Art and Culture Questions

The correct answer is James Prinsep.

• James Princep was a European scholar who deciphered the edicts of the Ashoka.

Key Points

• James Prinsep -
  • He was an English scholar, orientalist, and antiquarian.
  • He was the founding editor of the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal.
  • He is best remembered for his understanding of the Kharosthi and Brahmi scripts of ancient India.

Additional Information

•  V Gordon Childe -
  • He was an Australian archaeologist specializing in the study of European prehistory.
  • He became the first exponent of Marxist archeology in the Western world.​
• Alexander Cunningham -
  • He became famous as a famous scholar of Indian archaeology, historical geography, and history.
  • He is considered the father of the Archaeological Survey of India.

The correct answer is Moinuddin Chishti.

Key Points

• Ajmer Sharif Dargah is the tomb of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
  • Moinuddin Chishti was a 13th-century Sufi saint and philosopher.
  • Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti was an extremely pious saint who devoted himself to providing relief to the poor.
  • His idea behind doing this was to educate the public about the importance of selfless service.
  • The teachings of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti are so popular that visitors literally throng the dargah to pay their respects at his grave.

Additional Information

• Ajmer Sharif Dargah was built by the ruler Humayun during the rule of the Mughal Empire.
  • This Ajmer pilgrimage is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India.
  • It was the residence of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti between 1192 and 1236 AD and houses his tomb.
  • It is the mausoleum of the revered Sufi saint, which is visited by people of all castes, creeds, and religions.
  • The white marble dome of Chishti's Dargah, as it is seen today, was built in 1532.
  • There are eight tombs in the complex besides those of Chishti belonging to his family members.

The correct answer is Mughal period.

Key Points

• Uttar Pradesh has a rich variety of architecture.
• The architecture of Uttar Pradesh showcases a fabulous wealth of structures inspired by the conferences of Buddhist, Hindu, Indo-Islamic and Indo-European cultures.
• The architecture of the Mauryan period is an ancient one and is often characterised by the usage of the sandstone of Chunar.
• Lion Pillar of Sarnath located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, was built during the Mauryan Period.
• Medieval architecture was developed by Sharqi rulers in Uttar Pradesh.
• In 1408, Atala Mosque was built in Sharqi style by Ibrahim Sharqi.
• The composite Indian and Muslim style of architecture reached their peak during the Mughal period.
• The Mughal style of architecture flourished during the reign of Akbar and Shah Jahan, and the Taj Mahal is a living example of that.
• The unique features of Mughal architecture were the use of marbles, smooth and colourful floors, inlay work and happy blending of Indian and Muslim styles.
• Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri Fort, Tomb of Akbar, Chhota Imambara and Jama Masjid are examples of the Mughal syle of architecture.

• Kirana gharana is one of the most prominent Indian classical khayal gharanas and is associated mostly with the perfect intonation of notes.
• The gharana's style was further evolved and was established as one of the important styles in modern Indian classical music in the late 19th / early 20th centuries by the musicians Abdul Karim Khan and Abdul Wahid Khan.
• The name of this school of music comes from Kirana or Kairana, a town and tehsil of Shamli District in Uttar Pradesh.

The correct answer is Agra.

Key Points

• Salahakul Utsav of Uttar Pradesh
  • Sulh-i Kul was founded to define universal peace, especially for interfaith sensitivity and fair treatment for all, neglectful of religious tenets.
  • This term Sulh-i kul is an Arabic phrase meaning absolute peace.
  • Mughal emperor Akbar introduced this policy in his empire to unite the people of his empire.
  • In Uttar Pradesh, the festival sulahkul a symbol of Hindu Muslim unity is organized in Agra. Hence, Option 3 is correct.

Important Points

• ​Important Fairs & Festivals
  • Taj Mahotsav is organized in Agra.
  • In Uttar Pradesh, on the occasion of the Holi festival, Lattathmar Holi is organized in the barasana.
  • In Uttar Pradesh, the world's largest fair (Kumbh Mela) is organized in Allahabad.
  • Kumbh Mela is organized every 12 years and Ardha Kumbh Mela is organized in the intervals of every 6 years.
  • Dadri's Animal Fair is organized on Kartik Purnima, in Ballia.
  • Magh Mela is organized every year in Allahabad.
  • Haridas Jayanti Festival and Dhrupad Mela are held annually in Bhadrapad Shukla paksha in Mathura, in which the best musicians participate.

• First University in Uttar Pradesh to provide music education was Bhatkhande Music Institute Deemed University
• It was formerly known as Bhatkhande Music Institute or Bhatkhande Hindustani Music University.
• It is situated in Lucknow.
• Bhatkhande Music Institute Established in 1926 by Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande.

Notable alumni of University:

• Leela Desai
• K. G. Ginde
• Anup Jalota
• Saraswati Devi
• V. G. Jog
• Kanika Kapoor

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 Jamui.

• Bihar CM Nitish Kumar inaugurated Bihar’s first state bird festival ‘Kalrav’ on 16 January 2021.
• It was held at the Nagi bird sanctuary in Jamui district, about 200 km south-east from Patna.
• Spread in an area of 2.1 square kilometres, Nagi bird sanctuary is home to over 133 bird species.
• The festival was organized with an aim to create awareness among people about migratory birds.
• Bihar:
  • Lok Sabha seats - 40.
  • Rajya Sabha seats - 16.
  • State Animal - Gaur.
  • State Bird - House sparrow.

The correct answer is Sonepur:

Key Points

• Sonepur city of Bihar is world-famous for the largest "Pashu Mela".
• It is held on the eve of Kartik Purnima every year on the confluence of river Gandak.
• It generally lasts for 15 days to 1 month.
• It is also known as the Harihar kshetra Mela.
• Trading of Elephants has been prohibited since 2004 owing to strict enforcement of Wildlife Protection Act,1972.

The correct option is Odisha.

Key Points

• Konark Festival
  • It is also known as the Konark Dance Festival 
  • It is held in the backdrop of the famous UNESCO site of Konark Sun Temple, Odisha in the month of December.
  • Many dance performers across the nation come here to participate.
  • Sand-art festival also happens at this time at Chandrabagha beach.

Additional Information

• Hampi festival or Vijay Festival (named after Vijaynagar empire) is held in the backdrop of Virupaksha temple, Hampi, Karnataka.
• Ellora festival is a dance festival held in the backdrop of Ajanta & Ellora caves in Maharashtra.
• Rajgir Festival is a dance festival held in Rajgir, Bihar.

Important Points

• These dance festivals help in maintaining the rich & diversified culture and also support tourism, local haats(markets).