UPSC Essentials: Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues

Written by Nitendra Singh

UPSC Essentials brings to you its new initiative of subject-wise quizzes. UPSC Daily Subject Quiz will cover all topics under UPSC Civil Services syllabus such as Polity, History, Geography, Economics, Environment, Science and Technology, International Relations, and more. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus.

Each day, we will cover one new subject. Attempt today’s subject quiz on History, Culture and Social Issues to check your progress. Come back tomorrow to solve the MCQs from Environment and Science and Technology. Don’t miss to check the answers and explanations at the end of the quiz.

QUESTION 1

It is a magnificent monument dedicated to Lord Shiva which was built by King Jajati Keshari in the 10th Century and completed by King Lalatendu Keshari in the 11th Century. This great temple represents the quintessence of the Kalinga type of architecture.

The above mentioned description refers to:

(a) Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

(b) Lingaraj Temple

(c) Venkateshwara Temple

(d) Sun Temple Konark

QUESTION 2

Consider the following statements with respect to Santhal Revolt –

1. The epicenters of the movement were the three adjoining districts of Birbhum, Murshidabad and Bhagalpur in the then undivided Bengal.

2. The colonial idea was to use the Santhals as a source of labour for the expansion of agriculture and other works.

3. The Santhal leaders, men and women, fought heroic battles under the leadership of Sido and Kanhu in the mid 17th century.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below –

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) 1 and 3 only

QUESTION 3

Which of the following statements is not correct with respect to Vaikom Satyagraha?

(a) The movement was a non-agitation movement which was started for temple entry across the country.

(b) The movement took place in 20th century.

(c) The movement took place in the princely state of Holkars.

(d) The most notable reason behind the movement was caste discrimination and untouchability.

QUESTION 4

Consider the following statements about Ramanujacharya – 

1. He was a Vedic philosopher and social reformer born in Tamil Nadu.

2. He revived Bhakti movements and his teaching inspired the Bhakti school of thoughts.

3. He is credited with establishing the correct procedures for rituals performed in temples throughout India, the most famous being Tirumala and Srirangam.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below-

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3 only

QUESTION 5

Match the following with reference to the GI tag –

A.  Gamosa                                1. Maharashtra

B. Tandur Redgram                2. Bihar

C. White Onions                      3. Telangana

D. Mithila Makhana               4. Assam

Select the correct answer using the codes given below – 

Codes – 

     A  B   C  D

(a) 1  2  4   3

(b) 4  3  1   2

(c) 3  2  1   4

(d) 1  3  4   2

QUESTION 6

Which of the following states celebrate the Hornbill festival to revive and protect its rich culture and display its extravaganza and traditions?

(a) Arunachal Pradesh

(b) Manipur

(c) Nagaland

(d) Tripura

QUESTION 7

Consider the following statement about National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) –

1. The main objective of each successive round of the NFHS is to provide high-quality data on health and family welfare and emerging issues in the particular area.

2. The total fertility rate has touched the mark of 2,0

3. NFHS-5 does not include preschool education, disability, access to a toilet facility and death registration.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below –

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

QUESTION 8

Consider the following statements with respect to the State of Education Report (SOER), 2022 – 

1. It was the fourth edition of a report which provides an introduction to Artificial Intelligence to have better understanding over the subject.

2. The report has been launched by the United Nation Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Select the correct answer using the codes given below – 

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

ANSWERS TO MCQs

1. (b)

FYI: 

—  Lingraj Temple is the biggest temple in Bhubaneswar, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built by King Jajati Keshari in the 10th Century and completed by King Lalatendu Keshari in the 11th Century.

—  The main spire is 54 meters high. Besides, there is a pillared hall, a dancing hall (Natya Mandap) and a hall for serving offerings (Bhoga Mandap). The walled campus has about 50 smaller shrines, including one dedicated to Goddess Parvati.

— The temple represents the quintessence of the Kalinga type of architecture, the culminating result of the architectural activities at Bhubaneswar.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

2. (a)

FYI:

— The Santhal Rebellion remains unprecedented in the annals of civilian insurgency in British India in the mid-19th century. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— The epicenters of the movement were the three adjoining districts of Birbhum, Murshidabad and Bhagalpur in the then undivided Bengal around the foothills of the Rajmahal hills. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The area was allocated for their resettlement through the Damin-i-koh regulation of 1832 by the British after they suppressed the local Paharias in the early decade of the 19th Century, a period when the Chuar, Bhumij and Kol tribes of Bengal and Bihar had already revolted and expressed their anger over their exploitation at the hands of outsiders.

