World History

1. Archaeologists have recently discovered a 7000-year-old prehistoric se

Archaeologists have recently discovered a 7000-year-old prehistoric settlement in which one of the following countries ?

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Serbia
Bulgaria
Romania
Finland
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UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2024
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In recent years, archaeologists have made significant discoveries of ancient settlements in Serbia, including a large 7,000-year-old prehistoric village belonging to the Vinca culture near the town of Prokuplje.
– A 7,000-year-old prehistoric settlement was discovered in Serbia.
– The discovery is linked to the Vinca culture.
The Vinca culture was a Neolithic archaeological culture in Southeastern Europe, dating from the 6th to 3rd millennia BCE. They are known for their settlements, pottery, and early forms of symbols or proto-writing. The discovery in Serbia provides valuable insights into the life, economy, and social structure of these early European farming communities.

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2. Who among the following has authored Imperialism : the Highest Stage o

Who among the following has authored Imperialism : the Highest Stage of Capitalism?

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Karl Marx
Antonio Gramsci
V. I. Lenin
Luxemburg
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V. I. Lenin authored the book ‘Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism’.
– Vladimir Ilyich Lenin (1870-1924) was a Russian revolutionary, political theorist, and the first head of government of Soviet Russia and the Soviet Union.
– He wrote ‘Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism’ in 1916, arguing that imperialism was a specific stage of capitalist development characterized by monopolies, the dominance of finance capital, export of capital, and the division of the world among international trusts.
Karl Marx is known for ‘Das Kapital’, Antonio Gramsci for his concept of cultural hegemony, and Rosa Luxemburg (often mistakenly cited as ‘Luxemburg’ in options) for her critiques of capitalism and imperialism, particularly in ‘The Accumulation of Capital’.

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3. Which of the following statements about ‘Cold War’ is/are correct? 1

Which of the following statements about ‘Cold War’ is/are correct?

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  • 1. It refers to the political and military rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union.
  • 2. The Cold War also refers to the years between the Truman Doctrine and the Khrushchev Thaw.
  • 3. The term refers to a certain kind of behaviour, characterized by superpower confrontation, unaccompanied by ideology.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1 only
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
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UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2019
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Statement 1 is correct about the ‘Cold War’.
– Statement 1 is true: The Cold War was primarily characterized by the geopolitical, ideological, and military rivalry between the two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, and their respective allies.
– Statement 2 is false: While the Truman Doctrine (1947) is often considered a starting point of the Cold War, the Khrushchev Thaw (mid-1950s) was a period of slightly improved relations and reduced repression within the Soviet Union and its bloc; it did not mark the end of the Cold War. The Cold War lasted until the early 1990s.
– Statement 3 is false: The Cold War was intensely ideological. It was a conflict between the capitalist-democratic system championed by the US and the communist system led by the USSR, in addition to being a superpower confrontation.
The term “Cold War” is used because the two main adversaries never directly engaged in large-scale armed combat against each other, but instead pursued their conflict through proxy wars, espionage, propaganda, and the nuclear arms race.

4. Which one of the following statements is **not** true about

Which one of the following statements is **not** true about Perestroika?

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It is the name of a book authored by Mikhail Gorbachev.
It was anti-Stalinist but not anti-socialist.
It reflected Gorbachev's ideas on the creation of Commonwealth of Independent States.
It emphasized a return to the ideals of Lenin.
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Statement C is not true about Perestroika.
– Perestroika (meaning “restructuring”) was a political and economic reform movement within the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, associated with Mikhail Gorbachev, implemented from 1985 onwards.
– Statement A is true: Mikhail Gorbachev authored a book titled “Perestroika: New Thinking for Our Country and the World” explaining his reforms.
– Statement B is true: Perestroika sought to reform the existing socialist system, not abolish it, and was critical of the centralized, authoritarian aspects associated with Stalin’s rule (anti-Stalinist but not anti-socialist).
– Statement D is true: Gorbachev often invoked the ideals of Lenin, particularly his New Economic Policy (NEP), to justify market-oriented reforms and decentralization as a return to true Leninist principles that had been distorted by later Soviet leaders.
– Statement C is false: Perestroika was a policy aimed at reforming the Soviet Union itself. The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was formed in December 1991 *after* the dissolution of the Soviet Union, a process that the failure of Perestroika to revitalize the USSR arguably accelerated. Perestroika did not aim to create the CIS; the CIS emerged as a successor entity after the USSR collapsed.
Glasnost (openness) was another key reform introduced by Gorbachev alongside Perestroika. These reforms aimed to modernize the Soviet system but ultimately contributed to its collapse.

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5. Which one of the following groups of plants was domesticated in the ‘N

Which one of the following groups of plants was domesticated in the ‘New World’ and introduced into the ‘Old World’?

