Prelims UPSC General Studies Solved Paper -2003

Paper : IAS Examination Question Answer General Studies 2003

1) “Mrichchhakatika” an ancient Indian book written by shudraka deals with
(a) The love affair of a rich merchant with the daughter of a courtesan.
(b) The victory of Chandragupta II over the Saka Kshatrapas of Western India…
(c) The military expeditions and exploits of Samudragupta.
(d) The love affair between a Gupta King and a Princess of Kamarupa.

Ans: – (a)

Expl: – Deals with love affairs between Charudatta (rich merchant) and vasandasena (daughter of courtesan).

2) Consider the Following statements
1. Vardamana Mahavira’s mother was the daughter of Lichchavi chief Chetaka.
2. Gautama Buddha’s mother was a princess of Kosalan Dynasty.
3. Parshvanatha, the twenty third Thirthangara, belonged to Banaras.

Which of these statements is/are correct?

(a) only 1
(b) only 2
(c) 2 , 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: – (c)

Expl: – Mahavira’s mother was the sister of Lichchavi prince Chetaka.

3) Consider the following statements:-
1. The lst Mauryan Ruler, Brihadratha was assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Sunga.
2. The last Sunga king, Devabhuti was assassinated by his Brahmana Minister Vasudeva Kanva who asrupted the throne.
3. The last ruler of Kanva dynasty was deposed by Andhras.

Which of these statements is/are correct?

(a) 1, 2
(b) only 2
(c) only 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: – (d)

Exp: – The last ruler of Kanva dynasty was Susarman who was defeated by Andhras in 27 B.C.

4) The aim of education as stated by the Wood’s dispatch of 1854 was
(a) The creation of employment opportunities for native Indians.
(b) The spread of western culture in India.
(c) The promotion of literacy among the people using English medium of language.
(d) The introduction of scientific research and rationalism in the traditional Indian education.

Ans: – (b)

Expl: – Wood’s Despatch declared that the aim of Government’s educational policy was western education and western culture.

5) With reference to the entry of European powers into India which one of the following is not correct?
(a) The Portuguese captured Goa in 1499.
(b) The English opened their first factory in south Indian at Masulipatnam.
(c) In Eastern India, the English company opened its first factory in Orissa in 1633.
(d) Under the leadership of Dupleix, the French occupied Madras in 1746.

Ans: – (a)

Expl: – Portuguese captured Goa in 1510 AD.

6) With Reference to Indian freedom Struggle, which one of the following statements is not correct?
(a) The Rowlatt Act aroused a wave of Popular indignation and led to the Jallian Wala Bagh Massacre.
(b)Subash Chandra Bose formed the forward Bloc.
(c) Bahagat Singh was one of the founders of Hindustan Republican Socialist Association.
(d) In 1931, the congress session opposed Gandhi-Irwin Pact.

Ans: – (d)

Expl: – In 1931,Karachi session of Congress supported the Gandhi – Irwin Pact, sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the President for that session.

7) Alam Khan, one of those who invited Babur to invade India was
(a)An uncle of Ibrahim Lodi and a pretender to the throne of Delhi
(b)a cousin of Ibrahim Lodi who was ill-treated and expelled from the country.
(c)The father of Dilwar Khan to whom cruel treatment was meted out by Ibrahim Lodi.
(d) High official in Punjab Province who was very much discontented with Ibrahim Lodi’s treatment to his tribe.

Ans : – (a)

Expl: – Alam Khan Lodi, Faujidar of Dipalpur, was the maternal uncle of Ibrahim Lodi.

8)The battle of dharmat was fought between,
(a)Mohammed Ghori and Jai Chand
(b) Babur and Afgans
(c)Aurangazeb and Dara Shikoh
(d)Ahmed Shah Durrahi and the Marathas

Ans: (c)

Expl: – War of succession between Aurangazeb and Dara Shikoh took place in 1658.

