UPSC CSE 2026 Essay Paper Discussion
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MCQ SUBJECT

History

182 UPSC Prelims MCQs tagged "History". Free practice with answer keys, explanations, and timed mock tests on Anantam IAS.

Indian Economy 256 Environment 249 Indian Polity 240 Science & Technology 192 History 184 International Relations 104 Art & Culture 94 Geography 82 Indian Geography 70 Indian Society 57 World Geography 36 CSAT 29 Science & Tech 22 Art and Culture 8 Current Affairs 6 General Studies 4

  1. Choose the option that correctly matches List-I and List-II:

    Choose the option that correctly matches List-I and List-II:

    1. Aa-2, b-1, c-3, d-4, e-5
    2. Ba-1, b-2, c-3, d-4, e-5
    3. Ca-2, b-3, c-1, d-4, e-5
    4. Da-3, b-1, c-2, d-4, e-5
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    The Indian Councils Act of 1909 (Morley-Minto) brought in separate communal electorates, the Government of India Act of 1935 introduced provincial autonomy, and the Montagu Declaration of 1917 promised responsible government. The Government of India Act of 1858 transferred power from the Company to the Crown, and the Indian Councils Act of 1861 began the legislative councils. That gives a-2, b-1, c-3, d-4, e-5.

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    History UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  2. Match the following Indus Valley Civilization sites and States correctly:

    Match the following Indus Valley Civilization sites and States correctly:

    1. A1a, 2b, 3-c, 4-d
    2. B1c, 2a, 3-b, 4-d
    3. C1-c, 2-a, 3-d, 4-b
    4. D1-a, 2-c, 3-d, 4-b
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Surkotada lies in Kutch in Gujarat, Ropar sits in Punjab, Rakhigarhi and Banawali are both in Haryana, and Kalibangan is in Rajasthan. Matching them gives 1-c, 2-a, 3-d, 4-b. Only option C lines all four up correctly.

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    History UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  3. Which state/s supported the British in suppressing the Revolt of 1857?

    Which state/s supported the British in suppressing the Revolt of 1857?

    1. AOnly 1
    2. BOnly 1 and 2
    3. COnly 2 and 3
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Scindia of Gwalior and the Nizam of Hyderabad both stayed loyal and actively helped the British crush the 1857 uprising, so 1 and 2 are correct. The Begum of Awadh, Hazrat Mahal, was a rebel leader who fought the British and put her son Birjis Qadr on the throne of Awadh, so 3 is wrong. That leaves only 1 and 2.

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    History UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  4. Which of the following statements is/are correct about Kabir?

    Which of the following statements is/are correct about Kabir?

    1. A1, 2, 3 and 4
    2. BOnly 1, 3 and 4
    3. COnly 2, 3 and 4
    4. DOnly 1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Kabir lived during the reign of Sikandar Lodi (1488-1517), so statement 1 holds, and he belonged to the Nirgun Bhakti tradition that worshipped a formless God, which makes statement 3 right. His verses survive as Sakhi, Sabad and Ramaini, gathered into the Bijak, so statement 4 captures the correct compilation. Statement 2 is wrong because Kabir didn't deliver sermons to a "Sikh community" compiled in a "Sabad" epic, so any option carrying statement 2 fails.

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    History UPSC GPSC-2026 Medium

  5. Consider the following UN organisations/agencies:

    Consider the following UN organisations/agencies:

    1. World Food Programme


    2. United Nations Children's Fund


    3. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees


    4. International Labour Organisation

    How many of the above has/have been awarded the Nobel Prize twice?

    1. A1
    2. B2
    3. C3
    4. D4
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    Of the four organisations listed, only UNHCR has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize twice (1954 and 1981). UNICEF received it once (1965), ILO once (1969), and the World Food Programme once (2020). UNHCR is, in fact, the only UN agency to have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize twice. Therefore exactly one organisation in the list has been awarded the Nobel Prize twice, making (a) the correct answer.

