Art and culture: 42 questions with answers

All culture questions

Options are listed alphabetically. Open "Show answer" to see the answer, our explanation and the source we checked it against.

1. cul-001The Sun Temple at Konark is conceived as what?

   1. A chariot of the Sun God on twelve pairs of carved wheels
   2. A lotus rising from water, with eight petals
   3. A mountain peak representing Mount Kailasa
   4. A stepped well shaped like an inverted temple
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   Answer: A chariot of the Sun God on twelve pairs of carved wheels

   UNESCO describes the 13th-century temple as a chariot of the Sun God; 24 carved wheels, each about 3 m across, line its north and south sides. UNESCO's short description mentions six horses, while its brief synthesis says seven.

   Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Sun Temple, Konark (Short description; Brief synthesis). Checked 26 October 2026.

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2. cul-002UNESCO calls the Konark Sun Temple the culmination of which style of temple architecture?

   1. Dravidian
   2. Hoysala
   3. Kalingan
   4. Vesara
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   Answer: Kalingan

   UNESCO describes the Sun Temple at Konark as the culmination of Kalingan temple architecture, with all its defining elements in complete form.

   Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Sun Temple, Konark (Brief synthesis). Checked 26 October 2026.

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3. cul-003The Khajuraho group of temples was built under which dynasty?

   1. Chandella
   2. Pallava
   3. Paramara
   4. Rashtrakuta
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   Answer: Chandella

   UNESCO says the Khajuraho temples show the culmination of northern Indian temple art under the Chandella dynasty, which ruled the region in the 10th and 11th centuries CE.

   Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Khajuraho Group of Monuments (Brief synthesis). Checked 26 October 2026.

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4. cul-004The Khajuraho temples are rare surviving examples of which style of temple architecture?

   1. Dravida
   2. Indo-Saracenic
   3. Kalingan
   4. Nagara
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   Answer: Nagara

   UNESCO notes that the 23 surviving temples display the originality of Nagara-style architecture, with a principal spire flanked by miniature spires that symbolise Mount Kailasa.

   Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Khajuraho Group of Monuments (Brief synthesis). Checked 26 October 2026.

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5. cul-005At Mahabalipuram, the monolithic temples are locally called what?

   1. Gopurams
   2. Mandapas
   3. Rathas
   4. Vimanas
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   Answer: Rathas

   UNESCO explains that Mahabalipuram's monolithic temples are locally called ratha, meaning chariot. The monuments were created by the Pallavas between the 6th and 9th centuries CE.

   Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (Brief synthesis). Checked 26 October 2026.

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6. cul-006Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) was a celebrated port city of which dynasty?

   1. Chera
   2. Chola
   3. Pallava
   4. Pandya
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   Answer: Pallava

   UNESCO describes Mahabalipuram, on the Coromandel Coast, as a celebrated port city of the Pallavas.

   Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (Brief synthesis). Checked 26 October 2026.

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7. cul-007The 34 caves at Ellora were created by followers of which three religions?

   1. Brahmanism, Islam and Jainism
   2. Buddhism, Brahmanism and Jainism
   3. Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism
   4. Buddhism, Zoroastrianism and Brahmanism
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   Answer: Buddhism, Brahmanism and Jainism

   UNESCO says Ellora's caves, cut between the 6th and 12th centuries, showcase co-existence among Buddhism, Brahmanism and Jainism.

   Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Ellora Caves (Brief synthesis). Checked 26 October 2026.

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8. cul-008Which Ellora cave holds the Kailasa temple, described as the largest monolithic temple?

   1. Cave 1
   2. Cave 10
   3. Cave 16
   4. Cave 32
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   Answer: Cave 16

   UNESCO lists Cave 16 (Kailasa) among the prominent Brahmanical caves at Ellora and calls it the largest monolithic temple.

   Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Ellora Caves (Brief synthesis). Checked 26 October 2026.

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9. cul-009The Ajanta Caves are cut into a cliff above which river?

   1. Godavari
   2. Krishna
   3. Tapi
   4. Waghora
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   Answer: Waghora

   UNESCO says the Ajanta Caves are excavated in a vertical cliff above the left bank of the river Waghora and are connected to it by rock-cut staircases.

   Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Ajanta Caves (Brief synthesis). Checked 26 October 2026.

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10. cul-010The two phases of excavation at Ajanta coincide with the rule of which two dynasties?

    1. Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas
    2. Kushanas and Pallavas
    3. Mauryas and Guptas
    4. Satavahanas and Vakatakas
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    Answer: Satavahanas and Vakatakas

    UNESCO dates the first phase to the Satavahana period (about the 2nd to 1st century BCE) and the second to the Vakatakas (5th to 6th centuries CE), about four centuries apart.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Ajanta Caves (Brief synthesis). Checked 26 October 2026.

