MH SET Paper 2 Mock Test - 7 (History) - MAHA TET MCQ

The correct answer is 1, 3, 4 and 6 only.

Key Points

• The Later Guptas succeeded the imperial Guptas as the rulers of Magadha.
  • They ruled the Magadha region in eastern India between the 6th and 7th centuries CE.
  • Mahasena Gupta was one of the rulers belonging to this period. Hence statement 1 is correct.
    • He allied with the Vardhana dynasty and invaded Kamarupa.
• The Maitrakas were tributary chiefs of the Guptas, who established an independent kingdom in western India.
  • Dhruvasena II was the most important ruler of the Maitrakas. Hence statement 6 is correct.
  • He was a contemporary of Harshavardhana and was married to his daughter.
• The Maukharies ruled over Kanauj, a city in western Uttar Pradesh, which gradually replaced Pataliputra as a political centre of north India.
  • Maukharies were also the subordinate rulers of the Guptas and used the title of Samanta.
  • Grahavarman was a king of Kannauj around the early seventh century CE. Hence statement 4 is correct.
• Pushyabhutis: An important ruling family to gain prominence after the fall of the Gupta was that of the Pushyabhutis who had their capital at Thanesar (Thanesvara in Kurukshetra).
  • The dynasty became influential with the accession of Prabhakarvardhana, who was able to defeat the Hunas and strengthen his position in the regions of Punjab and Haryana. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• The Paramara dynasty ruled Malwa and surrounding areas in west-central India between the 9th and 14th centuries.
  • Siyaka is the earliest known Paramara king attested by his own inscriptions. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
  • His Harsola copper plate inscription (949 CE) is the earliest available Paramara inscription.
• Yadavas of Devagiri was a Medieval Indian dynasty, which at its peak ruled a kingdom stretching from the Narmada river in the north to the Tungabhadra river in the south.
  • The Yadavas initially ruled as feudatories of the Western Chalukyas.
  • Around the middle of the 12th century, as the Chalukya power waned, the Yadava king Bhillama V declared independence. Hence statement 5 is incorrect.

The correct answer is 1 and 2 only.

Key Points

Chandragupta Vikramaditya:

• Chandragupta II (AD 375–414) also known as Chandragupta Vikramaditya succeeded Samudragupta.
• He not only extended his father’s empire but also consolidated his position through matrimonial alliances with other royal dynasties of the period.
• He married Kuvernaga, the Naga princess and had a daughter Prabhavati from her. Prabhavati was given in marriage to Rudrasena II of the Vakataka dynasty ruling in Deccan. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• His greatest military achievement was his victory over the Shaka kings who were ruling in western India for the last three hundred years. This conquest made the Gupta empire reach up to the western coast.
• An iron pillar inscription at Mehrauli in Delhi indicates that his empire included even north-western India and Bengal. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• He took the title of Vikramaditya i.e. the one who is as powerful as the sun.

Important Points

Successors of Chandragupta Vikramaditya:

• Chandragupta II was succeeded by his son Kumaragupta (AD 415–455). Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
• He was able to maintain the empire built up by his father but during the latter part of his reign, there was a threat from the Hunas of Central Asia.
• After occupying Bactria the Hunas crossed the Hindukush Mountains and entered India.
• Their first attack during his reign was repulsed by prince Skandagupta.
• The Guptas however could not protect their empire for long and the successive waves of Huna invasion made the Gupta’s very weak.

• Fa-Hien (399 AD) was a traveller from China. He travelled from China-Gobi-Central Asia to India. His account is the only literary source specifically talking about the Gupta age society. The account says the following things:

• Buddhists and Brahmins were 2 popular religions that were living in peace.
• High wealth creation during the period.
• Law-abiding people. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Land revenue tax was there.
• Vegetarian people. Nonveg was banned. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
• The existence of Caste but harmony was well established.
• Treatment of untouchables was very bad. It proves equality was not there. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• No state interference with individual life.
• Punishments were not severe.
• More freedom was given to people.
• No spy system.

• Accordingly, option C is correct.

