- Analysis: History MCQs
- Ancient
- Buddhism/Jainism
- Culture, Society
- Medieval
- Modern History/Freedom Struggle
Analysis: History MCQs
- In 2013, 22 Out of 125 questions came from Indian History. = ~18% of the paper was History.
- In 2012 they had asked 21 questions. So importance of History remains more or less the same.
- UPSC is newfound love for Jainism-Buddhism is evident from its 3 MCQs in CSAT-2013, 4 MCQs in CAPF-2013.
- Harappan civilization topic makes a comeback.
- At least six questions can be solved directly from (new) NCERTs.
- Some are bit debatable, because I haven’t located source yet.
- Haven’t found the answer to Dakshinpantha yet.
History Answerkey CAPF Internal breakup
ancient | 5 |
---|---|
Jainism-Buddhism | 4 |
society | 3 |
medieval | 3 |
modern | 7 |
total | 22 |
Overall
Polity | 14 | Covered. Click me |
---|---|---|
Geography+EnB+Agro | 14+8 | Covered. Click me |
Economy+IR+PIN | 21+4+2 | to be released soon |
Science | 20 | to be released soon |
History | 22 | Given in this article. |
Aptitude | 20 | to be released soon |
total | 125 |
Corrections, Additions post them in comments.
Ancient
Q1. Various causes have been suggested for the decline of Harappan culture. Consider the causes mentioned below and identify the weakest of them.
- Due to constant incidents of naturally occurring floods
- Due to increase in the salinity of the soil, fertility decreased there
- Earthquakes caused changes in the course of the Indus, which led to inundation
- The Aryans invaded and destroyed the Harappan culture
Observe fourth statement:
The Aryans invaded and destroyed the Harappan culture
- Indian History by Krishna Reddy(TMH Publication), Page A57: There is no evidence of any Aryan invasion or infiltration causing the flight of Harappans.
- (new) NCERT Class 12, Ch.1, Page18: There is no destruction level covering the latest period of the city, no sign of extensive burning, no bodies of warriors clad in armour and surrounded by the weapons of war. The citadel, the only fortified part of the city, yielded no evidence of a final defence.
- Old NCERT Class 11, Page80: “Later researches proved that Wheeler’s thesis of Aryan being destroyers of the Harappan civilization was a myth.”
Meaning D is weakest.
Q2. The prevalence of grain in Harappan sites indicated that
- Harappans ploughed their fields
- Harappans broadcast seed on their fields
- agriculture was prevalent in Harappan sites
- trade in bulk items like food grains was well-established in Harappan times
|
Harappans ploughed their fields=> for this to be confirmed, archeologist have to find wooden plough and soil marks. Prevalence of grain alone doesn’t prove or deny this statement. |
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|
same as above |
|
Proves. |
|
Archeologist have to corroborate with evidence of Harappan pottery, seals, Ivory etc. in other countries. Prevalence of grain alone doesn’t prove the trade was well established. |
Hence answer (C)
Q3. Ancient route Dakshinpantha connected
- Ajanta with Golconda
- Ellora with Muziris
- Ajanta with Arikamedu
- Ajanta with Pataliputra
Haven’t located the source yet. If you know, answer post in the comment below.
Q4. Which one among the following inscriptions was installed in the easternmost part of Ashoka’s territory?
- Barabar hill cave inscription
- Dhauli major rock edicts
- Sahasram minor rock edicts
- Lauriya Araraj pillar edicts
Tata Macgrawhil General studies Manual, Page 24: Map of Ashoka’s empire.
We can see among the given four places, Dhauli is easternmost- place where river Mahanadi meets the Ocean. I’ve marked those two places in map given in NCERT Class 12, Chapter 2, Page 33.
Answer (B) Dhauli.
Q5. Who among the following is the author of ‘Ashtadhyayi’, the Sanskrit grammar?
- Patanjali
- Panini
- Kalidasa
- Banabhatta
Panini’s Ashtadhyayi. Answer (B)
For more refer this:
Buddhism/Jainism
Q1. Statement I : Ashoka called the Third Buddhist Council in 252 BC at Pataliputra and it was there that the Buddhist became divided into two sects—the Hinayana and the Mahayana.
Statement II : Kanishka called the Fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalvana near Srinagar and Vasumitra was believed to have acted as President.
- Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I
- Both the statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I
- Statement I is true but Statement II is false
- Statement I is false but Statement II is true
Lucent’s GK Book: table on page 21
Division of Hinyana-Mahayana happened during 4th Buddhist Council under Kanishaka=>1st statement is wrong Hence answer is (D)
Q2. The significant difference between Mahayana and Hinayana forms of Buddhism lay in that
- Mahayana allowed for the transference of merit while in Hinayana, a person would only help another by example and advice
- Mahayana believed in the Bodhisattvas while Hinayana did not
- Hinayana promoted the ideas of a suffering saviour
- Mahayana propounded the idea of the ‘Arhant’, the worthy’
Similar question was asked in ACIO-2013
Tata Macgrawhill General Studies Manual, Page 36
Hinyana ideal is arhat, one who strives for his own redemption. Mahayan upholds the ideal of Bodhisattva or Saviour, who is concerned with salvation of others. Hence answer is (B)
Q3. The Buddhist Sangha was an organization of monks
- who became teachers of Dhamma
- that helped the spread of education
- to help the integration of the State
- to provide relief to the poor in times of distress
Buddhist Scriptures By Anil Goonewardene, Page8
Buddha advised the Sangha to teach in the language of the people they spoke to….The oral tradition of Buddhism continues today. The Sangha Memorize sections of Dhamma and chant portions of it at festivals and ceremonies. , both in temples and in the homes of Buddhst. This chanting helps to teach children and adults because after hearing it several times, they begin to remember the words.
Hence Answer (A)
Q4. Khumbum monastery is situated in
- India
- Thailand
- Japan
- China
It is in Tibet and Tibet is “integral” part of China. Hence answer is (D)
Culture, Society
Q1. Statement I: The Jajmani system was one in which the village artisans supplied traditionally fixed quantities of their products to peasant families in return for shares in the harvest.
Statement II : The Jajmani system was a system of the Jotedars (rich farmers) and the Bargadars (sharecroppers).
- Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I
- Both the statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I
- Statement I is true but Statement II is false
- Statement I is false but Statement II is true
Rural Sociology By Rajendra Kumar Sharma, Page 144
Jajmani system means each caste group within village is expected to give certain standardized services to families of other castes. E.g Shopkeeper, barber, ironsmith, shoemaker. In Majority of cases, Farmer paid gives grains for the services.=> statement 1 is correct.
In the land reform articles, we saw Sharecropping- Jotedars and Bargadars. it is one type of Land Tenancy system. doesn’t fit the Jajmani definition.=>Statement II incorrect.
Hence, answer (C)
Q2. The direct correlation among caste, poverty and social status implied that
- with improvement in economic status, one could claim higher social status
- caste hierarchy was immutable
- lower castes were the only ones to be pushed into menial labour
- with improvement in social status, one could claim higher caste status
Answer choice
- 1,2,4
- 1,3,4
- 2,4
- 1,3
NIOS Sociology, Chapter 27, Page 56
Sanskritization: it is a process by which any low caste could adapt to the behavioral pattern, style of life and culture of high caste and claim membership in that high caste. But they’ve to leave their unclean occuption and other impure habits like meat eating and taking (desi) liquor etc.
For Sanskritization, a caste must have three conditions
- touchable status
- better economic condition
- make a claim to membership into a high caste by propagating some story or myth.
Now let’s check question statements
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Correct, as long as he meets two other conditions. |
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wrong. Because with Sanskritization, one can move upwards in the caste hierarchy. |
so far, answer must contain #1 and must not contain #2. Eliminate options accordingly
- 1,2,4
- 1,3,4
- 2,4
- 1,3
Now it boil downs to whether statement 4 is right or wrong?: With improvement in social status, one could claim higher caste status
haven’t found the source to confirm/deny about #4. Those with sociology optional, throw some wisdom in the comment :D
Q3. Match following
A. Vallamkali | 1. Temple festival |
---|---|
B. Pooram festival | 2. Boat race |
C. Chapchar Kut | 3. The marriage of Lord Krishna and Rukmini |
D. Madhavrai fair | 4. Spring festival |
- 3142
- 2143
- 2413
- 3412
Correct pair
A.Vallamkali | 2. Boat race.Vallamkali Vallamkali (boat race) is celebrated with extreme joy and vigour during the Onam season |
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B.Pooram | 1.Parade of Elephants to the temple in Trichur. |
C.Chapchar Kut | 4.spring festival in Mizoram |
D.Madhavrai fair | 3. Madhavrai fair at Madhavpur near Porbandar is held to celebrate the marriage by elopement of Lord Krishna and Rukmani . |
Hence correct pattern is 2143. Answer B
Medieval
Q1. The establishment of Mughal rule in India
- strengthened urbanization
- strengthened inter-urban contact in riparian North India
- increased India’s sea trade
- decreased the risk of carrying long-distance trade
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- 1, 2 and 3
- 1 and 2 only
- 3 and 4
- 1 only
Debatable, depending on which author you believe in:
Approach #1
India in the World Economy: From Antiquity to the Present By Tirthankar Roy.
