MH SET Paper 2 Mock Test - 9 (History) - MAHA TET MCQ

In south India some people were buried along with their tools, weapons, pottery and other belongings under big and heavy stones. These graves are known as megalithsThe practice of erecting megaliths began about 3000 years ago, and was prevalent throughout the Deccan, south India, in the north-east and Kashmir.These Megalith burials have yielded the first iron objects from south India. Besides these the use of Black and Red ware pottery was also a distinctive feature of the Megalithic people.

The temples of Khajuraho are located in Chhattarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. They were built by Chandel kings in 950-1050 AD.

• Harsha was the younger son of Prabhakar Vardhana (First king of the Vardhana dynasty)
• After Prabhakar Vardhana died in 605 AD, his eldest son, Rajya Vardhana, ascended the throne.
• Harsha followed a tolerant religious policy. A Shaiva in his early years, he gradually became a great patron of Buddhism. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• In revenge, for his brother’s murder, he defeated Shashanka and captured Kannauj, and made it capital. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• Chalukya king Pulkeshin-II defeated Harshavardhan near the Narmada river.
• Hence, option B is correct.

Ajanta Paintings are considered to be the ‘fountainhead of all the classic paintings in Asia’. It is the most beautiful embodiment of buddhist art. the artistic impulses and traditions born in ajanta, travelled along the trade routes to inspire painters in afghanistan, central asia and china and from there to korea and japan. along another trade route, travelling southwards, the art of ajanta reached sri lanka and thence onwards to the countries of south east asia.

In Rigveda, Tasar is used for 'Winch'.

Important Points

• Rigveda is the oldest Veda which is composed about 3500 years ago.
• The Rigveda includes more than a thousand hymns, called sukta or “well-said”.
• The Rigveda is composed in old or Vedic Sanskrit.
• In Rigveda, we can find references of various crafts of the Early Vedic period. These comprised of:
  • Carpentry: To make agricultural equipments, chariots, bullock carts, boats, homes, toys etc.
  • Weaving: Vedic Aryans used to wear colorful cloths of cotton and wool. The weaver was called as 'Vaya'; whereas the Charakha or winch was called as 'Tasar'.
  • Coppersmith: Used to make copper objects
  • Goldsmith: The Goldsmith was called as 'Hiranyakar'. He used to make jewellery of gold, both for human and horses.
  • Cobbler: Cobbler used to make water bags, shoes, bridle, whips, thread for bows etc.

  • Pottery making

Hence, we can conclude that in Rigveda, Tasar is used for 'Winch'.

The correct answer is ​1 and 4 only.

Key Points

• During the 18th century, with the decline of the Mughal empire, arose a large number of independent and semi-independent powers.
• The rulers of all the 18th century States tried to legitimize their position by acknowledging the nominal Supremacy of the Mughal emperor and by seeking his approval as his representatives.
• Moreover, nearly all of them adopted the methods and spirit of the Mughal administration. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • The first group of states succession States inherited functioning Mughal administrative structure and institutions others tried to adopt an apt in varying degrees the structure and Institutions including the Mughal revenue system.
• The rulers of these States established by law and order and viable economic and administrative structures.
• In general, there was in most of the states decentralization of political authority with chiefs, jagirdars and zamindars gaining in economic and political power.
• The politics of these states were invariably non-communal or secular, the motivations of the rulers being similar in economic and political terms. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• There is therefore little warrant for the belief that the decline and breakup of the Mughal Empire were followed by Anarchy or breakdown of law and order in different parts of India.
  • Infact whatever anarchy in administration and economy existed in the 18th century usually followed British Wars of conquest and British intervention in the internal affairs of the Indian states.
• However, none of these States had never succeeded in arresting the economic crisis which was certain during the 17th century. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
  • All of them remained basically rent extracting States.
  • Zamindars and jagirdars whose number and political strength constantly increased continued to fight over the income from agriculture while the condition of the peasants continued to deteriorate. Hence, statement 4 is correct.
• While the state prevented any breakdown of internal trade and even tried to promote foreign trade, they did nothing to modernize the basic Industrial and commercial structure of their states.
• This largely explains their failure to consolidate themselves or to ward off external attacks