​

Fa-Hien

The correct answer is Both (A) and (B) are true.Key Points

• The question is about two statements related to Provincial Autonomy in India.
• Option 1 is the correct answer as both statements (A) and (B) are true.
• The government announced elections to the Provincial legislatures in 1937, which was a significant step towards Provincial Autonomy.
• After the election results, the Congress formed governments in 7 out of 11 Provinces, which further strengthened the idea of Provincial Autonomy.
• This led to the formation of Provincial Governments that had the power to make decisions in their respective regions.
• This was a crucial step towards India's eventual independence from British rule.
• Option 2 is incorrect as both statements are not false.
• Option 3 is incorrect as statement (A) is true.
• Option 4 is incorrect as statement (B) is true.

During the Later Vedic Age (1000-600 B.C.) the Aryans thoroughly subdued the fertile plains watered by Rivers like: Yamuna, Ganges and Sadanira. It marked extensive burning of forests.

• Muhammad Bin Tughlaq is known for his active interest in experimenting with the coinage.
• According to Barani, the Sultan introduced token currency because the treasury was empty while he needed money to fulfill his schemes of conquest
• According to Barani, the Sultan issued copper coins while Ferishta says that these were of brass or bronze.
• Probably, the Sultan issued coins of both metals.
• Also, the token coin also had inscriptions of its legends in Persian also.
• Muhammad Tughluq introduced beautiful and various types of coins during his reign and fixed up their relative values.
• However, the notable feature of his coinage system was the introduction of token currency and issue of copper and brass coins.
• The Sultan made these token coins legal tenders and kept their value at par with gold and silver coins
• Previously, the copper coin was Jital (Paisa). Now, the Sultan issued Tanka (rupee), a silver coin, also that of copper.

Therefore, we see options (A), (B), and (C) are correct.

Additional Information

• The Sultan for the failure of the scheme. They say that it was a blunder on the part of the Sultan that he did not take proper precaution to check imitation of coins issued by royal mints.
• Those coins, therefore, could be imitated by moderately skilled artisans. Therefore, the citizens began to mint token coins in their houses. In fact, both the Sultan and his subjects were responsible for the failure of this scheme.
• According to Barani, “The house of every Hindu became a mint.”

The correct answer is Mirat-ul-Akbar.

Key Points

Mirat-ul-Akbar

• It was the first Persian Newspaper of India. It was started by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1821.
• It had to cease publication after the imposition of Licensing Regulations, 1823. The acting governor-general, John Adams, who had reactionary views, enacted these regulations.

Additional Information

• Jam-i-Jahan Numah was the first Urdu newspaper in India. It was established in 1822 in Calcutta by Harihar Dutta.
• Sambad Kaumudi was a Bengali weekly by Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
• Rast Goftar was a gujrati newspaper established by Dada Bhai Naoroji in 1854.

Licensing Regulations, 1823

• Licensing Regulations, 1823 was brought by the acting governor-general, John Adams, who had reactionary views.
• Under these regulations, starting or using a press without a license was a penal offense.
• Later on, the Act was extended to cover journals, pamphlets, and books. These restrictions were directed chiefly against Indian language newspapers or those edited by Indians.

The correct answer is S → P → R → Q.

