Kerala SET Paper 2 Mock Test - 5 (History) - KTET MCQ

J.B. Bury is the author of 'The Idea of Progress'.

Key Points

• J.B.Bury (1861-1927) was an English historian of the positivist tradition.
• He firmly believed in the scientific status of history and exhorted the historians to be accurate, erudite and exact in their search and presentation of facts.
• He maintained that although history may provide material for writing literature or philosophy, it was different from both these because it was a science.
• He wrote many important historical works including the 'History of Greece' and 'A History of the Later Roman Empire'.

• He was also the author of the book 'The Idea of Progress'.

Hence, we can conclude that J.B. Bury is the author of 'The Idea of Progress'.

• In 1441, Shah Rukh of Persia sent Kamal-ud-din AbdurRazzaq as an emissary to Vijayanagar.
• AbdurRazzaq wrote his travels in the
  • Malta-us-Sadain(The Rise of Two Auspicious Constellations) and
  • Majma-ul-Bahrain(The Confluence of Two Oceans)
• He visited India during the reign of Devi Rai II, the emperor of Vijayanagara Empire.

The correct answer is Option D.

Key PointsIndian Factories Act,1891:

• The provisions of the Indian Factories Act,1891 is as follows:
  • The age of children who can work in the factories is increased from 9 years to 14 years. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
  • Reduced the working hour per day to 7 hours. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
  • Maximum working hours for a day were 11 hours. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
  • Provide weekly holidays for all.
• Moderate leaders didn't support Factories Act because they believed that the labor legislation would affect the competitive edge enjoyed by Indian own industries. Also, they didn't want to divide the movement into class-based movements.
• Accordingly, Option D is correct.

• Government of India Act 1935 provided for an all-India Federation of the provinces and the Princely States. This federation did not come in force as princely state did not joined the assembly. However, the act did come in force. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
• The act did not abrogate the doctrine of Paramountcy. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• The Act which abrogated the doctrine of Paramountcy of British over the Princely States was Indian Independence Act of 1947.

The correct answer is Sheikh Ahmed Sirhindi.

Key Points

• The Chishtis of this period are generally believed to have been influenced by the work of the Spanish-born mystic, Ibn Arabi (d. 1240) who propounded the doctrine of wahdat al-wujud (unity of the phenomenal and noumenal world).
• It was opposed by the ulama and orthodox sufis.
• However, it should be noted that most of the Sufis, including the Chishtis, did not consider doctrines such as wahdat al-wujud of primary importance in the Sufi way of life, among them one of the prominent Sufi was Sheikh Ahmed Sirhindi. Hence, option 2 is the correct answer.
• For them, Sufism was not so much a doctrine but a practical activity of traversing the Sufi path.
• The ideas of Alauddaula Simnani (1261-1336), an Iranian who opposed Ibn Arabi’s doctrine, also influenced some Indian sufis.

• Gesudaraz came under the influence of Simnani’s orthodox ideas and denounced the views of Ibn Arabi.

Thus we conclude that the correct answer is Sheikh Ahmed Sirhindi.

The correct answer is Balaji Vishwanath, Bajirao 1, Balaji Bajirao, Nanasaheb.

Key Points

• Peshwas
  • They were the appointed and later Prime Minister of the Maratha Empire.
  • They were head of the Ashta Pradhan ( council of ministers).
  • First Peshwas: Moropant Trimbak Pingle
  • Last Peshwas: Baji Rao II

Additional Information

• Balaji Vishwanath
  • He was the sixth appointed Peshwas.
  • He assisted the Syed Brothers in deposing Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar in 1719.
• Baji Rao I
  • He was acknowledged as the most influential of the nine Peshwas.
  • Marathas under Bajirao I raided the outskirts of Delhi in the Battle of Delhi in 1737.
• Balaji Bajirao
  • He was known as Nanasaheb Peshwa.
  • Under his leadership, the Maratha Empire reached its peak and the Third Battle Panipat was fought during his reign against Ahmad Shah Abdali.
• Nana Saheb
  • He was a leader during the 1857 Revolt who led the rebellion in Kanpur.
  • He was the last Peshwas.

