Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers on “The Role of the Vaishnavite Movement in Assam’s Cultural History”
1. The Vaishnavite Movement in Assam was primarily led by:
- a) Srimanta Sankardev
- b) Bhupen Hazarika
- c) Anandaram Dhekial Phukan
- d) Lakshminath Bezbaroa
Answer: a) Srimanta Sankardev
2. The Vaishnavite Movement in Assam began in which century?
- a) 12th century
- b) 13th century
- c) 15th century
- d) 17th century
Answer: c) 15th century
3. Srimanta Sankardev, the pioneer of the Vaishnavite Movement in Assam, was a devotee of:
- a) Lord Shiva
- b) Lord Vishnu
- c) Goddess Durga
- d) Lord Krishna
Answer: d) Lord Krishna
4. Which form of Vaishnavism did Srimanta Sankardev propagate in Assam?
- a) Madhva Vaishnavism
- b) Nimbarka Vaishnavism
- c) Chaitanya Vaishnavism
- d) Ekasarana Vaishnavism
Answer: d) Ekasarana Vaishnavism
5. The Vaishnavite Movement in Assam emphasized devotion to which form of God?
- a) Ram
- b) Narasimha
- c) Krishna
- d) Shiva
Answer: c) Krishna
6. The primary religious institution established by Srimanta Sankardev for the promotion of Vaishnavism is called:
- a) Sattra
- b) Mandir
- c) Matha
- d) Gurukul
Answer: a) Sattra
7. Who was the close disciple of Srimanta Sankardev and played a key role in spreading the Vaishnavite Movement?
- a) Bhattadeva
- b) Madhavdev
- c) Damodardev
- d) Haridev
Answer: b) Madhavdev
8. The literary form that Srimanta Sankardev used to popularize Vaishnavism was:
- a) Poetry
- b) Drama
- c) Song
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
9. Which of the following is a dramatic performance created by Srimanta Sankardev to propagate Vaishnavism?
- a) Bhajan
- b) Sankirtan
- c) Bhaona
- d) Borgeet
Answer: c) Bhaona
10. Which musical form, developed by Srimanta Sankardev, became an integral part of the Vaishnavite tradition in Assam?
- a) Borgeet
- b) Kirtan
- c) Bhajan
- d) Dhrupad
Answer: a) Borgeet
11. The Vaishnavite monasteries (Sattras) established during the movement were primarily located in:
- a) Upper Assam
- b) Lower Assam
- c) Central Assam
- d) All over Assam
Answer: d) All over Assam
12. The Vaishnavite Movement in Assam played a key role in promoting:
- a) Caste discrimination
- b) Social equality
- c) Religious intolerance
- d) Sectarianism
Answer: b) Social equality
13. One of the major literary contributions of the Vaishnavite Movement in Assam was:
- a) The Bhagavata Purana translation into Assamese
- b) The writing of the Mahabharata
- c) Vedic interpretations
- d) Scientific treatises
Answer: a) The Bhagavata Purana translation into Assamese
14. Which major river is associated with the spread of the Vaishnavite Movement in Assam?
- a) Brahmaputra
- b) Ganga
- c) Yamuna
- d) Krishna
Answer: a) Brahmaputra
15. The Vaishnavite Movement in Assam helped in the development of which language as a medium of religious and cultural expression?
- a) Sanskrit
- b) Bengali
- c) Assamese
- d) Hindi
Answer: c) Assamese
16. The Sattras established during the Vaishnavite Movement were responsible for promoting:
- a) Education and arts
- b) Military training
- c) Trade and commerce
- d) Agriculture
Answer: a) Education and arts
17. What was the primary mode of worship in the Vaishnavite Movement initiated by Srimanta Sankardev?
- a) Idol worship
- b) Meditation
- c) Singing of devotional songs (Naam Kirtan)
- d) Fire sacrifices
Answer: c) Singing of devotional songs (Naam Kirtan)
18. The literary work “Kirtan Ghoxa” is associated with which figure from the Vaishnavite Movement?
- a) Madhavdev
- b) Bhattadeva
- c) Damodardev
- d) Srimanta Sankardev
Answer: d) Srimanta Sankardev
19. The Vaishnavite Movement in Assam promoted which type of social reform?
- a) Untouchability
- b) Caste unity
- c) Gender inequality
- d) Religious exclusivity
Answer: b) Caste unity
20. Which traditional dance form of Assam was significantly influenced by the Vaishnavite Movement?
- a) Sattriya
- b) Bihu
- c) Ojapali
- d) Manipuri
Answer: a) Sattriya
21. The Ekasarana Nam Dharma propagated by Srimanta Sankardev rejected:
- a) Idol worship
- b) Caste-based hierarchies
- c) Ritualism
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
22. The Vaishnavite Movement in Assam helped establish a strong cultural connection between Assam and:
- a) Bengal
- b) Odisha
- c) Mithila
- d) Manipur
Answer: d) Manipur
23. Who succeeded Srimanta Sankardev as the leader of the Vaishnavite Movement in Assam?
- a) Bhattadeva
- b) Madhavdev
- c) Chilarai
- d) Rudra Singha
Answer: b) Madhavdev
24. Which Assamese kingdom provided support to Srimanta Sankardev during the Vaishnavite Movement?
- a) Ahom Kingdom
- b) Kachari Kingdom
- c) Koch Kingdom
- d) Chutiya Kingdom
Answer: c) Koch Kingdom
25. Which Ahom king adopted the Vaishnavite faith and patronized the Sattras?
- a) Rudra Singha
- b) Jayadhwaj Singha
- c) Gadadhar Singha
- d) Pratap Singha
Answer: b) Jayadhwaj Singha
26. The concept of “Bhakti” in the Vaishnavite Movement refers to:
- a) Ritual sacrifice
- b) Meditation
- c) Devotion to God
- d) Idol worship
Answer: c) Devotion to God
27. The term “Namghar,” often associated with the Vaishnavite Movement in Assam, refers to:
- a) A temple
- b) A monastery
- c) A community prayer hall
- d) A religious text
Answer: c) A community prayer hall
28. The practice of performing “Naam Kirtan” in Namghars primarily involves:
- a) Fire sacrifices
- b) Dancing and drumming
- c) Chanting the names of God
- d) Reading the Vedas
Answer: c) Chanting the names of God
29. The Vaishnavite Movement contributed to the preservation and enrichment of which art form in Assam?
- a) Pottery
- b) Sculpture
- c) Manuscript painting
- d) Classical dance
Answer: d) Classical dance
30. The philosophy of Ekasarana Nam Dharma propagated by Sankardev was based on the teachings of:
- a) Bhagavad Gita
- b) Mahabharata
- c) Bhagavata Purana
- d) Vedas
Answer: c) Bhagavata Purana
These MCQs cover various aspects of the Vaishnavite Movement in Assam, its cultural, religious, and social significance, and its role in shaping the region’s history.
