target prelims 2017 general studies paper - 1 …. pmt-15 explanation.pdftarget prelims 2017 ....

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TARGET PRELIMS 2017 GENERAL STUDIES

PAPER - 1 PRELIMS MODEL TEST-15

ANSWER KEY AND EXPLANATION

1. Answer (b) Explanation Amalaka is a ribbed, lenticular or globoid part resembling the amalaka (Indian gooseberry fruit) crowning the top of the North Indian style shikhara.

2. Answer (c) Explanation Viceroy Linlithgow declared India at war with Germany on 3 September 1939. The Congress objected strongly to the declaration of war without prior consultation with Indians. The Congress Working Committee suggested that it would cooperate if there were a Central Indian National Government formed, and a commitment made to India’s independence after the war. Linlithgow refused the demands of the Congress. On 22 October 1939, Congress ministries tendered their resignations.

3. Answer (c) Explanation Chaitya: Place of congregation and worship. Panchayatana: Main temple surrounded by four sub-shrines in each corner. Squinch is an arch spanning the corners of a square chamber and acting as support for a dome.

1 B 11 C 21 D 31 B 41 B 51 D 61 A 71 A 81 C 91 C

2 C 12 C 22 C 32 C 42 D 52 A 62 A 72 C 82 A 92 A

3 C 13 D 23 B 33 C 43 D 53 C 63 A 73 D 83 B 93 C

4 D 14 C 24 A 34 B 44 C 54 D 64 D 74 C 84 C 94 C

5 D 15 C 25 D 35 C 45 D 55 A 65 B 75 B 85 C 95 A

6 B 16 A 26 D 36 D 46 C 56 B 66 B 76 B 86 B 96 A

7 B 17 B 27 B 37 D 47 B 57 A 67 B 77 D 87 A 97 A

8 D 18 D 28 A 38 C 48 D 58 C 68 C 78 D 88 C 98 B

9 A 19 A 29 D 39 A 49 A 59 C 69 A 79 A 89 C 99 C

10 D 20 C 30 A 40 B 50 C 60 B 70 D 80 C 90 B 100 A

Date: 14-05-2017


4. Answer (d) Explanation The Cabinet Mission proposals included Provisions for three groups of provinces to possess their separate constitutions. It proposed the formation of a Union of India, comprising both the British India and the Princely States. Union would remain in charge of only foreign affairs, defence and communications leaving the residuary powers to be vested in the provinces. It proposed setting up an Interim Government, which would remain in office till a new government was elected on the basis of the new Constitution framed by the Constituent Assembly. Rejection of the demand for a full-fledged Pakistan. It also provided for formation of the constituent assembly on democratic principle of population.

5. Answer (d) Explanation In 1931, the Congress met at Karachi. It approved the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. The most significant contribution of the Karachi session was a resolution it passed on Fundamental Rights and Economic Policy. It outlined the plan for the reconstruction of Indian society after Independence and to furnish many aims and ideals for the Constitution of India and the social and economic policy of the Indian Republic.

6. Answer (b) Explanation The term "Rihla" was especially attributed to the written account of the adventures of the Moroccan traveller and scholar, Ibn Battuta. Ibn Battuta traveled throughout most of the Islamic world during 1304-1377 C.E., later dictating his account as the Rihla.

7. Answer (b) Explanation The Jury Act of 1827 introduced religious discrimination into the structure of the judiciary. Under the provision of the Act, Hindus and Muslims could not sit on the jury when a Christian was being tried. Ram Mohan Roy protested against this because it introduced the pernicious element of “religious distinction into the judicial system of the land”. Roy initiated a petition on August 17, 1829 against the Act, which was signed by distinguished Hindus and Muslims and the same was submitted to the British Parliament. Though the petition failed, the matter was taken up by Mr. Grant, the then President of the Board of Control. Grant’s Bill was passed in 1832, making Hindus and Muslims eligible not only to sit both the petty and grant juries, but also for appointment as justices of the peace. Roy always fought for the cause of right of the people.

8. Answer (d) Explanation Visakhadatta’s Devichandraguptam is about Chandragupta II’s accession to the throne after murdering his elder brother Ramagupta and marriage to Dhruvadevi, his brother’s widow, Vajjika’s Kaumudimahotsava dealt with the accession of Chandragupta I to the throne and Sudraka’s Mrichchhakatika was a love story between Vasantasena and Charudatta.

9. Answer (a) Explanation Swarajists wanted an end to the boycott of legislative councils so that the nationalists could enter them to expose the basic weaknesses of these assemblies and use these councils as an arena of political struggle to arouse popular enthusiasm. It was not to gain experience of the functioning of Legislative Council.

10. Answer (d) Explanation Gandhi initiated a limited satyagraha on an individual basis in every locality. The carefully -chosen satyagrahis would preach against participation in the war, after informing the district magistrate of the time and place of the anti war speech. Vinoba Bhave was first satyagrahi on 17 October 1940 and Jawarharlal Nehru, the second. If the government did not arrest them, they planned to start moving towards Delhi (the Delhi Chalo movement). The individual satyagraha not only expressed the Indian people's strong political feeling but gave the British the opportunity to accept Indians demands peacefully.


