PRESTORMING TM 2021 SET 2 - TEST 15 HISTORY III - EXPLANATION Q.1) If you travel from Delhi to Bhopal by train, you will see the majestic monument on top of a hill. If you climb up the hill you can see the complex of structures decorated with some of the best Buddhist artwork in the world. The initial structure was built from large bricks and mud mortar. The structure was enlarged using local sandstone during the Sunga period. The elaborately carved gateways were added later, in the 1st century BC. Which of the following monuments are you looking at? (a) Mahabodhi temple (b) Sanchi Stupa (c) Khajuraho temple complex (d) Bhimbetka caves EXPLANATION: Sanchi Stupa is the majestic monument on top of a hill at Sanchi Town in Raisen District of the State of Madhya Pradesh. So if one travels by train from Delhi to Bhopal he/she can witness it as it is located 46 kilometers north-east of Bhopal. It has a complex of structures decorated with some of the best Buddhist artwork in the world. It was initially built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE with large bricks and mud mortar. Later the structure was enlarged to double its size using local sandstone covering the original dome during the Sunga period. The 4 elaborately carved gateways called ‗toranas‘ and an ornamented balustrade were also added to the main structure later, in the 1st century BC during the Satavahana rule. The architecture of the Sanchi Stupa includes harmika, chhatra, anda, vedica, etc. Anda is the hemispherical dome, harmika is a square railing, chhatra is an umbrella on top of the harmika. It has lower and upper pradakshinapatha for worshippers to be able to walk around the stupa. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site since 1989. Hence the monument that is being looked at is Sanchi Stupa. So Option (b) is correct. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Mahabodhi Temple: Located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar Situated on the banks of the Niranjana River Marks the location of Buddha‘s Enlightenment Originally built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka
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PRESTORMING 2021 SET 2 - TEST 15 HISTORY III - EXPLANATION
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PRESTORMINGTM 2021
SET 2 - TEST 15 HISTORY III - EXPLANATION
Q.1) If you travel from Delhi to Bhopal by train, you will see the majestic monument on top of a
hill. If you climb up the hill you can see the complex of structures decorated with some of the
best Buddhist artwork in the world. The initial structure was built from large bricks and mud
mortar. The structure was enlarged using local sandstone during the Sunga period. The
elaborately carved gateways were added later, in the 1st century BC.
Which of the following monuments are you looking at?
(a) Mahabodhi temple
(b) Sanchi Stupa
(c) Khajuraho temple complex
(d) Bhimbetka caves
EXPLANATION:
Sanchi Stupa is the majestic monument on top of a hill at Sanchi Town in Raisen District of the State of
Madhya Pradesh. So if one travels by train from Delhi to Bhopal he/she can witness it as it is located 46
kilometers north-east of Bhopal. It has a complex of structures decorated with some of the best
Buddhist artwork in the world.
It was initially built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE with large bricks and mud
mortar. Later the structure was enlarged to double its size using local sandstone covering the original
dome during the Sunga period. The 4 elaborately carved gateways called ‗toranas‘ and an ornamented
balustrade were also added to the main structure later, in the 1st century BC during the Satavahana
rule.
The architecture of the Sanchi Stupa includes harmika, chhatra, anda, vedica, etc. Anda is the
hemispherical dome, harmika is a square railing, chhatra is an umbrella on top of the harmika. It has
lower and upper pradakshinapatha for worshippers to be able to walk around the stupa. It is also a
UNESCO world heritage site since 1989.