Page 60: Formation of Mughal state in the North strengthened urbanization and interurban contact in riparian Northern India.
Page 62: the Mughal dominion stimulated trade on the maritime route to Persia.
Hence statement 1, 2 and 3 correct. Answer (A)
Approach #2:
Modern World System and Indian Proto-industrialization, Volume 1 By Abhay Kumar Singh
Mughals didnot initiate steps to facilitate developing and advancing naval and mercantile shipping, nor inspired and encourage shipwrights, ship owners, maritime entrepreneurs and maritime merchants.=>Hence statement 3 is incorrect.
The Indian Ocean By Michael N. Pearson page 116
The Mughals, and other Indian rulers of Large states, by and large pursued a hands-off attitude to trade in general, including that by Sea. Hence 3 and 4 are incorrect.
from these two sources, Statement 3 is incorrect. Hence A and C eliminated.
Since examiner lifted “riparian North India” phrase from Tirthankar Roy’s book so 1 and 2 is definitely correct. Therefore answer (B)
Q2. Akbar’s Ibadat Khana was the place where
- military strategy was decided
- inter-faith debates and discussions were held
- Akbar preached his principles of Sulh-i-lad
- fine arts were practiced
NCERT class7 History, Chapter4, Page 54
While Akbar was at Fatehpur Sikri during the 1570s he started discussions on religion with the ulama, Brahmanas, Jesuit priests who were Roman Catholics, and Zoroastrians. These discussions took place in the ibadat khana. Hence answer (B)
Q3. Ritual kinship was the hallmark of Vijayanagar rule. Vijayanagar rulers claimed to have ruled on behalf of which one among the following shrines?
- Vithala
- Tirupati
- Virupaksha
- Mallikarjuna
NCERT History Class 12, Chapter 3, Page 184.
It is likely that the very choice of the site of Vijayanagara was inspired by the existence of the shrines of Virupaksha and Pampadevi. In fact the Vijayanagara kings claimed to rule on behalf of the god Virupaksha. Hence Answer (C)
Modern History/Freedom Struggle
Q1. Mahatma Gandhi’s opposition to separate electorates for untouchables was because
- separate electorates would ensure them bondage in perpetuity
- of the apprehension of offending the conservative high caste Hindus
- it would weaken Mahatma Gandhi’s position as a leader
- None of the above
NCERT Class 12 History, Chapter 4, Page 360.
At the Round Table Conference Mahatma Gandhi stated his arguments against separate electorates for
the Depressed Classes, saying:
Separate electorates to the “Untouchables” will ensure them bondage in perpetuity.
Hence answer (A)
Q2. Incorrect Statement
- The jute industry was almost entirely owned by Europeans
- The cotton textile industry was almost wholly owned by Indians
- The cotton textile industry was small in size
- The growth of cotton industry was the result of government support
Krishna Reddy, Page C85
Tea plantations, coal mines, the jute mills etc had developed in Eastern India under European enterprise, roughly between 1850s and 1880.=>A is correct
In Bombay presidency, cotton mills developed under Parsi and Gujarati enterprise before and after the Civil War in united states.=>B is correct
(Page C87): Slow and painful progress of Indian industries and their inability to compensate even for displacement of indigenous handicrafts in terms of production as well as employment. The main reasons for this feature of Indian industrial Development was the British Policy of artificially restricting and slowing down growth of Indian industry and by not giving them any protection or financial help.=>Hence statement D is incorrect. Therefore Answer is (D)
Q3. The first major boost to modern industry in India happened in the 1860s- It was a direct result of
- the demand created in America because of the Civil War
- the demand created in Europe because of the Civil War in America
- the decline in competition from the cotton mills of Lancashire and Manchester
- the support of government to industries in India
Sumit Sarkar, Page30
Rising exports particularly noticeable during the cotton boom of 1860s when American Civil war made Lancashire (England) turn to Deccan raw cotton for a few years.
