Question Discussion & Solution

(a) - 3, (b) - 4, (c) - 2, (d) - 1correctly matched.

Key Points

• There are six orthodox schools of Indian Philosophy called shatdarshanas and it includes Nyaya, Sankhya, Yoga, Vaisheshika, Purva Mimamsa, and Uttara Mimamsa (Vedanta Philosophy).
• Vaisheshika school deals with metaphysics. It was founded by the sage Kanada. According to the Vaisheshika school of philosophy, the universe is reducible to a finite number of atoms, Brahman being the fundamental force causing consciousness in these atoms.

Important Points

The other five schools of Indian Philosophy are as follows:

• Sankhya is the oldest philosophy. It was put forward by Kapila. Samkhya emphasizes the attainment of knowledge of the self by means of concentration and meditation.
• Yoga presents a method of physical and mental discipline. The founder of Yoga is Pathanjali.  It is believed that practicing Ashtanga Yoga is the way to relieve oneself from past sins in order to make way for liberation.
• Nyaya school follows a scientific and rational approach. Sage Gautama is the founder of this school. Nyaya Philosophy states that nothing is acceptable unless it is in accordance with reason and experience (scientific approach).
• Purva Mimamsa school believes in the complete authority of Vedas. It is based on sage Jaimini’s Mimamsa Sutras.
• Vedanta school is a monotheistic school of philosophy that believes that the world is unreal and the only reality is Brahman. It is based on Upanishads (the end portions of Vedas).

The correct answer is Garadi.

Key Points

• Garadi is a dance performed in Puducherry.
• And it is the most famous dance of Puducherry.
• This dance has a mythological origin.
• When Rama defeated Ravana, the vanars danced to celebrate his victory.
• It is performed during all festivals of the region.
• It lasts for five to eight hours.​

Additional Information

• Garba is a form of dance which originated in the state of Gujarat in India.
• Gambhira Dance, a folk dance in West Bengal (India), performed by the devotees of Goddess Shakti, in the dance hall of Chandi Mandir.
• Alkap is a form of Bengali folk performance popular in the districts of Murshidabad, Malda and Birbhum in West Bengal and Chapai Nawabganj.

The correct answer is Ajanta.

Some important paintings at Ajanta are:

• Scenes from the Jataka stories of the life of the Gautama Buddha, the Buddha’s former lives as a bodhisattva, etc.
• Paintings of various Bodhisattvas in tribhanga pose in Cave 1:
  • Vajrapani (protector and guide, a symbol of Buddha’s power),
  • Manjusri (manifestation of Buddha’s wisdom) and
  • Padmapani (Avalokitesvara) (symbol of Buddha’s compassion).
• The Dying Princess in Cave.no 16.

The correct answer is Shehnai.

Key Points

• Ustad Bismillah Khan used to play the shehna
• He was awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 2001, becoming the third classical musician after M. S. Subbalakshmi and Ravi Shankar to be awarded Bharat Ratna.
• On his 102nd birthday, Google honoured Bismillah Khan with a Google doodle.
• The Department of Posts issued a five-rupee commemorative stamp on Bismillah Khan on 21st August 2008, on the occasion of his second death anniversary.
• He had the rare honour of being invited by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to play shehnai on the ramparts of the Red Fort on the eve of 15th August 1947.
• He also heralded the first Republic Day celebrations on 26th January 1950.
• Since then the charming strain of his shehnai marked the beginning of Republic Day celebrations every year.

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.