SHANKAR IAS ACADEMYTM PRESTORMINGTM TEST 2 - MODERN INDIA - I - EXPLANATION KEY
1. Ans (d) Explanation: Portuguese believed that the control of the coasts were sufficient to control trade in India & didn't venture much beyond. The socio-Cultural Synthesis policy followed by Alfonso actually strengthened the Portuguese hold as marital alliances were a matter of policy. Vijayanagara Empire was of huge support to the Portuguese but it collapsed in 1565
2. Ans (c) Explanation: The Arabian Traders dominated trade with India due to their accessibility, The Portuguese therefore had to establish control to strengthen trade in the 16th century It was a Portuguese Doctrine
3. Ans (d)
4. Ans (d)
5. Ans (b) Explanation: The Britishers misused this privilege for their private trade as well. Dastak was not a tax but an exempt from tax given to the company for trade in Bengal. This system was drafted by Robert Clive and implemented by Mir Jaafar. Mir Qasim - his successor abolished it leading to confrontation with the British which eventually lead the British to bring Bengal under direct rule.
6. Ans (a) Explanation: The Governor of Bengal was to be administered with the assistance of 4 members. He was not given veto power in the 1773 act and this led to many problems for Lord Warren Hastings
7. Ans (d) Explanation: The Maratha Empire was a confederacy with multiple power centers that were subordinated to the Chatrapathi & later to the Peshwas.
8. Ans (d) Explanation: More than 90% of the global burden of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is contributed by six countries: Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, South Sudan and Sudan. In India, more than 70% VL cases are reported from the state of Bihar. North Bihar, India (including Araria, Purnea, and Kishanganj) is the endemic zone of this disease.
9. Ans (d)
10. Ans (b)
11. Ans (c) Explanation: Austrian war of succession coincided with the 1st battle of Carnatic. Wandiwash was fought in the 3rd battle of Carnatic.
12. Ans (c) Explanation: Treaty of Salbai was signed between the Marathas and the British East India Company. As per this treaty: British acknowledged Madhavrao Narayan as Peshwa of the Maratha Empire British Recognized the Territorial claims of Madhav Rao Scindia in west of Yamuna River. SHANKAR IAS ACADEMYTM Raghunath Rao was freed and a pension was fixed for them. British East India Company got the control of the Salsette. British promised to support Marathas in case they attack Hyder Ali of Mysore and retake the territories of Carnatic. In summary, the Treaty of Salbai which was the outcome of the First Anglo Maratha war maintained the status quo. The Treaty secured peace with Marathas for 20 years
13. Ans (c) Explanation: He introduced a number of reforms which paved the way for the modernisation of India and also earned the title, “Maker of the Modern India”. He believed that, “the promotion of civilization meant the promotion of western reforms, that western administration and western institutions were as superior to Indian as Western arms had proved more potent.” Administrative Reforms: Dalhousie’s chief aim was the consolidation of British rule in India. So he adopted the principle of centralization. For the newly acquired territories he devised the ‘Non-Regulation System” under which commissioners were appointed to deal with the administrative problems. They were made responsible to the Governor-General in the Council. He handed over all other powers relating to justice, police, and land revenue to the District Magistrates. Dalhousie also made provision for the appointment of a Lieutenant Governor of Bengal. By the Parliamentary Act of 1853, the Governor-General was relieved of his functions as the governor of Bengal. Military Reforms: After the conquest of Punjab, Sindh and Avadh, the frontiers of the company were extended and the military interest of India was transferred to the North. Thus Dalhousie shifted the headquarters of the Bengal Artillery from Calcutta to Meerut. The army head-quarter was also transferred to Shimla so that the army could remain is touch with Governor-General who resided is Shimla. Dalhousie also ordered for the general movement of troops from around Calcutta and from the lower provinces of Bengal towards the west. He could clearly foresee that the future safety of India depended upon the numerical strength of the army and on the maintenance of balance between British and Indian forces. After some reduction in the strength of the Indian element the army stood at 2, 23,000 men in 1856, as against 45,000 Europeans. As he had no confidence in the Indians, a new Gurkha regiment was created. A new “Irregular Force” was also formed and posted in Punjab. These regiments proved to be of great assistance to the British during the revolt of 1857-58. Railway Reforms: Dalhousie introduced a new system of internal communication in India. He was the father of Indian Railways. Dalhousies’ famous Railway Minute of 1853 convinced the home authorities of the need of the railways and laid down the main lines of their development. He envisaged a network of railways connecting the main places with the ports and providing both for strategically needs and commercial development. The first railway line connecting Bombay with Thane was laid down in 1853. It covered a distance of twenty-six miles. The following year a railway line was constructed from Calcutta to Raniganj coal-fields. Gradually all important cities and towns were linked up with railway lines. The railway lines were not built out of the Indian Exchequer but by private English Companies under a system of “Government Guarantee”. Besides facilitating trade and commerce, minimizing distances the railways have gone a long way in uniting India. The Electric Telegraph: In 1852 Dalhousie introduced the Electric Telegraph System in India. The first telegraph line from Calcutta to Agra was opened in 1854, covering a distance of 800 miles. By 1857, it was extended to Lahore and Peshawar. In