Create a custom practice set
Pick category, difficulty, number of questions, and time limit. Start instantly with your own quiz.
Generate QuizMedium Level – GK Questions
Free practice for SSC, UPSC, Banking & Railway exams. No login required.
Which Bhakti saint-poet composed the Tirukkural, a classic Tamil text on ethics?
- Thiruvalluvar
- Andal
- Tulsidas
- Surdas
Answer: Thiruvalluvar
Thiruvalluvar authored the Tirukkural, a timeless Tamil classic of 1,330 couplets on virtue, wealth, and love. Though not strictly a Bhakti text, it influences Tamil ethical and spiritual thought.
The Hornbill Festival, showcasing Naga tribal culture, is held annually in the state of _____.
- Nagaland
- Manipur
- Mizoram
- Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: Nagaland
Hornbill Festival, held December 1-10 in Nagaland, promotes inter-tribal interaction and preserves Naga heritage. Features traditional dances, crafts, music, and indigenous games.
The Sun Temple at Konark, Odisha, is designed in the shape of a colossal _____.
- Chariot
- Lotus
- Lion
- Elephant
Answer: Chariot
Konark Sun Temple (13th century) is shaped like a massive chariot of Surya, the sun god, with 24 wheels and seven horses. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it exemplifies Kalinga architecture.
Sattriya dance is traditionally performed in which type of religious institution?
- Sattra
- Matha
- Ashram
- Vihara
Answer: Sattra
Sattriya dance is performed in Sattras (Vaishnavite monasteries) of Assam. Founded by Srimanta Sankardev, these institutions preserve the dance as part of devotional worship and cultural practice.
The Banaras Gharana is primarily associated with tabla playing.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Banaras Gharana is one of the six major tabla gharanas, known for its robust style, intricate kayda patterns, and use of bol-baant. Prominent exponents include Pandit Kishan Maharaj.
Lavani, a powerful folk dance combining song and dance, is traditionally performed in _____ state.
- Maharashtra
- Gujarat
- Rajasthan
- Madhya Pradesh
Answer: Maharashtra
Lavani is a traditional folk dance of Maharashtra, performed to the beats of dholki. Known for its energetic movements and social commentary, it was historically performed by female artists.
Which Mughal garden in Srinagar is known as the 'Crown of Srinagar'?
- Shalimar Bagh
- Nishat Bagh
- Chashme Shahi
- Pari Mahal
Answer: Nishat Bagh
Nishat Bagh, built in 1633 by Asif Khan, is the second-largest Mughal garden in Kashmir. Terraced along Dal Lake, it exemplifies Charbagh layout with twelve terraces representing zodiac signs.
Mohiniyattam, a classical dance form characterized by graceful swaying movements, originated in _____.
- Kerala
- Tamil Nadu
- Karnataka
- Andhra Pradesh
Answer: Kerala
Mohiniyattam, meaning 'dance of the enchantress', is a classical dance from Kerala. It features lasya (graceful) movements, white-gold costumes, and themes from Vaishnavism.
Dokra is a non-loss wax casting technique used by tribal artisans in central and eastern India.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Dokra is an ancient metal casting craft using the lost-wax technique, practiced by tribal communities in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and West Bengal. Known for tribal motifs and rustic finish.
Rabindra Sangeet refers to songs composed by Rabindranath Tagore in which language?
- Bengali
- Hindi
- Urdu
- Sanskrit
Answer: Bengali
Rabindra Sangeet comprises over 2,000 songs composed by Rabindranath Tagore in Bengali. They blend Indian classical and folk traditions and are integral to Bengali cultural identity.
Nautanki, a popular folk theatre form featuring music and dance, is traditionally associated with _____ region.
- Uttar Pradesh
- Punjab
- Haryana
- Rajasthan
Answer: Uttar Pradesh
Nautanki is a folk theatre form from Uttar Pradesh and North India, known for its rhythmic dialogue, folk songs, and social themes. It was popularized by performers like Gulab Bai.
The Kailasa Temple at Ellora is a monolithic structure carved from a single rock.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) at Ellora, Maharashtra, is the world's largest monolithic structure, carved top-down from a single basalt rock in the 8th century by Rashtrakuta King Krishna I.
Pattachitra, a traditional scroll painting, is primarily practiced in _____ and West Bengal.
- Odisha
- Bihar
- Jharkhand
- Assam
Answer: Odisha
Pattachitra is a traditional cloth-based scroll painting from Odisha and West Bengal. Themes revolve around Jagannath and Vaishnava lore, using natural colors and intricate borders.
Kuchipudi, a classical dance-drama form, originated in which Indian state?
- Andhra Pradesh
- Telangana
- Karnataka
- Tamil Nadu
Answer: Andhra Pradesh
Kuchipudi originated in the village of Kuchipudi in Andhra Pradesh. It combines dance, acting, and dialogue, traditionally performed by Brahmin men. Recognized as classical dance by Sangeet Natak Akademi.
Zardozi, an elaborate embroidery craft using gold and silver threads, is traditionally associated with _____ city.
- Lucknow
- Varanasi
- Agra
- Delhi
Answer: Lucknow
Lucknow is renowned for Chikankari and Zardozi embroidery. Zardozi, meaning 'gold embroidery', uses metallic threads, pearls, and precious stones, and received GI tag for Lucknow Zardozi in 2013.
The sitar was popularized globally by Pandit Ravi Shankar.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Pandit Ravi Shankar, a legendary sitar maestro, played a pivotal role in introducing Indian classical music to Western audiences through collaborations with The Beatles and international performances.
Tanjore paintings are characterized by the use of which material for embellishment?
- Gold foil
- Silver foil
- Copper wire
- Bronze sheets
Answer: Gold foil
Tanjore paintings from Tamil Nadu are known for rich surface creation using gold foil, precious stones, and glass beads. They typically depict Hindu deities and were patronized by Nayakas and Marathas.
Odissi classical dance originated in the state of _____.
- Odisha
- Andhra Pradesh
- Tamil Nadu
- Karnataka
Answer: Odisha
Odissi is a classical dance form from Odisha, characterized by tribhanga posture and sculpturesque movements. It traces its roots to temple traditions and was recognized as classical in 1970.
Baul music, a mystic folk tradition, is primarily associated with which region?
- Punjab and Haryana
- Bengal and Bangladesh
- Rajasthan and Gujarat
- Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Answer: Bengal and Bangladesh
Baul music is a mystic folk tradition of Bengal (both West Bengal, India and Bangladesh). Baul singers, known for their eclectic philosophy and one-stringed ektara, were recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2005.
Sant Kabir Das composed his dohas primarily in Awadhi and Braj Bhasha.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Kabir Das, a 15th-century Bhakti saint, composed his poetic verses (dohas and sakhis) in vernacular languages like Awadhi and Braj Bhasha to make spiritual teachings accessible to common people, rejecting Sanskrit elitism.