UPSC Exam  >  UPSC Tests  >  Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - UPSC MCQ

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - UPSC MCQ


Test Description

30 Questions MCQ Test - Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India questions and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus.The Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India MCQs are made for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, notes, meanings, examples, exercises, MCQs and online tests for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India below.
Solutions of Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India questions in English are available as part of our course for UPSC & Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India solutions in Hindi for UPSC course. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for UPSC Exam by signing up for free. Attempt Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India | 30 questions in 45 minutes | Mock test for UPSC preparation | Free important questions MCQ to study for UPSC Exam | Download free PDF with solutions
Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 1

Arrange the four stages in life, according to Upanishads.

1. Brahmachari

2. Grihastha

3. Sanyasi

4. vanaprastha

Choose from the following options.

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 1
  • In the Upanishads, it is specified that there are four stages in life: Brahmachari (celibate students) who then graduate into grihastha (a householder).

  • After an age he becomes a vanaprastha (a hermit), the last stage in life is of a sanyasi (an ascetic). Once a person becomes an ascetic, he strives for the achievement of moksha or salvation.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 2

Consider the following statements about Brahma Sampradaya.

1. It is associated with Lord Vishnu

2. Vallabhacharya founded it

Which of these statements are correct?

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 2
  • Brahma Sampradaya: It is associated with Lord Vishnu, the Para-Brahma or Universal Creator (not to be confused with the Brahma deity). The founder was Madhvacharya.

  • Gaudiya Vaishnavism, promoted by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, is associated with Brahma Sampradaya. The ISKCON belongs to this sampradaya.

1 Crore+ students have signed up on EduRev. Have you? Download the App
Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 3

Which of these statements are correctly matched?

1. Shaktism - it considers as feminine and Devi or Goddess as supreme

2. Smartism - it is based on the teaching of Puranas

Choose from the following options.

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 3

Vaishnavism: Followers consider Vishnu as the Supreme Lord. The tradition has traceable roots to the 1st millennium BCE. Bhagavatism, also called Krishnaism The Vaishnava tradition has many sampradayas or sub-schools.

Shaivism: It considers Shiva as the Supreme Lord. Shaivism traces its origin before Vaishnavism in 2nd millennium BCE in the form of the Vedic deity Rudra.

Shaktism: It considers feminine and the Devi or goddess as supreme. It is known for its various sub-traditions of Tantra.

Smartism: It is based on the teachings of Puranas. They believe in domestic worship of five shrines with five deities, all treated as equals: Shiva, Shakti Ganesh, Vishnu and Surya. Smartism accepts Brahman's two concepts, namely Saguna Brahman – the Brahman with attributes, and Nirguna Brahman - the Brahman without attributes.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 4

Consider the following statements.

1. Alvars were the devotees of Lord Shiva

2. Nayanars were the devotees of Vishnu

Which of these statements are correct?

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 4
  • In the medieval period, Hinduism went through the Bhakti movement in North India where the saints translated the Sanskrit texts into vernacular languages and took the message of Bhakti or devotion to the Gods, to the masses.

  • In South India, the Vaishnavite movement was powerful and reigned until the 13 century.

  • These saints, called Alvars, were the devotees of Vishnu and they sang songs which were collected and made into prabhandas.

  • Another powerful group in the South was the Shaivites or those who worshipped Shiva. The saints who followed this were called "Nayanars', and we know of 63 major saints there.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 5

Assertion (A): Keshab Chandra Sen broke from the Brahmo Samaj to form the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj

Reason (R): Keshab Chandra Sen started advocating against child marriage, polygamy and caste system

Choose from the following options.

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 5
  • The Brahmo Movement: This began with Raja Rammohan Roy, who wanted to question Hinduism's problems. To solve these issues and to find the truth of Vedanta, he started the Brahmo Samaj in 1828. It rejected iconography or the worship of any imagery.

  • It spoke against the evil practices of Sati, which was abolished later after sustained campaigning. He also established two schools to bring education to the masses.

