Art and Culture MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Art and Culture - Download Free PDF

Key Points

Mitakṣara:

• A vivṛti (legal commentary) on the Yajnavalkya Smriti.
• Best known for its theory of "inheritance by birth."
• Authored by Vijñāneśvara.
• Written in the late eleventh century CE in the modern-day state of Karnataka, at the Kalyani Chalukya court.
• Along with the Dāyabhāga, considered one of the main authorities on Hindu Law during British administration in India.
• The entire Mitākṣarā, with the Yājñavalkya-smṝti, is approximately 492 closely printed pages.

Author Vijñāneśvara:

• Lived at Marthur near Kalaburagi (modern-day Karnataka).
• Lived near the end of the eleventh century during the reign of Vikramaditya VI of the Cālukya dynasty of Kalyāni.
• A "profound student of the Mimamsa system" (exegetical thought focused on Vedic interpretation).
• Kane argues against Derrett's opinion that Vijñāneśvara was a judge, stating that passages about judges reflect Mimamsa interpretation, not historical reality.

Date and Historical Context:

• Kane places it between 974 CE and 1000 CE, but states "no evidence to establish the exact time."
• Kane also places it after 1050 CE due to its naming of Viśvarūpa, Medhātithi, and Dhāreśvara as authoritative sources.
• Derrett places the text between 1121 CE and 1125 CE, which Kane calls arbitrary and lacking evidence.
• Lingat places it simply at the end of the eleventh century.
• Historically, Vijñāneśvara aimed to clarify and explain parts of the Yājñavalkya Smṛti, criticizing and discussing earlier commentaries to reconcile differences and further explain the text's meaning.

Sources and Topics:

• Vijñāneśvara's commentary "brings together numerous smṛti passages, explains away contradictions... by following Mimamsa rules of interpretation."
• He organizes material by assigning proper scope and province to various dicta and synthesizes apparently unconnected smṛti injunctions.
• Similar to a digest (nibandha) as it incorporates outside opinions on the same passages.
• Cites numerous earlier commentators, including Viśvarūpa, Mēdhātithi, and Dhāreśvara.
• Most important topics include property rights, property distribution, and inheritance.
• Became the authority, especially on inheritance, throughout most of India after the British arrival.

Effect on British India:

• Became an influential source for British Courts in India, along with the Dāyabhāga.
• Influential throughout the majority of India, except in Bengal, Assam, and parts of Odisha and Bihar where the Dāyabhāga prevailed.
• British sought to administer existing laws to the people, using the Mitākṣarā to resolve disputes (especially property rights and inheritance).
• First translation of the inheritance section by Colebrooke in 1810.

Key Points

(a) They are the custodians of Buddhist texts preserved in four major monasteries across India. ❌ Incorrect

• Shankaracharyas are Hindu religious leaders, not connected to Buddhist texts.
• The four major maths they head were founded by Adi Shankara, an 8th-century Hindu philosopher, to uphold Vedantic philosophy and Vedic tradition, not Buddhist teachings.

(b) They head the four maths established by Adi Shankara to preserve and teach Vedic knowledge. ✅ Correct

1. Adi Shankara established four maths (monasteries) at Dwarka, Puri, Sringeri, and Joshimath.
2. Each Shankaracharya is the religious head of one math and serves as the custodian of one Veda.
3. These maths function as centres of Vedic learning, spiritual guidance, and guardians of Hindu dharma.

(c) They were appointed by the Vijayanagara kings to reform temple architecture. ❌ Incorrect

• Although the Sringeri Math received patronage from the Vijayanagara rulers in the 14th century, the Shankaracharyas were not appointed by them nor were they known for temple architecture reforms.
• Their role was primarily spiritual and philosophical, not architectural.

(d) They are spiritual leaders responsible for compiling the Puranas during the Gupta period. ❌ Incorrect

• The Puranas were composed over a long span of time, mostly before and during the Gupta period (4th–6th century CE), but Shankaracharya lived in the 8th century CE, after the Gupta era.
• There’s no evidence linking the Shankaracharyas to Purana compilation.