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    History UPSC 2026 Hard

  6. ‘X’, born in the UK, was conferred the Nobel Prize in 2025. He was a professor in an American university when this prize was announced. Identify ‘X’:

    'X', born in the UK, was conferred the Nobel Prize in 2025. He was a professor in an American university when this prize was announced. Identify 'X':

    1. AMichel H. Devoret
    2. BRichard Robson
    3. CJohn Clarke
    4. DJoel Mokyr
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    John Clarke is the correct answer. He was born in Cambridge, United Kingdom, and was affiliated with the University of California, Berkeley when the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics was announced. The prize was awarded jointly to John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis for the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit. Richard Robson was a 2025 Chemistry laureate, but the clue about a UK-born laureate who was a professor in an American university points to John Clarke.

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    History UPSC 2026 Easy

  7. Which one of the following statements with regard to the Moidams, built by the Tai-Ahom kingdom and inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is/are correct?

    Which one of the following statements with regard to the Moidams, built by the Tai-Ahom kingdom and inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is/are correct?

    1. They acted as army fortresses.


    2. They were recreation centres of the Royals and Nobles.


    3. They were burial grounds of the Royals and Nobles.


    4. They were battle drill centres of the Royals and Nobles.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B1 and 3
    3. C3 only
    4. D2 and 4
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Moidams are the mound-burial system of the Tai-Ahom dynasty of Assam, located at Charaideo, and were inscribed as India's 43rd UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2024 (46th session, New Delhi). They served as burial grounds (tumuli) of Ahom royalty and nobility — hollow vaults housing the body of the king along with belongings and sometimes attendants — and reflect ancestor worship and the Tai cosmology. They were never army fortresses, recreation centres, or battle drill grounds, ruling out statements 1, 2 and 4. Only statement 3 is correct, giving option (c).

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    History UPSC 2026 Hard

  8. Which one of the following statements about the Eka Movement and Bardoli Satyagraha is correct?

    Which one of the following statements about the Eka Movement and Bardoli Satyagraha is correct?

    1. AThe Eka Movement was throughout supported and organized by the Congress while Bardoli Satyagraha was initially independent of Congress influence and was only in the last stages supported by the Congress.
    2. BThe Eka Movement was provided leadership by the taluqdars of Awadh, whereas the Bardoli Satyagraha was a movement of the landless labourers.
    3. CThe Bardoli Satyagraha was a campaign against the enhancement of land revenue, while the Eka Movement was a protest against excessive extraction of rents.
    4. DThe Eka Movement was located in the Varanasi and Mirzapur districts of the present-day U.P., while the Bardoli Satyagraha took place in Saurashtra.
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    The Eka (Unity) Movement of 1921–22 in Hardoi, Bahraich, Sitapur and Barabanki districts of Awadh (not Varanasi/Mirzapur) was a peasant agitation, led initially by Madari Pasi, against excessive rent extraction (rents 50% above recorded rates), forced labour and share-rents. The Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) in Surat district under Vallabhbhai Patel was a no-tax campaign against a 22% (later 30%) enhancement of land revenue. Option (c) captures this contrast accurately. Source: Bipan Chandra, India's Struggle for Independence.

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    History UPSC 2026 Easy

  9. Consider the following statements about the Rigvedic period: I. Irrigation from wells allowed agriculture to expand away from flood plains and strips on river margins into the present Punjab and Haryana plains having underground water levels reaso…

    Consider the following statements about the Rigvedic period: I. Irrigation from wells allowed agriculture to expand away from flood plains and strips on river margins into the present Punjab and Haryana plains having underground water levels reasonably close to the surface. II. Draught-animal power was employed to draw up water out of the wells. Which of the following information support/supports the above statements?

    1. There is evidence in the Rigveda of the use of ashma chakra (stone pulley wheel) and ahava (strapped wooden pails) to draw up water.