Hence answer (B)
Q4. The Salt Satyagraha
- encouraged Indians to manufacture salt
- showed to the government that Indians would break unfair laws
- proved that Mahatma Gandhi was a mass leader
- was designed to destroy the finances of the colonial government
Rajendra Prasad’s autobiography page 295
Gandhi further argued that anti-Salt law Satyagraha would be easily understood by all and would also be considered just by the world at large. He thought once we were able to break these unjust laws, we would be able to exercise control over other laws.
Learning History-Civics Standard Eight By Shantashree Shetty Page 63
The Salt Satyagraha was symbolic of the breaking of all unfair and unjust laws of the Government in a very peaceful way.
The Joy of Social Studies Std.5, Page 29
On reaching Dandi, all of them broke the law by making salt. The British Government understood that Indians would protest any unjust law that would be passed.
Hence answer (B)
Q5. The Khilafat Movement was built around
- opposing British rule in India
- protecting the sovereignty of the Khalifa
- opposing the national movement
- protesting against lack of educational opportunities in India
NCERT Class 12 Chapter 4, Page 350
Khilafat Movement, (1919 -1920) was a movement of Indian Muslims, led by Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali, that demanded the following: The Turkish Sultan or Khalifa must retain control over the Muslim sacred places in the erstwhile Ottoman empire.
Answer (B)
Q6. Separate electorates for representation of Indian Christians and Anglo-Indians were created under the
- Indian Councils Act, 1861
- Government of India Act, 1909
- Government of India Act, 1919
- Government of India Act, 1935
Indian Polity by M.Laxmikanth, Chapter on Historical background of Constitution.
Government of India Act of 1919: It extended the principle of communal representation by providing separate electorates for Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans. Hence Answer C.
Q7: Mahatma Gandhi’s severe criticism of the Congress leadership at the opening of the Benaras Hindu University was focused on
- the Congress strategy for opposing the government
- the congress accepting offices under the government
- condemnation of Indian nationalism for being an elite phenomenon
- All of the above
NCERT Class 12 Chapter 4, Page 347-48
His first major public appearance was at the opening of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in February 1916. When his turn came to speak, Gandhi charged the Indian elite with a lack of concern for the labouring poor. The opening of the BHU, he said, was “certainly a most gorgeous show”. But he worried about the contrast between the “richly bedecked noblemen” present and “millions of the poor” Indians who were absent.
Hence Answer (C)
Corrections, Additions post them in comments.
sir .. thank u so much
Ans Q3)Dakshinapath connected Ajanta with pataliputra.The Ancient physcian Jivak moved from pataliputra to Avanti on Dakshina path to cure the king of Avanti
to prove d validity f statement 4 of d ques relatd to caste hierarchy, 1 cud serve d e.g of satvahana rulers who despite being tagged as ‘outcaste or outsiders’ socially by d pious brahmans later on demselves became d pious brahman cum kings.. hope am makng sme sense here.. plus d ans to salt satyagraha, i thnk shud be option 1 bec d immediate aim of salt satyagraha was civil disobedience towards d firangis n salt satyagraha was just a means to the end.. consequently d aim ws to inspire indians to manufacture salt n disobey d firangis.. optn 2 seems to be going to deep n spiritual.. dnt knw.. dis s wat i thnk shud be d answers.. n no doubt we always luk forward to ur site in our bad times.. u re d saviour..
what should be the expected cut for CAPF AC 2013……….
the answer to Dakshinapatha question is (d) that is from ajanta with pataliputra…..
The book “A history of ancient and early medieval india” by upinder singh page 289 and map of same 290…
the path is shown as…
patliputra => kaushambi => Ujjayni at Ujjayni it divides in 2 parts….one goes to bharukachcha and other to pratisthana…….
both arikamedu and muzriis were sea ports and earliest known activity do not go beyond 200BC (At the most 300BC…if sangam litrature is considered ,website of ASI)..so both can be neglected..
Later a path was extended from prathisthana to suvarnagiri even that does not pass through golkunda..
If we locate ajanta ..it is nearly directly between prathisthana and Ujjayni..so the path may have passed through ajanta….
also you can map in old ncert 11th class which confirms both arikamedu and muzriis as ports…..(in chapter23)
according to H.C.Roychowdhury Dakshinapatha stretched from the land of kosalas to kingdom of Kanchi…later it embraced the whole of Trans-Vindhyan India from the Setu(Adam’s bridge) to the Narmada.
What about the cut off this year!
wat do u thnk sid??
I think it will be same as last year or 4-5 marks lower than previous years paper 1
Thankyou sir.. For the CAPF key. I have a doubt about the jajmani system. In west Bengal they were called jotedar and bagardar.. Correct me if I’m wrong.. Thankyou sir.