Both the Bhaumakaras and Somavamsis of Odisha were known for their significant contributions to temple architecture in eastern India. This is particularly evident from the Somavamsis' construction of the Lingaraja Temple and other architectural marvels in the region.
Key Points

• The dynasties known for their contributions to temple architecture in eastern India are:

• Bhaumakaras and Somavamsis
  Both of these dynasties made significant contributions to the development of temple architecture in the region, particularly in what is now the state of Odisha, India.

• Bhaumakaras:
  The Bhaumakara dynasty, which ruled in parts of Odisha during the 8th to 10th centuries, is noted for its contribution to the early development of temple architecture in the region.

• The dynasty is credited with the construction of several important temples that showcase an evolution in architectural style and ornamentation. This period was crucial in the development of the distinctive Odisha (Kalinga) architectural style that is characterized by its ornate decoration and the Rekha Deula, Pidha Deula, and Khakhara Deula styles of temples.

• Somavamsis:
  Following the Bhaumakaras, the Somavamsi dynasty further enriched the architectural heritage of eastern India, especially in Odisha, from the 10th to the early 12th century.

• The Somavamsis are known for their patronage of temple architecture, under whom significant temples were built or embellished. This period saw the construction of some of the most iconic temples in Odisha, including the Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar, which is a masterpiece of Hindu temple architecture of the era.

• Their reign marked a golden age of temple construction and contributed to the architectural legacy that defines the region today.

• While the Palas, Senas, and Varmans did contribute to the cultural and political landscapes of eastern India, in the context of temple architecture, the Bhaumakaras and Somavamsis were particularly influential.

• The Palas and Senas are more closely associated with Bengal and Bihar, and their contributions include various forms of art, literature, and religious institutions.

• The Varmans, associated with Kamarupa (Assam), also contributed to the cultural fabric of their region, but when it comes to temple architecture specifically in eastern India, the Bhaumakaras and Somavamsis stand out for their monumental contributions.

Buddhism was divided into Mahayana and Hinayana in the Fourth Buddhist Council.

The correct answer is Formal democratic institutions only benefited the elite classes, not subaltern groups.

Explanation:

• The subaltern studies scholars argued that in postcolonial societies like India, the formal structures of electoral democracy and rights did not lead to genuine democratic participation and empowerment of the subordinated classes like peasants, laborers, tribals etc.
• These subaltern groups continued to be marginalized in economic and social terms.
• The elites dominated the democratic process to perpetuate their power and privilege.
• So democracy only resulted in the ‘rule of the few’ rather than the ‘rule of the many’.
• The subaltern project aimed to uncover perspectives of the subordinated masses often left out of elite historiography and enable their agency.
• The other options do not accurately reflect the subaltern critique which focused on the failure of formal democracy to change the condition of subaltern groups, rather than lack of democratic culture, authoritarianism of leaders or diversity per se.
• So option C summarizes the core argument made by scholars of the subaltern school about the working of democracy in postcolonial contexts.

Ain-i-Akbari is a literary source that gives an insight into the Mughal Empire.

Important Points

• The Ain-i Akbari is a 16th century document written by the Mughal Emperor Akbar's court historian and biographer, Abul Fazl.
  • It provides detailed information about the administration, society, and culture of the Mughal Empire during Akbar's reign.
  • The Ain-i Akbari covers topics such as the imperial household, land revenue, the military, the caste system, and the various religions of the empire.
  • It is considered an important historical source for understanding the Mughal Empire and its administration.

Hence, we can conclude that Ain-i-Akbari provides economic conditions of the reign of Akbar.

Dyarchy was introduced as part of Government of India act 1919 also known as Montagu-chelmsford reforms. Under the scheme provincial subjects were divided into reserved and transferred subjects.

In case of reserved subjects Governor of the Province administered with the help of the members of executive council nominated by him. Whereas transferred subjects were administered by Governor acting on the advice of elected ministers.

Second statement is also incorrect as Dyarchy though Abolished at provincial level in 1937 was introduced at Central level in Government of India act 1935.

Historians of the medieval period followed a definite style of historiography. It was either eulogy or exaggeration that gave away the falsehood in recorded details. Some Historians were known for their orthodox and religious outlook.

Important Points

Fakhr-i-Mudabbir

• Of the given following list Fakhr-i-Mudabbir is the only one that is not correctly paired.
• His famous works are- the Shajara-yi ansab (The tree of genealogies) and the Adab al-harb wa-l-shaja'a (The etiquette of war and valour).
• He was a Historian in the court of Ghaznavids, Ghurids, and other Delhi Sultans.

