The cradle of civilization 1

Research and conducted by : Sreejesh P S
THE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION
AN ASIA QUIZ

A NOTE BEFORE THE QUIZ
INSPIRATIONS : KQA Asia Sweep of 2013 and 2014, two of the
best quizzes I have came across.
THANKS : Every veteran and Young Turk of V Quiz who keeps the
spirits of quizzing high in this part of Kerala

1
Known as Kos Minars, the
pillars of this sort can be
seen along a land route
which runs through 4
countries. What purpose do
they serve? Along which
road can we see them?

THEY ARE THE MILESTONES
ALONG GRAND TRUNK ROAD

2
Michael Aris was a British historian who wrote and lectured
on Bhutanese, Tibetan and Himalayan culture and history.
He spent six years as the private tutor of the children of the
royal family of the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. Well
versed in Himalayan cultures, he helped to establish a
specialist Tibetan and Himalayan Studies centre at Oxford
University.
Who is his more famous wife?

3
In the Malayalam movie ‘Chirakodinja Kinavukal’, the
character of Rima Kallingal remarks that an author in
Turkey has set up a museum for the characters of
one of his novels. The museum is eponymous to the
novel.
Who is the author? Name the museum/novel.

ORHAN PAMUK, THE MUSEUM OF INNOCENCE.
• .

4
A widely used surname in North Indian Hindu communities was
derived from an old name of Swat river in Pakistan.
Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Jayaprakash Narayan,
Munshi Premchand were born into this community, before they
adopted their more popular names.

SRIVASTAVA
• Swat river is named Srivastu in Sanskrit

5. GOOGLE DOODLE APPEARED ON FEBRUARY 8, 2016
ACROSS KAZAKHSTAN, LATVIA, CHINA AND SEVERAL
SOUTH EAST ASIAN COUNTRIES. WHAT IS THE
OCCASION?

LUNAR NEW YEAR OR YEAR OF THE MONKEY
Follow up question –
Chinese zodiac cycle features 11 animals and one fictional
creature. Which is the imaginary animal?

6
The picture in the next slide features a museum in a previous
Republic in Soviet Union dedicated to a person born at this location.
The attitude towards this person is complicated in the country. Some
revere him as a strong leader, and are proud that their tiny country
produced someone who had such an impact on world history. But
more often he's viewed as a tyrant responsible for brutal purges of his
own people.
Following a war with Russia in 2008, there was plan to reorganize the
museum as Museum of Russian Aggression, but got dropped later.
Id the leader and the country which is locally known as Sakartvelo.

7. WHOM ARE THESE PEOPLE THE SUGGESTED
IDENTITY OF?
• Neal King, Vladimir Oksman and Charles Bry as suggested by
investigative journalist Adam Penenberg
• Dr. Vili Lehdonvirta, a Finnish economic sociologist and Michael
Clear, a graduate student in cryptography at Trinity College Dublin
• Nick Szabo, a decentralized currency enthusiast with Hungarian
descent
• Shinichi Mochizuki, a Japanese mathematician

8
The governments of Laos and Cambodia, in addition to various
African countries like Angola and Mozambique are employing the
services of rats trained by a Belgian NGO called APOPO for some
specific purpose. What they are being used for?

9
During a bus ride through the streets of London, Khwaja Abdur
Rahim, an Indian civil servant came across a book which explains
annexation of this Central Asian region by Stalin. The book spine
separated the name as Karakal and ____(1)_____ and the second
part of the name struck his mind. In Urdu, the second part of the
name would mean ‘the land of pure’. Many historians suggest that
that’s how ____(2)______ was named and not as per popular belief.
(2) Has an additional letter ‘I’ to agree with the phonetic rules
What is being discussed here? (image in next slide)

THIS IS HOW PAKISTAN WAS NAMED
It is widely believed that Pakistan was named by Chaudhury
Rahmat Ali combining the initials of different regions like Punjab,
Sind and Kashmir

10
In 19th century, a British officer Sir Fredrick Lawley created this town
by combining and developing new villages.
The statue was erected in his memory. Also there was a road named
after him.
After the country gained independence, the mayor of the town
decided to rename the road and demolish the statue mistaking Lawley
as a British tyrant which led to confusion among inhabitants and
created further troubles.
Which is this town?

