Notes for UPSC-UPSC IAS General Knowledge

Sr. N.	UPSC IAS General Knowledge
1	Who among the following invented Zero? A. Aryabhatta B. Varahamihira C. Bhaskara I D. An unknown Indian Answer Answer: An unknown Indian [ the most fundamental contribution of ancient India to the progress of civilisation is the decimal system of numeration including the invention of the number zero. This system uses 9 digits and a symbol for zero to denote all integral numbers, by assigning a place value to the digits. This system was used in Vedas and Valmiki Ramayana. Mohanjodaro and Harappa civilisations (3000 B.C.) also used this system..So,we can say Zero is invented by unknown Indian.]
2	Which of the following musical instruments is / are composite or Indo-Islamic in origin ? 1. Sitar 2. Shehnai 3. Tabla 4. Sarangi Choose the correct option from the codes given below: A. 1 & 2 Only B. 1, 3 & 4 Only C. 1, 2 & 3 Only D. 1, 2, 3 & 4 Answer Answer: 1, 3 & 4 Only [Shehnai is not composite or Indo-Islamic in origin.]
3	Which among the following is known as the earliest example of Panchayatana style of temple? A. Dashavatara temple at Deogarh B. Temple at Pathari C. Shatrughneshwara temple at Bhubaneshwar D. Lakshmana temple at Sirpur Answer Answer:Dashavatara temple.Deogarh [The Dashavatara Temple or Vishnu Temple also called Gupta temple at Deogarh. It was built in the Gupta Period (320 to c. 600 AD ). Archaeologists have inferred that it is the earliest known Panchayatana temple in North India. A hindu temple is a Panchayatana one when the main shrine is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines.]
4	Which among the following is the hallmark feature of the Dravida style of temple architecture? A. Shikhara B. Gopuram C. Vimana D. Mandapa Answer Answer : Vimana [Vimana is a term for the tower above the Garbhagriha or Sanctum sanctorum in a Hindu temple in Dravidian style.]
5	Which among the following is / are works of Kalidasa? 1. Ritusamhara 2. Meghaduta 3. Dasakumarcharita 4. Kumarashambhava Choose the correct option from the codes given below: A. Only 1 & 2 B. Only 2, 3 &4 C. Only 1, 2 & 4 D. 1, 2, 3 & 4 Answer Answer : Only 1, 2 & 4 [Dashakumaracharita (The narrative of ten young men) is a prose romance in Sanskrit, attributed to Dandin in the 7th century CE. Dandin is a 6th-7th century Sanskrit author of prose romances and expounder on poetics.]
6	Which among the following is the most famous Bronze Image of Chola Period? A. Murugan B. Nataraja C. Venkateshwar D. Vishnu Answer Answer : Nataraja [Chola art:The most famous of all the bronze icons is that of Nataraja, the Divine Dancer. The symbolism presents Siva as lord of the cosmic dance of creation and destruction.
7	Which among conclusions has been derived from the debasement of the coins and gradual disappearance of gold coins during the post-Gupta period? A. Commodities became cheap B. Gold Mining was stalled C. Money economy was gradually replaced by Barter Economy D. There was a decline in trade Answer Answer : There was a decline in trade [Debasement of the coins and gradual disappearance of gold coins during the post-Gupta period indicates the Decline of Trade.]
8	Which among the following ancient authors has complained of the drain of gold to India (due to trade hegemony of ancient India)? A. Ptolemy B. Nero C. Strabo D. Pliny Answer Answer : Pliny [ The lamentation of the Roman writer Pliny in the 1st century A.D refers to heavy drain of Gold from Roman into India in payment of her imports from India. He writes that the drain of Gold is in return for unproductive luxuries. The Roman gold and silver were steadily drained into South India in exchange not only for spices, but also muslin, silk and other costly luxuries.]
9	In the revenue department of Mauryas, who among the following was in-charge of the collection of all revenues in the empire? A. Sannidhatri B. Pradeshta C. Yukta D. Samahatra Answer Answer : Samahatra [ Mauryan administration: Samaharta – chancellor of the exchequer; responsible for the collection of revenue. The Revenue Department had Samharta who was incharge of the collection of all revenues in the empire]
10	The Pagodas at Mahabalipuram had been constructed by ___? A. Cholas B. Chalukyas of Kalyani C. Pallavas D. Pandyas Answer Answer : Pallavas [Pallava dynasty: the reign of Narasimhavarman I : constructed five rath temples at the port town of Mamllapuram (Mahabalipuram) These are now known as seven raths or Pagodas.]