Art and Culture – GK Questions

Ans: D

Explanation:Harsh-Charita is a biography of the Indian emperor Harshavardhana, written in Sanskrit by Banabhatta, who was a court poet in Harshavardhana’s empire.
Correct_Option:D

Ans: B

Explanation:In the Rigveda, Indra is frequently depicted as a powerful warrior god who defeats enemies, especially the demon Vritra, and is associated with thunder, storms, and battles. He is often referred to as the king of the gods and is considered the embodiment of strength and heroism, earning him the title of War-God. Agni is the god of fire and sacrifice, Surya is the sun god, and Varuna is the god of cosmic order and oceans.
Correct_Option:B

Ans: C

Explanation:Huin Tsang (Xuanzang) was a Chinese Buddhist monk and traveler who visited India during the reign of King Harshavardhana (also known as Harshavardhan) in the 7th century CE. His travels and writings provide valuable insights into the political, social, and religious conditions of India during that period.
Correct_Option:C

Ans: C

Explanation:Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India, was commissioned in 1650 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and completed in 1656.
Correct_Option:C

Ans: A

Explanation:Xuanzang, also known as Huin-Tsang, was a Chinese Buddhist monk who traveled to India in the 7th century. His travelogue, Si-Yu-Ki (meaning “Record of the Western Regions”), provides detailed accounts of the political, social, economic, and religious conditions of ancient India during his visit, making it a crucial source for historians. Kitab-e-Hind is a work by Al-Biruni. Hi-Nu-Si is not a recognized work by Xuanzang.
Correct_Option:A

Ans: C

Explanation:Chanakya, also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, was a renowned scholar, philosopher, economist, and royal advisor. He is famously credited with advising and guiding Chandragupta Maurya in establishing the Maurya Empire in ancient India.
Correct_Option:C

Ans: C

Explanation:The question asks for three great Chinese pilgrims who visited India between the 5th and 7th centuries AD. Fa-Hien visited in the early 5th century AD. Huin-Tsang visited in the 7th century AD. I-Tsing visited in the late 7th century AD. Megasthenes was a Greek ambassador who visited India in the 4th century BC, long before the specified period. Therefore, the correct combination is Fa-Hien, Huin-Tsang, and I-Tsing.
Correct_Option:C

Ans: C

Explanation:In the epic Ramayana, Mandavi was the daughter of King Janaka’s brother Kushadhvaja and Queen Chandrabhaga. She was married to Bharat, the younger brother of Lord Rama. Sita was Rama’s wife, and Urmila was Lakshmana’s wife. Shrutakeerti was the wife of Shatrughna.
Correct_Option:C

Ans: D

Explanation:The First Carnatic War was fought between the British East India Company and the French East India Company from 1746 to 1748. It was part of the larger War of Austrian Succession in Europe.
Correct_Option:D

Ans: D

Explanation:In the Mahabharat, Abhimanyu was the son of Arjuna and Subhadra. Subhadra was the sister of Krishna.
Correct_Option:D

Ans: B

Explanation:Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12, 1863, in Calcutta (now Kolkata). This day is celebrated as National Youth Day in India.
Correct_Option:B

Ans: C

Explanation:Kathak is a classical dance form that originated in North India. The word “Kathak” is derived from the Sanskrit word “katha,” which means “story” or “tale.” Kathak dancers are essentially storytellers who use intricate footwork, gestures, and facial expressions to narrate ancient Indian epics and myths. Odissi is from Odisha, Kuchipudi is from Andhra Pradesh, and Bharatnatyam is from Tamil Nadu.
Correct_Option:C

Ans: A

Explanation: While multiple leaders participated in the Revolt of 1857, Ahmadullah Shah was a key figure who played a significant role in inciting and leading the rebellion in the Rohilkhand region, particularly in Bareilly and Faizabad. Rani Lakshmibai led the revolt in Jhansi, Kunwar Singh in Bihar, and Bahadur Shah Zafar was the titular emperor of the revolt.
Correct_Option:A

Ans: C

Explanation:The Tripitaka is the collection of scriptures of Theravada Buddhism, considered to be the earliest recorded teachings of the Buddha. The term “Tripitaka” means “three baskets” in Sanskrit and Pali, referring to the three main sections of the canon: the Vinaya Pitaka (rules of discipline), the Sutta Pitaka (discourses of the Buddha), and the Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophical analysis). The Upanishads and Vedas are sacred texts of Hinduism, and Jatakas are a collection of tales about the Buddha’s previous lives, which are part of the Sutta Pitaka within the Tripitaka.
Correct_Option:C

Ans: D

Explanation:The book “The Wonder That Was India” was written by A. L. Basham, whose name is sometimes transliterated with slight variations. Among the given options, the closest and most likely intended answer is D, as the author’s name is not directly provided in full but can be inferred as a likely match due to common knowledge about this significant historical work.
Correct_Option:D

Ans: A

Explanation:The 2011 Census of India data indicates that Kerala has consistently had the highest literacy rate among Indian states for several decades, including in 2011.
Correct_Option:A

Ans: C

Explanation:Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah I, a prominent noble in the Mughal Empire, declared his independence from the declining Mughal authority and established the Asaf Jahi dynasty, which ruled the Hyderabad State. This event took place in 1724.
Correct_Option:C

Ans: B

Explanation:Tipu Sultan, also known as the Tiger of Mysore, ruled the Kingdom of Mysore from 1782 until his death in 1799. He inherited the throne from his father, Hyder Ali.
Correct_Option:B

Ans: D

Explanation: The Sikh Khalsa was established by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. Its primary purpose was to create a disciplined warrior community (the Khalsa) to defend the oppressed and uphold righteousness, thus instilling a strong martial spirit among the Sikhs.
Correct_Option: D