What is the name of the literary genre developed by the Khojas who are a branch of the Ismaili sect?
- A.Ginan
- B.Ziyarat
- C.Raag
- D.Shahada
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, Ginan. Ginans are the devotional hymns of the Khoja Ismailis, composed by their pirs in Indian languages and sung in their prayer halls.
The word ginan comes from the Sanskrit jnana, meaning knowledge. Ismaili preachers such as Pir Shams, Pir Sadruddin and Pir Hasan Kabiruddin, who worked in Sindh, Punjab, Gujarat and Multan from about the 13th century, composed these songs in Sindhi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Hindustani and Multani. They were set to Indian ragas and drew on themes and images of the Bhakti tradition, which helped the community spread its faith among local converts. The Khojas still sing them in their jamatkhanas.
Option B is wrong because ziyarat means a pilgrimage or visit to the shrine of a saint. Option C is wrong because raag is the melodic framework of Indian music, not a literary genre of the Khojas. Option D is wrong because shahada is the Islamic declaration of faith.
Exam tip: Khoja Ismailis = Ginan (from jnana); Sikh = Gurbani; Alvars = Divya Prabandham.
Practice Questions
View allWhich one of the following statements about the Elephanta Island is correct?
- A.It was given its name by the British after a large elephant structure located there.
- B.It contains one large cave.
- C.It is well-known for a spectacular carving of Vishnu described in the Vishnudharmottara Purana.
- D.It is associated with the Pashupata sect.
Show answer
The Elephanta caves are Shaiva rock-cut shrines, and their imagery is linked by scholars to the Pashupata order of Shiva worshippers.
Read the full explanation →The tagline 'Invaluable Treasures of Incredible India' is associated with the logo for
- A.Archaeological Survey of India
- B.India Tourism Development Corporation
- C.Geological Survey of India
- D.Geographical Indications (GI) of India
Show answer
In November 2018 the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion of the Commerce Ministry launched a common logo for GI-tagged products with the tagline "Invaluable Treasures of Incredible India".
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following statements about Buddhist Stupas in India is not correct?
- A.Ashoka played an important role in popularizing the Stupa cult.
- B.They were repositories of relics of Buddha and other monks.
- C.They were located in rural areas.
- D.They were located close to trade routes.
Show answer
Stupas grew up near towns and along trade routes, where traders and townspeople could visit and fund them. A stupa is a hemispherical mound built over relics of the Buddha or of revered monks.
Read the full explanation →Who was/were the 10th century composer(s) of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham?
- A.Alvars
- B.Nayanars
- C.Appar
- D.Sambandar
Show answer
The Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 4,000 sacred verses of Tamil Vaishnavism, is the work of the twelve Alvars, gathered into one collection in the 10th century.
Read the full explanation →Consider the following : 1. Tughlaqabad Fort 2. Bada Gumbad in Lodhi Garden 3. Qutub Minar 4. Fatehpur Sikri Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of building the above monuments?
- A.3, 1, 4, 2
- B.3, 1, 2, 4
- C.1, 3, 2, 4
- D.1, 3, 4, 2
Show answer
The Qutub Minar came first, then Tughlaqabad Fort, then the Bada Gumbad of the Lodi period and last the Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri.
Read the full explanation →