UPSC 2003 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

The Saluva Dynasty is credited with stabilizing the Vijayanagara Empire after the decline of the Sangama Dynasty, restoring order and expanding its territories. Under Saluva Narasimha, the empire strengthened its military and administrative structures, ensuring its resilience. The dynasty also laid the groundwork for the prosperity that flourished under the subsequent Tuluva Dynasty. Assertion (A) is correct: Saluva Narasimha, a Vijayanagara Empire ruler in the late 15th century, is credited with ending the declining Sangama dynasty and founding the Saluva dynasty in 1485 CE. Reason (R) is correct: This shift was necessitated by internal rebellion and external threats from the Bahmani Sultanate and the Gajapati rulers of Odisha. His primary motive was to restore stability and prevent further disintegration of the empire. The assertion about his actions and the reason attributing these to his concern for the kingdom’s survival are both accurate, and R explains A effectively. Hence, R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation

Mrichchhakatika (The Little Clay Cart), authored by Shudraka, is a classic Sanskrit drama. It narrates the love story between Charudatta, a virtuous but impoverished Brahmin merchant, and Vasantasena, a wealthy courtesan. This work, set against the backdrop of urban life in ancient India, explores themes of love, morality, social hierarchy, and political intrigue. Unlike epics or courtly literature, Mrichchhakatika focuses on the lives of ordinary people, providing valuable insights into the socio-economic conditions of the time. Other Sanskrit plays ascribed to Shudraka are Vinavasavadatta, Bhana (short one-act monologue) and Padmaprabhritaka.

Explanation

Assertion (A) is true: The amount of atmospheric moisture varies with latitude because temperature differences across latitudes influence evaporation and condensation. Near the Equator, high temperatures increase evaporation rates, allowing the atmosphere to hold more water vapor, resulting in higher moisture content. In polar regions, lower temperatures reduce evaporation, leading to minimal moisture in the air. Reason (R) is true: The capacity of air to hold moisture is directly related to its temperature. Warmer air has a greater capacity to retain water vapor, while colder air can hold much less moisture. Since temperature is latitude-dependent, atmospheric moisture content is indirectly influenced by latitude. Reason (R) explains Assertion (A): Because temperature, which is dependent on latitude, determines the air’s ability to hold water vapor. This explains the variation in atmospheric moisture content across latitudes, with tropical regions being more humid and polar regions drier.

Explanation

Primary productivity refers to the rate at which plants and other photosynthetic organisms produce organic compounds from carbon dioxide and sunlight, forming the base of the food chain in an ecosystem. Assertion (A) is false: While temperate forest soils are generally richer in nutrients due to slower decomposition rates and seasonal leaf litter, tropical rainforest soils are nutrient-poor. The rapid decomposition in tropical rainforests causes nutrients to be quickly absorbed by the dense vegetation, leaving the soil itself infertile. Once the forest is cleared, the exposed soil is rapidly depleted due to erosion and leaching from heavy rains, making sustained agriculture difficult without chemical inputs. Reason (R) is true: The primary productivity (the rate at which plants convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis) of tropical rainforests is indeed very high compared to temperate forests. This is due to consistent warm temperatures, high rainfall, and abundant sunlight year-round, which promote continuous plant growth. However, this high productivity is linked to the forest’s ecosystem, not the soil’s fertility.

Explanation

Assertion (A) is true: Areas located within 5° to 8° latitude on either side of the Equator, often influenced by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), experience year-round rainfall due to persistent solar heating and moisture-laden air masses. The ITCZ is a region where the northeast and southeast trade winds converge, causing warm, humid air to rise continuously. This rising air cools and condenses, leading to frequent cloud formation and precipitation. The consistent high temperatures in these regions enhance evaporation, while the abundant moisture ensures that convectional rainfall occurs almost daily, particularly in the afternoons when the ground has heated the most. Reason (R) is true: Convectional rainfall is characteristic of equatorial regions. High temperatures during the day cause the surface air to heat up and rise (convection), cooling as it ascends, leading to afternoon rainfall. This process is driven by the intense solar heating and high humidity near the Equator. Reason(R) explains Assertion(A): Because the continuous rainfall near the Equator is a direct result of high temperatures and convectional rain, which occurs due to the daily cycle of heating and cooling.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: Temperate coniferous forests dominate due to their vast distribution in the boreal or taiga zones, covering large parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. They thrive in cold climates and represent the largest biome by area, accounting for the highest percentage of forest cover worldwide. Options (b), (c), and (d) are incorrect:

Temperate Deciduous Forests: Found in areas with distinct seasons, like eastern North America, Europe, and East Asia, but their global coverage is smaller than that of coniferous forests. Tropical Monsoon Forests: Found in regions with monsoon climates (seasonal rainfall) like parts of Asia and Africa, they cover a smaller area compared to temperate coniferous forests. Tropical Rain Forests: Found near the Equator, these forests are rich in biodiversity but are geographically restricted to regions like the Amazon Basin, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia.

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect: Pulakeshin-I was the founder of the Chalukya dynasty and ruled in the early 6th century, i.e. before Harsha’s time.

Option (b) is correct: Emperor Harsha (606-647 CE) expanded his empire across North India, ruling from Kannauj and influencing regions like Punjab, Bengal, Odisha, and Central India. Seeking to extend his control southward beyond the Vindhyas, he invaded the Deccan but was defeated by Pulakeshin II, the Chalukya ruler (c. 610-642 CE), around 618-619 CE at the Narmada River. This defeat established the Narmada as the boundary between Harsha’s northern empire and the Chalukyan kingdom, preventing further expansion into the south.

Option (c) is incorrect: Vikramaditya-I was a later Chalukya king, ruling after Pulakeshin-II.

Option (d) is incorrect: Vikramaditya-II ruled even later than Vikramaditya-I and his reign did not overlap with Harsha’s.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Cholas were successful in defeating the Pandya and Chera rulers, establishing a stronghold in peninsular India, and significantly expanding their territorial control in South India during the early medieval period. For example, under Rajaraja I and Rajendra I, the Cholas defeated these rulers and extended their empire across peninsular India.

Statement 2 is correct: The Cholas were also known for their naval power and maritime trade, which led them to conduct expeditions to South-East Asia. Their naval campaigns extended the Chola influence to regions like Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Indonesia, where they challenged the Sailendra Empire. For instance, Rajendra Chola I led a successful naval expedition (1025 CE) against the Srivijaya Empire (modern-day Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand). The Cholas temporarily conquered some areas, demonstrating their naval supremacy in the region.

Explanation

Statement A is false: Maulana Mohammad Ali and Abul Kalam Azad did not resign from the Legislative Council in 1916. They resigned in 1919 during the Khilafat Movement.

Statement R is true: The Rowlatt Act, known for its repressive provisions, was passed despite unanimous opposition from Indian members of the Legislative Council. The Rowlatt Act provoked nationwide protests across India, with people from all walks of life, including students, workers, and political leaders, expressing their anger.

Explanation

The political situation in north-west India during early 16th CE was a suitable condition for Babur’s entry into India. Ibrahim Lodi came to the throne of Delhi in 1517 and aimed to establish a large centralised empire that had alarmed the Afghan chief as well as Rajputs.

Option (a) is correct: Alam Khan, who invited Babur to invade India was an uncle of Ibrahim Lodi and a pretender to the throne of Delhi. Alam Khan along with Daulat Khan Lodi invited Babur to India. In the first battle of Panipat in 1526, Ibrahim Lodi was defeated by Babur.