Results
#1. Consider the following statements relating to Jain literature :
1. The sacred books of the Jainas are known as Siddhanta or Agama.
2. The language of the earliest Jain texts is eastern dialect of Pali known as Ardha Magadhi.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Sol. The sacred literature of the Jainas is referred to as Agamas or Siddhantas, which contain the teachings of the Tirthankaras, particularly Mahavira. These texts are foundational to Jain philosophy and religious practice. Additionally, the earliest Jain texts were composed in Ardha Magadhi, an eastern Prakrit dialect closely related to Pali but distinct from it. This language was accessible to the masses and used by Mahavira himself for preaching, ensuring wider reach. Therefore, both statements are correct.
#2. Who wrote a book ‘Return of the Aryans’ ?
Sol. The book ‘Return of the Aryans’ was authored by Bhagwan Das Gidvani. It is a historical novel that presents an alternative interpretation of the Aryan migration theory, suggesting that the Aryans originated in India and later migrated to other parts of the world. The work blends mythology, history, and fiction to propose a narrative counter to the dominant scholarly consensus.
#3. Which of the following does the Puranas contain?
Sol. The Puranas are ancient Hindu texts that primarily contain mythological narratives about the creation of the universe, genealogies of gods, goddesses, sages, and kings, as well as cosmology and religious practices. While they may touch upon philosophical ideas, rituals, and even historical elements, their core content is mythological, aiming to explain the divine order and moral lessons through stories. They are not primarily focused on laws (like the Manusmriti) or purely hymnic or metaphysical content.
#4. Robert Bruce foote, who discovered first palacothic tool in India, was originally a:
Sol. Robert Bruce Foote was a British geologist who is credited with the discovery of the first Palaeolithic tool in India in 1863 at Pallavaram (Tamil Nadu). Though trained as a geologist, his contributions laid the foundation for prehistoric archaeology in India.
#5. The Third Tamil Sangam was held at
Sol. The Third Tamil Sangam, a legendary literary academy of ancient Tamil scholars and poets, is believed to have been held at Madurai. It is considered the most historically attested among the three Sangams and is linked with the flourishing of classical Tamil literature.
#6. Which of the following statements is/ are correct?
1. Early Buddhist literature is generally composed of the canonical text.
2. The Buddhist schools classify their canonical literature as only the Pitakas.
Select the correct answer using. the code given below:
Sol. Early Buddhist literature includes canonical texts, such as the Tripitaka (Vinaya, Sutta, Abhidhamma Pitakas). However, not all Buddhist schools limit their canon only to the Pitakas. For example, Mahayana Buddhism includes sutras and shastras beyond the traditional Pitaka structure. Hence, statement 1 is correct, but statement 2 is incorrect.
#7. Which one of the following is not a part of early Jains literature?
Sol. Therigatha is a Buddhist text composed of verses by early Buddhist nuns and forms part of the Pali Canon. The other three — Acaranga Sutra, Sutrakritanga, and Brihat Kalpasutra — are early Jain texts, making Therigatha the incorrect option in the context of Jain literature.
#8. The earliest evidence of Silk in India comes from the archaeological site of
Sol. The earliest evidence of silk in India has been found at the site of Nevasa in Maharashtra, dating back to the second millennium BCE. This suggests trade or indigenous use of silk long before it became widely available through the Silk Road.
#9. The objects like pottery, tools and ornaments that humans made in the past are called
Sol. Man-made objects from the past such as pottery, tools, weapons, and ornaments are termed artifacts. These are crucial to archaeological study as they provide direct evidence of human activity and culture.
#10. Which of the following Brahmana texts belongs to Atharvaveda?
Sol. The Gopatha Brahmana is the only Brahmana text associated with the Atharvaveda. Other Brahmanas like Shatpatha (linked to the Shukla Yajurveda), Aitareya (Rigveda), and Panchavimsha (Samaveda) correspond to different Vedas.
#11. The earliest Buddhist literature which deal with the stories of the various birth of Buddha are:
Sol. The Jataka tales are a part of early Buddhist literature that narrate the previous births of the Buddha, in both human and animal forms. These stories illustrate moral lessons and karmic principles, highlighting the Buddha’s path through numerous rebirths before attaining enlightenment.
#12. The earliest inscriptions were written in which language?
Sol. The earliest inscriptions in India, including those of Emperor Ashoka, were primarily written in Prakrit, specifically in the Brahmi script. Prakrit was the commonly spoken language of the time, making it accessible to the general population. Sanskrit came into prominent use in inscriptions later.
