UPSC IAS Archives

31. With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta per

With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct?

Join Our Telegram Channel

It was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.

It was totally absent in the Madhya Pradesh and Kathiawar regions of the Gupta Empire.

The forced labourer was entitled to weekly wages.

The eldest son of the labourer was sent as the forced labourer.

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2019

Download PDF Attempt Online

Statement A is correct. Vishti was a form of forced labour exacted by the state from the villagers, particularly prevalent in the Gupta period. It was considered a source of revenue or a form of tax contribution in the form of labour, rather than cash or kind produce.

Vishti was unpaid forced labour, a significant feature of the agrarian structure and state revenue system during the Gupta Empire.

Evidence from inscriptions like the Indore copper plate suggests the existence and importance of Vishti in different parts of the Gupta Empire, including Madhya Pradesh. The labour was often used for state purposes like building roads, irrigation works, or providing services to officials and the army. Statements B, C, and D are incorrect: Vishti was present in Madhya Pradesh and Kathiawar (as indicated by inscriptions); forced labourers were generally not entitled to wages; there is no specific rule that only the eldest son was sent.

32. Consider the following : 1. Deification of the Buddha 2. Treading t

Consider the following :

1. Deification of the Buddha
2. Treading the path of Bodhisattvas
3. Image worship and rituals

Which of the above is/are the feature/features of Mahayana Buddhism?

1 only

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2019

Download PDF Attempt Online

All three listed features are characteristic of Mahayana Buddhism.

Mahayana Buddhism, which developed several centuries after the Buddha’s death, represents a major branch of Buddhism distinct from Theravada (often referred to as Hinayana by Mahayanists).
1. Deification of the Buddha: Mahayana schools tend to view the Buddha not merely as an enlightened human being but often as a transcendent or divine figure, with multiple Buddhas and Bodhisattvas existing.
2. Treading the path of Bodhisattvas: The ideal path in Mahayana is that of the Bodhisattva – an enlightened being who compassionately delays their own final nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment. This contrasts with the Theravada ideal of the Arhat, who achieves personal liberation.
3. Image worship and rituals: Mahayana Buddhism developed extensive pantheons of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and incorporated elaborate rituals, ceremonies, and image worship as means for devotees to interact with these figures and gain merit towards enlightenment.

Mahayana Buddhism became prevalent in East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam) and parts of South Asia (Nepal, Bhutan) and Central Asia, while Theravada Buddhism is dominant in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia (Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia).

Join Our Telegram Channel

33. In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is ‘Ranyo Asho

In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is ‘Ranyo Ashoka’ (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka?

Join Our Telegram Channel

Kanganahalli

Sanchi

Shahbazgarhi

Sohgaura

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2019

Download PDF Attempt Online

The relief sculpture inscription mentioning ‘Ranyo Ashoka’ along with a stone portrait of Ashoka is found at Kanganahalli.

Kanganahalli is an archaeological site in Karnataka, India, known for the discovery of the Mahastupa which contains numerous sculpture panels. One significant panel depicts a king with the inscription “Ranyo Ashoka” (King Ashoka), which is widely accepted as a portrait of Emperor Ashoka. This is one of the very few sites where a label is associated with a portrait of Ashoka.
Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh) has famous Buddhist stupas and pillars associated with Ashoka, but does not contain a portrait labelled ‘Ranyo Ashoka’.
Shahbazgarhi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan) is known for a major rock edict of Ashoka, written in the Kharosthi script, but it does not feature a stone portrait of Ashoka with this specific inscription.
Sohgaura (Uttar Pradesh) is known for a Mauryan copper plate inscription related to famine relief, not a portrait of Ashoka.

The discovery at Kanganahalli was significant because it provided a confirmed visual representation of Ashoka, complementing the textual and epigraphic evidence about his reign and patronage of Buddhism.

34. Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?

Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?

Join Our Telegram Channel

Chanhudaro

Kot Diji

Sohgaura

Desalpur

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2019

Download PDF Attempt Online

Sohgaura is not a Harappan site.

