UPSC 2018 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

Mughal and Nawabi architecture is marked by the use of red sandstone, white marble, and intricate brickwork. This choice reflects cultural influences seen in monuments like the Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Bara Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, and the Taj Mahal.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Buland Darwaza (Gate of Magnificence) and Khankah (Sufi monastery) at Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar to commemorate his victory over Gujarat. It is made of red sandstone, with some white marble used for decorative inlays. White marble is not the primary material.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Bada Imambara, located in Lucknow was built by Asaf-ud-daula in 1784. It was built to give employment and revenue to the public This structure has been made by interlocking bricks without the use of mortar in its construction. Rumi Darwaza is also located in Lucknow, built by Nawab of Awadh Asaf-ud-daula. It is built using lakhauri bricks, coated with lime. It does not use red sandstone or marble. Stucco ornamentation (gajkari) was used to decorate the monuments, giving it a deep relief effect even on flat walls.

Explanation

The Subsidiary Alliance was a diplomatic strategy introduced by Lord Wellesley in 1798, aiming to maintain British control over Indian states.

Option (c) is correct: The Subsidiary Alliance aimed to establish British paramountcy over the Indian States and to ensure their military and political subservience to the British East India Company. Securing a fixed income for the company was not the primary objective of the system. Hyderabad was the first state to come under it. The native Indian ruler had to pay for the maintenance of the British army and if he failed to make the payment, a portion of his territory was taken away and ceded to the British. They could not engage in alliances with other powers without British consent.

Explanation

Rajput regional paintings, flourishing in Rajasthan from the 16th to 19th centuries, are known for their vibrant colors, detailed depictions of court life, and themes from Hindu mythology. Styles like Mewar, Marwar, and Bundi showcase ornate portraits, landscapes, and historical events with a distinctive blend of Persian and Indian artistic traditions.

Option (d) is correct: Bani Thani paintings are a distinctive style of Indian miniature art that originated in the 18th century in the Rajput kingdom of Kishangarh, Rajasthan. Bani Thani painted by artist Nihal Chand is often referred to as the "Mona Lisa of India" and depicts a courtesan who was the muse and beloved of Raja Sawant Singh. The painting is characterized by its graceful curves, large eyes, and delicate features.

Explanation

Carnatic music is a classical music tradition of South India, characterized by its intricate ragas (melodies) and talas (rhythms), with a strong emphasis on vocal performance and improvisation. Prominent early singers include Muthuswami Dikshitar, Syama Sastri, and Tyagaraja, who significantly contributed to its development through their compositions and performances.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Tyagaraja is known for his devotional songs (Kritis) to Lord Rama and not Lord Krishna.

Statement 2 is correct: He innovated the technique of structural variations of musical lines and created new Ragas.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Annamacharya belonged to the 15th century whereas Tyagaraja belonged to the 18th century and so they are non-contemporary.

Statement 4 is correct: Annamacharya is renowned for his keertanas (devotional songs), most of which are dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, the deity of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati.

Explanation

The Santhal Rebellion (1855-56) in the Rajmahal Hills was sparked by the oppression of revenue officials, police, moneylenders, and landlords (referred to as "dikus" by the Santhals). Led by Sido and Kanhu, the Santhals revolted, declaring independence from the British. The rebellion was suppressed by 1856 after extensive military action.

Statement (1) is correct: After the Santhal Uprising (1855-56), the British created the Santhal Parganas in 1855 by carving out areas from Bhagalpur and Birbhum districts to provide the Santhals with a separate administrative region.

Statement (2) is correct: The British introduced legal restrictions on land transfers, making it illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a non-Santhal. This was done to prevent exploitation by moneylenders (Mahajans) and landlords (Zamindars), which had been a major cause of the rebellion.

Explanation

“If there are no laws, there is no liberty" is attributed to John Locke. Law and liberty are not opposed; rather, laws protect liberty.

Option (a) is incorrect: If there are more laws, there is less liberty: This implies that law restricts liberty, which is not always the case. Well-structured laws are meant to protect and preserve liberty by ensuring order and justice. For instance, the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 empowers citizens by promoting transparency in governance, thereby strengthening democracy and individual freedom.

Option (b) is correct: Without laws, there would be chaos, and individual liberty would be at risk. Laws provide the framework that allows liberty to exist and be protected. They ensure that people can enjoy their freedoms without infringing on others’ rights. For instance, without laws regulating traffic, there would be chaos on the roads, leading to accidents and endangering lives.

Option (c) is incorrect: If there is liberty, laws have to be made by the people: While it is important for laws to reflect the will of the people, this option is not as broadly applicable. Liberty can exist even when laws are made by representatives or through other legitimate processes.

Option (d) is incorrect: If laws are changed too often, liberty is in danger: Frequent changes in law may cause instability, but it does not inherently endanger liberty. As long as changes are made transparently and for the benefit of society, liberty can be maintained.

Explanation

Pair 1 is correct: Chapchar Kut is a spring festival of Mizo people in Mizoram. It is celebrated in March after they complete their jhum cultivation (Jungle clearing).

Pair 2 is correct: The Khongjom Parba is a traditional ballad form from Manipur. It commemorates the bravery of Manipuri warriors, particularly the Battle of Khongjom fought during the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891. The ballad is performed with a combination of singing and storytelling with the accompaniment of instruments like the dholak (a type of drum).

Pair 3 is incorrect: Thang-Ta is an ancient Manipuri Martial Art dance developed from the war environment of Manipur by the Meitei community. Thang-Ta was also known as Huyen Lallong which means ‘The art of sword and the spear’.

Explanation

Champaran Satyagraha (1917) was undertaken after Mahatma Gandhi learned about the abuses suffered by farmers, who were forced into growing indigo by British planters and estate owners. Under the Tinkathia system in Champaran, tenants were forced to grow indigo on 3/20th of their land for landlords. European planters imposed high rents and illegal fees, sparking passive resistance. This marked the beginning of Gandhian methods and the involvement of peasants in the Indian National Movement.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) lays down the minimum qualifications for teachers, not the State Councils of Teacher Education.

Statement 2 is correct: The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) is conducted as per NCTE guidelines and is a mandatory requirement for teaching primary classes in government and private schools.

Statement 3 is incorrect: More than 90% of teacher education institutions are privately managed, and only a small percentage are directly run by State Governments.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Ninth Schedule and Article 31-B of the Indian Constitution was added by the 1st Amendment (1951) to protect the laws included in it from judicial scrutiny on the ground of violation of fundamental rights. A law passed by the Parliament and inserted into the Ninth Schedule receives protection under Article 31-B (validation of certain Acts and Regulations) and is thus exempt from judicial review. However in IR Coelho vs State of Tamil Nadu, 2007, the SC ruled that all laws (including those in the Ninth Schedule) would be open to Judicial Review if they violated the basic structure of the constitution.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The mandate of Ninth schedule is to prevent judicial scrutiny but according to the Kesavananda Bharati Case, 1973, any violation with the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution is open to challenge in court of law. Again in IR Coelho vs State of Tamil Nadu, 2007, the SC ruled that all laws (including those in the Ninth Schedule) after 24 April 1973 would be open to Judicial Review if they violated the basic structure of the constitution.