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The term 'Hindu' was initially a religious identifier before it became a geographical and cultural one for people in the Indian subcontinent.
Answer: False
The term 'Hindu' was initially a geographical term, derived from 'Sindhu' (Indus River), used by Persians for people living beyond the Indus, before it acquired religious and cultural connotations.
The word 'Hindu' is an endonym derived from the Sanskrit word 'Sindhu,' referring to the Indus River.
Answer: False
The word 'Hindu' is an exonym, not an endonym, derived from the Sanskrit word 'Sindhu,' which was a geographical term used by Persians.
The term 'Hindu' first appeared as a Persian geographical term in the 7th-century CE.
Answer: False
The term 'Hindu' first appeared as a Persian geographical term in the 5th-century BCE, specifically in the DNa inscription of Darius I.
The 7th-century CE Chinese text 'Records on the Western Regions' by Xuanzang is an early record using 'Hindu' with religious connotations.
Answer: True
The 7th-century CE Chinese text 'Records on the Western Regions' by Xuanzang is indeed considered one of the earliest records to use the transliterated term 'In-tu' with religious connotations.
Al-Biruni's 11th-century text 'Tarikh Al-Hind' exclusively used the term 'Hindu' to refer to a specific religion, not a region.
Answer: False
Al-Biruni's 11th-century text 'Tarikh Al-Hind' used the term 'Hindu' with ambiguity, referring to either a region or a religion, and included all non-Islamic people, such as Buddhists.
By the 16th century CE, the term 'Hindu' began to specifically distinguish residents of the Indian subcontinent who were not Turkic or Muslims.
Answer: True
By the 16th century CE, the term 'Hindu' evolved to specifically refer to residents of the Indian subcontinent who were not Turkic or Muslims, marking a shift towards a more religious or communal distinction.
Indian poets from the 14th to 18th centuries, such as Vidyapati and Tulsidas, used 'Hindu dharma' to contrast with 'Turaka dharma' (Islam).
Answer: True
Indian poets like Vidyapati and Tulsidas, active between the 14th and 18th centuries, explicitly used the phrase 'Hindu dharma' to contrast with 'Turaka dharma' (Islam), indicating a developing religious self-awareness.
Early colonial-era orientalists initially identified Islam and Hinduism as the only two main religions in India, broadly including other Indian religions under Hinduism.
Answer: True
In the early colonial era, European orientalists initially identified Islam and Hinduism as the two main religions in India, broadly categorizing other Indian religions like Buddhism as subgroups of Hinduism.
From which word is 'Hindu' etymologically derived?
Answer: Sindhu
The word 'Hindu' is an exonym derived from the Sanskrit word 'Sindhu,' referring to the Indus River.
In which century BCE did the term 'Hindu' first appear as a Persian geographical term?
Answer: 5th-century BCE
The term 'Hindu' first appeared as a Persian geographical term in the 5th-century BCE, specifically in the DNa inscription of Darius I.
By which century CE did the term 'Hindu' begin to refer specifically to residents of the Indian subcontinent who were not Turkic or Muslims?
Answer: 16th century CE
By the 16th century CE, the term 'Hindu' began to specifically differentiate residents of the Indian subcontinent who were not Turkic or Muslims, marking a shift towards a more religious or communal distinction.
Which of the following poets used the phrase 'Hindu dharma' and contrasted it with 'Turaka dharma' (Islam) between the 14th and 18th centuries?
Answer: Vidyapati
Indian poets such as Vidyapati, Kabir, Tulsidas, and Eknath, from the 14th to 18th centuries, used the phrase 'Hindu dharma' and explicitly contrasted it with 'Turaka dharma' (Islam).
What was Pennington's argument regarding the terms 'Hindu' and 'Hinduism'?
Answer: They were constructed for colonial studies of India.
Pennington argued that the terms 'Hindu' and 'Hinduism' were constructed for colonial studies of India, often stereotyping Hindus and implying an 'ancient default oppressive religious substratum'.
As of 2023, Hindus represent approximately 15% of the world's population, making them the second-largest religious group globally.
Answer: False
As of 2023, Hindus constitute approximately 15% of the world's population, but they are the third-largest religious group globally, following Christians and Muslims.
The vast majority of the world's Hindu population, over 94%, resides in India.
Answer: True
According to the 2011 Indian census, approximately 966 million Hindus, or 94.3% of the global Hindu population, reside in India, which is the birthplace of Hinduism.
