1. Who among the following was the Licchavika leader and Mahāvīra’s uncle who adopted Jainism?
[A] Simha
[B] Ceṭaka
[C] Mahānāman
[D] Kumbha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ceṭaka]
Notes:
Ceṭaka, leader of Licchavis from Vesālī and Mahāvīra’s maternal uncle, adopted Jainism. He aided the spread of Jainism through alliances and political influence in the 6th century BCE, and was an important figure in the Vajjika League.
2. Who was the 20th Tirthankara of Jainism, believed to have been born in Rajgir, Bihar?
[A] Vasupujya
[B] Neminatha
[C] Munisuvrata
[D] Parshvanatha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Munisuvrata]
Notes:
Munisuvrata was the 20th Tirthankara of Jainism, born in Rajgir, Bihar. His symbol is the tortoise. He reportedly lived over 30,000 years and his idol was installed in Mathura around 127-157 AD.
3. Which Jain scholar influenced the Solanki ruler Kumarapala to embrace Jainism?
[A] Banarasidas
[B] Umaswati
[C] Jinasena
[D] Hemachandra
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Correct Answer: D [Hemachandra]
Notes:
Solanki ruler Kumarapala adopted Jainism under the influence of Jain scholar Acharya Hemachandra, promoting Jainism and constructing Jain temples during his 12th-century reign in Gujarat.
4. Which sacred mountain near Junagadh in Gujarat is revered by Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism?
[A] Mount Abu
[B] Mount Girnar
[C] Ambaji Hill
[D] Palitana Hills
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Correct Answer: B [Mount Girnar]
Notes:
Mount Girnar in Gujarat, near Junagadh, is a sacred mountain revered in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, believed to resemble the face of a sleeping Lord Shiva, making it a significant pilgrimage site.
5. Who is credited with propounding the Syadvada (the doctrine of sevenfold predication) school of philosophy in Jainism?
[A] Umaswati
[B] Bhadrabahu
[C] Vardhamana Mahavira
[D] Kundakundacharya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kundakundacharya]
Notes:
Syadvada, central to Jain logic, was propounded by Acharya Kundakundacharya in the 2nd century CE, emphasizing the relativity of statements through sevenfold predication.
6. Consider the following:
- Amoghavarsha I
- Indra III
- Krishna III
Which of the above rulers is known for contributions to literature and Jainism?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] 1 and 3
[D] 1, 2, and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:
Amoghavarsha I was a notable patron of literature, known for his work “Kavirajamarga,” the earliest Kannada text on poetics. He leaned towards Jainism and promoted its principles during his reign. Indra III is recognized for military conquests, notably against the Pratihara king, while Krishna III’s achievements include extensive military campaigns and struggles against rival dynasties. Neither Indra III nor Krishna III is primarily associated with literary contributions or Jainism.
7. With respect to Kumarapala, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- Kumarapala is believed to have embraced Jainism under the influence of the Jain scholar Hemachandra.
- Queen Naikidevi led the army against the Turks while holding her son Mularaja II on her lap.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Nor 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:- Kumarapala’s embrace of Jainism (Correct): Historical accounts suggest that Kumarapala adopted Jainism, influenced by the scholar Hemachandra, which led him to prohibit the killing of animals and gambling in his kingdom.
- Queen Naikidevi’s bravery (Correct): During the invasion by Muizuddin Muhammad Ghori, Queen Naikidevi displayed remarkable courage by leading her troops against the Turks while holding her young son, Mularaja II, illustrating her strength as a regent.
8. Which of the following doctrines are associated with Jainism?
- Anekantavada
- Syadavada
- Pramana
- Nayavada
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1, 2 and 3
[B] Only 1, 2 and 4
[C] 1, 2, 3 and 4
[D] Only 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1, 2, 3 and 4]
Notes:
Anekantavada emphasizes the multiplicity of viewpoints, asserting that truth can be perceived from different angles. Syadavada is associated with conditional assertions about truth, while Pramana encompasses the means of acquiring knowledge, including perception and inference. Nayavada focuses on classifying various perspectives or “nayas,” which is essential for understanding Jain philosophy. Therefore, all the mentioned options are significant doctrines in Jainism.
9. Which of the following philosophical traditions emerged in ancient India during the same period as Jainism and Buddhism?
[A] Advaita Vedanta
[B] Charvaka
[C] Nyaya
[D] Samkhya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Charvaka]
Notes:
Charvaka, also known as Lokāyata, is an ancient Indian materialist philosophy that emerged during the Hindu reformation period, around the same time as Jainism and Buddhism. It emphasizes direct perception and skepticism. Jainism, founded by Mahavira, and Buddhism, founded by Gautama Buddha, both arose in the 1st millennium BCE, making Charvaka a contemporary philosophical tradition. In contrast, Advaita Vedanta, Nyaya, and Samkhya developed later in Indian philosophical history.
10. Consider the following:
- Charvaka
- Buddhism
- Jainism
- Ajñāna
Which of the following is the correct chronological order of the emergence of these philosophical schools from earliest to latest?
[A] 1 2 3 4
[B] 4 1 3 2
[C] 1 4 3 2
[D] 2 3 1 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1 4 3 2]
Notes:
The Charvaka school, known for its materialist and atheistic views, emerged in the 6th century BCE. Following this, Ajñāna, a school of thought that also embraced skepticism and denial of certain philosophical claims, developed around the same period. Jainism, founded by Mahavira, emerged in the 6th century BCE as well, but it is widely recognized as having a more structured tradition that solidified slightly later. Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) around the 5th century BCE, is considered the most recent of the four. Thus, the correct order is: Charvaka (1), Ajñāna (4), Jainism (3), Buddhism (2).
