UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : History, Culture and Social Issues MCQs on Vijayanagara kingdom, census in India and more (Week 74)

1. The first All India Census was attempted in 1872.

2. From 1881, decennial censuses became a regular feature.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (UPSC-CDS(II) – 2024)

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Note: The aspirants should also refer to the questions from other competitive exams conducted by the UPSC which might be useful for UPSC–CSE.

Explanation

— A Census is Constitutionally mandated in India. There are repeated references to the Census exercise in the Constitution in the context of reorganisation of constituencies for Parliament and state Assemblies.

— The Census of India Act of 1948, which provides the legal framework for carrying out the Census, also does not mention its timing or periodicity.

— There is, therefore, no Constitutional or legal requirement that a Census has to be done every 10 years. However, this exercise has been carried out in the first year of every decade, without fail, since 1881.

— The Census of 1872 was conducted in 1866-67 by counting heads in the majority of the country. This census did not include all regions owned or controlled by the British. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The Census of 1881, conducted on February 17, 1881 by W.C. Plowden, Census Commissioner of India, was a significant step towards a modern synchronous census. Since then, censuses have been conducted every ten years. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— This Census focused not only on total coverage, but also on the classification of demographic, economic, and social aspects.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: censusindia.gov.in)

QUESTION 2

Consider the following statements:

1. It is one of India’s most well-preserved and studied Buddhist sites situated on a hilltop in Madhya Pradesh.

2. It was built by Ashoka in the third century BC.

3. In the mid second century BC, during the Shunga period, the original brick structure was enlarged to twice its size and the mound was covered in sandstone slabs.

The above mentioned statements refer to:

(a) Dhamek Stupa

(b) Chaukhandi Stupa

(c) Kesaria Stupa

(d) Sanchi Stupa

Explanation

— Sanchi is one of India’s best-preserved and studied Buddhist sites, located on a mountaintop near Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh.

— The site contains many stupas, the most renowned of which is the Sanchi Stupa, also known as the Great Stupa, which was built by Ashoka in the third century BC.

— It houses sacred relics or the remains of the Buddha and his most devoted disciples.

— During the Shunga period in the mid-second century BC, the original brick construction was doubled in size, and the mound was covered in sandstone slabs.

— A circumambulatory walkway was built around the stupa, surrounded by a stone barrier known as a vedika. Circumambulation, also known as pradakhshina, is an essential ritual and devotional activity in Buddhism.

— The Satavahana period, which lasted from the first century BC to the second century AD, saw the stupa’s most ornate modifications. Four stone entrances, or toranas, were erected to the stupa in the four cardinal directions.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: indianculture.gov.in)

QUESTION 3

Consider the following:

1. Sangama

2. Tuluva

3. Saluva

4. Aravidu

What is the correct chronological order of these dynasties (starting to end) as per their rule?

(a) 1—3—2—4

(b) 2—3—4—1

(c) 3—4—1—2

(d) 4—1—2—3

Explanation

— The Vijayanagara kingdom has long been a source of historical and political fascination. In 1336, the kingdom was established.

— From 1336 until 1646, the kingdom saw many ups and downs. Vijayanagara was founded by Harihara I of the Sangama dynasty and grew from its strategic location on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.

— The kingdom peaked under Krishna Deva Raya’s reign (1509-1529), when it had military superiority over neighbouring kingdoms such as the Bahmani Sultanate, the Golconda Sultanate, and the Gajapatis of Odisha.

— The Sangama dynasty, which was succeeded by the Saluva, Tuluva, and Aravidu kingdoms, controlled South India and a portion of the Deccan, with Vijayanagara serving as their capital, and fought Islamic invasion for over two centuries.

— The correct chronological order of these dynasties are Sangama (1336-1485), Saluva(1485-1505), Tuluva (1505-1570) and Aravidu (1570-1646).

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: cbc.gov.in)

QUESTION 4

Which empire separated the administrative kingdom into Prants, Tarafs, and Maujas?

(a) Mughals

(b) Marathas

(c) Mauryas

(d) Guptas

Explanation

— The 35-ft Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Rajkot Fort in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district collapsed on August 26.

— The statue at Rajkot Fort in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Navy Day on December 4 last year.

— Under both the Mughal Empire and the Deccan states, the kingdom was split into Subhas, Sarkars, Parganas, and Maujas. Shivaji replaced this division with the Prants, Tarafs, and Maujas.

— Shivaji commanded twelve Prants. Civil land controlled directly under Shivaji’s control was divided into seventeen districts. Each Prant was overseen by a Subedar and a Karkun, while the Taraf was led by a Havaldar.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: cbc.gov.in)

QUESTION 5

Which kingdom was described by Governor General Lord Dalhousie as “A cherry that will drop into our mouth one day”? (UPSC-CDS(II) – 2024)

(a) Delhi

(b) Jhansi

(c) Gwalior

(d) Awadh

Note: The aspirants should also refer to the questions from other competitive exams conducted by the UPSC which might be useful for UPSC–CSE.

Explanation

— In 1851 Governor General Lord Dalhousie described the kingdom of Awadh as “a cherry that will drop into our mouth one day”.

— In 1856, the kingdom was formally annexed to the British Empire. The conquest happened in stages:

— The Subsidiary Alliance was imposed on Awadh in 1801. According to the terms of this partnership, the Nawab was required to dissolve his armed force, enable the British to post their troops within the country, and follow the advice of the British Resident who would now be linked to the court.

— The Nawab became increasingly reliant on the British to preserve law and order in the country. He could no longer maintain authority over the rebel chiefs and taluqdars.

— Meanwhile, the British believed the land was suitable for producing indigo and cotton, and the region was well-positioned to become Upper India’s primary market.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

(Source: ncert.nic.in)

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 74)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 73)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 73)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 73)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 71)

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