Insights Static Quiz -435, 2019–History

Solution: d)

Buddha neither accepts god nor rejects the existence of god. He laid great emphasis on the law of karma. He

argued that the condition of man in this life depends upon his own deeds. He taught that the soul does not exist. However, he emphasized Ahimsa.

Buddhism was more a social than religious revolution. It taught the code of practical ethics and laid down the principle of social equality.

Solution: b)

Buddha had two kinds of disciples – monks (bhikshus) and lay worshippers (upasikas). The monks were organized into the Sangha for the purpose of spreading his teachings. The membership was open to all persons, male or female and without any caste restrictions.

Owing to the organised efforts made by the Sangha, Buddhism made rapid progress in North India even during Buddha’s life time. Magadha, Kosala, Kausambi and several republican states of North India embraced this religion. About two hundred years after the death of Buddha, the famous Mauryan Emperor Asoka

embraced Buddhism. Through his missionary effort Asoka spread Buddhism into West Asia and Ceylon.

Solution: c)

Weaknesses of People’s Uprisings

• These uprisings drew a large number of participants but were, in fact, localised and occurred at different times in different regions.
• They mostly arose out of local grievances.
• The leadership was semi-feudal in character, backwardlooking, traditional in outlook and their resistance did not offer alternatives to the existing social set-up.
• If many of these revolts seemed similar to one another in wanting to oust the alien rule, it was not because of some ‘national’ impulse or common effort, but because they were protesting against conditions that were common to them.
• These rebellions were centuries-old in form and ideological / cultural content.
• Those who were not so uncooperative or obstinate were pacified through concessions by the authorities.
• The methods and arms used by the fighters in these uprisings were practically obsolete compared to the weapons and strategy—as well as deception and chicanery—employed by their opponents.

Solution: d)

The Kuka Movement was founded in 1840 by Bhagat Jawahar Mal (also called Sian Saheb) in western Punjab. A major leader of the movement after him was Baba Ram Singh. (He founded the Namdhari Sikh sect.) After the British took Punjab, the movement got transformed from a religious purification campaign to a political campaign. Its basic tenets were abolition of caste and similar discriminations among Sikhs, discouraging the consumption of meat and alcohol and drugs, permission for intermarriages, widow remarriage, and encouraging women to step out of seclusion.

Solution: c)

Mahatma Gandhi suggested the winding up of the Indian National Congress after India attained Independence.