SSC

GENERAL STUDIES

BOOSTER USEFUL FOR

SSC CGL, CPO SI, CHSL, STENOGRAPHER,
COSTABLE GD, MTS, IBPS PO, CLERK, SBI, RRB,
DSSSB, STATE SSC ASSISTANT EXAMS- LIC, GIC,
NIACL, DMRC & OTHER ONE-DAY COMPETITIVE EXAMS.

Rakesh Yadav
2023–24
Rakesh Yadav Readers Publication Pvt. Ltd.
H.No. A-16, Top Floor, CAREERWILL TOWER Azadpur, Delhi-110033
Contact No. : 92-686-686-86, 92-684-684-84

[i]
 Rakesh Yadav Readers Publication Pvt. Ltd.
H.No. A-16, Top Floor, CAREERWILL TOWER Azadpur, Delhi-110033
Contact No. : 92-686-686-86, 92-684-684-84

SSC GENERAL STUDIES BOOSTER

First Edition: 2022-23

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[ii]
 Preface

This book is intended for the students preparing for various competitive exams.
We have tried to provide an authentic, resourceful and relevant information in
the most lucid, comprehensible and explanatory manner. GENERAL STUDIES
BOOSTER 2022-23 Edition will accomplish the requirements of the various one
day competitive examinations like SSC CGL, CPO, FCI, MTS, CHSL etc.

This book will guide the students to understand the pattern of question papers and
expected solutions. The solutions have been reviewed by senior academicians in
the field. The students will definitely find the book as useful resource for preparation
and qualifying the examination.

I wish to express my thanks to the GS Team for their excellent work.

Although every care has been taken to eliminate errors but it is very difficult to
claim perfection. I shall be very grateful to readers and users of this book if they
point-out any mistake that might have crept.

Rakesh Yadav
Whatsapp @+91-9868946424
E-mail:- rakesh.yadav0011@ gmail.com

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 Content

History .................................................................... 1–88

Polity .................................................................. 89–157

Geography ....................................................... 158–238

Economics ........................................................ 239–302

Biology ............................................................. 303–395

Physics .............................................................. 396–489

Chemistry ......................................................... 490–546

Science & Technology ...................................... 547–620

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History
PART-I
ANCIENT INDIA
HISTORY
THE BEGINNING OF INDIAN HISTORY
Topics
 Sources of Indian History
 Indus Valley Civilization
 Vedic Period
 Mahajanapadas
POINTS TO REMEMBER/IMPORTANT TERMS, FACTS,
FIGURES AND DATES
 Harappan seal is probably the most unique artefact
of the Harappan Civilisation. It is made of stone
which is called steatite. Seals contain the animal
motifs and signs from a script that remains
undeciphered. We, the people of the world, know a
great deal about the lives of the people who lived in
this great region in the past from what they left behind
- their houses, pots, jewellery, tools, weapons and seals.
Now, it is a matter of interest what we know about this
civilisation. How the archaeologists interpreted the
materials and what changes have taken place. Yes
there are some aspects of the culture that are still
unknown and some may remain.
 The Indus Valley Civilisation is also called the
Harappan Culture. This civilisation is dated
between C. 2600 and 1900 BCE.
 Main centres of this civilisation were Harappa,
Mohenjodaro, Lothal, Dholavira, Kalibangan, etc.
 Evidences of canal irrigation in Harappan
Civilisation, have been found at a site called
Shortughai in Afghanistan.
 Mohenjodaro was a city laid down in a planned
manner. Roads and streets intersected each
other at right angles. Houses were made of bricks
and were in the lower town of the city.
 One great bath, one citadel, warehouse and other
important structures have been found in the Fort
of Mohenjodaro. They were used for public purposes.
 Some burials have also been found in Harappa
where the dead were buried. Some graves were
found which contain pottery and ornaments.
 Mesopotamian texts mention contact with the
region of Magan and Meluhha, probably the name
given to the Harappan region. They mentioned
the products such as; lapis lazuli, carnelian, gold,
copper and varieties of wood.
Rakesh Yadav Readers Publication Pvt. Ltd
 The Harappan script remains undeciphered till
date, it was definitely not alphabetical as it has
just too many signs.
 Ruler (King) has an important role in Harappan
Civilisation. All the complex decisions were taken
by him. Climatic change, excessive floods,
shifting or drying up of rivers, etc. were some of
the reasons of decline of this civilisation.
 Two archaeologists Daya Ram Sahni and Rakhal
Das Banerji gave a great contribution in the
discoveries of the Indus Valley Civilisation.
 People of Indus Valley worshipped Mother Goddess
and Proto-Shiva. Conical stone objects, which have
been found, are classified as Lingas.
 A stone statue was found here and was labelled as
the “priest king” because archaeologists were
familiar with the Mesopotamian history and its
“priest-kings”.
 Pictures of ships and boats have also been found
on seals which throw light on Harappan contacts
with far off places.
MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS IN HARAPPAN
ARCHAEOLOGY
NINETEENTH CENTURY
1875 Report of Alexander Cunningham on
Harappan seal.
TWENTIETH CENTURY
1921 M.S. Vats begins excavations at Harappa.
1925 Excavations begin at Mohenjodaro.
1946 R.E.M. Wheeler excavates at Harappa.
1955 S.R. Rao begins excavations at Lothal.
1960 B.B. Lal and B.K. Thapar begin excavations
at Kalibangan.
1980 A team of German and Italian archaeologists
begins surface explorations at Mohenjodaro.
1986 American team begins excavations at Harappa.
1990 R.S. Bisht begins excavations at Dholavira.
 In 1921, Dayaram Sahni first discovered Indus
valley city, Harappa in the Montgomery district of
Punjab (now in Pakistan).
 Dr. R.D. Banerjee found another Indus city, Mohenjodaro
in Larkana district of Sindh (now in Pakistan).
 A chief feature of Mohenjodaro is its superb town planning.
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 History
 Mohenjodaro was obviously a cosmopolitan city  Society now got divided into four Varnas–
with people of different races—Proto-Austroloid, Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra.
Mediterranean, Alpine and Mongoloid.  In Later Vedic Period wheat and rice became the
 The city of Mohenjodaro is also famous for its Great Bath. staple crops.
 Kalibangan (Rajasthan), Lothal (Gujarat),  I n this time sacrifices rather than prayers
Chanhudaro, Banawali (Haryana), Surkotada became more important.
(Gujarat), Bhimbetka, Dholavira are important  Vedic literatures include the Vedas, the Brahamanas,
sites of Indus valley civilization. the Arayankas, the Upanishads, the Smritis, the
 The beginning and end of the I ndus valley Vedangas, Darshanas and Upavedas.
civilization are both a matter of debate because  The Vedas are four–Rigveda, Samveda, Yajur, Veda and
people could not have emerged completely with Atharvaveda.
their perfect town planning etc.  The Brahmanas are Kaushetki, Aitreya, Taitriya,
 A popular theory which is most accepted is that Shatpata, Panchvish, Jaimneya and Gopath.
the people of the Harappan or I ndus valley  Arayankas were written mainly for the hermits
civilization were chased out by the Aryans. and students living in forest.
 The Upanishads are philosophical texts emphasising on
VEDIC PERIOD the value of right belief and knowledge and criticized useless
 Vedic period is broadly divided into two periods. rituals and sacrifices. Upanishads are 108 in number.
Early Vedic Period (1500-1000 BC) and Later Vedic  Smritis explain rules and regulations in Vedic
Period (1000-500 B.C.). period. Manusmriti is a famous smriti.
 Aryans’ political system was mainly tribal system of  Darshanas are schools of Indian philosophy. They
government in which the military element was strong. are Nyaya Darshana, Vaiseshika Darshana,
 Tribes under Aryan society were known as Jan and Rajan. Sankhya Darshana, Yoga Darshana, Purva
Mimansa, Uttara Mimansa and Lokayata.
 Aryans worshipped Nature gods like Indra, Vayu,
Sun, Soma, Agni etc. There were no temples or  There are four Upavedas Dhanurveda, Gandharvaveda,
idol worship. These gods were appeased by prayers Shilpaveda and Ayurveda.
and sacrifices. – Number of Upanishads : 108
 Cow was standard unit of exchange. Gold coins – Number of Mahapuranas : 18
were known as Nishka, Krishnal and Satmana. – Number of Vedangas : 6
 Aryans’ staple crop was yava (barley). MAHAJANAPADAS
 Rivers play an important role in life and economy  Before the birth of Buddha in 6th century B.C.,
of Aryans. Some of these rivers are as under: India was divided into sixteen provinces known
as Mahajanapadas. These are as under:
RIVER RIGVEDIC NAME
Jhelum Vitasta S.NO NAME CAPITAL REGION/LOCATION
Chenab Asikni 1. Anga Champa Bhagalpur (Bihar)
Indus Sindhu 2. Magadha Rajgriha Patna, Gaya (Bihar)
Ravi Parushni 3. Kashi Varanasi Near Varanasi (U.P.)
Beas Vipasa 4. Vatsa Kaushambi Near Allahabad (U.P.)
5. Vajji Vaishali Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga
Satluj Sutudri
(Bihar)
Saraswati Sarasvati 6. Kosala Sravasti Faizabad (U.P.)
Ghaggar Prishdavati 7. Malla Kushavati/ Devoria (U.P.)
Kushinagar
 During Later Vedic Period, Aryans expanded from
8. Panchala Ahichatra Barelley, Badayun (U.P.)
Punjab over the whole of western Uttar Pradesh
9. Chedi Shaktimati Bundelkhand (U.P.)
covered by the Ganga-Yamuna Doab.
10. Kuru Indraprastha Delhi, Meerut (U.P.)
 Chief sources of knowledge of Vedic period are and Haryana
the Vedas, the epics-the Mahabharata and 11. Avanti Ujjaini Malwa (M.P .) an d
Ramayana which through their stories and hymns Nirmar (M.P.)
tell us about the expansion of the Aryans. 12. Matsya Viratnagar Near Jaipur (Raj)
 The caste system under Aryans was a loose social 13. Kamboja Hatak Rajori a n d Ha zara
system where people could move up and down the region (U.P.)
social scale. 14. Sursena Mathura Mathura (U.P.)
 In Later Vedic Period king became more powerful. 15. Ashmaka Patali/Patan Godavari basin
His position strengthened by rituals like 16. Gandhara Taxila Rawalpindi and Peshawar
Ashwamedha and Vajapeya Yajnas. (Pakistan)

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History
 Among the above sixteen Mahajanapadas the  Crafts and Industry: Industrial centres were
Magadha was very powerful because of its rich developed in cities and towns. Many articles were
resource base. produced by the people from copper, bronze, lead,
RIG VEDIC GODS silver, gold and beads were used for ornaments.
Lothal was famous for bead factories. Weaving was
The early Vedic religion was naturalistic. Evidently,
an important industry. Spinning of cotton and wool
there was neither temples nor idols. The mode of prayer
was common.
was recitation of mantras. Sacrifice was offered for Praja
(children), Pasu (cattle) and Dhana (wealth) and not for  Trade and commerce: People of Harappan Culture
spiritual upliftment or against misery. developed Mohenjodaro as a great trading centre
for internal as well as external trade. They extended
GOODS their trade upto Afghanistan, Iran, Sumer, Babylon,
Vayu : Wind God Tibet, Oman, Dilmun, etc. Articles like seals proved
Dyaus : Father of Heaven it as they are found there. Trade was established
Aditi : Mother of Surya through both land and sea.
Maruts : Storm spirits EPICS
Gandharvas : Divine musicians  Though the two epics-the Mahabharata and the
Ashavins : Healers of diseases and experts in Ramayana were compiled later, they reflect the
surgical art state of affairs of the Later Vedic Period.
Ribhus : Gnomes  The Mahabharata, attributed to Vyasa, is
considered older than the Ramayana and describes
Apsaras : Mistresses of Gods.
the period from the tenth century BC to the fourth
Rudra : An archer God, whose anger brought century AD. It is also called Jaisamhita and
disease Satasahasri Samhita has one lakh verses.
Female Deities  The Ramayana, attributed to Valmiki, has 24,000
Usha : Goddess of Dawn verses. Its composition started in the fifth century
Aditi : Mother of Goods BC and passes through five stages; the fifth stage
ended in the twelfth century AD.
Prithvi : Earth Goddess
Aryani : Forest Goddess PURANAS
Saraswati : The River deity  These include mythology, cosmogony, various
legends, genealogical accounts, folk beliefs, law
ECONOMIC LIFE OF HARAPPAN PEOPLE codes and miscellaneous topics.
The excavations pointed out that in past there  The Puranic literature is thus a unique outcome
existed a rich and well developed culture in India. of the ever-continuing synthesis of various socio-
From the ruins of various buildings, streets, baths economic formations operative between the 5th
a nd from th e la rg e nu mb e r of a nt iq ui ti es l ik e century BC and the 12th century AD.
fig ur in es , se al s, t ools , toys , be ad s, w ea pons ,  Every addition in the Puranic literature brought
te rr ac ot ta p ot te ry an d ot he r ar te fac ts t ha t ar e in numerous new deities with images and
unearthed. These enable us to visualise the Harappan temples, pilgrimages and vows, sects etc.
people and the style of their lives.  The change in the mode of worship (from sacrifice
Economy of Harrapan people may be explained as follows: to worship of idols), visual appeal of the deities as
 Agriculture: Soil was fertile. Agriculture was the against the worship of ideas, the fact of idol worship
chief occupation of the people. They cultivated being more satisfying than yajna or sacrifice,
revulsion to the violence and bloodshed involved
barley, wheat, cotton and rice. Plenty of water
in animal sacrifices-all these explain the socio-
made irrigation easy for their crops. The big
religious- economic transformations taking place
granaries were made to stock the grains. in the Aryan society.
 The study of seals indicate that people reared  The Puranas may be regarded as a unique record
cattle. It indicates that animal husbandry was of the outcome of continual clash and friction,
their another occupation. Some animals were readjustment and mobilization, conservatism and
domesticated such as—bulls, buffalo, dogs, goats, the accommodating spirit of the Indian society,
sheep and elephants. keen to come to terms with its evolving ethos.

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ASHRAMAS
 The ashrama system is found mentioned for the
first time in the Aitareya Brahmana.
 Meant mainly for regulating the life of the male
members of the higher castes, they consisted for
four stages: (a) Brahmachari or student life; (b)
Grihastha or life of the householder; (c)
Vanaprastha or partial retirement and (d) Sanyasi
or complete retirement (ascetic life).
 Full recognition of the fourth stage was done only
in the Post-Vedic period.
MAJOR HARAPPAN SITES
HARAPPA (PAKISTAN)
 The great granary is the largest and the most
remarkable structure found at Harappa.
 So far 891 seals have been recovered from
Harappa, that is 40% of the total number of seals
belonging to Indus Valley Civilization which have
been found.
 A red sandstone naked male torso has been found,
which shows traces of Jainism.
 Between the granary and the citadel, there have
been found a series of circular platforms, probably
for the pounding of grain.
 At a lower level below the granary, platforms and
the citadel, were crowded one- room dwellings,
which suggest slave habitats.
MOHENJODARO (PAKISTAN)
 In Sindhi language, the word Mohenjodaro means
‘mound of the dead’.
 It is the largest of all Indus cities.
 The Great Bath is the most important public place.
Located at the center of the citadel, it is
remarkable for beautiful brickwork. Its floor is
made of burnt bricks set in gypsum and mortar. It
must have served as a ritual bathing site.
 Remains have been found of an oblong multipillared
assembly hall and a big rectangular building, which
must have served administrative purposes.
 Most of Mohenjodaro houses are built of kiln-fired bricks.
 The major streets are 33 feet wide and run north-
south, intersecting subordinate ones, running
east- west at right angles.
 The evidence of Indian ships (figured on a seal) and a
piece of woven cloth have been discovered from here.
 Parallel rows of two-roomed cottage found. The
workmen or poor sections of the society perhaps
used these cottages.
 A bronze dancing girl, steatite statue of a priest
and a seal bearing Pashupati have been found here.
4 Rakesh Yadav Readers Publication Pvt. Ltd
History
 Excavation reveals that the city was flooded more
than seven times.
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF MOHENJODARO
The most unique feature of the Lower Town at
Mohenjodaro provides example of residential buildings.
Many were centred on a courtyard, with rooms on all
sides. The courtyard was probably the centre of activities
such as cooking and weaving, particularly during hot
and dry weather. What is also interesting is that
apparent concern for privacy: there are no windows in
the walls along the ground level. Every house has its
own bathroom paved with bricks, with drains connected
through the wall to the street drains. Some houses have
remains of staircases to reach a second storey or the
roof. Many houses had wells, often in a room that could
be reached from the outside and perhaps used by
passers-by. Scholars have estimated that the total
number of wells in Mohenjodaro was about 700.
KALIBANGAN (RAJASTHAN)
 Has pre-Harappan as well as Harappan cultural phases.
 Less developed compared to Mohenjodaro.
 There is evidence of mud-brick fortification.
 Pre-Harappan phase here shows that the fields
were ploughed unlike the Harappan period.
Archaeologists have discovered two platforms
(within the citadel) with fire altars suggesting the
practice of cult sacrifice.
 The existence of wheel conveyance is proved by a
cartwheel having a single hub.
BANAWALI (HARYANA)
 Like Kalibangan, Amri, Kot Diji and Harappa
Banawali also shows two cultural phases-pre
Harappan and Harappan.
 Here we find large quantity of barely, sesamum
and mustard.
DHOLAVIRA (GUJARAT)
 It is the latest and one of the two largest Harappan
settlements in India. The other being Rakhigarhi
in Haryana.
 The other Harappan towns were divided into two
parts-Citadel and the Lower Town, but Dholavira
was divided into three principal divisions, two
which were strongly protected by rectangular
fortifications.
 There are two inner enclosures-the first on
hemmed in the citadel (which probably housed the
highest authority) and the second one protected the
middle town (meant for the close relatives of the
rulers and other officials). The existence of this
middle town, apart from the lower town, is the
exclusive feature of this city.
History
LOTHAL (GUJARAT)
 Only Indus site with an artificial brick dockyard.
It must have served as the main seaport of the
Indus people. It was surrounded by a massive brick
wall, probably for flood protection.
 Lothal has evidence of the earliest cultivation of
rice (1800 BC). The only other Indus site where rice
husk has been found is Rangpur near Ahmedabad.

Social Life Economic Life Religious Life

Family was the basic unit. The Main occupations-Agriculture, Worshipped Lord Shiva, Mother
family might have been varied animal rearing, trade and craft Goddess, Animals and Trees
production

Social stratification Ruling Major achievement-Usage of Their religious belief

class, middle class and lower weights and measures. incorporated in Hinduism
class

People take different kinds of

diets. They wore cotton dresses
and were fond of wearing jewellery

Fire altars, indicating the probable existence of a DECLINE OF HARAPPAN OR INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION
fire cult, have been found.  There are different viewpoins of the historians
Aerracotta figurine of a horse has been found here. on the decline of Harappan civilization. Some of
 Occupation Based Four Varnas the reasons are as follow:
1. Brahmanas Teachers and priests  Floods: Some scholars believe that many towns
2. Kshatriyas Rulers and warriors of the Harappan civilisation were destroyed
3. Vaishyas Farmers, bankers, merchants because of the floods in the Indus River. With
the passage of time, they were buried beneath
4. Sudras Artisans and labourers
the sands of rivers.
 Important Terms Used in Vedic Age
 Earthquakes: It is also believed that many
Vedic Name Modern Name earthquakes might have jolted various cities.
Vriti Rice They might have dashed many towns to the
Usta Camel ground.
Saraba Elephant  Droughts and Epidemics: Some scholars think
that the sites of Harappan civilisation might have
Duhitri Daughter
been hit by acute droughts or deadly epidemics.
Gopa King These might have resulted in the destruction of
Gomat Wealthy Man various towns.
Charvana Blacksmith  Aggressions by the Aryans: Many historians
Hiranyaka Goldsmith believe that the people of Harappan civilisation
Sangahetri Treasurer had to face many aggressions by the Aryans. It
Goghna Guest led to the decline of Harappan civilisation.

