History & National Movement

CDS 202523 questions

1. Q1

   Consider the following international events: 1. Signing of the Simla Agreement 2. Agra Summit between India and Pakistan 3. Signing of the SAARC Charter at the First SAARC Summit 4. India's first nuclear test Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the above events?

   • A1, 3, 4, 2
   • B4, 1, 3, 2
   • C1, 4, 3, 2
   • D4, 1, 2, 3
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (C) 1, 4, 3, 2

   The correct sequence is Simla Agreement (1972), India's first nuclear test at Pokhran (1974), signing of the SAARC Charter at the First SAARC Summit in Dhaka (1985), and the Agra Summit (2001). This gives the order 1, 4, 3, 2, which is option C.

2. Q2

   Consider the following social movements: 1. Chipko Movement 2. Bardoli Satyagraha 3. Satyashodhak Samaj Which one of the following is the correct chronological order (starting with the earliest) of the launch of the above social movements?

   • A2, 1, 3
   • B3, 1, 2
   • C3, 2, 1
   • D1, 2, 3
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (C) 3, 2, 1

   The earliest was the Satyashodhak Samaj founded by Jyotiba Phule in 1873, followed by the Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928 led by Sardar Patel, and then the Chipko Movement of the early 1970s. This gives the order 3, 2, 1 (option C).

3. Q3

   Which one of the following statements about the Tashkent Agreement is correct?

   • AIt was an agreement between India and the Soviet Union.
   • BIt was an agreement between India and Pakistan.
   • CIt was an agreement that led to the formation of Bangladesh.
   • DIt was an agreement between India and Mongolia.
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (B) It was an agreement between India and Pakistan.

   The Tashkent Agreement of 1966 was signed between India (Lal Bahadur Shastri) and Pakistan (Ayub Khan), mediated by the Soviet Union, to end the 1965 war. It was not an agreement with the USSR or Mongolia, nor did it lead to Bangladesh's formation (that followed the 1971 war).

4. Q4

   Which of the following can be considered a part of the ancient Indian Smriti Literature? 1. Puranas 2. Ramayana 3. Kalpa-Sutra 4. Vedas Select the answer using the code given below:

   • A1, 2 and 3 only
   • B3 and 4 only
   • C1 and 2 only
   • D1, 2, 3 and 4
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (A) 1, 2 and 3 only

   Smriti literature (as opposed to the Shruti) includes the Puranas, the epics like the Ramayana, and the Kalpa-Sutras (a Vedanga), so statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct (option A). The Vedas are Shruti, not Smriti, so 4 is excluded.

5. Q5

   Who among the following was India's first Woman Chief Minister?

   • ASarojini Naidu
   • BSucheta Kripalani
   • CVijaya Lakshmi Pandit
   • DHansa Mehta
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (B) Sucheta Kripalani

   Sucheta Kripalani became India's first woman Chief Minister when she headed the Uttar Pradesh government in 1963. Sarojini Naidu was a Governor, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit a diplomat, and Hansa Mehta an educationist and constituent assembly member.

6. Q6

   Who among the following is the founder of the Congress Socialist Party ?

   • AAcharya Narendra Dev
   • BJawaharlal Nehru
   • CMotilal Nehru
   • DAsoka Mehta
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (A) Acharya Narendra Dev

   The Congress Socialist Party, formed in 1934 as a socialist bloc within the Indian National Congress, was founded under the leadership of Acharya Narendra Dev, who became its first president, with figures like Jayaprakash Narayan. Jawaharlal Nehru and Motilal Nehru were not its founders.

7. Q7

   Consider the following statements about the Bengal countryside at the time of the Permanent Settlement : (1) The zamindars' troops were disbanded. (2) Within the villages, the power of jotedars was more effective than that of zamindars. (3) The East India Company made a rule that the property of women would not be taken over. (4) Adhiyars were sharecroppers on the land owned by bargadars. Which of the statements given above are correct?

   • A1, 2 and 4
   • B1, 2 and 3
   • C2, 3 and 4
   • D1 and 3 only
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (B) 1, 2 and 3

   Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct: at the Permanent Settlement the zamindars' troops were disbanded, jotedars often wielded greater local power than zamindars, and the Company ruled that women's property would not be seized. Statement 4 is wrong because it reverses the roles—adhiyars/bargadars were themselves the sharecroppers, not tenants of one another.

