UNIT II: Chapter 1
Social Systems and Arts in Indian Knowledge Tradition
What does the term "all-encompassing culture" refer to?
A) A culture focused solely on art and music
B) A culture that addresses all aspects of the human mind and society
C) A culture limited to technological advancements
D) A culture that only values historical artifacts
Answer: B) A culture that addresses all aspects of the human mind and society
Which example is used to illustrate India's advanced cultural practices compared to modern examples in America?
A) The use of drive-in facilities
B) The creation of cubicles in markets for people on horseback
C) The development of modern architecture
D) The establishment of early universities
Answer: B) The creation of cubicles in markets for people on horseback
Which Indian deity is associated with music and the veena?
A) Lakshmi
B) Durga
C) Saraswati
D) Parvati
Answer: C) Saraswati
What is the historical significance of the veena?
A) It is a recent invention from the 20th century.
B) It dates back to ancient times and is associated with Goddess Saraswati.
C) It was introduced during the Mughal period.
D) It was a modern addition to Indian music in the 19th century.
Answer: B) It dates back to ancient times and is associated with Goddess Saraswati.
According to Bharatmuni’s Natyashastra, what are the two main types of veenas mentioned?
A) Chitra and Vipanchi
B) Kachchhapi and Ghosha
C) Vana and Veena
D) Dundubhi and Gargara Answer: A) Chitra and Vipanchi
Which Vedic text mentions music?
A) Yajurveda
B) Samaveda
C) Rigveda
D) Atharvaveda Answer: B) Samaveda
What does the 'Sama' in Samaveda refer to?
A) A type of musical instrument
B) The movement of musical notes
C) The structure of ancient architecture
D) A form of dance
Answer: B) The movement of musical notes
What is the significance of Bharatmuni's Natyashastra?
A) It focuses on ancient Indian dance only.
B) It provides evidence that Indian music art was based on scientific principles and was fully developed.
C) It describes modern musical instruments.
D) It outlines Western musical scales.
Answer: B) It provides evidence that Indian music art was based on scientific principles and was fully developed.
How old is the veena described in the text?
A) 1000 years old
B) 2000 years old
C) At least 4000 years old
D) 500 years old
Answer: C) At least 4000 years old
What was the main purpose of the cubicles built in Raigad according to the text?
A) To serve as storage spaces
B) To provide market facilities for people on horseback
C) To house ancient manuscripts
D) To function as military barracks
Answer: B) To provide market facilities for people on horseback
What is the oldest known musical instrument?
A) Trumpet-like instrument from Denmark
B) Flute from Egypt
C) Veena from India
D) Drum from Mesopotamia Answer: B) Flute from Egypt
Which historical figure is credited with introducing a specific series of notes (a scale) to the Western world?
A) Plato
B) Aristotle
C) Pythagoras
D) Socrates
Answer: C) Pythagoras
How old is Indian music based on references in the Rigveda and Samaveda?
A) At least 1000 years old
B) At least 2500 years old
C) At least 5000 years old
D) At least 3000 years old Answer: C) At least 5000 years old
Which text is considered to be related to Vedic rituals but also contains songs and music?
A) Rigveda
B) Samaveda
C) Katyayana's Shrautasutra
D) Atharvaveda
Answer: C) Katyayana's Shrautasutra
What does the text suggest about the Indian music system compared to Western music?
A) Western music developed earlier than Indian music.
B) Indian music was developed scientifically thousands of years ago, predating Western music.
C) Indian music is a recent development influenced by Western music.
D) Indian music has no historical significance compared to Western music.
Answer: B) Indian music was developed scientifically thousands of years ago, predating Western music.
What is the significance of the Sitabengra Caves?
A) They are the first known theater in the Asian continent.
B) They are known for their ancient musical instruments.
C) They contain the oldest known musical notation.
D) They were the site of early scientific discoveries.
Answer: A) They are the first known theater in the Asian continent.
Which Indian poet is believed to have composed his epic 'Meghdoot' in the Sitabengra Caves?
A) Kalidasa
B) Valmiki
C) Tulsidas
D) Bhartrihari Answer: A) Kalidasa
What was the primary purpose of the Sitabengra Cave’s main chamber?
