Daily Static MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams - History (11 September 2023)

Daily Static MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams

Subject : History

1. Consider the following statements about Indian Councils Act of 1909.

1. It increased the size of the legislative councils, both Central and provincial.
2. For the first time, it provided for the association of Indians with the executive Councils of the Viceroy and Governors.
3. It introduced a system of communal representation for Muslims and Christians.

How many of the above statements is/ are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Indian Councils Act of 1909 is also known as Morley-Minto Reforms. It considerably increased the size of the legislative councils, both Central and provincial. It provided (for the first time) for the association of Indians with the executive Councils of the Viceroy and Governors. It introduced a system of communal representation for Muslims by accepting the concept of ‘separate electorate’. Under this, the Muslim members were to be elected only by Muslim voters. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

2. Consider the following:

1. Right to make salt in coastal villages for personal consumption and sale.
2. Right to peaceful and non-aggressive picketing
3. Acceptance of Gandhiji’s suggestion for enquiry into police excesses
4. Release of all political prisoners not convicted of violence

Which of the above are included under Gandhi-Irwin Pact?

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 2 and 4
(d) All of the above

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • Gandhi-Irwin Pact placed the Congress on an equal footing with the government.
  • Irwin on behalf of the government agreed on—
  • immediate release of all political prisoners not convicted of violence;
  • remission of all fines not yet collected;
  • return of all lands not yet sold to third parties;
  • lenient treatment to those government servants who had resigned; right to make salt in coastal villages for personal consumption (not for sale);
  • right to peaceful and non-aggressive picketing; and
  • withdrawal of emergency ordinances.

The viceroy, however, turned down two of Gandhi’s demands—

  1. public inquiry into police excesses, and
  2. commutation of Bhagat Singh and his comrades’ death sentence to life sentence.

Gandhi on behalf of the Congress agreed—

  1. to suspend the civil disobedience movement, and
  2. to participate in the next Round Table Conference

3. Consider the following statements regarding Dholavira:

1. Here the walls were made of sandstone or limestone instead of mud bricks in many other Harappan sites.
2. It was a hub of manufacturing jewellery made of shells and semi-precious stones.
3. Extensive mortal remains of humans have been discovered at Dholavira.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The site has a fortified citadel, a middle town and a lower town with walls made of sandstone or limestone instead of mud bricks in many other Harappan sites. Archaeologists cites a cascading series of water reservoirs, outer fortification, two multi-purpose grounds — one of which was used for festivities and as a marketplace — nine gates with unique designs, and funerary architecture featuring tumulus — hemispherical structures like the Buddhist Stupas— as some of the unique features of the Dholavira site. While unlike graves at other IVC sites, no mortal remains of humans have been discovered at Dholavira. Remains of a copper smelter indicate of Harappans, who lived in Dholavira, knew metallurgy. It is believed that traders of Dholavira used to source copper ore from present-day Rajasthan and Oman and UAE and export finished products. It was also a hub of manufacturing jewellery made of shells and semi-precious stones, like agate and used to export timber. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

4. Rekhapida, pidhadeul and khakra are classifications of the temple architecture of:

(a) Rajasthan
(b) Odisha
(c) Assam
(d) Tamil Nadu

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The main architectural features of Odisha temples are classified in three orders, i.e., rekhapida, pidhadeul and khakra. The temples of Odisha constitute a distinct substyle within the nagara order. In general, here the shikhara, called deul in Odisha, is vertical almost until the top when it suddenly curves sharply inwards. Deuls (part of the word pidhadeul) are preceded, as usual, by mandapas called jagamohana in Odisha. Hence, option (b) is correct.

5. Consider the following statements, with reference to the views of Namdev, a bhakti saint:

1. As per Namdev, the eternal reality Brahmana is neither nirguna nor saguna.
2. Namdev opposed the principles of Vaishnavism and built his popular movement against Vaishnavist elitism.

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: (D)

Explanation: His philosophy contains both nirguna and saguna Brahman elements, with monistic themes. Nirguna Brahman means the eternal reality with no qualities of its now, similar to nothingness. Saguna means those with divine qualities such as love, light, compassion etc. Namdev was influenced by Vaishnavism, and became widely known in India for his devotional songs set to music. The literary works of Namdev were influenced by Vaishnava philosophy. Hence, both statements are incorrect.