21. With reference to Sammed Shikharji, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- It is a sacred text of Jainism.
- It is included in the Svetambara Pancha Tirth.
- It is related to the 1st Tirthankara, Rishabhadeva.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 2
[B] Only 3
[C] Only 1 & 2
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 2]
Notes:
Sammed Shikharji is a Jain pilgrimage site included in the Svetambara Pancha Tirth. It is not a text, but a location associated with moksha of twenty Tirthankaras, mainly the 23rd, Parshvanatha. It is not specifically related to the 1st Tirthankara, Rishabhadeva. Thus, only statement 2 is correct.
22. Consider the following statements:
- Kharavela, a descendent of the Mahameghavahana, founder of Cheti dynasty.
- Kharavela was a follower of Jainism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:
- The Hathigumpha inscription in the Udayagiri hill, three miles from Bhuvanesvar in the Puri district, describes the achievements of Kharavela, a descendent of the Mahameghavahana, the latter being the founder of the royal house of Cheti or Chedi. It is difficult to unravel the exact relationship between Kharavela and Mahameghavahana nor is it possible to determine the number of kings intervening between them.
- Kharavela was an ardent follower of Jainism and made munificent provisions for the maintenance of Jaina ascetics.
23. Which of the following is/are correct about Chandragupta Maurya?
- Conquest of Gangetic Valley, Central India & Trans-Indus Region
- Megasthenes’ stay
- Patronage to Jainism.
- Alliance with Antiochus I
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 3
[B] Only 2
[C] Only 1, 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
- Chandragupta (321-297 BC): Conquest of Gangetic Valley, Central India & Trans-Indus Region; Alliance with Seleucus; Megasthenes’ stay; patronage to Jainism.
- Bindusara (297-72 BC): Conquest of peninsula except Kalinga & south; Alliance with Antiochus I; Daimachus’ stay; patronage to Ajivikas.
24. Consider the following statements:
- Mahaviracharita, which deals with the life of Mahavira, forms a part of the Trisastisalaka Purushacharita authored by Hemachandra.
- Parisistaparvan (also called Sthaviravali-Charita) serves as a biographical account of the earliest teachers of Jainism and details their order of succession.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Both 1 and 2
[C] Only 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
Mahaviracharita constitutes the final part of Hemachandra's Trisastisalaka Purushacharita, depicting Mahavira's life. The Parisistaparvan, appended to this work, documents biographies and the succession of early Jain teachers. Both statements are accurate; hence, option 2 is correct.
25. Who among the following was/were patrons of Jainism?
- Chandragupta Maurya
- Kharvela
- Amoghavarsha
- Siddharaja
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 1, 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
- Chandragupta Maurya was its devout patron.
- King Kharavela of Kalinga professed Jainism.
- Amoghavarsha became a Jaina monk in the latter part of his life.
- Chalukya king Siddharaja (1094–1143), also known as Jaya-simha, the popular hero of the Gujarat legend and the ruler of Anhilwara, and his successor Kumarapala were great patrons of the Jainism.
26. Consider the following pairs of participants in the first Parliament of world religion and respective religion they represented:
- Virchand Gandhi – Buddhism
- Anagarika Dharmapala – Jainism
- Alexander Russell Webb – Christianity
- Brahmo Samaj – Pratap Chandra Majmudar
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 4
[B] Only 3 & 4
[C] Only 1, 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 4]
Notes:
- Jain preacher Virchand Gandhi.
- Buddhist preacher Anagarika Dharmapala.
- Soyen Shaku, the “First American Ancestor” of Zen.
- Swami Vivekananda represented Hinduism.
- Christianity was represented by G. Bonet Maury.
- Islam was represented by Mohammed Alexander Russell Webb.
- Theism or the Brahmo Samaj was represented by Pratap Chandra Majumdar.
- The Theosophical Society was represented by the Vice-President of the society, William Quan Judge and by activist Annie Besant.
27. Which of the following statements regarding the comparison between Digambara and Svetambara sects of Jainism is/are correct?
- While Digambara believes in Sabastra Mukti, Svetambara does not believe in it.
- Digambara monks are not allowed to have any kind of possessions while Svetambara monks are allowed to possess 14 specified things.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2]
Notes:
Statement 1 is incorrect; Svetambara believe in Sabastra Mukti (liberation for all, including women and householders), while Digambara do not. Statement 2 is correct, as Digambara monks are not allowed any possessions, whereas Svetambara monks may possess 14 specified items. Idol iconography also differs with attire and ornamentation between the sects.
28. Which of the following pairs of religious texts and associated religions are correctly matched?
- Milind Panha – Buddhism
- Tanakh – Islamism
- Agamas – Jainism
- Aranyakas – Hinduism
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1, 2 & 3
[B] Only 1, 3 & 4
[C] Only 2 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1, 3 & 4]
Notes:
Milind Panha is a Buddhist text. Tanakh is associated with Judaism, not Islamism. Agamas are canonical scriptures of Jainism. Aranyakas are philosophical texts within Hinduism, being the concluding portion of the Brahmanas. Thus, statements 1, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, while statement 2 is incorrect.
29. Which of the following is true for B.R. Ambedkar?
- He was the first person from his caste who completed his college education and went to England to become a lawyer.
- Later in life he converted to Jainism
- He is considered the father of the Indian Constitution.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] Only 1, 2, and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1 and 3]
Notes:
Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar (1891-1956) is considered the father of the Indian Constitution and is also the best known leader of the Dalits. Dr. Ambedkar fought for the rights of the Dalit community. Dr. Ambedkar was the first person from his caste who completed his college education and went to England to become a lawyer. He encouraged Dalits to send their children to school and college. He led many efforts of Dalits to gain entry into temples. Later in life he converted to Buddhism in his search for a religion that treated all members equally.
30. Consider the following statements regarding the Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir in Delhi:
- It is dedicated to Lord Parshvanath, the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism.
- It was originally constructed during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan.
- The temple is situated opposite the Red Fort and is built using red sandstone.
- It was dedicated to Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, during Emperor Jahangir’s reign.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 3
[B] Only 2 and 4
[C] 1, 2 and 3
[D] All are correct statements
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 and 3]
Notes:
Statement 1 and 3 are correct: Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir is dedicated to Lord Parshvanath, the 23rd Tirthankara, and is located opposite the Red Fort, built of red sandstone. Statement 2 is incorrect, as it was constructed during Shah Jahan’s reign, not Jahangir’s. Statement 4 is also incorrect as the temple is not dedicated to Lord Mahavira, nor was it built during Jahangir’s reign.
