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11. Alexander Kerensky was

Alexander Kerensky was

the head of the Provisional Government in Russia before the October Revolution

a close confidant of Lenin, with whose help the Czar was dethroned

the head of the Czar's army

an advisor of Joseph Stalin

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Alexander Kerensky was the head of the Provisional Government in Russia before the October Revolution.

Following the February Revolution of 1917 which led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, a Provisional Government was formed in Russia. Alexander Kerensky initially served as Minister of War and later became the Prime Minister of this Provisional Government in July 1917.

Kerensky’s government faced numerous challenges, including continuing Russia’s involvement in World War I, internal dissent, and rising power of the Soviets. The Provisional Government was ultimately overthrown by the Bolsheviks led by Vladimir Lenin during the October Revolution (November 1917 according to the Gregorian calendar). Kerensky was a key figure opposing the Bolshevik takeover.

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12. George Washington was made the Commander in Chief of the American

George Washington was made the Commander in Chief of the American forces

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in December 1773, after the Boston Tea Party

at the First Continental Congress in September 1774

at the Second Continental Congress in 1775

by the Continental Congress at the Declaration of Independence on 4th July, 1776

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George Washington was made the Commander in Chief of the American forces at the Second Continental Congress in 1775.

The Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia starting in May 1775, shortly after the Battles of Lexington and Concord had initiated the American Revolutionary War. One of its crucial early decisions was to establish a unified Continental Army and appoint a commander.

On June 15, 1775, John Adams nominated George Washington of Virginia to be Commander-in-Chief of the newly formed Continental Army. Washington accepted the appointment and took command in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in July 1775. The Boston Tea Party occurred in December 1773, the First Continental Congress was in September 1774, and the Declaration of Independence was issued on July 4, 1776, all prior to or separate from the appointment date.

13. During the mid 19th century Industrial Revolution, the average life sp

During the mid 19th century Industrial Revolution, the average life span of workers in Manchester was

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17 years

30 years

55 years

62 years

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The correct answer is 17 years.

Historical accounts, particularly from sources like Friedrich Engels’ *The Condition of the Working Class in England* (1844), documented the extremely poor living and working conditions of factory workers during the Industrial Revolution in cities like Manchester.

Engels cited stark statistics showing the average life expectancy of unskilled labourers in Manchester to be as low as 17 years, significantly lower than in rural areas or for higher classes within the same city. This reflected the devastating impact of industrialisation, pollution, poor sanitation, overcrowding, disease, and harsh working conditions on the health and longevity of the working class.

14. The fact that the planets move around the Sun, not in circles but in e

The fact that the planets move around the Sun, not in circles but in ellipses, was first demonstrated by

Galileo

Martin Luther

Johannes Kepler

Copernicus

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The correct answer is C) Johannes Kepler. The German astronomer Johannes Kepler was the first to demonstrate that the planets move around the Sun in elliptical orbits.

– Nicolaus Copernicus proposed the heliocentric model where planets orbit the Sun, but he assumed the orbits were perfect circles.
– Galileo Galilei provided telescopic observations that supported the heliocentric model but did not discover elliptical orbits.
– Johannes Kepler, using the detailed astronomical data collected by Tycho Brahe, formulated his three laws of planetary motion between 1609 and 1619.
– Kepler’s First Law states that the orbit of a planet is an ellipse with the Sun at one of the two foci.

Kepler’s laws were a fundamental breakthrough in astronomy, replacing the ancient concept of circular orbits and providing a mathematical description of planetary motion that was later explained by Isaac Newton’s law of universal gravitation.

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15. Who among the following is the author of the book, A Comparison betwee

Who among the following is the author of the book, A Comparison between Women and Men?

Pandita Ramabai

Sarojini Naidu

Tarabai Shinde

Rameshwari Nehru

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The correct answer is C) Tarabai Shinde. Tarabai Shinde is the author of the Marathi book “Stri Purush Tulana” (A Comparison between Women and Men).

– “Stri Purush Tulana” is considered one of the earliest modern feminist texts from India.
– Published in 1882, the book critically examined patriarchy and the social inequalities faced by women in Indian society, contrasting them with the privileges enjoyed by men.
– Tarabai Shinde was a contemporary of Jotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule and was associated with the Satyashodhak Samaj.

Pandita Ramabai was another prominent feminist and social reformer, known for her work like “The High-Caste Hindu Woman”. Sarojini Naidu was a key figure in the independence movement and a celebrated poet. Rameshwari Nehru was a social worker involved in women’s rights and Indo-Soviet relations.

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16. Which of the following statements about the social base of the Arya Sa

Which of the following statements about the social base of the Arya Samaj in British India is/are correct?

1. It was located mainly in Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh.
2. It mainly comprised the trading castes.
3. It was much more limited than that of the Brahmo Samaj.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1 only

1, 2 and 3

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The correct answer is A) 1 and 2 only. Statements 1 and 2 correctly describe the social base of the Arya Samaj in British India, while statement 3 is incorrect.

– Statement 1 is correct. The Arya Samaj, founded by Dayanand Saraswati, had its strongest influence and following primarily in Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh (areas like Agra, Meerut).
– Statement 2 is correct. The support base of the Arya Samaj largely came from the educated urban middle classes, including prominent representation from trading castes like Khatris, Aroras, and Baniyas, as well as professional groups.
– Statement 3 is incorrect. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Arya Samaj had grown significantly, especially in North India, and arguably had a broader and more active social base compared to the Brahmo Samaj, which remained more concentrated in Bengal and intellectual circles.

