All questions of History for UPSC CSE Exam

C

A synagogue in Judaism community is house of worship that serves as a place for liturgical services and for assembly and study.

The treaty that was signed between Tipu Sultan and the British to end the third Anglo Mysore war is the Treaty of Srirangapatnam.

Details of the Treaty:
• The Treaty of Srirangapatnam was signed on March 22, 1792, between Tipu Sultan and the British East India Company.
• The treaty ended the third Anglo-Mysore war which had started in 1789.
• As per the treaty, Tipu Sultan had to cede half of his kingdom to the British.
• He had to pay a war indemnity of three crore rupees to the British.
• Two of Tipu Sultan's sons were taken hostage by the British as a guarantee for the payment of the indemnity.
• The treaty also provided for the establishment of British factories in Mysore and granted them a free passage for their trade through Mysore.
• The British were also given control of the city of Malabar and its surrounding areas.

Significance of the Treaty:
• The Treaty of Srirangapatnam marked the end of the military career of Tipu Sultan.
• It also marked the beginning of the British domination over South India.
• The treaty paved the way for the establishment of British rule in India.
• The treaty led to the weakening of Mysore and its eventual annexation by the British in 1831.

Hence, the correct answer is option 'C'.

The first place where people learnt to grow barley and wheat and rear sheep and goats for the first time is considered to be Mehrgarh.

Mehrgarh is an archaeological site located in the Balochistan province in Pakistan. It is regarded as one of the most important Neolithic sites in South Asia and has provided valuable insights into the early development of human civilization.

Some of the key features of Mehrgarh that make it an important site for the study of early human civilization include:

1. Agriculture: Mehrgarh is believed to be one of the earliest sites where people started to cultivate crops such as barley and wheat. The discovery of grain storage pits and grinding stones indicates that agriculture was an important part of life at Mehrgarh.

2. Domestication of animals: In addition to agriculture, Mehrgarh is also believed to be one of the earliest sites where people started to domesticate animals such as sheep and goats. The discovery of animal bones and figurines suggests that these animals were an important part of life at Mehrgarh.

3. Social organization: The discovery of large, multi-room structures at Mehrgarh suggests that people were living in complex, organized societies. The presence of figurines and other artifacts also suggests that art and religion were important aspects of life at Mehrgarh.

In conclusion, Mehrgarh is considered to be the first place where people learnt to grow barley and wheat and rear sheep and goats for the first time. Its importance in the study of early human civilization cannot be overstated, and it continues to be a valuable source of information for archaeologists and historians.

1

Ashvaghosha composed the biography of the Buddha, the Buddha Charita. He was a Buddhist philosopher and poet who lived in India during the 1st century CE.

Biography of Ashvaghosha:
Ashvaghosha was born in Saketa, a town in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India. He was a Brahmin by birth and was well-educated in the Vedic scriptures. He was later attracted to Buddhism and became a monk.

Works of Ashvaghosha:
Ashvaghosha was a prolific writer and composed many works in Sanskrit. Some of his notable works include:

1. Buddha Charita: It is an epic poem that describes the life of the Buddha from his birth to his enlightenment. It is considered one of the most important works of Buddhist literature.

2. Saundarananda: It is another epic poem that describes the life of Nanda, the stepbrother of the Buddha, and his conversion to Buddhism.

3. Sutralamkara: It is a treatise on Buddhist philosophy and ethics that discusses the tenets of Buddhism in detail.

4. Vajrasuchi: It is a work on meditation that describes the stages of concentration and the attainment of enlightenment.

Legacy of Ashvaghosha:
Ashvaghosha's works were highly influential in the development of Buddhist philosophy and literature. His writings were widely read and commented upon by later Buddhist scholars. He is considered one of the greatest Buddhist philosophers and poets of all time.

Conclusion:
In summary, Ashvaghosha composed the biography of the Buddha, the Buddha Charita. He was a prominent Buddhist philosopher and poet who made significant contributions to Buddhist literature and philosophy.

Decline of Commercial Centers during Colonial Rule

During the colonial rule, many commercial centers in India faced a decline due to various reasons such as the policies of the British, changes in the economy, and the emergence of new centers. Let's look at the three given centers and which ones faced a decline.

