Art And Culture Flashcards
(290 cards)
1
Q
A
2
Q
Which Indian dance form was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2023?
A
Garba (from Gujarat).
3
Q
Garba became the ____th item from India on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
A
15th.
4
Q
Garba is traditionally performed during which Hindu festival?
A
Navratri.
5
Q
What does the Sanskrit word ‘Garbha’, from which ‘Garba’ originates, mean?
A
Womb.
6
Q
What concepts does the Garba dance often celebrate?
A
Fertility, womanhood, the divine feminine (Shakti), victory of good over evil.
7
Q
What is typically placed at the center during a Garba performance?
A
A lit lamp (garbha deep) or an image/idol of Goddess Shakti.
8
Q
Is Garba performance restricted by age, gender, or social status according to tradition?
A
No, it is considered inclusive and open to all.
9
Q
Shantiniketan was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in which year?
A
2023
10
Q
Shantiniketan is primarily associated with which famous Indian personality?
A
Rabindranath Tagore.
11
Q
Which famous stepwell site in Gujarat was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014?
A
Rani-ki-Vav.
12
Q
The ‘Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas’ were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in which year?
A
2023
13
Q
The Hoysala temples (UNESCO site) are primarily located in which Indian state?
A
Karnataka.
14
Q
Hoysala architecture is known for what characteristic material and feature?
A
Soapstone construction and intricate carvings (often with stellate or star-shaped plans).
15
Q
When was the Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya added to the UNESCO World Heritage List?
A
2002
16
Q
Who is considered potentially the first Buddhist scholar from Kashmir to visit China (around 381 AD)?
A
Sanghabhuti.
17
Q
Sanghabhuti was known for translating which major Buddhist text collection’s disciplinary code?
A
Vinaya Pitaka of the Sarvastivada school.
18
Q
Who is considered one of the earliest known Sanskrit playwrights, credited with Swapnavasavadatta?
A
Bhasa.
19
Q
Which play by Bhasa is based on an episode from the Mahabharata featuring Bhima & Hanuman?
A
Madhyamavyayoga.
20
Q
Bhasa’s play Charudatta is considered a source/inspiration for which later famous Sanskrit play?
A
Mrichchhakatika by Shudraka.
21
Q
Which later famous Sanskrit poets mention Bhasa, helping establish his antiquity?
A
Kalidasa and Banabhatta (also Nannaya as mentioned in the text).
22
Q
Who authored the play Devichandragupta?
A
Vishakadatta.
23
Q
What is the other famous historical play written by Vishakadatta?
A
Mudrarakshasa.
24
Q
The play Devichandragupta focuses on events related to which Gupta rulers?
A
Ramagupta and Chandragupta II.
25
Who authored the Hammira Mahakavya?
Nayachandra Suri (15th-century Jain scholar).
26
Hammira Mahakavya is a legendary biography of which 13th-century Rajput king?
Hammiradeva Chahamana (Chauhan) of Ranthambore.
27
Who authored the contemporary books "The India Way" and "Why Bharat Matters"?
Dr. S. Jaishankar.
28
What is the main focus of Dr. S. Jaishankar's book "The India Way"?
India's foreign policy strategies, strategic autonomy, and navigating global uncertainties.
29
The Hammiranayana describes the conflict between Hammiradeva Chauhan and which Delhi Sultan?
Ala-ud-Din Khalji.
30
According to the Hammiranayana, what was the stated reason for Hammira's defeat against Ala-ud-Din Khalji?
Betrayal by his own officers.
31
What type of text is the Milindapanha?
A non-canonical Buddhist text featuring a dialogue.
32
The Milindapanha records a dialogue between which Indo-Greek king and which Buddhist monk?
King Menander (Milinda) and monk Nagasena.
33
Is Nagasena (from Milindapanha) generally considered the same person as Nagarjuna (founder of Madhyamaka school)?
No, they are widely considered different figures, belonging to different schools (Sarvastivada vs Madhyamaka respectively).
34
Who is the author attributed to the Nītivākyāmṛta, a text on ethics and polity (nītiśāstra)?
Somadeva Suri.
35
Vidisha (ancient Besnagar) was associated with which specific pillar erected by a Greek ambassador?
The Heliodorus pillar.
36
The Heliodorus pillar at Besnagar (Vidisha) was erected in honour of which deity, indicating Vaishnavite influence?
Vasudeva.
37
The Karla and Bhaja caves in Maharashtra are important examples of rock-cut architecture associated with which religion?
Buddhism.
38
Around which period are the Karla and Bhaja caves dated?