  • After his death, the mission was taken over by Devendranath Tagore in 1843. He was a fierce writer who criticised the British and Christian missionaries who were converting poor people. He also urged Hinduism to bring large scale changes not to leave their religion and convert.

  • Another member Keshabchandra Sen started advocating against child marriage, polygamy and caste system. He and some of his followers were very radical and broke from the Brahmo Samaj to form the 'Bharatiya Brahmo Samaj'.

  • This movement could not sustain itself and led to another break into 'Sadharan Brahmo Samaj'. After all these splits, they could not sustain the movement.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 6

Consider the following statements about the Arya Samaj.

1. They believed in the Supremacy of the Vedas

2. They rejected iconography

Which of these statements are correct?

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 6
  • The Arya Samaj: They wanted to revive Hinduism from within, and Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded it.

  • They believed in the Vedas' supremacy and said that they formed the repository of all values and knowledge. One of their major policies was to work for the welfare of humanity.

  • They believed in a good education for the masses and established many schools. They followed iconoclasm and wanted to convert non-Hindus into this religion. He started the Shuddhi or purification movement through which the conversion could be done.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 7

Faraizi movement was started by:

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 7

He called for the coming back of pure Islam and urged Muslims to perform Islam's obligatory duties called Faraiz. He wanted people not to go to saints and follow their rituals.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 8

Consider the following statements.

1. Majority of the Muslims in India are Shia

2. Christians and Muslims share Abraham as a common ancestor

Which of these statements are correct?

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 8
  • Although most Muslims in India are Sunni, Shia's presence is made known on Muharram when they reenact the gruesome death of Ali.

  • There were some moments in history when the religion went through changes and movements, which affected Islam's shape in the subcontinent.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 9

Who constructed the Akal Takht and Lohagarh Fort?

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 9
  • Guru Hargobind was the first to gird the two swords as the symbol for Sikhs, which symbolised the spiritual (Piri) and temporal (Miri) authority and represented the combination of the Bhakti and Shakti.

  • He constructed the Akal Takht and Lohagarh fort as symbols of his temporal authority, to conduct daily business and defence.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 10

The system of four ashrams is advocated in

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 10
  • Around the time when Jainism and Buddhism were becoming popular, Brahmins developed the system of ashramas.

  • Ashrams refer to the stages of life: brahmacharya, grihastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 11

Consider the following statements.

1. Brahmanism emphasises on the rites performed by, and the status of, the priestly class.

2. Brahmanism emerged from Vedanta principles.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 11
  • Brahmanism, ancient Indian religious tradition that emerged from the earlier Vedic religion. In the early 1st millennium BCE, Brahmanism emphasised the rites performed by, and the status of, the Brahman, or priestly, class as well as speculation about Brahman (the absolute reality) as theorised in the Upanishads (speculative philosophical texts that are considered to be part of the Vedas, or scriptures).

  • By contrast, Hinduism emerged after the mid-1st millennium BCE stressed devotion (bhakti) to particular deities such as Shiva and Vishnu.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 12

Regarding Shaktism, consider the following statements.

1. It is a major tradition of Buddhism.

2. It considers metaphysical reality as feminine.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 12
  • Shaktism ('doctrine of energy, power, the Goddess') is a major Hinduism tradition, wherein the metaphysical reality is considered feminine, and the Devi (goddess) is supreme.

  • It includes a variety of goddesses, all considered aspects of the same supreme goddess. Shaktism has different subtraditions, ranging from those focused on gracious Lakshmi to fierce Kali, and some Shakti sub-traditions associate their goddess with Shiva or Vishnu.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 13

The Shakti Peeth are significant shrines and pilgrimage destinations in Shaktism, the goddess-focused Hindu tradition. Which of these Asian countries/regions host these 108 Shakti Peethas?

1. Nepal

2. Bangladesh

3. Tibet

4. Sri Lanka

5. Pakistan

Select the correct answer using the codes below.

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 13
  • There are 51 or 108 Shakti Peethas by various accounts, of which between 4 and 18 are named as Maha (major) in medieval Hindu texts.