Shaivism is the largest denomination within Hinduism, followed by 67.6% of Hindus.
Answer: False
Vaishnavism is the largest denomination within Hinduism, followed by 67.6% of Hindus, while Shaivism is followed by 26.6%.
The fertility rate for Hindus is higher than the world average of 2.5 children per woman.
Answer: False
The fertility rate for Hindus is 2.4 children per woman, which is slightly less than the world average of 2.5.
All listed continents (Asia, Europe, The Americas, Africa, and Oceania) showed a 'Growing' trend in Hindu population dynamics as of 2017-18.
Answer: True
According to 2017-18 data, all listed continents—Asia, Europe, The Americas, Africa, and Oceania—exhibited a 'Growing' trend in Hindu population dynamics.
What is the estimated total global population of Hindus as of 2023?
Answer: Approximately 1.2 billion
As of 2023, the estimated total global population of Hindus is 1.2 billion, making them the world's third-largest religious group.
Which of the following countries has the largest Hindu population outside of India?
Answer: Nepal
After India, Nepal has the largest Hindu population, followed by Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, and other countries.
Which Hindu denomination is followed by the largest percentage of Hindus, according to the source?
Answer: Vaishnavism
According to the source, Vaishnavism is followed by 67.6% of Hindus, making it the largest denomination, followed by Shaivism (26.6%) and Shaktism (3.2%).
What was the projected global Hindu population by 2050, according to Pew Research?
Answer: 1.4 billion
Pew Research projects that the global Hindu population will reach 1.4 billion by 2050, indicating continued growth for this major religious group.
What is the fertility rate for Hindus, as stated in the source?
Answer: 2.4 children per woman
The fertility rate for Hindus is 2.4 children per woman, which is slightly less than the world average of 2.5.
Which of the following continents showed a 'Growing' trend in Hindu population dynamics as of 2017-18?
Answer: All listed continents (Asia, Europe, The Americas, Africa, and Oceania)
According to 2017-18 data, all listed continents—Asia, Europe, The Americas, Africa, and Oceania—exhibited a 'Growing' trend in Hindu population dynamics.
Old Tamil is listed as one of the sacred languages associated with Hinduism.
Answer: True
The source material explicitly lists Vedic Sanskrit, Sanskrit, and Old Tamil as sacred languages associated with Hinduism, crucial for its scriptures and traditions.
The Ramayana and Mahabharata are classified as Shruti scriptures, considered divinely revealed texts.
Answer: False
The Ramayana and Mahabharata are classified as Smriti scriptures, which are remembered or interpreted texts, whereas Shruti scriptures like the Vedas are considered divinely revealed.
Contemporary Hindus must adhere to a fixed set of religious beliefs, including polytheism, to be considered Hindu.
Answer: False
Contemporary Hindus subscribe to a wide diversity of ideas and traditions, and can identify as polytheistic, monotheistic, agnostic, or atheistic, without adhering to a fixed set of beliefs to be considered Hindu.
Chief Justice P. B. Gajendragadkar's 1995 ruling stated that Hinduism is unique for having a single prophet and one set of religious rites.
Answer: False
Chief Justice P. B. Gajendragadkar's 1995 ruling stated that Hinduism, unlike other religions, does not claim any one prophet, worship any one god, or follow any one set of religious rites, broadly describing it as a 'way of life'.
The Om symbol is a common and sacred symbol representing the essence of ultimate reality in Hinduism.
Answer: True
The Om symbol is a common and sacred emblem for Hindus, representing the essence of ultimate reality, consciousness, or Atman, and is considered the primordial sound of the universe.
What is the endonym for Hinduism, as mentioned in the source?
Answer: Sanatana Dharma
The source identifies Sanatana Dharma as the endonym for Hinduism, distinguishing it from the exonym 'Hindu'.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a sacred language associated with Hinduism in the source?
Answer: Pali
The source lists Vedic Sanskrit, Sanskrit, and Old Tamil as sacred languages associated with Hinduism, but not Pali.
Which of the following is an example of a Shruti scripture?
Answer: Upanishads
The Upanishads are listed as Shruti scriptures, which are considered divinely revealed, while Puranas, Mahabharata, and Dharmashastras are Smriti texts.
According to the source, what is a notable characteristic of Hindus in the contemporary era regarding their beliefs?