Around the 2nd century BC.
39
The Sittanavasal cave temple (Arivar Kovil) in Tamil Nadu is primarily associated with which religion?
Jainism.
40
On which date is National Handloom Day observed in India?
August 7th.
41
National Handloom Day commemorates the launch of which major historical movement in 1905?
The Swadeshi Movement.
42
In Jaina metaphysics, what are the two fundamental categories of substances?
Animate (jivas - souls) and Inanimate (ajivas - non-souls).
43
Name the five categories of inanimate substances (ajivas) in Jainism.
Ether (akasa), condition of movement (dharma), condition of rest (adharma), time (kala), and matter (pudgala).
44
According to Jainism, do non-living entities like stones, rocks, and running water possess souls (jivas)?
Yes.
45
What was 'Fanam' in the context of South Indian history (approx. 9th-19th c.)?
A small gold coin.
46
What does the term 'Sangam' refer to in the context of early South Indian history?
An assembly or "meeting together" of Tamil poets.
47
Did the four-fold Varna system have significant application in ancient Tamil society during the Sangam Age?
No, it had little application according to Sangam literature.
48
In Sangam literature, what did 'Arashar', 'Vaishiyar', and 'Velalar' refer to?
Arashar: Monarchs; Vaishiyar: Merchants; Velalar: Farmers.
49
The Yoga Vasistha is a spiritual text presenting a discourse between which sage and which prince?
Sage Vasistha and Prince Rama.
50
Who translated the Yoga Vasistha into Persian under the orders of Emperor Akbar?
Nizamuddin Panipati.
51
The Somnath temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, is located in which region of Gujarat?
Saurashtra (West coast, Kathiawar, near Junagadh).
52
What does the name 'Somnath' mean?
"Protector of the moon god".
53
Why is Somnath sometimes called the "shrine eternal"?
Because it has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times (destroyed six times, rebuilt seven times as per text).
54
Which ancient Indian text mentions the Somnath temple?
Rigveda.
55
Which 11th-century scholar described the Somnath temple and noted Mahmud of Ghazni's destruction of its icon?
Al Beruni.
56
Which Indian leader initiated the reconstruction of the Somnath temple after independence?
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (in November 1947).
57
Who was the first Chairman of the Shri Somnath Trust which manages the temple?
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
58
Which President of India performed the purification ceremony (Pran Pratishtha) of the newly built Somnath Jyotirlinga in 1951?
Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
59
The Chausath Yogini Temple near Morena, MP, was constructed by which dynasty around 1323 CE?
Kachchhapaghata dynasty (by Maharaja Devapala).
60
What is the distinctive architectural plan of the Chausath Yogini Temple, Morena?
Circular plan, built on a hill with pillared cloisters facing an open courtyard.
61
Is the Chausath Yogini Temple at Morena the only major circular temple known in India?
No, other examples exist (like the Yogini temple at Dudhai, Uttar Pradesh).
62
The design of the Chausath Yogini Temple, Morena, is popularly believed (though without concrete proof) to have inspired which modern Indian building?
The Indian Parliament building (Old Parliament House).
63
Originally, what deities were housed in the 64 subsidiary shrines of the Chausath Yogini temple?
64 Yoginis (now mostly replaced by Shiva lingas).
64
Dholavira, added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2021, belongs to which ancient civilization?
Indus Valley Civilisation (Harappan-era).
65
What is significant about Dholavira's UNESCO status in relation to other IVC sites in India?
It is the first Indus Valley Civilisation site located in India to receive the UNESCO World Heritage tag.
66
Dholavira is particularly renowned for its sophisticated system of...?
Water harvesting and management (using dams, drains, channels, and reservoirs).
67
In Buddhism, what does the Sanskrit term 'Paramita' mean?
"Perfections" or "transcendent virtues".
68
The cultivation of Paramitas is central to the path followed by which figures in Mahayana Buddhism?
Bodhisattvas seeking enlightenment.
69
Some Mahayana traditions divide the path into Mantrayana and which other 'yana' focusing on perfections?
Paramitayana.
70
Bhilsa (ancient Vidisha) in Madhya Pradesh was a central hub for which post-Mauryan dynasty?
Sunga dynasty.
71
Dwarasamudra (present-day Halebidu) in Karnataka served as the capital for which major medieval dynasty?
Hoysala dynasty.
72
Girnagar (Girnar) is an ancient site located near which city in Gujarat?
Junagarh.
73
Sthanesvara (Thanesar) in Haryana is traditionally associated with which epic figures offering prayers to Lord Shiva?
