APPSC Group-I Prelims 1990

130 questions from the 1990 papers, each with the official answer and an explanation.

A question repeated across years is listed once, under one of the years it appeared.

1. Q1Prehistory, the Harappan Civilisation and archaeological finds

   Remains of Harappa city have been unearthed in

   • aUttar Pradesh
   • bBihar
   • cNew Delhi
   • dGujaratAnswer
   ›Explanation

   Option D is correct because extensive remains of the Harappan civilization, including prominent settlements such as Lothal, Dholavira, Rangpur, and Surkotada, have been unearthed across the state of Gujarat. Option A: Uttar Pradesh hosts only eastern peripheral settlements such as Alamgirpur and Hulas, not the major Harappan urban centers. Option B: Bihar lies entirely outside the geographical expanse of the Harappan civilization. Option C: New Delhi has no excavated Harappan civilization remains or urban settlements.

2. Q2Prehistory, the Harappan Civilisation and archaeological finds

   Lothal is associated with

   • aIndus Valley civilizationAnswer
   • bSumerian civilization
   • cBabylonian civilization
   • dEgyptian civilization
   ›Explanation

   Option A is correct because Lothal was a major port city and craft centre belonging to the Indus Valley civilization, flourishing in the third millennium BCE. Option B: Sumerian civilization was a Bronze Age civilization centered in southern Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, not in the Indian subcontinent. Option C: Babylonian civilization developed in central-southern Mesopotamia around the city of Babylon, distinct from the Indus site of Lothal. Option D: Egyptian civilization flourished along the lower reaches of the Nile River in northeast Africa, bearing no territorial association with Lothal.

3. Q3Prehistory, the Harappan Civilisation and archaeological finds

   The legendary city recently excavated was

   • aHastinapura
   • bPataliputra
   • cAyodhya
   • dDwarakaAnswer
   ›Explanation

   Option D is correct because underwater and terrestrial excavations conducted off the coast of Gujarat explored the legendary sunken city of Dwaraka, which has been prominent in recent marine archaeology. Option A: Hastinapura was famously excavated by B. B. Lal in the early 1950s, not in recent marine or coastal archaeological campaigns. Option B: Pataliputra, modern-day Patna, underwent significant archaeological excavations throughout the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Option C: Ayodhya has been subject to standard terrestrial excavations by the Archaeological Survey of India, not marine excavations of a sunken legendary city.

4. Q4Vedic Age and the Mahajanapadas

   The name of the first Jain Tirthankar is

   • aShantinath
   • bRishavanathAnswer
   • cMahavira
   • dNeminath
   ›Explanation

   Option B is correct because Rishavanath (also known as Rishabhadeva or Adinatha) is recognized as the first of the twenty-four Tirthankaras in Jain tradition. Option A: Shantinath was the 16th Tirthankara, not the first. Option C: Mahavira was the 24th and last Tirthankara. Option D: Neminath was the 22nd Tirthankara of Jainism.

5. Q5Vedic Age and the Mahajanapadas

   The sacred books of the Buddhists are

   • aVedas
   • bAngas
   • cTripitakasAnswer
   • dAranyakas
   ›Explanation

   Option C is correct because the Tripitakas, comprising the Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka, form the canonical scriptures of Buddhism. Vinaya Pitaka: Monastic discipline Sutta Pitaka: Buddha's discourses Abhidhamma Pitaka: Philosophical analysis Option A: The Vedas are the sacred scriptures of Hinduism. Option B: The Angas are the canonical texts of Jainism. Option D: The Aranyakas are Vedic ritual texts belonging to Hinduism.

6. Q6Post-Mauryan India and the foreign invasions

   Kharavela was responsible for the inscription?

   • aNasik cave inscription
   • bNaneghat inscription
   • cHathigumpha cave inscriptionAnswer
   • dAmaravathi inscription
   ›Explanation

   Option C is correct because the Hathigumpha inscription, located in the Udayagiri hills near Bhubaneswar in Odisha, is a 17-line Prakrit inscription recording the military campaigns and achievements of the Chedi king Kharavela of Kalinga. Option A: Nasik cave inscriptions are primarily associated with the Satavahana rulers Gautamiputra Satakarni and Vashishtiputra Pulumayi, as well as the Western Kshatrapa ruler Nahapana. Option B: Naneghat inscription was commissioned by Queen Naganika, the wife of Satavahana king Satakarni I. Option D: Amaravathi inscriptions record donations and deeds related to Buddhism and various Satavahana and Ikshvaku rulers, not Kharavela.

