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The 'Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)', established in 1950, promotes cultural exchange through scholarships, festivals, and _____ chairs abroad.
- Visiting Professor
- Cultural
- Academic
- Research
Answer: Visiting Professor
ICCR establishes Visiting Professor/Chair positions in foreign universities to teach Indian languages, philosophy, and culture. This soft diplomacy initiative strengthens global understanding of India's heritage.
The Pallava Grantha script, developed in 6th-9th century CE, influenced the writing systems of Southeast Asian languages like _____ and Thai.
- Khmer
- Burmese
- Vietnamese
- Indonesian
Answer: Khmer
Pallava Grantha script spread to Southeast Asia via trade and cultural exchange, influencing Khmer (Cambodia), Mon (Myanmar), and early Thai scripts. This demonstrates India's soft power in ancient Asian literacy traditions.
The Padma Shri awarded to _____ in 2021 recognized her efforts in preserving the traditional 'Chhau' dance of Purulia.
- Gambhari Devi
- Soni Sori
- Rupa Devi
- Mamta Devi
Answer: Gambhari Devi
Gambhari Devi, a Chhau dancer from Purulia (West Bengal), received Padma Shri in 2021 for preserving and promoting this martial dance form. She trains young artists and performs internationally, sustaining cultural heritage.
Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions, dating from 3rd century BCE, represent the earliest form of writing for the _____ language.
- Tamil
- Malayalam
- Kannada
- Telugu
Answer: Tamil
Tamil-Brahmi script (c. 3rd century BCE-3rd century CE) is the earliest writing system for Tamil, found on cave inscriptions, pottery, and coins in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. It adapted Brahmi to Tamil phonetics.
The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation recognize efforts in preserving historic structures in the _____ region.
- Asia-Pacific
- South Asia
- Southeast Asia
- Indian Ocean
Answer: Asia-Pacific
UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards (since 2000) honor excellence in heritage conservation across 48 countries. Indian recipients include projects like Humayun's Tomb restoration and Jaipur's walled city conservation.
Royal land grants in ancient India were often recorded on copper plates inscribed in _____ script, sealed with royal emblems.
- regional scripts like Brahmi/Nagari
- only Sanskrit
- only Prakrit
- Greek-Latin
Answer: regional scripts like Brahmi/Nagari
Copper plate grants (c. 3rd century BCE onwards) recorded land donations, privileges, and genealogies. Inscribed in regional scripts (Brahmi, Nagari, Grantha) and languages (Sanskrit, Prakrit, Tamil), they are vital historical sources.
The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, instituted in 2006, recognizes young artists below the age of _____ in music, dance, and drama.
- 40
- 35
- 30
- 45
Answer: 40
Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (Sangeet Natak Akademi) honors artists under 40 for outstanding achievement in performing arts. Named after the shehnai maestro, it encourages emerging talent and preserves traditional arts.
Early Indian punch-marked coins (6th-2nd century BCE) typically bore symbols like the sun, moon, and _____, but no inscriptions.
- animals/trees
- royal names
- deity images
- geometric patterns
Answer: animals/trees
Punch-marked coins, India's earliest coinage, featured symbols punched onto silver bars: sun, moon, animals, trees, and geometric motifs. Absence of legends makes attribution to specific rulers challenging for numismatists.
The Kalidas Samman, instituted by Madhya Pradesh government, recognizes excellence in classical music, dance, theatre, and _____.
- plastic arts
- literature
- folk arts
- cinema
Answer: plastic arts
Kalidas Samman (1980) honors artists in four categories: classical music, dance, theatre, and plastic arts (visual arts). Named after poet Kalidasa, it includes a cash award, citation, and shawl, promoting classical traditions.
The Modi script, used for writing Marathi from 17th-20th century, was officially replaced by _____ script in 1950.
- Devanagari
- Bengali
- Gujarati
- Persian
Answer: Devanagari
Modi script, a cursive variant of Devanagari, was used for Marathi administration under Marathas and British. Post-independence, Devanagari was standardized for Marathi in 1950 for wider literacy and printing convenience.
The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Folk Music was conferred on _____, a renowned Baul singer from West Bengal, in 2010.
