Quizzinius 2021 Indian Heritage Quiz

Quizmasters:-
1. Aryaman Banerjee
2. Debaditya Pal
3. Urmi Maitra

1. ROUND 1 SIMPLE PASSING

2. QUESTION NO.1 Identify this famous temple constructed by Raja Raja Chola.

3. SAFETY SLIDE

4. ANSWER Brihadeshwara Temple

5. QUESTION NO.2 He was the third ruler of the Tuluva dynasty. Under him, the Vijayanagara Empire reached its greatest extent. We have read about his court in the exploits of Tenali Rama. Who is he?

6. SAFETY SLIDE

7. ANSWER Krishnadeva Raya

8. QUESTION NO.3 In 326 BC, X fought a Macedonian at the Battle of the Hydaspes River. He lost the battle. When the Macedonian asked him how he wanted to be treated, X replied ‘As a king’. Impressed by X’s courage, the Macedonian released him. Who is X?

9. SAFETY SLIDE

10. ANSWER Porus

11. QUESTION NO.4 This river is mentioned in the Rig Veda and posted Rig Vedic texts as well. It is believed to form a confluence with the Ganga and the Yamuna at the Triveni Sangam. Even though it is believed that the river had dried up by the time of the composition of the later Vedas, it is still considered sacred. Name the river.

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13. ANSWER Saraswati

14. QUESTION NO.5 Identify this UNESCO World Heritage Site

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16. ANSWER Agra Fort

17. QUESTION NO.6 In his Shiva trilogy, Amish Tripathi wrote about the kingdom of Meluhha. Meluhha is actually a name that was found in trading records at ancient Mesopotamia. According to these records, the Mespotamians shared a mutually beneficial trading relationship with Meluhha. Most scholars believe that Meluhha is the Mesopotamian name for which civilisation?

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19. ANSWER Indus Valley Civilisation

20. RESERVE QUESTION Where is this monument located?

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22. ANSWER Lucknow

23. ROUND 2 SIMPLE PASSING

24. QUESTION NO.1 Her story has been told in the Mahabharata and has been dramatized by many writers. According to Hindu mythology, she is the wife of Dushyanta. The most famous adaptation of her story was written by Kalidasa; some argue that it is the greatest play ever written by him. Who is she?

25. SAFETY SLIDE

26. ANSWER Shakuntala

27. QUESTION NO.2 He was a Sufi poet who wrote in the Awadhi language. He wrote 25 works. Some of his important works include Akhrawat and Akhiri Kalaam. However, he is most famously known for having written the epic poem Padmavat, Who is he?

28. SAFETY SLIDE

29. ANSWER Malik Muhammad Jayasi

30. QUESTION NO.3 She has written several novels in English, and has recently started writing in Italian as well. She won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the Hemingway Award for her debut novel. Her works have been longlisted for the Man Booker Prize before, but she has not won yet. She is one of the most well-known contemporary Indian-origin writers today. Identify her.

31. SAFETY SLIDE

32. ANSWER Jhumpa Lahiri

33. QUESTION NO.4 It is a collection of stories concerning the previous births of Gautama Buddha in both human and animal form. Each story follows a similar structure- there is a big cast of characters who interact and get into various kinds of trouble, then the Buddha character intervenes to solve the problems and there is a happy ending. Which collection of tales (which you probably read as a child) am I talking about?

34. SAFETY SLIDE

35. ANSWER Jataka Tales

36. QUESTION NO.5 The introduction to the English translation of X, called ‘Song Offerings’ was written by William Butler Yeats. It is part of the UNESCO Collection of Representative Works, and it was translated into English by the poet himself, who is inarguably India’s most well-known writer and poet. What is X?

37. SAFETY SLIDE

38. ANSWER Gitanjali

39. QUESTION NO.6 He originally begun writing under the pen name ‘Nawab Rai’, but eventually changed it to another pen name, one by which he is most famously known today. He has been referred to as ‘Upanyas Samrat’, or ‘Emperor among Novelists’. He is one of the most celebrated writes of the Indian subcontinent. Who is he?

