(Papers) UPSC Pre Topic Wise Papers : Indian History

2017 :

1. In the context of Indian history, the-principle of ‘Dyarchy (diarchy)’ refers to
(a) Division of the central legislature into two houses.
(b) Introduction of double government i.e.; Central and State governments.
(c) Having two sets of rulers; one in London and another in Delhi.
(d) Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories.
Ans. D

2. The object of the Butler Committee of 1927 was to
(a) Define the jurisdiction of the Central and Provincial Governments.
(b) Define the powers of the Secretary of State for India.
(c) Impose Censorship on national press.
(d) Improve the relationship between the
Government of India and the Indian States.
Ans. D
Exp: The Indian States committee appointed a committee under the chairmanship of Sir Harcourt Butler which was popularly known as the Butler Committee to investigate and clarify the relationship between the paramount power and Princes of Princely States in 1927 AD. Committee visited 16 states and submitted its report in 1929.

3. With reference to Indian freedom struggle, consider the following events :
1. Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy
2. Quit India Movement launched
3. Second Round Table Conference
What is the correct chronological sequence of the above events?
(a) 1-2-3

(b) 2-1-3
(c) 3-2-1

(d) 3-1-2
Ans. C
Exp: Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy: 18 February 1946, Quit India Movement: 8 August 1942, Second Round Conference: 1931.

4. With reference to the religious history of India,consider the following statements :
1. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism.
2. Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary, but existed forever in a latent form.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans. B
Exp: The two major sects include – Digambar And Shwetambar.95% of the practices followed are same in both the sects.

5. Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom ?
(a) Kakinada
(b) Motupalli
(c) Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam)
(d) Nelluru
Ans. D
6. Consider the following pairs:
1. Radhakanta Deb – First President of the British Indian Association
2. Gazulu – Founder of the Lakshminarasu Madras Mahajana Chetty Sabha
3. Surendranath – Founder of the Indian Banerjee Association
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. B
Exp: Madras Mahajana Sabha was established by
M. Veeraraghavachariar, G. SubramaniaIyer and
P. Anandacharluin May 1884

7. With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them.
2. Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron.
3. Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) Only 1

(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. C
Exp:
• Indus people were basically peace loving.Their arms (swords, daggers, arrow-heads, and spears) were primitive in nature. No evidence of armour, helmet, body armour or shield is available. The Aryans, on the
contrary, were warlike people and were conversant with all kinds of traditional arms and armour and had devised a full-fledged ‘science of war’.
• The horse, which played a decisive role in the Aryan system of warfare, was not known to the Indus people. A few bones of horse and terracotta figure of a ‘horse-like animal’ have been unearthed from Surkotada (Gujarat) and still it has not been convincingly proved that the horse was employed by the Harappans.
• The Indus valley people knew the use of copper, bronze, silver, gold but not iron.

8. Who among the following was/were associated with the introduction of Ryotwari Settlement in India during the British rule?
1. Lord Cornwallis
2. Alexander Read
3. Thomas Munro
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) Only 1
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. C
Exp: Lord Cornwallis is associated with zamindari system.

9. The Trade Disputes Act of 1929 provided for
(a) The participation of workers in the management of industries.
(b) Arbitrary powers to the management to quell industrial disputes.
(c) An intervention by the British Court in the event of a trade dispute.
(d) A system of tribunals and a ban on strikes.
Ans. A

2016 :

1. What was the main reason for the split in the Indian National Congress at Surat in 1907?
(a) Introduction of communalism into Indian politics by Lord Minto.
(b) Extremists’ lack of faith in the capacity of the moderates to negotiate with the British Government
(c) Foundation of Muslim League
(d) Aurobindo Ghosh’s inability to be elected as the President of the Indian national Congress
Ans: B
Exp: Moderates believed in the policy of settlement of minor issues with the government by deliberations. But the extremists believed in agitation, strikes and boycotts to force their demands. Some nationalists led by LokmanyaTilak agitated against the moderate behaviour of congress against British rule.