— The colonial idea was to use the Santhals as a source of labour for the expansion of agriculture and other works. Over the next century and a half, the Santhals would become the chief and cheap labour force for the British who put them to use in their tea gardens, and for land reclamation and colonisation for agriculture. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Land grabbing was the regular pattern now and begari, the practice of bonded labour of the kind which can easily be defined as slavery, was to throttle the life of the Santhal men and women.

— The Santhal leaders, men and women, fought heroic battles under the leadership of Sido and Kanhu across Santhal Parganas and neighbouring districts, and it took the collective forces of the British artillery, supported by the elephant forces of the local rajas and the local armies of the Bengali Zamindars, to finally suppress the revolt around January 1856 with unparalleled savagery, killing more than 10-15,000 Santhals and destroying thousands of homes and villages.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

3. (c)

FYI:

— On March 30, 1924, the temple town of Vaikom in the princely state of Travancore, a non-violent agitation started which marked the beginning of “temple entry movements” across the country.

— The reason behind the movement was caste discrimination and untouchability across India, with some of the most rigid and dehumanising norms documented in Travancore. Lower castes like the Ezhavas and Pulayas were considered polluting and various rules were in place to distance them from upper castes.

— The princely state of Travancore does not have the unique caste system, some of the most rigid, refined and ruthless social norms and customs were seen. It was documented by travellers such as Portuguese Duarte Barbosa.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

4 (d)

FYI:

— Ramanujacharya was born in 1017 in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu, Ramanujacharya is revered as a Vedic philosopher and social reformer. He travelled across India, advocating equality and social justice.

— He revived the Bhakti movement, and his preachings inspired other Bhakti schools of thought. He is considered to be the inspiration for poets like Annamacharya, Bhakti Ramdas, Thyagaraja, Kabir, and Meerabai.

— Ramanuja appealed for the protection of nature and its resources like air, water, and soil. He went on to write nine scriptures known as the navaratnas, and composed numerous commentaries on Vedic scriptures. He is also credited with establishing the correct procedures for rituals performed in temples throughout India, the most famous being Tirumala and Srirangam.

— Ramanuja was an advocate of social equality among all sections of people centuries ago, and encouraged temples to open their doors to everyone irrespective of caste or position in society at a time when people of many castes were forbidden from entering them.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

5. (b)

FYI:

Product (GI Tag)	State	Remarks
Gamosa	Assam	The gamosa/gamocha is a handwoven rectangular cotton piece of cloth with red borders and different designs and motifs, and is traditionally offered to elders and guests as a mark of respect and honour by Assamese people.
Tandur Redgram	Telangana	It is a local variety of pigeon pea which is mainly grown in the rainfed areas of the Tandur and nearby places in the state.
White Onions	Maharashtra	These onions are cultivated in Alibaug region of Maharashtra.
Mithila Makhana	Bihar	It is cultivated in the Mithila region of Bihar and some parts of Nepal.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

6. (c)

FYI:

— The tribes of Nagaland celebrate the festival with gusto and fervour while more than 60 percent of the Nagaland’s population depends on agriculture and therefore most of their festivals revolve around agriculture.

— Nagaland is known as land of festivals and to encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote cultural heritage of Nagaland, the Government of Nagaland organises the Hornbill festival every year. It is also known as the festival of festivals.

— The festival was held from December 1 to 10 at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, around 12 km from the state capital Kohima. It promotes the rich and colourful culture of Nagaland and its tribes.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

7. (a)

FYI:

—  The National Family Health Survey 2019-21 (NFHS-5), the fifth in the NFHS series, provides information on population, health, and nutrition for India and each state/union territory (UT). Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— The main objective of each successive round of the NFHS has been to provide high-quality data on health and family welfare and emerging issues in the particular area. NFHS-5 data will be useful in setting benchmarks and examining the progress the health sector has made over time. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The report shows that India has finally achieved the replacement rate of 2.1TFR (Total Fertility Rate is the total number of children a woman will bear in her lifetime). Hence, statement 2 is correct.

(Source:  main.mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/NFHS-5_Phase-II_0.pdf)

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

8. (c)

FYI:

— The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) launched  its 2022 State of the Education Report (SOER) for India: Artificial Intelligence in Education – Here, There and Everywhere. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— This was the fourth edition and the publication is the annual flagship report of the UNESCO New Delhi Office and is based on extensive research. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— This Report provides an introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) to demystify a subject that has endured various misconceptions. This is supplemented by an overview of challenges and opportunities in the Indian education sector that Artificial Intelligence can address.  

(Source: en.unesco.org/news/unesco-launches-2022-state-education-report-india-artificial-intelligence-education)

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Yesterday’s Quiz: Polity and Governance

Tomorrow’s Quiz: Environment and Science and Technology

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