Social Studies PYQs

The correct answer is Vinay Pitaka.

Key Points

• Option 1, Sutta Pitaka, is incorrect as it contains discourses and teachings of the Buddha.
• Option 3, Abhidhamma Pitaka, is also incorrect as it contains Buddhist philosophy and psychology.
• Option 4, Buddhacharita, is incorrect as it is a biography of the Buddha written in Sanskrit by Asvaghosa.
• Option 2, Vinay Pitaka, is the correct answer as it contains the rules and regulations for the monastic community, including the conduct of monks and nuns.
• It provides guidelines for disciplinary actions and procedures.
• It is divided into three sections: Suttavibhanga, Khandhaka, and Parivara.

Additional Information

• The three Pitakas (Tipitaka) are the collections of Buddhist scriptures written in the Pali language and are considered the most important texts in Theravada Buddhism.

The correct answer is Pratihara - Rastrakuta and Pala.

Key Points

• Option 1 (Pratihara - Rastrakuta and Pala) is the correct answer as these dynasties were involved in a tripartite struggle for control over Kannauj during the 8^th and 9^th centuries.
• Option 2 (Rastrakuta - Pala - Pallavas) is incorrect as the Pallavas were not involved in the Kannauj dispute.
• Option 3 (Pallavas - Pala - Pratihara) is incorrect as the Pallavas were not involved in the Kannauj dispute and the Pratiharas were on the opposing side.
• Option 4 (Rastrakuta - Pratihara - Pallavas) is incorrect as the Pallavas were not involved in the Kannauj dispute and the Rastrakutas and Pratiharas were on opposing sides.

Additional Information

• The Pratiharas were a Rajput dynasty that ruled northern India from the 6^th to the 11^th century.
• The Rastrakutas were a dynasty that ruled parts of southern and central India from the 6^th to the 10^th century.
• The Pala dynasty ruled parts of eastern India from the 8th to the 12^th century.
• The Pallavas were a dynasty that ruled parts of southern India from the 3^rd to the 9^th century.

The correct answer is Greek.

Key Points

• The language inscribed on the stone found in Rosetta town of Egypt is Greek.
• The inscribed stone is known as the Rosetta Stone.
• The Rosetta Stone is a decree issued at Memphis in 196 BC on behalf of King Ptolemy V Epiphanes.
• The decree is inscribed in three scripts: Greek, hieroglyphic and demotic.
• The inscriptions on the Rosetta Stone helped scholars to decipher the hieroglyphic script.

Additional Information

• Roman language was not used in ancient Egypt**,** so option 1 is incorrect.
• Aramaic was not a language used in ancient Egypt and was mostly used in the Near East, so option 3 is incorrect.
• Latin was not used in ancient Egypt as it was developed much later, so option 4 is incorrect.

The correct answer is A - IV, B - III, C - II, D - I.

Key Points

• Option 1 suggests that the Sun Pedestal is related to the Eastern Chalukyas, which is incorrect.
• Option 2 correctly matches the Nandi Statue with Kaingas but is incorrect.
• Option 3 suggests that the Image of Bhairava is related to the Chalukyas, which is incorrect.
• Option 4 is the correct answer, which matches the Kali Statue with the Chola King Rajendra I and the Shiva temple.

Additional Information

• Palas mentioned in Option 1 refers to the Pala dynasty, which ruled over Bengal and Bihar during the same period as the Cholas.
• Eastern Chalukyas mentioned in Option 3 refers to a dynasty that ruled over parts of South India, but they were not related to the construction of the Shiva temple by Chola King Rajendra I.

The correct answer is (A), (B) and (D)

Key Points

• The question is about the Sikhs during the 17^th and 18^th centuries.
• • The Jathas were groups of Sikhs who were organised for military purposes.
• The misls were groups of Jathas who came together to form a larger force.
• The Dal Khalsa was the military force of the Sikhs during the 18^th century
• The Rakhi system was introduced by Guru Hargobind, not during the 17^th and 18^th centuries.
• The Rakhi system was a way to offer protection to anyone who sought it, regardless of their religion.
• Guru Gobind Singh did inspire the Khalsa with the belief that their destiny was to rule.
• Guru Gobind Singh also inspired the Khalsa to fight against tyranny and oppression.