2. The plan of Sir Stafford Cripps envisaged that after the Second World War
(a) India should be granted complete independence
(b) India should be partitioned into two before granting independence
(c) India should be made a republic with the condition that she will join the Commonwealth
(d) India should be given Dominion status
Ans: D
Exp: Cripps Mission proposed to give dominion status after the war as well as elections to be held after the war.
3. Regarding the taxation system of Krishna Deva, the ruler of Vijayanagar, consider the following statements:
1. The tax rate on land was fixed depending on the quality of the land.
2. Private owners of workshops paid an industries tax.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: C

Exp: Land revenue was the chief source of income.Land was divided into four categories for purposes of assessment, wet land, dry land, orchards and woods. Usually the share was one sixth of the produce. Land revenue could be paid in cash or kind. The rates varied according to the type of the crops, soil, method of irrigation, etc. Besides land tax, many professional taxes were also imposed. There were on shopkeepers, farm servants, workmen, posters, shoemakers, musicians etc. There was also a tax on property. Grazing and house taxes were also imposed. Commercial taxes consisted of levies, duties and
customs on manufactured articles of trade were also levied. Private owners of workshops paid an industries tax.

4. Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of Sunga dynasty?
(a) Swapnavasavadatta
(b) Malavikagnimitra
(c) Meghadoota
(d) Ratnavali
Ans: B

5. With reference to the economic history of medieval India the term ‘Araghatta’ refers to
(a) Bonded labour
(b) Land grants made to military officers
(c) Waterwheel used in the irrigation of land
(d) Wasteland converted to cultivated land
Ans: C
Exp: The ‘ara-ghatta’ or rope-pot system of lifting water from open wells was probably invented in erstwhile India of the past.

6. With reference to the cultural history of India, the memorizing of chronicles, dynastic histories and epic tales was the profession of who of the following?
(a) Shramana

(b) Parivraajaka
(c) Agrahaarika

(d) Magadha
Ans: D

7. In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs:
Term Description
1. Eripatti : Land, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank
2. Taniyurs : Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins
3. Ghatikas : Colleges generally attached to the temples Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2

(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3

(d) 1 and 3
Ans: A
Exp: Taniyurs- During the Chola regime Taniyurs developed out of major Brahmadeyas and temple settlements and came to include several hamlets and revenue villages. Eripatti -A special category of land, eripatti or tank land, was known only in south India. the revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank. Ghatika: The Pallava kings of the ancient Tamil country who ruled from their capital city Kanchipuram from the 4th-9th centuries A.D were known as patrons of scholars and set up Ghatikas. The Ghatikas were the most important educational institutions in South India during ancient times and the most important Ghatika of the Pallavas was located in Kanchipuram. Inscriptions reveal that many of these kings looked after this institution with great care. It was well-known as an important educational centre even in the 4th century A.D and an epigraph of a Kadamba king (of ancient Karnataka) records that his ancestors, a scholar named Mayura Sharman, along with his teacher Vira Sharman came to this institution from faraway Goa. Ghatikas were separate from temples.

8. Consider the following:
1. Calcutta Unitarian Committee
2. Tabernacle of New Dispensation
3. Indian Reforms Association
Keshab Chandra Sen is associated with the establishment of which of the above?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) Only 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: B
Exp: Raja Ram Mohan Roy is associated with Calcutta Unitarian Committee

9. The Montague-Chelmsford Proposals were related to
(a) Social reforms
(b) Educational reforms
(c) Reforms in police administration
(d) Constitutional reforms
Ans: D

10. Satya Shodhak Samaj organized
(a) A movement for upliftment of tribals in Bihar
(b) A temple-entry movement in Gujarat
(c) An anti-caste movement in Maharashtra
(e) A peasant movement in Punjab
Ans: C
Exp: The main aim was to liberate the social shudra and untouchable castes from exploitation and oppression.

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11. The ‘Swadeshi’ and ‘Boycott’ adopted as methods of struggle for the first time during the
(a) Agitation against the Partition of Bengal
(b) Home Rule Movement
(c) Non-Cooperation Movement
(d) visit of the Simon Commission to India
Ans: A

12. Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?
(a) Georg Buhier

(b) James Prinsep
(c) Max Muller

(d) William Jones
Ans: B

2015 :

1. With reference to Rowlatt Satyagraha, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. The Rowlatt Act was based on the recommendations of the ‘Sedition Committee’.
2. In Rowlatt Satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilize the Home Rule League.
3. Demonstrations against the arrival of Simon Commission coincided with Rowlatt Satyagraha.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) Only 1

(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: B
Exp: Rowlatt Act was passed on the recommendations of the Rowlatt Committee and named after its president, British judge Sir Sidney Rowlatt. The Rowlatt Committee was primarily a Sedition Committee and was appointed by the British Empire in India in 1918. The objective of the Rowlatt committee was to assess political violence and terrorism in the country, particularly in Punjab and Bengal. As a result of recommendations of the Rowlatt committee, the Rowlatt Act, which was an expansion of the Defence of India Act 1915, was imposed in reaction to the threat in Bengal and Punjab. In organizing Rowlatt Satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilize three types of political networks – the Home Rule, certain Pan-Islamist groups, and a Satyagraha Sabha which he himself started at Bombay. The Simon Commission was appointed to suggest future constitutional reforms in India. Simon Commission arrives in Bombay on 3 February 1928.

