15 questions

UPSC Prelims · Ancient History PYQ

Jainism UPSC PYQ — Mahavira, Principles & Sects

Life of Mahavira, core Jain principles and philosophy, and the Digambara-Shvetambara schism.

15 Questions · 1995–2025
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  1. 1 2023

    Which religious belief is reflected in the statement that souls exist not only in animals and plants but also in rocks, running water and other natural objects?

    1. ABuddhism
    2. BJainism
    3. CShaivism
    4. DVaishnavism
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: B. Jainism

    Explanation

    This belief links to Jainism, where jiva exists widely in living and non-living forms.

  2. 2 2023

    Which pairs are correctly matched:
    1. Besnagar – Shaivite cave shrine
    2. Bhaja – Buddhist cave shrine
    3. Sittanavasal – Jain cave shrine

    1. AOnly one
    2. BOnly two
    3. CAll three
    4. DNone
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: B. Only two

    Explanation

    Besnagar is not a Shaivite cave shrine site; Bhaja is Buddhist and Sittanavasal is Jain, so pairs 2 and 3 are correct.

  3. 3 2018

    The Sthanakvasi sect belongs to which tradition?

    1. ABuddhism
    2. BJainism
    3. CVaishnavism
    4. DShaivism
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: B. Jainism

    Explanation

    Sthanakvasi is a sect of Svetambara Jainism that rejects idol worship.

  4. 4 2017

    Which statements are correct:
    1. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were sects of Jainism.
    2. Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary but existed in latent form forever.

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 only
    3. CBoth 1 and 2
    4. DNeither 1 nor 2
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: B. 2 only

    Explanation

    Sautrantika and Sammitiya are Buddhist sects, not Jain; Sarvastivadins are described as holding dharmas across past, present and future.

  5. 5 2013

    Which statements apply to Jain doctrine:
    1. Penance is the surest way to annihilate karma.
    2. Every object, even the smallest particle, has a soul.
    3. Karma is the bane of the soul and must end.

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 3 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: D. 1, 2 and 3

    Explanation

    Jainism teaches the shedding of karma through penance, jiva in many forms, and liberation by restoring the soul's perfection.

  6. 6 2011

    The Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by?

    1. AUniversal law
    2. BUniversal truth
    3. CUniversal faith
    4. DUniversal soul
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: A. Universal law

    Explanation

    Jainism teaches that the universe is eternal, without beginning or end, and is governed by Universal Law (Rta). It does not believe in a creator god; instead, the cosmos operates through natural laws.

  7. 7 2009

    Anekantavada is a core theory and philosophy of which one of the following?

    1. ABuddhism
    2. BJainism
    3. CSikhism
    4. DVaishnavism
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: B. Jainism

    Explanation

    Anekantavada is a fundamental doctrine of Jainism, meaning 'non-absolutism' or 'many-sidedness'. It teaches that truth and reality are perceived differently from various perspectives.

  8. 8 2009

    Mahamastakabhisheka, a great religious event, is associated with and done for whom of the following?

    1. ABahubali
    2. BBuddha
    3. CMahavir
    4. DNataraja
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: A. Bahubali

    Explanation

    Mahamastakabhisheka means 'grand head anointing', and is a major Jain festival held once every 12 years. It is dedicated to Lord Bahubali (Gommateshwara), whose 57-foot monolithic statue stands at Shravanabelagola, Karnataka.

  9. 9 2004

    With reference to ancient Jainism, which one of the following statements is correct?

    1. AJainism was spread in South India under the leadership of Sthalabahu
    2. BThe Jainas who remained under the leadership of Bhadrabahu were called Shvetambaras after the Council held at Pataliputra
    3. CJainism enjoyed the patronage of the Kalinga king Kharavela in the first century BC
    4. DIn the initial stage of Jainism, the Jainas worshipped images unlike Buddhists
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: C. Jainism enjoyed the patronage of the Kalinga king Kharavela in the first century BC

    Explanation

    Kharavela, ruler of Kalinga in present-day Odisha, belonged to the Mahameghavahana dynasty. He ruled around the 1st century BCE, and is known from the Hathigumpha inscription which highlights his patronage of Jainism.

  10. 10 2003

    Consider the following statements:
    1. Vardhamana Mahavira's mother was the daughter of Lichchavi chief Chetaka.
    2. Gautama Buddha's mother was a princess from the Koshalan dynasty.
    3. Parshvanatha, the twenty-third Tirthankara, belonged to Banaras.

    Which of these statements is/are correct?

    1. AOnly 1
    2. BOnly 2
    3. C2 and 3
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: C. 2 and 3

    Explanation

    Statement 1 is incorrect: Mahavira's mother Trishala was the sister of Lichchavi chief Chetaka, not his daughter.
    Statement 2 is correct: Buddha's mother Maya Devi was a princess from the Koshalan dynasty.
    Statement 3 is correct: Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara, was born in Varanasi (Banaras).

  11. 11 2000

    Assertion (A): The emphasis of Jainism on non-violence (ahimsa) prevented agriculturalists from embracing Jainism.
    Reason (R): Cultivation involved killing of insects and pests.

    1. ABoth A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
    2. BBoth A and R are true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
    3. CA is true, but R is false
    4. DA is false, but R is true
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

    Explanation

    Jainism's core principle is ahimsa, extended to all living beings. Agriculture inherently involves ploughing, which leads to unintentional harm to life. This made agriculturalists hesitant to adopt Jainism. The Reason directly explains the Assertion.

  12. 12 1996

    Which one of the following is not a part of early Jaina literature?

    1. ATherigatha
    2. BAcarangasutra
    3. CSutrakritanga
    4. DBrihatkalpasutra
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: A. Therigatha

    Explanation

    Therigatha is a Buddhist text, part of the Pali Canon, containing verses by early Buddhist nuns. It is not related to Jainism. The others are part of Jain canonical literature.

  13. 13 1995

    The concept of Anuvrata was advocated by

    1. AMahayana Buddhism
    2. BHinayana Buddhism
    3. CJainism
    4. Dthe Lokayata school
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: C. Jainism

    Explanation

    Jainism teaches five cardinal vows (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha, Brahmacharya). These vows are observed at two levels: Mahavratas (for monks) and Anuvratas (for lay followers). Anuvrata allows householders to practice ethical living without renouncing worldly life.

  14. 14 1993

    In Jainism 'perfect knowledge' is referred to as

    1. AJina
    2. BRatna
    3. CKaivalya
    4. DNirvana
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: C. Kaivalya

    Explanation

    Kaivalya means perfect knowledge or absolute omniscience. Achieved when the soul (Jiva) is completely freed from karmic bondage. It is the state of pure, infinite knowledge, distinct from Nirvana in Buddhism.

  15. 15 1993

    The last in the succession of Jaina Tirthankaras was

    1. AParsvanatha
    2. BRishabha
    3. CMahavira
    4. DManisubrata
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: C. Mahavira

    Explanation

    Mahavira was the 24th and last Tirthankara of the current Jain cycle. He revitalized Jainism and emphasized non-violence, truth, non-stealing, non-possession, and celibacy. The first was Rishabhanatha.

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