Q120. Who presided over or led the First Jain Council held at Pataliputra?
[SSC CPO – 2025]
A. Bhadrabahu
B. Sthulabhadra
C. Moggaliputta Tissa
D. Mahakassapa
Answer: B. Sthulabhadra
Explanation: Jain tradition associates the First Jain Council at Pataliputra with Sthulabhadra. It sought to preserve teachings during a period when Bhadrabahu and followers had migrated southward.
Q119. Jain temples such as Dilwara are particularly famous for which architectural feature?
[SSC CPO – 2025]
A. Highly intricate marble carvings
B. Enormous unsupported domes
C. Bronze horse sculptures
D. Gothic arches and vaults
Answer: A. Highly intricate marble carvings
Explanation: Dilwara’s Jain temples are celebrated for extraordinarily detailed marble carving on pillars, ceilings, domes and doorways, representing the technical sophistication of medieval western Indian craftsmanship.
Q118. Which ruler was a contemporary of both Gautama Buddha and Mahavira?
[SSC CHSL – 2025]
A. Chandragupta Maurya
B. Ashoka
C. Ajatashatru
D. Harshavardhana
Answer: C. Ajatashatru
Explanation: Ajatashatru of Magadha ruled during the period associated with both Mahavira and Gautama Buddha and appears in traditions belonging to both Jainism and Buddhism.
Q117. Which philosophical system is particularly associated with Mahavira and Jain philosophy?
[SSC CHSL – 2025]
A. Dvaita
B. Syādvāda
C. Vedanta
D. Mimamsa
Answer: B. Syādvāda
Explanation: Syādvāda expresses propositions conditionally—“from a certain standpoint.” It develops from Jain Anekāntavāda, which maintains that complex reality possesses multiple aspects and viewpoints.
Q116. At what age did Mahavira leave his household life in search of spiritual liberation?
[SSC CHSL – 2025]
A. 25 years
B. 30 years
C. 35 years
D. 40 years
Answer: B. 30 years
Explanation: Jain tradition states that Vardhamana Mahavira renounced worldly life at thirty. He then practised prolonged austerities before attaining Kevala Jnana, or perfect knowledge.
Q115. Mahavira was born into a royal family near which ancient city?
[SSC CHSL – 2025]
A. Taxila
B. Vaishali
C. Ujjain
D. Pataliputra
Answer: B. Vaishali
Explanation: Mahavira was born at Kundagrama near Vaishali in present-day Bihar. His family was connected with the Jnatrika clan within the wider Vajji-Lichchhavi political environment.
Q114. Who was the twenty-third Tirthankara of Jainism?
[DSSSB TGT – 2025]
A. Rishabhanatha
B. Neminatha
C. Parshvanatha
D. Mahavira
Answer: C. Parshvanatha
Explanation: Parshvanatha is recognized as the twenty-third Tirthankara and traditionally preceded Mahavira by about two and a half centuries. His teachings emphasized four principal vows.
Q113. What does the Jain ethical principle Aparigraha mean?
[SSC CHSL – 2025]
A. Non-violence
B. Truthfulness
C. Non-possession
D. Celibacy
Answer: C. Non-possession
Explanation: Aparigraha means limiting attachment and possessions. It is one of Jainism’s five major vows and aims to reduce attachment, greed and karmic bondage hindering spiritual liberation.
Q112. Which Jain principle means complete avoidance of violence toward living beings?
[DSSSB TGT – 2025]
A. Asteya
B. Ahimsa
C. Aparigraha
D. Satya
Answer: B. Ahimsa
Explanation: Ahimsa is central to Jain ethics and is interpreted particularly rigorously. Monks and nuns take extensive precautions to avoid harming even minute forms of life.
Q111. The colossal Gommateshwara or Bahubali statue is situated at:
[UP Police Computer Operator – 2025]
A. Palitana
B. Shravanabelagola
C. Pavapuri
D. Rajgir
Answer: B. Shravanabelagola
Explanation: The monumental Bahubali statue at Shravanabelagola in Karnataka was commissioned by the Ganga minister Chamundaraya around 981 CE and remains a major Digambara Jain pilgrimage centre.
