History: CUET Mock Test - 9 - CUET MCQ

The correct answer is 2 only.

• Statement 1: The Mansabdari System was introduced by Mughal emperor Akbar, not Babur. Babur established Mughal rule in India, but Akbar developed the Mansabdari System to organize his administration and military. Hence, Statement 1 is incorrect.
• Statement 2: "Sawar" indicated the number of cavalrymen (and horses) a mansabdar was required to maintain in service for the Mughal emperor. This is a correct description of the Sawar rank. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

Key Points

• The Mansabdari System:
  • The Mansabdari System was introduced by Mughal emperor Akbar. Hence, Statement 1 is incorrect.
  • The system determined the rank and status of a government official and military generals. Every civil and military officer was given a mansab, which determined their salaries and allowances. The term manasabdar means a person having a mansab.
  • Mansabdari System was the bureaucratic administration system of the Mughal Rulers in India.
  • The bureaucratic administration of Mughals in India was based on a system called Mansabdari System.
  • Those nobles who joined the Mughal service were enrolled as mansabdars.
• Mansabdars:
  • Mansabdars were officers in the Mughal administration.
  • Those nobles who joined the Mughal service were enrolled as mansabdars.
  • The term mansabdar refers to an individual who holds a mansab (rank).
  • The Mansabdars were appointed to all civil and military posts.
  • They were liable to be transferred from one branch of the administration (civil) to another (military).
• Zat vs Sawar:
  • Zat — Denotes the rank in the administration.
  • Zat — Denotes the Salary of the Mansabdar.
  • Sawar —This represented the Cavalry Rank. It denotes the number of horses and cavalrymen maintained by mansabdar. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.​
• The position of Mansabdar in the hierarchy depended on the Zat. On the basis of Zat and Sawar, Mansabdars were classified as:
  • Third Class Mansabdar – Mansabdars were put in this classification when the number of sawar was less than half the number of Zat.
  • Second Class Mansabdar – Under this classification, the number of Sawar is equal to half the number of Zat.
  • First Class Mansabdar – Mansabdars who were classified as First Class had an equal number of Sawar and Zat.

The correct answer is Khan Bahadur Khan.

Key Points

• Khan Bahadur Khan led the revolt of 1857 from Bareilly.​
• When Bareilly was captured by the British he escaped to Nepal.
• He was later handed to the British and hanged in the Kotwali at Dhaka on 24 February 1860.
• The reason for the Revolt of 1857 is the immediate factor was the introduction of the 'Enfield' rifle.
• The cartridge which was made from cow and pig's meat had to be bitten off before loading it into the gun.
• The revolt started on 10th May 1857 from Meerut Chhawani.

Additional Information

Important Points

• Syed Ahmad Khan entered the service of East India Company ​​in 1838 and became a judge at a Small Causes Court in 1867.
  • He established Gulshan School at Muradabad in 1859, Victoria School at Ghazipur in 1863, and a scientific society for Muslims in 1864.
  • He founded the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875, the first Muslim university in Southern Asia.
  • He is credited as the father of the two-nation theory.

The correct answer is option B​Key Points

• Ain-i Akbari of Abu’l Fazl Allami:
  • The Ain-i-Akbari was the culmination of a large historical, administrative project of classification undertaken by Abu’l Fazl at the order of Emperor Akbar.
  • It was completed in 1598, the forty-second regnal year of the emperor, after having gone through five revisions.
  • The Ain-i-Akbari was part of a larger project of history writing commissioned by Akbar. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • This history, known as the Akbar Nama, comprised three books.

Important Points

• Problems in using the Ain-i Akbari as a source for reconstructing agrarian history:
  • The Ain-i-Akbari, authored by Abu’l Fazl, is a detailed administrative document that provides extensive data on land revenue, agricultural production, prices, wages, and more, making it a valuable source for reconstructing Mughal agrarian history. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
  • But it has its own limitations.
  • Numerous errors in totaling have been detected.
  • These are, however, minors and do not detract from the overall quantitative accuracy of the manuals.
  • Another limitation is the skewed nature of the data.
  • Data was not collected uniformly from all provinces. For example, Abu’l Fazl has not given any description regarding the caste composition of the zamindars of Bengal and Orissa (Odisha). Hence, statement 3 is correct.
  • The fiscal data collected from various sources is in detail yet some important parameters such as wages and prices have not been incorporated properly.
  • The detailed list of prices and wages found in the Ain-i Akbari has been acquired from data pertaining to the capital Agra and its surrounding regions. Hence, statement 4 is correct.
  • It is, therefore, of limited value for the rest of the empire.
  • Historians have dealt with the situation by supplementing the account of the Ain with information got from the provinces.
  • These include detailed seventeenth-eighteenth centuries revenue records from Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.
  • These have been also supplemented by records of the East India Company.