Planning Commission

• It was established on 15 March 1950, with Jawaharlal Nehru as its chairman. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It was an advisory body(not executive), charged with the responsibility to make an assessment of all resources of the country and devise long-term strategies for the development of India. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• It was adopted from the Soviet-style of economic planning.
• The First Five Year Plan (1951-56) had to meet the immediate crisis after the Indo-Pak War (1947-48), focussing mainly on agricultural development, and on making India self-sufficient.
• In next year’s plans, there was a shift in favor of heavy industries combined with promoting labor-intensive small-scale industries.
• There was a focus on reducing unemployment and focus on growth with equity.
• Accordingly, option A is correct.

In 1667 AD Francois Caron establish First French Factory in India.Key Points

• In 1667 AD, François Caron, a Dutch-born merchant who was working for the French East India Company, established the first French factory in India.
• The factory was located in Surat, a major port city in Gujarat.
• This was the beginning of French colonial expansion in India, which would eventually lead to the establishment of French India.
• The factory in Surat was a success, and it helped to pave the way for the establishment of other French factories in India.
• In 1669, another French factory was established in Masulipatnam, a port city in Andhra Pradesh.
• In 1673, the French East India Company established a trading post in Pondicherry, which would eventually become the capital of French India.
• The French East India Company was one of the three major European trading companies that competed for control of trade in India during the 17th and 18th centuries.
• The other two companies were the Dutch East India Company and the British East India Company.
• The French company was never as successful as the British company, but it did manage to establish a number of colonies in India, including Pondicherry, Chandannagar, and Mahé.
• The French colonies in India were eventually annexed by the British during the 19th century.

• However, the French legacy can still be seen in India today, in the form of French-style architecture, French cuisine, and the French language.

Therefore the correct answer is 1667 AD.

The fiscal system was established on a firm basis.

1) Warriors and priests, i.e., the Kshatriyas and the Brahmanas, were exempted from the payment of taxes, and the burden fell on the peasants who were mainly vaishyas or grihapatis.

2) Bali, a voluntary payment made by the tribesmen to their chiefs in Vedic times, became a compulsory payment to be made by the peasants in the age of Buddha, and officers called balisadhakas were appointed to collect it.

3) Artisans and traders also had to pay taxes. The tolls were collected by officers known as shulkika or shulkadhaksha.

The correct answer is Muhammad Iqbal.

• Muhammad Iqbal was the president of the Muslim League in 1930.

Key Points

• Formation of the Muslim League:
  • Set up in 1906 AD, under the leadership of Aga Khan, Nawab Salimullah of Dhaka and Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk.
  • Sultan Muhammad Shah (Aga Khan III) was the first president of the Muslim League.
  • It supported the partition of Bengal, opposed the Swadeshi Movement, and demanded special safeguards for its community and a separate electorate for the Muslims.​

Additional Information

• The Ali Brothers–Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali launched an anti-British movement in 1920 AD the movement for the restoration of the Caliphet was known as the Khilafat Movement.
• Syed Ahmed Khan started the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College (later, the Aligarh Muslim University) at Aligarh in 1875.

The correct answer is 1, 2, and 3 only.
Key-Points

• The important points of the Mountbatten plan were as follows:
  • Punjab and Bengal Legislative Assemblies would meet in two groups, Hindus and Muslims, to vote for partition. If a simple majority of either group voted for partition, then these provinces would be partitioned. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • In the case of partition, two dominions and two constituent assemblies would be created.
  • Sindh would take its own decision.
  • Referendums in NWFP and Sylhet district of Bengal would decide the fate of these areas. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • Independence for princely states ruled out—they would join either India or Pakistan. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
  • independence for Bengal ruled out;
  • accession of Hyderabad to Pakistan ruled out (Mountbatten supported the Congress on this).
  • freedom to come on August 15, 1947.
  • a boundary commission to be set up if the partition was to be effected.

