| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| People of this ethnic group make up most of the populace of a state through which the Noyyal River flows. A literary work written in the language of this ethnic group details a curse laid upon a city after a woman's husband was killed on the wrongful suspicion of stealing an anklet. Sangam literature and a dance form known as bharatanatyam are widely practiced by these people who celebrate the Pongal festival in cities like Madurai and Coimbatore. For the point, name this ethnic group, many of whose members live in the South Indian city of Chennai. | Tamils (accept Tamilarkal; accept Tamilar; accept Tamilians; accept Tamil Nadu) |
| Ardh and Purna are terms used to describe specific instances of this event, and another event, generally considered to be equivalent to this one, is known as Mahamaham. The origin of this event derives from a story in which nectar was dropped at four locations. Roughly three-year cycles separate events of this type in cities like Ujjain and Haridwar, which are along this event's central rivers. During the amavasya day, tens of millions of people convene during this event. For the point, name this Hindu celebration, considered the world's largest gathering. | Kumbh Mela (accept Kumbha Mela; accept Ardh Kumbh Mela; accept Purna Kumbh Mela; accept Maha Kumbh Mela) |
| In this state, a notable concentration of haveli townhouses can be found in the Shekhawati region. Mount Abu is the sole hill station in this state which contains the only temple dedicated to Brahma. Pushkar can be found in this state containing the district of Jaisalmer. The Palace on Wheels is a train serving this state, home to the Chittorgarh fort and serving as the capital of Mewar. Udaipur can be found in, for the point, what state of India with a name meaning "Land of Kings"? | Rajasthan |
| In this state, a sacred baobab known as the Parijaat tree was thought to have been placed there from the heavens by Arjuna. The Bhakti Mandir and the Prem Mandir are two temples in this state which also contains a sports complex named after Amitabh Bachchan, an actor born in this state. Allahabad can be found in this state that also contains the city of Lucknow and houses a population of roughly 240 million people. For the point, name this most-populous state of India, with a name meaning "Northern Province." | Uttar Pradesh |
| The Sidappa Hotel is a popular venue for eating this food whose green variety is known as Pesarattu. The Vidyarthi Bhavan is noted for a popular variety of this food, which makes use of a watery substance in the neer variety. The rava variety of this food is made with semolina and, though not idli, it is often eaten alongside sambar and chutney. Potatoes are often included in the masala stuffing of a popular variety of, for the point, what South Indian dish? | Dosa (accept Masala Dosa; accept Neer Dosa; accept Rava Dosa; accept Pesarattu Dosa; accept Mung Bean Dosa) |
| An ornate section of a porch leading up to one of these places is known as the singing steps or agra mandapa. The aforementioned one of these places is supposedly named after Indira's mount. The Airavatesvara, is one of these places and is a part of a collection of their "Great Living" variety, as is the Brihadishvara. the Thanjavur District, one of these places built in the Dravidian style, is known as Rajarajeswaram. For the point, name these places of worship, created during the reign of a South Indian naval empire. | Great Living Chola Temples (accept answers indicating Temples from the Chola Dynasty; prompt on "Hindu Temple"; prompt on partial answers) |
| The Mandovi River flows through this state which contains the Anjuna Market. The Dudhsagar Waterfalls can be found in this state, which has its capital at Panaji. Konkani is widely spoken in this state, which contains a city named after the explorer Vasco da Gama. Often ranking high in human development index, this state is home to the 1541 Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church in Panjim. Palolem, and other beaches frequented by tourists, can be found in, for the point, what coastal state of India, with a notable Portuguese influence? | Goa |
| Yakawlang is a city found in this province in which travertine walls can be found along a set of six mineral-rich lakes in a desert-based national park. The aforementioned Band-e Amir can be found in this province with a name meaning "The Place of Shining Light." In this province, the Shamama was among the works in a series, carved into sandstone and surrounded by caves, declared to be idols in 2001. For the point, name this Afghan province containing a set of now-destroyed Buddha statues. | Bamyan (or Bamiyan; accept Buddhas of Bamiyan) |
