Explore topic-wise InterviewSolutions in Current Affairs.

The correct answer is Avni Doshi.

• Avni Doshi is an author of the novel 'Burnt Sugar' which has been longlisted for the Booker Prize 2020.
• It is her debut book which is a feminist novel set in modern-day India that ponders motherhood and the change of roles from being a daughter to becoming a caregiver for an elderly mother.
• The Booker Prize for Fiction, formerly known as the Booker–McConnell Prize (1969–2001) and the Man Booker Prize (2002–2019), is a literary prize awarded each year for the best original novel written in the English language and published in the United Kingdom.

• Sree Iyer is the author of the book 'Who painted my lust red?'.

• Tenzin Priyadarshi and Zara Houshmand are co-authors of the book 'Running towards Mystery'.

The correct answer is Kalidas.

• The Great Sanskrit Maestro, Mahakavi Kalidas wrote Abhigyan Shakuntalam nearly 2,500 years ago.
• This immortal love story is also the bedrock of foundation of India's rich socio-cultural edifice. 
• This story defined in the form of a play.
• Kalidas often considered as ancient India's greatest playwright and dramatist. His plays and poetry are primarily based on the Vedas, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas. He lived during the reign of Gupta Empire.

The correct answer is 1, 2 and 3.

• He occupied Delhi by defeating Mughal emperor Humayun twice, in the Battle of Chausa and the Battle of Kannauj. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
• When all the tactics to subdue this fort failed then Sher Shah ordered walls to the fort to be blown up with gunpowder, but he himself was seriously wounded as a result of the explosion of a mine.
• Akbar’s administrative system and taxation was largely based on the system established by Sher Shah. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
• He was succeeded by his son, Jalal Khan who took the title of Islam Shah Suri. His mausoleum, the Sher Shah Suri Tomb (122 ft high) stands in the middle of an artificial lake at Sasaram, a town that stands on the Grand Trunk Road.
• He issued a standardized silver coin called ‘Rupiya ’. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
  • While the term rūpya had previously been used as a generic term for any silver coin, during his rule the term rūpiya came to be used as the name for a silver coin of a standard weight of 178 grains, which was the precursor of the modern rupee.
• Gold coins called the Mohur weighing 169 grains and copper coins called Dam were also minted by his government.
• In November 1544, Emperor of the Sur Empire of Delhi Sher Shah Suri attacked Kalinjar with a large force and laid a siege.
• The Rajput King ruling at Kalinjar at that time was Kirat Rai, whose daughter Rani Durgavati was married to King Dalpat, the ruler of Garha-Mandala (Gondwana). The Gonds helped Raja Kirat Rai defend the Fort and out of frustration Sher Shah decided to blow the fort walls up using gunpowder.
• Unfortunately, one of the gunpowder rockets launched towards the fort walls boomeranged and hit back Sher Shah himself, burning him fatally.
• Sher Shah died on the same day and was buried in the nearby town of Sasaram. Hence, Statement 4  is not correct.

Mughal painting reached its zenith during the reign of Jahangir.

(b) Kalidasa

The bronze coins of Natraja or Dancing Shiva during the Chola period invariably depicted the deity with Six arms.

The Correct Answer is Rajendra Chola I.

• Rajaraja Chola I (985 - 1014 AD):
  • He was one of the greatest emperors of the Chola empire.
  • In his reign, the Cholas expanded beyond South India stretching from Kalinga in the north to Sri Lanka in the south.
  • He fought many battles with the Chalukyas in the north and the Pandyas in the south.
  • He built the Brihadishwara temple in Thanjavur dedicated to Lord Shiva.
  • He also helped in the construction of a Buddhist monastery at Nagapattinam.
  • He was succeeded by his son Rajendra Chola I in 1014 AD.
• Rajendra Chola I (1014-44 AD):
  • He is considered one of the greatest rulers and military generals of south India.
  • He continued his father's policy of aggressive conquests and expansion.
  • Apart from reaching northwards to river Ganga and moving overseas to the Maldives and Sri Lanka, he also invaded the Southeast Asian territories.
  • He conquered the whole of Ceylon or Sri Lanka.
  • He defeated the kings of Sumatra in a naval campaign and annexed a part of Sumatra's kingdom to his kingdom.
  • He defeated Jayasimha II of the western Chalukyas and consequently, the river Tungabhadra was recognized as the boundary between the Cholas and Chalukyas.
  • He conquered several trans-Ganga Kingdoms and assumed the title of Gangaikonda Chola.
  • He founded the city Gangaikondacholapuram and constructed the famous Rameshwaram temple in the city.
  • He also excavated a large irrigation tank called Cholagangam on the western side of the city.
  • He assumed many titles, the most important ones being Mudikondan, Gangaikondan, Kadaram Kondan and Pandita Cholan.
  • He built a shiva temple at Gangaikondacholapuram.
  • The Chola dynasty reached its zenith during his reign.

