Social Studies PYQs

Sangam literature were composed and compiled in assemblies held in the city of Madurai.

Key Points

• Some of the earliest works in Tamil, known as Sangam literature, were composed around 2300 years ago.
• These texts were called Sangam because they were supposed to have been composed and compiled in assemblies (known as sangams) of poets that were held in the city of Madurai.
• These literary works cover a wide range of subjects such as love, war, ethics, and governance.
• Many poets whose compositions are found in the Sangam collection composed poems in praise of chiefs who often rewarded them with precious stones, gold, horses, elephants, chariots, and fine cloth.
• Madurai was the capital of the Pandyan Kingdom at that time.
• These assemblies were held under the patronage of the Pandyan kings and provided a platform for poets and scholars to showcase their literary skills and exchange ideas.

Hence, the correct answer is Madurai.

The correct answer is (A), (C), (D).

Key Points

• Siddhartha, also known as Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, was born about 2500 years ago.
• He decided to find his own path to realisation, and meditated for days on end under a peepal tree at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, where he attained enlightenment.
• After that, he was known as the Buddha or the Wise One.
• He then went to Sarnath, near Varanasi, where he taught for the first time. Hence, statement A is true.
• He taught people to be kind, and to respect the lives of others, including animals. Therefore, statement C is true.
• He believed that the results of our actions (called karma), whether good or bad, affect us both in this life and the next. Thus, statement D is true.
• The Buddha taught in the language of the ordinary people, Prakrit, so that everybody could understand his message. Hence, statement B is false.
• He also encouraged people to think for themselves rather than to simply accept what he said.

Based on the above discussion, we can conclude that the statements (A), (C), (D) are true.

The correct answer is (A) is true but (B) is false.

Key Points

• As the Delhi Sultans brought the hinterland of the cities under their control, they forced the landed chieftains – the samanta aristocrats – and rich landlords to accept their authority.
• Under Alauddin Khalji the state brought the assessment and collection of land revenue under its own control. Hence, statement A is true.
• The rights of the local chieftains to levy taxes were cancelled and they were also forced to pay taxes. Therefore, statement B is false.
• The Sultan’s administrators measured the land and kept careful accounts.
• Some of the old chieftains and landlords served the Sultanate as revenue collectors and assessors.
• There were three types of taxes:
• On cultivation called kharaj and amounting to about 50 per cent of the peasant’s produce
• On cattle
• On houses.

Thus, the correct answer is (A) is true but (B) is false.

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

Key Points

• Manimekalai is an epic poem that was written in the Tamil language.
• It is one of the notable works of Tamil literature. Hence, statement A is true.
• Manimekalai was composed by the poet Sattanar, also known as Seethalai Sattanar. Therefore, statement B is true.
• It is centered around the story of its eponymous protagonist, Manimekalai.
• She is the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi, who are characters from another famous Tamil epic called "Silappatikaram."
• Manimekalai's story follows her spiritual journey and her encounters with various characters, including Buddhist monks. Thus, statement C is true.
• Manimekalai was composed  around 1400 years ago. Hence, statement D is false.

Hence, the correct answer is (A), (B) and (C).

The Ahoms migrated to the Brahmaputra Valley from present day Myanmar.

Key Points

• The Ahoms migrated to the Brahmaputra valley from present-day Myanmar in the thirteenth century.
• They created a new state by suppressing the older political system of the bhuiyans (landlords).
• During the sixteenth century, they annexed the kingdoms of the Chhutiyas (1523) and of Koch-Hajo (1581) and subjugated many other tribes.
• The Ahoms built a large state, and for this they used firearms as early as the 1530s.
• By the 1660s they could even make high-quality gunpowder and cannons.

Hence, the correct answer is Myanmar.

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

Key Points

• Surat in Gujarat was the emporium of western trade during the Mughal period along with Cambay (present-day Khambat) and somewhat later, Ahmedabad.
• Surat was the gateway for trade with West Asia via the Gulf of Ormuz. Hence, statement A is correct.
• Surat has also been called the gate to Mecca because many pilgrim ships set sail from here. Therefore, statement B is correct.
• The city was cosmopolitan and people of all castes and creeds lived there.
• In the seventeenth century the Portuguese, Dutch and English had their factories and warehouses at Surat.
• According to the English chronicler Ovington who wrote an account of the port in 1689, on average a hundred ships of different countries could be found anchored at the port at any given time. Thus, statement C is not correct.