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Tobacco, cocoa and rubber
Tobacco, cotton and rubber
Cotton, coffee and sugarcane
Rubber, coffee and wheat
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Option A is correct. Tobacco (*Nicotiana tabacum*), cocoa (*Theobroma cacao*), and rubber (*Hevea brasiliensis*) are all native to the Americas (the ‘New World’) and were domesticated there before being introduced to the ‘Old World’ (Eurasia and Africa) through the Columbian Exchange.
– The ‘New World’ refers to the Americas, while the ‘Old World’ refers to Eurasia and Africa.
– The Columbian Exchange involved the widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, diseases, and ideas between the Old World and the New World in the 15th and 16th centuries.
– Tobacco, cocoa, and rubber originated and were domesticated in the Americas.
– Cotton has different species native to both the Old World and the New World, although New World varieties eventually became dominant globally.
– Coffee is native to Africa (Old World).
– Sugarcane is native to Southeast Asia (Old World).
– Wheat is native to the Middle East (Old World).

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6. Recently, a series of uprisings of people referred to as ‘Arab Spring’

Recently, a series of uprisings of people referred to as ‘Arab Spring’ originally started from

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Egypt
Lebanon
Syria
Tunisia
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The correct option is D. The series of uprisings referred to as ‘Arab Spring’ originally started from Tunisia.
The Arab Spring was a series of anti-government protests, uprisings, and armed rebellions that spread across much of the Arab world in the early 2010s. It began in Tunisia on December 18, 2010, following the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor, in protest against police harassment and corruption.
The Tunisian protests led to the overthrow of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011, inspiring similar movements in other Arab countries, including Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, and others. While significant events occurred in Egypt (leading to the fall of Mubarak), Libya (civil war), and Syria (ongoing civil war), the initial spark and successful overthrow of a long-standing regime first occurred in Tunisia.

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7. Which one of the following groups belongs to the same school of

Which one of the following groups belongs to the same school of thought?

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J. J. Rousseau, M. Robespierre, N. Bonaparte, O. Cromwell
T. Jefferson, J. Madison, G. Washington, Abraham Lincoln
F. Engels, K. Marx, M. Bakunin, J. S. Mill
Georgi Plekhanov, Vera Zasulich, Alexandra Kollontai, V. I. Lenin
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This question asks to identify a group of individuals belonging to the same school of thought. Let’s examine each option:
A) J. J. Rousseau (Enlightenment philosopher), M. Robespierre (French revolutionary, Jacobin), N. Bonaparte (Emperor of France), O. Cromwell (English Civil War leader, Lord Protector). These figures represent different historical periods, political roles, and ideological stances.
B) T. Jefferson, J. Madison, G. Washington (Founding Fathers of the United States), Abraham Lincoln (US President during the Civil War). While all are significant American political leaders, they operated in different eras and held varied views, not strictly forming a single, cohesive school of thought in political theory.
C) F. Engels, K. Marx (Founders of Marxism), M. Bakunin (Anarchist), J. S. Mill (Liberal, Utilitarian). This group includes Marxists, an Anarchist, and a Liberal philosopher, representing distinct and often opposing ideologies.
D) Georgi Plekhanov, Vera Zasulich, Alexandra Kollontai, V. I. Lenin. These are all prominent figures in the history of Russian Marxism and the Bolshevik movement. Plekhanov and Zasulich were pioneering Russian Marxists who influenced Lenin. Lenin became the leader of the Bolshevik faction, and Kollontai was a key Bolshevik revolutionary and later Soviet diplomat. They share a common ideological foundation in Marxism and participation in the Russian revolutionary movement.
Therefore, group D represents individuals belonging to the same, relatively cohesive school of thought (Russian Marxism/Bolshevism).
Identifying intellectual or political schools of thought by their prominent figures requires knowledge of history of ideas and political movements. Group D consists of key figures associated with Russian Marxism and the Bolshevik Revolution.
Plekhanov is often considered the “father of Russian Marxism”. Vera Zasulich was also a prominent early Russian Marxist. Lenin adapted Marxist theory to the Russian context, leading the Bolsheviks. Alexandra Kollontai was a leading figure among the Bolsheviks, known for her views on women’s rights and social reform.

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8. Which of the following statements about the new style of architecture

Which of the following statements about the new style of architecture of Rome in the 15th century is / are correct ?

