UPSC Essentials | Daily Subject-wise quiz : History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 18)

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Question for this week: How to make notes from The Indian Express?

You can send your queries at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com or join Telegram: The Indian Express UPSC Hub or ask me Live! on August 9 at 8 PM.

QUESTION 1

With reference to the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, consider the following statements:

1. The temples at Khajuraho were built during the Parmara dynasty.

2. The temples at Khajuraho are associated only with Hinduism.

3. The temples are built in Nagara-style architecture.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

QUESTION 2

It is a small village where a Sangam-era archaeological site was discovered. The findings from this place are divided into six blocks, building a narrative of Tamil life as it existed 2,500 years ago, including the agrarian systems, pottery, technology, burial methods and evidence of writing. The archaelogical site being referred is:

(a) Edakkal Caves

(b) Keeladi

(c) Sisupalgarh

(d) Hire Benakal

QUESTION 3

With reference to Etikoppaka Toys, consider the following statements:

1. These are made of Wrightia Tinctoria wood.

2. These are made by the use of turned key lacquering method.

3. It is a registered geographical indication (GI) tag product of Tamil Nadu.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

QUESTION 4

Siang Unying Festival is an important festival of the Adi community. It is celebrated in:

(a) Tripura

(b) Sikkim

(c) Meghalaya

(d) Arunachal Pradesh

QUESTION 5

Consider the following statements about Dayanand Saraswati:

1. He was a social reformer who led the movement within orthodox Hinduism.

2. He wrote Satyarth Prakash which emphasised the “return to Vedic principles”.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

ANSWERS TO MCQs

1. (a)

FYI:

— The temples at Khajuraho were built during the Chandella dynasty, which reached its apogee between 950 and 1050. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— About 20 temples are remaining; they fall into three distinct groups and belong to two different religions – Hinduism and Jainism. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— They strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture. The Temple of Kandariya is decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art.

— The Khajuraho Group of Monuments are rare surviving examples that display the originality and high quality of Nagara-style temple architecture. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: whc.unesco.org)

2. (b)

FYI:

— Keeladi is a small village in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu, where a Sangam-era archaeological site was discovered.

— The findings from Keeladi are divided among six blocks, building a narrative of Tamil life as it existed 2,500 years ago, including the agrarian systems, pottery, technology, burial methods, evidence of writing and so on.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

3. (b)

FYI:

— Etikoppaka Toys are registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) tag product of Andhra Pradesh under Sub-section (1) of Section 13 of Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— Etikoppaka Toys are one of the finest wooden lacquered crafts. It is an age-old tradition from the region. The craft is said to have been practiced since 18th century.

— The name of the craft is derived from the village called “Etikoppaka” which is situated on the bank of River Varaha in the Taluk Yelamachalli in Vizag district in Andhra Pradesh.

— Etikoppaka Toys are made of “Ankudu woods” botanically named Wrightia Tinctoria. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— An important characteristic in the making of Etikoppaka Toys is the use of turned key lacquering method. These toys are crafted and naturally lacquered on the hand lathe machine by using natural Dyes (colors). Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

(Source: search.ipindia.gov.in)

4. (d)

FYI:

— Shri Sarbananda Sonowal attended the colorful Siang Unying event, an important Adi community event in Boleng, Arunachal Pradesh.

— The festival of Unying is celebrated to herald the season of cultivation, the beginning of the Adi community’s new year, arrival of spring seasons as well as a great way to strengthen the bond among the community.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

(Source: pib.gov.in)

5. (c)

FYI:

— Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Dayanand Saraswati on the 200th birth anniversary of the social reformer, hailing his contributions to the fight against social discrimination and untouchability.

— Dayanand Saraswati (1824-1883) was one of the most influential figures of 19th-century India.

— A believer in the supreme authority of the Vedas, he established the Arya Samaj in 1875, leading a reform movement within orthodox Hinduism. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Among his various beliefs included a rejection of idolatry and the overly ritualistic traditions of Hinduism, support for women’s education, denunciation of child marriage and opposition to untouchability.

— His magnum opus, Satyarth Prakash (1875), emphasised the “return to Vedic principles” that Dayanand Saraswati believed “had been lost” over time. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 18)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 17)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 17)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 17)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 17)

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