Social Studies PYQs

The correct answer is Mahatma Gandhi.

Key Points

• Mahatma Gandhi was a political and spiritual leader in India.
• He played a key role in the Indian independence movement.
• He believed that English education had enslaved Indians and that it was necessary to promote indigenous education to achieve true freedom.
• He advocated for the use of vernacular languages in education and the promotion of traditional Indian knowledge systems.
• Gandhi believed that education should be accessible to all, regardless of their social or economic status.
• He emphasized the importance of education in building a just and equitable society.​

​

Additional Information

• Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was a prominent Indian freedom fighter, scholar, and politician.
• He served as the first Minister of Education in independent India.
• He was a strong advocate for secularism and played a key role in the drafting of the Indian Constitution.
• Rabindranath Tagore was a Bengali polymath
• He was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
• He was a prolific writer, poet, and composer who is best known for his works such as Gitanjali and The Home and the World.
• Dadabhai Naoroji was an Indian Parsi intellectual, educator, cotton trader, and politician.
• He was a member of the Indian National Congress and the first Indian to be elected to the British Parliament.
• He was a vocal critic of British colonialism and advocated for Indian self-rule.
• He was also a pioneer in the field of economic nationalism and was the author of the book Poverty and Un-British Rule in India.

The correct answer is (D), (B), (C), (A).

Key Points

• Burzhom is located in the northernmost part of India, followed by Bhimbetka, Hunsgi and Paiyampalli, which are located towards the South.
• Bhimbetka is located in Madhya Pradesh, while Hunsgi is located in Karnataka.
• Paiyampalli is located in Tamil Nadu.
• Burzhom is located in Jammu and Kashmir and is known for its prehistoric sites.
• Option 1 is incorrect because it starts with Paiyampalli, which is located in the southernmost part of India.
• Option 2 is incorrect because it starts with Bhimbetka, which is located towards the central part of India.
• Option 3 is incorrect because it starts with Bhimbetka and ends with Bhimbetka again.

Additional Information

• Bhimbetka is known for its rock shelters and cave paintings, which date back to the Paleolithic era.
• Hunsgi is known for its prehistoric stone tools and artifacts.
• Paiyampalli is known for its megalithic dolmens, which are ancient burial structures made of large stones.
• Burzhom is known for its Neolithic and Bronze Age sites, including ancient settlements and tombs.

The correct answer is (A)-(ii), (B)-(i), (c)-(iv), (d)-(iii). 

Key Points

• The question is about matching historical events in India's ancient times with their corresponding time periods.
• The Sangam Text was composed during the period of 300 BCE-300 CE.
• Alexander invaded the North-West of India in 327-325 BCE.
• The rule of Harshavardhan was from 606-647 CE.
• Xuan Zang came to India during the period of 630-643 CE.

Additional Information

• Option 1 places the composition of Sangam Text during Alexander's invasion, which is incorrect.
• Option 2 places the composition of Sangam Text much earlier than it actually was.
• Option 4 places the rule of Harshavardhan much earlier than it actually was.

The correct answer is Wax.

Key Points

• The 'lost wax' technique is a traditional method of casting bronze sculptures that involves creating a wax model first.
• The wax model is coated in clay and heated to melt the wax, leaving a hollow space in the clay mold.
• Molten metal is then poured into the mold and allowed to cool and solidify, creating the final bronze statue.
• The first material used in this process is wax, which is used to create the initial model of the sculpture. ​

Additional Information

• Clay is used to create the mold, but it is applied after the wax model is made.
• Molten metal is the final material used in the process, which is poured into the mold to create the final bronze statue.
• Terracotta is not used in the 'lost wax' technique, as it is a type of clay that is fired at a lower temperature and used for creating pottery and other ceramic objects.

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

Key Points

• Option 1 is the correct answer, which means that statements (A), (B) and (C) are true about the idea of Sulh-i-kul.
• Statement (A) is true as Sulh-i-kul focused on ethics such as honesty, justice, and peace.
• Statement (B) is also true as an effort was made to frame a vision of governance around this idea.
• Statement (C) is true as Jahangir and Shahjahan did not follow this principle of governance.
• Option 2, which says only (A) and (B) are true, is incorrect as statement (C) is also true.
• Option 3, which says only (B) and (C) are true, is incorrect as statement (A) is also true.
• Option 4, which says only (A) is true, is incorrect as statement (B) and (C) are also true.

