History · General Awareness

Indian Cultural Heritage

3,571 Questions

Indian cultural heritage comprises diverse traditions, rituals, festivals, and historical literary works. Questions cover cultural aspects of different regions, religious practices, and ancient texts. A strong understanding of this subject is essential for the static general knowledge section in competitive exams.

Traditional ritualsReligious significanceHistorical literatureRegional festivalsCultural symbols

Indian Cultural Heritage Questions

Multiple choice general knowledge history

“Chess” or “Shatranj” originated in India during which dynasty?

  1. Puru Dynasty

  2. Maurya Dynasty

  3. Gupta Dynasty

  4. Mughal Dynasty
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Chess or Chaturanga, known as Shatranj in Persia, originated in India during the Gupta Dynasty (around 6th century CE). The game spread from India to Persia and then to Europe. The other dynasties are incorrect - Puru was pre-Mauryan, Maurya was earlier (3rd century BCE), and Mughal was much later (16th century CE).

Multiple choice general knowledge

Which of these is not a famous love couple?

  1. Sohni-Mahiwal

  2. Dushyant-Shakuntala

  3. Radha-Krishna

  4. Salim-Noorjahan
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Sohni-Mahiwal, Dushyant-Shakuntala, and Radha-Krishna are all famous legendary couples from folklore and mythology. Salim-Noorjahan is NOT a traditional love couple - Salim was Emperor Jahangir and Noorjahan was his wife, but their story is historical, not a romantic love legend like the others.

Multiple choice

How important is the ‘dual character’ of postage stamps?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

The postage stamp, which began as a piece of paper in token of a receipt of postage, has assumed additional functions. It is a mode of commemorating, celebrating and promoting national heritage and events. It plays a great role as an ambassador, a brand image of the postal administration and a statement of sovereignty of a nation. After independence, the medium of postage stamps in India was initially used to highlight the country's achievements in science and technology as well as its socio-economic development. In keeping with their dual character as a Token of Postage and as a Cultural Ambassador, there are two categories of stamps. The first is meant for day-to-day use as a token of payment of postage on mail articles. The second, on the other hand, are designed and printed with greater aesthetic inputs. They are manufactured in limited quantities and generate great interest among philatelists and collectors.

  1. They commemorate the country’s achievements.

  2. They are a token of postage and hence, are very important.

  3. The stamps are of great interest to philatelists and collectors.

  4. Cannot be determined from the passage.

  5. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer as the given passage does not elucidate on the importance of the dual character of the postage stamps.

Multiple choice

According to the passage, what is the importance of the aesthetic inputs of the second type of postage stamps?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

The postage stamp, which began as a piece of paper in token of a receipt of postage, has assumed additional functions. It is a mode of commemorating, celebrating and promoting national heritage and events. It plays a great role as an ambassador, a brand image of the postal administration and a statement of sovereignty of a nation. After independence, the medium of postage stamps in India was initially used to highlight the country's achievements in science and technology as well as its socio-economic development. In keeping with their dual character as a Token of Postage and as a Cultural Ambassador, there are two categories of stamps. The first is meant for day-to-day use as a token of payment of postage on mail articles. The second, on the other hand, are designed and printed with greater aesthetic inputs. They are manufactured in limited quantities and generate great interest among philatelists and collectors.

  1. They are manufactured in limited quantities.

  2. They generate greater interest in philatelists and collectors.

  3. They highlight and commemorate the country’s achievements.

  4. All of the above

  5. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The importance of the greater aesthetic inputs in the second type of stamps is that they play a great role as an ambassador, a brand image of postal administration and a statement of sovereignty of a nation and they are also used to highlight the country's achievements in science and technology as well as its socio-economic development.

Multiple choice

With reference to India’s culture and tradition, what is ‘Kalaripayattu’?

  1. It is an ancient Bhakti cult of Shaivism still prevalent in some parts of South India.

  2. It is an ancient style bronze and brasswork still found in southern part of Coromandel area.

  3. It is an ancient form of dance-drama and a living tradition in the northern part of Malabar.

  4. It is an ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Kalaripayattu is an Indian martial art from Kerala. It is one of the most ancient fighting systems that are even practiced today. It was originally practised in Kerala and some parts of Karnataka. Today it is practiced in Kerala, Tamil Nadu as well as Karnataka and some parts of Sri Lanka.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the following information and answer the given question.

Preeti recently came to know that Govt. of India instituted an Amrita Devi Bishnoi National Award for wildlife conservation in the memory of Amrita Devi Bishnoi, who sacrified her life along with 363 others for the protection of khejri trees near Jodhpur in Rajasthan. Then, she planned along with her other friends to celebrate Van Mahotsav.

What is the significance of Van Mahotsav?

  1. It creates awareness among individuals leading to plantation of trees.

  2. It inspires citizens to drive vans.

  3. It creates concern among human beings towards animals.

  4. It spreads peace.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

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Multiple choice

Read the passage given below carefully and answer the following questions.What message does Id spread? Id-ul-Fitr is one of the biggest festivals of the Muslims. The word \'Id\' means happiness literary means breaking of fast. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and with great fervor throughout the country. Id is perhaps the only festival that lays great importance on sacrifice and purity of life. It teaches us the value of love, brotherhood and sympathy. The Muslims keep fast for a month so that their souls are purified. The day on which Id falls is a day of great merry-making. It is a day of love, affection, harmony and brotherhood. The Muslims wear new colorful dresses. They go to the mosque first to offer Namaz and to seek blessings from their Allah. After that they visit their friends and relatives. They embrace each other forgetting old grudges and ill-feelings. They wish each other Id Mubarak. Sweets are prepared and shared with friends and relatives. \'Sewian\' is a popular dish made on Id. Guests is served with Sewian. "Idi" is also given to the Youngers by the elders. Muslims from all sections society are seen happy on Id. A spirit of brotherhood prevails in every heart. There is no distinction between the rich and the poor on this day. All are equal. The Government observes a holiday on this day. The President and the Prime Minister wish a happy Id to our Muslims brothers.