    2. Mention has been made in the Rigveda of the use of implements like parashu/kulisha (axe) and datra/sreni (sickle).


    3. There is a history of the use of ox, even before the Rigveda, for ploughing the land and pulling the carts.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 and 2 only
    2. B1, 2 and 3
    3. C1 and 3 only
    4. D3 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Statement I (well-irrigation enabling agrarian expansion into Punjab-Haryana doab) and Statement II (use of draught animals to lift water) are best supported by the Rigvedic references to the ashma-chakra (stone pulley) and ahava (leather/wooden water-bucket) for drawing water from wells, AND by the well-attested pre-Rigvedic use of oxen for ploughing and pulling carts, which would have supplied the draught-animal power for water-lifting. Statement 2 in the list refers only to axes and sickles — harvesting implements that do not bear on irrigation. Hence 1 and 3 only. (early consensus; verify with official UPSC key when released)

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    History UPSC 2026 Medium

  10. Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is not included?

    Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is not included?

    1. ADeva (gods)
    2. BYaksha (demi-gods)
    3. CManushya (humans)
    4. DTiryancha (animals and plants)
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Jain cosmology recognises four gatis (forms of existence) in which the soul transmigrates: Deva (gods), Manushya (humans), Tiryancha (animals and plants), and Naraki (hell-beings). Yaksha (demi-gods) is not a separate gati; yakshas are sub-classes of devas. The trap is plausibility — yakshas figure prominently in Jain (and Buddhist) iconography as attendant deities of Tirthankaras, so unprepared candidates assume they form a separate category. Reference: A.L. Basham, The Wonder That Was India, chapter on Jainism.

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    History UPSC 2026 Easy

  11. The Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves represents:

    The Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves represents:

    1. AA joyous folk dance
    2. BBuddha in a meditative pose
    3. CThe depiction of Shiva and Parvati on Kailasha
    4. DSamudramanthan (Churning of the Ocean)
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    The Bagh Caves in Madhya Pradesh (5th–6th century CE) are Buddhist rock-cut viharas famous for mural paintings stylistically akin to Ajanta. The celebrated mural in Cave 4 (Rang Mahal) depicting a circle of dancers and musicians is identified as a Hallisa-lasya — a joyous folk/group dance traditionally associated in Sanskrit dramaturgy with the gopis. NCERT XI Fine Arts (Chapter on Indian Paintings) notes it as a rare secular dance scene in Indian mural art. The trap is reading 'Hallisa' as a Krishna-Radha icon (Rasa-mandala); here it's the dance form itself. Read more: Bagh Caves and the Hallisalasya Painting: A Folk Dance in Buddhist Fresco.

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    History UPSC 2026 Easy

  12. Consider the following statements relating to the use of the place-value system in India:

    Consider the following statements relating to the use of the place-value system in India:

    1. The earliest epigraphic use of the place-value system in India is found in the Mankani plates from Gujarat (AD 595 – 596).


    2. In the ninth century, place-values become general in inscriptions all over India.


    3. The place-values have been found in Sanskrit inscriptions in South-east Asia as early as the seventh century.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    1. A1 and 2 only
    2. B1 and 3 only
    3. C2 and 3 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D

    All three statements are historically established. The Mankani copper plates of Taralasvamin (Gujarat, AD 595–596) contain the earliest unambiguous epigraphic use of the decimal place-value system in India. By the 9th century, place-value notation had become general across Indian inscriptions. Independently, Sanskrit inscriptions in South-East Asia (notably the Sambor inscription of Cambodia, 683 CE, and the Old Malay inscriptions of Sumatra) show place-value numerals in the 7th century — even slightly earlier than its generalisation in India. Source: Bibhutibhushan Datta and A.N. Singh, History of Hindu Mathematics. Read more: Place-Value System in India: From the Mankani Plates to the Decimal World.

