General Awareness · Civics Polity

Indian Philosophy and Aesthetics

2,971 Questions

Indian philosophy spans diverse concepts from Buddhist teachings and practices to ancient aesthetics. This collection covers meditation rules, spiritual enlightenment, and cultural expressions like Odissi. These topics are vital for general awareness in civil services and state exams.

Buddhist philosophy practicesAesthetics treatisesTantra categoriesMoksha conceptsClassical dance movements

Indian Philosophy and Aesthetics Questions

Multiple choice history the period of harshavardhana ( 600- 650 a.d. ) harsha's period rule of harshavardhana the vardhans

Harshavardhana held the assemblies of Buddhists at Allahabad every _______.

  1. 2 years

  2. 4 years

  3. 5 years

  4. 10 years
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Harshavardhana was known for his religious generosity and held a grand assembly at Prayag (Allahabad) every five years, where he would distribute his accumulated wealth to the needy and religious orders.

Multiple choice history the period of harshavardhana ( 600- 650 a.d. ) harsha's period rule of harshavardhana the vardhans

Harshavardhana patronized ______ religion.

  1. Buddhist

  2. Brahmanical

  3. Jain

  4. Ajivika
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Harshavardhana was an Indian Emperor, who ruled over the northern parts of India from 606 A.D to to 647 A.D. He was a learner of Buddha's ways and later became a devout Buddhist though initially he was a Shaivite. He built monasteries at the places visited by Gautam Buddha and spent great amount of his wealth on promoting Buddhism. 

Multiple choice history the period of harshavardhana ( 600- 650 a.d. ) harsha's period rule of harshavardhana the vardhans

_________ followers believe that Nalanda was the name of Buddha in his previous birth.

  1. Mahavira's

  2. Buddha's

  3. Shiva's

  4. Vishnu's
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Buddha's followers believe that Nalanda was the name of Buddha in his previous birth. This is famous as an ancient university. Buddha had visited Nalanda. Mention has been made of the 25-metre tall bronze image of Buddha that Harshavardhana gifted to Nalanda.

Multiple choice history the period of harshavardhana ( 600- 650 a.d. ) harsha's period rule of harshavardhana the vardhans

Assertion (A): Nalanda was the centre of Buddhist learning in the post-Gupta period.
Reason (R): It was patronised by the Pala rulers.

  1. Both A and R is true and R is the correct explanation of A

  2. Both A and R is true but R is not a correct explanation of A

  3. A is true but R is false

  4. A is false but R is true
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Nalanda was indeed a premier center of Buddhist learning in the post-Gupta period, and it received significant patronage from the Pala rulers. However, the reason for its status as a center of learning is not solely due to the Palas, as it had already established its reputation much earlier.

Multiple choice history the period of harshavardhana ( 600- 650 a.d. ) harsha's period rule of harshavardhana the vardhans

What was the purpose of the Kannauj assembly called by Harshavardhana?

  1. To highlight the teachings of Buddha.

  2. To honour the Chinese master of law Hiuen Tsang.

  3. Religious assembly to highlight Mahayanism.

  4. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
In the year 643 A.D. Harsha held a great religious assembly in his capital at Kannauj on the bank of the river Ganges. The purpose of the assembly was to highlight the teachings of Buddha. On that occasion, Harsha also wanted to honour the Chinese Master of the Law, Hiuen Tsang. The subject of discussion in the assembly related to Mahayana Buddhism. The assembly continued for long 23 days.
The Kannauj Assembly was followed by another spectacular assembly at Prayaga in the same year. While the Kanauj Assembly was a religious assembly to highlight Mahayanism, the Prayaga Assembly was an assembly of universal character for offerings of royal charities to all classes of people.
Multiple choice history the period of harshavardhana ( 600- 650 a.d. ) harsha's period rule of harshavardhana the vardhans

What was the purpose of the Prayaga assembly called by Harshavardhana in 643 A.D.?

  1. To offer royal charities to all classes of people.

  2. To have a scholarly discussion on Mahayanism.

  3. To have a scholarly discussion on Shaivism.

  4. To honor the master of law Hieun Tsang
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
In the year 643 A.D., Harsha held a great religious assembly in his capital at Kannauj on the bank of the river Ganges. The purpose of the assembly was to highlight the teachings of Buddha. 
The Kannauj Assembly was followed by another spectacular assembly at Prayaga in the same year. While the Kannauj Assembly was a religious assembly to highlight Mahayanism, the Prayaga Assembly was an assembly of universal character for offerings of royal charities to all classes of people. It was known as the Maha Moksha Parishad.
Multiple choice history the period of harshavardhana ( 600- 650 a.d. ) harsha's period rule of harshavardhana the vardhans

Priyadarshika, Ratnavali and Nagananda of Harsha are works on _____.

  1. Drama

  2. Poetry

  3. Deals with administrative circular

  4. Deals with religious propaganda
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Priyadarshika , Ratnavali and Nagananda of Harsha are works of Drama. Besides being  a great conqueror and religious minded and generous king, Harshavardhan was also a great lover of education and learning.Emperor Harshvardhana wrote three plays in the Sanskrit Language.

Multiple choice history the period of harshavardhana ( 600- 650 a.d. ) harsha's period rule of harshavardhana the vardhans

Kalidasa's works include:
I. Abhijnanashakuntalam
II. Meghadutam
III. Raghuvamsa
IV. Malvikagnimitram
V. Ritusamhara
VI. Kumarasambhava
Select the correct answer from the options given below:

  1. I, II, III and IV

  2. I, II, IV, V and VI

  3. I, III , IV and V

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

All the listed works, including Abhijnanashakuntalam, Meghadutam, Raghuvamsa, Malavikagnimitram, Ritusamhara, and Kumarasambhava, are attributed to the poet Kalidasa.

Multiple choice history the gupta: empire gupta period the vardhans kannauj: age of harshavardhana
The 'ashvamedha' was the sacrifice of _______________.

  1. Horse

  2. Cow

  3. Bull

  4. Goat
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Ashvamedha is a horse sacrifice ritual followed by the srauta tradition of Vedic religion. It was used by ancient Indian kings to prove their imperial sovereignty: a horse accompanied by the king's warriors would be released to wander for a period of one year.

Multiple choice history cultural heritage of india: sculpture and architecture ancient civilizations in river valleys historic period sculpture and architecture

In a hymn in the Rigveda, Vishvamitra has a dialogue with Beas and Sutlej, which were two women.

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Rigveda is the oldest veda out of the four vedas. It contains hymns in praise of Gods like Indra, agni, Soma, Rudra and many more. Vishvamitra was one of the composer of the Rigveda and in one hymn he had a dialouge with Beas and Sutlej. These are the two rivers running in through Punjab in India.

Multiple choice history the period of harshavardhana ( 600- 650 a.d. ) harsha's period rule of harshavardhana the vardhans

What was the assembly at Prayaga in Allahabad held by Harshavardhana called? 

  1. Maha Dhana Parishad

  2. Maha Punya Parishad

  3. Maha Moksha Parishad

  4. Maha Kripa Parishad
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
In the year 643 A.D., Harsha held a great religious assembly in his capital at Kannauj on the bank of the river Ganges. The purpose of the assembly was to highlight the teachings of Buddha. 
The Kannauj Assembly was followed by another spectacular assembly at Prayaga in the same year. While the Kannauj Assembly was a religious assembly to highlight Mahayanism, the Prayaga Assembly was an assembly of universal character for offerings of royal charities to all classes of people. It was known as the Maha Moksha Parishad.