1. Which among the following Mudra is the gesture of Buddha as depicted in his first sermon?
[A] Abhaya Mudra
[B] Dhyana Mudra
[C] Dharmachakra Mudra
[D] Bhumisparsa Mudra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Dharmachakra Mudra ]
Notes:
The sermon Buddha gave to the five monks was his first sermon, called the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. The Seated Buddha from Gandhara is an early statue of the Buddha made in Gandhara, in modern Pakistan, in the 2nd or 3rd century The pose, which was to become one of a number of standard ones, shows Buddha as a teacher setting the wheel of Dharma in motion (Dharmachakra Mudra). Buddha did this following his enlightenment and after delivering his first sermon at the deer park at Sarnath near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
2. Among the five monolithic rathas of Pallavas at Mahabalipuram, the largest is ___?
[A] Arjuna
[B] Bhima
[C] Dharmaraja
[D] Draupadi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Dharmaraja]
Notes:
Mahabalipuram Temples: Pallava dynasty: The five monolithic rathas are square or oblong in plan, pyramidal in elevation and varying in their overall dimensions. the Dharmaraja ratha constructed in Pallava style is the largest of all, having huge pillats in the portico with statue of lions, pyramidal tower and turret roof.
3. In which Indian state are 838 temples of a distinctive faith located on a single mountain?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Gujarat
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gujarat]
Notes:
The state of Gujarat, specifically in the city of Palitana, holds a remarkable distinction of having 838 Jain temples located on a single mountain. Jainism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has a strong community still in India. These temples are a major pilgrimage site for Jains and are a testament to the architectural prowess of ancient artisans.
4. Which among the following is the main feature of Dravida Style of Temple architecture?
[A] Gopuram
[B] Garbha Griha
[C] Vimana & Shikhara
[D] Manastambha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vimana & Shikhara]
Notes:
Vimana and Shikara are the man features of Dravida style of temple architecture. Unlike the nagara temple, the dravida temple is enclosed within a compound wall. The vimana is like a stepped pyramid that rise up geometrically rather than the curving shikhara of north India.
5. In which of the following fields Moortidevi Award is conferred?
[A] Science & Technology
[B] Law
[C] Literature
[D] Social Services
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Literature]
Notes:
Moortidevi Award is given by Bharatiya Jnanpith to Indian writers writing in 22 Indian languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution and English. It was instituted in 1961 but was first given in 1983. The first recipient of the award was the Kannada writer C. K. Nagaraja Rao (1983) for his novel, Pattamahadevi Shantala Devi.
6. Who among the following was the spiritual Guru of Chhatrapati Shivaji?
[A] Tukaram ji
[B] Samrath Ramdas
[C] Jija bai
[D] Dadajikondadev
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Samrath Ramdas]
Notes:
Samrath Ramdas ji was the spiritual Guru of Chhatrapati Shivaji, who is remembered for his Advaita Vedanta (Non-dualism) text Dasbodh.
7. Consider the following:
- Ellora Caves
- Mahabalipuram Caves
- Khajuraho Temple
Which among the following is the correct set of dynasties to which the above three are ascribed to?
[A] Rastrakuta, Pallava, Chandella
[B] Rastrakuta, Chola, Chandella
[C] Saatvahana, Pallava, Chandella
[D] Saatvahana, Chola, Chandella
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Rastrakuta, Pallava, Chandella]
Notes:
- Ellora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India. It is associated with Rashtrakuta.
- The Cave Temples of Mahabalipuram are part of the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, less well-known than the ratha temples. It is associated with Chola.
- The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a group of Hindu temples and Jain temples in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh. It is associated with Chandelas.
8. In context to Buddhist Architecture, a harmika is:
[A] the top railing of a stupa
[B] a square base or foundation corresponding to earth
[C] is a monumental tower at the entrance of a vihara
[D] circular basal rings over which stupa is constructed
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ the top railing of a stupa]
Notes:
First option is the correct answer. The harmika is the top railing of stupa.
9. Jnanashrayi shakha and Sufi shakha are associated to:
[A] Nirguna bhakti
[B] Shaivas
[C] Advaita
[D] Vaishnava
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Nirguna bhakti]
Notes:
Nirguna Bhakti is divided into two channels Jnanashrayi shakha and Sufi shakha.
10. Which of the following philosophies was advocated by the great philosopher Shankara? (UPSC Prelims General Studies 1979)
[A] Dvaita
[B] Advaita
[C] Hinduism
[D] Altruism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Advaita]
Notes:
Principle of Advita was propounded by Adi Shankaracharya. Following are the features of this Advaita philosophy:• According to this principle there is no difference between soul & universe i.e both are intermingled• The doctrine says that there is no difference between the Atman and the Brahman. The individual soul is not different from Brahman. Hence, its name Advaita meaning non-duality• The basic theme of Advaita is that the one unchanging entity alone is real, while changing entities do not have absolute existenceThe world is Maya or illusion and only the Self is real. A person who realises this attains moksha (liberation of the soul)
