21 History questions from the official UPSC 2014 Prelims paper, each with the verified answer key and an explanation.
1–21 of 21
Q1·History·2014·Medieval India
Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was
Correct: C
Ibadat Khana was Akbar's house/hall of worship at Fatehpur Sikri where he held discussions with scholars and representatives of different religions.
Q2·History·2014·Modern India and Freedom Struggle
What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria's Proclamation (1858)? 1. To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States. 2. To place the Indian administration under the British Crown. 3. To regulate East India Company's trade with India. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Correct: A
The Queen's Proclamation of 1858 transferred administration to the British Crown and promised non-annexation/respect for princely states. It was not about regulating East India Company trade, since Company rule was ending.
Q3·History·2014·Art and Culture
A community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their
Correct: B
Manganiyars are hereditary musicians of north-west India, especially Rajasthan and adjoining regions.
Q4·History·2014·Bhakti and Religious Movements
Consider the following statements: 1. 'Bijak' is a composition of the teachings of Saint Dadu Dayal. 2. The Philosophy of Pushti Marg was propounded by Madhvacharya. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct: D
Bijak is associated with Kabir, not Dadu Dayal. Pushti Marg was propounded by Vallabhacharya, not Madhvacharya.
Q5·History·2014·Art and Culture
With reference to Buddhist history, tradition and culture in India, consider the following pairs: Famous shrine - Location: 1. Tabo monastery and temple complex - Spiti Valley 2. Lhotsava Lhakhang temple, Nako - Zanskar Valley 3. Alchi temple complex - Ladakh Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Correct: C
Tabo monastery is in Spiti Valley and Alchi temple complex is in Ladakh. Nako/Lhotsava Lhakhang is in Kinnaur/Himachal region, not Zanskar Valley.
Q6·History·2014·Art and Culture
Consider the following pairs: 1. Garba - Gujarat 2. Mohiniattam - Odisha 3. Yakshagana - Karnataka Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Correct: C
Garba is from Gujarat and Yakshagana is from Karnataka. Mohiniattam is from Kerala, not Odisha.
Q7·History·2014·Art and Culture
With reference to India's culture and tradition, what is 'Kalaripayattu?
Correct: D
Kalaripayattu is a traditional martial art of South India, especially associated with Kerala and the Malabar region.
Q8·History·2014·Modern India and Freedom Struggle
The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a
Correct: A
The Ghadar Party was a revolutionary organization of expatriate Indians, with its headquarters at San Francisco.
Q9·History·2014·Art and Culture
With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs: Famous work of sculpture - Site: 1. A grand image of Buddha's Mahaparinirvana with numerous celestial musicians above and the sorrowful figures of his followers below - Ajanta 2. A huge image of Varaha Avatar (boar incarnation) of Vishnu, as he rescues Goddess Earth from the deep and chaotic waters, sculpted on rock - Mount Abu 3. "Arjuna's Penance"/"Descent of Ganga" sculpted on the surface of huge boulders - Mamallapuram Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Correct: C
The Mahaparinirvana Buddha scene is at Ajanta, and Arjuna's Penance/Descent of the Ganga is at Mamallapuram. The famous Varaha relief is associated with Udayagiri, not Mount Abu.
Q10·History·2014·Art and Culture
Chaitra 1 of the national calendar based on the Saka Era corresponds to which one of the following dates of the Gregorian calendar in a normal year of 365 days?
Correct: A
In the Indian national calendar based on the Saka Era, Chaitra 1 falls on 22 March in a normal year and 21 March in a Gregorian leap year.
Q11·History·2014·Art and Culture
With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements 1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama. 2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam. 3. It is based on classical Ragas and Talas of devotional songs composed by Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct: B
Sattriya is a classical tradition combining music, dance and drama, rooted in the Vaishnavite monasteries/sattras of Assam. Its devotional base is linked to Assamese Vaishnavite tradition, not songs of Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai.
Q12·History·2014·Modern India and Freedom Struggle
The 1929 Session of Indian National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom Movement because the
Correct: B
At the Lahore session of the Indian National Congress in 1929, Poorna Swaraj or complete independence was adopted as the Congress goal.
Q13·History·2014·Modern India and Freedom Struggle
The Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until
Correct: B
The 1905 Partition of Bengal was annulled by King George V at the Delhi Durbar in 1911.
Q14·History·2014·Art and Culture
Consider the following towns of India 1. Bhadrachalam 2. Chanderi 3. Kancheepuram 4. Karnal Which of the above are famous for the production of traditional sarees/fabric?
Correct: B
Chanderi is famous for Chanderi fabric/sarees and Kancheepuram for Kanchipuram silk sarees. Bhadrachalam and Karnal are not the traditional saree/fabric centres in this list.
Q15·History·2014·Ancient India
The national motto of India, 'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from
Correct: D
The phrase Satyameva Jayate is taken from the Mundaka Upanishad.
Q16·History·2014·Ancient Indian Philosophy
Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy?
Correct: C
The six orthodox systems are Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Mimamsa and Vedanta. Lokayata/Charvaka and Kapalika are not part of these six systems.
Q17·History·2014·Art and Culture
With reference to the cultural history of India, the term 'Panchayatan' refers to
Correct: C
Panchayatan in temple architecture refers to a shrine layout with a main central shrine and four subsidiary shrines at the corners.
Q18·History·2014·Ancient India
Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha? 1. Avanti 2. Gandhara 3. Kosala 4. Magadha Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Correct: C
The Buddha's life was closely associated with Kosala and Magadha, including places such as Shravasti, Rajagriha and Bodh Gaya. Avanti and Gandhara were not the principal kingdoms associated with his life in this question.
Q19·History·2014·Medieval India
In medieval India, the designations 'Mahattara' and 'Pattakila' were used for
Correct: B
Mahattara and Pattakila occur in medieval administrative usage for local/village-level functionaries, especially village headmen or leading village officers.
Q20·History·2014·Modern India and Freedom Struggle
The Radcliffe Committee was appointed to
Correct: C
The Radcliffe Committee/Commission was tasked with drawing the boundary lines between India and Pakistan at Partition.
Q21·History·2014·Art and Culture
Consider the following languages: 1. Gujarati 2. Kannada 3. Telugu Which of the above has/have been declared as 'Classical Language/Languages' by the Government?
Correct: C
Kannada and Telugu had been declared classical languages by the Government of India, while Gujarati had not been given that status at the time relevant to the question.