Who was the Chairman of Plague Commissioner ?

a) Lord Kingsford
b) Robert Ashe
c) Wiiliam Curzon Willey
d) W C Rand

Answer – D

Explanation In 1897,severe plague broke out in Poona and the Government had to undertake
severe measures of segregation and housesearches.A commission was constituted under
chairmanship of W.C Rand. Unlike many other leaders, Tilak stayed in Poona, supported the
Government and organized his own measures against the plague. But he also criticized the
harsh and heartless manner in which the officials dealt with the plague- stricken people.Official
plague measures were not effective which resulted in popular resentment. Which ultimately
resulted in the assassination of Rand by Chapekar Brothers in june 1878.

2. Consider the following.

1. The Buddhists began to adopt Sanskrit, the language of the elite.

2. After the birth of Mahayana Buddhism, the practice of idol worship and making offerings led
to the deterioration of moral standards.
3. The revival of Brahmanism and the rise of Bhagavatism led to the fall of popularity of
Buddhism.

Which of the above factors were responsible for decline of Buddhism ?

a) 1 & 3
b) 2 & 3
c) Only 3
d) 1,2 & 3

Answer – D (1,2 & 3)

Explanation - The revival of Brahmanism and the rise of Bhagavatism led to the fall of popularity
of Buddhism. The use of Pali, the language of the masses as the language of Buddhism was
given up from the 1st century A.D. The Buddhists began to adopt Sanskrit, the language of the
elite. After the birth of Mahayana Buddhism, the practice of idol worship and making offerings
led to the deterioration of moral standards. Moreover, the attack of the Huns in 5th and 6th
centuries and the Turkish invaders in 12th century destroyed the monasteries. All these factors
contributed to the decline of Buddhism in India.
3. Consider the following statements.

1. Vernacular Press Act empowered a Magistrate to secure an undertaking from the editor,
publisher and printer of a vernacular newspaper that nothing would be published against the
English Government.
2. Arms Act prevented the Indians to keep arms without appropriate license.
3. The Anglo- Indians were exempted from the operation of these legislations.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

a) 1 & 2
b) 2 & 3
c) 1 & 3
d) 1,2 & 3

Answer – D (1,2 & 3)

Explanation - In 1878, the Vernacular Press Act was passed. This Act empowered a Magistrate
to secure an undertaking from the editor, publisher and printer of a vernacular newspaper that
nothing would be published against the English Government. The equipment of the press could
be seized if the offence was committed. This Act crushed the freedom of the Indian press. This
created adverse public opinion against the British Government. In the same year, the Arms Act
was passed. This Act prevented the Indians to keep arms without appropriate license. Its
violation would be a criminal offence. The Europeans and the Anglo- Indians were exempted
from the operation of these legislations.

4. Who introduced uniform salt tax throughout British India ?

a) Lord Curzon
b) Lord Rippon
c) Lord Lytton
d) Lord Cornwalis

Answer – C (Lord Lytton)

Explanation - Lord Lytton introduced uniform salt tax throughout British India. He also
abolished many import duties and supported the Free Trade Policy. This had seriously affected
the Indian economic interest. The system of decentralisation of finance that had begun in the
time of Lord Mayo was continued during the time of Lord Lytton. The provincial governments
were empowered with some control over the expenditure of all provincial matters like land-
revenue, excise, stamps, law and justice. Lytton wanted to encourage the provinces in
collecting the revenue and thereby strengthen the financial power and position of the
provinces.

5. In ancient times how people used to determine directions ?

1. Pole Star
2. North Star
3. Compass
4. South Star

which of the above statement is/are correct ?

a) 1 & 2
b) 3 & 4
c) 2,3 & 4
d) 1,2,3 & 4

Answer – A (1 & 2)

Explanation – During ancient period people use to determine direction with the help of Pole
Star or the North Star. Pole Star and North Star both are same and their position in the sky
remains constatnt i.e the North which helps people to determine direction.

