UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : History, Culture and Social Issues MCQs on Ain-i Akbari, Alvars and Nayanars and more (Week 70)

1. He formed the Indian National Association.

2. He was also known as Rashtraguru or the teacher of the Nation.

3. ‘A Nation in Making’ is the autobiography of this leader.

The above-mentioned statements refer to:

(a) Behari Lal Gupta

(b) Surendranath Banerjee

(c) Anandamohan Bose

(d) Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Explanation

— Surendranath Banerjee was a major figure in the early years of India’s independence struggle.

— He was born on November 10, 1848, in Calcutta. During his time as a public servant, he encountered discrimination from the British and was dismissed from the service.

— It inspired him to pursue a political career in order to galvanise public opinion, right wrongs, and urge for Indians to play an active role in national governance.

— He was also known as ‘Rashtraguru’ or the ‘teacher of the Nation’.

— He formed the Indian National Association, and his book, ‘A Nation in Making,’ reveals the thoughts of a magnificent leader. He died on August 6, 1925.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: indianculture.gov.in)

QUESTION 2

Which of the following statements is/are correct with reference to the Ain-i Akbari?

1. It recorded the arrangements made by the state to ensure cultivation.

2. It helped in regulating the relationship between the state and  zamindars.

3. It presents a vision of Akbar’s empire where social harmony was provided by a strong ruling class.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— Chronicles and Mughal court documents are the primary sources for agrarian history in the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries.

— One of the most important chronicles was the Ain-i Akbari, written by Akbar’s court historian, Abu’l Fazl.

— This work methodically documented the state’s structures to secure agriculture, permit tax collection by state agencies, and govern the relationship between the state and rural magnates, the zamindars. Hence, statement 1 and 2 are correct.

— The main goal of the Ain was to present a vision of Akbar’s kingdom in which societal harmony was provided by a powerful governing class. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— However, descriptions from sources outside of the Mughal capital can supplement the Ain narrative. These include extensive revenue records for Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: ncert.nic.in)

QUESTION 3

Consider the following statements about the Alvars and Nayanars:

1. Alvars are those who are “immersed” in devotion to Shiva while Nayanar leaders are devotees of Vishnu.

3. The Alvars and Nayanars initiated a movement of protest against the caste system and the dominance of Brahmanas.

4. Nalayira Divyaprabandham, a composition by Nayanar, was frequently described as the Tamil Veda.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— The Alvars (literally, “those who are “immersed” in devotion to Vishnu) and Nayanars (literally, leaders who were Shiva devotees) spearheaded some of the first bhakti movements. They moved from place to place praising their gods with Tamil hymns. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— The Alvars and Nayanars recognised various shrines as the homes of their selected deities when they were travelling. These became pilgrimage centres over time.

— To change the system, the Alvars and Nayanars started a protest campaign against the caste system and the power of Brahmanas. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— It was occasionally asserted that the works of the Alvars and Nayanars held equal significance to the Vedas, indicating the significance of their traditions.

— For example, the Nalayira Divyaprabandham, one of the principal collections of compositions by the Alvars, was sometimes referred to as the Tamil Veda, meaning that the text held the same importance as the four Sanskrit Vedas, which were revered by the Brahmanas. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Source: ncert.nic.in)

QUESTION 4

Consider the following statements/events:

1. The Pakistan Army launched Operation Searchlight, with the aim to crush all political opposition in the East.

2. Lt Gen AAK Niazi, Commander of the Pakistan Eastern Command, signed the Instrument of Surrender in the presence of Lt Gen JS Aurora, GOC-in-C of the Indian Eastern Command, in Dacca (now Dhaka).

3. The Indian Army took approximately 93,000 prisoners of war, the largest surrender of forces since World War II.

What is the correct chronological order of these events?

(a) 2—3—1

(b) 3—2—1

(c) 1—2—3

(d) 2—1—3

Explanation

— On December 16, 1971, at precisely 1655 hours IST, Lt Gen AAK Niazi, Commander of the Pakistan Eastern Command, signed the Instrument of Surrender in the presence of Lt Gen JS Aurora, GOC-in-C of the Indian Eastern Command, at Dacca (now Dhaka).

— This brought an end to the conflict, which had officially lasted only 13 days. Pakistan was divided into two, and Bangladesh was formed. The Indian Army captured nearly 93,000 prisoners of war, the largest surrender of forces since World War II. And with its success, the subcontinent’s balance of power was permanently tilted to India.

— Tensions between East and West Pakistan had been simmering since 1947, and by early 1971, the country stood at the cusp of civil war.

— On March 25, the Pakistan Army launched Operation Searchlight, with the aim to crush all political opposition in the East.

— The correct order of these events is 1-2-3.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

Consider the following cities:

1. Hyderabad

2. Gwalior

3. Kozhikode

4. Srinagar

5. Mumbai

Which of the cities given above is/are covered under the tag of the UNESCO City of Literature?

(a) 1, 3 and 4 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 1 and 5 only

(d) 3 only

Explanation

— The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was established in 2004 to encourage collaboration among cities that have identified creativity as a key aspect in sustainable urban development. It presently contains 350 cities from over 100 nations.

— The network aims to maximise the creative, social, and economic potential of cultural industries.

— It was developed to support UNESCO’s cultural diversity aims while also strengthening resilience to risks like climate change, rising inequality, and fast urbanisation.

— It encourages a culture of creativity in urban planning and solutions to urban problems.

— Indian cities that form part of UCCN are:

Kozhikode (Literature) 2023;

Gwalior (Music) 2023

Jaipur (Crafts and Folk Arts);

Mumbai (Film);

Varanasi (Music);

Chennai (Music);

Hyderabad (Gastronomy); and

Srinagar (Crafts and Folk Art).

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 70)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 69)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 69)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 69)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 69)

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