• Sundara Chola (857-970 AD):
  • He was also known as Parantaka Chola II.
  • He was crowned as the Chola King despite the presence of Uttama Chola, the son of Gandaraditya.
  • He also encouraged Tamil and Sanskrit literature.​

Pazhassi Raja acted as an ally of British in their * Mysore invasions. They gave the right to collect taxes from Kottayam to the king of Kurumbanadu. Provoked by this Pazhassi blocked the whole revenue system. The British proceeded to take action against Pazhassi. They tried to annex Pazhassi’s territories to British India. Hence Pazhassi Raja attempted to eliminate colonial power through guerilla warfare with the assistance of his soldiers including Kurichyas the tribal community of Waynad.

CONCEPT:

• Water Harvesting: Water harvesting is a practice to conserve water by collecting rainwater in an organized way.
  • The rainwater is not allowed to flow and get wasted but collected in tanks.
  • The main purpose however is not the collection but the enhancement of groundwater level.  
  • The collected water through tubes is made to recharge groundwater.
  • Maintenance of groundwater is long term sustainable structure for water conservation.

EXPLANATION: 

• So, water harvesting is used to increase the groundwater level by an organized collection of groundwater.
• So, water harvesting is a method that Increases the groundwater level.

• Water harvesting is an old practice in India and is now considered a more efficient way of water management than dams.  
• People are adopting this method and it is also being encouraged by the administration and government. 

The correct answer is Shiva.​

• Most temples from Chola reign are dedicated to Lord Shiva.

• The Chola rulers were not only mighty conquerors and great administrators but also great builders.
• They were great patrons of art; during their reign, the most magnificent temples and exquisite bronze icons were created in South India.
• There are three great 11th- and 12th-century Temples i.e. Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram, the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur.
• These temples of Southern India represent outstanding creative achievement in the architectural conception of the pure form of the Dravida type of temple which is now known as the "Great Living Chola Temples".

The correct answer is Kukra.

• In ancient times, the northern portion of Jharkhand state was a tributary to Magadha (ancient Bihar) Empire and the southern part was a tributary to Kalinga (ancient Orissa) Empire.
• During the Mughal period, the Jharkhand area was known as Kukra.
• In Akbarnama, the region of Chota Nagpur is described as Jharkhand.
• In 1765, Emperor Shah Alam II granted the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa to the East India Company.
• After the year 1765, it came under the control of the British Empire and became formally known under its present title, "Jharkhand" - the Land of "Jungles" (forests) and "Jharis" (bushes).

(d) All the above

(c) for his own purification and that of his associates for greater commitment to the cause of the Harijans

(c) Wedgwood Benn

Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed on 15th March 1931.

• In 1674 Shivaji ascended to the crown at Raigarh and assumed the title of Chhatrapati and Hindu va Dharamodharak.
• To run the administrative affairs there was a council of state ministers known as Ashtpradhan(eight ministers) and each minister was responding to the ruler. The minister could give their advice on various issues but Shivaji was not bound to it.
• Eight ministers(Ashtpradhan) -

• Except Pandit Rao and Nyaya Dhish each minister had to perform military services when state required.
• Each minister was assisted by eight assistants: diwan, majumdar, fadnis, sabnis, kharkhanis, chitins, jamadar and potnis.

33 % percentage of total seats reserved for women in Gram Panchayat in Bihar.

(d) All the above

12% percentage of seats are reserved for backward classes in government job in Bihar.

By the Poona Pact, the Indian 'Depressed Classes' got reserved seats in the Provincial and Central Legislative Councils in1932.

1876 Queen Victoria assume the title of the Empress of India.

(d) Siraj-ud-Daulah's attack on Fort William and capture of Calcutta (Alinagar)

Statement 'A' is correct but statement 'B' is incorrect.

• Only the Narmada, the Tapti, and the Mahi rivers run from east to west and flow in a rift valley. Hence statement B is incorrect

• Himalayan rivers cross many Himalayan ranges and the Shivalik Hills and enter into the plain area. ​Hence statements A is correct.