11
In 1987, refusing to recognize President Hissène Habré, Muammar
Qaddafi attacked his neighboring country Chad. But he had to face a
strong counter attack from Chadian forces which resulted in the loss
of at least one tenth the military capacity of Libya.
How is this war popularly known as since Chadian forces used
________ pickup trucks as their technicals to provide mobility for their
forces?

12
Multan in Pakistan is popular for
its decorated trucks.
Similarly, a cultural icon(also
their cheapest mode of public
transport) in Philippines is
modelled from the Jeeps left over
by US soldiers after WW II. What
are these called?

13
Mizaru, Kikazaru and Iwazaru are the members of a popular
Japanese motif , originally featuring Macaca fuscata. How do we
better know this?

THREE MONKEYS
• See no evil – Mizaru
• Hear no evil – Kikazaru
• Speak no evil - Iwazaru

14
On 4 June 2013, Sina Weibo, China's most popular microblog,
blocked terms whose English translations are "today", "tonight", "June
4", and "big yellow duck“. The censorship occurred because a
photoshopped image was circulating in Twitter featuring Florentijn
Hofman's Rubber Duck sculpture.
What was parodied in those images?
Image in next slide.

15
Burak Akcapar became the first Turkish envoy to visit a certain
community in Kolkata in 2015. This outreach is relevant because the
visit happened in the centenary of some incident.
Which community is being referred here? What was the incident?

ARMENIANS AND ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

16
In an article in The National Geographic Magazine titled
‘How the Syrian Conflict Affects Your Spice Rack’ , Maryn
McKenna writes how the ongoing Syrian conflict has
affected the production of Halaby pepper, a condiment
widely used in Eastern Mediterranean dishes.
The condiment had most popularly been cultivated in a
particular city which was a major trading centre in ancient
Silk Route. Id the city.

17
Ananda Samarakoon was a Sri Lankan composer and
musician who is considered as the father of
artistic Sinhala music and founder of the modern Sri
Lankan Geeta Sahitya (Song Literature). He is also credited
as the composer of the National Anthem of Sri Lanka : “Sri
Lanka Matha..”
He spent a brief period in India learning art and music from
an Indian university. Which was his alma mater?

VISWA BHARATI UNIVERSITY, SHANTI NIKETHAN
• The University thus claims association with National
Anthems of 3 South Asian countries

18
X is an Iranian-French cartoonist, director who achieved popularity
through her autobiographical graphic novel ‘Persepolis’. In the novel,
she describes her life in Iran during the years prior to and after
Islamic Revolution. The movie adaptation of the novel was nominated
for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2008, making
her the first woman to be nominated for this category.(Image)
Lately, she is directing a feature film titled The Extraordinary Journey
Of The Fakir Who Got Trapped In An Ikea Cupboard, which will see
the Indian actor Y in his first international project.
Id both

19
Snapshots from Tinpak, a US tin box exporter website
What is the inspiration for the shape of these boxes?

20 . HYPERCONNECT!!
Showing you a series of pics in upcoming slides. Answer the
questions in each slide. Connect the answers to an English
word. Relate that word to an Asian island

THE ANSWERS
Percy Spencer
Kellog brothers
Alexander Fleming

SERENDIPITY
The island is Sri Lanka. The word is derived from the book ‘The Three Princes of
Serendip’. The Serendip is a corrupted form of Suvarna dweepa, the Sanskrit
name for Sri Lanka.

21
“Sharq taronalari”(Melodies of the Orient) is a biennial music
festival held under support from Uzbekhstan government
and UNESCO. Started in 1997, it now boasts of artists
participating from over 60 countries.
The event takes place at the backdrop of a beautiful location
in a historical city of Timurid era. Different accounts say that
Timur had his personal attention for building this city.
Id the location and the city.

22
For Cambodia, tourism provides a major boost to the economy since
they opened to tourists in 1998.
There are two sites mainly sought after by tourists : The first one is a
grand spiritual centre, an epitome of civilization and architecture
about which Henry Mahout remarked in 1860– “It is grander than
anything left to us by Greek or Rome. A rival to temple of Solomon
erected by an ancient Michelangelo-might take an honourable place
beside our most beautiful buildings”.
On the other hand, the second most visited site(s) is/are a memorial
of modern barbarianism.
Which are the locations?

• 1. Angkor Wat
• 2. Killing fields

23
What, currently being used in 9 countries including Kuwait, Algeria,
Serbia, Macedonia and Iraq, was introduced in a version of gold, by
Kushana empire in 1st century AD to be adopted later by Gupta
empire?

