UGC NTA NET/JRF Exam, INDIAN CULTURE, JUNE-2025

Total Questions: 100

61. Which of the following was not part of trade terminal in the post-Mauryas period?

A. Pustikalavati
B. Patala
C. Bhrigukachchha
D. Tamralipti
E. Uttarapatha
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 3. E only
Solution:

Post-Mauryan trade context:
A. Puskalavati (Pushkalavati) - A major trade and urban center in Gandhara. It acted as a node in the Uttarapatha route, connected with Central Asia and beyond.
B. Patala - A famous port city at the Indus delta, important for maritime trade with western Asia.
C. Bhrigukachchha (Barygaza, modern Bharuch) - The most significant western coast port during this period, central to Indo-Roman trade.
D. Tamralipti (modern Tamluk, Bengal) - А major eastern coast port, connecting inland routes to Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka.
E. Uttarapatha - This was not a terminal city or port, but the name of the great northern trade route connecting cities and ports like Taxila, Puskalavati, and Tamralipti.
Thus, while A, B, C, and D are trade terminals, E (Uttarapatha) is a route, not a terminal.

62. Which of these plays are not related to 'Mahabharata'?

A. Madhyamavyayoga
B. Panchratra
C. Svapnavasavadatta
D. Dutavakya
E. Abhiseka
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 3. C and E only
Solution:

Let's evaluate each play in relation to the Mahabharata:
A. Madhyamavyayoga - Related to Mahabharata. Written by Bhasa, it deals with Bhima meeting his son Ghatotkacha.
B. Panchratra - Related to Mahabharata. Another play of Bhasa based on the Udyoga Parva (the preparations for war).
C. Svapnavasavadatta - Not related to Mahabharata. Written by Bhasa, but it is based on the story of King Udayana and Queen Vasavadatta.
D. Dutavakya - Related to Mahabharata. A Bhasa play based on Krishna's embassy to the Kaurava court.
E. Abhiseka - Not related to Mahabharata. A Bhasa play that deals with Rama's consecration (from Ramayana tradition).
The plays not related to Mahabharata are C. Svapnavasavadatta and E. Abhiseka.

63. Which of the following statements are correct about the Bagh cave complex?

A. Bagh caves provide evidence of Mahayana cave architecture.
B. The figures in the Bagh caves have more slender bodies than those of Ajanta.
C. The cave paintings at Bagh are wellpreserved.
D. The main object of veneration on many caves is stupa and not a Buddha image.
E. Bagh caves are located in Maharashtra.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 4. А, В and D only
Solution:

A. Mahayana cave architecture - Transitional phase, stupas and Bodhisattva figures show Mahayana influence.
B. Slender figures - Compared to Ajanta, Bagh paintings show more slender, human-like forms.
C. Well-preserved - Incorrect, most murals are damaged by seepage.
D. Stupa as veneration - Many caves had stupas as central objects of worship. E. Location - Not Maharashtra but Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh.

64. Which of the following scientific breakthroughs can be attributed to Aryabhatta?

A. Earth centric view as planets revolved around the earth
B. Causes of eight important diseases
C. Scientific explanation of eclipses against the myth of Rahu and Ketu
D. Formula to calculate area and circumference of eclipse
E. Correct equation for calculating the orbit of a planet
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 4. А, C and E only
Solution:

Let's analyze Aryabhatta's contributions:
A. Earth centric view as planets revolved around the earth - Aryabhatta supported a geocentric model for planetary motion, though he recognized Earth's rotation on its axis.
B. Causes of eight important diseases - This belongs to Ayurveda/Charaka-Sushruta, not Aryabhatta.
C. Scientific explanation of eclipses - Не explained eclipses scientifically as shadows cast by Earth and Moon, rejecting the Rahu-Ketu myth.
D. Formula for area and circumference of eclipse - He calculated area/circumference of a circle, not "eclipse."
E. Correct equation for calculating the orbit of a planet - Aryabhatta provided accurate equations for planetary orbits and motion in his Aryabhatiya.
Correct breakthroughs: A, C, and E.

65. Which of the following statements are correct?

A. The creation of "brahmadeyas" generally involved a renunciation of actual or potential sources of revenue.
B. "Brahmadeya" land could vary from a small plot, a single village, or several villages.
C. In the Chola empire, certain important "brahmadeyas" had "taniyur" status within the "nadu".
D. Establishment of "brahmadeyas" did not effect the rights of various sections of the rural community.
E. Need to record large number of land transactions contributed towards transforming the "Kayasthas" (scribes) from an occupational group into a caste.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 1. A, B, C and E only
Solution:

Let's examine each statement about Brahmadeyas (land grants to Brahmanas): A. Renunciation of revenue sources - Correct. Brahmadeyas were tax-free grants, so rulers gave up revenue claims.
B. Size of grants - Correct. Could be a small plot, a single village, or multiple villages.
C. Taniyur status in Chola empire - Correct. Some Brahmadeyas became independent fiscal units (taniyur) within the nadu.
D. No effect on rural community rights - Incorrect. Grants often disrupted existing rights, creating tensions with peasants or local groups.
E. Kayasthas as a caste - Correct. The need for records of land grants and transactions helped formalize the Kayasthas into a distinct caste.
Correct: A, B, C and E only.

