UPSC 2004 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

Tughlaq dynasty (1320-1413) which was the third ruling dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate was founded by the Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq who was commonly referred to as Ghazi Malik. Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud Shah, another name for Mahmud Shah Tughluq was the final sultan of the Tughlaq dynasty to govern the Islamic Delhi Sultanate. The list of rulers who ruled the Tughlaq dynasty are:

Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq - 1320-25 Muhammed Bin Tuglaq - 1325-51 Feroz Shah Tughlaq - 1351-88 Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq shah II 1388-1390 Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah 1390-1394 Mahmud Shah Tughlaq 1394-1412

Explanation

The Atharvaveda, known as the "Veda of magical formulas" or the "Veda of charms and spells," includes numerous incantations aimed at warding off evil and curing diseases.

Explanation

The 18th and 19th centuries were marked by a series of wars between the British and various Indian powers as part of the British East India Company’s efforts to consolidate control.

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: AD 1767-69 marks the First Anglo-Mysore War, not the First Anglo-Maratha War. The First Anglo-Maratha War occurred later, from 1775 to 1782.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: AD 1790-92 corresponds to the Third Mysore War, fought between the British East India Company and Tipu Sultan.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: AD 1824-26 corresponds to the First Anglo-Burmese War, which resulted in British territorial expansion in Burma.

Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: AD 1845-46 marks the First Sikh War, not the Second Sikh War. The Second Sikh War occurred in 1848-49.

Explanation

The Nizam Shahi dynasty (1490 to 1633 AD) ended when the Mughals annexed Ahmadnagar in 1633. Hussain Shah, the last ruler, was captured and imprisoned for life by the Mughal forces, marking the dynasty’s end and strengthening Mughal control over the Deccan.

Option (b) is incorrect: Nizam-ul-Mulk, a key figure of the Nizam Shahi dynasty of Ahmadnagar, did not die as a result of battle with the Mughals. Instead, he passed away from natural causes.

Option (c) is incorrect: The son of Malik Amber, Fateh Khan surrendered to the Mughals in the siege of Daulatabad in 1633 and handed over the young Nizam Shahi ruler Hussain Shah to the Mughals who was sent as a prisoner to the fort of Gwalior.

Option (d) is incorrect: Malik Ambar was a prominent general and regent in the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, but he died in 1626, and the Nizam Shahi dynasty’s formal end came in 1636. Furthermore, the entire royal family was not killed by Mughal troops.

Explanation

The Indian National Congress (INC), founded in 1885, initially aimed to promote political dialogue between Indians and the British government. Early sessions focused on constitutional reforms, Indian rights, and critique of economic impact of British rule.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The first session of the Indian National Congress (INC) was held in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1885, not in Calcutta.

Statement 2 is correct: The Second Session of the Indian National Congress (1886) was indeed presided over by Dadabhai Naoroji.

Statement 3 is correct: The Indian National Congress and the Muslim League held their sessions in Lucknow in 1916, where they concluded the Lucknow Pact. The Lucknow Pact was a historic agreement, marking a significant step towards Hindu-Muslim unity and paving the way for joint political efforts in the struggle for self-rule.

Explanation

The Vijayanagara Empire experienced notable dynastic transitions, beginning with the founding Sangama dynasty, which was replaced by the Saluva dynasty due to internal instability. This was followed by the rise of the Tuluva dynasty. All the Statements 1, 2, 3 and 4 are correct:

The Vijayanagar Empire witnessed significant dynastic changes, beginning with Narasimha Saluva, who ended the Sangama dynasty and established the Saluva dynasty. Subsequently, Vira Narasimha seized throne by deposing the last Saluva ruler, and his younger brother, Krishnadeva Raya succeeded him and became one of the greatest rulers of the empire. Following his death, Krishnadeva Raya was succeeded by his half-brother, Achyuta Raya.

Explanation

Insolation, or the solar radiation received by the Earth, plays a crucial role in driving atmospheric circulation by heat-ing the surface unevenly. This creates temperature and pressure differences, which, in turn, influence atmospheric thickness and convection patterns. Assertion (A) is true: Thickness of the atmosphere is maximum over the Equator. The Equator experiences greater atmospheric thickness due to intense heating, causing air to expand and rise to higher altitudes, increasing the vertical extent of the atmosphere. Reason (R) is true: The Equator receives high levels of insolation year-round due to its position, with the Sun being direct-ly overhead during the equinoxes and nearly overhead at other times, contributing to sustained heating. This results in strong convection currents that lift air to higher altitudes, contributing to the greater atmospheric thickness. Reason(R) explains Assertion(A): Because the strong insolation and convection over the Equator lead to the expansion and lifting of air, directly causing the atmosphere to be thicker in this region compared to higher latitudes.

Explanation

Shankaracharya (8th century AD) established Advaita Vedanta, emphasizing the non-duality of Brahman. He also established 4 mathas at Jyotirmath, Dwarka, Puri and Sringeri. Ramanuja (11th-12th century AD) later founded Vishishtadvaita Vedanta (qualified non dualism), advocating devotion to a personal god. He played a pivotal role in the Bhakti movement, promoting inclusive spirituality and reforming temple rituals. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (15th-16th century AD) was a key figure in the Bhakti movement in Bengal, popularizing devotional worship of Lord Krishna. Their sequence reflects the historical progression of these philosophical and devotional traditions.

Explanation

A is matched with 2: Article 14 of the Indian Constitution guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws within India, ensuring that no person is discriminated against unfairly by the state. B is matched with 1: Article 15 prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, or any of them thereby promoting social justice and inclusivity. C is matched with 4: Article 16 provides for equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters of employment or appointment to any office under the State. No citizen can be discriminated against or be ineligible for any employment or office under the State on grounds of only religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth or residence. D is matched with 3: Article 17 abolishes untouchability, a social evil, and forbids its practice in any form, aiming to uplift marginalized communities and promote social harmony. Together, these provisions protect individual dignity and promote equal treatment in all spheres.

Explanation

Article 24 prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in factories, mines, or any other hazardous employment. This is part of the Fundamental Rights under the Right against Exploitation. Options(b), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Article 45 pertains to the Directive Principle of State Policy, focusing on providing free and compulsory education for children below 14 years. Article 330 relates to the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the House of the People (Lok sabha). Article 368 deals with the amendment provisions in the Indian Constitution.