1. Dhaka

Dhaka was a prosperous commercial center during the Mughal period and continued to thrive during the early British rule. However, it faced a decline in the late 18th century due to the following reasons:

- The British shifted their focus to Calcutta, which became the capital of British India in 1772. This led to a decline in Dhaka's importance as a center of trade and administration.
- The British imposed heavy taxes on the textile industry of Dhaka, which led to a decline in its production and export.
- The British also encouraged the growth of other centers such as Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, which competed with Dhaka.

Therefore, statement 1 is correct as Dhaka faced a decline during the colonial rule.

2. Madras

Madras was an important commercial center during the colonial rule and continued to grow due to the following reasons:

- The British established a trading post in Madras in 1639, which led to the growth of the city as a center of trade and administration.
- Madras became an important center for textile production and export, especially for cotton goods.
- The British also established industries such as shipbuilding, leather, and tanning in Madras, which further contributed to its growth.

Therefore, statement 2 is incorrect as Madras did not face a decline during the colonial rule.

3. Surat

Surat was a prosperous commercial center during the Mughal period and continued to thrive during the early British rule. However, it faced a decline in the late 18th century due to the following reasons:

- The British shifted their focus to Bombay, which became the center of trade and administration in western India.
- Surat faced competition from other centers such as Bombay and Calcutta, which led to a decline in its importance as a center of trade.

Therefore, statement 3 is correct as Surat faced a decline during the colonial rule.

Conclusion

From the above analysis, we can conclude that statement 2 is incorrect as Madras did not face a decline during the colonial rule, while statements 1 and 3 are correct as Dhaka and Surat faced a decline due to various reasons.

Correct Answer:- C


After the Non-Cooperation Movement, British government itself provided an opportunity to the Indians for the revival of political agitation in the country. The British government announced the appointment of a statutory commission on November 8, 1927 and the constitution of the commission revived the political agitation in India.

The commission consisted of seven members of the British Parliament with John Simon as its Chairman. The most objectionable feature of the commission from the Indian point of view was its all British composition. Not a single Indian was considered fit to be included in the commission. The commission was to look into the functioning of the reforms introduced in India by the Act of 1919 and to enquire into the working of the growth of education in India.

Late Ancient Era and Puranic Stories

Introduction:
The late ancient era marks the period between the 4th and 8th centuries AD in Indian history. During this period, many significant changes took place in Indian society and culture.

Puranic stories and local deities:
One of the most notable features of this era was the increasing popularity of Puranic stories and local deities. Puranas are ancient Hindu texts that contain stories about the gods and goddesses, as well as various aspects of Hindu mythology. These stories became very popular during this period, and many new temples were built to house the images of the gods and goddesses.

Only Upper Caste devotees can receive the grace of God:
However, it is not true that only Upper Caste devotees can receive the grace of God, as mentioned in statement 2. This is a misconception that has been propagated by some people based on a misinterpretation of certain texts. In fact, the idea of God's grace being available only to a certain section of society is contrary to the basic tenets of Hinduism, which emphasize the importance of individual effort and devotion.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, while Puranic stories and local deities did become popular during the late ancient era, it is incorrect to say that only Upper Caste devotees can receive the grace of God. It is essential to understand the nuances of Indian history and culture to avoid such misconceptions.

Sequence of events:
1. Death of Genghis Khan: Genghis Khan, the founder and the first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, died in 1227. His death marked a significant turning point in the history of the Mongol Empire and had implications for the subsequent events.

2. Capture of Baghdad and end of the Abbasid Caliphate: After the death of Genghis Khan, his successors continued the expansion of the Mongol Empire. In 1258, Hulagu Khan, a grandson of Genghis Khan, led the Mongols in capturing Baghdad, the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate. This event resulted in the end of the Abbasid Caliphate, a major Islamic empire that had existed for centuries.

3. End of Yuan dynasty in China: The Yuan dynasty was established in China by Kublai Khan, a grandson of Genghis Khan. The dynasty ruled over China from 1271 to 1368. However, internal conflicts, economic difficulties, and popular uprisings led to the decline of the Yuan dynasty. In 1368, the Chinese rebel leader Zhu Yuanzhang overthrew the Mongols and established the Ming dynasty, bringing an end to the Yuan dynasty.

Arrangement of events:
Based on the chronological order of the events, the correct sequence is:
3-2-1

- Genghis Khan's death in 1227 marks the beginning of the sequence.
- The capture of Baghdad and the end of the Abbasid Caliphate occurred in 1258, after Genghis Khan's death.
- The end of the Yuan dynasty in China happened in 1368, which is the final event in the given sequence.