Key Points

• Poona Pact: (1932)
  • Poona Pact signed in the year 1932.
  • The reason for the Poona Pact was the Communal Award of August 1932 which provided a separate electorate for depressed classes.
  • Poona pact signed between Dr. B R Ambedkar and Gandhiji.
  • Poona pact signed on September 24, 1932, at Yerwada Jail in Pune.
  • Madan Mohan Malaviya signed it on behalf of upper-caste Hindus and Gandhi.
  • Ambedkar signed on behalf of depressed classes.
  • The final outcome of Poona pact was 147 electoral seats.
• August Offer: (1940)
  • On 8th August 1940, Lord Linlithgow suggested some measures to get the support of the INC and Muslim League for World War II that is known as August Offer or Linlithgow's offer.
  • Some of the provisions were:
    • Immediate expansion of the Viceroy Executive Council by including more number of Indians.
    • A war advisory council
    • Constitution-making body after the war.
    • All the constitutional agreements in India must take the consensus of the minority community (veto power to the Muslim League).
  • Congress rejected the August Offer as it demanded complete freedom from colonial rule.
• Cripps Mission: (1942)
  • ​The Cripps Mission was constituted by the British government to secure full Indian cooperation and support for their efforts in World War II.
  • The mission was headed by a senior minister Sir Stafford Cripps.
  • It was a failed attempt in late March 1942.
  • Its proposal includes Indian Union with dominion status.
  • India would be free to decide its relations with the Commonwealth.
  • The Hindu Mahasabha rejected the proposal and the Muslim League also rejected it.
• Wavell Plan: (1945)
  • ​Lord Wavell set this plan for resolving the deadlock in Indian politics.
  • It proposed the following provisions:
    • A national executive council of Indian members except for Viceroy and Commander in Chief.
    • Congress and the Muslim League were equally represented.
    • It would act as an interim government.
    • Shimla Conference was held in June 1945 which ended in failure.

A new technique called Pietra dura (inlaid mosaic work) was introduced for the first time under Jahangir. It was used in Itamad-ud-Daul’s tomb for the first time. It was also the basis for Taj Mahal. Jahangir also constructed the tomb of his father at Sikandra near Agra.

The correct answer is Mirat-ul Akhbar.

• Mirat-ul-Akhbar (1823) was the first Persian journal established by Raja Rammohan Roy.

Key Points

• Raja Rammohan Roy was one of the pioneers of the Indian renaissance movement in the late 18th and early 19th century CE.
• He was proficient in Sanskrit, Persian, English and knew Arabic, Latin and Greek.
• In his early years, he was employed by the East India Company.
• He supported the establishment of the Hindu College in Calcutta (1817).
• He started a Bengali weekly newspaper 'Sambad Kaumudi' in 1819.
• He established two organizations:
  • The Atmiya Sabha (1815)
  • The Brahmo Samaj (1828)

Statement 1 is correct as Round Table Conference were series of meetings where British government to consider future constitution of India where Government of India Act 1919 was reviewed in 1927 by Simon Commission at London. The outcome of deliberations was the Government of India Act 1935 which establishes provincial autonomy. Statement 2 is correct as Government of India Act 1935 which was passed by British Parliament in August 1935 made a provision for establishing Federation of India which were made of British India along with princely states.

The rajas who performed big sacrifices were then recognized as being rajas of Janapadas rather than Janas.

• The word Janapada means the land where the Jana set its foot and settled down.
• Archaeologists have excavated several settlements in these Janapadas such as Purana Qila in Delhi, Hastinapura near Meerut, and Atranjikhera near Etah.
• They found that people lived in huts, and kept cattle as well as other animals.
• They also grew a variety of crops such as rice, wheat, barley, pulses, sugarcane, sesame, and mustard.
• They made earthen pots. One special type of pottery found at these sites is known as Painted Grey Ware.

​Thus, all of the statements A, B, C all are true.

The Bhoodan movement (Land Gift movement), also known as the Bloodless Revolution, was a voluntary land reform movement in India.

• It was initiated by Gandhian Vinoba Bhave in 1951 at Pochampally village, Pochampally.

Key Points

• The Bhoodan movement was voluntary and independent from the government.
• The movement had supported the Congress party.

Mistake Points

• The Bhoodan movement was led by Mahatma Gandhi's disciple Vinoba Bhave.

Hence, the Bhoodan movement was voluntary and started to gift lands and was led by Vinoba Bhave. It was supported by the Congress party.

The correct answer is 2.

