Thinkers Beliefs and Buildings objective Questions answers

Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings 
Here are 100 one-liner objective questions with answers from Chapter – Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings (Class 12 History NCERT).

Short, crisp and exam-ready.

100 One-Liner Questions & Answers

(1–25)

1. Q: In which language is the Rigveda composed?

A: Vedic Sanskrit.

2. Q: Which deity is associated with fire in the Rigveda?

A: Agni.

3. Q: What was the main method of preserving Vedic hymns?

A: Oral tradition.

4. Q: Which texts contain early philosophical ideas?

A: Upanishads.

5. Q: The Upanishadic thinkers questioned which practice?

A: Sacrificial rituals.

6. Q: Mahavira was the ___ tirthankara.

A: 24th.

7. Q: The central principle of Jainism is ___.

A: Ahimsa (non-violence).

8. Q: "Jina" means what?

A: Conqueror.

9. Q: Jain teachings were preserved in which languages?

A: Prakrit, Sanskrit, Tamil.

10. Q: Birth name of Buddha?

A: Siddhartha.

11. Q: Buddha was born at?

A: Lumbini.

12. Q: Buddha attained enlightenment at?

A: Bodh Gaya.

13. Q: Buddha's first sermon was delivered at?

A: Sarnath.

14. Q: The language of early Buddhist teachings?

A: Pali.

15. Q: Which text contains Buddha’s rules for monks?

A: Vinaya Pitaka.

16. Q: What does the Sutta Pitaka contain?

A: Teachings and sermons.

17. Q: What does the Abhidhamma Pitaka deal with?

A: Philosophy.

18. Q: What does Tipitaka mean?

A: Three baskets.

19. Q: Followers of Buddha who lived simply were called?

A: Bhikkhus.

20. Q: The Buddhist community of monks is known as?

A: Sangha.

21. Q: Who persuaded Buddha to admit women to the sangha?

A: Ananda.

22. Q: What does nibbana mean?

A: Liberation from rebirth.

23. Q: What is the meaning of "anicca"?

A: Impermanence.

24. Q: What is “anatta” in Buddhism?

A: No permanent soul.

25. Q: Which ruler built stupas using Buddha’s relics?

A: Ashoka.

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(26–50)

26. Q: What is a stupa?

A: A sacred relic mound.

27. Q: The central mound of a stupa is called?

A: Anda.

28. Q: The square railing above a stupa is called?

A: Harmika.

29. Q: The central mast of a stupa is called?

A: Yashti.

30. Q: The umbrella on a stupa is known as?

A: Chhatri.

31. Q: The act of walking around a stupa is called?

A: Pradakshina.

32. Q: Where is the Great Stupa located?

A: Sanchi.

33. Q: Who funded the restoration of Sanchi?

A: Begums of Bhopal.

34. Q: Shahjehan Begum belonged to which state?

A: Bhopal.

35. Q: Amaravati stupa is located in which state?

A: Andhra Pradesh.

36. Q: The European who documented Amaravati sculptures?

A: Colin Mackenzie.

37. Q: Gandhara art shows influence of which culture?

A: Greek (Hellenistic).

38. Q: Which symbol represents Buddha’s enlightenment?

A: Bodhi tree / Empty seat.

39. Q: Which symbol represents Buddha’s first sermon?

A: Dharmachakra (Wheel).

40. Q: What do Jataka stories depict?

A: Previous lives of Buddha.

41. Q: Shalabhanjika figure represents what?

A: Fertility.

42. Q: Ajanta caves are famous for what?

A: Buddhist paintings.

43. Q: The Mahayana tradition worships Buddha as?

A: A divine saviour.

44. Q: A Bodhisattva is known as?

A: Compassionate being.

45. Q: Mahayana followers referred to older Buddhism as?

A: Hinayana.

46. Q: Devotees of Vishnu are called?

A: Vaishnavas.

47. Q: Devotees of Shiva are called?

A: Shaivas.

48. Q: Stories of gods in Hinduism are compiled in?

A: Puranas.

49. Q: The central shrine of a temple is called?

A: Garbhagriha.