6. Which of the following regions were brought under British through Policy of Subsidiary
Alliance of Lord Wllesley ?

1. Hydrabad
2. Oudh
3. Karnataka
4. Surat
5. Tanjore

Which of the above option is/are correct ?

a) 1,2 & 3
b) 2,3 & 4
c) 1,3 & 5
d) 1,2,3, 4 & 5
Answer – D (1,2,3,4 & 5)

Explanation - Hyderabad was the first state which was brought under Wellesley’s Subsidiary
System in 1798. The treaty concluded in 1798 was an ad hoc measure. It fixed the amount to be
paid annually at Rs.24 lakhs for the subsidiary force. In accordance with the treaty, all the
French troops in Hyderabad were disbanded and replaced by a subsidiary British force. A new
treaty was concluded in 1800 by which the Nizam ceded large territories to the Company and
this constitutes the famous Ceded Districts. The threat of invasion by Zaman Shah of
Afghanistan was the pretext for Wellesley to force the Nawab of Oudh to enter into a subsidiary
treaty. Accordingly, the Nawab gave the British the rich lands of Rohilkhand, the lower Doab
and Gorakhpur for the maintenance of an increased army which the British stationed in the
capital of Oudh. The strength of Nawab’s own army was reduced. For the maintenance of law
and order the British were authorised to frame rules and regulations. By this, the British
acquired the right to interfere in the internal matters of Oudh. Although the Company obtained
a fertile and populous territory, which increased its resources, the highhanded action of
Wellesley was severely criticized. Wellesley assumed the administration of Tanjore, Surat and
the Karnatak by concluding treaties with the respective rulers of these states. The Maratha
state of Tanjore witnessed a succession dispute. In 1799, Wellesley concluded a treaty with
Serfoji. In accordance with this treaty the British took over the administration of the state and
allowed Serfoji to retain the title of Raja with a pension of 4 lakhs of rupees.

7. Consider the following statements regarding Mayo’s Resolution of 1870 .

1. After Mayo’s resolution various provincial governments in Bengal,Madras<North Western

Province,Punjab passed municipal acts.
2. Annual grant from Imperal Government was granted to provincial governments.
3. The provincial governments were authorized to resort to local taxation to balance their
budgets.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

a) 1 & 2
b) 2 & 3
c) 1 & 3
d) 1,2 & 3

Answer – D (1,2 & 3)

Explanation - Financial decentralisation was a legislative devolution inaugurated by the Indian

Councils Act of 1861. part from the annual grant from imperial Government, the provincial
governments were authorised to resort to local taxation to balance their budgets. This was
done in context of transfer of certain departments of administration, such as medical services,
education and roads, to the control of provincial governments. This was the beginning of local
finance. Mayo's Resolution emphasised, "Local interest, supervision and care are necessary for
success in the management of the funds devoted to education, sanitation, medical relief and
local public works." The various provincial governments such as in Bengal, Madras, North-
Western Province, Punjab, passed municipal acts to implement the policy outlined.

8. Consider the following statements regarding Royal Commission on Decentralisation (1908).

1. It emphasised that village panchayats should be entrusted with more powers like judicial
jurisdiction in petty cases, incurring expenditure on minor village works, village schools, small
fuel and fodder reserves, etc. The panchayats should be given adequate sources of income.
2. It emphasised the importance of sub-district boards to be established in every taluka or
tehsil, with separate spheres of duties and separate sources of revenue for sub-district boards
and the district boards.
3. It did not talked about removing the restrictions from taxes and advocated the stoppage of
regular grants-in-aid from provincial governments except for undertaking large projects.
4. The municipalities might undertake the responsibility for primary education and, if willing,
for middle vernacular schools, otherwise the Government should relieve them of any charges in
regard to secondary education, hospitals, relief, police, veterinary works, etc.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

a) 1,2 & 3
b) 2,3 & 4
c) 1,2 & 4
d) 1,3 & 4

Answer – C (1,2 & 4)

Explanation - Royal Commission on Decentralisation (1908) Pointing out the lack of financial
resources as the great stumbling block in the effective functioning of local bodies, the
commission made the following recommendations.
(i) It emphasised that village panchayats should be entrusted with more powers like judicial
jurisdiction in petty cases, incurring expenditure on minor village works, village schools, small
fuel and fodder reserves, etc. The panchayats should be given adequate sources of income.
(ii) It emphasised the importance of sub-district boards to be established in every taluka or
tehsil, with separate spheres of duties and separate sources of revenue for sub-district boards
and the district boards.
(iii) It urged the withdrawal of existing restrictions on their powers of taxation, and also, the
stoppage of regular grants-in-aid from provincial governments except for undertaking large
projects.
(iv) The municipalities might undertake the responsibility for primary education and, if willing,
for middle vernacular schools, otherwise the Government should relieve them of any charges in
regard to secondary education, hospitals, relief, police, veterinary works, etc.
The Government of India Resolution of 1915 contained the official views on the
recommendations of the Decentralisation Commission, but most of the recommendations
remained on paper and the condition of local bodies continued to be as it was left by Lord
Ripon.