Additional Information

• Sulh-i-kul was an idea promoted by Emperor Akbar in the Mughal Empire.
• It aimed to establish peace and harmony among people of different religions, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Sulh-i-kul was based on the concept of universal brotherhood and tolerance towards all religions.
• Discrimination between people of different religions was not required under Sulh-i-kul.

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

Key Points

• Murshid Quli Khan was the Nawab of Bengal from 1717 to 1727.
• He was a powerful administrator who wanted to increase revenue collection in Bengal.
• He ordered a major reassessment of Bengal's revenues to achieve this goal.
• Murshid Quli Khan also wanted to reduce Mughal influence in Bengal and establish his own authority.
• Therefore, Statement (R) is the correct explanation for Statement (A).
• Therefore, option 1 is correct.
• Option 2 is incorrect because Statement (R) is the correct explanation for Statement (A).
• Option 3 is incorrect because both statements are true.
• Option 4 is incorrect because both statements are true.

Additional Information

• The question is testing the student's ability to analyze statements and determine whether they are related or not.

The correct answer is (A) and (C).

Key Points

• The correct answer is option 4, i.e., (A) and (C) are correct statements about the Harappan seals.
• Harappan seals were made out of stones, which were usually of a square or rectangular shape.
• Seals were not generally of circular shape, but the shape varied from square to rectangular.
• Seals usually have an animal carved on them, which could be a unicorn, rhinoceros, buffalo, elephant, tiger, or bull.
• Option 1, which states that only (A) is correct, is incorrect because (C) is also a correct statement.
• Option 2, which states that (A) and (B) are correct, is incorrect because (B) is an incorrect statement.
• Option 3, which states that (B) and (C) are correct, is incorrect because (A) is also a correct statement.

Additional Information

• The Harappan seals were used for various purposes, such as trade and identification of goods and ownership.
• The seals were made by skilled craftsmen who used a variety of techniques to carve the animals and symbols on the stones.
• The Harappan civilization was one of the earliest civilizations in the world, and the seals are an important artifact that provides insights into their culture and way of life.
• The Harappan seals have also been found in other parts of the world, such as Mesopotamia and Egypt, indicating that the Harappans had a thriving trade network.

The correct answer is They were looking for a place to establish kingdom.

Key Points

• The question is about the reasons why hunter-gatherers moved from place to place.
• Option 1: They would have eaten up all the available plant and animal resources. 
• This is a valid reason as hunter-gatherers relied on the resources in their environment for survival.
• They had to move to new locations to find fresh resources.
• Option 2: Animals move from place to place.
• This is also a valid reason as hunter-gatherers followed the movement of animals for hunting purposes.
• They had to move with the animals to ensure a steady food supply.
• Option 3: Plants and trees bear fruit in different seasons.
• This is a valid reason as hunter-gatherers had to move to different locations to gather fruits and nuts that were in season.
• They had to follow the seasons to ensure a varied and nutritious diet.
• Option 4: They were looking for a place to establish kingdom.
• This is not a valid reason as hunter-gatherers did not have the concept of kingdoms or establishing permanent settlements.
• They were nomadic and moved from place to place in search of resources.
• They relied on the environment for survival.

Additional Information

• Option 4 is a clear outlier as it does not align with the lifestyle and practices of hunter-gatherer societies.
• The other options all have a basis in the realities of hunter-gatherer life.

The correct answer is Swami Dayananda Saraswati.

Key Points

• Option 1: Raja Ram Mohan Roy is known for his social and educational reforms, but he did not found Arya Samaj.
• Option 2: Veerasalingam Pantulu was a social reformer and founder of the Andhra Hindu College, but he did not found Arya Samaj.
• Option 3: Swami Dayananda Saraswati is the founder of Arya Samaj.
• He was a Hindu reformer who advocated for the revival of Vedic teachings and rejected idol worship.
• Swami Dayananda Saraswati founded Arya Samaj in 1875 in Bombay, India.
• Arya Samaj is a Hindu reform movement that emphasizes the authority of the Vedas and rejects idol worship.
• Swami Dayananda Saraswati believed in social equality, women's education, and the abolition of caste system.
• Arya Samaj has played an important role in the Indian independence movement and continues to have a significant presence in India today.
• Option 4: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a social reformer who worked for women's education and widow remarriage, but he did not found Arya Samaj.