Hence the monument that is being looked at is Sanchi Stupa. So Option (b) is correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Mahabodhi Temple:
Located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar
Situated on the banks of the Niranjana River
Marks the location of Buddha‘s Enlightenment
Originally built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka
Khajuraho Temple Complex:
Located in Madhya Pradesh
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
It was constructed from the period of 950 to 1050 AD by the rulers of the Chandela dynasty
Famous for erotic sculptures in these temples
Associated to two religions – Jainism and Hinduism
Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is the largest and the most famous
Nagara style of architecture
Bhimbetka Caves:
Located in the foothills of the Vindhyan Mountains on the southern edge of the central Indian
plateau in Madhya Pradesh
It is surrounded by the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary
It is known for prehistoric rock shelters and rock paintings belonging to the Mesolithic period
It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2003
The paintings found in the rock shelters here have a striking resemblance to the ones discovered in
Kakadu National Park in Australia; to the cave paintings of Bushmen in the Kalahari Desert and
Upper Palaeolithic Lascaux cave paintings in France
Q.2) The Prakrit text Uttaradhyayana Sutta belongs to
(a) Buddhism
(b) Jainism
(c) Aivika sect
(d) Lokayata philosophy
EXPLANATION:
Uttaradhyayana Sutta is a sacred text of the Svetambara sect of Jainism written in Prakrit. It describes
how a queen named Kamalavati tried to persuade her husband to renounce the world. It belongs to one
of the four 'Mulasutras' of the Jains. It is believed by orthodox Jains to contain the actual words of
Mahavira. It consists of 36 Chapters interspersed with lively narratives from folk literature and deals
with aspects of Jain doctrine and discipline. So Option (b) is correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Important books related to Jainism:
Tattvartha Sutra
Satkhandagama
Kalpa Sutra
Adi Purana
Jnanarnava
Silappatikaram
Valayapathi
Q.3) A person visits a site and finds the following features
1. Yashti
2. Harmika
3. Chhatri
4. Anda
Which of the following place is the person visiting?
(a) Kandariya Mahadeo temple, Khajuraho.
(b) Five Rathas, Mahabalipuram.
(c) Stupa, Bharhut
(d) Yakshini, Didargunj.
EXPLANATION:
Yashti is the mast or central pillar that symbolizes the cosmic axis and surmounted by a Chhatri
Harmika a balcony-like structure or a square railing on top of the Anda represents the abode of
the gods
Chhatri or Chhatraveli is a triple umbrella on top of the Harmika, which represents the three
jewels of Buddhism – the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha
Anda is the simple semi-circular mound of earth or hemispherical dome of the stupa
All these features belong to the Stupa Architecture. Hence the person is visiting the Stupa in Bharhut.
So Option (c) is correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Kandariya Mahadeo Temple, Khajuraho:
It is the tallest, the largest, and the most stunning in the Khajuraho complex
With about 870 spectacular sculptures, it is considered to be the spiritual abode of Lord Shiva
It is most popular for its ornate architecture, including statues of beautifully adorned women
The structure has a shikhara (spire) about 31 m high that depicts Mount Kailash
The main spire is surrounded by 84 miniature spires (Urushringas)
Five Rathas, Mahabalipuram:
Built during the Pallava Dynasty in the 7th Century
It is located near Chennai along the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu
It is an example of Dravidian style architecture
Chiseled in the shape of rathas or chariots out of a large block of stone or monolith of granite
typifies monolithic Indian rock-cut architecture
The five rathas are named as ‗Dharmaraja Ratha‘, ‗Bhima Ratha‘, ‗Arjuna Ratha‘, ‗Nakula Sahadeva
Ratha‘, and ‗Draupadi Ratha‘ after the five Pandava brothers and their common spouse Draupadi
from the great Indian epic ‗Mahabharata‘
Yakshini, Didarganj:
It is one of the finest sculpture from the Maurya Dynasty
It depicts a life-size female figure
It is 5‟4” tall and carved out of a single piece/monolithic polished stone, made from Chunar
sandstone
The fly whisk is held by the yakshini in the right hand and the left hand is broken
Now it is housed at the Patna Museum in Bihar
Q.4) It is a group of 24 Buddhist caves also known as Pandav Loni. Carved between the 1st
century BC and 3rd Century AD, it belongs to the Hinayana period. It was later influenced by
the Mahayana sect. The site of this cave also depicts an excellent system of water management
indicated through the presence of water tanks carved out of solid rocks.
The above lines defect which of the following rock-cut caves?
(a) Nasik caves
(b) Barbara Caves
(c) Nagarjuna caves
(d) Ajanta Caves
EXPLANATION:
The Nasik Caves is a group of 24 Buddhist caves also known as Pandav Leni. It was earlier called
Trirashmi Caves as it is located on Trirashmi hills in Maharashtra. The caves have images of both
Buddha and Bodhisattvas. They were primarily built during the reign of the Satavahana ruler Krishna. It
has inscriptions dating to the period of three kingdoms: Kshatrapas, Satavahanas, Abhirs.
Built gradually over an extended period between the 1st century BC and 3rd Century AD, it belongs to
the Hinayana period. Later it was also influenced by the Mahayana sect. These rock-cut temples initially
were started by Jains and later turned into a significant center of Buddhism.