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    History UPSC 2026 Medium

  13. Consider the following statements about the archaeological findings in Harappan towns: I. There is wide occurrence of spindle-whorls in the houses but absence of spinning wheels. II. Weights and measurement scales, complete with graduations, have …

    Consider the following statements about the archaeological findings in Harappan towns: I. There is wide occurrence of spindle-whorls in the houses but absence of spinning wheels. II. Weights and measurement scales, complete with graduations, have been discovered. III. There are houses built in large part with baked bricks, around relatively spacious courtyards, with their own wells, bathing platforms, and large rooms. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above statements?

    1. Statement I suggests that spinning was a laborious activity done at home.


    2. Statement II suggests the extent of the scientific knowledge that the Harappans possessed.


    3. Statement III suggests the emergence of a common property system.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 and 2 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 3 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    Spindle-whorls without spinning wheels point to hand-spindle spinning done laboriously in households (inference 1 valid). The graduated weights and measurement scales from Lothal, Mohenjo-daro and Harappa show systematic standardisation reflecting scientific/technical knowledge (inference 2 valid). However, the existence of well-built houses with private wells and bathing platforms indicates private property and differentiated household wealth, NOT a common-property system — so inference 3 is wrong. Hence 1 and 2 only. Source: Upinder Singh, A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India, chapter on the Harappans. Read more: Harappan Archaeological Findings: Spindle-Whorls, Weights and Baked-Brick Houses.

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    History UPSC 2026 Medium

  14. In which one among the following texts does the term kshetra-patni (‘mistress of the field’) originate?

    In which one among the following texts does the term kshetra-patni ('mistress of the field') originate?

    1. ARigveda
    2. BAtharvaveda
    3. CAshtadhyayi
    4. DArthashastra
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    The term kshetra-patni ('mistress/lady of the field'), invoked in agrarian/fertility rituals, occurs in the Atharvaveda, which is the Vedic text most concerned with agriculture, healing, magic and household ritual. The Rigveda is overwhelmingly hymnic/cosmological; Panini's Ashtadhyayi is a grammar; Kautilya's Arthashastra is a political-economic treatise. R.S. Sharma's Material Culture and Social Formations in Ancient India cites this Atharvavedic reference while discussing women's relation to land. (early consensus; verify with official UPSC key when released). Read more: Kshetra-patni in the Atharvaveda: The ‘Mistress of the Field’ and Vedic Agricultural Ritual.

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    History UPSC 2026 Easy

  15. Consider the following statements: I. Pali texts contain the first definite references to coins, e.g., kahapana, nikkha, kamsa, and kakanika. II. The literary evidence from Pali texts is corroborated by archaeological evidence of punch-marked coin…

    Consider the following statements: I. Pali texts contain the first definite references to coins, e.g., kahapana, nikkha, kamsa, and kakanika. II. The literary evidence from Pali texts is corroborated by archaeological evidence of punch-marked coins from many sites, most of them made of silver. The above statements have been associated with which of the following?

    1. Emergence of urban life


    2. Transition to money economy

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 only
    3. CBoth 1 and 2
    4. DNeither 1 nor 2
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    The references in Pali canonical literature to coins like kahapana, nikkha, kamsa and kakanika, corroborated by the archaeological recovery of large hoards of silver punch-marked coins (e.g., Golakhpur, Paila, Taxila), are cited by historians like R.S. Sharma and Romila Thapar as twin evidence of two parallel processes in c. 6th century BCE northern India: the Second Urbanisation (rise of mahajanapada cities) and the transition from a barter/cattle-wealth economy to a money economy. Both 1 and 2 are therefore correct. NCERT XII Themes in Indian History Theme 2 ('Kings, Farmers and Towns') uses this evidence.

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    History UPSC 2026 Easy

  16. Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct?

    Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct?

