UPSC 1998 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

As direct descendants of Tamerlane, the Mughals of India considered Central Asia their true home and ancestral domain and thus desired to recover their ancestral lands. Also, the areas of Kandahar, Balkh, and Badakhshan were strategically important for the Mughal Empire due to their proximity to the borders of the Safavid Empire. Assertion (A) is correct: Dara Sikoh, the son of Shah Jahan, was sent on a military expedition to Balkh, Badakhshan, and Kandahar. These missions aimed to consolidate Mughal influence in these strategically important regions. Reason (R) is incorrect: Dara Shikoh’s expedition to the Middle east failed despite the use of a large army and advanced Mughal artillery. The campaign did not achieve its goals, and the Mughals suffered significant setbacks during Shah Jahan’s reign, including the permanent loss of Kandahar to the Safavids, weakening their influence in the region.

Explanation

The loss of Kandahar was a significant setback for the Mughal Empire due to its strategic importance. It was located in present-day Afghanistan and served as a vital buffer zone between the Mughals and the Safavid Empire, protecting the western frontier. Kandahar was also a key strategic stronghold, controlling trade and military routes with Central Asia and the Middle East. Its fortifications were crucial for projecting Mughal power into regions like Balkh, Badakhshan, and Herat. Losing Kandahar weakened the Mughal position in the northwest.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: Red tides occur due to the excessive growth of dinoflagellates, which are single-celled organisms containing pigments that cause the water to appear reddish or brownish. These blooms can be found in estuaries, coastal areas, and even open ocean waters. Red tides can be dangerous to marine life and humans due to the toxins produced by the dinoflagellates, which can contaminate seafood and pose health risks when consumed.

Option (b), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Sea tides refers to the regular rise and fall of sea levels due to gravitational forces exerted by the moon and the sun, not to algal blooms. Black tides are typically associated with oil spills in marine environments, leading to a dark discoloration of the water. Sea flowers is not a standard term used in marine science to describe algal blooms.

Explanation

The Simon Commission was set up in 1927 by the British government to review the working of the Government of India Act, 1919, and suggest constitutional reforms. However, it was boycotted by Indians across the political spectrum because all its members were British, and there was no Indian representation. This exclusion was seen as an insult to Indian self-respect and aspirations for greater autonomy. The boycott led to widespread protests, including the famous slogan "Simon Go Back."

Explanation

Edwin Montagu, the Secretary of State for India, described the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of April 13, 1919 as "Preventive Murder". The massacre occurred when General Dyer ordered troops to open fire on a peaceful gathering in Amritsar, killing hundreds of unarmed Indians. This brutal act was carried out under the pretext of maintaining law and order but was widely condemned as a deliberate and excessive use of force. Montagu’s term reflected the British government’s internal criticism of this event, which intensified Indian demands for independence.

Explanation

The Khilafat Movement (1919-1924) was a pan-Islamic political campaign led by Indian Muslims, aimed at preserving the Ottoman Caliphate after World War I. Following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire, British and Allied forces sought to dismantle the caliph’s power, prompting Indian Muslims, particularly under leaders like Ali Brothers (Shaukat Ali and Mohammad Ali), to demand its restoration. A is true: Khilafat Movement united urban Muslims with the broader National Movement, as leaders like Maulana Mohammad Ali and Maulana Shaukat Ali joined Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement. Cities like Delhi and Bombay saw significant participation in protests and boycotts. R is true: Both the Khilafat and the National Movement were united in their opposition to British imperialism, fostering Hindu-Muslim unity during the Non-Cooperation Movement. R is the correct explanation of A: The shared anti-imperialist goal served as a binding factor that drew urban Muslims into the larger nationalist fold.

Explanation

The Non-Cooperation Movement, launched in 1920, aimed to achieve Swaraj through non-violent means. However, the Chauri-Chaura incident in February 1922, where protesters clashed with police and set a police station on fire, killing 22 policemen. A is true: Gandhi did stop the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922 believing that the movement had strayed from its non-violent principles. R is true: The violence at Chauri-Chaura was the pivotal reason for Gandhi’s decision. R is the correct explanation of A: The abandonment of non-violence conflicted with Gandhi’s philosophy, making the incident a decisive factor in halting the movement.

Explanation

The United Nations recognizes six official languages:

Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. This multilingual approach facilitates communication and documentation across the organization’s global operations.

Explanation

The term Ahadis was used in the context of Mughal military service, specifically during the reigns of emperors like Akbar and his successors. Ahadis were soldiers who served in the imperial army.

Statement (1) is correct: Ahadis offered their services individually and were not part of a larger contingent. They were distinct in their roles and reporting structure.

Statement (2) is correct: They did not align themselves with any noble or chief but served independently.

Statement (3) is correct: Ahadis reported directly to the emperor and were considered elite troopers. Their services were provided to the central authority, bypassing local chiefs.

Statement (4) is incorrect: They did not attach themselves to Mirzas (a title for nobles or princes).

Explanation

List-I (Currency) List-II (Country) A. Ringgit 4. Malayasia B. Baht 3. Thailand C. Rupiah 1. Indonesia D. Won 2. South Korea