7. Q7Post-Mauryan India and the foreign invasions

   The ruler who was described as Trisamudra dhipati was

   • aVikramaditya - VI
   • bPulakesin - II
   • cGautamiputra SatakarniAnswer
   • dVinayaditya
   ›Explanation

   Option C is correct because Gautamiputra Satakarni was given the epithet Trisamudrapitapoyavahana in the Nasik inscription, indicating that his horses drank from the three seas and his dominion reached both the eastern and western coasts and the southern sea. Option A: Vikramaditya VI was a Western Chalukya ruler who adopted the title Tribhuvanamalla, not Trisamudradhipati. Option B: Pulakesin II was a Badami Chalukya king known as Dakshinapatheswara. Option D: Vinayaditya was also a Badami Chalukya king and did not hold this traditional title.

8. Q8Post-Mauryan India and the foreign invasions

   The Satavahana king who defeated Nahapana was

   • aPulumayi
   • bGautamiputra SatakarniAnswer
   • cYajna Satakarni
   • dRudra Satakarni
   ›Explanation

   Option B is correct because Gautamiputra Satakarni defeated the Western Kshatrapa ruler Nahapana, restriking a large hoard of Nahapana's silver coins discovered at Jogalthambi. Option A: Vashishtiputra Pulumayi was the son and successor of Gautamiputra Satakarni and did not fight Nahapana. Option C: Yajna Sri Satakarni ruled towards the end of the dynasty and is famous for maritime trade, not the defeat of Nahapana. Option D: Rudra Satakarni was a later ruler and had no conflict with Nahapana.

9. Q9Gupta and post-Gupta India

   The leading astronomer of the Gupta period was

   • aAsvagosha
   • bSusruta
   • cBhasa
   • dVarahamihiraAnswer
   ›Explanation

   Option D is correct because Varahamihira was the foremost astronomer, mathematician, and astrologer of the Gupta era, authoring monumental works such as Panchasiddhantika and Brihat Samhita. Option A: Asvagosha was a Buddhist philosopher and dramatist active during the earlier Kushan period. Option B: Susruta was an ancient Indian surgeon and physician associated with surgical medicine rather than astronomy. Option C: Bhasa was a pioneering Sanskrit playwright, not a scientist or astronomer.

10. Q10Early medieval South Indian dynasties

    Badami is famous for these?

    • aRock-cut cave templesAnswer
    • bStructural temples
    • cPaintings
    • dSecular Buildings (Secular Buildings)
    ›Explanation

    Option A is correct because Badami, the early capital of the Chalukyas, is internationally renowned for its four magnificent rock-cut cave temples excavated into sandstone cliffs representing Hindu and Jain traditions. Option B: Although structural temples like the Bhutanatha group exist at Badami, the rock-cut cave temples represent the defining architectural achievement for which the site is universally famous. Option C: Badami contains remnants of early Chalukyan murals in Cave 3, but painting is secondary to its globally celebrated rock-cut architecture. Option D: The surviving historical monuments at Badami are exclusively religious shrines rather than civic or secular edifices.

11. Q11Early medieval South Indian dynasties

    The magnificent temple of Kailasa was erected by

    • aKrishna - IAnswer
    • bGovinda -11
    • cKrishna - II
    • dDantidurga
    ›Explanation

    Option A is correct because the monolithic Kailasa rock-cut temple at Ellora (Cave 16) was excavated and erected under the patronage of the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I in the eighth century. Option B: Govinda II was the son and successor of Krishna I who had a brief reign and did not construct the Kailasa temple. Option C: Krishna II ruled much later, from 878 to 914 CE, and was not involved in the creation of this Ellora shrine. Option D: Dantidurga was the founder of the Rashtrakuta dynasty who established imperial rule after defeating the Badami Chalukyas, not the builder of the Kailasa temple.

