701: Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference between the two?
(a) Vihara is a place of worship, while Chaitya is the dwelling place of the monks
(b) Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
(c) Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the cave, while Vihara is the hall axial to it
(d) There is no material difference between the two
Explanation:
A chaitya is a Buddhist shrine including a stupa. In modern texts on Indian architecture, the term chaitya-griha is often used to denote an assembly or prayer hall that houses a stua.
Vihara is the Sankrit and Pall term for a Buddhist monastery. It originally ment "a secluded place in which to walk", and referred to "dwellings" or "refuges" used by wandering monks during the rainy season.
702: Which of the following statements is correct?
(a) The village was the basic unit of Chola administration.
(b) The Chola kingdom was on the decline in the 9th century.
(c) Amoghavarsha is the best remembered of the Chola kings.
(d) None of the above
703: "Inquilab Zindabad" slogan was given by:
(a) Chandra Shekhar Azad
(b) Subhash Chandra Bose
(c) Bhagat Singh
(d) Iqbal
704: Lord Buddha's image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called 'Bhumisparsha Mudra'. It symbolizes
(a) Buddha's calling of the Earth to watch over Mara and to prevent Mara from disturbing his meditation
(b) Buddha's calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara
(c) Buddha's reminder to his followers that they all arise from the Earth and finally dissolve into the Earth, and thus this life is transitory
(d) Both the statements (a) and (b) are correct in this context
Explanation:
Bhumisparsha means touching the earth. It is most commonly known as the "earth witness" mudra. This mudra involves all the five fingers of the right hand extended to touch the ground. This posture of mudra symbolizes the pose of Buddha at the time of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, when he summoned the earth goddess Sthavara, to bear witness to his attainment of enlightenment. Shakyamuni Buddha is commonly represented upon his enlightenment throne with his right hand touching the earth, and his left hand resting upon his lap in the gesture of meditation. This symbolizes the union of hi method or skillful means in overcoming Mara (right hand), through the perfect wisdom of his deep meditation upon emptiness (left hand). The earth touchingn gesture is also the mudra of Akshobya, the 'Unshakable' blue Buddha of the center or eastern direction.
705: Which one of the following submitted in 1875 a petition to the House of Commons demanding India's direct representation in the British Parliament?
(a) The Deccan Association
(b) The Indian Association
(c) The Madras Mahajan Sabha
(d) The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha
Explanation:
The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha submitted a petition in 1875 to the House of Commons demanding India's direct
representation to the British Parliament. Here except Poona Sarvajanik Sabha all others were founded later than 1875.