1. In which century B.C. did numerous religious sects arise in the middle Gangetic basin?
2. As many as how many religious sects are recorded as existing in this period?
3. Which two varnas were given certain privileges based on the emphasis that varna was based on birth?
4. The term used for the two higher varnas entitled to wear the sacred thread and study the Vedas is:
5. Consider the following statements regarding the Sudras in post-Vedic society:
(I) They were barred from taking to Vedic studies.
(II) They served the three higher varnas.
(III) They were entitled to wear the sacred thread.
Which of the above is/are correct?
6. The kshatriya reaction against Brahmana domination is cited as one of the causes of the origin of which new religions?
7. Both Vardhamana Mahavira and Gautama Buddha belonged to which clan?
8. The introduction of a new agricultural economy in north-eastern India, identified as the real cause of the rise of Jainism and Buddhism, was based on the use of:
9. The earliest coins, called punch-marked coins, belonged to which century B.C.?
10. In the brahmanical social hierarchy, the Vaisyas ranked in which position?
11. Vardhamana Mahavira was born in which year?
12. At what age did Mahavira leave home to become an ascetic?
13. At what age did Mahavira attain kaivalya, or perfect knowledge?
14. Mahavira passed away at Pavapuri, near modern Rajgir, in which year?
15. Consider the following pairs regarding the five doctrines of Jainism:
(I) Do not commit violence
(II) Do not acquire property
(III) Observe continence (brahmacharya)
Which of the above is correctly listed as a Jaina doctrine?
16. It is said that only one of the five Jaina doctrines was added by Mahavira, the other four being taken over from previous teachers. Which doctrine was newly added by Mahavira?
17. Jainism was divided into two sects on account of Mahavira's instruction to his followers to discard clothes completely. What were these two sects?
18. According to Jainism, liberation is mainly attained through:
19. The spread of Jainism in Karnataka is attributed by a late tradition to which Mauryan emperor?
20. Consider the following statements regarding the spread of Jainism in south India:
(I) A great famine in Magadha lasting 12 years led many Jainas to migrate south under Bhadrabahu.
(II) Those who stayed back in Magadha were led by Sthalabahu.
(III) A council was convened at Pataliputra to compile the main teachings of Jainism.
Which of the above is/are correct?
21. After the split following the Magadha famine, the southern Jainas came to be called Digambaras, while the Magadhans were called:
22. In which century did Jainism spread to Kalinga in Orissa?
23. Which Kalinga king patronised Jainism in the first century B.C. after defeating the princes of Andhra and Magadha?
24. The early Jainas adopted which language, rejected by the Brahmanas, to preach their doctrines?
25. Which Prakrit language, developed particularly by the Jainas, grew into the Marathi language?
26. Gautama Buddha was born in which year, in a Sakya kshatriya family in Kapilavastu?
27. At what age did Gautama leave home in search of a solution to human misery?
28. Gautama attained knowledge at the age of 35 under a pipal tree at:
29. Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon at:
30. Gautama Buddha passed away at the age of 80 in 483 B.C. at a place called Kusinagar, identical with the village called:
31. Gautama Buddha addressed himself to the worldly problems and did not involve himself in fruitless controversies regarding which concept?
32. According to the Buddha, if desires are conquered, a person attains freedom from the cycle of birth and death, known as:
33. The eightfold path (astangika marga) recommended by Gautama Buddha for the elimination of human misery is attributed to him in a text of about which century B.C.?
34. Gautama Buddha prescribed a path avoiding the excess of both luxury and austerity, known as:
35. Consider the following statements regarding the code of conduct laid down by the Buddha for his followers:
(I) Do not covet the property of others
(II) Do not commit violence
(III) Do not use intoxicants
Which of the above is/are correct?
36. Buddhism does not recognize the existence of:
37. The Buddhist religious order, whose doors were open to everybody irrespective of caste and sex, was known as the:
38. Which language, used by Gautama Buddha and his followers, contributed to the spread of Buddhism among the common people?
39. Which Maurya king embraced Buddhism two hundred years after the death of the Buddha and spread it into Central Asia, West Asia and Sri Lanka?
40. Consider the following statements regarding the decline of Buddhism:
(I) Buddhist monks gradually got cut off from the mainstream of people's life.
(II) Buddhist monks gave up Pali and took to Sanskrit.
(III) From the first century A.D., Buddhist monks practised idol worship on a large scale.
Which of the above is/are correct?
41. The new, degenerated form of Buddhism that came to be dominated by ease-loving people is known as:
42. By which century A.D. had Buddhism practically disappeared from the land of its birth?
43. Which invaders are described as killing a large number of Buddhist monks at Nalanda, contributing to Buddhism's decline?
44. Consider the following pairs of centres of Buddhist learning and their locations:
(I) Nalanda – Bihar
(II) Vikramasila – Bihar
(III) Valabhi – Gujarat
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
45. The earliest Buddhist text that declares cattle to be givers of food, beauty and happiness (annada vannada sukhada) is the:
46. Buddhist art that developed on the north-west frontier of India, combining Greek and Indian sculptural styles, is known as:
47. Under the impetus of Roman trade, Buddhist art flourished in the:
48. Cave architecture, developed for the residence of Buddhist monks, began in the Barabar hills located near:
