History MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for History - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is - Uma Chakravarti and Kumkum Roy

Key Points

• Altekarian paradigm
  • The term refers to the framework used by historian D.D. Altekar in his studies on women in ancient India.
  • Altekar's analysis often portrayed women in the ancient period as being relegated to the domestic sphere and subordinated under patriarchal structures.
  • Uma Chakravarti and Kumkum Roy critically analyzed and challenged the Altekarian paradigm, highlighting its limitations in understanding the historical role of women.
• Critical feminist historiography
  • Chakravarti and Roy emphasized the need to move beyond patriarchal interpretations and focus on systemic structures that shaped gender roles in history.
  • Their work brought attention to the intersection of class, caste, and gender within historical contexts.

Additional Information

• Historical studies on women
  • D.D. Altekar was one of the earliest historians to study women in ancient India, but his work was criticized for reinforcing patriarchal narratives.
  • His portrayal often romanticized the subordination of women in ancient texts as "ideal" roles within society.
• Feminist critique
  • Feminist historians like Uma Chakravarti and Kumkum Roy offered alternative perspectives by exploring systemic inequalities in historical contexts.
  • They highlighted the need for a nuanced understanding of historical texts and their socio-political implications on gender roles.
• Intersectionality in history
  • Chakravarti and Roy's analysis emphasized the importance of intersectionality, exploring how caste, class, and religion interacted to shape women's experiences in history.
  • This approach helped expand the scope of feminist historiography, moving beyond simplistic gender binaries.

The correct answer is - Place Names

Key Points

• Toponymy is the study of place names, their origins, meanings, use, and typology.
• The term is derived from the Greek words “topos” (meaning “place”) and “onoma” (meaning “name”).
• This field helps in understanding the historical, cultural, and linguistic context of a region through its geographical names.
• Examples of toponymic studies include analyzing the names of rivers, cities, mountains, and other geographical features to trace their historical significance.
• It is often used by geographers, historians, linguists, and cartographers to study the relationship between people and their environment.

Additional Information

• Branches of Toponymy
  • Etymological Toponymy: Focuses on the linguistic origins of place names.
  • Descriptive Toponymy: Studies the meanings or descriptions associated with place names, such as “Greenland” describing its environment.
  • Commemorative Toponymy: Examines names given in honor of individuals, events, or historical significance, such as “Washington, D.C.”
• Importance of Toponymy
  • Provides insights into the cultural heritage and history of a region.
  • Helps identify changes in political boundaries and migration patterns over time.
  • Assists in geographical mapping and navigation systems.
• Applications of Toponymy
  • Used in urban planning and infrastructure development to preserve historical place names.
  • Contributes to cultural tourism by highlighting the significance of place names in attracting tourists.
  • Plays a role in resolving territorial disputes by providing historical evidence of place names.

The correct answer is - Universal history

Key Points

• Universal history
  • The concept of Universal history is a key contribution of Church historiography, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human history on a global scale.
  • It reflects the Church's attempt to provide a holistic and comprehensive understanding of history, integrating religious, social, political, and cultural elements.
  • The Church viewed history as a divinely guided process, where all events unfold according to a divine plan, leading to the ultimate salvation of humanity.
  • This approach often involves the interpretation of historical events in the context of Christian theology and the broader spiritual purpose of mankind.
  • Church historians such as Eusebius of Caesarea (known as the "Father of Church History") played a pivotal role in developing the idea of Universal history by documenting the history of Christianity in relation to world events.

Additional Information

• Other types of historiography
  • Institutional history: Focuses on the history of organizations, structures, and institutions such as governments, churches, or educational bodies. It examines their development, impact, and transformation over time.
  • Local history: Deals with the history of specific regions, cities, or communities, highlighting localized events, traditions, and changes. It often lacks the broader perspective seen in Universal history.
  • Religious history: Concentrates specifically on the history of religious beliefs, practices, and institutions. While it overlaps with Church historiography, it is more narrowly focused on religion rather than integrating it into a broader context.
• Importance of Universal history
  • Universal history fosters a global perspective, encouraging the understanding of humanity's shared experiences and interconnectedness.
  • It provides a framework for interpreting events in a way that aligns with religious or philosophical views, particularly in the context of divine intervention or purpose.
  • In Church historiography, this approach serves to emphasize the centrality of Christianity in shaping world history and guiding human progress.

The correct answer is - Gangaram Tambat

Key Points

• Gangaram Tambat
  • He was a Marathi scholar who contributed to the promotion of scientific knowledge in colonial India.
  • He worked under the guidance of Sir John Malcolm, a British administrator and soldier.
  • During his service, he acquired knowledge of modern science, which he incorporated into his writings.
  • He authored a text called Rasayanashastra, which dealt with the basics of chemistry, showcasing the influence of Western scientific principles on indigenous knowledge systems.
  • This example highlights how colonialism, despite its exploitative nature, facilitated the transfer of scientific knowledge to some extent.

Additional Information

• Colonialism and Scientific Knowledge
  • The colonial period in India saw an introduction of Western scientific methods and systems.
  • Colonial administrators like Sir John Malcolm often encouraged the dissemination of scientific knowledge to local scholars.
  • While the primary goal of colonialism was exploitation, it also led to the establishment of institutions like the Asiatic Society and universities, which became centers for the study of science, literature, and humanities.
• Indigenous Scholars in Colonial India
  • Indian scholars like Gangaram Tambat acted as intermediaries, blending traditional knowledge with Western scientific ideas.
  • Such contributions were instrumental in laying the foundation for the modern scientific and educational system in India.
• Rasayanashastra
  • The term "Rasayanashastra" refers to the study of chemistry in ancient Indian traditions.
  • Gangaram Tambat's tract combined elements of traditional Indian alchemy with the principles of modern chemistry introduced by the British.
  • This reflects the syncretic evolution of knowledge during the colonial era.

The correct answer is - Bishop Caldwell

Key Points

• Bishop Caldwell
  • He was the first to use the term "Dravidian" to categorize the South Indian people linguistically and ethnically.
  • Bishop Caldwell's work in the 19th century was pivotal in studying the Dravidian languages, which include Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.
  • His book, "A Comparative Grammar of the Dravidian or South Indian Family of Languages", published in 1856, laid the foundation for Dravidian studies.
  • He emphasized the distinction between Dravidian languages and Indo-Aryan languages, contributing significantly to linguistic anthropology.

Additional Information

• Dravidian Languages
  • The Dravidian language family is one of the oldest linguistic families in the world, with roots tracing back to prehistoric times.
  • It consists of over 70 languages spoken primarily in South India, parts of Central India, and in some regions outside India, such as Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
  • The major Dravidian languages include:
    • Tamil: One of the oldest surviving languages, with a rich literary tradition.
    • Telugu: Widely spoken in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
    • Kannada: Predominantly spoken in Karnataka.
    • Malayalam: The official language of Kerala.
• Bishop Caldwell's Contribution
  • He was an Anglican missionary and scholar who worked extensively in South India.
  • He played a key role in promoting the study of Dravidian cultures and languages, helping to preserve their identity.
  • His work has been instrumental in understanding the ethnic and linguistic diversity of India.

The correct answer is Andhra Pradesh.

Key Points

About Alluri Sitaram Raju:

• In 1922, Indian revolutionary Alluri Sitaram Raju led the Rampa Rebellion against the British raj for their imposition of the 1882 Madras Forest Act, which severely restricted the free movement of the tribal community within their own forests.
• Under the implications of this Act, the community was unable to fully carry out the traditional Podu agricultural system, which involved shifting cultivation.
• The armed struggle came to a violent end in 1924, when Raju was captured by police forces, tied to a tree, and shot by a firing squad. His heroics resulted in him being titled manyam veerudu, or ‘the hero of the jungle’.

Additional InformationKomaram Bheem:

• Born in Telangana’s Adilabad district in 1901, Bheem was a member of the Gond community and grew up in the populated forests of the Chanda and Ballalpur kingdoms.
• Komaram Bheem had escaped from prison to a tea plantation in Assam.
• Here, he heard about the rebellion being led by Alluri and found a new sense of inspiration to protect the Gond tribe to which he belonged.

The correct answer is the Battle of Buxar.

Key Points

• The Battle of Buxar was fought in 1764.
• The Battle of Buxar (1764) was the battle which was fought between English Forces, and a combined army of Mir Qasim.
• The battle was the outcome of the misuse of Farman and Dastak, and also the trade expansionist aspiration of the English, Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal, the Nawab of Oudh Shah Alam II, and the Mughal Emperor.
• The battle of Buxar proved itself to be a turning point in the history of India.
• In 1765, Shuja-ud-daulah and Shah Alam signed a treaty at Allahabad with Clive who had become the Governor of the company.
• Under these treaties, the English company secured the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, which gave the company the right to collect revenue from these territories.

Additional Information

• Battle of Kirkee: This battle was fought between the British East India Company and the Maratha Empire in 1817. Mir Qasim was not involved in this battle as he had died more than 50 years earlier.
•  Battle of Plassey: The Battle of Plassey was on June 23, 1757, on the banks of the Hooghly River in Bengal, India. It marked a decisive victory for the British East India Company, led by Robert Clive, over the forces of Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, and his French allies.
• Battle of Lahore: This battle was fought in 1849 between the British East India Company and the Sikh Empire. Mir Qasim was not involved in this battle as he had died more than 30 years earlier.

Uthiramerur is a panchayat town in Kancheepuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is situated 90 kilometres southwest of Chennai, the capital of Tamilnadu.

The inscription lays down the following qualifications for a nominee:

• The temple inscriptions of Uthiramerur are notable for their historical descriptions of rural self-governance.
• They indicate that Uthiramerur had two village assemblies: Sabha and Ur.
• The Sabha was an exclusively Brahmin (priestly class) assembly, while the Ur was made up of people belonging to all the classes.
• Members of a Sabha should fulfil the following criteria:
  • Own a tax-paying land, sized at least one-fourth of a Veli (about an acre and a half).
  • The land-owning requirement was reduced to one-eighth Veli for people who had learned at least one Veda and one Bhashya.
  • Residence in a house built on self-owned land.
  • Age between 35 and 70 years was required.
  • Knowledge of mantras and the Brahmanas (Vedic literature) was a must.

Hence, those who have not submitted their accounts cannot be a member of a Sabha.

By the end of the 17th century, the Mughal Empire started facing multiple crises. Emperor Aurangazeb, who was the last powerful Mughal Emperor, had exhausted the military and the financial resources of his empire by fighting a long war in Deccan.

• The efficiency of the imperial administration broke down and Mughal Emperors were not able to keep a check on the powerful mansabdars. (mansabdar referred to an individual holding a mansab, meaning a position or rank.)
• Three Mughal provinces that stand out prominently are Awadh, Hyderabad, and Bengal.
• The Mansabdars of these provinces took advantage of the late 17th-century crisis.

In the 18th century, Bengal gradually broke away from the Mughal control under Murshid Quli Khan.

• He was appointed as naib of Bengal i.e. Deputy to the Governor of the province.
• He quickly grasped the power and commanded the revenue administration of the state.
• In order to reduce the influence of Mughals in Bengal, he transferred all Mughal jagirdars to Orissa and ordered a major reassessment of the revenues of Bengal.

Additional Information

• Nadir Shah was the ruler of Iran. In 1739, he sacked and plundered Delhi and carried away a huge amount of wealth. 
• Alivardi Khan was the Nawab of Bengal from 1740-1756. He came to the throne after Murshid Quli Khan. 
• Burhan-ul-Mulk was the Subadar of Awadh. He manages the political, financial, and military affairs of the province of Awadh. 

Hence, it becomes clear that in the 18th century, Bengal gradually broke away from the Mughal control under Murshid Quli Khan. 

Mahatma Jyotirao Phule compared the conditions of Blacks in the United States to the Dalits in India about 150 years ago.​

Important Points

1. In 1873 Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phule wrote a book named  "Ghulamgiri" which means "Slavery".
2. Before 10 years of writing this book the American Civil War has been fought, leading to the end of slavery in America.
3. Mahatma Jyotirao Phule dedicated his book to all those Americans who had fought to free the Slaves.
4. Thus establishing a link between the lower caste of India "Dalits" and the black slaves "Negros" in America.

​Hence, Mahatma Phule compares oppressive condition of lowers castes of India to the black slavery of the united states.

The correct answer is Sikandar Lodi.

Key Points

• The original name of the Sikandar Lodi was Nizam Khan.
• Sikandar Lodi (1489 to 1517) was a ruler of the Lodhi dynasty.
• He established Agra city in 1504.
• He shifted his capital from Delhi to Agra in 1506.
• Jauna khan was the childhood name of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq.
• Farid was the childhood name of Shershah Suri. 

Additional Information

•  Sikandar Lodi was the son of Bahlul Lodi, the founder of the Lodi dynasty.
  • He ruled from 1489 AD to 1517 AD and was known for his military campaigns against neighboring kingdoms.
  •  Sikandar Lodi was succeeded by his son, Ibrahim Lodi, who was defeated by Babur in the Battle of Panipat in 1526 AD, leading to the end of the Lodi dynasty and the beginning of the Mughal Empire in India.
• Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah was a ruler of the Slave dynasty in India, who ruled from 1316 AD to 1320 AD.
• Ibrahim Lodi was the last ruler of the Lodi dynasty before it was overthrown by Babur. Bahlul Lodi was the founder of the Lodi dynasty and the father of Sikandar Lodi.

Remarriage is the legal union after the dissolution of the previous marriage. In Hindu society, widows have not been permitted to remarry.