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RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS AND RISE OF
MAGADHA
Topic
 Growth of Jainism and Buddhism
 The Rise of Magadha Kingdom
POINTS TO REMEMBER/IMPORTANT TERMS,
FACTS, FIGURES AND DATES
 A number of thinkers emerged during mid-first
millennium B.C.E. like Zarathustra in Iran, Kong Zi
in China, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle in Greece and
Mahavira and Gautama Buddha in India. All these
tried to understand the mysteries of the existence.
 The Buddhist, Jain and the ‘Brahmanical texts,
monuments and inscriptions are some of the
important sources of the age C. 600 B.C.E. 600 C.E.
 Sanchi was an important Buddhist centre. The
discovery of Sanchi has greatly changed our
understanding of early Buddhism. These days, it
is a live example of successful preservation of a
key archaeological site by the Archaeological
Survey of India.
 Rigveda is a collection of hymns in praise of many
deities like Agni, Indra and Soma. Some of these
hymns are chanted at the time of yajnas.
 Some of the ideas found in Upanishads show that
people were curious to know the meaning of life
and the possibility of life after death (rebirth).
 Some of the thinkers, including the Mahavira and
the Buddha, raised questions about the authority
of Vedas. They also suggested that men and
women themselves could try to attain liberation.
 The most important idea of Jainism is that the
whole would is animated. It has been assumed
that life exists even in stones, rocks and water.
Non-violence towards living beings including
humans, animals, plants and insects is the
central point of Jaina philosophy.
 Buddha’s childhood name was Siddhartha. He was
the son of a chief of Sakya clan.
 Disciples of Buddha, soon, increased to a great
extent. That is why he founded a Sangha. It was an
institution of those monks who became teachers of
Dhamma. These monks lived a simple life.
 Buddha’s disciples belonged to many social groups.
They included kings, wealthy persons, Grihapati and
common masses like workers, slaves and craftsmen.
 There is a mention of Chaityas in the Buddhist
literature. It also describes the place associated with
the life of Buddha, i.e., where he was born (Lumbini),
place where he attained enlightenment (Bodh Gaya),
place where he gave his first sermon (Sarnath) and place
where he attained nibbana (nirvan) (Kusinagara).
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History
 The traditions of erecting stupas probably prevailed
before Buddha but it became associated with
Buddhism. Since they contained relics regarded
as sacred, the entire stupa came to be venerated
as an emblem of both Buddha and Buddhism.
 The early stupas of Sanchi and Bharhut were plain.
They had along stone railings and gateways. Stone
railings resembled a bamboo or wooden fence.
Gateways, which were installed at the four
cardinal points, were richly carved.
 Ar t hist or ians need to take help from the
hagiographies of the Buddha in order to understand
the Buddhist sculpture. Many early sculptors did not
show the Buddha in human form as they showed
his presence through the medium of symbols.
 Mahayana tradition emerged in Buddhism
during Kanishka's age. Supporters of Mahayana
r egar ded ot her Buddhist s as f ollow er s of
H i n ay a n a . M o de r n Hi n d u is m h a s t w o
traditions—Vaishnavism and Shaivism.
 The period between 7th and 5th century BC was
turning point in the intellectual and spiritual
development of the whole world, for it witnessed
the emergence of early philosophers of Greece,
the great Hebrew poets, Confucius in China and
Zoroaster in Persia.
 It was at this time that Jainism and Buddhism
arose in India, each based on a distinctive set of
doctrines and each laying down distinctive rule
of conduct for attaining salvation.
CAUSES OF EMERGENCE OF NEW MOVEMENTS
 Vedic philosophy had lost its original purity.
 Vedic religion had become very complex and
degenerated into superstitions, dogmas and rituals.
 Supremacy of the Brahmanas created unrest in
the society and Kshatriya reacted against the
Brahmanical domination.
 Introduction of a new agricultural economy in
eastern India.
 The desire of Vaishyas to improve their social
position with the increase in their economic
position due to the growth of trade.
BUDDHISM
 Gautama, the Buddha was also known as
Siddhartha, Sakyamuni and Tathagata.
 Born in 563 BC (widely accepted), on the
Vaishakha Purnima day at Lumbini, near
Kapilvastu, capital of the Sakya republic.
 Married to Yasodhara and had a son Rahul.
 Left home at the age of 29 and attained Nirvana
at the age of 35 at Bodh Gaya.
 Delivered his first sermon at Sarnath.
History
 He attained Mahaparinirvana at Kusinara in 480 BC. in establishment of intimate contacts between
India and other countries.
THE DHAMMA
 Buddhism proved to be one of the greatest civilising
The Four Great Truths forces, which India gave to the neighbouring countries.
 The world is full of sorrow and misery. Difference Between Two Sects of Buddhism
 The cause of all pain and misery is desire. Mahayana Hinayana
 Pain and misery can be ended by killing or They treated Lord Buddha : They treated Lord Buddha
controlling desire. as deity and worshipped as a symbol of idealism and
 Desire can be controlled by following the Eight Fold Path. his idol. purity.
(i) Right Understanding (ii) Right Thought They over stressed : They believed in the religious
(iii) Right Action (iv) Right Livelihood on belief and devotion. teachings only after
(v) Right Efforts (vi) Right Speech getting it confirmed on
(vii) Right Mindfullness the basis of debate.
(viii) Right Concentration They used Sanskrit. : Their entire literature
was in Pali language.
BELIEF IN NIRVANA They thought it essential : They stressed on pure and good
When desire ceases, rebirth ceases then nirvana to follow the religious conduct to attain the
is attained i.e., freedom from the cycle of birth, death
rules to attain the objective of life.
and rebirth is gained by following eight fold path.
objective of life.
BUDDHIST LITERATURE The word meaning of : The word meaning of Hinayana
In Pali language commonly referred to as Tripitakas, Mahayana is the greater is the lesser yana (or shorter
i.e., ‘three fold basket’. yana (or bigger ship). ship). The followers of this sect
(i) Vinaya Pitaka – Rules of discipline in Buddhist The sect believes that believes that everybody should
monasteries. everybody should care care only for his own 'nirvana'
(ii) Sutta Pitaka – Largest, contains collection of for his own 'nirvana' as or salvation because this
Buddha's sermons. well as for the salvation philosophical thought is
(iii) Abhidhamma Pitaka – Explanation of the of others. concerned to every person
philosophical principles of the Buddhist religion. individually.
BUDDHIST COUNCILS  Principles of Jainism
Buddhist Time Place Chairman Patron
– Jainism rejected the authority of Vedas and
First 483 BC Rajagriha Mahakashyapa Ajatshatru
the Vedic rituals.
Second 383 BC Vaishali Sabakami Kalashoka
Third 250 BC Patliputra Moggaliputta Ashoka – Did not believe in God.
Tissa – Believed in karma and the transmigration of soul.
Fourth AD 72 Kundalavana Vasumitra, – Laid great emphasis on equality.
Ashwaghosha Kanishka
 Sects in Jainism
Causes of Decline of Buddhism – It is believed that about two hundred years after
 Use of Sanskrit, the language of intellectuals, in the death of Mahavira a terrible famine broke
place of Pali, the language of the common people. out in Magadha.
Revival of Hinduism. – Chandragupta Maurya along with his followers
went to Karnataka Sthulbahu in charge of the
Contribution of Buddhism Jainas that remained in Magadha.
 The doctrine of Ahimsa so strongly stressed, devotely – The Jainas who went to Karnataka were called
preached and sincerely practised by the Buddhists, Digambaras and Magadha Jains were called
was incorporated in Hinduism in later days. Shvetambaras.
 The practice of worshipping personal Gods, The Tirthankaras of Jainism and their teachings about Jainism
making their images and erecting temples in
their honour became a part of the later Hinduism. Jainism has 24 tirthankaras. It had the following
most important tirthankaras:
 Buddhism broke the isolation of India and helped
 Rishabhnath: He was the first tirthankar of

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Jainism. According to a tradition, he was a king.
He left his throne for his son named Bharat.
 Parshvanath: He was the 23rd tirthankar of
Jainism. He was the son of Ashavsen, the King of
Kashi. He renounced the world at the age of thirty.
He attained true enlightenment after a deep
meditation for only three months. He spent the
rest of his life as a Dharam Guru. He died at the
age of hundred.
 Vardhman Mahavira: He was the 24th and the last
tirthankar of Jainism. He was born at Vaishali in
the 6th century BCE. His childhood name was
Vardhman. The name of his father was Siddharth
and the name of his mother was Trishala. He was
married to Yashoda when he was quite young. He
was blessed with a son. He left his house at the
age of thirty. He practised penance for many years.
He attained enlightenment at the age of forty two.
He spent the rest of his life in preaching religion.
He died at the age of seventy two.
Teachings of Jainism
The religion that the tirthankaras preached came to
be known as Jainism. The main teachings of this
religion are as follows :
 Tri-Ratna: According to Jainism, the ultimate aim
of human life is the attainment of Nirvana or
salvation. There are three means to attain this
nirvana—pure knowledge, pure character and
pure philosophy. These principles of Jainism are
known as the Triratna.
 Belief in Penance: The followers of Jainism
believed in asceticism and penance. They gave
more and more torture to their bodies. They
believed that salvation could be achieved by giving
more and more pain to the human body.
 Non-violence: Jainism has emphasised on ahimsa
or non-violence in life. The followers of this religion
believe that all things of this world are animate.
So they considered it a sin to cause any injury to
any human-being, animal, plant or insect.
 No Faith in God: The followers of Jainism do not
believe in God though they accept the existence
of God. They worship their Tirthankaras in
place of God.
 No Faith in the Vedas: The disciples of Jainism
do not consider the Vedas as having divine
knowledge. They do not consider the means of
salvation mentioned in the Vedas as important.
They believed that Yajnas were futile.
 Belief in Soul: The followers of Jainism accept the
existence of soul. According to them the soul is
immortal. Though it is in the body yet it is distinct
and different from the body.
 No Faith in Caste System: The followers of
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History
Jainism do not believe in casteism. According to
them, all the people are equal. No one can be high
or low on the basis of caste.
 Belief in the theory of Karma: According to
Jainism, the cycle of birth and re-birth is shaped
through Karma. The next birth depends on the
deeds done in the present life. So we should
perform good deeds.
THE RISE OF MAGADHA KINGDOM
Haryankas
 The first dynasty that ruled Magadha was
Haryanka dynasty.
 Bimbisara was the founder of this dynasty. His
capital was situated at Rajgir.
 He had three wives. His second wife Chellana was
a Lichchhavi princess from Vaishali who gave
birth to Ajatasatru.
 Ajatashatru laid the foundation of a new capital
at Pataligrama.
 Ajatashatru was succeeded by Udayin who ruled
from Patliputra.
Shishunaga Dynasty
The Shishunaga dynasty faded fast af ter
Ajatasatru. The last recorded ruler of the family was
Kakavarna who was put to death by Mahapadmananda
of the Nanda dynasty, which followed the shishunagas.
The Nandas are know n f or t heir age of
magnificence and immense wealth (which they
amassed by huge taxation). They were of lowborn
sudra stock and hence had the odds stacked against
them right from the start. The Nandas, were very
powerful with a huge standing army and a grand court.
The most famous of this dynasty was Dhanananda.
He started his own downfall by insulting a certain
unsightly looking Brahmin, who unfortunately for
Dhanananda, turned out to have surprising vision,
intellect and Machiavellian cunning.
Alexander’s Invasion
Alexander, the son of Phillip of Macedonia
(Greece), invaded India in 326 BC. His major battle
was with Poras, the king of Punjab on the banks of
river Jhelum. Alexander emerged victorious. It was
the result of Alexander's invasion that the link between
India and the West was initiated.
Nandas
 The Shishunagas were succeeded by the Nandas
who proved to be most powerful rulers of Magadha.
 Mahapadma Nanda founded the Nanda Dynasty,
History
He captured whole of North India.
 Dhanananda was the last king of Nanda Dynasty.
He was the king when Alexander attacked India
in 326 B.C.
Factors Responsible for Growth of Magadha
 Magadha was located in the Gangetic basin, where
the soil was very fertile and yield good agricultural
produce.
 Land was fertile which yield good harvest. Land
revenue was high and it provided huge income
for the kingdom.
 The thick forests supplied timber and elephants.
Timber was used in the construction of houses
while elephants were used in the army.
 It had large deposits of copper and iron ore. The
iron was used to make weapons and agricultural
implements.
 It had a flourishing trade with other regions.
Profits from trade helped Magadha to maintain a
large army.
 It was ruled by a powerful king.
 It enjoyed a favourable geographical location. It's
oldest capital Rajagriha was surrounded by hills
on three sides.
 The new capital, Pataliputra was situated on the
bank of the river Ganga which provided natural
barrier against any attack on kingdom.
Maurya Dynasty
Between the sixth and the fourth centuries BCE,
Magadha (Bihar) became the most power ful
mahajanapada. Modern historians explain this
development in a variety of ways.
 Magadha was a region where agriculture was especially
productive. Besides, iron mines were accessible and
provided resources for tools and weapons.
 Elephants, an important component of the army,
were found in forests in this region. The Ganga
and its tributaries provided a means of cheap and
convenient communications.
 Early Buddhist and Jaina writers attributed its
power to the policies of individuals like Bimbisara,
Ajatashatru and Mahapadma Nanda who were
ruthlessly ambitious kings and their ministers,
who helped them to implement their policies.
 Rajagaha was the capital of Magadha, a fortified
settlement located among hills. Later in the 4th
century BCE, the capital was shifted to Pataliputra
(i.e., Patna) commanding routes of communication
along the Ganga.
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MAURYAN EMPERORS
Chandragupta Maurya
 In 305 BC, Chandragupta defeated Seleucus
Nikator, who surrendered a vast territory.
 Megasthenes was a Greek ambassador sent to the
court of Chandragupta Maurya by Seleucus.
 Chandragupta became a Jain and went to
Shravanabelagola with Bhadrabahu, where he
died by slow starvation (Salekhan).
 Under Chandragupta Maurya, for the first time,
the whole of northern India was united.
 Trade flourished, agriculture was regulated,
weights and measures were standardized and
money came into use.
 Taxation, sanitation and famine relief became the
concerns of the State.
Bindusara
 Bindusara extended the kingdom further and
conquered the south, as far as Mysore.
 Bindusara asked Antiochus I of Syria to send some
sweet wine, dried figs, and a Sophist. Antiocus I
sent wine and figs but politely replied that Greek
philosophers are not for sale.
 Bindusara patronized Ajivikas.
Ashoka
 According to the Buddhist tradition Ashoka usurped
the throne after killing his 99 brothers and spared
Tissa, the youngest one. Radhagupta a minister of
Bindusara helped him in fractious struggle.
 Under Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire reached its
climax. For the first time, the whole of the
subcontinent, leaving out the extreme south, was
under imperial control.
 Ashoka fought Kalinga war in 261 BC in the 9th
year of his coronation. The king was moved by
massacre in this war and therefore abandoned
the policy of physical occupation in favour of policy
of cultural conquest. In other words, Bherighosha
was replaced by Dhammaghosha.
 Ashoka was not an extreme pacifist. He did not
pursue the policy of peace for sake of peace under
all conditions. Thus, he retained Kalinga after its
conquest and incorporated it into his empire.
 Ashoka sent missionaries to the kingdoms of
Cholas and Pandyas, and five states ruled by Greek
kings. We also know that he sent missionaries to
Ceylon and Suvarnabhumi (Burma) and also parts
of South East Asia.
9

Some Facts about Mauryas
 During Mauryan rule, though there was banking
system in India, yet usury was customary and the rate
of interest was 15% per annum on borrowing money.
In less secure transactions (like sea voyages etc.) the
rate of interest could be as high as 60% per annum.
 During Mauryan period, the punch marked coins
(mostly of silver) were the common units of transactions.
 Tamralipti in the Gangetic delta was the most
prosperous port on the east coast of India.
 Megasthenes in his ‘Indica’ had mentioned 7
castes in Mauryan society. They w ere
philosophers, farmers, soldiers, herdsmen,
artisans, magistrates and councillors.
The Decline of Mauryan Empire
 Mauryan Empire lasted a little over a century and
broke up fifty years after the death of Ashoka.
 In 185 BC, Mauryan king was overthrown by
Pushyamitra Shunga, an ambitious commander-
in-chief of armed forces.
 He started Shunga dynasty in Magadha.
 Mauryan Empire ushered in a dream that was to
survive and echo again and again in centuries to come.
The Mauryan empire declined on account of the
following reasons:
 Incapable Inheritors: After Ashoka, the reign went
in the hands of rulers like Dashrath, Samprati
and Brihadrat ha. All these rulers w ere
incompetent to govern.
 Vast Empire: The Mauryan empire had witnessed
a phenomenal expansion during the reign of
Ashoka. However those who inherited his legacy
proved to be very weak rulers. They failed to
protect the vast empire.
 Lack of Law of Succession: There was no specific
law of succession in the Mauryan dynasty. So
when a ruler died, the princes started fighting
against each other to get the way to throne.
Ashoka himself had killed his 99 brothers to get
an access to the throne. The Mauryan power
became very weak due to such civil wars.
 Internal Incohesion: After the death of Ashoka,
there was an internal rebellion in the empire.
Many provincial gov ernor s had declared
themselves as independent. Consequently the
Mauryan empire started crumbling.
 Lack of Money: Money is very important in the
governance of a state. But Ashoka spent
generously in preaching and spreading Buddhism.
He also spent a lot on public welfare activities. As
a result, there was no money in the royal treasury.
It loosened the grip on the administration. The
subsequent rulers failed to nip the rebellion
because of lack of money in the treasury.
10
History
 Atrocities by the officials: In the remote and distant
villages of the Mauryan Empire, the administration
was not good. The government official committed a
lot of atrocities on the common people. Their
atrocities increased so much that in many areas,
the people revolted against these officials.
 Lack of Military Power: After the Kalinga war,
Ashoka made up his mind not to wage any war in
future. He renounced war. So he did not give much
attention to strengthen his army. As a result, the
Mauryan power was on a decline.
 Foreign Aggressions: Finding the Mauryan empire
as weak and crumbling, the foreign invaders started
attacking the border areas of the empire. They gave
a strong jolt to the Mauryan power. In this way,
Mauryan empire declined slowly and steadily.
 Enmity of Brahmanas: The Hinduism witnessed
a great decline during the reign of Ashoka. The
Brahmanas could not tolerate it. So they became
antagonistic towards the Mauryan empire. At last,
the last ruler of the Mauryan empire was
murdered by a Brahman commander. Hence the
Mauryan empire completely declined.
Features of the Mauryan Administration
 There were five major political centers in the empire.
 Pataliputra was the capital of the empire.
 Provincial centers were Taxila, Ujjayini, Tosali
and Suvarnagiri.
 Suvarnagiri was important for tapping gold mines
of Karnataka.
 Taxila and Ujjayini were probably used for long
distance trade routes.
 Administrative control was strongest in areas
around the capital and provinces.
 Capital centers were carefully chosen.
 Communication along both land and water was of
vital importance for existence of the empire.
 Army was important means for ensuring safety
and security.
 Megasthenes mentions a committee with six
subcommittees for coordination of military activity.
 Ashoka tried to hold the empire by dhamma.
 Dhamma ensured well being of the people in this
world and the next.
 Ashoka appointed special officers known as Dhamma
Mahamatta to spread the message of Dhamma.
 According to Megasthenes, Officers were appointed
to different work. Such as some superintended
the rivers, measure the land; inspect the sluices
by which water is let out from the main canals
into branches, so everyone may have equal supply
of it. Some officers collect the taxes.
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History
Mauryan Contribution to Indian Art and Architecture  Jewellery: The art of jewellery was also advanced. Some
During the Mauryan period significant progress was ornaments of Ashokan period (250 B.C.) have been
made in the fields of craft, architecture, sculpture, stone found during the excavation at Taxila. They testify
polishing, engineering and jewellery making, etc. the skill of the Mauryan craftsmen and goldsmiths.
 Craft and Architecture: The grand palaces built Alexander The Great
by the Mauryan emperors struck foreign travellers
with amazement. As most of these structures were  He reached India through Khyber Pass in 326 B.C.
built of wood so none of their fine specimen have  He constructed a bridge on the India River at
survived to this day. But we know on the authority Ohind about 24 km above Attock.
of the contemporary Greek writer that the  Alexander first met with Ambhi, the king of Taxila.
Mauryan palaces were unique in beauty. The  He defeated Porus who ruled the region between
Chinese traveller Fahein says that Asoka’s palace Jhelum and Chenab.
was so beautiful that it could have been built only  He came upto river Beas and then returned back
by gods and not by human beings. as his army revolted against him.
Besides the royal palaces, the Mauryan emperors  He reached back to Susa in Persia in 324 B.C.
built several thousand stupas throughout the empire.  He died at the age of 32 in Babylon.
These stupas were built with brick or stones and
were domeshaped whose diameter decreased as the Maurya Stone Sculptures
building rose higher. Of these stupas those of Sanchi Stone Elephant Dhauli (Odisha)
and Bharhut are notable for their grandeur.
Yakshi Didarganj (Bihar)
 Sculpture: The greatest stride was made by the art
Yaksha Parkhama (Mathura)
of chiseling stone columns, the beautiful icons and
caves. Ashokan pillars are the best specimen of Four Lion Capital Sarnath (Sanchi)
Mauryan art. Their pillars are 50-60 feet high Single Lion Capital Lauria Nandangarh (Rampurva-I)
weighing about 50 tons. It is amazing how such Single Bull Capital Rampurva-II
huge pillars were carved from a single rock. In spite
Some Officers Under Mauryas
of their huge size these pillars have a capitol head
carved with the unique figures of birds and animals.  Amatyas Highest civil or military servants.
The four headed iron capitol at Sarnath, which has  Samharta Chief controller of taxes.
been adopted as the official seal or national emblem  Sannidhata Chief treasurer.
of India, is the living example of Mauryan art.  Dwarika Head of Royal palace.
Another unique feature of Mauryan sculpture is the  Rajukas Officers measuring land and fixing
rock cut cave which was a herculean feet their boundaries.
accomplished by Mauryan craftsmen.  Pradeshika Head of the district administration.
 The art of polishing: The art of polishing hard rock  Nagarika Officer incharge of the city.
was so advanced during the Mauryan period that  Dandapala Chief commandant.
even today we are far behind in this field. The  Raksinah The police.
cave walls near Gaya are so well polished that they
shine like a mirror. The Ashokan pillar in SUBCONTINENT AFTER MAURYAS
Ferozshah Kotla at Delhi was mistaken by an
English Bishop Heber, as made of metals. It was TOPIC
all because of its mirror like shine.  Post Mauryan Period
 Engineering Skill and Technology: Huge rocks were  The Age of Guptas
cut, preserved and chiselled into pillars which were
 Ancient South India
as high as 50 feet and as heavy as 50 tons. These
huge rocks were cut probably from the Chunar Hills  Sangam Period
and from here they were carried to distant  Post Gupta Period
destinations. It was a marvellous feat to transport
such huge rocks to such distances. It can be easily POINTS TO REMEMBER/IMPORTANT TERMS,
imagined from the fact that in 1356 A.D., King Firoz
Tughlak desired to carry an Ashokan pillar from
FACTS, FIGURES AND DATES
Topara in Ambala to Delhi. It is said that he
The Post-Mauryan Period
employed 8,400 men to carry it on a huge carriage
fitted with 42 wheels. Thus there were 200 men to  In the post-Mauryan period, three dynasties
pull each wheel on an average. It proves the jostled, came and went with astonishing speed on
advanced skill of the Mauryan engineers. the Magadhan throne. The first among these were

