Social Studies PYQs

Epics are grand, long compositions about heroic men and women, and include stories about Gods.

Key Points

• Epics are long narrative poems or stories that typically involve heroic deeds and are often centred around a particular culture's mythology or religious beliefs.
• They often feature larger-than-life characters who face challenges and overcome obstacles through their courage, strength, and wisdom.
• Epics are typically composed in a poetic form, and they may be written in verse or prose.
• They often focus on the struggles and triumphs of a particular hero or group of heroes, and they may also include themes such as love, loyalty, betrayal, and the nature of human existence.
• Many of these epics were written in Sanskrit, others were in Prakrit (languages used by ordinary people) and Tamil.
• Some of the most famous examples of epics include Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey," which are part of the Greek mythological tradition, as well as the "Ramayana" and "Mahabharata" from the Indian subcontinent.
• Other well-known epics include "Beowulf" from Anglo-Saxon literature and the "Epic of Gilgamesh" from Mesopotamian mythology.

Hence we can conclude that Epics are grand, long compositions about heroic men and women, and include stories about Gods.

The correct answer is (I) is true but (II) is false.  

 Key PointsStatement I is true. Mahayana Buddhism, also known as the "Great Vehicle," developed during the reign of King Kanishka in the 1^st century CE. It is a major branch of Buddhism that emphasizes the bodhisattva ideal, which is the goal of achieving enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings.

Statement II is false. Mahayana Buddhism does not depict Buddha's presence through signs. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of devotion to the Buddha and bodhisattvas, and the belief in the possibility of attaining enlightenment for all beings.

Here are some of the key features of Mahayana Buddhism:

• The belief in bodhisattvas, who are enlightened beings who postpone their own nirvana in order to help others achieve enlightenment.
• The emphasis on compassion and wisdom as the path to enlightenment.
• The use of mantras and visualization techniques to help practitioners achieve enlightenment.
• The development of new sutras, or sacred texts, that emphasize the Mahayana teachings.

The correct answer is both (I) and (II) are true and (II) is not correct explanation of (I). 

Key Points

• In ancient times, people from China went to distant lands on foot, horseback, and on camels, carried silk with them.
• The paths they followed came to be known as the Silk Route.
• The best-known of the rulers who controlled the Silk Route were the Kushanas, who ruled over central Asia and north-west India around 2000 years ago. Hence, statement I is true.
• Their two major centres of power were Peshawar and Mathura.
• Taxila was also included in their kingdom.
• During their rule, a branch of the Silk Route extended from Central Asia down to the seaports at the mouth of the river Indus, from where silk was shipped westwards to the Roman Empire.
• The Kushanas were amongst the earliest rulers of the subcontinent to issue gold coins.
• These were used by traders along the Silk Route. Therefore, statement II is true.

Based on the above discussion, we can conclude that both (I) and (II) are true and (II) is not correct explanation of (I).

The correct answer is **both statements

(I) and (II) are true and (I) is an explanation for (II).**  

Key Points

• Muslim Sultans and Padshahs did not claim to be incarnations of god but Persian court chronicles described the Sultan as the “Shadow of God”.
• An inscription in the Quwwat al-Islam mosque explained that God chose Alauddin as a king because he had the qualities of Moses and Solomon, the great lawgivers of the past.
• The greatest lawgiver and architect was God Himself.
• He created the world out of chaos and introduced order and symmetry.
• As each new dynasty came to power, kings wanted to emphasise their moral right to be rulers. Hence, **Statement

(I) is true.**

• Constructing places of worship provided rulers with the chance to proclaim their close relationship with God, especially important in an age of rapid political change. Thus, Statement

(II) is true.

• Rulers also offered patronage to the learned and pious, and tried to transform their capitals and cities into great cultural centres that brought fame to their rule and their realm.
• It was widely believed that the rule of a just king would be an age of plenty when the heavens would not withhold rain.

