VISION IAS

TEST NO-12
Ancient Indian History
Art and Culture and Medieval India:
Ancient History
Ancient History ▪ Prehistoric period
▪ Prehistoric period ▪ Harappan / Indus Valley Civilization
▪ Harappan / Indus Valley Civilization ▪ Vedic Age
▪ Vedic Age ▪ Mahajanapadas
▪ Mahajanapadas ▪ Religious Reforms
▪ Religious Reforms ▪ Mauryan Age & Post Mauryan Age
▪ Mauryan Age & Post Mauryan Age ▪ Sangam Age
▪ Sangam Age ▪ Guptas Age & Post Guptas Age
▪ Guptas Age & Post Guptas Age ▪ (Brief History, Salient Features, Social,
Art & Culture Economics, Religious and Cultural
▪ Architecture and Sculptures conditions of all the above)
▪ Religion and Philosophy Art & Culture
Medieval India ▪ Architecture: Indus Valley Civilization,
▪ Early Medieval Period The Mauryan Architecture, The Sungas,
▪ North India + Current Affairs (August 2021)
▪ South India ▪ Vijayanagar & other Kingdoms
▪ Sultanate Period ▪ Religious Movements
▪ The Delhi Sultanate ▪ Bhakti Movement
▪ Sufi Movement
▪ Mughal Period

PT - 2022
▪ Maratha Confederacy
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Test Booklet Series

TEST BOOKLET

GENERAL STUDIES (P) 2022 – Test – 3481

C
Time Allowed: Two Hours Maximum Marks: 200

INSTRUCTIONS

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3. You have to enter your Roll Number on the Test Booklet in the Box
provided alongside. Do NOT write anything else on the Test Booklet.

4. This Test Booklet contains 100 items (Questions). Each item is printed in English. Each item comprises four
responses (answers). You will select the response which you want to mark on the Answer Sheet. In case you
feel that there is more than one correct response with you consider the best. In any case, choose ONLY ONE
response for each item.

5. You have to mark all your responses ONLY on the separate Answer Sheet provided. See direction in the
answers sheet.

6. All items carry equal marks. Attempt all items. Your total marks will depend only on the number of correct
responses marked by you in the answer sheet. For every incorrect response 1/3rdof the allotted marks will be
deducted.

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fill in some particulars in the answer sheets as per instruction sent to you with your Admission Certificate.

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Booklet.

9. Sheet for rough work are appended in the Test Booklet at the end.

DO NOT OPEN THIS BOOKLET UNTIL YOU ARE ASKED TO DO SO

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1. Consider the following statements: 4. Jainism taught five doctrines and only the
1. In the Delhi Sultanate, this was the most fifth doctrine was added by Mahavira, the
important office after Sultan. other four were taken over by him from
2. The head of this office role was of a previous teachers. Which of the following
general supervisor over all departments was the doctrine added by Mahavira?
and he was one of the four important
(a) Do not acquire property
departmental heads.
(b) Do not commit violence
3. He was the chief advisor to the Sultan.
(c) Observe continence (brahmacharya)
Which of the following offices has been
(d) Do not speak a lie
referred to in the statements given above?
(a) Diwan-i-Wizarat
5. During the medieval period, many
(b) Diwan-i-Arz
(c) Diwan-i-Insha indigenous books were translated into
(d) Barid-i-Mumalik Persian. In this context which of the
following books were translated into
2. Which of the following statements is not Persian?
correct with respect to Amir Khusrau? 1. Rajatarangini
(a) He wrote the book 'Tughluq Namah' 2. Mahabharata
detailing about the reign of Firuz 3. Ragadarpan
Tughlaq. Select the correct answer using the code
(b) He was a disciple of Sufi Saint given below.
'Nizamuddin Auliya'. (a) 1 only
(c) The qual, a hymn sung at the opening or
(b) 1 and 2 only
closing of qawwali during the Chisti
(c) 2 and 3 only
sama was composed by Him.
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(d) He preached religious toleration and
secular thinking.
6. Consider the following statements regarding

3. Recently Ramappa Temple has been a Sufi saint:

inscribed on the UNESCO's World Heritage 1. He was Baba Farid‟s most famous
list. In this context, consider the following disciple.
statements with respect to Ramappa Temple: 2. He was responsible for making Delhi an
1. The temple is located in the state of important center of the Chishti silsilah.
Telangana. 3. He preferred to shun the company of
2. The temple was constructed in the 7th rulers and nobles and kept aloof from the
century during the reign of Kakatiyas. state.
3. The presiding deity in the temple is Lord Which one of the following Sufi saints have
Rama. been described in the statements given
Which of the statements given above is/are
above?
correct?
(a) Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya
(a) 1 only
(b) Sheikh Nasiruddin Mahmud
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) Sheikh Fariduddin of Ajodhan
(d) 1 and 3 only
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7. In the context of cultural history of India, the 10. With reference to the social structure
term 'nritya' refers to prevalent in the Sangam age, consider the
(a) pure dance sequence where body following statements:
movements do not express any feelings. 1. The practice of Sati was prohibited in
(b) expressional movements to convey the the Sangam society.
meaning of a theme. 2. Agricultural operations such as

(c) dance sequence that highlights the ploughing were mainly confined to the

dramatic element. members of the lowest class.

(d) none of the above 3. The rich nobles were invested with the
title of enadi to demarcate the society.
Which of the statements given above is/are
8. Consider the following statements about the
correct?
Ajivika sect:
(a) 1 and 3 only
1. It was an unorthodox sect which
(b) 3 only
emerged at the same time as the rise of
(c) 2 only
Buddhism and Jainism.
(d) 1, 2 and 3
2. They practiced complete nudity.
3. They believed in Niyati or destiny and
11. In the context of Indo-Islamic Architecture,
discarded the Karma doctrine.
techniques of tessellation and pietra dura
Which of the statements given above is/are
were associated with
correct?
(a) miniature painting
(a) 3 only
(b) decoration of surface and walls
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) formal gardens
(c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) fresco painting
(d) 1 and 2 only

12. Consider the following statements with

9. Which of the following emerged/were reference to the Mesolithic Period:
known in India during ancient times (before 1. The Mesolithic people lived in semi-
the 6th century AD)? permanent and temporary settlements.
1. Metallurgy 2. Microlithic tools were used for hunting
2. Production of paper purposes.
3. Manufacturing of gunpowder 3. The Mesolithic sites are absent in the
4. Making of dyes and pigment coastal areas of India.
Select the correct answer using the code Which of the statements given above are
given below. correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only (a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 4 only (b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (d) 1, 2 and 3

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13. The well known painting 'Maru Ragini' of 16. Recently TAPAS was seen in the news,
Ragamala series was painted by Sahibdin. which of the following is the objective of
This painting belongs to the this initiative?
(a) To provide courses in the field of social
(a) Kangra School of Painting
defence for the capacity building of
(b) Guler School of Painting
stakeholders.
(c) Mewar School of Painting
(b) To provide capacity building of the
(d) Kishangarh School of Painting workforce in the tourism industry.
(c) To facilitate research in the
14. Recently the term active galactic nuclei was technological institutes at the higher
seen in the news, which one of the following education level.
statements is correct with reference to it? (d) To improve primary education in the
tribal-dominated aspirational districts
(a) These are concentration of red
through capacity building at the local
supergiant stars at the centres of
level.
galaxies.
(b) These are the dense constellations of 17. Which of the following were in the court of
galaxies present in the universe. Chandragupta-II?
(c) These are the supermassive blackholes, 1. Harisena
which are several million solar masses in 2. Kalidasa
3. Sushruta
size, at the centres of galaxies.
Select the correct answer using the code
(d) This is a process in which two or more
given below.
galaxies are colliding with each other, to
(a) 1 only
form a single and larger galaxy. (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
15. Which of the following is/are correct (d) 1, 2 and 3
regarding the regulations of Alauddin
Khalji? 18. Consider the following statements regarding
the Third Battle of Panipat that occurred in
1. He lowered and fixed the price of the
1761:
commodities of daily use.
1. Marathas' army was led by Sadashivrao
2. He increased the prices of horses in the Bhau.
market to make them an exclusive 2. While the Afghan army was
commodity. outnumbered by the Marathas, the
3. He appointed a Shahna-i-Mandi to former was better equipped than the
ensure the implementation of the market latter.
reforms. 3. Rajputs and Sikhs fought on the side of
Marathas.
Select the correct answer using the code
Which of the statements given above is/are
given below.
correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only (a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only (b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
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19. In the context of the history of India, 22. With reference to the medieval period of
consider the following pairs: India, the terms amara, bhandaravada, and
Term Description manya refer to
1. Vellalar : Large landowners
(a) taxes on guilds during the Rashtrakuta
2. Uzhavar : Slaves
period.
3. Adimai : Ploughmen
(b) land tenure systems during Vijayanagar
Which of the pairs given above is/are
correctly matched? empire.
(a) 1 only (c) penalties imposed on traders violating
(b) 2 and 3 only trade rules.
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) types of road networks built during Sher
(d) 1, 2 and 3 Shah dynasty.

20. Which of the following events is/are

23. Consider the following statements about the
associated with the Muhammad bin
Prakrit language:
Tughlaq?
1. Transfer of capital from Delhi to 1. It was adopted by Jainism.
Kolkata 2. It was the official language of the
2. Successful invasions of Qarachil region Satavahanas.
and Qandahar Which of the statements given above are
3. Establishment of the Diwan-i Kohi correct?
Select the correct answer using the code
(a) 1 only
given below.
(b) 2 only
(a) 1 and 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(d) None
24. Which of the following are the main features
21. With reference to the changes in the later of Dravidian style temple architecture?
Vedic period, consider the following 1. Sculptures of Dvarapalas (doorkeepers)
statements:
on the gateways of temples.
1. The popular Assemblies of Vidatha,
2. Multiple shikharas rising together as a
Sabha, and Samiti completely
cluster.
disappeared in later Vedic times.
2. Indra and Agni as supreme Rig Vedic 3. Presence of a large water reservoir
Gods lost their importance in the later within the temple complex.
Vedic period. 4. Images of mithunas and the river
3. The institution of gotra appeared in the goddesses at the entrance of
later Vedic times and people began to garbhagriha.
practice gotra exogamy.
Select the correct answer using the code
Which of the statements given above is/are
given below.
correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(a) 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only (c) 2 and 4 only
(d) None (d) 3 and 4 only
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25. With reference to Sufism, consider the 28. Recently the trilateral Colombo Security
following statements:
Conclave was held. It is a conclave between
1. Bashara silsilahs were those orders that
followed the Islamic Law and its which of the following two nations along
directives. with Sri Lanka?
2. Be-shara silsilahs were not bound by the
(a) India and China
Sharia.
3. Chishti silsilahs belonged to the Be- (b) India and Japan
shara silsilah. (c) India and Maldives
Which of the statements given above is/are
(d) Australia and India
correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only 29. Recently which of the following developed
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 3 only „Quantum Computer Simulator (QSim)

Toolkit‟, India's first such toolkit?

26. Akbar was the first Mughal ruler who had
(a) NITI Aayog
the time and means to undertake
construction on a large scale. In this context, (b) IIT Roorkee and IISc Bangalore with
which of the following monuments were Centre for Development of Advanced
built by Akbar?
Computing (C-DAC)
1. Buland Darwaza
2. Moti Masjid at Agra fort (c) Defence Research and Development
3. Ala'i Darwaza Organisation (DRDO)
4. Panch Mahal
(d) Infosys
Select the correct answer using the code
given below.
(a) 1 and 3 only
30. Consider the following statements with
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only reference to the Sulvasutras:
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 1. These are appendices to Vedas providing

spatial and directional parameters

27. Consider the following statements with
reference to the craft production during the required for the construction of altars.
Indus Valley civilization: 2. Pythagorean Theorem is mentioned in
1. The dancing girl figurine discovered at
the Sulvasutras.
Mohenjodaro is made of copper.
2. The Harappan pottery is well baked with Which of the statements given above is/are
floral and faunal patterns. correct?
Which of the statement given above are
is/are correct? (a) 1 only
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

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31. With reference to the Commission for Air 34. Which of the following temples were built
quality Management in National Capital by Cholas?
Region and Adjoining Areas, consider the 1. Papanatha Temple
2. Brihadeeswara Temple
following statements:
3. Airavatesvara Temple
1. It is a statutory body constituted under
Select the correct answer using the code
the provisions of The Air (Prevention given below.
and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. (a) 2 only
2. It will replace the Environment Pollution (b) 1 and 2 only
(Prevention and Control) Authority (c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
(EPCA) of the National Capital Region.
Which of the statements given above is/are
35. Digambara and Shvetambara are the two
correct? major sects of Jainism. In this context,
(a) 1 only consider the following statements:
(b) 2 only 1. Shvetambaras acknowledge the
(c) Both 1 and 2 possibility of women attaining Jina-hood
while Digambaras do not.
(d) Neither 1 and 2
2. Shvetambaras provided the option of
wearing or not wearing clothes while
32. With reference to Rig Vedic religion, Digambaras emphasized the necessity of
consider the following statements: nudity for members of the Jain order.
1. The natural forces were personified Which of the statements given above is/are
making the religion naturalistic and correct?
polytheistic. (a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
2. The dominant mode of worshipping God
(c) Both 1 and 2
was through the recitation of prayers and
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
offering sacrifices.
Which of the statements given above is/are 36. Recently, Remissions of Duties and Taxes
correct? on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme
(a) 1 only was seen in the news, consider the following
statements with reference to it:
(b) 2 only
1. Under the scheme, the exporters will be
(c) Both 1 and 2
compensated for the non-creditable
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 duty/tax costs that are embedded in the
export goods.
33. With reference to the Delhi Sultanate, Khut, 2. The exporters from Special Economic
Muqaddam and Patwari were the Zones (SEZ) are not covered under the
scheme.
(a) Agricultural lands
Which of the statements given above is/are
(b) Water storage reservoirs
correct?
(c) Judicial officials working under the (a) 1 only
emperor (b) 2 only
(d) Village functionaries working in close (c) Both 1 and 2
coordination with the muqti (d) Neither 1 and 2
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37. In the context of the Mauryan age, 40. Which of the following texts were written by
samaharta referred to: Ashvaghosha?

(a) Treasury head of the Mauryan empire. 1. Saundarananda

2. Buddha-charita
(b) Executive official responsible for the
3. Milinda panho
assessment of the taxes.
Select the correct answer using the code
(c) The chief custodian of the state treasury
given below.
and storehouse. (a) 2 only
(d) Head of the food grains department. (b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
38. With reference to Satavahanas, which of the (d) 1, 2 and 3
following statements is not correct?
41. Which of the following statements is not
(a) Silver coins called Karshapanas were
correct with respect to the Rig Vedic
used for trade by the Satavahanas.
Culture?
(b) Kalyani was the major port of the
(a) The Aryans fought battles with non-
Satavahanas on the eastern coast.
Aryans and also among themselves.
(c) Vihara at Nashik carry the inscriptions (b) The Rig Vedic people were acquainted
of Nahapana and Gautamiputra. with agricultural knowledge.
(d) Gathasattasai was a famous book written (c) Slaves were given as gifts to be
by Hala. employed in agriculture or other
producing activities.
(d) Most of the wars were fought for the
39. Consider the following statements with
sake of cows by the Rig Vedic Aryans.
reference to the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty:
1. They were one of the four patrilineal
42. Consider the following passage:
clans of the caste group referred to as The Stupa has an upper as well as a lower
Rajputs. circumambulatory path. It has four
2. Their style of administration was based beautifully decorated toranas depicting
on the teachings of Kautilya‟s various events from the life of the Buddha

Arthashastra. and the Jatakas. The historical narratives

such as the siege of Kushinara, Buddha‟s
3. In order to expand their kingdom, the
visit to Kapilavastu, are carved with
Gurjara-Pratihara kingdom was involved
considerable details. It was designated a
in the tripartite struggle for Kanauj.
UNESCO World Heritage site in 1989.
Which of the statements given above are Which of the following Buddhist Stupas is
correct? being described in the above passage?
(a) 1 and 2 only (a) Chaukhandi stupa
(b) 2 and 3 only (b) Sanchi Stupa
(c) 1 and 3 only (c) Bharhut stupa

(d) 1, 2 and 3 (d) Dhameka stupa

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43. With reference to the slave trade in medieval 45. Recently Platform for Regulated Entities for

India, consider the following statements: Integrated Supervision and Monitoring

(PRISM) was seen in the news, which one of
1. Deccan sultanates were systematically
the following statements is correct with
recruiting slaves from ethnic
reference to it?
communities of Abyssinian highlands. (a) It is an initiative of the Department for
2. Ibn Battuta called them „guarantors of Promotion of Industry and Internal

safety‟ for ships traveling in the Indian Trade to monitor development

infrastructure projects through an
Ocean.
efficient clearance mechanism.
3. The present city of Aurangabad was
(b) It is an initiative of the Securities and
founded by an African slave. Exchange Board of India to strengthen

Which of the statements given above is/are the regulation over secondary market
participants.
correct?
(c) It is an initiative of the Ministry of
(a) 2 only
Finance to develop the micro-insurance
(b) 1 and 2 only
sector in rural India.
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) It is an initiative of the Reserve Bank of

(d) 1, 2 and 3 India to strengthen compliance by

creditors.

44. Consider the following statements with

46. A celebrated Indian astronomer and
reference to the Central Board of Film mathematician of the 12th century AD, he
Certification in India; was born at Bijapur and was a pioneer in the

1. It is a statutory body under the Ministry principles of differential calculus. He was

the author of Siddhant Siromoni which is
of Information and Broadcasting.
divided into four sections. He also
2. The Chairman and members of the board
acknowledged that any number divided by
are appointed by the President of India. zero is infinity and the sum of any number
Which of the above-mentioned statements and infinity is also infinity.

is/are correct? Which of the following personalities has

been described in the passage given above?
(a) 1 only
(a) Padmanabha
(b) 2 only
(b) Brahmgupta
(c) Both 1 and 2 (c) Varahmira Adityadasa

(d) Neither 1 nor 2 (d) Bhaskarachaya

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47. With reference to the agricultural 50. With reference to the Sultanganj Buddha
technologies in the Harappan Civilization, image, consider the following statements:
consider the following statements: 1. It was sculpted using the lost wax
1. The technique of multiple cropping was technique.
2. It is made completely of copper.
known to the inhabitants of the Indus
3. His right hand is in Abhaya Mudra's
Valley Civilization.
posture.
2. Water reservoirs were built to store
Which of the statements given above is/are
water for irrigation purposes.
correct?
3. Terracotta models of plough have been
(a) 1 only
found at the sites of the Indus Valley (b) 1 and 3 only
Civilization. (c) 2 and 3 only
Which of the statements given is/are correct? (d) 1, 2 and 3
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only 51. In the context of the agrarian structure
(c) 2 and 3 only during the Gupta period, consider the
(d) 1, 2 and 3 following pairs:
Term Description
1. Khila : wasteland
48. The Mahajanpad embraced the area
2. Vasti : Habitable land
occupied by eastern Uttar Pradesh and had
3. Gapata saraha : Pastoral land
its capital at Shravasti, it contained an
Which of the pairs given above is/are
important city called Ayodhya, which is
correctly matched?
associated with the story of Ramayana. It (a) 1, 2 and 3
extended across both banks of the Sarayu (b) 2 and 3 only
(modern Ghaghara) River and north into (c) 3 only
what is now Nepal. (d) 1 and 2 only
Identify the Mahajandpad from the passage
given above. 52. Which of the following statements were
(a) Kashi correct regarding the Vijayanagara

(b) Avanti architecture?