11. Answer (c) Explanation

12. Answer (c)

Explanation The Champaran Movement of Bihar in 1917 was a result of the long colonial oppressive "teenkathiya system" where the planters forced cultivators to grow indigo (a blue dye) in 3/20th parts of their lands. It addressed the economic demands of the peasants. Champaran satyagraha also featured for the first time that bridges had been built between the peasants and the other sections, especially the middle-class intelligentsia, such as Rajendra Prasad, J.B.Kriplani etc.

13. Answer (d) Explanation The Tolkappiyam is a work on the grammar of the Tamil language and the earliest extant work of Tamil literature and linguistics. It is written in the form of noorpaa or short formulaic compositions and comprises three books–the Ezhuttadikaram, the Solladikaram and the Poruladikaram. Tolkappiyam deals with orthography, phonology, morphology, semantics, prosody and the subject matter of literature.

14. Answer (c) Explanation With the exception of the Governor-General and the Commander-in-chief, all other member of the Executive Council would be nominated from amongst leaders of Indian Political life. All portfolios except the Defence would be held by the Indian Members. Wavell Plan is also known as Breakdown Plan and was not accepted by the British, for whom, leaving without a universally agreed agreement was dishonorable. It also said that in case of a disagreement, the British should withdraw to the 6 Pakistan Provinces, and leaving the Congress to deal with rest of India.

15. Answer (c) Explanation Sir Muhammad Iqbal widely known as Allama Iqbal was a poet, philosopher, and politician, as well as an academic, barrister and scholar in British India who is widely regarded as having inspired the Pakistan Movement. In 1931 and 1932, in recognition of his status as an important Muslim cultural leader, Iqbal was invited in the second and third Round Table Conferences in London. Like the first, these ended in deadlock, with the delegates unable to reach any agreement due to communal differences.

16. Answer (a) Explanation Jallianwala Bagh massacre-mass killing of people in Punjab forced people like Tagore to react and restricted them to enjoy the titles awarded by a brutal repressive power. The inactivity of the Government to punish the culprit


also shown the very intentions of Britishers and also Tagore considered returning award as means not entry to protest Britishers but also to awaken country people against this brutal incident.

17. Answer (b) Explanation Walchand Hirachand Doshi was an Indian industrialist and the founder of the Walchand group. He established India's first modern shipyard, first aircraft factory and first car factory; he also established construction companies, sugar plantations, sugar factories, confectioneries, engineering companies and many other businesses. Ambalal Sarabhai (1890–1967) was a leading industrialist of Ahmedabad and also played an important role in India's freedom struggle. He was founder of Sarabhai group of Companies, like Sarabhai Textiles, Calico Textile Mills, Sarabhai Chemicals etc. He was the President of the Ahmedabad Mill Owner's Association in the year 1918-1919 and also a member of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. He was awarded the Kaisar-i-Hind Gold Medal by the British Government which he renounced.

18. Answer (d) Explanation Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule is a book written by Mohandas K. Gandhi in 1909. In it he expresses his views on social ideals such as Swaraj, civilization, modern education, mechanization. Gandhi's Hind Swaraj takes the form of a dialogue between two characters, the Reader and the Editor. The Reader essentially serves as the typical Indian countryman whom Gandhi would have been addressing with Hind Swaraj. The Reader voices the common beliefs and arguments of the time concerning Indian Independence. Gandhi, The Editor, explains why those arguments are flawed and interjects his own arguments. As 'The Editor' Gandhi puts it, "it is my duty patiently to try to remove your prejudice."

19. Answer (a) Explanation In September 1916, Annie Besant started the Home Rule League as an independent political organization. A few months earlier (April) Tilak had established an Indian Home Rule League with the object of attaining Home Rule or self-government. Home Rule Movement was able to combine and balance all the three trends viz. moderates, extremists, and revolutionary terrorists. Home Rule Movement continued extremist’s idea of passive resistance. Home Rule Movement dropped the idea of mendicancy of the moderates but continued their concept of patriotism. Through his writings in the Mahratta and Kesari, Tilak made the concept of Home Rule the popular catchword. Annie carried on her campaign through the medium of New India and The Commonweal.

20. Answer (c) Explanation The findings of the Bardoli Inquiry committee came to the conclusion that the increase in tax had been unjustified. The Government agreed to restore the confiscated lands and properties, as well as to reduce the rate of increase in tax to 6% as against the earliest rate of 30%.

21. Answer (d) Explanation It is a tribal martial art dance performed mainly in the states of Odisha, Jharkahand and West Bengal. There are three subgenres of this dance based on the place of their origin and development, Purulia Chhau (West Bengal), Seraikella Chhau (Jharkahand) and Mayurbhanj Chhau (Odisha). The dance is mainly performed during the spring festival and last for 13 days. The whole community participates in it. The dance is performed by the male dancers during night time at an open space. It is a blend of both dance and martial practices employing mock combat techniques.