Answer: They subscribe to a wide diversity of ideas on spirituality and traditions.
Contemporary Hindus embrace a wide diversity of ideas on spirituality and traditions, lacking a single prophet or ecclesiastical order, and can identify with various theological stances.
Which philosophical concept is NOT listed as common among Hindus despite their diversity of views?
Answer: Nirvana
The source lists dharma, karma, kama, artha, moksha, and samsara as common philosophical concepts among Hindus, but not Nirvana, which is more commonly associated with Buddhism.
In a 1995 Indian Supreme Court ruling, Chief Justice P. B. Gajendragadkar broadly described the Hindu religion as what?
Answer: A way of life and nothing more
Chief Justice P. B. Gajendragadkar broadly described the Hindu religion as a 'way of life and nothing more,' emphasizing its lack of a single prophet, god, dogma, or set of rites.
What does the Om symbol represent in Hinduism?
Answer: The essence of ultimate reality, consciousness, or Atman
The Om symbol is a common and sacred emblem for Hindus, representing the essence of ultimate reality, consciousness, or Atman, and is considered the primordial sound of the universe.
What is the meaning of 'Sanskara' in Hinduism?
Answer: Common ritual grammar or rites of passage
Sanskara refers to the common ritual grammar or rites of passage in Hinduism, marking significant life events such as weddings, births, and cremations.
What is the primary goal of transforming the raw Wikipedia article into a Q&A document?
Answer: To create a verified factual briefing for a senior AI editor.
The primary goal of transforming the raw Wikipedia article into a Q&A document is to create a verified factual briefing for a senior AI editor, ensuring precision and adherence to the source material.
What is the purpose of adding 'value-added context' to the answers?
Answer: To make the content more helpful and easy to understand for a general audience.
The purpose of adding 'value-added context' is to enhance the content's helpfulness and comprehensibility for a general audience, without introducing new data points not present in the source material.
Which of the following is a component of the Vedas, part of the Shruti scriptures?
Answer: Samhitas
The Vedas, which are Shruti scriptures, are composed of Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads. Puranas, Dharmashastras, and Ramayana are Smriti texts.
What is the significance of the 'Bhagavad Gita' within Hindu texts?
Answer: It is a revered Smriti scripture embedded within the Mahabharata.
The Bhagavad Gita is a highly revered Smriti scripture, embedded within the Mahabharata, offering profound philosophical and spiritual teachings.
Colonial laws in India continued to consider Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains within the scope of 'Hindu' until the late 19th century.
Answer: False
While colonial orientalist texts began to distinguish these groups by the mid-19th century, colonial laws continued to consider Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains within the scope of 'Hindu' until around the mid-20th century.
Sheldon Pollock argues that a Hindu political identity emerged primarily before the 10th century, prior to Islamic invasions.
Answer: False
Sheldon Pollock argues that a Hindu political identity emerged after the 10th century, and especially after the 12th-century Islamic invasion, fused with Indic religious culture.
The 14th-century Sanskrit text 'Madhuravijayam' described the destruction of temples and decline of Dharma due to the Yavanas (Muslims).
Answer: True
The 14th-century Sanskrit text 'Madhuravijayam' lamented the destruction of coconut trees, the dragging of Brahmins, rivers flowing with cow's blood, and the decline of sacred learning and Dharma due to the Yavanas (Muslims).
Scholars suggest that Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain identities in medieval India were clearly defined and distinct from the 8th century onwards.
Answer: False
Scholars suggest that Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain identities in medieval India were 'multiple, layered and fuzzy,' lacking firm definitions and clear boundaries, and are modern constructions retrospectively applied.
Evidence for overlaps in Jain-Hindu identities includes Jains worshipping Hindu deities and intermarriages between the groups.
Answer: True
Evidence for overlaps in Jain-Hindu identities includes Jains worshipping Hindu deities, intermarriages between Jains and Hindus, and medieval-era Jain temples featuring Hindu religious icons.
On the island of Java, Hinduism and Buddhism functioned as entirely separate and distinct religious systems without any merging.
Answer: False
On the island of Java, Hinduism and Buddhism merged and functioned as 'two separate paths within one overall system,' with historical records showing intermarriages and integrated temple themes.
Robert Zaehner asserts that Sikhism is entirely distinct from Hinduism with no organic relationship or shared community history.