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the Sungas, under whom the country made
certain progress. The Sunga rulers were also
quite successful in checking foreign invasions.
Art and culture also flourished considerably under
the Sungas who were particularly known to be
great patrons of both.
 The Sungas were followed by the Kanvas, who were
almost like a blip in the scene of Indian history,
lasting only 45 years in all. The other important
dynasty of this Post-Mauryan confusion was the
Andhras or the Satavahanas.
According to traditional sources, they were
apparently Dasyus (as opposed to Aryans) from
south India. Even in Ashoka’s time, this dynasty
had risen to quite a bit of prominence along the
southwest regions. Though the dynasty was
founded by Simuka (235-213 BC), it had 30 kings
in all. One of the most famous rulers of this
dynasty was Sri Satkarni (194- 184 BC), who had
a kingdom covering almost all of south India, down
to the Andhra region and around with his capital
as the present Aurangabad.
 The next important dynasty to step into the scene
were the Kushanas, about whom not much is
known. Though there is controversy even over the
date of accession of their most important king
Kanishka, he most probably ruled sometime in
the first century AD. Kanishka has been greatly
associated with Buddhism and his reign made the
religion popular again. Much artistic, cultural,
spiritual and literary activity was encouraged by
him to promote the religion.
It was in his reign that Buddhism split into two
sects, Hinayana (the older simpler religion when
Buddha was not considered God) and Mahayana
(the more ritualistic Buddhism, which worships
the Buddha). The latter was the state religion of
the Kushanas, who were Indo- Greek by origin.
THE KANVA DYNASTY (73 BC-28 BC)
In 73 B.C. Devabhuti, the last ruler of the Sunga
Dynasty was murdered by his minister Vasudeva, who
usurped the throne and founded the Kanva Dynasty.
The Pandyas
The capital of Pandyas was Madurai. The Pandyas were
first mentioned by Megasthenes, famous for pearls.
The Pandyas had trade relation with Roman empire
and sent embassies to Emperor Augustus.
12
History
The Cholas
The Chola kingdom called as Cholamandalam was
situated to the north-east of Pandya kingdom between
Pennar and Vellar riv ers. Their capital was
Kaveripattanam/Puhar.
The Cheras
Their capital was Vengi. It owed its important trade
with Romans.
The Sangam Age
Sangam Age corresponds to the post-Maurya and pre-
Gupta period. Sangam was a college or assembly of
Tamil poets held under Royal Patronage.
Three Sangams were held–
1. At Madurai chaired by Agastya.
2. At Kapatpuram, chaired by Tolkappiyar.
3. At Madurai, chaired by Nakkirar.
 Sangam literature was written over a period of
three to four centuries.
 In ancient times, poets and scholars used to
assemble at the capital of Chola kings.
 They presented their poems in the assembly.
 All poems were compiled in book form known as
Sangam literature.
 ‘Kural’ by Thiruvalluvar is called the Fifth Veda
or the Bible of Tamil Land.
Kanishka of Kushana Dynasty
 Kanishka (78-101 AD) succeeded Kadphises-II.
Kanishka was the most known and greatest king
among all the Kushana kings.
 He founded Saka era (78 A.D.).
 His capital was Purushapur i.e., modern Peshawar.
 He was the follower of Mahayana sect of
Buddhism. Fourth Buddhist Council was held
during Kanishka’s reign.
 He constructed the Peshawar stupa.
 Kanishka’s court was adorned by the presence of
some eminent scholars as Parsva, Nagarjuna,
Ashvaghosha, Vasumitra and Charaka.
 Mathura and Gandhara schools of Art attained
their peak in his reign.
 Sushruta Samhita, a book on surgery was written
by Sushruta during his time.
Gupta Empire (320-550 A.D.)
 Srigupta was the founder of the Gupta Dynasty.
Srigupta's son Ghatotkacha succeeded him.
 After the Kushanas, India saw political unity only
under the second great dynasty of ancient Indian
history after the Mauryas, the Guptas. The
imperial Guptas were great conquerors, efficient
administrators and renowned patrons of arts,
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History
science and culture. What is more, they lasted
for long; they had at least six strong rulers. Their
reign is called the Golden Age of ancient Indian
history. It is during their reign that the Hinduism
was revived. To revive the glory of the ‘old’ culture,
which had been obscured by the so-called foreign
rulers, must have been a matter of pride for them.
The Gupta Emperors
Chandragupta I 320-335 AD
Samudragupta 335-375 AD
Ramgupta 375-380 AD
Chandragupta Vikramaditya 380-413 AD
Kumargupta Mahendraditya 415-455 AD
Skandagupta 455-467 AD
Later Guptas
 Purugupta, Narasimhagupta, Baladit ya,
Kumaragupta II, Buddhagupta, Bhanugupta,
Harshagupta, Damodargupta, Mahasenagupta.
Chandragupta-I
 He was the first Gupta ruler to assume the title of
Maharajadhiraja.
 He strengthened his kingdom by matrimonial
alliance with the powerful family of Lichchhavis
who were the rulers of Mithila. His marriage to
Lichchhavi princess Kumaradevi, brought an
enormous power, resources and prestige. He took
advantage of the situation and occupied the whole
of fertile Gangetic valley.
 He started the Gupta Era in 319-20 AD.
Samudragupta
 Samudragupta was perhaps the greatest king of
Gupta dynasty.
 His name appear in Javanese text Tantrikamandaka,
and Chinese writer, Wang-Hiuen-Tse refers that
an ambassador was sent to' his court by King
Meghvarma of Sri Lanka, who had asked his
permission to build a Buddhist monastery at Bodh
Gaya for the monks travelling from Sri Lanka.
 The most detailed and authentic record of his reign
is preserved in the Allahabad pillar inscription,
composed by his court poet Harisena.
 Samudragupta believed in policy of war and
conquest and has been termed as the Napoleon of
India by Vincent A. Smith.
 When he died his mighty empire bordered with
Kushana of West ern pr ovince (modern
Afghanistan and Pakistan) and Vakatakas in
Deccan (modern southern Maharashtra).
Rakesh Yadav Readers Publication Pvt. Ltd
 Allahabad pillar inscription mentions the title
Dharma Prachar Bandhu for him that he was the
upholder of Brahmanical religion.
 After all his military triumphs, he performed the
Ashwamedha, which is evident on some of his
coins. Ashwamedha gave him the coveted title of
Maharajadhiraj, the supreme king of kings. His
greatest achievement can be described as the
political unification of most of the India or
Aryavarta into a formidable power.
 Coins—Archer types, Tiger type and Battle type.
On some of his gold coins he is represented playing
the Veena.
Chandragupta-II
 Mehrauli inscription on iron pillar near Qutub
Minar is related to him.
 His court was adorned by Navratnas, the chief
being Kalidasa and Amarsimha. Fa-hien, Chinese
Pilgrim (AD 399-414) visited during his reign.
 He defeated Saka Kshatrap Rudrasimha III.
 Chandragupta II also succeeded in killing
Ramgupta, and not only seized his kingdom but
also married to his widow Dhruvdevi. He was the
first Gupta ruler to issue the silver coins in the
memory of victory over Sakas and adopted the
titles Sakari and Vikramaditya. The Gupta age is
called Golden Age of Indian history and issued
largest number of gold coins.
Kumargupta-I
 Chandragupta II was succeeded by his son
Kumargupta I.
 Kumargupta was the worshipper of God Kartikeya.
 He founded the ‘Nalanda Mahavihara’ which
developed into a great centre of learning.
Skandagupta
 Skandagupta is the last great ruler of the Gupta
dynasty. During his reign the Gupta empire was
invaded by the Huns.
 Success in repelling the Huns seems to have been
celebrated by t he assumption of the title
‘Vikramaditya’ (Bhitari Pillar Inscription).
Position of Women Under Guptas
 The position of women deteriorated further.
 Polygamy was common.
 The first example of sati appears in Gupta time in
510 AD in Eran in Madhya Pradesh.
 The women of higher orders did not have access
to independent source of livelihood.
 Women lacked property rights. However stridhana
was considered her property.
13

Trade and Coinage
 In Gold content, Gupta coins are not as pure as Kushanas.
 The Guptas also issued good number of silver coins
for local exchange.
 The Gupta copper coins are very few as compared
to Kushanas, which show that use of money did
not touch common people.
The Post Gupta Period
 From the decline of Guptas four major kingdoms
flourished in North India:
Pallavas (560-903 AD)
 There is controversy regarding the origin of
Pallavas. Possibly the Pallavas were a local tribe
who established their authority in the Tondainadu
or the land of creepers.
 They were orthodox Brahmanical Hindus and their
capital was at Kanchi.
 Both Chalukyas and Pallavas tried to establish their
supremacy over land between Krishna and Tungabhadra.
 Pallava king Narasimhavarman (630-68 AD)
occupied Chalukyan capital at Vatapi in about 640
AD and assumed the title Vatapikonda.
Harshavardhana (606-647 AD)
 Harsha belonged to Pushyabhuti dynasty, which
ruled from Thanesvar. Pushyabhutis were the
feudatories of the Guptas, but had assumed
independence after Huna invasions.
 His regin is comparatively well-documented, thanks
to his court poet Bana Bhatta, who was the author of
works such as Harshacharita (an account of Harsha’s
rise to power), Kadambari and Parvatiparinay.
Chola Empire (9th-12th Century)
 The founder of Chola dynasty was Vijayalaya who
was at first feudatory of the Pallavas. He captured
Tanjore in 850 AD.
 The greatest Chola rulers were Rajaraja and his
son Rajendra I.
 The Chola empire was divided into Mandalams
(provinces) and these in turn was divided into
Valanadu and Nadu.
 The last ruler of Chola kingdom was Rajendra III.
 The Rajaraje built a Shiva temple of Rajrajeshwar
in Tanjore.
 Aditya I wiped out Pallavas and weakened Pandyas.
 Parantaka I captured Madurai but defeated by
Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna III at the Battle of Takkolam.
 Rajaraja I (AD 985-1014) led a naval expedition against
Shailendra empire (Malaya Peninsula) and conquered
Northern Sri Lanka, constructed Rajarajeshwara (or
Brihadeshvara) Shiva temple at Tanjore.
14
History
 Rajendra I (AD 1014-1044) annexed whole Sri
Lanka, took the title of Gangaikonda and founded
Gangaikondacholapuram.
 Dancing Figure of Shiva (Nataraja) belongs to
Chola period.
Chalukyas (543-757 AD)
 Chalukyas established their capital at Vatapi
(Modern district of Bijapur in Karnataka).
 First Chalukyan king was Pulakeshin I. The most
important king was Pulakeshin II.
 Pulakeshin II was able to check Harsha’s desire
to conquer Deccan.
 The Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang visited his kingdom.
 Aihole was called the cultural capital of the Chalukyas.
Economic Condition of the People During the Gupta Period
 As regards to the economic condition of the people
in the Gupta period, a lot of progress was made in
agriculture, industry, trade, business and banking.
 From the inscriptions of the Gupta period dealing
with land, it is clear that it was not easy to secure
any fallow, uncultivated or un-settled land for
charitable purposes.
 It appears that there were separate guilds or shrenis
or nigamas for industry, trade and banking.
 There are references of guilds to shresthis or bankers,
kulikas or artisans, sarthavahas or traders.
 Banking was an important function of the guilds.
 The latter accepted donations which were
permanent and irrevocable.
 Out of this money, the guilds made payment to be
beneficiaries named by the donors.
 The Gupta rulers issued currency of different
designs, types and denominations.
 Coins were also of different metals viz- gold, silver
and copper.
 Works of public utility were constructed at many places.
 The Sudarshana reservoir was constructed by
daming the flow of river down the hills near Girnar
in Saurashtra.
 In the Gandhara inscription, there is a reference
to the amenities of a city such as wells, tanks,
temples with halls, storage of drinking water,
parks, lakes, causeways etc.
The Sources used for Reconstructing the History of the Gupta Rulers
 Histories of the Gupta rulers have been
reconstructed from literature, coins and inscriptions
including prashastis, composed in praise of kings
in particular, and patrons in general, by poets.
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History
What did subjects think about their rulers ?
Historians have tried to solve this problem by
examining stories contained in anthologies such
as the Jatakas and the Panchatantra.
 From the early centuries of the Common Era, we
find grants of land being made, many of which
were recorded in inscriptions. Some of these
inscriptions were on stone, but most were on
copper plates which were probably given to those
who received the land, as a record of the
transaction. The records that have survived are
generally about grants to religious institutions/
individuals. Most inscriptions were in Sanskrit.
 There are several interesting issues that an
inscription opens up. According to Sanskrit, it is
also possible that the provisions of the legal texts
were not implemented in many cases. While most
land grants document transactions between men,
there are some, from different parts of the
subcontinent, which record transaction in which
women participated as an active agents.
The Notions of Kingship developed in the post-Mauryan Period
 The ideas which were developed about Kingship
in the post-Mauryan period have a very distinctive
feature and that was ‘Divine Theory of Kingship’.
Kings started to associate themselves with Gods and
Goddesses to achieve higher status. Kushana rulers,
who ruled from Central Asia upto western India,
used this method in better way. Kushana history
was reconstructed through inscriptions and literary
traditions. The notion of kingship which Kushanas
wished to project is perhaps best evidenced in the
coins and sculptures.
I. Kushana Rulers
 Colossal statues of Kushana rulers have been
found in Matt near Mathura. Some scholars are
of opinion that Kushanas might have considered
themselves God-like. Many Kushana rulers also
adopted the title of Deveputra. They probably
were inspired by Chinese rulers who called
themselves as sons of heaven.
 A picture of king has been shown on coins _ of
Kushana rulers. There is a picture of a deity
on other side of this coin. This type of coins
were issued to express their divine status.
II. Gupta Rulers
 Second development in the notion of kingship
took place during the Gupta age. Many
evidences of large states have been found by
the 4th century including the Gupta empire.
Many of these empires depended upon
Samantas w ho wer e those men who
maintained themselves through local
resources which included control over land.
Samantas respected their kings and provided
military support to the rulers. Few powerful
Samantas became king as weak rulers were
reduced to the position of subordinates.
 Literature, coins and inscriptions were used
to reconstruct history of the Gupta rulers.
Prashastis were used for this purpose as they
were composed in praise of kings or their
patrons. While historians generally try to draw
facts from these compositions, those who
composed and read them generally kept them
as works of poets instead of accounts which
are really true. For example, we can take the
Prayaga Prashasti which is famous by the
name of Allahabad Pillar Inscription. Its writer
Harisena, described Samudragupta, his
patron, as the most powerful Gupta ruler. This
type of views express new ideas of kingship.
Ajanta Paintings
 They are located in Aurangabad district of
Maharashtra.
 The style of paintings is fresco.
 Out of 29 caves, paintings of only six caves
are found intact.
 Most of the paintings are based on Buddhism.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQ)

PART-I
1. Once India was called as–
(a) Land of preachers
(b) Land of seven rivers
(c) Land of spices
(d) Land of prosperity
2. Basically Aryans life style was–
(a) Rural (b) Urban
(c) Tribal
(d) All of the above
3. Which Indus city was known as
‘city of the dead’?
(a) Harappa (b) Lothal
(c) Mohenjodaro
(d) None of the above
4. The city of Mohenjodaro was
famous for its–
(a) Urban character
(b) Town planning
(c) Cleanliness
(d) Huge population
5. The Harappan civ ilizat ion
covers an area of almost 1600
km east-west and ________
north-south.
(a) 800 km (b) 1100 km
(c) 1200 km (d) 1400 km
6. The ruins of Mohenjodaro was
first discovered by–
(a) Dayaram Sahni
(b) R.D. Bannerjee
(c) John Marshal (d) B.B. Lal

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 History
7. Which of the pairs are correctly 16. The Vedic deity Indra was the 24. In Early Vedic Society, the God
matched? God of– of plants was–
(a) The village–Grama (a) Rain and thunder (a) Indra (b) Soma
(b) The family–Kula (b) Fire (c) Pushan (d) Pashu
(c) The clan-Vis 25. Later Vedic Society was divided
(c) Wind (d) Eternity
(d) All of the above into four–
17. Match the following and select
8. The Rigvedic people w ere (a) Varnas (b) Ashramas
settled in– the correct answer from the
given codes:- (c) Castes (d) Groups
(a) Yamuna valley
(b) Saraswati valley 26. In Later Vedic Society the staple
Veda Subject Matter crops were–
(c) Indus valley
A. Rigveda 1. Musical hymns (a) Barley, wheat
(d) Ganga valley
9. Under the Aryan Society the B. Yajurveda 2. Hymns and rituals (b) Maize, wheat
head of a grama was known as– C. Samaveda 3. Charms and spells (c) Wheat, rice
(a) King D. Atharvaveda 4. Hymns and prayers (d) All of the above
(b) Grama Pramukh Codes:- A B C D 27. Among the four Vedas, most
(c) Mukhiya (d) Gramini (a) 4 2 1 3 important one is–
10. The Rigvedic society comprised (a) Samaveda
(b) 3 2 4 1
four varnas. This classification
(c) 4 1 2 3 (b) Atharvaveda
of society was based on–
(a) Occupation (b) Religion (d) 2 3 2 4 (c) Rigveda (d) Yajurveda
(c) Birth (d) Status 18. The Great Bath of the Indus 28. The philosophical texts
11. Which of the following Vedic Valley Civilization was found in– emphasing value of right belief
texts recommend retirement to and knowledge, criticized rituals
(a) Lothal (b) Harappa
forests as essential to those and sacrifies are known as–
who seek t he highest (c) Mohenjodaro
(a) Vedas (b) Upanishads
knowledge? (d) None of the above (c) Puranas (d) Vedangas
(a) Vedas (b) Puranas 19. Which one of the pairs is 29. Which one of the following is
(c) Upanishads (d) correctly matched? not a Smriti?
Aranyakas (a) Kalibangan – Sindh (a) Manu (b) Narad
12. Which of the following pair is
(b) Lothal – Gujarat (c) Yagyavalkya(d) Bhrigu
correctly matched?
(c) Banawali – Rajasthan 30. Which one of the following is a
Mahajanapada Capital correct pair?
(d) Harappa – Punjab
(a) Gandhara Taxila River Rigvedic Name
20. Of the sixteen Mahajanapadas
(b) Matsya Mathura (a) Chenab Vipasa
which was very powerful and
(c) Magadha Champa prosperous? (b) Indus Vitasta
(d) Vaji Sravasti (c) Sutluj Sutudri
(a) Magadha (b) Kuru
13. The god with three heads and (d) Beas Purushni
(c) Malla (d) Sursena
horns, surrounded by animals 31. The literal meaning of the word
21. Which one of the following is ‘Aranyaka’ is–
represented on a seal from not a Rigvedic river? (a) Valley (b) Forest
Mohenjodaro is known as– (a) Sindu (b) Ganga (c) Habitat
(a) Indra (b) Varuna (c) Saraswati (d) Beas (d) None of the above
(c) Vishnu (d) Pashupati 22. In Aryan Society, Nishka and 32. Ved Vyasa is the author of
14. In ancient India, the largest Satamana were the names of– which ancient text?
urban centre was– (a) Tribes (a) Puranas (b) Mahabharata
(a) Taxila (b) Kanauj (c) Gita (d)Smritis
(b) Administrative units
(c) Kaushambi(d) Pataliputra 33. Choose the correct pair.
(c) Coins (d) Warriors
15. The early Vedic society was– Darshan Related with
23. The staple crop in Early Vedic (a) Lokayata Jaimini
(a) based on monogamy
Period was–
(b) matriarchal (b) Sankhya Kapila
(a) Wheat (b) Rice (c) Nyaya Charvaka
(c) a tribal society
(d) patriarchal (c) Maize (d) Barley (d) VaisheshikaGautam