2. Who of the following was/were economic critic/critics of colonialism in India?
1. Dadabhai Naoroji
2. G. Subramania Iyer
3. R. C. Dutt
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) Only 1

(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: D
Exp: Dadabhai Naoroji, the ‘Grand Old Man of India’, who after a brilliant analysis of the colonial economy put forward the theory of economic drain in Poverty and Un British Rule in India.G.V. Joshi, G. Subramaniya lyer, G.K. Gokhale, Prithwis Chandra Ray and hundreds of other political workers and journalists analysed every aspect of the economy and subjected the entire range of economic issues and colonial economic policies to minute scrutiny. Romesh Chandra Dutt, a retired ICS officer, published ‘The Economic History of India’ at the beginning of the 20th century in which he examined in minute detail the entire economic record of colonial rule since 1757. Dadabhai Naoroji, G. Subramaniya lyer and R. C. Dutt raised basic questions regarding the nature and purpose of British rule. Eventually,
they were able to trace the process of the colonialization of the Indian economy and conclude that colonialism was the main obstacle to India’s economic development. They clearly understood the fact that the essence of British imperialism lay in the subordination of the Indian economy to the British economy.

3. With reference to Congress Socialist Party, consider the following statements:
1. It advocated the boycott of British goods and evasion of taxes.
2. It wanted to establish the dictatorship of proletariat.

3. It advocated separate electorate for minorities and oppressed classes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) Only 3
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None
Ans: D
Exp: The Congress Socialist Party formed a group of socialists within the Congress. It aimed at achieving complete Independence of India from imperialism and the establishment of a socialist society. The blueprint adopted at one of its conferences strived for “All power to the toiling masses, nationalisation of key industries, abolition of feudalism and landlordism without compensation, distribution of land and cooperative and collective farming.” The first allIndia conference of the socialists was held on May 17,1934 at Patna under the presidentship of Acharya Narendra Dev. Jayaprakash Narayan, Achyut Patwardhan, Yusuf Mehrally and Ashok Mehta assisted Acharya Narendra Dev in the formation of the CSP. Although Jawaharlal Nehru was a socialist, he did not join the CSP.The Indian Freedom leaders always asked people to not pay the taxes and therer is basic difference between non-payment of taxes and tax evasion.Congress Socialist Party wanted to establish Socialist Society. They never talked about dictatorship of the proletariat. They never advocated for separate electorate for the minorities and oppressed classes.

4. The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly defined
(a) The separation of power between the judiciary and the legislature
(b) The jurisdiction of the central and provincial governments
(c) The powers of the Secretary of State for India and Viceroy
(d) None of the above
Ans: B
Exp: GOI Act, 1919 is also known as the MontageChelmsford Reforms, came into force in 1921.
• It relaxed central control over the provinces by demarcating and separating the central & provincial subjects.
• It also separated provincial budgets from central budgets.

5. Consider the following Pairs :
Medieval Indian Present Region: State
1. Champaka : Central India
2. Durgara : Jammu
3. Kuluta : Malabar
Which of the above pairs is/ are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 (b) Only 2
(c) 1 and 3 (d) 3 only
Ans: B
Exp: The foothills of the Himalayas lent themselves admirably to such small kingdoms, owing to the nature of the country. The ninth century saw the rise of a number of hill states, some of which maintained their identity until recent years, despite their wars with each other and the frequent raids from the men of the plains. States such as Champaka (Chamba), Durgara (jammu), Trigarta (jalandhar), Kuluta (Kulu), Kumaon and Garhwal managed to remain outside the main areas of conflict in the northern plains. Champaka: Chamba (Himanchal Pradesh) Durgara: Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) Kuluta: Kulu (Himanchal Pradesh)

6. Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?
1. Avanti
2. Gandhara
3. Kosala
4. Magadha
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 3 and 4 only
Ans: D
Exp: Prasenajit, king of Kosala, was the Buddha’s contemporary. Buddha wandered through the towns and villages in the kingdoms of Kosala and Magadha teaching his philosophy. Gandhara is not directly associated with the life of Buddha. It was expansion of Maurya empire that Gandhara received much Buddhist influence, notably during the reign of Asoka. Pradyota, the ruler of Avanti, was contemporary to Gautama Buddha. Avanti was not directly related to the life of Buddha. According to the Buddhist text, the Anguttara Nikaya, Avanti was one of the sisteen mahajanapadas of the 6th century BC

7. Consider the following:
The arrival of Babur into Indian led to the
1. Introduction of gunpowder in the subcontinent
2. Introduction of the arch and dome in the region’s architecture
3. Establishment of Timurid dynasty in the region
Select the correct answer using the code give below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) Only 3
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: C
Exp: Arches and Domes were introduced in India during Sultanat Period.

8. Who of the following organized a March on the Tanjore coast to break the Salt Law in April 1930?
(a) V. O. Chidambaram Pillai
(b) C. Rajagopalachari
(c) K. Kamaraj
(d) Annie Besant
Ans: B
Exp: In Tamil Nadu C. Rajagopalachari led a Salt March from Tiruchirapalli to Vedaranyam on the Tanjore Coast. He was arrested on 30 April, 1930.

9. Who of the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna and undertook to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity to whom all the land south of the river Krishna was supposed to belong?
(a) Amoghavarsha I
(b) Ballala II
(c) Harihara I
(d) Prataparudra II
Ans: C

10. Consider the following statements:
1. The first woman President of the Indian National Congress was Sarojini Naidu.
2. The first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress was Badruddin Tyabji.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: B
Exp: Annie Besant was the first woman President of Indian National Congress. She presided over the 1917 Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress. Badruddin Tyabji was the first muslim president
of Indian National Congress. He was elected in 1887 Madras session.

11. With reference to the Cabinet Mission, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It recommended a federal government.
2. It enlarged the powers of the Indian courts.
3. It provided for more Indians in the ICS.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None
Ans: A
Exp: Cabinet Mission 1946, proposed for a federal scheme, where most of the functions were to be performed at the provincial level.
• By, 1944, most of the ICS officers were Indians.
• The other provisions are not part of Cabinet Mission, as it was mostly related to the Constitutional scheme.
12. With reference to Indian history, which of the following is/are the essential element/elements of the feudal system?
1. A very strong centralized political authority and a very weak provincial or local political authority
2. Emergence of administrative structure based on control and possession of land
3. Creation of lord-vassal relationship between the feudal lord and his overlord
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) Only 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: D
Exp: The basic requisite of a feudal system were present in Ancient India. The kings granted the revenue from varying proportions of land to his officers or selected holders, who were the equivalent of vassals elsewhere. The tendency from the seventh century onwards of granting land in lieu of cash salaries intensified the feudal process.

13. Which one of the following movements has contributed to a split in the Indian National Congress resulting in the emergence of ‘moderates’ and ‘extremists’?
(a) Swadeshi Movement
(b) Quit India Movement
(c) Non-Cooperation Movement
(d) Civil Disobedience Movement
Ans: A
Exp: Difference between moderates and extremists widened in Calcutta Session of congress (1906) and there were attempts between them to elect one of them as the president of congress. The moderates opposed the resolutions on Swaraj, Swadeshi, Boycott of foreign goods and National Education and requested to withdraw from the policy laid down in the Calcutta session. But the extremists were not ready to do so. In Surat Session (1907), extremists wanted Lala Lajpat Rai or Tilak as a President candidate of congress and Moderates supported Dr. Rashbihari Ghosh to be the President. But Lala Lajpat Rai stepped down and Dr. Rashbihari Ghosh became the President. The Swadeshi movement started with the partition of Bengal by the Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, 1905 and continued up to 1911.
Quit India Movement – 1942
Non-Cooperation Movement – 1920
Civil Disobedience Movement – 1930

2014 :

1. Which of the following Kingdoms were associated With the life of the Buddha?
1. Avanti
2. Gandhara
3. Kosala
4. Magadha
Select the correct nswer using the code given below.
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4
Ans. C

2. In medieval India, the designations ‘Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila’ were used for
(a) Military officers
(b) Village headmen
(c) Specialists in Vedic rituals
(d) Chiefs of craft guilds
Ans. B
3. Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was (a) The mosque for the use of Royal Family
(b) Akbar’s private chamber prayer
(c) The hall in which Akbar held discussions with scholars of various religions.
(d) The room in which the nobles belonging to different religions gathered to discuss religious affairs
Ans. C