Additional Information

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy is known for his efforts towards social and educational reforms in India.
• He founded the Brahmo Samaj, which was a socio-religious reform movement.
• Veerasalingam Pantulu was a social reformer who worked for the upliftment of women and the lower castes in Andhra Pradesh, India.
• Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a key figure in the Bengal Renaissance.

The correct answer is America ended slavery a few years before its publication.

Key Points

• Option 1: Some American civil rights activists financed its publication.
• This option is not the correct answer as there is no mention of American civil rights activists financing the publication of the book.
• Option 2: America ended slavery a few years before its publication.
• This is the correct answer as Jyotirao Phule dedicated his book Gulamgiri to the American people because America had ended slavery a few years before its publication.
• This was a tribute to America's abolition of slavery.
• The book itself is about the caste system in India and the oppression faced by lower castes.
• Option 3: This book contains details of the way American Blacks fought in the civil rights movement.
• This option is not the correct answer as Gulamgiri is about the caste system in India and the oppression faced by lower castes.
• Option 4: Phule wrote this book when he went to USA for a short visit.
• This option is not the correct answer as there is no mention of Jyotirao Phule visiting the USA to write this book.

Additional Information

• Jyotirao Phule was a social reformer and activist in the 19^th century in India.
• Gulamgiri was written in 1885 and is considered to be one of Phule's most important works.

The correct answer is (A)-(iii), (B)-(i), (C)-(ii), (D)-(iv).

Key Points

• The question asks to match social movements/personalities with their respective sects.
• Option 2- (A)-(iii), (B)-(i), (C)-(ii), (D)-(iv) is correct as it correctly matches the sects with their respective movements/personalities.
• Satya Sodhak Movement is related to Jyotiba Phule.
• Satnami Movement is related to Ghasidas.
• Matua Sect is related to Haridas Thakur.
• Self Respect Movement is related to **E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker.**​

Additional Information

• Satya Sodhak Samaj was founded by Jyotiba Phule in Maharashtra.
• Haridas Thakur was a Vaishnavite saint who is believed to have been born in the 15^th century in Bengal.
• Matua Sect is a Hindu sect that originated in Bengal and is primarily followed by the Namasudra community.
• Self Respect Movement was started by E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker in Tamil Nadu, which aimed to uplift the Dalits and fight against Brahminical dominance.

The correct answer is Balgangadhar Tilak.

Key Points

• The question is asking about the person who raised the slogan "Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it".
• Option 1: Lala Lajpat Rai is known as the "Lion of Punjab" and was a prominent leader in the Indian independence movement.
• However, he is not the correct answer to this question.
• Option 2: Chitta Ranjan Das was a lawyer and political leader who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement.
• However, he is not the correct answer to this question.
• Option 3: Vallabhbhai Patel, also known as the "Iron Man of India", was a prominent leader in the Indian independence movement.
• He played a key role in the integration of princely states into India after independence.
• However, he is not the correct answer to this question.
• Option 4: Balgangadhar Tilak, also known as Lokmanya Tilak, was a prominent leader in the Indian independence movement.
• He was known for his advocacy of Swaraj, or self-rule.
• He is the correct answer to this question.
• He is known for raising the slogan "Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it".
• He was a journalist, teacher, and social reformer in addition to being a political leader.
• He was one of the founders of the Indian National Congress and was later associated with the more radical wing of the party.
• He was imprisoned multiple times by the British for his political activities.
• He is also known for popularizing the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi as a public festival in Maharashtra.

Additional Information

• Lala Lajpat Rai was a member of the Indian National Congress and was also associated with the more radical wing of the party.
• He was known for his advocacy of Swadeshi, or the use of Indian-made goods, and for his opposition to British rule
• Chitta Ranjan Das was a member of the Indian National Congress and was also associated with the more radical wing of the party.
• He was a prominent lawyer and defended many political activists who were charged with sedition by the British.
• Vallabhbhai Patel was a member of the Indian National Congress.
• He played a key role in the negotiations for Indian independence.
• He was also the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of independent India.

The correct answer is Sarojini Naidu.

Key Points

• Sarojini Naidu was a prominent Indian independence activist and poet who played a key role in the Salt Satyagraha movement.
• Mahatma Gandhi initially opposed the participation of women in the Salt Satyagraha movement, citing concerns about their safety.
• However, Sarojini Naidu convinced him that women were just as capable as men and should be allowed to participate.
• Sarojini Naidu went on to become a leading figure in the Salt Satyagraha movement and was imprisoned several times for her activism.
• Ambabai, Pandita Ramabai, and Tarabai Shinde were also prominent figures in the Indian independence movement, but they did not play a direct role in persuading Mahatma Gandhi to allow women to participate in the Salt Satyagraha movement.

