UPSC 2002 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325-1351) was a highly ambitious Sultan of Delhi, known for his bold and often impractical reforms. His policies like introduction of token currency and the shift of capital to Daulatabad was aimed at centralizing administration but led to economic chaos and unrest. Assertion (A) is true: Swarg Dwari was a temporary camp or encampment established by Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi. Reason (R) is true: Muhammad bin Tughlaq left Delhi and resided in Swarg Dwari for approximately two years (1334-1335) due to the devastating effects of the bubonic plague, which had ravaged the city and killed nearly half of his army. Thus R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: Earth has the highest average density among all planets in the Solar System. Earth has a metallic core rich in iron and nickel which makes it denser than gas giants like Jupiter or Saturn. Planet Density (g/cm3) Earth 5.51 Mercury 5.43 Venus 5.24 Mars 3.93 Jupiter 1.33 Saturn 0.69 Uranus 1.27 Neptune 1.64 Options (b), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

The most abundant element in Earth’s composition is iron (Fe), not silicon (Si). Earth’s elemental composition (by mass):

Iron(35%)>Oxygen(30%)>Silicon(15%) The Sun actually contains about 99.8% of the total mass of the Solar System, not just 75%. The remaining 0.2% of the mass is distributed among planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. The diameter of the Sun is 109 times and not 190 times that of Earth. Actual ratio of Sun’s diameter to Earth’s diameter:

Ratio = 1,391,000(Sun) × 12,742(Earth) 109 times

Explanation

The Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilisation) flourished between 2600 BC and 1900 BC in the northern region of the Indian subcontinent. It was prominently spread over Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Western U.P. and Northern Maharashtra.

Explanation

Zia-ud-Din Barani (1285-1357) was a prominent historian and political thinker during the period of Tughlaq Dynasty. His most famous work, "Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi", chronicles the history of the Delhi Sultanate and provides valuable insights into the political and social conditions of the time. He advocated a theocratic system of governance, where Islamic law would guide the state’s policies.

Option (c) is correct:

The Sultans of Delhi, frequently made decisions based on political and administrative pragmatism rather than strictly following Islamic laws. He argued that the state was not "truly Islamic" because the Sultans often supplemented or modified Sharia (Islamic law) with their own administrative and secular regulations (Zawabit).

Explanation

Statement (a) is incorrect: Balban (1266 to 1287) was the first to establish the Diwan-i-Ariz department in the Delhi Sultanate. This department was related to the military and was headed by Ariz-i-Mumalik. Statement (b) is incorrect: Alauddin Khilji (1296-1316) of the Khilji dynasty introduced the practice of branding horses in his military. Branding the horses helped in preventing the fraud of soldiers who might try to misuse government-owned horses for personal benefit. Statement (c) is incorrect: Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325-1351 AD) was succeeded by his cousin, Firoz Shah Tughlaq, not his uncle. Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reign was marked by several controversial decisions, such as the shifting of the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad and the introduction of token currency. Statement (d) is correct: Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388) was the first cousin of Muhammad bin Tughlaq and the most prominent ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty. He was known for his public welfare measures, including the construction of canals, hospitals, schools and implemented various administrative reforms to stabilize his empire. He (Firoz Shah Tughlaq 1351-88) established a separate department for slaves called the Diwan-i-Bandagan under the Wakil-i-dar. He increased the number of slaves by capturing the defeated soldiers and young people.

Explanation

Between 1784 and 1857, the British passed several acts to centralize control, regulate the East India Company’s administration, and address rising unrest in India. These measures ultimately led to the Indian Rebellion of 1857, marking the end of Company rule and the beginning of direct British governance.

Option (a) is correct.

The Charter Act of 1813 abolished the East India Company’s monopoly on trade with India, except for certain key areas such as the trade in tea and commerce with China. The Regulating Act of 1773 was a key piece of legislation that aimed to improve the administration of the British East India Company. It required the Company to submit correspondence and documents to the British government for scrutiny. The Government of India Act 1858 transferred the governance of India from the East India Company to the British Crown following the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The dual system introduced by the Pitt’s India Act came to an end. The Governor-general became the Viceroy. The Pitt’s India Act of 1784 established a dual system of government, where the East India Company was controlled by both a Board of Directors and a Board of Control, with the latter controlling its policy and finances.

Explanation

In the latter part of the 18th century, following the grant of Diwani (revenue collection rights) of Bengal by the Mughal emperor in 1765, the British East India Company began establishing contact with the Garos. The estates bordering the Garo Hills, previously semi-independent, came under British control. However, like the Mughals, the British did not seek to directly govern these estates. Instead, the Zamindars were entrusted with maintaining order, including controlling the Garos. Conflict between the Zamindars and Garos continued until it escalated, leading to the British annexation of the Garo Hills in 1873.

Explanation

Mudrarakshasa by Vishakhadatta is a political drama revolving around the strategic acumen of Chanakya (Kautilya) in securing Chandragupta Maurya’s rise to power. The play narrates the clever maneuvering by Chanakya to win over Rakshasa, a loyal minister of the Nanda dynasty, to Chandragupta’s side. It provides valuable insights into Mauryan administrative policies and the importance of realpolitik during this era.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: A sun halo is caused by the re-fraction of sunlight through ice crystals in cirrus clouds, form-ing a ring of light around the sun. This phenomenon occurs when light bends as it passes through the hexagonal ice crystals, creating a halo effect in the sky. The angle at which light is refracted by the ice crystals typically forms a halo with a radius of about 22 degrees, often appearing as a bright, circular ring. Sun halos are more common in colder regions and can be seen when thin cirrus clouds are present in the upper atmosphere. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

Water vapor in stratus clouds: Stratus clouds are low-level clouds composed of water droplets, not ice crystals. Ice crystals in cirro-cumulus clouds: Cirro-cumulus clouds are not as common for halo formation as cirrus clouds. Dust particles in stratus clouds: Dust does not cause the refractive effects required for a halo.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Equatorial regions general-ly experience two main seasons: a wet season (due to intense convectional rainfall) and a dry season (caused by a temporary shift in wind patterns). These regions do not have four distinct seasons like temperate zones.

Statement 2 is incorrect: In a Mediterranean climate, summers are dry due to the dominance of subtropical high-pressure systems, while winters are wet due to cyclonic activity. This climate is commonly found in areas like Southern California, parts of Australia, and the Mediterranean basin itself.

Statement 3 is correct: In China-type climate rainfall occurs throughout the year. This climate is known as the humid sub-tropical climate and is typical of regions like southern China, Taiwan, and parts of southeastern United States.

Statement 4 is correct: Tropical highlands show vertical zonation of climates, where altitude impacts temperature and vegetation. Example: In the Andes, conditions transition from tropical climates at lower elevations to temperate and alpine climates at higher altitudes. As the altitude increases, temperatures drop, and the climate changes from tropical conditions at the base to cooler temperate or even alpine climates at higher elevations.