CUET UG History Booster Test 2 - Sacrifices and Philosophical Debates -

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CUET UG History Booster Test 2 - Sacrifices and Philosophical Debates

⏱️ 30 Minutes

❓ 20 Questions

📌 Answers are locked once submitted — results and explanations appear at the end.

CUET UG History Booster Test 2 - Sacrifices and Philosophical Debates

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QUESTION 1 OF 20

Assertion (A): The mid-first millennium BCE was an era of stagnation where no new philosophical ideas developed globally.
Reason (R): Thinkers emerged in various parts of the world, including India, Greece, Iran, and China, to understand the mysteries of existence.

Answer Review

1 Assertion (A): The mid-first millennium BCE was an era of stagnation where no new philosophical ideas developed globally.
Reason (R): Thinkers emerged in various parts of the world, including India, Greece, Iran, and China, to understand the mysteries of existence.

A Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

B Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A

C A is true, but R is false

D A is false, but R is true

💡 Short Explanation

Mid-first millennium BCE was intellectually vibrant. Thinkers emerged across civilizations. New philosophical traditions developed globally.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The assertion is incorrect because the mid-first millennium BCE witnessed major intellectual developments across India, Greece, Iran, and China. The reason is correct as thinkers such as Buddha, Mahavira, Socrates, Plato, Zarathustra, and Kong Zi explored fundamental questions about existence. Thus, A is false while R is true, making Option D correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Assertion is false, so both cannot be true.
Option B) Assertion remains false, making this option invalid.
Option C) The reason is historically accurate and therefore not false.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Extreme Word Filter

Application:

The phrase "no new philosophical ideas" is an extreme statement contradicted by historical evidence.

Final Logic:

A period producing major thinkers cannot be called an era of stagnation.

🧠 Memory Trick

"BCE = Big Century of Ideas."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings – Topic: Mid-First Millennium BCE Intellectual Developments

2 Which of the following statements correctly links the rise of thinkers with socio-economic changes?
1. Thinkers only focused on cosmic order and entirely ignored worldly changes.
2. Thinkers attempted to understand the developments of new kingdoms, cities, and changing economic life in the Ganga valley.

A Only 1

B Both 1 and 2

C Only 2

D Neither 1 nor 2

💡 Short Explanation

Thinkers addressed social change. New cities and kingdoms emerged. Economic transformations shaped debates.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect because thinkers did not ignore worldly developments. Statement 2 is correct because intellectual traditions responded to the growth of kingdoms, urban centers, and changing economic life in the Ganga valley. NCERT emphasizes that philosophical inquiry was closely linked with social and political transformations. Hence Option C is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Statement 1 is factually incorrect.
Option B) Since Statement 1 is wrong, both cannot be correct.
Option D) Statement 2 is clearly supported by NCERT.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Reject Statement 1 because of the word "entirely," then select the remaining valid statement.

Final Logic:

Only Statement 2 accurately reflects NCERT's explanation.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Cities → Questions → Thinkers."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings – Topic: Social Context of New Ideas

3 Arrange the following in chronological order regarding their appearance/traditions:
1. Emergence of Mahavira and Buddha
2. Compilation of early Rigvedic traditions
3. The writing of biographies (hagiographies) of the Buddha

A 1, 2, 3

B 2, 1, 3

C 3, 2, 1

D 2, 3, 1

💡 Short Explanation

Rigveda predates Buddhism. Buddha and Mahavira lived in the sixth century BCE. Biographies appeared later.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The Rigveda was compiled between roughly 1500–1000 BCE. Mahavira and Buddha lived during the sixth century BCE. Their biographies and hagiographies were composed much later by followers. Therefore, the correct sequence is Rigvedic traditions first, emergence of Buddha and Mahavira second, and biographies third. Option B is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Places Buddha before the Rigveda.
Option C) Places biographies before the historical figures.
Option D) Biographies cannot precede Buddha and Mahavira.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Option Grouping

Application:

Identify the earliest and latest events and arrange the middle event.

Final Logic:

Rigveda → Buddha/Mahavira → Hagiographies.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Veda → Buddha → Biography."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings – Topic: Chronology of Religious Traditions

4 Thinkers such as _________ emerged in Iran during the mid-first millennium BCE, joining others like Socrates and Plato globally in an attempt to understand the universe.

