History & Culture — UPSC Prelims practice questions

Question 1

Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi is primarily known for: (A) Founding the Chishti order in India (B) Opposing Akbar's Din-i-Ilahi and advocating Islamic orthodoxy within the Naqshbandi order (C) Compiling the Adi Granth (D) Introducing the Qadiri order to India

Accepted Answer

(B) Opposing Akbar's Din-i-Ilahi and advocating Islamic orthodoxy within the Naqshbandi order — Correct. Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi (1564–1624), known as Mujaddid-alf-Sani (Renewer of the Second Millennium), was a Naqshbandi Sufi who opposed Akbar's syncretic religious policies and Din-i-Ilahi, advocating a return to orthodox Sunni Islam.

Question 2

Which one of the following defines extremist ideology during the early phase of the Indian freedom movement? (A) Stimulating the production of indigenous articles by giving them preference over imported commodities (B) Obtaining self-government by aggressive means in place of petitions and constitutional ways (C) Providing national education according to the requirements of the country (D) Organising coups against the British empire through military revolt

Accepted Answer

(B) Obtaining self-government by aggressive means in place of petitions and constitutional ways — Correct. The defining feature of extremist ideology was the rejection of moderate methods of petitions and constitutional agitation in favor of more assertive and aggressive means to achieve self-government (Swaraj).

Question 3

The site of Lothal, an important Harappan port, is located in which present-day Indian state? (A) Rajasthan (B) Maharashtra (C) Gujarat (D) Haryana

Accepted Answer

(C) Gujarat — Correct. Lothal is located in Ahmedabad district, Gujarat. Excavated by S.R. Rao from 1955, it is known for its dockyard — possibly the world's earliest known — a bead-making factory, a fire altar, and evidence of extensive maritime trade with Mesopotamia.

Question 4

The Bhakti movement in South India originated with the: (A) Alvars and Nayanars (B) Shankaracharya's Advaita philosophy (C) Basavanna's Lingayat movement (D) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's Vaishnavism

Accepted Answer

(A) Alvars and Nayanars — Correct. The Bhakti movement in South India originated with the Alvars (Vaishnavite devotional poets) and Nayanars (Shaivite devotional poets) between the 6th and 9th centuries CE in Tamil Nadu.

Question 5

With reference to Congress Socialist Party, consider the following statements:
1. It advocated the boycott of British goods and evasion of taxes.
2. It wanted to establish the dictatorship of the proletariat.
3. It advocated separate electorate for minorities and oppressed classes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (A) 1 and 2 only (B) 3 only (C) 1, 2 and 3 (D) None

Accepted Answer

(D) None — Correct. The Congress Socialist Party functioned as a socialist group within the Congress but did not advocate boycott/tax evasion as its defining programme, did not support the dictatorship of the proletariat, and opposed separate electorates.

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