DAILY MCQs FOR PRE: 14.02.2018

The question that are posted here are relevant according to the changing trends of the exam.

For Eg — I have posted a question on Mennakshi temple.

Last year, In UPSC prelims , Questions were asked on Specific temples also.

1. Consider the following statements about
Jainism.
1. It did not recognise the existence of
gods except the jina (Mahavira).
2. Jainism did not condemn the Varna
system.
Which of the above statements is/are
correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer 1 —

Solution B

1. Statement 1 is incorrect
Jainism recognised the existence of the
gods but placed them lower than jina.

2. Statement 2 is correct
Jainism did not condemn the varna
system, as buddhism did. According to
mahavira, a person is born in a high or in a
lower varna in consequence of sins or the
virtues acquired by him previous birth. In
his opinion, through pure and meritorious life
members of the lower castes can attain
liberation.

Question 2 —

Consider the following statements about
Meenakshi Temple:

1. The current structure was built by
Chera Rulers.
2. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and
Parvathi.
3. It has been adjudged the best
‘Swachh Iconic Place’ (clean place) in
India.

Which of the statements given above
is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 Only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 Only
(d) 2 and 3 Only

Question 3 —
Consider the following statements about
Bhakti tradition of Medieval India.

1. Nirguna tradition focused on the
worship of specific deities.
2. Saguna tradition focused on the
worship of an abstract form of god.

Which of the above statements is/are
correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer 2 —

Solution D

1. Statement 1 is incorrect as the initiative to
rebuild the structure was taken by first
Nayak king of Madurai, ViswanathaNayak
(1559–1600) under the supervision of
AriyanathaMudaliar, the prime minister of the
Nayak Dynasty and the founder of the Poligar
System. The original design by
VishwanathaNayak in 1560 was substantially
expanded to the current structure during the
reign of ThirumalaiNayak (1623–55).

2. Statement 2 is correct as the temple is
dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi or Parvathi
and Lord Shiva.

3. Statement 3 is correct as Meenakshi
Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai has been
adjudged the best ‘Swachh Iconic Place’
(clean place) in India. Ten spots were
identified by the Central government as part of
the ‘Swachh Iconic Places’ initiative earlier this year.

Answer 3 —

Solution D

Both the statements are incorrect.
1. Historians of religion often classify bhakti
traditions into two broad categories: saguna
(with attributes) and nirguna (without
attributes).
2. The saguna traditions focused on the
worship of specific deities such as Shiva,
Vishnu and his avatars (incarnations) and
forms of the goddess or Devi, all often
conceptualised in anthropomorphic forms.
Nirguna bhakti on the other hand was
worship of an abstract form of god.

Question 4 —

The bronze statue of Nataraja or Dancing
Shiva is associated with?

(a) Cholas
(b) Guptas
(c) Vakatakas
(d) Pandyas

Answer 4 —

Solution – A

The bronze statue of Nataraja or Dancing
Shiva is one of the most sought-after collectors’
item world over, is associated with Cholas.
Lord Shiva is associated with the end of cosmic
world with which Nataraja dancing position is
associated.