40. SAFETY SLIDE

41. ANSWER Munshi Premchand

42. RESERVE QUESTION It has often been compared to Aesop’s fables, since the stories are all centred around animals. One version of the text had reached Europe as early as the 11th century. Though the author is unknown, it is generally attributed to Vishnu Sharma. What am I talking about?

43. SAFETY SLIDE

44. ANSWER Panchatantra

45. ROUND 3 POUNCE WITH BOUNCE

46. QUESTION NO.1 This sweet/dessert, also called Oal ka Murabba in Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Bihar, legend says that it originated in Mughal kitchens under Shah Jahan and was used to feed the workers constructing the Taj Mahal. Although this story is highly unlikely to be true as there are no mentions of it in cookbooks of Shah Jahan, and there are mentions of similar versions of this dish before Mughals came to subcontinent, it is something which you would surely be able to find on the busy streets of Agra. What am I talking about, and what is the main ingredient use to make it?

47. SAFETY SLIDE

48. ANSWER Petha, Pumpkin

49. QUESTION NO.2 According to sources, this dish originated in either in Hyderabad or Old Delhi in the late 18th century during the last throes of the Mughal Empire. Other than being a popular dish in Muslim regions of the country, it is nowadays widely popular in Pakistan and Bangladesh as well. The name being derived from the Arabic word meaning ‘sunrise’, people cooked this for one whole night and ate it the next day early in the morning. Name this dish. Although this delicacy is cooked with the shanks of cattle, the Pakistani variant generally uses which meat?

50. SAFETY SLIDE

51. ANSWER Nihari, Camel

52. QUESTION NO.3 Originally made with wild boar caught by British hunters as part of their daily recreational activities, this popular dish of the ‘Scotland of India’ is nowadays made with pork. The recipe comprises of various spices, grown indigenously in the landlocked region, including homemade tamarind vinegar called Kachampuli. Name this ‘spice-y dish and also its place of origin.

53. SAFETY SLIDE

54. ANSWER Pandi Curry, Coorg

55. QUESTION NO.4 X is the dried latex extracted from the tap root of Ferula. X has a pungent smell, lending it the trivial name of "stinking gum". The odour dissipates upon cooking; in cooked dishes, it delivers a smooth flavour reminiscent of leeks or other onion relatives. Used along with turmeric, it is a standard component dal and vegetable dishes, especially those based on potato and cauliflower. Kashmiri cuisine also uses it in lamb/mutton dishes such as Rogan Josh. Name X. How do we better know X?

56. SAFETY SLIDE

57. ANSWER Asfoetida, Hing

58. QUESTION NO.5 Name this Indian version of the immensely popular bubble tea.

59. SAFETY SLIDE

60. ANSWER Falooda

61. QUESTION NO.6 A sitter: Who introduced potatoes in Biryani?

62. SAFETY SLIDE

63. ANSWER Wajid Ali Shah

64. QUESTION NO.7 Connect:

65. SAFETY SLIDE

66. ANSWER Commercial crops introduced by the Portugese

67. QUESTION NO.8 An Italian gentleman, Mr Vado came to Darjeeling and opened a confectionary – ‘Vado’. Within a few years, Mr Pliva, a German, invested in it and the joint venture became ‘Vado & Pliva’. Mr Vado, however, soon left leaving all stakes with his partner who named it Pliva’s. All these happened in a beautiful building on the road leading to the Planter’s club. Soon after independence, under the guidance of Mr Augustine Tarcius Edwards, this joint became the mountain bakery we have all heard of, and some of us have even been to. What am I talking about?

68. SAFETY SLIDE

69. ANSWER Glenary’s

70. QUESTION NO.9 A brand of Hector Beverages, this chain of juices was launched in the year 2013, with the tagline “Drinks and memories”. The product line-up consists of a range of traditional, indigenous Indian drinks such as Jal Jeera, Aam Panna, Aam Ras, Alphonso Aam, Jamun Kala Khatta, Chilli Guava, Nimbu Pani, Kokum, Kanji, Sugarcane juice, Lychee Ras, Apple and Orange. Name the brand.