1. The temples had the presence of large
(c) Koshala
Raya Gopurams.
(d) Vatsa
2. Kalyanamandapam with carved pillars
were located in temple premises.
49. According to Buddhist philosophy, the world
3. Elephant was the most common animal
is characterized by Anicca and Anatta. What found in temple pillars.
is the meaning of the terms Anicca and Select the correct answer using the code
Anatta? given below.
(a) Impermanent and soulless respectively (a) 1 and 2 only
(b) soulless and suffering respectively (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) suffering and impermanent respectively (c) 1 and 3 only
(d) soulless and impermanent respectively (d) 1, 2 and 3

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53. The physiographic division of the ancient 56. Consider the following statements regarding
Tamizhakam is referred to as "Tinai". With the prehistoric site of Belan Valley:
reference to the "Tinai" system consider the 1. All the three phases of the Palaeolithic
following statements:
followed by Mesolithic and Neolithic
1. The Kurinji Tinai tract was inhabited by
the hunting tribes such as vedar and have been found in sequence in the
parayar. valley.
2. Each Tinai tract had a specific deity as 2. Remains of domesticated animals have
well as a tree associated with it. been discovered from the site.
3. The Sangam text Tolkapiyyam explicitly
3. It is in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
mentions five "Tinais" in the ancient
Which of the statements given above is/are
Tamizhakam.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
correct? (a) 1 only
(a) 3 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 2 only

54. Consider the following statements: 57. Masattuvan‟ in Tamil and „Setthis‟ and
1. It is one of the popular folk dramas of „Satthavahas‟ in Prakrit during ancient India,
Tamil Nadu. referred to which of the following?
2. A cycle of eight plays based on the life (a) Bonded labor
of Draupadi is part of the core of its
(b) Commander of the army
repertoire.
(c) Revenue minister
3. It is performed at annual temple festivals
for rich harvest. (d) Merchant
Which of the following is being described in
the above given statements? 58. "It is an eastern Indian tradition which
(a) Mudiyettu represents a blend of martial traditions,
(b) Therukoothu
temple rituals, and folk dances. Episodes
(c) Krishnattam
(d) Dashavatar from the epics Mahabharata, Ramayana and
abstract themes are played through the
55. With reference to traditional theatres of medium of dance and a music ensemble that
India, consider the following pairs: consists primarily of indigenous drums. It is
Theatre State included in the UNESCO's list of Intangible
1. Bhavai : Odisha
cultural heritage"
2. Bhaona : Assam
3. Mudiyettu : Andhra Pradesh The above passage describes which of the
Which of the pairs given above is/are following dance-forms?
correctly matched? (a) Chhau dance
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) Kalbelia dance
(b) 2 only
(c) Firkal dance
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) Pandav Nritya
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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59. Consider the following statements: 61. Which of the following statements are
correct regarding Samudragupta of the
1. Treaty of Purandar was signed between
Gupta dynasty?
Shivaji and a representative of Mughal
1. The Allahabad Pillar inscription
emperor Shahjahan. provides a detailed account of his reign.

2. As per the treaty, Shivaji had to 2. He undertook the famous Dakshinapatha

expedition against South Indian rulers.
surrender many of the 35 forts that he
3. Kalidasa was patronized by
had held. Samudragupta

Which of the statements given above is/are Select the correct answer using the code
given below.
correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2 62. Consider the following pairs:

GI Tag paintings Heritage of
1. Madhubani paintings : Bihar
60. With reference to the mansabdari system
2. Sohrai-Khovar paintings : Chhattisgarh
under the Mughals in India, consider the 3. Cheriyal paintings : Telangana
following statements: Which of the pairs given above is/are
correctly matched?
1. The mansab awarded to an individual
(a) 1 only
fixed both his status in the official (b) 2 and 3 only
hierarchy and his salary. (c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
2. Sawar denoted personal rank of an

official and Zat indicated the size of 63. Krishna Deva Raya is considered the
contingents maintained by the greatest emperor of the Vijayanagara
Empire. In this context consider the
mansabdars.
following statements:
3. Du-aspa sih-aspa was associated with 1. He belonged to the Tuluva dynasty of
the mansabdari system. the Vijayanagara Empire.
2. He was a contemporary of Mughal
Which of the statements given above are
dynasty founder, Babur.
correct?
Which of the statements given above is/are
(a) 1 and 2 only correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) 1, 2 and 3 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
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64. Consider the following passage : 67. Which of the following is/are the bowed
He was the most remarkable figure of the string musical instruments?
Bahmani Sultanate. He was knowledgeable 1. Sarangi
in religious sciences and commentaries on 2. Banam
the Quran. He was particularly interested in 3. Violin
the natural sciences such as botany, Select the correct answer using the code
geometry, logic, etc. He was passionate given below.
about astronomy and built an observatory (a) 1 and 2 only
near Daulatabad. He inducted Hindus on a
(b) 2 and 3 only
large scale in the administration. He also
(c) 3 only
married the daughter of Vijayanagara ruler
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Deva Raya I.
Which of the following personalities is being
68. Consider the following statements regarding
described in the above passage?
the Gandhara School of Art:
(a) Ibrahim Adil Shah
(b) Firuz Shah Bahmani 1. Gandhara School was associated with
(c) Ahmed Shah Wali Bahmani the Greco-Roman style of art.
(d) Mahmud Gawan 2. Gandhara Art is characterised by
elaborate ornamentation.
65. Women occupied a very honorable position 3. There was extensive use of white marble
in the Vijayanagar society. Despite this stone in Gandhara School.
many social evils prevailed during the Which of the statements given above is/are
Vijayanagara period. In this context, which correct?
of the following practices were prevalent in (a) 1 and 2 only
the Vijayanagara Empire? (b) 2 and 3 only
1. Devadasi System (c) 1 only
2. Sati (d) 1, 2 and 3
3. Kanyadana
Select the correct answer using the code 69. With reference to e-Shram portal, recently
given below. seen in the news, consider the following
(a) 2 and 3 only statements:
(b) 1 and 2 only
1. It aims to extend the benefits of the
(c) 1 and 3 only
social security schemes to unorganised
(d) 1, 2 and 3
sectors workers.
2. An e-Shram card containing a 12 digit
66. Consider the following pairs:
unique number will be provided to the
Harappan sites Important findings
beneficiaries after registration.
1. Lothal : Great Bath
2. Dholavira 3. It is an initiative of the Ministry of
: Stadium
3. Kalibangan : Dockyard Finance.
Which of the pairs given above is/are Which of the statements given above are
correctly matched? correct?
(a) 3 only (a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
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70. Which of the following is/are the striking 73. Which of the following statements are
feature(s) of the Tughlaq architecture? correct with respect to Kuchipudi classical
1. Buildings with sloping walls
dance?
2. Extensive use of red sandstone
1. The music in Kuchipudi is classical
3. Buildings having minimum decoration
Select the correct answer using the code Carnatic music.
given below. 2. Dancing on the rim of a brass plate with
(a) 1 only
a pitcher full of water on the head is part
(b) 2 and 3 only
of the dance.
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1 and 2 only 3. Since its inception, Kuchipudi is being

performed as solo dance only.

71. Consider the following statements with Select the correct answer using the code
respect to trinity (three important musicians)
given below.
of Carnatic Music:
(a) 1 and 2 only
1. Kritis composed by Shyama Shastri are
in praise of Goddess Kamakshi of (b) 2 and 3 only

Kanchi. (c) 1 and 3 only

2. All the three scholars composed their (d) 1, 2 and 3
kritis in Sanskrit only.
3. Tyagaraja and Muthuswami Dikshitar
74. Consider the following statements regarding
are contemporaries.
Which of the statements given above are the Nalanda School of Sculpture:
correct? 1. Nalanda School of Sculpture is
(a) 1 and 2 only
influenced by the Sarnath style of
(b) 2 and 3 only
sculpture.
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 2. Sculptures are usually depicted in three-

dimensional forms.
72. Which of the following statements is not 3. The sculptures mostly depict Buddhist
correct regarding the socio-economic
deities of the Hinayana sect.
conditions during the early medieval period?
Which of the statements given above is /are
(a) The hereditary chiefs rose to a dominant
position during this period. correct?

(b) The feudal order weakened the village (a) 1 and 2 only
self government. (b) 3 only
(c) The peasants had to pay taxes and render
(c) 2 and 3 only
forced labour.
(d) 1 and 2 only
(d) There was no slavery during this period.
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75. Consider the following statements with 78. Consider the following statements with
respect to the field of paintings during the respect to the wall paintings at Bhimbetka:
Mughal period: 1. The timeline for the Bhimbetka
1. The masters of miniature painting Abdus paintings starts from Paleolithic period

Samad and Mir Sayyid Ali were and continues beyond Mesolithic period.
2. In the paintings man is depicted hunting
courtiers of Humayun.
animals.
2. Portrait painting gained prominence
3. Rock shelters of Bhimbetka is
during the regime of Aurangzeb.
recognised as a World Heritage Site by
3. European painting was introduced in
UNESCO.
Akbar's court by the Portuguese.
Which of the statements given above are
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(a) 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(b) 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 2 and 3 only
79. With reference to the Digital Payments
76. With reference to Sujalam Campaign, Index, consider the following statements:
recently seen in the news, consider the 1. It ranks states based on the extent of
following statements: digitisation of payments.

1. It is a mission mode campaign to ensure 2. It is released by NITI Aayog.

Which of the statements given above is/are
connections of portable drinking water
correct?
in every household in urban areas.
(a) 1 only
2. It is being implemented by the Ministry
(b) 2 only
of Housing and Urban Affairs.
(c) Both 1 and 2
Which of the statements given above is/are
(d) Neither 1 and 2
correct?
(a) 1 only
80. Consider the following pairs :
(b) 2 only Cultural traditions Category
(c) Both 1 and 2 1. Mallakhamb : Shadow Puppetry
(d) Neither 1 and 2 2. Pari Khanda : Martial art
3. Maach : Theatre art
77. Losoong festival, is celebrated to mark the Which of the pairs given above is/are
new year in which of the following states? correctly matched?
(a) Manipur (a) 1 only
(b) Tripura (b) 2 and 3 only

(c) Meghalaya (c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3
(d) Sikkim
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81. Recently Sukhet Model was seen in the 85. This region was the main resource area for
news. It is associated with sandstone used for sculpture in the Ganga
(a) water conservation valley in ancient and early medieval times. It
(b) organic waste management was a preferred quarry site because of its
(c) sacred grove conservation
good quality and its convenient geographical
(d) community participation in agriculture
location near the river, which made

82. Consider the following pairs: transportation easier. The Ashokan pillars
Regional/Folk music State are entirely made of sandstone quarried at
1. Sana Lamok : Mizoram this site.
2. Powada : Maharashtra Which of the following region is being
3. Sohar : Punjab described in the above passage?
Which of the pairs given above is/are (a) Khatu
correctly matched?
(b) Dholpur
(a) 1 only
(c) Dehri-on-Son
(b) 2 only
(d) Chunar
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
86. The name „Veda‟ is given to the vast body of
83. Which of the following characterize literature made up of Mantra and Brahmana.
Hindustani Classical Music? In this context, Aitareya Brahmana is a part
1. Presence of Gharanas of
2. Assimilation of elements of Persian and (a) Rigveda
Arabian music
(b) Yajurveda
3. Different styles of composition include
(c) Samaveda
Javali and Kirtanam
(d) Atharvaveda
Select the correct answer using the code
given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only 87. With reference to the Iqta system, consider
(b) 2 and 3 only the following statements:
(c) 1 and 3 only 1. The iqta system was used for the first
(d) 1, 2 and 3 time in India and then adopted in the rest
of the world.
84. Consider the following pairs:
2. The Muqti was expected to maintain the
Inscription Dynasty
army and meet his own expenses with
1. Besanagar pillared : Shunga
the revenue collected.
inscription
2. Rabatak inscription : Kushanas 3. During the time of Feroze Shah Tughlaq
3. Nanaghat inscription : Satvahanas the control of state over iqtas was diluted
4. Junagadh Rock : Shakas when iqtas became hereditary.
inscription Which of the statements given above is/are
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
correctly matched? (a) 1 and 2 only
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 3 only
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88. This shadow puppetry uses puppets that are 91. The Drug Controller General has recently
mostly small in size and the puppets differ in granted emergency approval to the Zycov-D
size according to their social status. During vaccine. In this context, consider the
the performances, puppeteers speak in
following statements regarding Zycov-D:
Kannada but include certain songs or
1. It is a DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine
exclamations in Aare Marathi. The episodes
that can be administered without a
of the Ramayana are the principal source of
inspiration in the Kannada language. It is needle.
mainly prevalent in the state of Karnataka. 2. It cannot be administered to individuals
Which of the following forms of puppetry is who are below 18 years of age.
being described in the passage given above? Which of the statements given above is/are
(a) Yampuri correct?
(b) Tholu Bommalata (a) 1 only
(c) Togalu Gombeyatta
(b) 2 only
(d) Ravanchhaya
(c) Both 1 and 2

89. The Bahmani Kingdom due to its continuous (d) Neither 1 nor 2
wars with Vijayanagara Empire finally
disintegrated into five Deccani Sultanates in 92. “Climate Change 2021: the Physical Science
the early part of the sixteenth century. In this Basis” report, recently seen in news, was
context, consider the following pairs : published by
Sultanate Founder (a) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
1. Ahmadnagar : Malik Ahmad Shah
Change (IPCC)
2. Bijapur : Ismail Adil Shah
(b) Germanwatch
3. Golconda : Ibrahim Quli Qutub
(c) United Nations Environment Programme
Shah
Which of the pairs given above is/are (UNEP)
correctly matched? (d) International Union for Conservation of
(a) 1 only Nature (IUCN)
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only 93. Union Cabinet recently approved the
(d) 1, 2 and 3
implementation of National Mission on
Edible Oils – Oil Palm. Consider the
90. In the context of the Kushana rule in ancient
following statements regarding edible oil in
India, consider the following statements:
1. The Shaka era used by the Government India:
of India was started by King Kanishka. 1. India is the largest importer of edible oil
2. The Kushana Administration showed a in the world.
high degree of centralization. 2. Palm oil constitutes more than 50% of
3. Charaka was a contemporary of the edible oil imports.
Kushana king Kanishka. Which of the statements given above is/are
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
correct?
(a) 1 only
(a) 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 (c) Both 1 and 2
(d) 1 only (d) Neither 1 and 2
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94. The temple dates back to the early eleventh 97. Which of the following can be attributed as
century and was built by Raja Bhimdev I. the reasons for the decline of the Mauryan
There is a massive rectangular stepped tank Empire?
1. Rise of the Mahajanpadas
called the surya kund in front of it. A
2. Neglect of the North-West frontier
hundred and eight miniature shrines are
3. Financial crisis due to enormous
carved in between the steps inside the tank.
expenditure on the army
A huge ornamental arch-torana leads one to 4. Brahmanical reaction as a result of
the sabha mandapa (the assembly hall) Ashoka's policy of Dhamma.
which is open on all sides. Every year, at the 5. Invasion by Alexander
time of the equinoxes, the sun shines directly Select the correct answer from the code
into this central shrine. given below.
Which of the following temples is being (a) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
described in the above passage?
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(a) Arasavalli sun temple
(d) 2, 4 and 5 only
(b) Bhramanya Dev temple
(c) Modhera temple 98. Consider the following statements with
(d) Konark sun temple reference to the history of rock cut
architecture in India:
95. Which of the following institutions is/are of 1. The use of chaitya arch in stone was
pre-independence origin? seen for the first time in Barabar Caves.
2. Barabar Caves are carved out of single
1. Archeological Survey of India
monolithic granite rock.
2. Indian Council for Cultural Relations
Which of the statements given above is/are
3. National Archives of India
correct?
4. Sahitya Akademy (a) 1 only
Select the correct answer using the code (b) 2 only
given below. (c) Both 1 and 2
(a) 1 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(b) 1 and 3 only
99. With reference to the World Heritage Sites
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
consider the following pairs:
(d) 1 and 4 only
World Heritage Site State
1. Airavateshvara : Tamil Nadu
96. Consider the following pairs:
temple
Festivals/Traditions State
2. Victorian Gothic : Goa
1. Bonalu Festival : Telangana Ensemble
2. Ashadhi Bij : Gujarat 3. Jantar Mantar : Delhi
3. Dree Festival : Arunachal Pradesh 4. Virupaksha temple : Karnataka
Which of the pairs given above are correctly Which of the pairs given above are correctly
matched? matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only (a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only (b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only (c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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100. Consider the following statements with

reference to Vakataka Dynasty:
1. The Vakataka Empire was founded by a
Kshatriya chieftain in regions of Bengal.
2. The rock-cut Buddhist Viharas and
Chaityas of Ajanta Caves were built
under the patronage of Vakatakas.
3. They had formed matrimonial ties with
their neighbors including the Guptas.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
(a) 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

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VISIONIAS
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ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS
GENERAL STUDIES (P) TEST – 3481 (2022)

Q 1.A
• After Sultan, the most important office was the Diwan-i-Wizarat, headed by the wazir. It was a key
position in the royal court and his role was of a general supervisor over all departments, though he was
one of the four important departmental heads. He was the chief advisor to the Sultan. Hence option (a)
is the correct answer.
• The main functions of the wazir were to look after the financial organization of the State, give advice to
the Sultan, and on occasions to lead military expeditions at Sultan’s behest.
• He also supervised the payment to the army.
• The wizarat or the office of wazir also kept a check on land revenue collections, maintained a record of all
the income and expenditure incurred by the state and thus controlled or recorded the salaries of all royal
servants, handled the charitable donations such as Waqfs, Inams etc.
• Further, the Mints, the intelligence departments, the royal buildings, and other bodies affiliated to the
royal court were supervised by the wizarat.
• The wazir had direct access to the Sultan and it was on his wisdom, sincerity and loyalty that the position
of the Sultan depended greatly.
• There were several other departments which worked under the wizarat. They were entrusted with specific
functions. These included Mustaufi-i-Mumalik (Auditor-General), Mushrif-i-Mumalik (Accountant
General), Majmuadar (Keeper of loans and balances from the treasury). Later some other offices were
brought under the supervision of the Wizarat like Diwan-i -Waqoof (to supervise expenditure), Diwan-
iMustakharaj (to look into the arrears of revenue payments), Diwan-i-Amir Kohi (to bring uncultivated
land into cultivation through state support).

Q 2.A
• Amir Khusrau (1253–1325) was a contemporary of Balban, Jalaluddin Khilji and Alauddin Khilji.
o He introduced many new ragas such as Ghora and Sanam.
o He evolved a new style of light music known as Qawwalis by blending the Hindu and Iranian
systems.
o The invention of the sitar was also attributed to him.
o Credited to have introduced the ghazal style of the song into India, Amir Khusrau was also the one
who introduced Persian, Arabic and Turkish elements into Indian classical music. Through this
fusion, he created many ragas like zilf, maan, sajgari.
o Amir Khusrau wrote a masnavi on the Tughlaq dynasty ruler, Mubarak Shah as "Nuh Sipihr"
(Nine Skies) relating the events of Mubarak Shah's rule.
o It was due to his Sufi orientation h acquired mainly learnings from his spiritual mentor,
Nizamuddin Auliya, His poetry offers a powerful metaphor for secular thinking and living.
Hence option (b) and (d) are correct.
o He gave a unique form to the Chishti sama by introducing the qaul (Arabic word meaning
“saying”), a hymn sung at the opening or closing of qawwali. This was followed by sufi poetry in
Persian, Hindavi or Urdu, and sometimes using words from all of these languages. Qawwals (those
who sing these songs) at the shrine of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya always start their recital with the
qaul. Hence option (c) is correct.
o With his second collection of verses, Wast-ul-Hayat, Amir Khusrau's name spread from house to
house, wide and far and he came to be known in Persia as well. The famous poet of Persia, Sa'di sent
him compliments.
o He wrote poetry in Persian as well as what he called Hindavi, a combination of local Bhojpuri
and Persian, which later evolved into Hindi and Urdu.
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o He composed songs and riddles in the more common spoken dialect of the time, called ‘Dehlavi
Hindi’.
o In 1321 Khusrau began to write a historic masnavi named Tughlaq Nama (Book of the
Tughlaqs) about the reign of Ghiyas-ud-Din Tughlaq and that of other Tughlaq rulers. Firoz
Tughlaq's reign started in 1351 AD. Hence option (a) is not correct.
o When Nizammudin Auliya passed away Khusrau tore his clothes and blackened his face and went to
his master's grave. In a few months' time, in 1325 AD, Khusrau too passed away and was buried near
that grave as desired by the master. These graves are a place of pilgrimage for both Hindus and
Muslims to the present.

