21. Which of the following statements are correct regarding the life of Sufi mystics?
- The mystics led a life of constant meditation.
- They were entirely involved in fulfilling the injunctions of the Quran and other Islamic traditions.
- They carried out many acts of piety and laid special emphasis on nightly prayers.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
Sufi mystics were known for their constant meditation and deep spiritual practices. They strictly adhered to the injunctions of the Quran and Islamic traditions, undertaking numerous acts of piety. Emphasis was also placed on nightly prayers as part of their spiritual discipline, fulfilling all three statements mentioned above.
22. Which of the following statements regarding the social impact of Sufism in India are correct:
- It helped in creating a society free of religious, sectarian and communal tensions.
- It predisposed people to accept the powerful teachings of reform movements, evolving a synthesis of Hinduism and Islam.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 & 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:
Sufism promoted social harmony by discouraging religious, sectarian, and communal tensions. Additionally, Sufism’s inclusive philosophy and interactions with Bhakti movements facilitated a synthesis of Hindu and Islamic thoughts, encouraging people to be receptive to reformist teachings. Both statements accurately reflect Sufism’s social influence in the Indian subcontinent.
23. With reference to ancient Indian history, which of the following terms indicate some kind of sacrifices?
- Vajapeya
- Atiratra
- Agnistoma
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
All three—Vajapeya, Atiratra, and Agnistoma—refer to Vedic sacrifices. Vajapeya is a major soma sacrifice, Atiratra is an overnight soma ritual, and Agnistoma is the basic soma sacrifice as mentioned in ancient texts. All were part of the elaborate system of yajnas in ancient Indian rituals.
24. Match the followings.
1. Brihadeswara
2. Dilwara
3. Lingraja
4. Hampi Group
a. Odisha Temple
b. Tamil Nadu Temple
c. Karnataka Temple
d. Rajasthan Monuments
[A] 1-b, 2-d, 3-a, 4-c
[B] 1-b, 2-a, 3-d, 4-c
[C] 1-a, 2-c, 3-d, 4-b
[D] 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1-b, 2-d, 3-a, 4-c]
Notes:
Brihadeshwara Temple is a temple of Lord Shiva in Thanjavur- Tamil Nadu;
Dilwara Temple is a Jain temple located near Mount Abu in- Rajasthan;
Lingaraja Temple is a temple of Harihara, a form of Shiva and Vishnu- situated at Bhubaneshwar, Odisha;
Hampi Group of Monuments are the ruined temple complexes of the Vijayanagara Empire in Hampi- located in Ballari district of Karnataka.
25. With reference to the antiquities returned to India by Australia in 2022, consider the following:
- Shiva Bhairava
- Child-saint Sambandar
- Durga Mahisasuramardini
- Kali Yantra
Which of the above antiquities is/are associated with Rajasthan?
[A] Only 2
[B] Only 1
[C] Only 2, 3 and 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1]
Notes:
Among the antiquities returned to India by Australia in 2022, only the 9th-10th century Shiva Bhairava sandstone sculpture is associated with Rajasthan. The Child-saint Sambandar originates from Tamil Nadu, Durga Mahisasuramardini from Gujarat, and the Kali Yantra painting from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. This reflects the diversified regional origins of India's returned artefacts.
26. Consider the following statements:
- Hockey is the national sport of India.
- Kabbadi is the national sport of Bangladesh.
- Mallakhamba is the state sport of Madhya Pradesh.
- Kabbadi is the state game of Karnataka.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2, 3 and 4
[C] Only 3 and 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2, 3 and 4]
Notes:
India does not have an official national sport; hockey is not officially designated as such. Kabbadi is indeed the national sport of Bangladesh and also recognized as a state sport in Karnataka. Mallakhamba was declared the state sport of Madhya Pradesh in 2013. Hence, only statements 2, 3, and 4 are correct.
27. Which of the following pairs of paddy varieties and their respective states are correctly matched?
- Kala Namak – Uttar Pradesh
- Gobindobhog – Gujarat
- Tulaipanji – West Bengal
- Chak-Hao – Manipur
- Ambemohar – Maharashtra
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1, 2 & 4
[B] Only 1, 3, 4 & 5
[C] Only 1, 2, 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1, 3, 4 & 5]
Notes:
Kala Namak is native to Uttar Pradesh. Gobindobhog is from West Bengal, not Gujarat. Tulaipanji is native to West Bengal. Chak-Hao is Manipuri black rice from Manipur. Ambemohar is a specialty of Maharashtra. Thus, pairs 1, 3, 4, and 5 are correct; pair 2 is incorrect.
28. Which of the following pilgrimage sites are located in Jammu and Kashmir?
- Vaishno Devi Temple
- Shankaracharya Temple
- Raghunath Temple
- Amarnath Cave
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 4
[B] Only 1, 2 & 4
[C] Only 1, 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
Vaishno Devi Temple is in the Trikuta Mountains of Jammu and Kashmir. Shankaracharya Temple is on the Zabarwan Mountain in Srinagar. Raghunath Temple is located in Jammu and was built by Maharaja Gulab Singh and Ranbir Singh. Amarnath Cave is situated in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir.
29. Consider the following statements regarding the Chalcolithic cultures in India:
- They practiced some kind of worship.
- They had peculiar burial rituals.
- They believed in afterlife.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] 1, 2 and 3
[C] Only 2 and 3
[D] Only 1 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1, 2 and 3]
Notes:
Archaeological evidence from Chalcolithic sites in India points to worship of the mother goddess and bull, distinctive burial practices such as inclusion of grave goods, and a belief in afterlife, as seen in Malwa and Jorwe cultures. Funerary objects like pottery discovered in graves further support all three statements as correct.
30. Consider the following statements regarding “Jina” in Jainism:
- A Jina is one who established Jainism by following the beliefs and attaining liberation by conquering both love and hatred.
- Jinas are neither divine beings nor incarnations of gods.
Which of the above statements 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:
A Jina in Jainism is a being who has conquered attachment and aversion, thereby attaining liberation and exemplifying Jain beliefs. Jinas are not considered divine beings or incarnations of gods; rather, they are enlightened humans who established and spread the unchanging doctrines of Jainism, emphasizing individual spiritual progress and responsibility.
