UPSC Prelims 2019 Question Paper with answers - UPSC Family

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Q.1]  With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/ differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar? [UPSC :2019]

1. Jagirdars were holders of land assignments in lieu of de judicial and police duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without obligation to perform any duty other than revenue collection.

2. Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary.

Select the correct answer using the code given below. 

a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2 

(d) Neither 1 nor 2 

Seen Answer

. (d) Two classes shared power of the State with Mughal emperor: zamindars and the nobles. The zamindars were hereditary owners of their lands who enjoyed certain privileges on hereditary basis. They occupied an important place in the empire because they helped in the collection of revenue and in local administration, for which they maintained soldiers. The nobility comprised people who were either assigned large jagirs / Mansabs or appointed Subahdars. 

Thuss, both 1 and 2 are wrong

Q.2] With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the following statements is correct? [UPSC : 2019]

(a) The ceiling laws were aimed at family holdings and not individual holdings. 

(b) The major aim of land reforms was providing agriculture land to all the landless. 

(c) It resulted in cultivation of cash crops as a predominant form of cultivation. 

(d) Land reforms permitted no exemptions to the ceiling limits.

Seen Answer

. (b) Bipan Chandra's India Since Independence, Ch.31 on Land Reforms (III) 

Inn most states, initially, the ceilings were imposed on individual and not family holdings, enabling landowners to divide up their holdings 'notionally in the names of relatives merely to avoid the ceiling. So, A is wrong. 

A large number of exemptions to the ceiling limits were permitted by most states following the Second Plan recommendations that certain categories of land could be exempted from ceilings. These were tea, coffee and rubber plantations, orchards, specialized farms etc. So, D is wrong. 

C is a 'hyperbole' wrong statement. Land reform is not responsible for cash crop cultivation becoming predominant in India. Besides, majority of India's area under cultivation is foodgrains and cereals. (and not cash crops) as per Table3, page 101 of Economic Survey 2017-18. 

Thuss, B is the most suitable answer.

Q.3] The Global Competitiveness Report is published by the [UPSC : 2019]

(a) International Monetary Fund 

(b) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

(c) World Economic Forum

(d) World Bank

Seen Answer

(c) Global Competitiveness Report is prepared by World Economic Forum. 

2018 ranking: 

1) USA, 

2) Singapore, 

3) Germany....28) China, 

58) India.... 

140) Chad the last.

 

Q.4] Consider the following statements about 'the Charter Act of 1813': [UPSC : 2019]

1. It ended the trade monopoly of the East India Company in India except for trade in tea and trade with China. 

2. It asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over the Indian territories held by the Company. 

3. The revenues of India were now controlled by the British Parliament.  

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

(b) 2 and 3 only       (d) 1,2 and 3

Seen Answer

(a) 

- The Company's monopoly over trade in India , but the Company retained the trade with China and the trade in tea. So #1 is right.

 - The Company was to retain the possession of territories and the revenue for 20 years more, without prejudice to the sovereignty of the Crown. So, #2 is right but # 3 is wrong. 

Hence answer A: 1 and 2 only.

 

Q.5] With reference to Swadeshi Movement, consider the following statements: [UPSC : 2019]

1. It contributed to the revival of the indigenous artisan crafts and industries. 

2. The National Council of Education was established as a part of Swadeshi Movement.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Seen Answer

(c) Programme of Swadeshi: On August 15, 1906, the National Council of Education was set up to organise a system of education- literary, scientific and technical on national lines and under national control. The swadeshi spirit also found expression in the bestablishment of swadeshi textile mills, soap and match factories, tanneries, banks, insurance companies, bshops, etc. 

So, both 1 and 2 are correct.

 

Q.6] Consider the following pairs: [UPSC : 2019] 

Movement: Organization Leader

1. All India Anti-Untouchability League: Mahatma Gandhi fo

2. All India Kisan Sabha: Swami Sahajanad Saraswati 

3.Self Respect Movement: E.V. Ramaswami Naicker

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched? 

