Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is Baiga.

Key Points

• Baiga
  • It is a sub-tribe of Gond.
  • The Baigas are semi-nomadic Dravidian tribes and are linked to Indo-Australian aboriginal groups. Hence, Option 1 is correct.
  • The largest number of Baigas is found in Southern districts i.e. Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh.
  • Some important sub-castes of Baiga are Bijhwar, Narotia, Bharotiya, Nahar, Rai Bhaina, Kadh Bhania, etc.
  • It is believed that the ancestors of the Baigas spoke an Austroasiatic language.
  • Now they are speaking in the ‘Baigani’ language which is a variety of Chhattisgarhi influenced by Gondi and Western Hindi used by the Baigas.
  • The Baigas are true inhabitants of forests, retaining customs, traditions, handed by their ancestors.
  • They are fierce protectors and worshippers of the forests and Mother nature.
  • Five panches of Baiga Panchayat are Mukdam, Deewan, Samrath, Kotawar, and Dawari.
  • The Baigas eat coarse grain, Kodo and Kutki, drink pej (made from grounding macca or from the water left from boiling rice).
  • Tattooing all over the body is an integral part of their lifestyles.

 Additional Information

• The women who work as tattooing artists belong to the Ojha, Badni, and dewar tribes of Madhya Pradesh.
• A weekly market is an important event in the lives of the Baiga people.
• Widow remarriage and bride price are prevalent in this tribe.
• Baiga lives in a joint family and endogamy is prohibited among them.
• Their main dance forms are Karma, Saila, Phaag, etc.
• They have great faith in Magic and the Baiga regard themselves as the most powerful Magician. They worship sal trees.
• Their sacred beliefs prohibit them from plowing the land as this is perceived as traumatizing Mother Earth.
• Baiga depends on agriculture. They adopt the slash and burn form of shifting agriculture known as ‘Webar’ as ‘Pondu’.
• They are courageous woodsmen and hunters and it is below the dignity of a Baiga to become a laborer.

The correct answer is Agra.

 Key Points

• The tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah is located along the banks of the Yamuna at Agra.
• It was built by the Mughal queen Noor Jahan, wife of Emperor Jehangir.
• The tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah is often regarded as a draft of the Taj Mahal.
• It is known for the first use of the pietra dura (floral design made up of semiprecious stone).
• Tomb of Jahangir in Lahore is supposed to be the result of Noor Jahan vision. 

Important Points

• Agra is known for Taj Mahal (Tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for the memory of his favourite wife).
• The Taj Mahal is in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
• Ustad Ahmad Lahauri was the chief architect of Taj mahal.
• Agra Fort is a historical fort in the city of Agra in India. It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until1638.
• Moti Masjid inside Agra Fort was built by Mughal emperor Shah jahan.
• Moti Masjid inside Red Fort, Delhi was built by Aurangzeb.
• The tomb of Akbar is at Sikandra, approximately 8 km from the main city of Agra.
• Fatehpur Sikri is a town in the Agra District, known for Buland Darwaza, and Tomb of Salim Chishti, the city itself was founded as the capital of Mughal Empire in 1571 by Emperor Akbar to 1585.

The correct answer is Ustad Bismillah Khan

Important Points

• Ustad Bismillah Khan was born on 21 March 1916 in Dumraon village, Bihar.
• He settled in Varanasi with his father Prophet Bakhsh Khan at a very young age.
• Bismillah Khan was awarded the "Bharat Ratna" in 2001 by the Government of India.
• Ustad Bismillah Khan played the clarinet from the Red Fort when the country became independent in 1947.
• He died on 21 August 2006 at the age of 90.
• Anant Lal was a famous shehnai player from the Banaras Gharana.
• Pandit Ram Sahay was the shehnai player of the Banaras Gharana and was a royal musician in the court of Nawab Asafuddaula of Lucknow.
• Ali Ahmed Hussain Khan was a famous shehnai player. He was awarded the 'Bangbhushan Award' by the Government of Bengal.

The correct answer is Gorakhnath temple.

• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched 'recycled incense sticks' at an ashram of Gorakhnath Temple, in Gorakhpur.
• This initiative is taken to promote environment-friendly products in the market.
• The Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, a research institute of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has provided technical support in making these incense sticks.

Additional Information

Some other important temples and their districts:

The correct answer is Gwalior Gharana.

Key Points

• Gwalior Gharana is the oldest Khayal Gharana in Indian classical music.
• It originated with the beginning of the reign of the Mughal emperor Akbar (1542–1605).
• Famous singers: Miyan Tansen, Anant Manohar Joshi, B. R. Deodhar, Narayanrao Vyas etc.
  • Except for Tansen, all the above are awardees of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards.
  • Hence, option 1 is correct.
• The simplicity i.e the selection of well-known ragas is its unique feature.

Additional Information

• Maihar Gharana is one of the oldest schools of Hindustani classical music.
  • It was established by Allaudin Khan in the princely state of Maihar. 
• Indore Gharana is one of the vocal gharanas of Indian classical music.
  • It was founded by Amir Khan.