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UPSC History Previous Year Questions 2016

1.  In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs:

Term                 Description

1. Eripatti:     Land, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank

2. Taniyurs:     Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins

3. Ghatikas:     Colleges generally attached to the temples

Which of the pairs given above correctly matched?

a) 1 and 2

b) 3 only

c) 2 and 3

d) 1 and 3


Answer. d)



2. With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term 'Araghatta' refers to

a) bonded labor

b) land grants made to military officers

c) waterwheel used in the irrigation of land

d) wasteland converted to cultivated land



Answer. c)



3. With reference to the cultural history of India, the memorizing of chronicles, dynastic histories, and epic tales was the profession of which of the following?

a) Shramana

b) Parivraajaka

c) Agrahaarika

d) Maagadha



Answer. d)



4. What was the main reason for the split in the Indian National Congress at Surat in 1907?

a) Introduction of communalism into Indian politics b Lord Minto

b) Extremists’ lack of faith in the capacity of the moderates to negotiate with the British Government

c) Foundation of Muslim League

d) Aurobindo Ghosh’s inability to the elected as the President of the Indian National Congress



Answer. b)


5. The plan of Sir Stafford Cripps envisaged that after the Second World War

a) India should be granted complete independence

b) India should be partitioned into two before granting independence

c) India should be made a republic with the condition that she will join the Commonwealth

d) India should be given Dominion status



Answer. d)



6. Regarding the taxation system of Krishna Deva, the ruler of Vijayanagar, consider the following statements:

1. The tax rate on land was fixed depending on the quality of the land.

2. Private owners of workshops paid an industry tax.

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. c)



7. Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of

the founder of the Sunga dynasty?

a) Swapnavasavadatta

b) Malavikagnimitra

c) Meghadoota

d) Ratnavali



Answer. b)



8. With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements:

1. Siddhas (Sittars) of the Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry.

2. Lingayats of the Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy.

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. c)




9. Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally

a) agriculturists

b) warriors

c) weavers

d) traders



Answer. d)



10. Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?

a) Georg Buhler

b) James Prinsep

c) Max Muller

d) William Jones



Answer. b)



11. The ‘Swadeshi’ and ‘Boycott’ were adopted as methods of struggle for the first time during the

a) agitation against the Partition of Bengal

b) Home Rule Movement

c) Non-Cooperation Movement

d) visit of the Simon Commission to India



Answer. a)



12. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:

1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism.

2. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment.

3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 2 only

d) 1, 2 and 3



Answer. b)



13. Satya Shodhak Samaj organized

a) a movement for the upliftment of tribals in Bihar

b) a temple-entry movement in Gujarat

c) an anti-caste movement in Maharashtra

d) a peasant movement in Punjab




Answer. c)



14. The Montague-Chelmsford Proposals were related to

a) social reforms

b) educational reforms

c) reforms in police administration

d) constitutional reforms



Answer. d)



15. What is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram?

1. Both were built in the same period.

2. Both belong to the same religious denomination.

3. Both have rock-cut monuments.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) None of the statements given above is correct



Answer. b)


16. Consider the following:

1. Calcutta Unitarian Committee

2. Tabernacle of New Dispensation

3. Indian Reform Association 

Keshab Chandra Sen is associated with the establishment of which of the above?

a) 1 and 3 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3



Answer: b)


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