UPPCS (Spl) (Pre) 2004

Religious Geography of India

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Match list-I with list-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: | List-I (Place) | List-II (Monument) | | :--- | :--- | | A. Baijnath Dham | 1. Jain Temple | | B. Sarnath | 2. Shiva Temple | | C. Dilwara | 3. First sermon place of Buddha | | D. Badrinath | 4. Vishnu Temple |

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept India's sacred geography is defined by specialized pilgrimage sites for various faiths—Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

Explanation
Baijnath (Uttarakhand): Famous for its 12th-century Shiva temple built by Katyuri kings.
Sarnath (UP): The historical site where Buddha delivered his first sermon (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta).
Dilwara (Rajasthan): A complex of five marble Jain temples on Mount Abu.
Badrinath (Uttarakhand): One of the Char Dhams, dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Matching Sarnath (B-3) and Badrinath (D-4) are the most reliable ways to solve this given their pan-Indian fame.
Logic 2: Dilwara (C-1) is universally associated with Jain marble craftsmanship.

Active Recall

Question

Who established the modern Badrinath Temple in the 8th century?

Answer

Adi Shankara.

Core Insight

These sites represent the institutional hubs that sustained the diverse spiritual traditions of India across centuries.