22. Answer (c) Explanation Cabinet mission plan was proposed to achieve the dual objective of coming up with a mechanism for Independent India & of making an interim Government. The proposals can be enumerated as- (1) No division of India & restriction on communal representation. (2) Interim cabinet to be made of Indians. (3) Constituent assembly to be formed on democratic principles. It is to be formed of the representatives from

provinces & princely states. (4) Union Govt. to have limited powers i.e. Finance, foreign affairs & communications. (5) All residuary powers in the hand of provinces & princely states. (6) Representation of provincial legislature to be divided into 3 different groups of provinces.

23. Answer (b) Explanation Durgeshnandini is a Bengali historical romance novel written by Indian writer Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1865. Durgeshnandini is a story of the love triangle between Jagat Singh, a Mughal General, Tilottama, the daughter of a Bengali feudal lord and Ayesha, the daughter of a rebel Pathan leader against

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_India

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bankim_Chandra_Chattopadhyay

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bankim_Chandra_Chattopadhyay

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_empire

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bengali_people

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathan


whom Jagat Singh was fighting. The story is set in the backdrop of Pathan-Mughal conflicts that took place in south-western region of modern-day Indian state of Paschimbanga (West Bengal) during the reign of Akbar. Durgeshnandini is the first Bengali novel written by Bankim Chandra as well as the first major Bengali novel in the history of Bengali literature.

24. Answer (a) Explanation In champaran, the local young educated Congress leaders like Rajendra Prasad or J.B. Kripalani played their role in mobilizing the peasants. The kheda revolt gave India a robust leader in Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and his colleagues such as Narhari Parikh, Mohanlal Pandya and Ravi Shankar Vyas organized this major tax revolt. The first individual Satyagrahi selected was Acharya Vinoba Bhave, who was sent to Jail when he spoke against the war. Second Satyagrahi was Jawahar Lal Nehru. Third was Brahma Datt, one of the inmates of the Gandhi’s Ashram. They all were sent to jails for violating the Defence of India Act.

25. Answer (d) Explanation According to the proposals of the Cabinet Mission announced in May, 1946, the country could have a Federal government consisting of the British and the Indian India. The Federation was naturally to look after the national and international problems like the Defence and communication, the foreign affairs and the international trade while the provinces were to enjoy complete autonomy in Provincial subjects like police, agriculture, industries, educational and many other local problems.

26. Answer (d) Explanation Self-help and constructive work at the village level was envisaged as a means of bringing about the social and economic regeneration of the villages and of reaching the rural masses. This meant social reform and campaigns against evils such as caste oppression, early marriage, the dowry system, consumption of alcohol, etc. The economic boycott movement seemed to be a suitable opportunity for reviving Indian small scale industries. The boycott of foreign goods led to the increase in demand of indigenous goods especially clothes which fell short of supply. The mill-owners of Bombay and Ahmadabad came to its rescue. The Boycott movement in Bengal supplied a momentum and driving force to the cotton mills in India and the opportunity thus presented was exploited by the mill-owners. The economic boycott movement seemed to be a suitable opportunity for reviving weaving industry. The clothes produce were accepted by the Bengalis in the true spirit of the Swadeshi Movement. Further, J N Tata founded Tata Iron and Steel. Prafulla Chandra Roy set up Bengal Chemicals Factory. Aravindo Ghosh, Syed Haidar Raza and Bipin Chandra Pal took part in Swadeshi.

27. Answer (b) Explanation The copper plate inscriptions such as the Srirangam copper plates of Devaraya II provide the genealogy and achievements of Vijayanagar rulers. Italian traveller Nicolo de Conti visited Vijaynagar empire during Devaraya II. From the account of the contemporary European explorer Nicolo Conti, the Devaraya II levied tribute on Ceylon, Quilon, Pegu, Pulicat and Tenasserim. But he could not win any clear victory over the Bahmani Sultans.

28. Answer (a) Explanation Krishna himself was the author of one Telugu work Amuktamalyada, and an accomplished Sanskrit scholar and wrote one Sanskrit work Madalasa Charita, Satyavadu Parinaya, Rasamanjari and Jambavati Kalyanam. Ramarajas enemies ultimately combined to inflict a crushing defeat on Vijayanagar at Bennaihatti, near Talikota, in 1565. This battle is also known as the battle of Rakasa Tangadi. Rama Raja was imprisoned and immediately executed. This battle is generally considered to mark the end of the great age of Vijayanagar. Although the kingdom lingered on for almost one hundred years under the Aravidu dynasty, its territories shrank steadily and the Raya no longer counted in the political affairs of South India.

29. Answer (d) Explanation Yaoshang is the premier festival of Manipur which is celebrated for five days commencing from the full moon day of Phalguna (February/March). The Thabal Chongba a kind of Manipuri folk dance is particularly associated with this festival.