The Pandavas.
74
In Hinduism, what does the term 'Parivrajaka' refer to?
A wandering ascetic or forest dweller who has renounced home life for spiritual realization.
75
What does the term 'Shramana' broadly refer to in the context of ancient Indian religious traditions?
Ascetics and renouncers belonging to various independent, often non-Vedic, movements who practiced austerities for liberation.
76
In Buddhism, what term refers to a lay devotee who takes refuge in the Three Gems (Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha)?
Upasaka.
77
Building 'Kalyana Mandapas' was a notable feature of temple construction during which South Indian empire?
Vijayanagara Empire (1335-1565 AD).
78
What was the primary function of the Kalyana Mandapa in Vijayanagara temples?
An open hall/pavilion used for symbolic marriage ceremonies of the temple's principal deity and consort.
79
Name two prominent temples in Hampi that exemplify Vijayanagara architecture.
Vittalaswami Temple and Virupaksha Temple.
80
What were 'Raya Gopurams' in Vijayanagara architecture?
Ornate, monumental gateways, a characteristic feature of their temple style.
81
Vijayanagara temple architecture consciously combined features from which earlier South Indian dynasties/styles?
Chola, Hoysalas, Pandyas, and Chalukyas styles.
82
The Sthanakvasi sect belongs to which major branch of Jainism?
Svetambara Jainism.
83
Name the two primary sects within Jainism.
Digambara and Svetambara.
84
Mula Sangh, Kashtha Sangh, Terapantha, and Taranapath are sub-sects of which major Jain sect?
Digambara.
85
Murtipujaka and Sthanakvasi are sub-sects of which major Jain sect?
Svetambara.
86
When (approx.) and why was the Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri built by Akbar?
1601 CE, to commemorate his victory over Gujarat.
87
What primary materials were used in the construction and decoration of the Buland Darwaza?
Red sandstone, decorated with white and black marble inlay and carvings.
88
Which architectural style provided inspiration for the Buland Darwaza?
Timurid architecture.
89
Which ruler of Awadh shifted the capital from Faizabad to Lucknow (approx. 1775)?
Asaf-ud-Daula.
90
What famous structure in Lucknow did Asaf-ud-Daula commission partly as a famine relief measure?
Bara Imambara (also called Asafi Imambara).
91
What materials and decorative technique were notably used in the Bara Imambara, deviating from typical Mughal style?
Brick and lime (instead of stone/marble), with elaborate stucco ornamentation (gajkari).
92
What is the name of the imposing gateway to the Bara Imambara complex in Lucknow?
Rumi Darwaza.
93
In Mahayana Buddhism, who is considered the future Buddha destined to appear on Earth?
Maitreya.
94
Which Bodhisattva embodies the compassion of all Buddhas and is known as the "Lord who looks down"?
Avalokiteshvara.
95
What does 'Padmapani', a frequent epithet for Avalokiteshvara, literally mean?
"One who holds the Lotus".
96
'Lokesvara', meaning "Lord of the World", is often used as another name for which prominent Bodhisattva?
Avalokiteshvara.
97
Puthukkuli shawls are traditionally woven by which tribal community of the Nilgiri Hills (Tamil Nadu)?
Toda community.
98
Sujani (or Sujini) embroidery, known for quilting motifs, originates from which Indian state?
Bihar (specifically Bhusura village noted in text).
99
Uppada Jamdani sarees, known for their lightweight and intricate weaves, originate from which state?
Andhra Pradesh (Uppada village, East Godavari district).
100
Chapchar Kut is a major spring festival celebrated in which North-Eastern state after jhum operations?
Mizoram.
101
Khongjom Parva is a ballad singing tradition from Manipur that commemorates which historical event?
The Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891.
102
What is Thang Ta?
An ancient Manipuri martial art form developed by the Meitei people.
103
What does 'Huyen Lallong', another name for the Manipuri martial art Thang Ta, translate to?
"The art of the sword and the spear".
104
105
The painting 'Bani Thani', often called "India's Mona Lisa", belongs to which school of Rajasthani painting?
Kishangarh school.
106
Who was the artist credited with painting 'Bani Thani'?
Nihal Chand.
107
Who was Bani Thani, the subject of the famous Kishangarh painting?
A singer and poet in Kishangarh during the reign of King Savant Singh.
108
What are some distinctive stylistic features of the Kishangarh school of painting?
Individualistic facial type, pointed noses/chins, deeply curved eyes, serpentine hair locks, panoramic landscapes.