    1. It was located in the lower Krishna valley.


    2. In India, it was next only to the Sanchi Stupa in size.


    3. The Amaravati school of sculpture made a lasting impact on the later South Indian sculpture, and its products were carried to Sri Lanka and South-east Asia.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B1 and 3 only
    3. C2 and 3 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    The Amaravati Mahachaitya stood in the lower Krishna valley in present-day Andhra Pradesh and flourished under the Satavahanas and later Ikshvakus. Its limestone reliefs profoundly influenced South Indian and Sri Lankan (Anuradhapura) sculpture, and the style spread to South-East Asia (Dvaravati, Sumatra). However, Amaravati was the largest stupa in India, larger than Sanchi (not second to it) — so statement 2 is wrong. Hence 1 and 3 only. This is from NCERT XI Fine Arts, Chapter 4. The trap is the size comparison: Sanchi is more famous but Amaravati was bigger.

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    History UPSC 2026 Medium

  17. Which of the following pairs of the king and his dynasty in early historical Tamilakam is/are not correctly matched?

    Which of the following pairs of the king and his dynasty in early historical Tamilakam is/are not correctly matched?

    1. Senguttuvan : Chera


    2. Udiyanjeral : Chola


    3. Nedunjeliyan : Pandya

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 and 2
    2. B2 only
    3. C1 and 3
    4. D3 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    In Sangam-age Tamilakam, Senguttuvan (the hero of Silappadikaram, who installed the Pattini cult) belonged to the Cheras; Udiyanjeral was also a famous Chera king (not Chola) celebrated for feeding both armies at Kurukshetra in Purananuru; Nedunjeliyan (victor of Talaiyalanganam) was a Pandya. Therefore only pair 2 is incorrectly matched. The Chola line of this era includes Karikala (Battle of Venni). The trap is the similar-sounding 'Udiyanjeral' — the 'jeral/cheral' suffix itself signals Chera lineage.

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    History UPSC 2026 Medium

  18. Which of the following factors contributed to the formation of the Forward Bloc by Subhas Chandra Bose in 1939?

    Which of the following factors contributed to the formation of the Forward Bloc by Subhas Chandra Bose in 1939?

    1. Bose failed to win the confidence of Mahatma Gandhi.


    2. The Congress Left was disunited and failed to support Bose.


    3. The Communists did not support Bose in his endeavours.


    4. The supporters of M. N. Roy and socialist leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan preferred Congress unity to supporting Bose.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1, 2 and 3
    2. B1, 2 and 4
    3. C1, 3 and 4
    4. D2 and 4 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Bipan Chandra's India's Struggle for Independence (Ch. 22) explains the 1939 Tripuri crisis: after Bose's re-election as Congress President, Gandhi withdrew confidence; the Communists, M.N. Roy's followers, and socialists like JP and Narendra Dev preferred Congress unity over backing Bose against Gandhi, leaving Bose isolated and forcing him to resign and float the Forward Bloc. Statement 2 is wrong because the Congress Left as a whole was actually disunited but the specific reason listed is the non-support of Communists and Roy/JP — not 'Left disunity' per se. Hence 1, 3 and 4. (early consensus; verify with official UPSC key when released)

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    History UPSC 2026 Hard

  19. Consider the following statements regarding the British policy in Awadh immediately after its annexation in 1856:

    Consider the following statements regarding the British policy in Awadh immediately after its annexation in 1856:

    1. The taluqdars were dispossessed of their estates but allowed to retain their arms and forts.


    2. A Summary Revenue Settlement was made in 1856 assuming that the taluqdars were outsiders.


    3. The British believed in taking revenue directly from the peasants by removing the taluqdars.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A2 and 3 only
    2. B1 and 3 only
    3. C1, 2 and 3
    4. D2 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    After Dalhousie's annexation of Awadh (Feb 1856) on grounds of misgovernance, the British launched a Summary Settlement of 1856 assuming taluqdars were 'interlopers' with no roots — and proceeded to settle revenue directly with village zamindars/peasants, dispossessing taluqdars of more than half their villages. Crucially, the taluqdars were also disarmed and their forts demolished, which is why statement 1 is wrong (arms and forts were NOT retained — this fuelled the 1857 revolt in Awadh). Hence 2 and 3 only. Source: Bipan Chandra, India's Struggle for Independence, chapter on 1857.