Chanhudaro (Sindh, Pakistan), Kot Diji (Sindh, Pakistan), and Desalpur (Gujarat, India) are all known Harappan or Indus Valley Civilization sites. Chanhudaro is particularly known as an industrial centre. Kot Diji represents early Harappan phase characteristics. Desalpur is a fortified Harappan settlement.
Sohgaura is located in Gorakhpur district, Uttar Pradesh. It is known for a Mauryan-era copper plate inscription that refers to relief measures taken during a famine, mentioning granaries. It is not associated with the Harappan Civilization.

Harappan sites are primarily concentrated in the Indus River basin and surrounding areas, including parts of modern-day Pakistan and northwest India (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, western Uttar Pradesh). Mauryan sites and inscriptions are found across a much wider geographical area of the Indian subcontinent.

35. Consider the following pairs : Movement/Organization Leader 1

Consider the following pairs :

Movement/Organization	Leader
1. All India Anti-Untouchability League	: Mahatma Gandhi
2. All India Kisan Sabha	: Swami Sahajanand Saraswati
3. Self-Respect Movement	: E. V. Ramaswami Naicker

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

Join Our Telegram Channel

1 only

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2019

Download PDF Attempt Online

All three pairs are correctly matched.

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Mahatma Gandhi founded the All India Anti-Untouchability League in 1932 to work for the eradication of untouchability. It was later renamed Harijan Sevak Sangh.
Pair 2 is correctly matched: Swami Sahajanand Saraswati was a prominent figure in the Indian peasant movement and founded the All India Kisan Sabha in 1936 as the apex body of peasant organizations in India.
Pair 3 is correctly matched: E. V. Ramaswami Naicker, also known as Periyar, founded the Self-Respect Movement in 1925 in Tamil Nadu. The movement aimed at achieving a society where backward castes have equal human rights and encouraging them to live with self-respect.

These movements represent different facets of social and political reform in India during the colonial period, addressing issues like caste discrimination, agrarian distress, and social equality.

36. With reference to Swadeshi Movement, consider the following statements

With reference to Swadeshi Movement, consider the following statements:

1. It contributed to the revival of the indigenous artisan crafts and industries.
2. The National Council of Education was established as a part of Swadeshi Movement.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Join Our Telegram Channel

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2019

Download PDF Attempt Online

Both statements 1 and 2 are correct.

Statement 1 is correct. A key aspect of the Swadeshi Movement (1905-1908), which was a reaction against the partition of Bengal, was the boycott of foreign goods and promotion of indigenous products. This led to a conscious effort to revive and promote Indian artisan crafts and establish new industries.
Statement 2 is correct. As part of the constructive programme of the Swadeshi movement, there was a strong emphasis on ‘National Education’. Institutions were established to impart education outside the control of the British government. The National Council of Education was established in 1906 to organize this system of education from primary to university level.

The Swadeshi movement had far-reaching implications beyond the partition of Bengal, influencing economic, cultural, and educational spheres and laying the groundwork for future nationalist movements.

37. Consider the following statements about ‘the Charter Act of 1813’: 1

Consider the following statements about ‘the Charter Act of 1813’:

Join Our Telegram Channel

1. It ended the trade monopoly of the East India Company in India except for trade in tea and trade with China.
2. It asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over the Indian territories held by the Company.
3. The revenues of India were now controlled by the British Parliament.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2019

Download PDF Attempt Online

Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect.

Statement 1 is correct. The Charter Act of 1813 ended the East India Company’s monopoly on trade in India, opening it to all British merchants. However, it specifically retained the Company’s monopoly over the trade in tea and its trade with China.
Statement 2 is correct. The Act formally asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over the territories held by the Company in India, signifying a shift in the constitutional position.
Statement 3 is incorrect. While the Act brought the Company’s territories and revenues under greater parliamentary oversight, the revenues of India were still primarily under the control and management of the East India Company. Parliament did not take direct control of Indian revenues at this stage; that control was asserted more definitively by later Acts, particularly after the 1857 revolt.

