1. Who was one of the most influential philosophers of India who preached the Advaita philosophy?
   A) Ramanuja
   B) Shankara
   C) Basavanna
   D) Mirabai
   
2. What does the Advaita philosophy, taught by Shankara, emphasize?
   A) The difference between the soul and God
   B) The oneness of the individual soul and the Supreme God
   C) Worship of multiple gods equally
   D) The importance of rituals for salvation
   
3. Which philosopher developed the concept of Vishishtadvaita or ‘qualified oneness’?
   A) Shankara
   B) Ramanuja
   C) Kabir
   D) Guru Nanak
   
4. According to Ramanuja, how could a devotee attain salvation?
   A) By following strict Vedic rituals
   B) Through intense devotion (bhakti) to Vishnu
   C) By renouncing all material life
   D) By practicing severe meditation
   
5. What did Shankara believe about the material world?
   A) It was real and must be worshipped
   B) It was an illusion (maya)
   C) It was superior to spiritual life
   D) It was the key to salvation
   
6. Which Bhakti philosopher rejected the caste system and preached devotion to a personal god?
   A) Ramanuja
   B) Guru Nanak
   C) Shankara
   D) Kabir
   
7. Which religious movement was greatly influenced by Ramanuja’s teachings?
   A) Shaivism
   B) Vaishnavism
   C) Buddhism
   D) Jainism
   
8. What was the main difference between Shankara’s and Ramanuja’s philosophies?
   A) Shankara emphasized knowledge and monism, while Ramanuja emphasized devotion and dualism
   B) Shankara supported idol worship, while Ramanuja opposed it
   C) Ramanuja preached Advaita, while Shankara preached Vishishtadvaita
   D) Both had the same teachings
   
9. What was a key contribution of the Bhakti movement to Indian society?
   A) Strengthening caste divisions
   B) Promoting religious equality and devotion over rituals
   C) Encouraging the study of Sanskrit texts only
   D) Establishing Mughal rule in India
   
10. What was the significance of Bhakti saints like Kabir and Guru Nanak?
    A) They emphasized social reforms and religious unity
    B) They promoted strict temple rituals
    C) They established political empires
    D) They restricted religious teachings to Brahmins
    

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Answers and Explanations

1. B) Shankara
   Shankara was a leading philosopher who advocated the Advaita (non-dualism) philosophy.
   
2. B) The oneness of the individual soul and the Supreme God
   Advaita philosophy teaches that the soul (atman) and the Supreme Reality (Brahman) are one.
   
3. B) Ramanuja
   Ramanuja, a philosopher from Tamil Nadu, developed the Vishishtadvaita (qualified oneness) philosophy.
   
4. B) Through intense devotion (bhakti) to Vishnu
   Ramanuja believed that devotion (bhakti) to Vishnu was the best way to attain salvation.
   
5. B) It was an illusion (maya)
   Shankara taught that the material world was an illusion and that true knowledge led to realization of Brahman.
   
6. D) Kabir
   Kabir opposed caste discrimination and promoted devotion to a formless God.
   
7. B) Vaishnavism
   Ramanuja’s teachings greatly influenced the Vaishnavism tradition, which focused on devotion to Vishnu.
   
8. A) Shankara emphasized knowledge and monism, while Ramanuja emphasized devotion and dualism
   Shankara’s philosophy focused on knowledge and monism (Advaita), while Ramanuja emphasized devotion and a distinct relationship between the soul and God (Vishishtadvaita).
   
9. B) Promoting religious equality and devotion over rituals
   The Bhakti movement helped reduce caste barriers and emphasized personal devotion over elaborate rituals.
   

A) They emphasized social reforms and religious unity
Saints like Kabir and Guru Nanak preached against discrimination and sought unity among Hindus and Muslims.