11. Who represented India at the Chicago Conference of World Religions in 1893?
[A] Swami Vivekananda
[B] Swami Dayananda
[C] Swami Abhedananda
[D] Ramakrishna Paramhansa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Swami Vivekananda]
Notes:
Swami Vivekananda represented India and Hinduism at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in1893. This was the first World’s Parliament of Religions and it was held from 11 to 27 September 1893.
12. Which of the following is depicted by Ajanta paintings?
[A] Ramayana
[B] Mahabharata
[C] Jatakas
[D] Panchatantra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jatakas]
Notes:
The 30 caves at Ajanta lie to the north of Aurangabad in the Indhyadri range of Western Ghats. The caves are famous for their temple architecture and many delicately drawn murals. They mainly focus on the life of Buddhas and Jatakas, with a great deal of beauty and tenderness carved by artists.
13. Which among the following is the national animal of India?
[A] Lion
[B] Tiger
[C] Elephant
[D] Bull
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tiger]
Notes:
Panthera tigris or the tiger holds the position of the national animal of India as it symbolizes strength and agility.
14. Which Veda was composed of “formulas and spells intended to counteract diseases and calamities”?
[A] Samveda
[B] Yajurveda
[C] Rig Veda
[D] Atharvaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Atharvaveda]
Notes:
According to Monier Williams, the Veda is named after the mythical priest Atharvan who was first person to develop prayers to fire, offer Soma, and hence wrote “formulas and spells intended to counteract diseases and calamities”.
15. The ethical theory of the Yoga school is based on which of the following concepts?
[A] Yamas
[B] Niyama
[C] Both of the above
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both of the above]
Notes:
Yamas and their complement, Niyamas, represent a series of “right living” or ethical rules within Hinduism and Yoga. It means “reining in” or “control”. Together, Yamas and Niyamas are personal obligations to live well.
16. Which of the following plays influence on the six schools of Hindu philosophy, particularly the Vedanta school?
[A] Chandogya Upanishad
[B] Kena Upanishad
[C] Both of the above
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both of the above]
Notes:
The widely studied Chandogya Upanishad and Kena Upanishad are part of Samaveda. They are considered primary Upanishads in exercising great influence on the six schools of Hindu philosophy, particularly the Vedanta school.
17. Who among the following believed that liberation or moksha is achievable only through the grace of God?
[A] Adi Shankaracharya
[B] Ramanuja
[C] Madhvacharya
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Madhvacharya]
Notes:
Madhvacharya’s philosophy is founded on the premise that there is a fundamental difference between Atman (individual soul, self) and the Brahman (ultimate reality, God Vishnu) whereby individual soul dependent is on Brahman. Liberation is achievable only through the grace of God.
The Dvaita school which stands for dualism (difference between Brahm and Atman) was founded by Madhvacharya influenced Vaishnavism, the Bhakti movement in medieval India. He has been one of the three influential Vedanta philosophies, along with Advaita Vedanta and Vishishtadvaita Vedanta.
18. What is agnihotra in the Arya Samaj tradition?
[A] worship of sculpted stone idols
[B] meditative prayer using Vedic mantras with divine sound
[C] making heated milk offering twice daily
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [making heated milk offering twice daily]
Notes:
Between 1869 and 1873, Dayanand Saraswati established Gurukul (Vedic schools) in India. At the Vedic schools students were refrained from performing murti puja (worship of sculpted stone idols). Rather, they performed Sandhyavandanam (meditative prayer using Vedic mantras with divine sound) and agnihotra (making heated milk offering twice daily).
19. In which city, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) is situated ?
[A] Darjeeling
[B] Srinagar
[C] Gangtok
[D] Guwahati
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Darjeeling]
Notes:
The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) was established in the year 1954 by then Prime Minister of India, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru at Darjeeling, West Bengal. The main motive behind establishment of this institute was to encourage mountaineering as an organized sports.
20. Who among the following is a famous Indian painter?
[A] Ravi Shankar
[B] Yaminni Krishnamurthy
[C] Maqbool F. Hussain
[D] Balamuralikrishna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Maqbool F. Hussain]
Notes:
Maqbool Fida Husain was a modern Indian painter of international acclaim. Often referred to as the “Picasso of India”, M.F. Husain is the most celebrated and internationally recognized Indian artist of the 20th century. He was also known as a printmaker, photographer, and filmmaker.