  • Most of these historical places of goddess worship are in India, but some are in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Tibet (Mansarovar), Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

  • Some of the great religious texts like the Shiva Purana, the Devi Bhagavata, the Kalika Purana and the AstaShakti recognise four major Shakti Peethas (centres), like Bimala (Pada Khanda) (inside the Jagannath temple of Puri, Odisha), Tara Tarini (Sthana Khanda, Pumagiri, Breasts) (Near Berhampur, Orissa), Kamakhya Temple (Yoni khanda) (Near Guwahati, Assam) and Dakshina Kalika (Mukha khanda) (Kolkata, West Bengal) originated from the parts of the Corpse of Mata Sati in the Satya Yuga.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 14

Regarding Tirumurai, consider the following statements.

1. It is predominantly secular in nature.

2. These are a compendium of songs or hymns in praise of Vishnu.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 14
  • It is a twelve volume compendium of songs or hymns in praise of Shiva in the Tamil language from the 6th to the 11th century by various South India poets.

  • It is not secular like Sangam literature.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 15

Regarding Tantra, consider the following statements.

1. Icons, puja and temple building were introduced into Hinduism by Tantra.

2. In Buddhism, the Theravada tradition is known for its extensive Tantra ideas and practices.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 15
  • In Buddhism, the Vajrayana tradition is known for its extensive Tantra ideas and practices. Tantric Hindu and Buddhist traditions have influenced other eastern religious traditions such as Jainism, Sikhism, the Tibetan Bon tradition, Daoism, and the Japanese Shinto tradition. Tantra introduced icons, puja and temple building into Hinduism.

  • The Hindu texts that describe these topics are called Tantras, Agamas or Samhitas.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 16

Which of the following is/are correct about religion in Vedic period?

1. There is evidence of female gods.

2. Female gods were given equal status with male gods.

3. There was idol worship prevalent during the period.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 16
Justification:
  • The Rig Vedic Aryans worshipped the natural forces like earth, wind, fire, rain and thunder (naturalistic polytheism).

  • There were also female gods like Ushas and Aditi, and they were placed at lower importance than the male gods.

  • During the early Vedic period, there were no temples and no idol worship. Prayers were offered in the expectation of rewards. Ghee, grain and milk were given as offerings to the god.

  • Elaborate rituals were followed during worship.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 17

Which of the following was/were a part of Vivekananda's ideas?

1. Fundamental oneness of god.

2. Social action, along with knowledge.

3. Usage of modern science and technology for the development of the nation.

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 17
  • Narendranath Datta (1862-1902), who was later known as Swami Vivekananda, spread Ramakrishna's message and tried to reconcile it to the needs of contemporary Indian society.

  • He emerged as the preacher of neo-Hinduism. Certain spiritual experiences of Ramakrishna, the teachings of the Upanishads and the Gita and the examples of Buddha and Jesus are based on Vivekananda's message to the world about human values.

  • He subscribed to the Vedanta, which he considered a fully rational system with a superior approach.

  • His mission was to bridge the gulf between aramartha (service) and vyavahara (behaviour), and between spirituality.

  • He believed in the fundamental oneness of God and said, "For our own motherland, a junction of the two great systems, Hinduism and Islam, is the only hope."

  • Emphasising social action, he declared that knowledge without action is useless.

  • He lamented the isolationist tendencies and the touch-me-not attitude of Hindus in religious matters. He frowned at religion's tacit approval of the oppression of the poor by the rich.

  • He believed that it was an insult to God and humanity to teaching religion to a starving man. He called upon his countrymen to imbibe a spirit of liberty, equality and free-thinking.

  • Vivekananda was a-great humanist and used the Ramakrishna Mission for humanitarian relief and social work. The Mission stands for religious and social reform.

  • Vivekananda was for using technology and modern science in the service of humankind.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 18

Consider the following statements about Purusha Sukta.

1. Purusha Sukta is a hymn in the Yajur Veda.

2. The Brahmanas cited Purusha Sukta to justify their dominance and superiority in society.

Which of the above is/are correct?