66. Which of the following statements are correct?

A. According to traditions, there were 12 Alwars and 36 Nayanars.
B. Alwar means 'those who dive deep' or 'those who are absorbed in the divine'. C. Nayanar is an honorific. The Shaiva Saints referred to themselves rather as 'atiyar' (servant) or 'tontar' (slave).
D. Images or paintings of the Nayanars are never found in the hall around the Sanctum.
E. In Shaiva bhakti, the relationship between the god and his devotee was not expressed as between master and slave.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 5. *
Solution:

A. 12 Alvars is correct, but Nayanars were 63, not 36.
B. Alvar = "one immersed / diving deep into God".
C. Nayanar is an honorific; saints called themselves atiyar/tontar.
D. Statement is wrong: Nayanar images are indeed found in halls/prakaras of Saiva temples.
E. Statement is wrong: Shaiva bhakti often expressed god-devotee relation as masterslave.
Since A, D, and E are incorrect, and only B and C are right, but none of the given options (1-4) exactly match this combination, the best conclusion is: None of the given options.

67. Which of the following statements are correct about Sufism?

A. In 12th century, the Sufis were organized into 24 Silsilahs or orders.
B. A Silsilah was generally led by a prominent mystic.
C. Link between Pir & Murid was the vital part of the sufi system.
D. Some of the sufi practices such as penance, fastings etc. are traced to Buddhist & Hindu yogic influence.
E. Successor or wali to every silsilah was elected by elders.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 1. B, C and D only
Solution:

Let's check the statements about Sufism:
A. In 12th century, the Sufis were organized into 24 silsilahs or orders - Incorrect. There were several silsilahs (notably Chishti, Suhrawardi, Qadiri, Naqshbandi etc.), but not 24 in number.
B. A silsilah was generally led by a prominent mystic - Correct. Each order was headed by a respected Pir (master).
C. Link between Pir and Murid was vital - Correct. The disciple-master relationship formed the foundation of Sufi practice.
D. Some Sufi practices came from Buddhist & Hindu yogic influence - Correct. Practices like penance, fasting, and meditation were influenced by Indian traditions.
E. Successor or wali was elected by elders - Incorrect. Succession was usually through naming by the Pir (nass), not election.
Correct statements: B, C and D only.

68. Which of the following statements are correct about "Tughlaq Architecture"?

A. A striking feature was sloping walls.
B. Batter gave the effect of strength and solidity to the building.
C. Firoz Tughlaq used sloping walls on an expensive and scale.
D. There was a deliberate attempt to combine the principles or the arch and the lintel and beam in their building.
E. The Tughlaqs use red sandstone in a wider scale.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 3. A, B and D only
Solution:

Let's check the features of Tughlaq Architecture:
A. Sloping walls - Correct. Known as battered walls, they are a striking Tughlaq feature.
B. Batter effect - Correct. Sloping walls gave an impression of strength and solidity.
C. Firoz Tughlaq used sloping walls on an expensive and scale - Incorrect. It was Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq who extensively used sloping walls, not Firoz.
D. Combination of arch with lintel and beam - Correct. Tughlaqs experimented with arch + trabeate styles.
E. Use of red sandstone - Incorrect. They generally preferred grey rubble masonry, unlike the Delhi Sultanate before and Mughals after.
Correct statements: A, B and D only.

69. Which of the following statements are correct about Mughal architecture?

A. Motifs like bell and chain, chandrasala & turana were never used by the Mughals.
B. Mughal architecture represented the synthesis & culmination of the archoate and trabeate style.
C. The first major Mughal imperial tomb complex was Humayun's tomb.
D. Akbar's tomb at Sikandara marks the culmination of cultural synthesis.
E. Fatehpur Sikri was officially referred to as Rauza-i-Munavvara.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 4. B, C and D only
Solution:

Let's examine the statements about Mughal architecture:
A. Motifs like bell and chain, chandrasala & turana were never used by the Mughals - Incorrect. These motifs, borrowed from earlier Indian styles, were used in Mughal architecture, especially under Akbar.
B. Mughal architecture represented the synthesis & culmination of the arcuate (arch) and trabeate (beam) style - Correct. The hallmark of Mughal style was blending both techniques.
C. The first major Mughal imperial tomb complex was Humayun's tomb - Correct. Built in Delhi (1565–72), it set the prototype for later Mughal tombs. D. Akbar's tomb at Sikandara marks the culmination of cultural synthesis - Correct. It combined Hindu, Islamic, and Persian styles, reflecting Akbar's eclectic spirit.
E. Fatehpur Sikri was officially referred to as Rauza-i-Munavvara ("Illuminated Tomb") - Incorrect. Fatehpur Sikri was the Mughal capital; this title refers to the Taj Mahal, not Fatehpur.
Correct statements: B, C and D only.

70. Which of the following statements are correct about Mansabdari system?

A. Akbar established the ranks mansabdars from dahbashi to Dah-Hazari.
B. During Aurangzeb's reign there were at least fifty-one Panch-Hazaris.
C. Mansabdars could be appointed on the advice of the royal princes or influential nobles.
D. Mashrut was the punishment posting that was given to a mansabdar.
E. Stephen Blake described mansabdars as 'Lal Purdahris'.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 2. А, В and C only
Solution:

A. Ranks from dahbashi to dah-hazari - Correct. Akbar established grades from 10 to 10,000, as confirmed by Ain-i-Akbari.
В. 51 Panch-Hazaris under Aurangzeb - Correct. Sources (like Athar Ali) confirm a sharp increase in Panch-Hazaris under Aurangzeb.
C. Appointment on advice of princes/nobles - Correct. Though emperor-appointed, nobles/ princes often recommended recruits.
D. Mashrut = punishment posting - Incorrect. It meant conditional/temporary rank, not punishment.
E. Lal Purdahris by Stephen Blake - Incorrect. Blake spoke of patrimonial-bureaucratic empire, not this term.
Thus, correct statements = A, B and C only.