๐ Chapter 08 ยท PYQs ยท Religions of India
Religions of India โ Previous Year Questions
UPSC, APPSC, and TGPSC previous year questions on Indian religions with detailed answers.
With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism? (1) Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment. (2) Indifference to the authority of the Vedas. (3) Denial of efficacy of rituals. Select the correct answer:
- A) 1 only
- B) 2 and 3 only
- C) 1 and 3 only
- D) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: D โ All three were common to both Buddhism and Jainism. Both rejected Vedic authority, denied the efficacy of rituals, and advocated a middle path (though Jainism was more ascetic than Buddhism).
With reference to the Sikh Gurus, consider the following statements: (1) Guru Tegh Bahadur was the 9th Guru of the Sikhs. (2) Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed by Aurangzeb. (3) Guru Gobind Singh was the immediate successor of Guru Tegh Bahadur. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A) 1 and 2 only
- B) 2 and 3 only
- C) 1, 2 and 3
- D) 1 and 3 only
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Answer: C โ All three statements are correct. Guru Tegh Bahadur was the 9th Guru, executed by Aurangzeb in 1675 CE, and was succeeded by his son Guru Gobind Singh Ji (10th Guru).
With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: (1) The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism. (2) Bodhisattva is a compassionate being on his way to enlightenment. (3) Bodhisattva delays his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A) 1 only
- B) 2 and 3 only
- C) 2 only
- D) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: B โ Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The Bodhisattva concept is central to Mahayana (not Hinayana) Buddhism. A Bodhisattva is indeed a compassionate being who delays personal salvation to help all sentient beings.
The Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony is associated with which Jain site?
- A) Palitana, Gujarat
- B) Shravanabelagola, Karnataka
- C) Ranakpur, Rajasthan
- D) Dilwara, Rajasthan
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Answer: B โ The Mahamastakabhisheka (head-anointing ceremony) is held every 12 years at Shravanabelagola, Karnataka, for the Gomateshwara (Bahubali) statue.
With reference to the history of India, “Ulgulan” or “The Great Tumult” is the description of which of the following events?
- A) The Revolt of 1857
- B) The Mappila Rebellion of 1921
- C) The Birsa Munda Uprising of 1899โ1900
- D) The Santhal Rebellion of 1855โ56
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Answer: C โ “Ulgulan” (meaning “Great Tumult” or “Great Commotion”) refers to the Birsa Munda Uprising of 1899โ1900 in the Chota Nagpur region. Birsa Munda led the Munda tribe against British rule and exploitation.
The Naqshbandi Sufi order in India is associated with which saint?
- A) Moinuddin Chishti
- B) Nizamuddin Auliya
- C) Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi
- D) Bahauddin Zakariya
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Answer: C โ Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi (Mujaddid Alf Sani) is the most famous figure of the Naqshbandi order in India. He opposed Akbar’s Din-i-Ilahi and worked to revive orthodox Islam.
With reference to the Four Vedas, which of the following is the correct order from oldest to newest?
- A) Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda
- B) Samaveda, Rigveda, Atharvaveda, Yajurveda
- C) Yajurveda, Rigveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda
- D) Atharvaveda, Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda
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Answer: A โ The Rigveda is the oldest of the four Vedas. The Atharvaveda is generally considered the latest addition. The order from oldest to newest is approximately: Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda.
The Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar was built by which Sikh Guru?
- A) Guru Nanak Dev Ji
- B) Guru Arjan Dev Ji
- C) Guru Ram Das Ji
- D) Guru Hargobind Ji
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Answer: B โ The Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) was built by Guru Arjan Dev Ji (5th Guru). Guru Ram Das Ji founded the city of Amritsar and excavated the sacred pool (Amrit Sarovar).
The Tripitaka is the sacred scripture of which religion?
- A) Jainism
- B) Buddhism
- C) Hinduism
- D) Sikhism
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Answer: B โ The Tripitaka (Three Baskets) is the sacred scripture of Theravada Buddhism, written in Pali. It consists of Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka.
The Churches and Convents of Goa were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in which year?
- A) 1983
- B) 1986
- C) 1993
- D) 2004
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Answer: B โ The Churches and Convents of Goa were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. The site includes the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, and Church of St. Francis of Assisi.