4. The Radcliffe Committee was appointed to
(a) Solve the problem of minorities in India
(b) Give effect to the Independence Bill
(c) Delimit the boundaries between India and Pakistan
(d) Enquire into the riots in East Bengal
Ans. C

5. The Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until
(a) The First World War when Indian troops were needed by the British and the partition was ended.
(b) King George V abrogated Curzon’s Act at the Royal Darbar in Delhi in 1911
(c) Gandhiji launched his Civil Disobedience Movement
(d) The Partition of India, in 1947 when East Bengal became East Pakistan
Ans. B

6. The 1929 Session of Indian, National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom Movement because the
(a) Attainmentof Self-Government was declared as the objective of the Congress
(b) Attainment of Poorna Swaraj Was adopted as the goal of the Congress
(c) Non-Cooperation Movement was launched
(d) Decision to participate in the Round Table
Conference in London was taken
Ans. B

7. The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a
(a) Revolutionary association of Indians with headquarters at San Francisco.
(b) Nationalist organization operating from Singapore
(c) Militant organization with headquarters at Berlin
(d) Communist movement for India’s freedom with head-quarters at Tashkent
Ans. A

8. What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858)?
1. To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States
2. To place the Indian administration under the British Crown
3. To regulate East India Company’s trade with India
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) Only 2
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. A

2013 :

1. The people of India agitated against the arrival of Simon Commission because
(a) Indians never wanted the review of the working of the Act of 1919
(b) Simon Commission recommended the abolition of Dyarchy (Diarchy) in the Provinces
(c) there was no Indian member in the Simon Commission
(d) the Simon Commission suggested the partition of the country
Ans. C

2. Quit India Movement was launched in response to
(a) Cabinet Mission Plan
(b) Cripps Proposals
(c) Simon Commission Report
(d) Wavell Plan
Ans. B

3. Which of the following statements is/are applicable to Jain doctrine?
1. The surest way of annihilating Karma is to practice penance.
2. Every object, even the smallest particle has a soul.
3. Karma is the bane of the soul and must be ended.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. D

4. The Chinese traveller Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsang) who visited India recorded the general conditions and culture of India at that time. In this context, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. The roads and river-routes were completely immune from robbery.
2. As regards punishment for offences, ordeals by fire, water and poison were the instruments for determining the innocence or guilt of a person.
3. The tradesmen had to pay duties at ferries and barrier stations.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. B

5. With reference to Indian History, the Members of the Constituent Assembly from the Provinces were
(a) Directly elected by the people of those Provinces
(b) Nominated by the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League
(c) Elected by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies
(d) Selected by the Government for their expertise in constitutional matters
Ans. C

6. The demand for the Tebhaga Peasant Movement in Bengal was for
(a) the reduction of the share of the landlords from one-half of the crop to one-third
(b) the grant of ownership of land to peasants as they were the actual cultivators of the land
(c) the uprooting of Zamindari system and the end of serfdom
(d) writing off all peasant debts
Ans. A

7. Annie Besant was
1. responsible for starting the Home Rule Movement
2. the founder of the Theosophical Society
3. Once the President of the Indian National Congress
Select the correct statement/statements using the codes given below.
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. C

8. The Ilbert Bill controversy was related to the
(a) Imposition restrictions the Indians of certain to carry arms by Indians
(b) Imposition of restrictions on newspapers and magazines published in Indian languages
(c) Removal of disqualifications imposed on the Indian magistrates with regard to the trial of the Europeans
(d) Removal of a duty on imported cotton cloth Ans. C

2012 :

1. With reference to the scientific progress of ancient India, which of the statements given below are correct?
1. Different kinds of specialized surgical instruments were in common use by 1st century AD.
2. Transplant of internal organs in the human body had begun by the beginning of 3rd century AD
3. The concept of sine of an angle was known in 5th century AD.
4. The concept of cyclic quadrilaterals was known in 7th century AD.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans. C

2. With 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 the Vedas
3. Denial of efficacy of rituals
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. B

3. The congress ministries resigned in the seven provinces in 1939 because
(a) The Congress could not form ministries in the other four provinces
(b) Emergence of a ‘left wing’ in the Congress made the working of the ministries impossible
(c) There were widespread communal disturbances in their provinces
(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct.
Ans. D