Most of the Caves are Viharas (Buddhist Monastries) and some are Chaityas (Prayer hall with Stupa).
The caves were the meeting places for monks to pray and study Buddha or Buddhism. The site of this
cave also depicts an excellent system of water management indicated through the presence of water
tanks carved out of solid rocks.
Hence the given lines depict the Nasik Caves. So Option (a) is correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Barabar Caves:
It is located in Bihar
It is an example of Mauryan rock-cut architecture
They were granted to the Ajivika Sect by Dasharatha, grandson of Ashoka
Four caves that form the Barabar caves are Lomas Rishi, Sudama, Karan Chaupar, and Vishwa
Zopri
Nagarjuni Caves:
It is located in Bihar
It was built around 232 BCE by Dasharatha
These caves were also devoted to the Ajivika Sect by Dasharatha
Three caves at Nagarjuni are Gopi, Vadithi ka Kubha and Vapiya ka Kubha
Ajanta Caves:
It is located in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra
It is a series of 30 rock-cut caves
All the caves are associated with Buddhism
They were constructed over some time between the 2nd Century BC to 6th Century AD
It has different types of sculpture, architecture, and paintings
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Q.5) The traveler‟s book of travels is called Rihla, written in Arabic. He served as a qazi of Delhi
for several years. The ruler in India sent him as an envoy to Mongol . He travelled extensively in
Syria, Yemen, Sri Lanka , India, Sumatra and China.
Which of the following traveler and ruler is referred to in the above passage?
(a) Al –Biruni and Mahmud of Ghazni
(b) Ibn Battuta and Muhammad Bin Tughlaq
(c) Abdur Razzaq Samarqandi and Mahmud of Ghazni
(d) Francois Bernier and Muhammad BinTuglaq
EXPLANATION:
Ibn Battuta‘s book of travels, called Rihla, written in Arabic, provides extremely rich and interesting
details about the social and cultural life in the subcontinent in the fourteenth century. He was a
Moroccan traveler and known for his expertise in Islamic religious law or sharia. Before he set off for
India in 1332-33, he had made pilgrimage trips to Mecca and had already travelled extensively in Syria,
Iraq, Persia, Yemen, Oman, and a few trading ports on the coast of East Africa.
Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi was impressed by his scholarship and appointed him the
qazi or judge of Delhi. He remained in that position for several years, until he fell out of favour and was
thrown into prison. Once the misunderstanding between him and the Sultan was cleared, he was
restored to imperial service and was ordered in 1342 to proceed to China as the Sultan‘s envoy to the
Mongol ruler. Then he also travelled to other countries like Maldives, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, and China.
Hence the traveller and ruler referred to in the above passage are Ibn Battuta and Muhammad Bin
Tughlaq respectively. So Option (b) is correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Al –Biruni:
A Persian Scholar of the 11th century
He accompanied Mahmud of Ghazni during his raid on India
He wrote the book ‗Tahqiq-i-Hind/Kitab-ul-Hind’
Abdur Razzaq Samarqandi:
He was a Persian Scholar of the 15th century
He visited India during the rule of Deva Raya II of the Vijayanagara Empire
He wrote his travels in the ‗Matla-us-Sadain wa Majma-ul-Bahrain‘
Francois Bernier:
He was a French physician, philosopher, and traveller
He visited India from 1656-1668 during the reign of Shah Jahan
He played the role of the physician to Prince Dara Shikoh and later was attached to the court of
Aurangzeb
He wrote the book ‗Travels in the Mughal Empire‘
Q.6) Nastaliq refers to
(a) Wandering monks
(b) A style of Calligraphy
(c) Chronicle of Kings
(d) Impressive audience hall in Mughul Courts
EXPLANATION:
Nastaliq refers to a style of Calligraphy characterized by a tendency to slope downward from right to left
and used mainly for Persian poetical writings and in Urdu and Malay manuscripts. It is traditionally the
predominant style in Persian calligraphy. It was developed in Iran in the 14th and 15th centuries. So
Option (b) is correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Different Arabic Calligraphic styles:
Taliq
Shikaste
Naskh
Thuluth
Reqa
Diwani
Q.7) Your friend likes to know the views of foreign chroniclers about the society and
administration during the Viayanagara Period. Which of the following Chronicler‟s excerpts
would you suggest reading?
