Question No. 1
With reference to the breakdown of Mughal-Rajput relations under Emperor Aurangzeb, consider the following statements:
1.Aurangzeb’s intervention in the Marwar succession following the death of Maharaja Jaswant Singh was driven primarily by political expediency to place a loyal puppet on the throne rather than purely religious zeal.
2.The re-imposition of the Jizya tax in 1679 CE was a direct trigger for the alliance between the Sisodias of Mewar and the Rathors of Marwar against the Mughal authority.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Question No. 2
The power of the Rajput states was significantly weakened in the 18th century due to internal strife. Consider the following pairs related to these conflicts:
Internal ConflictKey Cause or Feature
1. Contests for IzzatRivalry among major houses (e.g., Jaipur, Jodhpur) for prestigious appointments (Subahdari) from the Mughal Emperor.
2. Succession WarsDirect intervention and manipulation by the Marathas in the dynastic disputes of Jaipur and Jodhpur.
3. Ijaradari SystemThe widespread practice of revenue farming that bankrupted the Rajput states, forcing them to borrow from Maratha chiefs.
How many of the above rows correctly describe the cause or feature?
Question No. 3
With reference to the Anglo-Mysore Wars, consider the following pairs:
War / TreatyKey Feature / Outcome
1. First Anglo-Mysore WarTreaty of Madras, contained a clause for mutual military assistance.
2. Second Anglo-Mysore WarEnded by the Treaty of Mangalore, which was considered an embarrassment for the British under Governor-General Warren Hastings.
3. Third Anglo-Mysore WarTipu Sultan died defending his capital Seringapatam.
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
Question No. 4
With reference to the administrative and economic reforms introduced by Tipu Sultan, consider the following statements:
1.He introduced a new lunisolar calendar known as the Mauludi calendar.
2.He abolished the traditional Jaghirs (land grants to nobles) and introduced a land revenue system where the tax was collected directly from the cultivator.
3.He was instrumental in initiating the Mysore silk industry by importing silkworm eggs from China.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Question No. 5
With reference to the Northern Bhakti Movement, how did the Influence of Islam primarily manifest itself in the Nirguna stream of thought?
Question No. 6
Regarding the debate among historians on the origins of the Bhakti Movement, particularly the ‘Anti-Feudal Rise’ perspective, consider the following statements:
1.One political factor for the rise of the movement was the Turkish conquest, which is seen as having weakened the traditional power and prestige of the Brahmanical orthodoxy.
2.The anti-feudal argument posits that the movement was an Indian counterpart to the European Protestant Reformation, but its saints explicitly called for the abolition of the ruling class.
3.While some scholars identify elements of resistance to feudal exploitation in the verses of Bhakti saints, the popular movements did not represent the explicit class self-interests of the peasantry.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Question No. 7
With reference to Srimanta Sankardev and his religious movement in Assam, consider the following statements:
1.His Ekasarana Dharma (Neo-Vaishnavism) emphasizes absolute devotion to one God, Krishna (identified as Narayana), and strictly excludes the worship of Radha.
2.He is credited with introducing a unique art form called Ankia Naat (one-act plays), a new musical tradition called Borgeet, and the classical dance form Sattriya.
3.The movement’s religious and social life is organized around communal prayer houses (Naamghars) and monastic centers (Sattras), which fostered an egalitarian social structure.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Question No. 8
With reference to the medieval poet-saint Vidyapati, consider the following statements:
1.Though famous for his Padavali poems on the Shringara Rasa (erotic sentiment) between Radha and Krishna, he was primarily a devotee of Lord Shiva, composing many popular hymns (Nacharis) dedicated to Him.
2.He earned the title ‘Maithil Kavi Kokil’ for his compositions in the regional language of Maithili, and he also composed in Sanskrit and Apabhraṃśa.
3.His major works, Kirtilata and Purushapariksha, are purely devotional texts providing a philosophical basis for the Bhakti movement in Mithila.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Question No. 9
Ramananda is well-known for his diverse group of disciples from varied social backgrounds.
With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs:
Historical personKnown as (Traditional Profession)
1. RavidasCobbler
2. SenaWeaver
3. DhannaFarmer
4. SadhanaButcher
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
Question No. 10
With reference to the philosophy and contribution of Sant Kabir, consider the following statements:
1.He consistently advocated for the concept of Nirguna Bhakti and actively sought to syncretize the established Hindu and Islamic religious traditions into a single new faith.
2.He unequivocally rejected the authority of both the Vedas and the Quran, equating all human beings as manifestations of God’s living forms.
3.His poetry is primarily contained in three distinct textual traditions: the Bijak, the Kabir Granthawali, and the hymns included in the Adi Granth.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