4. Which of the following is/are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act, 1919?
1. Introduction of dyarchy in the executive government of the provinces
2. Introduction of separate communal electorates for Muslims
3. Devolution of legislative authority by the centre to the provinces
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) Only 1
Ans. B

5. During the freedom struggle, the National Social Conference was formed. What was the reason for its formation?
(a) Different social reform groups or organizations of Bengal region united to form a single body to discuss the issues of larger interest and to prepare appropriate petitions/representations to the government
(b) Indian National Congress did not want to include social reforms in its deliberations and decided to form a separate body for such a purpose (c) Behramji Malabari and M.G. Ranade decided to bring together all the social reform groups of the country under one organization
(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context
Ans. C

6. Which of the following parties were established by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar?
1. The Peasants and Workers Party of India
2. All India Scheduled Castes Federation
3. The Independent Labour Party
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 2 and 3 only
Ans. D

7. Mahatma Gandhi undertook fast unto death in 1932, mainly because:
(a) Round Table Conference failed to satisfy Indian political aspirations
(b) Congress and Muslim League had differences of opinion
(c) Ramsay Macdonald announced the Communal Award
(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context
Ans. C

8. With reference to the religious history of medieval India, the Sufi mystics were known to pursue which of the following practices?
1. Meditation and control of breath
2. Severe ascetic exercises in a lonely place
3. Recitation of holy songs to arouse a state of ecstasy in their audience
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) Only 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. D

9. The Rowlatt Act aimed at

(a) compulsory economic support to war efforts
(b) Imprisonment without trial and summary procedures for trial
(c) Suppression of the Khilafat Movement
(d) Imposition of restrictions on freedom of the press
Ans. B

10. The Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress (1929) is very important in history, because
1. The Congress passed a resolution demanding complete independence
2. The rift between the extremists and moderates was resolved in that Session
3. A resolution was passed rejecting the two-nation theory in that Session
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None of the these
Ans. A

11. Lord Buddha’s image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called ‘Bhumisparsha Mudra’. It symbolizes
(a) Buddha’s reminder to his followers that they all arise from the Earth and finally dissolve into the Earth, and thus this life is transitory
(b) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to watch over Mara and to prevent Mara from disturbing his meditation
(c) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara
(d) All of these
Ans. C

12. The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of:
(a) Bhakti
(b) Image Worship and Yajnas
(c) Worship of Nature and Yajnas
(d) Worship of Nature and Bhakti
Ans. C

13. Which of the following statements is / are correct regarding Brahmo Samaj?
1. It opposed idolatry.
2. It denied the need for a priestly class for interpreting the religious texts.
3. It popularized the doctrine that the Vedas are infallible
Select the correct Ans.
(a) Only 1
(b) 1 and 2 Only
(c) 3 Only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Ans. B

14. Consider the following :
1. Assessment of land revenue on the basis of nature of the soil and the quality of crops
2. Use of mobile cannons in warfare
3. Cultivation of tobacco and red chillies
Which of the above was/were introduced into India by the English?
(a) Only 1
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 2 and 3
(d) None
Ans. D

15. With reference to the guilds (Shreni) of ancient India that played a very important role in the country’s economy, which of the following statements is /are correct?
1. Every guild was registered with the central authority of the State and the king was the chief administrative authority on them.
2. The wages, rules of work, standards and prices were fixed by the guild.
3. The guild had judicial powers over its own members.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) Only 3
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. D

16. The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in the:
(a) Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909
(b) Montagu-Chelmsford Act, 1919
(c) Government of India Act, 1935
(d) Indian Independence Act, 1947
Ans. C

2011 :

1. What was the purpose with which sir William wedderburn and W.S. Caine had set up the Indian parliamentary committee in 1893 ?
(a) To agitate for Indian political reforms in the house of commons.
(b) To campaign for the entry of Indians into the imperial judiciary.
(c) To facilitate a discussion on India’s independence in the British parliament.
(d) To agitate for the entry of eminent Indians into the British parliament.
Ans. A

2. Mahatma Gandhi said that some of his deepest convictions were reflected in a book titled, “unto this last’’ and the book transformed his life. What was the message from the book that transformed mahatma Gandhi?
(a) Uplifting the oppressed and poor is the moral responsibility of an educated man
(b) The good of individual is contained in the good of all.
(c) The life of celibacy and spiritual pursuit are essential for a noble life.
(d) All the statements (a), (b) and (c) are correct in this context.
Ans. B