A Zarathustra

B Kong Zi

C Aristotle

D Mahavira

💡 Short Explanation

Zarathustra is linked with Iran. Kong Zi belonged to China. Mahavira belonged to India.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Zarathustra (Zoroaster) is associated with ancient Iran and is cited by NCERT among influential thinkers of the period. Kong Zi (Confucius) belonged to China, Aristotle belonged to Greece, and Mahavira belonged to India. Therefore, Option A correctly identifies the Iranian thinker.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B) Kong Zi was a Chinese philosopher.
Option C) Aristotle was a Greek philosopher.
Option D) Mahavira was associated with India.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Match each thinker with the correct civilization.

Final Logic:

Iran is associated with Zarathustra.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Zarathustra = Zoroastrian Iran."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings – Topic: Global Thinkers

5 Identify the INCORRECT statement regarding the Rigvedic tradition.

A It was compiled between c. 1500 and 1000 BCE.

B It contains hymns taught orally to priestly families.

C It consists of hymns in praise of a variety of deities.

D It was compiled primarily during the third century CE to counter Buddhism.

💡 Short Explanation

Rigveda is one of the oldest texts. It predates Buddhism by centuries. Oral transmission preserved its hymns.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The Rigveda was compiled between approximately 1500–1000 BCE and consists of hymns dedicated to numerous deities. It was transmitted orally among priestly families. It was not compiled in the third century CE, nor was it intended to counter Buddhism. Thus Option D is the incorrect statement.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Correctly reflects the accepted chronology.
Option B) Oral transmission was a key feature.
Option C) Hymns praise many Vedic deities including Agni and Indra.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Extreme Word Filter

Application:

A late date and anti-Buddhist purpose clearly contradict established chronology.

Final Logic:

Rigveda predates Buddhism by many centuries.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Rigveda Before Buddha."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings – Topic: Rigvedic Tradition

6 Match the element with its context in Vedic traditions:

List I	List II
1. Agni	a. Associated with the "true sacrifice" in Upanishadic verses
2. Soma	b. Deity of a sacred plant/drink
3. Indra	c. God of Fire
4. Vayu (Wind)	d. A prominent Vedic deity often invoked alongside Agni

A 1-b, 2-c, 3-a, 4-d

B 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d

C 1-c, 2-b, 3-d, 4-a

D 1-d, 2-a, 3-b, 4-c

💡 Short Explanation

Agni represents fire. Soma is a sacred drink deity. Indra and Agni are frequently invoked together.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Agni is the god of fire (c). Soma represents a sacred plant and ritual drink (b). Indra is one of the most prominent Vedic deities and is frequently praised alongside Agni (d). Upanishadic interpretations linked Vayu with ideas of the true sacrifice (a). Therefore Option C is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Incorrectly swaps Agni and Soma.
Option B) Misidentifies Agni and Indra.
Option D) Reverses multiple established Vedic associations.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Option Grouping

Application:

First identify certain pairs (Agni–Fire, Soma–Drink), then eliminate wrong combinations.

Final Logic:

Only Option C preserves all correct pairings.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Agni-Fire, Soma-Drink."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings – Topic: Vedic Deities

📄 Passage

"At first, sacrifices were performed collectively. Later (c. 1000 BCE-500 BCE onwards) some were performed by the heads of households for the well-being of the domestic unit. More elaborate sacrifices, such as the rajasuya and ashvamedha, were performed by chiefs and kings who depended on Brahmana priests to conduct the ritual."

Based on the passage, how did the nature of sacrificial performance transition over time?

A From individual household rituals to purely collective village rituals.

B From collective performance to the inclusion of individual household performances.

C From royal sacrifices to solely collective democratic rituals.

D From being conducted by kings to being conducted by ordinary slaves.

💡 Short Explanation

Early sacrifices were collective. Household rituals later emerged. Both forms coexisted.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The passage explicitly states that sacrifices were initially collective. Later, some rituals were performed by heads of households for domestic welfare. Royal sacrifices continued separately. Therefore, the transition was from exclusively collective rituals to the inclusion of household-level rituals. Option B accurately reflects the passage.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Reverses the historical sequence.
Option C) No evidence suggests democratic collective rituals replaced royal sacrifices.
Option D) Slaves are never mentioned in the passage.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Directly compare options with the wording of the passage.

Final Logic:

Collective rituals expanded to include household rituals.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Collective → Household."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings – Topic: Sacrificial Practices

📄 Passage

Who primarily performed the rituals intended specifically for the well-being of the domestic unit between c. 1000 BCE and 500 BCE?