A) Storage of ancient manuscripts
B) A seating area for spectators in a theater
C) A space for ritualistic practices
D) A residential area for artists
Answer: B) A seating area for spectators in a theater
Which other cave is mentioned alongside Sitabengra Cave for containing colored wall paintings from around 300 BCE?
A) Ajanta Caves
B) Jogi Mara Cave
C) Elephanta Caves
D) Ellora Caves
Answer: B) Jogi Mara Cave
What notable feature is mentioned about the main chamber of Sitabengra Cave?
A) It has intricate carvings of deities.
B) It is designed to prevent echoes with holes in the walls.
C) It contains ancient musical instruments.
D) It has a large water reservoir.
Answer: B) It is designed to prevent echoes with holes in the walls.
Why do some people disagree with the classification of Sitabengra Cave as a theater?
A) The cave's structure does not match Bharata Muni's theater design.
B) The cave does not contain any stage area.
C) The cave was built after Bharata Muni's Natyashastra was written.
D) The cave has been extensively damaged and lacks clear features.
Answer: A) The cave's structure does not match Bharata Muni's theater design.
Which feature of Greek theaters is mentioned as similar to the structure found in the Sitabengra Cave?
A) The use of amphitheaters
B) The circular space in the center of the stage area
C) The tiered seating arrangements
D) The use of natural light for performances
Answer: B) The circular space in the center of the stage area
What does the text suggest about the relationship between ancient Greek and Indian theatrical traditions?
A) Greek theater was influenced by Indian theater.
B) Indian theater was influenced by Greek theater.
C) Both traditions developed independently with no influence from each other.
D) Indian theater borrowed its concepts directly from Greek theater. Answer: A) Greek theater was influenced by Indian theater.
Who was Alexander the Great and what role did he play in the context of Indian and Greek cultural exchanges?
A) An Indian philosopher who documented Greek influences on India
B) A Greek king whose interactions with India are evidence of early cross-cultural exchanges
C) A Greek playwright who wrote about Indian dramas
D) A historian who proved the existence of ancient Indian theaters
Answer: B) A Greek king whose interactions with India are evidence of early cross-cultural exchanges
According to the text, which ancient text is considered to contain detailed descriptions of drama characteristics such as invocation and prelude?
A) Rigveda
B) Samaveda
C) Agni Purana
D) Natyashastra Answer: C) Agni Purana
How many chapters are said to be in Bharata Muni's Natyashastra according to some scholars?
A) 30 chapters
B) 36 chapters
C) 37 chapters
D) 40 chapters Answer: C) 37 chapters
Which play is mentioned by Bharata Muni as the first play?
A) Abhijnanasakuntalam
B) Malavikagnimitram
C) Samavakara Amrit Manthan
D) Vikramorvasiyam
Answer: C) Samavakara Amrit Manthan
What are some of the characters described by Bharata Muni in his treatise Natyashastra?
A) Narrator, hero, heroine, jester, and servant
B) Poet, dancer, musician, and critic
C) King, queen, merchant, and sage
D) Storyteller, warrior, scholar, and artist
Answer: A) Narrator, hero, heroine, jester, and servant
What does the term 'anka' refer to in Bharata Muni's Natyashastra?
A) A specific type of play
B) A traditional term for a play's act
C) A character in the drama
D) A genre of music
Answer: B) A traditional term for a play's act
Who discovered Sanskrit plays written by Bhasa in Malayalam script on palm leaves in 1912?
Bharatmuni
Kalidasa
T. Ganapati Shastri
Krishnaji Laxman Soman Answer: c) T. Ganapati Shastri
How many plays of Bhasa were found in the monastery in Travancore state?
5
10
13
20 Answer: c) 13
Which play currently staged is based on Bhasa's Sanskrit play 'Madhyamavyayoga'?
Samavakara Amrit Manthan
Urubhangam
Inferno
Mahabharata Answer: b) Urubhangam
What are the five elements (Pancha Mahabhuta) in Hindu philosophy?
Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Space
Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water
Sun, Moon, Stars, Earth, Sky
Light, Sound, Touch, Taste, Smell Answer: a) Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Space
What is the unique characteristic of three of the five-element temples?
They are all located in the same city
They were all built in the same year
They are located in a straight line despite being hundreds of kilometers apart
They are all dedicated to different gods
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