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11. cul-011Elephanta Island, home to the 7-metre "Sadashiva" sculpture, is also known as what?

    1. Bassein
    2. Divar
    3. Gharapuri
    4. Salsette
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    Answer: Gharapuri

    UNESCO notes that the Elephanta Caves are on Elephanta Island, otherwise known as the Island of Gharapuri. The Sadashiva sculpture shows three aspects of Shiva.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Elephanta Caves (Brief synthesis). Checked 26 October 2026.

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12. cul-012The inception of Sanchi as a sacred Buddhist centre is attributed to which emperor?

    1. Asoka
    2. Chandragupta II
    3. Harsha
    4. Kanishka
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    Answer: Asoka

    UNESCO attributes Sanchi's beginning as a sacred centre to the Mauryan emperor Asoka in the 3rd century BCE, whose reign helped spread Buddhism.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (Brief synthesis). Checked 26 October 2026.

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13. cul-013The present Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely in which material?

    1. Brick
    2. Granite
    3. Marble
    4. Wood
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    Answer: Brick

    UNESCO says the present temple, dating from the 5th-6th centuries, is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely in brick still standing, from the late Gupta period.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (Brief synthesis). Checked 26 October 2026.

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14. cul-014The monuments at Pattadakal in Karnataka were created under which dynasty?

    1. Chalukya
    2. Hoysala
    3. Kakatiya
    4. Vijayanagara
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    Answer: Chalukya

    UNESCO says Pattadakal represents the high point of an eclectic art that, in the 7th and 8th centuries under the Chalukya dynasty, blended architectural forms from northern and southern India.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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15. cul-015In inscriptions, the Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur is known by which name?

    1. Chola Kailasa
    2. Dakshin Ganga
    3. Dakshina Kashi
    4. Dakshina Meru
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    Answer: Dakshina Meru

    UNESCO notes that the Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur, the greatest achievement of Chola architects, is called Dakshina Meru in inscriptions.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Great Living Chola Temples (Brief synthesis). Checked 26 October 2026.

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16. cul-016Channakeshava at Belur, Hoysalesvara at Halebidu and Keshava at Somanathapura form which UNESCO site?

    1. Great Living Chola Temples
    2. Group of Monuments at Hampi
    3. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal
    4. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas
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    Answer: Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas

    UNESCO groups these three Hoysala-style temple complexes, built between the 12th and 13th centuries in Karnataka, as the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas (Brief synthesis). Checked 26 October 2026.

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17. cul-017The Ramappa (Rudreshwara) Temple in Telangana has a vimana made of lightweight porous bricks known as what?

    1. Fire bricks
    2. Floating bricks
    3. Glazed bricks
    4. Mud bricks
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    Answer: Floating bricks

    UNESCO notes the temple's distinctive pyramidal vimana of lightweight porous bricks, also known as floating bricks. It belongs to the Kakatiya period (1123-1323 CE).

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple (Brief synthesis). Checked 26 October 2026.

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18. cul-018Rani-ki-Vav at Patan, Gujarat, is an example of which kind of structure?

    1. A fort
    2. A mosque
    3. A stepwell
    4. An observatory
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    Answer: A stepwell

    UNESCO describes Rani-ki-Vav as a stepwell, first built as a memorial in the 11th century CE and designed as an inverted temple highlighting the sanctity of water.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Rani-ki-Vav at Patan, Gujarat (Brief synthesis). Checked 26 October 2026.

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19. cul-019The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, an astronomical observation site of the early 18th century, was created by which ruler?

    1. Jai Singh II
    2. Maharana Pratap
    3. Man Singh I
    4. Sawai Ram Singh II
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    Answer: Jai Singh II

    UNESCO credits the impetus of its creator, the prince Jai Singh II. The site has about twenty main fixed instruments designed for naked-eye observation.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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20. cul-020Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai is an outstanding example of which architectural style blended with Indian traditional themes?

    1. Art Deco
    2. Indo-Islamic
    3. Neo-classical Palladian
    4. Victorian Gothic Revival
    Show answer

    Answer: Victorian Gothic Revival

    UNESCO describes the station, formerly Victoria Terminus, as an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture blended with themes from Indian traditional architecture. It was built over 10 years from 1878.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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21. cul-021In which year did Rabindranath Tagore establish Santiniketan as a residential school and centre for art?

    1. 1890
    2. 1901
    3. 1913
    4. 1921
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    Answer: 1901

    UNESCO says Tagore established Santiniketan in rural West Bengal in 1901, with open-air classrooms under trees based on ancient Indian traditions.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Santiniketan (Brief synthesis). Checked 26 October 2026.