Based on the above discussion, we can conclude that **both statements

(I) and (II) are true and (I) is an explanation for (II).**

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

Key Points

• Bidar:
• The craftspersons of Bidar, a city in the northern part of Karnataka, India, were famous for their inlay work in copper and silver, which became known as Bidri.
• Bidriware is characterized by its striking black color, which is achieved by a unique process of oxidizing zinc and copper.
• The designs are then created by inlaying silver into the grooves created by the process.
• Surat:
• 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.
• Surat has also been called the gate to Mecca because many pilgrim ships set sail from here.
• The textiles of Surat were famous for their gold lace borders (zari) and had a market in West Asia, Africa and Europe.
• Panchalas:
• The Panchalas or Vishwakarma community, consisting of goldsmiths, bronzesmiths, blacksmiths, masons and carpenters, were essential to the building of temples.
• They also played an important role in the construction of palaces, big buildings, tanks and reservoirs.
• Saliyar:
• Weavers such as the Saliyar or Kaikkolars emerged as prosperous communities, making donations to temples.
• Saliyar weavers are a community of traditional weavers from Tamil Nadu, India.
• They are known for their expertise in weaving silk sarees and fabrics using traditional handloom techniques.
• The Saliyar community has a long history of weaving and their craft has been passed down through generations.

Thus, the correct matching is: A - IV, B - III, C - I, D - II

The correct answer is both I and II are true and II is a cause of I.

Key Points

• Ashoka’s dhamma did not involve worship of a god, or performance of a sacrifice.
• He felt that just as a father tries to teach his children, he had a duty to instruct his subjects.
• He was also inspired by the teachings of the Buddha.
• There were a number of problems that troubled him.
• People in the Mauryan empire followed different religions, and this sometimes led to conflict.
• Animals were sacrificed. Hence, statement II is true.
• Slaves and servants were ill treated.
• Besides, there were quarrels in families and amongst neighbours.
• Ashoka felt it was his duty to solve these problems.
• People performed a variety of rituals when they fall ill, when their children get married, when children are born, or when they go on a journey.
• In his inscriptions Ashoka suggested that rituals are not useful. Therefore, statement II is true.
• He also suggested that if instead, people observe other practices, this would be more fruitful.

Based on the above discussion, we can conclude that both the statements are true and statement II is a cause of statement I as King Ashoka felt it was his duty to solve these problems and instruct his subjects through inscriptions.

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

Key Points

• Grama Bhojaka – Village headman.
• This term is correct.
• The Grama Bhojaka was the village headman responsible for collecting taxes and maintaining law and order in the village.
• He often owned large plots of land and was an important figure in rural administration.
• Grihapati – Independent farmers.
• This term is correct.
• Grihapati refers to independent landowners who cultivated their own land and were not dependent on others for livelihood.
• They played a key role in the agricultural economy of North Indian villages.
• Dasa Karmakara – Work on other's fields.
• This term is correct.
• Dasa Karmakaras were landless laborers or bonded workers who earned their livelihood by working on other people’s fields.
• They often belonged to the lower strata of society and had limited or no ownership of resources.
• Shilpin – Craftspersons.
• This term is correct.
• Shilpins were skilled artisans or craftspersons who specialized in various trades such as pottery, carpentry, and metalwork.
• They contributed significantly to the village economy by producing tools, household items, and ornaments.

Hence, the correct matches are as follows:

• A) Grama Bhojaka – (IV) Village headman
• B) Grihapati – (III) Independent farmers
• C) Dasa Karmakara – (I) Work on other's fields
• D) Shilpin – (II) Craftspersons

Additional Information

• Role of Villages in Early India:
• The village was the basic unit of the economy and social structure in early India.
• Roles were clearly defined, including administrative, agricultural, and artisanal duties.
• Key Terms:
• Grama Bhojaka: Represented the village leadership and served as intermediaries for tax collection.
• Grihapati: Land-owning farmers who were economically self-sufficient.
• Dasa Karmakara: Indicated dependency on labor for survival, often working under richer landowners.
• Shilpin: Specialists who provided goods and services necessary for daily life.
• Economic Interdependence:
• The village economy functioned on mutual dependence among farmers, laborers, and artisans.
• Landowners provided employment, while artisans like Shilpins fulfilled essential needs.

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

Key Points

• The Ryotwari system, introduced in South India during British rule, established a direct relationship between the government and the tillers or cultivators.
• This system aimed to bypass the traditional village hierarchy and the headmen, facilitating the direct extraction of tax from individual peasants.
• Therefore, while it established a close link with the tillers Statement A is correct
• It did not emphasize revenue extraction through the village headman Hence, Statement B is incorrect

Hence, the statement (A) is true but statement (B) is false.

