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. Each day, we cover one new subject. 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 at the end of the quiz.

With reference to the Lahore Resolution of 1940, consider the following statements:

1. The Indian National Congress (INC) adopted the Lahore Resolution during its general session.

2. The resolution does not include the word ‘Pakistan’.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Consider the following statements with reference to a temple in the news:

1. The temple is the site of a landmark agitation led by Babasaheb Ambedkar demanding temple entry rights for Dalits more than 90 years ago.

2. It is situated on the banks of the Godavari River.

The above mentioned statements refer to which temple?

(a) Mudgaleshwar Temple

(b) Trimbakeshwar Temple

(c) Sri Narasimha Swamy Temple

(d) Kalaram Temple

Consider the following statements:

1. It is a product of date palm harvested at fresh stage.

2. The fruits are rich in carbohydrates and have a high calorific value.

3. It is cultivated under hot arid zones.

4. It is a GI tag product from Gujarat.

The above mentioned statements refer to:

(a) khajuri gud

(b) Kachchhi Kharek

(c) Panangkarupatti

(d) Magji

With reference to the Konark Temple, consider the following statements:

1. It is also known as Black Pagoda.

2. It is directly and materially linked to Brahmanism and tantric belief systems.

3. The temple was built by King Narasimha Deva I.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

He was born in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, and graduated from Elphinstone College in Mumbai before becoming a lecturer at Fergusson College in Pune. He joined the Indian National Congress in 1889, rising to become one of the key leaders of its’moderate’ wing, and gave up teaching three years later to devote the rest of his life to lawmaking. He is primarily renowned for his lengthy involvement in colonial legislatures, having served on the Bombay Legislative Council from 1899 to 1902.

The above-mentioned lines refer to

(a) Gopal Krishna Gokhale

(b) Pherozeshah Mehta

(c) M.G Ranade

(d) Dadabhai Naoroji

FYI:

— The Lahore Resolution, adopted by the All-India Muslim League during its general session in Lahore from March 22 to March 24, 1940, formally called for an independent state for India’s Muslims. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— The resolution does not include the word ‘Pakistan’ anywhere, and some have even debated if its text calls for one separate nation or two, Pakistan celebrates it as its National Day. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— In 1956, on the same day, the country officially adopted its first Constitution, which transformed the Dominion of Pakistan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

— The resolution declared that “it is the considered view of this Session of the All India Muslim League that no constitutional plan would be workable in this country or acceptable to Muslims unless it is designed on the following basic principle, namely that geographically contiguous units are demarcated into regions which should be so constituted, with such territorial readjustments as may be necessary, that the areas in which the Muslims are numerically in a majority as in the North-Western and Eastern Zones of India, should be grouped to constitute “Independent States” in which the constituent units shall be autonomous and sovereign.”

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

FYI:

— Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Kalaram Mandir on the banks of the Godavari in the Panchavati area of the city.

— The temple is also the site of a landmark agitation led by Babasaheb Ambedkar demanding temple entry rights for Dalits more than 90 years ago.

— The name Panchavati comes from the existence of five banyan trees in the area. According to the epic, Lord Ram, Sita, and Lakshman set up a hut here as the presence of five banyan trees made this region auspicious.

— In 1930, B R Ambedkar and the Marathi teacher and social activist Pandurang Sadashiv Sane, known as Sane Guruji, led an agitation to demand access for Dalits to Hindu temples.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

FYI:

— “Kachchhi Kharek” is a product of date palm harvested at Khalal (fresh stage), which are bold, crisp and sweet.

— The fruits are rich in nutrients (particularly carbohydrates, fat, calcium, phosphorus and iron) and have high calorific value.

— Kachchhi Kharek is cultivated under hot arid zones of Gujarat in Kachchh district of Gujarat.

— Gujarat has got a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Kachchhi Kharek under Sub-section (1) of Section 13 of Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

(Source: search.ipindia.gov.in)

FYI:

— The Konark Sun Temple, which was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, is a popular destination for pilgrims. It is situated in Odisha, some 35 kilometres from Puri, and served as the model for the Konark Wheel that was displayed at the G20 Summit.

— The temple was built by King Narasimha Deva I in the 12th century and paying tribute to the Sun God, it has a huge framework, symmetry, precision, and detailed artwork that never ceases to astound visitors. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— The temple was fashioned like the Sun God’s chariot, which was drawn by seven horses and had twenty-four exquisitely carved wheels.

— The temple is directly and materially linked to Brahmanism and tantric belief systems. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— According to some researchers, the Sun Temple was constructed in the sea to give the appearance of the Sun God rising from the water at dawn.

— The European sailors called the temple “Black Pagoda” due to the perception of the temple’s roof being dark. It acted as a crucial signpost for sailors back then who were sailing the Bay of Bengal. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The 24-spoke Konark wheel, which represents timeless knowledge, cutting-edge civilisation, and architectural brilliance, has also been incorporated into India’s national flag.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

FYI:

— Gopal Krishna Gokhale hailed from the Ratnagiri district in present-day Maharashtra and studied at the Elphinstone College in Mumbai before joining as a professor at the Fergusson College in Pune, where he taught political economy and history.

— Gokhale rose to national prominence after questioning British colonial spending at the Welby Commission in England in 1897. Gokhale’s efforts garnered him accolades in India, as he exposed British military financing tactics that imposed a heavy cost on Indian taxpayers, much to the disgust of then Viceroy Lord Curzon, who was regarded as one of the most virulent racists to hold that position.

— In 1889, Gokhale joined the Indian National Congress, emerging as one of the main leaders of its ‘moderate’ wing, and gave up teaching three years later to work as a lawmaker for the remainder of his life.

— Gokhale is best remembered for his extensive work in colonial legislatures. Between 1899 and 1902, he was a member of the Bombay Legislative Council followed by a stint at the Imperial Legislative Council from 1902 till his death.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 48)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 47)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 47)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 47)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 47)

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