Additional Information

Quit India Movement

• AICC Meeting at Gowalia Tank, Bombay
  • Quit India resolution ratified. Gandhi was named the leader of the movement.
  • Demanded an immediate end to British rule.
  • Form a provisional government in India after the British withdrew.
  • Sanction a civil disobedience movement against British rule.
• Directions were given to other sections of the society
  • Government servants- Do not quit, but support Congress.
  • Soldiers- Do not quit the army but do not fire on the Indians.
  • Students- If confident, quit schools and participate.
  • Peasants- Pay mutually agreed rent to anti-government zamindars, else don’t pay.
  • Princely states- Support your Ruler only if he is anti-British.
• Spread of the Movement
  • Gandhiji carefully created tempo from individual satyagraha to mass movements.
  • The government did not wait long and immediately arrested all senior leaders.
  • Youth engaged in actions all across the provinces- hoisting flags, blowing up railway lines, telegraph lines, individual satyagraha, and even offered themselves to be arrested.
  • Underground leadership to guide youth, provide arms and ammunition.
  • Usha Mehta started an underground radio in Bombay.
  • Parallel governments were being formed-
    • Ballia, UP - Chittu Pandey.
    • Tamluk, Midnapore, Bengal - relief activities, grants to schools, supply paddy from rich to poor. Organized “Bidyut Bahinis” .
    • Satara, Maharastra - named “Prati sarkar” .Leaders like YB Chavan, Nana Patil headed the movement. Activities like village libraries, nyayadan mandals, Gandhi marriages conducted.

The correct answer is All of the above.

Key Points

• Swadeshi and Boycott Movement:
  • The leaders from Bengal felt that mere demonstrations, public meetings, and resolutions were not likely to affect much to the British.
  • Hence, they decided to start Swadeshi and Boycott movement.
  • Mass meetings were held all over Bengal where Swadeshi (use of Indian goods) and boycott of British goods were proclaimed. Hence, statement 2 is correct
  • ln many places, public burnings of foreign cloth was also organised and those shops who were selling foreign cloth were picketed.
    • This movement gave a great deal of encouragement to Indian industries.
  • Many textile mills, handloom weaving concerns, national banks, soap and match factories and insurance companies were opened during this duration. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
  • The Swadeshi movement was an immense success and was a befitting reply for the partition of Bengal. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray organised his famous Bengal Chemical Swadeshi Stores. Hence statement 4 is correct
    • He was the founder of Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals.
    • It was India's first pharmaceutical company.
  • 

Mohiniyattam is one of the two classical dances of India that developed and gained popularity in the state of Kerala. The other classical dance form from Kerala is Kathakali.

Mohiniyattam's roots, like all classical Indian dances, are in the Natya Shastra – the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text on performance arts. However, it follows the Lasya style described in Natya Shastra that is a dance which is delicate, eras-filled and feminine. It is traditionally a solo dance performed by women after extensive training.

It is a solo dance performance that incorporates lasya and tandava styles.

It is a technique based on Kathakali.

• Mughal architecture retained features from Sultanate architecture such as the arch, dome and vault. The bulbous dome and rectangular gardens were inspired later from Central Asia and Iran. Hence, statements 1 and 3 are incorrect.
• Features were adopted from provinvial styles of Gujarat, Malwa, Rajasthan, Bengal and Sharqi kingdom (Jaunpursultanate). Hence, statements 2 is correct.
  

Features of Mughal Architecture

• Bulbous domes
• Minarets (pillars) with Cupolas (chhatris)
• Use of red sandstone and white marble
• Vaulted gateways
• Arches
• Rectangular gardens (Persian Charbagh)

During the Rig Vedic Age there was no regular standing army. Vrata, gana, grama and sardha were different tribal groups who performed military functions in times of need.

Jama Masjid is also known as ‘Shan-i-Fatehpur’.

The correct answer is Karauli.

Important Points

• The Karauli treaty was signed by the British and the Maratha's in the year 1817 AD.
• Arjun Deo was the founder of the state Karauli in 1348 AD.
• Maratha's ruled Karauli till the 18th century and later they were defeated by the British army.
• Later they signed the treaty with the East India Company and became a British protectorate state.
• Ganesh pal (1940-1947) was the last ruler of the karauli princely state.