Key Points

• Pallava Dynasty (275 CE to 897 CE) -
  • The Pallavas were one of the three main dynasties to rule south India from ancient times.
  • The Pallavas were a great south Indian dynasty that ruled between the 3rd century CE until their final decline in the 9th century CE.
  • Their capital was Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. their origins are not clearly known. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • However, it is surmised that they were Yadavas and they probably were feudatories of Satavahanas.
  • Pallavas started their rule from Krishna river valley, known today as Palnadu, and subsequently spread to southern Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu.
  • Pallavas and Pandyas dominated the southern regions of South India between the 6th and the 9th centuries CE.
• Imperial Cholas (Period from 850 – 1200 CE):
  • The Cholas are believed to have overthrown the Pallavas in south India. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
  • They became prominent in the 9th century and established an empire comprising the major portion of South India.
  • They also extended their control in Sri Lanka and the Malay peninsula and are thus called ‘Imperial Cholas’.
  • Thousands of inscriptions found in the temples provide detailed information regarding the administration, society, economy and culture of the Chola period.
  • The founder of the Imperial Chola line was Vijayala.
• Chalukyas of Badami (543 to 757 CE and again from about 975 to about 1189) -
  • One of the first kings of the Chalukyan dynasty was Pulakeshin I.
  • He ruled from Badami in Karnataka. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
  • His son Pulakeshin II became the king of the Chalukyan Empire in 610 CE and ruled until 642 CE.
  • Pulakeshin II is most remembered for the battle he fought and won against Emperor Harshavardhana in 637 CE.
  • He also defeated the Pallava king Mahendravarman I.
  • The Chalukyas created the Chalukyan style of architecture. Great monuments were built in Pattadakal, Aihole and Badami.
• Kakatiya dynasty (between 12th and 14th centuries) -
  • The Kakatiya dynasty was a South Indian dynasty that ruled most of the eastern Deccan region comprising present-day Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and parts of eastern Karnataka and southern Odisha between the 12th and 14th centuries.
  • Their capital was Orugallu now known as Warangal. Hence, statement 4 is not correct.
  • The early medieval period saw the rise of Islam in South India. The defeat of the Kakatiya dynasty of Warangal by the forces of the Delhi Sultanate in 1323 CE.
• Hoysala Empire (from about 1006 to about 1346 AD) -
  • The Hoysala Empire was a Kannadiga power originating from the Indian subcontinent that ruled most of what is now Karnataka, India between the 10th and the 14th centuries.
  • The capital of the Hoysalas was initially located at Belur but was later moved to Halebidu. Hence, statement 5 is not correct.
  • The Hoysala rulers were originally from Malenadu, an elevated region in the Western Ghats.

The correct answer is William Hodson.

Important Points

• During the 1857 Sepoy mutiny, the Moghul emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar was arrested by Major William Hodson.

Key

• Bahadur Shah II, better known as Bahadur Shah Zafar, was crowned the emperor of Delhi on 28 September 1837.
  • The Sepoy Mutiny broke out in 1857 and the sepoys rallied around the emperor.
  • Although he was practically powerless, the rebels rallied around him and he was made the figurehead of the rebellion.
  • Major William Hodson arrested him on 20 September 1857.
  • He was tried at the Red Fort.
  • The trial concluded on 9 March 1858 and he was sentenced to be deported on account of his involvement in the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.
  • He was deported to Burma where he died in 1862.

The answer is (b), (c), and (d) only.

Key Points

(b) Strong Center in Federal System: The Indian Constitution adopts a federal system with a strong central government. While states have some autonomy, the central government holds significant power, especially in times of emergencies or national security concerns. This was seen as necessary to maintain national unity and address issues like defense or economic planning effectively.

(c) Opposition to Ambedkar's Ideas: Though the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, Ambedkar's ideas faced opposition from various sections of the Constituent Assembly. This included debates on the nature of the Indian state, the role of religion, and the extent of social and economic rights.

(d) Justiciable Fundamental Rights: The Constitution enshrines Fundamental Rights as justiciable rights, meaning individuals can approach the courts to enforce these rights if they are violated. This was a crucial aspect of protecting individual liberties and ensuring a check on the power of the state.

Additional Information

• Socialist Economy: While Ambedkar advocated for social justice and economic equality, the Constitution did not adopt a specific economic model like socialism. It left the framework for economic policy flexible to be determined by future governments.
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a scholar and activist, was a champion for equality in India.
• Born into an "untouchable" caste, he faced discrimination throughout his life.
• Despite this, he achieved great academic success and fought against the caste system.
• As the chairman of the drafting committee, Ambedkar played a pivotal role in shaping India's Constitution, enshrining fundamental rights and safeguards for minorities.
• He is remembered as a fighter for social justice and the "Father of the Indian Constitution."

