Daily Static MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams - History (27 November 2023)


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

Subject : History (27 November 2023)


1. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?

1. Gatka: Ancient martial art from Punjab
2. Kalaripayattu: Martial art form that originated in Kerala
3. Yakshagana: Traditional theatre form of Madhya Pradesh
4. Mallakhamba: Traditional state sport of Karnataka

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 1, 2 and 4
(d) 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Gatka is the name of an Indian martial art associated with the Sikhs of the Punjab and the Tanoli and Gujjar communities of the mountainous regions of northern Pakistan who practice an early variant of the martial art. The Punjabi name gatka properly refers to the wooden stick used.
Kalaripayattu also known simply as Kalari, is an Indian martial art and fighting style that originated in modern-day Kerala.
Yakshagana is a traditional Indian theatre form, developed in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shimoga and western parts of Chikmagalur districts, in the state of Karnataka and in Kasaragod district in Kerala that combines dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques with a unique style and form.
Mallakhamba is a traditional sport, originating from the Indian subcontinent, in which a gymnast performs aerial yoga postures and wrestling grips in concert with a vertical stationary or hanging wooden pole, cane, or rope. On April 9, 2013, Madhya Pradesh declared Mallakhamba the state sport.


2. Consider the following statements regarding:

1. Pattachitra style of painting is one of the oldest art forms of West Bengal.
2. It is a painting done on canvas, and is manifested by rich colourful application, creative motifs and designs.
3. Some of the popular themes represented through this art form are Thia Badhia, Krishna Lila and Dasabatara Patti.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Pattachitra style of painting is one of the oldest and most popular art forms of Odisha. The name Pattachitra has evolved from the Sanskrit words patta, meaning canvas, and chitra, meaning picture. Pattachitra is thus a painting done on canvas, and is manifested by rich colourful application, creative motifs and designs, and portrayal of simple themes, mostly mythological in depiction. Some of the popular themes represented through this art form are Thia Badhia – depiction of the temple of Jagannath; Krishna Lila – enactment of Jagannath as Lord Krishna displaying his powers as a child; Dasabatara Patti – the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu; Panchamukhi – depiction of Lord Ganesh as a five-headed deity. With the passage of time, the art of Pattachitra has gone through a commendable transition, and the chitrakars have painted on tussar silk and palm leaves, and even created wall hangings and showpieces. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.


3. Consider the following statements regarding the Gupta rule in India:

1. The Prayaga Prashasti (also known as the Allahabad Pillar Inscription) was composed by Harisena.
2. Banabhatta, was the court poet of Samudragupta.
3. The Prayaga Prashasti was composed in praise of Samudragupta.

How many of the above statements is/are not correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation: The Prayaga Prashasti (also known as the Allahabad Pillar Inscription) was composed by Harisena. Harisena was the court poet of Samudragupta while Banabhatta was the court poet of Harshavardhana. The Prayaga Prashasti was composed in praise of SamudraGupta in Sanskrit. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.


4. Consider the following statements regarding Raja Rammohan Roy and Brahmo Samaj:

1. Raja Rammohan Roy, the founder of Brahmo Samaj was called the father of Indian Renaissance.
2. Rammohan Roy translated into Bengali the Vedas and the five Upanishads.
3. Brahmo Samaj aimed to purify Hinduism, preach monotheism and establish a new religion.

How many of the above statements are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Raja Rammohan Roy (1772-1833), often called the father of Indian Renaissance and the maker of Modern India. Rammohan Roy believed in the modern scientific approach and principles of human dignity and social equality. He put his faith in monotheism. He wrote Gift to Monotheists (1809) and translated into Bengali the Vedas and the five Upanishads to prove his conviction that ancient Hindu texts support monotheism. Raja Rammohan Roy founded the Brahmo Sabha in August 1828; it was later renamed Brahmo Samaj. Rammohan Roy did not want to establish a new religion. He only wanted to purify Hinduism of the evil practices which had crept into it. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.


5. Rayagajakesari and Dayagajakesari are titles associated with which of the following dynasties?

(a) Vijayanagara
(b) Rashtrakuta
(c) Kakatiya
(d) Gajapati

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Rayagajakesari and Dayagajakesari are titles of the Kakatiya dynasty. The title Daya Gaja Kesari was given to the first Kakatiya king Prataparudra. In the Kakatiya dynasty coins were inscribed with this title. Raya-gaja-kesari title belongs to Rudrama Devi, she inherited this title from her father. This title was also inscribed on the coins. Hence, option (c) is correct.