Social Science

Indian Traditional Costume

3,070 Questions

Indian traditional costumes encompass regional handloom textiles, tribal clothing, and festive ethnic wear across different states. Questions on these cultural elements regularly appear in general awareness sections of SSC and state PSC exams. Review these answers to improve your knowledge of Indian handloom heritage.

Regional handloom sareesTribal textiles and craftsFestive ethnic wearTraditional embroidery techniquesHistorical textile centersDance performance attire

Indian Traditional Costume Questions

Multiple choice

What is Bandanna?

  1. Printed shirt

  2. Printed saree

  3. Printed scarf

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

Bandanna refers to any brightly colored and printed scarf for the neck or head, originally derived from the Hindi word 'bandhna' (to tie).

Multiple choice

Why was the Indian textile popular? 

  1. by its fine quality

  2. by its cheap price

  3. by its fine quality and exquisite craftmanship

  4. by its exquisite craftmanship
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Indian textiles were renowned globally for both their high quality and the exquisite craftsmanship involved in their production.

Multiple choice social history of clothing clothing: a social history history

What type of national dress did Rabindranath Tagore suggest in the late 19th century ?

  1. Such a dress should have the elements of the Hindus' dress

  2. Such a dress should have the elements of the Muslims' dress

  3. Such a dress should have the elements of both the Hindu and the Muslim dresses

  4. Such a dress should have the elements of the western dress
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Rabindranath Tagore suggested that elements of Hindu and the Muslim dresses should be combined to create the national dress.

Multiple choice social history of clothing clothing: a social history history

Which one of the following dress was popularised in India by the Swadeshi movement of 1905?

  1. Western style of clothing

  2. Home-spun khadi

  3. Chintz clothes

  4. Silk clothes
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Swadeshi movement of 1905 encouraged the boycott of foreign goods, specifically British textiles, and promoted the use of home-spun khadi to support Indian industry.

Multiple choice social history of clothing clothing: a social history history

Why did Dalit converts in India adopt western style clothing?

  1. It was comfortable

  2. It was cheaper

  3. It was a sign of equality and self respect

  4. It was fashionable
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Western clothes were a sign of modernity and progress. Western-style clothing was also especially attractive to groups of dalit converts to Christianity who now found it liberating.

Multiple choice social history of clothing clothing: a social history history

Who among the following adopted the Parsi style of wearing sari pinned to the left shoulder with a brooch, and wore it with a blouse and shoes which was quickly adopted by Brahmo Samaji women?

  1. Jnananandini Devi

  2. Durgabai Deskhmukh

  3. Jhansi Lakshmi Bai

  4. Sarala
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Jnananandini Devi was a social reformer who pioneered various cultural innovations and influenced the earliest phase of women's empowerment in 19th century Bengal. She was married to Satyendhranath Tagore. This style of dressing gained acceptance before long among Maharashtrian and Uttar Pradesh Brahmos, as well as non-Brahmos.

Multiple choice social history of clothing clothing: a social history history

Chapkan literally means which among the following 

  1. Spinning yarn

  2. Charaka

  3. A long buttoned cloth

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

Chapkan literally means a long buttoned cloth. When there was a discussion regarding choosing Indian dress, Rabindhranath Tagore suggested that instead of combining Indian and European dress, India's national dress should combine elements of Hindu and Muslim dress. The chapkan, which is a long, buttoned coat, was considered a suitable dress for men.

Multiple choice social history of clothing clothing: a social history history

Who among the following were first to adopt western style clothing in India?

  1. Higher class Muslims

  2. Rich Hindu class

  3. Wealthy Parsis

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

Wealthy Parsis were first to adopt western style clothing in India. These people belonged to higher communities. Western clothing was a sign of modernity which was thus adopted by wealthy Indians.

Multiple choice

What is the traditional attire worn by Sattriya dancers?

  1. Dhoti-kurta

  2. Saree

  3. Lehenga-choli

  4. Mekhela chador
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Sattriya dancers traditionally wear dhoti-kurta, a loose-fitting attire that allows for freedom of movement.

Multiple choice

In the popular Indian folk dance Bhangra, what is the traditional attire worn by male dancers?

  1. Dhoti

  2. Kurta

  3. Sherwani

  4. Lunghi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In Bhangra, male dancers typically wear a colorful Kurta, a long tunic-like shirt, paired with a loose-fitting Salwar, a type of baggy pants. The Kurta is often adorned with intricate embroidery and vibrant patterns.

Multiple choice

What is the traditional attire worn by Bharatanatyam dancers?

  1. Saree

  2. Lehenga Choli

  3. Salwar Kameez

  4. Kurta Pyjama
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Bharatanatyam dancers traditionally wear a saree, a long, unstitched garment, draped in a specific style.

Multiple choice

What is the traditional costume for Bharatanatyam?

  1. A sari

  2. A lehenga choli

  3. A salwar kameez

  4. A ghagra choli
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The traditional costume for Bharatanatyam is a sari, which is a long piece of fabric draped around the body in a specific manner.

Multiple choice

What is the traditional jewelry worn by Bharatanatyam dancers?

  1. Gold and diamond jewelry

  2. Silver and turquoise jewelry

  3. Pearl and coral jewelry

  4. Wood and bone jewelry
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Bharatanatyam dancers traditionally wear gold and diamond jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and anklets.

Multiple choice

What is the traditional makeup worn by Bharatanatyam dancers?

  1. Heavy eye makeup and dark lipstick

  2. Natural makeup with a focus on the eyes

  3. Bright and colorful makeup

  4. Minimal makeup with a focus on the lips
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Bharatanatyam dancers traditionally wear heavy eye makeup, including kohl and eyeliner, and dark lipstick.