Q10. The First Jain Council or Jain Mahasabha was traditionally held at:
[SSC MTS – 2017]
A. Pataliputra
B. Sarnath
C. Taxila
D. Ujjain
Answer: A. Pataliputra
Explanation: Jain tradition places the First Council at Pataliputra under Sthulabhadra, associated with attempts to preserve and organize teachings following famine and migration of part of the community.
Q9. Who was the first Tirthankara of Jainism?
[SSC Stenographer – 2017]
A. Rishabhadeva
B. Mahavira
C. Parshvanatha
D. Neminatha
Answer: A. Rishabhadeva
Explanation: Rishabhadeva, also known as Adinatha, begins the traditional sequence of twenty-four Tirthankaras. Jain iconography identifies him by the bull or ox emblem.
Q8. Mahavira was born at:
[SSC CPO – 2017]
A. Kundagrama
B. Lumbini
C. Sarnath
D. Kushinagar
Answer: A. Kundagrama
Explanation: Jain tradition identifies Kundagrama near Vaishali as Mahavira’s birthplace. He belonged to the Jnatrika Kshatriya clan and was named Vardhamana at birth.
Q7. Match the Jain Tirthankaras with their traditional symbols:
A. Adinatha – Bull
B. Mallinatha – Water Jar
C. Parshvanatha – Snake
D. Sambhavanatha – Horse
[UPPSC PCS – 2017]
A. A-1, B-4, C-3, D-2
B. A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1
C. A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4
D. A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3
Answer: A. A-1, B-4, C-3, D-2
Explanation: Jain iconography assigns distinctive emblems to identify otherwise similar meditating Tirthankaras: Rishabhanatha has a bull, Mallinatha a water pot, Parshvanatha a serpent and Sambhavanatha a horse.
Q6. Who is traditionally regarded as the author of the Jain Kalpa Sutra?
[UPSSSC JE – 2015]
A. Bhadrabahu
B. Hemachandra
C. Nagarjuna
D. Vasumitra
Answer: A. Bhadrabahu
Explanation: The Kalpa Sutra is traditionally attributed to Bhadrabahu. It became especially important within Śvetāmbara Jainism and is ceremonially read during the annual Paryushana festival.
Q5. Who was the twenty-fourth Tirthankara of Jainism?
[SSC JE – 2014]
A. Rishabhanatha
B. Neminatha
C. Parshvanatha
D. Mahavira
Answer: D. Mahavira
Explanation: Vardhamana Mahavira occupies the twenty-fourth position in Jain tradition. Parshvanatha was the twenty-third, while Rishabhanatha or Adinatha is recognized as the first.
Q4. The famous Ranakpur Temple complex of Rajasthan is primarily associated with which religion?
[Rajasthan 3rd Grade Teacher – 2013]
A. Buddhism
B. Jainism
C. Sikhism
D. Islam
Answer: B. Jainism
Explanation: Ranakpur in Rajasthan’s Pali district contains a celebrated fifteenth-century Jain temple dedicated to Adinatha, famous for its elaborate plan and numerous intricately carved marble pillars.
Q3. Śvetāmbara and Digambara are the two principal sects of:
[Chhattisgarh Police SI – 2012]
A. Jainism
B. Buddhism
C. Sikhism
D. Shaivism
Answer: A. Jainism
Explanation: Śvetāmbara and Digambara developed as Jainism’s major sectarian traditions. Differences include monastic dress, canonical authority, religious practices and certain beliefs concerning liberation and Tirthankara biographies.
Q2. Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by:
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2011]
A. Universal Law
B. Universal Truth
C. Universal Faith
D. Universal Soul
Answer: A. Universal Law
Explanation: Jain philosophy rejects a supreme creator God and regards the universe as beginningless and governed through its own inherent laws and eternal substances rather than divine creation.
Q1. Mahavira attained nirvana at which place?
[BPSC 45th Prelims – 2002]
A. Rajgir
B. Pavapuri
C. Vaishali
D. Bodh Gaya
Answer: B. Pavapuri
Explanation: Mahavira is traditionally believed to have attained final liberation at Pavapuri in Bihar. The sacred Jal Mandir at the site commemorates his nirvana and remains an important Jain pilgrimage centre.
