Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is Gautam.

Key Points

• Nyaya philosophy is the base on which the higher philosophies of India have been built.
• The founder of this school philosophy is Akshpaad Gautam, who composed the Nyaya sutras.
• It says that all our sufferings are dues to our ignorance, therefore to overcome them acquiring the right knowledge is very important.
• The Nyaya philosophy recognizes sixteen categories and the first category is known as ‘pramāna’ which focuses on the logical and epistemological character of the Nyāya system.
• It professes that there are four independent pramānas (sources of valid knowledge). These are- perception, inference, comparison, and verbal testimony or sabda.
• According to Nyāyikas, perception is the direct and immediate cognition produced by the interaction between the object and sense-organs.
• For perceptual cognition, four elements are necessary. These are- the self, mind, sense organs, and objects.

The correct answer is Humayun.

• Miniature painting in India was started by Humayun.

Key Points

• Miniature paintings were brought to India by the Mughals.
• Mughals were assisted by Persians.
• These paintings depicted the events and lifestyles of the Mughals.
• Humayun appointed Persian artist Mir sayid Ali and Khawaja Abdus Samad to his court.
• A typical miniature painting has a phrase or poetry written in the Urdu script on the upper or cover end.

Additional Information

• The earliest Miniature paintings in India can be traced back to the 7^th century AD when they flourished under the patronage of the Palas of Bengal.
• Buddhist texts and scriptures were illustrated on 3-inch-wide palm leaf manuscripts, with images of Buddhist deities. Pala art was defined by subdued colors and sinuous lines, evocative of the murals in Ajanta.
• It was Jainism that inspired the miniature artistic movement of the Western Indian style of miniature painting. This form prevailed in the regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Malwa, from the 12^th-16^th century AD.
• Jain manuscripts were illustrated using exaggerated physical traits, vigorous lines, and bold colors.
• Miniature Art in India truly thrived under the Mughals (16th-18th century AD), defining a rich period in the history of Indian art.
• The Mughal style of painting was an amalgamation of religion, culture, and tradition. Persian styles melded with local Indian art to create a highly detailed, rich art form.

The correct answer is Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti.

Key Points

• The Originator of the Chishti Order in South Asia was Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
• Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti came to India with the army of Shihabuddin Ghori in 1192 AD.
• Muinuddin Chishti made his residence in Ajmer.
• He was born in 1141 in Iran.
• The Chishti Order is a Sufi order which arose from Chisht, a small town near Herat, in western Afghanistan.
• It was founded by Abu Ishaq Shami in about 930 CE (Christian Era).

Additional Information

• Sufism is one of the mystical orders that grew out of Islam.
• Classical Sufi scholars define it as a science whose objective is the reparation of the heart and turning it away from all else but god.
• Sufism became prominent during the period of early Umayyad Caliphate (661-750 CE).
• The Sufi movement has spread to several continents over a miillennium. 
• It has considerable following in India and Kashmir is a prominent base.

The correct answer is Assam.

• Bihu is a set of three important festivals observed in the Indian state of Assam which are-
  • Rongali or Bohag Bihu observed in April
  • Kongali or Kati Bihu observed in October
  • Bhogali or Magh Bihu observed in January
• The Rongali Bihu is the most important of the three, the Bhogali Bihu is a harvest festival and the Kongali Bihu is an animistic festival.
• It is celebrated with great joy and abundance by all Assamese people regardless of caste, creed, and religion. 

The Correct Answer is Vaigai River.

Key Points

• Meenakshi Amman Temple is located on the Southern Bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai., Tamil Nadu. 
• This temple dedicated to Thirukamakottam Udaya Aaludaiya Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, and her consort, Sundareshwar, a form of Shiva.
• In this temple, both God and Goddess are worshipped together in separate chambers.
• The temple is at the centre of the ancient temple city Madurai.
• It was built by King Kulasekara Pandya.
• It is a complex made in accordance with the Shilpa Shastra and has 5 main entrances with 14  gateway towers or 'gopurams', golden 'Vimanas', holy sanctums and shrines dedicated to the revered Goddess Meenakshi and many others. 
• It is a major tourist attraction, with thousands of devotees visiting the shrines every day.

Additional Information