1. Consider the following statements with reference to ' Patachitra painting ‘:
- It is a traditional, cloth-based scroll painting.
- These paintings are based on Hindu mythology and inspired by the Jagannath and Vaishnava sect.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: c
Exp: It is traditional, cloth-based scroll painting based in the eastern Indian states of Odisha and West Bengal. Patachitra is known for its intricate details as well as mythological narratives and folktales. Pattachitra is one of the ancient artworks of Odisha, originally created for ritual use and as souvenirs for pilgrims to Puri, as well as other temples in Odisha. These paintings are based on Hindu mythology and specially inspired by the Jagannath and Vaishnava sect. All colours used in the Paintings are natural and paintings are made in a fully old traditional way by Chitrakars that is Odiya Painter. The theme of Odia painting centres round the Jagannath and the Vaishnava sect.
2. Consider the following statements regarding the famous Tamil Epics:
- Manimekalai is a Tamil epic that criticises Buddhism while investigating the strengths of contemporary Hindu traditions.
- Silappatikaram, produced at Sangam, is a poetic rendition with details of Tamil culture.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: c
Exp: Statement 1 is correct: The epic Manimekalai was written by Seethalai Sathanar. The title of Manimekalai is also the name of the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi, a court dancer. The story depicts how her physical beauty and artistic achievements attract a Chola prince and how she later turns into a Buddhist nun. The purpose of the author was to compare Buddhism with other prevalent religions of South India in order to propagate Buddhism. He criticises Hinduism, and highlights the weaknesses of other contemporary Indian religions,Whereas Buddha's teachings praise Dharma as the best religion. The collection of Sangam literature includes Tolkappiyam, Ettutogai, Pattupattu, Pathinenkilkanakku and two epics – Silappadikaram and Manimekalai.
Statement 2 is correct: Silappatikaram is a poetic presentation with details of Tamil culture, written by Elango Adigal. The Epic is a tragic love story of an ordinary couple, Kannagi and her husband Kovalan. Considered as one of the great works of Tamil literature, it contains Town Plans and Types of City; meeting of different people; and the art of dance and music. It also provides valuable details about Sangam society and polity.
3. Consider the following statements with reference to the reign of King Harshavardhana:
- Harsha prohibited the use of animal food in his kingdom and punished those who killed any living being.
- Harsha gave away his enormous wealth as gifts to the members of all religious sects during the Allahabad Conference.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: c
Exp: Statement 1 is correct: Harshavardhana belonged to the Pushyabhuti dynasty and is considered as one of the most prominent Indian emperors in the 7th century AD. He built a huge empire that extended from north & northwestern India to Narmada in the South. His capital was Kannauj and his reforms and policies were generous and were always aimed at boosting the peace and prosperity of his people. Harsha assumed the titles of Maharajadhiraja and Param Bhattaraka. In his early life, Harsha was a devout Saiva but later he became an ardent Hinayana Buddhist. HiuenTsang converted him to Mahayana Buddhism. This led him to shed eating meat and enforce the same as well.
Statement 2 is correct: Hiuen Tsang mentions in his account about the conference held at Allahabad, known as Prayag. It was the one among the conferences routinely convened by Harsha once every five years. Harsha gave away his enormous wealth as gifts to the members of all religious sects. According to Hiuen Tsang, Harsha was so lavish that he emptied the treasury and even gave away the clothes and jewels he was wearing. His statement might be one of admiring exaggeration.
4. Consider the following statements with regard to a southern Medieval dynasty:
- They developed the Vesara style of architecture.
- They are famous for building gigantic temples with intricate architecture which could be found at places such as Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal.
- Their administration was highly centralised.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) Cholas
b) Chalukyas
c) Cheras
d) Pandyas
Ans: b
Exp: Chalukyan Architecture: Their temples depict both religious and secular themes and also had beautiful mural paintings. The Chalukyas were great patrons of art and developed the vesara style in the building of structural temples. However, the vesara style reached its culmination only under the Rashtrakutas and the Hoysalas. They are famous for building gigantic temples with intricate architecture which could be found at places such as Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal. Cave temple architecture was also famous under the Chalukyas. Their cave temples are found in Ajanta, Ellora and Nasik. The best specimens of Chalukya paintings can be seen in the Badami.