📌 Summary:

• The Shankaracharyas are religious heads of the four maths established by Adi Shankara, each entrusted with preserving one Veda, guiding followers of Advaita Vedanta, and overseeing the Dashanami Sampradaya.

The correct answer is Fatehpur Sikri.

• Akbar commissioned the construction of a white marble tomb for Shaikh Salim Chishti next to the majestic Friday mosque at Fatehpur Sikri.
• The Mosque is also known as Jama Masjid.
• The gateway to this tomb is known as Buland Darwaza (The door of victory).
• It was built in 1575 A.D. to commemorate Akbar's victory over Gujarat.
• Buland Darwaza is the highest gateway in the world and is an example of Mughal architecture.

Additional Information

• The city Fatehpur Sikri itself was founded as the capital of the Mughal Empire in 1571 by Emperor Akbar.
• It served this role from 1571 to 1585.
• Akbar abandoned it due to a campaign in Punjab and was later completely abandoned in 1610. 
• Fatehpur Sikri is currently a town in the Agra District of Uttar Pradesh.

The correct answer is A - 1, B - 2, C - 3, D - 4.

Key Points

• Folk dances of Uttar Pradesh:
  • Charakula is a pitcher dance which is the folk dance of Brajbhoomi.
  • Pai Danda dance is performed by Aheers of Bundelkhand.
  • Rai Nritya is a peacock dance of the women of Bundelkhand. It is performed on the occasion of Shrikrishna Janmashtami.
  • Shara Dance is popular in the districts of Hamirpur, Jhansi, and Lalitpur in the Bundelkhand region. This dance is done by the young boys and girls of the farming community in the rainy season. In this dance, worship, and blessings of Vedic deity Indra is sought for the successful harvesting of the crop
  • Deepawali dance is done by Bundelkhandi Aheers, on the occasion of Deepawali, with lightened lamps held on the head.
  • Kartik's song-dance is prevalent in the Bundelkhand region of the state. Kartik's song is a description of the relationship between Krishna and Gopis.
  • Dhobiya Raga is performed by the Dhobi castes of the state.
  • The dance performed on the occasion of auspicious events by kahar is called Natwari Nritya.
  • Chaurasia Dance is a dance performed by Kahars in the Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh.
  • Karma dance is a dance jointly organized by women and men of Coal tribes in the Mirzapur and Sonbhadra districts of Uttar Pradesh.
  • Hence, Option 1 is correct.

The correct answer is Charkula, Karma, Pandav.

Key Points

Additional Information

• Pai Danda- performed by Aheers of Bundelkhand.
• Shara Dance- prevalent in Hamirpur, Jhansi, and Lalitpur districts in the Bundelkhand region.
• Dhaobiya Raga- performed by Dhobi cast in the State.
• Chaurasia Dance- performed by Kahars in Jaunpur district.
• Rai Nritya- peacock dance of women of the Bundelkhand region.

The correct answer is option 4, i.e Andhra Pradesh.

Key Points

• Every year the Flamingo festival is celebrated to promote tourism at the Pulicat Lake near the Nellapattu Bird Sanctuary located in the Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.
• It is a three days festival that is organized during the winter season when thousands of migratory birds visit the region.
• During this festival, several entertaining and cultural events are organized. 
• It also provides an opportunity for people to study biodiversity and initiate conservation measures.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Madhya Pradesh.

• The 'Matki' dance form has been developed by nomadic tribes in Madhya Pradesh.
• Performed using a “small pitcher” is a folk dance originating from central India known as the “Matki Dance”.
  • This “pitcher dance” belongs to the state of Madhya Pradesh, and is mainly performed in the Malwa region.

Important Points

The Correct Answer is Kerala.

• Mohiniyattam literally interpreted as the dance of ‘Mohini’, the celestial enchantress of Hindu mythology, is the classical solo dance form of Kerala.

