UPSC Prelims 1996 · General Studies
Question 94: History and Culture
The following advertisement appeared in the Times of India dated 7th August: "THE MARVEL OF THE CENTURY THE WONDER OF THE WORLD LIVING PHOTOGRAPHIC PICTURES IN LIFE-SIZED REPRODUCTIONS BY MESSERS LUMIERE BROTHERS CINEMATOGRAPHIE A FEW EXHIBITIONS WILL BE GIVEN AT WATSON'S HOTEL TONIGHT". It appeared in the year —
AnswerThe answer is (d).
The Lumiere brothers' cinematograph films were first shown in India at Watson's Hotel, Bombay, in 1896, and were advertised in the Times of India. Indian cinema's first full-length feature, Raja Harishchandra by Dadasaheb Phalke, came in 1913, and the first Indian sound film, Alam Ara, in 1931. Remember: 1896 Lumiere show - 1913 Raja Harishchandra - 1931 Alam Ara.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) 1931 is the year of Alam Ara, the first Indian sound film.
- (b) 1929 falls in the silent era, long after the Lumiere show.
- (c) 1921 falls in the silent era, long after the Lumiere show.
- (d) Right: the Lumiere show in Bombay was in 1896.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1996, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.