Among the given options, Equality with their English counterparts is not true regarding the grievances of the sepoys in East India Company's Army.

Important Points

• The sepoys in the East India Company's army had a number of grievances, which led to the Revolt of 1857.
• Some of the grievances of the sepoys in East India Company's Army were:
  • ​Unsatisfactory service conditions
  • Encroachment on religious matters
  • Offences against their dignity and self-respect
  • Low salary scale compared to their English counterparts
  • Discrimination in matters of promotion and pension
• In the guise of enforcing discipline, the British authorities prohibited the Hindus and the Muslim sepoys displaying their religious marks.

• The Indian soldiers were also forced to go for the military expeditions to other countries like Burma and Afghanistan.

Based on the above discussion, we can conclude that 'Equality with their English counterparts' is not true regarding the grievances of the sepoys in East India Company's Army.

An Indian could have reached up to the rank of 'Subedar' in East India Company's army.

Key Points

• The sepoys in East India Company's Army had a strong resentment, as their salary scale was very low compared to their English counterparts.
• There was discrimination in matters of promotion and pension also.
• All higher positions in employment were reserved for the British, irrespective of their performance.
• The higher posts, such as officers and generals, were reserved only for the Britishers.

• The Indian soldiers were not allowed to rise above the rank of a subedar.

Hence, the correct answer is - Subedar.

The correct answer is Number of ploughs.

Key Points

• Number of ploughs systems of levying land revenue in Deccan was prevalent during the reign of Akbar.
• A major extension of the Zabt system occurred in the later years of Shahjahan's reign when it was established in the Deccan by Murshid Quill Khan.
• Zabt system was applied in northern India and in Malwa and parts of Gujarat.
• It was framed during the Mughal period and was prevalent in Akbar's period.
• It was a new land measurement system.
• The ploughed/sown area is measured by bamboos which are attached to iron rings.
• It is also called Todar Mal's Bandobast.
• The land was divided into 4 categories in this system
  • Poolaj
  • Parauti
  • Chachar
  • Banjar
• Another land revenue system developed by Akbar was - Ghallabakshi and Kankut in which the produce was divided between the state and the peasants in a fixed proportion.
• When the crops were ruined due to natural calamity, peasants could choose between Ghallabakshi or Zabti system.​

The correct answer is Narasimhavarman II.

Key Points

• Pallava king Narsimhavarman II built Shore temple at Mamallapuram and Kailasanathar at Kanchipuram.
• Pallava Dynasty:
  • Kalabhras ruled for 250 years after Sangam Age in Tamil country.
  • The Pallava dynasty is situated in Tondaimandalam and the capital at Kanchipuram.The
  • Source of Pallava was disputed while many consider them to be natives.
  • They Issued earlier inscriptions in Sanskrit & Prakrit & patronized Brahmanism.
  • Samundragupta was defeated by Vishnugopa in his Southern expedition.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay.

• Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay was a freedom fighter, social reformer, and was the driving force behind the renaissance of Indian handicrafts, handlooms, and theatre in post-independence India.
• Kamaladevi was part of Gandhi’s salt satyagraha and was arrested for trying to sell contraband salt in the Bombay Stock Exchange.
  • She was imprisoned for almost one year.
• She was a feminist of her age and even spoke against Gandhi’s stance of not including women in the Dandi March.

Important Points

The correct answer is 1, 2 and 3.

Key Points

Who are Paikas?

• Recruited since the 16th century by kings in Odisha from a variety of social groups to render martial services in return for rent-free land (nish-kar jagirs) and titles.
• They were the traditional land-owning militia of Odisha and served as warriors. Hence statement 1 is correct.

How did the rebellion begin?