Burma a line was laid down from Rangoon to Mandalay. People could send message from one place to another place very easily by this telegraph system. Postal Reforms: The credit of establishing Postal Department also goes to Lord Dalhousie. In 1854 a new Post Office Act was passed. Under this system, a Director-General was appointed to supervise the work SHANKAR IAS ACADEMYTM of Post Offices in all the Presidencies; a uniform rate of half-anna per letter was introduced and for the first time postage stamps were issued. A postal Department was established for the whole country. As a result of these reforms the post offices became the sources of revenue of the government. The people were benefited by the modern postal system. Public Works Department: Before Lord Dalhousie, military boards were in charge of the construction of Public Works. Hence Civilian works were completely neglected by the military board. A separate Public Works Department was established by Lord Dalhousie. The Chief Works of this department was to construct roads, bridges and government buildings. The chief Engineer, other highly trained engineers were brought from England to supervise the work of construction. Irrigational works were undertaken on an extensive scale. The construction of Ganges Canal was completed and was inaugurated on April 8, 1854. Many bridges and canals were constructed and also the construction of Grand Trunk Road was taken up. Dalhousie’s special contribution was the construction of an engineering college at Roorkee and in other presidencies. He thus ranks as the father of technical education as distinct from professional education in India. Social Reforms: Dalhousie abolished female infanticide which was prevalent among the Rajputs of higher castes. He also abolished the practice of human sacrifice practiced by the khonds of Orissa, Madras and Central Provinces who had blind belief that the fertility of the soil would be increased by sacrificing human beings. By that time it was in practice that if any person became a convert, he was deprived of his ancestral property. This system checked the speed of conversions in India. But Dalhousie passed the Religious Disability Act in 1850 which enabled the Hindu convert to inherit his ancestral property. Moreover, he also passed the Widow Remarriage Act in 1855 which legalized the marriage of Hindu widows. However, these reforms annoyed the people of India and became one of the reasons of the revolt of 1857. Commercial Reforms: Dalhousie followed the policy of free trade. Dr.Ishwari Prasad writes, “Dalhousie’s commercial reforms were designed to throw open the produce and market of India to the exploitation of English Capital.” All ports of India were declared free. The harbours of Karachi, Bombay and Calcutta were developed and light houses were also constructed. All the sea-trade was captured by the English merchants who had power and resources. The commercial reforms of Dalhousie spoiled the Indian trade and economic conditions of Indians became miserable. Educational Reforms: Lord Dalhousie had introduced a number of reforms in the field of education. The Government did not take any step for the promotion of vernacular education. In 1854 Sir Charles Wood, the President of the Board of Control sent his recommendations known as “Wood’s Despatch of 1854” to India reorganizing the whole structure of education. The wood’s dispatch laid the foundations of modern education system. It recommended Anglo Vernacular Schools throughout the districts, Government Colleges in important towns and a University in each of the three Presidencies in India. In each province a separate department of education was to be established and it was to be placed under a Director General of Public Instruction. The government should encourage private enterprise by providing grants-in-aid to the educational institutions opened by private bodies. Dalhousie completely reorganized the department of education on the basis of Wood’s recommendations. In 1857 examining universities on the model of London University were established at Calcutta, Bombay and Madras. These universities were to hold examinations and award degrees. Vernacular Schools were opened in the villages and education was imparted to the children through vernacular or regional language of the province in the Lower Classes. Lord Dalhousie had introduced several reforms touching all most every department. Unfortunately after one year of the departure of Dalhousie from India, the revolt of 1857 broke out. Some of the Social reforms of Dalhousie were responsible to some extent for the outbreak of the revolt. But most of the reforms of Dalhousie took India to the path of modernization. SHANKAR IAS ACADEMYTM
14. Ans (b) Explanation: State of Global Air Report 2017 The State of Global Air 2017 study, conducted jointly by the Health Effects Institute and the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, quantifies further what has been reported for some time now: that the concentration of the most significant inhalable pollutant, fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less (PM2.5), has been growing in India. The rise in average annual population- weighted PM2.5 levels indicates that the Centre’s initiatives to help States reduce the burning of agricultural biomass and coal in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi have failed. The directions of the National Green Tribunal to Delhi, which were reviewed last year, could not end open burning of garbage and straw, or curb the urban use of diesel-powered vehicles. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that the weighted national PM2.5 level estimated in the international report rose from 60 micrograms per cubic metre in 1990 (the acceptable limit) to 74 in 2015, with a steady rise since 2011. Weak policy on pollution is leading to the premature death of an estimated 1.1 million Indians annually, and the number is growing, in contrast to China’s record of reducing such mortality.