30. Answer(a) Explanation Fahien visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II. Hiuen Tsang visited India during the reign of Harsha, and he gives us information about the popularity of Buddhism during Gupta period, and Itsing visited India in about 672-5 AD, but refers to the donation of some villages to Chinese Buddhists at Nalanda monastery by the first Gupta, Srigupta.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_(tribe)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paschimbanga

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Bengal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akbar

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niccol%C3%B2_Da_Conti

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quilon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegu

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulicat

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenasserim_Division


31. Answer (b) Explanation Both of them were opposed to animal sacrifices. Both came as a protest movement against Hinduism. The Jaina conception of soul differed from that of the Buddhists. The Jainas ascribe life to plants, stone and water, which the Buddhists reject. Their concept of Jiva (soul) and Ajiva (matter) is entirely different from the Buddhist concept of soul. The Jainas practice rigorous asceticism and self- mortification. Mahavira himself practiced tremendous physical hardships to realize the truth. He advised his followers to starve and undergo physical suffering. But Buddha was opposed to extreme penance and privations. He advised a “Middle Path”.

32. Answer (c) Explanation Mṛicchakaṭika (The Little Clay Cart) is a ten-act Sanskrit drama attributed to Śūdraka , an ancient playwright generally thought to have lived sometime between the third century BC and the fifth century AD whom the prologue identifies as a Kshatriya king and a devotee of Siva who lived for 100 years. The play is set in the ancient city of Ujjayini during the reign of the King Palaka, near the end of the Pradyota dynasty that made up the first quarter of the fifth century BC. The central story is that of noble but impoverished young Brahmin, Chārudatta, who falls in love with a wealthy courtesan, Vasantasenā.

33. Answer(c) Explanation Land trade and sea trade were in vogue. They did not use metal money. Most probably they carried on all exchanges through barter. The Mesopotamian records from about 2350 B.C. onwards refer to trade relations with Meluha, which was the ancient name given to the Indus region, and they also speak of two intermediate stations called ‘Dilmun’ (identified with Bahrain on the Persian Gulf) and Makan (Makran Coast).

34. Answer (b) Explanation The recommendations of the Simon Commission were published in May 1930. They were as follows: Dyarchy in the provinces should be abolished and ministers should be made responsible to the provincial legislatures in all departments, including the department of law and order. The Governor was to retain the special powers for the safety and tranquillity of the province and for the protection of the minorities. The franchise was to be extended and legislatures were to be enlarged. At the Centre, a Federal assembly would be constituted on the basis of representation of the provinces and other areas as per the population. No change in the Central Executive. Burma should be separated from the British India and should be provided a constitution of its own.

35. Answer (c) Explanation The Radcliffe Committee chaired by Sir Cyril Radcliffe was appointed to delimit the boundaries between India and Pakistan.

36. Answer (d) Explanation Constituent assembly to be partly elected by provincial assemblies by proportional representation with and partly nominated by princes. The constituent assembly will decide the Union Constitution along with provincial constitutions.

37. Answer (d) Explanation John Mathai, an economist headed Industries and Supplies and C. Rajagopalachari was head of the Department of Education and Arts. The Department of Railways and Transport was headed by Congress leader Asaf Ali, Jagjivan Ram leader of the Scheduled Castes headed the Labour Department and Rajendra Prasad headed the Food and Agriculture Department.

38. Answer (c) Explanation It is a combined dance drama conducted by the Chakkiyars (a sub-caste among Hindus) who play the male caste traditionally in the state of Kerala. The women of the Nangiar caste play the female roles. The performance lasts from 6 to 20 days. They are mainly enacted inside the temples and the theme is based on Hindu mythology. Mizhavu is the major musical instrument used here. Kutiyattam is traditionally performed in theatres called Kuttampalams, which are located in Hindu temples. In its stylized and codified theatrical language, netra abhinaya (eye expression) and hasta abhinaya (the language of gestures) are prominent.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit_drama

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kshatriya

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ujjayini

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pradyota_dynasty

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmin


39. Answer (a) Explanation The failure of the Cripps Mission to solve the constitutional deadlock exposed Britain’s unchanged attitude on constitutional advance and made it clear that any more silence would enable British to decide the fate of future India by themselves.

40. Answer (b) Explanation It was not supported by Hindu Mahasabha. The women actively took part in Quit India Movement of 1942.There were no communal clashes during the movement and formation of parallel governments were highlights of this movement.

41. Answer (b) Explanation The Muslim League should cooperate with the Congress in the formation of provisional interim government for the transitional period. After the war, a commission shall be appointed to demarcate the boundaries of the Muslim-dominated districts in the north-west and east of India. The people of these districts shall decide, by plebiscite, the issue of separation from India. In the event of separation, mutual agreement shall be entered into between the two governments for jointly safeguarding defence, commerce, and communication and for other essential purposes.

42. Answer (d) Explanation Allan Octavian Hume (A.O. Hume), a restricted British member of Indian Civil Service who had settled at Simla, founded the Indian National Union, the forerunner of Indian Nation Congress in 1884. After touring Calcutta, Bombay and Madras, Hume announced that a conference of the Indian National Union would be held at Pune in December, which would be composed of educated delegates of all parts of the three presidencies. But cholera having broken out at Pune, the venue of the conference was shifted to Tejpal Sanskrit Pathshal, Bombay. The first session of the Indian National Congress was held on December 28, 1885. At the suggestion of Dadhabai Naoroji the name of the organization was changed to Indian Nation Congress (INC). Womesh Chandra Bannerjee, a leading lawyer of Calcutta was elected its president.