Additional Information

Minhaj us Siraj-

• He authored Tabaqat I Nasiri- the first fifty years of Muslim rule in Bengal is documented in this book of history.
• He was born in Juzjan of Ghur.
• He wrote on the Ghurid dynasty.
• He was a historian of the Mameluks' court.

Zia ud din Barani-

• He was a historian and political thinker
• He served in the court of Muhammad bin Tughlaq and Firuz Shah
• He authored Tarikh I Firuzshahi which covers the history from Balban to Firuz Shah.

Ibn Batuta-

• He was a Moroccan traveler who took accounts during his travel to India
• He was welcomed in the court of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq, given gifts and the service of a Qadi.
• He authored the book Kitab Ul Rehla which gave some perspective on the contemporary socio-economic status of the society.

Every Veda consists of four parts which are:

1. Samhita,

2. Brahmana,

3. Aranyaka

4. Upanishad.

The word Veda has been derived from the word ‘vid’, which means to know/knowledge.

The main characteristic of a federal constitution is the distribution of powers between the union and the states. The Indian constitution provides for a new kind of federalism to meet India’s peculiar needs. In the matter of distribution of powers, the framers followed the pattern of the Government of India Act, 1935.

According to Barani, the correct descending order of military cavalry composition is - iv, iii, ii, i

Key Points

• Ziauddin Barani was a Muslim political thinker of the Delhi Sultanate.
• He was best known for composing the Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi and the Fatwa-i-Jahandari .
• In his works, he mentioned about the military administration of the Delhi Sultanate.
• The diwan-i arz or military department was headed by the ariz-i mumalik.
• He was responsible for the administration of military affairs.
• Cavalry was the key to the success of Delhi Sultanate.
• Given below are the officials (in the descending order) of the military cavalry under Delhi Sultanate:
  • ​Khan - A khan's force contained at least ten maliks.
  • Malik - A malik had authority over ten amirs.
  • Amir - An amir commanded ten sipahsalars.
  • Sipahsalar - A sipahsalar directed ten sar khels.
  • Sarkhel - A sar khel had ten horsemen under him.

Hence, we can conclude that according to to Barani, the correct descending order of military cavalry composition is -

The correct answer is 2-3-4-1.

Key Points

• Narshimhavarman I (630-668 CE) succeeded his father Mahendravarman I.
  • He is considered to be the greatest Pallava ruler.
  • He took the title of Mamalla (great warrior).
  • He defeated and killed Chalukyan ruler Pulakesin II and destroyed the Chalukyan capital Vatapi.
    • He took the title Vatapikonda (conqueror of Vatapi) in order to commemorate this remarkable victory.
• Dantidurga (reigned 735–756 CE), also known as Dantivarman II was the founder of the Rashtrakuta Empire of Manyakheta.
  • He defeated the Gurjaras and captured Malwa from them.
  • Then he annexed the Chalukyan kingdom by defeating Kirtivarman II.
• Dharmapala (reigned c. 770–810) succeeded Gopala, the founder of the Pala dynasty.
  • He was one of the greatest kings that ever ruled in Bengal and one who raised the glory of the kingdom to great heights.
  • It may be mentioned that in the famous tripartite struggle between the Palas, Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas, to establish control over Northern India, Dharmapala played a very crucial role.
• Mihira Bhoja (c. 836–885 CE) or Bhoja I was a king belonging to the Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty.
  • He was the most well-known king of this dynasty.
  • Under Bhoja and his successor Mahendrapala (reigned c. 890–910), the Pratihara empire reached its peak of prosperity and power.
  • The Gurjara-Pratiharas, or simply, the Pratiharas (8th century CE - 11th century CE) held their sway over western and northern India.

The term ‘Rashtra’ first appeared during the later vedic period. The wars were fought for territories and no longer for cows. The society which was predominantly pastoral in the early Vedic times had become agricultural.

The First Factory Act was passed in 1881 during the viceroyship of Lord Ripon. It was enacted to improve the condition of the labour of factories. As per the act, children of the age group 9 to 12 were not allowed to work more than 9 hours a day. Inspectors were appointed to check safety measures.

