UPSC Prelims 2020: NCERT Question Bank History – Class 6 to 10

UPSC Prelims Exam 2020 GS Paper-1, NCERT Question Bank History – Class 6 to 10 Useful for UPSC, PSC and Other Exams.

Most Important Questions

1. Consider the following statements with reference to Mohenjodaro:

1. Citadel was the upper part built on raised platforms where people lived and carried their professional work.

2. The lower part of the city was comparatively the large part that included public buildings, granaries and religious buildings.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

The cities of Mohenjodaro and Harappa were divided into two parts.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The upper part built on raised platforms has been described as the citadel. This part included the public buildings, the granaries, the more important workshops and the religious buildings.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The other part of the city, which was much larger, was the lower part where the people lived and carried on their professional work. If the city was attacked or threatened by floods, the inhabitants of the lower city probably found refuge in the citadel.

Thus, Option D is correct.

2. Which of the following were found on the seals of ‘Mohenjodaro’?

1. Bull

2. Rhinoceros

3. Tree

4. Pictographs

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation:

1.      Among the objects found in great numbers at Mohenjodaro were flat, rectangular seals made of clay or stone.

2.      The seal has a design on one side, usually the picture of a bull, rhinoceros, or a tree, or some scene, and above the picture is a line of pictographs, the picture-like signs used as a script by the Harappan people.

3.      The seals were used by the merchants and traders to stamp their goods.

Thus, Option D is correct.

3. Lapis Lazuli mentioned in the Harappan Civilisation refers to:

1. The weights and measures used by the merchants.
2. The seals having figures of bull, rhinoceros used in trade between countries
3. A blue gemstone which was brought by the Harappan people from Northern Afghanistan
4. Clay figures of mother-goddesses.

Explanation:

• There were trade contacts with people of northern Afghanistan from where the Harappan’s brought the famous blue gemstone, Lapis Lazuli.

Thus, Option C is correct.

4. Consider the following political associations and their leaders: 

Political Association	Leader
1.  East India Association	Dadabhai Nairobi
2.  Indian Association of Calcutta	Sisir Kumar
3.  Madras Mahajan Sabha	Viraghavchariar

Which among the following is/are correctly matched?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

• Indian Association of Calcutta was founded in Bengal in 1876 by Surendranath Banerjea and Ananda Mohan Bose.

Thus, Option B is correct.

5. Consider the following statements:

1. New India and Commonweal are the newspapers published by Annie Besant.

2. Kesari and Maharatta are the journals of Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation: Option C is correct.

6. Consider the following statements with reference to the religious philosophy of Akbar:

1. He created his own religion.

2. He discouraged the killing of animals.

3. He strongly disapproved of women becoming Satis.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

 

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: Akbar did not create his own religion. He suggested a new religious path. This was based on the common truths of all religions and a few rules which he took from various religions. This religious path was later referred to as the Din-i-Ilahi or divine monotheism- the religion of the one God.

Statement 2 is correct: First of all, Akbar declared that he was the spiritual guide of his people. Then he described the rules of this new religious path. He favoured peace and tolerance. He discouraged the killing of animals and suggested that people should stop eating meat, at least for a few days every year. He disapproved of cruel punishments and the mutilation of those who had committed crimes because he felt that it was better to make a criminal realise his fault rather than just to mutilate him.

Statement 3 is correct: He strongly disapproved of women becoming satis on the death of their husbands. He also introduced the veneration of the sun, fire and light in his rituals.

Thus, Option C is correct.

7. With respect to ‘Badshahi Ashoorkhana’, consider the following statements: 

1. It is situated in Hyderabad.

2. It was built by Mir Nawazish Ali Khan.

3. Bab-e-Faiz-e-Imam-e-Alamiyan is associated with it.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 2 and 3 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: ‘Badshahi Ashoorkhana’ is Hyderabad’s 17th century old house of mourning, now a place of worship. Telangana government and Aga Khan Trust are working to restore it.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Ashoorkhana was built by Muhammed Quli Qutub Shah around 400-years ago. Mir Nawazish Ali Khan was a mutawalli who restored it as a place of worship at a much later period.

Statement 3 is correct: Bab-e-Faiz-e-Imam-e-Alamiyan is the main entrance of the Ashoorkhana.

Thus Option C is correct.

8. With reference to Vedas, consider the following statements:

1. Yajur Veda gives the direction for the performance of the Yajna.

2. Atharva Veda prescribes the tunes for the recitation of the hymns of the Rig Veda.

3. Sam Veda prescribes the rites and rituals.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

Statement 2 is incorrect: Atharva Veda prescribes the rites and rituals.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Sam Veda prescribes the tunes for the recitation of the hymns of the Rig Veda.

Thus, Option A is correct.

9. Which of the following is correct about ‘Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana’?

1. It is a Health Insurance scheme for workers in unorganized sectors.
2. It is a Health Insurance scheme for women farmers.
3. It is a Health Insurance scheme for working Journalist.
4. It is a Health Insurance Scheme for persons with disabilities.

Explanation:

• It is a Health Insurance scheme for working Journalist.
• “Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana” has been launched by Odisha government for working journalists.

Thus, Option C is correct.

10. Consider the following personalities: 

1. Mahatma Gandhi

2. C Rajagopalachari

3. Jawahar Lal Nehru

4. Sarojini Naidu

Who among the following were part of Civil Disobedience Movement? 

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3 only
4. All of the above

Explanation: Option D is correct.

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