Q. Harappa belongs to which age?
a). Stone Age
b). Bronze Age
c). Iron Age
d). Copper Age
Answer: b). Bronze Age
Explanation: Harappa, part of the Indus Valley Civilization, flourished during the Bronze Age, when people used bronze tools and developed advanced urban planning, trade, and craftsmanship.
Q. Mahajanapadas belong to which age?
a). Stone Age
b). Bronze Age
c). Iron Age
d). Chalcolithic Age
Answer: c). Iron Age
Explanation: The Mahajanapadas emerged during the Iron Age, around the 6th century BCE, when iron tools and weapons contributed to agricultural expansion and the rise of powerful kingdoms in northern India.
Q. What is the Iron Pillar at Mehrauli in Delhi mainly made of?
a). Wood
b). Iron
c). Steel
d). Bronze
Answer: b). Iron
Explanation: It is made of iron, 7.2. m high, and weighs over 3 tonnes. It was made about 1500 years ago.
Q. What is the meaning of the word “Stupa”?
a). Mound
b). Circle
c). Temple
d). Path
Answer: a). Mound
Q. In the context of a stupa, what does the relic basket contain?
a). Sacred texts and scriptures
b). Bones, ashes, or belongings of the Buddha or monks
c). Offerings made by devotees
d). Precious jewels and ornaments
Answer: b). Bones, ashes, or belongings of the Buddha or monks
Explanation: The relic basket placed inside a stupa contains sacred relics such as the bones, ashes, or personal belongings of the Buddha or revered monks, symbolizing their spiritual presence.
Q. Circumambulation around a stupa is known as:
a). Pradakshina patha
b). Puja
c). Dhyana
d). Yajna
Answer: a). Pradakshina patha
Explanation: Pradakshina means walking clockwise around the stupa as a mark of respect and devotion, symbolizing the path to enlightenment. This was surrounded with railings
Q. The famous Amravati Stupa is located in which present-day Indian state?
a). Maharashtra
b). Andhra Pradesh
c). Madhya Pradesh
d). Uttar Pradesh
Answer: b). Andhra Pradesh
Explanation: The Amravati Stupa, also known as the Great Stupa at Amravati
Q. The Sanchi Stupa is located in which Indian state?
a). Uttar Pradesh
b). Madhya Pradesh
c). Bihar
d). Odisha
Answer: b). Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: The Sanchi Stupa is situated near Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.
Q. The Sanchi Stupa was originally built by which ruler?
a). Chandragupta Maurya
b). Ashoka
c). Harsha
d). Kanishka
Answer: b). Ashoka
Explanation: Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya dynasty built the original Sanchi Stupa in the 3rd century BCE to enshrine the relics of the Buddha.
Q. What is the Garbhagriha in a Hindu temple?
a). The outer hall for devotees
b). The main tower above the temple
c). The inner sanctum where the main deity is placed
d). The entrance gateway of the temple
Answer: c). The inner sanctum where the main deity is placed
Explanation: The Garbhagriha, meaning “womb chamber,” is the innermost and most sacred part of a Hindu temple. It houses the main idol or image of the deity. . It was here that priests performed religious rituals, and devotees offered worship to the deity.
Q. A tower built on top of the Garbhagriha to mark it as a sacred place is called:
a). Mandapa
b). Shikhara
c). Gopuram
d). Amalaka
Answer: b). Shikhara
Explanation: The Shikhara is the tower constructed above the Garbhagriha.
Q. A hall in a temple where people could assemble is called:
a). Garbhagriha
b). Mandapa
c). Shikhara
d). Gopuram
Answer: b). Mandapa
Explanation: The Mandapa is a pillared hall in a temple where devotees gather for prayers, rituals, and religious ceremonies. It serves as the main assembly area before entering the Garbhagriha.
Q. A temple that is carved out of a single rock is called:
a). Stone temple
b). Monolith temple
c). Pagoda
d). Stupa
Answer: b). Monolith temple
Explanation: A Monolith temple is a structure hewn entirely from a single rock, rather than being built with separate stones. Examples Pancha Rathas at Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu).