43. Answer (d) Explanation The contribution of Matangini Hazra is a perfect example of the involvement of rural folk in the nationalist struggle of 1942. Aruna Asaf Ali is remembered for the daring act of raising the Tricolour at the Gowalia tank in the midst of police brutality following the Bombay Resolution. She was proclaimed an offender by the police and her property was seized. Subsequently, she got involved in the Royal Indian Navy revolt of 1946. Usha Mehta was a Gandhian and freedom fighter of India. She is also remembered for organizing the Congress Radio, also called the Secret Congress Radio, an underground radio station, which functioned for few months during the Quit India Movement of 1942.

44. Answer (c) Explanation A traditional painting of Odisha, the name Pattachitra comes from a Sanskrit word Patta which means Canvas/Cloth and Chitra means picture. The paintings show a mix of classic and folk elements, with a bias towards the latter. The base of the painting is treated cloth while the colours used come from natural sources including burnt coconut shells. No pencil or charcoal is used, rather brush is used to draw the outlines in red or yellow after which the colours are filled. They are inspired from Jagannath and Vaishnava cult.

45. Answer (d) Explanation Suvarnabhumi, which means “The Land of Gold”, is an ancient term for Southeast Asia, found in early Buddhist and Hindu literature. There were also legends, religious accounts, and foreign traders’ written accounts dating to the first millennium AD that mentioned the name “Suvarnabhumi”. These accounts have convinced scholars that the Suvarnabhumi of the past is the Southeast Asia of the present.

46. Answer (c) Explanation Indian National Association was the first declared Nationalist Organization founded in British India by Surendranath Banerjee and Anand Mohan Bose in 1876. Abul Kalam Azad • Prominent Nationalist leader

• Became youngest president of INC in 1923 • President of INC during Quit India Movement • Published weekly ‘Al-Hilal’

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_fighters_of_India

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_station

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quit_India_Movement

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quit_India_Movement


47. Answer (b) Explanation Results of Munda Ulgulan: Government enacted Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908. Government recognized Khuntkatti rights Government banned Beth Begari (forced labour) Birsa Munda became a legend to the tribals of Chota Nagpur, and a symbol of the anti-feudal, anti-colonial

struggle of that time.

48. Answer (d) Explanation T R Holmes: A conflict between civilization and barbarism. V D Savarkar: India’s planned war of Independence. Karl Marx: Struggle of soldiers, peasants and democratic combine against the foreign and feudal bondage. R C Mazumadar: “Neither first, nor national not war of independence.”

49. Answer (a) Explanation This school of philosophy was developed by Patanjali sage. According to the Yoga school, a person can attain salvation through meditation and physical activity. Practice of control over pleasure senses and bodily organs is central to this system. In order to obtain salvation, physical exercises in various postures called asana are prescribed, and the breathing exercise called pranayama is recommended. It is thought that through these methods the mind gets diverted from worldly matters and achieves concentration.

50. Answer (c) Explanation British labour reforms were not a reason for tribal uprisings, instead land reforms, influx of outsiders, Christian missionaries, forced labour, forest laws etc were reasons.

51. Answer (d) Explanation Ethnic ties were a basic feature of the tribal rebellions. The rebels saw themselves not as discreet class but as having a tribal identity. At this level the solidarity shown was of a very high order. Fellow tribals were never attacked unless they had collaborated with the enemy. At the same time not all outsiders were attacked as enemies. Tribal uprisings were not supported by Indian intellectuals.

52. Answer (a) Explanation Tattvabodhini Sabha was a particular reform movement organization, aiming to popularize Brahmodharma or Brahmo faith. When Brahmo Samaj became weak after the death of its founder Ram Mohan Roy, Debendranath Tagore took every possible initiative and established the 'Tattvaranjini Sabha' on 6 October 1839. This Sabha was later renamed as 'Tattvabodhini Sabha'. It encouraged religious inquiries and disseminate the essence of Upanishads.

53. Answer (c) Explanation Mir Saman, under Mughal administration was the in charge of the imperial department

54. Answer (d) Explanation The Prarthana Samaj was established in Bombay by Dr. Atma Ram Pandurang (1825-1898) in 1867 with the objective of rational worship and social reform. The two great members of this Samaj were Shri R.C. Bhadarkar and Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade. They devoted themselves to the work of social reform such as inter-caste dining, inter-caste marriage, widow remarriage and improvement of the lot of women and depressed classes.

55. Answer (a) Explanation Theosophy subscribed to the spiritual philosophy of Hinduism and its doctrine of Karma and transmigration of the soul. The beliefs of the Theosophical Society were a mixture of religion, philosophy and occultism. It promoted a spirit of national pride among the Indians.

56. Answer (b) Explanation The movement started by Derozio was called the Young Bengal Movement and his followers were known as the Derozians. They condemned religious rites and the rituals, and pleaded for eradication of social evils, female education and improvement in the condition of women. They carried on public agitation on public questions such as the revision of the Company’s Charter, the freedom of the Press, better treatment for Indian labour in British colonies abroad, trial by jury, protection of the riots from oppressive zamindars, and employment of


Indians in the higher grades of government services. But the extreme radical ideology of Derozians resulted in lack of support and gradual decline of movement.