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    History UPSC 2026 Medium

  20. Consider the following assertion: The genesis of political alliances based on community lay in the very nature of the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919. Which of the following statements support/supports the above assertion?

    Consider the following assertion: The genesis of political alliances based on community lay in the very nature of the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919. Which of the following statements support/supports the above assertion?

    1. Reforms retained and extended the principle of separate electorates.


    2. Separate electorates were supposed to counter Indian nationalism, which was growing stronger.


    3. Deprived classes rallied around the favours inherent in separate electorates.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 2 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D

    The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms / Government of India Act 1919 retained and extended separate electorates (originally given to Muslims in 1909) to Sikhs, Anglo-Indians, Europeans and Indian Christians. The British rationale was explicitly to counter the rising tide of Indian nationalism by institutionalising communal divisions; and depressed/deprived classes later rallied to separate representation (culminating in the Poona Pact debate). All three statements support the assertion that communal political alliances were embedded in the very design of the 1919 reforms. Bipan Chandra discusses this in the chapter on the rise of communalism.

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    History UPSC 2026 Medium

  21. What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography?

    What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography?

    1. AThe meditation of the Buddha
    2. BThe Buddha's First Sermon
    3. CThe Buddha's Mahaparinibbana
    4. DThe Buddha's Mahabhinishkramana
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    In early aniconic Buddhist art (Bharhut, Sanchi, Amaravati, c. 2nd century BCE–1st century CE), the Buddha was never depicted in human form. Specific symbols stood for episodes: the empty seat / vajrasana represented his meditation and enlightenment, the Dharmachakra the First Sermon at Sarnath, the stupa the Mahaparinibbana, and a horse without a rider the Mahabhinishkramana (Great Renunciation). NCERT Class XI An Introduction to Indian Art Chapter 4 lists these symbols. The trap is confusing the empty seat with Mahaparinibbana; the seat denotes meditation under the Bodhi tree.

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    History UPSC 2026 Easy

  22. Which of the following pairs of ancient and modern names of rivers is/are correctly matched?

    Which of the following pairs of ancient and modern names of rivers is/are correctly matched?

    1. Vitasta : Chenab


    2. Asikni : Jhelum


    3. Parushni : Ravi


    4. Yavyavati : Beas

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 and 2
    2. B3 and 4
    3. C3 only
    4. D4 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    The Rigvedic Nadi-Sukta names of Punjab's rivers map as: Vitasta = Jhelum, Asikni = Chenab, Parushni = Ravi, Vipas = Beas, Shutudri = Sutlej. Yavyavati is generally identified with the Zhob (or sometimes the Ravi), not the Beas. Therefore only pair 3 (Parushni : Ravi) is correctly matched. Pairs 1 and 2 swap Jhelum and Chenab — a very common trap because both rivers begin with similar consonants in Sanskrit. This is staple Ancient History material from R.S. Sharma's India's Ancient Past and NCERT Class VI.

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    History UPSC 2026 Hard

  23. Which one of the following groups of plants were domesticated in the ‘New World’…

    Which one of the following groups of plants were domesticated in the 'New World' and introduced into the 'Old World'?

    1. ATobacco, cocoa and rubber
    2. BTobacco, cotton and rubber
    3. CCotton, coffee and sugarcane
    4. DRubber, coffee and wheat
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    The phrase "New World crops" is usually used to describe crops, food and otherwise, that were native to the New World (mostly the Americas) before 1492 CE and not found anywhere else at that time. Many of these crops are now grown around the world and have often become an integral part of the cuisine of various cultures in the Old World.

    New World Food - corn, potato, tomato, bell pepper, chili pepper, vanilla, tobacco, Cocoa, rubber tree, beans, pumpkin, cassava root, avocado, peanut, pecans, cashews, pineapple, blueberries, sunflower, petunia, black-eyed susan, dahlia, marigold, quinine, wild rice, gourds, and squash.