Hence, the correct answer is (A) and (B) are correct.

The correct answer is Danish East India Company.

Key Points

• The argument for practical education was strongly criticised by the Christian missionaries in India in the nineteenth century.
• The missionaries felt that education should attempt to improve the moral character of the people, and morality could be improved only through Christian education.
• Until 1813, the East India Company was opposed to missionary activities in India.
• It feared that missionary activities would provoke reaction amongst the local population and make them suspicious of British presence in India.
• Unable to establish an institution within British-controlled territories, the missionaries set up a mission at Serampore in an area under the control of the Danish East India Company.
• A printing press was set up in 1800 and a college established in 1818.

Therefore, the correct answer is Danish East India Company.

In the colonial period the British approach to tribals was such that tribal chiefs retained titles over clusters of villages. 

Key Points

• Before the arrival of the British, in many areas the tribal chiefs were important people.
• They enjoyed a certain amount of economic power and had the right to administer and control their territories.
• In some places they had their own police and decided on the local rules of land and forest management.
• Under British rule, the functions and powers of the tribal chiefs changed considerably.
• They were allowed to keep their land titles over a cluster of villages and rent out lands, but they lost much of their administrative power and were forced to follow laws made by British officials in India.
• They also had to pay tribute to the British, and discipline the tribal groups on behalf of the British.
• They lost the authority they had earlier enjoyed amongst their people, and were unable to fulfil their traditional functions.

Therefore, the correct answer is  tribal chiefs retained titles over clusters of villages.

The correct answer is (a) - (ii), (b) - (i), (c) - (iv), (d) - ​(iii).

Key Points

• Calcutta Madarsa:
• ​ A madrasa was set up in Calcutta in 1781 to promote the study of Arabic, Persian and Islamic law.
• It was the first institution of higher learning in India to be established by the British.
• Banaras Sanskrit College:
• ​The Hindu College was established in Benaras in 1791 to encourage the study of ancient Sanskrit texts that would be useful for the administration of the country.
• It was  initially established as a Sanskrit college to promote the study of ancient Indian texts and languages.
• English Education Act:
• Following Macaulay’s minute, the English Education Act of 1835 was introduced.
• The decision was to make English the medium of instruction for higher education, and to stop the promotion of Oriental institutions like the Calcutta Madrasa and Benaras Sanskrit College.
• Wood’s Despatch:
• In 1854, the Court of Directors of the East India Company in London sent an educational despatch to the Governor-General in India.
• Issued by Charles Wood, the President of the Board of Control of the Company, it has come to be known as Wood’s Despatch.
• Outlining the educational policy that was to be followed in India, it emphasised once again the practical benefits of a system of European learning, as opposed to Oriental knowledge.

Hence, the correct matching is: (a) - (ii), (b) - (i), (c) - (iv), (d) - ​(iii).

Gulamgiri, a book meaning slavery, was written by Jyotirao Phule.

Key Points

• In 1873, Phule wrote a book named Gulamgiri, meaning slavery.
• Some ten years before this, the American Civil War had been fought, leading to the end of slavery in America.
• Phule dedicated his book to all those Americans who had fought to free slaves, thus establishing a link between the conditions of the “lower” castes in India and the black slaves in America.
• As this example shows, Phule extended his criticism of the caste system to argue against all forms of inequality.
• He was concerned about the plight of “upper”-caste women, the miseries of the labourer, and the humiliation of the “low” castes.

Hence, the correct answer is Jyotirao Phule.

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

Key Points

• Statement (A) mentions the gathering of a group of nationalist artists around Abanindranath Tagore in Bengal.
• The statement A is true and reflects the historical context of the emergence of a nationalist art movement in Bengal during the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.
• Statement (B) explains the perspective of this group of artists by stating that they rejected the art of Ravi Varma as imitative and westernized.
• They believed that such a style was unsuitable for depicting the nation's ancient myths and legends.
• This statement B is also true and provides an explanation for the rejection of Ravi Varma's art and the adoption of a different artistic approach aligned with their vision of national art.

Therefore, both statements are true, and statement (B) explains the context and rationale behind statement (A).

The correct answer is the idea of untouchability is a social construct and is determined by our thoughts and beliefs.