Important Points

Hindu Widow Remarriage Act, 1856

• The 1856 Act removed the obstacles in the path of remarriage of Hindu widows and legalized widow remarriage.

• The objective of the act was to promote the welfare of women.
• This act legalizes the Remarriage of Hindu widows and declares that any such issue of remarriage of women will not be considered illegitimate.

Hence, it is clear that the year 1856 was significant in the history of Indian Society because of Hindu Widow Remarriage Act was passed.

Additional Information

• An Act against female infanticide was passed in 1870.
• An Act against Sati System was passed in 1829.

The correct answer is Chittaranjan Das

The correct answer is 'He did not function as a Judge and policeman.'

Key Points

• Role of Grama-Bhojaka:
  • The Grama-Bhojaka was an important village headman in ancient India, often acting as the intermediary between the village and the king.
  • He was responsible for collecting taxes from the villagers on behalf of the king, ensuring that the revenue system functioned smoothly.
• Generational Position:
  • Typically, the position of Grama-Bhojaka was hereditary, passed down through generations within the same family.
  • This continuity helped maintain stability and local governance in the village.
• Land and Labor:
  • The Grama-Bhojaka often owned significant tracts of land within the village.
  • He utilized slaves and hired workers to cultivate his land, ensuring a steady production of crops.

Additional Information

• Judicial and Police Functions:
  • Contrary to the incorrect statement, the Grama-Bhojaka did perform judicial and policing functions within the village.
  • He acted as a judge in local disputes and also took on the role of a policeman, maintaining law and order in the village.
• Significance in Local Administration:
  • The Grama-Bhojaka was a crucial figure in local administration, ensuring effective governance and communication between the village and higher authorities.
  • His role was integral in implementing royal directives at the village level, contributing to the overall administrative efficiency of the kingdom.

Medieval India refers to a long period of the history of the Indian subcontinent between the "ancient period" and "modern period".

• At the time of the slave dynasty, there were four ministers: the Wazir, the Ariz-i-mamalik, the diwan-i-insha, and the diwan-i-rasalat. 
• Diwan-i-ariz was next to the Wazir and was the controller general of the military. He recruited troops and maintain the army men and horses.

Important Points

Firoz-Shah-Tughlaq:

• Firoz-Shah-Tughlaq established a department for his slaves called Diwan-I-Bandagan.
• The officer-in-charge of this department was the Wakil-i-dar.

• Firoz Shah Tughlaq increased the number of slaves by capturing the defeated soldiers and young persons during the war.

Hence, the correct answer is Firoz Shah Tughlaq set up a separate department of slaves.

Additional Information

Medieval Indian rulers:

Alauddin Khilji succeeded Jalal-ud-din Firoz Khilji and ascended the throne.

• Domestic Policies of Alauddin Khilji
  • ​Ala-ud-din followed the Divine Right Theory of Kingship.
  • He introduced four ordinances to prevent repeated revolts.
  • He impounded pious grants and free grants of lands
  • He restructured the spy system.
  • He banned social parties and wine.
  • He introduced a permanent standing army.
  • He started the system of branding of horses and a descriptive roster of individual soldiers to inhibit corruption.
  • He fixed the prices of necessary commodities which were below the normal market rates.
  • He strictly prohibited black marketing.
  • Revenue was collected in cash and not in kind.
  • He followed discriminatory policies towards the Hindus and imposed the Jizya, a grazing tax and a house tax on the Hindu community. 
• Marketing System
  • Officers called Diwan-i-Riyasat were appointed in the offices called Shahana-i-mandi to standardize the market.
  • Merchant s should have to register themselves in the office (Shahana-i-mandi) before selling their goods at the fixed rates.

Balban:

• Adopted two-pronged strategies against the Mongols.
• Firstly, he exchanged embassies by the Mongol courts.
• Secondly, he created two defence lines. The first across the region of Lahore, Multan, and Dipalpur under Prince Muhammad. The second line was laid in Sunam, Samana, and Bhatinda under his youngest son, Prince Buhgra Khan.
• He reorganized the central military department i.e. Diwan-i-Arz in order to strengthen the monarchy.

• He increased the power and prestige of Ariz-i-Mamalik.​

Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq:

• Muhammad bin Tughluq (also Prince Fakhr Malik Jauna Khan, Ulugh Khan; c. 1290 – 20 March 1351) was the Sultan of Delhi from 1325 to 1351.
• He was the eldest son of Ghiyas -ud -Din -Tughlaq, the founder of the Tughluq dynasty. His wife was the daughter of the Raja of Dipalpur.

• Muhammad ascended to the Delhi throne upon his father's death in 1325.