50. Q: The tower above the temple sanctum is called?

A: Shikhara.

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(51–75)

51. Q: Which site has rock-cut cave temples from Asoka’s time?

A: Barabar Caves.

52. Q: The Kailashnatha temple at Ellora is carved from?

A: A single rock.

53. Q: Who built Barabar caves?

A: Ashoka (for Ajivikas).

54. Q: The term chaitya refers to?

A: Sacred place or prayer hall.

55. Q: Which Buddhist text tells about relic distribution?

A: Ashokavadana.

56. Q: What material was used for early stupa railings?

A: Stone resembling bamboo.

57. Q: Amaravati sculptures were removed mainly by?

A: British officials.

58. Q: In Gandhara art, Buddha is shown wearing?

A: Hellenistic robe.

59. Q: Mathura school used which material?

A: Red sandstone.

60. Q: Who were the earliest patrons of Jainism?

A: Traders and merchants.

61. Q: What is a vihara?

A: Monastery for monks.

62. Q: What does the serpent motif at Sanchi indicate?

A: Popular traditions.

63. Q: The famous Varaha sculpture is related to which deity?

A: Vishnu.

64. Q: Who is Gajalakshmi associated with?

A: Wealth and prosperity.

65. Q: What does “bhakti” denote?

A: Devotion.

66. Q: What does the term yupa refer to in Vedic rituals?

A: Sacrificial post.

67. Q: What is a kutagarashala?

A: Debate hall.

68. Q: Ajivikas believed strongly in?

A: Predestination (fatalism).

69. Q: Lokayata school believed in?

A: Materialism.

70. Q: Buddhist sangha admitted women due to?

A: Ananda’s request.

71. Q: Queen Kamalavati’s story belongs to which text?

A: Uttaradhyayana Sutta.

72. Q: Stupa worship often involved offering?

A: Garlands and perfumes.

73. Q: Therigatha is composed by?

A: Buddhist nuns.

74. Q: Earliest stone sculptures in India are linked to?

A: Jain worship.

75. Q: The chaitya at Karle belongs to which tradition?

A: Buddhist.

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(76–100)

76. Q: The Sanchi stupa was first discovered in which year?

A: 1818.

77. Q: Who protected Sanchi from being taken to Europe?

A: Begums of Bhopal.

78. Q: Elliot Marbles belong to which site?

A: Amaravati.

79. Q: Who emphasised conduct over rituals in religion?

A: Buddha.

80. Q: What is dana in Buddhism?

A: Giving / almsgiving.

81. Q: What does a lotus in Buddhist art symbolise?

A: Purity.

82. Q: Which text lists 64 philosophical schools?

A: Buddhist texts.

83. Q: Mahavira belonged to which clan?

A: Licchavi (mother’s side) / Kshatriya.

84. Q: Jain monks follow how many vows?

A: Five vows.

85. Q: Bodh Gaya is located in which state?

A: Bihar.

86. Q: Sarnath stupa is known as?

A: Dhamekh Stupa.

87. Q: The earliest images of Buddha were shown as?

A: Symbols (aniconic).

88. Q: Buddhist monasteries were funded mainly by?

A: Traders and guilds.

89. Q: Which sculpture shows Prince Vessantara?

A: Sanchi gateway panels.

90. Q: What does “parinirvana” refer to?

A: Final nirvana after death.

91. Q: The early temple at Deogarh belongs to which period?

A: 5th century CE.

92. Q: “Sangha” literally means?

A: Association.

93. Q: Which religion emphasised strict monastic life?

A: Jainism.

94. Q: Who were bhikkhunis?

A: Buddhist nuns.

95. Q: What does the lion capital from Sarnath symbolise?

A: Dharma and imperial power.

96. Q: Amaravati art style is also called?

A: Andhra style.

97. Q: Which Puranic deity has 10 avatars?

A: Vishnu.

98. Q: Who is shown killing Mahishasura at Mahabalipuram?

A: Goddess Durga.

99. Q: What does the elephant represent in Buddhist art?

A: Strength and wisdom.

100. Q: Kailash temple is dedicated to which deity?

A: Shiva 

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