1. With reference to the Indian Civil Services (ICS) in the colonial period consider the following statements:
1. Statutory civil services were started by Lord Lytton in India.
2. Montagu Chelmsford Reforms provided for reservation of one-third of superior ICS posts for the Indians.
3. Federal and Provincial Public Service Commissions were established on the recommendation of the Lee Commission.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: a
Explanation:
The Indian Civil Service (ICS), for part of the 19th century officially known as the Imperial Civil Service, was the elite higher civil service of the British Empire in British India during British rule in the period between 1858 and 1947. Lord Lytton introduced the Statutory Civil Service in India to provide jobs to loyal Indians and dampen the spirit of the Indians, in general, to compete for covenanted services.
It was the Montagu Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 that Reforms provided for reservation of one-third of superior ICS posts for the Indians. So, statements 1 and 2 are correct.
The Public Service Commissions were established on the recommendation of Lee Commission. The Federal and Provincial Public Service Commissions were established on the basis of Government of India Act 1935. So, statement 3 is not correct.
Therefore, the correct answer is a.
2. Consider the following statements with reference to the East India Company (EIC) that ruled India:
1. It had the exclusive right of trading in India that was granted by Queen Elizabeth I.
2. It obtained the ‘diwani’ function in 1765, before that it used to only have ‘nizamat’ functions.
3. In 1784, the British Crown renamed the company’s territories as British possessions in India.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: c
Explanation: Queen Elizabeth I of England granted a formal charter to the London merchants trading to the East Indies, later known as the East India Company, hoping to break the Dutch monopoly of the spice trade in what is now Indonesia. So, statement (1) is correct.
The EIC obtained the ‘diwani’ function in 1765. Till 1765 the EIC only had general trading functions. So, statement (2) is not correct.
The Pitt’s India Act, 1784 also called the East India Company Act, 1784 was passed by the British Parliament to correct the defects of the Regulating Act of 1773. This Act resulted in dual control of British possessions in India by the British government and the Company with the final authority resting with the government. For the first time, the term ‘British possessions in India’ was used. So, statement (3) is correct.
Therefore, the correct answer is c.
3. Consider the following statements:
1. The idea of subsidiary alliance was first mooted by the French Governor, Dupleix, in India.
2. The French exited India immediately after their loss in the Battle of Wandiwash.
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:
A subsidiary alliance describes a tributary alliance between a Native state and either French India, or later the British East India Company. The pioneer of the subsidiary alliance system was French Governor Joseph François Dupleix, who in the late 1740s established treaties with the Nizam of Hyderabad, and Carnatic. So, Statement (1) is correct.
The French continued in India after the Battle of Wandiwash. They left in 1954. So, Statement (2) is not correct. Therefore, the correct answer is a.
4. With reference to the British Education Policy, consider the following statements:
1. Hunter Commission recommended the establishment of schools for technical education.
2. The Woods Dispatch recommended entry of private enterprise in education.
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: d
Explanation:
Hunter Education Commission was a landmark commission appointed by Viceroy Lord Ripon with objectives to look into the complaints of the non-implementation of the Wood’s Despatch of 1854; the contemporary status of elementary education in the British territories; and suggest means by which this can be extended and improved. This commission, headed by Sir William Wilson Hunter, had submitted its report in 1882. It recommended private enterprise in education. So, statement 1 is not correct.
Sir Charles Wood, the President of the Board of Control, had an important effect on spreading English learning and female education in India. When in 1854 he sent a dispatch to Lord Dalhousie, the then Governor-General of India, Wood suggested that primary schools must adopt vernacular languages, high schools must adopt Anglo-vernacular language and at college-level English should be the medium of education. It recommended the establishment of schools for technical education. So, statement 2 is not correct.
Therefore, the correct answer is d.
5. Consider the following statements with reference to Lingaraj temple in Odisha:
1. It was built in 11th century AD.
2. It is built in red stone and is a classic example of Vesara style of architecture.
3. It signifies the syncretisation of Shaivism and Vaishnavism sects in the state.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: c
Explanation:
Lingaraj Temple, built in 11th century AD, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered as the largest temple of the city Bhubaneswar. So, Statement 1 is correct.
It is believed to have been built by the Somvanshi King Yayati I. It is built in red stone and is a classic example of Kalinga style of architecture. The temple is divided into four sections―Garbh Griha (sanctum sanctorum), Yajna Shala (the hall for prayers), Bhoga Mandap (the hall of offering) and the Natya Shala (hall of dance). The sprawling temple complex has one hundred and fifty subsidiary shrines. Lingaraj is referred to as ‘Swayambhu” – self-originated Shivling. So, Statement 2 is not correct.
Another important aspect of the temple is that it signifies the syncretisation of Shaivism and Vaishnavism sects in Odisha. Perhaps the rising cult of Lord Jagannath (considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) which coincided with the completion of the Lingaraja Temple had a role to play. The presiding deity in the Temple is known as Hari-Hara; Hari denotes Lord Vishnu and Hara meaning Lord Shiva. The temple is out of bounds for non-Hindus.
The other attraction of the temple is the Bindusagar Lake, located in the north side of the temple. So, statement 3 is correct.
Therefore, the correct answer is c.