Key Points

• The poem by Kabir challenges the concept of untouchability and questions the notion of purity and pollution associated with it.
• It emphasizes that touch is an essential aspect of human existence and that the world itself was born from touch.
• The poem suggests that the idea of untouchability is based on delusion and false beliefs.
• Interpreting the poem in this way would help students understand that untouchability is not something inherent or determined by birth or nature of work (options 1 and 2).
• Instead, it conveys that untouchability is a social construct, created by society and shaped by our thoughts and beliefs.
• It encourages students to critically examine and question such discriminatory practices and to recognize that everyone should be treated with dignity and equality.
• Option 4, which suggests that asymmetry among social groups is crucial for society to function, is not supported by the poem.
• The poem challenges the notion of untouchability and does not promote the idea of asymmetry or hierarchy among social groups.

Therefore, option 3 provides the most appropriate interpretation of the poem in the context of addressing the concept of untouchability.

The correct answer is petitioning the rulers to draw attention to injustice faced by Indians.

Key Points

• The moderates, as the name suggests, advocated for a moderate and peaceful approach in their efforts to bring about reforms and gain concessions from the British government.
• They believed in working within the system and using constitutional means to address the grievances of the Indian people.
• Petitioning the rulers was one of their preferred methods to raise awareness about the issues faced by Indians and to appeal for justice and reforms.
• This approach involved drafting and submitting petitions to the British authorities, highlighting the concerns and demanding changes in policies or laws.
• Options 1, 2, and 4 involve more radical or revolutionary methods, which were typically associated with the extremist wing of the national movement rather than the moderates.
• The moderates focused on peaceful protests, advocacy, and negotiations to bring about change.

Thus, the correct answer is petitioning the rulers to draw attention to injustice faced by Indians.

The correct answer is Public and Private sector.

Key Points

• Lifting India and Indians out of poverty, and building a modern technical and industrial base were among the major objectives of the new nation.
• In 1950, the government set up a Planning Commission to help design and execute suitable policies for economic development.
• There was a broad agreement on what was called a “mixed economy” model.
• Here, both the State and the private sector would play important and complementary roles in increasing production and generating jobs.
• What, specifically, these roles were to be – which industries should be initiated by the state and which by the market, how to achieve a balance between the different regions and states – was to be defined by the Planning Commission.
• In 1956, the Second Five Year Plan was formulated.
• This focused strongly on the development of heavy industries such as steel, and on the building of large dams.

Hence, the correct answer is Public and Private sector.

The correct answer is: Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe 

Important Points

Africa:

• Africa is the largest continent in terms of land area. It spans across 30.37 million square kilometers and is home to 54 recognized countries.
• Some of the notable features of Africa include the Sahara Desert, the Nile River, and diverse wildlife in regions like the Serengeti and the Congo Basin.

North America:

• North America is the second-largest continent in terms of land area.
• It covers approximately 24.71 million square kilometers and includes countries such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, and several others.
• Notable geographical features of North America include the Rocky Mountains, the Great Lakes, and the Grand Canyon.

South America:

• South America is the third-largest continent, slightly smaller than North America.
• It spans about 17.84 million square kilometers and includes countries like Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and many more.
• South America is known for the Amazon Rainforest, the Andes Mountains, and iconic landmarks like Machu Picchu.

Antarctica:

• Antarctica is the fourth-largest continent and the smallest among the five. It is located in the southernmost part of the Earth and is predominantly covered by ice.
• Antarctica has a land area of about 14.0 million square kilometers, but most of it is covered by a thick ice sheet.
• It is uninhabited permanently, except for some research stations, and serves as a unique scientific research site.

Europe:

• Europe is the fifth-largest continent in terms of land area. It covers around 10.18 million square kilometers and includes countries like Germany, France, Italy, and others.
• Europe is renowned for its rich history, diverse cultures, and famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, and the Acropolis.

The correct answer is \(66 \frac{1}{2}^{\circ}\)s

Important Points

• The Antarctic Circle is an imaginary line of latitude located at approximately \(66 \frac{1}{2}^{\circ}\) degrees south of the Equator.
• It marks the southernmost point at which the sun can be seen above the horizon on the winter solstice, and below the horizon on the summer solstice.

Among the given options, \(66 \frac{1}{2}^{\circ}\)S is the correct latitude that corresponds to the location of the Antarctic Circle.

The correct answer is Longitude of the place, its relative direction from Greenwich and time at Greenwich.

