History: CUET Mock Test - 2 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

Pali canon, also called Tipitaka (Pali: “Triple Basket”) or Tripitaka (Sanskrit), the complete canon, first recorded in Pali, of the Theravada (“Way of the Elders”) branch of Buddhism. 

The correct answer is 1 only
The idea of the INA was first conceived in Malaya by Mohan Singh. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

• An Indian officer of the British Indian Army when he decided not to join the retreating British army and instead went to the Japanese for help.
• Indian prisoners of war were handed over by the Japanese to Mohan Singh who then tried to recruit them into an Indian National Army. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The fall of Singapore was crucial, for this brought 45,000 Indian POWs into Mohan Singh’s sphere of influence.
• Subhash Chandra Bose revived the army when he went to Singapore and set up the provisional government of Free India on 21 October 1943.
  • The provisional government then declared war on Britain and the United States and was recognized by the Axis powers and their satellites.
  • Subhas Bose set up two INA headquarters, in Rangoon and in Singapore, and began to reorganize the INA.
• Recruits were sought from civilians, funds were gathered, and even a women’s regiment called the Rani Jhansi regiment was formed.
• One INA battalion commanded by Shah Nawaz was allowed to accompany the Japanese Army to the Indo-Burma front and participate in the Imphal campaign.
• But the discriminatory treatment which included being denied rations, arms and being made to do menial work for the Japanese units, completely demoralized the INA men.
• The failure of the Imphal campaign and the steady Japanese retreat thereafter quashed any hopes of the INA liberating the nation.

Positive outcomes of Swadeshi Movement:

• The social base of the movement expanded to include certain sections of the zamindari, the students, the women, and the lower middle classes in cities and towns. Hence, option A is correct.
• In this national Movement, diverse ideas became visible. Eg.
  • From conservative moderation to political extremism.
  • From revolutionary activities to incipient socialism.
  • From petitions and prayers to passive resistance and non-cooperation emerged during the Swadeshi Movement.
  • Hence, option B is correct.
• The richness of the movement was not confined to the political sphere, but it also encompassed art, literature, science, and industry. Hence, option C is correct. Eg. Rabindranath Tagore’s Geetanjali novel got the Nobel Prize in literature. Hence, option C is correct.
• People now had learned to take bold political positions and participate in new forms of political work.
• The swadeshi campaign undermined the hegemony of colonial ideas and institutions.
• The future struggles got help from this experience gained.
• However, the Swadeshi Movement failed to create an effective organization or a party structure. It was the limitation of this movement. Because there were a lot of skirmishes on the internal matters of the party. Eg. The Surat split of 1907 was an ill effect of it. Hence, option D is not correct.

The correct answer is 1931.

• Second Round Table Conference:
  • It was held in London from 7th September 1931 to 1st December 1931.
  • British delegates belonging to various political parties including the British Prime Minister, James Ramsay Macdonald.
  • Indian princely states are represented by Maharajas, princes and divans.
  • British Indians were represented by Indian National Congress (INC) Mahatma Gandhi, Rangaswami Iyengar, Madan Mohan Malaviya, Muslims by Md. Ali Jinnah, Aga Khan III, Muhammad Iqbal, etc. Hindus by M R Jayakar, etc., Depressed classes by Dr B R

• First Round Table Conference:
  • It was held in 1930.
  • Political leaders from British India, delegates from the native princely states, delegates from the three British political parties.
  • The Indian National Congress does not participate in the conference as many of the INC leaders were imprisoned due to their involvement in the civil disobedience movement.
  • The First Round Table Conference lasted till 19th January 1931.
  • Although many principles of reforms were agreed upon, not much was implemented and the Congress Party carried on its civil disobedience.
  • The Conference was regarded as a failure.
• Third Round Table Conference:
  • It was held between 17th November 1932 and 24th December 1932.
  • Only 46 delegates in total took part in this conference.
  • The INC and the Labour Party decided not to attend it.
  • Indian princely states were represented by princes and divans.
  • British Indians were represented by the Aga Khan (Muslims), Depressed classes of women, Europeans, Anglo-Indians and Labour groups.