Q. The Aihole temples were primarily built during the reign of which dynasty?
a). Maurya
b). Chalukya
c). Gupta
d). Rashtrakuta
Answer: b). Chalukya
Q. The paints used in the Ajanta Caves are made up of:
a). Synthetic chemicals
b). Natural pigments from minerals and plants
c). Oil and acrylic colors
d). Charcoal only
Answer: b). Natural pigments from minerals and plants
Explanation: The Ajanta Cave paintings were created using natural pigments derived from minerals, stones, and plant sources.
Q. Who is the author of Silappadikaram?
a). Kalidasa
b). Ilango
c). Thiruvalluvar
d). Kamban
Answer: b). Ilango
Explanation: Silappadikaram was composed by a poet named Ilango, around 1800 years ago.
Q. Which of the following statements about Silappadikaram is/are correct?
1. The epic narrates the story of Kannagi and Kovalan.
2. Kovalan was wrongly executed in Madurai.
3. Kannagi destroyed the city of Puhar in anger.
a). 1 and 2 only
b). 2 and 3 only
c). 1 and 3 only
d). All of the above
Answer: a). 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Silappadikaram is the story of a merchant named Kovalan, who lived in Puhar and fell in love with a courtesan named Madhavi
Q. Who wrote the Tamil epic Manimekalai?
a). Ilango Adigal
b). Kaviraj
c). Sattanar
d). Bharathiyar
Answer: c). Sattanar
Explanation: The Manimekalai was composed by Sattanar around 1400 years ago.
Q. What is Manimekalai primarily about?
a). The life of Kovalan
b). The rise of the Chola dynasty
c). The story of the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi
d). The politics of Tamil kings
Answer: c). The story of the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi
Q. Who is the author of the Sanskrit poem Meghaduta?
a). Shurdas
b). Kalidasa
c). Banabhatta
d). Ashvaghosa
Answer: b). Kalidasa
Explanation: Meghaduta (The Cloud Messenger) was written by the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa. It is one of his most famous works, illustrating the beauty of nature and emotions.
Q. What is the cloud symbolized as in Meghaduta?
a). A messenger of gods
b). A symbol of peace
c). A symbol of longing and separation
d). A messenger of death
Answer: c). A symbol of longing and separation
Explanation: The cloud in Meghaduta is symbolized as a messenger of longing, carrying the Yaksha’s deep emotions of separation from his beloved wife.
Q. What does the term Purana literally mean in Sanskrit?
a). New
b). Old
c). Eternal
d). Religious
Answer: b). Old
Q. In which language were the majority of the Puranas originally composed?
a). Tamil
b). Sanskrit
c). Prakrit
d). Pali
Answer: b). Sanskrit
Explanation: The Puranas were written in simple Sanskrit verse, and were meant to be heard by everybody, including women and shudras, who were not allowed to study the Vedas.
Q. Who is the author of the Mahabharata?
a). Valmiki
b). Vyasa
c). Kalidasa
d). Bhasa
Answer: b). Vyasa
Explanation: The Mahabharata is about a war fought between the Kauravas and Pandavas, who were cousins.
Q. What is the primary focus of the Mahabharata?
a). The birth of Lord Krishna
b). The rivalry between the Pandavas and Kauravas
c). The journey of the soul after death
d). The creation of the universe
Answer: b). The rivalry between the Pandavas and Kauravas
Explanation: The Mahabharata primarily focuses on the conflict between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, two branches of the Kuru dynasty, and the great war (the Kurukshetra War) that results from this rivalry.
Q. The Mahabharata was fought to gain control of the throne of which kingdom?
a). Hastinapura
b). Magadha
c). Ayodhya
d). Kashi
Answer: a). Hastinapura
Explanation: The Mahābhārata revolves around the conflict between the Pandavas and the Kauravas over the throne of Hastinapura, the capital of the Kuru kingdom.
