GK in English

GK Chapterwise – CDS Previous Year Papers

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181. The fortification of Calcutta by the British in 1756 was regarded by the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah, as

(a)growth of large-scale British trade
(b) an attack upon his sovereignty
(c) insecurity of the British in India
(d) British control over Bengal
Ans: (b)

CDS (II) 2015

182. Between 1309 and 1311, Malik Kafur led two campaigns in South India. The significance of the expeditions lies in it that
1. they reflected a high degree of boldness and spirit of adventure on the part of the Delhi rulers.
2. the invaders returned to Delhi with untold wealth.
3. they provided fresh geographical knowledge.
4. Alauddin promoted Malik Kafur to the rank of Maliknaib or Vice-Regent of the empire.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below

(a)1 and 3
(b) 1, 2 and 4
(c) 2 and 4
(d) All of the above
Ans: (c)

CDS (I) 2011

183. Ibn Batuta’s work, Rihla, completed in 1355, is

(a)an autobiography
(b) an account of the Delhi Sultans from Aibak to Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
(c) a religious text
(d) an account of trade with Morocco
Ans: (d)
CDS Exam (I) 2013

184. Several socio-political organisations were formed in the 19th and 20th centuries in India, Anjuman-e-Khawatin-e-Islam founded in the year 1914 was

(a)All India Muslim Ladies Conference
(b) A radical wing of the All India Muslim League
(c) All India Muslim Student’s Conference
(d) All India Islamic Conference
Ans: (a)

CDS (I) 2017

185. British colonialism in India saw the emergence of new cities.
Calcutta, now Kolkata, was one of the first cities. Which of the following villages were, amalgamated to form the city of Calcutta?

(a)Midnapur, Chittagong, Burdwan
(b) 24-Parganas, Kalikata, Thakurgaon
(c) Sutanuti, Kalikata, Gobindapur
(d) Midnapur, Thakurgaon, Gobindapur
Ans: (c)

CDS (II) 2015

186. Consider the following ‘India would be far more reliable as a base for operations.
Moreover, the prospect of a settlement will be greatly enhanced by the disappearance of Gandhi, who had for years torpedoed every attempt at a settlement.’ The above statement was made by the British in the context of

(a)Kheda Satyagraha
(b) Civil Disobedience Movement
(c) Quit India Movement
(d) Non-Cooperation Movement
Ans: (c)

CDS (I) 2019

187. Consider the following statements about the causes of success of the American Revolution
1. the remoteness of the American continent and British ignorance of the American continent led to the success of the Americans.
2. the fierce spirit of liberty drove the Americans to success.
3. the American military forces were superior to the British.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)Only 1
(b) 1 and 2
(c) Only 2
(d) 1 and 3
Ans: (b)
CDS Exam (I) 2012

188. Which one among the following thinkers argued that Maratha rule in general and Shivaji in particular represented early nationalist cons-ciousness in India?

(a)Pandita Ramabai
(b) MG Ranade
(c) Bipin Chandra Pal
(d) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Ans: (b)

CDS (I) 2007

189. In the Gupta age, Varahamihira wrote the famous book, ‘Brihat Samhita’. It was a treatise on

(a)astronomy
(b) statecraft
(c) ayurvedic system of medicine.
(d) economics
Ans: (a)

CDS (II) 2009

190. The highly polished monolithic Ashokan Pillars were carved out of single pieces of a buff-coloured sandstone, usually mined from the quarries of

(a)Chunar near Mirzapur
(b) Lauriya in Nandangarh
(c) Sarnath near Varanasi
(d) Udayagiri near Bhubaneshwar
Ans: (a)
CDS Exam (II) 2018

191. Statement I: Kali age reflects the presence of deep social crisis characterised by varnasankara i. e., intermixture of varnas or social orders.
Statement II: The Vaisyas and Sudras (peasants, artisans and labourers) either refused to perform producing functions or pay taxes or supply necessary labour for economic production resulting in weakening of Brahminical social order and social tension.

(a)Both the statements are true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I
(b) Both the statements are true, but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I
(c) Statement I is true, but Statement II is false
(d) Statement I is false, but Statement II is true
Ans: (d)
CDS Exam (I) 2016

192. Rajtarangini, authored by Kalhan, describes the history of

(a)Gujarat
(b) Bengal
(c) Kashmir
(d) Punjab
Ans: (c)

CDS (I) 2008

193. Which of the following did not constitute part of the army reforms of Sher Shah?

(a)Keeping a large army at the centre
(b) Introduction of a swiftly moving artillery
(c) Cash payment to soldiers
(d) Introduction of the practice of branding horses
Ans: (b)

CDS (II) 2010

194. Among the precious stones, the most extensive foreign trade during the Gupta age was that of

(a)diamonds
(b) ruby
(c) pearl
(d) sapphire
Ans: (d)
CDS Exam (II) 2015

195. The Mansabdari system of the Mughals was a complex system. Its efficient functioning depended upon
1. the practice of offering the title of ‘Mansabdar’ to military personnel only.
2. proper functioning of the dagh (branding) system.
3. proper functioning of the jagirdari system.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below

(a)Only 1
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 3
(d) All of these
Ans: (c)

CDS (II) 2011

196. Sangam literature formed a very important source for the reconstruction of the history of South India. It was written in

(a)Tamil
(b) Kannada
(c) Telugu
(d) Malayalam
Ans: (a)

CDS (I) 2013

197. Statement I: The economy of India in the 19th century came to a state of ruin under English East India Company.
Statement II: English East India Company’s acquisition of Diwani right led to the miseries of the peasants and those associated with the traditional handicrafts industry of India.

(a)Both the statements are true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I
(b) Both the statements are true, but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I
(c) Statement I is true, but Statement II is false
(d) Statement I is false, but Statement II is true
Ans: (a)

CDS (II) 2017

198. Statement I: In India tribal movements of 19th century resulted out of the process of land displacements and the introduction of forest laws.
Statement II: The Indian national movement resolved the problems faced by the tribals.

(a)Both the statements are true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I
(b) Both the statements are true, but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I
(c) Statement I is true, but Statement II is false
(d) Statement I is false, but Statement II is true
Ans: (c)
CDS Exam (II) 2015

199. Statement I: The Russian Revolution of 1917 inspired the Indian Working Class Movement.
Statement II: The Non-Cooperation Movement (1921-22) saw the involvement of the Indian Working Class.

(a)Both the statements are true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I
(b) Both the statements are true, but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I
(c) Statement I is true, but Statement II is false
(d) Statement I is false, but Statement II is true
Ans: (a)

CDS (II) 2019

200. Statement I: The social institutions of caste in India underwent major changes in the colonial period.
Statement II: Caste, in contemporary society is more a product of ancient Indian tradition than of colonialism.

(a)Both the statements are true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I
(b) Both the statements are true, but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I
(c) Statement I is true, but Statement II is false
(d) Statement I is false, but Statement II is true
Ans: (b)

CDS (I) 2012

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