• When armies of the East India Company overran most of Odisha in 1803, the Raja of Khurda lost his primacy and the power and prestige of the Paikas went on a decline. So, they rebelled back. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• The British were not comfortable with these aggressive, warlike new subjects and set up a commission under Walter Ewer to look into the issue.
• The commission recommended that the hereditary rent-free lands granted to the Paikas be taken over by the British administration and this recommendation was zealously adhered to. They revolted against the British. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar Mohapatra Bharamarbar Rai, the highest-ranking military general of King Khorda Mukund Dev II, led the Paikas to join the uprising.
• However, the rebellion also had several other underlying causes – like the rise in the price of salt, abolition of the cowrie currency for payment of taxes and an overtly extortionist land revenue policy.

Outcome:

• Although initially, the Company struggled to respond they managed to put down the rebellion by May 1817. Many of the Paik leaders were hanged or deported. Jagabandhu surrendered in 1825.

Nationalist movement or a peasant rebellion?

• The Paika Rebellion is one of the peasant rebellions that took place in India when the British East India Company was expanding its military enterprise. Because these uprisings violently clashed with European colonialists and missionaries on many occasions, their resistance is sometimes seen as the first expression of resistance against colonial rule — and therefore considered to be “nationalist” in nature.”

Important Points

• Union Culture Minister recently made the following recommendation regarding the Paika Rebellion:
• “The 1817 Paika rebellion of Odisha could not be called the first war of Independence, but considering it as the beginning of a popular uprising against the British, it would be included as a case study in the Class 8 National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) history textbook.”

The correct chronological order is ii, iv, i and iii.Key Points

• Sthaviravadins and Mahasanghikas:
  • These are two early Buddhist schools that emerged within the Buddhist community shortly after Buddha's parinirvana.
  • The Sthaviravadins, also known as the Elders or Theravadins, held a conservative stance and emphasized the original teachings of the Buddha.
  • The Mahasanghikas, on the other hand, took a more liberal approach and introduced new doctrines and practices.
  • The Mahasanghikas emerged first, followed by the Sthaviravadins, so the correct order is ii, iv.
• Sarvastivadins:
  • The Sarvastivadins were another important Buddhist school that emerged during the third Buddhist council held in the 3rd century BCE.
  • They were known for their belief in the existence of dharmas (phenomenal entities) and held the doctrine of "sarvastivada," which means "all is real."
  • The Sarvastivadins developed after the Sthaviravadins, so they come after them in chronological order.
• Hinayanists and Mahayanists:
  • This division occurred after the Buddha's death and represents a difference in interpretation and practice within Buddhism.
  • The Hinayana (also known as Theravada) tradition emphasizes personal liberation and individual enlightenment, while the Mahayana tradition focuses on the Bodhisattva ideal and the aspiration to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.
  • The Mahayana tradition emerged later than the Hinayana tradition, so it comes after it in chronological order.
• Vajrayanists:
  • Vajrayana, also known as Tantric or Esoteric Buddhism, is a later development within the Mahayana tradition.
  • It emerged around the 5th to 7th centuries CE and is characterized by its emphasis on esoteric practices, rituals, and the use of mantras and visualizations to attain enlightenment swiftly.

  • Vajrayana Buddhism came after the Hinayana and Mahayana traditions, so it is the last in chronological order.

Hence we conclude that the correct chronological order is ii, iv, i and iii.

Ellora  is one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is situated in Maharashtra , India.

All Ellora monuments were built by Hindu dynasties, such as the Rashtrakuta dynasty, who built some of the Hindu and Buddhist group of caves, and Yadav dynasty who built some of the Jain group of caves. These caves belong to 6th to 10th century A.D. The site presents monuments and artwork of Buddhism ,Hinduism and Jainism.  

Out of 34 caves carved out of Charanandari Caves, 12 are Buddhist caves, 17 are Hindu caves and 5 are Jain caves.

Cave 16 of Ellora features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world, i.e., the Kailasha temple , a chariot shaped monument dedicated to Shiva.

