IAS Prelims 2014: Gs Paper I: Previous Year History Questions
- 1.With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Sankhya school: 1. Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of soul. 2. Sankhya holds that it is the self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent. 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
- 2.Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference between the two?
- A.
Vihara is a place of worship, while Chaitya is the dwelling place of the monks
- B.
Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
- C.
Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the cave, while Vihara is the hall axial to it
- D.
There is no material difference between the two
- 3.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
- 4.Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism?
- A.
The extinction of the flame of desire
- B.
The complete annihilation of self
- C.
A state of bliss and rest
- D.
A mental stage beyond all comprehension
- 5.Which of the following characterizes/ characterize the people of Indus Civilization? 1. They possessed great palaces and temples. 2. They worshipped both male and female deities. 3. They employed horse-drawn chariots in warfare. Select the correct statement/ statements using the codes given below.
- A.
1 and 2 only
- B.
2 only
- C.
1, 2 and 3
- D.
None of the statements given above is correct
- 6.Which of the following statements is/are applicable to Jain doctrine? 1. The surest way of annihilating Karma is to practice penance. 2. Every object, even the smallest particle has a soul. 3. Karma is the bane of the soul and must be ended. 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
- 7.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 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
- 8.Lord Buddha's image is sometimes shown with the 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 family dissolve into the Earth, and thus this life is transitory
- D.
Both the statement (a) and (b) are correct in this context
- 9.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
- 10.With reference to the scientific progress of ancient India, which of the statements given below are correct? 1. Different kinds of specialized surgical instruments were in common use by 1st century AD. 2. Transplant of internal organs in the human body had begun by the beginning of 3rd century AD. 3. The concept of since of an angle was known in 5th century AD. 4. The concept of cyclic quadrilaterals was known in 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
- 11.India maintained its early cultural contacts and trade links with Southeast Asia across the Bay of Bengal. For this pre-eminence of early maritime history of Bay of Bengal, which of the following could be the most convincing explanation/explanations?
- A.
As compared to other countries, India had a better strip-building technology in ancient and medieval times
- B.
The rulers of southern India always patronized traders, Brahmin priests and Buddhist monks in this context
- C.
Monsoon winds across the Bay of Bengal facilitated the Sea Voyages
- D.
Both (a) and (b) are convincing explanations in this context
- 12.The Jain philosophy holds that the world is ‘created 'and maintained by
- A.
Universal Law
- B.
Universal Truth
- C.
Universal Faith
- D.
Universal Soul
- 13.Regarding the Indus Valley Civilization, consider the following statements: 1. It was predominantly a secular civilization and the religious element, though present, did not dominate the scene. 2. During this period, cotton was used for manufacturing textiles in India. 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
- 14.The "dharma" and "rita" depict a central idea of ancient Vedic civilization of India. In this context, consider the following statements: 1. Dharma was a conception of obligations and of the discharge of one's duties to oneself and to others. 2. Rita was the fundamental moral law governing the functioning of the universe and all it contained. 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
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