1. Which of the following reforms were introduced by William Bentinck?
1. Abolition of the four Circuit Courts.
2. Setting up of Sadar Diwani Adalat and a Sadar Nizamat Adalat at Allahabad.
3. Usage of Persian or a vernacular language in courts except the Supreme Court by suitor.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d
Explanation:
Reforms under William Bentinck (1828-1833)
• The four Circuit Courts were abolished and their functions transferred to collectors under the supervision of the commissioner of revenue and circuit. So statement 1 is correct. • Sadar Diwani Adalat and a Sadar Nizamat Adalat were set up at Allahabad for the convenience of the people of Upper Provinces. So statement 2 is correct.
• Till then, Persian was the official language in courts. Now, the suitor had the option to use Persian or a vernacular language, while in the Supreme Court, the English language replaced Persian. So statement 3 is correct.
Therefore, the correct answer is d.
2. Which of the following was/were established under the Government of India Act, 1935?
1. Joint Public Service Commission
2. Council of India
3. Dyarchy in the provinces
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: a
Explanation:
The Government of India Act of 1935 had the following features:
∙ As provided by the Government of India Act of 1919, a Central Public Service Commission was set up in 1926 and entrusted with the task of recruiting civil servants. However, the Government of India Act of 1935 provided for the establishment of not only a Federal Public Service Commission but also a Provincial Public Service Commission and Joint Public Service Commission for two or more provinces.
∙ It abolished the Council of India, established by the Government of India Act of 1858. The Secretary of State for India was provided with a team of advisors.
∙ It abolished dyarchy in the provinces and introduced ‘provincial autonomy’ in its place. The provinces were allowed to act as autonomous units of administration in their defined spheres. Moreover, the Act introduced responsible governments in provinces, that is, the Governor was required to act with the advice of ministers responsible to the provincial legislature. This came into effect in 1937 and was discontinued in 1939.
Therefore, the correct answer is a.
3. With reference to the Censorship of Press Act, 1799, consider the following statements:
1. Lord Wellesley enacted it in anticipation of the French invasion of India.
2. Rammohan Roy’s Mirat-ul-Akbar had to stop publication under it.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: a
Explanation:
Lord Wellesley enacted the Censorship of Press Act, 1799, anticipating a French invasion of India. It imposed almost wartime press restrictions including pre-censorship. These restrictions were relaxed under Lord Hastings, who had progressive views, and in 1818, pre-censorship was dispensed with. So, statement 1 is correct
The acting Governor-General, John Adams, who had reactionary views, enacted Licensing Regulations, 1823. According to these regulations, starting or using a press without a licence was a penal offence. Later on, the Act was extended to cover journals, pamphlets and books. These restrictions were directed chiefly against Indian language newspapers or those edited by Indians.
Rammohan Roy’s Mirat-ul-Akbar had to stop publication. So, statement 2 is not correct. Therefore, the correct answer is a.
4. Seals of Harappan Civilization were made up of which of the following?
1. Agate
2. Faience
3. Ivory
4. Copper
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: d
Explanation:
Archaeologists have discovered thousands of seals, mostly made of steatite, and occasionally of agate, chert, copper, faience and terracotta, with beautiful figures of animals, such as unicorn bull, rhinoceros, tiger, elephant, bison, goat, buffalo, etc. The purpose of producing seals was mainly commercial. It appears that the seals were also used as amulets, carried on the persons of their owners, perhaps as modern-day identity cards.
The standard Harappan seal was a square plaque 2×2 square inches, made from steatite. Every seal is engraved in a pictographic script which is yet to be deciphered. Some seals have also been found in ivory. They all bear a great variety of motifs, most often of animals including those of the bull, with or without the hump, the elephant, tiger, goat and also monsters. Sometimes trees or human figures were also depicted. The most remarkable seal is the one depicted with a figure in the centre and animals around. This seal is generally identified as the Pashupati Seal by some scholars whereas some identify it as the female deity.
Therefore, the correct answer is d.
5. Consider the following statements in the context of Mongolian Kanjur:
1. It is being reprinted in India under the National Mission for Manuscripts.
2. It has been translated from Pali language.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: a
Explanation:
The Ministry of Culture has taken up the project of reprinting of 108 volumes of Mongolian Kanjur, the Buddhist canonical text under the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM). So, statement 1 is correct.
It is held in high esteem by the Mongolian Buddhists and they worship the Kanjur at temples and recite the lines of Kanjur in their daily life or a part of their lifestyle as a sacred ritual. Almost in every Monastery in Mongolia, the Kanjur are kept. The Mongolian Kanjur is a source of providing a cultural identity to Mongolia.
Historical interaction between India and Mongolia goes back centuries. Buddhism was carried to Mongolia by Indian cultural and religious ambassadors during the early Christian era. Now, the publication of Mongolian Kanjur by the Government of India for the Government of Mongolia will act as a symbol of cultural symphony between India and Mongolia and will contribute to the furtherance of bilateral relations during the coming years. Mongolian Kanjur has been translated from the Tibetan language and the language of the Kanjur is Classical Mongolian.
So, statement 2 is not correct.
Therefore, the correct answer is a