Answer: False
Robert Zaehner asserts an organic relationship between Sikhs and Hindus in both religious thought and their communities, noting that virtually all Sikh ancestors were Hindu and intermarriages were frequent.
Julius Lipner argues that the modern distinction between Indian religious traditions like Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs is a recent abstraction influenced by Western preconceptions.
Answer: True
Julius Lipner argues that the modern custom of distinguishing between Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs is a convenient abstraction resulting from Western preconceptions about religion and colonial influence.
Emperor Jahangir referred to the Sikh Guru Arjan as a Muslim in his 'Jahangirnama'.
Answer: False
In his 'Jahangirnama,' Emperor Jahangir referred to the Sikh Guru Arjan as a Hindu, noting his spiritual guidance and practice of marking Khusraw's forehead with saffron.
According to Sheldon Pollock, what historical event intensified the emergence of a Hindu political identity after the 10th century?
Answer: The 12th-century Islamic invasion
Sheldon Pollock argues that the 12th-century Islamic invasion intensified the emergence of a Hindu political identity after the 10th century, fused with Indic religious culture.
What did the 14th-century Sanskrit text 'Madhuravijayam' lament as a consequence of the Yavanas (Muslims)?
Answer: The destruction of coconut trees and decline of Dharma
The 14th-century Sanskrit text 'Madhuravijayam' lamented the destruction of coconut trees, the dragging of Brahmins, rivers flowing with cow's blood, and the decline of sacred learning and Dharma due to the Yavanas (Muslims).
What do scholars suggest about Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain identities in medieval India?
Answer: They were modern constructions retrospectively applied.
Scholars suggest that Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain identities in medieval India were 'multiple, layered and fuzzy,' lacking firm definitions and clear boundaries, and are modern constructions retrospectively applied.
Which of the following is cited as evidence for overlaps in Jain-Hindu identities?
Answer: Medieval-era Jain temples featuring Hindu religious icons
Evidence for overlaps in Jain-Hindu identities includes Jains worshipping Hindu deities, intermarriages, and medieval-era Jain temples featuring Hindu religious icons and sculpture.
According to Robert Zaehner, what is the relationship between Sikhs and Hindus?
Answer: There is an organic relationship in religious thought and communities.
Robert Zaehner asserts an organic relationship between Sikhs and Hindus in both religious thought and their communities, noting that virtually all Sikh ancestors were Hindu and intermarriages were frequent.
According to Andrew Nicholson's review, when did distinct religious identities between Hindus and Turks (Muslims) begin to form?
Answer: From the 15th to 17th centuries
Andrew Nicholson's review of Bhakti movement literature suggests that distinct religious identities between Hindus and Turks (Muslims) formed from the 15th to 17th centuries.
What did Emperor Jahangir note about Sikh Guru Arjan in his 'Jahangirnama'?
Answer: He was a Hindu who marked Khusraw's forehead with saffron.
In his 'Jahangirnama,' Emperor Jahangir referred to the Sikh Guru Arjan as a Hindu, noting his spiritual guidance and practice of marking Khusraw's forehead with saffron, which Hindus consider auspicious.
The Constitution of India uses 'Hindu' in some contexts to include Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs, a usage that has been challenged by these groups.
Answer: True
The Constitution of India uses 'Hindu' to include Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs in certain contexts, a usage that has indeed been challenged by these groups who assert their distinct religious identities.
Akbar was known for severe persecution of Hindus, including destroying temples and banning Hindu festivals.
Answer: False
Akbar was an occasional exception who stopped the persecution of Hindus, whereas Aurangzeb was known for severe persecution, including destroying temples and banning Hindu festivals.
Modern-era religious persecution of Hindus has been reported only within India, not in other countries.
Answer: False
Modern-era religious persecution of Hindus has been reported outside India in countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.
The Islamic Khilafat Movement in the 1920s was a catalyst for the birth of modern Hindu nationalism in Maharashtra.
Answer: True
Christophe Jaffrelot states that modern Hindu nationalism originated in Maharashtra in the 1920s as a reaction to the Islamic Khilafat Movement, which prompted Hindus to question the loyalties of Indian Muslims.
Christian missionaries and Islamic proselytizers during the British colonial era helped foster Hindu-identity driven nationalism by stereotyping Hindus.
Answer: True
During the British colonial era, Christian missionaries and Islamic proselytizers stereotyped and stigmatized Hindus, which, according to Christophe Jaffrelot, prompted Hindus to re-assert their spiritual heritage and foster Hindu-identity driven nationalism.