Chalukyan administration: The Chalukyas had a great army of infantry, cavalry, elephant units and a dominant navy. They contributed to great developments in Kannada and Telugu literature. The Chalukya administration was highly centralised unlike that of the Pallavas and the Cholas. Village autonomy was absent under the Chalukyas.
6. With reference to Samkhya philosophy, Consider the following statements:
Reality is constituted of two principles, one female (prakriti) and the other male (purusha).
According to this philosophy, Vedas are eternal and possess all knowledge, and religion means the fulfilment of duties prescribed by the Vedas.
Life on earth can be explained by the doctrine of evolution.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: a
Exp: Statement 1 is correct: The propounder of this philosophy was Kapila, who wrote the Samkhya sutra. According to this school of thought, Reality is constituted of two principles, one female (prakriti) and the other male (purusha). Prakriti and Purusha are completely independent and absolute. According to this system, Purusha is mere consciousness, hence it cannot be modified or changed. Prakriti on the other hand is constituted of three attributes, thought, movement and the change or transformation of these attributes brings about the change in all objects.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Sankhya holds that it is self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent. Samkhya forms the philosophical basis for Yoga. In Samkhya, the necessity of God is not felt for epistemological clarity about the interrelationship between higher Self, individual self, and the universe around us.
Statement 3 is correct: The Samkhya philosophy tries to establish some relationship between Purusha and Prakriti for explaining the creation of the universe. In fact, Samkhya school explained the phenomena of the doctrine of evolution.
5. With reference to the Bhakti Movement in India, consider the incorrect statement:
a) Bhakti Movement resulted in a surge of Hindu literature in regional languages.
b) Bhakti Movement did not reject austerities preached by the Jains and the Buddhists.
c) The Bhakti Movement led to development of different philosophies within the Vedanta school.
d) Bhakti Movement led to the emergence of new forms of spiritual leadership.
Ans: b
Exp: The Bhakti movement originated in South India in the 7th and 10th CE. As a movement, it emphasised on the mutual intense emotional attachment and love of a devotee toward a personal god and of the god for the devotee. It is mostly reflected in the poems of Alvars and Nayanars. These poems were composed in Tamil; the poems were addressed to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva respectively.
Bhakti Movement rejected austerities preached by the Jains and the Buddhists. The Bhakti movement gave to the people a simple religion, without complicated rituals and severity practised by the Jains and the Buddhists.
Reasons for the rise of Bhakti movement: Evils in the Hindu Society; Complexity of worship; Spread of Islam o Emergence of great reformers; Influence of Vaishnavism and Shaivism
Basic tenets of the Bhakti movement: It preached equality. Ex: Disciples of Ramananda included a weaver, cobbler, barber.; It preached universal brotherhood built on values such as love, care, and affection etc. Ex: Kabir preached universal brotherhood through his Dohas.; It strove to get the religion and society rid of evil practices that had crept into the society over the years. Ex: Guru Nanak condemned caste differences and rituals like bathing in holy rivers.;It emphasised the route of ‘Bhakti’ rather than superficial rituals as the mode to realise God and salvation.
6. Tina, who is the sister-in-law of Ashok, is the daughter-in-law of Kalyani. Dheeraj is the father of Sudeep who is the only brother of Ashok. How is Kalyani related to Ashok?
a) Mother in Law
b) Mother
c) Sister
d) Daughter
Ans: (b)
Exp: Ashok is the only brother of Sudeep and Tina is the sister-in-law of Ashok. Hence Tina is the wife of Sudeep. Kalyani is the mother-in-law of Tina. Kalyani is the mother of Ashok.
7. In how many different ways can the letters of the word “KINETIC” arranged so that the vowels never come together
a) 720
b) 2160
c) 2520
d) 5040
Ans: b
Exp: 7 letters = 7! /2! = 5040/2 = 2520
Vowels => I, I, E = 3! / 2! =6/2 = 3
Consonants 4 + all vowels considered as 1 = 4+1 = 5 => 5! = 120 120*3 = 360
No of ways the vowels never come together = 2520 – 360 = 2160
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