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History
34. Choose the correct pair. 43. The metal first discovered by 51. The Indus site Kalibangan was
Upaveda Deals with Aryans was– first discovered by–
(a) Ayurveda Medicine (a) Copper (b) Silver (a) D.R. Sahni
(b) Shilpveda Art and music (c) Iron (d) Tin (b) R.D. Banerjee
(c) Gandharv- Art of warfare (c) B.B. Lal (d) S.R. Rao
44. It was worshipped as god of
aveda 52. Which one of the following animals
mediation between man and god–
(d) Dhanurveda Architecture was not known by Aryans?
(a) Fire (b) Wind (a) Sheep (b) Goat
35. Choose the correct one.
(c) Vishnu (d) Prajapati (c) Dog (d) Nilgay
Gods Associated with
(a) Indra God of eternity 45. Which Yajna was performed in 53. God who is most prominent in
the time of king's accession to Rigveda is-
(b) Varuna God of wind
the throne in Later Vedic Period? (a) Indra (b) Agni
(c) Vishnu God of rain and
(a) Rajsuya (c) Pasupati (d) Vishnu
thunder
(b) Ashwamedha 54. Magadha was also known for
(d) Soma God of animals
its great emperor–
36. The number of Puranas is. (c) Vajpeya
(a) Bindusara (b) Ashoka
(a) 108 (b) 18 (d) All of the above (c) Chandragupta
(c) 8 (d) 6 46. Which one of the following is (d) All of the above
37. The main occupations of Aryans oldest Darshanas of India? 55. What was citadel?
was/were –
(a) Sankhya Darshana (a) Lower part of a town
(a) Trade
(b) Nyaya Darshana (b) Upper part of a town
(b) Agriculture and livestock
(c) Yoga Darshana (c) Central part of a town
rearing
(d) Lokayata Darshana (d) A rising platform
(c) Hunting and gathering
56. What were kula and grama
(d) All of the above 47. The ancient city Mohenjodaro
under Aryan society?
38. Which one of the following is was first found by R.D. Banerjee
(a) Name of clans
not a kind of entertainment of in year–
(b) Administrative units
Aryans? (a) 1922 (b) 1925 (c) Name of village heads
(a) Horse races (b) Music (c) 1921 (d) Name of villages
(c) Hunting (d) Gambling
(d) None of the above 57. Which of the following pair/s is/
39. According to Max Mueller, what
48. According to evidences, Indus are correctly matched?
is the origin place of Aryans?
Valley Civilization was spread (a) Gramini–Head of village
(a) Afghanistan
from– (b) Purohita–Chief priest
(b) Central Asia
(a) 2500-1500 BC (c) Senani–Army chief
(c) Eastern Africa
(b) 1500-1000 BC (d) All of the above
(d) Western Asia
(c) 2000-1500 BC 58. The most impor tant and
40. The language popular among
respectable post among Aryans
Aryans was– (d) 2500-1750 BC administrative system was–
(a) Brahmi (b) Prakrit 49. In present time who among the
(a) Senani (b) Vajpati
(c) Sanskrit (d) Dravida following are the descendants
of Aryans? (c) Purohita (d) Vishpati
41. The popular animal and god
among Aryans were– (a) North Indians 59. Which one of the following was
(a) Cow and Indra (b) South Indians not an administrative unit of
(b) Horse and Indra (c) North-west Indians Aryans political system?
(c) Dog and Soma (d) South-west Indians (a) Kula (b) State
(d) Horse and Vishnu 50. In the Rigveda the word 'Dasyu' (c) Jana (d) Grama
42. In Later Vedic Period instead of is mentioned for which of the 60. Vedic Period is broadly divided
Indra which god was very popular? following? into–
(a) Dacoit (Robber) (a) Two parts (b) Three parts
(a) Vishnu (b) Prajapati
(b) Native people (c) Four parts
(c) Shiva
(c) Servent (d) None of the above
(d) None of the above
(d) All of the above

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 History
61. Who was called as Ishan? (b) stone (a) Pottery (b) Seals
(a) He was a village sarapanch (c) wood (d) all of these (c) Boats (d) Houses
(b) He was the president of a 4. The Indus Valley people traded 11. The earliest city discovered in
Samiti with the– India was—
(c) He was the chief advisor of (a) Chinese (a) Harappa (b) Rangpur
the king (b) Mesopotamians (c) Mohenjodaro (d) Sindh
(d) He was the president of (c) Parthians (d) Romans 12. Which one of the following
Sabha. Indus Civilization site gives
5. The Indus Valley Civilization
evidence of a dockyard ?
was Non-Aryan because–
Answer Key (a) Harappa (b) Lothal
(a) it was urban
(c) Mohenjodaro (d) Rakhigarhi
1. (b) 22. (c) 42. (b) (b) it has a pictographic script
13. An advanced water management
2. (c) 23. (d) 43. (c) (c) it had an agricultural system of Harappan times has
3. (c) 24. (b) 44. (d) economy been unearthed at—
4. (b) 25. (a) 45. (a) (d) it extended up to the (a) Dholavira (b) Lothal
Narmada Valley
5. (c) 26. (a) 46. (a) (c) Kalibangan (d) Alamgirpur
6. All the following statements
6. (b) 27. (c) 47. (a) 14. From which one of the following
regarding the Indus Valley
7. (d) 28. (b) 48. (d) places, remains of wells have
Civilization are correct except– been found in houses belonging
8. (b) 29. (b) 49. (b) (a) The Indus Valley Civilization to the developed stage of the
9. (d) 30. (c) 50. (b) was an advanced urban Indus Valley Civilization ?
10. (c) 31. (b) 51. (c) civilization (a) Harappa (b) Kalibangan
11. (d) 32. (b) 52. (d) (b) Iron was not known to the (c) Lothal (d) Mohenjodaro
12. (a) 33. (b) 53. (a) people
15. The archaeological finds from
13. (d) 34. (a) 54. (b) (c) It is difficult to say to which Alamgirpur in Ghaziabad
race the people belonged district reflected the—
14. (a) 35. (b) 55. (b)
(d) The people knew nothing (a) Harappa Culture
15. (c) 36. (a) 56. (b) about agriculture (b) Vedic Culture
16. (a) 37. (b) 57. (d) 7. The local name of Mohenjodaro (c) Mauryan Culture
17. (a) 38. (c) 58. (a) is–
(d) Gupta Period Culture
18. (c) 39. (b) 59. (b) (a) Mound of the Living 16. Cotton for textile was first
19. (b) 40. (c) 60. (a) (b) Mound of the Great cultivated in—
20. (a) 41. (b) 61. (b) (c) Mound of the Dead (a) Egypt
21. (b) (d) Mound of the Survivor (b) Mesopotamia
8. The Indus Valley Civilization (c) Central America
PART-II specialised in— (d) India
1. The Harappan Civilization was (a) town planning 17. Rock cut archit ecture in
discovered in the year : (b) architecture Harappan culture context has
(a) 1901 (b) 1921 (c) craftsmanship been found at—
(c) 1935 (d) 1942 (d) All ot these (a) Kalibangan (b) Dholavira
2. Lothal is a site where dockyard 9. The famous figure of a dancing (c) Kot Diji (d) Amri
of w hich of the follow ing girl found in the excavation of 18. A copper chariot of Harappa times
civilization were found ? Mohenjodaro was made up of— was discovered at—
(a) Indus Valley (a) terracotta (b) steatite (a) Kuntal (b) Rakhigarhi
(b) Mesopotamian (c) bronze (c) Daimabad (d) Banawali
(c) Egyptian (d) Persian (d) red limestone 19. One of the following sites from
3. The people of the Indus Valley 10. Out of the following remains where the famous Bull seal of
Civilization usually built their excavat ed in Indus Valley Indus Valley Civilization was
which one indicates the found—
houses of–
commercial and economic (a) Harappa (b) Chanhudaro
(a) pucca bricks
development ? (c) Lothal (d) Mohenjodaro

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History
20. Which one of the following 6. Purushasukta is founded in 14. The great law giver of ancient
animals was not represented the — times was—
on the seals and terracotta art (a) Bhagavad Gita (a) Manu (b) Vatsyayana
of the Harappan culture ?
(b) Rigveda (c) Ashoka (d) Aryabhatta
(a) Cow (b) Elephant
(c) Manusmriti (d) Atharvaveda 15. The word Gotra occurs for the
(c) Rhinoceros (d) Tiger first time in—
7. The hymns of ‘Rigveda’ are the
21. In the Mesopotamian records, (a) Rigveda (b) Samaveda
work of-—
which one of the following (c) Yajurveda (d) Atharvaveda
terms was used for the Indus (a) one author (b) four authors
16. Which one of the following is
Valley? (c) seven authors the distinctive feature between
(a) Dilmun (b) Meluha (d) many authors a nastika and astika system in
India ?
(c) Magan (d) Failaka 8. Patanjali is well-known for the
(a) Belief in the existence of God
compilation of—
(b) Belief in the existence of
Answer Key (a) Yoga Sutra heaven and hell
1. (b) 8. (a) 15. (a) (b) Panchatantra (c) Belief in the authenticity of
2. (a) 9. (c) 16. (d) (c) Brahma Sutra the Vedas
3. (a) 10. (b) 17. (b) (d) Ayurveda (d) Belief in the doctrine of
4. (b) 11. (a) 18. (c) rebirth
9. The Rigvedic God Varuna was—
5. (a) 12. (b) 19. (a) 17. Nyaya Darshan was propagated
(a) Harbinger of peace
by—
6. (d) 13. (a) 20. (a) (b) Destroyer of foes (a) Gautama (b) Kapil
7. (c) 14. (d) 21. (b) (c) Guardian of the cosmic order (c) Kanada (d) Jaimini
(d) God of prosperity 18. ‘Ashtadhyayi’ was written by—
PART-III 10. Nivi, Paridhan and Adhivasa (a) Ved Vyas (b) Panini
1. Who was the first European to were the— (c) Shukadeva (d) Balmiki
designate Aryan as a race? (a) Different types of garments 19. The literal meaning of the word
(a) William Jones of the Aryans Arya is—
(b) H.H.Wilson (b) Government officials of the (a) Superior (b) Learned
(c) Max Mueller Aryan Kings (c) Priest (d) Warrior
(d) General Cunningham (c) Tribal people of Ancient 20. The ‘Manu Smrit i’ mainly
2. The battle of Mahabharata is Indians deals with—
believed to have been fought at (d) Musical instruments of (a) Social order (b) Laws
Kurukshetra for— Ancient Indians (c) Economics (d) State-craft
11. Panini, the first Grammarian 21. Who composed the Gayatri
(a) 14 days (b) 16 days
of Sanskrit language in India, Mantra ?
(c) 18 days (d) 20 days (a) Vishwamitra (b) Vasishtha
lived during the—
3. Who among the following wrote (c) Indra (d) Parikshit
(a) 2nd century BC
Sanskrit Grammar? 22. Author of ‘Nyaya Sutra’ was—
(b) 6th-5th century BC
(a) Kalidasa (b) Charaka (a) Gautam (b) Kanad
(c) 2nd century AD
(c) Panini (d) Aryabhatt (c) Kapil (d) Badrayan
(d) 5th-6th century AD
4. Which river has no mention in 23. The word Aryan means—
12. Upanishads are books on—
Rigveda ? (a) Of good family
(a) Religion (b) Yoga (b) Cultivator
(a) Sindhu (b) Saraswati
(c) Law (d) Philosophy (c) Pastoral society
(c) Yamuna (d) Periyar
13. The expounder of Yoga (d) Brahmachari
5. In which language was the philosophy was— 24. Which one of the following four
'Shrimad Bhagavad Gita' Vedas contains an account of
(a) Patanjali (b) Gautama
originally written? magical charms and spells ?
(c) Jaimini
(a) Sanskrit (b) Apabhramsa (a) Rigveda (b) Samaveda
(d) Shankaracharya
(c) Prakrit (d) Pali (c) Yajurveda (d) Atharvaveda

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 History
25. The religion of early Vedic 5. Which one of the following 14. Who was the founder of Nanda
Aryans was primarily of rulers of Magadha was the dynasty ?
(a) Bhakti contemporary of Alexander, the (a) Bimbisara
(b) Image worship and Yajnas Great? (b) Mahapadmananda
(c) Worship of nature and (a) Mahapadmananda (c) Ajatasatru
Yajnas (b) Dhanananda
(d) Worship of nature and (d) Dhanananda
(c) Sukalp
Bhakti 15. Which one of the following
(d) Chandragupta Maurya dynasties was ruling over
26. The earliest settlement of
Aryan tribes were at— 6. Where was the seat of the first North India at the time of
(a) Uttar Pradesh Republic of the world in 6th Alexander's invasion ?
(b) Bengal century BC? (a) Nanda (b) Maurya
(c) Sapta Sindhu (a) Vaishali (b) Athens (c) Sunga (d) Kanva
(d) Delhi 16. Who among the following was
(c) Sparta (d) Patliputra
NOT a contemporary of other
27. In the early Rigvedic period, 7. By which ruler Pataliputra was three?
what was considered to be the chosen for the first time as a
most valuable property ? (a) Bimbisara
capital?
(a) Land (b) Cow (b) Gautama Buddha
(a) Ajatashatru (b) Kalasok (c) Milinda (d) Prasenjit
(c) Woman (d) Water
(c) Udayin (d) Kanishka 17. Between which of the following
Answer Key 8. The list of sixteen Mahajana- was the ancient town of Taxila
padas is available in— located ?
1. (c) 10. (a) 19. (a) (a) Mahabharat (a) Indus and Jhelum
2. (c) 11. (b) 20. (b) (b) Anguttar Nikaya (b) Jhelum and Chenab
3. (c) 12. (d) 21. (a) (c) Chhandogya Upanishad (c) Chenab and Ravi
4. (d) 13. (a) 22. (a) (d) Samyukta Nikaya (d) Ravi and Beas
5. (a) 14. (a) 23. (a) 9. Which was the first capital of
6. (b) 15. (a) 24. (d) Magadha ? Answer Key
7. (d) 16. (a) 25. (c) (a) Pataliputra (b) Vaishali 1. (b) 7. (c) 13. (c)
8. (a) 17. (a) 26. (c) (c) Girivarja (Rajgriha) 2. (a) 8. (b) 14. (b)
9. (c) 18. (b) 27. (b) (d) Champa 3. (b) 9. (c) 15. (a)
10. Who founded Pataliputra ? 4. (c) 10. (a) 16. (c)
PART-IV (a) Udayin (b) Ashoka 5. (b) 11. (d) 17. (a)
1. The Indian king who opposed (c) Bimbisar 6. (a) 12. (b)
Alexander was— (d) Mahapadmananda
(a) Ambhi (b) Porus 11. By whom the first republic of PART-V
(c) Dhanananda the world was established in
Vaishali? 1. Where did Lord Buddha breathe
(d) Chandragupta his last (Mahaparinirvana) ?
2. The ancient name of North (a) Maurya (b) Nand
(a) Rajgir (b) Bodh Gaya
Bihar was- (c) Gupta (d) Licchavi
(c) Sarnath (d) Kushinagar
(a) Vajji (b) Vatsa 12. Which early ruler of Magadha
(c) Surasena (d) Avanti murdered his father to ascend 2. Where has the world’s largest
the throne and, in turn, was monolithic statue of Buddha
3. In ancient India, the earliest
murdered by his own son ? been installed ?
capital of Magadha kingdom
was at— (a) Bimbisara (b) Ajatashatru (a) Bamiyan (b) Hyderabad
(a) Pataliputra (b) Rajgir (c) Udayin (d) Nagadashak (c) Kandy (d) Lhasa
(c) Vaishali (d) Varanasi 13. Mahajanapada situated on the 3. Which among the following is
4. When Alexander invaded India, bank of river Godawari was— the sacr ed book of the
who were the rulers of Magadha? Buddhists ?
(a) Avanti (b) Vatsa
(a) Haryankas (b) Shishunagas (a) Upanishads (b) Vedas
(c) Assaka (d) Kamboja
(c) Nandas (d) Mauryas (c) Tripitakas (d) Agams

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History
4. Buddha means— 13. Buddha lived approximately at 21. Who among the following taught
(a) the enlightened one the same time as— the doctr ine of Shunyata
(a) Confucius (b) Moses (Shunyavad) ?
(b) the religious preacher
(c) Prophet Muhammad (a) Nagarjuna
(c) the genius
(d) Hammurabi (b) Shankaracharya
(d) the powerful
14. Buddha’s preachings were (c) Harisena
5. Name the clan Buddha mainly related to—
belonged to— (d) Vallabhacharya
(a) belief in one God
(a) Gnathrika (b) Maurya 22. Who of the following kings was
(b) practice of rituals
an ardent follower of Jainism ?
(c) Sakya (d) Kuru (c) purity of thought and conduct
(a) Bimbisara
6. In which state was the Nalanda (d) idol worship
(b) Mahapadmananda
University located in India ? 15. The third vehicle in Buddhism
(c) Kharavela (d) Pulakeshin
(a) Bengal (b) Bihar was known as—
23. Among the following who is
(c) Orissa (a) Mahasanghika
given the credit of carrying
(d) Uttar Pradesh (b) Zen Jainism in South India ?
7. Mahavira was born in 6th (c) Vajrayana (a) Sudharmana
century BC at— (d) None of these (b) Indrabhuti
(a) Vaishali (b) Magadha 16. Which Stat e is called the (c) Bhadrabahu
(c) Sarnath (d) None of these ‘Cradle of Buddhism’?
(d) Sthulabhadra
8. The religious literature of the (a) Sikkim (b) Bihar
Jains at the early stage was 24. In Buddhism, w hat does
(c) Uttar Pradesh Patimokkha stand for?
written in—
(d) Madhya Pradesh (a) A description of Mahayana
(a) Ardhamagadhi
17. Who of the following was a Buddhism
(b) Pali
contemporary of Gautama (b) A description of Hinayana
(c) Sanskrit Buddha? Buddhism
(d) None of these (a) Bhadrabahu (c) The rules of the Sangha
9. Which of the following places is (b) Chandragupta Maurya (d) The questions of king Menander
associated with Jainism ?
(c) Parsvanath 25. Which one of the following is
(a) Kapilvastu (b) Pava
(d) Vardhaman Mahavira NOT common in Buddhism and
(c) Prayag (d) Shravasti Jainism ?
18. Gandhara school of art came
10. Who was the author of ‘Buddha into existence in— (a) Non-violence (Ahimsa)
Charita’ ?
(a) Hinayana sect (b) Indifference to Vedas
(a) Asvaghosha (b) Nagasena
(b) Mahayana sect (c) Self-mortification
(c) Nagarjuna (d) Vasumitra
(c) Vaishanava sect (d) Rejection of rituals
11. Who is also known as Nigantha
(d) Shaiva sect 26. The first Buddhist Council was
Nataputra ?
19. Which one of the following is held in which of the following
(a) Vardhamana Mahavira
NOT included in the eight-fold cities ?
(b) Gautam Buddha path of Buddhism ? (a) Nalanda (b) Gaya
(c) Nagarjuna (a) Right speech (c) Rajgriha (d) Bodh Gaya
(d) Shankaracharya (b) Right contemplation 27. Mahavira Jaina breathed his
12. The principle that distinguishes (c) Right desire last at—
Jainism from Buddhism is (a) Rajgir (b) Ranchi
(d) Right conduct
the—
20. Where did Gautama Buddha (c) Pawapuri (d) Samastipur
(a) practice of the eight-fold path 28. Gautama Buddha was elevated
delivered his first sermon,
(b) rejection of the infallibility known as Dharma Chakra to the position of God by the
of the Vedas Pravartan (i.e., Turning of the time of—
(c) attribution of a soul to all wheel of the law) ? (a) Ashoka (b) Kanishka
beings and things (a) Sanchi (b) Sarnath (c) Chandragupta Vikramaditya
(d) belief in rebirth (d) Harsha
(c) Sravasti (d) Bodh Gaya