​Additional Information

• The Maharaj of karauli is considered as the head of the Jadaun clan of Rajputs.
• The karauli kings claim they are the descendants of Lord Krishna.
• Arjun Deo recovered land lost by his ancestors and then created the karauli kingdom in 1348 AD.
• Jaduan ruler Gopal das played an important role in the foundation of the Agra Fort on the orders of the Mughal emperor.

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• The self-respect movement led by E. V. Ramaswami Naicker and the Mahad Satyagraha by Dr B.R Ambedkar was caste-based movements. Hence statement 1 is correct.
  • They fought against the oppression by upper castes and for the upliftment of the depressed classes and untouchables. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• These movements did not occur as an offshoot of the NonCooperation movement.
  • They happened after the Non- Cooperation movement but were the result of the awakened consciousness of the educated amongst the depressed classes. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.

​Self-respect movement

• Self-Respect Movement was a dynamic social movement aimed at destroying the contemporary Hindu social order in its totality and creating a new, rational society without caste, religion and god.
• The self-Respect Movement was started by E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker in Tamil Nadu in 1925.
• It was an egalitarian movement that propagated the ideologies of breaking down the Brahminical hegemony, equal rights for the backward classes and women in the society and revitalization of the Dravidian languages like Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam

The Mahad Satyagraha

• In 1926, the Municipal Board of Mahad, Maharashtra passed orders to throw open the famous tank of Mahad city to all communities.
• Earlier, untouchables were not allowed to use water from the Mahad tank.
• High-caste Hindus opposed this order of the Municipal Board.
• In response, Ambedkar organized a conference of ten thousand untouchable delegates at Mahad on March 20, 1927, to support the decision of the Municipal Board.
• Ambedkar, in his presidential address, stressed the necessity of rooting out ideas of highness or lowness and inculcating self-elevation through self-help, self-respect and self-knowledge.
• After the conference, all delegates marched to the tank and asserted their right to drink and take water from the tank.
• A Satyagrah Conference was organised at Mahad on December 25, 1925, which demanded that Hindu society should be organised on the basis of equality and the absence of casteism.
• It was also resolved to burn Manusmriti, as according to Ambedkar, it perpetuated the social, economic, religious and political slavery of the untouchables.
• As per the resolution, Manusmriti was burnt on December 25, 1927.

Legacy of Mahad Satyagraha

• Mahad Satyagraha was the first collective protest of untouchables under the leadership of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar.
• This movement was withdrawn but gave confidence to the untouchables to fight against social disability.
• Every year, March 20 is observed as Social Empowerment day in India to commemorate the Mahad Satyagrah

​So, option 1 is correct.

Nizam-ul-Mulk was disgusted with the fickle-mindedness and suspicious nature of the Emperor and the constant quarrels at the court. He was the most powerful noble of the time, decided to pursue his own ambition.

He was the wazir of the Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah in 1722, and had a vigorous attempt to reform the administration. He decided to leave the emperor and the empire to their fate and to strike out on his own. He relinquished his office in October 1724 and marched South to form the state of Hyderabad in the Deccan.

Kalighat painting was a product of the changing urban society of the nineteenth-century Calcutta. It was first of its kind in the Indian subcontinent that expressed subaltern sentiment and addressed customers directly. It started on a religious note with the subjects being Hindu Gods and Goddesses along with their incarnations. However, over time, social sentiments were expressed in the medium of paper and colours.