3. With reference to Indian freedom struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for?
(a) Running the secret congress radio in the wake of quit India movement.
(b) Participating in the second round table conference.
(c) Leading a contingent of Indian national army.
(d) Assisting in the formation of Interim government under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Ans. A

4. With reference to the period of Indian freedom struggle, which of the following was/were recommended by the Nehru report?
1. Complete independence for India.
2. Joint electorates for reservation of seats for minorities.
3. Provision of fundamental rights for the people of India in the constitution.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. B

5. The tendency for increased litigation was visible after the introduction of the land settlement system of lord Cornwallis in 1793. The reason for this is normally traced to which of the following provisions?
(a) Making zamindar’s position stronger vis-à-vis the ryot.
(b) Making east India company an overlord of zamindars.
(c) Making judicial system more efficient.
(d) None of the (a), (b) and (c) above.
Ans. D

6. Which one of the following observation is not true about the quit India movement of 1942?
(a) It was a non-violent movement.
(b) It was led by mahatma Gandhi.
(c) It was a spontaneous movements.
(d) It did not attract the labour class in general.
Ans. A

7. Which amongst the following provided a common factor for tribal insurrection in India in the 19th century?
(a) Introduction of a new system of land revenue and taxation of tribal products.
(b) Influence of foreign religious missionaries in tribal areas.
(c) Rise of a large number of money lenders, traders and revenue farmers as middlemen in tribal areas.
(d) The complete disruption of the old agrarian order of the tribal com-munities.
Ans. D

8. India maintained its early cultural contacts and trade links with southeast Asia across the bay of Bengal. For this pre-eminence of early maritime history of bay of Bengal , which of the following could be the most convincing explanation/explanations?
(a) As compared to other countries, India had a better ship-building technology in ancient and medieval times.
(b) The rulers of southern India always partronized traders , Brahmin priests and Buddhist monks in this context.
(c) Monsoon winds across the bay of Bengal facilitated sea voyages.
(d) Both (a) and (b) are convincing explanations in this context.
Ans. D

9. With reference to the period of colonial rule in India, “Home Charges “ formed an important part of drain of wealth from India. Which of the following funds constituted “Home Charges’’?
1. Funds used to support the India office in London.
2. Funds used to pay salaries and pensions of British personnel engaged in India.
3. Funds used for waging wars outside India by the British.
(a) Only 1
(b) 1 and 2 only.
(c) 2 and 3 only.
(d) 1, 2 and 3.
Ans. D

10. What was the reason for mahatma Gandhi to organize a satyagraha on behalf of the peasants off Kheda?
1. The administration did not suspend the land revenue collection in spite of a drought.
2. The administration proposed to introduce permanent settlement in Gujarat.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1 (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans. A

11. The Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by?
(a) Universal law. (b) Universal truth.
(c) Universal faith. (d) Universal soul.
Ans. A

12. Karl Marx explained the process of class struggle with the help of which one of the following theories?
(a) Empirical liberalism.
(b) Existentialism.
(c) Darwin’s theory of evolution.
(d) Dialectical materialism.
Ans. D

13. Regarding the Indus valley civilization , consider the following statements?
1. It was predominantly a secular civilization and the religious element, though present, did not dominate the scene.
2. During this period, cotton was used for manufacturing textiles in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans. C

14. The “dharma” and “Rita” depict a central Idea of ancient vedic civilization of India. In this context, consider the following statements :
1. Dharma was a conception of obligations and of the discharge of one’s duties to oneself and to others.
2. Rita was the fundamental moral law governing the functioning of the universe and all it contained.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans. C

2010 :

1. There are only two known examples of cave paintings of the Gupta period in ancient India. One of these is paintings of Ajanta caves. Where is the other surviving example of Gupta paintings?
(a) Bagh caves
(b) Ellora caves
(c) Lomas Rishi cave
(d) Nasik caves
Ans. A

2. Why did Buddhism start declining in India in the early medieval times?
1. Buddha was by that time considered as one of the incarnations of Vishnu and thus became a part of Vaishnavism
2. The invading tribes from Central Asia till the time of last Gupta king adopted Hinduism and persecuted Buddhists
3. The Kings of Gupta dynasty were strongly opposed to Buddhism
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans. A