Q 3.A
• Recently, UNESCO has conferred the World Heritage Site status to the historic Rudreswara Temple,
also known as the Ramappa Temple, at Palampet in Mulugu district of Telangana. With this, India has a
total of 39 World Heritage sites. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• The Rudreswara temple was constructed in 1213 AD during the reign of the Kakatiya empire by
Recharla Rudra, a general of Kakatiya king Ganapati Deva. The temple is dedicated
to Ramalingeswara Swamy (Lord Shiva) and worshipped by devotees. It is also known as the Ramappa
temple, after the sculptor who executed the work in the temple for 40 years. Hence statements 2 and 3
are not correct.
• The temple complexes of Kakatiyas have a distinct style, technology and decoration exhibiting the
influence of the Kakatiyan sculptor. The Ramappa Temple is a manifestation of this and often stands as a
testimonial to the Kakatiyan creative genius. The temple stands on a 6 feet high star-shaped platform
with walls, pillars and ceilings adorned with intricate carvings that attest to the unique skill of
the Kakatiyan sculptors.
• The building features decorated beams and pillars of carved granite and dolerite with a distinctive
and pyramidal Vimana (horizontally stepped tower) made of lightweight porous bricks, so-called
‘floating bricks’, which reduced the weight of the roof structures.

Q 4.C
• Jainism taught five doctrines:
o do not commit violence,
o do not speak a lie,
o do not steal,
o do not acquire property and
o observe continence (brahmacharya).
• It is said that only the fifth doctrine (observe continence) was added by Mahavira, the other four were
taken over by him from previous teachers. Hence option (c) is the correct answer.
• Jainism attached the utmost importance to ahimsa or non-injury to living beings. Sometimes it led to
absurd results, for some Jain kings ordered the execution of persons guilty of killing animals.

Q 5.D
• Turks who came to India were deeply influenced by the Persian language which had become the literary
and administrative language of Central Asia from the tenth century onwards.
• From the beginning of the Delhi Sultanate, the Turks adopted Persian as the language of literature and
administration in the country. Most notable Persian writer of the period was Amir Khusrau.
• Apart from poetry, a strong school of history writing in Persian developed in India during the period. The
most famous historians of this period were Ziauddin Barani, Afif, and Isami.
• Through the Persian language, India was able to develop close cultural relations with Central Asia and
Iran. In course of time, Persian became not only the language of administration and diplomacy but also
the language of the upper classes and their dependents.
• Thus, Sanskrit and Persian functioned as link languages in the country in politics, religion and philosophy,
as well as being means of literary productions
• Many indigenous books were translated into Persian under the patronage of the new rulers.
o Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin of Kashmir had the famous historical work Rajatarangini and the
Mahabharata translated into Persian. At his instance, Sanskrit works on medicine and music were
also translated into Persian.
o Indian classical music work Ragdarpan was also translated into Persian during the reign of
Firoz Tughlaq.

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o Zia Nakhshabi translated the Sanskrit stories which were related by a parrot to a woman whose
husband had gone on a journey into Persian. This book was called Tuti Nama (Book of the Parrot) and
became very popular and was further translated from Persian into many European languages as well.
• Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q 6.A
• The Chishti order was founded in a village called Khwaja Chishti (near Herat). In India, the Chishti
silsilah was founded by Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti (born c. 1142) who came to India around 1192. He
made Ajmer the main centre for his teaching.
• Baba Farid’s most famous disciple Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya (1238-1325) was responsible for
making Delhi an important center of the Chishti silsilah.
• He came to Delhi in 1259 and during his sixty years in Delhi, he saw the reign of seven sultans.
• He preferred to shun the company of rulers and nobles and kept aloof from the state.
• For him, renunciation meant the distribution of food and clothes to the poor. Amongst his followers
was the noted writer Amir Khusrau. Hence option (a) is the correct answer.

Q 7.B
• In terms of the classical tradition formulated in the Natyashastra, dance and music are an inextricable part
of drama.
• As per the ancient treatises, dance is considered as having three aspects: natya, nritya and nritta.
o Natya highlights the dramatic element and most dance forms do not give emphasis to this aspect
today with the exception of dance-drama forms like Kathakali.
o Nritya is essentially expressional, performed specifically to convey the meaning of a theme or idea.
Hence option (b) is the correct answer.
o Nritta on the other hand, is pure dance where body movements do not express any mood (bhava),
nor do they convey any meaning.
• To present nritya and natya effectively, a dancer should be trained to communicate the navarasas. These
are: love (shringaara), mirth (haasya), compassion (karuna), valour (veera), anger (roudra), fear
(bhayanak), disgust (bibhatsa), wonder (adbhuta) and peace (shaanta).

Q 8.C
• The Ajivika was an unorthodox sect which emerged at the same time as the rise of Buddhism and
Jainism. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• The sect was founded by Gosala Maskariputra in the 5th century BC.
• Ajivikas led a simple ascetic life, without clothes and any material possession. They practiced complete
nudity. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• The school revolves around the Niyati (destiny) doctrine of absolute determinism. It believes that there is
no free will and whatever has happened, is happening, or will happen is entirely pre-ordained or pre-
decided and is based on cosmic principles. Hence there was no use of Karma. Hence statement 3
is correct.
o It is based on the theory of atoms and believes that everything is composed of atoms and the various
qualities emerge from the aggregates of atoms which is pre-determined.
o They opposed Buddhism and Jainism and were atheists. They did not believe in Karma doctrine,
unlike Jainism and Buddhism. They consider Karma a fallacy.
o They also rejected the authority of Vedas like Buddhism and Jainism. However, they believed in the
existence of the soul (atman) in every living being like Jainism. But they believed in the existence of
the soul in a material form whereas Jainism propounds formless soul.
• Bindusaar (4th century BC) was one of its followers.
• Sravasti in Uttar Pradesh is believed to be the center of Ajivikas.
• Ashoka's seventh pillar edicts mention Ajivikas.

Q 9.B
• The development of science and technology in India went through phases of rigorous experimentation.
There are different areas of application of science and technology such as :
o Metallurgy smelting of metals
o Distillation of perfumes
o Making of dyes and pigments
o Extraction of sugar
o Production of paper
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o Production of gunpowder
o The casting of cannons etc
• The development of metallurgy started in India from bronze age. The best evidence is of the Indian
metallurgy of the iron pillar of Mehrauli in Delhi and Sultanganj Buddha idol in Bihar. They have
not got rusted yet even after thousands of years later after its manufacture. Hence option 1 is correct.
• Although the paper was well known in other parts of the world, a Chinese official working in the
Imperial court during the Han Dynasty (202 BCE- 220 BCE), is attributed with the invention of
paper. The use of paper in India began in the Medieval period. In India, during ancient times the
preservation of ancient literature was generally done on palm leaves. Though Amir Khusrau also mentions
the use of paper, the first paper industry was developed in Kashmir, established by Sultan Zainul
Abedin (Shahi Khan) of Kashmir in 1417-67 AD. Hence option 2 is not correct.
• After the advent of the Mughals, the manufacture of gunpowder and its use also started in India hence
it is also a medieval period discovery. Hence option 3 is not correct.
o Gunpowder consists of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal, and it was first invented in China. Later, it
spread to Islamic society.
o The immigrant Turks brought gunpowder to India perhaps in the late 13th or early 14th century.
o But it must be pointed out that even by the reign of Sultan Feroz Shah Tughluq its only use was for
pyrotechny or fireworks (atashbazi), not for firearms or for propelling cannon-balls.
o Firearms were used for the first time during the second half of the 15th century in some regions of
India like Gujarat, Malwa, and the Deccan. At any rate, the use of firearms on a regular basis was
introduced by the Portuguese when they came to Calicut in A.D. 1498, and by Babur in North India in
the early 16th century.
• Dyes and pigments Were made during ancient times generally from vegetable products apart from
minerals, alkalize, and other natural elements. This is also evident from various ancient paintings. Hence
option 4 is correct.

Q 10.C
• The Sangam age refers to that period in the early history of south India when large numbers of poems in
Tamil were composed by a number of authors. . The term Sangam refers to an assembly or “meeting
together” of Tamil poets. Traditionally, three Sangams or assemblies are believed to have been convened
one after the other. All the three Sangams took place at different places under the patronage of the Pandya
kings of Madurai.
• Women in the Sangam period appear to have been educated. This is testified by many poems contributed
by women poets to the Sangam literature. Women are also described as engaged in various economic
activities such as paddy plantation, cattle rearing, basket-making, spinning, etc. However, the cruel
practice of Sati was also prevalent in Tamil society, and it was known as tippayadal. But it was not
obligatory as there are references to widows present in society. However, their position was miserable
as they were prohibited to decorate themselves or participate in any form of amusement. Hence statement
1 is not correct.
• The class of warriors was an important element in society during the Sangam age. Captains of the army
were invested with the title of enadi at a formal ceremony. Civil and military officers were held under
both the Cholas and the Pandyas by vellalas or rich peasants. The ruling class was called arasar and its
members had marriage relations with the vellalas. Hence statement 3 is not correct
• The rich did not plough land themselves but employed labourers for this purpose. Agricultural
operations were generally carried on by the members of the lowest class known as kadaisiyar. Hence
statement 2 is correct
• We notice sharp social inequalities in the Sangam age. The rich lived in houses of brick and mortar and
the poor in huts and humbler structures. In the cities, the rich lived in the upper storey of their house.
Q 11.B
• Many complex designs of flower motifs decorating the ceilings were also to be found on textiles and
carpets. In the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth centuries tiles were also used to surface the walls and the
domes. Popular colours were blue, turquoise, green and yellow. Subsequently, the techniques of
tessellation (mosaic designs) and pietra dura were made use of for surface decoration particularly in
the dado panels of the walls.
• Pietra-dura is a Pictorial mosaic work using semi-precious stones. It is commonly found on walls,
cenotaphs and marble jalis in the Taj Mahal.
• Tessellation is the decoration on walls and floors with mosaic. Mosaic is a surface decoration made by
inlaying small pieces of variously coloured material (stones, glasses, etc) to form pictures or patterns.
• Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.
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Q 12.A
• Mesolithic Period is an intermediate stage in the Stone Age culture which is the transition phase
between the Palaeolithic and Neolithic Age. In the case of India, it started about 8000BC and
continued till upto 4000BC.
• Mesolithic sites are found in most parts of India. They occur in all eco-zones from the coasts to the hills:
sand dunes, rock shelters, deltaic regions, lake areas, forested territories, hilly and mountainous areas,
rocky terrains and coastal environments.
• Mesolithic sites in India are found in Paisra (Bihar), Langhnaj (Gujarat), Baghor II, Chopani Mando, Sarai
Nahar Rai, Mahadaha and Damdama (all in Uttar Pradesh), Sankanakallu (Andhra) and Kibbanahalli
(Karnataka). Rock shelter sites are found in Adamgarh and Bhimbetka.
• Coastal sites are seen at Mumbai, teri sites in Thoothukudy district (Tamil Nadu) and
Vishakapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), these sites also have microlithic evidence. Hence statement 3 is
not correct.
• Hunting wild animals and gathering plant food and fishing were people’s main occupations during this
age. Agriculture was not practised in the early stages.
• At the end of the Mesolithic period, humans domesticated animals and paved the way for the Neolithic
way of life. The rock paintings of Central India depict hunting, trapping, fishing and plant food collection.
• The Mesolithic people were highly mobile. They moved in search of animals and plant foods. They
made temporary huts and also used caves and rock shelters. They lived in semi-permanent and
temporary settlements. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• The characteristic tool of this age is microliths. Their microlithic tools enabled them to hunt smaller
animals and birds. Hence statement 2 is correct.

Q 13.C
• Rajasthani Schools of Painting refer to the schools of painting that prevailed in the princely kingdoms of
what roughly constitutes Rajasthan and parts of Madhya Pradesh in the present time, such as Mewar,
Bundi, Kota, Jaipur, Bikaner, Kishangarh, Jodhpur (Marwar) etc. In these miniatures, the themes were
mostly narrative. The miniatures mains themes were based on Ragamala, Nayak-Nayika-Bhed,
Baramasa, Ramayana, Rasamanjari, Krishna Lila etc. On the basis of geographical diversities and local
interests, the art of Rajasthan can be classified into several sub-schools of miniature paintings.
• Mewar Sub school: Mewar is conjectured to be a significant early centre of painting in Rajasthan.
o The emergence of the Mewar School is widely associated with an early dated set of Ragamala
paintings painted at Chawand in 1605 by an artist named Nisardin.
o The reign of Jagat Singh I (1628–1652) is recognised as the period when pictorial aesthetics got
reformulated under virtuoso artists Sahibdin and Manohar, who added new vitality to the style and
vocabulary of Mewar paintings.
o Sahibdin painted the Ragamala, Rasikapriya, Bhagvata Purana and the Yuddha Kanda of
Ramayana. Painting in the eighteenth century increasingly slithered away from textual
representations to courtly activities and pastime of the royals.
o Maru Ragini is an important miniature painting of Ragamala series painted by Sahibdin. In this
painting of 18th century, the king and the queen are shown riding on a camel back in desert
background. Their apparels have been shown transparent and decorated with adornment. This painting
belongs to the sub school of Mewar and has been surrounded by simple border of orange colour. The
calligraphic work in Devnagari Script has also been done on the top of the painting. Hence option (c)
is the correct answer.
• Kishangarh Sub school: Mysterious beauty of women is the life of Kishangarh style of painting. The
immortal paintings like Bani Thani and the paintings of king Sawant Sing are the identity of Kishangarh
style.
• Bundi Sub School: The art skills of Bundi style are unique due to the conjugation of the Mughal and
Deccan art elements.
• Jodhpur Sub School: Jodhpur got art tradition in heritage from Mewar. In the beginning of the 17th
century, it was known for Pali Ragmala paintings. Pure indigenous delineation is the stylistic
characteristics of these paintings.

Q 14.C
• Recent Context: Indian astrophysicists spot rare merger, they discovered three super-massive Black
Holes Merging. The study has been published as a letter in the ‘Astronomy and Astrophysics’
journal.

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• The supermassive black holes, which are several million solar masses in size, are at the centres of
galaxies and are known as Active Galactic Nuclei. Since they “accrete“ matter, they often have a glow
around them which can be observed using light spectroscopy.
• The group observed these galaxies with a near-infrared telescope in South Africa. And then later on
they also observed them with the UVIT (onboard ASTROSAT).
• Indian researchers have discovered three supermassive black holes from three galaxies merging to form a
triple active galactic nucleus, a compact region at the centre of a newly discovered galaxy that has a
much-higher-than-normal luminosity. This rare occurrence in our nearby Universe indicates that small
merging groups are ideal laboratories to detect multiple accreting supermassive black holes and increases
the possibility of detecting such rare occurrences.
• Hence option (c) is the correct answer.

Q 15.D
• Alauddin’s measures to control the markets were one of the most important policy initiatives. Ala-ud-din
was the first Sultan to pay his soldiers in cash rather than give them a share of booty. As the soldiers were
paid less, the prices had to be monitored and controlled.
• Since Alauddin wanted to maintain a large army, he, therefore, lowered and fixed the price of the
commodities of daily use. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• To control the prices, Alauddin set up three different markets for different commodities in Delhi.
• These markets were the grain market (Mandi), cloth market (Sarai Adl), and the market for horses, slaves,
cattle, etc.
• To ensure implementation, Alauddin appointed a superintendent (Shahna-i-Mandi) who was assisted
by an intelligence officer. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• Control of prices of horses was very important for the Sultan because without the supply of good horses at
reasonable prices to the army, the efficiency of the army could not be ensured. Low prices in the horse
market were ensured by putting a stop to the purchase of horses by horse dealers and brokers (dalals) in
the Delhi market. Hence statement 2 is not correct.

Q 16.A
• Recent Context: Ministry Of Social Justice And Empowerment has launched Training for
Augmenting Productivity and Services (TAPAS) to offer massive open online courses (MOOC).
TAPAS has been developed by the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD).
• TAPAS will provide five basic courses on Drug (Substance) Abuse Prevention, Geriatric/Elderly Care,
Care and Management of Dementia, Transgender Issues and on comprehensive course on Social Defence
Issues.
• TAPAS seeks to provide access to lectures by subject experts, study material and more, but in a manner
that it supplements the physical classroom without compromising on the quality of teaching. The main
objective of introducing the course modules is to impart training and enhance the knowledge and
skills for the capacity building of the participants. It can be taken up by anyone who wishes to enhance
his or her knowledge on the topics and there is no fee for joining.
• TAPAS is a standard MOOC platform with course material such as filmed lectures and e-study
material. It also includes discussion forums to support and encourage interactions among students
and course coordinators.
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q 17.C
• Chandragupta-II (A.D. 380-412) was known for his deep interest in art and culture and nine gems or
Navratna adorned his court. He enjoyed the titles ‘Vikramaditya (the sun of prowess) and ‘Sakari’. His
reign is often remembered not for wars but for his patronage of Art and Literature. The Court of
Chandragupta was adorned by celebrated scholars collectively known as ‘Navaratnas’. Kalidasa, the
great Sanskrit poet and play Wright, flourished in his court.
• Harisena is known to have composed the Prayag Prasasti or Allahabad Pillar Inscription. The title of
this inscription of Kavya, but has both prose and verse. Harisena in his old age was in the court of
Chandragupta.
• The two famous practitioners of Ayurveda in ancient India were Charaka (1st-2nd centuries C.E.) and
Sushruta (c. 4th century C.E.) Charak Samhita, written by Charak is a remarkable book on medicine. In
his treatise, Susruta Samhita, Sushruta speaks about elaborate surgical procedures.
• Hence option (c) is the correct answer.

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Q 18.A
• The Third Battle of Panipat took place on 14 January 1761 at Panipat between the Maratha Empire and
the invading Afghan army of Ahmad Shah Abdali.
• In this battle, Afghan forces were led by Ahmad Shah Abdali.
• Marathas forces were led by Sadashivrao Bhau. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The reasons for Marathas defeat were:
o Abdali's forces were numerically superior to the Marathas and also Abdali’s forces were better
organized and also better equipped. The use of swivel guns mounted on camels caused havoc in
the Maratha forces.
> Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
o Near famine conditions prevailed in the Maratha camp as the road to Delhi was cut off.
o The Maratha policy of indiscriminate plunder had estranged both Muslim and Hindu powers
like Jats, Rajputs and Sikhs.
> Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
o But Abdali was supported by Muslim powers of North India like Rohilla Afghans of the Doab and
Shuja-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Oudh.
o Mutual jealousies of the Maratha commanders considerable weakened their side
• The political significance of the Third Battle of Panipat -
o Though Maratha suffered heavy loss of human lives in the battle, Maratha's power soon began to
prosper as before. It continued to do so for forty years until British supremacy was established by the
second Anglo-Maratha war (1803).
o By the death of great Maratha captains, path was opened for the guilty ambitions of Raghunath Rao.
o It lowered Maratha's prestige in the Indian political world.
o Maratha dream of an all-India empire was irrevocably lost.
o It cleared the way for the rise of the British Empire in India.

Q 19.A
• Differences in rural society:
o While technologies led to an increase in production, the benefits were very uneven. What is evident is
that there was a growing differentiation amongst people engaged in agriculture – stories, especially
within the Buddhist tradition, refer to landless agricultural laborers, small peasants, as well as large
landholders. The term gahapati was often used in Pali texts to designate the second and third
categories. The large landholders, as well as the village headman (whose position was often
hereditary), emerged as powerful figures and often exercised control over other cultivators.
o Early Tamil literature (the Sangam texts) also mentions different categories of people living in the
villages – large landowners or Vellalar, ploughmen or uzhavar, and slaves or adimai. It is likely
that these differences were based on differential access to land, labor, and some of the new
technologies. In such a situation, questions of control over land must have become crucial, as these
were often discussed in legal texts.
o Hence option (a) is the correct answer.

Q 20.C
• One of the controversial measures of Muhammad bin Tughlaq was that he transferred his capital from
Delhi to Deogir (Daultabad). Hence statement 1 is not correct.
o According to Dr. Mahdi Hussain, the Sultan wanted to maintain both Delhi and Daulatabad as his
capitals.
o As per Barani, in AD 1326–27, Sultan decided to shift his capital from Delhi to Deogir (Daultabad) in
the Deccan because it was more centrally located.
o The entire population was not asked to leave only the upper classes consisting of shaikhs, nobles,
ulema were shifted to Daulatabad.
• Muhammad Tughlaq decided to secure the frontier. The region from Lahore to Kalanur including
Peshawar was conquered and new administrative control was established. Besides, the Sultan also planned
invasions of Qarachil region (In present day Himachal) and Qandhar but did not succeed. Hence
statement 2 is not correct.
• He started a new department for the development of Agriculture. It was called Diwan-i Kohi. Peasants
were given financial support to help in arranging seeds for cultivation. This loan was also given in case of
crop failures. Hence statement 3 is correct.