Additional Information

• During the 17^th and 18^th centuries, the Sikhs faced persecution from the Mughal Empire.
• The Sikhs organised themselves into military groups to defend against the Mughals.
• The formation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh was a significant event in Sikh history, and it marked the creation of a distinct Sikh identity.

The correct answer is Basavanna.

Key Points

• Option 1: Jnaeshwar is not the correct answer as he was a Marathi saint and philosopher who founded the Varkari Movement.
• Option 2: Shankara is not the correct answer as he was a philosopher and theologian who founded the Advaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy.
• Option 3: Basavanna is the correct answer as he was a 12^th-century philosopher, poet, and social reformer who founded the Virashaiva Movement.
• Basavanna was born in Karnataka in 1134 CE and lived till 1196 CE.
• He was a social reformer who fought against the caste system and advocated for the equality of all human beings.
• Basavanna's teachings were based on the principles of Bhakti (devotion) and Virashaivism, which emphasized the worship of Lord Shiva as the ultimate reality.
• Basavanna's teachings were spread through the Vachana Sahitya, a collection of his poems and writings that were composed in the Kannada language.
• The Virashaiva Movement that Basavanna founded had a significant impact on the socio-religious landscape of Karnataka and influenced the development of various other movements, including Lingayatism.
• Option 4: Ramanuja is not the correct answer as he was a theologian, philosopher, and one of the most important exponents of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition.

Additional Information

• Jnaeshwar was a Marathi saint and philosopher.
• He founded the Varkari Movement, which emphasized the worship of Lord Vitthal (a form of Lord Vishnu) and the importance of devotion and service to others.
• Shankara was a philosopher and theologian.
• He founded the Advaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy, which emphasized the non-dual nature of reality and the ultimate oneness of the individual soul (Atman) and the cosmic soul (Brahman).
• Ramanuja was a theologian, philosopher.
• He was one of the most important exponents of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition, which emphasized the worship of Lord Vishnu as the ultimate reality and the importance of devotion and surrender to the Lord.

The correct answer is Khonds.

Key Points

• Option 1, Khonds, is the correct answer. 
• Khonds are one of the largest tribal communities in Odisha.
• They are known for their unique culture and traditions.
• They primarily live in forest areas.
• They have faced exploitation and marginalization in the past.
• Option 2, Munda, is a tribal community primarily found in Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh.
• Option 3, Gonds, are a tribal community primarily found in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Option 4, Khasi, are a tribal community primarily found in Meghalaya.

Additional Information

• Munda tribes are known for their martial arts and have a rich history of resistance against British colonialism.
• Gonds have a rich cultural heritage and are known for their music, dance, and art.
• Khasi tribes are known for their matrilineal society and their traditional practice of living in elevated houses called "Nong".

The correct answer is All four are categories of land.

Key Points

• Option 1 is the correct answer, which says that all four terms are categories of land.
• Vellanvagai refers to the land given to the temple as a gift by the king or nobleman.
• Devadana refers to the land given to the temple by the devotees.
• Pallichchhandam refers to the land given to the village assembly by the king or nobleman.
• Shalabhoga refers to the land given to the temple as a tax.
• The correct answer shows that the land was an essential aspect of the Chola administration, and the temples played a crucial role in it.
• Option 2 is incorrect as all four terms are not units of measurement.
• Option 3 is incorrect as all four terms are not varieties of taxes.
• Option 4 is incorrect as all four terms are not parts of a temple.

Additional Information

• One of the four main Tamil dynasties was the Chola dynasty.
• The Chola empire was founded by Vijayalaya.
• When the Cholas overthrew the Pallavas to take control in the ninth century, their rule officially began.
• The Chola Dynasty came to an end in the year 1279 CE.
• Rajendra Chola III, the final Chola ruler, was overthrown by Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I.

The correct answer is He was against spreading the knowledge of Western-education in India.