The 'Ring wells', excavated in the earliest cities that were developed about 2500 years ago, were used for Garbage dumping.

Important Points Ring wells

• Ring wells, constructed with terracotta rings, were used primarily for garbage dumping, drainage, and as soak pits in cities around 2500 years ago, with widespread use during the Mauryan period.

• They were used as drainage or garbage dumps. The ring wells were found usually in individual houses.
• Some 2500 years ago round structures with rows of pots, or ceramic rings arranged on top of one another were found through archaeological discoveries.
• These structures were known as ring wells.
• It was basically a type of well constructed in the village for common use.
• Water from these wells had multiple uses apart from drinking and washing purposes; in some places as toilets and as drains and garbage dumps in another.
• Ring wells were named because of the lining with terracotta rings which can be distinguished from other types of dug wells.
• In the latest excavation at Purana Qila, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has discovered a ring well that is 4.4 meters below the earth.
• Ring wells, which were first constructed under the Mauryas in the Gangetic plains spread beyond the heart of the empire.
• As ring wells supplied water to people for domestic use, it was no longer imperative to found settlements on the banks of rivers.
• Ring wells also served as soak pits in congested settlements.
• Drainage can be done only in deep spaces so that the water could be stored and passed.
• Ring wells are called because of the terracotta rings. Some of them seem to have been used as toilets in some cases.

The correct chronological order is 3, 1, 2. Key Points

• Although Shah Alam was declared the Mughal Emperor, he did not proceed to Delhi for 12 years.
• In 1788, he was deposed and blinded by Afghan leader Ghulam Qadir.
• But from the initial to the end of his reign he was a very weak ruler, he became the pensioner of Mahdji Sindhia.
• In 1803, Delhi was captured by the English after Lord Lake defeated the Marathas and Shah Alam became the British pensioner.
• Firstly he was not recognized by the Britishers as Mughal Emperor. He died in 1806.
• When the ruler of Jhansi died in 1853, Jhasi has no natural heir.
• The widowed Rani Laxmi Bai was pensioned and their adopted son, Anand Rao, was not recognized as a lawful successor to the throne under the Doctrine of Lapse.
• Many Scholars thought it was one of the reasons for the 1857 rebellion.
• When Peshwa Baji Rao II died in 1851, he did not leave any legal heir for the Maratha Kingdom.

• His adopted son Nana Saheb was denied recognition as a Peshwa by the Britishers in 1851.

Hence, we can conclude that the correct chronology is-

The correct answer is - Aug 1946

Key Points

• The 'Great Calcutta Killings' was a day of large-scale sectarian riots and massacres in the city of Calcutta (now Kolkata), in the Bengal province of British India.
• This tragic event took place on 16th August 1946, which was the day declared by the Muslim League as the Direct Action Day to demonstrate the demand for a separate Muslim homeland, Pakistan.
• The violence unleashed led to widespread massacres, arson, and looting, resulting in thousands of deaths and displacement of people based on their religion.
• The 'Great Calcutta Killings' marked a pivotal moment in the history of India, leading to a series of riots across British India, escalating communal tensions that eventually culminated in the partition of India in 1947.
• This event has been deeply imprinted in the memories and histories of both India and Pakistan, symbolizing the extreme communal divide that led to the partition.

Additional Information

• The Direct Action Day was called by the Muslim League to assert their demand for a separate nation, leading to one of the bloodiest riots in the history of India.
• The aftermath of the 'Great Calcutta Killings' saw a ripple effect, with communal violence spreading to other parts of India, such as Noakhali, Bihar, and Punjab, highlighting the deep-seated religious tensions.
• The event significantly influenced the political landscape, hastening the British decision to leave India and leading to the eventual creation of two separate nations, India and Pakistan, in 1947.

The correct answer is - R.V. Dhulekar.