DINAR
• Introduced by Kushanas as Dinara

24
HNLMS Abraham Crijnssen was a minesweeper of
the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNN) stationed around
Indonesian archipelago(then Dutch East indies) during the
Japanese attack in 1942. Following the defeat of the Allies,
the ship was ordered to retreat to safe coasts of Australia
which she finally did.
How did the ship manage to evade attack of Japanese Navy
during the voyage?

• The sailors covered the ship with foliage and rocks
disguising her as a tropical island.

25
Which Asian sports icon, nicknamed ‘PacMan
is the only eight-division world champion in his
sport?

26
North Korean Won had a reputation of keeping the
exchange rate at 2.16 per USD commemorating Kim Jong
Il’s birthday, February 16 till 2001.
Also they had a different currency until 1999 for foreigners
visiting the state called Foreign Exchange Certificate(FEC).
There are two kinds of FEC’s- red colored one nicknamed
“Red Won” and blue/green one nicknamed “Blue Won”. A
foreigner could get either one of them based on their
nationality. What was the criteria for this division?

• People from Socialist countries would receive Red Won
and those from Capitalist economies would get Blue Won

27
Following an accident during an oil exploration in 1971,
Soviet engineers decided to burn off the natural gas to avoid
the emission of poisonous gas from this pit. The gas reserve
is still burning. This place has recently become a tourist
attraction and the locals have dubbed this place as
‘Gateway to hell’.
What name does this place in Turkmenistan has, which
means Gate or Door in various Turkic languages?

28
The government’s explanation for this vanity project was that the
previous capital has become too congested and there is no room for
further expansion. Also since the new city is centrally located, that will
ease administration.
But the Western observers speculated that the government were
concerned with the possibility of a foreign attack, as the previous
capital is on the coast and therefore vulnerable to an amphibious
invasion.
What was the project being talked here, which is also the youngest
capital city of Asia?

NAYPYIDAW
The capital of Myanmar is no longer Rangoon

29
Nichiren Buddhism is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism based on the
teachings of the 13th century Japanese monk Nichiren and they believe that
human salvation lies only in the Lotus Sutra. Nichiren Buddhism has a
turbulent history since its genesis and it went through too many persecutions
during various reigns.
The festivals in Nichiren Buddhist temples are mostly associated with events
in life of Gautama Buddha and Nichiren and also with seasonal changes.
One of their temples, located in Tokyo was established in 1594. On this
particular temple, in addition to the festivals mentioned above, there would
be special observance on August 18 every year in the presence of some
foreign delegates.
Id the temple. Why this special observance is being held?(image)

THIS IS THE RENKOJI TEMPLE WHERE ASHES OF
NETAJI IS KEPT. AUGUST 18 IS HIS DEATH
ANNIVERSARY

30
X-Y paan is popular in the towns of Pakistan for its rich
aroma and flavour. The main component of this paan are the
betel leaves exported from the town X in Kerala. The
cultivation of betel around this town is done in accordance to
the demand from Pakistan.
Recently, the export of betel from another country Y has
gained momentum, even though the genuine product does
not contain any component from that country, posing a big
threat to the exports from X. So the betel farmers of X are
demanding for GI tag for the betel leaves produced there.

31
In 2012, a joint stamp was issued by Nepal and Israel to
celebrate their close diplomatic ties. It featured two
‘superlative’ entities on respective countries.
What were featured in the stamp?

Mt. Everest – The highest point on land
Dead sea – The lowest point on land

32
Zheng He was a fleet admiral of China’s early Ming dynasty who led
seven naval expeditions in Indian ocean. Not much information is
available about his expeditions, but National Geographic magazine
describes the naval armada of Zheng He off the coast of Sri Lanka as
a ‘massive shadow on the horizon’, that moved like a ‘floating city’
and stretched across miles and miles of the ocean. His trips stretched
from South China sea to Malaysia, Indonesia and as far as Iran and
Somalia.
He died in the course off one of his expeditions and is buried at sea
off the coast of ________. Some Chinese scholars recently visited
this city in search of his relics

33
This shrub of the Nerium family is commonly grown as a
garden plant around the globe. Every part of this plant is
poisonous and its consumption is fatal to animals and rarely
to humans.
In Japan, this shrub is one of Hibakujumoku, plants that
survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. This one
is the first to bloom after the nuclear disaster and hence
been declared as the official flower of Hiroshima.
Which plant? How do we know it better?

