UGC NTA NET/JRF Exam, INDIAN CULTURE, JUNE-2025

Total Questions: 58

51. Arrange in chronological order:

A. Availability of Iron artifacts.
B. Composition and compilation of Vedic corpus.
C. Formation of earliest states.
D. Achaemenid emperor of Persia, conquered parts of north western India.
E. Alexander of Macedon in India.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1. B, A, C, D, E
2. E, A, C, D, B
3. А, B, C, D, E
4. С, E, D, A, B

Correct Answer: 1. B, A, C, D, E

Solution:

Timeline of each event to arrange them correctly in chronological order:
B. Composition and compilation of Vedic corpus - The Rigveda was composed around 1500 ВСЕ-1000 ВCE, and the later Vedic texts (Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads) were compiled up to around 600 ВСЕ.
A. Availability of Iron artifacts In India, the use of iron begins around 1000 BCE (Painted Grey Ware culture), and by 700 BCE, iron tools were widespread.
C. Formation of earliest states - The Mahajanapadas emerged around 600 ВСЕ, marking the beginning of state formation in North India.
D. Achaemenid emperor of Persia conquered parts of northwestern India - Darius I annexed the Indus region around 516 BСЕ.
E. Alexander of Macedon in India - Invaded northwestern India in 326 BСE. Chronological Order: B, A, C, D, E.

52. Arrange the following traveller's arrival in India in the chronological order.

A. Ralph Fitch
B. John Mildenhall
C. William Finch
D. Nicholas Withington
E. Thomas Coryat
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1. A, E, C, D, B
2. B, A, C, D, E
3. A. B. C. D, E
4. C. D, A, E. B

Correct Answer: 3. A. B. C. D, E

Solution:

European travellers by their arrival in India, let's check their timelines:
A. Ralph Fitch - Arrived in 1583, one of the earliest English travellers to India during Akbar's reign.
B. John Mildenhall - Arrived in 1599, came as an independent merchant without East India Company backing.
C. William Finch - Arrived in 1608 with Captain Hawkins, during the reign of Jahangir.
D. Nicholas Withington - Arrived in 1612, part of East India Company's early ventures.
E. Thomas Coryat - Arrived in 1612-1617, known as the "Odcombian Leg-stretcher," he travelled on foot extensively.
Chronological Order: A, B, C, D, E.

53. Which of the following are Pancha-janа tribes?

A. Yadu
B. Puru
C. Bharatas
D. Anu
E. Turvasha
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1. C, B, A, D, E
2. A, E, B, D, C
3. E. A, D, С, B
4. D, E, C, В. A
5. *

Correct Answer: 5. *

Solution:

The Rigvedic Pancha-jana (five tribes) are generally identified as Yadu, Turvasha, Puru, Anu, and Druhyu. In many sources, the Bharatas are treated as a leading clan within the Purus, not a separate fifth tribe. Since Druhyu does not appear in any of the provided options (which substitute Bharata instead), none of the listed combinations accurately represent the Panchajana.

54. Arrange the following in chronological order.

A. Atmiya Sabha
B. Brahma Samaj
C. Brahma Samaj of India
D. Prarthana Samaj
E. Sadharan Brahma Samaj
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1. B, A, E, D, C
2. B, A, D, E, C
3. A, B, C. D, E
4. B, A, C, D, E

Correct Answer: 3. A, B, C. D, E

Solution:

Reform organizations in chronological order:
A. Atmiya Sabha - Founded in 1815 in Calcutta by Raja Ram Mohan Roy; this was one of the earliest reformist associations.
B. Brahmo Samaj - Founded in 1828 (as Brahma Sabha, later renamed Brahmo Samaj) by Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
C. Brahmo Samaj of India - Formed in 1866 by Keshab Chandra Sen after a split within the Brahmo Samaj.
D. Prarthana Samaj - Established in 1867 at Bombay by Atmaram Pandurang, inspired by Keshab Chandra Sen.
E. Sadharan Brahmo Samaj - Founded in 1878 by a more radical group within the Brahmo movement after further splits.
Chronological Order: A, B, C, D, E.

