History (Part-2) (CDS-Solved Paper)

Total Questions: 50

31. Which one of the following statements about the Harappan Culture is not correct ? [Evening Shift-2017 (II)]

Correct Answer: (c) It marks the earliest known use of iron as a medium for the art of sculpting
Solution:

The people of the valley discovered new techniques of building with metals that were mined or imported, and from this successfully produced lead, copper, tin and bronze. They never have accessed to iron mines and hence never produced iron. So they did not use iron as a medium for the art of sculpting. So option (a), (b) and (d) are correct.

32. Harshacharita has references to various presents sent by a ruler named Bhaskara to Harshavardhana. Bhaskara belonged to [Evening Shift-2017 (II)]

Correct Answer: (b) Varman Dynasty of Assam
Solution:

Bhaskara also known by the name of Bhaskaravarman belonged to the Varman dynasty of Assam. Bhaskaravarman is known for his alliance with Harshavardhana against Shashanka. He issued the Nidhanpur copper plate grant from his camp at Karnasuvarna and it moved into his control for a short period.

33. Which of the following was/were founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy? [Evening Shift-2017 (II)]

1. Atmiya Sabha
2. Brahmo Samaj
3. Prarthana Samaj
4. Arya Samaj
Select the correct answer using the codes given below

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 2 only
Solution:

Raja Rammohan Roy founded the Atmiya Sabha and the Brahmo Samaj. Arya Samaj was founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati and Prarthana Samaj was founded by Dr Atmaram Pandurang.
Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

34. Which one of the following statements about the Gupta period in Indian history is not correct? [Evening Shift-2017 (II)]

Correct Answer: (b) The status of women was redefined. They were entitled to formal education and hence there were women teachers, philosophers and doctors. Early marriage was prohibited by law and they were given the right to property
Solution:

The condition of women in the Gupta Empire period slowly deteriorated. The women were given secondary position in the Gupta Empire society and the life of a woman in Gupta period was confined within the restrictions imposed upon her by the male members of the family.  Hence, the statement (b) is incorrect as it talks about improved position of women in the society which was not the scenario.

35. Consider the following statements about the different meanings of ‘Swaraj’ as articulated by Mahatma Gandhi: [Morning Shift-2017 (I)]

1. Swaraj is intimately linked with Ahimsa (non-violence) and Satyagraha (adherence to truth).
2. Swaraj has two senses-one political and one beyond the realm of politics.
3. Swaraj is something that requires time and patience to acquire.
4. With determination, Swaraj could be obtained easily and quickly.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:

Swaraj movement was initiated by Mahatma Gandhi which focuses on self-rule or self-governance and is intimately linked with Ahimsa (non-violence) and Satyagraha (adherence to truth).
Moreover, it referred to Gandhi’s concept Indian independence from British rule. The movement had two meanings, political and non-political.
It was political in the sense that it opposed being ruled by foreigners, and non-political in the sense that every person has right to be ruled by himself or herself. Swaraj is a virtue which needs time and patience to achieve and cannot be obtained easily and quickly. Hence, all statements are correct except statement 4.

36. What was/were the formative influence(s) on the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi? [Morning Shift-2017 (I)]

1. Gandhiji was influenced by the 18th Century Pranami sect that advocated the unity of faiths.
2. Gandhiji was influenced by the theosophists.
3. Gandhiji was an admirer of the writings of Romantics like Wordsworth.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

Correct Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:

It was through theosophy that Gandhiji was induced to study his own heritage. Theosophy is the brotherhood of man. Gandhiji’s mother Putlibai belonged to the Pranami sect, which talked about Hindu-Muslim unity. Gandhiji was influenced by this 18th century Pranami Sect that advocated the Unity of faiths. Philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi was also influenced by the writings of Romantics like Wordsworth.
Hence, statements 1, 2 and 3 correct. The Salt March was not impressed upon the British the urgent need to devolve more power to India.

37. Which of the following statements about the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) are correct? [Morning Shift-2017 (I)]

1. It began as the political wing of the Singh Sabhas in the late 19th century.
2. It was formed in 1920 as part of the upcoming Akali movement.
3. It was founded to reclaim control of the Sikh shrines from the government manipulated loyalist committees.
4. It formed the Akali Dal to coordinate groups (Jathas) to reclaim control of the shrines. Select the correct answer using the codes given below

Correct Answer: (b) 2, 3 and 4
Solution:

Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) was formed under Akali movement of 1920 also known as Gurudwara Reform Movement. It was formed to free Sikh historic Gurudwara from Mahants who were supported by the British rule. Akali Dal was formed on 14th December, 1920 as a task force of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandhak Committee to coordinate groups (Jathas) to reclaim control of the shrines.

38. Which of the following statements with regard to the speech of Mahatma Gandhi at the opening of the Banaras Hindu University are correct? [Morning Shift-2017 (I)]

1. He charged the Indian elite with a lack of concern for the labouring poor.
2. He asserted that our salvation can come only through the farmers.
3. He highlighted the plight of the untouchables.
4. He promised to take up the cause of the mill owners of Ahmedabad.
Select the correct answer using the code given below

Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 2
Solution:

Our salvation can only come through the farmer. Neither the lawyers, nor the doctors, nor the rich landlords are going to secure it. For two years Gandhiji had travelled extensively and had talked at different places.

He now, wanted some work connected with labour. His interest first centred in the problem of indentured labour, the system under which poor, ignorant labourers were enticed away India to work in the British colonies. Hence, option (b) is true.

39. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the list. [Morning Shift-2017 (I)]

Correct Answer: (a)
Solution:

Option (a) is the correct matching of given lists
Rowlatt Act was passed by Imperial Legislative Council in Delhi on 18th March, 1919.
Salt March (Dandi March) or Salt Satyagaraha was initiated by Mahatma Gandhi on 12th March, 1930.
The Chauri Chaura incident took place at Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur district on 5th February, 1922.
The Second Round Table Conference was held to discuss the constitutional reform on 7th September, 1931.

40. Consider the following statements about the Salt March: [Morning Shift-2017 (I)]

1. The Salt March was deliberately ignored by the European media.
2. The Salt March was widely covered by the American and European press.
3. The Salt March was the first nationalist activity in which women participated in large numbers.
4. The Salt March impressed upon the British the urgent need to devolve more power to Indians.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) 2 and 3
Solution:

The Salt March or Salt Satyagraha was an act of nonviolent civil disobedience in colonial India led by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The movement was widely covered by Indian, European and American newspapers and also saw the participation of large number of women. The event shook the British, and for the first time, they realised the power of women. Hence, only statements 2 and 3 are correct.