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Indian HistoryHardAsked in: NDA · NDA-I 2024, GAT

Consider the following Women’s Associations and their important associates in early twentieth century India : 1. Women’s Indian Association of 1917 : Margaret Cousins 2. National Council of Women in India of 1925 : Sarala Devi Chaudhurani 3. Bharat Stree Mahamandal of 1910 : Lady Meherbai Tata Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched ?

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

Correct answer

D. 1 only

Explanation

The correct answer is D, 1 only. Margaret Cousins was a founder of the Women’s Indian Association, but pairs 2 and 3 have their associates swapped.

The Women’s Indian Association was founded at Adyar, Madras, in 1917 by Annie Besant, Margaret Cousins, Dorothy Jinarajadasa and others; it campaigned for women’s franchise and education. The Bharat Stree Mahamandal, set up in 1910 at Allahabad, was founded by Sarala Devi Chaudhurani, a niece of Rabindranath Tagore, and is often called the first all-India women’s organisation founded by an Indian woman. The National Council of Women in India, formed in 1925 as a branch of the International Council of Women, was led by Lady Meherbai Tata among others. The All India Women’s Conference followed in 1927.

A is wrong because pairs 2 and 3 are wrong. B is wrong because it picks exactly the two wrong pairs. C is wrong because pair 2 is wrong: Sarala Devi belongs with the Bharat Stree Mahamandal, and Lady Meherbai Tata with the National Council of Women in India.

Exam tip: 1910 Bharat Stree Mahamandal (Sarala Devi), 1917 WIA (Cousins, Besant), 1925 NCWI (Meherbai Tata), 1927 AIWC.

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Q2.Indian HistoryAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2026, GKMedium

Why do you think Vijayanagara incorporated agricultural tracts within the fortified area ?

  1. A.To promote high yield agriculture under State supervision
  2. B.To protect the agricultural belt from the sieges of an invading army
  3. C.To protect the agriculture from stray animals
  4. D.To protect the agriculture from drought
Show answer
Correct answer: B. To protect the agricultural belt from the sieges of an invading army

Medieval sieges aimed to starve a city into surrender, so Vijayanagara kept fields and food inside its walls. The Persian ambassador Abdur Razzaq, who visited in the 1440s, described seven lines of fortification around the city, with fields, gardens and houses between them.

Q3.Indian HistoryAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2026, GKHard

With reference to the eligibility criteria for becoming the member of a 'Sabha' as laid down in the Uttaramerur inscription, consider the following statements : 1. The candidate should have his own house and his own plot of land. 2. The candidate should be within 60 years of age and above 30 years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.Both 1 and 2
  4. D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 1 only

The inscription asks that a member own land and a house, but it sets the age limit at 35 to 70 years, not 30 to 60.

Q4.Indian HistoryAsked in: NDA · NDA-I 2018, GATHard

Who gifted the Badshah Nama to King George in 1799?

  1. A.Abul Fazl
  2. B.Abdul Hamid Lahori
  3. C.Nawab of Awadh
  4. D.William Jones
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Nawab of Awadh

In 1799 the Nawab of Awadh presented an illustrated manuscript of the Badshah Nama to King George III of Britain, and it is now kept in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle.