UPSC Modern History Questions Prelims

UPSC Modern History Questions Prelims. We covered all the UPSC Modern History Questions Prelims in this post for free so that you can practice well for the exam.

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UPSC Modern History Questions Prelims for Students

Consider the following Bhakti Saints:

1. Dadu Dayal
2. Guru Nanak
3. Tyagaraja

Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over?

(a) 1 and 3

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3

(d) 1 and 2

Show Answer

With reference to the Vaishnava Bhakti Movement in Bengal, consider the following statements:

1. The Vaishnava Bhakti Movement in Bengal was very different from its counterparts in North and South India.
2. The Sahajiya Buddhist and Nath Panthi traditions focused on the esoteric and emotional aspects of devotion.
3. Chaitanya was the first Vaishnava Bhakti saint who founded and popularized the Bhakti movement in Bengal.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

With reference to the Bhakti Movement in Maharashtra, consider the following statements:

1. Vithala was regarded as a manifestation of Lord Ganesha.
2. Varakaris were followers of Lord Rama, while Dharakaris were followers of Lord Krishna.
3. Jnaneswara and Saint Ekanath were contemporaries of each other.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) None of the above

Show Answer

With reference to devotional music, consider the following statements:

1. ‘Bhajans’ originated during the Bhakti movement.
2. ‘Shabad’ is a devotional song from Maharashtra that is sung in praise of God Vithobha.
3. ‘Tevaram’ are devotional songs of Tamil Nadu and are sung by the Shaivite community.
4. ‘Bhatiali’ is a devotional song of Bengal which involves ascetic singing and dancing in praise of Goddess Durga.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 1, 2 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Show Answer

With respect to Buddhism, consider the following statements:

1. Mahayana school includes the followers of the original preaching of the Buddha.
2. Theravada refers to the school of elder monks and is considered a successor of the Hinayana school.
3. Sthaviravada is a subsect of Mahayana Buddhism.
4. Navayana School is considered to be a new branch of Buddhism propounded by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 2 and 4 only

Show Answer

With reference to the Samkhya Philosophy, consider the following statements:

1. It propounded that salvation could be attained through the acquisition of real knowledge.
2. In the early years, Samkhya supported a spiritual view of the creation of the universe, but over time it became more materialistic in outlook.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Show Answer

With respect to ancient India, consider the following statements:

1. The Shramanas supported Brahmin authority and preached Brahmin rituals.
2. Kutagarashala was an astronomical observatory in Taxila built during the Mauryan Period.
3. Hagiography is a biography of a saint or religious leader.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 3 only

Show Answer

With reference to the Bhakti movement in North India, consider the following statements:

1. Ravidas was the founder of the Bhakti Movement in northern India.
2. In the medieval period, the Bhakti Movement was founded in North India and later spread to the South.
3. The distinctive characteristics of Islam, such as monotheism, equality, and brotherhood of man, influenced the Bhakti Movement in North India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 2 and 3 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1 and 2 only

Show Answer

With reference to the Bhakti Movement saints in India, consider the following statements:

1. Jnaneswar and Tukaram were associated with the Varkari sect of Maharashtra.
2. Namdeva is one of the revered Bhakti saints in the Dadupanth tradition within Hinduism.
3. The philosophy of ‘Pushti Marg’ was advocated by the Bhakti saint Ramananda.
4. Gaudiya Vaishnavism was popularized by the Bhakti saint Shankardev in Assam.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 4 only

(d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Show Answer

With reference to Ramanujacharya, consider the following statements:

1. Recently in 2022, the ‘Statue of Peace’ of Swami Ramanujacharya was unveiled in Srinagar.
2. His philosophy of Vishista Advaitavada acknowledges the ultimate non-dual nature of reality.
3. He advocated the philosophy of Bheda Abheda.
4. The world and Brahman are considered two equally real entities by Ramanujacharya.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 1, 2 and 4 only

(d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Show Answer

With reference to Sufism in Indian history, consider the following statements:

1. Shaikh Ahmad Sarhandi was a contemporary of Ibrahim Lodi.
2. Shaikh Nasiruddin Chirag-Dehlavi was a disciple of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya.
3. Aurangzeb was a contemporary of Shaikh Salim Chisti.
4. The Qadiri order of Sufis was first introduced in India by Shaikh Niamtullah and Makhdum Muhammad Jilani.

Which of these statements are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 2 and 4 only

Show Answer

With reference to Shankaracharya, consider the following statements:

1. He was the leader of the Hindu revivalist movement of the 9th century from Kerala.
2. He propounded the Advaita Vedanta and Nirguna Brahman philosophy.
3. He considered loving the faith and practicing devotion as the main path of salvation.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Show Answer

Arrange the following Sufi saints in the correct chronological order of their demise (first to last):

1. Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki
2. Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya
3. Shaikh Nasiruddin Chiragh-i Dehli
4. Shaikh Fariduddin Ganj-i Shakar

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1-2-3-4

(b) 1-4-2-3

(c) 2-1-4-3

(d) 1-4-3-2

Show Answer

With reference to Sufism in India, consider the following statements:

1. The spiritual chief of a Sufi order was known as ‘Pir,’ whereas his chief disciple was known as ‘Murshid.’
2. The Chishti khanqahs were open to all sections of society and to all communities.
3. ‘Khanqah’ was the center of the activities of a Sufi order where the spiritual chief imparted spiritual training to his disciples.
4. Nathpanthi yogis were not allowed to have discussions with the Chishti Shaikhs at their Khanqah as both had differing views on mysticism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 2, 3 and 4 only

Show Answer

With reference to the Bhakti movement and the Sufi movement in India, consider the following statements:

