Logical Reasoning Questions for CLAT | QB Set 8

The Srirangam temple suffered on both occasions. Malik Kafur’s expedition of 1311 was a mere raid. Doubtless, the temple was sacked and the treasure was taken away. But ere long came the second invasion. The object of Ulugh Khan’s expedition in 1323 was the extension of the Tughlaq empire southward. The Srirangam temple was occupied by the Muslims and used as a fortress camp,” the book says.

Several Sri Vaishnavas were killed while fighting to protect the temple. The invaders had an eye on the idol of Sri Namperumal and wanted to seize it. Vaishnavite Acharya Pillailokacharya took the idol and escaped in time by taking a circuitous route to avoid the invaders. The idols of Sri Namperumal and Sri Devi and Bhu Devi were taken from Srirangam in 1323 to Tirupati. They returned only in 1371. Legend has it that unable to bear the acts of the forces, Vellaiyammal is said to have performed a dance before the commander of the forces, gaining time for Pillailokacharya to escape with the idols. The temple has a separate shrine for Pillailokacharya near the shrine of Udayavar or Sri Ramanuja. Infatuated with the danseuse, the commander of the forces approached her, wanting to know the location of the idol of Sri Namperumal. The woman lured the commander under the pretext of showing the idol and took him to the top of the eastern gopuram and pushed him as he peered down. After killing him, Vellaiyammal ended her life by jumping to death from there. According to the temple website, the eastern gopuram has been painted in white in memory of Vellaiyammal since then.

It is said the chief of the Vijayanagara forces, Kumara Kampanna, drove away the Sultanate forces. One of the senior-most priests of the temple said the eastern gopuram had been painted in white for ages. References of the Mohammedan invasion of the Srirangam temple is mentioned in the edition of Koil Olugu, brought out by Sri Vaishnava Sri R. Krishnamachari. Koil Olugu is an account of the temple’s history and its properties. (‘Koil’, in the Vaishnavite parlance, refers to the Srirangam temple and ‘Olugu’ means a register.) Hearsay has it that the ‘Vellai Gopuram’ is called so in memory of Vellaiyammal, Krishnamachari observes.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/the-legend-of-a-danseuse-and-srirangams-only-white-gopuram/article67876181

Questions:

1. Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from the passage?
(a) Malik Kafur’s expedition in 1311 resulted in the complete destruction of the Srirangam temple.
(b) The Srirangam temple was successfully defended by the Sri Vaishnavas during both invasions.
(c) The capture of the idol of Sri Namperumal was a primary objective of Ulugh Khan’s expedition in 1323.
(d) Vellaiyammal’s sacrifice and bravery played a crucial role in protecting the idol of Sri Namperumal during the invasion.

2. What can be inferred about the role of Vaishnavite Acharya Pillailokacharya in the events described in the passage?
(a) He surrendered the idols of Sri Namperumal willingly to the invaders.
(b) He was responsible for the defense of the Srirangam temple during the invasion.
(c) He played a key role in rescuing the idols of Sri Namperumal from the invaders.
(d) He collaborated with the invaders in the occupation of the Srirangam temple.

3. Which assumption underlies the actions of Vellaiyammal as described in the passage?
(a) The invaders would be easily deceived by Vellaiyammal’s plan to protect the idol of Sri Namperumal.
(b) Vellaiyammal’s sacrifice would result in the successful defense of the Srirangam temple.
(c) The commander of the forces would be distracted by Vellaiyammal’s danseuse skills.
(d) Vellaiyammal’s actions would lead to the protection of the idol of Sri Namperumal and the escape of Acharya Pillailokacharya.

4. Which of the following statements would strengthen the argument that Vellaiyammal’s actions were crucial in protecting the Srirangam temple’s treasures?
(a) Vellaiyammal was known for her dancing skills and was admired by many.
(b) Acharya Pillailokacharya had previously failed to protect the temple’s treasures from invaders.
(c) The invaders were unfamiliar with the layout of the temple, making it easier for Vellaiyammal to deceive them.
(d) The Sri Vaishnavas were unable to offer effective resistance against the invaders without Vellaiyammal’s intervention.

5. Which of the following statements would weaken the argument that the invaders intended to seize the idol of Sri Namperumal?
(a) The invaders were primarily interested in occupying the Srirangam temple as a strategic fortress.
(b) There is no evidence to suggest that the idol of Sri Namperumal held any significant monetary value.
(c) The invaders were unaware of the presence of the idol of Sri Namperumal in the Srirangam temple.
(d) The invaders had previously targeted other religious artifacts and treasures in their military campaigns.

ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS

1. Answer: D
Reasoning: The passage highlights Vellaiyammal’s sacrifice and bravery in protecting the idol of Sri Namperumal during the invasion, indicating that her actions were crucial in safeguarding the temple’s treasures.

2. Answer: C
Reasoning: The passage mentions that Vaishnavite Acharya Pillailokacharya took the idol and escaped in time to protect it from the invaders, indicating that he played a crucial role in rescuing the idols.

3. Answer: D
Reasoning: Vellaiyammal’s actions, including sacrificing her life to protect the idol and allowing Acharya Pillailokacharya to escape, suggest an underlying assumption that her actions would lead to the protection of the idol and the escape of Acharya Pillailokacharya.

4. Answer: D
Reasoning: This statement strengthens the argument by suggesting that Vellaiyammal’s intervention was necessary for the Sri Vaishnavas to resist the invaders effectively.

5. Answer: A
Reasoning: This statement weakens the argument by suggesting an alternative motive for the invaders’ actions, namely strategic military advantage, rather than specific interest in seizing religious artifacts.