• Shiwalik Range
  • Also known as Outer Himalayas.
  • Located in between the Great Plains and Lesser Himalayas.
  • The altitude varies from 600 to 1500 meters.
  • It has a length of about 2,400 km from the Potwar Plateau to the Brahmaputra valley.
  • The southern slopes are steep while the northern slopes are gentle.
• Peninsular river
  • The Peninsular drainage system is older than the Himalayan one.
  • This is evident from the broad, largely-graded shallow valleys, and the maturity of the rivers.
  • The Narmada and the Tapi are the peninsular rivers that flow through a rift valley.
  • Most of the major Peninsular Rivers except Narmada and Tapi flow from west to east. 
  • Hence statements B is incorrect.
  • Mahanadi, Godavari, Tungabhadra, Kaveri in the Deccan the
    gradient flows from West at the height of Western Ghats to the East into the Bay of Bengal.
• The geological faults (rifts) created between two ancient mountain ranges, ‘Vindhya’ & ‘Satpura’, when the Indian plate moved into the Eurasian plate.
  • They arise in the Chota Nagpur plateau in the east of the Deccan peninsula and from there, the gradient is down towards the Arabian Sea in the West; that is why they travel from the east to the west.  
  • These faults run parallel to the Vindhyas and the Satpuras.

(b) Jawaharlal Nehru

March 1947 Mountbatten come to India as viceroy.

The title viceroy meant crown’s personal Representative.

1878 the vernacular press act passed.

Reading the viceroy from 1922.

The correct answer is Raigad.

• Ashta Mahasthana associated with the life of the Buddha are :
  • Lumbini
  • Bodh Gaya
  • Sarnath
  • Kushinagar
  • Shravasti
  • Sankissa
  • Rajgriha
  • Vaishali
• Gautama Buddha was born in the Lumbini village of Kapilavastu, Nepal in 563 B.C,  in the Shakya Kshatriya clan.​​

• Mahabhiraskramana or the Great Going Forth is the event when Gautama Buddha left his home.
• Buddha visited Vaishali and learnt Sankhya darshan.
• He went to Rajgriha and learnt yoga, went to Uruvela where he attained enlightenment.
• He went on to Sarnath where he delivered his first sermon also called Dharmachakrapravartana.
• He died in 483 B.C near Kushinara and the event is known as Mahaparinirvana.

(c) 18% seats in the central legislature and 148 seats in the provincial legislature

(c) Lord Wellesly

Lord Canning was the first viceroy of India.

Shivaji's administration owed its origin to the principles laid down by Kautilya.

(c) It laid the foundation for British rule in India

Ashok Mehta written the book the Great Rebellion.

We were not alive at that time so we don't know fo sure.

2 is NOT correct.

• Nishat Bagh:
  • It is a terraced Mughal garden.
  • Situated on the eastern side of the Dal Lake.
  • It is the largest Mughal garden in the Kashmir Valley
  • Build by Asif Khan, Shah Jahan’s father - in - law. 
    • It is also known as ‘Garden of Joy’. 

•  Aaram Bagh:
  • The oldest Mughal Garden in India.
  • Built by the Mughal Emperor Babur in 1528.
  • It is a type of Persian garden.
  • Situated in Agra.
•  Shalimar garden:
  • Also known as Shalamar Gardens.
  • Located in Lahore.
  • It is a type of Persian garden.
  • It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, since 1981.
• Pinjore Garden:
  • Also known as Yadavindra Gardens.
  • Located in Pinjore city of Panchkula district, Haryana.
  • It was the summer retreat for the Aurangzeb.  

The correct answer is Charity and Religious affairs.

• Ashta Pradhan:
  • Maratha Empire had a system of the ministerial order. 
  • This council is known as Ashta Pradhan. They consist of eight members.
  • They are responsible for implementing good governance.
  • Pandit Rao was known as the high priest.
    • He manages religious matters. 
  • Panditrao and Nyayadisha were two exceptions who are exempt from holding full-time military commands.

Ashta Pradhan members:

The book “History of British India” was written by James Mill.

R.C.Dutt deals with the history of Indian economy from the Battle of Plassey up to 1900.

D.D.Kosambi was adopted the Marxian approach in the interpretation of Indian History.

D.D.Kosambi  adopted the Marxian approach in the interpretation of Indian History.

The correct answer is Tax on Plunder.

• Term Khum was used for Tax on Plunder.

• Madad-i-Massh-Tax-free grants of land.
• Sondhar or Taqavi-Loan was given to farmers.
• Wujuhat-Tax on Cattle.

• Important keywords used in the Medieval Period
  • Muquaddam - Village head.
  • Nankar - A portion of revenue given to Zamindar.
  • Pargana - Around a hundred village.
  • Qanungos - Caretaker of revenue records.
  • Faujdar - In charge of Sarkar.
  • Ganj - A grain market.
  • Gomashta - Commercial agent.
  • Hun - A gold coin.

Mahatma Gandhi raised 'Do or Die' slogan in Quit India Movement.

Jallian wala Bagh massacre took place on the day of Baisakhi.

Ranke inaugurated the writing of history in a scientific way.

Myth and Reality in Indian History was written by D.D Kosambi.

Sweet potatoes and potatoes are example of– (based on evolution) Analogous  

Marriage relations been described by V.A.Smith as the monument of Akbars Folly.