Q31. With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements:
1. It is a circular temple built during the reign of Kachchhapaghata Dynasty.
2. It is the only circular temple built in India.
3. It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region.
4. Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 4
(d) 2, 3 and 4
Solution C
Built during the reign of Kachchhapaghata Dynasty: The Chausath Yogini temple is in Morena district 40 kilometres from Gwalior. According to an inscription dated to 1323 CE (Vikram Samvat 1383), the temple was built by the Kachchhapaghata king Devapala (1055 – 1075). Hence Statement 1 is correct.
It is the only circular temple built in India: This statement is not correct. While Chausath Yogini Temple is a unique example of a circular temple, it is not the only one of its kind in India. There are other Yogini temples with similar designs.
The uniqueness of this Yogini temple is its circular shape that is popularly believed to have inspired the design of the Indian Parliament. The circular shape is likely to have represented a Sri Yantra in which the Yoginis reside, with the Supreme Yogini or Maha Sakti residing in the centre (represented by the circular central main shrine).
It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region: This statement is incorrect. The Chausath Yogini Temple is associated with the Yogini cult and is dedicated to the Goddess Durga and her sixty-four Yoginis, not the Vaishnava cult.
Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building: This statement is true.
Q32. Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs?
(a) Dholavira
(b) Kalibangan
(c) Rakhigarhi
(d) Ropar
Solution A
Dholavira, located in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India, is a well-known site of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. The city is renowned for its sophisticated water conservation system.
Archaeologists have discovered evidence of a series of reservoirs, dams, channels, and other water-harvesting structures, revealing an impressive understanding of hydraulic engineering for that time. These features were used to manage water in the arid climate, conserve rainwater, and support the urban settlement.
Q33. In the first quarter of seventeenth century, in which of the following was/were the factory/factories of the English East India Company located?
1. Broach
2. Chicacole
3. Trichinopoly
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 3 only
(d) 2 and 3
Solution A
English East India Company was formed by a group of merchants known as the ‘Merchant Adventures’ in 1599. A charter to the new Company was granted by Queen Elizabeth (December, 1600) giving it the monopoly of Eastern trade for 15 years. It established trading posts or “factories” in various locations to control trade and exert influence.
Establishment of Factories by East India Company:
1. West Coast: The English established factories at Agra, Ahmadabad, Baroda and Broach by 1619, all of which were placed under the control of the president and council of the Surat factory. The company acquired Bombay from Charles II on lease at an annual rental of ten pounds in 1668.
2. South-eastern Coast: Factories were established at Masulipatam (1611) and Armagaon near Pulicat (1626).
3. Eastern India: Factories were set up at Hariharpur and Balasore in Orissa (1633), at Hugli in 1651, followed by those at Patna, Dacca, Kasimbazar in Bengal and Bihar.
Trichinopoly was under the Kingdom of Arcot, as there was a famous incident of the siege of Trichinopoly. There was no EIC factory here too.
Nizam of Hyderabad, Salabat Jung granted the French the area in Andhra known as Northern Circars (The Northern Circars were 5 in number: Chicacole (Srikakulam), Rajahmundry, Eluru, Kondapalli and Guntur)
Q34. From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India?
1. The Guptas of Magadha
2. The Paramaras of Malwa
3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar
4. The Maukharis of Kanauj
5. The Yadavas of Devagiri
6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1, 2 and 5
(b) 1, 3, 4 and 6
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 5 and 6
Solution B
1. The Guptas of Magadha: The Gupta Empire was a prominent power in northern India, but its decline began in the late 5th century and continued into the 6th century.
2. The Paramaras of Malwa: The Paramaras were a Rajput dynasty that ruled the Malwa region in central India. They rose to prominence around the 9th century, so they were not a significant power during the specified time frame.
3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar: The Pushyabhuti dynasty ruled in the Thanesar region, and Harsha himself was a member of this dynasty. They held power in the 6th and early 7th centuries.
4. The Maukharis of Kanauj: The Maukharis ruled in the Kanauj region during the late 5th and 6th centuries. They were a significant power in northern India during this period.The Yadavas of Devagiri: The Yadavas ruled the Deccan region, and they came to prominence in the late 12th century, well after the period under consideration.
5. The Maitrakas of Valabhi: The Maitraka dynasty ruled the Valabhi region in western India from the late 5th century to the 8th century. They were a notable power in the region during the specified time frame.
The correct option would be: 1, 3, 4, and 6
Q35. According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in Vijayanagara Empire were expert in which of the following areas?
1. Wrestling
2. Astrology
3. Accounting
4. Soothsaying
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Solution D
Fernao Nuniz was a Portuguese traveler and horse trader who visited the Vijayanagara Empire in India, spending time there around 1535.
He described the wealth and grandeur of the city, the organization of the markets, the festivals and ceremonies, and the system of justice. His writings also include a detailed account of the king’s administration, the functioning of the government departments, the standing army, and the judiciary system.