Reign of rule from first to last:

• Qutub-ud-din Aibak (1206-1210):
  • ​Qutub-ud-din Aibak became the first Sultan of Delhi in 1206 AD.
  • He was in charge of the Ghurid territories and later became the ruler of the Delhi Sultanate ruled by the Mamluk Dynasty.
  • His reign was from June 25, 1206, to December 1, 1210.
  • He is known for commissioning the Qutub Minar in Delhi.
  • Mamluk Dynasty (Slave Dynasty) was the first dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.
• Iltutmish (1211-1236):
  • ​He completed the famous Qutab Minar in Delhi.
  • He shifted his capital from Lahore to Delhi.
  • The Mongol policy of Iltutmish saved India from the wrath of Ghengis Khan.
  • ​He was the real founder of the Delhi sultanate.
  • He ruled from 1211 to 1236 AD.
  • He introduces the Iqta system and made it hereditary.
  • He also introduces Chalisa (a group of 40 noble people).
  • He introduces two coins:
    • Silver coin - Taka
    • Copper coin - Jital
• Razia Sultan (1236-1240):​
  • She was the first female ruler of India.
  • Her term was full of revolts.
  • On October 13, 1240, she was killed by her kin.
• Masud Shah (1242-1246):
  • Ala ud-Din Masud was the seventh sultan of the dynasty.
  • He was more of a puppet for the chiefs and did not actually have much power or influence in the government.
  • Instead, he became infamous for his fondness for entertainment and wine.
  • Like his predecessor, he was considered incompetent and worthless.
• Ghiyasuddin Balban (1266-1287):
  • ​He was the greatest ruler of the Slave dynasty.
  • Balban started the rigorous court discipline and new customs called Paibos (prostration and kissing the Sultan's feet) to prove his superiority over the nobles.
  • He broke the power of forty, Turkish nobles, who were the real threat to the monarchy.
  • His tomb is located in Mehrauli, Delhi.

Key Points

• Banawali, situated in what is now Haryana, India, was an important site in the Indus Valley Civilization, known for its unique town planning that differed from the grid pattern found in other Harappan cities.
• The discovery of plough models here, alongside other finds like granaries, suggests that Banawali was a significant agricultural center.
• The terracotta models of ploughs found at Banawali not only underscore the technological and agricultural development of the Indus Valley Civilization but also contribute to our understanding of their societal priorities and the complexity of their economy.

• Mohenjo-Daro, one of the most prominent archaeological sites of the Indus Valley Civilization, located in present-day Pakistan, is known for its advanced urban planning, architecture, and sophisticated drainage systems.
• It was one of the largest city-settlements of the civilization and is famous for significant structures such as the Great Bath, various large granaries, and residential complexes.
• However, terracotta models of the plough have not been specifically noted as discoveries at this site. The absence of such models at Mohenjo-Daro does not negate the possibility of agricultural practices being integral to the society; it merely reflects the variety of artifacts discovered across different locations of this diverse and widespread civilization.
• Dholavira, located in the present-day Indian state of Gujarat, is another remarkable site of the Indus Valley Civilization, known for its unique water conservation systems and impressive urban planning.
• Dholavira showcases sophisticated engineering, including reservoirs, stepwells, and intricate drainage systems, highlighting a deep understanding of water management. It also presents evidence of an advanced system of signage with one of the earliest examples of written language.
• While Dholavira provides critical insights into the civilization's technological and urban advancements, terracotta models of the plough have not been reported as findings here, making it an incorrect option regarding the specific context of plough models.
• Located in the modern state of Gujarat, India, Lothal stands out for having one of the world's earliest known ports, indicating the Harappan peoples' maritime trade capability.
• This site is particularly noted for its expertly designed dockyard, warehouse structures, and a sophisticated urban layout. Lothal also provides evidence of bead-making, metallurgy, and other crafts, showcasing the technological prowess and trade practices of the Indus Valley Civilization.
• While Lothal has yielded a wealth of information on urban and economic activities, including trade and craftsmanship, terracotta models of the plough have not been found here, making it an incorrect selection for the specific detail asked.

