Q9easyPartial Truth
Regarding the taxation system of Krishna Deva, the ruler of Vijayanagar, consider the following statements:
1. The tax rate on land was fixed depending on the quality of the land.
2. Private owners of workshops paid an industries tax.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
Trap: Partial Truth
Students may doubt whether an 'industries tax' existed in medieval India. The Vijayanagar empire had a sophisticated taxation system including taxes on workshops and industries, making Statement 2 correct.
Q17moderateCommon Misconception
With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements:
1. Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry.
2. Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
Trap: Common Misconception
Students may doubt that Lingayats rejected rebirth theory since they are a Hindu sect. But Lingayats (Veerashaivas) founded by Basavanna indeed rejected caste hierarchy and the theory of rebirth.
Q38easy
Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally
(a) agriculturists
(b) warriors
(c) weavers
(d) traders
Answer: (d)
Q39easy
Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?
(a) Georg Buhler
(b) James Prinsep
(c) Max Muller
(d) William Jones
Answer: (b)
Q49easy
The 'Swadeshi' and 'Boycott' were adopted as methods of struggle for the first time during the
(a) agitation against the Partition of Bengal
(b) Home Rule Movement
(c) Non-Cooperation Movement
(d) visit of the Simon Commission to India
Answer: (a)
Q50moderateCommon Misconception
With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:
1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism.
2. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment.
3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 1 is the trap. Bodhisattva is central to MAHAYANA, not Hinayana Buddhism. Hinayana focuses on individual salvation (Arhat ideal), while Mahayana emphasizes the Bodhisattva ideal of universal compassion.
Q58easy
Satya Shodhak Samaj organized
(a) a movement for upliftment of tribals in Bihar
(b) a temple-entry movement in Gujarat
(c) an anti-caste movement in Maharashtra
(d) a peasant movement in Punjab
Answer: (c)
Q64easy
The Montague-Chelmsford Proposals were related to
(a) social reforms
(b) educational reforms
(c) reforms in police administration
(d) constitutional reforms
Answer: (d)
Q69easy
Consider the following:
1. Calcutta Unitarian Committee
2. Tabernacle of New Dispensation
3. Indian Reform Association
Keshab Chandra Sen is associated with the establishment of which of the above?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Q80easySimilar Sounding
In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs:
Term — Description
1. Eripatti : Land, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank
2. Taniyurs : Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins
3. Ghatikas : Colleges generally attached to the temples
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 3
Answer: (d)
Trap: Similar Sounding
Taniyurs were large villages with self-governing autonomy (not specifically Brahmin villages). Brahmin villages were called 'Brahmadeya' or 'Mangalam'. Taniyurs vs Brahmadeya confusion is the trap.
Q88hardSimilar Sounding
With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term 'Araghatta' refers to
(a) bonded labour
(b) land grants made to military officers
(c) waterwheel used in the irrigation of land
(d) wasteland converted to cultivated land
Answer: (c)
Trap: Similar Sounding
Option (b) about land grants sounds like it could be a medieval administrative term. But Araghatta specifically refers to the Persian wheel (water-lifting device) used for irrigation.
Q92moderateDistractor Pairing
What was the main reason for the split in the Indian National Congress at Surat in 1907?
(a) Introduction of communalism into Indian politics by Lord Minto
(b) Extremists' lack of faith in the capacity of the moderates to negotiate with the British Government
(c) Foundation of Muslim League
(d) Aurobindo Ghosh's inability to be elected as the President of the Indian National Congress
Answer: (b)
Trap: Distractor Pairing
Options (a) and (c) are historically concurrent events (Muslim League was founded in 1906, Minto-Morley reforms introduced communal electorates) but were not the MAIN reason for the Congress split. The split was about methodology -- petition vs aggressive action.
Q93moderateCommon Misconception
The plan of Sir Stafford Cripps envisaged that after the Second World War
(a) India should be granted complete independence
(b) India should be partitioned into two before granting independence
(c) India should be made a republic with the condition that she will join the Commonwealth
(d) India should be given Dominion status
Answer: (d)
Trap: Common Misconception
Option (a) 'complete independence' is tempting but wrong. The Cripps Mission (1942) offered only Dominion status (not full independence), which is why it was rejected by Congress ('a post-dated cheque on a crashing bank').