Key PointsR.V. Dhulekar:

• He proposed that Hindi be used as the language for constitution making during the early sessions of the Constituent Assembly, emphasizing the cultural and linguistic identity of India.
• Motilal Nehru: A prominent figure in Indian history and politics, Motilal Nehru contributed significantly to India's freedom struggle and the formation of its constitutional framework. However, he did not specifically propose Hindi as the language of constitution making. -
• B.R. Ambedkar: Known as the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, B.R. Ambedkar played a crucial role in drafting the document and ensuring it addressed the needs of all sections of society.
• His focus was more on the content and inclusivity of the constitution rather than the language in which it was to be written.
• K.M. Munshi: A key member of the Constituent Assembly and a proponent of cultural and educational reforms in India, K.M. Munshi contributed to the debates on language policy.
• However, his contributions were more towards the integration of cultural heritage within the legal framework rather than proposing Hindi as the sole language for constitution making.

The correct option is - Jawaharlal Nehru.

Key Points

• Jawaharlal Nehru:
  • Jawaharlal Nehru played a pivotal role in the Indian independence movement and the framing of the Indian Constitution.
  • His vision for India was deeply democratic, believing in the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity as outlined by the Constitution.
  • The statement reflects Nehru's understanding that the essence of a republic is inherently democratic, indicating a system where the supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives.

Additional Information

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel:
  • Known as the "Iron Man of India," Patel was instrumental in the country's struggle for independence and the integration of over 500 princely states into the Union of India.
  • While he was a key figure in the Constituent Assembly, the specific statement about the word "democratic" being implicit in "republic" is not attributed to him.
• B.R. Ambedkar:
  • Ambedkar is known as the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, having played a crucial role in drafting the document and ensuring it enshrined the principles of justice, equality, and liberty.
  • Though deeply involved in the discussions and formulations of the Constitution's provisions, the statement in question was not made by him.
• N.G. Ranga:
  • N.G. Ranga was a freedom fighter and a parliamentarian who championed the cause of farmers and agricultural workers in India.
  • Despite his significant contributions to Indian politics and agrarian reforms, the specific observation about the term "republic" was not made by him.

The correct answer is - Concurrent List.

Key PointsConcurrent List:

• This list includes subjects of common interest to both the Union Government and State Governments.
• Subjects under this list include-
  • education, forest, trade unions, marriage, adoption, and succession. -
  • Both the Centre and the states can make laws on these subjects.
• However, in case of any conflict, the law made by the Centre prevails.

Additional Information

Union List:-

• It includes subjects on which only the Centre can legislate, reflecting the subjects of national importance such as defense, foreign affairs, banking, currency, and atomic energy.
• State governments do not have the power to legislate on these matters. -

State List:

• This list contains subjects on which only the state governments can legislate.
• These are subjects of local or state interest such as police, public order, public health, and agriculture.
• The Centre can legislate in this area under specific circumstances, like during a national emergency. -

The correct answer is - (A), (B), (D), (E), (C).

Key Points

• This reflects the Government of India Act, 1935, which made the executive partly responsible to the legislature, setting a precedent for responsible government, although the actual effect was realized in the provincial elections of 1937.

• This occurred in 1937, where the Indian National Congress won a majority in 8 of the 11 provinces, demonstrating the demand for responsible governance and the popularity of the Congress, setting the stage for future political developments.

• The British government, through the Cabinet Mission Plan in 1946, proposed the election of a Constituent Assembly to draft a constitution for India, leading to the election of members of the Constituent Assembly.

• On December 13, 1946, Jawaharlal Nehru presented the Objective Resolution in the Constituent Assembly, laying down the fundamental principles of the future constitution and the aspirations of the new state.

• The Draft Constitution was introduced to the Constituent Assembly on November 4, 1948, a comprehensive document that was to be deliberated and amended before being adopted as the Constitution of India.

(A) Correct: Bernier, a French traveler, visited India during Aurangzeb’s reign in the 17th century.
(B) Incorrect: He did not describe Mughal society as egalitarian; instead, he saw a rigid social structure.
(C) Correct: He criticized the emperor’s control over land, stating that it discouraged private investment.
(D) Correct: His writings shaped European views of India, often portraying it as backward.
(E) Incorrect: He criticized Mughal economic policies, arguing they hindered innovation.