109
Tyagaraja, a major Carnatic music composer, primarily composed kritis in praise of which deity?
Lord Rama (an incarnation of Vishnu).
110
Was Tyagaraja (born 1767) a contemporary of the 15th-century saint-composer Annamacharya?
No, Annamacharya lived in the 15th century.
111
Which 15th-century Hindu saint is considered the earliest known Indian musician to compose songs called sankirtanas?
Tallapaka Annamacharya (Annamayya).
112
Annamacharya composed sankirtanas primarily in praise of which form of Lord Vishnu?
Lord Venkateswara.
113
What is Sankirtana in the context of Manipur?
A ritual performance art combining music and dance, narrating the lives and deeds of Krishna.
114
When was Manipur's Sankirtana inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage?
2013
115
What musical instruments are prominently used in Manipuri Sankirtana, often played by the dancers themselves?
Drums and cymbals.
116
Where is Manipuri Sankirtana traditionally performed?
In a Mandala (circular area) within a Mandapa (hall) attached to a temple or in a courtyard.
117
Where is the famous mural painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani located?
Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra.
118
What does 'Padmapani' literally mean?
"One holding the Padma (lotus flower)".
119
The crowns depicted in the Ajanta Padmapani painting are considered antecedents of those used by which religious priests today?
Vajracharya priests in Nepal.
120
Chaliha Sahib is a significant 40-day festival associated with which community and deity?
Sindhi community, honouring Lord Jhulelal.
121
Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra, held every 12 years, is a major pilgrimage festival in which Indian state?
Uttarakhand.
122
The 'Wari' is an annual pilgrimage undertaken by the Warkari community to Pandharpur in Maharashtra, honouring which deity?
Vithoba.
123
The Konark Sun Temple in Odisha was built by which king and dynasty in the 13th century?
King NarasimhaDeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
124
The Sun Temple at Arasavalli, dating back to the 7th century AD, is located in which Indian state?
Andhra Pradesh.
125
Is Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh primarily known for a Sun temple or a Shiva temple?
Shiva temple (one of the 12 Jyotirlingas).
126
Is Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh known for a major Sun temple?
No, it is primarily known as the origin point of the Narmada and Son rivers.
127
128
In South India (esp. Chola period context), what was 'Eripatti'?
Tank land - land donated whose revenue was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank.
129
What were 'Taniyurs' under the Chola administration?
Distinct revenue units.
130
According to the source text, what were 'Ghatikas' in the context of the Satavahanas?
Educational institutions.
131
In medieval Indian economic history, what does the term 'Araghatta' refer to?
A Persian wheel, a mechanical device using animal power to lift water for irrigation, especially from open wells.
132
What was the traditional profession of the 'Magadhas' in ancient India (approx. 4th c BC - 4th c AD)?
Memorizing and reciting chronicles, dynastic histories, and epic tales (Bards/chroniclers).
133
The movie "The Man Who Knew Infinity" is based on the life of which famous Indian mathematician?
Srinivasa Ramanujan.
134
Kalidasa's play Malavikagnimitram features Agnimitra, who belonged to which post-Mauryan dynasty?
Sunga dynasty.
135
Who founded the Sunga dynasty (c. 185-73 BCE) after the fall of the Mauryan Empire?
Pushyamitra Sunga, who was the commander-in-chief of the Mauryan army.
136
The Siddhas (Sittars) of the Tamil region held which core beliefs regarding God and worship?
Monotheism (belief in one God) and condemnation of idolatry.
137
The Lingayats of the Kannada region questioned which two key aspects of traditional Hindu belief/society?
The theory of rebirth and the caste hierarchy.
138
Lingayats are primarily devotees of which deity and follow the teachings of which 12th-century saint-philosopher?
Lord Shiva; Basavanna.
139
Who were the Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history?
Nomadic traders, originating from Rajasthan, known for travelling with bullocks and distinctive textile embroidery/tattooing.
140
Who was the British archaeologist/historian who first deciphered the Ashokan edicts?
James Prinsep.
141
Ashoka's inscriptions were primarily written in which script and language?
Brahmi script and Prakrit language.
142
What title, meaning "Beloved of the Gods", did King Ashoka frequently use in his edicts?
Devanampiya Piyadasi.
143
The concept of the Bodhisattva, a compassionate being striving for enlightenment, is central to which branch of Buddhism?
Mahayana Buddhism.
144
What is a key characteristic of a Bodhisattva's path, distinguishing it from striving for immediate personal liberation?
A Bodhisattva delays achieving their own salvation to help all other sentient beings on their path to enlightenment.
