1. Which ancient republican tribe from Punjab is recorded as a bordering tributary of the Gupta Empire in Samudragupta’s Allahabad Pillar Inscription?
[A] Kunindas
[B] Malavas
[C] Yaudheyas
[D] Arjunayanas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Arjunayanas]
Notes:
Arjunayanas, from Punjab and northeastern Rajasthan, are listed as tributaries near the Gupta Empire in Samudragupta’s Allahabad Inscription. Their coins (2nd/1st BCE) and historical mentions reveal ties to regional tribes like Yaudheyas and origins linked to refugees from Arigaion post-Alexander.
2. What was the primary objective of Jagat Narain Lal’s resolution moved at the Congress session at Allahabad in 1942?
[A] To reject Sir Stafford Cripps’ proposal for Dominion Status and Partition of India
[B] To demand linguistic reorganization of states
[C] To support C. Rajagopalachari’s endorsement of Cripps’ proposals
[D] To introduce land reforms across Indian provinces
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [To reject Sir Stafford Cripps’ proposal for Dominion Status and Partition of India]
Notes:
Jagat Narain Lal’s 1942 resolution at Allahabad Congress, backed by Nehru, rejected Cripps’ interim proposal offering Dominion Status and Partition, and defeated Rajagopalachari’s motion supporting it, marking a decisive nationalist response to British offerings during Quit India Movement preparations.
3. Which significant achievements of Gupta King Samudragupta are described in the Allahabad pillar inscription?
[A] Matrimonial alliances with Western Kshatrapas
[B] Conquests in southern India, including control over Andhra, Vengi, and Chera kingdoms
[C] Invasion of Kashmir and Gandhara
[D] Patronage of Buddhist monasteries in Magadha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Conquests in southern India, including control over Andhra, Vengi, and Chera kingdoms]
Notes:
The Allahabad pillar inscription details Samudragupta’s successful southern campaigns (Daksinapatha), tribute from Andhra, Vengi, and Chera rulers, and his influence through land grants and Brahmanical patronage in the Krishna–Godavari region, as epigraphically recorded in the 4th century CE.
4. According to the Allahabad Pillar inscription, which ruler defeated Hastivarma?
[A] Chandragupta II
[B] Kumaragupta I
[C] Chandragupta Maurya
[D] Samudragupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Samudragupta]
Notes:
The Allahabad Pillar inscription records that Gupta emperor Samudragupta defeated Hastivarma, which consolidated Gupta power in North India.
5. Who was Ashoka’s second queen consort mentioned in the Queen’s Edict on the Allahabad Pillar?
[A] Devi
[B] Kaurvaki
[C] Asandhimitra
[D] Padmavati
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kaurvaki]
Notes:
Kaurvaki, Ashoka’s second queen, is uniquely mentioned in the Queen’s Edict for her religious and charitable acts.
6. Consider the following statements about historical treaties in India:
- The Treaty of Purandar (1665) involved the surrender of 23 forts by Shivaji to the Mughals.
- The Treaty of Allahabad (1765) granted the Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa to the British by the Mughal Emperor.
- The Treaty of Bassein (1802) was an agreement between the British and Maharaja Gulab Singh.
- The Treaty of Salbai (1782) ended the First Anglo-Maratha War and restored territories as per pre-war conditions.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 1, 2 and 4
[B] Only 2, 3 and 4
[C] Only 1, 2 and 3
[D] Only 1, 2, and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1, 2 and 4]
Notes:
The Treaty of Purandar (1665) indeed involved Shivaji surrendering 23 forts to the Mughals. The Treaty of Allahabad (1765) granted the Diwani rights to the British by the Mughal Emperor. The Treaty of Salbai (1782) concluded the First Anglo-Maratha War under the mentioned conditions. The Treaty of Bassein (1802) was, however, between the British and Peshwa Baji Rao II, not Maharaja Gulab Singh. Therefore, statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct while statement 3 is incorrect.
7. Consider the following:
- Allahabad Pillar Inscription
- Junagarh Rock Inscription
- Mehrauli Iron Pillar Inscription
- Mandasor Inscription
Which of the following is the correct order of the above inscriptions from west to east?
[A] 1 2 3 4
[B] 2 1 4 3
[C] 3 4 1 2
[D] 4 3 2 1
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2 1 4 3]
Notes:
The Junagarh Rock Inscription is located in Gujarat, which is west of the others. The Allahabad Pillar Inscription is in Uttar Pradesh, to the northeast of Junagarh. The Mandasor Inscription is in Madhya Pradesh, slightly east of Allahabad. Finally, the Mehrauli Iron Pillar Inscription is in Delhi, which is east of Mandasor. Thus, the correct order is Junagarh (2), Allahabad (1), Mandasor (4), Mehrauli (3). Thus, the correct order is 2 1 4 3.
8. High Courts of Allahabad and Delhi affirmed that the right to change one’s name is a fundamental right under which Article?
[A] Article 13
[B] Article 18
[C] Article 21
[D] Article 23
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Article 21]
Notes:
High Courts of Allahabad and Delhi affirmed that the right to change one’s name is a fundamental aspect of the right to life under Article 21.
The Allahabad High Court allowed a man to change his name, emphasizing the constitutional rights granted under Articles 19(1)(a), 21, and 14, while the Delhi High Court permitted two brothers to reflect their father’s changed surname on their educational certificates, emphasizing the connection between the right to identity and the right to life under Article 21.
9. With respect to the Jawahar Lal Nehru, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- He served thrice as the President of Indian National Congress.
- He introduced the historic ‘Quit India’ movement at the All-India Congress Committee session in Bombay in 1942.
- He became Secretary of the Home Rule League, Allahabad in 1919.
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2 & 3]
Notes:- India celebrates Children’s Day on 14thNovember 2022 to commemorate birth anniversary of the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
- World Children’s Day is celebrated on 20thNovember each year.
- In 1916, he joined Annie Besant’s Home Rule League. He became Secretary of the Home Rule League, Allahabad in 1919.
- Nehru was appointed as General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee in September 1923. Since 1927, he has twice served as the general secretary of the Congress party.
- Nehru was elected as president of the Lahore Session of Indian National Congress in 1929. Nehru advocated for India’s complete independence in this session.
- In 1929-31, he drafted a resolution called Fundamental Rights and Economic Policy, which outlined the congress’s main goals and the nation’s future. The resolution was ratified by the Congress party during the Karachi Session in 1931, which was presided over by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
- He participated in the Salt Satyagraha in 1930 and was put in jail.
- In 1936,he presided over the Lucknow session of the Indian National Congress.
- Nehru introduced the historic ‘Quit India’ movement at the All-India Congress Committee session in Bombay in 1942.
- He was chosen to serve as the president of Indian National Congress fourth time in 1946.
10. Consider the following statements:
- The easternmost occurrence of the Ochre Coloured Pottery level is at Sringaverapura near Allahabad.
- Site Hulas is located on the bank of the eastern Yamuna canal.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:- The easternmost occurrence of the OCP level is at Sringaverapura near Allahabad, whereas the late Harappan distribution area does not seem to extend below the Delhi-Meerut-Bulandshahr zone. No other site gives a better idea of the transformation of the Harappans in the Doab than Hulas, a 5 ha site on the bank of the eastern Yamuna canal, which may represent an old drainage line. Here 43 structures of different phases of Harappan occupation have been excavated.
