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 Harappan Civilisation, which of the following statements is/are not correct?

1. Most Harappan sites are located in semi-arid lands.

2. There was no evidence of barley found at Harappan sites.

3. The Harappan seals were made of a stone called steatite.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 2 and 3 only

Explanation

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

— The distinctive Harappan pottery, bricks (baked and unbaked), seals, weights, beads, copper and bronze articles of the Harappan civilisation have been found in the region, as well as Afghanistan, Balochistan, Sind, and Punjab provinces of Pakistan, and the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

— Wheat, barley, lentils, chickpeas, and sesame are among the grains discovered at Harappan archaeological sites. Millets can be found at several locations in Gujarat. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— Perhaps the most unique object from the Harappan or Indus valley culture is the Harappan seal. Made of a stone known as steatite, seals like this one frequently have marks from an unintelligible script and animal patterns. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— Animal bones discovered at Harappan sites include cattle, sheep, goat, buffalo, and pig. Archaeologists and zooarchaeologists have found evidence that these animals were tamed.

— The majority of Harappan sites are found in semi-arid regions, where irrigation was most likely required for cultivation. Canals have been discovered at the Harappan site of Shortughai in Afghanistan, but not in Punjab or Sind. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: ncert.nic.in)

Consider the following mahajanapadas:

1. Gandhara

2. Avanti

3. Magadh

4. Anga

What is the correct chronological sequence of these mahajanapadas from west to east?

(a) 1—2—3—4

(b) 1—4—2—3

(c) 4—1—2—3

(d) 2—1—3—4

Explanation

— Many people consider the sixth century BCE to be a significant turning point in early Indian history. Early states, cities, the expanding use of iron, the creation of currency, etc. are all connected to this era.

— Additionally, it saw the rise of several philosophical traditions, such as Buddhism and Jainism.

— The majority of mahajanapadas were ruled by monarchs; however, some, referred to as ganas or sanghas, were oligarchies in which several men, frequently referred to as rajas, shared authority.

— Magadha, Anga, Kashi, Kosala, Avanti, Vatsa, Gandhara, Kamboja, Chedi, Vajji, Malla, Kuru, Panchala, Matsya, Surasena, and Assaka were the sixteen Mahajanapadas.

— The correct sequence of these mahajanapadas from west to east is Gandhara, Avanti, Magadh and Anga.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Source: ncert.nic.in)

Consider the following pairs:

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one pair

(b) Only two pairs

(c) All three pairs

(d) None of the above pairs

Explanation

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

With reference to the Colonial interest in Naga Hills, consider the following statements:

1. British colonial authority in the Naga Hills began after the First Anglo-Burmese War which led to the enforcement of the Treaty of Yandabo.

2. The discovery of tea plants in the lower Naga Hills led to the establishment of permanent military outposts.

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 Naga Hills, as perceived by the British, extended westward from the Patkai ranges, bordering the Brahmaputra valley. Today, the Patkai includes mountains along the Indo-Myanmar border, encompassing Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and parts of Upper Burma.

— British colonial authority in the Naga Hills began after their victory over the Burmese in the First Anglo-Burmese War in 1826, leading to the enforcement of the Treaty of Yandabo. Within 15 years, the British annexed Assam, Cachar, Jaintia, and several tribal states of the Khasi Hills. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The first encounter between the Nagas and the British took place in January 1832, when Major Francis Jenkins and Captain R Boileau Pemberton sought a land route from Manipur to Assam.

— By 1843, the discovery of tea bushes in the lower Naga Hills provided a significant incentive for British annexation, prompting ideas for permanent military outposts to “effect progressive reform” and strengthening colonial beliefs about the region’s lawlessness. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— The British first pursued a non-interference policy, but this was abandoned in 1866 in favour of a more active forward policy, which constructed military installations and facilitated the settlement of the Naga Hills. The boundary between the Naga Hills and Manipur was set in 1873.

— The Naga Hills District was created in 1866 by the Government of British India, and it became a district of Assam province.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

With reference to the first stamps of Independent India, consider the following statements:

1. The first stamp of Independent India was released in 1950.

2. The first stamp depicted the Indian flag denominating three-and-a-half annas.

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 first stamp of Independent India was finally released on November 21, 1947. Three postage stamps were issued to commemorate India’s independence — all of them featured the date August 15, 1947, and the words ‘Jai Hind’ in the Devanagari script.

— The first stamp, released in November 1947, depicts an Indian flag soaring in the sky among clouds. The denomination was three and a half annas. Hence, statement 1 is not correct and statement 2 is correct.

— The last two commemorative stamps were released in December 1947. One of them depicted the Lion Capital of Ashoka, which was the head of a column erected by the Mauryan monarch Ashoka in Sarnath in 250 BC. The stamp featured a sculpture with three Asiatic lions (the fourth was hidden from view), a wheel in relief with a bull on the right and a horse on the left, and a bell-shaped lotus beneath. It was priced at one and a half annas. Another stamp depicting a flying Douglas DC-4 aircraft was priced at 12 annas.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

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

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 80)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 80)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 80)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 80)

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