MPPSC 2017 — History Questions with Answers
All 12 History previous-year questions from MPPSC 2017, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.
Practice History as a timed test →- Q1.Modern India
With reference to educational institutions during colonial rule in India, consider the following pairs: Institution - Founder: 1. Sanskrit College at Benaras - William Jones; 2. Calcutta Madarsa - Warren Hastings; 3. Fort William College - Arthur Wellesley. Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
- a)1 and 2
- b)2 only
- c)1 and 3
- d)3 only
Explanation: The Sanskrit College at Benaras was founded by Jonathan Duncan, not William Jones (pair 1 wrong). The Calcutta Madarsa was founded by Warren Hastings in 1781 (pair 2 correct). Fort William College was founded by Lord Wellesley (Richard Wellesley), not Arthur Wellesley (pair 3 wrong). Hence only pair 2 is correct.
- Q2.Ancient India
With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: 1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism. 2. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment. 3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- a)Federalism
- b)Democratic decentralisation
- c)Administrative delegation
- d)Direct democracy
Explanation: The Bodhisattva ideal is central to the Mahayana, not Hinayana, sect, so statement 1 is wrong. A Bodhisattva is a compassionate being on the way to enlightenment (statement 2 correct) who delays his own salvation (nirvana) to help all sentient beings (statement 3 correct). Hence 2 and 3 only.
- Q3.Modern India
The object of the Butler Committee of 1927 was to:
- a)Define the jurisdiction of the Central and Provincial Governments.
- b)Define the powers of the Secretary of State for India.
- c)Impose censorship on national press.
- d)Improve the relationship between the Government of India and the Indian States.
Explanation: The Butler Committee (Indian States Committee), 1927, was set up to examine and improve the relationship between the British Government (paramount power) and the Indian princely States. Hence option (d).
- Q4.Ancient India
With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them. 2. Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron. 3. Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal. 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
Explanation: Rigvedic Aryans used coats of mail and helmets while there is no such evidence from the Indus Valley (statement 1 correct). Iron was not known to either Rigvedic Aryans or Indus people, so statement 2 is wrong. The horse was known to Rigvedic Aryans but there is no clear evidence of it in the Indus Valley (statement 3 correct). Hence 1 and 3 only.
- Q5.Medieval India
With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements: 1. Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry. 2. Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy. 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
Explanation: The Siddhas (Sittars) of the Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry (statement 1 correct). The Lingayats of the Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected caste hierarchy (statement 2 correct). Both are correct.
- Q6.Medieval India
Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?
- a)Kakinada
- b)Motupalli
- c)Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam)
- d)Nelluru
Explanation: Motupalli was a very important seaport during the Kakatiya kingdom, mentioned by travellers such as Marco Polo and known from the Motupalli inscription of Ganapatideva. Hence option (b).
- Q7.Ancient India
With reference to the cultural history of India, the memorising of chronicles, dynastic histories and epic tales was the profession of who of the following?
- a)1 only
- b)2 only
- c)Both 1 and 2
- d)Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: The Maagadha (Magadha) were bards whose profession was to memorise and recite chronicles, dynastic histories and epic tales in ancient India. Hence option (d).
- Q8.Modern India
In the context of Indian history, the principle of 'Dyarchy (diarchy)' refers to:
- a)Division of the central legislature into two houses.
- b)Introduction of double government i.e., Central and State governments.
- c)Having two sets of rulers; one in London and another in Delhi.
- d)Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories.
Explanation: Dyarchy, introduced by the Government of India Act 1919, divided the provincial subjects into two categories, 'reserved' and 'transferred', administered differently. Hence option (d).
- Q9.Art and Culture
The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at:
- a)Ajanta
- b)Badami
- c)Bagh
- d)Ellora
Explanation: The celebrated painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is found in the rock-cut caves of Ajanta in Maharashtra. Hence option (a).
- Q10.Art and Culture
With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements: 1. Most of the Tyagaraja Kritis are devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna. 2. Tyagaraja created several new ragas. 3. Annamacharya and Tyagaraja are contemporaries. 4. Annamacharya kirtanas are devotional songs in praise of Lord Venkateshwara. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- a)1 and 3 only
- b)2 and 4 only
- c)1, 2 and 3
- d)2, 3 and 4
Explanation: Most Tyagaraja Kritis praise Lord Rama, not Krishna, so statement 1 is wrong. Tyagaraja did create several new ragas (statement 2 correct). Annamacharya (15th century) and Tyagaraja (18th-19th century) were not contemporaries, so statement 3 is wrong. Annamacharya's kirtanas praise Lord Venkateshwara (statement 4 correct). Hence 2 and 4 only.
- Q11.Ancient India
With reference to the religious practices in India, the 'Sthanakvasi' sect belongs to which one of the following?
- a)Buddhism
- b)Jainism
- c)Vaishnavism
- d)Shaivism
Explanation: The Sthanakvasi is a sect of Jainism, founded by Lonka Shah in the 15th century, that does not believe in idol worship. Hence option (b), Jainism.
- Q12.Modern India
With reference to Indian freedom struggle, consider the following events: 1. Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy 2. Quit India Movement launched 3. Second Round Table Conference. What is the correct chronological sequence of the above events?
- a)1-2-3
- b)3-2-1
- c)3-1-2
- d)2-1-3
Explanation: The Second Round Table Conference was held in 1931, the Quit India Movement was launched in 1942, and the Royal Indian Navy mutiny occurred in 1946. The correct chronological order is therefore 3-2-1. Hence option (b).
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