12. Q12Early medieval South Indian dynasties

    The foreign traveller who visited the port of Motupalli during the Kakatiya period

    • aIbnBatuta
    • bMarco PoloAnswer
    • cAbdur Razack
    • dNicolo Conti
    ›Explanation

    Option B is correct because the Venetian traveler Marco Polo visited the Kakatiya sea port of Motupalli around 1292 CE and left detailed accounts of its flourishing trade. Option A: Ibn Batuta visited India during the 14th century during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Option C: Abdur Razack visited south India as an ambassador to the Vijayanagara court of Devaraya II in the 15th century. Option D: Nicolo Conti visited the Vijayanagara Empire around 1420 CE, well after the Kakatiya period.

13. Q13Early medieval South Indian dynasties

    The name of ancient religious and educational town which was the Kashi of South India is

    • aMahabalipuram
    • bTanjavur
    • cKanchiAnswer
    • dMadurai
    ›Explanation

    Option C is correct because Kanchipuram (Kanchi) is traditionally known as the Kashi of South India (Dakshina Kashi) as it is one of the seven Mokshapuris (sacred pilgrimage cities) and was a major center of Sanskrit and Vedic learning. Option A: Mahabalipuram was the port city of the Pallavas famous for rock-cut monuments, not the traditional Dakshina Kashi. Option B: Tanjavur was the imperial capital of the Cholas, renowned for the Brihadisvara Temple rather than being designated as Dakshina Kashi. Option D: Madurai was celebrated as the center of the Tamil Sangam and the seat of the Pandyas, not Kashi of the South.

14. Q14The Delhi Sultanate

    The King who was defeated by Malik Kafur was

    • aRudrammadevi
    • bYadava RamachandraAnswer
    • cVira Ballala
    • dNarasimha -I
    ›Explanation

    Option B is correct because Malik Kafur led Alauddin Khalji's southern campaign against Devagiri in 1308 CE and defeated the Yadava ruler Ramachandra, compelling him to pay tribute and accept Delhi's suzerainty. Option A: Rudramadevi ruled the Kakatiya dynasty earlier in the thirteenth century and was not a contemporary of Malik Kafur's campaigns. Option C: Vira Ballala III of the Hoysala dynasty was targeted later in 1310 to 1311 CE, but the primary and earliest southern monarch subdued by Kafur among the given choices was Ramachandra. Option D: Narasimha I was a ruler of the Eastern Ganga dynasty who lived much earlier in the thirteenth century and never encountered Malik Kafur.

15. Q15The Delhi Sultanate

    The term ‘Naskh’ is related to

    • aWeapons of War
    • bHindustani Music
    • cMuslim CalligraphyAnswer
    • dAdministrative system
    ›Explanation

    Option C is correct because Naskh is a prominent cursive style of Arabic and Islamic calligraphy widely used for writing manuscripts, the Quran, and architectural inscriptions. Option A: Naskh refers strictly to a script style and is unrelated to military weaponry. Option B: Hindustani music utilizes terms related to ragas and talas, not Islamic calligraphic scripts. Option D: The administrative systems of medieval Islamic dynasties did not use Naskh as an administrative title or practice.

16. Q16Vijayanagara and the Deccan Sultanates

    Who among the following VijayanagaPa rulers, resolved the conflict between the Jainas and the Vaishnavas ?

    • aDevaraya - II
    • bHarihara-I
    • cBukka-IAnswer
    • dSaluva Narasimha
    ›Explanation

    Option C is correct because Bukka Raya I settled the bitter dispute between the Jainas and Srivaishnavas through the famous decree recorded in the Sravanabelagola inscription of 1368, declaring both faiths equal under state protection. Option A: Devaraya II was known for religious tolerance and employing Muslims in his army, but he was not the ruler who issued the famous reconciliation edict between Jainas and Vaishnavas. Option B: Harihara I laid the foundation of the empire and focused on territorial consolidation rather than resolving this specific religious dispute. Option D: Saluva Narasimha ruled over a century later during the second dynasty and was not involved in this settlement.

17. Q17Vijayanagara and the Deccan Sultanates

    ‘Chintala Venkata Ramana Temple’ is in this place

    • aTadipatriAnswer
    • bLepakshi
    • cPenugonda
    • dChandragiri
    ›Explanation

    Option A is correct because the Chintala Venkata Ramana Temple, renowned for its Vijayanagara-era architecture and elaborate stone carvings, is located in Tadipatri in Anantapur district. Option B: Lepakshi is famous for the Veerabhadra temple and the monolithic Nandi, not the Chintala Venkata Ramana temple. Option C: Penugonda served as the second capital of Vijayanagara and is notable for the Gagan Mahal and its fort. Option D: Chandragiri is situated near Tirupati and is noted for its Vijayanagara fort and royal palaces.