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  • It was marked by a complete break from the past
  • It was actually a revival of the imperial Roman style
  • The Architects familiar with classical style were employed by wealthy merchants and aristocrats

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only
2 and 3
2 only
3 only
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UPSC CAPF – 2016
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The correct answer is B. Statements 2 and 3 accurately describe aspects of the new style of architecture in Rome during the 15th century Renaissance, while statement 1 does not.
– Statement 1: “It was marked by a complete break from the past”. Incorrect. Renaissance architecture was characterized by a deliberate *revival* and adaptation of classical Roman architectural principles and forms, drawing heavily from the ruins and texts of antiquity. It was a break from the Gothic style that preceded it, but not a complete break from *all* past, as it specifically looked to the ancient Roman past for inspiration.
– Statement 2: “It was actually a revival of the imperial Roman style”. Correct. Renaissance architects (like Alberti, Bramante) studied ancient Roman buildings and texts like Vitruvius’s *De Architectura*. They sought to reintroduce classical elements such as columns (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian orders), pediments, arches, domes, and principles of symmetry, proportion, and harmony based on classical models.
– Statement 3: “The Architects familiar with classical style were employed by wealthy merchants and aristocrats”. Correct. The Renaissance was heavily fueled by patronage. Wealthy families, princes, and the Papacy were the major patrons of architecture, commissioning palaces, churches, and public buildings. They sought out architects who could realize their ambitions in the prestigious new classical style, which was seen as a symbol of learning, status, and connection to the glorious past.
The 15th century saw the rise of Renaissance architecture in Italy, starting in Florence and spreading to Rome. Key figures included Brunelleschi (though more active in early 15th-century Florence), Alberti (theorist and architect), and later in Rome, Bramante, who significantly shaped the style of the High Renaissance. This period saw the construction of influential buildings that defined the classical tradition for centuries.

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9. What is the meaning of the term “Humanist” used during the Renaissance

What is the meaning of the term “Humanist” used during the Renaissance in 15th century Europe?
1. It refers to the masters who taught grammar and rhetoric
2. It refers to the masters who taught poetry, history and moral philosophy
3. It refers to the masters who taught subjects that were connected with religion
4. It refers to masters who emphasized skills that were developed through discussion and debate.

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Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1, 2 and 3
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 4
2 and 4 only
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UPSC CAPF – 2016
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The correct answer is C. During the Renaissance, “Humanists” referred to scholars and teachers who focused on the “studia humanitatis”, which encompassed a specific set of subjects and teaching methods.
– Statement 1: Humanists taught grammar and rhetoric. Correct. These were foundational elements of the studia humanitatis, crucial for effective communication and analysis of classical texts.
– Statement 2: Humanists taught poetry, history and moral philosophy. Correct. These subjects, derived from classical Greek and Roman literature, history, and philosophy, were central to the Humanist curriculum, aiming to cultivate virtuous and knowledgeable citizens.
– Statement 3: Humanists taught subjects connected with religion. Incorrect. While Humanists were often devout Christians, their focus was on secular subjects and classical antiquity, distinct from the traditional scholastic curriculum which centered on theology and philosophy from a religious perspective. They studied classical texts for their human wisdom, not primarily for religious doctrine.
– Statement 4: Humanists emphasized skills developed through discussion and debate. Correct. Humanist education encouraged critical thinking, analysis of texts, and the ability to articulate arguments effectively, often through exercises like disputation, drawing inspiration from classical methods.
The studia humanitatis consisted of grammar, rhetoric, poetry, history, and moral philosophy. Humanism marked a shift from the scholastic focus on logic and metaphysics towards a renewed interest in classical literature and its relevance to human life and society. Humanists sought to revive the cultural and intellectual achievements of antiquity and apply them to contemporary issues.

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10. Identify from the following the novel written by Charles Dickens that

Identify from the following the novel written by Charles Dickens that critiqued the adverse impact of industrialization on the poor.

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The Day Before America
Hard Times
Creating a Nation
The Courtier
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The correct answer is B. Charles Dickens’ novel “Hard Times” is a prominent critique of the adverse impact of industrialization and the utilitarian philosophy underpinning it on the lives of the working class in a fictional industrial town called Coketown.
– “Hard Times” (1854) is explicitly set in an industrial city and satirizes the utilitarian belief in facts, statistics, and self-interest, portraying its dehumanizing effects on individuals and society, particularly the poor.
– Charles Dickens often wrote about the social conditions in Victorian England, but “Hard Times” is specifically focused on the issues brought about by industrialization and the prevailing economic philosophies.
– The other options are not novels by Charles Dickens or are not primarily known for critiquing industrialization in this manner: “The Day Before America” is by Stephen Coonts; “Creating a Nation” is a general historical concept; “The Courtier” is a Renaissance text by Baldassare Castiglione.
Dickens’ works often highlighted the plight of the poor and working class, criticizing social injustices, poverty, and the harsh conditions brought about by rapid industrial and social changes in 19th-century Britain. “Oliver Twist” and “Bleak House” are other examples where he explores social issues, but “Hard Times” directly addresses the industrial environment and utilitarianism.

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