#13. The ancient Indian play Mudrarakshasa of Visakhadutt has its subject on:
Sol. The Mudrarakshasa, a Sanskrit drama by Visakhadatta, deals with the political intrigue and strategies that led to Chandragupta Maurya’s rise to power with the help of Chanakya (Kautilya). The title translates to “The Signet Ring of Rakshasa,” with Rakshasa being a minister of the Nanda dynasty.
#14. The famous Vedic saying, “War begins in the minds of men”, is stated in the :
Sol. The famous idea that “War begins in the minds of men” aligns with the philosophical and practical hymns of the Atharvaveda, which includes reflections on both conflict and peace, unlike the ritualistic nature of other Vedas. While the quote in its exact form is associated with UNESCO’s preamble, its spiritual essence is rooted in Atharvavedic thought.
#15. Who among the following teachers were visited by Siddhartha Gautama in the quest of knowledge before his enlightment?
1. Alara Kalama
2. Udraka Ramaputra
3. Makkhali Gosala
4. Nigantha Nataputta Indicate
your answer from the codes given below:
Codes:
Sol. Before attaining enlightenment, Siddhartha Gautama studied under two prominent teachers:
Alara Kalama, who taught him meditation leading to higher mental states.
Udraka Ramaputra, who taught advanced yogic practices.
He eventually left both, realizing these methods did not lead to liberation.
Makkhali Gosala and Nigantha Nataputta (Mahavira) were contemporaries, but not his teachers.
#16. The Sangam text Tolkappiyam is a work on:
Sol. The Tolkappiyam is the earliest extant Tamil literary work, and it is a treatise on Tamil grammar and poetics. It covers phonology, morphology, syntax, and prosody, and also contains sections on ethics and social customs, making it a foundational text of Sangam literature.
#17. Which of the following pairs indicating the contents of the sacred Buddhist Pitakas is not correctly matched?
Sol. The Dhammapada is a revered Buddhist scripture consisting of ethical and philosophical verses attributed to the Buddha, but it is not the original sermon delivered at Sarnath. That sermon is known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, found in the Sutta Pitaka. Therefore, this pair is incorrectly matched.
#18. Mrichchhakatikam, written by Shudraka deals with
1. The love affair of a rich merchant with the daughter of a courtesan.
2. The military expedition of Samudragupta.
Which of the above is correct?
Sol. Mrichchakatikam (“The Little Clay Cart”), written by Shudraka, is a Sanskrit drama that narrates the love story of Charudatta, a poor merchant, and Vasantasena, a courtesan’s daughter. It is a social and romantic play, not connected to military campaigns or Samudragupta. Hence, only statement 1 is correct.
#19. From among the following, which pair is not matched?
Sol. The Brihatkatha Manjari was written by Kshemendra, not Bhadrabahu.
Patanjali authored the Mahabhashya, a commentary on Panini’s grammar.
Hala compiled the Gatha Saptashati, a Prakrit collection of poems.
Ashvaghosa is known for Buddhacharita, not Harshacharita, which was written by Banabhatta.
So, while both Bhadrabahu–Brihatkatha Manjari and Ashvaghosa–Harshacharita are mismatched, the most clearly incorrect pair is Bhadrabahu–Brihatkatha Manjari, as Bhadrabahu was a Jain monk, not associated with literary works of that kind.
#20. Most of the Upanishads seem to have been composed by whom?
Sol. Surprisingly, many of the Upanishadic thinkers were Kshatriyas, not Brahmins. While Brahmins transmitted and preserved the Vedic texts, Kshatriya philosophers like King Janaka, Yajnavalkya’s royal interlocutors, and others played a significant role in developing Upanishadic thought, which emphasized philosophical inquiry over ritual.
#21. The expounder of Yoga philosophy was :
Sol. The Yoga philosophy, one of the six classical schools (darshanas) of Indian philosophy, was systematically expounded by Patanjali in his work, the Yoga Sutras. This text outlines the eightfold path of yoga (Ashtanga Yoga) and serves as the foundational treatise for Raja Yoga.
#22. List-I (Author) – List-II (Work)
A. Sudraka – 1. Mrichhakatikan
B. Visakhadatta – 2. Mudrarakshasa
C. Kalidasa – 3. Vikramorvasiyam
D. Bhavabhuti – 4. Uttara Ramacharita
Codes: A B C D
Sol. The correct matching of authors with their works is:
A. Sudraka – 1. Mrichchakatikam
B. Visakhadatta – 2. Mudrarakshasa
C. Kalidasa – 3. Vikramorvasiyam
D. Bhavabhuti – 4. Uttararamacharita
Hence, the correct code is: 1 2 3 4.
