UPSC CDS-2 Archives

1. Which one of the following is not the work of Ashvaghosa?

Which one of the following is not the work of Ashvaghosa?

Sariputraptakarana

Buddhacharita

Saundarananda

Manjushrimulakalpa

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Manjushrimulakalpa is not a work attributed to Ashvaghosa.

– Ashvaghosa was a renowned Buddhist philosopher, poet, and dramatist, considered one of the greatest Sanskrit poets.
– His known major works include Buddhacharita (an epic poem on the life of the Buddha), Saundarananda (an epic poem about the conversion of Nanda, the Buddha’s half-brother), and Sariputraprakarana (a drama about the conversion of Sariputra and Maudgalyayana).
– Manjushrimulakalpa is a Mahayana Buddhist text, classified as a Tantra, whose authorship is uncertain but it is not attributed to Ashvaghosa.

– Ashvaghosa lived around the 1st-2nd century CE, likely in the time of Kanishka.
– His works are significant for their literary merit and their role in spreading Buddhist philosophy through Sanskrit literature.

2. The Bengal Famine of 1769-70 was worsened by

The Bengal Famine of 1769-70 was worsened by

Locust attacks

Rat infestation

High levels of taxation

Smallpox epidemic

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The Bengal Famine of 1769-70 was significantly worsened by high levels of taxation imposed by the East India Company.

– The famine occurred after the East India Company gained control over Bengal following the Battle of Plassey (1757) and the grant of Diwani rights (1765).
– The Company’s focus on maximizing revenue collection through oppressive taxation policies, combined with discouraging the cultivation of food crops in favor of cash crops like indigo, exacerbated the impact of the drought.
– The Company also hoarded grain and did little to provide relief, prioritizing profit over the welfare of the population.

– While natural factors like drought contributed to the initial crop failure, the severity and duration of the famine, leading to an estimated 10 million deaths, are largely attributed to the economic policies and mismanagement by the East India Company.
– Locust attacks, rat infestation, and epidemics can contribute to famines, but in this specific historical event, the Company’s policies were the primary human factor worsening the natural calamity.

3. At the banks of which of the following rivers was the Battle of Ten Ki

At the banks of which of the following rivers was the Battle of Ten Kings fought in the Early Vedic Period ?

Sarasvati

Drishadvati

Parushni

Shutudri

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The Battle of Ten Kings (Dasarajna) was fought on the banks of the river Parushni.

– The Parushni river is identified with the modern Ravi river.
– This significant battle is mentioned in the Rigveda (Book 7).
– The battle was fought between King Sudas of the Bharata tribe and a confederation of ten tribes.

– The Sarasvati and Drishadvati were other important rivers in the Vedic period, often mentioned in relation to settlements.
– The Shutudri is identified with the Sutlej river.
– The Battle of Ten Kings was a pivotal event in the history of the Rigvedic tribes, leading to the consolidation of power for the Bharatas.

4. 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 (Literary Work)		List II (Author)
A.	Duta Ghatotkacha	1.	Bhatti
B.	Mrichchhakatikam	2.	Bhasa
C.	Kiratarjuniyam	3.	Shudraka
D.	Ravanavadha	4.	Bharavi

Code :

1 3 4 2

1 4 3 2

2 3 4 1

2 4 3 1

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Matching the literary works with their authors:
– Duta Ghatotkacha is a play by Bhasa. (A-2)
– Mrichchhakatikam (The Little Clay Cart) is a famous Sanskrit drama attributed to Shudraka. (B-3)
– Kiratarjuniyam is a classical Sanskrit epic poem by Bharavi. (C-4)
– Ravanavadha, also known as Bhattikavya, is an epic poem by Bhatti. (D-1)

– Bhasa was one of the earliest and most celebrated Sanskrit dramatists.
– Shudraka is known for his complex and realistic portrayal of urban life in Mrichchhakatikam.
– Bharavi is noted for his intricate language and philosophical depth in Kiratarjuniyam.
– Bhatti’s Ravanavadha is significant for illustrating the rules of Sanskrit grammar (Panini’s Ashtadhyayi) and poetics through the story of Rama.

These authors and their works are significant contributions to classical Sanskrit literature. The matching pairs (A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1) correspond to option C.

5. What was a munjanig in medieval period ?

What was a munjanig in medieval period ?

Cannon

Catapult

Gun carriage

Portable armoury

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In the medieval period, a munjanig (or Manjaniq) was a type of siege engine, specifically a Catapult or a trebuchet.