1. Domingo Paes
2. Abdur Razzaq
3. Barbosa
4. Ibn Batuta
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
EXPLANATION:
Domingo Paes was a Portugese traveller, merchant and writer. He gave detailed accounts of all
historic descriptions of ancient city Hampi which was governed by the Vijaynagara Empire under
Krishna Deva Raya
Abdur Razzaq was a Persian Scholar of the 15th century. He visited India during the rule of Deva
Raya II of the Vijayanagara Empire. He gives an account of the reign of Devaraya II in his ‗Matla-
us-Sadain wa Majma-ul-Bahrain‘
Barbosa was a Portuguese writer and traveller. Through his book ‗An Account of Countries
Bordering the Indian Ocean and their Inhabitants‘, he gave a detailed account of governance in
Vijayanagara under Krishna Deva Raya.
Ibn Batuta was a Moroccan traveller whose book Rihla contains accounts about the reign of
Haihara-I, founder of the Vijayanagar Empire
Hence all the options are correct. So Option (d) is correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Other important foreign travellers who visited Vijayanagara:
Nicolo de Conti- Venetian
Athanasius Nikitin- Russian
Ludvico de Vorthema- Italian
Fernao Nuniz- Portuguese
Marco Polo- Venetian
Q.8) With reference to Mughul India, the term “jins-i-kamil” refers to
(a) Village headman
(b) Revenue earning crops
(c) Irrigation Canals
(d) Agricultural Labourers
EXPLANATION:
The term jins-i-kamil in Mughal India means perfect crops. They were cash crops that brought in more
revenue. Crops such as cotton and sugarcane were jins-i kamil par excellence. Cotton was grown over a
great swathe of territory spread over central India and the Deccan plateau, whereas Bengal was famous
for its sugar. Such cash crops would also include various sorts of oilseeds and lentils.
So Option (b) is correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Important terms in Mughal India:
Village headman - Muqaddam or Mandal
Irrigation Canals - Nahr, Nala
Agricultural Labourers – Majur
Scavengers - Halalkhoran
Sons of boatmen – Mallahzadas
Accountant of the panchayat - Patwari
Hereditary holdings - Miras or Watan
Q.9) Muhammad Husayn of Kashmir is one of the finest Calligraphers. He was honoured with the
title “Zarrin qalam”(golden pen) in recognition of the perfectly proportioned curvature ]of his
letters.
In which of the following ruler‘s court was he present?
(a) Qutb-uddin-aibak
(b) Akbar
(c) Sher Shah
(d) Kanishka
EXPLANATION:
Muhammad Husayn was from Kashmir. He lived from 1575 to 1605. He is one of the finest calligraphers
at Akbar‟s court. He was honoured with the title ―Zarrin qalam‖(golden pen) in recognition of the
perfectly proportioned curvature of his letters. One of his folio in the Nastaliq style of calligraphy is
famous.
So Option (b) is correct.
Q.10) Who is credited for translating Patanjali‟s work on grammar into Arabic and works of Euclid
into Sanskrit?
(a) Nuniz
(b) Al –Biruni
(c) Ibn Battuta
(d) Abul Fazl
EXPLANATION:
Al-Biruni‘s expertise in several languages allowed him to compare languages and translate texts. He
translated several Sanskrit works, including Patanjali‘s work on grammar called ‗Mahabhasya‘ into
Arabic. For his Brahmana friends, he translated the works of Euclid (a Greek mathematician) into
Sanskrit. He was familiar with translations and adaptations of Sanskrit, Pali, and Prakrit texts into
Arabic – these ranged from fables to works on astronomy and medicine. He was well versed in several
languages like Syriac, Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, and Sanskrit
So Option (b) is correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Author Works
Fernao Nuniz Writings on the capital of the Vijayanagara
Empire
Ibn Battuta Rihla written in Arabic
Abul Fazl Ain-i-Akbari written in the Persian
language
Q.11) Techniques such as „stone on stone‟ and „pressure flaking‟ are related to which of the
following in reference to ancient Indian History?
(a) Deciphering an ancient script
(b) Manufacturing of seals
(c) Manufacturing of stone tools
(d) Ancient methods of agriculture
EXPLANATION:
In the stone on stone method, a stone was taken in one hand and was hit with another stone to
make a particular shape. The stone which was made into a tool was called the core.
