704 practice questions covering Art & Culture, organised into 15 topics.
704 questions include a written explanation; 66 are from previous year papers.
Pick a topic below, or try the samples first.
What is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram?
1. Both were built in the same period.
2. Both belong to the same religious denomination.
3. Both have rock-cut monuments.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
A1 and 2 only
B3 only
C1 and 3 only
DNone of the statements given above is correct
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B - 3 only
Ajanta's caves were largely created between the 2nd century BCE and the 6th century CE, whereas the Mahabalipuram monuments belong mainly to the 7th-8th century CE Pallava period, so they were not built in the same period and statement 1 is wrong. Ajanta is essentially Buddhist while Mahabalipuram is predominantly Hindu, so they do not share the same religious denomination, making statement 2 incorrect. Both sites, however, are celebrated for their rock-cut architecture, so statement 3 is correct, giving the answer (b). Options (a), (c) and (d) wrongly accept the false statements or deny the valid one.
Q2
Previous year questioneasy
The national motto of India, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from
AKatha Upanishad
BChandagya Upanishad
CAitareya Upanishad
DMundaka Upanishad
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D - Mundaka Upanishad
The national motto 'Satyameva Jayate' is taken from the Mundaka Upanishad. It does not originate in the Katha, Chandogya or Aitareya Upanishads. Hence Mundaka Upanishad.
Q3
Previous year questionhard
Consider the following pairs :
Traditions - Communities
1. Chaliha Sahib Festival - Sindhis
2. Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra - Gonds
3. Wari-Warkari - Santhals
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
DNone of the above
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A - 1 only
Only pair 1 is correct: the Chaliha Sahib festival, dedicated to Jhulelal, is celebrated by the Sindhi community. Pair 2 is wrong because the Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra is a Himalayan pilgrimage of Uttarakhand associated with the worship of goddess Nanda Devi, not the Gonds of central India. Pair 3 is wrong because the Wari-Warkari tradition is a Maharashtrian pilgrimage of devotees of Vitthal to Pandharpur, unconnected to the Santhal tribe. Hence only 1 is matched.
Q4
Previous year questioneasy
Which one of the following was given classical language status recently?
AOdia
BKonkani
CBhojpuri
DAssamese
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A - Odia
Odia was conferred classical language status in 2014, becoming the sixth Indian language to be so recognised (after Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam) and the first from the Indo-Aryan family. Konkani, Bhojpuri and Assamese had not been granted this status at the time of the 2015 exam, so they are wrong (Assamese was recognised only much later, in 2024).
Q5
Previous year questionmedium
The well-known painting "Bani Thani" belongs to the
ABundi school
BJaipur school
CKangra school
DKishangarh school
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D - Kishangarh school
Bani Thani is the iconic painting of the Kishangarh school of Rajasthani miniature painting, often called the 'Indian Mona Lisa', associated with the patronage of Raja Sawant Singh and the artist Nihal Chand. The Bundi and Jaipur schools, though also Rajasthani, are distinguished by different stylistic conventions and subjects and are not linked to this work. The Kangra school belongs to the Pahari tradition of the Himalayan foothills, not Rajasthan. Hence Bani Thani belongs to the Kishangarh school.
Q6
Previous year questionmedium
With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world?
AAvalokiteshvara
BLokesvara
CMaitreya
DPadmapani
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C - Maitreya
In Buddhist tradition Maitreya is the future Buddha who is prophesied to appear and renew the teaching when the present dharma has declined, so (c) is correct. Avalokiteshvara (a), Lokesvara (b, another name of Avalokiteshvara) and Padmapani (d) are bodhisattvas of compassion already venerated in the current age, not the awaited future Buddha. Maitreya alone holds the specific role of the Buddha yet to come.
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