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 History
29. Mahabodhi Temple has been 39. Which one of the following 49. Who among the follow ing
built at Bodh Gaya where— propounded that ‘destiny presided over the Buddhist
(a) Gautama Buddha was born determines everything, man is Council held during the reign
(b) Gautama Buddha attained powerless’? of Kanishka at Kashmir ?
enlightenment (a) Jains (b) Buddhists (a) Parsva (b) Nagarjuna
(c) Gautama Buddha delievered (c) Ajivakas (d) Mimansakas (c) Sudraka (d) Vasumitra
his first sermon 40. Who amongst the following is 50. Anekantavada is a core theory
(d) Gautama Buddha passed known as the Light of Asia ? and philosophy of which one of
away (a) Jesus Christ the following?
30. Chinese traveller Hiuen-Tsang (b) Lord Buddha (a) Buddhism (b) Jainism
studied at the University of— (c) Prophet Muhammad (c) Sikhism (d) Vaishnavism
(a) Taxila (b) Vikramshila
(d) Zarathustra 51. Mahamastakabhisheka, a
(c) Magadha (d) Nalanda
41. Syadvad (the theory of ‘may be’) great religious event, is
31. Where was the third Buddhist associated with and done for
Council held ? is a doctrine of—
who of the following?
(a) Vatsa (b) Pataliputra (a) Lokayatism
(a) Bahubali (b) Buddha
(c) Kausambi (d) Kashmir (b) Vaishnavism
(c) Mahavira (d) Nataraja
32. Where was Mahavir Swami born ? (c) Jainism (d) Shaivism
52. Which one among the following
(a) Kundalgram (b) Pataliputra 42. The stupa site which is not sects was associated with
(c) Magadha (d) Vaishali connected with any incident of Gosala Maskariputra ?
33. The doctrine of three jewels— Lord Buddha's life is—
(a) Vajrayana (b) Ajivakas
Right belief, Right conduct and (a) Sarnath (b) Sanchi
Right knowledge is the (c) Sthaviravadins
crownings glory of— (c) Bodh Gaya (d) Kushinagar (d) Mahasanghikas
(a) Buddhism (b) Christianity 43. Prabhasgiri is a pilgrim spot of— 53. Ashokaram monastery was
(c) Jainism (d) None of these (a) Buddhists (b) Jains situated at—
34. The Vikramshila Mahavihara, (c) Shaivites (d) Vaishnavites (a) Vaishali (b) Patliputra
a great centre of education, 44. Who is said to have become the (c) Kausambi (d) Shravasti
was founded by—
chief of the Jain Sangh after
(a) Baladitya (b) Harsha the death of Mahavira ?
(c) Gopala (d) Dharmapala Answer Key
(a) Jambu (b) Bhadrabahu
35. The Lumbini was the birth 1. (d) 19. (c) 37. (d)
place of Buddha is attested by (c) Sthulbhadra (d) Sudharma
2. (a) 20. (b) 38. (a)
an inscription of: 45. Jivaka, the royal physician of
3. (c) 21. (a) 39. (c)
(a) Ashoka Rajgriha, was the son of the
Ganika named as— 4. (a) 22. (c) 40. (b)
(b) Pushyamitra Shunga
(c) Kanishka (d) Harsha (a) Salavati (b) Ramaniya 5. (c) 23. (c) 41. (c)
36. Sarnath is in the State of— 6. (b) 24. (c) 42. (b)
(c) Basantsena (d) Amrapali
(a) Kerala (b) Maharashtra 7. (a) 25. (a) 43. (b)
46. The Fourth Buddhist Council
(c) Gujarat was convened during the 8. (a) 26. (c) 44. (d)
(d) Uttar Pradesh regime of king— 9. (b) 27. (c) 45. (a)
37. Vikramshila Mahavihara was 10. (a) 28. (b) 46. (c)
(a) Ashoka (b) Ajatashatru
estabilished by the ruler of 11. (a) 29. (b) 47. (c)
(c) Kanishka 48. (b)
(a) Pushyabhuti Dynasty 12. (c) 30. (d)
(d) Mahapadmananda 49. (d)
(b) Barman Dynasty 13. (a) 31. (b)
(c) Sen Dynasty 47. The 'Tripitaka' was written in— 50. (b)
14. (c) 32. (a)
(d) Pala Dynasty (a) Brahmi (b) Kharosthi 51. (a)
15. (c) 33. (c)
38. Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana (c) Pali (d) Sanskrit 52. (b)
16. (c) 34. (d)
in the republic of the– 48. Name the last Tirthankara— 53. (b)
17. (d) 35. (a)
(a) Mallas (b) Lichhavis (a) Parsvanath (b) Mahavira
18. (b) 36. (d)
(c) Sakyas (d) Palas (c) Siddhartha (d) Subhadra

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History

Part-VI 10. The fourth Buddhist Council 20. What was the purpose of the Indian
was held at...... visit of Hiuen Tsang?
1. Which type of pottery was most
(a) Pataliputra (b) Vaishali (a) To visit the holy places
popular with the Later Vedic people?
(c) Kundalavana (d) Bodh Gaya connected with Buddhism
(a) Black-slipped Ware
11. Megasthenes was succeeded (b) To amass wealth
(b) Black and Red Ware as ambassador by– (c) To know the geography of
(c) Painted Grey Ware (a) Darius (b) Demetrius India
(d) Red Ware (c) Deimachos (d) Philip (d) To establish political ties
2. Which of the doctrines of Jainism 12. The author of the “The with India
was added by Mahavira? Periplus of the Erythraean 21. The famous Harappan site of
(a) Do not speak a lie. Sea" was a– Lothal is situated in–
(b) Observe continence. (a) historian (b) poet (a) Sind (b) Rajasthan
(c) Do no commit violence. (c) sailor (d) musician (c) Gujarat (d) Maharashtra
(d) Do not steal. 13. During Karikala’s rule the
22. The Vedic term 'vrithi' stands
3. Who is said to be responsible for the important Chola port was–
for–
spread of Jainism in Karnataka? (a) Calicut (b) Puhar
(a) Cotton (b) Wheat
(a) Ajatashatru (c) Karkai (d) Thondi
(c) Rice (d) Barley
(b) Chandragupta Maurya 14. The most famous Chera ruler
was– 23. Who was the patron of the 3rd
(c) Bimbisara
(a) Udiyanjeral Buddhist council?
(d) Mahapadma Nanda
(b) Nedunjeralathan (a) Ajatashatru (b) Ashoka
4. The Pitaka that contains
pronouncements attributed to (c) Senguttuvan (c) Kanishka (d) Harsha
the Buddha, laying down (d) Sengannan 24. The famous rock-cut temple of
numerous rules for the 15. Of the following, who were not Kailasa is at–
conduct of the order is– the feudatories of Satavahanas? (a) Ajanta (b) Badami
(a) Vinaya Pitaka
(a) Abhiras (b) Ikshvakus (c) Ellora (d) Elephanta
(b) Sutta Pitaka
(c) Pallavas (d) Mauryans 25. Which one of the following
(c) Abhidhamma Pitaka
16. The first Satavahana ruler places has yielded earliest
(d) all the three Pitakas Stupa railing?
was–
5. The Veda that contains charms
(a) Simuk (b) Govinda (a) Sanchi (b) Bharhut
and spells to ward off evils and
diseases is– (c) Sri Satakarni (c) Amaravati
(a) Rigveda (b) Atharvaveda (d) Nahapana (d) Nagarjunkonda
(c) Samaveda (d) Yajurveda 17. Who erected the Garuda pillar 26. Ashoka sent missionaries to–
6. In Jainism, ‘Perfect Knowledge’ at Besnagar? (a) China and Kashmir
is referred to as– (a) Bhagabhadra (b) Heliodorus (b) Tibet and Ceylon
(a) Nirvana (b) Ratna (c) Menander (d) Antialkidas (c) Tibet and China
(c) Kaivalya (d) Jina
18. Which of the following is not (d) Kashmir and Ceylon
7. The daughter who milks
true of Kanishka? 27. In which one of the following
animals in the Vedic period
was known as– (a) Kanishka was the founder do we come across a detailed
(a) Kubha (b) Duhitri of Vikrama Era account of the municipal
(c) Komi (d) Sardha (b) He was a patron of Buddhism administration of Mauryas?
8. Bimbisara was succeeded by– (c) He defeated the Chinese (a) The Arthashastra of Kautilya
(a) Ashoka (b) Ajatashatru army led by Pan- Yang (b) The account of Megasthenes
(c) Vasudeva (d) He belonged to the Yuechi (c) The Mudrarakshasa
(d) Chandragupta Maurya tribe (d) Mauryan inscription
9. Of t he following Kushana 19. What was the capital of the 28. The Mehrauli pillar inscription
kings, who assumed the title early Chalukyas? belongs to the period of the–
“the Lord of the Whole World”? (a) Badami (b) Kalyani (a) Mauryas (b) Sungas
(a) Kadphises I (b) Kadphises II (c) Kushanas (d) Guptas
(c) Kanchi (d) Vengi
(c) Kanishka (d) Huvishka

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 History
29. Which one of the following (a) Hoyasalas.......... Dwarasamudra (b) Mundaka Upanishad
works deals with the history of (b) Kakatiyas ............. Warangal (c) Adhyatma Upanishad
Kashmir?
(c) Pallavas ............ Devagiri (d) Prasna Upanishad
(a) Gaudavaho
(d) Chalukyas .............Kalyani 9. Who among the following rulers
(b) Harshacharita
3. Which one of the following is was first to embrace Buddhism?
(c) Rajatarangini associated with the Gupta Age (a) Ashoka (b) Ajatasatru
(d) Vikramankadevacharita of Indian History? (c) Bindusara (d) Bimbisara
30. Which one of the following (a) Visit of Chinese pilgrim
mentioned division of the Mauryan 10. Who among the following Gupta
Hiuen Tsang
society into seven classes? rulers faced invasion of Hunas?
(b) Significant contribution to
(a) Ashoka’s Edicts (a) Budhagupta
Indian astronomy by Aryabhatta
(b) Indica (c) Significant contribution to (b) Kumaragupta-I
(c) Kautilya’s Arthashastra poetry and literature by (c) Kumaragupta-II
(d) Vishnu Purana Banabhatta (d) Skandagupta
31. The varnas came to be (d) Macedonian invasion 11. How did the Mauryan empire
transformed into the hereditary 4. Who among the following wrote finally end?
castes during the– commentaries on Harshavar- (a) The last Mauryan ruler was
(a) Later Vedic period dhana’s administration and the killed by his General.
court life in Kannauj?
(b) Gupta period (b) The Kanvas of Central
(a) Al-Beruni (b) Fa-Hien
(c) Mauryan period India deposed the last
(c) Hiuen-Tsang (d) lbn Battuta Mauryan ruler.
(d) Vedic period 5. The Jaina saint credited with
(c) The last Mauryan ruler was
the spread of Jainism in
killed in a battle, with the
Answer Key Karnataka (south India) was–
foreign invader from the
1. (d) 12. (c) 22. (c) (a) Bhadrabahu (b) Adinatha
north-west.
(c) Parshvanatha (d) Mahavira
2. (b) 13. (b) 23. (b) (d) The last mauryan ruler had
6. The people of Harappa and no heir and the throne was
3. (b) 14. (c) 24. (c)
Mohenjodaro culture belonged claimed by one of his
4. (a) 15. (d) 25. (a) to the–
powerful ministers.
5. (b) 16. (a) 26. (b) (a) New Stone Age
12. The building of the famous
6. (c) 17. (b) 27. (b) (b) Copper Age Kailasa Temple at Ellora was
7. (b) 18. (a) 28. (d) (c) Iron Age executed under the Rashtrakuta
8. (b) 19. (a) 29. (c) (d) Chalcolithic Age king–
9. (b) 20. (a) 30. (b) 7. Match List-I (Dynasties) with (a) Amoghavarsha-I
10. (c) 21. (c) 31. (a) List-II (Capitals) and select the (b) Govinda-III
correct answer using the codes
11. (c) given below the lists: (c) Indra-III (d) Krishna-I
List-I List-II 13. The Rathas of Mahabalipuram,
Part-VII the rock- cut architecture, were
A. Satavahana 1. Magadha
built by a king of the dynasty of–
1. Consider the following statements: B. Chera 2. Peshawar
(a) Chola (b) Hoy-sala
Ajanta Painting portray — C. Kushana 3. Kalinga
(c) Pallava (d) Rashtrakuta
1. Buddhist elements D. Kosala 4. Bagat
Codes: A B C D 14. Match List-I (Dynasties) with
2. Secular aspects
(a) 2 1 3 4 List-II (Capitals) and select the
3. Jain culture
(b) 3 4 2 1 correct answer using the codes
Which of these statements is/
given beiow the lists:
are correct? (c) 2 4 3 1
(d) 3 1 2 4 List-I List-II
(a) 1 alone (b) 1 and 2
(c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) 3 alone 8. The words Satyamev Jayate in A. Cholas 1. Dwarasamudra
the State Emblem adopted by the B. Hoysalas 2. Madurai
2. Which one of the following
Government of India have been
pairs is NOT — correctly C. Pandyas 3. Malkhed
taken from which Upanishad?
matched? D. Rashtrakutas 4. Thanjavur
(a) Aitareya Upanishad

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Codes: A B C D 21. Nagarjuna is known as the 28. The granary discovered at
(a) 4 1 2 3 Einstein of India because Harappa was located–
(a) like Einstein he had a rare (a) within the citadel at
(b) 3 2 1 4
insight into the nature of Mohenjodaro
(c) 4 2 1 3 the universe. (b) in the ‘Lower Iown’
(d) 3 1 2 4 (b) he was one of the greatest (c) near the river Ravi
15. The Harappan civilization does physicists of all time.
not have homogeneity or (d) beside the western gate of the
(c) he propounded the theory of city
uniformity in– Shunyavada similar to
(a) weights and measures Einstein’s theory of Relativity. Answer Key
(b) cereal crops (d) he was a great dialectician.
(c) burial practices 1. (a) 11. (a) 20. (c)
22. Which of the following is not
(d) both (b) and (c) matched correctly? 2. (c) 12. (d) 21. (c)
16. A prominent Harappan site, (a) Vardhamana Mahavira’s 3. (b) 13. (c) 22. (d)
being surrounded by flood father–Siddhartha 4. (c) 14. (a) 23. (c)
barriers in order to protect it with 5. (a) 15. (b) 24. (d)
(b) Vardhamana Mahavira’s
the aid of UNESCO funds, is–
mother–Trisala 6. (d) 16. (a) 25. (d)
(a) Mohenjodaro (b) Dholavira
(c) Vardhamana Mahavira’s 7. (b) 17. (b) 26. (d)
(c) Lothal (d) Rakhigarhi wife–Yashoda 8. (b) 18. (c) 27. (c)
17. The greatest Chola king in the (d) Vardhamana Mahavira’s
dynasty of the Cholas of 9. (a) 19. (c) 28. (c)
daughter–Chellana
Thanjavur was– 10. (a)
23. In which of the following sects
(a) Parantaka (b) Rajaraja-I
was Bindusara interested?
(c) Rajendra-I (d) Kulottunga
(a) Buddhism (b) Jainism Part-VIII
18. The main focus of the Rigvedic
(c) Ajivakas (d) Lokayata 1. Who among the following also
culture was in–
24. The correct descending order of had the name Devanama
(a) Indo-Gangetic Valley
the Mauryan officers at the Piyadasi ?
(b) Punjab and Delhi region district level was– (a) Mauryan King Ashoka
(c) Indus Valley (a) Rajuka, pradeshika, yukta (b) Gautama Buddha
(d) Region between the Swat (b) Yukta, rajuka, pradeshika (c) Mauryan King Chandragupta
and the Indus (c) Pradeshika, yukta, rajuka Maurya
19. The Veda, which is partly a (d) Pradeshika, rajuka, yukta (d) Bhagwan Mahavira
prose work, is–
25. Harappan weapons were made 2. With which of the following
(a) Atharvaveda(b) Samaveda of– centres of learning Chanakya the
(c) Yajurveda (d) Rigveda (a) stone (b) copper famous teacher of Chandragupta
20. Match List-I with List-II and (c) bronze (d) all the above Mayrva was associated ?
choose the correct answer from 26. Which one of the four varnas (a) Taxila (b) Nalanda
the codes given below the lists. mentiond in the Purushasukta (c) Vikramshila (d) Vaishali
List-I List-II of the mandala X of the Rigveda 3. Which event brought about a
A. Nyaya 1. Jamini is referred in the other parts of profound change in Ashoka’s
B. Vaisheshika 2. Badarayana Rigv eda in the sense of a administrative policy ?
varna? (a) The Third Buddhist Council
C. Sankhya 3. Gautam
(a) Brahmanas (b) Kshatriyas (b) The Kalinga War
D. Yoga 4. Kanada
(c) Vaishyas (d) Shudras (c) His embracing of Buddhism
E. Purva Mimamsa 5. Kapila
27. The most important source of (d) His sending of missionary to
F. Uttara Mimamsa6. Patanjali
our information on ancient Ceylon
Codes: A B C D E F India’s cultural history are–
4. Great Stupa at Sanchi is in—
(a) 5 6 4 1 2 3 (a) archaeological excavations
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) 4 3 2 1 5 6 (b) antiquities and monuments (b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) 3 4 5 6 1 2 (c) literature and epics (c) Arunachal Pradesh
(d) 1 2 3 4 5 6 (d) inscriptions and coins (d) Andhra Pradesh

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 History
5. The monk who influenced 14. Who among the following was 20. The head of a district (Ahara),
Ashoka to embrace Buddhism appointed by Ashoka to administer the principal co-ordinator of the
was— justice in his empire ? revenue and the officer in-
(a) Vishnu Gupta (a) Sharmana charge of general and military
(b) Upa Gupta functions in his jurisdiction
(b) Kumar Amatya during Mauryan Empire was
(c) Brahma Gupta
(c) Rajuka (d) Uparika known as—
(d) Brihadrath
15. Consider the following with (a) Krori (b) Rajuka
6. Which one of the following does
reference to the disintegration and (c) Faujdar (d) Chirastadar
not appear on the abacus of the
decline of the Mauryan Empire—
Sarnath Lion capitol of Ashoka ? 21. A Buddhist council during the
1. Brahmanical revolt reign of Ashoka was held at—
(a) Bull (b) Deer
2. King Ashoka's pacifist policies (a) Magadha (b) Pataliputra
(c) Elephant (d) Horse
7. Who among the following 3. Invasions from outside
(c) Samastipur (d) Rajgriha
historical personalities of India 4. Weakness of Ashoka's 21. Chandragupta Maurya figures
is also known as Vishnugupta ? successors prominently in the book of–
(a) Bilhana (b) Kalidasa Which of the above reasons led (a) Bhasa
(c) Patanjali (d) Chanakya to the disintegration and decline
(b) Ashvaghosha
8. Megasthenes was an envoy of which of the Mauryan Empire?
(c) Vishakhadatta
of the following kings? (a) 1, 2 and 4 (b) 2 and 4
(d) Sudraka
(a) Seleucus (b) Alexander (c) 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(c) Darius (d) Antiochus 23. The description of the
16. Who of the following was a administration of Pataliputra
9. Which of the following was the contemporary of Alexander, is available in—
oldest dynasty of India? the Great ? (a) Divyavadan
(a) Maurya (b) Gupta (a) Bimbisara (b) Arthashastra
(c) Kushana (d) Kanva (b) Chandragupta Maurya (c) Indica
10. The division of Maur yan
(c) Ashoka (d) Ashoka's inscriptions
society into seven classes was
particularly mentioned in— (d) Pushyamitra Sunga 24. Who amongst the following
(a) Kautilya’s Arthashastra 17. The notion of Saptanga that was Mauryan rulers did conquer
(b) Ashokan edicts introduced in ‘Arthashastra’ the Deccan ?
(c) The Puranas includes— (a) Ashoka
(d) The ‘Indica’ of Megasthenes (a) kings, territory, administration (b) Chandragupta
11. Kautilya's ‘Arthashastra’ is a and treasury (c) Bindusara
book on— (b) music, dance, ragas and (d) Kunala
(a) economic relations wrestling 25. Language used in the
(c) ministers, civil servants, inscriptions of Ashoka is—
(b) principles and practices of
statecraft subalterns and those involved in (a) Sanskrit (b) Prakrit
(c) foreign policy espionage-. (c) Apabhramsa(d) Hindi
(d) duties of the king (d) aristocrats, acharyas, traders 26. In how many categories did
and monks Megasthenes divide the Indian
12. The valleys of Sindhu, Ganga Society ?
and Jamuna were brought 18. To which dynasty did Ashoka
belong ? (a) Four (b) Five
together for the first time under
(c) Six (d) Seven
one political authority by– (a) Vardhana (b) Maurya
27. Which dynasty did rule over
(a) Chandragupta Maurya (c) Kushana (d) Gupta Magadha after Nanda dynasty ?
(b) Ashoka 19. Which Rock Edict of Ashoka (a) Maurya (b) Sunga
(c) Chandragupta II provides a description of the
(c) Gupta (d) Kushana
(d) Prithviraj Chauhan horrors of Kalinga war ?
28. The most famous educational
13. Which one of the following places (a) 13th Rock Edict centre during the period of
has no Ashokan edicts? (b) Kalinga Edict at Dhauli Mauryan age was–
(a) Girnar (b) Kandhar (c) The Edict at Janagadh (a) Vaishali (b) Nalanda
(c) Pataliputra (d) Topra (d) 10th Rock Edict (c) Taxila (d) Ujjain