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Q 21.A
• The most important change in the later Vedic period was the rise and growth of social differentiation in
the form of the varna system. The four varnas in which society came to be divided were the
Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, vaishyas, and Shudras.
• The institution of Gotra appeared in the later Vedic times. Literally, it means cow pen or the place
where cattle belonging to the whole clan are kept, but in course of time, it began to signify descent from a
common ancestor.
• People began to practice gotra exogamy. No marriage could take place between people belonging to
the same gotra. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• Another important institution that began to take shape was ashrama or different stages of life.
• Brahmacharya (student life), grihastha (householder), and vanaprastha (hermitage) stages are
mentioned in the texts.
• Later, sannyasa, the fourth stage also came to be added. Together with varna, it came to be known as
varna-ashrama dharma.
• During the Later Vedic period, the upper Ganga Doab was the centre of the Aryan culture. This region is
described as the land of Kuru-Panchalas.
• The Vedic gods Agni and Indra lost their importance. Prajapati became the main deity. Hence
statement 2 is correct.
• Rudra, the god of rituals, identified with Siva, became important. The Satapatha Brahmana lists the names
of Rudra as Pasunampathi, Sarva, Bhava, and Bahikas.
• In later Vedic times, popular assemblies lost their importance and royal power increased at their
cost. The Vidatha completely disappeared, however, the sabha and samite continued to hold their
ground but their character changed and began to be dominated by rich nobles and princes. Hence
statement 1 is not correct.

Q 22.B
• The economic soundness of the Vijayanagara kingdom depended on flourishing agriculture along with
trade and commerce. Agriculture was the main occupation of the large sections of the people.
• The Vijayanagara rulers promoted agricultural operations on a large scale by constructing tanks and by
providing canals to supply water continuously for irrigational purposes.
• Land revenue during the Vijayanagara period differed from region to region and depended on fertility of
the soil.
• The land revenue was paid in cash or in kind.
• Vijayanagara epigraphs refer to three categories of land tenure: Amara, Bhandaravada and
Manya.
o The Bhandaravada villages are crown villages, and a part of this revenue was utilized for the
maintenance of forts.
o Manya land villages were tax-free lands and were used to maintain Brahmans, temples etc.
o Amara lands or villages were allotted to Samantas or vassals who utilized the revenue to
maintain the armies to be supplied to the king as and when needed.
• Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

Q 23.C
• The early Jainas discarded the Sanskrit Language mainly patronised by the Brahmanas. They adopted the
Prakrit language of the common people to preach their doctrines.
o The adoption of Prakrit by the Jainas helped the growth of this language and its literature.
Hence statement 1 is correct.
o Many regional languages developed out of Prakrit languages, particularly Shauraseni, out of which
grew the Marathi language.
• It was the official language of the Satavahanas. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• Gandhari Prakrit, spoken in the north-west, in the region that today constitutes Pakistan, was among the
more unusual Prakrits. It employed the Kharoshthi script, usually written from right to left, as opposed to
Prakrit, which used the Brahmi script that ran from left to right. Gandhari inscriptions have been found in
Central Asia and China, indicating that it was used over a wide expanse of geography.

Q 24.A
• The style of temple architecture that became popular in southern India is known as the Dravidian Style of
temple architecture. This style of temple architecture flourished roughly from the 8th century to about the
13-14 century A.D. The main features of the Dravida style are
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o Unlike the nagara temple, the Dravida temple is enclosed within a compound wall.
o The front wall has an entrance gateway in its centre, which is known as a gopuram.
o Sculptures of fierce dvarapalas or the door-keepers guarding the temple. Whereas at the entrance
to the North Indian temple’s garbhagriha, it would be usual to find images such as mithunas
and the river goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna. Hence option 1 is correct and option 4 is not
correct.
o It is common to find a large water reservoir, or a temple tank, enclosed within the complex.
Hence option 3 is correct.
o Subsidiary shrines are either incorporated within the main temple tower, or located as distinct,
separate small shrines beside the main temple. The North Indian idea of multiple shikharas rising
together as a cluster was not popular in South India. Hence option 2 is not correct.

Q 25.A
• Abul Fazl while writing in the Ain-i-Akbari speaks of fourteen silsilahs of the Sufis.
• These silsilahs were divided into two types: Ba-shara and Be-shara.
• Ba-shara were those orders that followed the Islamic Law (Sharia) and its directives such as namaz and
roza. Hence statement 1 is correct.
o Chief amongst these were the Chishti, Suhrawardi, Firdawsi, Qadiri and Naqshbandi silsilahs.
Hence statement 3 is not correct.
• The be-shara silsilahs were not bound by the Sharia. The Qalandars belonged to this group. Hence
statement 2 is correct.

Q 26.B
• The architecture of the Mughals includes magnificent forts, palaces, public buildings, mosques and
mausoleums. Large scale construction of buildings started with the advent of Akbar.
o He built many forts and the most famous one was the Agra Fort. It was built in red sandstone.
o Akbar also built a palace cum- fort complex at Fatepur Sikri (City of Victory), 36 kilometres
from Agra. Many buildings in Gujarathi and Bengali styles are found in this complex.
o The most magnificent building in it is the Jama Masjid and the gateway to it is called Buland
Darwaza or the Lofty Gate. The height of the gateway is 176 feet. It was built to commemorate
Akbar’s victory over Gujarat. Other important buildings at Fatepur Sikri are Jodh Bai’s palace and
Panch Mahal with five storeys. Hence options 1 and 4 are correct,
• Alauddin Khalji added an entrance to the Qutub Minar called Ala'i Darwaza. The Ala'i Darwaza is
the main gate from the southern side of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque in the Qutub Minar complex. The
dome of this arch was built on scientific lines. Hence option 3 is not correct.
• Mosque building had reached its peak during Shah Jahan’s reign. The Moti Masjid was built by
Emperor Shah Jahan at the highest point in the Agra Fort complex. The Moti Masjid at Agra was
built entirely in white marble. Hence option 2 is not correct.

Q 27.B
• The Harappan people were aware of almost all the metals except iron. They manufactured gold and silver
objects.
• A number of copper tools and weapons have also been discovered. The common tools included an axe,
saws, chisels, knives, spearheads and arrowheads.
• Copper was brought mainly from Khetri in Rajasthan. Gold might have been obtained from the
Himalayan riverbeds and South India, and silver from Mesopotamia.
• There is evidence of the use of the bronze though in a limited manner. The most famous specimen in
this regard is the bronze ‘dancing girl’ figurine discovered at Mohenjodaro. Hence statement 1 is
not correct.
• It is a nude female figure, with a right arm on the hip and left arm hanging in a dancing pose. She is
wearing a large number of bangles.
• A large number of terracotta figurines of males and females have been discovered from various Harappan
sites.
• The female figurines outnumber those of males and are believed to represent the worship of the
mother goddess.
• Besides these, a variety of models of birds, monkeys, dogs, sheep, cattle, humped and humpless bulls are
found.
• Pottery-making was also an important industry in the Harappan period. These were chiefly wheel-made
and were treated with a red coating and had decorations in black.
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• The painted motifs, generally noticed on the pottery, are pipal leaves, fish-scale design, intersecting
circles, zigzag lines, horizontal bands and geometrical motifs with floral and faunal patterns. The
Harappan pottery is well baked and fine in decorations. Hence statement 2 is correct.
Q 28.C
• Recent context: Recently the trilateral Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) was held in early August 2021
in Colombo, Sri Lanka at the level of Deputy National Security Advisors. India, Sri Lanka and the
Maldives are the full members of this National Security Advisor-(NSA) level platform.
• During the recent conclave, member countries agreed to work on “four pillars” of security cooperation,
covering areas of marine security, human trafficking, counter-terrorism, and cyber security, in a recent
virtual meeting of top security officials of the three countries.
• The last National Security Advisor-(NSA) level talks among India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives were held
in November 2020, where a decision was also made to change the name from “trilateral NSA meeting on
maritime security” to the Colombo Security Conclave. The Secretariat of Colombo Security Conclave
is based in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
• India is a full member and the three observer countries (Bangladesh, Mauritius, and the Seychelles) will
be elevated to full members at the next national security advisor-level meeting scheduled to take place in
the Maldives later this year.
• Hence option (c) is the correct answer.

Q 29.B
• Recent Context: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the
country’s first ‘Quantum Computer Simulator (QSim) Toolkit’. It is an indigenously developed toolkit
and is intended to be a vital tool in learning and understanding the practical aspects of
programming using Quantum Computers.
• Quantum computing is a rapidly emerging paradigm. Quantum computers can perform a variety of tasks
with greater speed and efficiency than present-day digital computers by harnessing the power of Quantum
Mechanics. In areas such as cryptography, computational chemistry and machine learning, Quantum
computing promises exponential growth in computing power.
• It is jointly developed by IIT-Roorkee, IISc Bangalore, Centre for Development of Advanced
Computing (C-DAC) to address the common challenge of advancing the Quantum Computing
research frontiers in India. It will enable researchers and students to research Quantum Computing in a
cost-effective manner. The project was supported & funded by MeitY.
• The toolkit will equip researchers to run quantum algorithms under conditions that will help them in
making necessary arrangements for experiments to run on actual Quantum Hardware. The toolkit will
help attract researchers and students in the field of quantum technology. The toolkit creates a
platform that helps students and users acquire the skills of ‘programming’ and ‘designing’ real
Quantum Hardware.
• Hence option (b) is the correct answer.

Q 30.C
• Several Sanskrit texts collectively called Sulvasutras were written by the Vedic Hindus starting before
600 BC. They are written in late Vedic Sanskrit.
• The Sulbasutras are appendices to the Vedas which give rules for constructing altars. Hence
statement 1 is correct. If the ritual sacrifice was to be successful then the altar had to conform to very
precise measurements. All that is known of Vedic mathematics is contained in the Sulbasutras.
• Unique fire altar shapes were associated with unique gifts from the God. For example those desiring the
heaven were to construct a fire altar in the shape of a ‘falcon’.
• There are four major Sulvasutras namely, Baudhayana, Manava, Apastamba and Katyayana with
Baudhayana being the oldest.
• Budhayana Sulbasutra are considered as the world’s earliest systematic treatise on Geometrical
Sciences. Pythagoras Theorem is first stated by Budhayana. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• The Sulbas provides the requires spatial and directional parameters for constructing the altars while the
time keeping calculations in the Vedanga Jyotisha deicde the temporal paramters of the Yagna.

Q 31.B
• Recent Context: The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and
Adjoining Areas Act, 2021, was recently enacted by the Parliament. It provides for the establishment
of the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas as a
statutory body. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
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• The monitoring and management of air quality in the Delhi-NCR so far was done by multiple bodies,
including the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the state pollution control boards, the state
governments in the region, including Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, and the Environment
Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) of the National Capital Region. The Act seeks to
create an overarching body to consolidate all monitoring bodies and to bring them on one platform so that
air quality management can be carried out in a more comprehensive, efficient, and time-bound manner.
• Apart from consolidating all agencies that monitored, investigated and planned mitigation of air
pollution in the region, the Commission has replaced the Supreme Court-appointed Environment
Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA). Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The new commission will concentrate on improving air quality particularly in winter, it has also been
asked to suggest measures to mitigate pollution throughout the year.

Q 32.C
• Religion and rituals played an important role in Vedic society. In the Rig Veda, the natural forces sun,
moon, rivers, mountains and rains were defined as divinities.
• They were personified and looked at as living beings to whom people gave human or animal
attributes. The religion was naturalistic and polytheistic. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• The Gods were arranged in hierarchical order with Indra occupying the supreme position. The next
important God was Agni. Agni was seen as an intermediary between God and people.
• The third important God was Varuna. Varuna was the god of water. Soma was the god of plants and the
drink was named after him. Soma drink was part of the ritual and the preparation of this intoxicating
drink is explained in many hymns of Rig Veda. Maruts was the god of strength.
• The dominant mode of worshipping God was through the recitation of prayers and offering
sacrifices. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• Both collective and individual prayers were made. Originally, every tribe or clan was the votary of a
special God.
• People did not worship Gods for spiritual upliftment or end of miseries of existence. They asked
mainly for Praja (children), Pasu (cattle), food, wealth, health etc.

Q 33.D
• In the Delhi Sultanate, the village was the smallest unit of administration.
• The functioning and administration of the village remained more or less the same as it had existed in pre
Turkish times. The main village functionaries were khut, Muqaddam and Patwari. Hence option (d)
is the correct answer.
• They worked in close coordination with the muqti in the collection of revenue and in maintaining law and
order etc.
• A number of villages formed the Pargana. The important Pargana officials were Chaudhary, Amil
(revenue collector) and Karkun (accountant).
• Village and pargana were independent units of administration, and yet there were inter related areas
• In certain cases the province had a local ruler (Rai, Rana, Rawat, Raja) who helped the governor in his
duties. In such cases the local rulers were recognised as subordinates of the Sultan.

Q 34.D
• After the Pallavas, the Chola dynasty became the main power of Southern India and emerged victorious
among other kingdoms. The capital of the Chola dynasty was the city of Thanjavur.
• Cholas had built more than two hundred temples which seems to be a continuation of previous Pallava
architecture with some variations.
• These temples amply illustrate the style of architecture between the 8th to 12th century and its influence
may also be seen on the architecture of temples of Ceylon and those of South-East Asian kingdoms like
Sri Vijaya (Sumatra) and Chavakam (Java).
• Chola temples can be categorized into two groups – Early Temples and Later Temples; early temples are
influenced by Pallava architecture while later have Chalukya influence.
• The important example of the early group is the Vijayalaya temple while the latter group represents the
Brihadeeswara temple of Thanjavur.
• Brihadeeshwara Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located in Thanjavur in the Indian
state of Tamil Nadu. It is also known as Raja Rajeswara Temple.
• It is one of the largest temples in India and is the finest example of Dravidian architecture during
the Chola period. It was built by emperor Raja Raja Chola I.

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• The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Great Living Chola
Temples”.
• The Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram was built by the great Chola king Rajaraja II.
• Despite being a smaller temple, the Airavatesvara temple holds sculptural masterpieces that make it stand
separately, exemplifying the great heights achieved in the field of art, sculpture, and architecture, during
the Chola reign.
• The Papanatha Temple was built during the 8th Century in the Early Chalukya period. It is part of
Pattadakal group of monuments which is a UNESCO world heritage site. This temple has features
of both Dravida and Nagara styles.
• Pattadakal monuments in Karnataka, represent a high point of an eclectic art which, in the 7th and 8th
centuries under the Chalukya dynasty, achieved a harmonious blend of architectural forms from northern
and southern India. An impressive series of nine Hindu temples, as well as a Jain sanctuary, can be seen
there. Famous temple Virupaksha is part of this group.
• Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q 35.C
• Jainism has been preached by a succession of twenty-four propagators of faith known as Tirthankara.
• Tirthankara is a human being who helps in achieving liberation and enlightenment by overcoming and
eliminating all constraints over soul and became a role model and leader for those seeking spiritual
guidance.
• There are 24 Tīrthaṅkaras and each of them revitalized the Jain Order.
• Jain sects
o Jainism developed two major divisions:
> Digambara (sky clad ascetics)
> Svetambara (white robed ascetics)
o The other sects with a sizable population are Sthanakavasi and Terapanthi.
o Both communities have developed almost independently of each other. Except for some minor
differences in rituals and way of life, their belief and practices for spiritual progress are the same.
• The Digambaras, like Mahavira, practice total nudity to avoid all attachments. The Shvetambaras
reject nudity as an exterior symbol having no significance on their inner spiritual
development. According to the Shvetambaras, on the other hand, wearing or not wearing clothes
was optional. Moreover, Shvetambaras prefer white robes and they view nudity as a practice that had
fallen into abeyance and not necessary. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• Shvetambaras accepted women into the monastic community early on, unlike the Digambaras. As
per religious textbooks of Shvetambaras, Malli, the 19th Tirthankara, was a woman. However, it has
been denied by Digambara traditions which holds that a woman has to be reborn as a man before
she can attain salvation. Hence statement 1 is correct.

Q 36.C
• Recent Context: Recently the government notified Guidelines and Rates under the Remissions of Duties
and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme. The scheme aims to boost exports &
competitiveness in the global markets.
• Through the scheme (RoDTEP), exporters will be compensated for the non-creditable duty/tax costs
(such as Electricity Tax, Stamp duty, Mandi Fee, Tax on fuel, etc.) that are embedded in the export
goods. The new remission rates announced under the scheme envisage that the exporters will be
compensated the embedded taxes, which were not recoverable (or refunded) and inbuilt in the price of the
export commodity, leading to intense competition in the international market. Hence, statement 1 is
correct.
• Exporters from the pharma, steel and chemical industries, export-oriented units (including bio-technology
parks and electronic hardware technology park), Special Economic Zones (SEZ), free trade warehousing
zone and custom bonded warehouses operating under the Manufacturing and Other Operations in
Warehousing Regulations are kept outside the scope of the new scheme. Hence, statement 2 is
correct.
• RoDTEP seeks to replace the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) which was devised to
incentivise exporters in offsetting infrastructural inefficiencies and the associated costs. It was considered
a subsidy and pronounced as a violation of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, by its Dispute
Settlement Body in 2019.

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Q 37.B
• The Mauryan Empire had an efficient and centralized administrative system. The chief source of
information regarding administration under the Mauryan Empire is Chanakya’s work, Arthashastra.
Megasthenes also gives some information in his book Indika.
• Revenue in the Mauryan Empire was collected on land, irrigation, shops, customs, forests, ferries, mines,
and pastures. License fees were collected from artisans and fines were charged in the law courts. The
Mauryas attached greater importance to assessment than to storage and depositing.
• The samaharta was the highest executive official in charge of assessment and the sannidhata was the
chief custodian of the state treasury and storehouse.
• The Head of the food grains department was known as the Annapala.
• Hence option (b) is the correct answer.

Q 38.B
• Satavahanas
o In the Deccan and in central India, the Satavahanas succeeded the Mauryas although a gap of
100 years. The Satavahanas are considered to be identical with the Andharas who are mentioned in
the Puranas.
o Yajna Sri Satakarni (A.D. 165-194), was a lover of trade and navigation. His coins have been found
not only in Andhra but also in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. His love for navigation and
overseas trade is shown by the representation of a ship on his coins.
o In the Satavahana phase, many chaityas (sacred shrines) and monasteries were cut out of the solid
rock in the north-western Deccan or Maharashtra with great skill. The most famous chaitya is that
of Karle in the western Deccan. It is about 40 metres long, 15 metres wide and 15 metres high.
o The Viharas or monasteries were excavated near the chaityas for the residence of monks in the rainy
season. In Nashik, there are three Viharas. Since they carry the inscriptions of Nahapana and
Gautamiputra, it seems that they belong to the first-second centuries A.D.
o The official language of the Satavahanas was Prakrit. All inscriptions were composed in this
language and written in the Brahmi script as was the case in Ashokan times. One Prakrit text called
Gathasattasai or the Gathasaptasati is attributed to a Satavahana king called Hala.
• Economic Condition
o There was remarkable progress in the fields of trade and industry during the Satavahana rule.
Merchants organized guilds to increase their activities. The craft guilds organized by different
craftsmen such as potters, weavers and oil pressers also came into existence. Silver coins called
Karshapanas were used for trade.
o The Satavahana period also witnessed overseas commercial activity. Ptolemy mentions many ports in
the Deccan. The greatest port of the Satavahanas was Kalyani on the western
Deccan. Gandakasela and Ganjam on the east coast were the other important seaports.
• Hence option (b) is the correct answer.

Q 39.C
• Recently, Natesa, a 9th century’s rare sandstone idol of Rajasthan temple smuggled out of country
in 1998 returned to India. Natesa is a rare sandstone idol from the Pratihara Style of architecture in
Rajasthan.
• It is originally from the Ghateswar Temple at Baroli, Rajasthan. The sandstone Natesa figure stands tall at
almost 4 ft in a rare and brilliant depiction of Shiva.
• Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty ruled much of Northern India from the mid-8th to the 11th century.
They were one of the first four patrilineal clans of the caste group referred to as the Rajputs. Hence
statement 1 is correct.
• The expansion of the Gurjara-Pratihara kingdom involved constant conflicts with other contemporary
powers such as the Palas and the Rashtrakutas known as the tripartite struggle for Kanauj. Hence
statement 3 is correct.
• They retained terms of administration, on line of the Gupta Empire's and Harshvardhana’s ideas.
Hence statement 2 is not correct.
• Some areas were administered directly by the centre and some were divided into provinces (bhukti) and
districts (mandala or vishaya), respectively, governed by a governor (uparika) and a district head
(vishayapati).
• Governor and district heads were tasked with collecting land revenue and maintaining law and order with
the help of the army units stationed in their areas.