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

Key Points

• Jyoti Rao Phule:
• Jyotirao Phule was an Indian social reformer, thinker, and activist who lived during the 19^th century.
• He founded the Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873, which aimed to educate and empower people from all castes and religions.
• Jyotirao Phule was a strong advocate for women's education and established schools for girls in Maharashtra.
• Begum Rokeya Sakhawat:
• Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain started schools for Muslim girls in Patna and Calcutta.
• She was a fearless critic of conservative ideas, arguing that religious leaders of every faith accorded an inferior place to women.
• Tarabai Shinde:
• Tarabai Shinde, a woman educated at home at Poona, published a book, Stripurushtulna, (A Comparison between Women and Men), criticising the social differences between men and women.
• Pandita Ramabai:
• Pandita Ramabai, a great scholar of Sanskrit, felt that Hinduism was oppressive towards women, and wrote a book about the miserable lives of upper-caste Hindu women.
• She founded a widows’ home at Poona to provide shelter to widows who had been treated badly by their husbands’ relatives.

Hence, the correct matching is:

Prathana Samaj sought the removal of caste restrictions.

Key Points

• The Veda Samaj was established in Madras (Chennai) in 1864, the Veda Samaj was inspired by the Brahmo Samaj.
• It worked to abolish caste distinctions and promote widow remarriage and women’s education.
• Its members believed in one God.
• They condemned the superstitions and rituals of orthodox Hinduism.
• Just like the Veda Samaj, the Prarthana Samaj was established in 1867 in Bombay, the Prarthana Samaj sought to remove caste restrictions, abolish child marriage, encourage the education of women, and end the ban on widow remarriage.
• Its religious meetings drew upon Hindu, Buddhist and Christian texts.
• The Prarthana Samaj adhered to the tradition of Bhakti that believed in the spiritual equality of all castes.

Hence we conclude that Prathana Samaj sought the removal of caste restrictions.

The correct option is only (A) and (B).

Key Points

• From the early nineteenth century, we find debates and discussions about social customs and practices taking on a new character.
• Raja Rammohun Roy (1772–1833) founded a reform association known as the Brahmo Sabha (later known as the Brahmo Samaj) in Calcutta.
• In the development of new forms of communication for the first time, books, newspapers, magazines, leaflets and pamphlets were printed by social reformers like Rammohun Roy. So statement A is correct.
• The Singh Sabha Movement Reform organisations of the Sikhs, the first Singh Sabhas were formed at Amritsar in 1873 and at Lahore in 1879.
• The Sabhas sought to rid Sikhism of superstitions, caste distinctions and practices seen by them as non‐Sikh.
• They promoted modern education among the Sikhs, often combining modern instruction with Sikh teachings. Thus statement B is also correct.
• Periyar argued that untouchables were the true upholders of an original Tamil and Dravidian culture which had been subjugated by Brahmans.
• He felt that all religious authorities saw social divisions and inequality as God-given.
• Untouchables had to free themselves, from all religions in order to achieve social equality. Hence statement C is incorrect.

Therefore we conclude that the correct option is only (A) and (B).

The correct chronological sequence is (A), (D), (B) and (C).

Key Points

• The consciousness began to be clearly stated by the political associations formed after 1850, especially those that came into being in the 1870s and 1880s.
• Most of these were led by English-educated professionals such as lawyers.
• The more important ones were the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, the Indian Association, the Madras Mahajan Sabha, the Bombay Presidency Association, and of course the Indian National Congress.
• The Arms Act was passed in 1878, disallowing Indians from possessing arms.
• In the same year, the Vernacular Press Act was also enacted in an effort to silence those who were critical of the government.
• The Act allowed the government to confiscate the assets of newspapers including their printing presses if the newspapers published anything that was found “objectionable”.
• In 1883, there was a furore over the attempt by the government to introduce the Ilbert Bill.
• The bill provided for the trial of British or European persons by Indians, and sought equality between British and Indian judges in the country.
• But when the white opposition forced the government to withdraw the bill, Indians were enraged.
• The event highlighted the racial attitudes of the British in India.
• The need for an all-India organisation of educated Indians had been felt since 1880, but the Ilbert Bill controversy deepened this desire.
• The Indian National Congress was established when 72 delegates from all over the country met in Bombay in December 1885.
• The early leadership – Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta, Badruddin Tyabji, W.C. Bonnerji, Surendranath Banerji, Romesh Chandra Dutt, S. Subramania Iyer, among others – was largely from Bombay and Calcutta.