1. The interaction between early Bhakti and Sufi ideas laid the foundation for more liberal Bhakti movements in India.
2. Unlike the Bhakti saints, who were engaged in breaking down the barriers within Hinduism, Sufism failed to infuse a new liberal outlook within Islam.
3. Like the Bhakti saints, the Sufi saints contributed greatly to the growth of a rich regional literature.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

With reference to the two Schools of Bhakti, consider the following statements:

1. The Nirguna School rejects and condemns the scriptures and every form of idol worship.
2. The Saguna School believed in the need for a human Guru as a mediator between God and his devotee.
3. Unlike the Nirguna School, the Saguna School focused on the usage of regional languages to transmit their ideas among the masses.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 3 only

Show Answer

With reference to the Nayanars and Alvars in South India, consider the following statements:

1. They admired the asceticism preached by Buddhism and Jainism.
2. They preached the Bhakti cult under the Pallavas, Pandyas, and the Cholas.
3. Both Nayanars and Alvars were devotees of Vishnu and his avatars.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) None of the above

Show Answer

Which of these Bhakti Saints of Medieval India were contemporaries?

1. Guru Nanak
2. Kabir
3. Chaitanya
4. Ramdas
5. Nimbark

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2, and 3 only

(b) 1, 3, and 4 only

(c) 2, 4, and 5 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

Show Answer

Consider the following statements:

1. The oldest rock-cut caves in India, the Barabar Caves, were made for Ajivikas and Jains to retreat and meditate.
2. Strict determinism was the central tenet of Ajivikas.
3. Ajivika is one of the Nastika Darshanas or Heterodox schools of Indian philosophy as they did not believe in the authority of the Vedas.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Show Answer

With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts:

1. Nettipakarana
2. Parishishtaparvan
3. Avadanashataka
4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana

Which of the above are Jaina texts?

(a) 1, 2, and 3 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 1, 3, and 4 only

(d) 2, 3, and 4 only

Show Answer

Which of the following saints of Bhakti-Sufi traditions were contemporaries of each other?

1. Sri Chaitanya in Bengal
2. Lal Ded in Kashmir
3. Mirabai in Rajasthan
4. Tulsidas in Uttar Pradesh
5. Shaikh Abdul Quddus Gangohi
6. Nizamuddin Auliya in Delhi

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 only

(b) 2, 3, and 4 only

(c) 1, 3, 4, and 5 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6

Show Answer

Consider the following statements:

1. Saint Nimbarka was a contemporary of Akbar.
2. Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Show Answer

With reference to the cultural impact of the Bhakti Movement in Western India, consider the following statements:

1. Abhangs are devotional songs dedicated to the main deity of the Varkari tradition.
2. Namdev was a contemporary of Shivaji and was responsible for Maratha nationalism, called “Parmaratha.”
3. A new form of Marathi religious song called Bharood was introduced by Bhakti Saint Eknath.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Show Answer

With reference to the impact of Sufism in India, consider the following statements:

1. Sufi khanqahs inspired the composition of mystical poetry in regional languages in India.
2. The institution of the Sufi khanqah facilitated the process of urbanization in India.
3. Sufi Shaikhs always questioned the existing political system and the class structure in India.
4. The Sufi literature of the medieval period developed a new form called the malfuzat, which was in the form of a dialogue of the Sufi saints.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2, and 3 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, and 4 only

Show Answer

With reference to the Jainism School, consider the following statements:

1. Digambara Jains believe that women cannot be Tirthankaras, while Shwetambara Jains believe both men and women can be Tirthankaras.
2. Angas, Upangas, and Prakirnas are terms related to Jaina temple architecture.
3. Unlike other religious texts of Jainism, Agamas were written in the Sanskrit language.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) None of the above

Show Answer

With reference to Buddhism, consider the following statements:

1. Vihar is a place of worship, while Chaitya is the dwelling place of the Buddhist monks.
2. The Palas of Bengal were primarily Buddhist rulers following the Theravada tradition.
3. Therigatha is a collection of short poems composed by enlightened Buddhist women.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Show Answer

With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:

1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism.
2. The Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of the Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism.
3. The deification of Buddha by the Mahasanghikas fostered Mahayana Buddhism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Show Answer

With reference to the philosophies of Buddhism and Jainism, consider the following statements:

1. Both Buddhism and Jainism advocated nonviolence.
2. Both Buddhism and Jainism did not attach any importance to the existing Varna system.
3. Buddhism rejects the idea of God and soul, while Jainism recognizes the existence of Gods.
4. Unlike Jainism, Buddhism rejects the authority of the Vedas.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2, and 3 only

(b) 2, 3, and 4 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 3, and 4 only

Show Answer

With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:

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

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Show Answer

Consider the following statements with respect to Sufi silsilahs:

1. Unlike the Chishti silsilah, the Suhrawardi silsilah maintained close contacts with the state.
2. The Naqshbandi silsilah opposed Akbar’s liberal religious policies and placed a strong emphasis on adhering to the Shariat.
3. The Qadiri silsilah promoted the spread of liberal ideas among the rural masses of Eastern India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Show Answer

With respect to Jainism, consider the following statements:

1. As the first Jain council was convened to document the original teachings of Mahavira, it led to the final compilation of Angas and Upangas.
2. Both the first and second Jain councils took place in Eastern India, as it was the cradle of Jainism.
3. The first Jain council was held before the first Buddhist council.

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Show Answer

Consider the following places:

1. Sammed Shikharji
2. Shree Shatrunjay Tirth
3. Gommateshwara Statue
4. Ashtapad Jain Temple

Arrange the above Jain pilgrimage sites from north to south direction:

(a) 2-4-3-1

(b) 2-1-3-4

(c) 1-4-3-2

(d) 4-1-2-3

Show Answer

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