Daily GK Challenge

More practice: Art, Culture & Festivals of India

5 more SSC / Banking questions from the same chapter, with step-by-step solutions. Try each one, then reveal the answer.

1. Q1medium

   Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Karnataka, was the capital of which empire?

   • AChola Empire
   • BVijayanagara Empire
   • CHoysala Empire
   • DMaratha Empire
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   Correct answer: (B) Vijayanagara Empire

   Hampi, on the banks of the Tungabhadra, was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, founded in 1336 by Harihara and Bukka. It is famous for the Virupaksha and Vitthala temples, including the stone chariot. It was sacked after the Battle of Talikota in 1565. So the answer is the Vijayanagara Empire.

2. Q2medium

   Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri are together known as the 'Trinity' of which music tradition?

   • AHindustani music
   • BSufi music
   • CRabindra Sangeet
   • DCarnatic music
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   Correct answer: (D) Carnatic music

   These three composers lived in the 18th–19th centuries in the Thanjavur region of Tamil Nadu and wrote thousands of kritis. Their work defines classical Carnatic (South Indian) music. Purandara Dasa, an earlier composer, is called the father of Carnatic music. So the answer is Carnatic music.

3. Q3medium

   The Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri was built by which Mughal emperor?

   • AAkbar
   • BBabur
   • CHumayun
   • DShah Jahan
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   Correct answer: (A) Akbar

   Akbar founded Fatehpur Sikri as his capital and built the Buland Darwaza to commemorate his victory over Gujarat. At about 54 m, it is one of the highest gateways in the world. Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. So the answer is Akbar.

4. Q4hard

   The Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built by:

   • ARajendra Chola I
   • BRajaraja Chola I
   • CNarasimhavarman I
   • DKrishna I
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   Correct answer: (B) Rajaraja Chola I

   Rajaraja Chola I completed the Brihadeeswarar (Rajarajeswaram) Temple around 1010 CE. It is a classic example of Dravidian architecture with a towering vimana. His son Rajendra Chola I built the temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram. The Pallava king Narasimhavarman I is linked with Mahabalipuram, and the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I with the Kailasa temple at Ellora. So the answer is Rajaraja Chola I.

5. Q5hard

   Yakshagana, a traditional theatre form that combines dance, music, dialogue and elaborate costumes, belongs to which state?

   • AKerala
   • BTamil Nadu
   • CKarnataka
   • DOdisha
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   Correct answer: (C) Karnataka

   Yakshagana is performed mainly in the coastal and Malnad districts of Karnataka, usually all night, with stories from the epics and Puranas. Kerala's similar dance-drama is Kathakali, and Tamil Nadu has Therukoothu. So the answer is Karnataka.