15. Ans (a) Explanation: Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat was announced on 31st October, 2015 on the occasion of the 140th birth anniversary of SardarVallabhbhai Patel. The Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat programme, aims to actively enhance interaction between people of diverse cultures living in different States and UTs in India, with the objective of promoting greater mutual understanding amongst them. As per the programme, each year, every State/UT would be paired with another State/UT in India for reciprocal interaction between the people. It is envisaged through this exchange, that the knowledge of the language, culture, traditions and practices of different states will lead to an enhanced understanding and bonding between one another, thereby strengthening the unity and integrity of India.
16. Ans (b) Explanation: Organ Donation in India National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) is a National level organization set up under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India located at 4th and 5th Floor of Institute of Pathology (ICMR) Building in Safdarjung Hospital New Delhi. It has following two divisions: "National Human Organ and Tissue Removal and Storage Network” "National Biomaterial Centre”. "National Human Organ and Tissue Removal and Storage Network” This has been mandated as per the Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act 2011. The network will be established initially for Delhi and gradually expanded to include other States and Regions of the country. Thus, this division of the NOTTO is the nodal networking agency for Delhi and shall network for Procurement Allocation and Distribution of Organs and Tissues in Delhi. Anybody can be an organ donor irrespective of their age, caste, religion, community etc There is no defined age for donating organs. The decision to donate organs is based on strict medical criteria, not age. Tissues such as cornea, heart valves, skin, and bone can be donated in case of natural death but vital organs such as heart, liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs, and pancreas can be donated only in the case of ‘brain death’. Organs such as the heart, pancreas, liver, kidneys and lungs can be transplanted to those recipients whose organs are failing because it allows many recipients to return to a normal lifestyle. Anyone younger than age 18 needs to have the agreement of a parent or guardian to be a donor.
17. Ans (c) Explanation: Warren Hastings ended the Dual System put forth by Clive and introduced the Ijaredari system in its place based on annual assessment of land revenue. He also appointed English revenue officers. SHANKAR IAS ACADEMYTM The first attempt to understand the personal laws of Hindus and Muslims was made by none other than warren Hastings. He respected the freedom of the Hindus and Muslims and granted them their right to be ruled according to the laws of their religion without imposing English laws on them. He was also the first to codify Hindu and Muslim personal laws. The Permanent Settlement (also Premanent Settlement of Bengal) was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793.
18. Ans (d) Explanation: Under the Pernmanent Settlement, zamindars were recognised as the owners of the land. The amount of revenue that the zamindarhaad to pay was fixed and it was decided that it wont be raised for the given period of time. The zamindars had to pay 10/11th or 89% of the revenue collected to the East India Company while keeping the rest 1/11th or 11% to himself. The zamindars were free to fix the rent. The ryots(cultivators) were considered tenents/ tillers of soil. Under Permanent settlement, zamindars lost their administrative and judicial functions. They were performed by the Company now. If a zamindar did not pay the fixed amount, his property was seized and sold. leading to ruin of zamindar. Since zamindars were assured of their ownership of lands, many of them stayed in towns. They entrusted rent collection to agents who even extracted illegal taxes besides the legal ones from the tenets.
19. Ans (d) Explanation: God’s own country.
20. Ans (d) Explanation: Administrative Reasons for Failure of 1857 Revolt Lack of Planning and Co-ordination There was no planning among the rebels. Different groups pulled in different directions. The principal rebel leaders – Nana Saheb, Tantia Tope, Kunwar Singh, Rani Laxmibai were no match to their British opponents in generalship. Weak Leadership of the 1857 Mutiny The rebel sepoys declared the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah II as the Emperor of India and the symbol of the revolt. However Bahadur Shah II was already into semi-retirement and hesitant to lead the revolt. Apart from this there were multiple leaders at different storm centres of the revolt and all were fighting the British for their own reasons and not one single cause. Military Causes of Failure of 1857 Revolt Superior British Army The Indian rebels possessed great courage and will to fight the British enemy, however, they lacked the sophisticated arms and ammunition of the British army. The European soldiers were equipped with the latest weapons like the Enfield rifle. While the Indian rebels fought the 1857 mutiny mostly with swords and spears and very few guns and muskets. Limited Supplies and Lack of Modern Communication The Indian rebels had limited military supplies. They used weapons and bullets from wherever they could loot or they already possessed while the British soldiers had advantage of the modern Railways and the Telegraph that had already started to communicate and plan quickly. The British also possessed almost unlimited supplies of modern artillery to quickly suppress the 1857 Revolt. Lack of Societal Alternative By proclaiming Bahadur Shah as the leader of the Revolt, the mutinous sepoys demonstrated a lack of societal alternative to the British occupation. One foreign power was to be supplanted by former feudal powers. For this reason the masses did not participate in the Revolt. The Princes and Educated Classes did not participate SHANKAR IAS ACADEMYTM Most of the Princely rulers and big Zamindars did not support the 1857 Revolt and actively sided with the British. Their dominions remained free of any anti-colonial uprisings. Governor General Lord Canning remarked that these rulers and chiefs “acted as the breakwaters to the storm which would have otherwise swept us in one great wave”. The educated middle and upper classes were mostly critical of the rebels since they were repelled by the rebels appeals to superstitions and their opposition to progressive social measures. Limited Spread of the Revolt The 1857 Revolt remained concentrated in the Central India and some parts of north-Western India. It did not spread to South India and most of Eastern and Western India. Madras, Bombay, Bengal and the Western Punjab remained undisturbed.