18. Q18The Mughal Empire

    The famous battle between Rana pratap and Akbar fought in the

    • aNarmada Valley
    • bKhaibar Ghat
    • cHaldi GhatAnswer
    • dBolan Ghat
    ›Explanation

    Option C is correct because the historic battle between the Mewar forces led by Maharana Pratap and the Mughal imperial army led by Raja Man Singh was fought at the Haldighati pass in 1576. Date of Battle of Haldighati: 18 June 1576 Location: Haldighati near Gogunda in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan Mughal commander: Raja Man Singh I of Amber Option A: Narmada Valley is a river basin in central India far south of Mewar. Option B: Khaibar Ghat is a northwestern mountain pass between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Option D: Bolan Ghat is a mountain pass through the Toba Kakar range in Balochistan.

19. Q19Bhakti and Sufi movements

    The author of ‘Bhavartha Dipika’ is

    • aRamanujacharya
    • bJnaneswarAnswer
    • cVidyanatha
    • dMirabai
    ›Explanation

    Option B is correct because Bhavartha Dipika, popularly known as the Jnaneshwari, is the celebrated Marathi commentary on the Bhagavad Gita composed by Saint Jnaneswar in the 13th century. Option A: Incorrect because Ramanujacharya authored Sanskrit works such as Sri Bhashya and Gitabhashya. Option C: Incorrect because Vidyanatha was a Sanskrit scholar and poet in the Kakatiya court who composed Prataparudra Yashobhushana. Option D: Incorrect because Mirabai was a Krishna-bhakti poet famous for her devotional pads and bhajans in Braj Bhasha and Rajasthani.

20. Q20Advent of the Europeans and the struggle for supremacy

    The year in which the Battle of Padmanabha was fought in Andhra

    • a1794Answer
    • b1799
    • c1803
    • d1805
    ›Explanation

    Option A is correct because the Battle of Padmanabham was fought on 10 July 1794 between the forces of the British East India Company and Pusapati Vijaya Rama Gajapati Raju of Vizianagaram. 1794: Battle of Padmanabham fought in Andhra 1799: Fourth Anglo-Mysore War and fall of Seringapatam 1803: Second Anglo-Maratha War begins 1805: Departure of Lord Wellesley and Treaty of Rajghat Option B: 1799 marks the final battle against Tipu Sultan in Mysore, not the Battle of Padmanabham. Option C: 1803 marks the conflict between the British and Maratha confederacies. Option D: 1805 marks the conclusion of Wellesley governor-generalship, long after the battle occurred.

21. Q21Socio-religious reform movements

    The founder of Arya Samaja was

    • aDayanand SaraswatiAnswer
    • bSwami Ramatirtha
    • cRamakrishna Paramhansa
    • dVivekananda
    ›Explanation

    Option A is correct because Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in Bombay in 1875 to revive Vedic teachings and reform Hindu society. Option B: Swami Ramatirtha was a prominent philosopher who lectured on practical Vedanta in the early 20th century, not the founder of Arya Samaj. Option C: Ramakrishna Paramhansa was a mystic and saint associated with the Dakshineswar Kali temple who inspired the Ramakrishna Movement. Option D: Swami Vivekananda was the chief disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa and founded the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.

22. Q22The Indian National Movement

    The founder of the Home Rule Movement was

    • aAnnie BesantAnswer
    • bGopala Krishna Gokhale
    • cDada Bhai Naoroji
    • dBal Gangadhar Tilak
    ›Explanation

    Option A is correct because Annie Besant conceived the idea of establishing a nationwide movement in India modeled on the Irish Home Rule Movement, formally launching the All-India Home Rule League in September 1916. Option B: Gopala Krishna Gokhale founded the Servants of India Society in 1905 and passed away in 1915 before the Home Rule Movement began. Option C: Dada Bhai Naoroji was a Moderate pioneer of the Indian National Congress and was not the founder of the Home Rule Movement. Option D: Bal Gangadhar Tilak established his own regional Home Rule League in April 1916 at Belgaum, but the broader movement was conceived and propagated as an All-India campaign primarily by Annie Besant.