The Arya Samaj was a reform movement within Hinduism that advocated for a return to the Vedas, monotheism, and social reforms like opposing idol worship, caste system, and child marriage, while promoting education and women’s rights. Its focus on social reform and education resonated with certain sections of the North Indian urban population.

17. In the elections to the provincial legislatures in 1937 in British Ind

In the elections to the provincial legislatures in 1937 in British India

1. only about 10 to 12 percent of the population had the right to vote
2. the untouchables had no right to vote
3. the Congress won an absolute majority in five out of eleven provinces
4. the Muslim League won more than 80 percent of the seats reserved for Muslims

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1, 3 and 4

1 and 4 only

1 and 3 only

2, 3 and 4

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The correct answer is C) 1 and 3 only. Statements 1 and 3 correctly describe aspects of the 1937 provincial elections in British India, while statements 2 and 4 are incorrect.

– Statement 1 is correct. The Government of India Act, 1935, which governed these elections, significantly expanded the franchise compared to earlier acts, but it was still limited based on property, tax, and education qualifications. Only about 10-15% of the total population was eligible to vote.
– Statement 2 is incorrect. Untouchables (Depressed Classes) were granted voting rights. Following the Poona Pact (1932), they were given reserved seats within joint electorates. They had the right to vote.
– Statement 3 is correct. The Indian National Congress contested the elections widely and won absolute majorities in five out of eleven provinces: Madras, Central Provinces, United Provinces, Bihar, and Orissa. They later formed governments in two more provinces (Bombay and NWFP).
– Statement 4 is incorrect. The Muslim League performed poorly in the 1937 elections, winning only a small percentage of the total Muslim vote and a minority of the seats reserved for Muslims across India. They did not win more than 80 percent of the seats reserved for Muslims; their share was much lower.

The 1937 elections were a significant step in the constitutional development of India, leading to the formation of provincial ministries largely by the Congress party. The limited franchise highlighted the undemocratic nature of the system, and the Muslim League’s poor performance influenced its later demand for Pakistan.

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18. Consider the following statements about the Salt March : 1. The Sal

Consider the following statements about the Salt March :

1. The Salt March was deliberately ignored by the European media.
2. The Salt March was widely covered by the American and European press.
3. The Salt March was the first nationalist activity in which women participated in large numbers.
4. The Salt March impressed upon the British the urgent need to devolve more power to Indians.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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1, 2 and 4

2, 3 and 4

3 and 4 only

2 and 3 only

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The correct answer is B) 2, 3 and 4. Statements 2, 3, and 4 correctly describe aspects of the Salt March and its impact, while statement 1 is incorrect.

– Statement 1 is incorrect because the Salt March received significant attention from international media, including American and European press, bringing the Indian independence struggle to global prominence.
– Statement 2 is correct. The extensive coverage by the foreign press was a key factor in highlighting the non-violent nature of the movement and the oppressive British rule.
– Statement 3 is generally considered correct. While women participated in earlier nationalist movements, the Salt March and the subsequent Civil Disobedience movement saw women participate in mass numbers for the first time, taking active roles like picketing, leading processions, and manufacturing salt.
– Statement 4 is correct. The widespread participation in the Salt March and the Civil Disobedience movement demonstrated the strong nationalist sentiment across India and pressured the British government to engage in negotiations and consider constitutional reforms aimed at devolving more power, leading to the Round Table Conferences and later developments.

The Salt March was not just about breaking the salt law; it was a symbolic act that triggered widespread civil disobedience across India. The participation of women under the leadership of figures like Sarojini Naidu was particularly noteworthy. The international media coverage helped build global sympathy for the Indian cause and put diplomatic pressure on the British government.

19. 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 :

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List-I (Act/Event)	List-II (Year)
A. Rowlatt Act	1. 1922
B. Salt March	2. 1931
C. Chauri Chaura Incident	3. 1930
D. Second Round Table Conference	4. 1919

A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2

A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2

A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1

A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1

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The correct answer is A) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2. This option correctly matches the Acts/Events in List-I with their corresponding years in List-II.

– The Rowlatt Act was passed in March 1919 (Matches with 4).
– The Salt March (also known as the Dandi March) was a part of the Civil Disobedience Movement and began in March 1930 (Matches with 3).
– The Chauri Chaura Incident, which led Gandhi to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement, occurred in February 1922 (Matches with 1).
– The Second Round Table Conference took place in London from September to December 1931 (Matches with 2).

The Rowlatt Act, officially the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, 1919, was widely opposed in India. The Salt March was a pivotal moment in India’s independence struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi. The Chauri Chaura incident involved violence between police and protesters, leading Gandhi to call off the Non-Cooperation Movement. The Second Round Table Conference was attended by Gandhi representing the Indian National Congress.

20. The Headquarters of the Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy is l

The Headquarters of the Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy is located at which one of the following places?

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Karwar

Kochi

Thiruvananthapuram

Chennai

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The correct answer is B) Kochi. The Headquarters of the Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy is located in Kochi, Kerala.

– The Indian Navy is divided into three operational commands and one training command.
– The three operational commands are the Western Naval Command (WNC) headquartered in Mumbai, the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) headquartered in Visakhapatnam, and the Southern Naval Command (SNC) headquartered in Kochi.
– There is also a tri-service command, the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), based in Port Blair.

Kochi hosts the headquarters of SNC, which is primarily responsible for training and support functions for the Indian Navy. While Karwar is a major naval base (INS Kadamba), it falls under the Western Naval Command. Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of Kerala but is not the headquarters of the SNC. Chennai is a major city on the east coast and is part of the Eastern Naval Command’s area of responsibility.