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History
29. Who was the writer of 4. The greatest development in 13. The dest ruction of the
‘Mudrarakshasa’ ? the Kushana period was in the Mauryan Empire was followed
(a) Vishakhdatta field of— by a series of invasion, and first
(b) Kautilya (a) Religion (b) Architecture to invade India were the—
(a) Indo-Bactrians
(c) Bana (d) Kalhana (c) Literature (d) Art
(b) Sakas
30. What is the name of 5. What was the capital of
(c) Indo-Parthians
Megasthenes's book ? Kanishka ?
(d) Kushans
(a) Arthashastra (a) Purushapura(b) Pataliputra
14. Which of the following dynasties
(b) Rigveda (c) Taxila (d) Mathura succeeded Sungas?
(c) Purana (d) Indica 6. Thomas is said to have come to (a) Satavahanas
31. In how many adhikaranasis India to propagate Christianity (b) Kushanas
(Chapters) the K autilya’s during the reign of— (c) Kanvas (d) Guptas
‘Arthashastra’ divided ?
(a) Senguttuvan (Chera) 15. A Buddhist Council during the
(a) 11 (b) 12 reign of Kanishka was held at—
(b) Karikala (Chola)
(c) 14 (d) 15 (a) Magadha (b) Pataliputra
(c) Nendujelian (Pandya)
(c) Kashmir (d) Rajgriha
Answer Key (d)Gondapharnese (Parthian) 16. Which Chinese general
7. Who started the Saka Era and defeated Kanishka ?
1. (a) 12. (a) 22. (c)
when ? (a) Pen Chao (b) Pan Yang
2. (a) 13. (c) 23. (c)
(a) Kadphises in 58 BC (c) Chi Huang Ti
3. (b) 14. (c) 24. (c) (d) Ho Ti
(b) Vikramaditya in 58 BC
4. (b) 15. (d) 25. (b) 17. Who of the following did not
(c) Rudradaman I in 78 AD
5. (b) 16. (b) 26. (d) adorn the court of Kanishka I ?
(d) Kanishka in 78 AD (a) Ashwaghosha
6. (b) 17. (a) 27. (a)
7. (d) 18. (b) 28. (c) 8. Charaka was the famous court (b) Parshva
physician of: (c) Vasumitra
8. (a) 19. (a) 29. (a)
(a) Harsha (d) Vishakhdatta
9. (a) 20. (b) 30. (d)
10. (d) 21. (b) 31. (d) (b) Chandragupta Maurya 18. The capital of Satvahanas was
11. (d) (c) Ashoka (d) Kanishka located at—
9. In the kingdom of Satavahanas (a) Amaravati (b) Paithan
of ancient India, a district was (c) Naldurg (d) Durg
PART-IX
called— 19. Who among the following rulers
1. Yav anika (Curt ain) was
introduced in Indian theatre by (a) Ahara (b) Kataka has been mentioned as protector
which of the following ? (c) Rashtra (d) Vihara of Varna System ?
(a) Sakas (b) Parthians (a) Pushyamitra Sunga
10. At which of the following places
(c) Greeks (d) Kushanas was the headless statue of (b) Kharvela
2. Who were the first kings to issue Kanishka found ? (c) Gautamiputra Satakarni
gold coins in India? (a) Allahabad (b) Mathura (d) Vasudeva
(a) Mauryas (b) Indo-Greeks (c) Sanchi (d) Taxila 20. The art style which combines
(c) Guptas (d) Kushanas 11. With whose reign is the Gandhara Indian and Greek features is
3. Who among the following were school of Art associated? called—
contemporaries of Kanishka ? (a) Kanishka (b) Harsha (a) Sikhara (b) Vesara
(a) Nagarjuna, Ashvaghosha, (c) Chandragupta Vikramaditya (c) Gandhara (d) Nagara
Vasumitra
(d) Ashoka 21. Who was called by Vindhya
(b) Kamban, Banabhatta, Ashv-
aghosha 12. Which one of the following Adhipati ?
dynasties was associated with (a) Simuka
(c) Ashvaghosha, K alidasa,
Gandhara school of Art ? (b) Gautamiputra Satkarni
Banabhatta
(a) Chalukyas (b) Guptas
(d) Kalidasa, Kamban, Vasu- (c) Ashoka
mitra (c) Kushanas (d) Mauryas (d) Chandragupta Maurya

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 History
22. When did the Mathura School 4. Which king of the Gupta (c) 6th century AD
of Art flourish ? Dynasty was called the (d) 7th century AD
(a) Sunga Period ‘Napoleon of India’ ? 12. The six district schools of Indian
(b) Satavahana Period (a) Samduragupta. Philosophy—
(c) Suba Period (b) Srigupta Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika,
(d) Kushana Period (c) Kanishka Mimansa, Vedanta — became
(d) Samudragupta fully articulated during the—
23. The pract ice of milit ary
5. Who amongst the following (a) Vedic Age (b) Gupta Age
gov ernor ship w as first
introduced in India by the— organised Ashvamedha Yajna? (c) Kushana Age (d)Maurya Age
(a) Greeks (b) Sakas (a) Ajastashatru 13. ‘Mrichhakatika’ was written
(b) Ashoka by—
(c) Parthians (d) Mughals
(c) Samudragupta (a) Vikramaditya (b)Sudraka
24. Who among the follow ing
(d) Chandragupta (c) Kalhana (d) Banabhatta
presided over the Buddhist
Council held during the reign 6. Consider the following literary 14. Which one of the following was
works: the official language of Gupta
of Kanishka at Kashmir ?
I. Kumar Sambhavam period ?
(a) Parsva (b) Nagarjuna (a) Pali (b) Magadhi
II. Mudrarakshasa
(c) Sudraka (d) Vasumitra (c) Prakrit (d) Sanskrit
III.Raghuvamsa
15. Who of the following Gupta
Answer Key IV.Ritusamhara
kings granted permission to
Which of these were the works Meghverma, the ruler of Sri
1. (c) 9. (a) 17. (d)
of Kalidasa?
2. (b) 10. (b) 18. (b) Lanka to build a Buddhist
(a) I, II and III (b) II, III and IV temple at Gaya ?
3. (a) 11. (a) 19. (b) (c) I, III and IV (d) I, II and IV (a) Chandragupta I
4. (d) 12. (c) 20. (c) 7. Which one of the following (b) Samudragupta
5. (a) 13. (a) 21. (b) literary works did not belong to
(c) Chandragupta II
6. (d) 14. (c) 22. (d) the Gupta period?
(d) Skandagupta
7. (d) 15. (c) 23. (a) (a) Abhijnanashakuntalam
16. Aryabhatta and Varahmihira
8. (d) 16. (a) 24. (d) (b) Amarakosha
belong to which age?
(c) Charaka Samhita
(a) Guptas (b) Cholas
(d) Mrichhakatika
PART-X 8. During the reign of which of
(c) Mauryas (d) Mughals
1. Who was the first known Gupta the following dynasties did 17. The decimal numeral system,
ruler ? Kalidasa flourish? including the concept of zero was
invented in India during which
(a) Srigupta (a) Mauryas (b) Sungas
one of the following dynasty ?
(b) Chandragupta I (c) Guptas (d) Vardhanas
(a) Saka (b) Gupta
9. Which one of the period marks
(c) Ghatotakacha the beginning of the Indian (c) Pala (d) Chola
(d) Kumaragupta temple architecture? 18. ‘Kumarasambhavam’, an epic,
(a) Nanda (b) Maurya was composed by—
2. The silver coins of the Gupta
(c) Sunga (d) Gupta (a) Banabhatta (b) Chandbardai
period were known as—
10. .............assumed the title of (c) Harisena (d) Kalidasa
(a) Dinar (b) Rupyaka
'Vikramaditya'. 19. In the courtyard of the Quwwat
(c) Satamana (d) Karsharpana - ul - Islam Mosque of Delhi
(a) Ashoka
3. During which Gupta king’s (b) Chandragupta II stands the famous iron pillar
reign did the Chinese traveller in the memory of—
(c) Kanishka
Fahien visit India ? (a) Ashoka (b) Chandra
(d) Samudragupta
(a) Chandragupta I (c) Harsha (d) Anangpal
11. In which centur y did the
(b) Chandragupta II famous Chinese pilgrim 20. Sudraka’s ‘Mrichchakatikam’
Fahien visit India ? is a—
(c) Samudragupta
(a) 4th century AD (a) drama (b) novel
(d) Kumaragupta (c) poem (d) short story
(b) 5th century AD

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History
21. Samudragupta has been given PART-XI 9. Bhagavatism centred around
the title of ‘Indian Napoleon’ by the worship of—
1. Which among the following is
the historian— (a) Shiva (b) Bhagavati
the oldest dynasty ?
(a) Romila Thapar (c) Skanda (d) Vishnu
(a) Maurya (b) Gupta
(b) V.A. Smith 10. The decimal system was first
(c) Kushana (d) Kanva
(c) R.C. Mazumdar know n in India at the
2. What do the painting of Ajanta depict ? beginning of—
(d) R. S. Sharma (a) Ramayana (a) 2nd century AD
22. Who was the court poet of (b) Mahabharata (b) 3rd century AD
Samudragupta ?
(c) Jatakas (c) 4th century AD
(a) Asvaghosha (b) Nagarjuna (d) Panchatantra (d) 5th century AD
(c) Aryabhatta 3. The subject-matter of Ajanta 11. Which one of the following is
(d) Harisena paintings pertains to— considered an encyclopedia of
23. The Prayaga Prasasti/Allahabad (a) Jainism (b) Buddhism Indian Medicine ?
Pillar Inscription is associated (c) Vaishnavism(d) Shavism (a) Charaka Samhita
with which one of the following ? (b) Surya Siddhanta
4. Where did the game of chess
(a) Mahapadmananda originate ? (c) Brihat Samhita
(b) Chandragupta Maurya (a) India (b) Persia (d) Lokayata

(c) Samudragupta (c) Arabia (d) Europe 12. Which one of the following pairs
5. The caves and rock-cut is NOT correctly matched ?
(d) Ashoka
temples at Ellora are— (a) Kautilya – Arthashastra
24. The first Gupta ruler to assume
(a) Hindu and Buddhist (b) Hala – Gathasaptasati
the title of ‘Parama Bhagawat’
(b) Buddhist and Jain (c) Banbhatta – Buddhacharita
was—
(c) Hindu and Jain
(a) Chandragupta I (d) K a lidasa – Abhijnana s -
(d) Hindu, Buddhist and Jain hakuntalam
(b) Samudragupta 6. When was the ‘Panchatantra’ written ?
(c) Chandragupta II 13. The first major inscription in
(a) Maurya period
classical Sanskrit is that of—
(d) Ramgupta (b) Kanishka period
(a) Chandragupta Vikramaditya
(c) Gupta period
Answer Key (b) Kanishka I
(d) Harsha period
7. Which one of the following (c) Rudradaman
1. (a) 9. (d) 17. (b)
sources of Islam is associated (d) Samudragupta
2. (b) 10. (b) 18. (d)
with the teachings of Prophet
3. (b) 11. (b) 19. (b) Muhammad ?
Answer Key
4. (a) 12. (b) 20. (a) (a) Quran (b) Hidaya 1. (a) 6. (c) 10. (d)
5. (c) 13. (b) 21. (b) (c) Fiqah (d) Sunah 2. (c) 7. (a) 11. (a)
6. (c) 14. (d) 22. (d) 8. Taxila University is situated in— 3. (b) 8. (a) 12. (c)
7. (c) 15. (b) 23. (c) (a) Pakistan (b) India 4. (a) 9. (d) 13. (c)
8. (c) 16. (a) 24. (c) (c) Bangladesh (d) Burma 5. (d)

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PART-II
MEDIEVAL INDIA
MUSLIM ATTACKS IN INDIA
Topics
 Ascent of Rajput Power
 The Rise of Delhi Sultanate
 Provincial Kingdoms
 Bhakti Movement and Sufism
ASCENT OF RAJPUT POWER
 The timed the fading away of Harsha Vardhana
(606-646 AD) and with it the Vardhana might and
the rise of Islamic power in India was occupied with
the ascent of Rajput power. This, however, was a very
short-lived period, mainly due to the in-fighting among
the fiercely divided Rajputs. As can be imagined, India
under the Rajputs was not exactly what one could call
a single and completely unified unit.
 Delhi and Ajmer, under the Chauhans, were the
most powerful states of this period. However, the
first Rajputs to hit Delhi were the Tomaras. In
fact, the second city of Delhi, Lal Kot (the Red
Fort) was built in 1060 A.D. by Raja Anang Pal,
one of the earliest Tomara rulers to settle in
Delhi. Their rule was pretty short-lived though,
and soon the Chauhan Rajputs under the
generalship of Prithviraj Chauhan seized control
of Lal Kot in the 12th century.
 There were other states where Rajputs were
gaining prominence. Like Kanauj (in present Uttar
Pradesh) where in this period ruled Jaichand, a
Rathore (another Rajput family) ruler, who was a
bitter rival of Prithviraj Chauhan.
In Bundelkhand (in Madhya Pradesh), the Chandravansi
(of the moon family) Chandelas were ruling.
 Malwa and Gujarat were under the Paramaras
(the most important ruler was king Bhoj) and
Chalukyas (who are supposed to be descendants
of the Chalukyas) respectively.
 This was a very troubled time in Indian history.
There was no clear central authority in sight and
each petty ruler was daring to dream the mad
dream of ruling all over the country, which at
that point of time meant basically the Gangetic
plains and the Deccan.
 This is the main reason why no ruler was able to
hold Delhi long enough to establish a kingdom
there and also the principal reason why the Arabs
and Turks did not exatly have to sweat to the bone
to stamp their authority all over them.
30
History
DYNASTIES OF EARLY MEDIEVAL INDIA – GURJARA
PRATIHARAS, PALAS & RASHTRAKUTAS
The Gurjara Pratiharas
 Gurjara Pratihara dynasty was founded by
Nagabhatta-I.
 The Pratiharas revived under Vatsaraja’s son and
successor Nagabhata-ll, who also defeated Pala
king Dharmapala.
 Bhoja, also known as Mihir Bhoja was the greatest
king of Pratihara dynasty. Bhoja was a Vishnu
worshipper. Bhoja called himself ‘Adi Varaha’.
 Bhoja defeated Kalchuris of Gorakhpur and the
Chandellas of Bundelkhand. Bhoja also recovered
Kannauj from Palas. Bhoja was succeeded by his
son Mahendrapal.
 The great Sanskrit poet and dramatist Rajashekhar
lived at the court of Mahipala, the grandson of Bhoja.
 Rajashekhar wrote Karpurmanjari, Bal Ramayan,
Bal Mahabharata and Kabya Mimamsa.
The Palas
 The Pala Kingdom was founded by Gopala. Gopala
was succeeded by his son Dharmapala.
 Dharmapala was defeated by the Rashtrakuta
ruler, Dhruva.
 The Gurjara Pratihara ruler; Nagabhatta-II also
defeated Dharmapala.
 The Palas were the followers of Buddhism.
 The Nalanda University was revived by Dharma-
pala. He also founded the Vikramshila University
which became second only to Nalanda in fame.
 The Palas had close trade contacts and cultural
links with south-east Asia.
 The powerful Sailendra dynasty, which ruled over
Malaya, Java, Sumatra and neighbouring islands was
Buddhist in faith. They sent many embassies to the
Pala court and sought permission to build a monastery
at Nalanda for the benefit of foreign students.
The Rashtrakutas
 This dynasty was founded by Dantidurga.
 Rashtrakutas were called Ballahara by Arabs.
 Their capital was Mankir or Manyakheta (present
Malkhed near Sholapur, Maharashtra).
 Krishna-I built the famous Shiva temple (rock cut
temple at Ellora).
 Dhruva incorporated the symbols of Ganga and
Yamuna into Rashtrakuta emblem.
 Amoghavarsha composed one of the earliest texts,
in Kannada literature, the “Kaviraj Marga”. He
ended his life by taking Jal Samadhi in the
Tungabhadra river.
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History
 The Rashtrakutas also fought constantly against the
eastern Chalukyas of Vengi and in the south against
the Pallavas of Kanchi and the Pandyas of Madurai.
 The greatest Rashtrakuta rulers were Govinda-
III and Amoghavarsha.
 Krishna-Ill defeated the Chola king Parantaka-I
and annexed the northern part of the Chola empire.
He then pressed down to Rameshwaram and set
up a pillar of victory there and built a temple.
 he Rashtrakutas patronized not only Shaivism and
Vaishnavism but Jainism as well.
 The great Apbhramsha poet, Svayambhu lived at
the Rashtrakuta court.
Cholas of Thanjavur
 Cholas were the greatest among all the south
Indian dynasties.
 Vijayalaya was the founder of Chola dynasty.
 Rajaraja-I annexed important territories in Indian
Ocean like Maldive Islands and Sri Lanka
(northern part) also called Anuradhapura, thereby
making Cholas a naval power. Cholas maintained
a huge navy.
 Rajaraja-I constructed Brihadisvara temple at
Thanjavur. It is also called Rajarajeswara temple.
It is the tallest temple in South India.
 Rajendra-I was the most important Chola king.
He controlled the whole of Indian Ocean. His
influence reached south east Asian islands.
 Rajendra-I sent an expedition to north India. His
army emerged victorious there and he assumed
the title “Gangaikonda Chola”.
 He constructed a new capital Gangaikondachola
puram. He also constructed a Shiva temple, also
called Brihadisvara temple.
ARRIVAL OF MUSLIMS
Mahmud of Ghazni
 In AD 1001, Mahmud defeated Jayapala, a Hindushahi
king who ruled from Peshawar in 1008-09.
 From 1008-1025-26, he made 17 raids into India
and the subsequent raids of Mahmud were aimed
at plundering the rich temples of cities.
 He completely destroyed the Somnath temple of
Gujarat in 1025 and looted its wealth.
 Al-Beruni accompanied Mahmud to India with his
army and Firdausi was a poet in the court of
Mahmud.He died in 1030 AD.
Mohammad Ghori
 In 1173, Mohammad Ghori ascended the throne at
Ghazni and started moving towards India around 1175.
Rakesh Yadav Readers Publication Pvt. Ltd
 He entered India through Gomal Pass and
conquered Multan ahd Uchch.
 In 1191, he was defeated by Prithviraja Chauhan in
the First Battle of Tarain and in 1192, he defeated
Prithviraja Chauhan in the Second Battle of Tarain.
 Prithviraja was captured and released. He ruled
over Ajmer for some time and soon after, executed
on a charge of conspiracy.
 In 1194, Mohammad Ghori defeated Jaichand, ruler
of Kannauj in Battle of Chandawar and killed him.
 He deputed Qutbuddin Aibak as incharge of his
Indian possessions.
 Mohammad Ghori led his last campaign into India
in 1206 in order to deal with the Khokhar
rebellion. He crushed the rebellion, but on his way
back to Ghazni, he was killed by a Muslim fanatic
belonging to a rival sect.
THE DELHI SULTANATE
Under Delhi Sultanate five dynasties ruled in a
hierarchical manner.
1. Slave Dynasty 2. Khilji Dyansty
3. Tughlak Dynasty 4. Sayyid Dyansty
5. Lodi Dynasty
After 1000 AD, Mahmud of Ghazni (Afghanistan)
encroached upon Indian territories for the first time
and then made these invasions almost an annual
feature. Later a herd of Muslim invaders followed, who
in turn established their kingdoms in India.
Prominent among them were Mohammad Ghori and
Mahmud of Ghazni.
The Sultanate of Delhi (1206 AD-1526 AD)
Mohammad Ghori’s conquests became the nucleus
of a new political entity in India.The Sultanate of Delhi
and the beginning of Muslim rule in India. The first
Sultanate dynasty was known as slave, its ruler
Altamash (1211 -1236 AD) was the son-in-law and
successor of Qutub-ud-din Aibak. The Slave Dynasty is
also famous for giving India its first woman king, Raziya
Sultan (1237- 1240 AD), the daughter and successor of
Altamash. She was followed by a very tough customer,
Ghiyas- ud-din Balban (1266-1286 AD) who gave the
Delhi Sultanate its character and finished the
consolidation work. Now the Sultanate saw the rise of
the Khaljis, together with Jalal-ud-din Khalji (1290-1296
AD) and Ala-ud-din Khalji (1296-1316 AD). They were
followed by the Tughlaqs who produced three strong
rulers-Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq (1320-1414 AD),
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq (1325- 1351 AD) and Feroz
Shah Tughlaq (1350-1388 AD). Another prominent
dynasty was Lodi dynasty. The last ruler of this dynasty
31