In the pressure flaking technique, the core stone was placed on a firm surface or the ground. The
stone used as a hammer was placed on a bone resting on the core stone to remove flakes from
the core stone. These flakes were shaped into tools.
Hence both these techniques refer to the manufacturing of stone tools. So Option (c) is correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Other stone tool manufacturing techniques:
Hammer and Anvil Technique
Bipolar Technique
Hard Hammer Percussion Technique
Soft Hammer Percussion Technique
Q.12) Consider the following statements
1. There is no trace of the urban way of life in Rig Veda
2. Horse, tiger and bull are mentioned in the Rig Veda
3. The Rig Vedas speak only about the Aryans
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
EXPLANATION:
There is no trace of the urban way of life in the Rig Veda. It is more of a rural way of life with no urban
centres. So Statement 1 is correct.
Horse (asva) occurs 215 times and bull (vrishabha) 170 times in Rig Veda. Tiger and rhinoceros, which
are tropical animals, are not mentioned in the Rig Veda. So Statement 2 is not correct.
The Rig Vedas speak about not only the Aryans but also about the non-Aryan people, whom the Aryans
encountered in India. When the Rig Vedic people moved into India they came into conflict with people
whom they referred to as Dasyus or Dasas. So Statement 3 is not correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Rig Vedic Culture:
Various units of habitation and divisions such as the janas, vis, gana, grama and kula are referred
to in the Rig Veda
They strongly believed that prayers, sacrifices, and rituals could offer support in their mundane life
The god Indra is called Purandara, which means destroyer of settlements
The Rig Veda refers to Arya varna and Dasa varna
According to the Purusha Sukta of the Rig Veda, the various varnas emerged thus: Brahmanas
from the mouth, the Kshatriyas from the arms, the Vaisya from the thighs, and the Sudra from the
feet of Purusha, when he was sacrificed
Kinship was the basis of the social structure of Rig Vedic society
Women had a respectable position
Society was essentially patriarchal with a preference for male children and cattle
Archaeological evidence points to the development of agriculture among the Rig Vedic people
The assemblies called sabha, samiti, vidhata, and gana are mentioned in the Rig Veda
Q.13) Consider the following statements with reference to Hathigumpha Inscription
1. It consists of seventeen lines incised in Brahmi letters
2. It states that the Emperor Kharavela had a liberal religious spirit
3. It consists of details about Buddhism in that region
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
EXPLANATION:
Hathigumpha inscription consists of seventeen lines incised in deep cut Brahmi letters on the
overhanging brow of a natural cavern called Hathigumpha in the southern side of the Udayagiri hill near
Bhubaneswar in Orissa. So Statement 1 is correct.
The inscription states that the emperor Kharavela had a liberal religious spirit. Kharavela describes
himself as the worshiper of all religious orders, the restorer of shrines of all gods. So Statement 2 is
correct.
It consists of details about Jainism in that region and not Buddhism. So Statement 3 is not correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Hathigumpha Inscription:
Hathigumpha Inscription is claimed to be first discovered by A. Sterling in 1820
The inscription is dated to be 2nd century BCE to 1st century CE
It is located on the twin hills of Khandagiri and Udaygiri
It faces straight towards the Rock Edicts of Ashoka at Dhauli
Kharavela selected that place to record both his political and religious activities
Hathigumpha Inscription is a piece of valuable epigraphic evidence to illuminate Nanda, Maurya,
Mahameghavahan dynasties; images of contemporary North and South India, and even story of
foreign invading Yavans
It has Temporal, Geographical, Religious, Socio-cultural, Linguistic, and Locality connotations
Q.14) Consider the following statements regarding the Kalabhras dynasty.
1. They ruled at the southern part of the country during the Sangam period.
2. They patronised both Buddhists and Jainists during their reign.
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:
Kalabhras ruled the southern part of the country after the Sangam period (300 BC to 300 AD) from
300 AD to 600 AD. So Statement 1 is not correct.
They patronised both Buddhists and Jainists during their reign. It was characterized by considerable
literary activity in Tamil and the ascendancy of Buddhism and Jainism during this period. So
Statement 2 is correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Kalabhras dynasty:
They established their kingdom after defeating the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas of the Sangam
period
The region of their rule is called Tamilakam
Their period of rule is referred to as the ‗Dark Ages‘ in the history of Tamilakam
Literary sources for this period are Periapuranam, Seevaka Chinthamani, Kundalakesi,
Yapernkalam, Tamil Navalar Charithai, etc.