21. Ans (a) Explanation: Stent A stent is a tiny tube that doctor can insert into a blocked passageway to keep it open.
22. Ans (c)
23. Ans (b) Explanation: Sayyid advised the Muslims against joining active politics and to concentrate instead on education.
24. Ans (a) Explanation: The modern educated Indians also did not support the Revolt. They were repelled by the rebels' appeals to superstitions and their opposition to progressive social measures.
25. Ans (c) Explanation: The development of education system during the British period was determined by the needs of the colonial powers. The development of modern system of education in India is said to have begun with the Charter Act of 1833.
26. Ans (b)
27. Ans (b) Explanation: Pioneer of the Subsidiary Alliance System was the French Governor Dupleix. He used to lent his army on “rent” to the native Indian Rulers.
28. Ans (c) Explanation: This policy was reflected in Warren Hastings' wars against the Marathas and Mysore, and aimed at creating buffer zones to defend the Company's frontiers.
29. Ans (d)
30. Ans (d)
31. Ans (c) Explanation: 'Strategic crude oil reserves' These strategic storages would be in addition to the existing storages of crude oil and petroleum products with the oil companies and would serve as a cushion during any external supply disruptions. The construction of the Strategic Crude Oil Storage facilities is being managed by Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL), a Special Purpose Vehicle, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB) under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. Engineers India Limited (EIL) is taken as the Project Management Consultant for all three projects. SHANKAR IAS ACADEMYTM The crude oil storages are constructed in underground rock caverns and are located on the East and West coast of India. Crude oil from these caverns can be supplied to the Indian Refineries either through pipelines or through a combination of pipelines and ships. Underground rock caverns are considered the safest means of storing hydrocarbons.
32. Ans (d) Explanation: Cold start Doctrine The ‘Cold Start’ doctrine of the Indian Armed Forces envisages swift deployment of troops on the western border within days if a situation of a full-blown war arises. This doctrine aims to allow Indian forces to conduct sustained attacks while preventing a nuclear retaliation from Pakistan. The operation would be carried out by a unified battle group involving various branches of India’s military.
33. Ans (b) Explanation: ‘The HamariDharohar scheme’ The Ministry of Minority Affairs formulated “Hamari Dharohar” scheme for preservation of rich heritage and culture of minority communities of India in 2014-15. The scheme aims to support curation of iconic exhibitions, calligraphy, research and development, etc. Under this scheme, the funding is project based and not the State/District-wise.
34. Ans (c) Explanation: ParamahansaMandali was founded by DadobaPanderung (1842-82) and Bal ShastriJambhekar of Maharashtra in 1849. Dadoba in his book Dharma Vivechan, outlined seven principles of this new movement: that God alone should be worshipped; real religion is based on love and moral conduct; spiritual religion is one; every individual should have freedom of thought; our actions and speech should be consistent with reason; mankind is one caste; and the right kind of knowledge should be given to all. These principles denied polytheism of popular Hinduism, the caste system and the Brahmanical monopoly of knowledge. All members were required to take a pledge that they would abandon caste restrictions and take food and drink prepared by a member of a lower caste. The ParamahansaMandali met in secret. “Its insistence on remaining a secret organisation illustrated an unwillingness to openly challenge Hindu orthodoxy.” Young educated Brahmans from Maharashtra joined the Mandali, but the movement collapsed after 1860.