#23. List-I – List-II
A. Tirukkural – 1. Ilangoadigal
B. Shilpadikaram – 2. Sattanar
C. Manimakhlai – 3. Tolkappiyar
D. Tolkappiyam – 4. Tiruvalluvar
Codes: A B C D
Sol. The correct matching of Tamil authors and their works is:
A. Tirukkural – 4. Tiruvalluvar
B. Silappadikaram – 1. Ilango Adigal
C. Manimekhalai – 2. Sattanar
D. Tolkappiyam – 3. Tholkappiyar
Hence, the correct code is: 4 1 2 3.
#24. Who among the following is known to have regulated the course of Vitasta in Kashmir by his engineering operations?
Sol. Suyya, a brilliant engineer and administrator during the reign of Avantivarman (9th century CE) in Kashmir, is credited with regulating the course of the Vitasta River (modern Jhelum) through significant irrigation and flood control works. His operations greatly improved agricultural productivity in the Kashmir valley.
#25. Consider the following statements :
1. Historians use the word source to refer to the information found from manuscripts, inscriptions and archaeology.
2. Ramayana and Mahabharata are also important source of ancient Indian history.
Which of the above is / are correct?
Sol. Statement 1 is correct: Historians refer to manuscripts, inscriptions, and archaeological findings as sources for reconstructing history. Statement 2 is also correct: Epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, although partly mythological, are valuable literary sources that offer insights into ancient Indian society, polity, culture, and values.
Thus, both statements are correct.
#26. An upper Palaeolithic Mother Goddess made of bone has been obtained from
Sol. An Upper Palaeolithic Mother Goddess figurine made of bone has been discovered from the Belan Valley (located in present-day Uttar Pradesh). This region has yielded significant prehistoric finds, including tools, habitation evidence, and symbolic figurines that suggest early forms of ritual or belief.
#27. Consider the following statements: Al-Beruni’s Kitab-ul-Hind is
1. A sympathic study of Indian civilization.
2. Mainly a political history of India.
3. Critical of Mahmud Ghaznavi’ s plundering raids of India.
4. Mainly a study of India’s cultural, social and intellectual history.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Sol. Al-Beruni’s Kitab-ul-Hind is known for its deep and respectful study of Indian philosophy, culture, religion, and sciences.
It is not a political history (eliminating 2).
While Al-Beruni did note Mahmud Ghaznavi’s raids, he did not explicitly criticize them (making 3 debatable).
So, only statements 1 and 4 are fully correct, highlighting the cultural and intellectual depth of the text.
#28. List-I – List-II
A. Time taken by the – 1. Aryabhatta Earth to orbit the sun
B. Calculation of the – 2. Bhaskaracharya value of π (pi)
C. Invention of the digit – 3. Budhayana Zero
D. The game of snakes – 4. Gyanadev & ladders
Codes: A B C D
Sol. The correct matching is:
A. Time taken by the Earth to orbit the sun – 1. Aryabhatta
B. Calculation of the value of π (pi) – 3. Budhayana
C. Invention of the digit Zero – 2. Bhaskaracharya
D. The game of snakes and ladders – 4. Jnanadev
Hence, the correct code is: 1 3 2 4.
#29. The famous dialogue between Nachiketa and Yama is mentioned in the:
Sol. The dialogue between Nachiketa and Yama (the god of death) on the nature of the soul and immortality is found in the Kathopanishad. This text is one of the most philosophically profound Upanishads, exploring themes of self, death, and liberation (moksha).
#30. With reference to the Jambudvipa, consider the statements
1. Bharatvarsha was also called Jambudvipa.
2. Early Buddhist evidence suggests that Jambudvipa was a territorial designation from the third century BC.
Which of the above is / are correct?
Sol. Bharatvarsha was indeed referred to as Jambudvipa in ancient Indian cosmology. Buddhist texts, including Ashokan inscriptions, refer to Jambudvipa as a territorial entity, covering a large part of the Indian subcontinent from the 3rd century BCE. Therefore, both statements are correct.
#31. List-I – List-II
A. Abhidhamma – 1. Matters of doctrine Pitaka and ethics
B. Sutta Pitaka – 2. Rules of monk order
C. Vinaya Pitaka – 3. Members of great community
D. Mahasanghika – 4. Matters of psychology and metaphysics
Codes: A B C D
Sol. The correct matching is:
- Abhidhamma Pitaka – 4. Matters of psychology and metaphysics: This Pitaka deals with philosophical and psychological analysis of Buddhist teachings.
B. Sutta Pitaka – 1. Matters of doctrine and ethics: It contains sermons and discourses of the Buddha on moral and philosophical topics.
C. Vinaya Pitaka – 2. Rules of monk order: It outlines the code of conduct for monks and nuns.
D. Mahasanghika – 3. Members of the great community: This was a major early Buddhist school that split from the original Sangha over issues of monastic discipline and doctrine.
Hence, the correct code is: 4 1 2 3.