– Munjanigs were gravity-powered siege weapons used to hurl heavy projectiles at fortifications.
– They were used extensively in warfare in the Middle East, Mediterranean, and later adopted in India during the medieval era.
– The term is derived from Arabic and Persian, related to projectile-throwing machines.

While both Mangonel and Trebuchet types of catapults existed, the term ‘Manjaniq’ generally refers to the larger, more powerful counterweight trebuchet which became prevalent from the 12th century onwards, although it could also refer to earlier traction trebuchets or mangonels.

6. In the joining of railway tracks, iron oxide is made to react with

In the joining of railway tracks, iron oxide is made to react with

Aluminium

Zinc

Copper

Tin

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In the joining of railway tracks, iron oxide (rust) is made to react with Aluminium powder. This reaction is the basis of thermite welding.

– The thermite reaction involves the reduction of a metal oxide by a more reactive metal, producing a large amount of heat and molten metal.
– The specific reaction used for rail welding is between iron(III) oxide (Fe₂O₃) and aluminium (Al): 2Al + Fe₂O₃ → Al₂O₃ + 2Fe + Heat.
– The molten iron produced at high temperature fills the gap between the rails, creating a weld.

The thermite process was discovered by Hans Goldschmidt in 1895 and is still used for various welding applications, particularly where electric welding is difficult or impractical, such as railway tracks.

7. Storage of biological tissues such as blood, organs, semen requires lo

Storage of biological tissues such as blood, organs, semen requires low temperature which is achieved upon the usage of

Liquid nitrogen

Solid carbon dioxide

Liquid air

Helium

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Storage of biological tissues such as blood, organs, and semen at very low temperatures (cryopreservation) is typically achieved using Liquid nitrogen.

– Liquid nitrogen has a boiling point of -196°C (-320°F).
– This extremely low temperature freezes biological samples and halts cellular activity and degradation.
– Cryopreservation methods often involve cooling biological material to liquid nitrogen temperatures for long-term storage.

Solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) provides a temperature of -78.5°C, which is not sufficiently low for long-term cryopreservation of most biological tissues. Liquid air and helium are less commonly used than liquid nitrogen for standard biological sample storage due to cost, availability, or specific temperature requirements.

8. A patient’s abdomen (alimentary canal) can be examined by X-ray after

A patient’s abdomen (alimentary canal) can be examined by X-ray after administering which one of the following metal salts in the patient’s meal ?

Barium sulphate

Barium chloride

Strontium sulphate

Magnesium chloride

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Barium sulphate is administered to patients for X-ray examination of the alimentary canal. This procedure is commonly known as a barium swallow, barium meal, or barium enema depending on the part being examined.

– Barium sulphate (BaSO4) is a contrast agent used in radiology.
– It is opaque to X-rays, allowing the structure of the digestive tract to be visualized.
– It is used because it is insoluble in water and is not absorbed by the body, making it relatively safe for ingestion or rectal administration despite barium being toxic.

Other barium salts, like barium chloride, are soluble and toxic, and thus cannot be used for this purpose. Barium sulphate is chemically inert and passes through the digestive system without being absorbed.

9. The atmosphere of Planet Venus is made up of thick and yellowish cloud

The atmosphere of Planet Venus is made up of thick and yellowish clouds of

Chlorine

Sulphuric acid

Nitric acid

Bromine

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The thick and yellowish clouds of Venus are primarily composed of droplets of Sulphuric acid.

– The atmosphere of Venus is extremely dense and hot.
– While the main atmospheric gas is carbon dioxide, the visible cloud decks are made of sulfuric acid.
– These clouds contribute significantly to Venus’s high reflectivity (albedo).

The sulfuric acid in Venus’s atmosphere is believed to form from the photochemistry of water, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide. The lower atmosphere contains trace amounts of water vapor and sulfur dioxide, which are thought to fuel the formation of these clouds.

10. Avani Lekhara excels in which one of the following sports?

Avani Lekhara excels in which one of the following sports?

Table Tennis

Cycling

Shooting

Boxing

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Avani Lekhara is a prominent Indian para-shooter.

– She competes in Rifle Shooting events in the para-sports category.
– She gained international fame for her performance at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
– She became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Paralympics.

Avani Lekhara won gold in the R2 Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event and a bronze medal in the Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions SH1 event at the Tokyo Paralympics, making her the first Indian woman to win multiple medals at a single Paralympic Games.