Hence we can conclude that the correct chronological sequence is (A), (D), (B) and (C).

The moderate leaders of the National Movement mobilised public opinion against the economic ruin of the country. 

Key Points

• The Moderate leaders wanted to develop public awareness about the unjust nature of British rule.
• They published newspapers, wrote articles, and showed how British rule was leading to the economic ruin of the country.
• They criticised British rule in their speeches and sent representatives to different parts of the country to mobilise public opinion.
• They felt that the British had respect for the ideals of freedom and justice, and so they would accept the just demands of Indians.
• What was necessary, therefore, was to express these demands, and make the government aware of the feelings of Indians.

Hence, we can conclude that the moderate leaders of the National Movement mobilised public opinion against the economic ruin of the country.

The correct answer is Both (I) and (II) are false.

 Key Points

• In 1956, the Second Five-Year Plan was formulated, not 1954. So statement I is incorrect.
• This focused strongly on the development of heavy industries such as steel, and on the building of large dams, it's true.
• But these sectors would be under the control of the State. Hence statement II is also incorrect.
• This focus on heavy industry and the effort at state regulation of the economy was to guide economic policy for the next few decades.
• This approach had many strong supporters, but also some vocal critics.

Therefore we conclude that the correct answer is Both (I) and (II) are false.

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

Important Points

Statement (A): Inner planets are made of gases and liquids whereas outer planets are made of rocks.

• The inner planets of the Solar System, which include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, are primarily composed of rock and metal.
• They have solid surfaces and dense, rocky interiors.
• On the other hand, the outer planets, which include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, are called "gas giants" because they are primarily composed of hydrogen, helium, and other gases.
• They do not have solid surfaces, and their interiors are made up of layers of gas and ice.
• So, it is the opposite of what the statement suggests.
• The inner planets are made of rocks, while the outer planets are primarily composed of gases and liquids.

Hence, this statement is incorrect.

Statement (B): Outer planets are bigger in size as compared to inner planets and some of the outer planets have rings around them.

• The outer planets of the Solar System are generally much larger than the inner planets.
• Jupiter and Saturn, for example, are much larger than Earth, while Uranus and Neptune are somewhat smaller than Jupiter and Saturn but still much larger than Earth.
• Additionally, several of the outer planets have rings around them. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune all have rings, although those of Uranus and Neptune are less prominent than those of Jupiter and Saturn.
• The inner planets, by contrast, do not have rings.

Hence, this statement is correct.

Key Points

The following are the operational Antarctic Substations of India:

(A) Maitri

(B) Bharti

• India's first Antarctic research station, Dakshin Gangotri, was established in 1983 but it was abandoned in 1990 and is no longer operational.
• Aditi is not an Antarctic Substation of India.

Additional Information

Maitri:

• Maitri is the second research station of India in Antarctica, located at the Schirmacher Oasis, about 1,225 kilometers from the Geographic South Pole.
• It was established on February 26, 1989, and is operational throughout the year.
• The station conducts research in various fields such as geology, earth sciences, and atmospheric sciences.

Bharti:

• Bharti is the third and latest research station of India in Antarctica, inaugurated on March 18, 2012.
• It is located at Larsemann Hills, east of the Antarctic Peninsula, and is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for conducting research in various fields such as biology, earth sciences, and atmospheric sciences.

Dakshin Gangotri:

• Dakshin Gangotri was the first research station of India in Antarctica, established on January 7, 1983.
• It was located at a distance of 2,500 km from India's second station, Maitri.
• However, the station was abandoned in 1990 due to the harsh weather conditions and the need for a better location.

Aditi:

• Aditi is not a research station of India in Antarctica.
• It is a high-performance computing facility established by the Indian Ministry of Earth Sciences in 2018 to support research in earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, and oceanography.
• It is located in the Indian National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) in Goa, India.