At Tamluk, Satara and Baliya the national goverment was established during the Quit India Movement.

Important Points

• Apart from mass agitations and violent actions during the Quit India Movement people in various states besieged temporary control over a number of towns, cities and villages.
• In some places they successfully established autonomous governments.
• These governments might not have survived for long, but they bore the evidence of capability of the Indians to manage government and administration on their own.
• They demonstrated that the people of India were prepared to carry forward the fight for independence.
• Four major parallel governments were established in:
  • Balliya (Uttar Pradesh)
  • Tamluk (Bengal)
  • Satara (Maharashtra)

  • Talcher(Orissa)

The correct answer is 1 and 2 only.

Key Points

• The broad features of administration were laid down by Akbar and were elaborately discussed by Abul Fazl in his book the Akbar Nama, in particular in its last volume, the Ain-i Akbari.
• Abul Fazl explained that the empire was divided into provinces called subas, governed by a subadar who carried out both political and military functions. Each province also had a financial officer or diwan. For the maintenance of peace and order in his province, the subadar was supported by other officers such as Mir Bakhshi, the minister in charge of religious and charitable patronage (Sadr-us sudur), military commanders (faujdars), and the town police commander (kotwal).
  • Hence, pair 2 is correctly matched.
• Mir Bakshi is the head of the military department. It was the mir Bakshi and not the diwan who was considered the head of the nobility. Therefore, only the leading grandees were appointed to this post. The Mir Bakhshi was also the head of the intelligence and information agencies of the empire.
  • Hence, pair 1 is correctly matched.
• Intelligence officers (barids) and news reporters (waqia-navis) were posted to all parts of the empire. Their reports were presented to the emperor at the court through Mir Bakhshi.
  • Hence, pair 4 is not correctly matched.
• Mir Saman was in charge of the imperial household, including the supply of all the provisions and articles for the use of the inmates of the haram or the female apartments.
  • Hence, pair 3 is not correctly matched.

• ​Sattriya dance in the modern form was introduced by the Vaishnava saint Shankaradeva and is inspired by the Bhakti movement.

The correct answer is 1 and 2 only.

Key Points

• The style of temple architecture that became popular in northern India is known as nagara.
• The most characteristic feature of a class of temple architecture in India is its spire or shikhara which forms the termination of the upper portion of the body.
• Shikhara refers to the rising tower in the Hindu temple architecture
• There are many subdivisions of nagara temples depending on the shape of the shikhara. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The most common name for the simple shikhara which is square at the base and whose walls curve or slope inward to a point on top is called the 'Latina or the Rekha-Prasada type of shikhara.
• Phamsana is an architectural form in the nagara order.
• Phamsana buildings tend to be broader and shorter than Latina ones. Phamsana roofs do not curve inward, instead, they slope upwards on a straight incline. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• Valabhi is also a form of architecture under Nagara.
  • These are rectangular buildings with a roof that rises into a vaulted chamber.
  • The edge of this vaulted chamber is rounded, like the bamboo or wooden wagons that would have been drawn by bullocks in ancient times.
  • They are usually called ‘wagon vaulted buildings’.
• Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Image of Indian Temple Architecture:

In 1908 Prafulla Chaki and Khudiram Bose threw a bomb at the carriage that they thought was transporting the unpopular Judge Kingsford of Muzzafarpur. However, due to misinformation they attacked Mr Kennedy and in the blast his wife and daughter were killed. The duo were tried in Muzzafarpur Conspiracy Case.

The Alipore Bomb Case, also called Muraripukur conspiracy or the Manicktolla bomb conspiracy was the trial of a number of revolutionaries of the Anushilan Samiti in Calcutta.

Among the famous accused were Aurobindo Ghosh, his brother Barin Ghosh as well as 37 other Bengali nationalists of the Anushilan Samiti.

The Kakori Conspiracy was a train robbery that took place between Kakori and, near Lucknow, on 9 August 1925. The robbery was organised by the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA). The robbery was conceived by Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan who belonged to the HRA, which later became the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association. This organisation was established to carry out revolutionary activities against the British Empire in India with the objective of achieving independence. Since the organisation needed money for purchase of weaponry, Bismil and his party decided to plunder a train on one of the Northern Railway lines.