71. SAFETY SLIDE

72. ANSWER Paper Boat

73. QUESTION NO.10 Cultivated in states like Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, this chili draws up a massive 1 million (and above) units on a particular scale, making it the hottest chili in the world, alongside the Carolina Reaper. Often made into a paste and used in several north eastern dishes, what is the name of this chili? Which scale is used to measure the hotness of chilis?

74. SAFETY SLIDE

75. ANSWER Bhut Jolokia, Scoville Scale

76. QUESTION NO.11 Operated by Bundl Technologies based in Bangalore, which company was recently valued at Rs. 875 crores and has partnered with multiple companies, like Burger King, Sodexo, ICICI Bank and Google Guides to facilitate their services?

77. SAFETY SLIDE

78. ANSWER Swiggy

79. QUESTION NO.12 Without a proper business plan, this shop opened in 1985, and is still running (quite remarkable for a post-British era Kolkata food shop). With X coming into the shop after school to help out Y, along with school friends, this shop soon opened many outlets across the country, with even Satyajit Ray’s wife brining in her husband’s birthday cake from here every year. The first outlet opened in Rawdon street, after X and Y’s parents gifted X the space to make her dream come true. Name X and Y. What is the name of the shop?

80. SAFETY SLIDE

81. ANSWER Lovey and Puja Kapoor, Kookie Jar

82. RESERVE QUESTION This is a rice beer, created by mixing herbs with boiled rice and leaving the mixture to ferment for around a week. It is served cold and is less alcoholic than other Indian liquors. A very popular drink among states of Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh what is this delicious alcoholic beverage?

83. SAFETY SLIDE

84. ANSWER Handia

85. ROUND 4 POUNCE

86. QUESTION NO.1 It is believed that King Janak, ruler of Mithila Kingdom in the 8th or 7th century BCE, had asked to develop these paintings in order to capture the moments of his daughter Sita’s wedding to Prince Rama. Since then, they have been practised by the women of the region through the centuries and today it is considered as a living tradition of Mithila. Identify the art form.

87. SAFETY SLIDE

88. ANSWER Madhubani

89. QUESTION NO.2 Deriving its name from the Arabic word qaul, meaning "to speak". This Indo-Pakistani musical art form is an energetic performance, that takes place in the context of a mehfil-e samāʿ, a "gathering for spiritual listening of Sufi Muslim poetry that aims to lead listeners to a state of religious ecstasy to a spiritual union with Allah.

90. SAFETY SLIDE

91. ANSWER Qawalli

92. QUESTION NO.3 An archaeological site in central India that spans the prehistoric Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods, as well as the historic period. It exhibits the earliest traces of human life in India. It is located in the Raisen District in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Identify this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

93. SAFETY SLIDE

94. ANSWER Bhimbetka

95. QUESTION NO.4 Literally translated to “Story/Tale Performing Art”, this dance form traditionally depicts mythological tales from the Great Epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana. Relying on colours that are made from the vegetable extract and mixed with rice paste, it involves seven types of make-ups giving rise to different characters. Some are: Pascha Vesham, the green colour with bright red coloured lips portrays the lead character like Sri Ram or Arjuna. Tati or red colour for evil characters like Ravana, Hiranyakashyapu, etc. Identify this indigenous Dance Form

96. SAFETY SLIDE

97. ANSWER Kathakali

98. QUESTION NO.5 One of the most iconic Paintings of Abanindranath Tagore, a saffron clad woman, dressed like a sadhvi, holding a book, sheaves of paddy, a piece of white cloth and a garland in her four hands is depicted. The painting became immensely popular among the nationalists in those days, especially in the wake of Lord Curzon’s plan to bifurcate Bengal. Identify this painting that evoked tremendous nationalist emotions at a time of great need.