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    History UPSC 2019 Medium

  24. From the declines of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh…

    From the declines of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India? 1. The Guptas of Magadha 2. The Paramaras of Malwa 3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar 4. The Maukharis of Kanauj 5. The Yadavas of Devagiri 6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

    1. A1, 2 and 5
    2. B1, 3, 4 and 6
    3. C2, 3 and 4
    4. D5 and 6
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    1. The Guptas of Magadha: The Later Gupta dynasty did indeed succeed the imperial Guptas and ruled parts of Magadha during the early 7th century.

    2. The Paramaras of Malwa: The Paramara dynasty emerged much later, around the 9th century, and ruled in central India (Malwa region).

    3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar: The Pushyabhuti dynasty, also known as Vardhana, flourished in the 6th and 7th centuries and held power in parts of North India, including Thanesar.

    4. The Maukharis of Kanauj: The Maukhari dynasty rose to prominence after the Guptas and controlled Kanauj for some time.

    5. The Yadavas of Devagiri: The Yadava dynasty, also known as the Seuna dynasty, established their kingdom much later, around the 12th century, in western India.

    6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi: The Maitrakas were contemporaries of the Guptas and established an independent kingdom in western India (Gujarat) after being tributary chiefs for a while.

    Therefore, the correct answer is 1, 3, 4 and 6.

    ![Post Gupta Dynasties](https://d39jluplm5thpx.cloudfront.net//post_gupta_fe555d764a.jpg)

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    History UPSC 2021 Medium

  25. Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?

    Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?

    1. AKakinada
    2. BMotupalli
    3. CMachilipatnam (Masulipatnam)
    4. DNelluru
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Motupalli was the most significant seaport of the Kakatiya kingdom. To promote foreign trade, King Ganapati Deva issued the famous Motupalli Inscription (Abhaya Shasanam), which acted as a charter of security by granting protection to merchants and fixing reasonable customs duties on exports and imports. The Venetian traveler Marco Polo visited this port (referring to it as 'Mutfili') during the reign of Queen Rudrama Devi and documented the kingdom's prosperity, specifically praising its production of fine muslin and diamonds.

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    History UPSC 2017 Hard

  26. The Trade Disputes Act of 1929 provided for –

    The Trade Disputes Act of 1929 provided for -

    1. Athe participation of workers in the management of industries.
    2. Barbitrary powers to the management to quell industrial disputes.
    3. Can intervention by the British Court in the event of a trade dispute.
    4. Da system of tribunals and a ban on strikes.
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D

    The Trade Disputes Act of 1929 was enacted to provide a mechanism for the settlement of industrial disputes. It established a system of Courts of Inquiry and Boards of Conciliation (tribunals) to investigate and mediate conflicts between employers and employees. Regarding strikes, the Act imposed significant restrictions: it prohibited strikes and lock-outs in public utility services (such as railways, post, and water supply) without a 14-day prior notice. Additionally, it declared illegal any strike or lock-out that had objectives other than the furtherance of a trade dispute within a specific industry or was intended to coerce the government through widespread public hardship. This effectively banned general and political strikes.

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    History UPSC 2017 Hard

  27. Consider the following statements: 1. There are no parables in Upanishads. 2. Upanishads were…

    Consider the following statements: 1. There are no parables in Upanishads. 2. Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 only
    3. CBoth 1 and 2
    4. DNeither 1 nor 2
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    * Statement 1 is incorrect: Upanishads are known for their philosophical dialogues and teachings, and they often employ allegories and parables to convey complex ideas. For example, the Chandogya Upanishad contains the well-known parable of 'Satyakama Jabala' and his search for truth.

    * Statement 2 is correct: Upanishads form the concluding part of the Vedas and are known as 'Vedanta' (the end of the Vedas). They are believed to have been composed between 800-500 BCE. Puranas, on the other hand, are a later genre of Hindu texts, composed from around the 3rd century CE onwards.