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 18
  • Purusha Sukta is a hymn in the Rig Veda. It describes the sacrifice of Purusha, the primaeval man.

  • All the elements of the universe, including the four social categories, were supposed to have emanated from his body: The Brahmana was his mouth, of his arms was made the Kshatriya, his thighs became the Vaishya, and of his feet, the Shudra was born.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 19

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Sikhism has influences of bhakti tradition.

2. It is a syncretic religion.

3. Guru Arjan gave it a militaristic outlook.

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 19
Justification:
  • Guru Angad compiled Guru Nanak's compositions, to which he added his own in a new script known as Gurmukhi.

  • The three successors of Guru Angad also wrote under the name of 'Nanak', and all of their compositions were compiled by Guru Arjan in 1604.

  • To this compilation were added other figures like Shaikh Farid, Sant Kabir, Bhagat Namdev and Guru Tegh Bahadur.

  • In 1706, this compilation was authenticated by his son and successor, Guru Gobind Singh. It is now known as Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of the Sikhs (syncretism).

  • By the beginning of the 17th century, Ramdaspur (Amritsar) had developed around the central Gurdwara called Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple).

  • The Sikhs community, called the Khalsa Panth, became a political entity (militaristic outlook).

  • Nanak had a huge impact on this development from the very beginning. He emphasised the importance of the worship of one god. He insisted that caste, creed or gender was irrelevant for attaining liberation.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 20

Consider the following statements about Baba Guru Nanak.

1. Baba Guru Nanak did not believe in Hinduism and Islam, so he wished to establish a new religion, which he named Sikhism.

2. He rejected sacrifices, ritual baths, image worship, austerities and the scriptures.

3. He defined five symbols: uncut hair, a dagger, a pair of shorts, a comb and a steel bangle, which need to be worn by his followers.

Which of the above is/are correct?

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 20
  • Baba Gum Nanak did not wish to establish a new religion, but his followers consolidated their own practices and distinguished themselves from both Hindus and Muslims after his death. Also, he did not give the name Sikhism.

  • He rejected sacrifices, ritual baths, image worship, austerities, and Hindus and Muslims' scriptures.

  • It was Gum Gobind Singh who defined its five symbols: uncut hair, a dagger, a pair of shorts, a comb and a steel bangle.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 21

Which of India's following places host important synagogues religious places of worship for the Jews, who have been recently recognised as a minority in Maharashtra?

1. Cochin

2. Pune

3. Kolkata

Select the correct answer using the codes below.

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 21
  • The first house of worship was built in India after the Indian Jewish awaited for centuries. The visual intention, proportion and scope with the style of buildings built greatly varied.

  • The buildings that were the belongings of the Baghdadi Jews who were based in India's different parts like Mumbai, Kolkata and Pune were magnificent and impressive as they were built in vivid western style using an excellent material and ornamented details.

  • The Baghdadi Jewish who built the buildings came from different Eurasia parts like Iraq, Iran, and some from the near esteem countries.

  • They settled permanently. In other words, the neo-baroque house of worship, also known as the synagogue, was made in the 18th century in the fort section of Mumbai.

  • One revival of Europeans art and literature was done in Central Kolkata. In the English tradition, a neo-gothic structure of a fine condition sitting within an open site was done in the camp area of Pune. Other than Israel, the largest synagogue in Asia is in Pune named Ohel David synagogue.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 22

Which of these sects advocated renunciation of the world to reach salvation?

1. Yogis

2. Nathpanthis

3. Siddhacharas

Select the correct answer using the codes below.

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 22
  • To them, the path to salvation lays in meditation on the formless ultimate reality and the realisation of oneness with it.

  • To achieve this, they advocated intense training of the mind and body through yoga asanas, breathing exercises and meditation.

  • These groups became particularly popular among Tow' castes.

  • Their criticism of conventional religion created devotional religion to become a popular force in northern India.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 23

Which of the following are correctly matched?