Industrial Policy Resolution of 1948:

• It defined the broad contours of the policy delineating the role of the State in industrial development both as an entrepreneur and authority.
• It made clear that India is going to have a Mixed Economic Model.
• It classified industries into four(not three) broad areas:(Statement 1 is incorrect)
  • Strategic Industries (Public Sector):
    • It included three industries in which Central Government had a monopoly i.e. Arms and ammunition, Atomic energy, and Rail transport.
  • Basic/Key Industries (Public-cum-Private Sector):
    • 6 industries viz. coal, iron & steel, aircraft manufacturing, ship-building, manufacture of telephone, telegraph & wireless apparatus, and mineral oil.
    • They were designated as “Key Industries” or “Basic Industries”.(Statement 2 is incorrect.)
    • These industries were to be set up by the Central Government.
    • However, the existing private sector enterprises were allowed to continue.
  • Important Industries (Controlled Private Sector):
    • It included 18 industries including heavy chemicals, sugar, cotton textile & woolen industry, cement, paper, salt, machine tools, fertilizer, rubber, air and sea transport, motor, tractor, electricity, etc.
    • These industries continue to remain under the private sector
    • However, the central government, in consultation with the state government, had general control over them.
  • Other Industries (Private and Cooperative Sector):
    • All other industries which were not included in the above-mentioned three categories were left open for the private sector.
• The Industries (Development and Regula­tion) Act was passed in 1951 to implement the Industrial Policy Resolution, 1948.
• Accordingly, option D is correct.

After the Battle of Wandiwash, which ended on 22 January 1760, the English learnt some of the valuable lessons about the country and its its countrymen.

A) There was the absence of nationalism in the country as they could advance their political schemes by taking advantage of the mutual quarrels of the Indian rulers.

B) The western trained infantry, European or Indian, armed with modern weapons and backed by artillery could defeat the old style Indian armies with ease in pitched battles.

C) It was proved that the Indian soldier trained and armed in European manner made as good soldier as the European.

D) They could now create a powerful army consisting of Indian soldiers, called sepoys and officered by Englishmen.

With this army and its chief instrument and the vast resources of Indian trade and territories under its command, the English East India Company embarked on an era of wars and territorial expansion.

• Statement 1 is correct. The Butler Committee (1927) was set up to examine the nature of the relationship between the princely states and government.
• Statement 2 is incorrect.
• The committee gave the following recommendations—
  • Paramountcy must remain supreme and must fulfil its obligations, adopting and defining itself according to the shifting necessities of time and progressive development of states.
  • States should not be handed over to an Indian Government in British India, responsible to an Indian legislature, without the consent of states. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.

• Trade unions are organized associations of workers in a trade or profession.
• These are interested in the economic and social welfare of the workers and are formed to further their rights and interests.
• In India, Trade Unions in India are registered under the Trade Union Act (1926).

Key-Points

All India Trade Union Congress:

• The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) is the oldest trade union federation in India.
• It is associated with the Communist Party of India.
• According to provisional statistics from the Ministry of Labour, AITUC had a membership of 14.2 million in 2013.
• It was founded on 31 October 1920 with Lala Lajpat Rai as its first president.
• Until 1945 when unions became organised on party lines, it was the primary trade union organisation in India.
• The main purpose of labour unions is to give workers the power to negotiate for more favourable working conditions and other benefits through collective bargaining.
• The following are the objectives of a trade union:
  • To improve the economic lot of workers by securing them better wages.
  • To secure workers better working conditions.
  • To secure bonuses for the workers from the profits of the enterprise/organization.

Thus, Lala Lajpat Rai was the first President of the All India Trade Union Congress established in 1920.

The height of the pillar is 7.16 m.

Key Points

• Mehrauli Iron Pillar:
  • The Iron Pillar is located in the Qutub Complex in the area of Mehrauli of Delhi.
  • It is said to have been constructed around 1500 years ago.
  • The pillar with its solid, slightly tapering shaft stands 7.16 m tall.
  • An inscription on the pillar mentions a king named Chandra, who is most often associated with Chandragupta II of the Gupta Empire.

  • It is cited as one of the most remarkable example of the skill of Indian crafts persons.

Thus, 7.16m is the correct answer.

Additional Information

• Other Important Features of Iron Pillar:
  • It is surmounted by an inverted lotus emblem, over which there are three fluted discs (amalakas) supporting a square pedestal.
  • The pillar must have been crowned by a Vaishnava emblem, perhaps a Garuda.
  • It is considered remarkable because of the metallurgical skill required to forge such a long piece of iron, the clarity of its inscriptions after so many centuries, and the fact that it has remained comparatively rust-free, even after so many centuries.

