01. Lord Buddha’s image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called ‘Bhumisparsha Mudra’. It symbolizes
(a) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to watch over Mara and to prevent Mara from disturbing his meditation
(b) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara
(c) Buddha’s reminder to his followers that they all arise from the Earth and finally dissolve into the Earth, and thus this life is transitory
(d) Both the statements (a) and (b) are correct in this context
Solution (b).
02. Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference between the two?
(a) Vihara is a place of worship, while Chaitya is the dwelling place of the monks
(b)Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
(c) Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the cave, while Vihara is the hall axial to it
(d) There is no material difference between the two
Solution (b).
03. With reference to the cultural history of India, the term ‘Panchayatan’ refers to
a. an assembly of village elders
b. a religious sect’
c. a style of temple construction
d. an administrative functionary
Solution: C.
04. Consider the following historical places
1. Ajanta Caves
2. Lepakshi Temple
3. Sanchi Stupa
Which of the above places is/are also known for mural paintings?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None
Solution (b).
05. Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was
1. the mosque for the use of the Royal Family
2. Akbar’s private chamber prayer
3. the hall in which Akbar held discussions with scholars of various religions.
4. the room in which the nobles belonging to different religions gathered to discuss religious affairs.
Solution 3.
06. With reference to Dhrupad, one of the major traditions of India that has been kept alive for centuries, which of the following statements are correct?
1. Dhrupad originated and developed in the Rajput kingdoms during the Mughal period.
2. Dhrupad is primarily devotional and spiritual music.
3. Dhrupad Alap uses Sanskrit syllables from Mantras.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None of the above is correct
Solution (b).
07. How do you distinguish between Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dances?
1. Dancers occasionally speaking dialogues is found in Kuchipudi dance but not in Bharatanatyam.
2. Dancing on the brass plate by keeping the feet on its edges is a feature of Bharatanatyam but Kuchipudi dance does not have such a form of movements.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution (a).
08. Samsara’ is associated with which of the following
1. Buddhism
2. Jainism
3. Hinduism
Select the correct option
(a) Only 1
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 1,2 and 3
(d) 2 and 3
Answer: C.
09. A community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their
A. martial arts in North-East India
B. musical tradition in North-West India
C. classical vocal music in South India
D. pietra dura tradition in Central India
Solution: B.
10. With reference to India’s culture and tradition, what is ‘Kalaripayattu’?
a. It is an ancient Bhakti cult of Shaivism still prevalent in some parts of South India
b. It is an ancient style bronze and brasswork still found in the southern part of Coromandel area
c. It is an ancient form of dance-drama and a living tradition in the northern part of Malabar
d. It is an ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India
Solution: D.
(a) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to watch over Mara and to prevent Mara from disturbing his meditation
(b) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara
(c) Buddha’s reminder to his followers that they all arise from the Earth and finally dissolve into the Earth, and thus this life is transitory
(d) Both the statements (a) and (b) are correct in this context
Solution (b).
02. Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference between the two?
(a) Vihara is a place of worship, while Chaitya is the dwelling place of the monks
(b)Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
(c) Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the cave, while Vihara is the hall axial to it
(d) There is no material difference between the two
Solution (b).
03. With reference to the cultural history of India, the term ‘Panchayatan’ refers to
a. an assembly of village elders
b. a religious sect’
c. a style of temple construction
d. an administrative functionary
Solution: C.
04. Consider the following historical places
1. Ajanta Caves
2. Lepakshi Temple
3. Sanchi Stupa
Which of the above places is/are also known for mural paintings?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None
Solution (b).
05. Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was
1. the mosque for the use of the Royal Family
2. Akbar’s private chamber prayer
3. the hall in which Akbar held discussions with scholars of various religions.
4. the room in which the nobles belonging to different religions gathered to discuss religious affairs.
Solution 3.
06. With reference to Dhrupad, one of the major traditions of India that has been kept alive for centuries, which of the following statements are correct?
1. Dhrupad originated and developed in the Rajput kingdoms during the Mughal period.
2. Dhrupad is primarily devotional and spiritual music.
3. Dhrupad Alap uses Sanskrit syllables from Mantras.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None of the above is correct
Solution (b).
07. How do you distinguish between Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dances?
1. Dancers occasionally speaking dialogues is found in Kuchipudi dance but not in Bharatanatyam.
2. Dancing on the brass plate by keeping the feet on its edges is a feature of Bharatanatyam but Kuchipudi dance does not have such a form of movements.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution (a).
08. Samsara’ is associated with which of the following
1. Buddhism
2. Jainism
3. Hinduism
Select the correct option
(a) Only 1
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 1,2 and 3
(d) 2 and 3
Answer: C.
09. A community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their
A. martial arts in North-East India
B. musical tradition in North-West India
C. classical vocal music in South India
D. pietra dura tradition in Central India
Solution: B.
10. With reference to India’s culture and tradition, what is ‘Kalaripayattu’?
a. It is an ancient Bhakti cult of Shaivism still prevalent in some parts of South India
b. It is an ancient style bronze and brasswork still found in the southern part of Coromandel area
c. It is an ancient form of dance-drama and a living tradition in the northern part of Malabar
d. It is an ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India
Solution: D.