A new script called Vattezhuththu developed during this period
Many works under Pathinen Keezhkanakku were composed
They were displaced around the 7th century by the revival of Pallava and Pandya power
Q.15) Consider the following statements with reference to prehistoric period
1. It is located in a fertile plain, near the Bolan Pass
2. It is one of the earliest villages that we know about
3. The site has the remains of square or rectangular houses
The above statements are about which one of the following archeological sites?
(a) Koldihwa
(b) Gufkral
(c) Mehrgarh
(d) Shortugai
EXPLANATION:
Mehrgarh is a site located in a fertile plain, near the Bolan Pass, one of the most important routes into
Iran. It was one of the first places where people grew barley and wheat and reared sheep and goats. It is
one of the earliest known villages.
Archaeologists have found evidence of animal bones here on excavation. They have found remains of
houses here. Most houses were square or rectangular. They usually had four or more compartments,
some of which may have been used for storage. Several burial sites have also been found in Mehrgarh.
So Option (c) is correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Koldihwa:
It is a Neolithic site located in Belan valley, Uttar Pradesh
The site hosts the earliest evidence for rice cultivation
Gufkral:
It is a Neolithic site located in the Kashmir region
Both agriculture & domestication of animals was practiced here
Tools and weapons made of polished stone, as well as bone, were used
Shortugai:
It is a trade centre in Afghanistan
Harappan people imported semi-precious stones called lapis lazuli from here
Q.16) Consider the following statements with reference to Harappan cities
1. Very often walls of baked brick were built around each part of the cities
2. In general, the part to the east of the cities was larger but lower and called as citadel
3. Kalibangan and Lothal had fire altars
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
EXPLANATION:
Very often walls of baked brick were built around each part of the cities. The bricks were laid in an
interlocking pattern and that made the walls strong. So Statement 1 is correct.
In general, the part to the east of the cities was larger but lower and called as the lower town. Citadel
was the west part of the city that was smaller but higher. So Statement 2 is not correct.
Kalibangan and Lothal had fire altars where sacrifices may have been performed. There were elaborate
storehouses in Mohenjadaro, Harappa, and Lothal. So Statement 3 is correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Important Harappan cities:
Mohenjadaro- Pakistan
Harappa - Pakistan
Kalibangan - Rajasthan
Dholavira - Gujarat
Lothal - Gujarat
Surkotada - Gujarat
Rakhigarhi - Haryana
Banawali - Haryana
Chanhudaro - Pakistan
Sutkagendor - Pakistan
Amri - Pakistan
Q.17) Consider the following
Who was famous for music during Mughal period?
(a) Baz Bahadur
(b) Faizi
(c) AbulFazl
(d) Rahim Khan-i-Khanan
EXPLANATION:
Baz Bahadur was the last Sultan of Malwa. His accomplishments were a mastery of music and poetry.
Because of Baz Bahadur‘s interest in music and poetry, Mandu (capital of Malwa) had become a
celebrated center for music. Once Malwa was occupied and absorbed by Mughal ruler Akbar, Baz
Bahadur became his fugitive and was enrolled as a Mughal mansabdar. Abul Fazl wrote about Baz
Bahadur – “he was the best person of his time in music and Hindi songs.”So Option (a) is correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Faizi:
He was a Persian poet who joined Akbar‘s suite during the seize of Chittor in 1568
He was one of the Navratnas of Akbar
Akbar was impressed by the scholarly aptitude of Faizi and appointed him the tutor of princes
Salim, Murad and Daniyal
Lilavati, the celebrated Sanskrit work in Maths by Bhaskaracharya, was translated into Persian by
him
Abul Fazl:
He was the younger brother of Faizi
He was one of the Navratnas of Akbar
He was the author of Akbarnama, the official history of Akbar‘s reign in 3 volumes
Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan:
He was one of the Navratnas of Akbar
He had an excellent command of the Sanskrit language
Rahim is known for his Hindi dohe (couplets) and his books on astrology
Q.18) A term Imadad-i-mash stands for in the Mughal order
(a) Poll tax
(b) Pension to army officers
(c) Cultivation tax
(d) Revenue free land assigned to learned and the needy
EXPLANATION:
There was a large class of religious divines and learned men who in return for their services were granted
tracts of land for their maintenance. Such grants were called milk or madad-i-maash. In Akbar‘s time,
such grants totalled about three percent of the jama. Later on, it was also made hereditary by Bahadur
Shah.
