UPSC History Previous Year Questions

Consider the following statements about Raja Ram Mohan Roy: I. He possessed great love and respect for the traditional philosophical systems of the East. II. He desired his countrymen to accept the rational and scientific approach and the principle of human dignity and social equality of all men and women. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. AI only
2. BII only
3. CBoth I and II
4. DNeither I nor II

Consider the following subjects with regard to the Non-Cooperation Programme: I. Boycott of law-courts and foreign cloth II. Observance of strict non-violence III. Retention of titles and honours without using them in public IV. Establishment of Panchayats for settling disputes. How many of the above were parts of the Non-Cooperation Programme?

1. AOnly one
2. BOnly two
3. COnly three
4. DAll the four

The irrigation device called 'Araghatta' was

1. Aa water bag made of leather pulled over a pulley
2. Ba large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes
3. Ca larger earthen pot driven by bullocks
4. Da large water bucket pulled up by rope directly by hand

In ancient India, which one of the following rulers had assumed the titles 'Mattavilasa', 'Vichitrachitta' and 'Gunabhara'?

1. AMahendravarman I
2. BSimhavishnu
3. CNarasimhavarman I
4. DSimhavarman

The Chinese pilgrim Fa-hien (Faxian) travelled to India during the reign of

1. ASamudragupta
2. BChandragupta II
3. CKumaragupta I
4. DSkandagupta

Who among the following led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya, the powerful maritime State, which ruled the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and the neighbouring islands?

1. AAmoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta)
2. BPratapardra (Kakatiya)
3. CRajendra I (Chola)
4. DVishnuvardhana (Hoysala)

With reference to ancient India (600-322 BC), consider the following pairs (Territorial region : River flowing in the region): I. Asmaka : Godavari II. Kamboja : Vipas III. Avanti : Mahanadi IV. Kosala : Sarayu. How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

1. AOnly one
2. BOnly two
3. COnly three
4. DAll the four

The first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, a music training school, was set up in 1901 by Vishnu Digambar Paluskar in

1. ADelhi
2. BGwalior
3. CUjjain
4. DLahore

As is known from the edicts of Ashoka, 'Pradeshika', 'Rajuka' and 'Yukta' were important officers at what level?

1. Avillage-level administration
2. Bdistrict-level administration
3. Cprovincial administration
4. Dlevel of the central administration

Consider the following statements in respect of the Non-Cooperation Movement: I. The Congress declared that the attainment of 'Swaraj' by all legitimate and peaceful means to be its objective. II. It was to be implemented in stages with civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes for the next stage only if 'Swaraj' did not come within a year and the Government resorted to repression. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. AI only
2. BII only
3. CBoth I and II
4. DNeither I nor II

"Sedition has become my religion" was the famous statement given by Gandhiji at the time of

1. Athe Champaran Satyagraha
2. Bpublicly violating the Salt Law at Dandi
3. Cattending the Second Round Table Conference (Second RTC) in London
4. Dthe launch of the Quit India Movement

The famous female figurine known as 'Dancing Girl', found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of

1. Acarnelian (Indragop mani)
2. Bclay
3. Cbronze
4. Dgold

Who provided legal defence to the people arrested in the aftermath of the Chauri Chaura incident?

1. AC.R. Das
2. BMadan Mohan Malaviya and Krishna Kant
3. CDr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Khwaja Hasan Nizami
4. DM.A. Jinnah

Subsequent to which one of the following events did Gandhiji, who consistently opposed untouchability and appealed for its eradication from all spheres, decide to include the upliftment of 'Harijans' in his political and social programme?

1. AThe Poona Pact
2. BThe Gandhi-Irwin Agreement (Delhi Pact)
3. CArrest of Congress leadership at the time of the Quit India Movement
4. DPromulgation of the Government of India Act, 1935

Consider the following fruits: I. Papaya II. Pineapple III. Guava. How many of the above were introduced in India by the Portuguese in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?

1. AOnly one
2. BOnly two
3. CAll the three
4. DNone

Who among the following was the founder of the 'Self-Respect Movement'?

1. A'Periyar' E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker
2. BDr. B.R. Ambedkar
3. CBhaskarrao Jadhav
4. DDinkarrao Javalkar

Underline the changes in the field of society and economy from the Rig Vedic to the later Vedic period. (Answer in 150 words)

Estimate the contribution of Pallavas of Kanchi for the development of art and literature of South India. (Answer in 150 words)

What were the events that led to the Quit India Movement? Point out its results. (Answer in 150 words)

Though the great Cholas are no more yet their name is still remembered with great pride because of their highest achievements in the domain of art and architecture. Comment. (Answer in 250 words)