Key Points

• References to Mohiniyattam can be found in the texts Vyavaharamala written in 1709 by Mazhamagalam Narayanan Namputiri and in Ghoshayatra, written later by poet Kunjan Nambiar.
• It has elements of Bharatanatyam (grace & elegance) and Kathakali (vigor) but is more erotic, lyrical, and delicate.
• Mohiniyattam is characterized by graceful, swaying body movements with no abrupt jerks or sudden leaps.
• It belongs to the lasya style which is feminine, tender, and graceful.
• The movements are emphasized by the glides and the up and down movement on toes, like the waves of the sea and the swaying of the coconut, palm trees, and paddy fields.
• Realistic make-up and simple dressing (in Kasavu saree of Kerala) are used.

Additional Information

8 classical dance forms of India

The correct answer is Shenai.

Key Points

• Ustad Bismillah Khan:
  • He was an Indian musician who played the shehnai.
  • Original name: Qamruddin Khan.
  • Born: March 21, 1916, Bihar and Orissa province
  • Died: 2006, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
  • Khan was a devout Muslim but performed at both Hindu and Muslim ceremonies and was considered a symbol of religious harmony.
  • Bismillah Khan had won the rarest rare honor of performing at the Red Fort in Delhi on the evening of the Independence Day of India in 1947.
  • He Awarded with the Bharat Ratna in 2001.
  • Got Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1956.

Additional Information

• Important Indian instrumental player:

Option 1 is correct, i.e. Nagaland.

Key Points

• The Ao tribe of Nagaland has one such special festival, known as the Moatsu festival. 
• This festival is celebrated after seeds have been sown in the fields.
• Men and women of the tribe gather around large outdoor fires and performing traditional dances.

Additional Information

Some important festivals of Northeastern states are:

The correct answer is Vamana.

Key Points

• The fifth incarnation of Vishnu is known as Vamana.
• According to Hindu Mythology, there are ten complete incarnations of the Lord Vishnu and, countless numbers of incomplete incarnations.

The correct answer is Odissi.

Key Points

• Odissi is one of the 8 classical dances of India recognized by the Sangeet Natak Academy.
• Odissi is a major ancient classical dance that originated in the Indian state of Orissa.
• The famous dancers of Odissi are -
  • Sujata Mohapatra, Kelucharan Mohapatra, Ratikant Mohapatra, Gangadhar Pradhan, etc.
• Kelucharan Mohapatra is the first person to receive the Padma Vibhusan from Orissa.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Warli.

• Warli painting is a kind of tribal art practiced by a tribe from Maharashtra called 'Warli' or 'Varli'.
• Other local tribes also participate in the creation of these paintings which were traditionally done only on the walls of the house during festive seasons and weddings.
• It is distinguished by its simplicity and use of sober colors to depict scenes from the daily life of the tribal people using recurring combinations of symbols, shapes, and figures of life forms.
• 

Important Points

• Distinct Types of Paintings In India:

The correct answer is Tamil Nadu.

Key Points

• Thai poosam is a festival celebrated by the Tamil Hindu community mainly in south India.
• Thai Poosam festival is dedicated to Lord Muruga.
• Lord Muruga is the son of Shiva and Parvati.
• The word Thaipoosam is a combination of the name of a month and the name of a star.
• The festival is also observed in Kerala as Thaipooyam.
• It is believed that Thaipusam marks Lord Muruga's birthday.
• It is a celebration of the victory of good over evil.

The correct answer is option 3 i.e., Onam

Key Points

• The festival of 'Onam' is associated with the 'Vamana' incarnation of the Lord Vishnu.
• Vamana, 5th of the 10 incarnations (avatars) of the Hindu god Vishnu.
• Onam is a festival celebrated in Kerala which is observed every year in the month of August-September.
• In the Rigveda, Vishnu took three strides, with which he measured out the three worlds - earth, heaven, and the space between them.
• The images of Vamana usually show him already grown to giant size, one foot firmly planted on earth and the other lifted as if to take a stride.

Additional Information