So Option (d) is correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Jizya:
It is a tax/poll tax imposed on non-muslims by Muslim rulers
In 1579 Akbar abolished it
Aurangzeb re-imposed it in 1679
Q.19) Which of the following is wrongly matched?
(a) Aurang-Deport for manufactured Goods.
(b) Dadan-Advance commission
(c) Hundi-Bill of Exchange
(d) Dalal-Broker
EXPLANATION:
Aurang: It is the Persian term for warehouse or depot for manufactured Goods
Dadan: It is the system of employment of Inter-State migrant labour. No working hours are fixed
for these workers and they have to work on all the days in a week under extremely bad working
conditions
Hundi: It is a note recording a deposit made by a person. The amount deposited can be claimed
in another place by presenting the record of the deposit and hence a Bill of Exchange
Dalal: It means an agent working for a commission in return for a service and also called a broker
So Option (b) is correct.
Q.20) Which was the earliest text that tried to explain caste system according to one‟s abilities
and inclinations?
(a) Manusmriti
(b) Bhagavat Gita
(c) Ramayana
(d) Yajnavalkiya
EXPLANATION:
In line with the ancient Indian tradition, Manusmriti distinguished various human beings based on
their basic tendencies and inclinations. The element of desire, action, and knowledge was found among
persons varying according to the proportion of three gunas of Rajas, Tamas, and Sattvik in them.
Human beings were classified based on the preponderance of a particular guna. Thus in according to
Manusmriti, the Satvik guna preponderates in Brahmins, Rajas Guna dominates in Kshatriyas and Tamas
Guna dominates in the Vaishyas and Shudras. The Manu-smriti prescribes to Hindus their dharma—i.e.,
that set of obligations incumbent on each as a member of one of the four social classes/varnas and
engaged in one of the four stages of life called ashramas.
So Option (a) is correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Bhagavat Gita:
It is a 700 verse Hindu scripture in Sanskrit that is part of the Hindu epic Mahabharata
It is set in a narrative framework of a dialogue between Pandava prince Arjuna and his guide and
charioteer Lord Krishna
The Bhagavad Gita presents a synthesis of the concept of Dharma, theistic bhakti, yogic ideals of
moksha through jnana, bhakti, karma, and Raja Yoga and Samkhya philosophy
Ramayana:
It is shorter of the two great epic poems of India, the other being the Mahabharata
It was composed in Sanskrit, probably not before 300 BCE, by the poet Valmiki and in its present
form consists of some 24,000 couplets divided into seven chapters
It is believed to be written in Treta Yuga
Ramayana describes the life of Rama, the eldest son of the king of Ayodhya, Dasaratha
Yajnavalkiya Smriti:
It is a book related to the Dharma in Hinduism
It was composed in the period of 3rd to 5th century CE in the Sanskrit language
It is organized into three books: Achara-kanda, Vyavahara-kanda, and Prayascitta-kanda
It consists of a cumulative total of 1,010 slokas (verses)
Q.21) Milk, Inam, Waqf were abolished by
(a) Iltutmish
(b) Balban
(c) AlauddinKhilji
(d) Guptas
EXPLANATION:
Milk, Inam, Waqf were land grants in the period of Delhi Sultanate. This type of land was given to the
people in gift or charity and particularly to Muslim scholars and saints. It was free of tax. Mostly the
land revenue was collected in cash but sometimes in kind also.
Milk, Inam, and Waqf were abolished by the Slave dynasty ruler Iltutmish. So Option (a) is correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Balban:
He Adopted the policy of ‗Blood and Iron‘ in governance
He introduced the Persian festival of Navroz in India
He ended the influence of the Corp of Forty
He introduced the practice of Sijda and Paibos
Alauddin Khilji:
He ruled for about twenty years from 1296 to 1316
He liked to call himself ‗The Second Alexander‘ and took the title ‗Sikander-i-Sani‘
Malik Kafur was his powerful Army Chief
He Introduced Agrarian and Market reforms
He favoured centralised administration that was free from the influence of Ulemas
The system of espionage organised by him was systematic and effective
Q.22) The most distinctive characteristic in Muslim architecture that of Hindu and Buddhist
architecture was
(a) Round domes
(b) High minarets
(c) No concrete
(d) Combination of arch and dome
EXPLANATION:
The hemispherically shaped Stupas of the Buddhist architecture usually housed sacred relics associated
with the Buddha or other saintly persons. Domes in pre-Mughal India have a standard squat circular
shape with a lotus design and bulbous finial at the top, derived from Hindu architecture. Because the
Hindu architectural tradition did not include arches, flat corbels were used to transition from the
corners of the room to the dome, rather than squinches.
