Q. Match the following:
1. Anantavarman a). Kerala
2. Jagannatha b). Bengal
3. Mahodayapuram c). Odisha
4. Lilatilakam d). Kangra
5. Mangalakavya e). Puri
6. Miniature
Options
a). 1-d, 2-c, 3-c, 4-a, 5-e, 6-d
b). 1-c, 2-c, 3-a, 4-a, 5-e, 6-d
c). 1-b, 2-c, 3-c, 4-a, 5-e, 6-d
d). 1-c, 2-e, 3-a, 4-a, 5-b, 6-d
Answer: d). 1-c, 2-e, 3-a, 4-a, 5-b, 6-d
Q. The kingdom of Mahodayapuram was established in which century?
a). 6th century CE
b). 8th century CE
c). 9th century CE
d). 11th century CE
Answer: c). 9th century CE
Explanation: The kingdom of Mahodayapuram was established by the Chera dynasty in the 9th century CE in the region of present-day Kerala
Q. Which language is spoken in Kerala?
a). Kannada
b). Tamil
c). Telugu
d). Malayalam
Answer: d). Malayalam
Explanation: Malayalam is the main language spoken in Kerala. It developed as a distinct language from Tamil around the 9th century CE during the rule of the Chera dynasty at Mahodayapuram.
Q. Lilatilakam is a famous work belonging to which language?
a). Tamil
b). Kannada
c). Malayalam
d). Bengali
Answer: c). Malayalam
Explanation: Lilatilakam is a 14th-century text written in Malayalam, dealing with grammar and poetics of the language.
Q. What is the main subject of the Lilatilakam?
a). Religion and rituals
b). Grammar and poetics
c). Astrology and mathematics
d). History and geography
Answer: b). Grammar and poetics
Explanation: The Lilatilakam , dealing with grammar and poetics, was composed in Manipravalam- literally, “diamonds and corals”.
Q. The deity Jagannatha, worshipped at Puri, is considered a regional form of which Hindu god?
a). Vishnu
b). Shiva
c). Brahma
d). Ganesha
Answer: a). Vishnu
Explanation: Jagannatha, meaning Lord of the World/Universe, is regarded as a regional form of Vishnu, particularly identified with Krishna, one of his incarnations.
Q. Who built the Jagannatha Temple at Puri?
a). Rajaraja I
b). Anantavarman
c). Narasimhadeva I
d). Devapala
Answer: b). Anantavarman
Explanation: The Jagannatha Temple at Puri was built in the 12th century CE by Anantavarman , a ruler of the Ganga dynasty.
Q. Which Ganga dynasty ruler dedicated his entire kingdom to Lord Jagannatha?
a). Narasimhadeva I
b). Anangabhima III
c). Bhanudeva I
d). Rajaraja I
Answer: b). Anangabhima III
Explanation: In 1230, king Anangabhima III dedicated his kingdom to the deity and proclaimed himself as the “deputy” of the god.
Q. The practice of Sati involved —
a). Widow remarrying after her husband’s death
b). A widow voluntarily or forcibly immolating herself on her husband’s funeral pyre
c). Offering food to ancestors during rituals
d). A priest performing the last rites
Answer: b). A widow voluntarily or forcibly immolating herself on her husband’s funeral pyre
Q. Kathak is a classical dance form that originated in which part of India?
a). South India
b). North India
c). East India
d). West India
Answer: b). North India
Explanation: Kathak is one of the eight classical dance forms of India and developed in North India, especially in Uttar Pradesh.
Q. The word Kathak is derived from which Sanskrit word?
a). Katha
b). Nritta
c). Natya
d). Nritya
Answer: a). Katha
Explanation: Kathak comes from the Sanskrit word Katha, meaning “story,” and Kathakar, meaning “storyteller.
Q. The Lucknow Gharana of Kathak was patronized by which Nawab?
a). Nawab Wajid Ali Shah
b). Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula
c). Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula
d). Nawab Saadat Ali Khan
Answer: a). Nawab Wajid Ali Shah
Explanation: Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Awadh was a great patron of music and dance and promoted the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak.
Q. What is the main theme of Kathak dance?
a). Stories of Shiva and Parvati
b). Stories of Krishna and Radha
c). Stories from Buddhist Jataka tales
d). Stories of Jain Tirthankaras
Answer: b). Stories of Krishna and Radha
Explanation: Kathak often depicts stories of Lord Krishna and Radha, expressing love and devotion through rhythmic movements.
Q. Kathak is characterized by which of the following features?
a). Graceful hand gestures and facial expressions
b). Fast footwork and spins
c). Both a and b
d). Only storytelling
Answer: c). Both a and b
Q. Match the following Classical Dances with their corresponding States:
1. Bharatanatyam a. Kerala
2. Kathak b. Uttar Pradesh
3. Kathakali c. Tamil Nadu
4. Manipuri d. Manipur
5. Odissi e. Andhra Pradesh
6. Kuchipudi f. Odisha
7. Mohiniyattam g. Assam
8. Sattriya
Options
a). 1-b, 2-c, 3-f, 4-a, 5-e, 6-d, 7-g ,8-d
b). 1-g, 2-c, 3-f, 4-a, 5-e, 6-d, 7-b, 8-c
c). 1-b, 2-g, 3-f, 4-g, 5-e, 6-d, 7-a ,8-c
d). 1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-d, 5-f, 6-e, 7-a ,8-g
Answer: d). 1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-d, 5-f, 6-e, 7-a ,8-g
