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Indian HistoryMediumAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2018, Paper I

Which of the following statements about Harappa Civilization is/are correct? 1. There is the extraordinary uniformity in artefacts as evident in pottery, seals, bricks and weights. 2. The late Harappa sites also maintained the same construction techniques as were used in mature Harappa sites. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.Both 1 and 2
  4. D.Neither 1 nor 2

Correct answer

A. 1 only

Explanation

The correct answer is A, 1 only. The mature Harappan phase shows a striking uniformity in its artefacts, but that uniformity broke down in the late Harappan phase.

Across a vast area from Punjab and Sindh to Gujarat and Haryana, mature Harappan sites used bricks in the same proportion of 1:2:4, cubical weights on a common standard based on 16, similar square seals with animal motifs and the same script, and red pottery painted in black. This shows strong shared standards, perhaps set by some central authority. From about 1900 BCE the cities declined. Late Harappan sites are smaller, planned streets and great drains disappear, the standard bricks, weights and seals fade out, and local styles of pottery take their place.

B is wrong because the late Harappan sites did not keep the mature-phase building methods, and statement 1 is correct. C is wrong because statement 2 is false. D is wrong because statement 1 is correct.

Exam tip: mature Harappa = uniform bricks (1:2:4), weights (base 16) and seals; late Harappa = decline and local variety.

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Q1.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2019, Paper IMedium

Why was Vasudeo Balwant Phadke known in history ?

  1. A.He led a violent struggle against the British during the revolt of 1857
  2. B.He was a critic of Gandhian struggle
  3. C.He led an armed uprising against the British in the 1870s
  4. D.He was a radical leader of the Indian National Congress
Show answer
Correct answer: C. He led an armed uprising against the British in the 1870s

Phadke raised an armed band in Maharashtra in 1879 to overthrow British rule. Vasudeo Balwant Phadke was a clerk in the Military Finance Department at Pune.

Q2.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2020, Paper IHard

Which one of the following statements about the religious policies of the Mughal kings is NOT correct ?

  1. A.The tax on pilgrimage was abolished in 1563, and the jizya tax on non-Muslim Subjects was abolished in 1564
  2. B.Akbar issues instructions to his officers to follow the policy of religious toleration
  3. C.Not all Mughal emperors gave grants for the building and maintenance of places of worship
  4. D.Grants were issued for the repair of a number of temples in the reigns of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb, after they had been destroyed during war
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Not all Mughal emperors gave grants for the building and maintenance of places of worship

In fact all the Mughal emperors gave grants for building and maintaining places of worship, so saying that not all of them did is incorrect.

Q3.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2019, Paper IMedium

Why did the early nationalists oppose the Council Act of 1892?

  1. A.The number of members of the Imperial Legislative Council was increased
  2. B.The number of members of Provincial Councils was increased
  3. C.The Councils were given the right to discuss the annual budgets
  4. D.The Act did not give the Indians control over the public funds
Show answer
Correct answer: D. The Act did not give the Indians control over the public funds

The councils could discuss the budget but could not vote on it or amend it. The Indian Councils Act, 1892 raised the number of additional members in the Imperial and Provincial Legislative Councils and introduced an indirect, nominated form of election through bodies such as municipalities, district boards and universities.

Q4.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2020, Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements about sulh-i kul :

1. It means 'absolute peace'

2. It provided for freedom of expression to all religions and schools of thought

3. The ideal of sulh-i kul was implemented through state policies

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 and 2 only
  2. B.1,2 and 3
  3. C.3 only
  4. D.2 and 3 only
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 1,2 and 3

Sulh-i kul, Akbar's ideal of absolute peace, gave every faith freedom of expression and was put into practice through state policy.

Q5.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2019, Paper IMedium

Which of the following statements about Prarthana Samaj are correct ?

1. Its aim was to reform the Hindu society

2. It was based in Maharashtra

3. It believed in monotheism

4. It had greatly influenced the Brahmo Samaj

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. A.1 and 2 only
  2. B.2 and 3 only
  3. C.1,2 and 3
  4. D.1 and 4
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 1,2 and 3

The Prarthana Samaj was a monotheistic Hindu reform body of Maharashtra, but it was influenced by the Brahmo Samaj, not the other way round.