Test: History, Art and Culture MCQs (August 2024 Current Affairs) - UPSC MCQ

- Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. Jhumur is traditionally performed during the autumn season, not the spring season, by the tea tribe communities of Assam.

- Statement 2: This statement is correct. The Jhumur dance features the rhythmic beats of the Madal, a well-known two-headed hand drum. Other musical accompaniments include flutes and pairs of Taals, which enrich the overall sound.

- Statement 3: This statement is correct. Male participants join in the Jhumur dance to provide rhythm and vocal support, enhancing the performance with musical instruments.

Thus, the correct statements are 2 and 3. Therefore, the answer is Option D.

1. Establishment of Vijayanagar Empire: Incorrect. The Vijayanagar Empire was established in 1336, not 1346.

2. Renowned Ruler Krishnadevaraya: Correct. Krishnadevaraya was indeed a ruler from the Tuluva Dynasty.

3. Battle of Talikota: Correct. The Battle of Talikota occurred in 1565, leading to the downfall of Vijayanagar.

4. UNESCO World Heritage Site Designation for Hampi: Correct. Hampi was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.

Hence, three pairs are correctly matched.

Srinagar recently achieved the distinction of being recognized as a 'World Crafts City' by the World Craft Council (WCC), making it the fourth city in India to earn this title. This acknowledgment highlights Srinagar's rich tradition of craftsmanship and its commitment to preserving and promoting cultural practices related to crafts and folk arts.

The Quit India Movement (QIM) was sparked by the failure of the Cripps Mission in 1942. This mission highlighted Britain's stance on constitutional reforms, pushing Indians towards a stance of non-cooperation with British colonial rule. The mission's failure underscored the urgency felt by Indians to demand immediate independence and withdrawal of British forces from India.

1. Srinagar was the first city in India to be recognized as a World Crafts City by the World Craft Council (WCC): This statement is incorrect. Srinagar is the fourth city in India to be recognized as a World Crafts City by the WCC. The first three cities were Jaipur, Malappuram, and Mysore.

2. The WCC-International was established in 1964 with Smt Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay as one of its founding members: This statement is correct. The World Crafts Council (WCC) was indeed established in 1964, and Smt Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay was one of its founding members.

3. The Craft Council of India was founded in 1964 to safeguard and promote India’s rich craft heritage: This statement is correct. Smt Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay founded the Craft Council of India in 1964 to promote and preserve India's diverse craft traditions.

Thus, the correct statements are 2 and 3 only. Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 2 and 3 Only.

Statement-I correctly mentions that the Vijayanagar kingdom was indeed founded by two brothers, Harihara and Bukka, who had served in the army of Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq. However, Statement-II is incorrect as the capital city of the Vijayanagar Empire, Vijayanagar, was strategically located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, not the Kaveri River. Hence, Option (c) is the correct answer as Statement-I is accurate, but Statement-II is inaccurate.

1. Qasai Wala Gumbad - Tughlaq Era: Correct. The Qasai Wala Gumbad is indeed a mosque from the Tughlaq era.

2. Shahi Masjid - Lodhi Era: Correct. The Shahi Masjid is a mosque from the Lodhi era.

3. Tomb of Sikander Lodi - Tughlaq Era: Incorrect. The Tomb of Sikander Lodi belongs to the Lodi era, not the Tughlaq era.

4. Kushk-i-Firuz Palace - Lodi Era: Incorrect. The Kushk-i-Firuz Palace was established during the Tughlaq era by Firuz Shah Tughlaq, not during the Lodi era.

Correct pairs: 1 and 2.

Incorrect pairs: 3 and 4.

The primary purpose of Jhumur dance is to express the joys, sorrows, yearnings, and aspirations of the daily lives of the community members. This traditional dance form serves as a medium for the performers to convey their emotions and experiences through rhythmic movements, music, songs, and dialogues. It holds cultural significance in representing the essence of the tea tribe communities in Assam and is a way for them to express their sentiments in a harmonious manner.

1. Failure of the Cripps Mission - 1942: Correct. The Cripps Mission failed in 1942, which was one of the significant reasons for the initiation of the Quit India Movement.

2. Formation of Parallel Governments - Ballia and Tamluk: Correct. Parallel governments were indeed formed in places like Ballia (Uttar Pradesh) and Tamluk (Bengal) during the Quit India Movement.

3. Adoption of Quit India Resolution by Congress Working Committee - Wardha: Correct. The 'Quit India' Resolution was adopted by the Congress Working Committee at Wardha on July 14, 1942.

4. Gandhiji's "Do or Die" Speech - Simla Conference: Incorrect. Gandhiji delivered his iconic "Do or Die" speech at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay during the launch of the Quit India Movement, not at the Simla Conference.

Hence, only three pairs are correctly matched.

Statement I correctly describes Jhumur as a traditional dance of the tea tribe communities in Assam, performed during the autumn season. Statement II is also accurate in mentioning that the dance involves the rhythmic beats of the Madal, a two-headed hand drum. Furthermore, Statement II complements Statement I by providing additional detail about the musical aspect of the Jhumur dance. Hence, both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains Statement-I by elaborating on the musical elements involved in the performance.

1. Jhumur Dance - Associated with tea tribe communities: Correct. Jhumur dance is indeed associated with the tea tribe communities in Assam.

2. Madal - A one-headed hand drum: Incorrect. The Madal is a two-headed hand drum, not one-headed.

3. Jhumur Dance - Performed primarily in winter: Incorrect. Jhumur dance is typically performed during the autumn season in Assam, not in winter.

4. Flutes and Taals - Used as musical accompaniment in Jhumur dance: Correct. Flutes and pairs of Taals are indeed used as musical accompaniment in Jhumur dance.

Thus, pairs 1 and 4 are correctly matched.

Answer: Option B

1. Srinagar - Creative city for crafts and folk arts by UNESCO: Correct. Srinagar was designated as a creative city within the UNESCO Creative City Network (UCCN) in 2021 for its contributions to crafts and folk arts.

2. Jaipur - World Crafts City by World Craft Council: Correct. Jaipur is recognized as a World Crafts City by the World Craft Council.

3. Malappuram - World Crafts City by World Craft Council: Incorrect. Malappuram is not recognized as a World Crafts City by the World Craft Council.

4. Mysore - World Crafts City by World Craft Council: Correct. Mysore is one of the Indian cities recognized as a World Crafts City by the World Craft Council.

Thus, three out of the four pairs are correctly matched.

The capital city of the Vijayanagar Empire was strategically located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. This positioning not only provided a vital water source but also offered strategic advantages for trade, defense, and communication. Rivers were important transportation routes during this time, facilitating trade and connecting the city to other regions, making it a crucial element in the empire's success.

Tughlaq constructions are known for their distinctive architectural feature of sloping walls, also referred to as batter, which plays a crucial role in enhancing the stability of taller domes. This technique was commonly employed by the Tughlaq architects to ensure the structural integrity of their buildings, particularly in supporting the weight and height of domes.

1. Correct: The Vijayanagar Empire was indeed founded by two brothers, Harihara and Bukka, who had previously served in the army of Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq. They established the empire in 1336, breaking away from the Delhi Sultanate to form an independent state in Karnataka.

2. Incorrect: Hampi, the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, not the Krishna River. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.

3. Correct: The Battle of Talikota in 1565 was a significant event that led to the downfall of the Vijayanagara Empire. A coalition of Deccan sultanates defeated the empire, leading to the destruction and abandonment of Hampi.

Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrect. Hence, the correct answer is Option C.