Home › UPSC CSE Prelims › 2016 › History

UPSC CSE Prelims 2016 — History Questions with Answers

All 12 History previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Prelims 2016, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

1. Q1.Vijayanagara Empire

   Regarding the taxation system of Krishna Deva, the ruler of Vijayanagar, consider the following statements:

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 only
   • c)Both 1 and 2
   • d)Neither 1 nor 2

   Explanation: Under Krishnadevaraya, land tax varied by land quality and private workshop owners paid an industries tax. Both statements are correct.

2. Q2.Medieval History

   Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally

   • a)agriculturists
   • b)warriors
   • c)weavers
   • d)traders

   Explanation: Banjaras were itinerant trading and transport communities who moved goods (especially grain) over long distances. Hence traders, option (d).

3. Q3.Mauryan Empire

   Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?

   • a)George Buhler
   • b)James Prinsep
   • c)Max Muller
   • d)William Jones

   Explanation: James Prinsep first deciphered the Brahmi script of Ashoka's edicts in 1837. Hence option (b).

4. Q4.National Movement

   The 'Swadeshi' and 'Boycott' were adopted as methods of struggle for the first time during the

   • a)Movement against the partition of Bengal
   • b)Home Rule Movement
   • c)Non-Cooperation Movement
   • d)Simon Commission's visit to India

   Explanation: Swadeshi and Boycott were first adopted as methods of struggle during the anti-Partition (of Bengal) agitation of 1905. Hence option (a).

5. Q5.Social Reform

   Satya Shodhak Samaj organized

   • a)a movement for the upliftment of tribals in Bihar
   • b)an anti-caste movement in Gujarat
   • c)an anti-caste movement in Maharashtra
   • d)a farmers' movement in Punjab

   Explanation: The Satyashodhak Samaj, founded by Jyotiba Phule, led an anti-caste social reform movement in Maharashtra. Hence option (c).

6. Q6.Constitutional Development

   The Montague-Chelmsford Proposals were related to

   • a)Social reforms
   • b)Educational reforms
   • c)Reforms in police administration
   • d)Constitutional reforms

   Explanation: The Montagu-Chelmsford Proposals led to the Government of India Act 1919, dealing with constitutional reforms. Hence option (d).

7. Q7.Socio-Religious Reform

   Consider the following: Keshab Chandra Sen is associated with the establishment of which of the above?

   • a)1 and 3 only
   • b)2 and 3 only
   • c)3 only
   • d)1, 2 and 3

   Explanation: Keshab Chandra Sen founded the Tabernacle of New Dispensation and the Indian Reform Association; the Calcutta Unitarian Committee was associated with Rammohan Roy. Hence 2 and 3 only.

8. Q8.South Indian History

   In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs (Term : Description):

   • a)1 and 2
   • b)3 only
   • c)2 and 3
   • d)1 and 3

   Explanation: Eripatti was tank-maintenance land (1 correct) and Ghatikas were colleges attached to temples (3 correct). Taniyurs were large autonomous villages, not Brahmin donations (that was Brahmadeya/Agrahara), so 2 is wrong. Hence 1 and 3.

9. Q9.Economy

   With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term 'Araghatta' refers to

   • a)Only 1
   • b)Only 2
   • c)Both 1 and 2
   • d)Neither 1 nor 2

   Explanation: 'Araghatta' refers to the waterwheel (Persian wheel) used for irrigation. Hence option (c).

10. Q10.Society

    With reference to the cultural history of India, the memorizing of chronicles, dynastic histories and epic tales was the profession of who of the following?

    • a)Kaveri and Tungabhadra
    • b)Godavari and Krishna
    • c)Mahanadi and Sone
    • d)Narmada and Tapti

    Explanation: The Magadhas (Sutas/Magadhas) were bards whose profession was memorizing chronicles, dynastic histories and epic tales. Hence option (d).

11. Q11.National Movement

    What was the main reason for the split in the Indian National Congress at Surat in 1907?

    • a)Arunachal Pradesh
    • b)Himachal Pradesh
    • c)Karnataka
    • d)Maharashtra

    Explanation: The 1907 Surat split arose chiefly from the extremists' loss of faith in the moderates' capacity to negotiate with the British. Hence option (b).

12. Q12.Constitutional Development

    The plan of Sir Stafford Cripps envisaged that after the Second World War

    • a)Only 1
    • b)Only 2 and 3
    • c)Only 1 and 3
    • d)1, 2 and 3

    Explanation: The Cripps Mission (1942) proposed Dominion status for India after the Second World War. Hence option (d).