1. Consider the following traditional water management system with states to which they are associated:
- Dongs – Assam
- Jampois – West Bengal
- Bandhas – Odisha
Which of the above is/are correct?
[A] 1 & 2 Only
[B] 3 Only
[C] 2 & 3 Only
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ 1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
Dongs are ponds constructed by the Bodo tribes of Assam to harvest water for irrigation. Jampois are small irrigation channels linking rice fields to streams in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. The katas, mundas and bandhas were the main irrigation sources in the ancient tribal kingdom of the Gonds (now in Odisha and Madhya Pradesh).
2. Which of the following rivers originates in Bhutan and flows through India and Bangladesh before merging with the Brahmaputra River?
[A] Dharla River
[B] Ganges River
[C] Dudhkumar River
[D] Teesta River
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Dudhkumar River]
Notes:
The Dudhkumar River, approximately 370 kilometers long, originates in Bhutan and flows through India and Bangladesh, ultimately draining into the Brahmaputra River. This river is significant as it traverses diverse ecosystems and supports local agriculture. The Dharla River, while also flowing through the region, does not originate in Bhutan. The Teesta River is another important river in the area, known for its hydropower potential.
3. How many lower Palaeolithic sites were in West Bengal, till the end of 2020?
[A] 165
[B] 160
[C] 162
[D] 170
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [162]
Notes:
There are 162 lower Palaeolithic sites in this state. The majority of the lower
Palaeolithic sites have been reported from Radh plain and are located on the
foothills, valley slopes and river banks. The tools in this region were mainly made by
pebbles of quartz and quartzite.
4. Who was the king of Thanesar, as well as the brother of Harshavardhana?
[A] Rajyavardhana
[B] Adityavardhana
[C] Mriganka
[D] Shashanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rajyavardhana]
Notes:
Harsha’s brother, Rajya Vardhana, then the king at Thanesar. However, Shashanka, king of Gauda in Eastern Bengal, then entered Magadha as a friend of Rajyavardhana, but in secret alliance with the Malwa king. Accordingly, Shashanka treacherously murdered Rajyavardhana.
5. Who was called Shiladityaraja?
[A] Harshavardhana
[B] Ashoka
[C] Chandragupta Maurya
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Harshavardhana ]
Notes:
Harsha’s reign was marked by many military victories and he brought most of north India under his control as he brought the five ‘Indies (regions)’ — Punjab, Kannauj, Bengal, Orissa, Mithila and assumed the title of ‘Siladitya’ (as mentioned in travel records of Chinese traveler Xuanzang (Hsuan Tsang).
6. How many rulers did Anga have?
[A] 15
[B] 12
[C] 20
[D] 6
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [12]
Notes:
Anga – (eponymous founder of the kingdom and son of King Vali), Brihadratha, Karna,
Vrishaketu – ‘Chief of the Angas’, Tamralipta, Lomapada – (a friend of the King of Kosala Dasaratha), Chitraratha, Vrihadratha, Vasuhoma, Dhatarattha, Dhadivahana, and Brahmadatta – Last king of Anga.
7. Paisa was
[A] Silver coins
[B] Copper coins
[C] Gold coins
[D] Bronze coins
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Copper coins]
Notes:
Copper coins, diring Sher Shah Suri’s time, were called Paisa and were also minted by his government.
8. Tat-parya-chandrika was written by–
[A] Vedavyas
[B] Vyasatirtha
[C] Virbala
[D] Vikrampandit
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vyasatirtha]
Notes:
In Sanskrit, Vyasatirtha wrote Bhedo-jjivana, Tat-parya-chandrika, Nyaya-mrita (a work directed against Advaita philosophy) and Tarka-tandava. Krishna Deva Raya himself an accomplished scholar wrote Madalasa Charita, Satyavadu Parinaya and Rasamanjari and Jambavati Kalyana.
9. Nusrat Shah erected–
[A] Babari Mosque
[B] Pir-Hakim Pirha mosque
[C] Talmali Mosque
[D] Barra Sona Mosque
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Barra Sona Mosque ]
Notes:
Like his father, Nusrat Shah also patronized Bengali literature. He also erected
a number of public buildings, the most important among them being the Barra Sona Mosque (Great Golden Mosque) at Gaur (1526), the largest
structure in this ancient capital.
10. For how many years peace prevailed in Bengal during the reign of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb?
[A] 1620-1699 CE
[B] 1635-1714 CE
[C] 1630-1709 CE
[D] 1628-1707 CE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1628-1707 CE]
Notes:
During the reign of Mughal emperor Jahangir, Bengal was finally integrated as a
Mughal province. During this time Bengal witnessed many revolts by powerful zamindars. On the whole, peace and prosperity prevailed in
Bengal from 1628 to 1707 CE during the reign of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb.
