Q50. At what age did Mahavira renounce worldly life?
[DSSSB TGT Social Science – 2021]
A. 20
B. 25
C. 30
D. 35
Answer: C. 30
Explanation: Jain accounts place Mahavira’s renunciation at thirty. His subsequent prolonged ascetic practice ultimately culminated in Kevala Jnana, after which he taught for several decades.
Q49. Which Jain festival is observed for eight days by Śvetāmbaras and as ten-day Das Lakshana by Digambaras?
[SSC MTS – 2021]
A. Paryushana
B. Kartik Purnima
C. Navpad Oli
D. Jnan Panchami
Answer: A. Paryushana
Explanation: Paryushana is a major period of introspection and purification. Śvetāmbaras commonly observe eight days, whereas Digambaras observe the ten-day Das Lakshana festival.
Q48. Which statement concerning the early Jain community is NOT correct?
[RPSC Assistant Professor History – 2021]
A. Women entered the Jain order
B. Jain monastic communities included monks and nuns
C. Jainism spread among merchants
D. Jain monks always outnumbered Jain nuns according to the Kalpa Sutra
Answer: D. Jain monks always outnumbered Jain nuns according to the Kalpa Sutra
Explanation: Early Jain sources indicate a substantial female ascetic community; traditional numerical accounts can even show nuns exceeding monks, making an assertion of universal male numerical dominance incorrect.
Q47. Nigantha Nataputta of early Buddhist texts refers to:
[SSC CGL – 2021]
A. Mahavira
B. Buddha
C. Makkhali Gosala
D. Ajatashatru
Answer: A. Mahavira
Explanation: Pali Buddhist texts call Mahavira “Nigantha Nataputta,” corresponding to Nirgrantha Jnatiputra—an ascetic of the Jnatrika clan and leader of the contemporary Jain community.
Q46. The Vimal Vasahi temple at Dilwara is dedicated to which Tirthankara?
[RRB NTPC – 2021]
A. Adinatha
B. Parshvanatha
C. Mahavira
D. Neminatha
Answer: A. Adinatha
Explanation: Vimal Vasahi, the oldest major Dilwara temple, was built by Vimal Shah in the eleventh century and is dedicated to Adinatha or Rishabhanatha, Jainism’s first Tirthankara.
Q45. Mahavira principally preached his teachings in which language tradition?
[UP PGT History – 2021]
A. Sanskrit
B. Prakrit
C. Persian
D. Greek
Answer: B. Prakrit
Explanation: Jain teachers used popular Prakrit speech forms to reach wider audiences. Ardhamagadhi became especially important in the transmission of early Śvetāmbara Jain canonical literature.
Q44. Who became the principal leader associated with the Nirgrantha or Nigrantha sect?
[UP PGT History – 2021]
A. Mahavira
B. Ashoka
C. Nagarjuna
D. Patanjali
Answer: A. Mahavira
Explanation: Contemporary Buddhist literature identifies Mahavira as Nigantha Nataputta, leader of the Niganthas. The term indicates freedom from bonds and corresponds to the early Jain ascetic tradition.
Q43. Why did strict Jain ethics traditionally discourage occupations involving extensive harm to living beings?
[UPPSC GIC Lecturer – 2021]
A. Because Jainism stresses ahimsa
B. Because Jainism prohibited trade
C. Because Jainism rejected karma
D. Because Jainism required military service
Answer: A. Because Jainism stresses ahimsa
Explanation: Jain ahimsa extends to very small forms of life. Occupations involving killing animals or disturbing numerous living organisms could therefore pose serious ethical problems for strict practitioners.
Q42. Which Rashtrakuta ruler is particularly remembered as a patron of Digambara Jainism?
[UPPSC GIC Lecturer – 2021]
A. Dantidurga
B. Amoghavarsha I
C. Krishna III
D. Govinda III
Answer: B. Amoghavarsha I
Explanation: Amoghavarsha I patronized Jain scholars including Jinasena and was strongly influenced by Jain religious thought, making his reign important in the cultural history of Deccan Jainism.
Q41. What was Lord Mahavira’s original name?
[RRB NTPC – 2020]
A. Ananda
B. Siddhartha
C. Sariputta
D. Vardhamana
Answer: D. Vardhamana
Explanation: Mahavira’s personal name was Vardhamana. Titles such as Mahavira, Jina and Kevalin reflect his later spiritual achievements and status in Jain religious tradition.