Key Points

• Option 1: He founded a reform association known as Brahmo-Sabha.
• This is correct as Raja Ram Mohan Roy was one of the founders of Brahmo-Sabha, a reform movement that aimed to promote monotheism and reject idolatry.
• Option 2: He was against spreading the knowledge of Western-education in India.
• This is incorrect as Raja Ram Mohan Roy was in favor of spreading Western education in India.
• He believed that the knowledge of English language and Western science and technology would help Indians progress and compete with the British.
• Option 3: He began a campaign against the practice of Sati.
• This is correct as Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a vocal opponent of the practice of Sati, which involved the burning of widows on their husband's funeral pyres.
• He campaigned for its abolition and was successful in convincing the British authorities to ban it.
• Option 4: He wanted greater freedom and equality for women.
• This is correct as Raja Ram Mohan Roy believed in women's rights and advocated for their education and empowerment.
• He opposed child marriage and the practice of purdah, which required women to cover themselves and restrict their movements.

Additional Information

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy was also a social reformer and advocated for the abolition of caste system and the promotion of interfaith harmony.
• He was a polyglot and was proficient in several languages including Bengali, English, Persian, and Sanskrit.
• Option 1 is a correct statement and highlights one of his major contributions to Indian society.
• Option 3 is a correct statement and highlights his efforts towards social reform and women's rights.
• Option 4 is a correct statement and highlights his advocacy for women's empowerment.

The correct answer is Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Key Points

• Both statements (A) and (R) are related to the orthodox Hindu society and the anti-caste system movements of the 19^th century.
• Statement (A) is true as orthodox Hindu society indeed reacted to the anti-caste system movements and formed organisations like Sanatan Dharma Sabha and Brahman Sabha.
• Statement (R) is also true as the objective of these associations was to uphold caste distinctions as a cornerstone of Hinduism and show how this was sanctified by scriptures.
• Statement (R) provides a correct explanation for statement (A) as it explains the objective of the organisations formed by orthodox Hindu society in response to the anti-caste system movements.
• Therefore**, option 1** is correct.
• Option 2 is incorrect as both statements are true, but statement (R) is not the correct explanation for statement (A).
• Option 3 is incorrect as statement (A) is true and statement (R) is also true, providing a correct explanation for statement (A).
• Option 4 is incorrect as both statements are true and statement (R) provides a correct explanation for statement (A).

The correct answer is Both (A) and (B) are true.

Key Points

• Haridas Thakur was a social reformer from Bengal.
• He worked for the upliftment of the lower castes and untouchables.
• He was a follower of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and played a significant role in the Bhakti movement.
• E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker, also known as Periyar, was a social reformer from Tamil Nadu.
• He worked for the rights of the oppressed castes and the abolition of the caste system.
• He was against the Brahmanical texts that supported the caste system and advocated for rationalism and self-respect among the people.
• Both Haridas Thakur and E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker worked for the caste groups that faced discrimination in the society and were against the Brahmanical texts that supported the caste system.
• Therefore, option 1 is correct.
• Option 2, which states that both (A) and (B) are false, is incorrect as both statements are true.
• Option 3, which states that (A) is true but (B) is false, is incorrect as both statements are true.
• Option 4, which states that (A) is false but (B) is true, is incorrect as both statements are true

Additional Information

• Haridas Thakur:
• He was a well-known Vaishnava saint and is credited with helping to launch the Hare Krishna movement.
• He is regarded as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's most well-known convert.
• Chaitanya Charitamrita, Antya lila tells the tale of his moral character and unwavering faith in the face of overwhelming tragedy.
• E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker:
• He founded the Dravidar Kazhagam and the Self-Respect Movement.
• He is referred to as the "Father of the Dravidian movement.
• His birth anniversary has been observed as "Social Justice Day" in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu since 2021.