(A) Correct: Duarte Barbosa, a Portuguese traveler, visited India in the early 16th century.
(B) Correct: His observations offer valuable information about the Vijayanagara Empire’s economy.
(C) Incorrect: While he discussed trade and governance, agriculture was not his main focus.
(D) Correct: He noted that Indian rulers actively promoted trade, attracting merchants from across Asia.
(E) Incorrect: His accounts were written in Portuguese, not Persian.

(A) Correct: Marco Polo, an Italian traveler, visited South India in the late 13th century.
(B) Correct: His accounts describe the Chola and Pandya kingdoms of South India.
(C) Incorrect: His focus was mainly on trade and culture, not political structures.
(D) Correct: He emphasized India’s wealth, particularly its spice trade.
(E) Incorrect: Marco Polo’s travel was mostly confined to South India, not North India.

Akbar - Zabti system (A): Introduced a measurement-based revenue system.
Aurangzeb - Heavy taxation (B): Increased tax demands, causing peasant distress.
Jahangir - Continued Akbar’s policies (C): Maintained existing systems.
Shah Jahan - Agrarian expansion (D): Promoted canals and irrigation projects.

Ain-i-Akbari - Revenue administration (A): Abul Fazl’s detailed record of Akbar’s empire.
Baburnama - Agricultural conditions (B): Babur’s memoirs mention India’s agrarian landscape.
Akbarnama - State policies (C): Abul Fazl’s biography of Akbar includes agrarian details.
Tarikh-i-Firishta - Persian chronicle (D): Covers Mughal history, including agrarian aspects.

Lord Cornwallis - Permanent Settlement (B): Implemented in 1793 in Bengal.
Thomas Munro - Ryotwari System (A): Pioneered this system in South India.
Holt Mackenzie - Mahalwari System (C): Devised this for North-West Provinces.
Charles Metcalfe - Village self-governance (D): Advocated for preserving village autonomy.

Ryot - Peasant cultivator (C): The farmer working the land.
Zamindar - Landowner collecting revenue (B): Intermediary under British systems.
Ryotwari - Direct peasant tax system (D): Peasants paid taxes directly to the state.
Malguzari - Agricultural tax (A): Revenue paid by landholders or cultivators.

Unlike the Permanent Settlement, the Ryotwari system collected revenue directly from individual farmers (ryots) instead of through zamindars.

The Ryotwari system was mainly introduced in Madras, Bombay, and parts of Western India.

Since revenue was revised periodically, ryots often faced high tax demands, forcing them to take loans from moneylenders.

The British gained a steady revenue flow, and moneylenders profited from high-interest loans, while farmers suffered.

Unlike the Permanent Settlement, where zamindars controlled land and collected revenue as intermediaries, the Ryotwari system recognized ryots (individual cultivators) as direct owners responsible for paying revenue to the state, though this ownership was conditional on meeting revenue demands

The greased cartridges used in Enfield rifles contained animal fat, offending both Hindu and Muslim soldiers, which triggered the initial rebellion.

Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi was a prominent leader in the revolt, known for her bravery in resisting British forces.

The use of greased cartridges and other discriminatory policies deeply offended the religious beliefs of Indian sepoys.

Awadh was one of the major centers of resistance, where local rulers and soldiers joined the rebellion.

The British used advanced weaponry, reinforcements, and divide-and-rule strategies to crush the rebellion by 1858.

François Bernier was a French traveler, physician, political philosopher, and historian who visited India during the Mughal period in the 17th century. He served as a personal physician to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and wrote extensively about Indian society, economy, and politics. His observations provided valuable insights into the Mughal administration and the socio-political conditions of India.

François Bernier, a French traveler and writer, criticized India in his writings. He described India as having social and economic issues that he found depressing compared to European nations. Reliable sources, such as Bernier's own travel accounts and historical analyses, confirm that Bernier's critical observations were primarily directed towards India.

François Bernier, in his writings on Mughal India, presented an oversimplified view of landownership. He compared the Mughal system with European feudalism and argued that the Mughal emperor owned all the land, leading to what he saw as a lack of private property rights. However, his perspective overlooked the complexities of land tenure in India, such as the role of zamindars (landholders), jagirdars (revenue collectors), and local village communities in managing land. His Eurocentric viewpoint failed to fully capture the diversity and intricacies of landownership in Mughal India.