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Q 40.B
• Ashvaghosha:
o Ashvaghosha was a Mahayana scholar and poet who lived from the first through the second century.
Originally a follower and scholar of Brahmanism, he converted to Buddhism. He was reputed to be an
outstanding poet, an excellent composer of music, and an author of literary works. He propagated
Buddhism in northern India under the patronage of Kushan King Kanishka. He wrote epics such as
Buddhacharita and Saundarananda.
> Buddhacharita recounts the Buddha’s life and is considered a masterpiece of Indian literature.
> Saundarananda is the story of Nanda, a cousin of the Buddha, who severed his relationship with
his beloved and beautiful wife and became a monk.
o The Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana is attributed to Ashvaghosha, who is regarded as the
eleventh of Shakyamuni’s twenty-three, or the twelfth of his twenty-four, successors. Some accounts,
however, attribute it to another person of the same name or to others.
o The Milinda Pañha is a Buddhist text which dates from sometime between 100 BC and 200 AD. It
purports to record a dialogue between the Buddhist sage Nāgasena, and the Indo-Greek king
Menander I (Pali: Milinda) of Bactria, who reigned in the 2nd century BC.
o Menander (165-145 B.C.) is the most famous Indo-Greek ruler. He is also known by the
name Milinda. He had his capital at Sakala (modern Sialkot) in Punjab. He was converted to
Buddhism by Nagasena, who is also known as Nagarjuna. Meander asked Nagasena many questions
relating to Buddhism. These questions and Nagasena’s answers were recorded in the form of a book
known as Milinda Panho or the Question of Milinda. Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

Q 41.C
• The Rig Vedas speak about not only the Aryans but also about the non-Aryan people, whom the Aryans
encountered in India. When the Rig Vedic people moved into India they came into conflict with people
whom they referred to as Dasyus or Dasas.
• The Aryans were engaged in two types of conflicts: first, they fought with Pre-Aryans and secondly
they fought amongst themselves. Hence option (a) is correct.
• The Bharatas and Tritsu were the ruling Aryan Clans. The Bharata ruling clan was opposed by a host of
ten kings, five of whom were heads of Aryan tribes and the remaining five of non-Aryan people. It was
known as the battle of ten kings.
• Archaeological evidence points to the development of agriculture among the Rig Vedic people. The
ploughshare is mentioned in the Rig Vedas.
• The field was known as a kshetra and the term Krishi referred to ploughing.
• They had knowledge of different seasons, sowing, harvesting, and thrashing. They cultivated barley
(yavam) and wheat (godhuma). Hence option (b) is correct.
• The dasas and dasyus were conquered by the Aryans and treated as slaves and Sudras.
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• Slaves were given as gifts to priests. They were mainly women employed for domestic
purposes. However, it is clear that in Rig Vedic times slaves were not used directly in agriculture or
other producing activities. Hence option (c) is not correct.
• There are so many references of Cows in Rig Veda since the Rig Vedic people were pastoral people. Most
of their wars were fought for the sake of cows. The term for war in Rig Veda is gavisthi or search of
cows. Hence option (d) is correct.

Q 42.B
• The Sanchi Stupa is one of India’s primary Buddhist sites and contains some of the oldest stone structures
in the country. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1989, the Sanchi Stupa is living proof
of India's artistic and architectural history. The iconic depictions of Buddha (as the Bodhi tree, a rider-
less horse, an empty throne, etc.) at Sanchi are products of Graeco-Buddhist architectural interaction.
• Stupa-1 at Sanchi has upper as well as lower pradakshinapatha or circumambulatory path. It has
four beautifully decorated toranas depicting various events from the life of the Buddha and the
Jataka. Figure compositions are in high relief, filling up the entire space.
• At Sanchi Stupa-1, narratives get more elaborated; however, the depiction of the dream episode remains
very simple showing the reclining image of the queen and the elephant at the top. The historical
narratives such as the siege of Kushinara, Buddha’s visit to Kapilavastu, visit of Ashoka to the
Ramgrama Stupa are carved with considerable details.
• Additional Information
o Chaukhandi Stupa: Tracing its history from the 5th-century AD, Chaukhandi Stupa is one of the
most important Buddhist religious centres in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh.
> The Chaukhandi Stupa is thought originally to have been built as a terraced temple during the
Gupta period between the 4th and 6th centuries to mark the site where Buddha and his first
disciples met travelling from Bodh Gaya to Sarnath.
> Later Govardhan, the son of a Raja Todar Mal, modified the stupa to its present shape by building
the octagonal tower to commemorate the visit of Humayun, the powerful Mughal ruler.
> Marking the spot where Lord Buddha met five ascetics, Chaukhandi Stupa is said to have
developed from a centuries-old burial mound.
o Bharhut stupa: The Bharhut stupa may have been first built by the Maurya king Ashoka in the 3rd
century BCE, but many works of art, particularly the gateway and railings, were apparently added
during the Shunga period, with many reliefs from the 2nd century BCE, or later.
> Alternatively, the sculptures made have been added during the reign of the Sughanas, a northern
Buddhist kingdom.
> The Bharhut stupa represents the aniconic phase of Buddhist art. Buddha has been represented in
the form of symbols.
> The style is generally flat, with low bass relief, and all characters are depicted wearing the Indian
dhoti, except for one foreigner, thought to be an Indo-Greek soldier, with Buddhist symbolism.
o Dhamek Stupa: Dhamek Stupa is one of the most famous and Buddhist stupas located in Sarnath
near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India.
> Originally built in 249 BCE during the reign of King Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty, this massive
and prominent structure has over time gone through several expansions and additions.
> This solid cylindrical shaped Stupa made of red bricks and stone in its present position stands at a
height of 43.6 m with a diameter of 28 m.
> The significance of this sacred place is that it marks the spot where Lord Buddha preached the
first sermon to His five disciples after attaining enlightenment in Bodh Gaya.
• Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

Q 43.D
• Deccan sultanates were systematically recruiting the Habshis as slaves in the 16th century. Habshis
was a term used to refer to members of various ethnic communities from the Abyssinian highlands.
Hence statement 1 is correct.
• They were highly valued for their physical strength and loyalty and were frequently put to military
service.
• The 14th-century Medieval Moroccan scholar and traveler Ibn Battuta in his writings mention that the
Habshis were “guarantors of safety” for ships traveling in the Indian Ocean. Hence statement 2 is
correct.
• He notes that the slaves had such a reputation that even if one was on board, the ship would be avoided by
pirates.
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• In Deccan society, the slaves did not have a permanent status. Upon the death of their masters, they
were usually “set free” and served as per their free will in service of powerful commanders in the Empire.
• Malik Ambar
• He was an African slave turned warrior who founded the city ‘Aurangabad’. Hence statement 3 is
correct.
• Born in 1548 in southern Ethiopia’s Khambata region, Ambar is believed to have been associated with
the Oromo tribe.
• Ambar was amongst one of a thousand other ‘Habshi’ (a term used to refer to members of various ethnic
communities from the Abyssinian highlands) purchased by Chengiz Khan when fate brought him to the
Deccan.

Q 44.A
• The present certification of films is governed by the 1952 Cinematograph Act, the Cinematograph
(Certification) Rules promulgated in 1983 and the Guidelines issued thereunder from time to time, the
latest having been issued on December 6, 1991.
• The Cinematograph Act, 1952, apart from including provisions relating to the Constitution and
functioning of the Central Board of Film Certification, also lays down the guidelines to be followed by
certifying films.
• Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is a statutory body under Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting, regulating the public exhibition of films under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act
1952. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• The Board consists of non-official members and a Chairman, all of whom are appointed by Central
Government, and functions with headquarters at Mumbai. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
• It has nine Regional offices, one each at Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram,
Hyderabad, New Delhi, Cuttack and Guwahati.
• The Regional Offices are assisted in the examination of films by Advisory Panels.
• The members of the panels are nominated by Central Government by drawing people from different walks
of life for a period of 2 years.

Q 45.D
• Recent Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced the Platform for Regulated
Entities for Integrated Supervision and Monitoring (PRISM), a web-based end-to-end work flow
automation system, to strengthen compliance by supervised entities.
• This is to strengthen RBI’s ‘continuous supervision', which according to the central bank is its new
approach for early identification of risks and conduct of supervisory actions. PRISM will also help
supervised entities to strengthen their internal defences and resilience and bringing focus on root cause
analysis (RCA).
• PRISM will have various functionalities (inspection; compliance; incident functionality for cyber security;
complaints; and returns functionalities), with built-in remediation workflows, time tracking, notifications
and alerts, management information system (MIS) reports and dashboards.
• Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q 46.D
• Bhaskaracharya is also known as Bhaskara and was born in 1114 AD at Bijapur. He was an Indian
astronomer and mathematician and has written the famous book Siddhanta Siromani. He has also
acknowledged that any number divided by zero is infinity and the sum of any number and infinity is also
infinity his works represent a significant contribution to mathematical and astronomical knowledge. He is
known as the greatest mathematician of medieval India. There is strong evidence to suggest that
Bhaskar was a pioneer in the principle of differential calculus. He was the first to conceive the differential
proficient and differential calculus.
• Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

Q 47.D
• The prosperity of the Harappan civilization was based on its flourishing economic activities such as
agriculture. The availability of fertile Indus alluvium contributed to the surplus in agricultural
production.
• Agriculture along with pastoralism (cattle-rearing) was the base of the Harappan economy. The granaries
discovered at sites like Harappa, Mohenjodaro and Lothal served as the storehouses for grains.

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• Archaeologists have also found evidence of a ploughed field at Kalibangan (Rajasthan), associated with
Early Harappan levels. The field had two sets of furrows at right angles to each other, showing that
two different crops were grown together. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• Representations on seals and terracotta sculpture indicate that the bull was known, and archaeologists
extrapolate from this that oxen were used for ploughing.
• Moreover, terracotta models of the plough have been found at sites in Cholistan and at Banawali
(Haryana). Hence statement 3 is correct.
• The irrigation was carried on a small scale by drawing water from wells or by diverting river water
into channels.
• Most Harappan sites are located in semi-arid lands, where irrigation was probably required for agriculture.
Traces of canals have been found at the Harappan site of Shortughai in Afghanistan.
• Besides, water reservoirs found in Dholavira (Gujarat) have been used to store water for
agriculture. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• The Indus people produced wheat, barley, rai and peas, sesamum and mustard. They produced two
types of Wheat and Barley. Foodgrains were stored in large granaries found in Harappa and Mohenjodaro.
• The Indus people were the earliest to produce cotton. Because cotton was produced in this area,
Greeks called it Sindon, which is derived from Sindh.

Q 48.C
• The Kingdom of Koshala was an ancient Indian kingdom, corresponding to the area with the region
of Awadh in present-day Uttar Pradesh. Kosala belonged to the Northern Black Polished Ware culture
and the Kosala region gave rise to the Sramana movements, including Jainism and Buddhism. It was
culturally distinct from the Painted Grey Ware culture of the Vedic period of Kuru-Panchala west of it,
following independent development toward urbanization and the use of iron. According to the Buddhist
text Anguttara Nikaya and the Jaina text, the Bhagavati Sutra, Kosala was one of the Solasa (sixteen)
Mahajanapadas (powerful realms) in the 6th to 5th centuries BCE. The Mahajanpad contained an
important city called Ayodhya, associated with the story of Ramayana. Hence option (c) is the
correct answer
• Vatsa was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas of Uttarapatha of ancient India mentioned in the Anguttara
Nikaya. Vatsa country corresponded with the territory of modern Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh, at the
confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers.
• Avanti was an ancient Indian Mahajanapada that roughly corresponded to the present-day Malwa region.
The capital of Avanti was located at Ujjaini or Mahismati.
• Kashi was one of the Mahajanapada during ancient India. Today it is a part of modern Banaras
district which includes the part of Jaunpur, Ghazipur, and Mirzapur district. Kashi Janapada was engaged
in continuous warfare with its neighboring countries like Kosala Janapada.

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Q 49.A
• The Buddha’s teachings have been reconstructed from stories, found mainly in the Sutta Pitaka. Buddha
tried to convince people through reason and persuasion rather than through displays of supernatural
power.
• According to Buddhist philosophy, the world is transient (anicca) and constantly changing; it is
also soulless (anatta) as there is nothing permanent or eternal in it. Within this transient world, sorrow
(dukkha) is intrinsic to human existence. It is by following the path of moderation between severe
penance and self-indulgence that human beings can rise above these worldly troubles. In the earliest forms
of Buddhism, whether or not god existed was irrelevant. Hence option (a) is the correct answer.
• The Buddha regarded the social world as the creation of humans rather than of divine origin. Therefore,
he advised kings and gahapatis to be humane and ethical.

Q 50.B
• Sultanganj Buddha image:
o The Sultanganj Buddha is a Gupta-Pala transitional period sculpture. It is 2.3 m high and 1 m wide
and weighs over 500 kg. It was found in the Sultanganj, Bhagalpur district, Bihar. It was sculpted
using the techniques of ‘lost wax’. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
o It is now in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham, England. The Sultanganj
Buddha is the largest known complete Indian bronze sculpture. Hence, statement 2 is not
correct.
o The sculpture of Sultanganj Buddha is in a standing pose/asana and is designed to focus the mind of
the viewer. He has a tuft of hair or third eye between his eyebrows (represented by the urna) which
symbolizes spiritual insight and a bump on the top of his head known as the ushnisha, which
symbolised wisdom and spirituality and his attainment of enlightenment.
o The sculpture has a smooth, highly polished dark surface and the eyes are downcast, Curved
contour lines inscribed on his torso and limbs suggest a thin layer of clothing, rather than a nude form,
beneath the strong vertical cloak that clings to and frames the lower half of the figure’s body before
spreading out in
o His right hand is in Abhaya Mudra which means ‘no fear’ and hence shows the Buddha giving
reassurance and protection to his followers and his left hand is held downwards with palm
outwards, said to indicate granting a favor. The end of the monastic robe is held between the thumb
and forefinger of this hand in the manner that is still practiced by Theravadin monks. Buddha image at
Sultanganj is an outstanding example of Sarnath-style bronzes image that have foldless drapery.
Hence, statement 3 is correct.
Q 51.A
• Economic Condition during Gupta period: Agriculture and Agrarian Structure
o Agriculture flourished in the Gupta period due to the establishment of irrigation works. Apart from
the state and individual cultivators, Brahmins, Buddhists, and Jain sanghas brought waste lands under
cultivation when they were donated to them as religious endowments.
o Likewise, crops and fields were fenced. The crops cultivated during the Gupta period were rice,
wheat, barley, peas, lentils, pulses, sugarcane, and oilseeds. From Kalidasa, we come to know that the
south was famous for pepper and cardamom.
o Varahamihira gives elaborate advice on the plantation of fruit trees.
o The Paharpur copper plate inscription indicates that the king was the sole proprietor of the land.
Even when he made land grants, he reserved his prerogatives over it. As stated in Paharpur plates, an
officer called ustapala maintained records of all the land transactions in the district and the village
accountant preserved records of land in the village. During the Gupta period, the land was classified
as detailed below.
> Kshetra: Cultivatable land
> Khila: Wasteland
> Aprahata: Jungle or wasteland
> Vasti: Habitable land
> Gapata Saraha: Pastoral land
• Hence option (a) is the correct answer.

Q 52.A
• The temple building activity gained momentum during the Vijayanagar rule. The chief characteristics of
the Vijayanagara architecture were the construction of tall Raya Gopurams or gateways. These
structures of immense scale had been a mark of imperial authority. The Raya gopurams or royal gateways
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often dwarfed the towers on the central shrines and signalled the presence of the temple from a great
distance. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Other distinctive features include Kalyanamandapam with carved pillars and long, pillared corridors
that often ran around the shrines within the temple complex. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The sculptures on the pillars were carved with distinctive features. The horse was the most common
animal found in these pillars. Large mandapams contain one hundred pillars as well as one thousand
pillars in some big temples. These mandapams were used for seating the deity on festival occasions. Also,
many Amman shrines were added to the already existing temples during this period. Hence, statement 3
is not correct.

Q 53.B
• Tinais were physiographic divisions or micro eco-zones of the ancient Tamizakhan. Sangam literature
gives details about this "Tinai" system.
• The aintinais or five tinais/eco-zones are referred to in the Tolkapiyyam: one of the earliest Tamil
texts to have survived till the present.
• The subsistence pattern of each tinai was different.
• The five tinais are:
o kurinji or hilly terrain,
o mullai or pastures and woodlands,
o palai or arid stretches,
o neytal or the littorals (zones near the sea), and
o marudam or agricultural tracts in river valleys or plains.
• Hence statement 3 is correct.
• Each tinai tract supported a specific type of economic activity according to soil type, climate, rainfall and
the availability of other resources. Each had a specific deity as well as a particular flower or tree
associated with it. Each tinai tract was also named after a plant that was exclusive to it. The boundaries
of any tinai tract cannot be distinctly demarcated since one merges with the other. Hence, each tinai tract
should not be thought of as a rigid bounded entity with minimal or no external relations. Hence statement
2 is correct
• Kurinji was inhabited by the hunting tribes such as vedar, parayar, vettuvar, katampar and
kuravar groups. The kuravar women were known for predicting the future and for their medical
knowledge. The tribes followed a matriarchal system. Hence statement 1 is correct

Q 54.B
• Therukoothu is the most popular form of folk drama of Tamil Nadu. Therukoothu literally means "street
play". It is mostly performed at the time of annual temple festivals of Mariamman (Rain goddess) to
achieve rich harvest. At the core of the extensive repertoire of Therukoothu there is a cycle of eight plays
based on the life of Draupadi. Kattiakaran, the Sutradhara of the Therukoothu performance, gives the gist
of the play to the audience and Komali entertains the audience with his buffoonery. Hence option (b) is
the correct answer.
• Additional Information:
Theatre form State/Region
Yakshagana Karnataka
Mudiyettu, Krishnattam, Koodiyattam Kerala
Dashavatar Konkar and Goa region
Tamasha Maharashtra
Bhaona Assam
Maach Madhya Pradesh
Bhavai Gujarat
Bhand Panther Jammu and Kashmir

Q 55.B
• Bhavai is the traditional theatre form of Gujarat. The centers of this form are Kutch and Kathiawar.
o The instruments used in Bhavai are: bhungal, tabla, flute, pakhaawaj, rabaab, sarangi, manjeera, etc.
In Bhavai, there is a rare synthesis of devotional and romantic sentiments. Hence pair 1 is not
correctly matched.
• Bhaona is a folk theatre of Assam, especially of Majuli Island.

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o In Bhaona cultural glimpses of Assam, Bengal Orissa, Mathura and Brindavan can be seen. The
Sutradhaar, or narrator begins the story, first in Sanskrit and then in either Brajboli or
Assamese. Hence pair 2 is correctly matched.
• Mudiyettu is a traditional folk theatre form of Kerala is celebrated in the month of Vrischikam
(November-December).
o It is usually performed only in the Kali temples of Kerala, as an oblation to the Goddess. It depicts the
triumph of goddess Bhadrakali over the asura Darika.
o The seven characters in Mudiyettu-Shiva, Narada, Darika, Danavendra, Bhadrakali, Kooli and
Koimbidar (Nandikeshvara) are all heavily made-up. Hence pair 3 is not correctly matched.

Q 56.D
• Belan river, a tributary of the Tons and sub-tributary of the Ganga. Located between the Vindhyan
ridges – northernmost outliers of the Vindhyas in the north, and Kaimur range in the south.
• The Belan, together with its tributaries - Adwa, Seoti, Lohanda Nala, Tundiari, Gorma and Naina, drains
about 7,800 sq km area in the Northern Vindhyas.
• It is located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh encompassing parts of Sonbhadra, Chandauli,
Allahabad and Mirzapur Districts of Uttar Pradesh. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• The Mesolithic remains in the valley were first discovered as early as 1867-68 by A.C.L. Carlleyle. He
collected microliths from the floors of rock shelters as well as from the open ground in front of the
shelters.
• Animal remains have also been found in the Belan Valley in Mirzapur district in Uttar Pradesh
show that goats, sheep and cattle were domesticated around 25,000BC. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• During prehistoric times, the Belan sites contain caves and rock shelters which would have served as
seasonal camps for human beings.
• In the northern spurs of the Vindhyas in the Belan Valley, all three phases of the Palaeolithic followed
by the Mesolithic and then by the Neolithic have been found in the sequence. Hence statement 1 is
correct.

