Prelims 2012 · archive
EasyWith reference to the history of Ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism?
- 1.Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment
- 2.Indifference to the authority of Vedas
- 3.Denial of the efficacy of rituals
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Answer & explanation
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Both Buddha and Mahavira rejected the authority of the Vedas and the value of sacrificial rituals. Avoiding extremes is the Buddha's 'middle path'; Jainism, by contrast, prescribes severe penance.
- ✗ 1. The Middle Path between penance and indulgence is a Buddhist teaching. Jainism upholds rigorous austerity and fasting as the way to shed karma.
- ✓ 2. Both Mahavira and the Buddha questioned the authority of the Vedas.
- ✓ 3. Both rejected Vedic sacrifices and ritual as the means to liberation, stressing right conduct and knowledge.
Remember · Common to both: rejection of Vedic authority and ritual. Middle path is Buddhist only; severe austerity is Jain.
📘 Read it in NCERT: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part I, Ch 4 (practise this chapter)
Sources
- NCERT Class 12 · Themes in Indian History, Part I, Chapter 4 “Many of these teachers, including Mahavira and the Buddha, questioned the authority of the Vedas.”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2012, General Studies paper. UPSC did not publish an answer key for 2012: the answer shown is the one the sources above support. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 24 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·