Q1 . Which one of the following statements regarding Ashoka stone pillars is incorrect?
(a) These are highly polished
(b) These are monolithic
(c) The shaft of pillars is tapering in shape
(d) These are parts of architectural structures
Answer: (d) Explanation: Ashoka stone pillars were meant to spread his Dhamma , thus not the part of architectural structure.
Q2 . What is the correct chronological order in which the following appeared in India?
1 . Gold coins
2 . Punch marked silver coins
3 . Iron plough
4 . Urban culture
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 3, 4, 1, 2
(b) 3, 4, 2, 1
(c) 4, 3, 1, 2
(d) 4, 3, 2, 1
Answer: (d) Explanation: In India, with the Indus Valley Civilization appeared first signs of urbanization between 2500 and 2000 BCE. The earliest known specimen of iron ploughshare comes from Ganwaria in District Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh and dates from 700 BC. The first documented coinage is deemed to start with ‘Punch Marked’ coins issued between the 7th-6th century BC and 1st century AD. It was the Indo Greeks who ruled a large part of North- Western India around 200 BC (2218 years ago) that first introduced coins made of Pure Gold in India before Kushans. Thus the correct chronological order is 4, 3, 2 and 1.
Q3 . Which one of the following ports handled the North Indian trade during the Gupta period?
(a) Tamralipti
(b) Broach
(c) Kalyan
(d) Cambray
Answer: (a) Explanation: Tamralipti was the name of an ancient city on the Bay of Bengal corresponding with Tamluk in modern-day India. Tamralipti may have been one of the most important urban centres of trade and commerce of early historic India, trading along the Silk Road with China ; by Uttarapatha, the northern high road, the main trade route into the Middle East and Europe ; and by seafaring routes to Bali, Java and the Far East.
Q4 . Consider the following statements:
Ahadis were those troopers who:
1 . offered their services singly
2 . did not attach themselves to any chief
3 . had the emperor as their immediate colonel
4 . attached themselves to Mirzas
Of these statements:
(a) 1, 3 and 4 are correct
(b) 1, 2 and 3 are correct
(c) 2 and 3 are correct
(d) 1 and 4 are correct
Answer: (b) Explanation: Ahadis were the gentlemen troopers who were recruited individually and were under the command of a separate mansabdar or officer, and had a diwan and a bakshi of their own. They were considered very efficient and loyal troops and were paid high salaries.
Q5 . Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
(a) Jahangir : William Hawkins
(b) Akbar : Sir Thomas Roe
(c) Shahjahan : Travernier
(d) Aurangzeb : Manucci
Answer: (b) Explanation: Sir Thomas Roe visited the court of Jahangir. He was an ambassador of James – I, king of England. Tavernier’s account covers the reign of Shahjahan and Aurangzeb.
Q6 . Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?
(a) Battle of Buxar—Mir Jafar vs. Clive
(b) Battle of Wandiwash—French vs. East India Company
(c) Battle of Chilianwala—Dalhousie vs. Marathas
(d) Battle of Kharda—Nizam vs. East India Company
Answer: (b) Battle of Wandiwash in 1960 , French were finally defeated by English. Battle of Buxar (1764) – English under Munro defeated Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-daula and Shah Alam II. The Battle of Chillianwala was fought in 1849 during the Second Anglo-Sikh War in the Chillianwala region of Punjab, now part of modern-day Pakistan. The battle was one of the bloodiest fought by the British East India Company. The Battle of Kharda also known as Battle of Khurla took place in 1795 between Nizam and Maratha Empire, in which Nizam was badly defeated.
Q7 . Consider the following landmarks in Indian education:
1 . Hindu College, Calcutta
2 . University of Calcutta
3 . Adam’s Report
4 . Wood’s Despatch
The correct chronological order of these landmarks is:
(a) 1, 3, 4, 2
(b) 1, 4, 3, 2
(c) 3, 1,4, 2
(d) 3, 2, 4, 1
Answer: (a) Hindu College, Calcutta – 1817 University of Calcutta -1858 Adam’s Report – 1835-38 Wood’s Despatch – 1854
Q8. Who among the following leaders did not believe in the drain theory of Dadabhai Naoroji?
(a) B.G. Tilak
(b) R.C. Dutt
(c) M.G. Ranade
(d) Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
Answer: (d) The drain theory was put forward by Dadabhai Naoroji in his book Poverty and Un-British Rule in India. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan did not believe in the drain theory of Dadabhai Naoroji.
Q9 . Consider the following statements:
The Non-Cooperation Movement led to :
1 . Congress becoming a mass movement for the first time
2 . Growth of Hindu-Muslims unity
3 . Removal of fear of the British might from the minds of the people
4 . British government’s willingness to grant political concessions to Indians
Of these statements:
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 are correct
(b) 2 and 3 are correct
(c) 1 and 3 are correct
(d) 3 and 4 are correct
Answer: (b) Explanation: Non Cooperation Movement and Khilafat Movement were launched in 1920. The two movements emerged from separate issues, but they adopted a common programme of action that of non-violent and non-cooperation. There was increasing Hindu-Muslim unity against the British.
Q10 . Simon Commission of 1927 was boycotted because:
(a) there was no Indian member in the Commission
(b) it supported the Muslim League
(c) Congress felt that the people of India are entitled to Swaraj
(d) there were differences among the members
Answer: (a) Explanation: All the 7 members of Simon Commission were whites.
