Daily Static MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams
Subject : History
1. Consider the following statements regarding religious practices of the Harappan civilization:
1. Linga worship was prevalent during Harappan civilization.
2. Religion was strictly masculine and patriarchal in nature.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (A)
Explanation:
- The chief male deity was Pasupati, (proto-Siva) represented in seals as sitting in a yogic posture with three faces and two horns. In latter times, Linga worship was prevalent. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- The chief female deity was the Mother Goddess, which shows that the religion was not strictly masculine in nature. She was represented in terracotta figurines. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
2. Consider the following statements regarding Mahalwari system:
1. Warren Hastings was associated with the conception of this
system.
2. Under the system, ryots paid a variable sum to the Zamindars who then paid to
the British.
3. Village lands, forestland and pastures were included under the system.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (A)
Explanation: In the North Western Provinces of the Bengal Presidency (most of this area is now in Uttar Pradesh), an Englishman called Holt Mackenzie devised the new system which came into effect in 1822. He felt that the village was an important social institution in north Indian society and needed to be preserved. Under his directions, collectors went from village to village, inspecting the land, measuring the fields, and recording the customs and rights of different groups. The estimated revenue of each plot within a village was added up to calculate the revenue that each village (mahal) had to pay. This demand was to be revised periodically, not permanently fixed. The charge of collecting the revenue and paying it to the Company was given to the village headman, rather than the zamindar. This system came to be known as the mahalwari settlement. The land included under this system consisted of all land of the villages, even the forestland, pastures etc. Hence, only statement 3 is correct.
3. Welby Commission setup in British India concerned an enquiry into the:
(a) Royal Indian Navy (RIN) mutiny
(b) Atrocities of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre
(c) Educational reforms in Indian Universities
(d) Drain of wealth issue
Answer: (D)
Explanation: Dadabhai Naoroji in his famous book Poverty and UnBritish Rule in India wrote his Drain Theory. He showed how India’s wealth was going away to England in the form of: (a) salaries, (b) savings, (c) pensions, (d) payments to British troops in India and (e) profits of the British companies. The British Government was forced to appoint the Welby Commission, with Dadabhai as the first Indian as its member, to enquire into the Matter. The Welby Commission’s report, published in 1900, showed a number of cases where excessive or unjust payments had been made by the Indian government. Hence, option (d) is correct.
4. Consider the following statements regarding Kuchipudi:
1. It is mentioned in Natya Shastra.
2. As per tradition, the dance must be accompanied by live vocals and not music.
3. It is recognized as an Indian classical dance.
How many of the above statements is/correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (B)
Explanation: Kuchipudi has its roots in the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text of Natya Shastra. Like all major classical dances of India, it was also developed as a religious art linked to traveling bards, temples and spiritual beliefs. The Kuchipudi style was conceived by Siddhendra Yogi, a talented Vaishnava poet of 17th century. It begins with an invocation to Lord Ganesha followed by nritta (non-narrative and abstract dancing); shabdam (narrative dancing) and natya. The dance is accompanied by song which is typically Carnatic music. The singer is accompanied by musical instruments like mridangam, violin, flute and tambura. It is one of the major Indian classical dances. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
5. Consider the following statements regarding Thanjavur painting:
1. It largely depicts the social and economic life of common
man.
2. The paintings are notable for their adornment in the form of semi-precious
stones and glass.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (B)
Explanation: Thanjavur painting is a classical South Indian painting style, which was inaugurated from the town of Thanjavur (anglicized as Tanjore) and spread across the adjoining and geographically contiguous Tamil country. The art form draws its immediate resources and inspiration from way back about 1600 AD, a period when the Nayakas of Thanjavur under the suzerainty of the Vijayanagara Rayas encouraged art—chiefly, classical dance and music—as well as literature, both in Telugu and Tamil and painting of chiefly Hindu religious subjects in temples. It is distinguished by its famous gold coating. The paintings are mostly of Gods and Goddesses because this art of painting flourished at a time when fine-looking and striking temples were being constructed by rulers of several dynasties. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
