Which two major religions emerged in the 6th century BCE in India?
a) Hinduism and Islam
b) Jainism and Christianity
c) Buddhism and Jainism ✅
d) Sikhism and Buddhism Explanation: Buddhism and Jainism emerged as reformist movements.
Who was the founder of Buddhism?
a) Mahavira
b) Siddhartha Gautama ✅
c) Ashoka
d) Makkhali Gosala Explanation: Siddhartha, later known as Buddha, founded Buddhism.
Who was the founder of Jainism?
a) Parsvanatha
b) Rishabhanatha
c) Mahavira ✅
d) Kapila Explanation: Mahavira is considered the 24th and last Tirthankara.
Where did Buddha attain enlightenment?
a) Sarnath
b) Kapilavastu
c) Bodh Gaya ✅
d) Kushinagar Explanation: Under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya.
What was Mahavira’s original name?
a) Siddhartha
b) Vardhamana ✅
c) Ajatashatru
d) Devadatta Explanation: Mahavira was born as Vardhamana.
In which language were Buddha’s teachings originally delivered?
a) Sanskrit
b) Tamil
c) Pali ✅
d) Prakrit Explanation: Pali was used to reach common people.
What does ‘Nirvana’ mean in Buddhism?
a) Rebirth
b) Salvation ✅
c) Power
d) Enlightenment Explanation: Liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
Where did Buddha give his first sermon?
a) Rajgir
b) Bodh Gaya
c) Sarnath ✅
d) Vaishali Explanation: Known as the ‘Dhammachakkappavattana’ at Sarnath.
Which is the religious text of Jainism?
a) Tripitaka
b) Angas ✅
c) Vedas
d) Gita Explanation: Jain teachings are compiled in the Agamas or Angas.
Which ruler was a patron of Jainism?
a) Ashoka
b) Bimbisara
c) Chandragupta Maurya ✅
d) Harshavardhana Explanation: He converted to Jainism and migrated south.
Buddha was born at:
a) Kushinagar
b) Lumbini ✅
c) Kapilavastu
d) Sarnath Explanation: Now in Nepal.
What does ‘Tirthankara’ mean in Jainism?
a) Prophet
b) Enlightened teacher ✅
c) Monk
d) King Explanation: Spiritual guide who shows the path to liberation.
Which sect of Buddhism believes in Bodhisattvas?
a) Theravada
b) Mahayana ✅
c) Hinayana
d) Vajrayana Explanation: Mahayana reveres Bodhisattvas.
What is the doctrine of ‘Ahimsa’ in Jainism?
a) Prayer
b) Meditation
c) Non-violence ✅
d) Penance Explanation: Jainism strongly emphasizes non-violence.
Where did Mahavira attain Kevalya (omniscience)?
a) Vaishali
b) Rajgir
c) Jrimbhikagrama ✅
d) Sravasti Explanation: In modern Bihar.
What are the Buddhist scriptures called?
a) Vedas
b) Angas
c) Tripitaka ✅
d) Upanishads Explanation: Literally means “Three Baskets”.
In which Mahajanapada did both Buddha and Mahavira preach?
a) Avanti
b) Kosala
c) Magadha ✅
d) Gandhara Explanation: Magadha became the center of both religions.
The Jain sect that wears white clothes is:
a) Shwetambara ✅
b) Digambara
c) Lokayata
d) Vajrayana Explanation: Shwetambara means “white-clad”.
The eightfold path is associated with:
a) Jainism
b) Buddhism ✅
c) Vedic religion
d) Lokayata Explanation: Right conduct, livelihood, mindfulness, etc.
Buddha’s death is referred to as:
a) Moksha
b) Nirvana
c) Mahaparinirvana ✅
d) Kevalya Explanation: Final liberation.
🟡 MODERATE (21–40)
Who was Buddha’s father?
a) Suddhodana ✅
b) Bimbisara
c) Prasenajit
d) Shrenika Explanation: A ruler of the Shakya clan.
Which council compiled the Tripitaka?
a) First Buddhist Council ✅
b) Second Council
c) Third Council
d) Fourth Council Explanation: Held at Rajgir soon after Buddha’s death.
Which was a materialistic school of thought in the 6th century BCE?
a) Jainism
b) Buddhism
c) Charvaka ✅
d) Ajivika Explanation: Charvakas rejected religious authority.
Who was Makkhali Gosala associated with?
a) Buddhism
b) Jainism
c) Ajivika sect ✅
d) Charvaka Explanation: Ajivikas believed in destiny.
What is the Jain concept of liberation called?
a) Nirvana
b) Moksha ✅
c) Samadhi
d) Parinirvana Explanation: Liberation from karma and rebirth.
Which of the following was NOT a reason for rise of new religions?
a) Complex rituals in Vedic religion
b) Rise of urban centers
c) Use of Sanskrit ✅
d) Caste rigidity Explanation: New religions used simpler languages like Pali/Prakrit.