Therefore, the correct arrangement of the events is 3-2-1 (Death of Genghis Khan, Capture of Baghdad and end of the Abbasid Caliphate, End of Yuan dynasty in China).

A)

All are correct except D as the Khilafat issue was raised after the end of World War I (1918). But the Lucknow pact was signed in 1916. So, technically option d is wrong.

Fatehpur sikri

D

The definition of citadel is a place where people go for safety and defence. A medieval castle is an example of citadel.

Labour and peasantry outbreak due to improper monarchy administration

Statement 1 is correct as hunter-gatherers were nomadic people who moved from place to place in search of food and animals to hunt.

Statement 2 is incorrect as Koldihwa is not a famous Megalithic site. In fact, Koldihwa is a prehistoric site in Uttar Pradesh, India, which is known for its ancient paintings and rock art, not megalithic structures.

Therefore, the correct answer is option B.

B

C) Because construction of basement of Qutab minar was started by Qutbuddin Aibak , and later the construction taken over by Iltutmish . And in other hand ---
The two bands of inscriptions under the balcony of Qutab minar, are written in Arabic language. And
A large reservoir just outside Delhi-i-kuhna was constructed by Sultan Iltutmish , and named as 'Kings Reservoir ' .

Khilji dynasty was the shortest ruling dynasty of the delhi sultanate.The founder of Khilji dynasty was Jalal-ud-din Khilji.He was very generous king.He adopted the policy of tolerence towards all religion. But he could rule for a very short period of 4 years as he was treacherously murdered by his nephew Alauddin Khilji. Alauddin Khalji was very harsh in his policies.He was intolerent towards other religion other than islam.During his reign, he raided and looted many temples and killed a large number of masses.His expeditions reached far till south India. After his death, his immediate successors were not so strong to keep the foundations of his kingdom intact, therefore the Khilji dynasty collapsed and it was taken over by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq who founded the Tughlaq dyanasty.

Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu 

1.He was a social reformer and writer of Madras presidency British India.
2.He is considered as the father of renaissance movement in Telugu.
3.He was one of the early social reformers who encouraged a)women education,
b)remarriage of widows
c)fought against dowry system.
4.He also started a school in Dowlaiswaram  in 1874.
5.He constructed a temple as Brahmo Mandir in 1887 and the 'Hithakarini School' in 1908 in Andhra Pradesh.
6.His novel Rajasekhara Charitramu is considered to be the first novel in Telugu literature.

The correct option is B, i.e. 2 and 3 only.

Explanation:

1. Harishena composed a prashashti in praise of Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni:
This statement is incorrect. Harishena did not compose a prashashti in praise of Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni. In fact, Harishena composed a prashashti in praise of Samudragupta, who was a ruler of the Gupta dynasty.

2. Aihole, the capital of the Chalukyas, was an important trading centre. It developed as a religious centre, with a number of temples:
This statement is correct. Aihole was the capital of the Chalukyas and it was an important trading centre. It also developed as a religious centre, with a number of temples. Some of the famous temples in Aihole are the Lad Khan Temple, the Durga Temple, and the Hucchimalli Temple.

3. There were twelve rulers in Dakshinapatha:
This statement is also correct. Dakshinapatha was the region south of the Vindhyas and it had twelve rulers. Some of the well-known rulers of Dakshinapatha were the Satavahanas, the Chalukyas, and the Pallavas.

Hence, the correct option is B, i.e. 2 and 3 only.

(Correct Answer:- C)




The Indian National Congress (INC) party was established in 1885 and it grew to become one of the most important and prominent political parties in pre-independence India. The very first session of the Indian National Congress was held in 1885.

--(1929 Congress Session)--

In 1929 the Congress session was held at Lahore in 1929. This session was very significant because in this Lahore session the prominent party Indian National Congress, took the resolution of Poorna Swaraj or complete independence. In this the Indian tricolour flag was hoisted by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru on the bank of the Ravi river.

Highlights of this session--

The Congress convention began in Lahore in December 1929 and Pandit Nehru was the president of the convention. He mentioned in this session that “there’s only one goal ahead of us, which is full freedom.”

The declaration of Purna Swaraj was propagated at the INC on 19th December 1992. In this session, members agreed that the Congress and Indian nationalists should fight for Purna Swaraj, or that they should rule itself entirely independently.

