UPSC CAPF Archives

21. Consider the following passage : It urged people to resign from govern

Consider the following passage :
It urged people to resign from government offices, shun the British law-courts, withdraw from schools and colleges and boycott the elections. On the other hand, there was a campaign for using indigenous goods, especially khadi or homespun cloth.
Which movement does the above passage relate to ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Swadeshi” option2=”Non-cooperation” option3=”Civil Disobedience” option4=”Quit India” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2010

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The passage describes key features of the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922), which was launched by Mahatma Gandhi. The program included the surrender of titles and honorary offices, boycott of government schools and colleges, boycott of law courts, boycott of foreign goods (promoting Swadeshi and Khadi), and boycott of elections to the legislative councils. The movement aimed at non-violent resistance to British rule by withdrawing cooperation from the government.

The Non-Cooperation Movement was a major phase of the Indian independence movement. It was a mass movement that saw participation from various sections of society and significantly escalated the struggle against British rule beyond constitutional means.

The Swadeshi movement focused primarily on economic boycott and self-reliance, though it had political undertones. The Civil Disobedience Movement involved breaking specific laws and non-payment of taxes. The Quit India Movement was a call for immediate British withdrawal during World War II. The actions listed in the passage are most specifically aligned with the non-cooperation program of 1920-22.

22. Which one of the following statements about the moderate leaders of th

Which one of the following statements about the moderate leaders of the Indian National Congress is *not* correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”They criticized the British for drain of wealth from India” option2=”They advocated boycott of foreign goods” option3=”They ignored the issue of exploitation of Indian rural people by the zamindars” option4=”They comprehended the vital role played by India in the imperial economy of Britain” correct=”option2″]

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UPSC CAPF – 2010

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The moderate leaders of the Indian National Congress (1885-1905) primarily believed in constitutional methods like petitions, prayers, and protests within the framework of British rule. They focused on administrative reforms and representation. Advocating for a boycott of foreign goods was a strategy that gained prominence during the Swadeshi Movement (1905-1908), which was led by the Extremist faction of the Congress, not the early Moderates.

Moderates like Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendranath Banerjee, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale, while critical of British policies, trusted in British justice and sought reforms through dialogue and gradual steps. Their main contributions included exposing the economic exploitation of India (drain theory) and demanding increased Indian participation in administration and legislative councils.

The Swadeshi and Boycott movements were characterized by a more assertive and mass-based approach, advocating for self-reliance and active resistance against British economic dominance through the boycott of foreign goods and promotion of indigenous products. This marked a significant shift from the methods of the early Moderates.

23. Consider the following statements : 1. Akbar Nama and Badshah Nama

Consider the following statements :

1. Akbar Nama and Badshah Nama are important illustrated Mughal histories.
2. While Akbar Nama was written by Abdul Hamid Lahori, Badshah Nama was authored by Abu’l Fazl.
3. The Akbar Nama is divided into three books, of which the third book is the Ain-i-Akbari.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”1 and 3 only” option3=”2 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2010

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Statement 1 is correct: Akbar Nama and Badshah Nama are indeed important illustrated Mughal court chronicles.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Akbar Nama was written by Abu’l Fazl, while Badshah Nama was primarily authored by Abdul Hamid Lahori (among others) as the official history of Shah Jahan’s reign.
Statement 3 is correct: Akbar Nama is structured into three volumes. The first volume deals with Akbar’s ancestors, the second with events of Akbar’s reign up to the 46th regnal year, and the third volume is the Ain-i-Akbari, which details the administration, geography, society, and economy of the Mughal empire under Akbar.
Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct.

Mughal chronicles like Akbar Nama and Badshah Nama are valuable sources for understanding the political history, administrative structure, court life, and social conditions of the Mughal Empire. They were often lavishly illustrated, providing visual insights into the period.

Abu’l Fazl was one of Akbar’s most important courtiers and official historian. Badshah Nama, commissioned by Shah Jahan, follows the style of Akbar Nama. Other authors contributed to Badshah Nama besides Abdul Hamid Lahori, such as Muhammad Waris.

24. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists :

List-I (Classification of land under Akbar)	List-II (Explanation)
A. Polaj	1. Uncultivated for five years and more
B. Parauti	2. Lain fallow for three or four years
C. Chachar	3. Left out of cultivation for a time that it may recover its strength
D. Banjar	4. Annually cultivated for each crop in succession and never allowed to lie fallow

[amp_mcq option1=”A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4″ option2=”A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1″ option3=”A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4″ option4=”A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1″ correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2010

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The classification of land under Akbar’s revenue system (specifically, the reforms associated with Todar Mal) was based on the frequency of cultivation to determine the productivity and thus the revenue rate. The correct matching is:
A. Polaj: Land annually cultivated for each crop in succession and never allowed to lie fallow (4).
B. Parauti: Land left out of cultivation for a time (a year or two) that it may recover its strength (3).
C. Chachar: Land left fallow for three or four years (2).
D. Banjar: Land uncultivated for five years and more (1).
This matches option B: A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1.

This classification was crucial for determining the average produce and setting a fixed revenue rate for each category of land over a period (usually ten years under the Dahsala system), ensuring fairness based on the land’s capacity.

The revenue rates varied according to the land classification. Polaj and Parauti lands paid revenue every year, while Chachar and Banjar lands paid progressively lower rates until they were brought back into full cultivation. The revenue was often collected in cash, based on the average yield and prices over the preceding years.

25. Patta was a written agreement between the :

Patta was a written agreement between the :

[amp_mcq option1=”peasant and zamindars providing a record of the amount of rent.” option2=”peasants and the state.” option3=”zamindars and the state.” option4=”peasants and zamindars regarding cesses to be paid except rent.” correct=”option1″]

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UPSC CAPF – 2010

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A Patta (or Pottah) was a written document or lease issued by the zamindar to the peasant (ryot) under systems like the Permanent Settlement. It was intended to be a record of the terms under which the land was held, specifically mentioning the area of land, the amount of rent payable by the peasant to the zamindar, and sometimes other conditions. It served as a kind of tenancy agreement.

The issuance of pattas was intended to protect peasants from arbitrary demands by providing a clear record of their rental obligations. However, in practice, zamindars often failed to issue proper pattas, or issued unfair ones, making it difficult for peasants to challenge excessive demands or evictions.

The counterpart document to the Patta, which the zamindar received from the ryot acknowledging the agreement and promising to pay the rent, was called a Qabuliyat (acceptance).

26. Before the permanent settlement the peasants enjoyed :

Before the permanent settlement the peasants enjoyed :

[amp_mcq option1=”customary occupancy rights.” option2=”only tenancy rights.” option3=”high rent demands.” option4=”revenue collecting rights.” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2010

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Before the formalization of land rights under systems like the Permanent Settlement, peasants often held customary rights, including occupancy rights (sometimes referred to as ryoti rights), which allowed them to cultivate the land as long as they paid their share of revenue/rent. These rights were based on tradition and long-standing practice, though they varied regionally and could be precarious depending on the ruling authority. The Permanent Settlement often undermined or abolished these traditional customary rights by vesting full ownership in the zamindars.

Pre-colonial agrarian systems often recognized the cultivator’s right to the land they tilled, contingent upon payment of revenue. The state claimed a share of the produce (revenue), but the cultivator usually retained hereditary occupancy rights.

The Permanent Settlement, by making zamindars owners and elevating their status, often reduced the peasants to mere tenants-at-will, losing their traditional security of tenure and customary rights enjoyed prior to the formalization of the zamindari system under the British.

27. According to the passage, the permanent settlement vested :

According to the passage, the permanent settlement vested :

[amp_mcq option1=”revenue collecting rights to zamindars.” option2=”land ownership rights to the state.” option3=”land ownership rights to zamindars.” option4=”customary rights to peasants.” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2010

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According to the Permanent Settlement, introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793, the zamindars were recognized as the proprietors or owners of the land. They were given ownership rights, which were heritable and transferable, in contrast to their previous position which was often that of revenue collectors or intermediaries with more limited rights.

