31. Consider the following statements regarding the system of dual administration introduced by the British in eastern India:
- Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha came under dual administration when the East India Company acquired from Shah Alam II the right to collect revenue (Diwani) in these regions.
- Dual administration represented a system directly contrary to the earlier Mughal tradition of provincial government, where administrative and revenue functions were separated.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:
Statement 1 is correct, as the Company secured Diwani rights over Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha from Shah Alam II, commencing dual administration. Statement 2 is incorrect; the dual system retained separation of revenue and administration, similar to Mughal traditions, rather than opposing them. Thus, only statement 1 is accurate in the given context.
32. Consider the following statements with respect to the economic impact of the Battle of Plassey:
- After the battle, the company's commercial relations with India underwent a qualitative change.
- The policies of the company ensured ruination of the artisans of Bengal.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Both 1 and 2
[C] Only 2
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
After the Battle of Plassey, the English East India Company gained effective control over Bengal's revenues and used this advantage to change commercial dynamics, financing Indian exports without importing precious metals. Simultaneously, its exploitative policies led to the decline of Bengal's artisan class, who suffered wage suppression and were forced into unfavourable terms, severely damaging local industries. Both statements are correct.
33. Consider the following with regard to the development of modern industries during the colonial period in India:
- Most of the modern Indian industries were owned or controlled by British capital or managing agencies.
- The railway policy of the government discriminated against Indian enterprises.
- The Indian industrial landscape mostly consisted of consumer goods only.
Which of the above was / were among the weaknesses in industrial development during this period?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 and 2
[C] Only 2 and 3
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above]
Notes:
The development of modern industries in colonial India was hindered by several factors. Most industries were controlled by British capital, restricting indigenous growth. Railway policies favored British goods, disadvantaging Indian enterprises. Additionally, industrial activity was mostly limited to consumer goods, with an almost complete absence of capital goods industries, stunting rapid and independent industrial development.
34. Which of the following were among the demands made by the moderate leaders on the colonial government?
- Expansion of legislative councils
- Active government support for rapid industrialisation
- Increasing the intake of Indians in the higher civil services
- Press freedom
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 1, 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
Moderate leaders demanded the expansion of legislative councils, government support for Indian industrialisation, increased Indian representation in higher civil services, and freedom of the press. These were key elements of their agenda for greater participation, economic progress, administrative reforms, and civil liberties during the late 19th century, reflecting all four statements as correct.
35. Consider the following :
- United States
- Great Britain
- Denmark
Arrange above mentioned countries in correct order of their abolishing slave trade?
[A] 1, 2, 3
[B] 3, 2, 1
[C] 1, 3, 2
[D] 2, 1, 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [3, 2, 1]
Notes:
Slave trade was a lucrative business for more than two hundred years till it was abolished in Denmark in 1792, Great Britain in 1807 and United States in 1808.
36. Consider the following statements regarding the Sachar Committee Report:
- The committee examined the social, economic and educational status of the Christian and Muslim community in India.
- 25 per cent of Muslim children in the 6-14 year age group have either never been enrolled in school or have dropped out.
- It suggests that on a range of social, economic and educational indicators the situation of the Muslim community is comparable to that of other marginalised communities like Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Which of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2 and 3]
Notes:
The Sachar Committee, formed in 2005 under Justice Rajindar Sachar, examined only the Muslim community's socio-economic and educational status, not Christians. It reported that 25% of Muslim children aged 6-14 were never enrolled or had dropped out of school. The Committee noted that Muslim socio-economic indicators resembled those of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
37. Which of the following is/are among the criticism of India’s Non-alignment principle?
- India often refused to take a firm stand on crucial international issues.
- India was inconsistent and took contradictory postures.
- It cost India millions of dollars as it remained out of any of the two camps led by superpowers.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 1 and 3
[C] Only 2 and 3
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 and 2]
Notes:
Only first two are among the valid criticism of India’s non-alignment principle. India’s Non-alignment was said to be ‘unprincipled’. In the name of pursuing its national interest, India, it was said, often refused to take a firm stand on crucial international issues. Second, it is suggested that India was inconsistent and took contradictory postures. Having criticised others for joining alliances, India signed the Treaty of Friendship in August 1971 with the USSR for 20 years.
38. Consider the following assertion and reason type statements:
- Assertion(A): The primary reason behind disintegration of the USSR was stagnate economy.
- Reason (R): The Soviet economy used much of its resources in maintaining a nuclear and military arsenal and the space race with the USA.
Which of the above is / are correct?
[A] Both A and R are individually correct and R is the correct explanation of A
[B] Both A and R are individually correct but R is not the correct explanation of A
[C] A is correct but R is incorrect.
[D] Both A and R are incorrect.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are individually correct and R is the correct explanation of A]
Notes:
Both A and R are individually correct and R is the correct explanation of A. The internal weaknesses of Soviet political and economic institutions, which failed to meet the aspirations of the people, were responsible for the collapse of the system. Economic stagnation for many years led to severe consumer shortages and a large section of Soviet society began to doubt and question the system and to do so openly. The Soviet economy used much of its resources in maintaining a nuclear and military arsenal and the development of its satellite states in Eastern Europe and within the Soviet system (the five Central Asian Republics in particular). This led to a huge economic burden that the system could not cope with.
39. Consider the following statements:
- The US absorbs about 65 per cent of India’s total exports in the software sector.
- During the Cold War years, India remained on the opposite side of the divide from the US.
Which of the above is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
Both are correct statements. During the Cold War years, India found itself on the opposite side of the divide from the US. India’s closest friendship during those years was with the Soviet Union. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, India suddenly found itself friendless in an increasingly hostile international environment. However, these were also the years when India decided to liberalise its economy and integrate it with the global economy. This policy and India’s impressive economic growth rates in recent years have made the country an attractive economic partner for a number of countries including the US. Presently, the US absorbs about 65 per cent of India’s total exports in the software sector.
40. Muslin was a very famous cotton textile all over the world during 17th century. Consider the following statements with reference to it:
- Muslin type of cotton textile had its origin in Kerala and neighbouring region.
- Malmal was the finest variety of Muslin found in the Indian subcontinent.
Which of the above is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2]
Notes:
Only the second statement is correct. The first statement is incorrect as Muslin was a type of cotton textile which had its origin in Bengal, particularly, places in and around Dhaka- now the capital city of Bangladesh. The second statement, however, is correct. The finest variety of muslin was called malmal. Sometimes, foreign travellers also used to refer to it as malmal shahi or malmal khas implying that it was worn by, or fit for, the royalty.