I checked my questions through internet and books and my final is 64 correct, 32 incorrect, 29 unattempted i.e. Marks= 106.88
Last time i got 85… In my opinion last year paper was a little easy… Don’t know what will happen… Wait till march aprit for result….
At times in history powerful kings have claimed themselves higher than brahmans
In the question regarding ashokan edicts.. D might be the answer
b and d are actually debatable according to the map of edits of ashoka
Well i accidentally marked a question wrong..on realizing it i used a blade to remove the black ink and then marked the correct one. Is there any chance of that i will get the marks for that??
this year cut off might be 140
Mr Inderjeet singh sorry i think your whole paper will be cancelled . best of luck for the 2104
Lol Mr Samyal.. I did such foolishness in Civil Services prelims..I have to give mains..So stop bugging up people’s mind.
for the question // Various causes have been suggested for the decline of Harappan culture. Consider the causes mentioned below and identify the weakest of them.//
i wud prefer
“Due to increase in the salinity of the soil, fertility decreased there”(because that region is still most fertile)
Aryan invasion is still backed by many historians .
BTW Thanks for your self-less service
I AGREE…
AGREE!!!!
Even if many historians don’t agree with aryan invasion….the option “Due to increase in the salinity of the soil, fertility decreased there” is not convincing reason.We have to choose the weakest…So “Due to increase in the salinity of the soil, fertility decreased there” should be the answer
please refer to old ncert 11th class chapter 10…..all 4 options have been picked directly from there…..
agree..it seems the weakest option,so i also marked it as my answere.
Rightly said, Option-B is the correct answer, Increased in salinity and consecutive decrease in the fertility can never be a reason for any civilization decline or end.It is most weakest reason in all the four statements, on the other hand Aryan invasion although denied by many historians is relatively stronger statement compare to salinity reason. So option-B
Guys their are enough chances that option-B will be right but as of now consider it as wrong to get more conservative score. Now only official key will end this debate so as of now consider it as wrong(Option-B)
Yes,Option B can be the right answer!
You can not be more wrong. Today not Aryan invasion but Indo-Aryan migration is more acceptable. Also, question is about how Harrapan civilization was destroyed. Destruction of Harrapan civilization by Aryans has been disproved long ago.
not disrespecting the guys who have written the exam nor i have written the exam but i am really surprised by the difficulty level.u have to study 6-7 books for getting just 18 marks & even some of the answers are debatable..
thank you…
Ggggggggggvg
Mrunal bhai r
Sir jaldi se baki ansswer key b publis kariye …..w r waiting despretly….
Sir, Aryan Invasion is given in many books but there is no mention of salinity.so.i think option with salinity should be the answer
Just search on google Harrapan civilization decline +salinity. You will get many links regarding decline due to salinity. Decline of Harrapan by Aryan invasion by , given by Wheeler, was disproved long ago. Consult new NCERT page-18
Thanks a lot.
For Caste, Poverty, and social status I consider Option-D as correct answer and not Option-B.
Reason one cannot claim high caste status with the improvement in social status.
So option-D is correct.
one social mobility the whole caste can move to higher varna system
thank you very much
Gd morning sir,
I follow your blogs regularly,Sir i have applied for “FOOD CORPORATION INDIA -MANAGEMEMT TRAINEE(general)” exam which is to be on 17/11/2013,in that exam,there is one section named Management.sir i’m not getting any idea about that section what to prepare.i unable to find material also.please give some tips regarding that management section.and also give some tips for what to prepare for general awareness to that exam
the answer of question 4 should be option A as unfair laws were also broken before 1930 http://www.calpeacepower.org/0101/salt_march.htm go through this link it may provide some light on this isue :)
Q.6…….
govt of india act 1919 represented separate electrotes for muslims only.,
govt of india act 1935 exptended vseparate electrotes sikhs,anglo-indians too and muslims by B.R Ambedkar demand.
so i feel ans would be D as so many sources and wikipedia info.
thnq sir,
No GOI Act, 1919 is correct (Plz refer M.Laxmikanthh)
In question on disqualification from house it reads who shall be disqualified and in option 3 it is up to the discretion of house but in 1 nd 2 it is other way around so option a should be right one.
am i right..??
lucent 1935act
i agree bhai
In capf 2012 i was corrected only 82 marks but my marks shows 102. How? Is upsc give marks with scaling system
HW MUCH U GOT IN PAPPER 2
Mrunal Bhai ..these questions (especially ancient section) are more lethal than CSE (Prelims)…