Q 57.D
• Trade in the subcontinent and beyond:
o From the sixth century BCE, land and river routes crisscrossed the subcontinent and extended in
various directions – overland into Central Asia and beyond, and overseas, from ports that dotted the
coastline – extending across the Arabian Sea to East and North Africa and West Asia, and through the
Bay of Bengal to Southeast Asia and China. Rulers often attempted to control these routes, possibly
by offering protection for a price. Those who traversed these routes included peddlers who probably
traveled on foot and merchants who traveled with caravans of bullock carts and pack-animals. Also,
there were seafarers, whose ventures were risky but highly profitable.
o Successful merchants, designated as masattuvan in Tamil and setthis and satthavahas in
Prakrit, could become enormously rich. A wide range of goods was carried from one place to
another – salt, grain, cloth, metal ores and finished products, stone, timber, medicinal plants, to name
a few. Spices, especially pepper, were in high demand in the Roman Empire, as were textiles and
medicinal plants, and these were all transported across the Arabian Sea to the Mediterranean. Hence
option (d) is the correct answer.

Q 58.A
• The Chhau dance of Eastern India, Orissa, Jharkhand, and West Bengal – is a blend of martial
traditions, temple rituals, and folk and popular performance of this region. episodes from the
epics Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas, traditional folklore, local legends and abstract themes through
the medium of dance and a music ensemble that consists primarily of indigenous drums. The Chhau dance
was inscribed in the UNESCO's List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Hence option
(a) is the correct answer.
o In its traditional context, the dance is intimately connected with the festivals and rituals of this region.
Important among these is the Chaitra Parva celebrated in the month of April. The month of
Chaitra celebrates the advent of spring and the start of the harvesting season.
o Though vocal music is not used in Chhau, the melodies are based on songs from the Jhumur folk
repertoire, the devotional Kirtan, classical Hindustani 'ragas', and traditional Oriya sources. Dhol,
Dhumsa, Nagada,Shehnai, Chadchadi and Jhanj provide accompaniment to Chhau dance.
• Kalbelia dance is a folk dance of Rajasthan state. It is well known by other names like 'Sapera Dance'
or 'Snake Charmer Dance'.
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o Kalbelia dance is particularly performed by a Rajasthani tribe called 'Kalbelia'.

o In Kalbelia dance generally males play various traditional instruments like khanjari and poongi and
females perform the dance.
o In 2010, the Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan were declared a part of its Intangible
Heritage List by the UNESCO.
o Kalbelia songs disseminate mythological knowledge through stories, while special traditional dances
are performed during Holi.
• Firkal dance - It is a martial tribal dance of the Bhumij tribe (Jharkand). It depicts the heroics of a
war and how warriors saved their clan and homeland. The dance is performed by male members of the
tribe to show their valour during hunting wild animals. It also serves to arouse a sense of male valour in
others.
o Traditionally the place for learning and practising Firkal was a local cremation ground. Firkal was
learnt and practised at cremation grounds because it is a show of valour and we feel that the blessing
of ancestors is necessary for this.
o It was practised only once a year during the month before Sankranti festival from December 14 to
January 14.
• Pandav Nritya: It is a ritual re-enactment of stories from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, through singing,
dancing and recitation, that is practised in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.
o Village amateurs take on the roles of Pandavas and perform the act outdoors, accompanied by the folk
instruments dhol, damau and two long trumpets called bhankore.
o Performances can last anywhere from three days to a month in different villages. On the last day of
Pandava Nritya, a grand feast is organized for the villagers.

Q 59.B
• The Treaty of Purandar was signed between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Raja Jai Singh (on
behalf of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb). The treaty was signed on 11th June 1665. Hence statement
1 is not correct.
o Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb had sent Raja Jai Singh to fight against Shivaji. Jai Singh captured
several forts of Shivaji and compelled him to sign the treaty. The terms of the treaty were
> Out of 35 forts held by Shivaji, 23 forts with the surrounding territory which yielded a revenue of
four lakhs of huns every year were to be surrendered to the Mughals, while the remaining 12 forts
with an annual income of one lakh of huns were to be left to Shivaji ‘on condition -of service and
loyalty to the throne. Hence statement 2 is correct.
> Territory worth four lakhs of huns a year in the Bijapuri Konkan, which Shivaji had already held,
was granted to him. In addition, Bijapur territory worth five lakhs of huns a year in the uplands
(Balaghat), which Shivaji was to conquer, was also granted to him. In return for these, he was to
pay 40 lakhs huns in installments to the Mughals.
> Shivaji asked to be excused from personal service. Hence, a mansab of 5000 was granted in his
place to his minor son, Sambhaji. Shivaji promised, however, to join personally in any Mughal
campaign in the Deccan.
• In 1674, Shivaji crowned himself formally as Chhatrapati at Raigarh.
o By this time Shivaji had traveled far from being a petty jagirdar at Poona. He was by then the most
powerful among the Maratha chiefs.
• In 1666, Shivaji received a letter from Emperor Aurangzeb inviting him to come to the royal court
at Agra. Shivaji had a hunch about the Emperor’s intentions but accepted the invitation at Jai
Singh's request.
o If Shivaji and Aurangzeb could be reconciled, Jai Singh thought, Aurangzeb might be persuaded to
give greater resources for a renewed invasion of the Bijapur Kingdom.
o Shivaji arrived in Agra with his eldest son, Shambhuji, and a small contingent of soldiers on May 12,
1666, Aurangzeb’s 50th birthday.

Q 60.B
• Mansabdari was a unique system devised by the Mughals in India.
• The mansabdari system, evolved by Akbar with certain changes and modifications, was the basis of civil
and military administrations under the Mughals.
• The word mansab means a place or position.
• The mansab awarded to an individual fixed both his status in the official hierarchy and also his salary.
Hence statement 1 is correct.
• It also fixed the number of armed retainers the holders of mansab was to maintain.
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• The system was formulated to streamline rank of the nobles, fix their salary and specify the number of
cavalry to be maintained by them.
• Later the rank of mansabdar came to be denoted by two numbers - Zat and-Sawar.
• The Zat denoted personal rank of an official and the Sawar indicated the size of contingents
maintained by the mansabdars. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
• The Sawar rank was either equal or less than the Zat.
• Jahangir introduced a new provision in the Sawar rank. According to it a part of Sawar rank was termed
du-aspa sih-aspa in case of select mansabdars. For this part additional payment at the same rate 8,000
dams per Sawar was sanctioned. Thus the mansabdar was to maintain double number of Sawars for the
du-aspa sih-aspa category and was paid for it. Jahangir probably introduced this provision to promote
nobles of his confidence and strengthen them militarily. Hence statement 3 is correct.

Q 61.B
• Samudragupta was the greatest of the rulers of the Gupta dynasty. The Allahabad Pillar inscription
provides a detailed account of his reign. He was the opposite of Ashoka. Unlike Ashoka, he delighted
in violence and conquest. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Samudragupta marched against the South Indian monarchs. The Allahabad Pillar inscription mentions that
Samudragupta defeated twelve rulers in his South Indian Expedition (Dakshinapatha expedition). He did
not destroy and annex those kingdoms. Instead, he defeated the rulers but gave them back their kingdoms.
He only insisted on them to acknowledge his suzerainty. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• He was also a patron of many poets and scholars, one of whom was Harisena. Thus he must be
credited with a share in the promotion of Sanskrit literature and learning, characteristic of his
dynasty. Kalidasa is a court poet of Chandragupta II. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Q 62.C
• Madhubani Art also known as Mithila painting is a style of Indian painting, practiced in the Mithila
region of Bihar. Women decorate the nuptial chamber and the inner walls of their homes to celebrate
festivals. Among other themes that are painted are episodes from the Bhagvata Purana, Ramayana, stories
of Shiva-Parvati, Durga, Kali and Rasa-Lila of Radha and Krishna. Mithila artists do not like empty
spaces. They fill in the entire space decoratively with elements from nature like birds, flowers, animals,
fish, snakes, the Sun and the moon, which often have symbolic intent, signifying love, passion, fertility,
eternity, well-being and prosperity. Hence pair 1 is correctly matched.
• The Sohrai Khovar painting is a traditional and ritualistic mural art being practised by local tribal
women during local harvest and marriage seasons using local, naturally available soils of different colours
in the area of Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand. They are traditionally painted on the walls of mud
houses. The style features a profusion of lines, dots, animal figures and plants, often representing religious
iconography. Hence pair 2 is not correctly matched.
• Cheriyal Scroll Painting is a modified version of Nakashi art, considered highly rich in the local motifs.
The Nakashis are the artists of Telangana and the scrolls constitute a key element of the social and cultural
setting of Telangana. These paintings were mostly confined to Cheriyal village, and hence called
Cheriyal scrolls. These scrolls are painted in narrative format similar to a film roll or even comic strips,
and depict stories from the Indian mythology as well as the shorter stories related to the Puranas and
Epics. Hence pair 3 is correctly matched. The above three paintings were given the Geographical
Indication (GI) tag by the Geographical Indications Registry headquartered in Chennai.

Q 63.C
• The Vijayanagara kingdom was founded by Harihara and Bukka who belonged to the dynasty
called Sangama. According to a legend, they had been the feudatories of the Kakatiyas of Warangal and
later became ministers in the kingdom of Kampili in modern Karnataka. The date of Harihara’s coronation
is placed at 1336.
• There was confusion in the Vijayanagara Empire after the death of Deva Raya II in 1446. Since the rule of
primogeniture was not established in Vijayanagara, there were a series of civil wars among the various
contenders to the throne. Many feudatories assumed independence in the process. The ministers became
very powerful and began to exact presents and heavy taxes from the people, causing considerable distress
to them
• The rulers were sunk in pleasures and neglected the affairs of the state. After some time, the throne
was usurped by the king’s minister, Saluva. The earlier dynasty Sangama, thus, came to an end
giving rise to the Saluva dynasty.

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• Later Saluva dynasty too came to an end and a new dynasty called the Tuluva dynasty ruled the
Vijayanagar Empire. Sri Krishna Deva Raya was the greatest ruler of this dynasty.
o Sri Krishna Deva Raya not only re-established internal law and order in Vijayanagara Empire but he
had also dealt with the old rivals of Vijayanagara, viz., the successor states of the Bahmani kingdom
and the state of Orissa which had usurped many Vijayanagara territories.
o In a series of battles lasting seven years, Krishna Deva compelled the ruler of Orissa to restore to
Vijayanagara all the territories up to the river Krishna.
o Sri Krishna Deva renewed the old struggle for the control of the Tungabhadra doab. This led to a
hostile alliance between his two main opponents, Bijapur and Orissa. Krishna Deva made grand
preparations for the conflict and in the battle which followed, the Bijapur ruler was completely
defeated (1520).
• Tuluva Dynasty came to an end with the battle of Rakshasa-Tangadi (also known as Talikota) in
1565 and the subsequent destruction of Vijayanagara by the combined forces of the Muslim states
of Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, and Golconda.
o After this Tirumala Deva Raya founded the fourth and last dynasty of the empire of Vijayanagara but
it was no match to the glory of earlier dynasties and was a truncated version of the Vijayanagara
Empire.
• Sri Krishna Deva Raya ruled Vijayanagara Empire from 1509 to 1529.
• Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire and was born in 1483 and died in 1530 at Agra. Thus,
Sri Krishna Deva Raya and Babur were contemporaries.
• Hence, both statements 1 and 2 are correct.

Q 64.B
• The personality being described in the passage is Firuz Shah Bahmani or Taj ud-Din Firuz Shah .
He reigned from 1397–1422 and was one of the greatest rulers of the Bahmani Sultanate.
• He was well-acquainted with the religious sciences, that is, commentaries on the Quran,
jurisprudence, etc., and was particularly fond of the natural sciences such as botany, geometry,
logic, etc. He was a good calligraphist and a poet and often composed extempore verses.
• According to Ferishta, Firuz Shah Bahmani was well versed not only in Persian, Arabic and Turkish but
also in Telugu, Kannada and Marathi.
• Firuz Shah Bahmani was determined to make the Deccan the cultural centre of India. The decline of the
Delhi Sultanat helped him, for many learned people migrated from Delhi to the Deccan. The king also
encouraged learned men from Iran and Iraq.
• The most remarkable step taken by Firuz Shah Bahmani was the induction of Hindus in the
administration on a large scale. It is said that from his time the Deccani Brahmans became
dominant in the administration, particularly in the revenue administration. The Deccani Hindus also
provided a balance against the influx of foreigners.
• Firuz Shah Bahmani encouraged the pursuit of astronomy and built an observatory near
Daulatabad.
• Firuz Shah Bahmani defeated the Vijayanagara ruler Deva Raya I (1404–1422) and married his
daughter as part of the cessation of hostilities.
• Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

Q 65.D
• Women in the Vijayanagar Empire occupied a high position in society and took an active part in political,
social, religious and cultural affairs.
o Gangadevi, wife of Kumarakampana authored the famous work Maduravijayam. Hannamma and
Thirumalamma were famous poets of this period.
o According to Nuniz, a large number of women were employed in royal palaces as dancers, domestic
servants and palanquin bearers.
• However, women had to face many evil social practices too.
• The custom of Sati or Self-immolation is the burning of Hindu widows on the funeral pyre of their
husbands. It was widely prevalent in medieval Vijayanagara society. Almost all foreign travellers like
Barbosa, Nuniz, who have visited Vijayanagara have written in detail about the ritual of Sati.
• The concept of Kanyadana in the marriage was popular in the reign of Deva Raya-I, where a girl Kanya
was given away in marriage to a man. This was considered to be a great act of merit.
• Prostitution was yet another social evil that prevailed in the Vijayanagara Empire. Despite being a social
evil, prostitution in Vijayanagara Empire was a respectable profession. Prostitutes were held in very high
esteem and were classed among those honoured ones as they were the mistresses of the nobles.
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• The Devadasi system was widely practiced during the Vijayanagara period. It is a practice in which
women were attached to the temples and depended on them for their livelihood. They danced and sang
before the gods daily at specified hours. Their service was to please god and hence they were also known
as devaradiyals. Such rights were hereditary.
• The temple girls were often children born out of illegal alliances and sometimes they were also daughters
of ordinary citizens who were dedicated to the temples as an offering.
• Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q 66.A
• SOME MAJOR STRUCTURAL REMAINS OF THE HARAPPAN TOWNS-
o At Mohenjodaro the ‘Great Bath’ is the most important structure. It is surrounded by corridors on
all sides and is approached at either end by a flight of steps in north and south. A thin layer of bitumen
was applied to the bed of the Bath to ensure that water did not seep in. Scholars believe that the ‘Great
Bath’ was used for ritual bathing. Hence pair 1 is not correctly matched.
o At Lothal, a brick structure has been identified as a dockyard meant for berthing ships and
handling cargo. This suggests that Lothal was an important port and trading center of the Harappan
people.
o Archaeologists have also found evidence of a ploughed field at Kalibangan associated with Early
Harappan levels. The field had two sets of furrows at right angles to each other, suggesting that two
different crops were grown together. Hence pair 3 is not correctly matched.
o In Dholavira, The remains show an imposing citadel in the centre, with a middle and lower town,
each fortified separately, built with pleasingly smoothed structures of sun-dried brick and stone
masonry, and with remarkable town planning.
o Well laid out lanes lead outward systematically from the citadel, with a well-constructed underground
drainage system for sanitation.
o There is a large stadium with a complex structure and seating arrangement in Dholavira. Hence
pair 2 is correctly matched.
o Two important burial sites in Harappa are cemetery R-37 and Cemetery.
o R-37 is a smaller site compared to cemetery H and has about 200 burials. Archaeologists believe it
was a restricted cemetery that was used by a particular group or family that lived in Harappa.
o The R-37 cemetery proves that individuals of high class and status in society were treated very
differently and had a separate burial site.

Q 67.D
• In the Natya Shastra, compiled by Bharat Muni dated 200 B.C.-200 A.D., musical instruments have been
divided into four main categories on the basis of how sound is produced.
o The Sushira Vadya or Aerophones- Wind instruments
o The Avanaddha Vadya or Membranophones- Percussion instruments
o The Ghana Vadya or Idiophones- Solid instruments which do not require tuning
o The Tata Vadya or Chordophones- Stringed instruments
> The tata vadya is a category of instruments in which sound is produced by the vibration of a string
or chord.
> These vibrations are caused by plucking or by bowing on the string which has been pulled taut.
The length of the vibrating string or wire, the degree to which it has been tightened, determines
the pitch of the note and also to some extent the duration of the sound.
o The tata vadya are divided into two broad categories-the plucked and the bowed, and further
subdivided into the fretted and non-fretted variety.
> Bowed string instruments are a subcategory of string instruments that are played by a bow
rubbing the strings. The bow rubbing the string causes vibration which the instrument emits as
sound.
> Bowed instruments are usually used as an accompaniment to vocal music and are referred to as
Geetanuga.
> They are divided into two broad categories:
ü Upright: A fingerboard is held straight up as in the case of Sarangi
ü Inverted: The board or resonator is held towards the shoulder and the fingerboard dandi is
held across the arm of the player as in the case of the Ravanhastaveena, the Banam, the
Violin.
> Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

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Q 68.A
• Gandhara school of art was one of the major schools of art in the history of ancient India. Although being
an intricate part of Indian history, it is uniquely associated with the Greco-Roman style of art. It
mostly flourished in the areas of Afghanistan and present North-Western India. The prominent locations
were Taxila, Peshawar, Begram, and Bamiyan.
• The Gandhara school of Art reached its peak under the reign of Kanishka the Great from 127 to 151 AD.
This school inherited Greco-Buddhist art.
• The most important trait of the Gandhara sculpture is found in the depiction of Lord Buddha in the
standing or seated positions. The seated Buddha is always shown cross-legged in the traditional Indian
way. Another typical feature of Gandhara Art is the rich carving, elaborate ornamentation and
complex symbolism. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• Grey sandstone (Blue-grey Mica schist to be precise) is used in Gandhara School of Art. An
important feature of Amravati art is the use of white marble like stone to carve out the figures. Hence
statement 3 is not correct.

Q 69.A
• Recent Context: The government has launched the e-Shram portal, a database of unorganised
sector workers. Through this, the government aims to register 38 crore unorganised workers, such as
construction labourers, migrant workforce, street vendors and domestic workers, and others.
• The term ‘unorganised worker’ has been defined under the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security
Act, 2008 as "a home-based worker, self-employed worker or a wage worker in the unorganised sector
and includes a worker in the organised sector who is not covered by any of the Acts mentioned in
Schedule II to this Act."
• The workers will be issued an e-Shram card containing a 12 digit unique number, which, going
ahead, will help in including them in social security schemes. Hence statements 1 and 2 are correct.
• It will be implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The registration of workers on
the portal will be coordinated by the Labour Ministry, state governments, trade unions and CSCs. A
worker can register on the portal using his/her Aadhaar card number and bank account details, apart from
filling in other necessary details like date of birth, home town, mobile number and social category. Hence,
statement 3 is not correct.

Q 70.C
• One of the first requirements of the Delhi Sultanate was houses to live in, and to have places of worship.
They at first converted some temples and other existing buildings into mosques while destroying many
others, and using their material for building mosques.
• There was great building activity in the Tughlaq period which marked the climax of the Delhi Sultanat as
well as the beginning of its decline. Ghiyasuddin and Muhammad Tughlaq built the huge palace-fortress
complex called Tughlaqabad.
• A striking feature of the Tughlaq architecture was the sloping walls. This is called ‘batter’ and gives
the effect of strength and solidity to the building. However, we do not find any ‘batter’ in the buildings
of Firuz Tughlaq. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• A second feature of the Tughlaq architecture was the deliberate attempt to combine the principles of the
arch, and the lintel and beam in their buildings. This is found in a marked manner in the buildings of Firuz
Tughlaq.
• The Tughlaqs did not generally use the costly red sandstone in their buildings but the cheaper and
more easily available greystone. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• Since it was not easy to carve this type of stone, the Tughlaq buildings have a minimum of
decoration. But the decorative device found in all the buildings of Firuz is the lotus. Hence, statement 3
is correct.