57. Answer (a) Explanation The meaning of Dipavamsa is “Chronicle of Island”. It is the oldest historical record of Sri Lanka. It is believed to have been compiled around 3rd or 4th century BC somewhere in Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka during the reign of King Dhatusena of Sri Lanka, the first Mauryan King of Sri Lanka. The Avukana Buddha statue was erected by King Dhatusena in Sri Lanka. Dipavamsa is one of the most important works in Pali Literature. It details the tooth relic and Bodhi Tree’s arrival in Sri Lanka. It also deals with the arrival of Buddha’s teaching and preachers in Sri Lanka. It mentions that Buddha visited Kelaniya and Dighavapi in Sri Lanka. Mahavamsa is the most important Pali epic poem. Mahavamsa means “Great Chronicle”. It’s a historical poem in Pali Language which deals about the Kings of Sri Lanka. The first version of Mahavamsa dates back to 3-4th century BC during the reign of King Vijaya.

58. Answer (c) Explanation Under permanent settlement system, large scale land were transferred from the cultivating to non-cultivating class. Thus the new zamindari class became owners of estates. For East India Company, this system secured the British Dominion in India. In Zamindars, it created a faithful class of Indians who proved to be a great instrument for the security of the British interests in India. This settlement was the reason that during the 1857 mutiny, the Zamindars remained loyal to the company and did not provide any help to the rebels.

59. Answer (c) Explanation The servants of the East India Company amassed great wealth by abusing the system. It separated power from responsibility; Under this system, the administration was divided between the Company and the Nawab but the whole power was actually concentrated in the hands of the Company. Nizamat function (police and judicial) was with Nawab but it was also undertaken by the Company. For Nizamat functions, the British gave the additional responsibility of deputy Nazim to Mohammad Raza Khan. The deputy Nazim could not be removed without the consent of the company.

60. Answer (b) Explanation Mudiyettu is a ritual dance drama from Kerala based on the mythological tale of a battle between the goddess Kali and the demon Darika. The dance is performed in the village temples, called Bhagavati Kavus, in between February and May after the harvesting season. The performers do heavy make-up and wear gorgeous attire with conventional facial painting, tall headgear etc to give the touch of the supernatural. Mutual cooperation and collective participation of each caste in the rituals strengthens their common identity and bonding.

61. Answer: (a) Explanation The 13th EU-India Summit was held in Brussels on 30th March 2016. The EU was represented by Mr. Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, and Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission. The Republic of India was represented by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

62. Answer (a) Explanation In May 2016, the Kenyan government decided to close Dadaab refugee camp which has hundreds of thousands of Somali refugees and is often referred to as the world's largest refugee camp. The decision was condemned by domestic and international rights groups and organizations dealing with refugees. A Kenyan court ruled on February 2017 that the government must not close the world’s largest refugee camp and send more than 2,00,000 people back to war-torn Somalia.

63. Answer (a) Explanation The 457 visa programme in Australia, allows business to employ foreign workers for a period up to four years in skilled jobs where there is a shortage of Australian workers. Recently Australia abolished the 457 visa programme used by over 95,000 temporary foreign workers, to tackle the growing unemployment in the country. The majority of the visa holders were from India, followed by the United Kingdom and China. The programme will be replaced by another visa programme, with new restrictions.

64. Answer (d) Explanation The Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues, in particular on issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic.


Eight member countries are: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States as these are the eight countries with sovereignty over the lands within the Arctic Circle. The Arctic Council’s mandate explicitly excludes military security. India is an observer in Arctic Council.

65. Answer (b) Explanation The Great Repeal Bill will repeal the 1972 European Communities Act, which took Britain into the EU and meant that European law took precedence over laws passed in the British parliament. It will also end the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. All existing EU legislation will be copied across into domestic UK law to ensure a smooth transition after Brexit.

66. Answer (b) Explanation North Korea is located in East Asia on the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. North Korea shares a border with three countries; China along the Amnok River, Russia along the Tumen River, and South Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone. (DMZ is an area in which treaties or agreements between nations, military powers or contending groups forbid military installations, activities or personnel.)

67. Answer (b) Explanation Kuril Islands stretches north across the Pacific Ocean from the Japanese island of Hokkaido to the southern tip of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. Four islands - which Russia calls the Southern Kurils and Japan calls the Northern Territories - are the subject of a dispute between the two nations. Because of the dispute, Russia and Japan have not yet signed a peace treaty to end World War II. All the islands are currently under Russian jurisdiction.

68. Answer (c) Explanation The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was founded in Baghdad, Iraq, with the signing of an agreement in September 1960 by five countries namely Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. They were to become the Founder Members of the Organization. These countries were later joined by Qatar (1961), Indonesia (1962), Libya (1962), the United Arab Emirates (1967), Algeria (1969), Nigeria (1971), Ecuador (1973), Gabon (1975) and Angola (2007). Oman is not an OPEC member. Oman is the largest producer of crude oil in the Middle East that is not a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

69. Answer (a) Explanation The Strait of Gibraltar is a narrow strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory, located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula, is the subject of an irredentist territorial claim by Spain.

