Q1. Among the following who was the proponent of the ‘Bhakti Cult’ from West Bengal ?
(a) Chaitanya Prabhu
(b) Ramanujacharyulu
(c) Ramanand
(d) Kabir
(UPSC Prelims 1979)
Answer: (a) Chaitanya Prabhu
Explanation: Chaitanya Prabhu, also known as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, was a key figure in the Bhakti movement in Bengal. He emphasized devotion to Lord Krishna, promoting love, humility, and spiritual surrender through chanting and ecstatic worship.
Q2. The great philosopher Shankara advocated
(a) Dvaita
(b) Advaita
(c) Hinduism
(d) Altruism
(UPSC Prelims 1979)
Answer: (b) Advaita
Explanation: Adi Shankara was the proponent of Advaita Vedanta, which teaches non-dualism, asserting that the individual soul (Atman) and the universal soul (Brahman) are one. His philosophy emphasizes spiritual unity and liberation through knowledge.
Q3. Bijak was written by
(a) Tulsidas
(b) Ramdas
(c) Guru Nanak
(d) Kabirdas
(UPSC Prelims 1981)
Answer: (d) Kabirdas
Explanation: Bijak is a compilation of the teachings of Kabirdas, a 15th-century Bhakti poet and saint. It contains dohas, poems, and philosophical reflections that emphasize spiritual unity and critique ritualism and orthodoxy.
Q4. Who among the following was responsible for the revival of Hinduism in the 19th century ?
(a) Swami Dayanand
(b) Swami Vivekanand
(c) Guru Shankaracharya
(d) Raja Rammohan Roy
(UPSC Prelims 1981)
Answer: (c) Guru Shankaracharya
Explanation: Though Raja Rammohan Roy and others contributed to social reform, the revival of Hindu philosophy in the 19th century is attributed to Guru Shankaracharya’s teachings, which were reinterpreted and popularized during this period.
Q5. Which of the following statements is correct for Guru Nanak ?
(a) He preached punishment for wicked
(b) He preached against Muslims
(c) He preached a war society
(d) He preached that “God is one”
(UPSC Prelims 1982)
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, emphasized the belief that “God is one”, promoting universal brotherhood, equality, and spiritual devotion beyond religious boundaries.
Q6. Ramanujacharya advocated
(a) Dvaita
(b) Advaita
(c) Bhakti cult
(d) Vaishnavism
(UPSC Prelims 1984)
Answer: (c) Bhakti cult
Explanation: Ramanujacharya was a key proponent of the Bhakti movement, emphasizing devotion to God over ritualism. He also contributed to Vaishnavism, but his central teaching focused on personal devotion and surrender.
Q7. Who established four ‘Maths’ in four corners of India ?
(a) Shankaracharya
(b) Bhaskara
(c) Ramanujacharya
(d) None of these
(UPSC Prelims 1984)
Answer: (a) Shankaracharya
Explanation: Adi Shankaracharya, the 8th-century philosopher, established four Maths (monastic centers) in Sringeri, Puri, Dwaraka, and Jyotirmath (Joshimath) to promote Advaita Vedanta and ensure spiritual unity across India.
Q8. ‘Bhakti Cult’ laid emphasis on
(a) Idol worship
(b) Universal brotherhood
(c) Devotion to God
(d) None of these
(UPSC Prelims 1984)
Answer: (c) Devotion to God
Explanation: The Bhakti movement emphasized personal devotion to a deity, transcending rituals and caste barriers. It promoted spiritual equality and emotional connection with God, often through poetry and music.
9. Match List I with List II
| List I | List II |
|---|---|
| (a) Chandidas | (1) Bengali |
| (b) Mira | (2) Tamil |
| (c) Purandaradas | (3) Hindi |
| (d) Thyagaraja | (4) Kannada |
| (5) Telugu |
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| a | b | c | d | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (A) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| (B) | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| (C) | 1 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| (D) | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Answer: (D)
Explanation:
Chandidas was a medieval poet who composed in Bengali. Mira (Meera Bai) wrote devotional poetry in Hindi. Purandaradas was a renowned saint-poet of Kannada literature. Thyagaraja was a great composer who composed kritis in Telugu.
This matching reflects the linguistic and cultural heritage of each poet.
10. Match List I with List II
| List I | List II |
|---|---|
| (a) Amir Khusro | (1) 14th Century |
| (b) Kabir | (2) 13th Century |
| (c) Abul Fazal | (3) 15th Century |
| (d) Tukaram | (4) 16th Century |
| (5) 17th Century |
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| a | b | c | d | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (A) | 3 | 4 | 2 | 5 |
| (B) | 5 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| (C) | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| (D) | 1 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
Answer: (C)
Explanation:
Amir Khusro lived during the 13th century. Kabir was a prominent saint-poet of the 15th century. Abul Fazal, the court historian of Akbar, belonged to the 16th century. Tukaram, the Marathi Bhakti saint, lived in the 17th century.
Therefore, the correct chronological matching is 2345.
Q11. Which of the following statements regarding Adi Shankaracharya is/are correct?
I : He was one of the greatest Hindu scholars
II : He was born in Kerala
III : First ever Indian feature film in Sanskrit was made after his name
IV : The above feature film was adjudged the best film for the year 1983
V : He wrote a commentary on the Upanishads
(a) All are correct
(b) Only I, II and III are correct
(c) Only I, III and V are correct
(d) All except II are correct
(UPSC Prelims 1985)
Answer: (d) All except II are correct
Explanation: Adi Shankaracharya was a great Hindu philosopher, known for his commentaries on the Upanishads and revival of Advaita Vedanta. The Sanskrit film “Adi Shankaracharya” won the National Film Award in 1983. However, he was born in Kaladi, which was part of ancient Tamilakam, not modern-day Kerala.
12. Match List I with List II
| List I | List II |
|---|---|
| (a) Namdeva | (i) West Bengal |
| (b) Chaitanya | (ii) Uttar Pradesh |
| (c) Surdas | (iii) Maharashtra |
| (d) Nanak | (iv) Punjab |
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | iii | i | ii | iv |
| (b) | ii | iii | iv | i |
| (c) | iv | ii | i | iii |
| (d) | i | iv | iii | ii |
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Namdeva was a Bhakti saint from Maharashtra. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a spiritual leader associated with West Bengal. Surdas, the blind poet-saint of Krishna devotion, hailed from Uttar Pradesh. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, was born in Punjab.
Therefore, the correct matching is A-(iii), B-(i), C-(ii), D-(iv).