UPSC 2021 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

India’s cave architecture is a unique form of ancient rock-cut architecture, primarily serving religious and monastic purposes. Ex-Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Elephanta Caves (Maharashtra), Udayagiri Caves (Madhya Pradesh), Badami Caves (Karnataka) etc.

Option (a) is correct: The Ajanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. They are carved into a horseshoe-shaped cliff along the Waghora River. The caves are renowned for their exquisite Buddhist rock-cut architecture and paintings, dating from the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE.

Option (b) is incorrect: The Sanchi Stupa is located in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh near the town of Sanchi. It is not in the gorge of the Chambal River but on a hill near Betwa River. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains one of the oldest Buddhist stupas.

Option (c) is incorrect: The Pandu-Lena (Trirashmi) Caves are located near Nashik, Maharashtra.The closest river is the Godavari River, not Narmada. These are Buddhist rock-cut caves, dating from 1st century BCE to 6th century CE and have inscriptions related to the Satavahanas and Western Kshatrapas.

Option (d) is incorrect: The Amaravati Stupa is located in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the largest Buddhist stupas in India built during the Satavahana period (2nd century BCE). It was rediscovered by Colin Mackenzie in 1797 and located on the banks of the Krishna River, not the Godavari River.

Explanation

India’s historical sites highlight diverse peculiarities as Bhimbetka’s prehistoric rock art, Nalanda’s ancient university, Sanchi’s stupas, Dholavira’s urban planning, Pattadakal’s Chalukyan temples, and Khajuraho’s erotic sculptures, reflecting the subcontinent’s rich contributions to art, architecture, and education across areas.

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Burzahom (Kashmir) had a well-developed bone tool industry. Other finds at Burzahom include pits and coarse pottery. Rock-cut shrines were not a feature of the Burzahom site.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: Chandraketugarh is located in the Ganges delta in West Bengal. It is known for its rich collection of terracotta plaques and figurines that date back to the pre-Mauryan and Gupta periods.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: Ganeshwar is located in the northeastern part of Rajasthan. Hundreds of copper artifacts have been found at this site which suggests it must have been a copper working center.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: In the pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince, Changez Khan arrived in India during the reign of Iltutmish. By denying shelter to Prince Jalaluddhin of Central Asia, Iltutmish protected India from Changez Khan’s fury.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The period of Muhammad bin Tughlaq was from 1325 to 1351. Taimur invaded India during the reign of Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud Shah Tughluq (1394-1412), the last Tughlaq ruler.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Vasco da Gama reached the coast of Kerala in 1498, but Deva Raya II ruled the Vijayanagara Empire earlier, from 1424 to 1446. At the time of his arrival, the ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire was Krishnadevaraya (reigned 1509-1529).

Explanation

The State refers to a political institution that represents a sovereign people organised under one independent government within a definite territory and subject to no outside control.

Explanation

The doctrine of Separation of Powers entails the division of the legislative, executive, and judicial functions of government among different organs. This demarcation prevents the concentration of excessive power by any branch of the Government. It thus helps to safeguard the liberty and rights of the people in a democracy. Article 50 of the Directive Principles of State Policy mentions separation of judiciary from the executive.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Chausath Yogini temple is in Morena district in Madhya Pradesh. According to an inscription dated 1323 AD, this temple was built by Kachachapaghata king Devapala (1055-1075).

Statement 2 is incorrect: The temple with a circular design pattern is situated on top of a small hill. It is not the only circular temple in India. Other examples are Kameshwar Temple, Kashmir and Vishnu Temple at Topra (Haryana) etc.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Originally 64 yoginis were placed in 64 subsidiary shrines around the central shrine of Maha Shakti. Today Shiva linga have taken their place in shrines. The central shrine also holds a Shivalinga.

Statement 4 is correct: This temple’s circular design has given rise to the popular idea that our old Indian parliament’s design designed by architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker was taken from here. Fig.: Chausath Yogini Temple

Explanation

Originally, the Indian Constitution recognized the Right to Property as a Fundamental Right under Article 19(1)(f) and Article 31. Later, the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978 abolished the Right to Property as a Fundamental Right. It was then made a legal right under Article 300-A of the Constitution. Article 300-A states: "No person shall be deprived of his property save by Authority of Law." Thus, the Right to Property in India is now a legal right available to any person, not a Fundamental Right.

Explanation

Indus Valley Civilization featured advanced town planning with well-laid-out streets, drainage systems, and standardized brick construction. Notable examples include the cities of Mohenjo-Daro, with its grid-like streets and Great Bath, and Harappa, known for its drainage systems and carefully planned residential areas.

Option (a) is correct: Discovered in 1968 by Jagat Pati Joshi, Dholavira is one of the best-preserved Indus Valley sites, with a unique water management system using reservoirs and dams. Located between the Manhar and Mandsar streams, it was likely accessible by boat when the Rann’s water levels were higher.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: According to K.K. Aziz "Indian federalism reflects a blend of centralization and decentralization, where the Union Government retains significant authority over the states while respecting the federal structure in principle. The essential features of a federation are - Two Government, division of powers, Written Constitution, Supremacy of Constitution, Rigidity of Constitution, Independent Judiciary and

Option (b) is incorrect: The Union Legislature does have representatives from different states and union territories but it is not a defining feature of federalism. In a federal system, legislative powers are typically divided between different levels of government, with both the centre and states having their own legislative bodies. In India, the Union Legislature and State Legislatures are separate and each has specific powers.

Option (c) is incorrect: The Union Cabinet can indeed have representatives from regional parties, but this does not establish India’s federal nature.

Option (d) is incorrect: Fundamental Rights being enforceable by the courts is a crucial feature of India’s democracy but it is not specifically related to federalism. The enforceability of Fundamental Rights is more about protecting individual liberties rather than directly indicating the federal character of the polity.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: In the tropical zone, trade winds blow from the east towards the west. These winds push warm surface water towards the western parts of the oceans (e.g., the western Pacific Ocean and the western Atlantic Ocean). As a result, the water in the western parts of tropical oceans is warmer than in the eastern parts. The eastern sections of the oceans tend to have upwelling, where colder, nutrient-rich waters from deeper layers rise to the surface.

Statement 2 is correct: In the temperate zone, the westerlies (winds blowing from the west towards the east) push the surface water eastward, causing the western parts of oceans (like the western coast of continents) to be colder. The water in the eastern sections of oceans tends to be warmer due to the Ekman transport, which moves warm water towards the eastern coasts. For example, in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf Stream carries warm water from the tropics to the eastern coasts of North America and Europe, keeping the eastern sections warmer than the western parts.