Hence the distinctive characteristic in Muslim architecture adopted from that of Hindu and Buddhist
architecture was Round domes. So Option (a) is correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Characteristics of Indo-Islamic Architecture:
Arches and Domes
Tall Minarets
Usage of mortar as cementing agents
Pietra dura technique was used
Usage of arabesque method
Presence of symmetry
Avoidance of representation of humans
Presence of water in premises
Q.23) Which of the following is correct regarding Alauddin Khilji?
(a) He abolished khuts and Muqqadams
(b) He was the first to collect taxes directly from the peasants
(c) He retained khuts and Muqqadams but reduced their privileges
(d) He appointed special officers in place of khuts and Muqqadams.
EXPLANATION:
In the area brought under khalisa, Alauddin tried to curb the privileges of the khuts, muqaddams, and
chaudharis. Alauddin not only forced the khuts, muqaddams, and chaudharis to pay the grazing and
house taxes like the others, but also through the system of measurement ensured that they could not
pass on their burden of land revenue on the shoulders of the others. They were also deprived of the
khuti charges for collecting land revenue.
Hence Alauddin Khilji retained khuts and Muqqadams but reduced their privileges. So Option (c) is
correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Alauddin Khilji:
He ruled for about twenty years from 1296 to 1316
He liked to call himself ‗The Second Alexander‘ and took the title ‗Sikander-i-Sani‘
Malik Kafur was his powerful Army Chief
He Introduced Agrarian and Market reforms
He favoured centralised administration that was free from the influence of Ulemas
The system of espionage organised by him was systematic and effective
He established a proper postal system for establishing regular contact with various parts of the
empire
Q.24) Pahori painting emphasised on
(a) Snow-clad mountains
(b) Birds and Animals
(c) Love
(d) Seasons
EXPLANATION:
Pahari paintings emphasised areas like love and devotion. The artists adopted themes of eternal love
between Radha and Krishna. Gita Govinda (the Divine Love Song) and the tenth book of the Bhagavata
Purana (the stories of Krishna) provided evergreen themes. The growing popularity of vernacular
literature with the emergence of the Bhakti movement provided themes for the Pahari Paintings.
Erstwhile Shaiva- Shakta themes in paintings were later accompanied by the vernacular poetry and folk
songs adoring Krishna and Rama.
So option (c) is correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Pahari Paintings:
Pahari denotes ‗hilly or mountainous‘ in origin
Pahari Schools of Painting includes towns, such as Basohli, Guler, Kangra, Kullu, Chamba,
Mankot, Nurpur, Mandi, Bilaspur, Jammu, and others in the hills of western Himalayas
These paintings established and developed during the period of 17th to 19th century
They have been done mostly in miniature painting forms
Based on geography two categories can be identified:
Basohli and Kulu style - shows the influence of the Chaurpanchasika style and emphasizes
the abstraction, bold lines, and conservative colors
Guler and Kangra style - underscores on calm, cooler colors and refinement
Pahari paintings have been widely influenced by the Rajput paintings, because of the family
relations of the Pahari Rajas with the royal court at Rajasthan
Unlike Rajasthani Paintings, which centered on portraitures, and depiction of splendid court life,
Pahari paintings emphasized love and devotional themes
The influence of the Mughals, Gujarat, and Deccan was also conspicuous in these Indian paintings
Q.25) Which of the following created a separate ministry for slaves?
(a) Itutmish
(b) AlauddinKhalji
(c) Balban
(d) Firoz Shah
EXPLANATION:
Firoz Shah Tughlaq increased the number of slaves by capturing the defeated soldiers and young
persons during the war. Hence he created a separate ministry or department for slaves called as Diwan-
i-Bandagan. The officer-in-charge of this department was the Wakil-i-dar.
So Option (d) is correct.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Department Created by
Diwan-i-Khairat (charity department) Firoz Shah Tughlaq