  • It is not certain where the pillar originally stood. Most historians believe it is not in situ.

The pillar which is referred to in the passage is the iron pillar, which stands in the Jama Masjid in the Qutub Complex in Delhi.

Key Points

• Mehrauli Iron Pillar:
  • The Iron Pillar is located in the Qutub Complex in the area of Mehrauli of Delhi.
  • It is said to have been constructed around 1500 years ago.
  • An inscription on the pillar mentions a king named Chandra, who is most often associated with Chandragupta II of the Gupta Empire.

  • It is cited as one of the most remarkable example of the skill of Indian crafts persons.

Thus, the Iron Pillar, which stands in the Jama Masjid in the Qutub complex in Delhi is the correct answer.

Additional Information

• Other Important Features of Iron Pillar:
  • The pillar with its solid, slightly tapering shaft stands 7.16 m tall.
  • It is surmounted by an inverted lotus emblem, over which there are three fluted discs (amalakas) supporting a square pedestal.
  • The pillar must have been crowned by a Vaishnava emblem, perhaps a Garuda.
  • It is considered remarkable because of the metallurgical skill required to forge such a long piece of iron, the clarity of its inscriptions after so many centuries, and the fact that it has remained comparatively rust-free, even after so many centuries.

  • It is not certain where the pillar originally stood. Most historians believe it is not in situ.

All the three statements are wrong. Firstly rebels had poor understanding of imperialist ideology and quasi-democratic functioning of home government of Britain.

Secondly 1857 revolt was mainly feudal in character with some nationalistic elements and mutineers wanted to establish old social and political medieval order. They lacked progressive democratic and social-economic reforms agenda which they could execute after overthrowing foreign yoke.

Tatiya Tope fought alongside Nana Saheb, but after capture of Kanpur he fled to fight with Rani Laxmibai. However after defeat of Rani he continued his struggle with Guerrilla warfare. Later he was captured and executed by British government on 18 April 1859.

The Tevaram by Tirunavukkarasar Nayanar, the Saiva saint belonged to the early seventh century. The earlier terms were avaiyam, puhar kuttu kudal and togai. Tevaram denotes the first seven volumes of the Tirumurai, the twelve-volume collection of Tamil Saiva devotional poetry. The singing of Tevaram is continued as a hereditary practice in some Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. Sangam is first mentioned in Tevaram where Appar refers to the impoverished poet, Tarumi.

The correct answer is 2 and 3 only.

Key Points

• The outbreak of the Seven Years' War in Europe between England and France in 1756 provided the context for the third and decisive round of Anglo-French conflict in south India.
  • The most decisive battle of the Third Carnatic War was the Battle of Wandiwash in 1760.
  • The succession dispute at Carnatic and Hyderabad provided the context for the Second Carnatic War.
  • Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
• In the Battle of Wandiwash, General Eyre Coote of the English defeated the French army under Count Thomas Arthur de Lally and took Bussy as a prisoner.
  • French also lost Pondicherry to the British.
  • Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The treaty of Peace of Paris (1763) restored to the French their factories in India but not allowed them to fortify them.
  • Also, the French ceased to be a political power in India.
  • The victory at Wandiwash left the English East India Company with no European rival in India.
  • Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• During the Third Carnatic War, the French lost their positions in India, such as Chandernagore in Bengal, settlements at Masulipatnam and Yanam, etc.
  • However, by the Peace of Paris in 1763, France got back all the factories and settlements that it possessed in India prior to 1749, with the provision that it could not any more fortify Chandernagore.
  • But the balance of power in India had by now decisively changed with the steady expansion of the power of the English company.
  • The French East India Company was finally wound up in 1769.
• Hence option 2 is correct.

The East India Company had secured valuable privileges in 1717 under the royal farman by the Mughal Emperor, which had granted the Company the freedom to export and import their goods in Bengal without paying taxes and the right to issue passes or dastaks for the movement of such goods. The company servants were also permitted to trade but were not covered by this farman. They were required to pay the same taxes as the Indian merchants. This farman was a source of perpetual source of conflict between the Company and the Nawabs of Bengal.