HP Daily GK brings you 10 important exam-oriented GK questions for HPPSC, HP Patwari, HP Police, HP Clerk, and other HP Government exams.
📘 Current GK Topic: Indian History – Religious Movements (as per HP Patwari Syllabus)
Religious movements in ancient India emerged as powerful responses to social inequality, excessive ritualism, and rigid priestly dominance of the later Vedic period. Movements such as Buddhism, Jainism, Ajivika, and Charvaka emphasized ethical living, non-violence, rational thinking, and personal spiritual effort over blind rituals and sacrifices. They questioned caste hierarchies and made religious ideas accessible to common people by using simple languages like Pali and Prakrit.
The impact of these religious movements was far-reaching. They promoted social equality, compassion, and moral conduct, encouraged the growth of education through monasteries, and influenced art, architecture, and literature in the form of stupas, viharas, and sculptures. Politically, rulers like Ashoka and Kanishka patronized Buddhism, helping it spread beyond India. Overall, these movements reshaped Indian society by fostering tolerance, human values, and a spirit of reform that continues to influence Indian culture today.
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👉 HP Daily GK – Weekly Compilation (1–7 February 2026)
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📅 Today’s HP GK Quiz
⏱️ Time Suggested: 10–12 Minutes
📘 Level: Moderate
🎯 Useful For: HPPSC, Patwari, Police, Clerk, TET
Q1. Which religious movement arose as a protest against the ritualism of the Vedic religion?
A) Shaivism
B) Vaishnavism
C) Buddhism
D) Tantricism
Correct Answer: C) Buddhism
Explanation: Buddhism opposed excessive rituals and emphasized ethical living.
Q2. The founder of Buddhism was:
A) Mahavira
B) Ashoka
C) Gautama Buddha
D) Nagarjuna
Correct Answer: C) Gautama Buddha
Explanation: Gautama Buddha founded Buddhism in the 6th century BCE.
Q3. Jainism was founded by:
A) Parshvanatha
B) Rishabhanatha
C) Mahavira
D) Kapil Muni
Correct Answer: C) Mahavira
Explanation: Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara and founder of Jainism.
Q4. The concept of Ahimsa is most strongly associated with:
A) Buddhism only
B) Jainism only
C) Vedic religion
D) Jainism and Buddhism
Correct Answer: D) Jainism and Buddhism
Explanation: Both religions emphasized non-violence as a core principle.
Q5. Which language was primarily used to spread the teachings of Buddhism?
A) Sanskrit
B) Prakrit
C) Pali
D) Tamil
Correct Answer: C) Pali
Explanation: Buddhist teachings were mostly preached in Pali for common people.
Q6. The doctrine of Triratna in Buddhism includes:
A) Truth, Non-violence, Discipline
B) Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha
C) Karma, Moksha, Dharma
D) Meditation, Prayer, Sacrifice
Correct Answer: B) Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha
Explanation: Triratna represents the three guiding principles of Buddhism.
Q7. Which council was held during the reign of Ashoka?
A) First Buddhist Council
B) Second Buddhist Council
C) Third Buddhist Council
D) Fourth Buddhist Council
Correct Answer: C) Third Buddhist Council
Explanation: The Third Buddhist Council was held at Pataliputra under Ashoka.
Q8. The ultimate goal of Jainism is to attain:
A) Nirvana
B) Salvation
C) Moksha
D) Heaven
Correct Answer: C) Moksha
Explanation: Jainism aims at the liberation of the soul from bondage.
Q9. Which religious movement emphasized the Eightfold Path?
A) Jainism
B) Buddhism
C) Bhakti movement
D) Ajivika sect
Correct Answer: B) Buddhism
Explanation: The Eightfold Path forms the core teaching of Buddhism.
Q10. The Ajivika sect was founded by:
A) Makkhali Gosala
B) Mahavira
C) Gautama Buddha
D) Ashoka
Correct Answer: A) Makkhali Gosala
Explanation: Makkhali Gosala was the founder of the Ajivika sect.
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