9) How did Mughal Emperor Jahandar Shah Reign come to an early end?
(a) He was deposed by his wazir
(b) He died due to a slip while climbing down steps
(c) He was defeated by his nephew in a battle
(d) He died of sickness due to too much consumption of wine

Ans: – (c)

Expl: – The later Mughal emperor Jahandar Shah was defeated by his Nephew Farukshiyar 1713.

10) In India, among the following locations, the Dutch established their earliest factory at
(a) Surat
(b) Pulicat
(c) cochin
(d) Cassimbazar

Ans: (b)

Expl: – Dutch factories location:
Masulipattinam : 1805
Pulicat : 1610
Surat : 1616

11) Consider the following statements:-
1. The Cholas defeated Pandya and Chera rulers and established their domination over peninsular India in the early medieval times.
2. The Cholas sent an expedition against Sailendra Empire of South East Asia and conquered some of the areas.

Which of the statements is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans : – (b)

Expl: – Vijayalaya Chola and Adithya Chola Defeated Pandyas and Pallavas respectively, Rajendra Chola I sent an expedition against Sailendra empire of South East Asia.

12) In India, the first bank of limited liability managed by Indians and founded in 1881 was
(a) Hindustan Commercial Bank
(b) Oudh Commercial Bank
(c) Punjab National Bank
(d) Punjab and Sindh Bank

Ans: – (b)

Expl: – First Bank in India was Hindusthan Commercial Bank started by Europeans in 1770. Punjab National Bank was started in 1894.

13) Consider the following statements:-
1.Kitab-I-Nauras, a collection of songs in praise of Hindu deities and Muslims, Saints, was written by Ibrahim Adil ShahII.
2.Amir Kusrau was the originator in India of the early form of Musical style Known as Qawali.

Which of these statements is/are correct?

(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: – (c)

14) Which of the following statements is not correct?
(a) Ali Mardan Khan introduced the system of Revenue farm in Bengal.
(b) Maharaja Ranjit Singh set up modern foundries to manufacture cannons at Lahore.
(c) Sawai Jai Singh of Amber had Euclid’s “Elements of Geomentry” translated into Sanskrit.
(d) Sultan Tipu of Mysore gave money for the construction of the idol of Goddess Sarda in the Shringeri Temple.

Ans: – (a)

Expl: – Murshid Quli Khan, founder of Bengal Nawabship introduced Revenue farming in Bengal.

15) Which of the following provisions was not made in the charter Act of 1833?
(a) The trading activities of the East India Company were to be abolished.
(b) The designation of the supreme authority was to be changed as the Governor-General of India in Council.
(c) All law-making powers to be conferred on Governor-General in Council.
(d) An Indian was to be appointed as a Law Member in the Governor-General Council.

Ans: – (a)

Expl: – The monopoly of trading activities of EIC was to be abolished.Through this charter act the trading activities were extended up to 1853.

16) With reference to the Colonial rule in India, what was sought by the Ilbert Bill in 1883?
(a) To bring Indians and Europeans on par as far as the Criminal juridiction of courts was concerned.
(b) To impose severe restrictions on the freedom of the native press as it was perceived to be hostile to colonial rulers.
(c) To encourage the native Indians to appear for Civil Services Examinations by conducting them in India.
(d) To allow native Indians to possess arms by amending Arms Act

Ans: – (a)

Expl: -Ilbert Bill Was Introduced In 1883, When Lord Ilbert Was The Governor-General. As A Result Of Agitation Of Europeans, The Bill Was Modified.

17) An important aspect of the Cripp’s Mission in 1942 was
(a) That all Indian states should join the Indian Union as condition to consider any degree of autonomy for India.
(b) The creation of an Indian Union with Dominion Status very soon after the second World War.
(c) The active participation and co-operation of the Indian people communities and political parties in the British War effort as a condition for granting independence with full Sovereign status to India after War.
(d) By framing of a Constitution for the entire Indian Union with no separate constitution for any province, and a Union Constitution to be accepted by all province

Ans: – (b)

Expl: – Cripp’s Mission of 1942 declared the Dominion Status of India after the Second World War.

