Religion MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Religion - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Samkhya Philosophy.

Key Points

• Samkhya is one of the six orthodox (astika) schools of Indian philosophy, and it is known for its dualistic system.
• The dualism in Samkhya posits two fundamental realities: Purusha (pure consciousness, self) and Prakriti (matter, energy, and creative agency).
• Purusha is considered the eternal, unchangeable, and inactive consciousness, the observer or experiencer, devoid of any qualities or modifications.
• Prakriti is the dynamic, material source of all creation, composed of three gunas (qualities): Sattva (equilibrium, clarity), Rajas (activity, passion), and Tamas (inertia, darkness).
• The interaction between Purusha and Prakriti leads to the evolution of the manifest world, with Prakriti undergoing transformations to create different aspects of reality.
• The ultimate goal of Samkhya is liberation (moksha), which is achieved by realizing the distinct nature of Purusha and Prakriti and transcending the influence of the gunas of Prakriti.
• Samkhya follows the Satkaryavada theory, which suggests that the effect pre-exists in the cause, meaning that any transformation’s outcome is already inherent in the original substance.
• In terms of epistemology, Samkhya accepts three means of knowledge (pramana): perception (pratyaksha), inference (anumana), and testimony (shabda).
• Samkhya has significantly influenced the Yoga school of thought, especially its approach to the relationship between Purusha and Prakriti and the path to liberation.
• Samkhya philosophy offers a rational and scientific system of thought, explaining the world through naturalistic principles rather than divine intervention.
• It provides a framework for understanding various schools of Indian philosophy, and its ethical implications align with UPSC's syllabus on ethics and human values.

 Additional Information

• Influence on Yoga
  • Samkhya heavily influences the Yoga school of thought, particularly in understanding the connection between Purusha and Prakriti and the path to self-realization and liberation.
• Ethical and Moral Dimensions
  • Samkhya's emphasis on self-realization and liberation has strong ethical implications, particularly in the context of UPSC's syllabus on ethics and human values.
• Dualistic Realism
  • Samkhya's dualistic realism distinguishes it from other philosophical systems, as it considers both Purusha and Prakriti as equally real and fundamental to understanding reality.
• Influence on Other Indian Philosophical Systems
  • Samkhya provides a foundational understanding that influences other systems, especially in its conceptualization of the nature of reality, consciousness, and existence.

• The Roman Catholic Church “Basilica of Our Lady of Graces” is located at Sardhana, Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh,
• It is one of the famous Christian pilgrimage destinations in Meerut.
• The Church was built by Begum Samru in the eighteenth century.
• The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus.

• It was built in Indian and Italian style of architecture.

Key Points

Mitakṣara:

• A vivṛti (legal commentary) on the Yajnavalkya Smriti.
• Best known for its theory of "inheritance by birth."
• Authored by Vijñāneśvara.
• Written in the late eleventh century CE in the modern-day state of Karnataka, at the Kalyani Chalukya court.
• Along with the Dāyabhāga, considered one of the main authorities on Hindu Law during British administration in India.
• The entire Mitākṣarā, with the Yājñavalkya-smṝti, is approximately 492 closely printed pages.

Author Vijñāneśvara:

• Lived at Marthur near Kalaburagi (modern-day Karnataka).
• Lived near the end of the eleventh century during the reign of Vikramaditya VI of the Cālukya dynasty of Kalyāni.
• A "profound student of the Mimamsa system" (exegetical thought focused on Vedic interpretation).
• Kane argues against Derrett's opinion that Vijñāneśvara was a judge, stating that passages about judges reflect Mimamsa interpretation, not historical reality.

Date and Historical Context:

• Kane places it between 974 CE and 1000 CE, but states "no evidence to establish the exact time."
• Kane also places it after 1050 CE due to its naming of Viśvarūpa, Medhātithi, and Dhāreśvara as authoritative sources.
• Derrett places the text between 1121 CE and 1125 CE, which Kane calls arbitrary and lacking evidence.
• Lingat places it simply at the end of the eleventh century.
• Historically, Vijñāneśvara aimed to clarify and explain parts of the Yājñavalkya Smṛti, criticizing and discussing earlier commentaries to reconcile differences and further explain the text's meaning.