A Heads of households

B Ascetics living in forests

C Wandering mendicants

D Exclusively Brahmana kings

💡 Short Explanation

Domestic rituals served family welfare. Heads of households performed them. Passage explicitly states this fact.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The passage clearly mentions that some rituals were performed by heads of households for the welfare of the domestic unit. Ascetics and mendicants were not responsible for these rituals. Kings performed elaborate sacrifices rather than ordinary domestic rites. Hence Option A is directly supported by the passage.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B) Forest ascetics were not household ritual performers.
Option C) Mendicants were not linked with domestic sacrificial duties.
Option D) Kings conducted elaborate royal rituals, not ordinary domestic rites.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Locate the exact phrase in the passage.

Final Logic:

The passage explicitly names heads of households.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Household Welfare → Householder."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings – Topic: Household Rituals

9 Consider the following statements regarding the Rajasuya sacrifice:
I. It was a simple sacrifice performed by ordinary peasants.
II. It was an elaborate sacrifice performed by chiefs and kings.

A Only I is true

B Both I and II are true

C Neither I nor II is true

D Only II is true

💡 Short Explanation

Rajasuya was a royal ritual. It required elaborate procedures. Peasants did not perform it.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Statement I is false because the Rajasuya was not a simple peasant ritual. Statement II is correct because it was a major royal sacrifice conducted by chiefs and kings with Brahmana assistance. NCERT specifically identifies it as an elaborate political and ritual ceremony. Therefore Option D is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Statement I is false.
Option B) Both statements cannot be true simultaneously.
Option C) Statement II is clearly correct.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Reject Statement I and identify the valid statement.

Final Logic:

Only Statement II matches NCERT.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Rajasuya = Royal."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings – Topic: Royal Sacrifices

10 Assertion (A): Chiefs and kings who performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice were entirely self-sufficient in conducting it.
Reason (R): Elaborate royal sacrifices required the specific expertise of Brahmana priests to be conducted properly.

A Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

B Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A

C A is false, but R is true

D A is true, but R is false

💡 Short Explanation

Ashvamedha was a complex ritual. Brahmana priests were essential. Kings were not self-sufficient.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The assertion is false because chiefs and kings depended on Brahmana priests to conduct elaborate sacrifices such as the Ashvamedha. The reason is true since these rituals required specialized ritual knowledge and expertise. Therefore, the assertion is false while the reason is true, making Option C correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Assertion is false.
Option B) Assertion is false, so both cannot be true.
Option D) The reason is historically correct.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Check the dependence of rulers on Brahmana ritual specialists.

Final Logic:

Royal sacrifices required priestly expertise.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Ashvamedha Needs Brahmanas."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings – Topic: Ashvamedha and Brahmanas

11 Which of the following is INCORRECT regarding the intellectual climate post the sixth century BCE as reflected in the Upanishads?

A People were curious about the meaning of life.

B People completely stopped questioning and accepted Vedic sacrifices blindly.

C Thinkers expressed concern over the nature of the ultimate reality.

D There were speculations on the significance of the sacrificial tradition.

💡 Short Explanation

Upanishadic thinkers encouraged inquiry. Philosophical debates intensified. Sacrificial traditions were critically examined.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The Upanishads reflect a period of intense intellectual curiosity. Thinkers questioned the meaning of life, the nature of ultimate reality, and the significance of sacrificial practices. Therefore, Option B is incorrect because people did not stop questioning; rather, questioning became more prominent. Options A, C, and D accurately describe the intellectual climate.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Curiosity about life and existence is a central Upanishadic theme.
Option C) The search for ultimate reality (Brahman) was a major concern.
Option D) Upanishadic thinkers reinterpreted and debated sacrificial traditions.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Extreme Word Filter

Application:

The phrase "completely stopped questioning" is an extreme statement contradicted by NCERT.

Final Logic:

Upanishads emerged from questioning, not blind acceptance.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Upanishads = Questions, not Blind Faith."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings – Topic: Upanishadic Ideas

12 Consider the following statement:
The possibility of life after death and whether rebirth was due to past actions were issues that were rarely discussed and universally agreed upon.

A The statement is false; these issues were hotly debated.

B The statement is true; society had a uniform belief.

C The statement is false; rebirth was not a known concept.

D The statement is true; texts show no evidence of debate.

💡 Short Explanation

Rebirth was widely discussed. Philosophers disagreed on explanations. Debates shaped religious traditions.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Questions regarding life after death, rebirth, and the consequences of actions were central concerns during this period. Different traditions offered competing explanations. NCERT emphasizes that these matters were debated vigorously rather than being universally accepted. Hence Option A correctly identifies the statement as false.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B) Society did not possess a single uniform belief.
Option C) Rebirth was a widely recognized concept.
Option D) Texts provide extensive evidence of philosophical debate.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Extreme Word Filter

Application:

The phrase "universally agreed upon" signals a likely incorrect statement.