35. Ans (b) Explanation: Introduction of Zamindari settlement in the tribal areas were the major reason for the Santhaluprising A major tribal resistance movement broke out just before the Revolt of 1857 in the Santhal area of Chollangpur in the present state of Jharkhand which was known as the Santhal Uprising. A major cause of their protest was the exploitation of the money lenders and intermediaries of the Zamindars. Confiscation of their properties as well as their lands compelled the Santhals to raise their voice against the British rule. Moreover, forced labour and sexual exploitation of tribal women at the worksites was also a greater concern of the Santhals. Under the leadership of Sidho and Kanhu, they stood up and defied their exploiters. On June 30, 1855 ten thousand Santhals assembled at Bhaghadihi where they announced their war against then British. The latter was compelled to deploy the regular columns of the army to suppress them. The defeat of the British army under Major Burrough by the Santhals at the initial stage was a significant incident of the rebellion. However, the Santhals were finally suppressed by the British army by the end of 1856. To prevent the Santhals from revolting in future, a separate district of Santhal Paragana was carved out by the Company. SHANKAR IAS ACADEMYTM 36. Ans (c)
37. Ans (c) Explanation: Payments Regulatory Board It is proposed to create a Payments Regulatory Board in the Reserve Bank of India by replacing the existing Board for Regulation and Supervision of Payment and Settlement Systems. "The Payments Regulatory Board will exercise the functions relating to the regulation and supervision of payments and settlement systems under the Act. The proposed board will have the RBI governor as the chairperson, along with a deputy governor in charge of payments as member, besides an RBI officer nominated by the RBI Board. It will also have three members nominated by the central government.
38. Ans (c) Explanation: Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme Government of India has approved the introduction of a new credit linked subsidy programme called Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) by merging the two schemes that were in operation till 31.03.2008, namely Prime Minister's Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) and Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) for generation of employment opportunities through establishment of micro enterprises in rural as well as urban areas. PMEGP is a central sector scheme administered by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME). At the national level, the Scheme is being implemented by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), a statutory organization under the administrative control of the Ministry of MSME as the single nodal agency. At the State level, the Scheme will be implemented through State KVIC Directorates, State Khadi and Village Industries Boards (KVIBs) and District Industries Centres (DICs) and banks. The Government subsidy under the Scheme will be routed by KVIC through the identified Banks for eventual distribution to the beneficiaries / entrepreneurs in their Bank accounts. The Implementing Agencies, namely KVIC, KVIBs and DICs will associate reputed Non Government Organization (NGOs)/reputed autonomous institutions/Self Help Groups (SHGs) / National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) / Udyami Mitras empanelled under Rajiv Gandhi Udyami Mitra Yojana(RGUMY), Panchayati Raj institutions and other relevant bodies in the implementation of the Scheme, especially in the area of identification of beneficiaries, of area specific viable projects, and providing training in entrepreneurship development.
39. Ans (b) Explanation: The East India Company Act 1813, also known as the Charter Act of 1813, was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which renewed the charter issued to the British East India Company, and continued the Company's rule in India. However, the Company's commercial monopoly was ended, except for the tea trade and the trade with China. Reflecting the growth of British power in India, The Act expressly asserted the Crown's sovereignty over British India. It allotted Rs 100,000 to promote education in Indian masses and allowed them to open anywhere anytime. This act permitted Christian missionaries to propagate English and preach their religion. The power of the provincial governments and courts in India over European British subjects was also strengthened by the Act. Financial provision was also made to encourage a revival in Indian literature and for the promotion of science.
40. Ans (c) Explanation: The word Dikus means outsiders. Dikus were the people who made the tribal people depend on them, thereby causing them a lot of misery and suffering. The outsiders consist of traders and money lenders, who can come into the forest. They used to sell the goods not produced in the forests and offer cash loans with high rate of interests.
SHANKAR IAS ACADEMYTM 41. Ans (d)
42. Ans (d)
43. Ans (d)
44. Ans (c)
45. Ans (d) Explanation: SWAYAM SWAYAM is a programme initiated by Government of India under Human Resource Development Ministry and designed to achieve the three cardinal principles of Education Policy viz., access, equity and quality. The objective of this effort is to take the best teaching learning resources to all, including the most disadvantaged. SWAYAM seeks to bridge the digital divide for students who have hitherto remained untouched by the digital revolution and have not been able to join the mainstream of the knowledge economy. This is done through an indigenous developed IT platform that facilitates hosting of all the courses, taught in classrooms from 9th class till post-graduation to be accessed by anyone, anywhere at any time. All the courses are interactive, prepared by the best teachers in the country and are available, free of cost to the residents in India. More than 1,000 specially chosen faculty and teachers from across the Country have participated in preparing these courses.
46. Ans (c) Explanation: National Testing Agency Government proposes to establish a National Testing Agency as an autonomous and self-sustained premier testing organization to conduct all entrance examinations for higher education institutions. This would free CBSE, AICTE and other premier institutions from these administrative responsibilities so that they can focus more on academics.