3. Among the following, who was not a proponent of bhakti cult?
(a) Nagarjuna

(b) Tukaram
(c) Tyagaraja

(d) Vallabhacharya
Ans. C

4. What was the immediate cause for Ahmad Shah Abdali to invade and fight the Third Battle of Panipat:
(a) He wanted to avenge the expulsion by Marathas of his viceroy Timur Shah from Lahore
(b) The frustrated governor of Jullundhar Adina Beg khan invited him to invade Punjab
(c) He wanted to punish Mughal administration for non payment of the revenues of the Chahar Mahal (Gujrat Aurangabad, Sialkot and Pasrur).
(d) He wanted to annex alll the fertile plains of Punjab upto borders of Delhi to his kingdom
Ans. A

5. With reference to Pondicherry (now Puducherry), consider the following statements:
1. The first European power to occupy Pondicherry were the Portuguese.
2. The second European power to occupy Pondicherry were the French.
3. The English never occupied Pondicherry. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) Only 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. A

6. Who among the following governor-generals created the covenanted Civil Service of India which later came to be known as the Indian Civil Service?
(a) Warren Hastings
(b) Wellesley
(c) Cornwallis
(d) William Bentinck
Ans. C

7. By a regulation in 1793, the District Collector was deprived of his judicial powers and made the collecting agent only. What was the reason for such regulation?
(a) Lord Cornwallis felt that the District Collector’s efficiency of revenue collection would enormously increase without the burden of other work
(b) Lord Cornwallis felt that judicial power should compulsorily be in the hands of Europeans while Indians can be given the job of revenue collection in the districts
(c) Lord Cornwallis was alarmed at the extent of power concentrated in the District Collector and felt that such absolute power was undesirable in one person
(d) The judicial work demanded a deep knowledge of India and a good training in law and Lord Cornwallis felt that District Collector should be only a revenue collector
Ans. C

8. With reference to Simon Commission’s recommendations, which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) It recommended the replacement of diarchy with responsible government in the provinces
(b) It proposed the setting up of inter-provincial council under the Home Department
(c) It suggested the abolition of bicameral legislature at the Centre
(d) It recommended the creation of Indian Police Service with a provision for increased pay and allowances for British recruits as compared to Indian recruits
Ans. A

9. Four resolutions were passed at the famous Calcutta session of Indian National Congress in 1906. The question of either retention or of rejection of these four resolutions became the cause of a split in Congress at the next Congress session held in Surat in 1907.
Which one of the following was not one of those resolutions?
(a) Annulment of partition of Bengal
(b) Boycott
(c) National education
(d) Swadeshi
Ans. A

10. After Quit India Movement, C. Rajagopalachari issued a pamphlet entitled “The Way Out”. Which one of the following was a proposal in this pamphlet?
(a) The establishment of a “War Advisory Council” composed of representatives of British India and the Indian States
(b) Reconstitution of the Central Executive Council in such a way that all its members, except the Governor General and the Commander-in-Chief should be Indian leaders
(c) Fresh elections to the Central and Provincial Legislatures to be held at the end of 1945 and the Constitution making body to be convened as soon as possible
(d) A solution for the constitutional deadlock
Ans. D

11. What was the immediate cause for the launch of the Swadeshi movement?
(a) The partition of Bengal done by Lord Curzon.
(b) A sentence of 18 months rigorous imprisonment imposed on Lokmanya Tilak.
(c) The arrest and deportation of Lala Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh; and passing of the Punjab Colonization Bill.
(d) Death sentence pronounced on the Chapekar brothers.
Ans. A

12. Consider the following statements:
1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad persuaded Mahatma Gandhi to come to Champaran to investigate the problem of peasants.
2. Acharya J. B. Kriplani was one of Mahatma Gandhi’s colleagues in his Champaran investigation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans. B

13. Consider the following statements:
1. The “Bombay Manifesto” signed in 1936 openly opposed the preaching of socialist ideals.
2. It evoked support from a large section of business community from all across India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans. A

14. For the Karachi session of Indian National Congress in 1931 presided over by Sardar Patel, who drafted the Resolution on Fundamental Rights and Economic Programme?
(a) Mahatma Gandhi
(b) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(d) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
Ans. B

15. Who among the following were official Congress negotiators with Cripps Mission?
(a) Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel
(b) Acharya J. B. Kripalani and C. Rajagopalachari
(c) Pandit Nehru and Maulana Azad
(d) Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Rafi Ahmed Kidwai
Ans. C