UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2025: History | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Answer: (c)
The 'Dancing Girl' figurine from Mohenjo-daro, a masterpiece of Indus Valley art, is crafted from bronze using the lost-wax casting technique.

Answer: (d) Lahore
Vishnu Digambar Paluskar founded the first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in Lahore in 1901, a key milestone in formalizing Indian music education to preserve and promote classical music traditions.

Answer: (a)
Statement I: Correct
Congress at Nagpur (1920) aimed for Swaraj through legitimate, peaceful means.
Statement II: Incorrect
The Non-Cooperation Movement had a phased approach, but conditions for civil disobedience and tax non-payment were not strictly tied to Swaraj's delay or government repression; Gandhi retained discretion over civil disobedience.

Answer: (c)
Statement I: Correct 
Boycott of law courts and foreign cloth was central to the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Statement II: Correct
Gandhi emphasized strict non-violence during the movement.
Statement III: Incorrect
The programme required surrendering, not retaining, British titles and honours.
Statement IV: Correct
Establishing Panchayats for local dispute resolution was promoted.

Answer: (a)
Post-Poona Pact (1932) with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Gandhi prioritized Harijan upliftment, opposing the British Communal Award’s separate electorates for Depressed Classes. He founded the Harijan Sevak Sangh and launched the 'Harijan' journal to combat untouchability.

Answer: (c)

Statement I: Correct
Raja Ram Mohan Roy respected Indian traditions, particularly Vedanta, while advocating for their reform to align with modern values.

Statement II: Correct
He promoted rationalism, scientific thinking, and social equality, emphasizing equal rights for men and women.

Answer: (a)
The Self-Respect Movement, launched in 1925, sought to eliminate caste hierarchies and foster social equality, particularly for non-Brahmin communities in Tamil Nadu. Its founder aimed to combat caste oppression while advocating for rationalism and equality.

Answer: (b)
Following the 1922 Chauri Chaura incident, numerous arrests led to harsh punishments, including death sentences. Madan Mohan Malaviya and his son Krishna Kant provided legal defense, significantly reducing sentences and saving many from execution.

Answer: (b)
During the 1930 Salt Satyagraha, Gandhi declared "Sedition has become my religion" after defying British authority by publicly breaking the Salt Law at Dandi, symbolizing non-violent resistance.

Answer: (c)
Papaya, pineapple, and guava, originally from the Americas, were introduced to India by Portuguese explorers during European colonial expansion. Papaya and guava, native to Central America, arrived in the 16th and 17th centuries, respectively, while pineapple, from South America, was also brought by the Portuguese.

Answer: (b)
Fa-hien, a Chinese Buddhist pilgrim, visited India during Chandragupta II’s reign in the early 5th century CE to study Buddhism and collect texts. His accounts offer insights into Gupta India’s society, administration, and Buddhist practices. Other listed rulers do not match this period.

Answer: (b)
I. Asmaka: Godavari – Correct, as Asmaka was a Mahajanapada on the Godavari river in the Deccan. 
II. Kamboja: Vipas – Incorrect, as Kamboja was in north-western India, not near the Vipas (Beas) river in Punjab. 
III. Avanti: Mahanadi – Incorrect, as Avanti, centered in Ujjain, was associated with the Kshipra river, not Mahanadi. 
IV. Kosala: Sarayu – Correct, as Kosala, in eastern Uttar Pradesh, was located along the Sarayu river.

Answer: (b)
Ashokan inscriptions describe 'Pradesika' as district administrators, 'Rajuka' as officials overseeing revenue and judicial matters, and 'Yukta' as subordinate officials handling administration and record-keeping at the district level.

Answer: (c)
Rajendra Chola I, succeeding Rajaraja I, launched a naval expedition against Srivijaya around 1025 CE, targeting the maritime empire in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Java to secure Chola trade route dominance. Other rulers—Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta), Prataparudra (Kakatiya), and Vishnuvardhana (Hoysala)—did not campaign against Srivijaya, focusing instead on regional Deccan or South Indian affairs.

Answer: (a)
Mahendravarman I, a 7th-century Pallava king, was renowned for literary and artistic patronage, taking titles like ‘Mattavilasa’ (lover of playful sport), ‘Vichitrachitta’ (curious-minded), and ‘Gunabharata’ (full of virtues). He wrote the Sanskrit play Mattavilasa Prahasana. Other listed rulers did not use these titles.

Answer: (b)
The Araghatta, an ancient Indian irrigation tool, was a large wheel with earthen pots attached to its rim. Rotated by animals or humans, it scooped water from a source and lifted it for irrigation, distinct from hand-pulled leather bags or buckets, showcasing early mechanical water-lifting technology.