Key Points

• The site of Shortughai in Afghanistan is primarily known for sourcing Lapis Lazuli for craft production.
• Shortughai was a Harappan trading colony situated near the source of lapis lazuli mines in the Badakhshan region of northeastern Afghanistan.
• This precious blue stone was highly valued by the Harappan civilization and was used in various luxury items and jewelry, indicative of trade and cultural exchange between the ancient civilization of the Indus Valley and distant regions.

Additional Information

• The Harappan civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, was well known for its advanced urban planning, architecture, and social organization.
• It flourished around 2600–1900 BCE in the western part of South Asia.
• One of the remarkable aspects of this civilization was its extensive trade network, both within the Indian subcontinent and with distant regions.
• Shortughai, located in present-day Afghanistan, was an important outpost for the Harappan civilization, primarily because it was near sources of lapis lazuli, a semi-precious stone prized for its intense blue color.
• Lapis lazuli was not available in the regions of the main Harappan sites, making Shortughai a crucial trade and craft production center.

Key Points

• (E) M.S. Vats begins excavations at Harappa.
• M.S. Vats started his work at Harappa in the 1940s, publishing results into the 1950s.
• (D) R.E.M. Wheeler excavates at Harappa.
• R.E.M. Wheeler's excavation at Harappa took place in 1946, where he introduced new excavation techniques and interpreted the Indus Civilization with a more systematic approach.
• (A) S.R. Rao begins excavations at Lothal.
• S.R. Rao's excavation at Lothal, a site that showed evidence of an ancient dockyard, began in 1955.
• (C) B.B. Lal excavates at Kalibangan
• B.B. Lal's work at Kalibangan, which revealed evidence of pre-Harappan and Harappan cultures, started in 1961.
• (B) R.S. Bisht begins excavations at Dholavira.
• R.S. Bisht's extensive excavation at Dholavira, one of the most prominent Harappan sites revealing the city's sophisticated water management systems, began in 1989-90.
• Therefore the correct chronology is (E), (D), (A), (C), (B)

Key Points

• (B) Evidence of ploughed field have been found at Kalibangan: Kalibangan, one of the major Harappan sites, provided the earliest evidence of plowed agricultural fields, indicating an advanced understanding of farming techniques and crop cultivation.
• (D) Water reservoirs have been found in Dholavira: Dholavira is known for its sophisticated water management systems, including reservoirs.
• These were crucial in harnessing and storing water in the arid landscape, showing an advanced understanding of hydraulic engineering.
• (E) Mohenjodaro has been identified as a planned Urban Centre: Mohenjo-Daro is indeed recognized as a meticulously planned city, with a grid layout, advanced drainage systems, and remarkable public buildings like the Great Bath, illustrating the Harappans' urban planning and architectural prowess.

Additional Information

• (A) Animals were not domesticated in Harappan culture: This statement is false.
• Evidence from various Harappan sites indicates that animals such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, and even elephants were domesticated.
• These animals were integral to the agricultural and economic life of the Harappan people.
• (C) Traces of canals have been found in Punjab and Sind: This statement is a bit contentious as the evidence for large-scale canal irrigation during the Harappan period remains a subject of debate among scholars.
• While there is evidence of sophisticated water management and hydraulic engineering, the existence of canal irrigation systems is less clear and remains speculative.

Key Points

• Chanhudaro was one of the significant centres of the Indus Valley Civilization known for its bead-making industry.
• Artisans here were skilled in crafting beads from various materials, indicative of the advanced craft specialization in urban centers of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization.
• Khetri Copper mines are located in the Khetri region of Rajasthan, India. It has historical significance as a source of copper.
• In ancient and medieval India, regions like Khetri were crucial for supplying the metal for tools, weapons, and also for various art forms, reflecting the socio-economic activities of those times centered around metal extraction and trade.
• Bharuch was an ancient port city located near the Narmada river's mouth, which played a significant role in maritime trade.
• It was noted for trading in shell objects among various other commodities.
• Shell items were significant for ornamental purposes and as tools, indicating a vibrant trade network across regions, connecting hinterland craft centers with coastal trades.
• Nageshwar and nearby regions were notable for their carnelian bead-making industry.
• Carnelian, a semi-precious stone, was highly valued in the Harappan Civilization.
• Artisans skillfully fashioned these stones into beautiful beads, showcasing the advanced lapidary techniques of the time, which were then traded over vast areas.

