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Which of the following best summarises the central lesson of this chapter regarding trade, politics, and religion during this period?
- A
Only political factors mattered, with trade and religion playing no meaningful role
- B
Only religious factors mattered, with trade and politics playing no meaningful role
- C
Trade, politics, and religion developed as completely separate, unrelated spheres of ancient Indian life
- D
Significant historical developments emerged from the interaction of economic, political, and religious factors working together
Explanation
Correct Answer: D. Significant historical developments emerged from the interaction of economic, political, and religious factors working together Explanation: The chapter's central lesson is that significant historical developments almost always emerge from the interaction of multiple factors, economic, political, religious, and cultural, working together rather than in isolation. Option A is incorrect because religious and economic factors are shown to be equally significant alongside political ones. Option B is incorrect since trade and political patronage are shown to be just as important as religious devotion in shaping this period. Option C is incorrect as it directly contradicts this central theme of interconnection.
Which session of the Indian National Congress witnessed its formal split into 'Moderates' and 'Extremists'?
(a) Calcutta session, 1906
(b) Surat session, 1907
(c) Lahore session, 1907
(d) Nagpur session, 1907
- A
A
- B
B
- C
C
- D
D
Explanation
The INC formally split into Moderates and Extremists at the Surat Session, 1907, primarily over differences in strategy following the 1905 Bengal partition and the Swadeshi movement, with tensions between leaders like Tilak and the Moderate leadership
Consider the following statements regarding southern kingdoms such as the Pallavas and Chalukyas:
1. They supported temple construction and religious patronage.
2. They had no connection whatsoever to the Bhakti tradition discussed in the previous chapter.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A
1 PNLY
- B
2 ONLY
- C
BOTH
- D
NEITHER 1 NOR 2
Explanation
Correct Answer: A. 1 only
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct, as southern kingdoms actively supported temple construction and religious patronage. Statement 2 is incorrect because this patronage directly connects to the Bhakti tradition and its associated temple-building activity discussed in the previous chapter, rather than being unrelated to it. Option B and Option C are incorrect as they treat statement 2 as correct. Option D is incorrect as it wrongly excludes the correct statement 1.
Why do modern historians consider British-authored histories centered on Governor-Generals to be narrow in scope?
- A
They covered only military tactics while ignoring political treaties.
- B
They focused primarily on the lives of British officials, treating wider Indian social developments as secondary background
- C
They failed to record the dates of major European wars.
- D
They were written exclusively in regional vernacular languages.
Explanation
Colonial histories organized around Governor-Generals prioritized administrative and military figures while marginalizing broader social and economic developments.
Which Mughal emperor is credited with abolishing the pilgrim tax and the jizya, later reimposed by Aurangzeb?
- A
a) Babur
- B
(b) Humayun
- C
(c) Akbar
- D
(d) Jahangir
Explanation
Akbar abolished the pilgrim tax and jizya as part of his policy of religious tolerance (Sulh-i-Kul). Aurangzeb later reimposed the jizya in 1679 as part of his more orthodox religious policy, reversing Akbar's approach.
The 'Doctrine of Lapse' as an instrument of British annexation is most associated with which GovernorGeneral?
- A
(a) Lord Wellesley
- B
(b) Lord Dalhousie
- C
(c) Lord Canning
- D
(d) Lord Bentinck
Explanation
Lord Dalhousie (1848–56) formalised and aggressively applied the Doctrine of Lapse, annexing states like Satara, Jhansi and Nagpur where rulers died without a natural heir. Wellesley is associated with the Subsidiary Alliance, Canning with the transfer of power to the Crown, and Bentinck with social reforms like abolition of Sati
The artificially fixed rupee-sterling exchange rate prescribed by the Hilton-Young Commission (1926) was adopted by the British Government for which one of the following reasons?
- AAiding the flow of remittances from India and maintaining India’s creditworthiness
- BProviding support to Indian importers
- CEncouraging export of cotton produce from India
- DPreventing depreciation of the Rupee in terms of gold
Why is the network of ancient overland trade routes connecting China, Central Asia, and beyond commonly known as the "Silk Route"?
- A
Because the route was physically made of silk fibres
- B
Because it connected only silk-producing regions with no other goods traded
- C
Because only Chinese traders were permitted to use it
- D
Because silk, a highly prized fabric from China, was among the most valuable goods traded along it
Explanation
Correct Answer: D. Because silk, a highly prized fabric from China, was among the most valuable goods traded along it
The Gupta dynasty rose to prominence in which broad region of the Indian subcontinent, gradually building an extensive empire?
- A
Southern coastal Indi
- B
The Deccan Plateau exclusively
- C
Only the northwestern frontier regions
- D
Northern India
Explanation
Correct Answer: D. Northern India
Explanation: The Guptas rose to prominence in northern India, gradually building a powerful and extensive empire associated with significant political consolidation and cultural flourishing. Option A is incorrect as southern coastal India is instead associated with kingdoms like the Pallavas, discussed later in the chapter. Option B is incorrect since the Deccan Plateau is linked to the Chalukyas rather than the core Gupta territory. Option C is incorrect because Gupta power was not confined only to the northwestern frontier.
Correct chronological order:
Gandhi-Irwin Pact (March 1931)
Poona Pact (September 1932)
Cripps Mission (March 1942).
What is the correct chronological order of the above?
- A
(a) 1-2-3
- B
(b) 2-1-3
- C
(c) 1-3-2
- D
(d) 3-1-2
Explanation
Correct chronological order: Gandhi-Irwin Pact (March 1931) → Poona Pact (September 1932) → Cripps Mission (March 1942). This sequencing tests awareness of the interwar and early WWII period nationalist movement timeline
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