Sources and Topics:

• Vijñāneśvara's commentary "brings together numerous smṛti passages, explains away contradictions... by following Mimamsa rules of interpretation."
• He organizes material by assigning proper scope and province to various dicta and synthesizes apparently unconnected smṛti injunctions.
• Similar to a digest (nibandha) as it incorporates outside opinions on the same passages.
• Cites numerous earlier commentators, including Viśvarūpa, Mēdhātithi, and Dhāreśvara.
• Most important topics include property rights, property distribution, and inheritance.
• Became the authority, especially on inheritance, throughout most of India after the British arrival.

Effect on British India:

• Became an influential source for British Courts in India, along with the Dāyabhāga.
• Influential throughout the majority of India, except in Bengal, Assam, and parts of Odisha and Bihar where the Dāyabhāga prevailed.
• British sought to administer existing laws to the people, using the Mitākṣarā to resolve disputes (especially property rights and inheritance).
• First translation of the inheritance section by Colebrooke in 1810.

Key Points

(a) They are the custodians of Buddhist texts preserved in four major monasteries across India. ❌ Incorrect

• Shankaracharyas are Hindu religious leaders, not connected to Buddhist texts.
• The four major maths they head were founded by Adi Shankara, an 8th-century Hindu philosopher, to uphold Vedantic philosophy and Vedic tradition, not Buddhist teachings.

(b) They head the four maths established by Adi Shankara to preserve and teach Vedic knowledge. ✅ Correct

1. Adi Shankara established four maths (monasteries) at Dwarka, Puri, Sringeri, and Joshimath.
2. Each Shankaracharya is the religious head of one math and serves as the custodian of one Veda.
3. These maths function as centres of Vedic learning, spiritual guidance, and guardians of Hindu dharma.

(c) They were appointed by the Vijayanagara kings to reform temple architecture. ❌ Incorrect

• Although the Sringeri Math received patronage from the Vijayanagara rulers in the 14th century, the Shankaracharyas were not appointed by them nor were they known for temple architecture reforms.
• Their role was primarily spiritual and philosophical, not architectural.

(d) They are spiritual leaders responsible for compiling the Puranas during the Gupta period. ❌ Incorrect

• The Puranas were composed over a long span of time, mostly before and during the Gupta period (4th–6th century CE), but Shankaracharya lived in the 8th century CE, after the Gupta era.
• There’s no evidence linking the Shankaracharyas to Purana compilation.

📌 Summary:

• The Shankaracharyas are religious heads of the four maths established by Adi Shankara, each entrusted with preserving one Veda, guiding followers of Advaita Vedanta, and overseeing the Dashanami Sampradaya.

The correct answer is Punjab.

• Kuka was a religious-political movement in Punjab.
• Kukas were not part of the main-stream Sikhism of the Sikhs.
• They wanted caste -abolition, the permission of intermarriages,widow-remarriages, abstinence from the desi liquor, meat, and drug
• To unite the people, Satguru Ram Singh Ji started the Kuka Movement.
• The date of 12th April 1872 is usually known as the official day when the movement was born, though in real essence the foundations of the movement were being laid down by Satguru Ram Singh Ji a few years before.

The correct answer is Vamana.

Key Points

• The fifth incarnation of Vishnu is known as Vamana.
• According to Hindu Mythology, there are ten complete incarnations of the Lord Vishnu and, countless numbers of incomplete incarnations.

The correct answer is Vardhamana Mahavira.

Key Points

• Vardhamana Mahavira was the son of a Chief of the Jnatrika (or Jhatrika) Kshatriya clan.
• He was the 24th Tirthankara of the Jain tradition.
• He was born at Kundagrama near Vaisali to Kshatriya parents Siddhartha and Trisala.
• Bimbisara was the contemporary of Vardhamana Mahavira.
• At the age of thirty, he became an ascetic and wandered for twelve years.
• In the 13th year of his penance, he attained the highest spiritual knowledge called Kevala Gnana.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Khajuraho.