| In this state, a monument marking the Great Trigonometrical Survey benchmark is known as the Zero Mile Stone. The Daulatabad Fort can be found in this state, which contains the source of the Godavari. The Shaniwar Wada can be found in this state whose winter capital is found in the region of Vidarbha. Nagpur is among the largest cities in this second-most populous state of India. Containing the Gateway of India and the city of Pune, for the point, what is this state in which Marathi is widely spoken? | Maharashtra (accept MH) |
| This region is found within the Pachir Aw Agam District of the province of Nangarhar. The Safed Koh contains this region whose characteristic features are made of limestone. After events at this location, one group was thought to have relocated to Zhawar Kili. One staff sergeant claimed that this location was not made up of "crazy mazes or labyrinths" as had been expected. For the point, name this Afghan "Black Cave" system, the site of a December 2001 battle which attempted to capture Osama bin Laden. | Tora Bora (accept Battle of Tora Bora) |
| A variation of this game known as shatranj al-'urafa took the form of a dervish's trials. Gyan Chauper is a version of this game involving a 9 by 9 board. The original board of this game features representations of ascetism, debt, and faith, among other concepts. This game had its origins in India as Moksha Patam, which attempted to teach players the difference between good and evil. For the point, name this dice-based board game involving attempts to climb a board while avoiding certain namesake animals. | Snakes and Ladders (accept Chutes and Ladders before "animals" is mentioned; accept Moksha Patam; accept Gyan Chauper; accept Vaikunthapali or Paramapada Sopana Patam or Saanp aur Seedhi or Saanp Seedhi or Shap Shiri) |
| The Muhuri River forms part of this border in the district of Noakhali. A "City of Colour," called Rangpur, is close to this international border which is enforced by personnel stationed in cities like Cooch Behar. Communication lines in one country on this border face challenges due to the Siliguri Corridor. This border takes up parts of the division of Khulna and nearly 200 miles along the state of Tripura. For the point, name this border between a country once known as East Pakistan and its neighbor to the west. | Border between the Republic of India and the People's Republic of Bangladesh (accept Bharat Gaṇarajya or Hindustan in place of Republic of India; accept Gônoprojatontrī Bangladesh in place of People's Republic of Bangladesh) |
| An inscription found in this city claims that one person offered "a thousand reproofs from the tongue of his dagger." A member of the Ghilji tribe named Mirwais Hotak is buried in this city, which lies on the Arghandab River. This city contains the Kirka Sharif, thought to house a cloak that Muhammad once wore. An octagonal mausoleum in this city is dedicated to its country's former ruler Ahmed Shah Durrani. The main city of the south of its country, for the point, what is this second-largest city in Afghanistan? | Kandahar |
| A non-European city known as Nicaea was founded near this body of water after an engagement in which chariot troops of the son of one leader became stuck in the mud. Craterus stood along this body of water as a force that Arrian of Nicodemia claimed numbered 11,000 crossed it. Taxiles [[TAK-see-lehss]] attempted to negotiate with the losing commander of a battle along this river who subsequently was given provincial satrapies by the victor and was named Porus. Also known as the Jhelum, for the point, what is this South Asian river, the site of a 326 BCE victory for Alexander the Great? | Battle of the Hydaspes River (accept Jhelum River or Jailam River before Jhelum River is mentioned; accept Bidaspes River or Vitastā River or Bihat River or Wihat River or Bihatab River or Biyatta River or Vyath River) |
| Hawke's Bay Beach can be found in this city, whose British colonial influence can be seen in the design of Frere Hall. Due to its active nightlife, this city is sometimes referred to as the "City of Lights." The Mazar-e-Quaid is a mausoleum in this city in which Port Qasim can also be found. This city collects roughly one-third of its country's tax revenue and is the most-populous city to contain a Muslim majority. Served by Jinnah International Airport, for the point, what is this major non-capital city of Pakistan? | Karachi (accept Karaci) |