The correct option is Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

Key Points

• Assertion (A) is true that the Indian National Congress was established in 1885 when delegates from all over the country met at Bombay.
• Reason (R) is also true that A.O. Hume, a retired British official, played a crucial role in bringing Indians from the various regions together to form the INC.
• However, (R) is not the correct explanation of (A) as the statement does not clarify the role of A.O. Hume in the formation of the Indian National Congress.
• A.O. Hume provided the initial idea and support to form the INC, but the actual formation was done by the Indian leaders themselves.
• Therefore, Option 2 is correct.
• Option 1 is incorrect as (R) is not indeed the correct explanation of (A).
• Option 3 is incorrect as (A) is true but (R) is also true.
• Option 4 is incorrect as both (A) and (R) are true.

Additional Information

• Option 1 would have been correct if the statement said, "A.O. Hume played a crucial role in forming the Indian National Congress."
• Option 3 would have been correct if the statement said, "The Indian National Congress was established in 1865 when delegates from all over the country met at Bombay." (which is false)
• Option 4 is incorrect as both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

The correct answer is Tea garden labourers.

Key Points

• Option 1 mentions mill workers, but there is no information provided about their connection to the slogan.
• Option 2 mentions tea garden labourers, who are known to have played a significant role in the Indian Independence movement.
• The correct answer is option 2.
• Tea garden labourers were mostly poor and marginalized workers who were exploited by the British colonialists.
• They played a significant role in the Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.
• The slogan 'Gandhi Maharaj Ki jai' was coined by tea garden labourers to express their support for Gandhi and his ideas of non-violent resistance against the British rule.
• The slogan became popular among the masses and was used in various political rallies and protests during the Indian Independence movement.
• Option 3 mentions indigo planters, but there is no information provided about their connection to the slogan.
• Option 4 mentions peasants, who were also actively involved in the Indian Independence movement.

Additional Information

• Mill workers were also involved in the Indian Independence movement and played a crucial role in the Quit India Movement.
• Indigo planters were known for their oppressive treatment of indigo farmers during the colonial period, and were often targeted by Indian nationalists.
• Peasants were a significant force in the Indian Independence movement, and played a crucial role in various peasant uprisings and protests against British rule.

The correct answer is C. Rajagopalachari.

Key Points

• Option 1: Jawahar Lal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India but he was not the first Indian Governor General of free India.
• Option 2: C. Rajagopalachari was the first Indian Governor General of free India, also known as Rajaji.
• He served as Governor General from June 1948 to January 1950.
• He was a freedom fighter, politician, and writer.
• He was the Chief Minister of Madras Presidency before becoming the Governor General.
• He was a strong advocate of non-violence and was associated with the Indian National Congress.
• Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option 2, C. Rajagopalachari.
• Option 3: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the first Deputy Prime Minister of India and played a crucial role in the integration of India after independence.
• However, he was not the first Indian Governor General of free India.
• Option 4: Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of India but he was not the first Indian Governor General of free India.

Additional Information

• Jawahar Lal Nehru played a key role in shaping India's foreign policy and economic development.
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a freedom fighter and politician.
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad was a freedom fighter and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi.
• He played a key role in the drafting of the Indian Constitution.

The correct answer is Earth.

Key PointsThe question describes three features of a planet and asks to identify the planet.

• The correct answer is option 4, Earth. The following are the reasons why
• Earth is the third nearest planet to the sun, making it the third planet in our solar system.
• Earth is the fifth largest planet in our solar system, after Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
• Earth is slightly flattened at the poles due to its rotation, making it an oblate spheroid.
• Mars is the fourth planet from the sun.
• Mercury is the closest planet to the sun.
• Venus is the second planet from the sun.

Additional Information

• Earth is the only planet known to support life.
• The Earth's atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases.
• The Earth's rotation is what causes day and night, and its revolution around the sun causes seasons.
• The Earth has one moon, which is the fifth largest moon in our solar system.

The correct answer is 08:21 a.m. and 09:10 a.m., respectively.

Key PointsThe question is about the local opening time of central Government offices in India located at different longitudes.

• The correct answer is option 3, i.e. 08:21 a.m. and 09:10 a.m. respectively.
• Explanation: - The time difference between the two longitudes is 12 degrees, and each degree of longitude represents a time difference of 4 minutes.
• The longitude of Gandhinagar is 72°45' E, which is 12°45' west of Patna's longitude of 85° E.
• To convert this time difference into minutes, we multiply 12 by 60 and add 45, which gives us 765 minutes.
• Since Gandhinagar is west of Patna, we subtract this time difference from the opening time of the Patna office, which is 9.00 a.m. IST, to get the opening time of the Gandhinagar office, which is 8:21 a.m.
• Similarly, the opening time of the Patna office is 9:10 a.m.

