Daily Static MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams
Subject : History
1. Therigatha is one of the very few surviving ancient Indian texts attributed to women. The text is associated with which of the following?
(a) Buddhism
(b) Jainism
(c) Vaishnavism
(d) Shaivism
Answer: (A)
Explanation: The Therigatha (songs of Buddhist monks and nuns) is a text associated with Buddhism. It provides an insight into women’s social and spiritual experiences and describes women’s experience of renunciation. It is one of the very few surviving ancient Indian texts composed by or attributed to women. It is classified as part of the Khuddaka Nikaya, the collection of short books in the Sutta Pitaka. Hence, option (a) is correct.
2. With reference to Chola rulers, consider the following statements:
1. Raja Raja Chola assumed the title of Gangaikondachola
(‘the Chola who conquered the Ganga’).
2. Rajendra Chola I destroyed the Chera navy at Trivandrum, and later captured
Madurai, the capital of Pandyas.
3. The Chola rulers marked their victories by erecting temples and having
inscriptions written on the walls of these temples.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (A)
Explanation:
- Rajendra I assumed the title of Gangaikondachola (‘the Chola who conquered the Ganga’). He built a new capital near the mouth of the Kaveri river and called it Gangaikondacholapuram. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
- Rajaraja destroyed the Chera navy at Trivandrum and attacked Quilon. He then conquered Madurai and captured the Pandyan king. He also invaded Sri Lanka and annexed its northern part to his empire. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
- The Chola rulers marked their victories by erecting temples and having inscriptions written on the walls of these temples. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
3. Consider the following statements regarding traditional theatre:
1. Bhand Pather is the traditional theatre form of Kashmir.
2. Bhavai is the traditional theatre form of Gujarat.
3. Tamaasha is a traditional folk theatre form of Uttar Pradesh.
How many of the given statements is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (B)
Explanation:
- Bhand Pather is the traditional folk theatre of the Kashmir valley. The word Bhand stands for a jester while Pather means a performance or theatre. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- A form of folk theatre with musical and dance elements, Bhavai is predominantly performed in the state of Gujarat. They are performed by men from the Bhavaiyya community of Gujarat, also known as the Vyas or Naik community. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
- Tamaasha is a traditional folk theatre form of Maharashtra. It has evolved from the folk forms such as Gondhal, Jagran and Kirtan. Unlike other theatre forms, in Tamaasha the female actress is the chief exponent of dance movements in the play. She is known as Murki. Classical music, footwork at lightning-speed, and vivid gestures make it possible to portray all the emotions through dance. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
4. The Sarda Act of 1929 provided for:
(a) legalisation of widow remarriage.
(b) participation of workers in the management of industries.
(c) fixing the age of marriage for girls at 14 years.
(d) introduction of western sciences in Indian education system.
Answer: (C)
Explanation: Child Marriage Restraint Act or the Sarda Act was passed on 28 September 1929 by the Imperial Legislative Council of India to fix the marriageable age for girls at 14 and boys at 18 years. It was adjusted to 15 for girls and 21 for boys following India’s independence in 1949. In 1978, the age limit was raised to 21 for boys and 18 for girls. The Sarda Act is named after Har Bilas Sarda. Hence, statement (c) is correct.
5. The Battle of Rezang La, was fought during:
(a) Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948
(b) Sino-Indian War of 1962
(c) Bangladesh Liberation War
(d) Kargil War
Answer: (B)
Explanation: November 18, 2022, was the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Rezang La, one of the few bright spots in the War of 1962 with China. On that day, 13 Kumaon’s C Company made their heroic last stand against the Chinese army in the high Himalayas of Ladakh, warding off a very significant threat and, in the process, writing a glorious chapter in India’s military history. Hence, option (b) is correct.