9. Consider the following statements regarding defeat of Marathas in Anglo-Maratha Wars .

1. The major drawback of the Maratha power was mutual

bitterness and lack of cooperation amongst themselves.
2. Military weakness of the Marathas.
3. The Marathas hardly left any positive impact on the conquered
territories
4. The Marathas did not have cordial relations with other princes
and Nawabs of India.

Which of the above statements is/are reason for defeat of Marathas?

a) 1,3 & 4
b) 3 & 4
c) 1 & 4
d) 1,2,3 & 4

Answer – D (1,2,3 & 4)

Explanation - There were several reasons for the defeat of the Marathas in the Anglo-Maratha
Wars. The main reasons were:
1.Lack of capable leadership
2. Military weakness of the Marathas.
3. The major drawback of the Maratha power was mutual bitterness and lack of cooperation
amongst themselves.
4. The Marathas hardly left any positive impact on the conquered territories.
5. The Marathas did not have cordial relations with other princes and Nawabs of India.
6. The Marathas failed to estimate correctly the political and diplomatic strength of the British.
10. Consider the following statements.

1. In 1883 Surendra Nath Banerjee was imprisioned for criticized a Judge of Calcutta High Court
for being insensitive to the religious sentiments of Bengalis in one of the judgements.
2. After strong opposition this act was repealed by Lord Lytton.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect ?

a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both
d) None

Answer – B ( 2 Only)

Explanation - The Vernacular Press Act (VPA) was designed to 'better control' the vernacular
press and effectively punish and repress seditious writing. The provisions of the Act included
the following.
1. The district magistrate was empowered to call upon the printer and publisher of any
vernacular newspaper to enter into a bond with the Government undertaking not to cause
disaffection against the Government or antipathy between persons of different religions, caste,
race through published material; the printer and publisher could also be required to deposit
security which could be forefeited if the regulation were contravened, and press equipment
could be seized if the offence reoccurred.
2. The magistrate's action was final and no appeal could be made in a court of law.
3. A vernacular newspaper could get exemption from the operation of the Act by submitting
proofs to a government censor. The Act came to be nicknamed "the gagging Act". The worst
features of this Act were
(i) discrimination between English and vernacular press,
(ii) no right of appeal.
Under VPA, proceedings were instituted against Som Prakash, Bharat Mihir, Dacca Prakash and
Samachar. (Incidentally, the Amrita Bazar Patrika turned overnight into an English newspaper to
escape the VPA.) Later, the pre-censorship clause was repealed, and a press commissioner was
appointed to supply authentic and accurate news to the press. There was strong opposition to
the Act and finally Ripon repealed it in 1882. In 1883, Surendranath Banerjee became the first
Indian journalist to be imprisoned. In an angry editorial in The Bengalee. Banerjee had criticised
a judge of Calcutta High Court for being insensitive to the religious sentiments of Bengalis in
one of his judgements.

11. Consider the following.

1. Sabaqi-Hind
2. Khaizan-ul-futuh
3. Tughlaq Nama
4. Tutu Nama

Which of the above books has been authored by Amir Khusrau ?

a) 1,2 & 3
b) 2,3 & 4
c) 1,3 & 4
d) 1,2, 3 & 4

Answer – A (1,2 & 3)

Explanation - Amir Khusrau (1252-1325) was the famous Persian writer of this period. He wrote
a number of poems. He experimented with several poetical forms and created a new style of
Persian poetry called Sabaqi- Hind or the Indian style. He also wrote some Hindi verses. Amir
Khusrau’s Khazain-ul-Futuh speaks about Alauddin’s conquests. His famous work Tughlaq Nama
deals with the rise of Ghyiasuddin Tughlaq.
Tutu Nama was written by Zia Nakshabi.