Select from the codes below

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 23
  • Apart from the Brahmo Samaj, which has branches in several parts of the country, the Paramahansa Mandali and the Prarthana Samaj in Maharashtra and the Arya Samaj Punjab and North India were some of the prominent movements among the Hindus.

  • Several other regional and caste movements like the Kayastha Sabha in Uttar Pradesh and the Sarin Sabha in Punjab.

  • The backward castes also started the work of reformation with the Satya Sodhak Samaj in Maharashtra and the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam in Kerala.

  • The Ahmadiya and Aligarh Movements, the Singh Sabha and the Rehnumai Mazdeyasan Sabha represented the spirit of reform among the Muslims, the Sikhs and the parsees, respectively.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 24

Regarding the Sramana movements in Ancient Northern India, consider the following statements.

1. Purana Kassapa taught that there is no virtue or sin, no merit or demerit, whatever one does.

2. Ajita Kesakambali taught a form of materialism, that there is no future life for us let alone repeated rebirth.

3. Pakudha Kaccayana believed that earth, water, fire, air, joy, sorrow, and life are stable and unproductive, independent primordial substances.

Select the correct answer using the codes below.

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 24
  • Purana Kassapa taught that no virtue or sin, no merit or demerit, whatever one does. There is thus no such thing as moral Makkhali Gosala taught a sort of fatalism. Rebirth repeatedly occurs through 'destiny, chance, and nature' and nothing we can do will make any difference. We have no control over any of it, and eventually, liberation will come when it comes.

  • Makkhali Gosala was an important founder of the rival religion of the Ajivikas, which continued for many centuries in Ajita Kesakambali taught what appears to be a form of materialism, that there is no future life for us let alone repeated rebirth.

  • Humankind is formed of earth, water, fire, and air, which return to their elements after death. There is no merit in good deeds (good Karman) or demerit in wicked ones.

  • Pakudha Kaccayana believed that earth, water, fire, air, joy, sorrow, and life are stable and unproductive, independent primordial substances. He seems to have concluded that killing (presumably in terms of moral responsibility) is impossible since a sword would pass between these primordial substances.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 25

Which of the following statements is NOT correct?

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 25
  • During the 1920s in South India, the non-brahmins organised the Self- Respect Movement led by E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker.

  • Numerous other movements were demanding to lift a ban on entry of lower castes into temples; for instance, Shri Narayana Guru in Kerala led a lifelong struggle against upper caste domination.

  • He coined the slogan 'one religion, one caste, one god for mankind', which his disciple Sahadaran Ayyapan changed into 'no religion, no caste, no god for mankind'.

  • As a reformist ideologue, Ram Mohan Roy believed in the modern scientific approach and principles of human dignity and social equality. He put his faith in monotheism.

  • He wrote Gift to Monotheists (1809) and translated into Bengali the Vedas and the five Upanishads to prove his conviction that ancient Hindu texts support monotheism.

  • In 1814, he set up Atmiya Sabha in Calcutta to campaign against idolatry, caste rigidities, meaningless rituals and other social ills.

  • Strongly influenced by rationalist ideas, he declared that the Vedanta is based on reason and that, if reason demanded it, even a departure from the scriptures is justified.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 26

Veda Samaj was established in 1864. Which of the following statements is/are correct about it?

1. It was established in Madras.

2. Brahmo Samaj inspired it.

3. It differed from Brahmo Samaj in that it propagated polytheism.

Select the correct answer using the codes below.

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 26
  • Established in Madras (Chennai) in 1864, the Veda Samaj was inspired by the Brahmo Samaj.

  • It worked to abolish caste distinctions and promote widow remarriage and women's education.

  • Its members believed in one god. They condemned the superstitions and rituals of orthodox Hinduism.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 27

Which of the following statement/s is/are correct about Paramahansa Mandali?

1. Founders of this Mandali propagated the idea of polytheism.

2. They were primarily interested in breaking caste rules.

Select the correct answer using the codes below.