70. Answer (d) Explanation Rakhine is a state in Myanmar, situated on the western coast. Rakhine like many parts of Burma, has a diverse ethnic population. The ethnic Rakhine make up the majority, followed by a considerable population of Rohingya Muslims. The Rohingya conflict is one of the longest conflicts between the majority Buddhist Burmese and the minority Muslims in Myanmar. In 2015 a refugee crisis involving the Rohingyas spread panic across the region, after boats carrying hundreds of refugees were found floating in the sea. Many of these refugees also fled to India. There are an estimated 36,000 Rohingya refugees presently located in India. For India, the Rohingya problem is made further significant by the fact that many of them occupy Rakhine province – home to Sittwe Port.

71. Answer (a) Explanation The World Happiness Report is a measure of happiness published by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The first World Happiness Report was released in 2012. Norway is the overall happiest country in the world and India ranked 122 according to the 2017 report. Bhutan is the first and so far only country to officially adopt Gross National Happiness (GNH) instead of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as their main development indicator.

72. Answer (c) Explanation The Wassenaar Arrangement has been established in order to contribute to regional and international security and stability, by promoting transparency and greater responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies, thus preventing destabilising accumulations. Participating States seek, through their national policies, to ensure that transfers of these items do not contribute to the development or enhancement of military capabilities which undermine these goals, and are not diverted to support such capabilities.


The aim is also to prevent the acquisition of these items by terrorists. Representatives of Participating States meet regularly in Vienna where the Wassenaar Arrangement has established its headquarters and a small Secretariat.

73. Answer (d) Explanation The Australia Group is an informal arrangement which aims to allow exporting or transshipping countries to minimise the risk of assisting chemical and biological weapon (CBW) proliferation. Participants in the Australia Group do not undertake any legally binding obligations: the effectiveness of their cooperation depends solely on a shared commitment to CBW non-proliferation goals and the strength of their respective national measures. All states participating in the Australia Group are parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).

74. Answer (c) Explanation The Pelindaba Treaty signed in 1996, also known as the African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty, aims at preventing nuclear proliferation and preventing strategic minerals of Africa from being exported freely. The treaty establishes a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Africa.

75. Answer (b) Explanation The iconic Teen Murti Chowk and the Teen Murti Marg in New Delhi will now be known after the Israeli city Haifa with the NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council) approving their renaming ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel. (Every year, September 23 is celebrated as Haifa Day in India and Israel as a mark of respect to the soldiers who lost their lives in the battle and to mark the end to 400 years of the Turkish control over the city.)

76. Answer (b) Explanation The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC) is a voluntary legally non-binding multilateral body aimed at preventing the spread of ballistic missiles that can deliver weapons of mass destruction. India has recently joined the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC). The HCoC was formed in November 2002 with 137 members. China, Pakistan, Israel and Iran have not yet joined the voluntary regime.

77. Answer (d) Explanation Organization of American States (OAS) Intergovernmental organisation of American Republics. OAS brings together all 35 independent states of the Americas and constitutes the main political, juridical, and social governmental forum in the Hemisphere. In addition, it has granted permanent observer status to 69 states, as well as to the European Union (EU).

78. Answer (d) Explanation The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with Amir Amanullah Khan Award, Afghanistan’s highest civilian honour. He was bestowed the honour by President Ashraf Ghani after the inauguration of the landmark Afghan-India Friendship Dam in Herat. It is the Highest Civilian honour bestowed by Afghan government to Afghan national as well as foreigners in appreciation of their services.

79. Answer (a) Explanation The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) is an initiative by six countries – India and five ASEAN countries, namely, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam for cooperation in tourism, culture, education, as well as transport and communications. Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was created in December 1991 during the dissolution of the Soviet Union. At present the CIS unites: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine. India has been a member of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from 1957 onwards.

80. Answer (c) Explanation The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a group of nuclear supplier countries that seeks to contribute to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons through the implementation of two sets of Guidelines for nuclear exports and nuclear-related exports. NSG was created following the explosion in 1974 of a nuclear device by India. NSG works on the basis of consensus.


81. Answer (c) Explanation The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) is an informal political understanding among states that seek to limit the proliferation of missiles and missile technology. The MTCR is not a treaty and does not impose any legally binding obligations on Partners (members). While there is no formal linkage, the activities of the MTCR are consistent with the UN’s non-proliferation and export control efforts.

82. Answer (a) Explanation Scarborough Shoal is a territory disputed between Philippines and China in the South China Sea.

83. Answer (b) Explanation The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific. APEC's 21 member economies are Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; The Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; Viet Nam.

84. Answer (c) Explanation Malabar Naval Exercise is a trilateral naval exercise involving the United States, Japan and India as permanent partners. Originally a bilateral exercise between India and the U.S., Japan became a permanent partner in 2015. Past non-permanent participants are Australia and Singapore.