Q. What is meant by Miniature Painting?
a). A large mural painting on walls
b). A small-sized painting done in water colour on paper or cloth
c). A sculpture made of metal
d). A painting done only on glass
Answer:b). A small-sized painting done in water colour on paper or cloth
Q. Which material was commonly used as a base for early Indian miniature paintings?
a). Silk
b). Palm leaves and wood
c). Canvas
d). Metal sheet
Answer: b). Palm leaves and wood
Q. The miniature paintings of Western India were mostly created to illustrate which kind of texts?
a). Religious Jain manuscripts
b). Royal biographies
c). Persian poetry
d). Hindu epics only
Answer: a). Religious Jain manuscripts
Q. The themes of Mughal paintings mainly depicted—
a). Religious stories only
b). Folk festivals and rituals
c). Mythological episodes
d). Historical accounts and poetry
Answer: d). Historical accounts and poetry
Q. Basholi paintings are mainly associated with which present-day Indian state?
a). Himachal Pradesh
b). Jammu and Kashmir
c). Uttarakhand
d). Punjab
Answer: a). Himachal Pradesh
Q. The Kangra style is considered an evolution of which earlier Pahari art form?
a). Chamba
b). Basholi
c). Mewar
d). Bundi
Answer: b). Basholi
Q. Who was the author of the famous Sanskrit text Rasamanjari?
a). Kalidasa
b). Bhanudatta
c). Jayadeva
d). Abhinavagupta
Answer: b). Bhanudatta
Q. Which Pahari school of painting illustrated Bhanudatta’s Rasamanjari most famously?
a). Kangra school
b). Guler school
c). Basholi school
d). Chamba school
Answer: c). Basholi school
Explanation: The Basholi school of Pahari painting is famous for its vivid and powerful illustrations of Rasamanjari, showcasing emotional intensity.
Q. The Kangra paintings primarily developed in which modern Indian state?
a). Uttarakhand
b). Himachal Pradesh
c). Punjab
d). Jammu and Kashmir
Answer: b). Himachal Pradesh
Q. Kangra paintings are known for their—
a). Harsh colors and geometric forms
b). Soft colors including cool blues and greens
c). Use of metallic colors
d). Abstract patterns
Answer: b). Soft colors including cool blues and greens
Q. The main theme of Kangra paintings is—
a). Court scenes and hunting
b). Devotional love of Radha and Krishna
c). Historical battles
d). Portraits of emperors
Answer: b). Devotional love of Radha and Krishna
Explanation: The source of inspiration was the Vaishnavite traditions.
Q. Bengali is primarily derived from which ancient language?
a). Sanskrit
b). Tamil
c). Pali
d). Persian
Answer: a). Sanskrit
Q. Which Chinese traveller observed that languages related to Sanskrit were in use all over Bengal?
a). Faxian
b). Xuan Zang
c). I‑Tsing
d). Houen Tsang
Answer: b). Xuan Zang
Explanation: It is commonly stated in textbooks that the 7th‑century Chinese traveller Xuanzang remarked that “languages related to Sanskrit” were in use all over Bengal.
Q. When did Akbar conquer Bengal?
a). 1565 CE
b). 1576 CE
c). 1574 CE
d). 1586 CE
Answer: d). 1586 CE
Q. What are Mangalkavyas in Bengali literature?
a). Historical chronicles of kings
b). Epic poems in praise of deities
c). Mystical Buddhist songs
d). Modern novels
Answer: b). Epic poems in praise of deities
Explanation: Mangalkavyas are medieval Bengali epic poems composed to glorify local deities.
Q. Chaitanyadeva is closely associated with which devotional movement?
a). Shaivism
b). Vaishnavism
c). Jainism
d). Buddhism
Answer: b). Vaishnavism (Bhakti movement)
Explanation: Chaitanyadeva, the leader of Vaishnava bhakti movement in Bengal.
Q. The narrative style of Maynamati and Gopichandra stories is primarily—
a). Prose essays
b). Song
c). Philosophical treatises in Sanskrit
d). Persian ghazals
Answer: b). Song
Explanation: Maynamati, a queen encouraged her son Gopichandra to adopt the path of asceticism in the face of a variety of obstacles.
Q. Who is Dharma Thakur in Bengali literature?
a). A Vaishnava saint
b). A folk deity worshiped in Bengal
c). A Mughal governor of Bengal
d). A medieval Bengali poet
Answer: b). A folk deity worshiped in Bengal
Explanation: Dharma Thakur is a popular folk deity of Bengal, often worshiped in the form of a stone or a piece of wood.
Q. What is the meaning of the term Pir?
a). A spiritual guide
b). A ruler of a province
c). A Sufi festival
d). A warrior
Answer: a). A spiritual guide
Explanation: A Pir is a Persian word meaning a spiritual guide.
Q. Match the following
1. Kolu a). A double roofed
2. Kansari b). A four roofed
3. Dochala c). Oil pressers
4. Chauchala d). Bell maker
Options:
a) 1-c, 2-b, 3-d, 4-a
b) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a, 4-d
c) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b, 4-d
d) 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b
Answer: d) 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b
Q. Which text permits Brahmins in Bengal to consume certain varieties of fish?
a). Manu Smirti
b). Mangalakavya
c). Brihaddharma Purana
d). Vishnu Puran
Answer: c). Brihaddharma Purana
Explanation: The Brihaddharma Purana, a 13th‑century Sanskrit text from Bengal, explicitly allows local Brahmins to eat certain varieties of fish.