  1. message of harmoney

  2. message of harmony and brother hood

  3. message of affection, love, harmony and brotherhood

  4. message of brotherhood

  5. dummy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

It is given in the passage.

Multiple choice

Read the passage given below carefully and answer the following questions.Why do the Muslims keep fast before the Id? Id-ul-Fitr is one of the biggest festivals of the Muslims. The word \'Id\' means happiness literary means breaking of fast. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and with great fervor throughout the country. Id is perhaps the only festival that lays great importance on sacrifice and purity of life. It teaches us the value of love, brotherhood and sympathy. The Muslims keep fast for a month so that their souls are purified. The day on which Id falls is a day of great merry-making. It is a day of love, affection, harmony and brotherhood. The Muslims wear new colorful dresses. They go to the mosque first to offer Namaz and to seek blessings from their Allah. After that they visit their friends and relatives. They embrace each other forgetting old grudges and ill-feelings. They wish each other Id Mubarak. Sweets are prepared and shared with friends and relatives. \'Sewian\' is a popular dish made on Id. Guests is served with Sewian. "Idi" is also given to the Youngers by the elders. Muslims from all sections society are seen happy on Id. A spirit of brotherhood prevails in every heart. There is no distinction between the rich and the poor on this day. All are equal. The Government observes a holiday on this day. The President and the Prime Minister wish a happy Id to our Muslims brothers.

  1. to get closer to Allah

  2. to purify their body

  3. to purify their soul

  4. to get way from bad things

  5. dummy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Concept based

Multiple choice

What is the cultural significance of the Mahabharata?

  1. It is the epic story of India

  2. It is the best movie ever made

  3. The story of Brahma and the creation of Hinduism

  4. It is not significant
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and serves as a foundational cultural and philosophical text.

Multiple choice guru gobind singh ji's life, creation of khalsa, and his personality evolution and development of sikhism india during the period of struggle- 1206 ce - 1757 ce history

What was the significance of creation of Khalsa?

  1. Separate identity to the Sikh community

  2. Increase in number of Sikhs

  3. Importance of Khalsa Sangat increased

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The creation of the Khalsa provided a distinct identity, unified the community, and strengthened the organizational structure of the Sikh faith.

Multiple choice history tribals, dikus and the vision of a golden age indigo rebellion struggles storms jungles the revolts of peasants and the tribals

The practise of Meriah, which was followed by Khonds till 17th century is a sacrifice of which of the following?

  1. Sheep

  2. Goat

  3. Human

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation


The Khonds came to the limelight during the British Raj for their Rebellion against the British intrusion into their territories for timber in 1836. The British sought to project their invasion of tribal territories as a civilizing mission to prevent for the practice of human sacrifice by the Kondhs.

Multiple choice history popular beliefs and religious debates reformation the reformation reformation in europe

What were two distinct phases of the growth of composite culture?

  1. Mauryan and Gupta

  2. Delhi Sultanate and Mughal

  3. Chola and Chera

  4. Harappan and Vedic
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

There are two phases of growth of composite culture as follows:

1. Early medieval or sultanate phase: It resulted in the development of Indo-Islamic culture containing the elements of both the cultures of Hinduism and Islam.
2. Mughal phase: It developed under Akbar with the help of Hindu and Muslim saints. Traditions, languages customs and literature got intermixed.

Multiple choice history architecture as power: forts and sacred places cholas of tanjore forts and temples in medieval period cultural heritage of india

Why did the Sinhalese ruler Sena general II order his general to invade Madurai?

  1. To find and restore the golden statue of Buddha

  2. To capture territory

  3. To avenge the defeat of Sena I by the Pandyan king Shrimara Shrivallabha

  4. Both A and C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Temples were destroyed by invading rulers as they were a large store of treasure and riches. Thus, temples were viewed as targets that were to be attacked in the course of battles.

In the early ninth century, when the Pandyan king Shrimara Shrivallabha invaded Sri Lanka and defeated the king, he removed all the valuables like The statue of the Buddha made entirely of gold in the Jewel Palace and the golden images in the various monasteries.

The blow to the pride of the Sinhalese (Srilankan) ruler had to be avenged and the next Sinhalese ruler, Sena II ordered his general to invade Madurai the Pandyan capital.

Multiple choice evs the pride of our nation opposition and cooperation with the rulers heritage of ancient india in the field of science and technology india's heritage of science and technology

The shlok with the following meaning 'grains come from crops and crops never come without farming hence effort should be made for agriculture leaving everything aside' was written by

  1. Suthradar Mandan

  2. Pratap Singh Barhat

  3. Sadhu Sitaram Das

  4. Maharshi Parashar
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Prominent author Maharshi Parashar was born in Pushkar (Ajmer). He had written a book titled Krishi Parashar. It elucidates about the ancient reference regarding Godhan Puja on Padava after Diwali. Several authors have projected him as the author of 'Krishishastra.' In the book 'Maharshi Parashar', he has mentioned about forecast related to rains which is used by peasants till date.