55. Arrange in this chronological order.

A. Rise of Sisupalgarh Settlement
B. The Maurya empire destroyed Pushyamitra by Shunga
C. The elements of the mid-gangetic material culture started to spread to northern Bengal, Kalinga, Andhra, and Karnataka
D. The Greeks invaded India
E. The Maurya empire finally destroyed by Pushyamitra Shunga
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1. C, A, D, B, E
2. D. A. B. С. E
3. A, B, C, D, Е
4. C, D, B, A, E
5. *

Correct Answer: 5. *

Solution:

C. Spread of mid-Gangetic material culture - Begins with the NBPW phase, around 600 BCE, when iron technology, agriculture, and urban traits spread east and south (to Bengal, Kalinga, Andhra, Karnataka).
A. Rise of Sisupalgarh settlementArchaeological evidence places the fortified urban site in Odisha to around the 3rd century BCE (early historic period).
D. Greeks invaded India - Alexander invaded in 326 СЕ.
B/E. Maurya Empire destroyed by Pushyamitra Shunga - The last Maurya ruler Brihadratha was killed by Pushyamitra Shunga around 185 BСЕ, marking the final fall of the Mauryan Empire. (B and E are the same event, just repeated.)
Correct Chronological Sequence: C, D, B, A, Е.

56. Identify the odd-ones from the following.

A. isvaraprapti
B. amritatva
C. samsakara
D. sadhana
E. moksa
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1. C and D only
2. A and B only
3. B and С only
4. D and E only

Correct Answer: 1. C and D only

Solution:

A. İsvaraprapti - attainment of God (spiritual goal).
B. Amrtatva - immortality (spiritual goal).
C. Samskara - impressions/rituals, part of worldly or ritual process, not a final spiritual goal.
D. Sadhana - practice or discipline, a means to achieve liberation, not liberation itself.
E. Moksa - liberation, ultimate spiritual goal.
• A, B, Eall denote spiritual goals/ends.
• C, D→ denote process or means (rituals, practice), not ultimate goals.
Thus, the odd ones are C and D.

57. Which among the following scholars refuted invasion theory to explain the decline of the Harappan Civilization?

A. Mortimer Wheeler
B. P.V. Kane
С. В.В. Lal
D. George Dales
E. Ramaprasa Chanda
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1. A and B only
2. A and E only
3. A, B and C only
4. B, C and D only

Correct Answer: 4. B, C and D only

Solution:

A. Mortimer Wheeler - Supported the Aryan invasion theory, claiming Harappan decline was due to Aryan attacks.
B. P.V. Kane - Refuted the invasion theory, arguing that scattered skeletons do not prove a massacre.
С. В.В. Lal - Rejected the theory, showing archaeological continuity without evidence of war.
D. George Dales - Denied the massacre idea, stating natural causes like floods were responsible.
E. Ramaprasad Chanda - Initially accepted invasion ideas, not a refuter. Correct Refuters: B, Cand D.

58. Which of the following statement chalcolithic apply to culture?

A. They were expert coppersmiths and skillful in working on stone.
B. Terracotta figurines of women suggest that they venerated mother Goddess.
C. There is no evidence of lead making.
D. The differences in settlement pattern and burial practices suggest social inequalities.
E. All the houses were of equal size in the settlements.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1. А, В and D only
2. А, В and C only
3. В, C and E only
4. A, В and E only

Correct Answer: 1. А, В and D only

Solution:

Let's examine each statement about Chalcolithic culture:
A. They were expert coppersmiths and skillful in working on stone - True. Chalcolithic people used both copper and stone tools.
B. Terracotta figurines of women suggest that they venerated mother Goddess - True. Female figurines point to a mother goddess cult.
C. There is no evidence of lead making - Incorrect. Evidence of lead and even bronze has been found at several Chalcolithic sites.
D. The differences in settlement pattern and burial practices suggest social inequalities - True. Distinct house sizes and varied burials show social stratification.
E. All the houses were of equal size in the settlements - Incorrect. Houses differed in size, showing inequality.
Correct Statements: A, B and D only.