99. SAFETY SLIDE

100. ANSWER Bharat Mata

101. QUESTION NO.6 “X” is a semi-classical Indian Martial dance form with its origins rooted in tribal and folk traditions. It originated in Eastern India and is found in three styles named after the location where they are performed, i.e. the Purulia “X” of Bengal, the Seraikella “X” of Jharkhand, and the Mayurbhanj “X” of Odisha.The dance is traditionally an all males troupe, regionally celebrated particularly during spring every year. Identify this dance form.

102. SAFETY SLIDE

103. ANSWER Chhau

104. QUESTION NO.7 This particular Indian Artist was the virtuoso sitar maestro who introduced Indian classical music to the world and inspired the Sixties 'psychedelic' sound through his collaboration with The Beatles. Having taught George Harrison how to play the sitar he entered global stardom in the 1960s. Gaining confidence with the complex instrument, Harrison recorded the Indian-inspired song Within You Without You on The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Identify this maestro who created genre defying music when Raga met Rock.

105. SAFETY SLIDE

106. ANSWER Pandit Ravi Shankar

107. QUESTION NO.8 Dating back to 1000 BC, the following is a classical dance from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, practiced predominantly in modern times by women. The dance is usually accompanied by classical Carnatic music. Traditionally, this has been a solo dance that was performed exclusively by women and expressed Hindu religious themes and spiritual ideas, particularly of Shaivism, but also of Vaishnavism and Shaktism.

108. SAFETY SLIDE

109. ANSWER Bharatnatyam

110. QUESTION NO.9 In 2016, this maestro became the first Indian musician to be invited by the then American president Barack Obama to attend the All-Star Global Concert held in the White House. Born to Tabla Maestro Allah Rakha Qureshi and Bavi Begum, He learned to play the mridang (a classical percussion instrument) from his father when he was just 3 and began performing at concerts by the age of 12 and then shifted to Tabla, the instrument for which he is predominantly known. He was the youngest percussionist to receive the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards, he was also conferred the Indo-American Award in 1990 in recognition of his contribution to relations between the two countries. Identify this tabla maestro.

111. SAFETY SLIDE

112. ANSWER Zakir Hussain

113. QUESTION NO.10 This 3000-year-old organic art of hand and block printing was traditionally used for making narrative scrolls and panels. This exquisite folk art has a strong connect with Persian motifs. “X” derives its name from kalam or pen and is a legacy that has been handed down from generation to generation in Andhra Pradesh. The stylised animal forms, floral motifs and mehrab designs predominant in these paintings have also found a place in textiles. “X” primarily involves earthy colours like indigo, green, rust, black and mustard.

114. SAFETY SLIDE

115. ANSWER Kalamkari

116. QUESTION NO.11 Identify the Musical Instrument being played. (The one in the middle)

117. SAFETY SLIDE

118. ANSWER Sarod

119. QUESTION NO.12 The sculpture is symbolic of Shiva as the lord of dance and dramatic arts, with its style and proportions made according to Hindu texts on arts. The classical form of the depiction appears in stone reliefs, as at the Ellora Caves and the Badami Caves, by around the 6th century. Around the 10th century, it emerged in Tamil Nadu in its mature and best-known expression in Chola bronzes, of various heights typically less than four feet, some over. This sculpture can also be found In the CERN headquarters, home of the Largest Particle Physics Lab and the LHC. Identify this sculpture.

120. SAFETY SLIDE

121. ANSWER Nataraja

122. RESERVE QUESTION This is a traditional dance form originating from Rajasthan. It was the Bhil tribe who performed it to worship Goddess Sarasvati which was later embraced by other Rajasthani communities. The dance is chiefly performed by veiled women who wear flowing dresses called ghaghara. The dance typically involves performers pirouetting while moving in and out of a wide circle. The Hindi word for the twirling movement of the dancers is the basis of the dance form’s name. What dance form is being talked about?