Fernao Nuniz, Portuguese traveller, visited the empire during the reign of Achyuta Deva Raya. According to Nuniz, a large number of women were employed in royal palaces as dancers, domestic servants, and palanquin bearers. There were also wrestlers, astrologers, and soothsayers among them. Some women were also appointed as accountants, judges, bailiffs, and watch women.
Q36. With reference to Madanapalle of Andhra Pradesh, which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) Pingali Venkayya designed the tricolour Indian National Flag here.
(b) Pattabhi Sitaramaiah led the Quit India Movement of Andhra region from here.
(c) Rabindranath Tagore translated the National Anthem from Bengali to English here.
(d) Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott set up headquarters of Theosophical Society first here.
Solution C
The song “Jana-gana-mana,” composed originally in Bangla by Rabindranath Tagore, was adopted in its Hindi version by the Constituent Assembly as the National Anthem of India on January 24, 1950.
Madanapalle is known for its association with Rabindranath Tagore, who translated “Jana Gana Mana,” the National Anthem of India, from Bengali to English in the Besant Theosophical College in Madanapalle. He also set it to music there in 1919.
It was first sung on December 27, 1911, at the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress.
Q37. Consider the following pairs:
Historical place : | Well – known for |
Burzahom | Rock -cut shrines |
Chandra -ketugarh | Terracotta art |
Ganeshwar | Copper artefacts |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 3 only
(d) 2 and 3
Solution: D
1. Burzahom in Kashmir Valley is a neolithic site & is associated with pit dwellings and a well-developed bone tool industry, not rock-cut shrines. So, Pair I is incorrect.
2. Chandraketugarh is known for its terracotta art. Chandraketugarh is located in the Ganga delta in West Bengal. Post Mauryan period this place became famous for Terracotta art. Pair is correctly matched.
3. Ganeshwar, a famous Chalcolithic SIte in Rajasthan is known for its copper artefacts. This pair is also correctly matched.
Q38. Consider the following statements:
1. It was during the reign of Iltutmish that Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince.
2. It was during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq that Taimur occupied Multan and crossed the Indus.
3. It was during the reign of Deva Raya II of Vijayanagara Empire that Vasco da Gama reached the coast of Kerala.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 3 only
(d) 2 and 3
Solution A
Statement 1 is correct. Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince Jalal ad-Din Mingburnu during the reign of Iltutmish (1211–1236). Iltutmish wisely avoided direct confrontation with Chengiz Khan.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Taimur invaded India during the reign of Sultan Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud Shah Tughluq of the Tughluq Dynasty, not during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq (1325–1351). Taimur’s invasion took place in 1398, long after Muhammad bin Tughluq’s rule.
Statement 3 is incorrect. Vasco da Gama reached the coast of Kerala in 1498. Deva Raya II ruled the Vijayanagara Empire from 1424 to 1446, well before Vasco da Gama’s journey to India.
Q39. Consider the following statements:
1. St. Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Jesuit Order.
2. St. Francis Xavier died in Goa and a church is dedicated to him there.
3. The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated in Goa each year.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Statement I is correct: St. Francis Xavier was indeed one of the original companions of St. Ignatius of Loyola, with whom he co-founded the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuit Order, in 1540.
Statement II is incorrect: While St. Francis Xavier did much missionary work in Goa and the surrounding regions, he did not die in Goa. He died on the Chinese island of Shangchuan in 1552. However, his body was taken back to Goa, where it’s enshrined in the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
Statement III is correct: The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is a major event celebrated in Goa on December 3rd each year, honoring the saint’s death.
Q40. With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Mitakshara was the civil law for upper castes and Dayabhaga was the civil law for lower castes.
2. In the Mitakshara system, the sons can claim right to the property during the lifetime of the father, whereas in the Dayabhaga system, it is only after the death of the father that the sons can claim right to the property.
3. The Mitakshara system deals with the matters related to the property held by male members only of a family, whereas the Dayabhaga system deals with the matters related to the property held by both male and female members of a family.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
d) 3 only
Solution B
Statement I is incorrect: Mitakshara and Dayabhaga are two different systems of Hindu law that were not specifically tied to caste distinctions.
Statement II is correct: Mitakshara law allowed for immediate inheritance rights to the sons, whereas Dayabhaga law required the father’s death for the sons to inherit.
Statement III is incorrect: Both the systems, Mitakshara and Dayabhaga, deal with the property rights of both men and women
In the Mitakshara school, the property rights of women were restricted to a great extent; women were believed never to be able to become a coparcener. The widow of a deceased coparcener could not get his share and was not allowed to enforce a partition of her husband’s share against his brothers.
The Dayabhaga school, on the other hand, was somewhat lenient. A widow has the right to inherit her deceased husband’s share and could enforce a partition against his brothers.