34
The ministry of commerce in Myanmar, in 2011, has
started discussions on adopting a ‘standard’ used by
all its trading partners. As of late, in addition to
Myanmar, Liberia and the US are the only countries
who are yet to adopt this.
What standard am I talking about, the idea of which
was mooted in post- Revolution France?

35. THE NATIONAL SYMBOL OF THIS COUNTRY
DOMINATES THE SKYLINE OF ITS NATIONAL CAPITAL. ID
THE COUNTRY AND ITS CAPITAL

ARMENIA, YEREVAN
Mt. Ararat dominates the skyline of Yerevan

36
Till date, there is only one international test player
who was born in Afghanistan. He was instrumental in
India’s victory against West Indies in the series of
1971. He also had a reputation of hitting Sixes on
demand from the spectators.
The quiz buffs would remember him as the first
person from his sport to win the Arjuna Award.

37
The audio clip features an instrument called Gender which
accompanies an Indonesian theatre performance which is designated
by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of
Humanity.
Which is the art form?

AUDIO FROM THIS LINK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEFzMI_R9-0

38
The National musical instrument of Iran is played in
the next slide. Identify

AUDIO FROM THIS LINK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeG8J9cGdiU

39
Below are the descriptions about three communities in Kerala/Tamil Nadu
regions whose origins can be traced to some other countries.. Identify them
a. This group of people, otherwise known as Turukkar(Turks) are
descendants of people who came from Delhi Sultanate of Ala-ud-din Khilji
for trade as well as propagation of Islam and settled around Tanjavur. Think
about a Malayalam movie with an Asian country in the title.
b. The name can be associated with Christian as well as Muslim communities
but mostly with the latter. Some historical accounts suggest that Arab
traders married local women and hence they are referred by this name
which loosely translates as ‘great son’. Some others argue that this word
has originated from Tamil word for ‘son-in-law’. Chaudhury Rahmat Ali had
suggested the name _________sthan for Kerala in one of his papers
…………CONTINUES

c) Even though some accounts suggest that the name of this
community can be traced to Moors, it is mostly believed that the
name came from the Tamil word meaning Wooden boat.
Traditionally these people are traders, seafarers and ship builders.
A.P.J.Abdul Kalam belongs to this community.

a. Rawther
b. Mappilai/Moplah
c. Marakkar

CHAIN OF THOUGHT
• A is a critically acclaimed movie released in 1979
directed by B starring Marlon Brando and Martin
Sheen. Set at C*, it was a retelling of the novel Heart
of Darkness by the Polish writer D. Another movie
Lord Jim, based on another novel by D was shot
earlier in the neighboring country E. Lord Jim had
Peter O’Toole in the lead role. F, unimpressed by how
E was portrayed in the movie, produced his first
feature film Apsara which showed E* in a grandiose
fashion.
*Places/countries are star marked

Peter O’Toole played G in the 1962 war classic,
Lawrence of Arabia directed by H. The movie also
starred I as Prince Faisal. H and I had teamed together
5 years before for another war classic J which was shot
at K*. L, who watched the shooting of this movie got
inspired and resolved to become a cinematographer and
later on became part of various critically acclaimed
movies in India.
• *Places/countries are star marked

CHAIN OF THOUGHT
• Apocalypse Now(A) is a critically acclaimed movie
released in 1979 directed by F F Coppola(B) starring
Marlon Brando and Martin Sheen. Set at Vietnam(C), it
was a retelling of the novel Heart of Darkness by the
Polish writer Joseph Conrad(D). Another movie Lord
Jim, based on another novel by Conrad(D) was shot
earlier in a neighboring country Cambodia(E). Lord Jim
had Peter O Toole in the lead role. Norodum
Sihanouk(F), unimpressed by how Cambodia was
portrayed the movie, produced his first feature film Apsara
which showed Cambodia(E) in a grandiose manner.

Peter O’Toole played T.E.Lawrence(G) in the 1962 war
classic, Lawrence of Arabia directed by David Lean(H). The
movie also starred Alec Guinness(I) as Prince Faisal. Alec
Guinness(I) and David Lean(H) had teamed together 5
years before for another war classic The bridge on River
Kwai(J) which was shot at Sri Lanka(K). Balu
Mahendra(L), who watched the shooting of this movie got
inspired to become a cinematographer and later on became
part of various critically acclaimed movies in India.

The cradle of civilization 1

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