The concept of 'Hindutva' developed in the first half of the 20th century, before the partition of India and Pakistan.
Answer: False
The concept of 'Hindutva' developed in the second half of the 20th century, after the 1947 partition of India and Pakistan, as part of the Hindu nationalism movement.
Hindu nationalists advocate for a uniform civil code where the legal age of marriage for girls is eighteen for all religions.
Answer: True
Hindu nationalists advocate for a uniform civil code that would set the legal age of marriage for girls at eighteen for all religions, a contentious legal subject in India.
The Maratha Confederacy's overthrow of the Mughal empire contributed to the roots of Hindu nationalism by restoring Hindu holy places.
Answer: True
Chris Bayly traces the roots of Hindu nationalism to the Maratha Confederacy, which overthrew the Mughal empire, allowing Hindus freedom to practice their beliefs and restoring holy places.
The 1947 partition of India and Pakistan led to a mass migration of Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs out of the newly formed Islamic states.
Answer: True
The 1947 partition of India and Pakistan resulted in a mass migration of millions of Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs out of the newly created Islamic states and into Hindu-majority post-British India.
Which Mughal emperor was known for severe persecution of Hindus, including destroying temples?
Answer: Aurangzeb
Aurangzeb was known for severe persecution of Hindus, including destroying temples, forcibly converting non-Muslims, and banning Hindu festivals, in contrast to Akbar who occasionally stopped persecution.
Where has modern-era religious persecution of Hindus been reported outside of India?
Answer: Pakistan
Modern-era religious persecution of Hindus has been reported outside India in countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.
What is the concept of 'Hindutva' associated with, as it developed in the second half of the 20th century?
Answer: A national Hindu-ness, equating religious and national identity
The concept of 'Hindutva,' developed in the second half of the 20th century, is associated with a national Hindu-ness, sometimes equating religious and national identity, particularly after the partition of India and Pakistan.
What was a significant outcome of the 1947 partition of India and Pakistan for religious communities?
Answer: Mass migration of Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs out of newly created Islamic states.
The 1947 partition of India and Pakistan led to widespread religious riots and a mass migration of millions of Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs out of the newly created Islamic states.
The twelve Jyotirlingas and fifty-one Shaktipithas are examples of a shared sacred geography for Hindus, documented in early medieval Puranas.
Answer: True
The twelve Jyotirlingas of Shaivism and fifty-one Shaktipithas of Shaktism, described in early medieval Puranas, demonstrate a historic concept of the Indian subcontinent as a shared sacred geography for Hindus.
The process of 'Indianisation' in ancient Southeast Asia involved the spread of Hindu kingdoms and traditions.
Answer: True
The process known as 'Indianisation' in ancient Southeast Asia involved Hindu kingdoms spreading their religion and traditions, profoundly influencing the culture and religions of these regions.
Balinese Hindus recognize only three proper goals of human life, excluding 'kama' (the pursuit of joy and love).
Answer: False
Balinese Hindus recognize four proper goals of human life (Catur Purusartha), which include dharma, artha, kama (the pursuit of joy and love), and moksha.
The Krishna-Arjuna sculpture in Denpasar, Indonesia, is inspired by the Ramayana epic.
Answer: False
The Krishna-Arjuna sculpture in Denpasar, Indonesia, is inspired by the Bhagavad Gita, a revered Hindu scripture, not the Ramayana epic.
What is the term used to describe the process by which Hindu kingdoms spread their religion and traditions across Southeast Asia in ancient times?
Answer: Indianisation
The process by which Hindu kingdoms spread their religion and traditions across Southeast Asia in ancient times is known as Indianisation, profoundly shaping the region's culture.
Which of the following is NOT one of the four proper goals of human life (Catur Purusartha) recognized by Balinese Hindus?
Answer: Samsara (cycle of rebirth)
Balinese Hindus recognize dharma, artha, kama, and moksha as the four proper goals of human life (Catur Purusartha). Samsara, the cycle of rebirth, is a concept but not one of these four goals.
What is the significance of the Krishna-Arjuna sculpture in Denpasar, Indonesia?
Answer: It is inspired by the Bhagavad Gita.
The Krishna-Arjuna sculpture in Denpasar, Indonesia, is inspired by the Bhagavad Gita, a revered Hindu scripture, highlighting the integration of Hindu mythology in the region.