Q 71.C
• Sri Shyama Shastri, Sri Thyagaraja and Sri Muthu Swami Dikshitar are together known as
the musical Trinity of Carnatic music. They composed hundreds of scholarly Kritis in new and rare
ragas hither too unused. All the three were contemporaries and born in Tiruvarur in Tanjore
Dist. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• Sri Shyama Shastri (1763-1827 AD): Sri Shyama Shastri was eldest among the Trinity. Almost his kritis
are in praise of mother Goddess Kamakshi of Kanchi. Kritis are in Telugu as well as in Sanskrit. They
are replete with Raga bhava and Sahitya bhava. His three scholarly Swarajatis are well known as three
gems. Hence statement 1 is correct.
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• Sri Tyagaraja (1767-1847 AD): Sri Tyagaraya is believed to have composed more than 1000 kritis.
Nearly 750 compositions have already been published. They include simple as well as scholarly kritis. He
brought into usage hundreds of Ragas. He was a devotee of Lord Rama. Majority of his Kritis are in
Telugu, others are in Sanskrit. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
• Muthuswami Dikshitar (1775-1835 AD): Dikshitar was the youngest of Trinity. He was a Sri Vidya
upasaka and composed a majority of Kritis on Devi. He has also composed on innumerable Shaivite and
Vaishnavite deities, whom he visited during his pilgrimages. His scholarly compositions speak of his
deep knowledge of Indian philosophy, Jyotisha, Tantrashastra and Hindu Culture. All his Kritis are in
Sanskrit and the literary content of his Kritis are of high standard and slightly difficult to understand for a
layman.

Q 72.D
• A number of important changes took place in Indian society during the early medieval period. One of
these was the growing power of a class of people who are variously called samanta ranak rautta
(rajput), etc. These are hereditary chiefs whose origins were very different. The hereditary chiefs
gradually began to assume many of the functions of the government. They not only assessed and collected
land revenue but also acquired more and more administrative power such as exacting fines and awarding
punishments.
• The chiefs assumed the right to sublet their lands to their followers without the prior permission of the
ruler. This type of society may be called a feudal society. The small states discouraged trade and
encouraged self-sufficient village economies. The domination of chiefs also weakened village self-
government.
• The commentators on Dharmashastras tell us that the rate of the revenue demand from the peasant was
one-sixth of the produce as before. However, from some of the grants we learn of a large number of
additional cesses, such as grazing tax, tax on ponds, etc. The peasants had to pay these taxes over and
above the land revenue. In addition, some of the grants gave the grantees the right to levy fixed or
unfixed, proper or improper taxes on the peasants. The peasants also had to render forced labor
(vishti).
• Slavery also existed during the period. Prisoners of war, debtors unable to pay their stakes could be sold
into slavery. During famines, many farmers sold themselves for food. In general, emancipation of a slave
was considered a good deed, and there were rules prescribed for doing so. Hence, option (d) is not
correct.

Q 73.A
• Kuchipudi is one of the classical styles of Indian dance. Around the third and fourth decade of this
century it emerged out of a long rich tradition of dance-drama of the same name. Kuchipudi village
in Andhra Pradesh lends its name to this dance form. Generated by the Bhakti cult, Kuchipudi has
imbibed elements both from Bharatanatyam and folk forms.
• There are now two forms of Kuchipudi; the traditional musical dance-drama and the solo dance. Hence
statement 3 is not correct.
• In a Kuchipudi performance, at the beginning, each principal character starts with an introduction itself on
the stage with a daru.
o A daru is a small composition of dance and song specially designed for each character to help him or
her reveal his or her identity and also to show the performer's skill in the art.
o The main Kuchipudi performance could include Rangapuja—the equivalent of an alarippu, with the
directions, the stage, the audience and the teachers and elders propitiated;
> Kautvamu—jatis and lyrics in praise of a deity;
> Jatiswaram—pure dance set to musical syllables;
> Shabdamu—a lyrical piece in praise of god or royalty;
> Kirtanam—an expressional piece, generally composed by saint-poets;
> Ashtapadi—another expressional piece derived from Jayadeva's Geet Govinda and
> Shivalila Natyam—stories about the Lord of Dance in his various forms.
> Padam, Javali, Simhanandini, Shloka and Tillana may also feature.
• To show the dexterity of the dancers in footwork and their control and balance over their bodies,
techniques like dancing on the rim of a brass plate and with a pitcher full of water on the head was
introduced. Acrobatic dancing became part of the repertoire. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• The music that accompanies the dance is according to the classical school of Carnatic music. Hence
statement 1 is correct.

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o The accompanying musicians, besides the vocalist are: a mridangam player to provide percussion
music, a violin or veena player or both for providing instrumental melodic music, and a cymbal player
who usually conducts the orchestra and recites the sollukattus (mnemonic rhythm syllables).
Q 74.A
• The sculptural art of Nalanda, in stucco, stone and bronze, developed out of heavy dependence on
the Buddhist Gupta art of Sarnath. By the ninth century, a synthesis occurred between the Sarnath
Gupta idiom, the local Bihar tradition, and that of central India, leading to the formation of the Nalanda
school of sculpture characterised by distinctive facial features, body forms and treatment of clothing and
jewellery. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The characteristic features of Nalanda art, distinguished by its consistently high quality of workmanship,
are that the precisely executed sculptures have an ordered appearance with little effect of crowding.
• Sculptures are also usually not flat in relief but are depicted in three-dimensional forms. The back
slabs of the sculptures are detailed and the ornamentations delicate. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The Nalanda sculptures initially depict Buddhist deities of the Mahayana pantheon such as standing
Buddhas, bodhisattvas such as Manjusri Kumara, Avalokiteshvara seated on a lotus and Naga-
Nagarjuna. During the late eleventh and twelfth centuries, when Nalanda emerged as an important tantric
centre, the repertoire came to be dominated by Vajrayana deities such as Vajrasharada (a form of
Saraswati) Khasarpana, Avalokiteshvara, etc. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Q 75.C
• The Mughals achieved international recognition in the field of painting. Mughal miniatures are an
important part of the museums of the world. Ancient Indian painting traditions kept alive in provinces like
Malwa and Gujarat along with the central Asian influences created a deep impact in the world of painting.
The masters of miniature painting, Abdu’s Samad and Mir Sayyid Ali, who had come to India
from Central Asia along with Humayun inspired Indian painters. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• The primary objective of painting was to illustrate literary works. The Persian text of Mahabharata and
Akbar Namah were illustrated with paintings by various painters. Daswant and Basawan were famous
painters of Akbar’s court. European painting was introduced in Akbar’s court by Portuguese priests.
Hence statement 3 is correct.
• During Jahangir’s time portrait painting and the painting of animals had developed. Mansur was a
great name in this field. The great Dutch painter Rembrandt was influenced by Mughal miniatures. While
Shah Jahan continued the tradition of painting, Aurangzeb’s indifference to painting led to dispersal of
the painters to different parts of the country and thereby led to promotion of painting in the
provinces. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
Q 76.D
• Recent Context: The Ministry of Jal Shakti began ‘SUJALAM’, a ‘100 days campaign’ as part of
the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• The campaign aims to create more and more ODF Plus villages by undertaking wastewater
management at the village level particularly through the creation of 1 million Soak-pits and also other
Greywater management activities. The effort of the campaign would be directed towards achieving the
ODF plus status for villages across the country in an accelerated manner in a short time. Hence,
statement 1 is not correct.
• The Focus area of the campaign includes:-
o construction of 1 million soak pits.
o retrofitting of toilets
o access to toilets for new households
• The campaign will also aid in the sustainable management of water bodies. As disposal of wastewater and
clogging of water bodies in the villages or on the outskirts of the villages remain one of the major
problems the Campaign would help in the management of the wastewater and turn would help to revive
the water bodies.
• The campaign would also boost the momentum for SBMG (Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin) phase II
activities through community participation and it will increase awareness about ODF-plus activities and
hence ensuring long term maintenance and sustainability of built infrastructure.

Q 77.D
• Losoong or Namsoong marks the beginning of the Sikkimese New Year and is celebrated with great joy
and fervour all across the region.
o The festival coincides with the end of the harvesting season and provides for the much-needed time
of merriment and excitement for all the farmers who have worked hard throughout the year.
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o Losoong festival was once only confined to the Bhutia community; gradually it spread to the Lepchas
and now, it is also celebrated across other minor tribes of not only Sikkim but also Darjeeling and
Nepal.
o It is one of the most significant festivals for the farmers, providing them an opportunity to rejoice and
celebrate their harvest.
• Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

Q 78.D
• The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka are in the foothills of the Vindhyan Mountains on the southern edge
of the central Indian plateau. Bhimbetka is a UNSECO acknowledged World Heritage Site. Hence,
statement 3 is correct.
• The drawings and paintings can be categorised seven historical periods. Period I, Upper Palaeolithic;
Period II, Mesolithic; and Period III, Chalcolithic. After Period III there are four successive periods. As
Man transformed over time from a hunter-gatherer to an agriculturist to living as part of an administered
state, so did the paintings he made. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• The themes of paintings found here are of great variety, ranging from mundane events of daily life in
those times to sacred and royal images. These include hunting, dancing, music, horse and elephant
riders, animal fighting, honey collection, decoration of bodies, and other household scenes.
• The largest number of paintings belong to Period II that covers the Mesolithic paintings. The hunting
scenes depict people hunting in groups, armed with barbed spears, pointed sticks, arrows and bows. The
Mesolithic artists loved to paint animals. Elephant, bison, tiger, boar, deer, antelope, leopard, panther,
rhinoceros, fish, frog, lizard, squirrel and at times birds are also depicted. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• The artists here made their paintings on the walls and ceilings of the rock shelters. The artists of
Bhimbetka used many colours, including various shades of white, yellow, orange, red ochre, purple,
brown, green and black. The paints were made by grinding various rocks and minerals. They got red
from haematite. The green came from a green variety of a stone called chalcedony. White might have
been made out of limestone. The rock of mineral was first ground into a powder. This may then have been
mixed with water and also with some thick or sticky substance such as animal fat or gum or resin from
trees. Brushes were made of plant fibre.

Q 79.D
• Recent Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced a composite Digital Payments
Index (DPI) to capture the extent of digitisation of payments across the country. The index does not
provide specific ranks to the states. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are not correct.
• DPI comprises five broad parameters and it enables the measurement of deepening and expansion of
digital payments in the country over different time periods. The parameters include (according and their
weight) Payment Enablers (25%), Payment Infrastructure – Demand-side factors and (10%),
Payment Infrastructure – Supply-side factors (15%), Payment Performance (45%) and Consumer
Centricity (5%).
• Present DPI has been constructed with March 2018 as the base period. The DPI for March 2019 and
March 2020 work out to 153.47 and 207.84 respectively and this indicates appreciable growth. RBI
aims to publish DPI on RBI’s website on a semi-annual basis from March 2021 onwards with a lag
of 4 months.

Q 80.B
• Recent context: In the 70th episode of Mann ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dwelt on
Indian sports becoming popular in many countries in the west and mentioned USA where an
ancient Indian form of sports — Mallakhamb — has been drawing attention due to the efforts of a
couple named Chinmay Patankar and Pradnya Patankar.
• Mallakhamb: It is a traditional sport/martial art in which a gymnast performs aerial yoga or
gymnastic postures and wrestling grips in concert with a vertical stationary or hanging wooden
pole, cane, or rope. Hence pair 1 is not correctly matched.
o It is played against gravity and functions on a synergy of mind and body, employing every muscle in a
way that enables a person to develop speed, stamina and better health.
o The name derives from the pole used by wrestlers for practising their skills though, today,
Mallakhamb has developed an identity that is separate from wrestling or kushti.
o The origin of this ancient Indian sport can be traced to the earlier part of the 12th century. A mention
of wrestlers exercising on wooden poles is found in the Manasholas, written by Chalukya, in 1153
AD.
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o It was revived late in the 19th century by Balambhatta Dada Deodhar, physical instructor to Bajirao
Peshwa II. He took great efforts to popularise this sport.
• Pari-khanda: It is a martial art from Bihar in which sword and shield are used heavily. This art was
created by the Rajputs. Pari-khanda steps and techniques are also used in Chau dance. Hence pair 2 is
correctly matched.
• Maach : It is the traditional theatre form of Madhya Pradesh. The term Maach is used for the stage
itself as also for the play. In this theatre form songs are given prominence in between the dialogues. The
term for dialogue in this form is bol and rhyme in narration is termed vanag. The tunes of this theatre form
are known as rangat. Hence pair 3 is correctly matched.

Q 81.B
• Recent Context: The Prime Minister praised the ‘Sukhet model’ of Madhubani district in his ‘Mann Ki
Baat’ programme. Sukhet model is named after Sukhet village in Madhubani district where it is
being implemented by the scientists of Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University, Pusa
(Samastipur).
• Under this project, garbage and dung from houses are collected door-to-door and then converted into
organic manure (vermicompost). From the income generated from the sale of organic manure,
every family is provided LPG cylinders every two months in exchange for the waste and cow
dung. This project also provides employment to 14 to 15 people at the village level.
• Hence option (b) is the correct answer.

Q 82.B
• Cultural traditions from various regions of the country reflect the rich diversity of Regional Music of
India. Each region has its own particular style.
o Sohar, Uttar Pradesh: Social ceremonies have, at times, served as a potent factor for intermingling
of different cultures. North India has a strong tradition of singing ‘Sohar’ songs when a son is born in
a family. This has influenced the muslim culture and a form of ‘Sohar’ song gained currency in the
muslim families living in some regions of Uttar Pradesh. Hence pair 1 is not correctly matched.
o Sana Lamok, Manipur: Manipur’s hills and valley-both are fond of music and dance. Sana Lamok is
sung at the time of coronation ceremony by the Maaiba (priest). It may also be sung to welcome the
king. It is sung to evoke the spirit of Pakhangba, the presiding deity. There is a belief that this song is
potent with magical powers. Hence pair 3 is not correctly matched.
o Powada, Maharashtra: Powada is the traditional folk art from Maharashtra. The word Powada itself
means “the narration of a story in glorious terms”. The narratives are always odes in praise of an
individual hero or an incident or place. The chief narrator is known as the Shahir who plays the duff
to keep the rhythm. The tempo is fast and controlled by the main singer who is supported by others in
chorus. Hence pair 2 is correctly matched.

Q 83.A
• The course of the evolution of Indian music saw the emergence of two different sub systems as
Hindustani and Carnatic music. In Haripala's "Sangeeta Sudhakara", written in the 14th century A.D.,
the terms Carnatic and Hindustani are found for the first time. The Indian music of the Northern part of
India assimilated some features of the music of the Persian and Arabic musicians who adorned the
courts of the Mughal rulers of Delhi, the music of the South continued to develop along its own original
lines. Hence option 2 is correct.
• Cultural interchange with the advent of Islamic rule bring forth new forms of musical synthesis like
qawwali and khyal. Amir Khusrau is credited with systematizing some aspects of Hindustani music, and
also introducing several ragas such as Yaman Kalyan, Zeelaf and Sarpada.
• The major vocal forms or styles associated with Hindustani classical music are dhrupad, khyal, and
tarana. Light classical forms include dhamar, trivat, chaiti, kajari, tappa, tap-khyal, ashtapadis, thumri,
dadra, ghazal and bhajan; these do not adhere to the rigorous rules of classical music. Gitam, Suladi,
Jatisvaram, Varnam, Kirtanam are different musical forms of Carnatic classical music. Hence option
3 is not correct.
• After the 16th century, the singing styles of Hindustani classical music diversified into different
gharanas patronized in different princely courts. The oldest of these is the Gwalior gharana. others
include Agra Gharana, Jaipur Atroli Gharana etc. Hence option 1 is correct.

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Q 84.A
• It happened in 1993 when an inscription in Bactrian and Greek was found in a place called Rabatak
between Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif when the Mujahideen were digging a trench along with many
cultural treasures. It gave a complete account of the genealogy of the early Kushan Empire and some
details till the reign of Kanishka. It is thus known as the Rabatak inscription. Hence pair 2 is
correctly matched.
• The Besanagar inscription is a relic belonging to the Shunga Empire age in India. It was completed
during the reign of the Sunga ruler Bhaga Sunga (alias Bhagabhadra) during the second century BCE.
This relic is now housed at the Madhya Pradesh Government Art Museum at Vidisha. It is popularly
believed that Bhagabhadra had erected this pillar to commemorate the conversion of Heliodorus (votive
erector) to Vaishnavism. Heliodorus was a luminary at the court of Antialcidas, the Indo-Bactrian king.
The Besanagar Pillar is a storehouse of information on the Sungas as well as the Indo-Bactrian
Greeks. Hence pair 1 is correctly matched
• The Naneghat inscriptions in the Naneghat caves indicate that they are the work of Satavahana
rulers who came into prominence after the fall of the Mauryan empire. It is believed that a powerful
woman ruler Naganika, the wife of Satakarni (180–170 BCE) of the Satavahana family commissioned the
cave, the statues, and the inscriptions. Inscriptions in the cave mention her and her family members. The
central figure of the inscription is Naganika, perhaps the first woman in India’s recorded history who has
determined the political affairs of a state, even having her own coinage. Hence pair 3 is correctly
matched
• The Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman, also known as the Girnar Rock inscription of
Rudradaman, is a Sanskrit prose inscribed on a rock by the Western Kshatrap ruler Rudradaman I
(Saka dynasty). It. It is located near Girnar hill near Junagadh, Gujarat, India. The inscription is dated
shortly after 150 CE. The Junagadh rock contains inscriptions of Ashoka, Rudradaman I, and
Skandagupta. Hence pair 4 is correctly matched.

Q 85.D
• Chunar is a city and source of red sandstone located in Mirzapur District of Uttar Pradesh located in
Ganga Valley.
• Chunar stone is a kind of reddish or buff-colored, finely grained, hard sandstone which has been widely
used in the architecture of India since ancient times.
• Hillsides of Chunar had been quarried for sandstone from the 3rd century BCE to the medieval
period. Studies of ancient sculptures including Ashokan pillars provide fine details regarding stone
quarrying at Chunar.
o The low-lying hill near Baragaon village was the main quarrying area in ancient times.
o The quarried blocks of stone were chiselled and dressed into cylindrical shape at Chunar itself in
order to roll them down the gently sloping hillside or down the small streams to the Ganga river and
further on to sites where there was a demand for the sandstone.
o The ultimate destination of the Chunar stone included sites such as Sarnath.
o Stone-carving workshops were situated on the navigational route connecting Chunar and Sarnath.
• Chunar was preferred as a quarry site to other areas such as the Pabosa hills near Allahabad or Dehri-
on-Son in Bihar because of the good quality of its stone and its convenient geographical location near
the river, which made transportation easier.
• The Ashokan pillars are quite similar to each other in form and dimensions. They are entirely made of
sandstone quarried at Chunar.
• Although stone quarrying still goes on in the Chunar hills, modern stone cutters do not extract stone from
the old quarries. Their reason is that due to prolonged exposure to the elements, stone from such quarries
is not considered suitable for working.
• Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q 86.A
• The name ‘Veda’ is given to the vast body of literature made up of Mantra and Brahmana.
‘Brahmana’ means the explanation of a ritual by a learned priest.
• Later this word came to mean a collection of such explanations by the priest on the science of sacrifice.
The Brahmanas are thus the ritual textbooks on the details of sacrifice or Yajna.
• These texts deal with the following six topics: Vidhi Arthavada, Ninda, Prashansha, Purakalpa and
Parakriti.
• Vidhi means injunctions for the performance of particular rites.
• Arthavada comprises numerous explanatory remarks on the meaning of Mantras and particular rites.
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• Ninda or censure consists in criticism and, refutation of the opponents’ views.

• Prashansha means eulogy, recommendation.
• Purakalpa refers to the performance of sacrificial rites in former times.
• Parakriti means the achievements of others.
• The main subject of the Brahmanas is an injunction (Vidhi), all other topics being subservient to it.
• According to Aitareya Brahmana, in relation to the Prince, the Brahmana is described as a seeker of
livelihood and an acceptor of gifts but removable at will.
• Aitareya Brahmana belongs to Shakala Shakha of the Rigveda. Hence option (a) is correct. This work
is ascribed to Mahidasa Aitareya and dates variously from 1000 BCE to 500 BCE.
• The Satapatha Brahmana speaks at length about the ploughing rituals. It is a part of Shukla-
Yajurveda.
• Arsheya Brahmana and Daivata/ Devatadhyaya Brahmana are parts of Samaveda.
• Gopatha Brahmana is a part of Atharveda.

