Daily Static MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams
Subject : History
1. Consider the following statements regarding Kushinagar:
1. It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, where it is
believed that Gautam Buddha delivered his last sermon.
2. Kushinagar is among the few places in India where Buddha is depicted in
reclining form.
3. The present Kushinagar is identified with Kushinara, the capital of Mallas
which was one of the sixteen mahajanapadas of the 6th century BCE.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (B)
Explanation: Kushinagar is a town in the Kushinagar district of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, where Buddhists believe Gautam Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana after his death. The present Kushinagar is identified with Kusavati (in the pre-Buddha period) and Kushinara (in the post-Buddha period). Kushinara was the capital of Mallas which was one of the sixteen mahajanapadas of the 6th century BCE. Kushinagar is among the few places in India where Buddha is depicted in reclining form. Buddha delivered his last sermon at Vaishali. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
2. During the period of Guptas, the designation ‘Sarthavaha’ was used for:
(a) Minister of war and peace
(b) Chief judicial officer
(c) Chief banker
(d) Leader of the merchant caravans
Answer: (D)
Explanation: Kings adopted a number of steps to win the support of men who were powerful, either economically, or socially, or because of their political and military strength. For instance: Some important administrative posts were hereditary. This means that sons succeeded fathers to these posts. For example, the poet Harishena was a maha-danda-nayaka, or chief judicial officer, like his father. Besides, important men probably had a say in local administration. These included the nagarashreshthi or chief banker or merchant of the city, the sarthavaha or leader of the merchant caravans, the prathama-kulika or the chief craftsman, and the head of the kayasthas or scribes. Hence, option (d) is correct.
3. According to Katyayana, consider the following statements regarding the judicial system during the Gupta period:
1. The court of justice was attended by the king as the
highest court of appeal.
2. On certain occasions representatives of commercial institutions were invited
to assist the king.
3. Ordeal as a means of proof was not permitted.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (D)
Explanation: Katyayana describes the judicial process at length. The court of justice was attended by the king as the highest court of appeal. He was assisted by the judges, ministers, Chief Priest, brahmans, and assessors, varying in accordance with the needs of the individual cases. On certain occasions representatives of commercial institutions were also invited to assist the king. Recognized judicial bodies were the guild, the folk-assembly or council, a substitute appointed by the king in his own place (generally a brahman), and the king himself. Judgement was based either on the legal texts or social usage or the edict of the king (which could not contradict the first two to any great extent). Evidence was based on any or all of three sources, documents, witnesses, or the possession of incriminating objects. Ordeal as a means of proof was not only permitted but used. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
4. Consider the following statements:
1. The cave is carved into the hard-monolithic granite rock
face of Barabar hills, flanked to its left by the smaller Sudama cave.
2. The ornamentation on the “curved architrave” of the cave consists of carvings
of elephants on their way to the stupas.
The above statements refer to:
(a) Udayagiri Caves
(b) Lomus Rishi caves
(c) Kanheri Caves
(d) Elephanta Caves
Answer: (B)
Explanation: Lomas Rishi Cave is carved into the hard-monolithic granite rock face of Barabar hills, flanked to its left by the smaller Sudama cave. This rock-cut cave was carved out as a sanctuary. It was built during the Ashokan period of the Maurya Empire in the 3rd century BC, as part of the sacred architecture of the Ajivikas. The hut-style facade at the entrance to the cave, which was meant as milk shed, had an impact on South Asian rock-cut architecture. It became a model for all such arched entrance portals built at many other Buddhist and Jain caves in India, such as the much bigger Buddhist Chaitya halls of Ajanta or Karli in Maharashtra. Hence, option (b) is correct.
5. Consider the following statements regarding Bakasht lands in British India:
1. Bakasht lands were those which the tenants lost to
zamindars, mostly during the Depression years, by virtue of non- payment of
rent.
2. A legislative exercise was undertaken by the Congress Ministries for the
reduction of rent and the restoration of Bakasht lands.
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: (C)
Explanation: The Bakasht lands issue became a major ground of contention between the Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha and the Congress Ministry. The Congress Ministry had initiated legislation for the reduction of rent and the restoration of Bakasht lands. Bakasht lands were those which the occupancy tenants had lost to zamindars, mostly during the Depression years (1930s), by virtue of nonpayment of rent, and which they often continued to cultivate as share-croppers. But the formula that was finally incorporated in the legislation on the basis of an agreement with the zamindars did not satisfy the radical leaders of the kisan Sabha. The legislation gave a certain proportion of the lands back to the tenants on condition that they pay half the auction price of the land. Besides, certain categories of land had been exempted from the operation of the law. Hence, both statements are correct.