23. Q23The Indian National Movement

    The founder of Indian National Congress was

    • aBal Gangadhar Tilak
    • bA. O. HumeAnswer
    • cDadabhai Naoroji
    • dGopal Krishna Gokhale
    ›Explanation

    Option B is correct because Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, took the primary initiative to organize educated Indians and founded the Indian National Congress in December 1885. Option A: Bal Gangadhar Tilak joined the Congress later and emerged as an extremist leader during the 1890s and early 1900s. Option C: Dadabhai Naoroji was one of the foremost early leaders and presided over sessions, but A. O. Hume was the principal organizer and founder. Option D: Gopal Krishna Gokhale was a prominent Moderate leader who joined the Congress years after its foundation.

24. Q24The Indian National Movement

    Who was the author of Geeta Rahasyam ?

    • aSarvepalli Radha Krishnan
    • bBal Gangadhar TilakAnswer
    • cMahatma Gandhi
    • dMadan Mohan Malviya
    ›Explanation

    Option B is correct because Bal Gangadhar Tilak authored Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Rahasya, an analysis of Karma Yoga in the Gita, while imprisoned at Mandalay in Burma. Option A: Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan wrote major academic philosophical texts such as Indian Philosophy and translations of the Upanishads, but not Gita Rahasyam. Option C: Mahatma Gandhi wrote Anasakti Yoga as his commentary on the Gita. Option D: Madan Mohan Malaviya was a key leader, educationist, and founder of Banaras Hindu University, not the author of this work.

25. Q25The Indian National Movement

    The Telugu personality who prepared a design for the National Flag which was later adopted as the National Flag with some changes.

    • aHari Sarvottama Rao
    • bSwami Ramanand Tirtha
    • cDuggirala Gopalakrishnayya
    • dPingali VenkayyaAnswer
    ›Explanation

    Option D is correct because Pingali Venkayya designed the flag originally consisting of red and green bands representing the major communities, which was submitted to Mahatma Gandhi at the Vijayawada session in 1921 and later modified to form the Indian National Flag. Option A: Hari Sarvottama Rao was a pioneer of the Andhra Library movement and the Home Rule movement, not the designer of the flag. Option B: Swami Ramanand Tirtha was the leader of the Hyderabad State Congress during the anti-Nizam struggle, not involved in designing the National Flag. Option C: Duggirala Gopalakrishnayya led the Chirala-Perala movement and established the Ramadandu volunteer corps.

26. Q26The Indian National Movement

    The Telugu personality who is known by the title ‘Desabhakta’

    • aTanguturi Prakasam
    • bKonda VenkatappayyaAnswer
    • cKashinathuni Nageshwara Rao
    • dMadapati Hanumantha Rao
    ›Explanation

    Option B is correct because Konda Venkatappayya was popularly revered with the title Desabhakta for his dedicated leadership in the Indian freedom struggle and the separate Andhra state movement. Option A: Tanguturi Prakasam was honoured with the title Andhra Kesari. Option C: Kashinathuni Nageshwara Rao was known by the title Desoddharaka. Option D: Madapati Hanumantha Rao was revered with the title Andhra Pitamaha.

27. Q27The Indian National Movement

    The name of the place with which the famous no-tax campaign in Andhra is associated during the Freedom Movement in Andhra

    • aChirala
    • bPerala
    • cPedanandipaduAnswer
    • dNellore
    ›Explanation

    Option C is correct because the historic no-tax campaign of 1921-1922 was organised at Pedanandipadu in Guntur district under the leadership of Parvataneni Veerayya Chowdary. Option A: Chirala is associated with the Chirala-Perala mass evacuation and municipal tax agitation, not the rural land revenue no-tax campaign. Option B: Perala was the twin town associated alongside Chirala in the municipal resistance led by Duggirala Gopalakrishnayya. Option D: Nellore was a major center for the Salt Satyagraha and forest satyagrahas, not the famous 1921-1922 no-tax campaign.

28. Q28World history: revolutions, the world wars and the modern world

    The unpopular tax that is said to be the catalyst for Mrs. Margaret Thatcher's downfall

    • aCorporate tax
    • bHouse tax
    • cPoll taxAnswer
    • dIncome tax
    ›Explanation

    Option C is correct because the Community Charge, universally dubbed the poll tax, imposed a flat-rate levy per adult that triggered nationwide riots and intense opposition, precipitating Margaret Thatcher's resignation in 1990. Option A: Corporate tax policy was not the measure that sparked mass civil disobedience and led to her downfall. Option B: House tax refers to the domestic rating system that the poll tax was controversially introduced to replace. Option D: Income tax reductions were a central, popular plank of Thatcherite economic policy rather than the catalyst for her removal.