Q 87.B
• The institution of the Iqta had been in force in the early Islamic world as a form of reward for services
to the state. In the caliphate administration, it was used to pay civil and military officers. Hence
statement 1 is not correct.
• After the establishment of the Sultanate, iqta system was introduced by the Sultans. To begin with, the
army commanders and nobles were given territories to administer and collect the revenue. The territories
thus assigned were called iqta and their holders as iqtadar or muqti.
• From the 14th century Walis or muqtis who wer commanders of military and administrative tracts called
Iqta. Their exact powers varied according to circumstances.
• In due course, the muqti was given complete charge of the administration of the iqta which included
the task of maintaining an army. The muqti was to help the sultan with his army in case of need. He was
expected to maintain the army and meet his own expenses with the revenue collected. Hence
statement 2 is correct.
• From the time of Balban the muqti was expected to send the balance (fawazil) of the income to the center
after meeting his and the army’s expenses. This means that the central revenue department had made an
assessment of the expected income of the Iqta, the cost of the maintenance of the army, and the muqti’s
own expenses.
• This process became even more strict during the time of Alauddin Khalji.
• As the central control grew, the control over muqti’s administration also increased. The Khwaja
(probably same as Sahib-i-Diwan) was appointed to keep a record of the income of the Iqtas. It was
on the basis of this record that the Sultan used to make his revenue demands.
• A barid or intelligence officer was also appointed to keep the Sultan informed.
• During the reign of Muhmmad-bin-Thughlaq a number of governors were appointed on revenue sharing
terms where they were to give a fixed sum to the state. During the time of Feroze Shah Tughlaq the
control of the state over iqtas was diluted when iqtas became hereditary. Hence statement 3 is correct.
Q 88.C
• The shadow theatre of Karnataka is known as Togalu Gombeyatta.
• These puppets are mostly small in size. The puppets however differ in size according to their social
status, for instance, large size for kings and religious characters and smaller size for common people or
servants.
• Togalu signifies “leather” and gombeyata “figure, doll, dance and performance”. There are two distinct
types of togalu gombeyata based on the size of the figures. Chikka theatre uses smaller figures (between
20 to 30 centimetres high) and dodda theatre uses larger-sized figures (between 30 to 120 centimetres in
height).
• The puppeteers are from the Killikyeta tribal group that came from Maharashtra at least two centuries
ago and settled in different regions of Southern India, particularly in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and
Tamil Nadu.
• During the togalu gombeyata performances, puppeteers speak in Kannada, one of the languages of
Karnataka, but include certain songs or exclamations in Aare Marathi.
• They have the status of travelling entertainer-educators and their repertoire is based on fragments from the
Mahabharata, the Ramayana and the Puranas, and also from folk tales. The episodes of the Ramayana are
the principal source of inspiration in the Kannada language.
• Togalu gombeyata performances take place in a reserved space outside the village and also in the
courtyard of certain temples. The coloured and transparent shadow figures are seen from behind a
rectangular white cotton fabric screen stretched between two poles.
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Q 89.A
• The Ahmadnagar sultanate situated was in the northwestern Deccan, between the sultanates of Gujarat
and Bijapur.
o Malik Ahmed Shah, after defeating the Bahmani army led by general Jahangir Khan on May
28, 1490, declared independence and established the Nizam Shahi dynasty of Ahmadnagar or
Ahmadnagar sultanate. Hence pair 1 is correctly matched.
o In 1636 Aurangzeb, then Mughal viceroy of Deccan annexed the sultanate to the Mughal
empire.
• The Bijapur Sultanate was located in southwestern India, straddling the Western Ghats range of
southern Maharashtra and northern Karnataka.
o Yusuf Adil Shah was the founder of this sultanate and established the Adil Shahis dynasty.
Hence pair 2 is not correctly matched.
o The dynasty’s greatest period was during the reign of Ibrāhīm ʿĀdil Shah II (1579–1626), who
extended his frontier as far south as Mysore and was a skillful administrator and a generous patron of
the arts. He reverted to the Sunni form of Islam but remained tolerant of other religions, including
Christianity.
o The country's largest and the world's second-largest dome, Gol Gumbaz is a work of architectural
genius. Unsupported by any pillars, this mausoleum of Muhammed Adil Shah was constructed in
1656 by architect Yaqut of Dabul.
o Aurangazeb annexed Bijapur in 1686.
• Golconda was ruled by the Quṭb Shāhī dynasty from 1518–1687. Its founder was Qulī Quṭb Shah
(or Sultan Quli Qutb Mulk), a Turkish governor of the Bahmanī Kingdom's eastern region. Hence
pair 3 is not correctly matched.
o The monument Charminar in Hyderabad was built in 1591 by Muḥammad Qulī Quṭb Shah.
o In 1687 the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb annexed the kingdom.
• Time Period Monarch
o 1512–1543 Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk (the founder)
o 1543–1550 Jamsheed Quli Qutb Shah
o 1550–1550 Subhan Quli Qutb Shah
o 1550–1580 Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah
o 1580-1612 Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah
o 1612-1626 Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah
o 1626–1672 Abdullah Qutb Shah
o 1672-1686 Abul Hasan Qutb Shah
Q 90.B
• Kanishka was the greatest king of the Kushan dynasty that ruled over the northern part of the Indian
subcontinent, Afghanistan, and possibly areas of Central Asia north of the Kashmir region. He is,
however, chiefly remembered as a great patron of Buddhism. As a patron of Buddhism, Kaniska is chiefly
noted for having convened the fourth great Buddhist council in Kashmir, which marked the beginnings of
Mahayana Buddhism. He is attributed to starting a new era in 78 AD which is known as the Shaka era
and is used by the Government of India. Hence statement 1 is correct
• The Kushans introduced the Satrap system of government. The empire was divided into numerous
satrapies, and each satrapy was placed under the rule of a satrap. Some curious practices such as the
hereditary dual role, two kingdoms ruling in the same kingdom at one and the same time were
introduced. Thus it appears that there was a less degree of Centralisation during the Kushana rulers.
Hence statement 2 is correct
• The Kushanas occupy a special place in ancient Indian history because of their contribution to various
aspects of life. Even in literature and medicine, India made progress. Charaka, known as the father of
Ayurveda, wrote a book on a medicine called Charaksamhita whereas Asvaghosha, a Buddhist scholar,
wrote Buddhacharita, a full-length biography of the Buddha. Both these scholars were believed to
be the contemporaries of King Kanishka. The Kushanas patronized the Gandhara and the Mathura
schools of sculptural art which is known for producing the earliest images of Buddha and
Buddhisattavas. Hence statement 3 is correct

Q 91.A
• Recent Context: The Drug Controller General has granted emergency approval to the Zycov-D. It is the
first indigenously developed COVID vaccine, developed by the Ahmedabad based Zydus Cadilla group.
The vaccine has been developed in partnership with the Department of Biotechnology under the ‘Mission
COVID Suraksha'.
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• The three-dose vaccine once administered produces the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and elicits
an immune response. The plug-and-play technology on which the plasmid DNA platform is based can be
easily adapted to deal with mutations in the virus, such as those already occurring. This DNA-based
vaccine in can be administered without a needle, purportedly minimising chances of reactions.
Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It is also the first vaccine in India that can be administered to adults as well as those 12 and above.
Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Q 92.A
• Recent Context: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the Working
Group I report, "Climate Change 2021: the Physical Science Basis", which was also approved by 195
member governments of the IPCC.
• The Working Group I report is the first instalment of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6),
which will be completed in 2022.
• According to the report every region in the world is witnessing irreversible changes in climate,
it concluded that a hotter future is certain but that there is still a chance to prevent the direst
outcomes. The report provides new estimates of the chances of crossing the global warming level of
1.5°C in the next decades and finds that unless there are immediate, rapid and large-scale
reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, limiting warming to close to 1.5°C or even 2°C will be
beyond reach.
• Strong and sustained reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases would
limit climate change. While benefits for air quality would come quickly, it could take 20-30 years to see
global temperatures stabilize.
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Q 93.C
• Recent Context: The Union Cabinet recently gave its approval to launch a new Mission on Oil palm to be
known as the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) as a new Centrally Sponsored
Scheme with a special focus on the North east region and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
o Under this scheme, it is proposed to cover an additional area of 6.5 lakh hectare (ha.) for oil palm till
the year 2025-26 and thereby reaching the target of 10 lakh hectares ultimately. The production of
Crude Palm Oil (CPO) is expected to go upto 11.20 lakh tonnes by 2025-26 and upto 28 lakh tonnes
by 2029-30.
• Presently India is the largest importer of edible oils in the world. We have been importing between
60 to 70% of our edible oil requirements for the last decade. India currently spends around Rs.75,000
crore annually on importing edible oils, which should ideally go to the hands of Indian farmers, if only we
can overcome our dependence on imports. Moreover, fluctuations in prices of oilseeds in the international
commodities market get reflected in the domestic market and affect domestic inflation and farmer
incomes. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• While palm oil is a third of all edible oils consumed in India and over 50% of edible oil that is
imported, it is mainly 2.7% of edible oil produced in India. Our farmers still produce anti genius and
traditional oilseeds – mustard and groundnut – along with Soyabean. The NNEO – OP envisages the
rising production of crude palm oil to 11.2 lakh tonnes by 2025–26 and 28 lakh tonnes by 2029–30.
Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Q 94.C
• The Sun temple at Modhera dates back to the early eleventh century and was built by Raja
Bhimdev I of the Solanki Dynasty in 1026. There is a massive rectangular stepped tank called the
Surya Kund in front of it. The proximity of sacred architecture to a water body such as a tank, a river or
a pond has been noticed right from the earliest times. By the early eleventh century, they had become a
part of many temples.
• This hundred-square-metre rectangular pond is perhaps the grandest temple tank in India. A hundred and
eight miniature shrines are carved in between the steps inside the tank. A huge ornamental arch-
Torana leads one to the sabha mandapa (the assembly hall) which is open on all sides.
• The influence of the woodcarving tradition of Gujarat is evident in the lavish carving and sculpture work.
However, the walls of the central small shrine are devoid of carving and are left plain as the temple faces
the east and, every year, at the time of the equinoxes, the sun shines directly into this central shrine.
• Arasavalli sun temple: The Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple, dedicated to the sun god, located in
Arasavalli, is one of the two temples of its kind, the other being the most popular and magnificent Konark
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Sun Temple in Odisha. However, the temple in Arasavalli is an older structure that was built by the same
Eastern Ganga Dynasty that Commissioned the temple in Konark as well.
• Bhramanya Dev temple: The Brahmanya Dev (Baramju) temple dedicated to the Sun is located at Unao
near Jhansi in Madhya Pradesh. The stone image of the Sun God stands here on a brick platform covered
with black plates. Twenty-one triangles representing the 21 phases of the sun are engraved in the shrine.
There is a protective brass cover for the image. Sunday is the special day of worship. This temple was
patronized by the Peshwas and by the ruler of Datia, a nearby town.
• Konark sun temple: The Konark or Konarak Sun temple is dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya, and,
conceived as a giant stone chariot with 12 wheels, it is the most famous of the few sun temples built in
India. It is located about 35 km northeast of the city of Puri on the coastline in the state of Odisha (earlier
Orissa). It was built c. 1250 CE by King Narasimhadeva I (r. 1238-1264 CE) of the Eastern Ganga
dynasty (8th century CE - 15th century CE). The temple in its present state was declared by UNESCO a
World Heritage Site in 1984 CE.
• Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q 95.B
• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the premier organization for the archaeological researches
and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation. It comes under the Ministry of Culture. It was
founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham who also became its first Director-General. Besides it
regulate all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and
Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. It also regulates Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972, and
maintains ancient monuments and archaeological sites.
• The National Archives of India is the custodian of the records of the enduring value of the Government
of India. It was Established as the Imperial record department on 11 March 1891 at Calcutta
(Kolkata). It is the biggest archival repository in South Asia. It has a vast corpus of records viz., public
records, private papers, oriental records, cartographic records, and microfilms, which constitute an
invaluable source of information for scholars-administrators and users of archives.
• The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) was founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam
Azad. Its objectives are to actively participate in the formulation and implementation of policies and
programs pertaining to India’s external cultural relations; to foster and strengthen cultural relations and
mutual understanding between India and other countries; to promote cultural exchanges with other
countries and people, and to develop relations with nations.
• The Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, is an organization dedicated to the promotion
of literature in the languages of India. Founded on 12 March 1954, it is supported by, though independent
of, the Indian government. Its office is located in Rabindra Bhavan near Mandi House in Delhi.
• Hence, option (b) is the correct answer

Q 96.D
• Bonalu is a traditional Hindu festival centered on the Goddess Mahakali. This festival is celebrated
annually in the parts of the Telangana state. It is celebrated in the month of Ashada Masam, which is
around July and/or August. Special "poojas" (worship/ ceremonies) are performed for Yellamma (one of
the many regional forms of Mahakali) on the first and last day of the festival. The festival is also
considered a thanksgiving to the Goddess for fulfillment of vows. Hence pair 1 is correctly matched.
• Ashadhi Bij is observed on the second day of the Shukla Paksha or waxing phase of moon in Ashada
month. It is the Kutchi New Year. This Hindu New Year is observed in the Kutch region in
Gujarat. Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi and other regional deities are worshipped on the occasion. Hence
pair 2 is correctly matched.
• Dree festival is a popular festival in the Ziro valley of Arunachal Pradesh and it is an important
agricultural festival of Apatani tribe. Dree is celebrated in order to bring a bountiful harvest season,
hence, Apatani tribe offers prayers to four Gods they follow - Tamu, Harniang, Metii, and Danyi. This
three day long agricultural festival is joyously celebrated with traditional cloths worn by women and
children. Hence pair 3 is correctly matched.

Q 97.B
Reasons for the decline of the Mauryan Empire:
• Brahmanical Reaction: The anti-sacrifice attitude of Buddhism and Ashoka brought much loss to the
Brahmanas, who lived on the gifts made to them in various kinds of sacrifices. In spite of the tolerant
policy of Ashoka, the Brahmanas developed some kind of antipathy towards him. They wanted a policy
that would favour them and uphold existing interests and privileges.
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• Financial Crisis: The enormous expenditure on the maintenance of the huge army and payment to
bureaucrats, the largest regiment of officers, created a financial crisis for the Mauryan empire. Despite
the taxes imposed on the people, it became difficult for the Mauryas to sustain this huge superstructure.
• Neglect of the north-west frontier and absence of the boundary structure such as the Great Wall of
China: The Chinese ruler Shih Huang Ti (247-210 BCE) constructed the Great Wall of China in about
220 BCE, to protect his empire against the attacks of the Scythians, a central Asian nomadic tribe who
were in a state of constant flux. No such measures were taken by the emperor Ashoka on the northwestern
frontier of India. In order to escape the Scythians, the Parthians, the Shakas and the Greeks were forced to
move towards India.
• Spread of the new material knowledge in the outlying areas: Once the new knowledge of iron tools
and weapons spread in the peripheral areas, Magadha lost its special advantage. On the basis of material
culture acquired from Magadha, new kingdoms such as the Shungas and Kanvas in central India, the
Chetis in Kalinga and the Satavahans in the Deccan were founded and developed.
• Highly centralised administration: centralized administration under the Mauryas became a problem
with the later Mauryan kings who were not as efficient administrators as their predecessors. Powerful
kings like Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka could control the administration well. But weak rulers led to
a weakening of the administration and ultimately led to the empire’s disintegration. Hence options 2, 3,
and 4 are correct.
• From the days of Alexander’s invasion, the northwest frontier of India remained exposed to the
Greeks. Alexander could not invade the Magadh region due to various reasons, war-weary and diseased
soldiers being one of the reasons Chandragupta Maurya drove out the Greeks from the Indian soil, and by
defeating Seleukos Nikator established his authority outside the Indian frontiers. During the rule of
Bindusara and Ashoka, there was no fear from the Greek powers as they were fearful of the
Maurya army. Hence option 5 is not correct
• The Mahajanapadas were a set of sixteen kingdoms that existed in ancient India. It all began when
the tribes (janas) of the late Vedic period decided to form their own territorial communities, which
eventually gave rise to new and permanent areas of settlements called ‘states’ or ‘janapadas. It happened
in the Pre-Mauryan times as Mauryas are hailed for the political unification of the states. Hence
option 1 is not correct.

Q 98.C
• The tradition of rock-cut dwellings in India is supposed to have been developed during the Maurayan
period in Barabar hills. These rock-cut version of the architecture were predominantly wooden prototypes
which were copied into stone.
• There are seven rock-cut chambers, four on Barabar hills and three on Nagarjuni hills in Bihar
(Gaya). Archaeologically, these chambers are important as they are the earliest example of rock-cut
technique copied from wood and thatch architecture.
• On the Barabar hills, Sudama and Lomas Rishi caves are most significant example.
o The doorways of both these chambers have been carved in the fashion of wooden arch.
o As far the ground plan concerned, they are not different from one another. Both of these consist two
parts-hall with barrel vaulted roof and separate circular cell with domical roof interior doorway in the
centre at the end of hall.
o The exterior wall of Sudama cave has perpendicular grooves and it has an enamel like polish which is
evidently a feature of Mauryan artistic excellent.
o The facade of Lomas Rishi cave appears to be the exact copy of wooden doorways.
• A typical example of early cave architecture is the most datable cave of all, the so-called Lomas
Rishi cave in the Barabar Hills of Bihar.
o An inscription proves that this was excavated for the Ajivika sect in the time of Ashoka himself.
o The cave carved out of the living rock, measures 55'x22'x20'.
o The entrance is a representation in stone of a hut entrance, with the end of the roof constructed of bent
timber supported by cross beams, the ends of which are shown protruding.
o A carved frieze of elephants is a stone imitation of similar work in wood along with a stone imitation
of trellis work made of small stick of bamboo. This is an excellent example showing the development
from earlier shapes in timber translated into stone.
• The first known use of the ‘Chaitya arch’ in stone at Lomash Rishi was replicated in caves across
India, including Ajanta, and Kanheri. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• Carved out of a very hard monolithic granite stone, each of these caves features two chambers each, with
a highly polished surface. There are no sculptures or embellishments present in any of these caves. Hence
statement 2 is correct.
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Q 99.B
• Once the site is declared as a world Heritage site by UNESCO it is accepted as primer facie evidence that
such a site is culturally sensitive and warrants legal protection pursuant to the law of war under
the Geneva convention, its articles, protocols and customs, together with other treaties including the hair
convention for protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict and international law.
• Airavateshvara Temple is situated in Tamil Nadu it is a part of great Chola temples.
• Victorian Gothic and Art Deco ensembles in Mumbai are selected in UNESCO's list of world heritage
site in India in 2018
• Jantar Mantar In Jaipur in Rajasthan was elected in 2010 (not the one situated in Delhi)
• Group of monuments at Pattadakal in Karnataka (nine Hindu temples and one giant temple which
includes Virupaksha Temple, Bharat Nath temple etc) has been selected as UNESCO world Heritage site
in 1987
• Hence pairs 1 and 4 are correctly matched and option (b) is the correct answer

Q 100.C
• Vakataka Empire succeeded the Satvahanas in the Deccan between the 3rd and 5th centuries CE.
They were contemporary to the Guptas ruling in Northern India at the time.
• Vindhyashakti, a Brahmin chieftain, founded the Vakataka empire. Hence statement 1 is not
correct.
• Their kingdom extended from the southern edges of Malwa and Gujarat in the north to the Tungabhadra
River in the south as well as from the Arabian Sea in the west to the edges of Chhattisgarh in the east.
• Vakataka rulers forged many matrimonial alliances with other dynasties of their times. The daughter of
Gupta emperor Chandragupta II, Prabhavatigupta was married to Vakataka king, Rudrasena II.
Hence statement 3 is correct.
• The Vakatakas were patrons of arts, architecture, and literature. They followed the Shaivite faith
• The rock-cut Buddhist Viharas and Chaityas of Ajanta Caves were built under the patronage of
Vakataka King, Harishena. Hence statement 2 is correct.

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