UPSC 2007 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

Lord Dalhousie is considered "the creator of the map of India". Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by Lord Dalhousie. This policy allowed the British to annex any Indian princely state if the ruler died without a natural heir or was deemed incompetent. The doctrine was based on the idea that the British, as the paramount power, had the right to decide the succession of Indian states. States annexed under this policy:

Satara (1848): The first state to be annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse. Jhansi (1853): Annexed after the death of Raja Gangadhar Rao without a male heir. Nagpur (1854): Annexed after the death of Raghoji III without a natural heir. Annexation of Awadh (1856):

Awadh (or Oudh) was a wealthy and strategically important state in northern India, ruled by the Nawabs of Awadh. Unlike the states annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse, Awadh had a legitimate ruler, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, who had a natural heir. Therefore, the Doctrine of Lapse could not be applied here. To justify the annexation, the British accused Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of misgovernance and claimed that the people of Awadh were suffering under his rule. This was largely a pretext to annex the state, as Awadh was a fertile and revenue-rich region.

Explanation

The average distance from the Earth to the Sun is approximately 150 million kilometers or 150° 106 km. This distance can vary slightly due to the elliptical shape of Earth’s orbit, but the average distance remains close to 150 million kilometers. 1 AU is approximately 149.6 million kilometers, which is roughly 150° 106 km.

Explanation

The arrival of European trading powers in India marked a turning point in the subcontinent’s history. The Portuguese, Dutch, English, and French came at different times, competing for control over trade and resources. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in India, with Vasco da Gama reaching Calicut in 1498. The Dutch East India Company established trading posts in India starting in the early 17th century,, with their first factory in Masulipatnam (in Andhra) in 1605. The English East India Company began operations in India in the early 17th century, with their first factory established in Surat in 1613. Over time, they became dominant in India. The French were the last Europeans to arrive as traders in India. The French East India Company was founded in 1664, and they established their first factory in Surat in 1668, followed by Pondicherry (Puducherry) in 1674.

Explanation

The British East India Company established forts to secure trade routes, defend against rival European powers, and later assert political control over territories.

Option (b) is correct: Fort St George Was constructed in 1644 in Madras (Chennai), was the first fort built by the British in India. It marked the beginning of British colonial expansion and served as a major administrative and military base for the East India Company in South India. Options(a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Fort William, located in Calcutta (now Kolkata), was built later in 1696 and served as the British administrative headquarters in Bengal. Fort St David, located near Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu, was acquired by the British in 1690 and became a secondary stronghold after Fort St George. Fort St Angelo in Kannur (Kerala), was constructed by the Portuguese, not the British.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: The First Factory Act was enacted in 1881 during the tenure of Lord Ripon. It marked the beginning of labor reforms in India by limiting the working hours of women and children in factories. The act also allowed local governments to implement and enforce rules to ensure compliance, making it a significant step towards improving labor conditions. Options(a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

Lord Lytton (1876-1880) is known for the Vernacular Press Act and the grand Delhi Durbar of 1877, he did not initiate labor reforms. Lord Bentinck (1828-1835) is famous for his abolition of Sati and other social reforms, his tenure predates the Factory Act. Lord Canning (1856-1862) was the first Viceroy of India, remembered for the Revolt of 1857 and administrative changes following it, but unrelated to the Factory Act.

Explanation

The governance of British India underwent significant changes over time, with key administrative reforms reshaping the roles and designations of officials.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Robert Clive, often referred to as the "founder of the British Empire in India," served as the Governor of Bengal twice (1757-1760 and 1765-1767). However, he was not the first Governor-General of Bengal. This title belongs to Warren Hastings, who was appointed as the first Governor-General of Bengal under the Regulating Act of 1773.

Statement 2 is correct: William Bentinck became the first Governor-General of India in 1833 under the Charter Act, which extended the Governor-General of Bengal’s authority to all British territories in India.

Explanation

Mahatma Gandhi’s first Satyagraha in India was initiated in Champaran, Bihar, in 1917. The farmers were forced to grow indigo under oppressive conditions, often receiving very low prices for their crops, and were subjected to high taxes. Gandhi’s non-violent protest led to an official inquiry, resulting in relief for the farmers and marking a significant victory for the Indian freedom movement. This marked the beginning of his non-violent struggle for social and economic justice in the country.

Explanation

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre (April 13, 1919) was a tragic event where British General Reginald Dyer ordered his troops to fire on a peaceful gathering of unarmed Indians, killing hundreds, in protest associated with the repressive Rowlatt Act. The Act allowed the British government to imprison people without trial, which infringed upon basic civil liberties.

Explanation

The annual range of temperature is the difference between the highest and lowest temperatures recorded in a particular place or region over the course of a year.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The annual range of temperature (the difference between the highest and lowest average monthly temperatures) is generally smaller in the Pacific Ocean compared to the Atlantic Ocean. This is primarily due to the Pacific’s larger size and greater thermal inertia. The vastness of the Pacific allows for more heat absorption and distribution, moderating temperature extremes. Atlantic’s relatively smaller size and its greater contact with Arctic waters leads to more pronounced seasonal temperature variations. Also the Atlantic Ocean is narrower and more enclosed, allowing for greater temperature variability.

Statement 2 is correct: The Northern Hemisphere has a greater annual range of temperature than the Southern Hemisphere. This is primarily due to the larger landmasses in the Northern Hemisphere, which heat up and cool down more quickly compared to the predominantly oceanic Southern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, the presence of vast oceans helps stabilize temperatures.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Horse Latitudes are sub-tropical regions located at approximately 30° to 35° North and South latitudes. These are high-pressure zones characterized by calm winds and minimal precipitation. The name "Horse Latitudes" is believed to have originated from the historical practice of sailors throwing horses overboard to conserve water when ships were stranded in these calm regions.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Horse Latitudes are high-pres-sure belts, not low-pressure belts. These regions are associated with the subtropical high-pressure zones, where air from the equator descends, creating stable and dry conditions. The high-pressure conditions result from the descending air of the Hadley cells, which suppresses cloud formation and leads to arid climates. Many of the world’s major deserts, such as the Sahara and the Australian Outback, are situated under the Horse latitudes. Low-pressure belts, on the other hand, are found near the equator (Intertropical Convergence Zone) and at higher latitudes (subpolar lows).