History

The Second Round Table Conference took place in London in September 1931. It aimed to discuss constitutional reforms in India but ultimately failed to reach a consensus.

The Quit India Movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi in August 1942, demanding an immediate end to British rule in India.

The Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy occurred in February 1946. It was a major uprising by Indian sailors against the British Raj, though it happened after the Quit India Movement.

Thus correct chronology of events is 3-2-1 i.e. option 'C'.

The Montagu-Chelmsford Proposals were aimed at the gradual introduction of self-governing institutions in India. They led to the enactment of the Government of India Act 1919, which introduced several landmark constitutional changes:

- Dyarchy in Provinces: It divided provincial subjects into two parts—Transferred (administered by the Governor with the aid of ministers) and Reserved (administered by the Governor and his executive council without being responsible to the legislative council).

- Bicameralism at the Center: For the first time, it introduced a bicameral legislature consisting of an Upper House (Council of State) and a Lower House (Legislative Assembly).

- Direct Elections: It introduced direct elections in the country for the first time, though the franchise was limited based on property, tax, or education.

- Separation of Budgets: It separated provincial budgets from the Central budget and authorized provincial legislatures to enact their own budgets.

Araghatta, also known as the 'Persian wheel' or 'Norias', was a device used in medieval India for lifting water from wells or rivers for irrigation purposes.

It typically consisted of a large wheel fitted with pots or buckets along its circumference. As the wheel rotated, the pots would fill with water from a water source and then empty into a trough, channel, or aqueduct for distribution to fields or other areas requiring irrigation.


Pair 1 is correctly matched: In South India, especially during the Pallava and Chola periods, Eripatti (tank land) was land donated by individuals or the state, the revenue of which was strictly used for the maintenance and repair of the village irrigation tank (eri).

Pair 2 is INCORRECTLY matched: The description "Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins" refers to Brahmadeya (or Agrahara). Taniyurs (or Taniyur) were a specific administrative unit in the Chola empire. They were exceptionally large villages or settlements that were granted the status of an independent revenue unit, meaning they were not subject to the jurisdiction of the local Nadu (district).

Pair 3 is correctly matched: Ghatikas were prestigious institutions of higher learning in ancient South India. They were often located within or attached to temples and served as centers for Vedic and religious studies (notably the famous Ghatika of Kanchipuram).

The Surat Split of 1907 was primarily caused by the Extremists' lack of faith in the Moderates' methods of 'constitutional agitation' (petitions and prayers). The Extremists, led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal, believed these methods were ineffective for achieving 'Swaraj' and doubted the Moderates' capacity to negotiate effectively with the British government following the 1905 Partition of Bengal.

This ideological divide deepened over the scope of the Swadeshi Movement. The Extremists wanted to extend the boycott nationwide and include all government institutions (schools, courts, and services), whereas the Moderates wanted to limit the movement to Bengal and avoid the use of passive resistance. The immediate trigger for the split was the disagreement over the presidency of the 1907 session: the Extremists proposed Lala Lajpat Rai or Tilak, while the Moderates insisted on Rash Behari Ghosh. The failure to reach a consensus on leadership and strategy led to the formal expulsion of the Extremists from the Congress.

The 'Swadeshi' (promotion of indigenous products and industries) and 'Boycott' (of British goods and institutions) were adopted as methods of struggle for the first time during the Anti-Partition Movement or the Swadeshi Movement of 1905-1911.

This movement was sparked by the decision of the British colonial government to partition the province of Bengal in 1905, which was seen as an attempt to weaken the nationalist movement in Bengal.

Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally traders.

They were nomadic communities known for transporting goods like salt, grain, cattle, and other necessities across long distances using bullock caravans called tandas. They played a crucial role in facilitating trade and commerce within the Indian subcontinent.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Calcutta Unitarian Committee, jointly founded by William Adam and Rammohun Roy in September 1821, sought to bring together prominent Brahmins who were friends of Roy's and supporters of his agenda for the promotion of religious monotheism and social reform among Hindus.

Statement 2 is correct. On 24th January 1868, Keshab Chandra Sen laid the foundation stone of his mandir called the Tabernacle of New Dispensation. Keshab and his followers marched to the proposed spot early in the morning, performing Sankirtan, and this was the first Brahmo street procession, and it was the first of its kind in Calcutta.