Important PointsThe concept required to understand and calculate the time of a particular place is the combination of longitude of the place, its relative direction from Greenwich, and the time at Greenwich

Longitude of the place, its relative direction from Greenwich, and time at Greenwich:

• This combination is crucial for calculating the time of a particular place.
• The difference in longitude between the place and Greenwich, along with the time at Greenwich (which serves as the reference point), helps determine the local time at the specific location.
• The time difference is typically calculated by multiplying the longitude difference by the conversion factor of 4 minutes per degree.

  

Additional Information

Revolution of the earth:

• The revolution of the earth refers to its annual orbit around the sun and is not directly related to calculating the time of a particular place. It is more relevant in understanding the change of seasons.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 4: Longitude of the place, its relative direction from Greenwich, and time at Greenwich.

Longitude of the place and its relative direction from Greenwich:

• Longitude plays a crucial role in determining the time of a particular place.
• The Earth is divided into 360 degrees of longitude, and each degree corresponds to approximately 4 minutes of time. By knowing the longitude of a place and its relative direction from the prime meridian (which passes through Greenwich, London), one can calculate the time difference between that place and Greenwich.

Latitude of the place and its relative direction from Greenwich: ​

• Latitude, which denotes the distance of a place north or south of the Equator, is not directly related to calculating the time of a place.
• It is primarily used in determining the climate and other geographical characteristics of a region.

The correct answer is 11PM.

Important PointsWhen the Earth rotates 360° in about 24 hours, it means it covers 15° of longitude per hour.

• Therefore, for every 15° west of Greenwich, we subtract one hour from the time at Greenwich.
• In this case, we are considering a location 15° west of Greenwich, which means we need to subtract one hour from the time at Greenwich.
• If it is 12 midnight at Greenwich, subtracting one hour would give us 11 PM.

Hence, the correct answer is:

11 PM

• When it is 12 midnight at Greenwich, the time at 15° W of Greenwich will be 11 PM.

The correct answer is 'Brazil - Campos'.

Key Points

• Campos:
• The Campos is the tropical grassland found in Brazil, mainly located in the southern parts of the country.
• It consists of both dry and wet grasslands, supporting a variety of flora and fauna.
• This biome is highly diverse and is often used for cattle ranching and agriculture due to its fertile soils.
• The Campos region experiences a tropical savanna climate, with distinct wet and dry seasons, making it suitable for the growth of tall grasses and scattered trees.

Additional Information

• Steppe:
• The Steppe is not a tropical grassland but a temperate grassland found in Central Asia. It features dry, cold winters and is known for its short grasses.
• This biome is suited to grazing animals and is often too dry for crop production.
• Veld:
• The Veld is a temperate grassland found in South Africa, not a tropical one. It is known for its moderate rainfall and is used primarily for livestock farming.
• It has a temperate climate with hot summers and cold winters.
• Pampas:
• The Pampas is a temperate grassland located in Argentina. It is one of the most fertile areas in the world and is often used for agriculture, particularly wheat and cattle farming.
• Like the Veld and Steppe, Pampas is not a tropical grassland.

Important Points

• Tropical grasslands, like the Campos, are generally characterized by seasonal rainfall and can support a variety of plant and animal species, unlike temperate grasslands like the Steppe, Veld, and Pampas, which have more defined climatic conditions and fewer tree species.
• Due to climate and land use patterns, tropical grasslands are often at risk of deforestation and land degradation.

The correct answer is (A) and (C) are true.

Important Points(A) Ladakh is indeed a cold desert.

• It is located in the northernmost part of India, primarily in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
• It experiences extreme cold temperatures and receives very little precipitation, which classifies it as a cold desert region.

(C) Due to the high aridity in Ladakh, the vegetation is sparse.

• The lack of moisture and extreme climatic conditions limit the growth of plants, resulting in a sparse vegetation cover in the region.

Additional Information

(B) The statement that Ladakh is at low altitude and thus the climate is extremely cold and dry is not accurate.

• Ladakh is actually located at high altitudes, with most of its areas situated above 3,000 meters.
• The altitude contributes significantly to the cold and dry climate experienced in Ladakh, rather than being at low altitude.

Therefore, the correct statements are (A) Ladakh is a cold desert, and (C) Due to high aridity, the vegetation is sparse in Ladakh.