- Parvathy Baul
- Lalan Fakir
- Paban Das Baul
- Kangalini Sufia
Answer: Parvathy Baul
Parvathy Baul, a prominent female Baul singer and practitioner, received Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2010. She promotes Baul philosophy through performances and workshops, preserving this intangible cultural heritage.
The Allahabad Pillar inscription of Samudragupta, composed by Harisena, is written in _____ language and Brahmi script.
- Sanskrit
- Prakrit
- Pali
- Tamil
Answer: Sanskrit
Allahabad Pillar inscription (c. 350 CE) by poet Harisena eulogizes Gupta emperor Samudragupta in classical Sanskrit using Brahmi script. It is a key source for Gupta political history and literary culture.
Which contemporary Indian artist received the Padma Vibhushan in 2014 for contributions to modern art and sculpture?
- Krishen Khanna
- Ram V. Sutar
- Anish Kapoor
- Subodh Gupta
Answer: Ram V. Sutar
Ram V. Sutar, renowned sculptor of the Statue of Unity (Sardar Patel), received Padma Vibhushan in 2014. His works include statues of national leaders and historical figures, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.
The Brahmi script was first deciphered by _____ in 1837 through his study of Ashokan edicts.
- James Prinsep
- Alexander Cunningham
- William Jones
- Max Müller
Answer: James Prinsep
James Prinsep, an Asiatic Society scholar, deciphered Brahmi script in 1837 by comparing Ashokan edicts with Greek-Aramaic bilingual inscriptions. This breakthrough unlocked ancient Indian history and epigraphy.
The Saraswati Samman, instituted in 1991, is awarded annually for outstanding prose or poetry literary work in any of the _____ languages listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution.
- 22
- 24
- 18
- 20
Answer: 22
Saraswati Samman recognizes literary excellence in any of the 22 scheduled languages. Conferred by KK Birla Foundation, it includes a citation, plaque, and cash prize. First recipient was Harivansh Rai Bachchan (Hindi) in 1991.
The Grantha script, used for writing Sanskrit in South India, evolved into the modern scripts of Tamil, Malayalam, and _____.
- Telugu-Kannada
- Bengali-Odia
- Gujarati-Marathi
- Punjabi-Sindhi
Answer: Telugu-Kannada
Grantha script (c. 6th century CE) was developed to write Sanskrit in Tamil regions. It influenced the evolution of modern South Indian scripts: Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Kannada, adapting to regional phonetic needs.
The Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, the highest honor in performing arts, is also known as _____.
- Ratna Sadsya
- Akademi Ratna
- Kalidas Samman
- Tagore Ratna
Answer: Akademi Ratna
Akademi Ratna (Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship) is the highest honor conferred by India's national academy for music, dance, and drama. Limited to 40 living recipients, it recognizes lifetime achievement in performing arts.
The Major Rock Edicts of Ashoka were inscribed primarily in _____ script in the northwestern regions of his empire.
- Brahmi
- Kharosthi
- Greek
- Aramaic
Answer: Kharosthi
Ashokan edicts used Brahmi script in most regions, but Kharosthi (derived from Aramaic) was used in northwestern areas (modern Pakistan/Afghanistan). Some edicts also featured Greek and Aramaic for multilingual communication.
_____ puppetry, a traditional string puppet form from Rajasthan, is known for elaborate costumes and folk narratives.
- Kathputli
- Togalu Gombeyaata
- Putul Nach
- Pavakoothu
Answer: Kathputli
Kathputli is Rajasthan's traditional string puppetry, featuring brightly colored wooden puppets with elaborate costumes. Performers narrate folk tales, ballads, and social themes accompanied by folk music. Recognized for preserving oral traditions.
In Indian classical music, instruments are classified into four categories based on sound production: Tat (stringed), Sushir (wind), Avanaddh (percussion), and _____.
- Ghan (solid)
- Nad (vocal)
- Swara (melodic)
- Tala (rhythmic)
Answer: Ghan (solid)
Indian music classifies instruments as: Tat (stringed: sitar, veena), Sushir (wind: bansuri, shehnai), Avanaddh (percussion: tabla, mridangam), and Ghan (solid/idiophones: jalra, manjira). This system originates from Natya Shastra.