General Knowledge - Indian Culture: Questions and Answers -1
1. Which ancient Indian text is considered the oldest literary work of India and a sacred text of Hinduism?
Rigveda: The Rigveda is the oldest known Vedic Sanskrit text and one of the oldest extant texts in any Indo-European language, making it India's earliest literary work.
2. The classical Indian dance form Bharatnatyam originated in which state of India?
Tamil Nadu : Bharatnatyam has its origins in the temples of Tamil Nadu, specifically in the South Indian state.
3. Which festival is known as the 'festival of lights' and is widely celebrated in India?
Diwali : Diwali is a major Hindu festival symbolising the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, celebrated with lamps, candles, and fireworks.
4. The ancient Indian system of medicine that originated in India is called:
Ayurveda: Ayurveda is one of the oldest holistic healing systems in the world, developed in India thousands of years ago, focusing on balance in the body and mind.
5. Which Indian monument is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is a symbol of eternal love?
Taj Mahal : The Taj Mahal, located in Agra, was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
6. The traditional Indian greeting involving folding hands is called:
Namaste: Namaste is a respectful greeting used in India, often accompanied by folded hands, signifying "I bow to the divine in you."
7. Which major religion originated in India and emphasizes the concept of 'Ahimsa' (non-violence)?
Jainism: Jainism is an ancient Indian religion that strictly prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings.
8. The traditional Indian dress for women, consisting of a drape wrapped around the body, is called:
Saree: The saree is a traditional garment for women in the Indian subcontinent, consisting of an unstitched drape wrapped around the body.
9. The Indian classical music system is broadly divided into which two main traditions?
Carnatic and Hindustani: Indian classical music is primarily divided into Hindustani (North Indian) and Carnatic (South Indian) traditions, each with distinct styles.
10. What is the national animal of India?
Tiger: The Bengal Tiger is India's national animal, symbolizing strength, agility, and grace.
11. The traditional Indian art of painting on walls, often depicting religious themes, is known as:
Mural painting: Mural painting involves large-scale artworks directly on walls, commonly found in ancient Indian caves and temples like Ajanta and Ellora.
12. Which Indian state is famous for its backwaters and houseboat tourism?
Kerala: Kerala is renowned for its serene backwaters, network of lagoons, lakes, and canals, which are popular for houseboat tourism.
13. The philosophical concept of 'Karma' in Indian religions refers to:
The sum of a person's actions and their consequences in this and previous existences: Karma is a fundamental principle in Indian religions, emphasizing that every action, thought, and word has corresponding reactions that influence future experiences.
14. Which Indian festival marks the beginning of spring and is celebrated with colors?
Holi: Holi is a vibrant spring festival in India, celebrated by throwing colored powders and water.
15. The classical dance form Kathak originated in which part of India?
North India: Kathak is a classical dance form that originated in the storytelling traditions of North India.
16. Which Indian sport is often associated with traditional martial arts and involves wrestling on a circular mat?
Pehlwani : Pehlwani is a traditional form of wrestling in India, deeply rooted in its martial arts history, often practiced in an akhara (wrestling arena).
17. What is the significance of the bindi worn by Indian women?
It represents the third eye and is a symbol of wisdom and auspiciousness: The bindi, worn on the forehead between the eyebrows, traditionally represents the 'ajna chakra' or third eye, symbolizing wisdom, intuition, and auspiciousness.
18. The Indian epic 'Mahabharata' is primarily about the conflict between which two warring families?
Kauravas and Pandavas: The Mahabharata narrates the epic struggle between the Kauravas and the Pandavas for the throne of Hastinapura.
19. Which instrument is commonly associated with Indian classical music, known for its long neck and resonating sound?
Sitar: The Sitar is a prominent string instrument in Hindustani classical music, recognizable by its distinct long neck and resonant sound, often played by maestros like Ravi Shankar.
20. What is the traditional name for the Hindu caste system?
Varna: The Varna system is the ancient classification of society into four main social classes (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra) based on occupation and duties.
21. The famous dance-drama form Kathakali originated in which Indian state?
Kerala: Kathakali is a highly stylized classical Indian dance-drama known for its elaborate makeup, colorful costumes, and intricate facial expressions.
22. Which ancient Indian university was a renowned center of learning, attracting scholars from all over Asia?
Nalanda University: Nalanda, in ancient Magadha (modern-day Bihar), was a Buddhist monastery and a prominent center of learning from the 5th to 12th centuries CE.
23. The festival of Onam is primarily celebrated in which Indian state?
Kerala: Onam is an annual harvest festival celebrated by Malayalis, particularly in Kerala, signifying the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali.
24. Which Indian classical music instrument is a plucked string instrument used predominantly in Carnatic music?
Veena: The Veena is an ancient plucked string instrument that is integral to Carnatic classical music.