The Permanent Settlement established a fixed revenue demand that zamindars had to pay to the state, irrespective of the actual collection from the peasants. Failure to pay the fixed amount by the sunset date (Sunset Law) led to the auctioning of the zamindari. This system aimed to ensure a stable revenue for the company and create a loyal class of landowners.

While the zamindars were granted land ownership rights, the rights of the actual cultivators (ryots) were not clearly defined and were often neglected, leading to their exploitation by the zamindars through arbitrary rent increases and evictions. The Permanent Settlement was primarily implemented in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.

28. Which one among the following is not correct about the Subsidiary Alli

Which one among the following is not correct about the Subsidiary Alliance ?

[amp_mcq option1=”It was formulated by Wellesley” option2=”British army was posted in the subsidiary state” option3=”It did not recognize an adopted heir to a subsidiary state” option4=”A British Resident was posted in the subsidiary state” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2010

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Option C is incorrect about the Subsidiary Alliance. The Subsidiary Alliance system, formulated by Lord Wellesley, did not deal with the issue of succession or the recognition of adopted heirs. This was a feature of the Doctrine of Lapse, introduced later by Lord Dalhousie, which stated that if a ruler of a protected state died without a natural heir, the state would be annexed by the British, and adopted heirs were generally not recognized. The Subsidiary Alliance focused on bringing Indian states under British control regarding foreign policy, defence, and internal administration via a Resident.

The Subsidiary Alliance system required Indian states to accept a permanent British force within their territory, pay for its maintenance, surrender their external relations to the British, and accept a British Resident at their court. In return, the British promised protection against external enemies.

Lord Wellesley used the Subsidiary Alliance system extensively to expand British influence in India. Key states that accepted the alliance included Hyderabad (1798), Mysore (1799), Oudh (1801), and the Maratha Peshwa (1802). The system effectively stripped the Indian rulers of their sovereignty and brought them under British control.

29. Which one of the following temple complexes of India does not represen

Which one of the following temple complexes of India does not represent the typical Nagara style ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Tigawa, Madhya Pradesh” option2=”Nachna, Rajasthan” option3=”Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh” option4=”Mammalapuram, Tamil Nadu” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2010

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The correct option is D) Mammalapuram, Tamil Nadu.

The temple complexes at Mammalapuram (Mahabalipuram) in Tamil Nadu were built by the Pallava dynasty and are prime examples of Dravidian style architecture. The Dravidian style is distinct from the Nagara style (Northern Indian style) primarily characterized by its vimana (pyramidal tower over the sanctum), large temple complexes with gopurams (gateway towers), mandapas, and water tanks.

Tigawa (Kankali Devi Temple), Nachna (Parvati Temple), and Deogarh (Dashavatara Temple) are all sites featuring temples from the Gupta period (4th-6th centuries CE) which are considered early examples or transitional forms of the Nagara style of temple architecture in North India.

30. Which one of the following can be considered as an initial warning of

Which one of the following can be considered as an initial warning of an approaching Tsunami ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Thundering noise” option2=”Squally winds and rainfall” option3=”Rapid withdrawal of water away from the beach” option4=”Rapid landward movement of water” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2010

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The correct option is C) Rapid withdrawal of water away from the beach.

The most common natural warning sign of an approaching tsunami, particularly for the first wave, is a sudden and significant recession of the sea from the coastline, exposing the seabed. This happens because the trough (low point) of the tsunami wave often reaches the shore before the crest (high point). This is an immediate signal that a large wave is approaching and coastal areas should be evacuated.

A thundering noise can sometimes be heard as the tsunami wave breaks, but the water receding is often the first visible sign. Squally winds and rainfall are associated with meteorological phenomena like cyclones, not tsunamis which are primarily caused by underwater geological events. Rapid landward movement of water *is* the tsunami arriving, not a warning beforehand.