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.

Consider the following Harappan sites:

1. Mohenjodaro

2. Dholavira

3. Manda

4. Rangpur

What is the correct sequence of these Harappan sites from south to north?

(a) 3—2—1—4

(b) 1—3—4—2

(c) 2—1—4—3

(d) 4—2—1—3

Explanation

— “The Harappan Civilisation” is sometimes referred to as the Indus Valley Civilisation. The term Harappa comes from the location where the civilisation was discovered.

— The civilisation lasted from 6000 to 1300 BCE. The early phase, known as Early Harappan (6000 BCE-2600 BCE), represents a formative period for the society. The urban era of the civilisation, known as Mature Harappan (2600 BCE-1900 BCE), is the most opulent.

— The downfall of the civilisation began approximately 1900 BCE. This degenerate period (1900 BCE–1300 BCE) is known as Late Harappan.

— The correct sequence of the sites from south to north is Rangpur, Dholavira, Mohenjodaro and Manda.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: ncert.nic.in)

With reference to the Jainism, consider the following statements:

1. The most important idea in Jainism is that the entire world is animated: even stones, rocks and water have life.

2. Non-injury to living beings is central to Jaina philosophy.

3. The principle of ahimsa has been emphasised within Jainism.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— The underlying concept of the Jainas existed in north India prior to the birth of Vardhamana, also known as Mahavira, in the sixth century BCE. According to Jaina tradition, Mahavira was preceded by 23 other instructors or tirthankaras, which literally mean those who guide men and women across the river of existence.

— Jainism’s central belief is that the entire world is animated, including stones, rocks, and water. Jaina philosophy emphasises nonviolence towards living beings, particularly humans, animals, plants, and insects. Hence, statements 1  and 2 are correct.

— In reality, the principle of ahimsa, which is highlighted in Jainism, has had an impact on Indian thought as a whole. The Jaina teachings state that karma shapes the cycle of birth and reincarnation. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— To break the circle of karma, one must do asceticism and penance. This can only be accomplished by giving up the world; so, monastic life is an essential condition for salvation. Jaina monks and nuns took five vows: abstaining from killing, stealing, and lying; observing chastity; and refraining from holding property.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

(Source: ncert.nic.in)

With reference to the Upanishads, consider the following statements:

1. They serve as foundational texts in Hindu theology.

2. Tripitaka is one of the ten principles of the Upanishads.

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

Explanation

— The Ten Principal Upanishads, translated from Sanskrit by Shri Purohit Swami, a scholar of Hindu scripture, and Irish poet WB Yeats, is considered to be one of the best translations of the Upanishads, some of the most important Hindu religious texts.

— The Upanishads, also known as the Vedanta – as they signal the end of the total Veda – speculate about the ontological connection between humanity and the cosmos.

— Chronologically, the Upanishads came at the end of the Vedic period.

— They serve as foundational texts in many traditions of Hindu theology and have hence attracted far more attention than the Vedas themselves. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The Upanishads were given particular importance in Hindu theology by eighth century Hindu scholar Adi Shankara, whose interpretations synthesised the Advaita Vedanta tradition.

— There are ten main (or principal) Upanishads: Esha, Kena, Katha, Prashna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Taittiriya, Aitareya, Chandogya and Brihadaranyaka. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer

Consider the following statements:

1. He was a successful and ambitious ruler of the ninth century belonging to the Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty.

2. He successfully conquered areas of Deccan and Malwa. He conquered areas of Gujarat and Malwa from the Gujarat-Rashtrakutas.

3. He launched a campaign towards Bengal and conquered territories of Gorakhpur from the Palas of Bengal too.

The above mentioned lines refer to:

(a) Mihir Bhoja

(b) Dharmapala

(c) Krishna II

(d) Amoghavarsha

Explanation

— Mihir Bhoj (c. 836-885 CE) was a successful and ambitious ruler of the ninth century belonging to the Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty.

— At that time, the Gurjara-Pratiharas were ruling over a vast empire, from Kashmir to Gujarat. Mihir Bhoj successfully conquered areas of Deccan and Malwa too.

— During the ninth century, the major political struggle was for control over Kannauj as it was considered that whoever conquered Kannauj would be emperor of the country. Hence, the country witnessed a tripartite struggle among three big powers of the times —the Gurjara-Pratihara, the Rashtrakutas of Deccan and the Palas of Bengal.

— In that struggle, Mihir Bhoj was, by and large, the most successful. He conquered areas of Gujarat and Malwa from the Gujarat-Rashtrakutas.

— He launched a campaign towards Bengal and conquered territories of Gorakhpur from the Palas of Bengal too.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements:

1. This act confirmed that India would remain an integral part of the British Empire.

2. It dissolved the Indian Council, which helped the Secretary of State for India, and established a three-member Advisory Council.

3. The act granted the provincial governor the power to suspend the provincial government if deemed necessary.

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

— The Government of India Act of 1935 serves as the primary source for India’s new Constitution.

— The Government of India Act 1935 is the longest and most significant of all the constitutional statutes enacted by the British government in India.

— The statute is based on numerous sources, including the Simon Commission Report, the Nehru Report, Round Table Conferences, the Communal Award, the White Paper, and others.

Main Provisions

— This Act dissolved the Indian Council, which helped the Secretary of State for India, and established a three-member Advisory Council. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— This Act confirmed that India would remain an integral part of the British Empire. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The British administration decided to form an All-India Federation composed of British provinces and princely states.

— The Act eliminated the system of diarchy introduced by the Government of India Act, 1919.

— The Act introduced bicameralism — upper and lower Houses — at the Centre and in six provinces along with direct elections to these chambers.

— The 1935 Act also granted the provincial governor the power to suspend the provincial government if deemed necessary. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— The powers are divided between Centre and states under three lists:

1. Central list: This list contains 59 issues of national importance, including defence, foreign affairs, finance, railways, currency, and the press, among others.

2. State list: It comprises 54 regionally important items, such as education, medicine, agriculture, law and order, and local governance.

3. Concurrent list: This list consists of 36 issues, including electricity, marriage, divorce, labour, and criminal law. The rest were delegated to the Governor-General under the doctrine of residual powers.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: ccelms.ap.gov.in)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 81)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 81)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 81)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 81)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 81)

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