25. The ancient Indian scripture that contains the teachings of Lord Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra is:
Bhagavad: The Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the epic Mahabharata, dialoguing between Krishna and Arjuna.
26. What is the national bird of India?
Indian Peafowl (Peacock): The peacock is known for its beautiful plumage and is revered in Indian mythology and folklore.
27. The Ajanta Caves, famous for their rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments, are located in which state?
Maharashtra: The Ajanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Maharashtra, known for their ancient murals and rock-cut sculptures.
28. Which Mughal Emperor is credited with building the Red Fort in Delhi?
Shah Jahan: Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor, commissioned the construction of the Red Fort (Lal Qila) in Delhi.
29. The philosophical concept of 'Moksha' in Indian religions refers to:
Liberation from the cycle of rebirth (Samsara): Moksha is the ultimate spiritual goal in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, signifying freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth.
30. What is the traditional name for a South Indian temple tower?
Gopuram: A Gopuram is a monumental entrance tower, usually ornate, at the entrance of a temple, especially in South India.
31. The Indian classical dance form Odissi originated in which state?
Odisha: Odissi is one of the oldest surviving Indian classical dance forms, originating from the temples of Odisha.
32. The term 'Dharma' in Indian philosophy primarily refers to:
Righteous conduct, moral duty, or cosmic law : Dharma is a complex concept in Indian religions, encompassing one's righteous and ethical duties, principles, and the cosmic order.
33. Which famous Indian leader is known as the 'Father of the Nation'?
Mahatma Gandhi: Mahatma Gandhi led India to independence from British rule through non-violent civil disobedience.
34. The festival of Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated by which religious community in India?
Muslims: Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
35. The traditional folk theatre form Ramleela enacts stories from which Hindu epic?
Ramayana: Ramleela is a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Rama, particularly the Ramayana, performed during the festival of Dussehra.
36. Which city is known as the 'Pink City' of India?
Jaipur: Jaipur earned its nickname 'Pink City' because of the distinctive pink color of its buildings in the old city.
37. The Indian currency symbol is derived from which two scripts?
Devanagari (Hindi) and Latin (English): The Indian Rupee symbol (₹) is a blend of the Devanagari 'Ra' and the Latin 'R'.
38. The famous Pushkar Camel Fair is held annually in which Indian state?
Rajasthan: The Pushkar Camel Fair is one of the world's largest camel fairs, held in Pushkar, Rajasthan.
39. Which river is considered the most sacred river in Hinduism?
Ganges (Ganga): The Ganges is revered as the holy river Ganga Ma (Mother Ganga) and is central to Hindu beliefs and rituals.
40. The Ghoomar folk dance is native to which Indian state?
Rajasthan: Ghoomar is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan, performed by women in swirling movements.
41. The practice of Yoga originated in which country?
India: Yoga is an ancient physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India.
42. Which ancient Indian text is a treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy?
Arthashastra: The Arthashastra, attributed to Chanakya (Kautilya), is a foundational work on political science and economics in India.
43. The festival of Baisakhi marks the harvest season and the New Year for which community?
Sikhs: Baisakhi is a major harvest festival primarily celebrated in Punjab and also marks the formation of the Khalsa panth of warriors under Guru Gobind Singh.
44. What is the traditional name for the collection of Hindu philosophical texts that form the theoretical basis for much of the Hindu religion?
Upanishads: The Upanishads are late Vedic Sanskrit texts that are foundational to philosophical thought in Hinduism.
45. The famous Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is located in which state?
Odisha: The Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century CE Sun Temple at Konark in Odisha.
46. Which Indian state is famous for its tea plantations and Darjeeling tea?
West Bengal: Darjeeling, located in the Himalayan foothills of West Bengal, is globally renowned for its unique tea.
47. The traditional Indian hand-printing technique that involves using carved wooden blocks to apply dyes to fabric is called:
Block printing: Block printing is a common and ancient method of printing images, patterns, or text onto fabric or paper using carved blocks.
48. Which Indian classical dance form involves intricate footwork and storytelling through expressive gestures, originating from Uttar Pradesh?
Kathak: Kathak is one of the major forms of Indian classical dance, traditionally from Uttar Pradesh, noted for its rhythmic footwork and storytelling.
49. The architectural style characterized by grand gateways (gopurams) and multi-story mandapas (halls) is typically found in which region's temples?
South Indian temples: Dravidian architecture, prominent in South India, is known for its towering gopurams and elaborate temple complexes.
50. The Guru Granth Sahib is the holy scripture of which religion?
Sikhism: The Guru Granth Sahib is the central religious scripture of Sikhism, regarded by Sikhs as the final, sovereign, and eternal living Guru.
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