Final Logic:

The period was marked by debate, not consensus.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Rebirth = Debate, not Agreement."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings – Topic: Rebirth and Life After Death

13 According to later Jaina teachings, which share thematic philosophical questions of the era, the cycle of birth and rebirth is predominantly shaped through _________.

A royal lineage

B animal sacrifices

C divine intervention

D karma

💡 Short Explanation

Jainism emphasizes karma. Actions influence future births. Liberation requires ending karmic accumulation.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Later Jaina teachings explain that karma binds the soul to the cycle of birth and rebirth. Liberation is achieved through ethical conduct, self-discipline, and the removal of karmic matter. Royal lineage, sacrifices, or divine intervention do not determine rebirth. Therefore, Option D is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Birth status does not govern rebirth in Jain philosophy.
Option B) Animal sacrifices are rejected by Jain teachings.
Option C) Karma, not divine intervention, determines future existence.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Direct Recall

Application:

Recall the central Jain doctrine explaining rebirth.

Final Logic:

Karma determines the cycle of rebirth.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Jainism = Karma Chain."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings – Topic: Jaina Teachings on Karma

14 With reference to the debates around the ultimate reality, consider the following statements:
1. All thinkers accepted the existence of a single ultimate reality.
2. Thinkers outside the Vedic tradition questioned if there was even a single ultimate reality.

A Only 1 is correct

B Both 1 and 2 are correct

C Only 2 is correct

D Neither 1 nor 2 is correct

💡 Short Explanation

Philosophical diversity existed. Not all thinkers accepted one reality. Non-Vedic traditions challenged assumptions.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect because many thinkers disagreed about the nature or existence of an ultimate reality. Statement 2 is correct because several non-Vedic traditions questioned whether there was a single ultimate reality at all. NCERT highlights the diversity of viewpoints that emerged during this intellectual period. Hence Option C is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Statement 1 is false.
Option B) Since Statement 1 is incorrect, both cannot be correct.
Option D) Statement 2 is clearly supported by NCERT.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Reject Statement 1 because of the word "all."

Final Logic:

Only Statement 2 reflects the historical debates accurately.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Not All Accepted One Reality."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings – Topic: Debates on Ultimate Reality

15 Match the term with its correct description in the context of debates and discussions:

List I	List II
1. Kutagarashala	a. Number of sects or schools of thought mentioned in Buddhist texts
2. Mendicants	b. Travelling teachers/renouncers
3. 64 schools	c. Followers of a successful philosopher
4. Disciples	d. A hut with a pointed roof where debates took place

A 1-b, 2-c, 3-a, 4-d

B 1-d, 2-b, 3-a, 4-c

C 1-a, 2-d, 3-c, 4-b

D 1-c, 2-a, 3-d, 4-b

💡 Short Explanation

Kutagarashala hosted debates. Mendicants travelled and taught. Buddhist texts mention 64 schools.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Kutagarashala refers to a hall or hut with a pointed roof used for discussions (d). Mendicants were travelling teachers and renouncers (b). Buddhist texts mention 64 schools of thought (a). Disciples were followers of successful philosophers (c). Therefore Option B correctly matches all terms.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Incorrectly exchanges kutagarashala and mendicants.
Option C) Reverses multiple established meanings.
Option D) Misidentifies schools and disciples.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Option Grouping

Application:

Identify certain matches first, then eliminate inconsistent options.

Final Logic:

Only Option B contains all correct pairings.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Kutagarashala = Debate Hall."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings – Topic: Debates and Discussions

16 Assertion (A): The support for any particular philosophical sect could rapidly grow or shrink over time.
Reason (R): If a philosopher succeeded in convincing a rival in public debates, the followers of the rival also became his disciples.

A Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

B Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A

C A is true, but R is false

D A is false, but R is true

💡 Short Explanation

Public debates influenced popularity. Victorious philosophers gained followers. Sect strength changed quickly.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Both statements are correct. Public philosophical debates were highly influential. If a philosopher defeated a rival intellectually, the rival's followers could become his disciples. This directly affected the growth or decline of sects. Therefore, the reason correctly explains why support for schools of thought could change rapidly.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B) The reason directly explains the assertion.
Option C) The reason is historically correct.
Option D) The assertion is also true.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Check whether the reason logically explains the assertion.