12. Consider the following statements.

1. Vinay Pittaka describes the gradual development of Sangha.

2. Sutta pitakka lays down the principles of Buddhism.
3. Abhidhammapitaka contains the regulation on the coarse or life in monastic order.
4. Khandakas contains philosophy of Buddha’s teachings.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

a) 1 & 2
b) 3 & 4
c) 1,2 & 3
d) 1,2,3 & 4

Answer – A (1 & 2)

Explanation – Buddhist Scriptures.

The Vinaya Pitaka: (a) mainly deals with rules and regulations, which the Buddha
promulgated, (b) it describes in detail the gradual development of the Sangha. © An
account of the life and leaching of the Buddha is also given.
The Sutra Pitaka: (a) Consists chiefly of discourses delivered by Buddha himself on
different occasions, (b) Few discourses delivered by Sariputta, Ananda. Moggalana and others
are also included in it. © It lays down the principles of Buddhism.
The Abhidhamma Pitaka: Contains the profound philosophy of the Buddha’s teachings, (b) It
investigates mind and matter, to help the understanding of things as they truly
are.
The Khandhakas: contain regulations on the course or life in the monastic order and
have two sections - the Mahavagga and the Cullavagga. The thud part - the Parivara is an
insignificant composition by a Ceylonese monk.
Among the non-canonical literature Milindapanho, Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa are
important. The later two are the great chronicles of Ceylon.

13. Consider the following statements about Vajrayana Buddhism.

1. Vajrayana became popular in sothern deccan region.

2. Its followers belived that salvation can only be attained by gaining magical powers.
3. The chief divinities of this sect were Taras.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

a) 1 & 2
b) 2 & 3
c) 1 & 3
d) 1,2 & 3

Answer – B (2 & 3)

Answer – Vajrayana’s followers believed that salvation could be best attained by acquiring
the magical power, which they called Vajra. The chief divinities of this new sect were the Taras.
It became popular in Eastern India, particularly Bengal and Bihar.

14. Consider the following statements regarding Arthashastra of Chanakya.

1. First Five adhikaranas of the book deals with foreign relation.

2. Next five adhikarnas deals with internal administration.
3. Last two adhikaranas deals with the behavior of the King.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect ?

a) 1 & 2
b) 1 & 3
c) 1,2 & 3
d) None

Answer – C (1,2 & 3)

Explanation - Arthashastra, written by Chandragupta Maurya’s Prime Minister Chanakya,

primarily delves into the statecraft and administration. The treatise lays down various rules that
should be formulated for a ruling monarch. It laid down strategies for a well-planned state
economy. The Arthashastra has 15 adhikarnas or books. Of which, the first five deal with tantra
or internal administration of the state, eight deal with avapa or its relations with neighboring
stales, and the last two are miscellaneous in character. The work is concerned with all the
topics that deal with the internal administration and foreign relations.

15. Consider the following statements about Mauryan Administration.

1. Water tax to them was not known.

2. Tolls were levied on the commodities brought for sale.
3. The state enjoys monoly over minning, sale of liquor and manufacture of arms.
4. Punch marked silver coins were common units of transaction.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

a) 1,2 & 3
b) 2,3 & 4
c) 1,3 & 4
d) 1,2,3 & 4

Answer – B (2,3 & 4)

Explanation - The most striking feature of Mauryan administration was maintanence of a huge
army. They also maintained a Navy.
According to Megasthenes the administration of Army was carried by a board of 30
officers divided into six committees, each committee consisting of 5 members. They are:
(i) Army
(ii) Cavalry
(iii) Elephants
(iv) Chariots
(v) Navy
(vi) Transport
The state controlled almost all economic activities.
Tax collected from peasants varied from ¼ to 1/6 of the Produce.
The state also provided irrigation facilities and charged water-tax.
Tolls were also levied on commodities brought to town for sale and they were collected at
gate.
The slate enjoyed monopoly in mining, sale of liquor, manufacture of arms etc
During Mauryan rule, though there was banking system in India. yet usury was customary and
the rate of interest was 15’/’ per annum on borrowing money. In less secure transactions (like
sea Voyages etc) the rate of interest could be as high as 60 per annum.
During Mauryan period, the punch marked coins (mostly of silver) were the common units of
transactions.
Tamralipti m the Gangetic delta was the most prosperous port on the East Coast of India.
Megasthenes in his Indies had mentioned 7 castes in Mauryan society. They were philosophers,
farmers, soldiers, herdsmen, artisans, magistrates and councilors.