Key Points

• Chandella Kings built the temples at their capital in Khajuraho. These temples are known for their art and architecture. 
• These are situated in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, and are UNESCO world heritage sites. 
• These temples were dedicated to Hinduism and Jainism.
• Khajuraho is a group of 85 temples built between AD 900 and 1130. However, at present only 25 are surviving. It is presumed that every Chandella ruler had built one temple. 

The correct answer is Amritsar.

• Sri Harmandir Sahib is located in Amritsar, Punjab.

Key Points

• Sri Harmandir Sahib/Golden Temple of Amritsar
  • It is the holy shrine of the Sikhs.
  • It is also known as The Golden Temple of Amritsar.
  • The Golden Temple complex includes the Akal Takht, Sikh history museum, the Amrit Sarovar and Guru Ram Das Langar (a large dining hall).

Additional Information

• Sikhism:
  • Guru Nanak is the founder of Sikhism.
  • Guru Granth Sahib is the holy book of Sikhs.

The correct answer is Zoroastrianism.

Key Points

• The most essential texts of Zoroastrianism are those of the Avesta.
• The Avesta also contains the basic teachings of Zoraster known as the Gatha.
• A fire temple in Zoroastrianism is the place of worship for Zoroastrians, usually called Dar-e-Mehr (Persian) or Agiyari (Gujarati). In the Zoroastrian religion, fire, together with clean water, are agents of ritual purity.
• The foundation of the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism was laid by the teachings and wisdom of the spiritual leader and reformist Zoroaster

• Vishnupada Mandir is an ancient temple in Gaya, India. It is a temple of Lord Vishnu.
• This temple is located along the Falgu River.
• ​It is located in the southern part of Bihar.
• Gaya is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Bihar famous for Bodhgaya and Pind Daan(funeral offerings).

The correct answer is Guru Nanak Dev.

Key Points

• Guru Nanak Dev Ji is considered as the founder of Sikhism. 
• He was born on 15th April 1469 in Rai Bhoi ki Talwandi, presently in Pakistan. 
• He died at the age of 70 in Kartarpur, Pakistan.

Additional InformationGurus of Sikhism: 

The correct answer is Shiva.

Key Points

Virupaksha Temple:

• Virupaksha Temple is located in Hampi in the Ballari district of Karnataka, India.
• It is part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The temple is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Shiva.
• The temple was built by Lakkan Dandesha, a nayaka under the ruler Deva Raya II also known as Prauda Deva Raya of the Vijayanagara Empire.
• Hampi is a temple town in the South Indian state of Karnataka and is one of the World Heritage Sites of UNESCO.

Correct Answer Odisha

Key Points:Lingaraja Temple-

• It was built in the 11th century AD by King Jajati Keshari of the Somavanshi dynasty.
• It is built in red stone.

​The Lingaraj Temple is built in the Deula style that has four components-

• vimana (structure containing the sanctum)
• jagamohana (assembly hall)
• natamandira (festival hall)
• bhoga-mandapa (hall of offerings)

Kalinga school of temple architecture-

• It is a sub-style of Nagara architecture, which flourished in the ancient Kalinga region.
• The style consists of three distinct types of temples: Rekha Deula, Pidha Deula, and Khakhara Deula.
• Examples of Kalinga architecture: Rajarani temple (Bhubaneshwar); Jagganath Temple, Puri.

The correct answer is 10.

Key Points

• In Vaishnavism, 10 avatars or incarnations of deity were recognized.
  • Matsya (Fish)
  • Tortoise
  • Boar
  • Man-lion
  • Dwarf
  • Rama-with-the-Ax
  • King Rama
  • Krishna 
  • Buddha 
  • Kalkin
• ​Vaishnavism is the worship and acceptance of Vishnu (Sanskrit: “The Pervader” or “The Immanent”) or one of his various incarnations (avatars) as the supreme manifestation of the divine.
• During a long and complex development, many Vaishnava groups emerged with differing beliefs and aims.
• Some of the major Vaishnava groups include the Shrivaishnavas (also known as Vishishtadvaitins) and Madhvas (also known as Dvaitins) of South India.
• Most Vaishnava believers, however, draw from various traditions and blend the worship of Vishnu with local practices.