Important Points 

• The Equator passes through three of the world's continents: South America, Africa, and Asia.
• The Tropic of Cancer passes through North America, Africa, and Asia,
• The Tropic of Capricorn passes through South America, Africa, and Australia.
• Therefore, none of these lines of latitude passes through the continent of Europe, making it the continent through which none of the Tropic of Cancer, Equator and Tropic of Capricorn passes.

Hence, Tropic of Cancer, Equator and Tropic of Capricorn do not pass through Europe and Antarctica.

The longitude of \(82\frac{1}{2}^\circ\) E is treated as the standard meridian for India. It passes through Eastern Ghats.

Important Points

• Eastern Ghats is the region through which the longitude of E (82°30' E) passes and is treated as the standard meridian for India.
• This line of longitude passes through the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.
• The Eastern Ghats is a range of mountains and hills that runs along the eastern coast of India, from Odisha to Tamil Nadu.

82°30' E has been selected as the Standard Meridian of India because it is situated in the centre of all longitudes and latitudes in which our country is located.

The correct answer is Tropical rain forest on the Western slopes and thorny bushes on the Eastern slopes.

Key PointsThe Western Ghats, a mountain range in India, runs parallel to the western coast of the country. The region experiences distinct climatic conditions on its western and eastern slopes due to the orographic effect (mountains causing the uplift of moist air, leading to precipitation).

The correct answer is:

1. Tropical rain forest on the Western slopes and thorny bushes on the Eastern slopes.

• The Western slopes of the Western Ghats receive a significant amount of rainfall due to the orographic effect, creating an ideal environment for tropical rainforests.
• These rainforests are characterized by dense vegetation, high biodiversity, and a large number of endemic species.
• On the other hand, the Eastern slopes of the Western Ghats are located in the rain shadow region, receiving much less rainfall.
• This results in a drier climate, which supports the growth of thorny bushes and deciduous vegetation.

Additional Information

• The Western Ghats is a 1,600 km (990 miles) long mountain range that runs parallel to the western coast of India.
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the eight "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity in the world.
• The western slopes of the Western Ghats receive heavy rainfall due to the moisture-laden winds coming from the Arabian Sea.
• When these winds encounter the Western Ghats, they are forced to rise, leading to cooling and condensation of the moist air, which results in heavy rainfall on the windward (western) side of the Ghats.
• This abundant rainfall creates an ideal environment for the growth of tropical rainforests, also known as evergreen forests.
• These forests are characterized by a dense canopy, high species diversity, and a large number of endemic species, including trees like teak, rosewood, and bamboo, as well as various types of flora and fauna.

The presence of cave paintings in the Sahara Desert depicting rivers and various types of animals could suggest several things, and the options you listed might all be possible to some degree.

Key Points

However, let's consider each one:

• People of Sahara had been highly imaginative: This is quite possible.
• Any kind of art requires a level of imagination, especially when depicting complex scenes or narratives.
• However, the depiction of rivers and different kinds of animals doesn't necessarily prove high levels of imagination as it could simply reflect the environment they lived in.
• People of Sahara had travelled across the world: While it's plausible that some individuals or groups may have traveled and brought back depictions of foreign animals, the presence of these paintings does not necessarily prove widespread global travel.
• Ancient people often depicted what was part of their daily life and environment.
• Climatic change occurred in the Saharan area: This is likely the strongest inference we can make from these paintings.
• The Sahara was not always a desert. In fact, it was once a lush, green area with a large variety of fauna, including hippos, elephants, and giraffes.
• The presence of paintings of rivers and diverse fauna strongly suggests that the Sahara's climate was very different at the time these paintings were made.
• It's worth noting that this transformation from green to desert, known as desertification, occurred over thousands of years due to shifts in Earth's axial tilt.
• Foreigners were staying in Sahara:
• The presence of these paintings alone cannot prove this claim.
• They could simply reflect the local fauna and landscapes of the time.
• Further archaeological or anthropological evidence would be needed to substantiate this.

In conclusion, based on the information given, the most supported interpretation is that these paintings suggest climatic change occurred in the Saharan area, transforming it from a lush environment teeming with life to the desert we know today. However, it's important to remember that interpreting ancient art always involves a degree of speculation and educated guesswork.