Day 16

• 04 Aug 2020

Welcome to the Prelims Refresher Programme 2020 - Article Page. On this page, we will provide you with 3 things:

• A list of topics for revision.
• A brief discussion of the topics if needed.
• Links to various sources for preparing these topics.

In the comments, you can ask us to clear your doubts regarding any of the topics listed on the page. We will do our best to explain and clarify your doubts. Further, we may also share links to other web based learning sources like websites or videos, or may refer to you, books, documents etc. Please be cordial to your fellow aspirants and use these doubt-clearing conversations strictly to its stated purpose.

Art and Culture (Philosophical and Religious Systems)

Visual and Performing Arts remain a very important topic for UPSC. A lot of questions have been asked over the years. Even the static questions on this topic are generally taken from the current happenings which have been in the recent news. Thus, the important news events of the year have been given below.

Buddhism

• Buddhism in India
• Buddhism (Mind Map)
• Rise of Jainism and Buddhism
• Maha Bodhi Temple Complex
• INTACH Efforts to Protect Buddhist Site

Previous Year Questions Buddhism

Q. With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world? (2018)

(a) Avalokiteshvara

(b) Lokesvara

(c) Maitreya

(d) Padmapani

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Q. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: (2016)

1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism.
2. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment.
3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

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Q. Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism? (2013)

(a) The extinction of the flame of desire

(b) The complete annihilation of self

(c) A state of bliss and rest

(d) A mental stage beyond all comprehension

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Q. Lord Buddha’s image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called ‘Bhumisparsha Mudra’. It symbolizes (2012)

(a) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to watch over Mara and to prevent Mara from disturbing his meditation

(b) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara

(c) Buddha’s reminder to his followers that they all arise from the Earth and finally dissolve into the Earth, and thus this life is transitory

(d) Both the statements (a) and (b) are correct in this context

Jainism

• Jainism
• Mahavir Jayanti
• Mahamastakabhisheka Celebrations
• Naya Jain Mandir (Jains in Mughal Administration)

Previous year on Jainism

Q. With reference to the religious practices in India, the “Sthanakvasi” sect belongs to (2018)

(a) Buddhism

(b) Jainism

(c) Vaishnavism

(d) Shaivism

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Q. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: (2017)

1. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism.
2. Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary, but existed forever in a latent form.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

---

Q. Which of the following statements is/are applicable to Jain doctrine? (2013)

1. The surest way of annihilating Karma is to practice penance.
2. Every object, even the smallest particle has a soul.
3. Karma is the bane of the soul and must be ended.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

---

Q. With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism? (2012)

1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment
2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas
3. Denial of efficacy of rituals

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

---

Q. Anekantavada is a core theory and philosophy of which one of the following? (2009)

(a) Buddhism

(b) Jainism

(c) Sikhism

(d) Vaishnavism

Vedic and Indian Philosophy

• Schools of Indian Philosophy
• Shramana Tradition Mains Answer

Previous year on Vedic and Indian Philosophy

Q. Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy? (2014)

(a) Mimamsa and Vedanta

(b) Nyaya and Vaisheshika

(c) Lokayata and Kapalika

(d) Sankhya and Yoga

---

Q. With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Sankhya school: (2013)

Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of soul.

Sankhya holds that it is the self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

---

Q. Consider the following Bhakti Saints: (2013)

1. Dadu Dayal
2. Guru Nanak
3. Tyagaraja

Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over?

(a) 1 and 3

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3

(d) 1 and 2

---

Q. The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of (2012)

(a) Bhakti

(b) image worship and Yajnas

(c) worship of nature and Yajnas

(d) worship of nature and Bhakti

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Q. The “Dharma” and “Rita” depict a central idea of ancient Vedic civilization of India. In this context, consider the following statements: (2011)

1. Dharma was a conception of obligations and of the discharge of one’s duties to oneself and to others.
2. Rita was the fundamental moral law governing the functioning of the universe and all it contained.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

---

Q. Among the following, who was not a proponent of bhakti cult? (2010)

(a) Nagarjuna

(b) Tukaram

(c) Tyagaraja

(d) Vallabhacharya

South Indian Culture

• Sangam Age
• Excavation Sites of Sangam Age
• Keeladi Findings
• Kutiyattam
• Chola Dynasty Port-Poompuhar
• Thiruvalluvar
• Chalukyan Rulers
• Jallikattu Event Held in Tamil Nadu

Previous year on South Indian Culture

Q. With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements: (2016)

1. Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry.
2. Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Language and Literature

• Tulu Language
• Earliest Sanskrit Inscriptions in South India found in A.P.
• Purandara Dasa
• Classical Languages
• Kiliki Language
• Bill to Change Stature of Official Languages

Previous year on Language and Literature

Q. Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka? (2016)

(a) Georg Buhler

(b) James Prinsep

(c) Max Muller

(d) William Jones

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Q. Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of Sunga dynasty? (2016)

(a) Swapnavasavadatta

(b) Malavikagnimitra

(c) Meghadoota

(d) Ratnavali

---

Q. Which one of the following was given classical language status recently? (2015)

(a) Odia

(b) Konkani

(c) Bhojpuri

(d) Assamese

---

Q. The national motto of India, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from (2014)

(a) Katha Upanishad

(b) Chandogya Upanishad

(c) Aitareya Upanishad

(d) Mundaka Upanishad

---

Q. Consider the following statements: (2014)

1. ‘Bijak’ is a composition of the teachings of Saint Dadu Dayal.
2. The Philosophy of Pushti Marg was propounded by Madhvacharya.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

---

Q. The national motto of India, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from (2014)

(a) Katha Upanishad

(b) Chandogya Upanishad

(c) Aitareya Upanishad

(d) Mundaka Upanishad

---

Q. Consider the following languages: (2014)

1. Gujarati
2. Kannada
3. Telugu

Which of the above has/have been declared as ‘Classical Language/Languages’ by the Government?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

---

Q. Who of the following is the author of a collection of poems called “Golden Threshold”? (2009)

(a) Aruna Asaf Ali

(b) Annie Besant

(c) Sarojini Naidu

(d) Vijayalakshmi Pandit

---

Q. Consider the following statements: (2009)

1. The National School of Drama was set up by Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1959.
2. The highest honour conferred by the Sahitya Akademi on a writer is by electing him its fellow.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

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Q. What does Baudhayan theorem (Baudhayan Sulva Sutra) relate to? (2008)

(a) Lengths of sides of a right-angled triangle

(b) Calculation of the value of pi

(c) Logarithmic calculations

(d) Normal distribution curve

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