was Ibrahim Lodi (1517-1526 AD), who was a very
unpopular king. The reign of Lodi dynasty ended with
the arrival of Mughals.
1. Slave Dynasty (1206-1290)
 This dynasty was founded by llbari Turks. Hence,
it is also called llbari dynasty.
 This dynasty is also called Mamluk dynasty.
 It is called Slave dynasty because three important
Sultans of this dynasty were slaves. Qutbuddin
Aibak was a slave of Mohammad Ghori, lltutmish
or Altamash was a slave of Qutbuddin Aibak and
Balban was a slave of lltutmish.
(a) Qutbuddin Aibak (1206-1210)
 Qutbuddin Aibak was the founder of the first
Turkish kingdom in northern India. He ruled
from Lahore.
 He built two mosques, one at Delhi known as
Quwwat-ul-lslam and the other at Ajmer known
as Adhai Din Ka Jhompra.
 He was a great donator, hence called Lakh
Bakhsh i.e. giver of lakhs.
 He started construction of Qutub Minar which was
named after a sufi saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki.
 He died because of injuries received as the
result of a fall from his horse while playing
chaugan (Polo).
 Aram Shah, (1210-1211) son of Qutbuddin Aibak
succeeded him, but was killed by lltutmish.
(b) lltutmish (1211-1236)
 Qutbuddin Aibak gave his daughter in
marriage to lltutmish and subsequently
appointed him as governor of Badaun.
 He was the real founder of Delhi Sultanate.
He ruled from Delhi in place of Lahore.
 In 1221, he saved Delhi Sultanate from the
wrath of Chengiz Khan, the Mongol leader by
refusing shelter to Khwarizm Shah, whom
Chingiz Khan was chasing.
 He completed the construction of Qutub Minar.
 He issued the silver tanka and copper jital.
 He devised a system called Iqtadari System.
The head of an iqta was a muqti.
 He setup an official nobility of slaves known
as chahalgani (group of forty).
 He patronized Minhaj-us-Siraj, the author of
Tabaqat-i-Nasiri.
 He died due to illness in his palace in 1236.
(c) Raziya (1236-1240)
 Raziya, daughter of lltutmish was nominated
by him against the will of chahalgani.
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History
 She further offended the nobles and theologians
for her preference for an Abyssinian (Ethiopian)
officer, Jalaluddin Yakut.
 Soon after her accession, the governors of the
provinces of Multan, Badaun, Hansi and
Lahore openly revolted against her.
 There was a serious rebellion in Bhatinda
where Altunia, the governor of Bhatinda
refused to accept suzerainty of Raziya.
 Raziya accompanied by Yakut marched against
Altunia. However, Altunia got Yakut murdered
and imprisoned Raziya.
 Subsequenty Raziya married Altunia and proceeded
with her to Delhi to capture it by force. They were
defeated by Bahram Shah’s army and compelled to
return towards Bhatinda (Tabarhinda).
 Their troops deserted them and near Kaithal
(Haryana), they were murdered by some
robbers in 1240.
(d) Ghiyasuddin Balban (1265-1287)
 Balban was formerly one of the members of
chahalgani.
 He broke the power of chahalgani and restored
the prestige of the crown.
 He organized the spy system and created a
strong centralized army to deal with internal
disturbances.
 He introduced Persian etiquettes like sijda
(prostration before the monarch) and paibos
(kissing the feet of monarch) as the normal
forms of salutation.
 He established the military department diwan-i-arz.
 He also started the nauroj (Persian New Year)
festival to heighten the splendor of his court.
 Balban died in 1287 nominating Kai Khusrau,
son of the deceased prince Muhammad as his
successor. But, his nobles set aside Kai
Khusrau and placed another grandson of
Balban, Kaiqubad on the throne.
 The last Sultan of the Slave dynasty Kayumars
was put to death by Jalaluddin Khalji in 1290.
 He showed special attention to the poet Amir Khusrau.
2. Khalji Dynasty (1290-1320)
(a) Jalaluddin Khalji (1290-1296)
 He ascended the throne in 1290 at the age of
seventy.
 He was an iqtadar of an iqta and served Balban
for many years.
 He was a pious Muslim with the desire to be
recognized as the Mujahid-fi-Sabilillah (fighter
in the path of god).
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History
(b) Alauddin Khalji (1296-1316)
 His original name was Ali Gurshasp.
 He ascended the throne after getting his uncle
Jalaluddin Khalji murdered in 1296.
 He was the first Turkish Sultan of Delhi who
separated religion from politics. He proclaimed
“kingship knows no kinship”.
 In Deccan, Alauddin’s army led by his slave Malik
Kafur defeated Yadavas of Devagiri, Kakatiyas of
Warangal, Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra and Pandyas
of Madurai between 1308-1311.
 The Somnath temple which was rebuilt in mid
12th century was again demolished by Alauddin
Khalji.
 He was the first sultan of Delhi to lay the
foundation of a permanent standing army.
 He instituted the practice of recording the
descriptive roll of individual soldiers (huliya
or chehra) and branding of horses (dagh).
 He established the market control department
under a minister called diwan-i-riyasat. He
fixed the prices of food grains, cloth and other
commodities far below the usual market rates.
The markets were individually looked after by
Shahana-i-mandi.
 He fixed the state’s share at 50% of the gross
produce of the land. Besides this, Hindus were
required to pay the Jizya.
 He introduced the measurement of land with
a view of ascertaining the amount of land in
the possession of each cultivator and actual
produce thereof.
 He declared himself as Sikandar-i-Sani, the
second Alexander.
 He was a great patron of learning and fine arts.
Literary lights such as Amir Khusrau and Amir
Hasan resided at his court.
 He constructed Alai Darwaza, beautiful and
per fect specimen of early Turkish
architecture. He built fort of Siri and the
Palace of Thousand Pillars called Hazar Situn.
ALAUDDIN’S EXPEDITIONS
Expedition Year
Gujarat AD 1299
Ranthambhor 1300-1301
Warangal 1303 and 1308
Chittor 1303
Malwa 1305
Jalor 1311
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Amir Khusrau
 He was a prolific Persian poet associated with the
royal courts of more than seven rulers of Delhi
Sultanate during 1253-1325. Amir Khusrau was
a versatile person. He was a soldier, a composer
of poetry in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and a diplomat,
shrewd in court matters.
 He was also a good musician.
 He accompanied Alauddin Khalji on his Chittor
expedition. He talked about performing of Jauhar
by Rajput women there.
 Amir Khusrau is also known as Tuti-i-Hind or
Parrot of India.
Literary works of Amir Khusrau
Khazain-ul-Futuh Expeditions of Alauddin Khalji
(Tarikh-i-Alai)
Tughlaqnama History of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
Khamsah A collection of his five works
Miftahul Futuh The military campaigns of
Jalaluddin Khalji
Ashiqa & Khizr Khan Love story of Deval Rani
(c) Qutbuddin Mubarak Khalji (1316-1320)
 Shihabuddin Umar, grandson of Alauddin
Khalji was nominated as his successor. He was
placed on the throne by Malik Kafur.
 Mubarak Khan, son of Alauddin Khalji got Malik
Kafur murdered and raised himself to the throne
with the title of Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah.
 He appointed Khusrau as malik naib (prime
minister).
 He was killed by Khusrau in his palace in
1320. Later on, Khusrau was also killed by
Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq of Tughlaq dynasty.
3. Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414)
(a) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (1320-1325)
 He served as Alauddin’s muqti in Dipalpur
(Punjab) for several years.
 He had estranged relations with Sheikh
Nijamuddin Auliya.
 He sent two expeditions against the Kakatiya
rulers of Warangal, under the command of his
son, Jauna Khan. The first expedition (1321)
ended in a defeat by some heroic resistance by
the Kakatiyas, but the second (1323), managed
to secure the surrender of the kingdom.
33

 In 1324 he directed himself, a campaign against
Bengal, which had been an independent
principality since the death of Balban, and
annexed eastern and southern Bengal.
 He has the credit of improving the system of
communication, particularly perfecting the
postal system.
 Early in his reign, he laid the foundation of a
big palace fort called Tughlaqabad.
 He died in 1326 when a pavilion which was
erected by Jauna Khan for his reception, fell
upon him.
(b) Muhammad-bin Tughlaq (1325-1351)
 Jauna Khan became Muhammad-bin Tughlaq.
 He was the most learned Sultan of Delhi, but
he lacked practical judgment.
 He created the department of agriculture
which was called Diwan-i-Kohi.
 He is known for his experiments which failed
miserably. They are:
(i) Transfer of capital from Delhi to Devagiri
(in 1326-27) which was renamed as
Daulatabad.
(ii) Introduction of token currency in 1329-30.
(iii) Enhancement of land revenue in doab
region up to 50% of the produce.
 He issued maximum number of coins among
the Delhi Sultans. Hence, he has been called
as ‘prince of moneyers’.
 He faced maximum number of rebellions
among the Delhi sultans. Out of many
rebellions, two are important to mention, as
these led to the formation of two independent
kingdoms viz. Vijayanagara Kingdom (1336)
and Bahmani Kingdom (1349).
 He completed the construction of Tughlaqabad
fort and it was named as Jahanpanah by him.
 He proceeded to Sindh to punish a rebel and there
he was taken ill. He died due to the same in 1351.
 Moroccan traveller Ibn Batuta visited Delhi during
the reign of Muhammad-bin Tughlaq in 1333.
(c) Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388)
 He was a cousin of Muhammad-bin Tughlaq.
 After his accession, Firoz Tughlaq was faced
with the problem of preventing the imminent
breakup of Delhi Sultanate. So, he declared
his state as a Sunni Islamic State under the
influence of clergy.
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History
 He declared that whenever a noble dies, his
son should be allowed to succeed his position
including his iqta and if he had no son, his
son- in-law and in his absence his slave.
 He made jizya a separate tax, and he imposed
this tax upon the Brahmanas for the first time
in the history of Sultanate.
 His mostimportant contribution was the introduction
of a series of canals for irrigation purpose.
 He founded many towns viz. Firozabad,
Fatehabad, Hissar, Jaunpur and Ferozpur.
 He established a charity bureau which was
called Diwan-i-Khairat.
 He also established a charitable hospital Dar-
ul- Shifa.
 He patronized Ziauddin Barani and Shams-i-
siraj Afif. Two important works of history, namely
Fatwa-i-Jahandari and Tarikh-i-Firozshahi by
Barani were written during his reign.
 Firoz wrote his autobiography called as
Futuhat- i-Firozshahi.
 He also started translation of Sanskrit works
into Persian.
 He is known for his first effort to decode the
script of Ashokan pillars.
 His longest campaigns were to Thatta (Sind)
and Gujarat, during which he expressed
sadness for the sufferings of his soldiers and
pledged never to go to war again. The Thatta
expedition has been described as the most
mismanaged military operation in the entire
history of the Delhi Sultanate.
 His campaign against Nagarkot was his most
successful campaign.
 He died in 1388.
(d) Later Tughlaqs (1388-1414)
 On Firoz’s death in 1388, the throne of Delhi
was passed to his grandson Tughlaq Shah, who
assumed the title of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq II.
 Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq II offended his nobles by
his conduct. So they deposed him and placed
Abu Bakr, another grandson of Firoz Tughlaq
in 1389.
 Muhammad Khan, son of Firoz Tughlaq with
the help of some powerful officials deposed Abu
Bakr and placed himself on the throne in 1390.
 Muhammad Khan also could not rule for long.
He died due to illness in 1394.
 Alauddin Sikandar Shah, elder son of
Muhammad Khan succeeded him, but he also
died in 1395.
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History
 Nasir uddin Mahmud, younger son of
Muhammad Khan came to the throne in 1395.
 Nasiruddin Mahmud was the Sultan, when
Timur attacked in 1398.
 Timur fought and defeated Nasiruddin Mahmud
on December 17, 1398 at Delhi. Timur deputed
Khizr Khan to look after north west India.
 Nasiruddin Mahmud, the last ruler of the
dynasty died in 1413 and the Tughlaq dynasty
came to an end.
 The nobles chose one of them, named Daulat
Khan as Sultan.
SHARQI DYNASTY
 Malik Sarwar (1394-1399) was the founder of
Sharqi dynasty with capital at Jaunpur.
 Mubarak Shah (1399-1402) succeeded Malik Sarwar.
 Ibrahim Shah (1402-1440) was the most
acclaimed ruler of Sharqi dynasty.
 He was a great patron of art, architecture, cultural
development, etc.
 Under him Jaunpur evolved a distinct
architecture of its own which is known by the
name of Sharqi style of architecture.
 The construction of Atala mosque was completed
by Ibrahim Shah.
 The Lal Darwaza Mosque was built during the
reign of Mahmud Shah (1440-1456).
 The Jami Mosque was built in 1470 during the
reign of the last ruler Hussain Shah (1458-1479).
4. Sayyid Dynasty (1414-1451)
Khizr Khan (1414-1421)
 Khizr Khan defeated Daulat Khan and became
ruler of Delhi in 1414.
 He was the first and the most able ruler of the so
called Sayyid dynasty.
 He claimed to be the descendant of Prophet Muhammad.
 He did not assume the title of Sultan, but
contended ‘himself with that of Rayat-i-Ala.
 He died in 1421.
 He pretended to act as the Viceroy of Mirza
Shahrukh, the fourth son and successor of Timur.
5. Lodi Dynasty (1451-1526)
(a) Bahlol Lodi (1451-1489)
 Bahlol Lodi, an Afghan was the founder of Lodi dynasty.
 His main achievement was the restoration of a
part of the credit and prestige of the Delhi kingdom
which has fallen considerably low under the later
Tughlaqs and the Sayyids.
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 His second achievement was the conquest and
annexation of the kingdom of Jaunpur.
 He started coins called Bahloli.
(b) Sikandar Lodi (1489-1517)
 Nizam Khan, son of Bahlol Lodi came to the
throne in 1489 and assumed the title of
Sikandar Shah Lodi.
 He founded the city of Agra in 1504 and
transferred his capital from Delhi to Agra.
 He was a contemporary of Mahmud Begarha
of Gujarat and Rana Sanga of Mewar.
 He introduced a unit of measurement called
Gaz- i-Sikandari.
 He demolished famous Jwalamukhi temple at
Nagarkot. He charged jizya and pilgrim tax
from the Hindus with severity.
 He has written a book called Lahjat-i-Sikandari.
 A Sanskrit tr eatise on medicine was
translated into Persian under the name
Farhang-i-Sikandari during his reign.
 He built his father’s tomb at Delhi.
 He died due to illness in 1517.
(c) Ibrahim Lodi (1517-1526)
 Ibrahim, eldest son of Sikandar Lodi came to
throne with unanimous consent of Afghan
peers in 1517.
 He assumed the title Ibrahim Shah.
 He was defeated by Rana Sanga of Mewar.
 He offended the nobles through his conduct.
Daulat Khan Lodi, governor of Punjab assumed
virtual independence and opened negotiations
with Babur, the king of Kabul, whom he invited
to invade India and overthrow Ibrahim.
 Ibrahim Lodi was defeated and killed by Babur
in the First Battle of Panipat on April 21, 1526.
The Sultanate Administration
 The Wazir was the most important minister in
the Sultanate administration. Initially, he dealt
with matters of finance only but later on, his
controlling authority in practice was extended to
every branch of public administration.
 Amir was incharge of the royal guards of Sultan
and war like commander of army.
 Arz-i-Mamalik was the head of military department.
 Diwan-i-Risalat was presided over by a chief sadr
or chief qazi. It dealt with religious matters.
 The qazi dispensed civil law based on Muslim Law
(Sharia). The Hindus were governed by their own
personal laws, which were decided by panchayats
in villages.
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 Barids were the intelligence agents appointed by
the rulers in different parts of empire to keep
themselves informed of what was going on in their territory.
 Turks after conquering the country divided it into
number of tracts called iqtas, which were parcelled
among the leading Turkish nobles. The holders
of the office were called muqti or walis. It were
these iqtas, which later became province or subas.
 Provinces were followed by the shiqs and below
them were the pargana. The villages were grouped
into units of 100 or 84 traditionally called chaurasi.
The pargana was headed by amil. The most
important people in villages were the khuts (land-
owners) or muqaddam or headmen.
History
Taxation in Sultanate Period
Under the Sultanate period only four different
sources of revenue were sanctioned by the Quran - Kharaj,
Khams, Jizya and Zakat. But the Sultanate of Delhi
charged many taxes. Some of the taxes are given below:
 Zakat: The religious taxes were collectively known
as the Zakat. This was realized from well to do Muslims
amounting at the rate of 1/4th of one’s property.
 Jizya: This was the tax levied on non-Muslims in
return for the protection of life and property and
exemption from military services.
 Kharaj: It was the land tax realized from non- Muslims.

AUTHOR BOOK MAIN CONTENT

Abu Bakr Chachanama History of Sind
Alberuni Qanun-i-Maudis Astronomy
Alberuni Jawahir fil-Jawahir Mineralogy
Alberuni Kitab-ul-Hind Indian philosophy and sciences
Chand Bardai Prithviraj Raso Heroic exploits of Prithiviraja Chauhan III
Feroz Shah Tughlaq Futuhat-i-Firozshahi An autobiographical work
Firdausi Shahnama Empire of Mahmud Ghazni
Hasan Nizami Tajul Maasir History of the llbari dynasty
Ibn-Batuta Kitab-ul-Rehla Travelogue
Kalhana Rajatarangini A history of Kashmir
Minhas-us-Siraj Tabaqat-i-Nasiri History of the Islamic dynasty till 1260.
Malik Muhammad Jayasi Padmavat About Queen Padmavati
Shams-i-siraj Afif Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi History of Tughlaqs
Ziauddin Barani Fatwa-i-Jahandari Judicial advice on worldly affairs
Ziauddin Barani Tahkik-i-Firuz Shah History of Tughlaqs

PROVINCIAL KINGDOMS Vijayanagar Kingdom (AD 1336-1580)

Gujarat
 Broke away from Delhi in AD 1407 under Zafar Khan,
who assumed the title of Sultan Muzaffar Shah.
 His grandson Ahmed Shah I built a new city
Ahmedabad.
 The next prominent ruler was Mahmud Begarha.
During his rule Portuguese set up a factory at Diu.
Kashmir
 K as h mir was ruled by Hindu rulers until
Shamsuddin Shah asserted himself in AD 1339.
 The greatest ruler was Zain-ul-Abidin (AD 1420-
70), who is called the Akbar of Kashmir, built
Zaina lake and artificial island in Wular lake.
Mewar
 Rajput rule was restored by Rana Hamir after
Alauddin Khalji captured Chittor in AD 1303.
 The greatest was Rana Kumbha who built Vijay
Stambh at Chittor to commemorate his victory
over Mahmud Khalji of Malwa.
 Founded by Harihara I and Bukka I.
 Devaraya I built a dam across Tungabhadra river
and Italian traveller Nicolo de Conti visited his
court followed by Russian merchant Nikitin.
 Devaraya II, the greatest ruler, who was seen as
incarnation of Indra by Commoners; He was also
called ‘Gajabetekara’ (the elephant hunter) and
wrote Mahanataka Sudhanidhi and commentary
on the Brahma Sutras in Sanskrit; Persian
Ambassador Abdur Razzaq visited his court.
 Krishnadeva Raya (AD 1509-29) was the greatest
ruler. He was known as Abhinava Bhoja, Andhra
Pitamah and Andhra Bhoja because of being a
great patron of literature.
 In Battle of Talikota (AD 1565) Sadasiva, the last
ruler of Tuluva dynasty was defeated by alliance
of Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, Golconda and Bidar.