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    History UPSC 2024 Medium

  28. Consider the following pairs : |Party | Its Leader| |——- | ——–| |1. Bharatiya…

    Consider the following pairs : |Party | Its Leader| |------- | --------| |1. Bharatiya Jana Sangh | Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee| |2. Socialist Party | C. Rajagopalachari| |3. Congress for Democracy | Jagjivan Ram| |4. Swatantra Party | Acharya Narendra Dev| How many of the above are correctly matched?

    1. AOnly one
    2. BOnly two
    3. COnly three
    4. DAll four
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    * Bharatiya Jana Sangh | Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee: This is correctly matched. Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was the founder and first president of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), the forerunner of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

    * Socialist Party | C. Rajagopalachari: This is incorrect. C. Rajagopalachari founded the Swatantra Party, advocating free-market principles. The Socialist Party was established in the year 1934 and had leaders like Acharya Narendra Dev, Jayaprakash Narayan, Yusuf Mehrali, Mino Masani, Acchut Patwardhan and Ashok Mehta.

    * Congress for Democracy | Jagjivan Ram: This is correctly matched. Congress for Democracy (CFD) was a political party founded by Jagjivan Ram in 1977 after breaking away from the Indian National Congress. It was a short-lived party, formed during the Emergency to oppose Indira Gandhi's regime. It later merged with the Janata Party.

    * Swatantra Party | Acharya Narendra Dev: This is incorrect. The Swatantra Party was founded by C. Rajagopalachari in 1959, advocating for free-market economic policies and opposing the socialist policies of the Congress. Acharya Narendra Dev was associated with the Socialist Party and is regarded as one of its key leaders.

    Therefore, only two pairs are correctly matched. Hence, the answer is B.

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    History UPSC 2024 Hard

  29. Consider the following dynasties: 1. Hoysala 2. Gahadavala 3. Kakatiya 4. Yadava How many…

    Consider the following dynasties: 1. Hoysala 2. Gahadavala 3. Kakatiya 4. Yadava How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in early eighth century AD?

    1. AOnly one
    2. BOnly two
    3. COnly three
    4. DNone
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D

    None of the listed dynasties established their kingdoms in the early eighth century AD (701-800 AD).

    1. Hoysala - 1006 AD 2. Gahadavala - 1026 AD 3. Kakatiya - 1000 AD (established as a sub-feudatory, declared independence around the 10th century) 4. Yadava - 850 AD (although some sources suggest a later date)

    Even the earliest of these estimates (Yadava dynasty) falls outside the early eighth-century range. Please note: Early eighth century AD refers to the beginning of the medieval period. At that time, there were 3 major dynasties that established their empires in India - Palas, Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas.

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    History UPSC 2023 Hard

  30. Consider the following freedom fighters: 1. Barindra Kumar Ghosh 2. Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee 3.…

    Consider the following freedom fighters: 1. Barindra Kumar Ghosh 2. Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee 3. Rash Behari Bose Who of the above was/were actively associated with the Ghadar Party?

    1. A1 and 2
    2. B2 only
    3. C1 and 3
    4. D3 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D

    The Ghadar Party was a revolutionary movement organized by Indian immigrants in the United States and Canada to end British rule in India.

    Rash Behari Bose, one of the most prominent leaders of the Indian National Movement, was actively associated with the Ghadar Party. He was one of the masterminds behind the Delhi conspiracy case and participated in the Ghadar movement.

    However, Barindra Kumar Ghosh and Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee were not prominently associated with the Ghadar Party. Barindra Kumar Ghosh was an Indian revolutionary and journalist, and one of the founding members of the Jugantar Bengali weekly, a revolutionary outfit in Bengal. Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee was also a prominent freedom fighter but his association with the Ghadar Party is not well documented.

    Therefore, only Rash Behari Bose was actively associated with the Ghadar Party among the options provided.

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    History UPSC 2022 Medium