UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of daily subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus.  Attempt today’s subject quiz on History, Culture and Social Issues to check your progress. Come back tomorrow to solve the Environment, Geography, Science and Technology MCQs. Don’t miss checking the answers and explanations.

With reference to the Ahom Kingdom, consider the following statements:

1. It was an ethnic group that first settled in Assam’s Brahmaputra valley.

2. In 1838, the kingdom was formally annexed by the British Empire.

3. The first permanent capital of the Ahom kingdom established was Udalguri.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 125-foot bronze statue of Ahom general Lachit Borphukan at his burial site in eastern Assam’s Jorhat district.

— The Ahoms are an ethnic group that originally resided in Assam’s Brahmaputra valley. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Charaideo, the first permanent capital of the Ahom empire, was founded by the first most renowned Ahom monarch Chao Lung Siu-Ka-Pha and has always had a major place in history. The word Charaideo is formed from three Tai Ahom words: Che-Rai-Doi. Che signifies city or town, Rai denotes shine or dazzle, and Doi means hill or mountain. In a nutshell, Charaideo means “a shining town situated on a hilltop.” Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— The Treaty of Yandabo, signed in 1826, marked the commencement of British control in Assam, opening the province up to adjacent districts and the rest of the subcontinent. In 1838, the British Empire formally annexed the territory. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

With reference to India’s connection with other civilisations, consider the following statements:

1. India’s trade with Mesopotamia can be traced back to Harappan times.

2. During the Kushan period, links were established with Persia and Rome.

3. The end of the Gupta period witnessed significant connections developed with Southeast Asia.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— India has had relations with cultures around the subcontinent by both land and sea. By land, it was connected across the Hindu Kush to Persia (modern-day Iran) as well as Central Asia. By sea, it was connected to Persia, Arabia, and via the Red Sea to the Roman Empire. On the eastern coast, it had links with Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Burma.

— Trade with Mesopotamia dates back to Harappan times. In 326 BCE, Alexander the Great invaded the northwest Indian subcontinent, opening up land routes. Elephants were exported in exchange for horses. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Later, during the Kushan period, connections were made with Persia and Rome. Following the Gupta dynasty, substantial links emerged with Southeast Asia, where India was known as ‘Swarna Bhoomi’ or the Land of Gold. Hence, statements 2 and 3 are correct.

— Exported items included plant products (such as cotton and spices), animal products (such as ivory and birds), mineral products (such as gemstones and precious metals), manufactured goods (such as fabric and stirrups), and intellectual, literary, mathematical, and scientific concepts.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Consider the following:

He was the ruler of Afghanistan who raided the Indian subcontinent 17 times between 1000–1025 A.D with a religious motive. His targets were wealthy temples, including that of Somnath, Gujarat. Much of the wealth was carried away to use to create a splendid capital city in Afghanistan.

The above mentioned lines refer to:

(a) Muhammad Bin Qasim

(b) Muhammad Ghori

(c) Genghis Khan

(d) Mahmud Ghazni

Explanation

— Invasions can be of many kinds: raid, colonialism, and imperialism.

— Raiders do not aim to control the political and economic systems. They come into contact and then separate. This is what happened when Mahmud of Ghazni travelled to India a thousand years ago in search of wealth.

— Colonisers take over the political and economic systems while also settling in the region. It was similar to what happened when Qutubuddin Aibek, a mamluk, formed the Delhi Sultanate following the death of invader Muizzad-Din Muhammad Ghori.

— Mahmud of Ghazni, ruler of Afghanistan, raided the subcontinent 17 times (1000-1025) with religious motives. His targets were affluent temples, including one in Somnath, Gujarat. Much of the money Mahmud carted away was utilised to build a magnificent capital city in Ghazni.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: ncert.nic.in)

Consider the following:

1. Munda Rebellion

2. Dhal Revolt

3. Tana Bhagat Movement

4. Paika rebellion

What is the correct chronological sequence of the above revolts (earliest to latest)?

(a) 1—2—3—4

(b) 2—4—1—3

(c) 4—2—1—3

(d) 3—2—1—4

Explanation

— The interests and concerns of the state’s tribal inhabitants have frequently been addressed in election manifestos, demonstrating the importance of this community in the region. Tribals have played an important role in Jharkhand’s sociopolitical landscape, and their struggles have inspired several historical movements.

— As the British increased their control in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, they introduced a number of administrative and economic policies that favoured commercial agriculture and mining, displacing numerous tribes from their ancient homelands. In response to this resource exploitation, tribal leaders launched rallies and revolts to oppose British dominance and safeguard their rights.

The Paikas – a class of military retainers traditionally recruited by the kings of Odisha – revolted against the British colonial rulers mainly over being dispossessed of their land holdings.

This movement was one of the most organised and widespread in Jharkhand, with clear objectives: to overthrow the British government, expel outsiders from the region, and establish an independent Munda state. Birsa urged his followers to join the fight courageously, targeting moneylenders, landlords, missionaries, and other perceived oppressors.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Consider the following statements:

1. The Indian Legislative Council was replaced by a bicameral legislature consisting of an Upper House (Council of State) and a Lower House (Legislative Assembly).

2. It created a new office of the High Commissioner for India in London and transferred to him some of the functions hitherto performed by the Secretary of State for India.

3. Indians were given membership in the Imperial Legislative Council for the first time.

4. Two Indians were nominated to the Council of the Secretary of State for Indian Affairs.

How many of the provisions given above are associated with the 1919 Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Explanation

— The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 marked a significant shift, with Secretary of State for India Edwin Samuel Montagu stating to the House of Commons that the British government aimed for ‘the increasing association of Indians in every branch of the administration and the gradual development of self-governing institutions, with a view to the progressive realisation of responsible government in India as an integral part of the British Empire’.

1919 Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms

— It called for the creation of a public service commission. Thus, a Central Public Service Commission was established in 1926 to recruit federal personnel.

— It further split provincial subjects into two categories: transferred and reserved.

— The Indian Legislative Council was replaced with a bicameral legislature made up of an Upper House (Council of State) and a Lower House (Legislative Assembly). The majority of members of both Houses were chosen through direct election.

— It expanded the concept of communal representation by creating distinct electorates for Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, and Europeans.

— It established a new position of the High Commissioner for India in London and delegated to him certain of the powers previously held by the Secretary of State for India.

— Indians were given membership in the Imperial Legislative Council for the first time and two Indians were nominated to the Council of the Secretary of State for Indian Affairs were incorporated during Morley-Minto reforms of 1909.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: cbc.gov.in)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 84)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 83)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 83)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 83)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 83)

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