Q.1 With reference to the architectural styles, consider the following statements :

1. Neo-Gothic, characterised by high-pitched roofs, pointed arches and detailed decoration

2. Gothic style had its roots in buildings, especially churches, built in northern Europe during the medieval period.

3. neo-Gothic style was revived in the mid-nineteenth century in England. & was adapted for

Bombay

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

A) 1 & 3

B) 2 & 3

C) 1,2,3

D) Only 2

Ans. C

The most spectacular example of the neo-Gothic style is the Victoria Terminus, the station and headquarters of the Great Indian Peninsular Railway Company

Q.2 With reference to the ancient period, which among the following is/are correctly marched ?

1. Mobato : Village headman

2. Pykars : Travelling traders

3. Chapkan : Long button coat

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

A) Only 2

B) 1 & 3

C) 2 & 3

D) 1,2,3

Ans. D

Q.3 With reference to the Guru Nanak, consider the following statements ?

1. He  advocated a form of nirguna bhakti

2. Sacrifices, ritual baths, image worship, austerities and the scriptures of both Hindus and Muslims were rejected by Guru Nanak

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

A) Only 1

B) Only 2

C) Both are correct

D) Both are incorrect

Ans. C

Q.4 With reference to the Odissi dance, consider the following statements :

1) Torso movement is an unique feature of the Odissi style.

2) Lower half of the body remaining static, the torso moves from one side to the other along the axis passing through the centre of the upper half of the body

3) There are certain foot positions with flat, toe or heel contact

4) In addition to the leg movement, there are a variety of gaits for doing pirouettes

Which among the above statements are correctly matched ?

A) 1,3,4

B) 2,3,4

C) 1,2,3

D) 1,2,3,4

Ans. D

Odissi is considered a dance of love, joy and intense passion, pure, divine and human. Over a period of time three schools of Odissi dance developed, they are- Mahari, Nartaki, and Gotipau. The Mahari system traces its roots in the Devadasi tradition. The dance form of Odissi that developed in royal courts is called the Nartaki tradition. In the Gotipau tradition of Odissi dance young boys dress up in female attires and enact female roles. Before the 17th century Odissi dance was held in great esteem due to patronage and support of local rulers and nobles. During this period even the royalty was expected to be accomplished dancers. However, the scenario changed after the 17th century. The dancing girls were thought of as prostitutes and from here the social position of dancers began to decline. During the colonial period too the position of Odissi dance suffered due to anti-nautch attitude of the British. With India gaining independence there began great efforts to revive the classical Indian dances. The government came to realize the role of cultural heritage in creating a national identity. A number of people and experts took initiatives for the reconstruction and popularization of Odissi dance. Some of the notable are Guru Deba Prasad Das, Guru Mayadhar Raut, Guru Pankaj Charan Das, Guru Mahadev Rout, Guru Raghu Dutta and Guru Kelu Charan Mahapatra. One of the most distinguishing features of Odissi dance is the Tribhangi. The notion of Tribhang divides the body into three parts, head, bust and torso. The postures dealing with these three elements are called Tribhangi. This concept has created the very characteristic poses which are more twisted than found in other classical Indian dances. Mudra is also an important component of Odissi dance. The term Mudra means “stamp” and is a hand position which suggests things. Odissi themes are almost religious in nature and mostly revolve around Krishna.

Q.5 With reference to the ancient period, who was/were dubashes ?

1. Dubashes were Indians who could speak two languages – the local language and English

2. They worked as agents and merchants, acting as intermediaries between Indian society and the

British.

Which among the above statements is/are correct ?

A) Only 1

B) Only 2

C) Both are correct

D) Both are incorrect

Ans. C

Q.6 Which among the following was/were the observations of Portuguese traveler Barbosa ?

1. Architecture of tombs & Mosques resembles of the mandapas found in the temples of Hampi

2. Houses of the people were thatched, but nonetheless well built and arranged according to occupations

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

A) Only 1

B) Only 2

C) Both are correct

D) Both are incorrect

Ans. C

Q.7 With reference to the Banjaras, what was Tanda ?

A) Caravan

B) Horse

C) Raw material

D) Food grain

Ans. A

These Banjaras carry their household – wives and children – along with them. One tanda consists of many families.

Q.8 During the Akbar court, what was akhbarat ?

A) It contained all kinds of information such as attendance at the court, grant of offices and titles

B) It is the recording of all the proceedings in the curt

C) It is a room for all the private discussions with the officials

D) None of the above

Ans. A

Q.9 Which among the following were the observations of Ibn Batuta ?

1. Two kinds of plant i.e. Coconut & Palm were completely unfamiliar to his audience

2. Ibn Battuta found cities in the subcontinent full of exciting opportunities

3. Most cities had crowded streets and bright and colourful markets that were stacked with a wide variety of goods

4. Most bazaars had a mosque and a temple, and in some of them at least, spaces were marked for public performances by dancers, musicians and singers

Which among the above is/are correct ?

A) Only 3

B) 1,3,4

C) 2 & 3

D) 1,2,3,4

Ans. D

Ibn Battuta found Indian agriculture very productive because of the fertility of the soil, which allowed farmers to cultivate two crops a year. He also noted that the subcontinent was well integrated with inter-Asian networks of trade and commerce, with Indian manufactures being in great demand in both West Asia and Southeast Asia, fetching huge profits for artisans and merchants. Indian textiles, particularly cotton cloth, fine muslins, silks, brocade and satin, were in great demand. Ibn Battuta informs us that certain varieties of fine muslin were so expensive that they could be worn only by the nobles and the very rich.

Almost all trade routes were well supplied with inns and guest houses.

The postal system was so efficient that while it took fifty days to reach Delhi from Sind, the news reports of spies would reach the Sultan through the postal system in just five days.

Uluq was known as Horse post. Foot post has three stations per mile i.e. called as dawa .

Q.10 With reference to the Mughal court, What was Kornish ?

A) It was a form of ceremonial salutation

B) It was old residential city of Delhi

C) It is a dance performed by men & women in a court

D) None of the above

Ans. A

Kornish was a form of ceremonial salutation in which the courtier placed the palm of his right hand against his forehead and bent his head. It suggested that the subject placed his head – the seat of the senses and the mind – into the hand of humility, presenting it to the royal assembly.

Chahar taslim is a mode of salutation which begins with placing the back of the right

hand on the ground, and raising it gently till the person stands erect, when he puts the

palm of his hand upon the crown of his head. It is done four (chahar) times. Taslim literally means submission.