29. Q29World history: revolutions, the world wars and the modern world

    The country which opposed monetary unification of Europe

    • aGermany
    • bFrance
    • cBritainAnswer
    • dItaly
    ›Explanation

    Option C is correct because Britain consistently opposed European monetary unification, negotiating a formal opt-out from adopting the single European currency under the 1992 Maastricht Treaty. Option A: Germany was a primary champion of the single currency project and an original member of the Eurozone. Option B: France was one of the chief driving forces behind European economic and monetary integration. Option D: Italy was an enthusiastic founding signatory of the Maastricht Treaty and adopted the Euro upon its launch.

30. Q30World history: revolutions, the world wars and the modern world

    The country which witnessed massive student protests for educational changes

    • aPoland
    • bGermany
    • cFranceAnswer
    • dCzechoslovakia
    ›Explanation

    Option C is correct because France witnessed the May 1968 civil unrest, which began as massive student protests demanding university and educational restructuring before expanding into a nationwide general strike. Option A: Poland experienced student protests in March 1968, but they centered on free speech and intellectual freedom rather than educational reforms. Option B: Germany saw student demonstrations in 1968, but they were directed against the Vietnam War and authoritarian political structures rather than focused on educational reforms. Option D: Czechoslovakia was the center of the Prague Spring, an effort toward broader political democratization within the Communist system.

31. Q31World history: revolutions, the world wars and the modern world

    The first democratic government of Nepal is headed by one of the following :

    • aMr. Bhattarai
    • bN. C. KoiralaAnswer
    • cMr. Bakshi
    • dSurya Bahadur Thapa
    ›Explanation

    Option B is correct because the first democratically elected government of Nepal in 1959 was led by Nepali Congress leader Koirala (B. P. Koirala, denoted in the paper as N. C. Koirala). Option A: Krishna Prasad Bhattarai headed the interim government formed much later, following the 1990 pro-democracy movement. Option C: Mr. Bakshi was never a head of government in Nepal. Option D: Surya Bahadur Thapa served as prime minister under the monarchical Panchayat system rather than leading the first democratic government.

32. Q32World history: revolutions, the world wars and the modern world

    Intifada (INTIFADA) is

    • aAfrican liberation event
    • bRevolutionaries in the Baltic states
    • cSouth-Western terrorist coalition
    • dRevolutionaries on the Gaza West BankAnswer
    ›Explanation

    Option D is correct because the Intifada refers to the Palestinian uprisings and revolutionary resistance movements against Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. First Intifada: Began in December 1987 in the Gaza Strip and West Bank Second Intifada: Began in September 2000 across the Palestinian territories Option A: The Intifada is an Arab-Palestinian uprising in the Middle East, not an African liberation event. Option B: Baltic states experienced the Singing Revolution against Soviet rule, not an Intifada. Option C: It denotes popular Palestinian resistance movements in the Levant, not a South-Western terrorist coalition.

33. Q33World history: revolutions, the world wars and the modern world

    Desert shield is associated with

    • aU.S. forces in Saudi ArabiaAnswer
    • bIraqi forces in Kuwait
    • cLibya's forces
    • dNone of the above
    ›Explanation

    Option A is correct because Operation Desert Shield was the military deployment launched in August 1990 to station US and coalition armed forces in Saudi Arabia to deter an invasion by Iraqi forces. Option B: Iraqi forces in Kuwait were the invading military against which Desert Shield was designed to defend. Option C: Libya's forces played no operational role in this mission in the Arabian Peninsula. Option D: None of the above is incorrect because the mission directly involved the deployment of US troops to Saudi Arabia.

34. Q34World history: revolutions, the world wars and the modern world

    The Nepali Congress which led the uniquemass movement to restore democracy in Nepal was established in

    • a1947
    • b1950Answer
    • c1962
    • d1975
    ›Explanation

    Option B is correct because the Nepali Congress was formally established in 1950 by the unification of the Nepali National Congress and the Nepal Democratic Congress to lead the revolution against the hereditary Rana regime. Option A: 1947 was when the Nepali National Congress was founded in exile in India, prior to the merger that formed the unified party. Option C: 1962 was the year the non-party Panchayat system was introduced after the party had already been banned. Option D: 1975 was the year of King Birendra's coronation and subsequent constitutional amendments, not the formation of the party.

