With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements : 1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to 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.1 and 2 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, 2 and 3 only. Statement 1 is wrong because the Bodhisattva ideal is central to Mahayana Buddhism, not Hinayana.
A Bodhisattva is a being moved by compassion who is on the path to Buddhahood but postpones his own nirvana so that he can help all living beings reach liberation. Mahayana, the Great Vehicle, made this ideal its core and worshipped Bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri and Maitreya, the future Buddha. Mahayana grew strong around the time of Kanishka, whose Fourth Buddhist Council was held in Kashmir. Hinayana, now represented by Theravada, aims at the arhat, a person who wins his own liberation through his own effort.
A is wrong because statement 1 is false. C is wrong because it includes statement 1 and leaves out the true statement 3. D is wrong because statement 1 is false.
Exam tip: Mahayana = Bodhisattva ideal; Hinayana/Theravada = arhat ideal.
Practice Questions
View allWhy was Vasudeo Balwant Phadke known in history ?
- A.He led a violent struggle against the British during the revolt of 1857
- B.He was a critic of Gandhian struggle
- C.He led an armed uprising against the British in the 1870s
- D.He was a radical leader of the Indian National Congress
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Phadke raised an armed band in Maharashtra in 1879 to overthrow British rule. Vasudeo Balwant Phadke was a clerk in the Military Finance Department at Pune.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following statements about the religious policies of the Mughal kings is NOT correct ?
- A.The tax on pilgrimage was abolished in 1563, and the jizya tax on non-Muslim Subjects was abolished in 1564
- B.Akbar issues instructions to his officers to follow the policy of religious toleration
- C.Not all Mughal emperors gave grants for the building and maintenance of places of worship
- D.Grants were issued for the repair of a number of temples in the reigns of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb, after they had been destroyed during war
Show answer
In fact all the Mughal emperors gave grants for building and maintaining places of worship, so saying that not all of them did is incorrect.
Read the full explanation →Why did the early nationalists oppose the Council Act of 1892?
- A.The number of members of the Imperial Legislative Council was increased
- B.The number of members of Provincial Councils was increased
- C.The Councils were given the right to discuss the annual budgets
- D.The Act did not give the Indians control over the public funds
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The councils could discuss the budget but could not vote on it or amend it. The Indian Councils Act, 1892 raised the number of additional members in the Imperial and Provincial Legislative Councils and introduced an indirect, nominated form of election through bodies such as municipalities, district boards and universities.
Read the full explanation →Consider the following statements about sulh-i kul :
1. It means 'absolute peace'
2. It provided for freedom of expression to all religions and schools of thought
3. The ideal of sulh-i kul was implemented through state policies
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.1,2 and 3
- C.3 only
- D.2 and 3 only
Show answer
Sulh-i kul, Akbar's ideal of absolute peace, gave every faith freedom of expression and was put into practice through state policy.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following statements about Prarthana Samaj are correct ?
1. Its aim was to reform the Hindu society
2. It was based in Maharashtra
3. It believed in monotheism
4. It had greatly influenced the Brahmo Samaj
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1,2 and 3
- D.1 and 4
Show answer
The Prarthana Samaj was a monotheistic Hindu reform body of Maharashtra, but it was influenced by the Brahmo Samaj, not the other way round.
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