Answer all questions carefully. Questions are UPSC-level involving statement analysis, chronology, and cause-effect reasoning.
hard•10 questions•~15 min
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Question 01
hard
Consider the following statements about the causes of the origin of new religious sects in the sixth century BC:
1. The real cause of the rise of new religions lay in the introduction of a new iron-based agricultural economy in north-eastern India.
2. The Vedic practice of killing cattle indiscriminately in sacrifices stood in the way of the new agrarian economy that required bullocks.
3. The kshatriya reaction against brahmanical ritualism and domination was one of the causes of the origin of new religions.
4. The vaisyas supported Mahavira and Gautama Buddha primarily because these teachers preached against trade and commerce.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Question 02
medium
With reference to Vardhamana Mahavira, which of the following statements is INCORRECT?
Question 03
hard
Consider the following statements about the doctrines of Jainism:
1. Jainism recognised the existence of the gods but placed them lower than the jina.
2. Jainism condemned the varna system and declared that all human beings are equal by birth.
3. According to Mahavira, a person is born in a high or low varna in consequence of the sins or virtues acquired in the previous birth.
4. Full knowledge, action, and liberation are considered to be the three gems (ratnas) of Jainism.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Question 04
medium
The division of Jainism into Svetambaras and Digambaras is historically traced to which of the following events?
Question 05
hard
Consider the following statements about the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha:
1. Gautama Buddha was born in 563 BC in a Sakya kshatriya family in Kapilavastu situated in the foothills of Nepal.
2. He attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya at the age of 35 and delivered his first sermons at Sarnath in Banaras.
3. Buddhism does not recognise the existence of god and soul (atman) - RS Sharma calls this a kind of revolution in the history of Indian religions.
4. Gautama Buddha died at the age of 72 in 483 BC at Kusinagar in Deoria district of eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Question 06
medium
Which of the following correctly identifies the 'Three Jewels (Triratna)' of Buddhism?
Question 07
hard
Consider the following statements about the causes of the decline of Buddhism in India:
1. Buddhism became a victim to the evils of brahmanism against which it had fought; the brahmanas reformed their religion and assured women and sudras of admission to heaven.
2. Buddhist monks gradually gave up Pali (language of the people) and took to Sanskrit, cutting themselves off from the mainstream of people's life.
3. The Turkish invaders specifically targeted Buddhist monasteries for their wealth, killing a large number of Buddhist monks, including at Nalanda.
4. The new form of Buddhism called Vajrayana, with idol worship and corrupt practices, represented a complete return to the original teachings of Gautama Buddha.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Question 08
medium
With reference to the contribution of Jainism to Indian culture and society, which of the following statements is INCORRECT?
Question 09
hard
According to RS Sharma's Ancient India, the brahmanical insistence on the sacredness of the cow and non-violence was apparently derived from:
Question 10
medium
Consider the following pairs:
Site/Place - Significance in the context of Buddhism
1. Bodh Gaya - Place where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under a pipal tree
2. Sarnath - Place where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermons
3. Kusinagar - Place where Gautama Buddha passed away; identical with modern Kasia village in Deoria district, eastern UP
4. Kapilavastu - Place where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermons; situated in the foothills of Nepal
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?