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146
Were the Ajanta Caves and the Mahabalipuram monuments built during the same historical period?
No. Ajanta spans roughly 200 BC - 650 AD, while Mahabalipuram dates to the 7th-8th centuries AD.
147
What are the primary religious affiliations associated with Ajanta Caves and Mahabalipuram monuments, respectively?
Ajanta: Buddhist. Mahabalipuram: Primarily Vaishnavite (Hindu).
148
Among the rock-cut elephant at Dhauli, Mahabalipuram monuments, and Udayagiri (MP) caves, which is considered the earliest?
The rock-cut elephant at Dhauli, dating to the Ashokan period (272-231 BC).
149
The Udayagiri caves near Vidisha, MP, known for the iconic Varaha sculpture, belong to which historical period?
Gupta period (c. 350-550 CE).
150
What does 'Kalamkari', an art form from Andhra Pradesh, literally mean in Persian, and what does it involve?
'Pen work'. It refers to hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile art.
151
Kalamkari art received significant patronage from which Deccan Sultanate?
Golconda Sultanate.
152
What types of dyes are traditionally used in Kalamkari?
Mostly vegetable dyes.
153
Sattriya dance originates from monastic institutions called 'Sattras' associated with which 15th/16th-century Vaishnava saint and state?
Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev; Assam.
154
Sattriya is considered a combination of which three performing arts elements?
Music, dance, and drama.
155
What are the musical compositions called that accompany Sattriya dance, often based on classical ragas?
Bargeets (composed by Sankardeva, Madhavdeva, etc.).
156
A famous depiction of Buddha's Mahaparinirvana (death scene) is found in which important cave complex?
Ajanta Caves.
157
The Udayagiri caves (MP) are particularly famous for a large sculpture depicting which avatar of Vishnu?
Varaha (the boar avatar) rescuing Bhudevi (Earth).
158
The massive rock relief known as 'Arjuna's Penance' or 'Descent of the Ganges' is located at which Pallava port town?
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), Tamil Nadu.
159
Kalaripayattu is a traditional martial art form that originated in which Indian state?
Kerala.
160
What is the traditional training ground or gymnasium for Kalaripayattu called?
Kalari.
161
Does the term 'Kalari' appear in ancient Tamil Sangam literature?
Yes, used to describe battlefields or combat arenas.
162
Garba, traditionally performed during Navratri, originates from which state?
Gujarat.
163
Mohiniattam, a classical dance known for its feminine grace, is associated with the temples of which state?
Kerala.
164
Which percussion instrument is particularly characteristic of Mohiniattam?
Edakka.
165
Yakshagana, a traditional folk dance-drama often based on epics, is primarily popular in which region of Karnataka?
Coastal Karnataka.
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168
Tabo Monastery, known as the "Ajanta of the Himalayas" for its murals, is located in which valley and state?
Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh.
169
Lhotsava Lhakhang temple, associated with the great translator Rinchen Zangpo, is located in which village/region of Himachal Pradesh?
Nako, Kinnaur Valley.
170
The Alchi Temple complex is a famous Buddhist monastery located in which Union Territory?
Ladakh (Leh district).
171
The Bijak is a primary compilation of the works of which Bhakti saint and the holy scripture for Kabirpanthis?
Kabir.
172
The Bijak is noted as one of the earliest major texts in which modern language/dialect?
Bagheli.
173
The philosophy of Pushti Marg ('Path of Grace/Nourishing') was propounded by which Vaishnava saint?
Vallabhacharya.
174
Pushti Marg is considered a sub-tradition of which major Vaishnava Sampradaya?
Rudra Sampradaya.
175
The Manganiyars are renowned folk musicians traditionally associated with the royal courts of which region?
Thar Desert, Rajasthan (Rajput courts).
176
Manganiyars are known to sing praises of both Sufi saints and which Hindu deity?
Lord Krishna.
177
What defines the 'Panchayatan' style of temple architecture?
A style where a central shrine is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines.
178
Which temple in Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh, is cited as an early example of the Panchayatan style?
Dashavatara Temple.
179
What does 'Shada Darshana' refer to in the context of Indian philosophy?
The six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy that developed from Vedic concepts.
180
List the six schools (Darshanas) of orthodox Indian philosophy.
Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, Vedanta.
181
What is the National Motto of India, and from which Upanishad is it derived?
'Satyameva Jayate' (Truth Alone Triumphs); from Mundaka Upanishad.
182
The State Emblem of India is an adaptation of which historical artifact?
The Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath.