The correct code is 3) Only (B) and (D) are correct.

Key Points

• World's largest hot desert is located in Asia. This statement is incorrect.
• The world's largest hot desert is the Sahara, which is located in Africa, not Asia.
• Asia does have large deserts, such as the Gobi Desert, but they are not the largest hot desert in the world.
• Equator passes through Asia. This statement is correct.
• The equator does pass through Asia, specifically through Indonesia.
• Indonesia is located between the Indian and Pacific Oceans and straddles the equator.
• Asia is the third-largest continent. This statement is incorrect.
• Asia is actually the largest continent by both area and population.
• It covers about 30% of the Earth's land area and hosts around 60% of the world's population.
• Asia lies in the Eastern Hemisphere. This statement is correct.
• Most of Asia is located in the Eastern Hemisphere.
• Countries such as China, Japan, and India are in the Eastern Hemisphere, among others.

Additional Information

• The world's largest continent is Asia.
• This additional information affirms that Asia is much larger than both Africa and North America, which are the second and third-largest continents, respectively.
• Asia's extensive land area and substantial population make it a key player in global politics and economics.
• The Sahara Desert is the world's largest hot desert.
• It spans several North African countries, including Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Western Sahara, Sudan, and Tunisia.
• The Sahara covers an area of 9.2 million square kilometers.

The correct answer is (A), (B) and (C) are correct.

Key Points

• The thin blanket of air is an integral part of the planet Earth.
• It provides us with the air we breathe.
• It protects us from the harmful effects of the sun's rays.
• Hence all three statements are correct.
• The atmosphere contains oxygen which is essential for animals to breathe and get energy from food.
• It also contains carbon dioxide which is used by the plants to make their own food.
• Nitrogen and oxygen are two gases that make up the bulk of the atmosphere.
• Carbon dioxide, helium, ozone, argon and hydrogen are found in lesser quantities.
• Apart from these gases, tiny dust particles are also present in the air.
• Nitrogen is the most plentiful gas in the air.
• When we inhale, we take some amount of nitrogen into our lungs and exhale it. But plants need nitrogen for their survival.

The correct answer is Large areas are broken and displaced at the same time. 

Key Points

• Block Mountains (Fault mountains):
• Block mountains are also known as fault mountains.
• When block mountains are created then Large areas are broken and displaced at the same time.
• These mountains are formed due to natural faults (break up of bedrock) in the earth's crust as a result of being extended and stretched by the tensile forces.
• Block mountains are created by widely breaking up in a large area of bedrock which displaced the earth's crust vertically.
• These vertical displacements result in tilting the earth's crust and lead to high slopes.
• These mountains have massive structures, steep slopes, and smooth topography.
• The Sierra Nevada Mountains (North  America), Harz Mountains (Germany), Vosges  Mountain (Rhine Valley).

The correct answer is Ladakh.

Key Points

• The correct answer is option 3 - Ladakh.
• Gompas: Ladakh is known for its ancient monasteries or gompas.
• Some of the famous ones are Hemis, Thiksey, and Diskit Monastery.
• Meadows: Ladakh is also home to some of the most beautiful meadows, like Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, and Tso Moriri.
• Glaciers: Ladakh has some of the largest glaciers in India like Siachen Glacier, Drang Drung Glacier, and Biafo Glacier.

Additional Information

• Himachal Pradesh: Although Himachal Pradesh is known for its scenic beauty, it does not have many glaciers or gompas like Ladakh.
• Jammu and Kashmir: Jammu and Kashmir is a large state with diverse landscapes.
• While it does have some gompas and meadows, it may not be as concentrated as in Ladakh.
• Assam: Assam is known for its tea plantations, wildlife sanctuaries, and national parks.
• It does not have gompas or glaciers like Ladakh.