| To define this region, unlike R. G. Bhandarkar's river-based definition, Firishta used linguistic distribution. A similar region referred to as Chota Nagpur can be found in the northeast of this region, which has a name derived from the Kannada word for "south." Bounded by the Eastern and Western Ghats, this region extends south from the Narmada River. A sizeable accumulation of igneous rock can be found in the north of this region which are referred to as its namesake "traps." For the point, name this large plateau of Central India. | Deccan Plateau (accept Deccan Traps) |
| Siraj Raisani created the longest instance of this entity, which humans re-created in a Guinness World Record-breaking effort in a National Hockey Stadium. Syed Amir-uddin Kedwaii was the creator of this entity, for which Lord Mountbatten originally made a proposal including a St. George's Cross. A shade described as "dark" appears on the the background of this entity, which is similar to an object created for the Muslim League. Containing a five-pointed white star and crescent amidst green, for the point, what is this entity which flies over a large South Asian nation? | Flag of Pakistan (accept Parcham-e Sitārah o Hilāl; accept Flag of the Star of the Crescent before mentioned; accept Islamic Republic of Pakistan or Islāmī Jumhūriyah Pākistān in place of Pakistan) |
| An organization known as the Adventurists ran a "Run" of these vehicles in which 34 teams attempted to travel from Kochi to Darjeeling in them. An engine-powered example of these vehicles was known as the phat-phati, and the largest manufacturer of these vehicles is named Bajaj. In the city of Pune, the six-seater variety of these vehicles is banned. Handlebars are often used to navigate these vehicles which are an alternative to taxi cabs. Sometimes called "autos," for the point, what are these three-wheeled taxi-like vehicles, common in India? | Rickshaws (accept Tuktuk; accept Mototaxis; accept Bajaj before mentioned; accept Rickshaw Run; accept Auto Rickshaw) |
| Publications in this language include Millat and the Daily Jang. Despite the fact that only about 7.5 percent of one country speaks it as a first language, this language is said to be that country's only national language. This language is widely spoken or learned by Muhajirs who emigrated to its central country. Vocabulary derived from both Persian and Sanskrit characterize this language which maintains many similarities to Hindi. For the point, name this language which is widely spoken in Pakistan. | Urdu |
| Freak Street is found in an area of this city containing a clock tower called the Ghanta Ghar. Palaces of rulers of the Malla dynasty were built in this city's Durbar Square. The Pashupatinath Temple in this city is dedicated to a namesake incarnation of Shiva. Found in the province of Bagmati, this city is dominated by members of the Newar ethnicity. Roughly one percent of this city speaks Sherpas as their first language. The namesake valley of this city, with a metro area of roughly three million, is found in the Himalayas. For the point, name this capital of Nepal. | Kathmandu Metropolitan City |
| The first commercial patent on this beverage was granted in 1858 to Erasmus Bond. Bengal Bay sells various flavors of this beverage which comes in spiced grapefruit and mint varieties, sold by the Delhi-based Sepoy and Company. This beverage was created in colonial India to treat malaria. Containing a mixture of quinine, sugar, and soda this beverage is often sold by companies that also sell ginger ale. This beverage is used in a cocktail developed by British army officers who mixed it with gin. For the point, name this form of carbonated water. | Indian Tonic Water (accept Gin and Tonic; prompt on "Carbonated Water") |
| Members of the Gaekwad family constructed the Lakshmi Vilas Palace in this state, where the first vegetarian outlet of Pizza Hut was opened. With seventeen, this state has the largest number of airports in operation of any Indian state. The Statue of Unity can be found in this state containing the city of Vadodara and the largest district in India, Kutch. Surat is a port city in this state, many of whose inhabitants have the surnames Desai and Patel. Ahmedabad can be found in, for the point, what state of India from which Mahatma Gandhi hailed? | Gujarat |
| One center of this practice is Kaivalyadhama in Lonavla. A set of works by Gonardiya classified the ashtanga of this practice, which is a common fixture in Mysore where tourists often engage in this practice. The Himalayan Iyengar Center teaches a form of this practice, among the eight limbs of which are niyama, pranayama, and samadhi. Swami Vivekananda engaged in efforts to globally spread this practice, whose practitioners often form the lotus pose. For the point, name this form of exercise which originated in India. | Yoga (accept Ashtanga Yoga; accept Yoga Sutras) |