183
What four animals are depicted on the frieze of the abacus in Ashoka's Lion Capital, separated by Dharma Chakras?
An elephant, a galloping horse, a bull, and a lion.
184
When was the State Emblem of India officially adopted?
January 26, 1950.
185
Chanderi sarees are characterized by which qualities?
Lightweight, sheer texture, fine luxurious feel (woven with silk/Zari in cotton yarn).
186
Kanchipuram silk sarees are known for which distinct features?
Heavy silk, bright colors, rich gold borders, traditional designs, dense fabric, often in contrasting colours.
187
According to the document, how many languages currently have the status of 'Classical Language' in India?
Six.
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190
Name the six languages currently recognized as 'Classical Languages' in India.
Tamil (2004), Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), Odia (2014).
191
What is one criterion regarding antiquity for a language to be declared Classical?
High antiquity of early texts/recorded history over 1500-2000 years.
192
What is a criterion regarding literary tradition for a language to be declared Classical?
Must have a body of ancient literature considered valuable heritage; tradition must be original, not borrowed.
193
In Buddhist/Jaina monastic complexes, what is a 'Chaitya'?
A prayer hall or place of worship.
194
In Buddhist/Jaina monastic complexes, what is a 'Vihara'?
A dwelling place or shelter for monks.
195
According to Buddhism, what is the root cause of all suffering?
Desire.
196
What does 'Nirvana' mean in Buddhism, and what does it signify?
Literally "blowing out"; signifies the cessation of desire and the end of suffering.
197
According to Jainism, how can one annihilate Karma and achieve liberation?
By practicing penance and asceticism, often necessitating monastic existence.
198
What core belief does Jainism hold about the animation of the world?
The entire world is animated; even stones, rocks, water have life/souls.
199
What principle, central to Jaina philosophy, emphasizes non-injury to all living beings?
Ahimsa.
200
Where can examples of ancient Indian mural paintings be found?
Ajanta caves, Alchi monastery, Bagh caves, Lepakshi temple.
201
The mural paintings at Lepakshi Temple are fine specimens from which kingdom's period?
Vijayanagara kingdom.
202
Sanchi Stupa, a UNESCO site since 1989, is believed to house the relics of whom?
Lord Buddha.
203
Who is considered the propounder of the Sankhya school of philosophy?
Kapila.
204
Sankhya philosophy holds that reality consists of which two fundamental principles?
Prakriti (female principle/matter) and Purusha (male principle/consciousness).
205
Does Sankhya philosophy accept the theory of rebirth?
Yes.
206
In Sankhya, what kind of knowledge leads to liberation (freedom from identifying with Prakriti)?
Viveka Jnana (knowledge through discrimination).
207
Odissi dance techniques are built around which two basic postures?
Chowk and Tribhanga.
208
Describe the 'Chowk' posture in Odissi.
A square-like, masculine stance with body weight equally balanced.
209
Describe the 'Tribhanga' posture in Odissi.
A feminine stance with deflections at the neck, torso, and knees, creating curves.
210
Which cave complex is considered the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, dating to the Mauryan period?
Barabar Caves.
211
The Badami cave temples in Karnataka, dating from the 6th century AD, are primarily associated with which dynasty?
Badami Chalukyas.
212
The Barabar caves were constructed by which Mauryan emperor for the use of Ajivika ascetics?
Emperor Ashoka.
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215
Ellora Caves, a UNESCO site in Maharashtra, represent which three major religious faiths?
Buddhism, Brahmanism (Hinduism), and Jainism.
216
Dhrupad, considered the oldest form of Indian Classical music, traces its origin to chanting hymns from which Veda?
Sama Veda (via Gandharva Veda).
217
Dhrupad is primarily a genre within which system of Indian classical music (Hindustani or Carnatic)?
Hindustani Classical music.
218
What kind of themes does Dhrupad music primarily focus on?
Devotional, heroic, and spiritual themes.
219
The 'Alap' section in Dhrupad uses Sanskrit syllables derived from what source?
Mantras.
220
Which classical dance form, originating in Andhra Pradesh, occasionally includes spoken dialogue by the dancers?
Kuchipudi.
221
Which classical dance form, originating in Tamil Nadu temples (formerly Sadir/Dasi Attam), generally does not include spoken dialogue?
Bharatanatyam.
222
Performing Tarangam (dancing on the edge of a brass plate, often with a water pot) is a characteristic feature of which dance form?
Kuchipudi (specifically Balgopala Taranga).
223
In Sufism, what is a 'khanqah'?
A hospice or community center controlled by a teaching master.