Additional Information

• Ambabai was a Marathi poet and social reformer who worked to improve the lives of women and lower-caste communities in Maharashtra.
• Pandita Ramabai was a social reformer and women's rights activist who founded several schools and shelters for women and children in India.
• Tarabai Shinde was a feminist writer and activist who wrote extensively on women's rights and advocated for gender equality in India.

The correct answer is Direct Action Day – August 15, 1946.

Key Points

• The correct answer is option 2, as Direct Action Day was actually observed on August 16, 1946 and not on August 15, 1946.
• Direct Action Day was called by the Muslim League to protest against the rejection of their demand for a separate Muslim state of Pakistan.
• The day witnessed widespread communal riots and violence in many parts of India, particularly in Calcutta, where thousands of people lost their lives.
• Direct Action Day is considered as one of the major events that led to the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan.

Additional Information

• Lord Mountbatten was appointed as the last Viceroy of India by the British government in 1947, with the mandate of overseeing the transfer of power from British India to independent India and Pakistan.
• The Bombay Session of the Congress was held in July 1946, where the Congress passed the famous "Quit India" resolution, demanding an immediate end to British rule in India.
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the first Law Minister of India and played a key role in drafting the Indian Constitution.

The correct answer is Mesosphere.

Key Points

• Meteorites burn in the Mesosphere.
• Mesosphere: This is the layer of the atmosphere where meteorites burn up due to the high amount of friction caused by the air molecules.
• Stratosphere:  This layer is above the troposphere and contains the ozone layer. It is not the correct layer for meteorites to burn up.
• Troposphere: This is the lowest layer of the atmosphere where all weather occurs. It is not the correct layer for meteorites to burn up.
• Thermosphere: This layer is above the mesosphere and contains the auroras. It is not the correct layer for meteorites to burn up.

Additional Information

• The mesosphere is located above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere.
• The mesosphere is the coldest layer of the atmosphere.
• Meteorites burn up in the mesosphere due to the high amount of friction caused by the air molecules.
• The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
• The troposphere is where all weather occurs and contains the majority of the Earth's air mass.
• The auroras occur in the thermosphere and contain the highest concentration of ions and free electrons in the atmosphere.

The correct answer is: option 1) Only (A) and (B) are true

Key Points

 

• All meridians of longitudes are of equal length:
• This statement is correct.
• All meridians (lines of longitude) extend from the North Pole to the South Pole. Therefore, they all cover the same distance and are of equal length.
• The value of Prime Meridian is 0° longitude:
• This statement is correct.
• The Prime Meridian is defined as 0° longitude and passes through Greenwich, England. It is the starting point for measuring degrees of east and west longitude.
• The equator represents 60° longitude:
• This statement is incorrect.
• The equator is a line of latitude, not longitude. It represents 0° latitude. The concept of 60° longitude does not relate to the equator.

Additional Information

• Longitudes:
• Longitude lines, also known as meridians, run from the North Pole to the South Pole and measure distances east or west from the Prime Meridian.
• The Prime Meridian is set at 0° longitude and divides the eastern and western hemispheres.
• Longitudes are used in conjunction with latitudes to pinpoint exact locations on the Earth's surface.
• Equator and Prime Meridian:
• The equator is the main line of latitude, set at 0° latitude, and it divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
• The Prime Meridian, at 0° longitude, provides a reference point for measuring longitude and divides the Earth into the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

The correct answer is Because the sun is exactly overhead at least once a year in tropical regions.

Key Points

• The torrid zone is the region located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, which receives maximum heat from the sun.
• The correct option states that the sun is exactly overhead at least once a year in the tropical region, which results in maximum heat being received by the torrid zone.
• The other options mentioned in the question do not explain why the torrid zone receives maximum heat.
• Option 2 mentions that the earth is tilted, which is true, but it does not explain why the torrid zone receives maximum heat.
• Option 3 mentions earth rotation, which is again true but does not explain why the torrid zone receives maximum heat.
• Option 4 mentions Earth's revolution, which is also true, but it does not explain why the torrid zone receives maximum heat.