Q. Who is the author of the Ramayana?
a). Kalidasa
b). Vyasa
c). Valmiki
d). Bhasa
Answer: c). Valmiki
Explanation: The Ramayana is traditionally attributed to the sage Valmiki, who composed the epic in Sanskrit.
Q. What is the primary focus of the Ramayana?
a). The creation of the world
b). The adventures of Lord Vishnu
c). The life and journey of Lord Rama
d). The teachings of Sage Vyasa
Answer: c). The life and journey of Lord Rama
Explanation: The Ramayana primarily focuses on the life of Lord Rama, his exile, his battle to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana, and the triumph of good over evil.
Q. Which Jataka tale involving a monkey is commonly depicted on the Bharhut Stupa?
a). The Monkey King
b). The Clever Monkey
c). The Monkey’s Sacrifice
d). The Golden Monkey
Answer: a). The Monkey King
Explanation: One of the most famous Jataka tales depicted on the Sanchi Stupa is about the Monkey King. In this story, the monkey king sacrifices himself to save his subjects, reflecting themes of leadership, selflessness, and compassion.
Q. Aryabhata is known for his work in which field?
a). Literature
b). Mathematics and Astronomy
c). Medicine
d). Architecture
Answer: b). Mathematics and Astronomy
Explanation: Aryabhata was a pioneering mathematician and astronomer, best known for his work on the approximation of pi, his theories on the solar system, scientific explanation for eclipses and the concept of zero.
Q. The most famous book written by Aryabhata is called:
a). Silappadikarman
b). Aryabhatiyam
c). Manimekalai
d). Ramayana
Answer: b). Aryabhatiyam
Explanation: The Aryabhatiya was written in Sanskrit.
Q. Which Indian mathematician first found a method for calculating the circumference of a circle?
a). Aryabhata
b). Brahmagupta
c). Varahamihira
d). Bhaskaracharya
Answer: a). Aryabhata
Q. The symbol for zero was first invented in which country?
a). Greece
b). India
c). Egypt
d). China
Answer: b). India
Explanation: The symbol for zero as we know it today was first developed in India.
Q. Charaka is best known for his work in which field?
a). Architecture
b). Literature
c). Mathematics
d). Medicine and Ayurveda
Answer: d). Medicine and Ayurveda
Explanation: Charaka is most famous for his contributions to Ayurveda, the ancient system of medicine.
Q. The main text authored by Charaka is:
a). Sushruta Samhita
b). Charaka Samhita
c). Ayurveda Ratnakara
d). Dhanvantari Samhita
Answer: b). Charaka Samhita
Explanation: Charak Samhita, written by Charak (1st-2nd centuries C.E.) is a remarkable book on medicine.
Q. Sushruta, one of the greatest ancient surgeons, is credited with authoring which of the following texts?
a). Charaka Samhita
b). Sushruta Samhita
c). Bhagavad Gita
d). Manusmriti
Answer: b). Sushruta Samhita
Explanation: Sushruta Samhita is the ancient text attributed to Sushruta (c. 4th century C.E.), where he provides detailed descriptions of surgical techniques, medical instruments, and various treatments.
Q. Paper was first invented in which country?
a). Egypt
b). China
c). India
d). Greece
Answer: b). China
Explanation: Paper was first invented in China around the 2nd century BCE during the Han Dynasty, attributed to the court official Cai Lun.
Q. Who is credited with the invention of paper in ancient China?
a). Confucius
b). Cai Lun
c). Laozi
d). Emperor Wu
Answer: b). Cai Lun
Q. 1 Arrange the following locations in the correct order for the spread of paper-making, starting from China to Baghdad:
1. China
2. Japan
3. Korea
4. Baghdad
a). 1 → 2 → 3 → 4
b). 2 → 1 → 4 → 3
c). 1 → 3 → 2 → 4
d). 4 → 3 → 1 → 2
Answer: c). 1 → 3 → 2 → 4