224
What terms are used for a Sufi teaching master?
Shaikh (Arabic), Pir or Murshid (Persian).
225
What is 'Muraqaba' in Sufi practice?
A form of meditation.
226
Sufi mystics often used recitation of holy songs (like Qawwali) for what purpose?
To arouse a state of ecstasy in the audience.
227
What does the 'Bhumisparsha Mudra' (associated with Buddha) literally mean?
'Touching the earth'.
228
What event does the Bhumisparsha Mudra symbolize in Buddha's life?
Buddha calling the Earth to witness his enlightenment/purity against Mara's temptations and challenges.
229
During the Early Vedic period (c. 1500-1000 BC), what entities were primarily worshipped?
Manifestations of nature (moon, sky, sun, etc.) through Yajnas.
230
Did the Vedic religion emphasize the Doctrine of Karma?
Yes, believing good deeds were rewarded and evil deeds punished.
231
By which century were specialized surgical instruments, associated with Sushruta, in common use in India?
1st century AD.
232
The concept of sine in trigonometry was known in India by which century, associated with Aryabhata?
5th century AD.
233
The concept of cyclic quadrilaterals and their area formula was known by which century, associated with Brahmagupta?
7th century AD.
234
What were two points of commonality between early Buddhism and Jainism regarding Vedic authority and rituals?
Indifference to the authority of the Vedas and denial of the efficacy of rituals.
235
How did Buddhism (Middle Path) and Jainism differ in their approach to ascetic practices?
Buddhism advocated avoiding extremes, while Jainism advocated extreme penance and asceticism.
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238
According to Jain philosophy, is the world created by a deity?
No, Jain philosophy holds the world is created and maintained by Universal Law, and the universe/its constituents have always existed.
239
Was religion the dominant factor in the Indus Valley Civilization?
No, it is regarded as a secular civilization by historians.
240
What evidence suggests the Indus Valley Civilization people were the first to spin and weave cotton?
Fragments of cotton textiles found at Mohenjo-Daro (1929) and cotton seeds at Mehrgarh dated to 5000 BCE.
241
In ancient Vedic thought, what did 'Dharma' primarily refer to?
The discharge of one's duties and obligations ('to hold').
242
In ancient Vedic thought, what did 'Rita' refer to?
The principle of natural or moral order governing the universe.
243
Tabo Monastery in Himachal Pradesh is also known by what nickname due to its extensive murals?
'Ajanta of the Himalayas'.
244
Which institution, set up by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1959, is India's foremost theatre training institution?
National School of Drama (NSD).
245
What is the highest honour conferred by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, limited to 21 individuals at any time?
Electing someone as its Fellow ('immortals of literature').
246
The colossal monolithic statue of Gomateshwara (Bahubali) is located at which Jain pilgrimage site in Karnataka?
Shravanabelagola.
247
What is the ceremony called where the Gomateshwara statue is anointed, occurring every 12 years?
Mahamastakabhisheka.
248
What is the Jain philosophical doctrine of 'Anekantavada'?
Recognizing multiple perspectives ("no-one-perspective-ism"), resisting dogmatism.
249
The manuscripts of which ancient Indian text were inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in 2007?
Rig Veda.
250
Which former Prime Minister of India translated Madam Curie's autobiography into Hindi?
Lal Bahadur Shastri.
251
The ancient city and archaeological site of Takshashila (Taxila), a UNESCO site, is located between which two rivers?
Indus and Jhelum rivers (in modern Pakistan).
252
What is the correct chronological order of the Bhakti saints Ramanuja, Chaitanya, and Shankaracharya?
Shankaracharya (c. 788 CE) -> Ramanuja (11th c. CE) -> Chaitanya (16th c. CE).
253
Which ruler of Kalinga (1st c. BC) is known from the Hathigumpha inscription?
Kharavela.
254
The Hathigumpha inscription detailing Kharavela's achievements is located in a Jain cave at which site?
Udayagiri hills (Odisha).
255
Kharavela, the ancient king of Kalinga, was a follower of which religion according to the Hathigumpha inscription?
Jainism.
256
The Chinese pilgrim Fa Hien visited India during the reign of which Gupta emperor?
Chandragupta II (5th c. AD).
257
The Chinese pilgrim Hsuan Tsang (Xuanzang) visited India during the reign of which North Indian ruler?
Harsha (7th c. AD).
258
Which Indian ruler, initially a Shaiva, later became a great patron of Buddhism and convened an assembly at Kanauj?
Harsha.
259
Who wrote the Sanskrit play Mrichchhakatika (The Little Clay Cart)?