Final Logic:

Debate victories increased followers and sect influence.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Win Debate → Gain Disciples."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings – Topic: Public Debates

17 If a person in the 6th century BCE felt marginalized by his birth status, which new philosophical stance would most likely appeal to him?

A The strict adherence to household Vedic rituals.

B The belief that one's existence is solely determined by caste.

C The practice of elaborate royal sacrifices like Ashvamedha.

D The teachings of those who questioned the authority of the Vedas and emphasized individual agency.

💡 Short Explanation

New philosophies challenged hierarchy. Individual effort gained importance. Liberation became accessible to all.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Many new philosophical traditions questioned Vedic authority and emphasized personal effort rather than birth status. Such teachings appealed to people dissatisfied with rigid social hierarchies. Household rituals, caste-based determinism, and royal sacrifices reinforced existing structures rather than challenging them. Therefore Option D best reflects the attraction of new philosophies.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Reinforces traditional ritual practices.
Option B) Supports the very hierarchy being questioned.
Option C) Represents elite royal ritual traditions rather than individual liberation.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Identify which option addresses dissatisfaction with birth-based status.

Final Logic:

Individual agency naturally appealed to marginalized groups.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Agency over Birth."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings – Topic: New Philosophies

18 Which statement INCORRECTLY contrasts the new philosophies with the Brahmanical position?

A New philosophies emphasized that men and women could strive for liberation.

B The Brahmanical position determined existence by birth in a specific caste or gender.

C The Brahmanical position heavily promoted individual agency over birth status.

D Teachers like the Buddha suggested liberation from worldly existence through individual effort.

💡 Short Explanation

Brahmanical ideas emphasized social status. New philosophies stressed effort. Liberation was linked to personal action.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Option C is incorrect because the Brahmanical position generally linked duties and social status to birth and gender. In contrast, many new philosophies emphasized individual effort and the possibility of liberation for broader sections of society. Options A, B, and D accurately reflect this contrast.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Correctly describes many non-Brahmanical teachings.
Option B) Accurately reflects Brahmanical social organization.
Option D) Buddha emphasized liberation through individual effort.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application:

Identify the statement that reverses the NCERT contrast.

Final Logic:

Option C incorrectly attributes a non-Brahmanical feature to Brahmanism.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Birth vs Effort."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings – Topic: Brahmanical and New Philosophies

19 If a person believes that their sorrows are strictly predetermined and their own actions cannot lessen or increase their suffering, their ideology aligns most closely with:

A Mahayana Buddhism

B The Ajivika tradition (fatalists)

C Early Vedic Brahmanism

D Jaina philosophy

💡 Short Explanation

Ajivikas taught determinism. Fate governed life experiences. Human effort could not alter outcomes.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The Ajivikas, particularly Makkhali Gosala, taught a doctrine of strict determinism. According to this view, pleasure and pain were predetermined and human effort could not significantly alter destiny. Buddhism and Jainism emphasized personal effort, making Option B the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Buddhism emphasizes ethical action and effort.
Option C) Early Vedic traditions do not advocate strict fatalism.
Option D) Jainism strongly emphasizes karma and personal responsibility.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Direct Recall

Application:

Recall the defining doctrine of the Ajivikas.

Final Logic:

Predestination is the hallmark of Ajivika philosophy.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Ajivika = All Fixed."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings – Topic: Ajivika Tradition

20 The tradition of the Lokayatas, to which Ajita Kesakambalin belonged, is usually described as _________ because they did not believe in survival after death or the value of alms.

A materialists

B idealists

C fatalists

D theists

💡 Short Explanation

Lokayatas rejected afterlife beliefs. They emphasized the material world. Ajita Kesakambalin is linked with this tradition.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The Lokayatas are generally described as materialists because they rejected beliefs in an afterlife, rebirth, and the spiritual benefits of rituals or alms. Their philosophy focused on the material world and direct experience. Therefore Option A correctly identifies the nature of the Lokayata tradition.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B) They did not promote philosophical idealism.
Option C) Fatalism is associated with Ajivikas, not Lokayatas.
Option D) They were not theists and did not emphasize divine authority.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Direct Recall

Application:

Recall the standard NCERT description of Lokayatas.

Final Logic:

Rejection of afterlife beliefs characterizes materialism.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Lokayata = Material Matters."

📚 Class XII – Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings – Topic: Lokayatas and Ajita Kesakambalin

CUET UG History Booster Test 2 - Sacrifices and Philosophical Debates

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