1996 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 1996 · General Studies

Question 71: History and Culture

Which one of the following was a Saiva sect in ancient India?

aAjivika
bMattamayura
cMayamata
dIsanasivagurudevapaddhati

AnswerThe answer is (b).

Mattamayura was a Saiva sect of early medieval India, an order of Shaiva ascetics with monasteries in central India. Ajivika was a heterodox ascetic sect, Mayamata is a treatise on architecture and iconography, and Isanasivagurudevapaddhati is a Shaiva ritual manual, a text rather than a sect. Remember: Mattamayura - Shaiva sect.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Ajivika was a heterodox ascetic sect, not a Saiva sect.
  • (b) Right: Mattamayura was a Saiva sect.
  • (c) Mayamata is a treatise on architecture, not a sect.
  • (d) Isanasivagurudevapaddhati is a Shaiva ritual text, not a sect.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1996, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.