47. Ans (b) Explanation: Electoral Bonds Electoral bonds will be issued by a notified bank for specified denominations. If you are keen to donate to a political party, you can buy these bonds by making payments digitally or through cheque. You are then free to gift the bond to a registered political party. The bonds will likely be bearer bonds and the identity of the donor will not be known to the receiver. The party can convert these bonds back into money via their bank accounts. The bank account used must be the one notified to the Election Commission and the bonds may have to be redeemed within a prescribed time period.
48. Ans (a) Explanation: Theosophical society encouraged study of modern philosophy but it was not promoted as a part of their ideology.
49. Ans (c) Explanation: After the Battle of Buxar the Treaty of Allahabad was signed between the Mughal emperor, Shah Alam II and Lord Robert Clive. The treaty granted the British Diwani rights, the right to collect taxes, in eastern provinces of Bengal, Orissa and Bihar.
50. Ans (c)
51. Ans (d) Explanation: The French home authorities did not give a free hand to French commanders. There is no conclusive evidence that the English heavily bribed some French officers.
52. Ans (a)
53. Ans (b) SHANKAR IAS ACADEMYTM 54. Ans (a) Explanation: Sericulture introduced by Tipu Sultan There was Surat, for ship building industry during Mughals
55. Ans (c) Explanation: Sir Thomas Roe sent by Emperor James I of England to Jahangir’s court, with a plea for more concession for the company. Roe was very diplomatic and thus successfully secured a royal charter giving the company freedom to trade in whole of the Mughal territory.
56. Ans (c) Explanation: Explanation: Both the statements are correct.
57. Ans (c) Explanation: Both the statements are correct.
58. Ans (a) Explanation: UNSC 1267 The UNSC 1267 Committee was established as a result of resolution 1267 (1999). It is also known as the Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee. The Committee comprises all 15 members of the UNSC and decides unanimously and secretly. It was established for the purpose of overseeing the implementation of sanctions measures imposed on Taliban-controlled Afghanistan for its support of Osama bin Laden.
59. Ans (c)
60. Ans (d) Explanation: Treaty of Allahabad concluded the Battle of Buxar. As per the Treaty Shuja-ud-daulah had to pay was loss to English and he was forced to maintain English troops for the defense of his state. Shah Alam granted Diwani Right of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa to the English. This made them virtually masters of India. International weakness of Marathas, lack of political sagacity incapable leadership, weakness in the social organization of the Marathas made the British to establish their supremacy in India.
61. Ans (d) Explanation: The naval battle of Swally also known as Battle of Suvali took place on 1612 off the coast of Suvali village near the Surat city. The relatively small naval battle is historically important as it marked the beginning of the end of Portugal’s commercial monopoly over India, and the beginning of the ascent of the English East India Company’s presence in India. This battle also convinced the English East India Company to establish a small navy to safeguard their commercial interests from other European powers and also from pirates. This small beginning is regarded as the root of the Modern Indian Navy.
62. Ans (d) Explanation: Bengal administration corruption was one weak point which British exploited in their favour. Nawab did not have any exposure to external world and they were not aware of British exploits in Africa, they failed to understand that English East India Company was no mere company of traders. Nawab completely ignored the modernization of their army. SHANKAR IAS ACADEMYTM 63. Ans (c) Explanation: Mughal were already on decline due to repeated invasion of Ahmad Shah Abdali and also Mughal fought third battle of Panipat from the side of Marathas who where the losing side in the battle. Ahmad Shah Abdali not benefited by victory. The third Battle of Panipat gives an opportunity to British East India Company to consolidate its power in Bengal and South India. It decided who would not rule India instead of who to rule India.
64. Ans (c) Explanation: After the Battle of Plassey, the pattern of the company’s commercial relations with India underwent a qualitative change. English East India Company constantly opened new market for Indian Goods in Britain and other countries. Thereby, it increased the export of Indian manufacture and thus encouraged their production. This is the reason, why the Indian rulers tolerated and even encouraged the establishment of the company’s factories in India.
65. Ans (a) Explanation: Free Movement regime A visa-free movement regime (FMR) exists in the four states along the Indo-Myanmar border, under which people from both countries can stay for up to 72 hours in the area with effective and valid permits issued by the designated authorities on either side.
66. Ans (c) Explanation: The revenue was patterned on the Kathi system of Malik Amber. According to the system, every piece of land was measured by Rod or Kathi.
67. Ans (c) Explanation: Marathi as an official language instead of Persian.
68. Ans (d)
69. Ans (c) Explanation: Company discovered that expansion through war very costly and it increases the company’s debt. So, they checked this policy. When Napoleon was becoming the threat in Europe, Britain economic condition was not prudent. Company decided to reward the loyalty of the princely states was the reason behind to discontinue annexation after revolt of 1857.