| In the 1880s, large concentrations of this good were discovered in the town of Digboi, where a large industry around it has developed. A region in the Barmer District, known as Aishwarya, is known for its large supply of this good. CGD Projects attempts to transport this good, of which IOCL and BPCL are among the largest providers to consumers in India. Over 2,000 Essar stations provide this good, which is usually priced in liters rather than in gallons, unlike in the US. For the point, name this good to which Indians often refer as "petrol." | Oil (accept Petroleum before mentioned; accept Gasoline after "CGD" is mentioned; accept Natural gas before "Essar" is mentioned) |
| Slave Island is located within this city where Henry George Ward established a park known as Galle Face Green. St. Paul's Church is an important place of worship in this city's district of Milagiriya. To transport goods within it, a series of canals were built in this city's Beira Lake. This city remains its country's commercial capital despite one designation being given to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. Home to a sizeable population of Sinhalese speakers, for the point, what is this largest city in Sri Lanka? | Colombo (or Kolamba) |
| A 2012 scandal that affected a government led by this party concerned the allocation of deposits of coal public sector enterprises. This party is the largest within the United Progressive Alliance, which is being investigated in the 2G Spectrum Case. A clock displaying the time 10:10 is a symbol of this party which owns the National Herald. An alliance opposing this party is known as the NDA. Agricultural communities are often supportive of this party which competes with the BJP. For the point, name this political party of India. | Congress Party (accept Indian National Congress; accept INC) |
| Daniel Kottke accompanied the central figure of this event, who once became trapped in a creek bed during a thunderstorm. The central figure in this event was disappointed to learn that Neem Karoli Baba had passed away the year before. The theft of a set of checks prematurely ended this event which took place after its subject had dropped out of Reed College. This event may have contributed to the inclusion of Mahatma Gandhi in 1997 advertisements running the "Think Different" slogan. Taking place in 1974, for the point, what is this event in which a founder of Apple journeyed abroad? | Steve Jobs's trip to the Republic of India (accept accept Bhārat Gaṇarājya or Hindustan in place of Republic of India) |
| A pavilion in this city, known as Naulakha Pavilion, inspired a novel about a necklace, written collaboratively by Wolcott Balestier and Rudyard Kipling. Found on the eastern bank of the Ravi River, this city is home to the Mela Chiraghan, a festival honoring a native Sufi saint. That festival occurs adjacent to the Mughal-era Shalimar Gardens in this city. With a population of over eleven million, this city is the second-most populous city in its country. For the point, name this most-populous city in the Pakistani portion of Punjab. | Lahore |
| A Japani variety of this foodstuff is sold in the neighborhood of Chandni Chowk in Delhi. A regional variety of this foodstuff, which makes use of yogurt and minced meat, is known as lukhmi. Khoya and cauliflower are found in popular varieties of these foods that are often served with tamarind or coriander. Maida flour can be used to make these foods which are often triangular in shape. For the point, name these fried pastries which are popular in India. | Samosas (accept Japani Samosas) |
| A set of real estate developers, known as the Lodha Group, are based in this city and have designed an upscale residence known as The Park. Ballard Estate can be found in this city, which is home to a Billionaire's Row containing residences like Antilla. The Dharavi slum can be found in this city, which is also home to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. Many Marathi speakers inhabit this city with a population of about 20 million. For the point, name this city, once known as Bombay. | Mumbai (accept Bombay before mentioned) |
| Patanjali and Aeroplane are among the best-known brands of this good in one country. The Dubar and Tibar varieties are broken varieties of this good that are distinguished based on length. A hard variety of this good often found in Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu is known as Samba. Known in Hindi as cavala [[CHAA-vul]], India is responsible for over 60 percent of global production of is the Basmati variety. For the point, name this grain, often used in biryani dishes. | Rice (accept Basmati Rice; accept Dubar Rice; accept Tibar Rice; accept Samba Rice) |