Additional Information 

• The torrid zone receives maximum heat due to the direct overhead rays of the sun.
• The earth is tilted at an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees, which results in the change of seasons and the length of daylight hours.
• Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours, which results in day and night.
• Earth revolves around the sun in an elliptical orbit once every 365.24 days, which results in the change of seasons.

The correct answer is 08:42 a.m. and 09:37 a.m., respectively.

Key Points

• The question asks for the local time to open Central Government offices at two different longitudes.
• The time difference between two longitudes is 4 minutes for every 1-degree longitude.
• For *78° East Longitude near Dehradun, the time difference from IST is (78-82.5)4 = -18 minutes, meaning the local opening time will be 9:00 a.m. - 18 minutes = 8:42 a.m.
• *For 91°45' East Longitude near Dispur, the time difference from IST is (91.75-82.5)4 = 37 minutes, meaning the local opening time will be 9:00 a.m. + 37 minutes = 9:37 a.m.
• Option 1 is the correct answer as it provides the correct local time of opening for both locations.
• Option 2 is incorrect as it provides the reverse order of local times for the two locations.
• Option 3 is incorrect as it provides earlier local times for both locations than the correct answer.
• Option 4 is incorrect as it provides local times in reverse order and earlier than the correct answer.

Additional Information 

• The conversion factor of 4 minutes per 1 degree of longitude is a general approximation and may not be accurate for all locations.
• It is also important to consider other factors, such as daylight saving time, which may affect the local time of opening for Central Government offices in different regions.

The correct answer is Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.

Key Points

• Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata are the cities connected by Golden Quadrilateral.
• Option 1, which includes Delhi, Kandla, Chennai, and Kolkatta, is incorrect because Kandla is not one of the cities connected by the Golden Quadrilateral.
• Option 2, which includes Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Guwahati, is incorrect because Guwahati is not one of the cities connected by the Golden Quadrilateral.
• Option 3, which includes Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkatta, is the correct answer because these are the four major cities connected by the Golden Quadrilateral.
• Option 4, which includes Chandigarh, Kandla, Tuticorin, and Guwahati, is incorrect because the Golden Quadrilateral does not connect Chandigarh and Tuticorin. Option 5 is not a valid option as it is empty.

Additional Information

• The Golden Quadrilateral is a highway network connecting the four major cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.
• The Golden Quadrilateral project was launched by the Indian government in 2001 and completed in 2012.
• The total length of the Golden Quadrilateral is around 5,846 km.
• The Golden Quadrilateral is a part of the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) undertaken by the Indian government to improve road connectivity in the country.

The correct answer is (A)-(iii), (B)-(i), (C)-(ii), (D)-(iv).

Key PointsThe question asks to match different types of forests with their corresponding regions.

• Option 1 (A)-(i), (B)-(iii), (C)-(iv), (D)-(ii) is incorrect because it matches Tropical Deciduous with regions close to the Equator and Tropics, which is actually the characteristic of Tropical Evergreen forests.
• Similarly, it matches Temperate Deciduous with North Eastern USA, China, New Zealand, and Chile, which is characteristic of Temperate Evergreen forests.
• Option 2 (A)-(iii), (B)-(i), (C)-(ii), (D)-(iv) is the correct answer because it matches the correct forest types with their corresponding regions.
• Tropical Deciduous forests are found in India, Northern Australia, and Central America, while Tropical Evergreen forests are found in South East USA, South China, and East Brazil. Temperate Evergreen forests are found in regions close to the poles, such as Canada, Alaska, and Russia, while Temperate Deciduous forests are found in regions with moderate climates, such as North Eastern USA and China.
• Option 3 (A)-(i), (B)-(ii), (C)-(iv), (D)-(iii) is incorrect because it matches Tropical Deciduous with regions close to the Equator and Tropics, which is actually the characteristic of Tropical Evergreen forests.
• Option 4 (A)-(ii), (B)-(iv), (C)-(iii), (D)-(ii) is incorrect because it matches Tropical Deciduous with regions close to the poles, which is characteristic of Temperate Evergreen forests. Option 5 does not provide any answer.

Additional Information 

• Tropical Deciduous forests are characterized by a distinct dry season and are found in regions with monsoon climates.
• Tropical Evergreen forests are characterized by high rainfall and are found in regions with humid tropical climates.
• Temperate Evergreen forests are characterized by coniferous trees and are found in regions with cold climates.
• Temperate Deciduous forests are characterized by trees that lose their leaves in the winter and are found in regions with moderate climates.