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UPSC History Previous Year Questions 2012

1. With reference to the scientific progress of ancient India, which of the statements given below is correct?

1. Different kinds of specialized surgical instruments were in common use by the 1st century AD.

2. Transplant of internal organs in the human body had the beginning of the 3rd century AD.

3. The concept of the sine of an angle was known in the 5th century AD.

4. The concept of cyclic quadrilaterals was known in the 7th century AD.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 3 and 4 only

c) 1, 3, and 4 only

d) 1, 2, 3 and 4



Answer. a)




2. With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism?

1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment.

2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas.

3. Denial of the efficacy of rituals.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a) 1 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3



Answer. b)



3. The Nagara, the Dravida, and the Vesara are the

) three main racial groups of the Indian subcontinent.

b) the main linguistic divisions into which the languages of India can be classified.

c) Three main styles of Indian temple architecture.

d) Three main musical Gharanas prevalent in India.



Answer. c)



4. The Congress ministries resigned in the seven provinces in 1939, because:

a) The Congress could not form ministries in the other four provinces.

b) Emergence of a ‘left wing’ in Congress made the working of the ministries impossible.

c) There were widespread communal disturbances in their provinces.

d) None of the statements (a), (b), and (c) given above is correct



Answer. d)



5. Which of the following is/are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act, of 1919?

1. Introduction of diarchy in the executive government of the provinces.

2. Introduction of separate communal electorates for Muslims.

3. Devolution of legislative authority from the center to the provinces.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a) 1 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3



Answer. c)



6. During the Indian freedom struggle, the National Social Conference was formed. What was the reason for its formation?

a) Different social reform groups or organizations of the Bengal region united to form a single body to discuss the issues of larger interest and to prepare appropriate petitions/representations to the government.

b) Indian National Congress did not want to include social reforms in its deliberations and decided to form a separate body for such a purpose.

c) Behramji Malabari and M.G. Ranade decided to bring together all the social reform groups of the country under one organization.

d) None of the statements (a), (b), and (c) given above is correct in this context.



Answer. c)



7. Which of the following parties were established by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar?

1. The Peasants and Workers Party of India.

2. All India Scheduled Castes Federation.

3. The Independent Labour Party.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3



Answer. b)



8. Mahatma Gandhi undertook fast unto death in 1932, mainly because

a) Round Table Conference failed to satisfy Indian political aspirations.

b) Congress and Muslim League had differences of opinion.

c) Ramsay Macdonald announced the Communal Award.

d) None of the statements (a), (b), and (c) given above is correct in this context



Answer. c)



9. With reference to Ryotwari Settlement, consider the following statements:

1. The rent was paid directly by the peasants to the Government.

2. The government gave Pattas to the Ryots.

3. The lands were surveyed and assessed before being taxed.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 1 and 2 only

c) 1, 2 and 3

d) None



Answer. c)



10. Consider the following statements:

The most effective contribution made by Dadabhai Naoroji to the cause of the Indian National Movement was that he

1. Exposed the economic exploitation of India by the British.

2. Interpreted the ancient Indian texts and restored the self-confidence of Indians.

3. Stressed the need for eradication of all the social evils before anything else.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3



Answer. A)




11. With reference to Dhrupad, one of the major traditions of India that has been kept alive for centuries, which of the following statements are correct?

1. Dhrupad originated and developed in the Rajput kingdoms during the Mughal period.

2. Dhrupad is primarily devotional and spiritual music.

3.    Dhrupad Alap uses Sanskrit syllables from Mantras.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1, 2 and 3

d) None of the above is correct



Answer. B)




12. How do you distinguish between Kuchipudi and Bharatnatyam dances?

1. Dancers occasionally peaking dialogues are found in Kuchipudi dance but not in Bharatnatyam.

2. Dancing on the brass plate by keeping the feet on its edges is a feature of Bharatnatyam but Kuchipudi dance does not have such a form of movement. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2



Answer. a)



13. With reference to the religious history of medieval India, the Sufi mystics were known to pursue which of the following practices?

1. Meditation and control of breath.

2. Severe ascetic exercises in a lonely place.

3. Recitation of holy songs to arouse a state of ecstasy in their audience.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3



Answer. D)


14. The Rowlatt Act aimed at

a) Compulsory economic support to war efforts

b) Imprisonment without trial and summary procedures for trial

c) Suppression of the Khilafat Movement.

d) Imposition of restrictions on freedom of the press.



Answer. b)



15. The Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress (1929) is very important in history, because

1. Congress passed a resolution demanding complete independence.

2. The rift between the extremists and moderates was resolved in that Session.

3. A resolution was passed rejecting the two-nation theory in that Session

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 and 3

c) 1 and 3

d) None of the above



Answer. A)


16. Lord Buddha’s image is sometimes shown with a hand gesture called ‘Bhumisparsha Mudra’. It symbolizes.

a) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to watch over Mara and to prevent Mara from disturbing his meditation.

b) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara.

c) Buddha’s reminder to his followers that they all arise from the Earth and finally dissolve into the Earth, and thus this life is transitory.

d) Both the statements (a) and (b) are correct in this context.



Answer. b)



17. The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of

a) Bhakti

b) Image worship and Yajnas

c) Worship of nature and Yajnas 

d) Worship of nature and Bhakti


Answer. c)



18. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Brahmo Samaj?

1. It opposed idolatry.

2. It denied the need for a priestly class for interpreting religious texts.

3. It popularized the doctrine that the Vedas are infallible.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a) 1 only

b) 1 and 2 only

c) 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3



Answer. b)



19. Consider the following:

1. Assessment of land revenue on the basis of the nature of the soil and the quality of crops.

2. Use of mobile cannons in warfare.

3. Cultivation of tobacco and red chilies.

Which of the above was/were introduced into India by the English?

a) 1 only

b) 1 and 2

c) 2 and 3

d) None



Answer. d)



20. With reference to the guilds (Shreni) of ancient India that played a very important role in the country’s economy, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Every guild was registered with the central authority of the State and the king was the chief administrative authority on them.

2. The wages, rules of work, standards, and prices were fixed by the guild.

3. The guild had judicial powers over its own members.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 3 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3



Answer. c)


21. The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in the

a) Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909 

b) Montagu-Chelmsford Act, 1919

c) Government of India Act, 1935

d) Indian Independence Act, 1947



Answer. c)


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