UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise static quiz: History and Culture MCQs on Chandella culture, country’s first ambassador to China, and more (Week 123)

QUESTION 1

Which of the following statements with reference to Chandella culture is/are true?

1. The temples of Khajuraho bear an exceptional testimony to the Chandella culture, which flourished in central India after the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate.

2. Chandella temple architecture are dedicated to Hinduism and Jainism.

Which of the above given statements is/are true?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

The temples of Khajuraho bear an exceptional testimony to the Chandella culture, which flourished in central India before the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate at the beginning of the 13th century CE.

The temples at Khajuraho were built during the Chandella dynasty, which reached its apogee between 950 and 1050. Only about 20 temples remain; they fall into three distinct groups and belong to two different religions – Hinduism and Jainism.

Therefore, b is the correct answer.

(For more, refer: Khajuraho group of monuments, unesco.org)

QUESTION 2

Who among the mentioned names below was the secretary to the Chamber of Princes – a platform for princely rulers to interact with the colonial authorities and air their concerns , the first statesmen to actively start the process of integration of the princely states, the architect of Independent India’s maritime policy, the country’s first ambassador to China, part of the States Reorganisation Committee and a key figure to have influenced the redrawing of India’s states on linguistic lines?

(a) V P Menon

(b) K Kelappan

(c) K M Panikkar

(d) C Kesavan

Explanation

In the history of modern India, the name of K M Panikkar features almost everywhere. He started his career as a professor at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), and then swiftly kept moving to take up some of the tallest administrative roles that shaped the contours of post-Independent India. As secretary to the Chamber of Princes – a platform for princely rulers to interact with the colonial authorities and air their concerns – Panikkar was one of the first statesmen to actively start the process of integration of the princely states, which was finally brought to a culmination by bureaucrat V P Menon and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

As the dewan of the state of Bikaner, Panikkar invited the archaeologist Aurel Stein to excavate what became the first findings of the Indus Valley Civilisation. He was the architect of Independent India’s maritime policy and the country’s first ambassador to China. Panikkar was also part of the States Reorganisation Committee and a key figure to have influenced the redrawing of India’s states on linguistic lines.

Therefore, c is the correct answer.

(For more, refer: KM Panikkar marked the beginning of princely states’ integration: Narayani Basu on his forgotten role in shaping India by Adrija Roychaudhary, The Indian Express.)

QUESTION 3

With reference to Vithalbhai Patel consider the following statements:

1. When Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly, he was presiding over it.

2. He supported Mahatma Gandhi’s decision to suspend the Non-Cooperation Movement against the British after the Chauri Chaura incident. 

3. He was one of the founders of the Swaraj Party in 1923.

Which of the above given statements is/are true?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

The Delhi Legislative Assembly is hosting a two-day All India Speakers’ Conference to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Vithalbhai Patel, older brother of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, becoming the President of the Central Legislative Assembly, Parliament’s equivalent under British rule.

Vithalbhai was among those senior Congress leaders who opposed Mahatma Gandhi’s decision to suspend the Non-Cooperation Movement against the British after the Chauri Chaura incident. These leaders, including Subhas Chandra Bose, Motilal Nehru, Chittaranjan Das, among others, founded the Swaraj Party in 1923. However, they worked closely with the Congress for the cause of India’s freedom.

Among Vithalbhai’s lasting contributions was that Parliament’s security was in the hands of the Speaker — the ward and watch system, which continued till 2024, when the CISF stepped into that role. On April 8, 1929, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw two bombs and pamphlets in the Assembly. After this, the government wanted to take over the Assembly’s security, but Vithalbhai remained firm, and eventually, the responsibility rested with the president, with the aid of other officials.

Therefore, c is the correct answer.

(For more, refer: Amit Shah honours Vithalbhai Patel — Role Vallabhbhai’s brother played in shaping India’s Parliament by Yashee, The Indian Express.)

QUESTION 4

With reference to the Red Fort, consider the following statements:

1. It was the venue of the highly public trials of senior officers of Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army. 

2. Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar breath last in this fort.

Which of the above given statements is/are true?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

The tradition of Indian Prime Ministers speaking at the Red Fort on Independence Day is as old as independent India itself, and was started by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1947.

The fall of Delhi to Company forces effectively sealed the fate of the rebellion of 1857. It also sealed the fate of the Mughal emperor, who was exiled to Rangoon, and the city itself.

It is this history of Delhi, and by extension the Red Fort, as a seat of empire that made it the venue of choice to celebrate India’s independence. This is more so given that in 1946, the fort was the venue of the highly public trials of senior officers of Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army. These trials, which led to an outpouring of nationalist sentiments, had firmly established the Red Fort as a symbol of power and resistance in the minds of the Indian public.

Therefore, a is the correct answer.

(For more, refer: Why PMs deliver Independence Day address from Red Fort by Arjun Sengupta, The Indian Express)

QUESTION 5

Who among the following is remembered as ‘Gandhi of Burma’?

(a) Kanaklata Barua

(b) Hem Barua (Tyagbir)

(c) Maniram Dewan

(d) Sayadaw U Ottama

Explanation

Much has been written about Mahatma Gandhi and his pivotal role in India’s struggle for independence. While Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violent resistance and Swadeshi inspired millions across the world, it also had a profound impact on a Buddhist monk in neighbouring Burma (present-day Myanmar), who would go on to ignite the country’s independence movement. Sayadaw U Ottama, came to be known as the ‘Gandhi of Burma’.

Therefore, d is the correct answer.

(For more, refer: The other Mahatma: Sayadaw U Ottama, a Buddhist monk who fought for Burma’s independence by Nikita Mohta, The Indian Express.)