The Jain path to salvation consists of:
a) Truth, Non-violence, Prayer
b) Right faith, Right knowledge, Right conduct ✅
c) Karma, Dharma, Moksha
d) Yama, Niyama, Samadhi Explanation: Known as “Three Jewels” (Ratnatraya).
The symbol of Jainism is associated with:
a) Dharma Chakra
b) Triratna
c) Ahimsa hand ✅
d) Lotus Explanation: Symbolizes peace and non-violence.
The First Buddhist Council was held under the patronage of:
a) Ashoka
b) Bimbisara
c) Ajatashatru ✅
d) Bindusara Explanation: Convened shortly after Buddha’s death.
Jain monks during Mahavira’s time practiced:
a) Temple rituals
b) Ritual fasting
c) Extreme asceticism ✅
d) Political activities Explanation: Renunciation of all worldly attachments.
Which Jain sect believes Mahavira never married?
a) Shwetambara
b) Digambara ✅
c) Theravada
d) Mahayana Explanation: Digambaras reject worldly life completely.
‘Triratna’ of Buddhism includes:
a) Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha ✅
b) Dhamma, Karma, Moksha
c) Buddha, Karma, Dharma
d) Sangha, Moksha, Samadhi Explanation: Triple refuge for Buddhists.
Buddhism rejected the authority of:
a) Scriptures
b) Vedas ✅
c) Ahimsa
d) Caste Explanation: Buddhism was against Vedic ritualism.
Which river is closely associated with Buddha’s life?
a) Yamuna
b) Ganga ✅
c) Saraswati
d) Sindhu Explanation: Most sites like Bodh Gaya, Sarnath lie in Ganga basin.
Who was Buddha’s chief female disciple?
a) Amrapali
b) Yashodhara
c) Gautami ✅
d) Sujata Explanation: Mahaprajapati Gautami, his foster mother.
In Buddhism, Karma refers to:
a) Ritual duty
b) Right knowledge
c) Action and its consequences ✅
d) Caste duty Explanation: Karma determines future rebirths.
Sangha in Buddhism refers to:
a) Monastic community ✅
b) Prayer hall
c) Meditation
d) Salvation Explanation: Organization of monks and nuns.
Svetambaras and Digambaras differ on:
a) Belief in Karma
b) Language
c) Monk attire ✅
d) Place of origin Explanation: Digambaras are “sky-clad”; wear no clothes.
Viharas were used as:
a) Assembly halls
b) Fortresses
c) Monasteries ✅
d) Markets Explanation: Residences for Buddhist monks.
The second Buddhist council was held at:
a) Rajgir
b) Vaishali ✅
c) Sarnath
d) Nalanda Explanation: Addressed disciplinary issues in Sangha.
🔴 HARD (41–50)
Mahavira attained Nirvana at:
a) Rajgir
b) Pavapuri ✅
c) Vaishali
d) Bodh Gaya Explanation: In Bihar, also a pilgrimage site today.
Who compiled the Jain scriptures after Mahavira?
a) Gautama
b) Bhadrabahu ✅
c) Sudharman
d) Chandragupta Explanation: Bhadrabahu was an important Jain acharya.
In Jainism, the term ‘Sallekhana’ refers to:
a) Enlightenment
b) Voluntary death by fasting ✅
c) Prayer
d) Rebirth Explanation: Accepted as a form of spiritual liberation.
Which Buddhist text contains the rules for monks?
a) Vinaya Pitaka ✅
b) Sutta Pitaka
c) Abhidhamma Pitaka
d) Jataka Tales Explanation: Deals with monastic discipline.
Which sect of Buddhism emphasizes Tantra and rituals?
a) Theravada
b) Mahayana
c) Vajrayana ✅
d) Hinayana Explanation: Vajrayana spread in Tibet.
The Jataka tales relate to:
a) Mahavira’s life
b) Buddha’s previous births ✅
c) Jain monks
d) Vedic gods Explanation: Stories of Buddha’s earlier incarnations.
Which Jain Tirthankara preceded Mahavira?
a) Neminatha
b) Parsvanatha ✅
c) Rishabhanatha
d) Ajitanatha Explanation: 23rd Tirthankara, Mahavira followed him.
Ajivikas believed in:
a) Karma
b) Rituals
c) Fatalism ✅
d) Non-violence Explanation: They believed destiny controls life.
Jain monks practiced non-possession, also known as:
a) Satya
b) Aparigraha ✅
c) Brahmacharya
d) Ahimsa Explanation: One of the five vows.
The last Tirthankara in Jainism was:
a) Rishabhanatha
b) Mahavira ✅
c) Parsvanatha
d) Ajitanatha Explanation: Mahavira is the 24th and final Tirthankara.