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Seen Answer

(d) 

While in jail, Gandhi set up the All India Anti Untouchability League in September 19323 All India Kisan Congress/Sabha: This sabha was founded in Lucknow in April 1936 with Swami Sahjanand Saraswati as the president and N.G. Ranga as the general secretary. During the 1920s in South India, the non brahmins organised the Self-Respect Movement led by E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker. - 

So, D: all three are correct.

 

Q.7] Which one of the following is not a Harappan Site? [ UPSC: 2019]

(a) Chanhudaro    (b) Kot Diji

(c) Sohagaura       (d) Desalpur

Seen Answer

(c) 

Nitin ch 1: Sohgaura Copper Plate: The earliest known copper-plate, known as the Sohgaura copper-plate, is a Mauryan record that mentions famine relief efforts. So it can't be a Harappan site, 

answer is C.

 

Q.8] In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is 'Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka?  [ UPSC :2019]

(a) Kanganahalli

(c) Shahbazgarhi 9. Consider the following:

(b) Sanchi

(d) Sohgaura

Seen Answer

(a) 

1993: A team of archeologists surveyed Sannai, Karnataka. The most dramatic evidence came from Kanagahalli. The discoveries at the site included a broken relief sculpture showing a king and queen flanked by female attendants. An inscription in brahmi letter read "Ranyo Ashoka" (King Ashoka).

 

Q.9] Consider the following : [UPSC : 2019]

1. Deification of the Buddha

2. Treading the path of Bodhisattvas 

3. Image workshop and rituals

Which of the above is/are the feature/ features of Mahayana Budhism ? 

(a) 1 only               (b) 1 and 2 only

(3) 2 and 3 only    (4) 1,2 and 3 

Seen Answer

(d) 

The Mahayana followers believe in idol or image W worship of Buddha. So I and 3 are correct. The concept of Bodhisattva is the result of Mahayana Buddhism. 

So 2 is also correct.

 

Q.10] With reference to forced labour(Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct? [UPSC : 2019]

(a) It was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.

(b) It was totally absent in the Madhya Pradesh and odt to one Kathiawar regions of the Gupta Empire. 

(c) The forced labourer as entitled to weekly wages.

(d) The eldest son of the labourer was sent as the forced labourer.

Seen Answer

(a)

 A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India by 14 Upinder Singh, page 508: Forced labour (Vishti) became more common than ant before in this Gupta period. The fact that it is mentioned along with the taxes in the land grant inscriptions le suggest that Vishti was considered as source of income for the state, a sort of tax paid by the people. The fact that most of the inscriptions referring to Vishti come from Madhya Pradesh and Kathiyawar regions may suggest this practice for more prevalent in this areas. 

So, A is right B is wrong.

 

Q.11] Building 'Kalyaana Mandapas' was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of [UPSC : 2019]

(a) Chalukya           (b) Chandela

(c) Rashtrakuta      (d) Vijayanagara 

Seen Answer

(d)

 -Vijayanagara School: More than one mandaps were built in each temple. The central mandap came to be known as Kalyan Mandap.

 

Q.12] Consider the following statements:  [UPSC : 2019]

1. In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of revenue collection was known as 'Amil'.

2. The Iqta system of Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution.

3. The office of Mir Bakshi' came into existence during the reign of Khalji Sultans of Delhi.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only           (b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 3 only           (d) 1,2 and 3

Seen Answer

. (a) - The first stage of Iqta system started in 1206. The system started with the assignment of different regions as iqtas (territorial areas or units whose revenues were assigned to officials in lieu of salaries) to military commanders, out of whose revenues they could maintain themselves and their troops as well. So, it means Iqta started in 1206 itself and it was not an ancient domeindigenous Indian institution. #2 is wrong. B and D eliminated. - Mughal Central Administration: Mir Bakshi was Head of the military department. So, #3 is wrong. 

We are left with answer A:1 only,

 

Q.13] Consider the following statements: [UPSC : 2019]

1. Saint Nimbarka was a contemporary of Akbar. 

2. Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi. 

Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only 

(c) Both 1 and 2 

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Seen Answer

(d) 

- In the 13th century, Nimbarka and Vallabhacharya were also other preachers of Vaishnavite Bhakti in the Telangana region. Akbar was 15th Century, so unlikely to be contemporaries. #1 is wrong. b"Naqshbandi school degraded Sufism to the status of a handmaid of orthodox Islam. Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi (1563-1624) became the leading spokesman of this school after Akbar's death. His teachings were not confined to the reform of Islam; he advocated a crusade against the Hindus." So, it's unlikely that Kabir would be 'greatly influenced' by such hardcore radical element. #2 is wrong. Besides, Kabir Das timeline is (1398 or 1440-1518) so he was long dead before Sirhindi was even born.

 

Q.14] With reference to the British colonial rule in India, consider the following statements:  [UPSC : 2019]

1. Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in the abolition of the system of 'indentured labour', 

2. In Lord Chelmsford's War Conference', Mahatma  Gandhi did not support the resolution on recruiting Indians for World War.

3.Consequent upon the breaking of Salt Law by Indian people, the Indian National Congress was declared illegal by the colonial rulers.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only 

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only 

(d) 1,2 and 3

Seen Answer

(b) - Called by Viceroy Chelmsford to a War Conference in Delhi in April 1918, Gandhi said in one-sentence speech that he supported recruitment for the war. So, #2 is wrong, by elimination we get answer B.

Q.15] With reference to Indian National Movement, consider the following pairs: [UPSC : 2019]

Persons: Position head

1. Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru: President, All India Liberal Federation

2 K.C. Neogy: Member, The Constituent Assembly

3. P.C. Joshi: General Secretary, Communist Party of India.

Which of the pairs given above is/ are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

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

Seen Answer

(d) 

P.C. Joshi was C.P.I. General Secretary. And K.C. Neogy was member of Constituent Assembly from W.Bengal. Only in Option 'D' this combination is available.

Q.16] With reference to the Mian Tansen, which one of the following statement is not correct [UPSC : 2019]

(a) Tansen was the title given to him by Emperor Akbar 

(b) Tansen composed Dhrupads on Hindu god and goddesses

(c) Tansen composed songs on his patrons 

(d) Tansen invented many Ragas

Seen Answer

(a) 

2018-March, TheHindu. Tansen invented the night raga Darbari Kanhra, morning raga Mian Ki Todi, mid-day raga, Mian ki Sarang, seasonal raga Mian ki Malhar. So #D is right, therefore eliminated, because we've to find wrong statement. - He composed many dhrupads on Ganesha, Shiva, Parvati and Rama. He also composed songs on his patrons. So B and C also eliminated. -Tansen was the title given to him by Raja Vikramjit of Gwalior. So, A is wrong, and therefore it's the answer.

 

Q.17] Who among the following Mughal Emperors Shifted sil emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to album and individual portrait? [UPSC : 2019]

(a) Humayun

(b) Akbar

(c) Jahangir 

(d) Shah Jahan

Seen Answer

(c)

 -Under Akbar, painting appears to have been confined only to manuscript illustration. So B is wrong. Portrait reached great heights during Jahangir's reign. The portrait were painted with great care of details and finesse of drawing and modeling.

 

Q.18] Which one of the following national parks lies completely in the Temperate alpine zone? [UPSC : 2019]

(a) Manas national park

(b) Namdapha national park 

(c) Neora valley national park

(d) Valley of flower national park

Seen Answer

(d) From the given options, Valley of flowers is completely in the temperate zone.

 

Q.19] Atal innovation mission is set up under the   [UPSC : 2019]

(a) Department of science of technology 

(b) Ministry of labour and employment

(c) NITI Ayog

(d) Ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship

Seen Answer

(c)

 The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is a flagship initiative of the Prime Minister, set up by NITI Aayog to promote innovation and entrepreneurship across the length and breadth of the country.

 

Q.20] On 21st June the sun  [UPSC : 2019]

(a) Does not set below the horizon at the Arctic circle

(b) Does not set below the horizon at Antarctic circle

(c) Shines vertically overhead at noon on the Equator 

(d) Shines vertically overhead at the tropic of Capricorn

Seen Answer

(a)

 - On 21st June, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun. The rays of the sun fall directly on the Tropic of Cancer. So, C and D are wrong. - Places beyond the Arctic Circle experience continuous daylight for about six months. So A is correct.