70. Ans (a) Explanation: The Char Dham’ The Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna, or the Chardham highway development project, is an ambitious initiative to improve connectivity to the Char Dham pilgrimage centres in the Himalayas. The project’s main objective is to develop around 900 km of national highways. These highways will be built in Uttarakhand at an approximate cost of Rs 12,000 crore.
SHANKAR IAS ACADEMYTM 71. Ans (a) Explanation: ‘South Talpatti Island’ South Talpatti or New Moore, was a small uninhabited offshore sandbar island in the Bay of Bengal, off the coast of the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta region. It emerged in the Bay of Bengal in the aftermath of the Bhola cyclone in 1970, and disappeared at some later point. The matter was resolved on 7 July 2014, when the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) delivered a verdict in the "Bay of Bengal maritime boundary arbitration between Bangladesh and India" case. The PFA gave verdict in favour of Bangladesh.
72. Ans (d) Explanation: Nyokum Yullo Festival The traditional festival of Arunachal Pradesh, Nyokum is mainly celebrated by the Nyishi tribe. The term 'Nyokum' is derived from two words - "Nyok" means "land or earth" and "Kum" means collectiveness or togetherness. That's perhaps the why it is called that celebrating this festival is like inviting all the Gods and Goddesses of the Universe. It is celebrated to invocate spirit forces in nature to ensure the harmony, prosperity, and well -being of the people who observed. On this important Arunacahal Pradesh’s festival, a special prayer structure called yugang is made of bamboo. With the bamboo, sacrificial animals are tethered. It's the priest who decides the number and kinds of animals for sacrifice, or any other offering to be made. You will not find any idol in the Puja.
73. Ans (c) Explanation: The land revenue to be paid by the peasants to zamindars was not fixed. The zamindars were to give 10/11th of the rental they derived from the peasantry to the state, keeping only 1/11th for themselves. As the revenue fixed (10/11th) by the system was too high, many zamindars defaulted on payments. So, they collect some illegal taxes besides the legal ones from the ryots.
74. Ans (b) Explanation: Any of the three revenue policies failed to improve the condition of agriculture. The revenue collected in all the three settlements was high and peasants were left with nothing to invest in agriculture. Commercialization of agriculture has further led to the exploitation of cultivators. Poor Peasants forced to sell the produce just after the harvest and at whatever price they could get as they had to meet in time the demand of the government, the land lords and money lenders.
75. Ans (b) Explanation: Pink Shirt Day movement Celebrated annually around the globe, Pink Shirt Day began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying, mobilising their whole school, after a peer was bullied for wearing a pink shirt. Pink Shirt Day aims to create schools, workplaces and communities where all people feel safe, valued and respected.
76. Ans (c) Explanation: British administration apathetic attitude towards agriculture one of the main factor behinds its backwardness and poverty. Bulk of revenue was realized from agriculture, it did not take any efforts to improve the same. The use of inorganic fertilizers is unknown and bulk of natural manure was wasted. It indicates backward state of agriculture practices. The overcrowding of agriculture led to subdivision and fragmentation of land into small holdings most of which could not maintain their cultivators. SHANKAR IAS ACADEMYTM 77. Ans (b) Explanation: The Mughal administration and revenue system was introduced by Hider Ali. Introduction of new calendar, coinage, weights and measures by Tipu sultan. Haider Ali established a modern arrenal in Dindigal with the help of French experts to prepare his army in modern way.
78. Ans (c) Explanation: Wood’s despatch of 1854 prepared by Charles Wood is the Magna Carta of education in India and it touched upon almost all aspects of education. It did not advocate an religious education.
79. Ans (d) Explanation: Mission XI Million Mission XI Million (MXIM) is an initiative spearheaded by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) and the AIFF (All India Football Federation) and supported by the Government of India. Mission XI Million is India’s largest school contact programme that aims to make football the sport of choice among India's youth. The ambitious program intends to reach out to 11 million school kids in the lead-up to the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017.
80. Ans (d)
81. Ans (b) Explanation: The White Mutiny by European troop in 1859 during Lord Canning was the unrest that occurred at the dissolution of the “European forces” of British East India Company in India in the wake of the Indian rebellion of 1857. First census took place in 1872 during Lord Mayo.
82. Ans (b) Explanation: Railway predominately built by British Capital. Private contractors who built the railways were offer guaranteed return of 5% The real reason behind introduction of railway is faster transportation of raw materials, British troops and communication.
83. Ans (a) Explanation: The prime motive of forest conservation in India was to reserve the threat of shortage of timber for ship building and railway constructions. So, they started conserve the forest through regulations such as, Charter of Indian forest issued by Lord Dalhousie in 1855. All India Forest Department was created in 1864. Forest Act 1865. Forest School established at Dehradeen in 1878. British refused to let shifting cultivation spread to new areas. Thus they discourage shifting cultivation. The Colonial rule usurped the forest lands and placed restrictions on access to forest products, forest lands, and village common lands.