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22. cul-022Which church in Goa contains the tomb of St Francis Xavier?

    1. Church of Bom Jesus
    2. Church of Our Lady of the Rosary
    3. Church of St Cajetan
    4. Se Cathedral
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    Answer: Church of Bom Jesus

    UNESCO's listing of the Churches and Convents of Goa singles out the Church of Bom Jesus, which contains the tomb of St Francis Xavier.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Churches and Convents of Goa (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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23. cul-023Which railway does UNESCO call the first, and still the most outstanding, example of a hill passenger railway?

    1. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
    2. Kalka-Shimla Railway
    3. Matheran Hill Railway
    4. Nilgiri Mountain Railway
    Show answer

    Answer: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

    UNESCO's listing of the Mountain Railways of India describes the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway as the first, and still the most outstanding, example of a hill passenger railway.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Mountain Railways of India (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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24. cul-024The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka lie in the foothills of which mountains?

    1. Aravali Range
    2. Satpura Range
    3. Vindhyan Mountains
    4. Western Ghats
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    Answer: Vindhyan Mountains

    UNESCO places Bhimbetka in the foothills of the Vindhyan Mountains on the southern edge of the central Indian plateau. The site is known for its rock paintings.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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25. cul-025How many forts make up the UNESCO site "Hill Forts of Rajasthan"?

    1. Eight
    2. Four
    3. Six
    4. Twelve
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    Answer: Six

    UNESCO lists six forts, at Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Sawai Madhopur, Jhalawar, Jaipur and Jaisalmer.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Hill Forts of Rajasthan (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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26. cul-026According to UNESCO's Kumbh Mela listing, which of these is NOT one of the four places where the festival is held by rotation?

    1. Haridwar
    2. Nasik
    3. Pushkar
    4. Ujjain
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    Answer: Pushkar

    UNESCO says Kumbh Mela is held at Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik every four years by rotation. It was inscribed on the Representative List in 2017.

    Source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Kumbh Mela (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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27. cul-027In which year was Yoga inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity?

    1. 2014
    2. 2015
    3. 2016
    4. 2019
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    Answer: 2016

    UNESCO's page shows Yoga inscribed in 2016 (11.COM). It describes yoga as unifying mind, body and soul through poses, meditation, controlled breathing and chanting.

    Source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Yoga (Inscription line). Checked 26 October 2026.

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28. cul-028In which year was Durga Puja in Kolkata inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List?

    1. 2017
    2. 2019
    3. 2021
    4. 2023
    Show answer

    Answer: 2021

    UNESCO's page shows Durga Puja in Kolkata inscribed in 2021 (16.COM). The listing describes the ten-day worship of the goddess Durga, with clay images made in small artisanal workshops.

    Source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Durga Puja in Kolkata (Inscription line). Checked 26 October 2026.

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29. cul-029Garba of Gujarat, inscribed by UNESCO in 2023, is performed during which festival?

    1. Diwali
    2. Holi
    3. Makar Sankranti
    4. Navaratri
    Show answer

    Answer: Navaratri

    UNESCO describes Garba as a devotional dance performed during Navaratri, around a perforated earthenware pot lit with an oil lamp or an image of the mother goddess Amba.

    Source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Garba of Gujarat (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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30. cul-030Kalbelia folk songs and dances belong to which state, and evoke which former occupation of the community?

    1. Gujarat; salt making
    2. Kerala; boat building
    3. Punjab; brass working
    4. Rajasthan; snake handling
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    Answer: Rajasthan; snake handling

    UNESCO says the Kalbelia, once professional snake handlers, evoke that occupation in dances that replicate a serpent's movements, accompanied by the khanjari and the poongi.

    Source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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31. cul-031Chhau dance has three styles: Seraikella, Purulia and Mayurbhanj. Which one does not use masks?

    1. All three use masks
    2. Mayurbhanj
    3. Purulia
    4. Seraikella
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    Answer: Mayurbhanj

    UNESCO notes that of the three Chhau styles, the first two (Seraikella and Purulia) use masks, leaving Mayurbhanj as the unmasked style.

    Source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Chhau dance (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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32. cul-032Mudiyettu, the ritual dance drama of Kerala, enacts a battle between the goddess Kali and which demon?

    1. Bakasura
    2. Darika
    3. Mahishasura
    4. Ravana
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    Answer: Darika

    UNESCO describes Mudiyettu as based on the tale of Kali's battle with the demon Darika, performed after summer crops are harvested, with a huge image of Kali (the kalam) drawn on the temple floor.

    Source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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33. cul-033Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing that narrates the life of Krishna, belongs to which state?