The Act of 1813 also included provisions for the promotion of education in India (allocating funds for the revival and improvement of literature and the encouragement of learned natives) and permitted Christian missionaries to come to India.

38. The Global Competitiveness Report is published by the

The Global Competitiveness Report is published by the

International Monetary Fund

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

World Economic Forum

World Bank

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2019

Download PDF Attempt Online

The Global Competitiveness Report is published by the World Economic Forum.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is an international non-governmental and lobbying organization based in Cologny, Geneva, Switzerland. It is known for its annual meeting in Davos. The Global Competitiveness Report is one of its major publications, assessing the factors driving the productivity and prosperity of countries.

Other organizations mentioned publish different key reports: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) publishes the World Economic Outlook and Global Financial Stability Report. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) publishes the Trade and Development Report and World Investment Report. The World Bank publishes the World Development Report and Doing Business report (though the latter was discontinued).

Join Our Telegram Channel

39. With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the

With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the following statements is correct?

The ceiling laws were aimed at family holdings and not individual holdings.

The major aim of land reforms was providing agricultural land to all the landless.

It resulted in cultivation of cash crops as a predominant form of cultivation.

Land reforms permitted no exemptions to the ceiling limits.

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2019

Download PDF Attempt Online

Statement B is the correct statement regarding land reforms in independent India.

Statement A is incorrect. While later revisions in some states introduced or emphasized family holdings, the initial ceiling laws often targeted individual holdings.
Statement B is correct. A major aim of land reforms, particularly the imposition of ceiling limits on landholdings and redistribution of surplus land, was to provide agricultural land to the landless poor and marginal farmers, thereby reducing inequality and improving their economic status.
Statement C is incorrect. Land reforms aimed at structural changes in land ownership and tenancy. The shift towards cash crops is a complex phenomenon influenced by various factors like market demand, irrigation availability, technology, etc., and not a direct or primary outcome aimed for by land reforms.
Statement D is incorrect. Land ceiling laws included various exemptions, such as land held by plantations (tea, coffee, rubber, etc.), specialized farms (horticulture, dairy), and religious/charitable institutions. These exemptions were one of the reasons for the limited amount of surplus land available for redistribution.

Land reforms in India encompassed several aspects: abolition of intermediaries (like Zamindars), tenancy reforms (security of tenure, rent regulation, ownership rights for tenants), ceiling on landholdings, and consolidation of landholdings. The success of these reforms varied significantly across states.

Join Our Telegram Channel

40. With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences

With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar?

1. Jagirdars were holders of land assignments in lieu of judicial and police duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without obligation to perform any duty other than revenue collection.
2. Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Join Our Telegram Channel

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2019

Download PDF Attempt Online

Neither statement 1 nor statement 2 is correct.

Statement 1 is incorrect. Jagirdars were holders of revenue assignments (jagirs) given in lieu of cash salaries for their service to the state (military, administrative, etc.). They were primarily concerned with revenue collection from their assigned areas, not necessarily judicial or police duties directly, though they might hold administrative posts that included such duties. Zamindars were hereditary landholders or intermediaries who had rights to collect revenue from peasant cultivators, often with additional local administrative powers. Their primary obligation to the state was the punctual payment of the agreed-upon revenue.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Land assignments (jagirs) to Jagirdars were temporary and transferable, not hereditary. They were usually transferred every few years to prevent the Jagirdar from developing strong local roots. Revenue rights of Zamindars, on the other hand, were largely hereditary, often based on long-standing claims or customs, although the state could sometimes modify or abolish these rights.

The Jagirdari system was a system of assigning revenues of a territory to nobles and officers in lieu of salary during the Mughal period. The Zamindari system pre-existed the Mughals in various forms and was adopted and formalized by them as a method of revenue collection. The key difference lies in the nature of their relationship with the state and the land/revenue: Jagirdars were assignees of revenue for service, while Zamindars were hereditary intermediaries with rights over land/revenue collection.