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Art & CultureMediumAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2018, GK

Who was/were the 10th century composer(s) of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham?

  1. A.Alvars
  2. B.Nayanars
  3. C.Appar
  4. D.Sambandar

Correct answer

A. Alvars

Explanation

The correct answer is A, Alvars. 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.

The Alvars were Tamil poet-saints devoted to Vishnu who lived roughly between the 6th and 9th centuries. They included Andal, the only woman among them, Nammalvar, Periyalvar and Tirumangai Alvar. Their hymns were compiled by the scholar Nathamuni in the 10th century into the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, which is honoured as the Tamil Veda and is still recited in Vishnu temples of South India.

Option B is wrong because the Nayanars were the 63 poet-saints devoted to Shiva, and their hymns are collected in the Tevaram and the Tirumurai. Option C is wrong because Appar was one of the leading Nayanars. Option D is wrong because Sambandar was also a Nayanar, one of the three authors of the Tevaram.

Exam tip: Alvars = Vishnu = Divya Prabandham (compiled by Nathamuni); Nayanars = Shiva = Tevaram (Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar).

Practice Questions

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Q1.Art & CultureAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2018, GKHard

Which one of the following statements about the Elephanta Island is correct?

  1. A.It was given its name by the British after a large elephant structure located there.
  2. B.It contains one large cave.
  3. C.It is well-known for a spectacular carving of Vishnu described in the Vishnudharmottara Purana.
  4. D.It is associated with the Pashupata sect.
Show answer
Correct answer: D. It is associated with the Pashupata sect.

The Elephanta caves are Shaiva rock-cut shrines, and their imagery is linked by scholars to the Pashupata order of Shiva worshippers.

Q2.Art & CultureAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2018, GKMedium

The tagline 'Invaluable Treasures of Incredible India' is associated with the logo for

  1. A.Archaeological Survey of India
  2. B.India Tourism Development Corporation
  3. C.Geological Survey of India
  4. D.Geographical Indications (GI) of India
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Geographical Indications (GI) of India

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".

Q3.Art & CultureAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2018, GKMedium

Which one of the following statements about Buddhist Stupas in India is not correct?

  1. A.Ashoka played an important role in popularizing the Stupa cult.
  2. B.They were repositories of relics of Buddha and other monks.
  3. C.They were located in rural areas.
  4. D.They were located close to trade routes.
Show answer
Correct answer: C. They were located in rural areas.

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.

Q4.Art & CultureAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2017, GKMedium

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?

  1. A.3, 1, 4, 2
  2. B.3, 1, 2, 4
  3. C.1, 3, 2, 4
  4. D.1, 3, 4, 2
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 3, 1, 2, 4

The Qutub Minar came first, then Tughlaqabad Fort, then the Bada Gumbad of the Lodi period and last the Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri.