UPSC Daily Prelims General Studies Quiz – 2

1. The traditional art of weaving jamdani has been declared by UNESCO as a Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. With this reference, consider the following statements:
1. Jamdani is essentially a silk fibre woven delicately into finest muslin
2. One of the famous styles of GI protected Jamdani Sarees in India belong to West Bengal
Which of the above is / are correct statements?
[A] Only 1
[B]Only 2
[C]Both 1 & 2
[D]Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: Neither 1 nor 2
Notes:The first statement is not correct because Jamdani is essentially a ‘cotton’ fibre woven delicately into finest muslin. Second statement is not correct because India has registered for the geographical indication (GI) for ‘Uppada Jamdani Saree. That belongs to Andhra Pradesh. We note here that the Jamdani weaving originated in India {modern Bangladesh}.

2. With reference to architecture at Fatehpur Sikri, which of the following is / are correct statements?
1. One can notice combination of both trabeate (of pillar and beam) and arcuate (using arches and domes) styles at Fatehpur Sikri
2. Fatehpur Sikri presents amalgamation of the Timurid and Central Asian architectural styles with indigenous architecture of India.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B]Only 2
[C]Both 1 & 2
[D]Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: Both 1 & 2
Notes:Both the given statements are correct. Reference
3. Consider the following statements:
1. Hinayana Buddhists were major segment of the Buddhist community in India during the Gupta and Pala periods
2. The outgrowth of Yogacara school happened from Hinayana Buddhism during Gupta period
Which of the above is / are correct statements?
[A] Only 1
[B]Only 2
[C]Both 1 & 2
[D]Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: Only 1
Notes:The first statement is correct. However, second statement is not correct. Yogacara {consciousness-only} school developed during fourth century during Gupta and Pala period as outgrowth of Mahayana Madhyamika Buddhism. Also note that Asanga and Vasubandhu were two philosophers of Yogchara school.
4. Which of the following is / are common elements in Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism?
1. Existence of God as creator, survivor and destroyer of universe
2. Existence of an eternal, essential and absolute soul, self or atman
3. Karma as implication of past actions that affects our present and future life
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B]Only 2 & 3
[C]1, 2 & 3
[D]None of them
Answer: None of them
Notes:“Existence of God as creator, survivor and destroyer of universe” is not accepted in Jainism. “Existence of an eternal, essential and absolute soul, self or atman” is not accepted in Buddhism {read about Anatta}. The doctrine that “Karma as implication of past actions that affects our present and future life” is common in Buddhism and Hinduism, but in Jainism it is different and not really related to actions but Karma is a subtle matter {Karma particles}.
5. Consider the following statements:
1. Hastha Lakshanadeepika is a textbook of various Mudras followed in Bharathnatyam
2.Abhinaya Darpana is a textbook of various body movement techniques followed in Mohiniyattam
Which of the above is / are correct statements?
[A] Only 1
[B]Only 2
[C]Both 1 & 2
[D]Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: Neither 1 nor 2
Notes:Correct statements are as follows:
1. Hastha Lakshanadeepika is a textbook of various Mudras followed in Mohiniyattam
2.Abhinaya Darpana of Nandikeshvara (2nd century AD) is a textbook of various body movement techniques followed in Bharatnatyam