The correct answer is Naqshbandi.

Key Points

• Naqshbandi sect was believed to be the most orthodox among Sufi sects.
• It is the Sunni order of Sufism. It was one of the four major Sufism sects in India including Chisti, Qadriyya, Suhrawardiyya.
• It got its name from Baha-Ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari and traces its spiritual lineage to the Islamic prophet Muhammad through Abu Bakr, who was father-in-law, companion, and successor of Muhammad.
• Abu Bakr was the first Caliph of Sunni Islam.

The correct answer is Karanika.

Key Points

• Major administrative officers of the Gupta period were
  • Karanika - The officer responsible for the safe custody of land records
  • Sandivigraha - Minister of foreign affairs.
  • Nagar Srehtis - Officers looking after the city administration.
  • Kumaramatyas and Ayuktas - Officers responsible for maintaining deep contact between a king and provincial administration.

Additional Information

• The Gupta Dynasty ruled the mid-to-late 3rd century to 543 AD in Ancient India.
• The dynasty was founded by Sri Gupta.
• They are believed to have been feudatories of the Kushanas.
• The original kingdom of the Guptas comprised Bihar and Uttar Pradesh with their center of power at Prayag.​
• The Gupta period is referred to as the 'Golden Age' in ancient India.
• Vishnugupta was the last ruler of the Gupta dynasty.
• Ghatotkacha, Chandragupta I, Chandragupta II, Skandagupta, and Samudragupta are the important kings of the Gupta dynasty.

The correct answer is KakkukaKey Points

• Kakkuka, is specifically mentioned as the author of the Gwalior Prashasti, which serves as a eulogy for Mihira Bhoja.
• The inscription extols the virtues, achievements, and the extent of Mihira Bhoja's empire.The Gurjara-Pratiharas rose to prominence in the 8th century, notably resisting Arab invasions during Nagabhata I's reign.
• Bhoja, a significant emperor, is credited as the dynasty's founder.
• Known as Gurjara-Pratiharas during their rule in Kannauj, they established principalities in Rajasthan.
• Their expansion led to conflicts with rivals like the Palas and Rashtrakutas, particularly for control over Malwa, Gujarat, and Kanauj.
• Despite initial setbacks against the Rashtrakutas, the Pratiharas faced defeat in 790 and 806-07, prompting their retreat to the Deccan and paving the way for the Palas.
• The poet Rajashekhara was associated with Gurjara-Pratihara King Mahendrapala and his son Mahipal.

Additional Information

• Some notable rulers of Gurjara -Pratihara Dynasty -
  • Nagabhata I (730 – 760 AD):
    • Founded the Pratihara dynasty and resisted Arab invasions successfully.
    • Established an empire from Gujarat to Gwalior.
    • Fought against Rashtrakuta ruler Dantidurga but was later succeeded by his brother's sons, Kakkuka and Devaraja.
• Vatsaraja (780 – 800 AD):
  • Son of Devaraja, expanded control over north India and made Ujjain his capital.
  • Captured Kanauj but faced conflicts with Pala and Rashtrakuta rulers.
  • Defeated Dharmapala but later lost Kannauj to Dhruva.
• Nagabhata II (800 – 833 AD):
  • Revived the empire's prestige by conquering Sindh, Andhra, Vidarbha.
  • Defeated Rashtrakutas, expanded the empire, and rebuilt the Somnath temple in Gujarat.
• Mihir Bhoja (836 – 885 AD):
  • Grandson of Nagabhata II, ruled for 46 years.
  • Reorganized and consolidated the empire, known for his Vaishnavism.
  • Recognized by Arabs as "King Baura," ruled from Kannauj.

Seethalai Saathanaar was the author of the book ‘Manimekalai’. The book is a poem in 30 cantos. Its story is a sequel of an epic ‘Silappatikaram’ that tells the story of the conversion to Buddhism of the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi.

The Chola period is also remarkable for its sculptures of bronzes. One of its important remains is the Nataraja Idol of Lord Shiva made of bronze. Nataraja is most often depicted through a statue. Such a statute was found during the Chola period.

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 the Gupta emperor, Samudragupta.

He wrote Prayag Prashasti in the valour of Samundragupt.

Harisen played a vital role in the coronation of Samundragupta with Kumaradevi.