamda is identified as a folk dance of which Indian state?

Q323. Which of these instrumentalists is celebrated for playing the mandolin?

Q322. Joravarsinh Jadav received the Padma Shri for his contribution to which folk tradition?

Q321. Who was honoured for creating innovative ways to present Naga folk music?

Q399. Which of these temples possess Nagara-style shikharas?
1. Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami;
2. Huchimalligudi, Aihole;
3. Dashavatara, Deogarh;
4. Virupaksha, Pattadakal.

Q396. Regarding the Amaravati Stupa, which statements are correct?
1. It stood in the lower Krishna valley.
2. It ranked immediately after Sanchi in size.
3. Its sculptural tradition influenced Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.

Q385. Which order of historical emergence was given for these classical dances:
1. Kathak,
2. Manipuri,
3. Bharatanatyam,
4. Mohiniyattam?

Q380. Match the Rajasthan schools Kishangarh, Bikaner, Mewar and Marwar

with painters Nihalchand, Ali Raza, Sahibdin and Shivdas.

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.

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.

Q312. Regarding Sanchi, which statements are correct?
1. Three gateways stood in 1818 while a fourth lay fallen.
2. Sculptures there depict elephants, horses, monkeys and cattle.

Q298. Match the cultural sites:
Besnagar—Shaivite cave;
Bhaja—Buddhist cave;
Sittanavasal—Jain cave.

How many are correct?

Q283. How many author–text pairs are right:
Devichandragupta–Bilhana;
Hammira Mahakavya–Nayachandra Suri;
Milindapanha–Nagarjuna;
Nitivakyamrita–Somadeva Suri?

Q270. Which statements about Somnath Temple are correct?
1. It is a Jyotirlinga.
2. Al-Biruni described it.
3. President Radhakrishnan consecrated the present shrine.

Q269. Which statements on Sanchi sculpture are correct?
1. Shalabhanjika occurs.
2. It is a woman with lotuses and elephants.
3. The motif has non-Buddhist folk roots.