UPSC Static Quiz – 2020: IASbaba’s Daily Static Quiz – HISTORY [Day 82]

Solution (d)

• The Buddha (and other teachers) taught orally – through discussion and debate. 
• Men and women (perhaps children as well) attended these discourses and discussed what they heard. 
• None of the Buddha’s speeches were written down during his lifetime. After his death (c. fifth-fourth century BCE) his teachings were compiled by his disciples at a council of “elders” or senior monks at Vesali (Pali for Vaishali in present-day Bihar). These compilations were known as Tipitaka – literally, three baskets to hold different types of texts. 
• They were first transmitted orally and then written and classified according to length as well as subject matter.

Hence all the statements are correct.

Solution (b)

The basic philosophy of the Jainas was already in existence in north India before the birth of Vardhamana, who came to be known as Mahavira, in the sixth century BCE. 

According to Jaina tradition, Mahavira was preceded by 23 other teachers or tirthankaras – literally, those who guide men and women across the river of existence. 

The most important idea in Jainism is that the entire world is animated: even stones, rocks and water have life. Non-injury to living beings, especially to humans, animals, plants and insects, is central to Jaina philosophy. 

Hence statement 1 is incorrect.

In fact the principle of ahimsa, emphasised within Jainism, has left its mark on Indian thinking as a whole. 

According to Jaina teachings, the cycle of birth and rebirth is shaped through karma. 

Hence statement 2 is correct.

Asceticism and penance are required to free oneself from the cycle of karma. This can be achieved only by renouncing the world; therefore, monastic existence is a necessary condition of salvation. 

Hence statement 3 is correct.

Solution (d)

Hagiography is a biography of a saint or religious leader. Hagiographies often praise the saint’s achievements, and may not always be literally accurate. They are important because they tell us about the beliefs of the followers of that particular tradition. 

Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions.

An agrahara was land granted to a Brahmana, who was usually exempted from paying land revenue and other dues to the king, and was often given the right to collect these dues from the local people.

Numismatics is the study of coins, including visual elements such as scripts and images, metallurgical analysis and the contexts in which they have been found.

Hence all the statements are correct.

Solution (d)

The Vinaya Pitaka included rules and regulations for those who joined the sangha or monastic order; the Buddha’s teachings were included in the Sutta Pitaka; and the Abhidhamma Pitaka dealt with philosophical matters. Each pitaka comprised a number of individual texts. Later, commentaries were written on these texts by Buddhist scholars.

Hence all the statements are correct

Solution (c)

Guru Nanak ji (1469-1539) preached his ideas much in the same way as saint Kabir and other monotheists, but due to various developments later his teachings led to the emergence of a mass religion, Sikhism. The basic similarity of his teachings with those of saint Kabir and other saints and the basic ideological agreement between them makes him an integral part of the monotheistic movement. Guru Nanak ji belonged to a caste of traders called Khatri and was born in a village in Punjab now known as Nankana Sahib. In his later life he-travelled widely to preach his ideas. Eventually he settled in a place in Punjab now known as Dera Baba Nanak. There he attracted large number of disciples. The hymns composed by him were incorporated in the Adl Granth .by the fifth Sikh Guru Arjan in 1604. 

Solution (c)

They believed service to humanity equals service to God.

They introduced a new form of singing called ‘Qawwali’ where rhythm is given with claps of hand.

They preached meditation to connect to inner soul and God.

Sufis did not believe in Celibacy.

Hence statement 4 is incorrect.

Solution (d)

Panchasiddhanta was written by Vrahamihira.

Hence Statement 1 is incorrect. 

It is a treatise on mathematical astronomy.

Hence Statement 2 is incorrect. 

Solution (c)

Mahapurusha Sankaradeva: A great Vaishnava saint and reformer of Assam. He is known for introducing the dance form Sattriya. Sattriya is centered around Vaishnavism.

Pat:

A silk produced in Assam

Derived from the mulberry plant

Solution (a)

Mudrarakshasa is a Sanskrit Language Play written by Vishakhadatta that narrates the ascent of king Chandragupta Maurya to power in India.

Hence statement 1 is incorrect.

Solution (d)

Ajivika was one of the ‘Nastika’ school of Indian philosophy.

It was founded by Makkhali Gosala.

Ajivikas do not believe in Karma philosophy and believe that whatever happens is preordained by the cosmic order.

Bindusara was a follower of Ajivika Sect.

Hence all the statements are correct.