Statement 3 is correct. Indian Reforms Association aligns better with Sen's social reform activities. He established this association upon returning from Europe in 1870 to advocate for social progress in areas like education, women's rights, and temperance.

Satyashodhak Samaj is a social reform society founded by Jyotirao Phule in Pune, India, on 24 September 1873. Its purpose was to liberate the less privileged in the then-prevailing society such as women, Shudra, and Dalit from exploitation and oppression.

Jyotirao's wife Savitribai was the head of the women's section of the society.

Through his writing and work, Jyotirao advocated against the caste system and the illogical and orthodox status of Brahmin.

Phule had also started a newspaper Deenbandhu which provided the voice for the views of the Samaj.

Jyotirao Phule's book Gulamgiri is dedicated to the pain, suffering and hardship faced by slaves.

* The Cripps Mission was a failed attempt in late March 1942 by the British government to secure full Indian cooperation and support for their efforts in World War II.

* The mission was headed by a senior minister Sir Stafford Cripps, Lord Privy Seal and leader of the House of Commons. * Cripps was sent to negotiate an agreement with the nationalist Congress leaders, who spoke for the majority Indians, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Muslim League, who spoke for the minority Muslim population. * Cripps worked to keep India loyal to the British war effort in exchange for a promise of elections and full self-government (Dominion status) once the war was over.

* Cripps discussed the proposals, which he had drafted himself, with the Indian leaders and published them. * Both the major parties rejected his proposals, and they were also unacceptable to Churchill; no middle way was found and the mission failed.

Both statements (1 and 2) are correct regarding the taxation system of Krishna Deva Raya, the ruler of Vijayanagar.

Statement 1 is correct. Land tax based on quality The Vijayanagara Empire, under Krishna Deva Raya, had a well-defined taxation system. Land revenue was the primary source of income, and the tax rate was determined based on the land's quality, fertility, and irrigation methods. This ensured a fair system where more productive lands yielded higher tax revenue.

Statement 2 is correct. Industry tax, besides land tax, the empire levied taxes on various professions and activities. Private workshops and businesses likely paid an industry tax, contributing to the state's treasury.

Statement 1 is correct: A committee named the 'Sedition Committee' was set up in 1918 by the British Raj, led by Sir Sidney Rowlatt, a British judge. The purpose of this committee was to investigate political activities considered seditious by the British government, particularly in Bengal and Punjab.

Statement 2 is correct: Gandhi believed the Rowlatt Act, passed based on the committee's recommendations, was unjust. It gave the British authorities broad powers to arrest and detain people suspected of revolutionary activities without trial.

While not the primary tool used by Gandhi, Gandhi did attempt to leverage the support and networks of the Home Rule Leagues to mobilize people against the Rowlatt Act.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Demonstration against the Simon Commission was held in 1928, while the Rowlatt Act was passed in 1919.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: While the Congress Socialist Party (CSP) aimed to radicalize the Congress and mobilize peasants and workers, it did not specifically advocate for the evasion of taxes as a policy; its focus was on the abolition of zamindari and the socialistic reorganization of the economy.

Statement 2 is Incorrect: The CSP was founded on the principles of democratic socialism. It explicitly rejected the 'dictatorship of the proletariat'—a concept central to Marxism-Leninism and the Communist Party—preferring to work within the democratic framework of the Indian National Congress.

Statement 3 is Incorrect: The CSP, being a faction within the Indian National Congress, adhered to the Congress's stand of opposing separate electorates. They advocated for joint electorates and believed that the problems of minorities and oppressed classes should be addressed through economic and social reforms rather than communal representation.

The question refers to the historical impact of Babur's arrival in India in 1526.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Gunpowder was not introduced by Babur. It was known in India as early as the mid-14th century. It was used in warfare by the Delhi Sultanate and later by the Bahmani and Vijayanagara kingdoms in the Deccan. Babur's contribution was the introduction of superior gunpowder technology, specifically mobile artillery and the 'Rumi' method of deployment, but not the substance itself.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The arch and dome were introduced to the Indian subcontinent by the Turks during the Delhi Sultanate period (13th century), long before Babur. Examples include the Alai Darwaza and the tombs of the Lodi era. Babur's arrival influenced later Mughal architecture, but the fundamental concepts of the arch and dome were already established.