8. Q8

   Match List-I with List-II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : List-I (Journal/Newspaper/Pamphlet): A. Kudi Arasu, B. Kisan Bulletin, C. Bombay Chronicle, D. Bhawani Mandir. List-II (Founder/Editor/Author): 1. Aurobindo Ghosh, 2. Pherozeshah Mehta, 3. Indulal Yagnik, 4. E.V. Ramaswami Naicker. Code:

   • AA-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
   • BA-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
   • CA-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
   • DA-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (A) A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1

   The correct pairing is Kudi Arasu–E.V. Ramaswami Naicker (Periyar), Kisan Bulletin–Indulal Yagnik, Bombay Chronicle–Pherozeshah Mehta, and Bhawani Mandir–Aurobindo Ghosh, giving A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1. Kudi Arasu was Periyar's Tamil paper and Bhawani Mandir was Aurobindo's revolutionary pamphlet, which fixes the sequence.

9. Q9

   Which of the following statements about the Ghadar Movement is/are correct? (1) The Ghadar Movement began in 1913 in San Francisco. (2) The movement was founded by Sohan Singh Bhakna. (3) The Ghadar Movement took its name from the weekly Ghadar brought out in several Indian languages. Select the answer using the code given below :

   • A1 only
   • B2 only
   • C2 and 3 only
   • D1, 2 and 3
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3

   All three statements are correct: the Ghadar Movement was launched in 1913 at San Francisco, founded with Sohan Singh Bhakna as its first president, and named after the weekly newspaper 'Ghadar' published in several Indian languages. Hence the answer covers 1, 2 and 3.

10. Q10

    Chronologically arrange the formation of the following political associations, beginning from the earliest : (1) Poona Sarvajanik Sabha (2) Indian Association (3) Madras Mahajan Sabha (4) Bombay Presidency Association. Select the answer using the code given below :

    • A1, 2, 3, 4
    • B4, 3, 2, 1
    • C1, 2, 4, 3
    • D3, 4, 1, 2
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (A) 1, 2, 3, 4

    The chronological order of formation is Poona Sarvajanik Sabha (1870), Indian Association (1876), Madras Mahajan Sabha (1884) and Bombay Presidency Association (1885), i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4. This makes the Poona body the earliest and the Bombay association the latest.

11. Q11

    Which one of the following periods has provided the evidence of a ploughed field at Kalibangan in Rajasthan?

    • AEarly Harappan
    • BMature Harappan
    • CLate Harappan
    • DChalcolithic
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (A) Early Harappan

    The evidence of a ploughed field with a criss-cross furrow pattern at Kalibangan belongs to the Early Harappan (pre-Harappan) period, making it one of the earliest known ploughed fields. It predates the Mature Harappan phase, so the other options are incorrect.

12. Q12

    Consider the following events : 1. Muslim League Resolution for Pakistan 2. Gandhi-Irwin Pact 3. Dandi March 4. Second Round Table Conference Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the given events (earliest to latest) ?

    • A2, 3, 1, 4
    • B3, 2, 4, 1
    • C3, 4, 2, 1
    • D2, 3, 4, 1
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (B) 3, 2, 4, 1

    The correct sequence is the Dandi March (March 1930), the Gandhi-Irwin Pact (March 1931), the Second Round Table Conference (late 1931) and finally the Muslim League's Pakistan (Lahore) Resolution of 1940, giving 3, 2, 4, 1. The Salt March triggered the pact, which enabled Gandhi's attendance at the London conference.

13. Q13

    Consider the following pairs : (Historical Place) (Well-known for) I. Girnar : Sudarshana Lake II. Cholistan : Terracotta model of Plough III. Mant (near Mathura) : Headless standing figure of Kanishka IV. Sannati : Asokan Pillar Edict in Odisha How many pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?

    • A1
    • B2
    • C3
    • D4
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (C) 3

    Three pairs are correctly matched: Girnar with Sudarshana Lake, Cholistan with the terracotta model of a plough, and Mant near Mathura with the headless standing statue of Kanishka. The Sannati pair is wrong because its Ashokan edict is in Karnataka, not Odisha, leaving three correct matches.

14. Q14

    With reference to the “Amara-Nayaka system”, which one of the following statements is not correct ?

    • AIt was a major political innovation of the Vijayanagara Empire.
    • BThey were military commanders, who were given territories to govern and collect taxes and other dues from peasants, craftspersons and traders in the area.
    • CThey retained part of the revenue for personal use and to maintain a stipulated contingent of horses and elephants.
    • DThey were not allowed to use their share of revenue for the maintenance of temples.
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (D) They were not allowed to use their share of revenue for the maintenance of temples.

    Statement D is not correct: amara-nayakas were in fact permitted to use part of their revenue to maintain temples and irrigation works. The other statements accurately describe this Vijayanagara innovation, under which military commanders governed territories, collected taxes, and retained revenue to keep contingents of horses and elephants.

