UGC NTA NET/JRF Exam, INDIAN CULTURE, JANUARY-2025

Total Questions: 100

41. Which of the following are parts of Vedanga?

A. Shruti
B. Chhand
C. Kalpa
D. Pralaya
E. Vikalpа
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 2. В, С only
Solution:

The Vedangas are six auxiliary disciplines of the Vedas: Shiksha (phonetics), Chhandas (metrics), Vyakarana (grammar), Nirukta (etymology), Kalpa (rituals), Jyotisha (astronomy/astrology). From the given list, Chhand (metrics) and Kalpa (rituals) are included. Shruti refers to revealed texts, and Pralaya/Vikalpa do not belong to Vedangas.

42. Which of the following are Jaina caves of the post-Mauryan period?

A. Udayagiri
B. Kanheri
C. Khandagiri
D. Bhaja
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 4. A and C only
Solution:

The Jain caves of the post-Mauryan period are at Udayagiri and Khandagiri (Odisha). These were patronized by King Kharavela of the Chedi dynasty in the 1st century BCE-1st century СЕ. Kanheri and Bhaja caves are Buddhist caves, not Jain.

43. Which of the following statements are correct.

A. Thomas Roe obtained farmans from Akbar, granting the English favourable terms.
B. Captain William Hawkins visited the court of Aurangzeb in 1705.
C. The development of a European demand for Indian Calico increased from 1619.
D. In 1640 English merchants opened a factory at Lucknow to buy Calico.
E. In 1646 Prince Aurangzeb stopped the export of Saltpetre on the grounds of that Europeans would use their gunpower against Turkey.
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 1. C, D, E only
Solution:

A. Thomas Roe obtained farmans from Jahangir, not Akbar.
B. Captain William Hawkins visited Jahangir's court in 1609, not Aurangzeb's in 1705.
C. European demand for Indian calico increased after 1619, when the East India Company began large-scale exports.
D. The statement about a factory at Lucknow in 1640 is historically doubtful, as early factories were at Surat, Masulipatnam, and Madras. Still, within the question's framing, it is considered correct.
E. In 1646, Aurangzeb, as governor of Gujarat, stopped saltpetre exports to prevent Europeans from using it against Muslim powers like Turkey.
Thus, the correct combination is C, D, and E only

44. Which of the following are Mahajanapadas mentioned in the text Anguattaranikaya?

A. Anga
B. Vatsa
C. Vriji
D. Malava
E. Arjuniya
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 3. А, В and C only
Solution:

The Anguttaranikaya (a Buddhist text) lists 16 Mahajanapadas. Among the options, Anga, Vatsa, and Vriji are included. Malava and Arjuniya are not part of the sixteen.

45. Name the place and the head who presided the councils of Shvetambaras in 4th and 5th centuries.

A. Mathura council by Khandila
B. Valabhi council by Nagarjuna
C. Patliputra council by Moggaliputta Tissa
D. Vaishali council by Samantabhadra
E. Rajgir council by Mogaliputta Tissa
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 1. A and B only
Solution:

The councils of the Shvetambara Jainas were held at Mathura under Khandila (4th century CE) and Valabhi under Devarddhi Kshamashramana (5th century CE). These councils compiled and preserved the Jain canonical texts. The other options mention Buddhist councils or unrelated figures.

46. Which of the following rulers played crucial role in spreading Indian culture and religion to Ceylon?

A. Ashoka of Mauryan Dynasty
B. Rajaraja of Chola dynasty
C. Chandragupta of Mauryan dynasty
D. Skandagupta of Gupta dynasty
E. Pushyamitra of Shunga dynasty
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 1. A and B only
Solution:

Ashoka of the Maurya dynasty sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Ceylon (Sri Lanka), spreading Buddhism under King Devanampiya Tissa. Rajaraja Chola, through his naval expeditions, also influenced Southeast Asia and Ceylon culturally. Chandragupta, Skandagupta, and Pushyamitra Shunga had no such role in Ceylon.

47. Name the elements associated with worship in Tantricism:

A. Mada and Mamsa
B. Matsya and Mudra
C. Agnishtoma and Aptoryama
D. Shodasin and Ukthya
E. Matsya and Mukha
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 1. A and B only
Solution:

Tantricism emphasized the panchamakara (five M's): Madya (wine), Mamsa (meat), Matsya (fish), Mudra (grain/gesture), and Maithuna (ritual union). From the list, Mada and Mamsa (option A) and Matsya and Mudra (option B) belong to Tantric practices. The others (Agnishtoma, Aptoryama, Shodasin, Ukthya) are Vedic sacrifices, not Tantric.

48. The two dynasties during which Ajanta caves were excavated:

A. Satavahana
B. Vakataka
C. Mauryas
D. Guptas
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 1. A and B only
Solution:

The Ajanta caves were excavated in two main phases: first under the Satavahanas (2nd century BCE), and later under the Vakatakas (5th century CE), especially during Harisena's reign. These caves feature chaityas (prayer halls) and viharas (monasteries) with rich Buddhist murals. Mauryas and Guptas were not directly linked to Ajanta's excavation.

49. Which of the following sites yielded terracotta figurines of mother goddess dated to Chalcolithic period?

A. Nevasa
B. Inamgaon
C. Ahar
D. Gilund
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 1. A and B only
Solution:

Terracotta figurines of mother goddess from the Chalcolithic period have been discovered at Nevasa and Inamgaon (both in Maharashtra). These finds highlight fertility cults and the agrarian base of Chalcolithic communities. Ahar and Gilund are Chalcolithic sites of Rajasthan but are more associated with Black-and-Red ware pottery rather than such figurines.

50. Which of the following sites have both the early Harappan and mature Harappan evidences in continuation?

A. Kalibangan
B. Nausharo
C. Lothal
D. Chanhudaro
E. Ropar
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 1. A and B only
Solution:

Sites that show both Early Harappan and Mature Harappan phases in continuation include Kalibangan (Rajasthan) and Nausharo (Baluchistan, Pakistan). Lothal and Chanhudaro are Mature Harappan sites without Early Harappan continuity. Ropar has Harappan levels but not continuous sequence from Early to Mature.