84. Ans (d)
85. Ans (c) Explanation: The Act made the Governor-General of Bengal as the Governor General of India and vested in SHANKAR IAS ACADEMYTM him all civil and military powers. Lord William Bentinck was the first Governor General of India. The charter Act of 1833 attempted to introduce a system of competition for selection of civil servants. However this provision was negated after opposition from the court of directors. It ended the activities of English East India Company as a commercial body, which became a purely administration body.
86. Ans (a) Explanation: The Pindaris were many castes and classes who worked like mercenaries under the Maratha Chiefs. When the Maratha Chief became weak, they started raiding the territories of the British. The Pindaris were crushed by Lord Hastings. The Third Anglo-Maratha war 1817 to 1819 was the last big battle won by the British during Lord Hastings. One of the important events during the tenure of Lord Hasting was abolition of censorship. The result was, many fresh newspapers came up. India’s first Vernacular newspaper Samachar Darpan was started in 1818.
87. Ans (d) Explanation: Braille Atlas The Ministry of Science and Technology has come up with a comprehensive Braille atlas to help the nearly 50 lakh visually-challenged people in the country, especially students. Each atlas, which will cost nearly 600, will include 20 maps on different themes — physical, socio-economic, river system, crop pattern, natural vegetation, cultural, metropolitan areas, and roads and railways.
88. Ans (c)
89. Ans (c) Explanation: Jyotiba Phule started a girl’s school in Poona. Bethune School for girl’s education associated with Ishwar Chandra Vidhya Sagar. Dadabhai Naroji was one of the founders of Parsi Law Association which agitated for the grant of legal state to women and for uniform laws on inheritance and marriage of Parsi.
90. Ans (a) Explanation: They occupied the hilly region between garo and Jaintia hills, the East Indian Company wanted to built a road linking the Brahmaputra valley with sylhet. The Khasis, garos, khamptis and the Singhpos organised themselves under Tirath singh to drive away the stranger from the plains.
91. Ans (d)
92. Ans (a) Explanation: Ashwin AAD interceptor missile Ashwin is the advanced version of low altitude supersonic ballistic interceptor missile. It is indigenously developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and is capable of destroying any incoming hostile ballistic missile. It is capable of destroying any incoming hostile ballistic missile is 7.5-meter long and weighs around 1.2 tonnes. It has a diameter of less than 0.5 meter. It is single-stage solid rocket propelled guided missile. It is equipped with a hi-tech computer, a navigation system and an electro-mechanical activator. The missile also has its own mobile launcher, secure data link for interception, independent tracking and homing capabilities and sophisticated radars. SHANKAR IAS ACADEMYTM 93. Ans (c)
94. Ans (a) Explanation: Brahmo Samaj was started by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. The two most prominent leaders of the brahmo samaj were Debendranath Tagore and Keshab Chandra Sen. To spread the message of Brahmo Samaj Keshab Chandra Sen travelled throughout Madras and Bombay presidencies and laer, the North India. India 1866, there was a split in the Brahmo Samaj when Keshab Chandra Sen and his group held views which were more radical than the original Brahmo Samaj.
95. Ans (d) Explanation: For carrying on the modernizing movements in Bengal, the Hindu college of Calcutta, founded in 1817. Henry Vivian Derozio, joined Hindu college as a teacher. He promoted radical ideas through his teachings. His students collectively called young Bengal, who cherished the ideas of French revolution.
96. Ans (c) Explanation: Ahmadiya movement was started by Mirza Gulah Ahmed in 1889 in order to spread western education among Indian Muslims. The movement was based on liberal principles just like Brahmo Samaj.
97. Ans (d)
98. Ans (d) Explanation: Debendranath Tagore, father of Rabindranath Tagore revitalized the Brahmo Samaj. He founded the Tatva Bodhini Sabha to propagate Rajaram Mohan Roy’s ideas. It’s organ Tatva Bodhini patrika promoted a systematic study of India’s past in the Bengali language.
99. Ans (c) Explanation: Under the Regulating Act of 1773, the Supreme Court was established at Calcutta during the period of Warren Hastings. Corn Wallis Code includes - separation of justice and Revenue. In 1833, a law commission was set up under Macaulay - by William Bentinck (1828 - 1833).
100. Ans (d) Explanation: British Government policies were contrary to requirements of Indian Industries. A serious weakness of Indian Industrial efforts was almost complete absence of heavy and capital goods industries. The first steel plant was only established in 1913. The real intention behind introduction of railway was to give boost to British manufacturing goods and promote import/export and restrict domestic movements.