18) When Congress leaders condemned Montague-Chelmsford Report, many moderates left the party to form the
(a) Swarajya Party
(b) Indian Freedom Party
(c) Independence Federation of India
(d) Indian Liberal Federation

Ans: – (d)

Expl: – Tez Bagadur Sapru, Jayakar, Chindamani started Indian liberal Federation in 1918. They were favourable to Montague announcements and Chelmsford Reforms.

19) Who headed the Interim cabinet formed in the year 1946?
(a) Rajendra Prasad
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
(d) Rajagopalachari

Ans: – (b)

Expl: – Interim Government was set up on 2nd September, 1946, headed by Jawaharlal Nehru. Later Muslim League Joined the Government. Liaquat Ali Khan of Muslim league was the finance minister.

20) The leader of Bardoli Satyagraha was (1928)
(a) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
(b) Mahatma Gandhi
(c) Vithalbhai J.Patel
(d) Mahadev Desai

Ans: – (a)

Expl: – Patel organized a “No revenue movement” when the British Government hiked the Revenue demands by 22% in Bardali.

21) During the Colonial Period in India, what was the purpose of the Whitley Commission?
(a) To review the fitness of India for further political reforms.
(b) To report on the existing conditions of labour and to make recommendations.
(c) To draw up a plan for financial reforms for India.
(d) To develop a comprehensive scheme for Civil Services in India.

Ans: – (b)

Expl: – Commission was set up under the Chairmanship of John Henry Whitley in 1929. The Committee consisted of 11 members, 6 of them being Indians.

22) Emperor Harsha’s Southward March was stopped on the Narmada River by
(a) Pulakesin I
(b) Pulakesin II
(c) Vikramaditya I
(d) Vikramaditya II

Ans: – (b)

23) Assertion (A) : Emperor Akbar marched towards Afghanistan in 1581 with a huge
Army.
Reason (R) : He was on his way to reclaim his ancestral country of Fargana in
Central Asia.

Ans: – (c)

Expl: – All the great Mughal rulers wanted to reclaim their ancestral country. But Akbar’s expedition to Afghan on 1581 was against rebel Mirza Mohamed Hakim.

24) Assertion (A) : In 1916 Moulana Mohamed Ali and Abul Kalam Azad resigned from
the legislative council.
Reason (R) : Rowlatt Act was passed by the Government inspite of being opposed by all Indian Members of legislative councils.

Ans: – (d)

25) Assertion (A) : Shah Alam II spend the initial years as an Emperor far away from
his capital.
Reason (R) : There was always a burning danger of foreign invasion from the North West frontiers.

Ans: – (c)

Expl: – Shah Alam was away from his capital because of the fear of Najid Khan Rohilla, Wazir of Shah Alam.

26) Assertion (A) : Saluva Narasimha put an end to the old dynasty and assumed the Royal title.
Reason (R) : He wanted to save the kingdom from further degeneration and disintegration.

Ans: – (a)

Expl: – Sangama rulers were fond of pleasure and neglected their state affairs. So, Saluva Narasimha captured the power.

27) Assertion (A) : Marathas emerged as the strongest native power in India after the decline of Mughal empire.
Reason (R) : Marathas were the first to have a clear concept of a united Indian nation.

Ans: – (c)

Expl: – Maratha were not driven with the concept of united Indian nation.

28) How did sultan Qutb-ud-din-Aibak die?
(a) He was treacherously stabbed to death by one of his ambitious nobles.
(b) He was killed in a Battle with Taj-u-din Yildiz, the ruler of Ghazni who entered into a contest with him over the capture of Punjab.
(c) He sustained injuries while besieging the fortress of kalinjar in Bundelkhand and succumbed to death.
(d) He died after a fall from him house while playing Chaugan.

Ans: – (d)