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 27
  • Paramahansa Mandali was a secret socio-religious group in Bombay and was closely related to Manav Dharma Sabha, found in 1844 in Surat. It was started by Mehtaji Durgaram, Dadoba Pandurang and a group of his friends.

  • Dadoba Pandurang assumed leadership of this organisation after he left Manav Dharma Sabha. He outlined his principles in Dharma Vivechan in 1848 for Manav Dharma Sabha and 'Paramhansik Bramhyadharma' for Paramahansa Mandali.

  • It was the first socio-religious organisation of Maharashtra. Founded in 1849 in Maharashtra, the founders of this Mandali believed in one god. Hence, Statement 1 is incorrect.

  • They were primarily interested in breaking caste rules. At their meetings, food cooked by lower caste people was taken by the members.

  • This Mandali also advocated women's education and widow remarriage.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 28

Which of the following is/are correct about the Wahabi Movement in India?

1. It was essentially an Islam revivalist movement.

2. Syed Ahmed of Raebareli founded it.

3. the teachings of Abdul Wahab inspired it.

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 28
  • Wahabi Movement: It was essentially an Islamic revivalist movement founded by Syed Ahmed of Raebareli, who was inspired by Abdul Wahab's teachings (1703-87) of Saudi Arabia and Shah Waliullah of Delhi.

  • Syed Ahmed condemned the western influence on Islam and advocated a return to pure Islam and society, as it was in the Arabia of the Prophet's time. Syed Ahmed was acclaimed as the desired leader (Imam).

  • A countrywide organisation with an elaborate secret code for its working under spiritual vice-regents (Khalifas) was set up.

  • Sithana in the northwestern tribal belt was chosen as a base for operations.

  • In India, its important centre was at Patna, though it had its missions in Hyderabad, Madras, Bengal, UP and Bombay.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 29

Which of the following ideas was/were supported by Dayananda Saraswati?

1. A classless and casteless society.

2. Vedic nation of Chaturvarna system.

3. Infallibility of Vedas and Puranas.

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 29
  • Maharishi Dayanand was a believer in Hinduism just as the Vedas have outlined, devoid of any corruption and embellishments. Preserving the purity of the faith was of the utmost importance to him.

  • He strongly advocated the concepts of Dharma, which he believed to be free from any partiality and as an embodiment of truthfulness.

  • Adharma was anything that did not hold, was not just or fair and was opposed to the teachings of the Vedas.

  • He believed in reverence of human life irrespective of anything and condoned the practice of Ahimsa or non-violence.

  • He advised his countrymen to direct their energy towards the betterment of humankind as a whole and not waste away in unnecessary rituals.

  • He revoked idol worship practice and considered it contamination introduced by the priesthood for their own benefit.

Dayanand Saraswati and Arya Samaj

  • On 7 April 1875, Dayanand Saraswati formed the Arya Samaj in Bombay. It was a Hindu reforms movement, meaning 'society of the nobles'.

  • The purpose of the Samaj was to move the Hindu religion away from the fictitious beliefs. 'Krinvanto Vishvam Aryam' was the Samaj motto, which means, 'make this world noble'.

Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 30

Arya Samaj was a North Indian Hindu reform organisation of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly active in Punjab. Consider the following statements about Arya Samaj:

1. Arya Samaj was founded by M. G. Ranade in 1875.

2. It sought to revive Vedic learning and combine it with modem education in the sciences.

3. It regards the Vedas as infallible.

4. Arya Samaj professed 'Shuddhi' to bring back to the Hindu fold those who had recently converted to Islam.

Which of the above is/are incorrect?

Detailed Solution for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India - Question 30
  • Swami Dayananda Saraswati founded Arya Samaj in 1875. The Shuddhi professed by Arya Samaj Lists angered the Muslims.

This can also be one of the causes of the rise of communalism in India post-1920s.

Information about Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India Page
In this test you can find the Exam questions for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India solved & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving Questions and answers for Nitin Singhania Test: Religion In India, EduRev gives you an ample number of Online tests for practice

Top Courses for UPSC

Download as PDF

Top Courses for UPSC