Pandyas:

• The kingdom belongs to the Sangam Period. (200 B.C. to 300 A.D.)
• The first time it was mentioned by Megasthenes (not Fa-Hien). Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• Pandyas were celebrated for pearls.
• Some evidence of Matriarchal Influence in the Pandya society. Megesthenes described the Pandya queen at the time, Pandaria as the daughter of Herakles.
• The territory occupied the Southernmost and Southeastern portions of the Indian Peninsula.
• It had its capital at Madurai.
• Sangam literature refers to the Pandyan rulers but it doesn’t give any connected account.
• The Pandyan Kings profited from trade with the Roman empire and sent embassies to the Roman emperor Augustus. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The Brahmins enjoyed considerable influence, and the Pandyas king performed Vedic sacrifices in the early centuries of the Christian era.
• Accordingly, option B is correct.

The correct answer is A - (2), B - (1), C - (4), D - (3)Key Points

• Jaunpur city - Firoz Shah Tughlaq.
• Agra city - Sikandhar Lodhi.
• Atala Masjid - Zarahim Sharqi.
• Lal Darwaja - Hussain Shah Sharqi.

Additional Information

• Sikandar Khan Lodhi(1489-1457 AD)
  • From 1489 to 1517, Sikandar Khan Lodi also referred to as Nizam Khan, ruled the Delhi Sultanate.
  • He ascended the throne after his father, Bahlol Lodhi in 1489.
  • He built the city of Agra and shifted its capital from Delhi to Agra.
  • The biggest achievement of Sikandar Lodhi was an invasion of Bihar.
• Firoz Shah Tughlaq(c. 1351 - 1388 AD)
  • He was a Delhi Sultan from the Tughlaq dynasty, coronated at the age of 46 years at Daulatabad Fort after the death of Mohammad Bin Tughlaq.
  • He attacked Sindh several times and occupied it.
  • He appointed Khan-i-Jahan Maqbal, a Telugu Brahmin convert as wazir also known as Prime Minister.
• Hussain Shah Sharqi(1458-1505 AD)
  • He ascended the throne of Jaunpur Kingdom after his father, Sultan Mahmud Shah Sharqi in 1458 AD and ruled till 1505.
  • Etawah, a town on the bank of the Yamuna River was a source of friction between the Sharqis and the Lodhis, subdued by Hussain Sharqi.
  • He invented a hybrid raga called Zunglah, combining indigenous and Perso-arab scales.

The correct answer is 2 only.
Key-Points

• Congress captured 57 out of 102 seats in the Central Assembly. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• Muslim league got 86.6 percent of the Muslim votes. It captured the 30 reserved seats in the Central Assembly. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• In the provincial elections, it got a majority in Bengal and Sindh only. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Additional Information

Elections of 1945-46

• Performance of Congress
  • It got 91 percent of non-Muslim votes.
  • It captured 57 out of 102 seats in the Central Assembly.
  • In the provincial elections, it got a majority in most provinces except in Bengal, Sindh, and Punjab.
  • The Congress majority provinces included the NWFP and Assam which were being claimed for Pakistan.
• Performance of Muslim League
  • It got 86.6 percent of the Muslim votes.
  • It captured the 30 reserved seats in the Central Assembly.
  • In the provincial elections, it got a majority in Bengal and Sindh.
  • Unlike in 1937, now the League clearly established itself as the dominant party among Muslims.

Indian National Army (INA)

• In 1939, Subash Chandra Bose resigned from the congress and organized Forward Bloc for a more vigorous national struggle.
• The government first imprisoned him, and thereafter kept him confined to his house under close watch. In 1941, Subash Chandra Bose escaped from India to the Soviet Union for help.
• Later the Soviet Union joined hands with its allies. This made Bose escape to Germany. In 1943 he reached Japan and organize an armed struggle against British rule with Japanese help.
• In 1942 Capitan Mohan Singh formed INA comprising the captured Indian soldiers along with the Indian Independence league of Rash Bihari Bose.
• This first INA collapsed and was disbanded in December that year after differences between the INA leadership (Mohan Singh) and the Japanese military over its role in Japan’s war in Asia.
• It was revived under the leadership of Subhash Chandra Bose after his arrival in Southeast Asia in 1943.
• In July, at a meeting in Singapore, Rash Behari Bose handed over control of the organization to Subhas Chandra Bose.
• In 1944 the INA tried to invade India through Imphal and Kohima but the campaign failed. The INA members were imprisoned and tried. People across the country, from all walks of life, participated in the movement against the INA trials.

