501. Which of the following Harappan sites provides the earliest evidence of ploughed agricultural fields?
A. Lothal
B. Kalibangan
C. Dholavira
D. Rakhigarhi
Ans: B
Explanation: Kalibangan in Rajasthan shows furrow marks, indicating ploughed fields—unique among Harappan sites.
502. The term Nishta in early Buddhist philosophy refers to:
A. The Four Noble Truths
B. The Eightfold Path
C. Firm commitment to liberation
D. Discipline in monastic life
Ans: C
Explanation: Nishta implies a resolute attitude towards attaining Nirvana.
503. The “Doctrine of Not-self” (Anatta) challenges which concept of Brahmanical philosophy?
A. Karma
B. Rebirth
C. Atman
D. Moksha
Ans: C
504. The earliest recorded instance of land grants to Brahmanas can be traced to:
A. Gupta inscriptions
B. Mauryan rock edicts
C. Satavahana copper plates
D. Vedic Samhitas
Ans: C
505. The economic policy of Alauddin Khalji was aimed primarily at:
A. Enhancing trade
B. Maximizing state revenue
C. Curbing the power of nobles
D. Regulating price inflation
Ans: C
Explanation: His strict control over prices and land was to prevent uprisings from a wealthy, militarized nobility.
506. Which Gupta-era text provides elaborate details about the duties of a king and ideal administration?
A. Arthashastra
B. Manusmriti
C. Nitisara by Kamandaka
D. Harshacharita
Ans: C
507. Which of the following pairs is incorrect?
A. Hiuen Tsang – Harshavardhana
B. Al-Biruni – Mahmud of Ghazni
C. Megasthenes – Samudragupta
D. Fa-Hien – Chandragupta II
Ans: C
508. Which of the following temples is the best example of the Nagara style architecture?
A. Brihadeshwara, Tanjore
B. Kandariya Mahadeva, Khajuraho
C. Sun Temple, Konark
D. Kailasanatha, Ellora
Ans: B
509. The term Turquoise Throne is associated with the coronation of which ruler?
A. Akbar
B. Babur
C. Shah Jahan
D. Humayun
Ans: D
Explanation: Humayun’s return to power was symbolized by sitting on the Turquoise Throne.