85. Answer (c) Explanation Kigali Agreement to amend the Montreal Protocol, was agreed to at the 28th Meeting of Parties at Kigali, Rwanda on October 2016. 14th ASEAN-India Summit and the 11th East Asia Summit was held in Vientiane, Laos on September 2016. The northern Syrian city of Aleppo was a key battleground in the Syrian civil war.

86. Answer(b) Explanation Balochistan is one of the four provinces of Pakistan, located in the southwestern region of the country. It was not a part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. It was previously ruled by the Khan of Kalat and was


forcefully annexed by Pakistan in 1948. Gwadar Port is a deep-sea port situated on the Arabian Sea at Gwadar in Balochistan province of Pakistan.

87. Answer (a) Explanation To strengthen sub-regional cooperation, four South Asian countries– Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) signed the historic Motor Vehicle Agreement (BBIN-MVA) for the ‘Regulation of Passenger, Personal and Cargo Vehicular Traffic’ amongst them on June 2015. But Bhutan is finding it difficult to get parliamentary approval for the pact.

88. Answer (c) Explanation Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), is a tweaked India-specific version of the Logistics Support Agreement (LSA). LEMOA gives both Indian and United States of America access to designated military facilities on either side for the purpose of refueling and replenishment. This is not a basing agreement. There will be no basing of the U.S. troops or assets on Indian soil. This is purely a logistical agreement.

89. Answer (c) Explanation The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) was established as a dialogue forum in 1996 to foster dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Europe. Its 53 partners include 51 member countries and 2 regional organisations (ASEAN Secretariat and European Commission).

90. Answer (b) Explanation India is one of the founding members of the Non Aligned Movement. Vice President M. Hamid Ansari led the Indian delegation at the 17th Summit of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM) held at Margarita Island in Venezuela. This is the first NAM summit that will not be attended by an Indian PM, except for 1979 when caretaker PM Charan Singh skipped the summit in Havana.

91. Answer (c) Explanation Raisina Dialogue is India’s flagship geo-political conference. It is held annually in New Delhi from 2016 onwards. The conference is held jointly by Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), an independent think tank based in India. 2nd Edition of Raisina Dialogue was held from 17-19 January, 2017. The Theme of the second edition of the Dialogue, was “The New Normal: Multilateralism with Multi-Polarity”.

92. Answer (a) Explanation Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism (IMAFT) is a military alliance led by Saudi Arabia to fight terrorism, with a joint operations centre in Riyadh. The 39 member military alliance include most Arab League states, a number of mainly Muslim states mostly in Africa, and Asian countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh and Malaysia. Notable omissions are Iran, Iraq and Syria.

93. Answer (c) Explanation The Group of Twenty (G20) is the premier forum for its members’ international economic cooperation and decision-making. Its membership comprises 19 countries plus the European Union. The members of the G20 are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.

94. Answer (c) Explanation India, Afghanistan and Iran signed the trilateral Chabahar Agreement among the three countries on Transport and Transit Corridors. The Agreement envisions trilateral cooperation for providing alternative access to seas to Afghanistan, inter alia for Afghanistan’s trade with India. When the Agreement comes into force it will significantly enhance utilization of Chabahar Port, contribute to economic growth of Afghanistan, and facilitate better regional connectivity, including between India and connections to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

95. Answer (a) Explanation The South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program brings together Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka in a project-based partnership that aims to promote regional prosperity, improve economic opportunities, and build a better quality of life for the people of the subregion. SASEC seeks to strengthen multimodal cross-border transport networks that boost intraregional trade and open


up trade opportunities with East and Southeast Asia. Asian Development Bank (ADB) serves as the SASEC Secretariat.

96. Answer (a) Explanation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) endeavours to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world. India is not a member of OIC. It has membership of 57 states spread over four continents.

97. Answer (a) Explanation The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation, the creation of which was announced on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai (China) by the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan. It was preceded by the Shanghai Five mechanism. The SCO Secretariat, based in Beijing, is the main permanent executive body of the SCO.

98. Answer (b) Explanation The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a sub-regional organization comprising seven Member States lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal. It constitutes seven Member States: five deriving from South Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and two from Southeast Asia, including Myanmar and Thailand. Unlike many other regional groupings, BIMSTEC is a sector-driven cooperative organization. BIMSTEC Summit is the highest policy making body in the BIMSTEC process.

99. Answer (c) Explanation The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established with the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka on 8 December 1985. SAARC comprises of eight Member States: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Secretariat of the Association was set up in Kathmandu on 17 January 1987.

100. Answer (a) Explanation BRICS brings together five major emerging economies Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa who are also members of G20. BRIC started after the meeting of the Leaders of Russia, India and China in St. Petersburg on the margins of G8 Outreach Summit in 2006. The 1st BRIC Summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, on 16 June 2009. It was agreed to expand BRIC into BRICS with the inclusion of South Africa at the BRIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New York in September 2010. Accordingly, South Africa attended the 3rd BRICS Summit in Sanya, China on 14 April 2011.

target prelims 2017 general studies paper - 1 …. pmt-15 explanation.pdftarget prelims 2017 ....

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