123. SAFETY SLIDE

124. ANSWER Ghoomar

125. ROUND 5 BUZZER WITH BOUNCE

126. QUESTION NO.1 Identify this animal, commonly found in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

127. SAFETY SLIDE

128. ANSWER Nilgiri Tahr

129. QUESTION NO.2 This national park is believed to have the highest density of snow leopards in any protected area in the world. It is also the largest national park in India, and the only one that is located north of the Himalayas. Which national park am I talking about?

130. SAFETY SLIDE

131. ANSWER Hemis National Park

132. QUESTION NO.3 Identify this, the state of animal of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

133. SAFETY SLIDE

134. ANSWER Dugong

135. QUESTION NO.4 This biosphere reserve was established in 1982, surrounding one of the highest mountains in India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The reserve is home to endangered species such as snow leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, brown bear, musk deer and blue sheep. Identify this biosphere reserve.

136. SAFETY SLIDE

137. ANSWER Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

138. QUESTION NO.5 This endangered species is endemic to the Western Ghats. They are rainforest dwellers and good climbers. They are also among the rarest and most threatened primates in the world. Name the species.

139. SAFETY SLIDE

140. ANSWER Lion-tailed Macaque

141. QUESTION NO.6 X is a subspecies of elk. It is native to Jammu and Kashmir and cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The IUCN includes it in the grouping of Central Asian Red Deer. According to the census in 2019, there are only 237 of X left in the world, thus they are critically endangered. They can be found at Dachigam National Park. Identify X.

142. SAFETY SLIDE

143. ANSWER Kashmir stag or Hangul

144. RESERVE QUESTION Which is the world’s only floating national park?

145. SAFETY SLIDE

146. ANSWER Keibul Lamjao National Park

147. ROUND 6 OPEN BUZZER

148. QUESTION NO.1 This plant was introduced in Bengal in 1777 by a French man named Louis Bonnard. He started cultivation at Taldanga and Goalpara near Chandannagar. With the Nawabs of Bengal under British power, its planting became more and more commercially profitable because of its demand in Europe. However, this plant led to a revolt in the year 1859 which shaped the nationalist movement in India. Identify the plant and the revolution.

149. SAFETY SLIDE

150. ANSWER Indigo, Indigo Revolution

151. QUESTION NO.2 Connect:

152. SAFETY SLIDE

153. ANSWER Radcliffe Line, Line of Control, Cyril Radcliffe

154. QUESTION NO.3 The “X” was a group of 7 MPs from Britain who were sent to India in 1928 to study constitutional reforms and make recommendations to the government. The Commission was originally named the Indian Statutory Commission. “X” was strongly opposed by many Indians. It was opposed by Nehru, Gandhi, Jinnah, the Muslim League and Indian National Congress because it contained seven members of the British Parliament but no Indians. Indians saw it as a violation to their right of self determination and insult to their self respect. Identify X

155. SAFETY SLIDE

156. ANSWER The Simon Commission

157. QUESTION NO.4 This revolt in 1857 has been dubbed, “the First war of Independence”. Agitated by the execution of Mangal Pandey and outraged by rumours that the new Enfield rifle cartridges were lined with grease from pigs and cows, a section of the society started revolting. Since soldiers had to bite off the cartridge linings by mouth, this ired both Hindus and Muslims. What is the revolt better known as?

158. SAFETY SLIDE

159. ANSWER Sepoy Mutiny

160. QUESTION NO.5 Identify (Put Funda):

161. SAFETY SLIDE

162. ANSWER Dandi March Route

163. QUESTION NO.6 Connect:

164. SAFETY SLIDE

165. ANSWER East India Company

166. RESERVE QUESTION Q7. What is the last entry in this exhaustive list? Lord Cunning Lord Elgin Lord Lawrence Lord Mayo Lord Northbrook Lord Lytton Lord Ripon So on ...

167. SAFETY SLIDE

168. ANSWER Lord Mountbatten, the last Indian Viceroy