510. The ‘Mazhar’ issued by Akbar in 1579 was meant to:
A. Promote trade
B. Abolish Jizya
C. Declare Akbar as supreme in religious matters
D. Create Din-i-Ilahi
Ans: C
511. The Satnami revolt during Aurangzeb’s reign reflected:
A. Discontent of tribal peasants
B. Anti-Brahmin sentiment
C. Revolt by artisans and lower castes
D. Jat militarism
Ans: C
512. The Ryotwari system was favored by Thomas Munro due to:
A. Abundance of zamindars
B. Need to deal directly with peasantry
C. Policy of Indianisation
D. Corruption in revenue collection
Ans: B
513. Which one of the following battles marked the beginning of the end of Mughal supremacy in India?
A. Battle of Plassey
B. Battle of Karnal
C. Battle of Panipat (3rd)
D. Battle of Buxar
Ans: B
514. Who among the following leaders was influenced by Giuseppe Mazzini in shaping his revolutionary ideals?
A. Aurobindo Ghosh
B. Subhas Chandra Bose
C. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
D. Lala Lajpat Rai
Ans: A
515. Which of the following British policies directly led to the Santhal Rebellion (1855–56)?
A. Doctrine of Lapse
B. Zamindari Settlement
C. Ryotwari exploitation
D. Permanent Settlement and moneylenders
Ans: D
516. The objective of Ilbert Bill (1883) was to:
A. Introduce Indian judges in British courts
B. Give voting rights to Indians
C. Appoint Indians to Viceroy’s council
D. Regulate vernacular press
Ans: A
517. In which Congress Session was the concept of economic drain first officially adopted?
A. 1885 Bombay
B. 1889 Allahabad
C. 1896 Calcutta
D. 1906 Calcutta
Ans: B
518. The Anushilan Samiti was formed in which city?
A. Madras
B. Bombay
C. Calcutta
D. Pune
Ans: C
519. The Blue Water Policy was advocated by:
A. Francis Xavier
B. St. Thomas
C. Francisco de Almeida
D. Alfonso de Albuquerque
Ans: C
520. The Indian States Committee of 1927 was also known as:
A. Hunter Committee
B. Simon Commission
C. Butler Committee
D. Nehru Committee
Ans: C
521. Who among the following was not a member of the Nehru Report (1928)?
A. Motilal Nehru
B. Subhas Chandra Bose
C. Tej Bahadur Sapru
D. Ali Imam
Ans: B
522. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was opposed within Congress by:
A. Rajendra Prasad
B. Nehru
C. Subhas Bose
D. Vallabhbhai Patel
Ans: C
523. In which year did the Indian capital shift from Calcutta to Delhi?
A. 1910
B. 1911
C. 1912
D. 1914
Ans: B
524. Which revolutionary published the journal “Bande Mataram” in Paris?
A. Aurobindo Ghosh
B. Shyamji Krishna Verma
C. Madam Cama
D. Bhikaji Cama
Ans: A
525. “The Indian Struggle” was written by:
A. Mahatma Gandhi
B. Jawaharlal Nehru
C. Subhas Chandra Bose
D. Rabindranath Tagore
Ans: C
526. The Wahabi movement was declared illegal by British in:
A. 1831
B. 1857
C. 1868
D. 1870
Ans: C
527. The Young Bengal Movement was inspired by:
A. Derozio
B. Raja Ram Mohan Roy
C. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
D. Syed Ahmed Khan
Ans: A
528. The term “Drain of Wealth” appeared for the first time in:
A. Poverty and Un-British Rule in India
B. Economic History of India
C. Indian Mirror
D. British Parliamentary Debates
Ans: D
529. The Lucknow Pact symbolized:
A. Hindu-Muslim unity
B. Home Rule support
C. Abandoning of partition
D. Support for Simon Commission
Ans: A
530. Who said, “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it”?
A. Gandhi
B. Tilak
C. Nehru
D. Bose
Ans: B
531. The most famous bronze image of Chola art is:
A. Shiva Nataraja
B. Vishnu reclining
C. Ardhanarishvara
D. Ganesha
Ans: A
532. The Kritar Sarit Sagara was written by:
A. Somadeva
B. Banabhatta
C. Kalidasa
D. Vishakhadatta
Ans: A
533. Who was the first Gupta ruler to issue silver coins?
A. Chandragupta I
B. Samudragupta
C. Kumaragupta
D. Chandragupta II
Ans: D
534. Which Gupta ruler was also known as Napoleon of India?
A. Samudragupta
B. Chandragupta II
C. Skandagupta
D. Kumaragupta
Ans: A
535. The Chinese traveler Fa-Hien visited India during:
A. Harshavardhana
B. Ashoka
C. Chandragupta II
D. Samudragupta
Ans: C
536. Meghaduta was composed by:
A. Banabhatta
B. Kalidasa
C. Bharavi
D. Sudraka
Ans: B
537. Which ancient port was important for Indo-Roman trade?
A. Lothal
B. Broach
C. Tamralipti
D. Arikamedu
Ans: D
538. The term “Ur” in Chola administration referred to:
A. Merchant guild
B. Assembly of Brahmins
C. Village assembly
D. Land grant
Ans: C
539. The head of a Chola village council was called:
A. Nadu
B. Mukhiya
C. Gramika
D. Periyanattar
Ans: D
540. Mandapa in temple architecture refers to:
A. Inner sanctum
B. Tower above sanctum
C. Pillared hall
D. Temple compound wall
Ans: C
541. The Rathas of Mahabalipuram were built by:
A. Cholas
B. Rashtrakutas
C. Pallavas
D. Cheras
Ans: C
542. The most powerful Chola ruler was:
A. Rajaraja I
B. Rajendra I
C. Aditya Chola
D. Kulottunga I
Ans: B
543. The battle of Takkolam was fought between:
A. Cholas and Rashtrakutas
B. Cholas and Pandyas
C. Cholas and Western Chalukyas
D. Cholas and Sri Lanka
Ans: A
544. The famous Brihadeshwara Temple is located at:
A. Kanchipuram
B. Madurai
C. Thanjavur
D. Mahabalipuram
Ans: C
545. The Buddhist university Nalanda was destroyed by:
A. Mahmud of Ghazni
B. Muhammad Ghori
C. Bakhtiyar Khilji
D. Timur
Ans: C
546. Which river is most mentioned in Rigveda?
A. Yamuna
B. Ganga
C. Indus
D. Saraswati
Ans: D
547. The term “Ashta-Pradhan” was associated with:
A. Vijayanagara
B. Mughals
C. Marathas
D. Cholas
Ans: C
548. Who among the following was not associated with Bhakti movement?
A. Kabir
B. Tulsidas
C. Mirabai
D. Chanakya
Ans: D
549. The Bijak is a collection of verses attributed to:
A. Kabir
B. Chaitanya
C. Ravidas
D. Guru Nanak
Ans: A
550. The term “Guru Shishya Parampara” is most relevant to:
A. Jain rituals
B. Buddhist monasticism
C. Indian classical arts
D. Tantric practices
Ans: C