The Congress approved a motion for complete Independence and also the President of Congress hoisted the flag of “Complete Freedom on the bank of the Ravi on the midnight of 31 December 1929, in front of huge crowds.

This was the day when for the first time the nationalists unfurled the tricolour

Congress hence decided to observe 26th January, 1930 as the total independence or Purna Swaraj Day. This day was celebrated as independence day with enthusiasm and zeal, across the nation

Illusion is a psychiatric problem, it's not congenital ,it can be due to any stress,over thinking regarding any thing , any personal or social stress etc.

A 1234

Tughluqs ruled for the longest which is 93 Years (1320-1413).

In 1856, Governor-General Canning decided that Bahadur Shah Zafar would be the Mughal king.

During the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930, the viceroy of India was Lord Irwin.

Explanation:
Lord Irwin, whose full name was Rufus Daniel Isaacs, was the viceroy of India from 1926 to 1931. He succeeded Lord Reading and served as the 3rd Earl of Reading. Lord Irwin played a significant role during the Civil Disobedience Movement initiated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930.

The Civil Disobedience Movement was a nonviolent protest against the salt tax imposed by the British colonial government. Mahatma Gandhi led the movement, which aimed to challenge British authority and demand independence for India. As part of the movement, Gandhi and his followers marched to the coastal town of Dandi and illegally produced salt from seawater, defying the British monopoly on salt production.

As the viceroy of India, Lord Irwin was responsible for maintaining law and order in the country. He faced the task of dealing with the growing civil unrest and protests led by Mahatma Gandhi. Lord Irwin was known for his liberal approach and willingness to engage in dialogue with Indian leaders.

Recognizing the importance of resolving the growing tension, Lord Irwin initiated negotiations with Mahatma Gandhi. These talks eventually led to the signing of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact in 1931, which marked a significant milestone in the Indian independence movement. The pact called for the release of political prisoners, the withdrawal of the salt tax, and the participation of the Indian National Congress in the Second Round Table Conference in London.

Lord Irwin's tenure as the viceroy of India witnessed significant developments in the Indian independence movement. His willingness to engage in dialogue and negotiate with Indian leaders played a crucial role in paving the way for future negotiations and discussions on India's independence.

Mughal painting, which emerged during the Mughal Empire in India, is known for its exquisite beauty and finesse. It reached its zenith, or highest point of development, under Shahjahan, the fifth Mughal emperor.


Humayun: Humayun, the second Mughal emperor, had a profound impact on the development of Mughal painting. He introduced Persian artists to the Mughal court and encouraged the fusion of Persian and Indian artistic traditions. However, during his reign, Mughal painting had not yet reached its peak and was still in its formative stages.

Akbar: Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, was a great patron of the arts and made significant contributions to Mughal painting. He established a formal atelier called the "Tasawwur Khana" where artists from different regions and cultures were brought together. Akbar's reign witnessed the development of a distinct Mughal style, characterized by a unique blend of Persian, Indian, and Central Asian influences. Although the art form flourished under his patronage, it was during the reign of his son Jahangir that Mughal painting truly reached its zenith.

Jahangir: Jahangir, the fourth Mughal emperor, was a passionate art connoisseur and played a crucial role in the evolution of Mughal painting. He further refined the Mughal style, emphasizing naturalistic elements and intricate details. Jahangir's court attracted renowned artists from various regions, including Persia, Central Asia, and India, fostering a rich artistic exchange. Under Jahangir's patronage, Mughal painting flourished, and artists created masterpieces known for their delicate brushwork, vibrant colors, and realistic portrayal of subjects.

Shahjahan: Shahjahan, the fifth Mughal emperor, continued to patronize the arts and further elevated Mughal painting to its zenith. During his reign, the art form reached new heights of refinement and sophistication. Shahjahan's court featured highly skilled artists who produced stunning works, often depicting themes of love, beauty, and romance. The paintings of this era showcased a harmonious blend of elegance and grandeur, with meticulous attention to detail and a rich color palette.


While the contributions of Humayun, Akbar, and Jahangir were significant in the development of Mughal painting, it was ultimately under the patronage of Shahjahan that the art form reached its zenith. His support and the exceptional talent of the artists during his reign resulted in the creation of some of the most exquisite and iconic Mughal paintings in history.