Rebellion by Naval Ratings

• On February 18, 1946, some 1100 Royal Indian Navy (RIN) ratings of HMIS Talwar went on a strike to protest against
  • racial discrimination (demanding equal pay for Indian and white soldiers)
  • unpalatable food
  • abuse by superior officers
  • the arrest of a rating for scrawling ‘Quit India’ on HMIS Talwar
  • INA trials
  • use of Indian troops in Indonesia, demanding their withdrawal.
• The rebellious ratings hoisted the tricolor, crescent, and the hammer and sickle flags on the mast of the rebel fleet. Other ratings soon joined and they went around Bombay in lorries holding Congress flags threatening Europeans and policemen. Crowds brought food to the ratings and shop- keepers invited them to take whatever they needed.
• Patel and Jinnah persuaded the ratings to surrender on February 23 with an assurance that national parties would prevent any victimization.

Solution:

Music in the Mughal Period (1526-1856 CE):

• Indian classical music entered a rich and productive phase during this period.
• The emergence of new forms of music such as Ghazal and patronization to forms of Dhrupad by Mughal emperors led to the growth in the popularity of music. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Abul Fazl gave a summary of the theory of Indian music in his Aín-i-Akbari records the names of 36 masters of vocal and instrumental music employed by Akbar, Tansen being one of them.
• Dhrupad began to be the favoured musical composition, of which Nayak Bakhshu was the master.
• Mughal miniature paintings give evidence that music was used in Mughal courts. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The emphasis of the Mughal court had shifted from Central Asian to Indian music. A Baburnama painting shows Babur celebrating Humayun’s birth in Kabul. In this, four men and three women are shown playing different instruments.
• Another painting in Padshahnama, a celebration of Shah Jahan’s birthday is portrayed in which men can be seen playing diverse instruments, and some men are shown singing.
• Khayal developed as a new form of music, originated by Amir Khusrau.
• Accordingly, option (c) is correct.

The correct answer is 2 and 3 only.

Key Points

The All India Kisan Congress/Sabha:

• It is a peasant front working for the rights of the farmers and the anti-feudal movement in India.
• It was founded in April 1936 at the Indian National Congress (INC) Lucknow Session as the All India Kisan Congress.
• The All India Kisan Sabha was founded by Swami Sahjanand Saraswati as president and N.G. Ranga as general secretary. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
• After the split of the Communist Party of India in 1964, the front was also divided into two — All India Kisan Sabha (CPI) and All India Kisan Sabha (CPI-M; Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Sabha).
• All India Kisan Sabha is also known as ‘Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Sabha.’ Hence statement 3 is correct.
• The motives of the All India Kisan Sabha were:
  • To abolish the Zamindari system,
  • To reduce land revenue,
  • To institutionalize credit.
• A Kisan manifesto was issued, and a periodical under Indulal Yagnik started.
• The AIKS and the Congress held their sessions in Faizpur in 1936.
• The AIKS agenda strongly influenced the Congress manifesto (especially the agrarian policy) for the 1937 provincial elections. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• The All India Kisan Sabha has been a famous peasant struggle that started in the 20th Century against the Zamindari System.

By the 7th century, Mahabalipuram was a port city of the South Indian dynasty of the Pallavas. 

Most monuments at Mahabalipuram are rock-cut and monolithic.

Panch Rathas (Five Chariots) - Each of the five monuments in the Panch Rathas complex resembles a chariot (Rathas), and each one is carved over a single, long stone (monolith) of granite which slopes in north-south direction with a slight incline. Though sometimes mistakenly referred to as temples, the structures were never consecrated because they were never completed due to the death of Narasimhavarman I.

Look closely at these Rathas reveals that there used to be a school of young sculptors as each Ratha had been carved in a different style.