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UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of daily subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Each day, we cover one new subject. Attempt today’s subject quiz on History, Culture, and Social Issues to check your progress. Come back tomorrow to solve the Environment, Geography, Science and Technology MCQs. Don’t miss checking the answers and explanations at the end of the quiz.
Consider the following statements:
1. It is one of the Harappan sites located in Kutch district.
2. The fragment of a shell bangle collected from the site was found to be dating back to 2,850 BC.
3. The pottery found as burial goods at this site was mainly redware.
The above statements refer to which of the following sites?
(a) Dholavira
(b) Juna Khatiya
(c) Lothal
(d) Kalibangan
In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located? (PYQ 2023)
(a) Kalinga
(b) Gandhara
(c) Magadha
(d) Andhra
With reference to the script and language, consider the following statements:
1. It is comprehended as a symbolic representation of sounds of a particular language.
2. Most of the Indian scripts that have been used for writing are in the Hindi language.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
With reference to the Jantar Matar of Jaipur, consider the following statements:
1. It is an astronomical observation site built in the early 18th century.
2. It was designed for the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye.
3. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
4. The monument was built by Isvari Singh.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
With reference to Narasinghapettai Nagaswaram, consider the following statements:
1. It is an instrument of fine-quality wood.
2. It is specifically found in the valleys of the Tungabhadra River.
3. Andhra Pradesh has got Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Narasinghapettai Nagaswaram.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
FYI:
— The dry, arid soil on a 16-hectare expanse on the outskirts of Khatiya village in Gujarat’s Kutch district has thrown up several surprises — a shell bangle, pottery shards, stone blades, even human skeletal remains.
— The site is believed to be 5,000 years old and belonged to the ‘pre-urban’ phase of the Harappan civilisation.
— The fragment of a shell bangle collected from the Khatiya cemetery and tested at Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, was found to be dating back to 2,850 BC.
— The pottery found as burial goods at the Khatiya site, mainly redware, buffware and grayware, is comparable to the pre-urban Harappan pottery of Sindh and Balochistan and North Gujarat.
Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
FYI:
— Since the beginning of the Buddhist epoch, Guntur stood foremost in matters of education. Buddhists established universities in ancient times at Dhanyakataka (Amaravathi) and Nagarjunakonda. At present, with many educational institutions, Guntur leads the other Andhra Districts in matters of education.
— Guntur is a district in Andhra Pradesh, India covering an area of 11,391 sq. km on the Deccan, the first home of man in India. Paleolithic (old stone age) implements have been found, suggesting that man then roamed the region.
— Some places of historical importance in Guntur District are Amaravathi, Nagarjunakonda, Bhattiprolu, the Undavalli caves and the archeological museum in Guntur.
Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.
(Source: guntur.ap.gov.in)
FYI:
— The script is a particular system or style of writing. It can be comprehended as a symbolic representation of sounds of a particular language. Since time immemorial India is one of the countries multifaceted in terms of language, scripts, and culture. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
— The Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India lists only 22 official languages of the Republic of India.
— The National Mission for Manuscripts primarily deals with ancient scripts of manuscripts. There are some ancient scripts which are taught in the Manuscriptology & Palaeography workshops i.e. Brahmi, Gupta, Kutila, Nagari, Nandinagari, Sharada, Grantha , Kharosthi, vattelutu, Kaithi, Karani,Odia, Modi, Siddham, Lepcha, Naskh, Nasta’liq, Kufic, Reqa’i, Sulsi etc.
— Most of the Indian scripts have been used for writing 70 per cent of manuscripts are in the Sanskrit language. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
— Other 30 per cent of manuscripts are in languages like Assamese, Bengali, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Meithei /Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Newari/ Nepal Bhasa, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Chakma etc.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
(Source: http://www.namami.gov.in)
FYI:
— The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, is an astronomical observation site built in the early 18th century. It includes a set of some twenty main fixed instruments. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
— It was built by the prince Jai Singh II. The Jantar Mantar is an expression of the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts of the court of a scholarly prince at the end of the Mughal period. Hence, statement 4 is not correct.
— It was designed for the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye, they embody several architectural and instrumental innovations. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
— It is a cultural UNESCO World Heritage site declared in 2010. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.
(Source: indiaculture.gov.in)
FYI:
— The Narasinghapettai Nagaswaram is an instrument of fine quality as the wood involved in the production of the Nagaswaram is Aacha wood (scientific name being “Hardwickia binate”). Hence, statement 1 is correct.
— The wood is procured specifically from the valleys of the Cauvery River. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
— Wood from the Aacha tree (Hardwickia Binata) makes the stem of the nadaswaram. The Aacha tree is naturally water resistant; so when a Nagaswaram Artist plays the instrument the wood never gets damp.
— The lower, flared part of the instrument, once made of rose wood, is now made from the wood of the Lebbeck tree (Albizia lebbeck).
— Sometimes, the wood gouged out of demolished houses is used because old, weathered wood holds a tune better.
— Tamil Nadu has got a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Narasinghapettai Nagaswaram under Sub-section (1) of Section 13 of the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
(Source: search.ipindia.gov.in)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 22)
Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 21)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 21)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 21)
Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 21)
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