35. Q35The Andhra Movement and the formation of Andhra State

    Sribagh Pact agreement

    • aformed between the leaders of Andhra and Rayalaseema regionsAnswer
    • bagreement formed between the leaders of Telangana and Rayalaseema regions
    • cagreement formed between the leaders of Andhra and Telangana regions
    • dagreement formed between Telangana leaders and the Government of India
    ›Explanation

    Option A is correct because the Sribagh Pact was an agreement reached between the leaders of Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema to safeguard the interests of Rayalaseema in a future Andhra state. Option B: Leaders of Telangana were not part of the Sribagh Pact, which dealt entirely with Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema. Option C: The agreement resolving issues between Coastal Andhra and Telangana was the Gentlemen Agreement of 1956, not the Sribagh Pact. Option D: The agreement between Telangana representatives and Andhra leaders took place much later, whereas Sribagh was an internal accord between Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema leaders in 1937.

36. Q36Post-independence consolidation and reorganisation

    The State of Kerala was created, in place of the Part B State of Travancore-Cochin of the original Constitution in

    • a1953
    • b1956Answer
    • c1959
    • d1962
    ›Explanation

    Option B is correct because the State of Kerala was created under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, by merging the Part B State of Travancore-Cochin with the Malabar district of Madras State and the Kasaragod taluk of South Kanara on November 1, 1956. Option A: 1953 is the year Andhra State was carved out of Madras, not when Kerala was formed. Option C: 1959 is the year the Communist ministry in Kerala was dismissed under Article 356, not the year of the state's creation. Option D: 1962 is the year of the 12th Constitutional Amendment incorporating Goa, Daman, and Diu, having no connection to the creation of Kerala.

37. Q37Post-independence consolidation and reorganisation

    Operation Cactus was a code name for

    • aIndian Armed Forces action in combating the Terrorists in Punjab
    • bIndian Armed Forces action in putting down the armed rebellion in MaldivesAnswer
    • cEnvironmental group
    • dArmed Forces Exercises
    ›Explanation

    Option B is correct because Operation Cactus was the code name for the Indian Armed Forces intervention in the Maldives in November 1988 to suppress a coup attempt against President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Option A: Indian Armed Forces operations against terrorists in Punjab were code-named Operation Blue Star and Operation Black Thunder. Option C: Operation Cactus was a military intervention and not an environmental protection initiative. Option D: The mission was an actual combat deployment following a distress call, not a routine training exercise.

38. Q38Firsts in India: the first university, bank, dam, railway and budget

    India's only Island Museum

    • aNicobar Island
    • bNagarjuna KondaAnswer
    • cSrirangam
    • dLaccadive
    ›Explanation

    Option B is correct because the Nagarjunakonda Museum, situated on an island in the Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir, is India's only island museum, built to preserve salvaged Buddhist relics. Option A: Nicobar Island contains no such specialized archaeological island museum. Option C: Srirangam is a river island known for its Vaishnavite temple complex, not an island museum. Option D: Laccadive is a coral archipelago and does not host India's island museum.

39. Q39Firsts in India: the first university, bank, dam, railway and budget

    The First Hydroelectric Project was started in India at

    • aPapanashanam
    • bShiva SamudramAnswer
    • cLonavala
    • dHirakud
    ›Explanation

    Option B is correct because the Shivanasamudra Hydroelectric Project on the Kaveri river in Karnataka was commissioned in 1902, making it the first major hydroelectric power station in India. Shivanasamudra: 1902 Tata Hydroelectric (Lonavala): 1915 Papanasam: 1944 Hirakud: 1957 Option A: Papanashanam hydro plant was built much later in Tamil Nadu in 1944. Option C: Lonavala hydro power installations began operating around 1915. Option D: Hirakud is a multipurpose river valley project commissioned post-independence in 1957.

40. Q40History of science, mathematics and medicine in India

    A renowned surgeon of ancient India was

    • aAryabhatta
    • bBhaskaracharya
    • cBhasaAnswer
    • dVarahamihira

    Explanation coming soon.