Assam-Specific Topics – Culture, Art, and Heritage of Assam
Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)
Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) – Preliminary Examination
General Studies Paper I (Objective, 200 Marks)
Topic: Assam-Specific Topics
Sub-Topic: Culture, Art, and Heritage of Assam
Culture, Art, and Heritage of Assam – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers & Explanations
Q1. The most popular festival of Assam is:
A. Rongali Bihu
B. Durga Puja
C. Diwali
D. Baisakhi
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Rongali Bihu marks the Assamese New Year and agricultural cycle, making it the most celebrated festival.
Q2. How many major Bihu festivals are celebrated in Assam?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The three Bihus are Rongali (Bohag), Kongali (Kati), and Bhogali (Magh).
Q3. Bihu dance is mainly associated with:
A. Religious rituals
B. Harvest celebration
C. Royal court culture
D. Temple worship
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Bihu dance celebrates harvest, fertility, and joy of life.
Q4. Sattriya dance form originated from:
A. Royal patronage
B. Folk traditions
C. Vaishnavite monasteries
D. Tribal rituals
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Sattriya developed in Satras (Vaishnavite monasteries) as a devotional art.
Q5. Sattriya dance was introduced by:
A. Lachit Barphukan
B. Srimanta Sankardeva
C. Madhavdeva
D. Rudrasimha
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Srimanta Sankardeva introduced Sattriya as a medium of Bhakti.
Q6. Which of the following is a classical dance of India from Assam?
A. Bihu
B. Bagurumba
C. Sattriya
D. Ojapali
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Sattriya is one of the eight recognized classical dances of India.
Q7. The Vaishnavite monasteries of Assam are called:
A. Maths
B. Viharas
C. Satras
D. Mandapas
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Satras are religious and cultural institutions of Assam.
Q8. Which island is famous for Satras and neo-Vaishnavite culture?
A. Umananda
B. Majuli
C. Peacock Island
D. Dibru
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Majuli is a major cultural and spiritual centre of Assam.
Q9. Ojapali is a traditional art form combining:
A. Dance and sculpture
B. Music, dance and storytelling
C. Painting and drama
D. Instrumental music only
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Ojapali integrates narration, music, and expressive dance.
Q10. Bagurumba dance belongs to which community?
A. Mishing
B. Bodo
C. Karbi
D. Dimasa
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Bagurumba is the traditional dance of the Bodo community.
Q11. Ali-Aye-Ligang festival is celebrated by:
A. Karbi tribe
B. Dimasa tribe
C. Mishing tribe
D. Bodo tribe
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Ali-Aye-Ligang marks the sowing season of the Mishing community.
Q12. Which musical instrument is closely associated with Bihu?
A. Tabla
B. Veena
C. Dhol
D. Mridangam
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Bihu Dhol provides rhythm to Bihu songs and dances.
Q13. The traditional brass and bell-metal crafts of Assam are centered at:
A. Jorhat
B. Sualkuchi
C. Hajo
D. Sarthebari
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Sarthebari is famous for brass and bell-metal utensils.
Q14. Sualkuchi is renowned for:
A. Pottery
B. Bamboo craft
C. Silk weaving
D. Wood carving
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Sualkuchi is known as the Manchester of the East for silk.
Q15. Which silk is exclusive to Assam?
A. Mulberry silk
B. Tussar silk
C. Muga silk
D. Eri silk
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Muga silk is unique to Assam and known for its golden colour.
Q16. Eri silk is also known as:
A. Golden silk
B. Ahimsa silk
C. Royal silk
D. Wild silk
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Eri silk is called Ahimsa silk as worms are not killed.
Q17. The traditional Assamese dress for women is:
A. Saree only
B. Mekhela-Chador
C. Ghagra-Choli
D. Phanek
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Mekhela-Chador is the traditional attire of Assamese women.
Q18. Which headgear is traditionally worn during Bihu?
A. Pagri
B. Gamosa
C. Turban
D. Fez
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The Gamosa is a symbol of Assamese identity and respect.
Q19. Assamese literature flourished significantly under:
A. Mughal patronage
B. British rule
C. Ahom rule
D. Mauryan Empire
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Ahoms patronised Assamese language and literature.
Q20. Which of the following is a famous Assamese epic?
A. Ramcharitmanas
B. Kirtan-Ghosa
C. Mahabharata
D. Raghuvamsa
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Kirtan-Ghosa, composed by Sankardeva, is a cornerstone of Assamese literature.
Q21. Ankiya Naat refers to:
A. Folk songs
B. Classical poetry
C. One-act religious plays
D. Puppet theatre
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Ankiya Naat are devotional one-act plays used for preaching.
Q22. Which place in Assam is an important pilgrimage centre for Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims?
A. Majuli
B. Sivasagar
C. Hajo
D. Barpeta
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Hajo is a rare multi-religious pilgrimage site.
Q23. The Rang Ghar of Assam was used as:
A. Temple
B. Royal residence
C. Amphitheatre for sports
D. Administrative office
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Rang Ghar is Asia’s oldest surviving amphitheatre.
Q24. The Ahom style of architecture is best seen at:
A. Tezpur
B. Sivasagar
C. Guwahati
D. Goalpara
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Sivasagar houses Ahom monuments like Talatal Ghar and Rang Ghar.
Q25. Which folk dance is associated with the tea tribes of Assam?
A. Jhumur
B. Bagurumba
C. Bihu
D. Ojapali
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Jhumur dance is popular among tea garden communities.
Q26. Bamboo and cane crafts are important because:
A. They are imported
B. They are used only for decoration
C. They reflect sustainable lifestyle
D. They are limited to rituals
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Bamboo and cane crafts reflect eco-friendly traditional living.
Q27. The Satras of Assam played an important role in:
A. Trade expansion
B. Cultural integration and education
C. Military training
D. Revenue collection
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Satras preserved culture, art, and social harmony.
Q28. Which festival is associated with community feasting in Assam?
A. Rongali Bihu
B. Kongali Bihu
C. Bhogali Bihu
D. Ali-Aye-Ligang
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Bhogali (Magh) Bihu celebrates harvest with feasts.
Q29. The cultural heritage of Assam shows influence of:
A. Only Indo-Aryan culture
B. Only tribal culture
C. Indo-Aryan, Tibeto-Burman and Tai traditions
D. European culture
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Assam’s culture is a blend of multiple ethnic traditions.
Q30. The significance of Assam’s culture lies in:
A. Uniformity
B. Isolation
C. Unity in diversity
D. External influence
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Assam exemplifies unity in diversity through its rich cultural mosaic.
✅ APSC Prelims Smart Tip – Culture of Assam
Focus on:
- Bihu festivals & folk dances
- Sankardeva and Vaishnavism
- Satras & Majuli
- Silk, crafts, architecture
- Tribal festivals & art forms
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Culture of Assam MCQs for APSC
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Assam art and heritage questions
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Bihu festivals and dances MCQs
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Sattriya dance Satras Majuli MCQs
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Assamese silk crafts culture MCQs
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Assam monuments Rang Ghar MCQs
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Assam specific culture GS Paper I