Statement 3 is correct: Babur was a direct descendant of Timur (Tamerlane) on his father's side. His victory at the First Battle of Panipat (1526) against Ibrahim Lodi led to the establishment of the Mughal Empire, which the Mughals themselves referred to as the Timurid dynasty (Gurkani).

The movement that contributed to the split in the Indian National Congress, resulting in the emergence of 'moderates' and 'extremists', was the Swadeshi Movement.

The Swadeshi Movement saw two distinct groups emerge within the Indian National Congress: 1. Moderates: This group, led by leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Surendranath Banerjee, believed in constitutional and peaceful methods to achieve independence. They supported the boycott of British goods but opposed the use of violence or extreme measures.

2. Extremists (also known as Radicals or Nationalists): This group, led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal (the Lal-Bal-Pal trio), advocated for more aggressive and revolutionary methods to drive out the British. They supported the use of boycotts, civil disobedience, and even violence if necessary.

The ideological differences between the moderates and extremists intensified during the Swadeshi Movement, eventually leading to the Surat Split in 1907, where the two factions clashed openly at the Congress session, resulting in a temporary split in the party.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: A strong central authority is not a defining characteristic of the feudal system. In fact, a weak central government with power dispersed among regional lords is more typical.

Statement 2 is Correct: Land ownership and control were fundamental aspects of the feudal system in India. Powerful landowners (Zamindars, Jagirdars etc.) gained control over vast territories and the peasantry who worked on them.

Statement 3 is Correct: A hierarchical structure with lords granting land to vassals in exchange for military service, taxes, and loyalty was a core principle of the feudal system.

While the Indian feudal system had some unique characteristics, these two elements - land control and the lord-vassal relationship - formed the backbone of the system.

Harihara I, along with his brother Bukka I, founded the Vijayanagara Empire in 1336. The capital city, Vijayanagara (Hampi), was established on the south bank of the Tungabhadra River, which is a major tributary of the Krishna River. The rulers of the Sangama dynasty, starting with Harihara I, claimed to rule as the agents of the deity Virupaksha (a form of Lord Shiva), who was the guardian deity of the kingdom. They believed that the land south of the Krishna River belonged to the deity, and they ruled it on His behalf. To signify this divine authority, royal orders were traditionally signed in the name of 'Shri Virupaksha' in the Kannada script.

Champaka - Central India (Incorrect): Champaka, also known as Chamba, was located in the present-day Himachal Pradesh region.

Durgara - Jammu (Correct): Durgara corresponds to the present-day Jammu region.

Kuluta - Malabar (Incorrect): Kuluta, also known as Kulu, was situated in the present-day Himachal Pradesh region, bordering Kullu Valley. Malabar refers to the southwestern coastal region of India.

Therefore, only pair 2 is correctly matched.

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (10 December 1878 - 25 December 1972), informally called Rajaji or C.R., was an Indian politician, independence activist, lawyer, writer, historian, and statesman.

Rajagopalachari was the last Governor-General of India, as India soon became a Republic in 1950.

The Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha (at Tanjore coast in the Madras Presidency) was a march started by Indian statesman C. Rajagopalachari, inspired by the Dandi March as Part of the Civil Disobedience Movement in April, 1930.

The Government of India Act of 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms) relaxed central control over the provinces by demarcating and separating the central and provincial subjects, thereby clearly defining the jurisdiction of the central and provincial governments. While the central and provincial legislatures were authorized to make laws on their respective list of subjects, the structure of government continued to remain unitary and centralized. Additionally, the Act introduced 'Dyarchy' at the provincial level by further dividing provincial subjects into two parts: Transferred subjects (administered by the Governor with the aid of ministers responsible to the Legislative Council) and Reserved subjects (administered by the Governor and his executive council without being responsible to the Legislative Council).

Statement 1 is correct: The Cabinet Mission (1946) recommended the establishment of a federal government in India with a weak centre controlling only defence, foreign affairs, and communications, and the provinces grouped into sections with autonomy in other matters.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Mission did not propose any changes in the powers of Indian courts; its purpose was to plan the constitutional framework for transfer of power, not judicial reforms.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Mission made no recommendation regarding the Indian Civil Services (ICS) or increasing Indian participation in it.