    1. Assam
    2. Manipur
    3. Odisha
    4. West Bengal
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    Answer: Manipur

    UNESCO describes Sankirtana as practised by the Vaishnava people of the Manipur plains, centred on the temple. It was inscribed in 2013.

    Source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Sankirtana of Manipur (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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34. cul-034In Kutiyattam, the Sanskrit theatre of Kerala, what does "neta abhinaya" refer to?

    1. Costume and make-up
    2. Eye expression
    3. Footwork
    4. Hand gestures
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    Answer: Eye expression

    UNESCO notes that in Kutiyattam's codified language, eye expression (neta abhinaya) and the language of gestures (hasta abhinaya) are prominent.

    Source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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35. cul-035Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana across northern India, is staged during which festival?

    1. Baisakhi
    2. Dussehra
    3. Holi
    4. Onam
    Show answer

    Answer: Dussehra

    UNESCO says Ramlila is performed during the festival of Dussehra in autumn; the most representative are those of Ayodhya, Ramnagar and Benares, Vrindavan, Almora, Sattna and Madhubani.

    Source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Ramlila (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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36. cul-036Ramman, a religious festival and ritual theatre, is held each year in which villages?

    1. Jandiala Guru, Punjab
    2. Raghurajpur, Odisha
    3. Saloor-Dungra, Himachal Pradesh
    4. Saloor-Dungra, Uttarakhand
    Show answer

    Answer: Saloor-Dungra, Uttarakhand

    UNESCO says Ramman takes place every year in late April in the twin villages of Saloor-Dungra in Uttarakhand, in honour of the local deity Bhumiyal Devta.

    Source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Ramman of the Garhwal Himalayas (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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37. cul-037The Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab, are known for making utensils from which metals?

    1. Aluminium and nickel
    2. Brass and copper
    3. Iron and steel
    4. Silver and gold
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    Answer: Brass and copper

    UNESCO describes the Thatheras' traditional craft of hammering brass and copper into utensils; it was inscribed in 2014.

    Source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Brass and copper craft of the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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38. cul-038In the 1870s, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote "Vande Mataram" as a hymn to the motherland. In which of his novels was it later included?

    1. Anandamath
    2. Durgeshnandini
    3. Gora
    4. Kapalkundala
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    Answer: Anandamath

    NCERT says Bankim Chandra wrote Vande Mataram in the 1870s and later included it in his novel Anandamath; it was widely sung during the Swadeshi movement in Bengal.

    Source: NCERT, Class X, India and the Contemporary World II: Nationalism in India (PDF page 19). Checked 26 October 2026.

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39. cul-039Which artist, moved by the Swadeshi movement, painted the famous image of Bharat Mata as a calm, ascetic figure?

    1. Abanindranath Tagore
    2. Amrita Sher-Gil
    3. Nandalal Bose
    4. Raja Ravi Varma
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    Answer: Abanindranath Tagore

    NCERT records that Abanindranath Tagore painted his famous Bharat Mata, portraying her as an ascetic figure, calm, composed, divine and spiritual.

    Source: NCERT, Class X, India and the Contemporary World II: Nationalism in India (PDF page 19). Checked 26 October 2026.

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40. cul-040The Sangeet Natak Akademi runs a national project supporting the Sattriya tradition. Sattriya belongs to which state?

    1. Assam
    2. Manipur
    3. Odisha
    4. Tripura
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    Answer: Assam

    The Sangeet Natak Akademi's dance section mentions national projects for Kutiyattam of Kerala, the Chhau dances of eastern India and the Sattriya traditions of Assam.

    Source: Sangeet Natak Akademi, Dance section (Dance section). Checked 26 October 2026.

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41. cul-041The Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara, a monastic and scholastic centre from the 5th to the 13th century CE, is in which state?

    1. Bihar
    2. Odisha
    3. Uttar Pradesh
    4. West Bengal
    Show answer

    Answer: Bihar

    UNESCO places Nalanda Mahavihara in Bihar, spread over 23 hectares, and describes it as one of the earliest and longest-serving monastic-cum-scholastic establishments in the subcontinent.

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Brief synthesis). Checked 26 October 2026.

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42. cul-042Buddhist chanting of Ladakh is inscribed by UNESCO. Which two forms of Buddhism does the listing say are practised in Ladakh?

    1. Mahayana and Vajrayana
    2. Theravada and Mahayana
    3. Theravada and Vajrayana
    4. Zen and Pure Land
    Show answer

    Answer: Mahayana and Vajrayana

    UNESCO says two forms of Buddhism are practised in Ladakh, Mahayana and Vajrayana, with four major sects, each with several forms of chanting. The element was inscribed in 2012.

    Source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Buddhist chanting of Ladakh (Description). Checked 26 October 2026.

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