Shudraka.
260
What is notable about the characters and perspective in Mrichchhakatika compared to typical classical plays?
It depicts the life of common people rather than focusing only on royals or nobles.
261
Was Vardhaman Mahavira's mother, Trishala, the daughter or sister of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka?
Sister.
262
Gautama Buddha's birth mother, Mahamaya, belonged to a ruling family of which dynasty/state?
Koshalan dynasty (Deodah state).
263
Which Jain Tirthankara, son of King Ashvasena of Varanasi, achieved Nirvana on Sammet Sikhar?
Parshvanath (23rd Tirthankara).
264
Which ruler of the Bijapur Sultanate wrote the book 'Kitab-i-Nauras' concerning the theory of nine Ragas?
Ibrahim Adil Shah II.
265
Who is widely regarded as the 'Father of Qawwali music' and was the first writer to use Urdu as a poetic medium?
Amir Khusrau.
266
Who was the first Bhakti saint to use Hindi for propagating his message and founded the Ramanandi Sampradaya?
Ramananda (14th century).
267
Who wrote the Sanskrit historical play Mudrarakshasa about Chandragupta Maurya's rise to power?
Vishakhadatta.
268
Ziauddin Barani was a prominent political thinker and historian during the reign of which Delhi Sultans?
Muhammad bin Tughlaq and Firoz Shah Tughlaq.
269
Name two major works written by Ziauddin Barani.
"Taarikh-i-Firoz Shahi" and "Fatwa-i-Jahandari".
270
What is Pavarana in Theravada Buddhism?
A holy day marking the end of the rainy season retreat, where monks atone for offenses before the community.
271
The Hoysala school of temple art (1050-1300 AD) had prominent centers at which locations in Karnataka?
Belur, Halebid, and Sringeri.
272
What is the term for the star-shaped ground plan characteristic of Hoysala temples?
Stellate plan.
273
What was the main building material used in Hoysala temples, allowing for intricate carving?
Soft soapstone (Chlorite schist).
274
Which Kushana king convened the 4th Buddhist Council in Kashmir, considered the start of Mahayana Buddhism?
Kanishka.
275
Who presided over the 4th Buddhist Council convened by Kanishka?
Vasumitra.
276
What was the standard shape and material of Harappan seals?
Square shape, made from steatite.
277
What famous Harappan seal depicts a seated figure surrounded by animals like an elephant, tiger, rhino, and buffalo?
The Pashupati Seal from Mohenjo-Daro.
278
The Gandhara School of Art (c. 50 BC - 500 AD) developed in which geographical region?
Western frontiers of Punjab (modern Peshawar/Afghanistan region).
279
Gandhara art was primarily patronized by which dynasty?
Kushana rulers.
280
What are key characteristics of the Odisha style of temple architecture, exemplified by the Lingaraj Temple?
Lavishly carved exteriors, plain interiors, no pillars in the porch (iron girders used for roof support).
281
What was 'Alam Ara', adapted from a Parsi play?
The first Indian talkie film (1931).
282
Which Indian painter (1871-1951) belonged to the Bengal School and sought to revive traditional Indian art forms?
Abanindranath Tagore.
283
The Jama Masjid in Srinagar, built by Sultan Sikandar, shows influences from which architectural style besides Islamic?
Persian architecture, with similarities noted to Buddhist pagodas.
284
What is the correct chronological order of construction for these Delhi monuments: Tughlaqabad Fort, Qutub Minar, Fatehpur Sikri, Lodhi Garden (British development)?
Qutub Minar (1193) -> Tughlaqabad Fort (1321) -> Fatehpur Sikri (1569) -> Lodhi Garden development (1936). Note: Tombs within Lodhi Garden are 15th/16th c.
285
Who began the construction of the Qutub Minar in 1193?
Qutab-ud-din Aibak.
286
Who built Tughlaqabad Fort in 1321?
Ghiyas-ud-din-Tughlaq.
287
Fatehpur Sikri was built by which Mughal emperor in honor of Sheikh Salim Chishti?
Akbar (in 1569).
288
Is it true that Gandhara art shows heavy Greek influence?
Yes, it is also known as Indo-Greek art.
289
Did the Kushana patrons of Gandhara art, like Kanishka, primarily support Hinayana or Mahayana Buddhism?
Mahayana Buddhism.
290
How is Buddha typically depicted in Gandhara art influenced by Mahayana Buddhism?
In a spiritual state, with wavy hair, fewer ornaments, seated as a yogi, eyes half-closed in meditation.