The Partition of Bengal implemented by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until King George V abrogated Curzon's Act at the Royal Durbar in Delhi in 1911.

The widespread protests and nationalist movements against the partition led to its reversal in 1911.

* The Ghadr (or Ghadar) movement was a revolutionary movement that aimed to overthrow British colonial rule in India during the early 20th century. * It was launched by Indian immigrants, mainly Sikhs and Hindus, residing in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada.

* The Ghadr Party was formed in 1913 in San Francisco, California, to liberate India from British rule through an armed revolution.

* Prominent leaders of the Ghadr movement included Lala Har Dayal, Sohan Singh Bhakna, Kartar Singh Sarabha, and Vishnu Ganesh Pingle.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: Although King Pradyota of Avanti was a contemporary of the Buddha and invited him to visit, the Buddha never traveled to Avanti personally; he sent his disciple Mahakaccana to preach there instead. Statement 2 is Incorrect: Gandhara was located in the far northwest of the Indian subcontinent (modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan); the Buddha's travels and teachings were confined to the middle Gangetic plain, and he never visited Gandhara during his lifetime. Statement 3 is Correct: The Buddha spent a significant portion of his life in the Kingdom of Kosala, particularly in its capital Shravasti, where he delivered many discourses at the Jetavana monastery. His birthplace, Lumbini, was also associated with the Kosalan sphere of influence. Statement 4 is Correct: Magadha was central to the Buddha's life as he attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya and frequently preached at Rajgir, the capital of Magadha, under the patronage of Kings Bimbisara and Ajatashatru.

In medieval India, the designations 'Mahattara' and 'Pattakila' were used for village headmen.

Mahattara: The superior headman of the village, responsible for administration and revenue collection.

Pattakila: The subordinate headman of the village, assisting the Mahattara in his duties.

The 1929 Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress, presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru, is a landmark in the Indian Freedom Struggle for the following reasons:

1. Purna Swaraj Resolution: The Congress passed the historic 'Purna Swaraj' (Complete Independence) resolution, officially shifting its goal from 'Dominion Status' to total independence from British rule. 2. Symbolic Act: On the midnight of December 31, 1929, Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the tricolour flag on the banks of the River Ravi amidst slogans of 'Inquilab Zindabad'. 3. Independence Day: The Congress fixed January 26, 1930, as the first Independence Day, to be celebrated by the people across the country.

Why other options are incorrect: - Option A: While 'Swaraj' was discussed earlier (e.g., 1906), the 1929 session specifically defined it as 'Purna Swaraj' or complete independence. - Option C: The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched much earlier, in 1920. - Option D: The Congress decided to boycott the First Round Table Conference during this session. The decision to participate in the Second Round Table Conference was only taken later, following the Gandhi-Irwin Pact in 1931.

Boundary Commission, the consultative committee created in July 1947 to recommend how the Punjab and Bengal regions of the Indian subcontinent were to be divided between India and Pakistan shortly before each was to become independent from Britain.

The commission appointed by Lord Mountbatten, the final viceroy of British India, consisted of: - Four members from the Indian National Congress. - Four from the Muslim League. - It was chaired by Sir Cyril Radcliffe.

Queen Victoria's Proclamation aimed to appease Indian rulers following the Sepoy Mutiny (Rebellion of 1857).

Statement 1 is correct: Disclaiming annexation assured them their territories wouldn't be taken over.

Statement 2 is correct: The proclamation did indeed transfer power from the East India Company to the British Crown by appointing a Viceroy to oversee administration in India and to report to the Queen directly.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Regulating trade wasn't a primary focus of the proclamation, as the East India Company was free to trade in India under the Free Trade Policy, but without a monopoly.

The Constituent Assembly of India was partially elected to write the Constitution of India. Following India's independence from Great Britain in 1947, its members served as the nation's first Parliament.

The members of the Constituent Assembly were elected by the provincial assemblies by a single, transferable vote system of proportional representation.

The Tebhaga movement was significant peasant agitation, initiated in Bengal by the Kisan Sabha (peasant front of the Communist Party of India) in 1946-47.

At that time sharecroppers had contracted to give half of their harvest to the landlords. The demand of the Tebhaga (sharing by thirds ) movement was to reduce the landlord share to one third.