Mahatma Gandhi advocated the use of Hindustani as the national language. Hindustani was a blend of Hindi and Urdu that emerged as a major language in North and West
India during the 20th century.

The kingdom of Vijayanagar was founded by Harihara and Bukka, two of five brothers (surnamed Sangama) who had served in the administrations of both Kakatiya and Kampili before those kingdoms were conquered by the armies of the Delhi sultanate in the 1320s.

Al-Biruni faced following barriers:
(i) Problems of Language: He mentioned that Sanskrit was so different from Arabic and Persian.
(ii) Ideas and concept could not be easily translated from one language.
(iii) Difference in religious beliefs and practices: He belongs to Muslim community and his religious beliefs and his practices were quiet different from India.
(iv) Self absorption and insularity of the local population. According to him, the third barrier was the isolation policy of the Indians.
(v) Brahmanical works on which he was depended. Vedas, Purans, Bhagvad Gita Manusmriti, Dharamshastras, writing of Patanjali.
So, slavery in east was not a barrier according to his note.

In Ancient India, a shreni (Sanskrit: श्रेणि, romanized: śreṇi or श्रेणी śreṇī, Prakrit: seni) was an association of traders, merchants, and artisans. Generally, a separate shreni existed for a particular group of persons engaged in the same vocation or activity. Shrenis have sometimes been compared with the guilds.

The Mauryan Empire's first leader, Chandragupta Maurya, started consolidating land as Alexander the Great's power began to wane. Alexander's death in 323 B.C.E.

Of the four extant Dharmasastras, Manusmriti, Yajnavalkya Smriti and Narada Smriti are the most important surviving texts.

Ibn Batutta remained in India from 1334-1341 during the reign of Mohammad bin Tughlaq in Delhi.

The correct option is C Officers appointed by Ashoka to preach Dhamma
Ashoka appointed officials known as Dhamma Mahamatta. They travelled to different places in the empire and preached Dhamma to the subjects.

Indra was not worshipped by the Harappans. Indra is a prominent deity in the Vedic religion, which emerged after the Harappan civilization. The Harappans are known to have worshipped natural elements and deities like Pashupatinath and a Mother Goddess, but not in the structured way seen in later Vedic practices.

Kitab-ul-Hind was written by Al-Biruni.
It is a famous Arabic text wherein he comments on Indian Sciences, Hindu religious beliefs, customs, and Social organisation.

Kshatriyas were meant to rule as kings and perform sacrifices like Ashvamedha.

In a protest against Viceroy Lord Linlithgow’s action of declaring India to be a belligerent in Second World War without consulting the Indians they resigned in october 1939.

On 4 February 1916, Gandhiji's made his first public appearance after returning from South Africa in BHU. He addressed the audience in BHU, mostly consisting of impressionable youths, princes, bedecked and bejewelled, etc.

Banawali is in Fatehabad district of Haryana.

Abdur Razzaq was an ambassador sent to India by the Sultan of Persia- Shah Rukh. His narratives are rich and colourful and gives a detailed description of Kingdom of Vijayanagara.

Between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE, Magadha (in present-day Bihar) became the most powerful Mahajanapada.

Harisena, also called Harishena or Hirisena, was a 4th-century Sanskrit poet, panegyrist, and government minister. He was an important figure in the court of Gupta emperor, Samudragupta. His most famous poem, written c. 345 C.E., describes the bravery of Samudragupta and is inscribed on the Allahabad Pillar.

The Rihla, formal title A Masterpiece to Those Who Contemplate the Wonders of Cities and the Marvels of Travelling, is the travelogue written by Ibn Battuta.

It was in Ghazni that Al-Biruni developed an interest in India. This was not unusual. Sanskrit works on astronomy, mathematics and medicine had been translated into Arabic from the eighth century onwards.