15. Q15

    Consider the following statements about Ellora : 1. This art-historical site is associated exclusively with Buddhism. 2. The Kailasa temple at Ellora has been built of dressed stone and kiln fired bricks. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

    • A1 only
    • B2 only
    • CBoth 1 and 2
    • DNeither 1 nor 2
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2

    Neither statement is correct: Ellora is a multi-faith site associated with Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, not exclusively Buddhism. The Kailasa temple was carved monolithically out of a single basalt rock face rather than built from dressed stone and kiln-fired bricks, so both statements are false.

16. Q16

    “Neel Darpan”, a play that depicted the atrocities on the indigo planters, was translated into English by :

    • ADinabandhu Mitra
    • BMichael Madhusudan Dutta
    • CJames Long
    • DJames C. Scott
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (B) Michael Madhusudan Dutta

    The Bengali play Nil Darpan was written by Dinabandhu Mitra and exposed the oppression of indigo cultivators; its English translation was done by Michael Madhusudan Dutta, though it was published (and thus prosecuted) under Rev. James Long. So the translator was Madhusudan Dutta (B), not the author Mitra or the publisher Long.

17. Q17

    With reference to the Revolt of 1857, consider the following statements : 1. Shah Mal mobilised the people of Baraut region of Uttar Pradesh and captured the bungalow of an Englishman and converted it into a “hall of justice”. 2. Gonoo was a Kol leader of the Singhbhum region of Chotanagpur. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

    • A1 only
    • B2 only
    • CBoth 1 and 2
    • DNeither 1 nor 2
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (C) Both 1 and 2

    Both statements are correct. Shah Mal led peasants of the Baraut pargana (Uttar Pradesh) in 1857 and set up a "hall of justice" in a captured English bungalow, while Gonoo was indeed a Kol tribal leader of the Singhbhum region of Chotanagpur. Therefore C.

18. Q18

    Which of the following books portrays three images of the Mother Goddess : “Mother as she was”, “Mother as she is” and “Mother as she will be” ?

    • ADurgeshnandini
    • BKapalkundala
    • CAnandamath
    • DDevi Chaudhurani
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (C) Anandamath

    Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's Anandamath presents the Mother Goddess in three forms: the Mother as she was, as she is, and as she will be, symbolising the motherland. The other Bankim novels listed do not use this triple image, making C correct.

19. Q19

    With reference to the women achievers in modern India, consider the following statements : 1. Pandita Ramabai published a book “A Comparison Between Women and Men” where she protested against the colonial view that men enjoyed all the rights, opportunities and benefits of change. 2. Tarabai Shinde worked in the field of medicine to reduce child mortality in rural India. 3. Sarojini Naidu led a delegation to London to demand for female franchise. How many of the statements given above is/are correct ?

    • A1
    • B2
    • C3
    • DNone
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (A) 1

    Only statement 1 is correct, so the answer is A (one statement). Pandita Ramabai did protest the colonial denial of women's rights. Statement 2 is wrong because Tarabai Shinde was a writer (author of Stri Purush Tulana), not a worker in rural medicine. Statement 3 is also inaccurate as attributed here regarding the franchise delegation.

20. Q20

    The Sanikatta Salt Works, known for Salt Satyagraha, is located in :

    • AGujarat
    • BTamil Nadu
    • CKerala
    • DKarnataka
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (D) Karnataka

    The Sanikatta Salt Works, a site of Salt Satyagraha activity, lies in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka on the west coast. Hence the correct state is Karnataka (D), not Gujarat (Dandi), Tamil Nadu or Kerala.

21. Q21

    The Kalaram temple, known for temple entry movements in the early twentieth century, is located in which state of India ?

    • AMaharashtra
    • BKerala
    • CTamil Nadu
    • DGujarat
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (A) Maharashtra

    The Kalaram temple, focus of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's 1930 temple-entry satyagraha, is located at Nashik in Maharashtra. This makes A correct.

22. Q22

    Matangini Hazra and Lakshman Naik sacrificed their lives in :

    • ABardoli Satyagraha
    • BNon-Cooperation Movement
    • CCivil Disobedience Movement
    • DQuit India Movement
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (D) Quit India Movement

    Both Matangini Hazra (Tamluk, Bengal) and Lakshman Naik (Odisha) were killed during the 1942 Quit India Movement while protesting British rule. Therefore D is correct, not the earlier Bardoli, Non-Cooperation or Civil Disobedience movements.

23. Q23

    With reference to the history of India, the word “kopeki” is associated with :

    • AClothes
    • BCoins
    • CLand measurement
    • DA type of sport in South India
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (B) Coins

    "Kopeki" (kopek) refers to a coin/currency unit, so it is associated with coins (B). It is not linked to clothing, land measurement or sport.