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History
THE TULUVA DYNASTY
Vira Narasimha (1505-1509)
 Vira Narasimha founded the Tuluva dynasty. He
was the son of Narasa Nayaka.
 He became king after the assassination of Immadi
Narasimha.
Krishna Deva Raya (1509-1529)
 Krishna Deva Raya was the younger brother of
Vira Narasimha.
 Saluva Timma, the Chief Minister of Vira
Narasimha, placed Krishna Deva Raya on the
throne, after imprisoning his two step brothers
and Vira Narasimha’s minor son.
 He built the Vijaya Mahal (House of Victory) and
expanded the Hazara Rama Temple (Hampi) and
the Vithal Swami Temple. He took the titles of
Yavanaraja Sthapanacharya (restorer of the
Yavana Kingdom, i.e. Bahamani) and Abhinava
Bhoja (Great patron of literature).
 He was a talented scholar in both Telugu and
Sanskrit. The Telugu work on his political ideas
is Amuktamalyada and the Sanskrit drama is
Jambavati Kalyanam.
 His court was adorned by the Ashta-diggajas (the
eight celebrated poet;). Tenalirama was one of them.
 After the death of Krishna Deva Raya, his half
brother Achyuta Raya succeeded him.
 A book The Forgotten Empire by Robert Swell talks
about Vijayanagar.
 In 1543 Sadashiva Raya ascended the throne and
reigned till 1567. Rama Raya was the leading
person in his court.
 Bijapur, Golconda and Ahmadnagar combined to
inflict a defeat of Vijayanagar at Bannihatti near
Talikota in 1565. This is also called Battle of
Talikota or the Battle of Rakshasa-Tangadi.
Features of Vijayanagar Empire
 It was a monarchy.
 Land tax was an important source of revenue for
the empire.
 Most of the kings followed Vaishnavism.
 Women were having a very honourable position
in the Vijaynagar society.
Famous Travellers to Vijaynagar Kingdom
Travellers Country Rulers
Ibn Batuta Morocco Harihara-I
Nicolo de conti Italy (Venice) Deva Raya-I
Abdur Razzak Persia Deva Raya-II
Domingo Paes Portugal Krishnadeva Raya
Duarte Barbosa Portugal Krishnadeva Raya
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Bahmani Kingdom
 The most remarkable figure in the Bahmani
kingdom was Firuz Shah Bahmani (1397-1422).
 He was well acquainted with the religious
sciences, i. e. commentaries on the Quran,
Jurisprudence, etc.
 He was particularly fond of the natural sciences
such as botany, geometry, logic, etc.
 He was a good calligraphist and a poet.
 Firoz Shah Bahmani was married to the daughter of
Deva Raya-I (1404-1422). However, Deva Raya-I
defeated him in 1419 for the Krishna-Godavari basin.
 Ahmad Shah-I, who is called a saint (wali) on
account of his association with the famous Sufi
saint Gesu Daraz succeeded Firoz Shah Bahmani.
 Ahmad Shah-I shifted the capital from Gulbarga
to Bidar.
 The Bahmani kingdom gradually expanded and
reached its height of power and territorial limits
during the Prime Ministership of Mahmud Gawan.
Parts of Bahmani Kingdom
KINGDOM FOUNDER DYNASTY
Golconda Sultan Quli Hamadani Qutab Shahi
or Qutbul Mulk
Bijapur Yusuf Adil Khan Adil Shahi
Ahmadnagar Ahmad Nizam Shahi
Berar Fatullah Imadul Imad Shahi Mu
Bidar Qasim Barid Barid Shahi
Religious Movements
 Form of worship of the goddess was often called as
‘Tantric’. Tantric practices were spread in
different parts of sub-continent. Both men and
women were free to take part in it.
 Ideas of Tantric practices also influenced
Shaivism and Buddhism, especially in the
eastern, northern and southern parts of sub-
continent. All of these beliefs and practices were
classified as ‘Hindu’.
 The Bhakti tradition includes the devotion of deity
in temples and to ecstatic adoration where
devotees attained a state of trance. The singing and
chanting of devotional composition was generally a
part of these kinds of worship.
 Historians of religion generally divide Bhakti
traditions into two categories and these were Saguna
(with attributes) and Nirguna (without attributes).
 Earliest Bhakti movements were led by the Alvars
and Nayanars. Alvars were devotees of Vishnu and
Nayanars were devotees of Shiva. They travelled
from one place to another singing hymns in Tamil
language in praise of their gods.
37

 Some historians are of the opinion that Alvar and
Nayanar saints raised their voice against caste
system and dominance of Brahmanas. This fact
seems to be true for some extent because Bhakti
saints belonged to different communities like
Brahmanas, artisans, farmers, etc.
 One of the major themes of Tamil Bhakti hymns
was their opposition to Jainism and Buddhism.
Historians gave the reason of this opposition that
there was a competition between these religious
communities to attain royal patronage.
 Powerful Chola rulers gave their support to
Brahmanical and Bhakti traditions. They gave
land grants to build Vishnu and Shiva temples.
 Nayanar and Alvar saints were greatly respected
by the Vellala peasants. That is why rulers also
tried to win their support.
 A new movement emerged in Karnataka in 12th
century which was led by a Brahmana Basavanna
(1106-1168). His followers were called as Virashaivas
(heroes of Shiva) or Lingayats (wearers of Linga).
 Lingayats believed that the devotees will be
united with Shiva after their death and will
not return to this world. That is why they do
not practice funeral rites and Shradhas, given
in Dharmashastras, and ceremonially bury
their dead.
 Lingayats also opposed the idea of caste and pollution
labelled by Brahmanas on certain communities.
They also questioned the theory of rebirth.
 Many new religious leaders challenged the
authority of Vedas and expressed their views in
language of general masses. Over the centuries,
these languages developed into the ones used today.
 Theoretically, Muslim rulers had to follow the path
of ‘Ulemas’. It was expected from Ulemas that
they ruled according to the Sharia. But situation
in sub-continent was complex because a large
portion of population did not believe in Islam.
 ‘Zimmis’ were the non-Muslims who lived in the
areas of Islamic rulers. They paid a tax called
‘Jaziya’. In lieu of Jaziya, they were protected by
their Muslim rulers.
 Institutionally, the Sufis started to organise the
Khanqah (Persian). Khanqah was controlled by a
teaching master called as Shaikh (in Arabic), pir
or murshid (in Persian).
 Sufi silsilas began to organise in different
parts of Islamic world around 12th century.
The t erm ‘Silsila’ lit erally means a chain
which signified a continuous link between a
master and his disciple.
38
History
 Some mystic men started movements on the basis
of radical interpretation of Sufi ideas. These
mystics scorned the Khanqah, took to mendicancy
and observed celibacy. They ignored rituals and
observed extreme forms of asceticism. They were
known by different names like Qalandars,
Malangs, Madaris, Haidaris, etc.
 The Khanqah was the centre of social life. Khanqah
of Shaikh Nizam-ud-din Auliya (14th century) had
many small rooms and a big hall called as Jamaat
Khana.
 Ziyarat to the tomb of Sufi saints is prevalent all
over the Islamic world. This practice is an
occasion to seek the spiritual grace of Sufi saint.
 This dargah of Ajmer had become very popular by
the 16th century. The spiritual singing of pilgrims
bound for Ajmer inspired Akbar to visit the tomb.
He visited the tomb 14 times. He gave generous
gifts on each of his visit.
 Chishtis not only adopted local language in ‘Sama’
but people of Delhi associated with Chishti Silsila
as they talked with people in Hindavi, the
language of the people.
 One of the major features of Chishti tradition was
austerity. They maintained a distance from worldly
power. The Sufis generally accepted unsolicited
grants and donations from the political elites.
 The Chishtis accepted donations in cash and kind.
But they did not accumulate donations. They liked
to use these grants on immediate requirements of
food, clothes, living quarters and ritual necessities.
 Kabir occupies a special place among all the poet
saints. Verses of Kabir have been compiled in three
distinct traditions. First is Kabir Bijak which is
preserved by the Kabirpanth in Varanasi. Second is
Kabir Granthavali which is associated with the
Dadupanth in Rajasthan. Third is that many of his
compositions are found in the ‘Adi Granth Sahib’.
 Kabir used a range of traditions to describe the
ultimate reality like Islamic tradition, he called the
ultimate reality as Allah, Hazrat, Khuda and Pir.
 Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in a Hindu family (1469-
1539) in a village Nankana Sahib of Punjab (at present
in Pakistan). The messages of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
are spelt out in his hymns and teachings.
 The fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, compiled all the
hymns of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, his four successors,
Baba Farid, Ravidas Ji and Kabir, etc., in the ‘Adi
Granth Sahib’. These hymns are known as ‘Gurbani’.
 Mirabai is perhaps the best known poet of Bhakti
tradition. She was married against her will to a prince
of the Sisodia clan of Mewar. She declined to perform
traditional roles of wife and mother and recognised one
of Vishnu’s avatar ‘Krishna’ as her only husband.
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History
Some Major Religious Teachers in the Subcontinent
C. 500-800 CE Appar, Sambandar, Sundaramurti
in Tamil Nadu.
C. 800-900 Nammalvar, Manikkavachakar,
Andal, Tondaradippodi in Tamil Nadu.
C. 1000-1100 Al Hujwiri, Data Ganj Baksh in Punjab,
Ramanujacharya in Tamil Nadu.
C. 1100-1200 Basavanna in Karnataka.
C. 1200-1300 Jnanadeva, Muktabhai in
Maharashtra; Khwaja Muin-ud-din
Chishti in Rajasthan; Baha-ud-din
Zakariyla and Farid-ud-din Ganj-i-
Shakar in the Punjab, Qutub-ud-
din Bakhtiyar Kaki in Delhi.
C. 1300-1400 Lal Ded in Kashmir, Lal Shahbaz
Qalandar in Sind; Nizam-ud-din
Auliya in Delhi, Ramananda in
Uttar Pradesh;
C. 1400-1500 Kabir, Raidas, Surdas in Uttar
Pradesh; Baba Guru Nanak in the
Punjab, Shankardeva in Assam;
Tukaram in Maharashtra.
C. 1500-1600 Sri Chaitanya in Bengal; Mirabai
in Rajasthan, Shaikh Abdul Quddus
Gangohi, Malik Muhammad Jaisi,
Tulsidas in Uttar Pradesh.
C. 1600-1700 Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi in
Haryana; Miyan Mir in the Punjab.
Bhakti Saints
 Ramanuja: In 11th century Ramanuja tried to
assimilate Bhakti to the tradition of Vedas. He
argued that grace of God was more important than
knowledge about him in order to attain salvation.
The tradition established by Ramanuja was followed
by number of thinkers such as Madhvacharya,
Ramananda, Vallabhacharya and others.
 Ramadasa (1608): He established ashramas all
over India. It was from him that Shivaji received
the inspiration to overthrow Muslim authority
and found the kingdom.
 Gurunanak (1469-1539 AD): He was a mystique
of Nirguna School. But his followers branched off
from Hinduism and founded a separate religious
system. He became a wandering preacher of a
casteless, universal, ethical, anti-ritualistic
monotheistic and highly spiritual religion.
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 Surdas (1483-1513 AD): He belonged to Saguna
school. He was a disciple of famous religious
teacher Vallabhacharya. He sang the glory of
Krishna’s childhood and youth in his Sursagar.
 Tulsi Das (1532-1623 AD): He belonged to Saguna
school Hindu Mystics. He composed the famous
Ramacharitamanas.
Sufism
 Those saints among the Muslims who advocated
a life of purity and renunciation were called
sufis. Another view is that the word sufi came
out of the word Sooph meaning wool.
 Sufism sprang from the doctrine of Wahadat-ul-
wajud or unit of being. This doctrine was
propounded by lbn-ul-Arabi (1165-1240) AD.
 One of the earliest sufis was a woman saint
Rabin of Basra who laid great emphasis on love
as bond between god and individual soul.
 The sufis were organized in 12 orders or Silsilas.
The silsilas were generally led by a prominent mystic
who lived in Khanqah along with his disciples.
 The link between the teacher or Pir and his
disciple or Murid was a vital part of Sufi system.
Every Pir nominated a successor or Wali to carry
out his work.
THE MUGHAL EMPIRE
Topics
 Mughal Emperors and their works
 Sur Dynasty
 Later Mughals
 The Marathas and The Sikhs
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER/ FACTS,
FIGURES & IMPORTANT EVENTS
 Jalal-ud-din Akbar is considered as the greatest
Mughal ruler. He not only expanded his empire
but also consolidated it and made it one of the
strongest and the richest empires of this time.
 Akbar made Persian as the main language of
the Mughal court. Probably, the emperor was
motivated, for this, by cultural and intellectual
contacts with Iran and regular stream of Iranian
and Central Asian migrants.
 Picture possessed special powers of communicating
ideas about the powers of a king and his kingdom.
 Mughal artists began to portray kings wearing a
halo. These halo were the symbols of divine
light. These pictures show that rulers possessed
divine power to rule over the empire.
39

 The idea of Sulh-i-Kul was motivated by the unification
and peace among all classes and racial and religious
communities. All the religions and schools of thought
in Sulh-i-Kul had the freedom of expression.
 Jahanara was the daughter of the Mughal
emperor, Shah Jahan. She took part in many
architectural plannings of the new capital of
Shah Jahan, Shahjahanabad (Delhi). These
included two storeyed building Caravan Saraya
with a garden and a court room.
 Painters had an important role in the creation
of the Mughal manuscripts. A lot of people were
involved in this work. Paper makers were required
to prepare folios of manuscript, calligraphers copied
the texts, gilders illuminated the pages, painters
illustrated the seen from the text.
 Badshahnama, like Akbarnama, is also the
official history, which has three volumes (daftar).
Every volume consisted of information of ten
lunar years.
 Every department of the administration had a large
support staff including accountants, clerks,
messengers, auditors and other functionaries.
They were functioning according to like
standardised rules and procedures.
 Every province was divided into many Sarkars. The
Sarkars often overlapped with the jurisdiction of the
faujdars. Faujdars in these districts were deployed
with the contingents of heavy cavalry and musketeers.
 Abul Fazl gave the highest place to the Mughal
kingship in the order of objects, which received
light from the God. In this regard, he was very
much influenced by the ideas of famous Iranian-
Sufi Shahab-Al-Din Suhrawardi.
 Gulbadan Begum was the daughter of Babur and
the sister of Humayun. She wrote Humayunama,
which gives us a glimpse into the domestic world
of the Mughals. She could write fluently in
Turkish as well as Persian.
 The place of all the courtiers was determined by
the king himself. When an emperor sat on his
throne then no one was allowed to move from his
position or to leave without permission.
 Jharokha darshan was introduced by Akbar.
According to this, the emperor used to begin his
day at sunrise with a few religious prayers. Then,
he used to appear on a small balcony, i.e., the
Jharokha facing the east direction.
 People using Persian language, in the 16th and
17th centuries, came from different parts of the
sub-continent and they even spoke other Indian
languages. That is why local idioms were absorbed
and Persian too became Indianised.
40
History
 Abul Fazl worked for thirteen years on Akbarnama.
He repeatedly revised its drafts. This chronicle is
based on the actual descriptions of the events,
royal document s and oral testimonies of
knowledgeable persons.
 After Noor Jahan, the Mughal queens and
princesses began to control the financial
resources. The daughters of Shah Jahan,
Jahanara and Roshanara, had annual income,
which was equal to higher mansabdars.
 Turani and Iranian nobles were already present
in Akbar’s court right from the beginning of the
inception of Mughal empire. Some of them came
to India with Humayun and some of them later
on migrated to the Mughal court.
Important Terms
 Calligr aphy: The art of handwr iting, was
considered a skill of great importance.
 Axis Mundi: It is a Latin phrase for a pillar or
pole that is visualised as the support of the earth.
 Tajwiz: It was a petition presented by a nobleman
to the emperor, recommending that an applicant
be recruited as mansabdar.
 Faujdar: The chief off icer of the Sar kar
(administrative unit) was called faujdar. He was
in charge of law and order in his territory.
 Amalguzar: Amalguzar was one of the chief
officers of Sarkar. He was responsible for the
assessment and collection of the land revenue.
 Diwan-i-ala: Wazir occupied an important place
in the central administrative set up of Akbar.
Akbar generally used the title of Diwan-i-ala in
preference to the word Wazir. Diwan-i-ala was an
expert in revenue affairs.
 Barids: Intelligence officers were called Barids.
 Qazi: During the Akbar’s reign the chief judicial
officer was known as Qazi.
 Zawabit: Zawabit meant secular laws.
 Sharah: Sharah means Islamic law.
 Chitrics: Chitrics was the official who helped the
emperor with his correspondency.
 Debir: The Debir was master of ceremonies and also
helped the emperor in his dealings with foreign affairs.
 Majumdar: Accountant in the administration of
Shivaji was called Majumdar.
 Mokasa: By mokasa we mean the jagirs given to
the officials during the Maratha rule.
 Deshmukh: Zamindars w ere known as
Deshmukhs during Shivaji’s times.
 Chauth: Chauth (one fourth) was tax imposed and
collected by Shivaji from Mughal territories
bordering his kingdom.
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History
 Paga: The regular army under Shivaji was called Paga. MUGHAL EMPERORS
IMPORTANT DATES 1. Babur (1526-1530)
 First Battle of Panipat 1526 A.D.  He was the founder of Mughal dynasty in India.
 Battle of Khanwah 1527 AD. He was a direct descendant of Timur, and believed
himself to be a descendant also of Chengiz khan
 Battle of Chanderi 1528 A.D. through his mother.
 Battle of Ghagra 1529 A.D.  He was invited to attack India by Daulat Khan Lodi
 Babar’s death 1530 A.D. (Subedar of Punjab), Ibrahim Lodi’s uncle Alam
Khan Lodi and Rana Sanga.
 Battle of Chausa between 1539 A.D.
 He was successful in his fifth expedition to India,
Humayun and Sher
when he defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle
Shah Suri of Panipat on April 21, 1526.
 Battle of Kannauj 1540 A.D.  He took keen interest in the development of
 Sher Shah’s death 1545 A.D. gardens.
 Humayun’s re-installation 1555 A.D.  He wrote Tuzuk-i-Baburi or Baburnama in Turkish.
to throne  He died in 1530 and was buried first at Arambagh
 Humayun’s death 1556 A.D. in Agra. Roughly nine years later his body was
 Akbar’s coronation 14th February, taken to Kabul and buried there.
1556 A.D. Battles fought by Babur
 Second Battle of Panipat 19th November
1556 A.D. Battle Year Outcome
 Jahangir came into the throne 1605 A.D. First Battle of Panipat 1526 Babur defeated Ibrahim
 Arrival of Hawkins in Mughal 1609 A.D. Lodi.
Court Battle of Khanwa 1527 Babur defeated Rana
 Arrival of Sir Thomas Roe in 1615 A.D. Sanga.
Jahangir’s court Battle of Chanderi 1528 Babur defeated Medini
Rai.
 Jahangir’s death 1627 A.D.
Battle of Ghaghra 1529 Babur defeated joint
 Aurangzeb passed away in 1707 A.D.
forces of Afghans and
Some Major Mughal Chronicles and Memiors the Sultan of Bengal.

C. 1530 Manuscript of Babur’s Memo- 2. Humayun (1530-1540 and 1555-1556)

ries in Turkish—saved from a
storm—becomes part of the fam-
ily collection of the Timurids.
C. 1587 Gulbadan Begum begins to
write the Humayunama.
1589 Babur’s memoirs translated
into Persian as Baburnama.
1589-1602 Abul Fazl works on the Akbarnama.
1605-22 Jahangir writes his memoirs,
the Jahangirnama.
1639-47 Lahori composes the first two
daftars of the Badshahnama.
C. 1650 Muhammad Waris begins to
chronicle the third decade of
Shah Jahan’s reign.
1668 Alamgirnama, a history of the
first ten years of Aurangzeb’s reign
compiled by Muhammad Kazim.
 Humayun succeeded his father Babur, but as per
the Timurid tradition he was forced to share power
with his brothers. Thus Sulaiman was given
Badakhshan, Kamran inherited Kabul and Qandhar,
while Askari and Hindal received Sind. He built
Dinpanah at Delhi as his second capital. He faced a
formidable opponent in the Afghan, Sher Shah Suri.
 He was defeated in the Battle of Chausa by Sher
Shah Suri in 1539.
 He was again defeated in the Battle of Bilgram
(Kannauj) by Sher Shah Suri in 1540.
 Defeat at Kanauj compelled Humayun to leave India.
He fled to the refuge of Safavid empire in Persia.
 After the death of Sher Shah Suri in 1545, Humayun
conquered Qandhar and re-established his control
over Kabul with the help of Shah Tahmasp.
 He defeated the forces of Sikandar Suri and
occupied Agra and Delhi in 1555.

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 History
 His sister, Gulbadan Begum wrote his biography, 1. Akbar’s Administration
Humayunama.  Akbar divided his entire empire into 12 subas in
 His wife Hamida Banu Begum built his tomb at 1580. These were Bengal, Bihar, Allahabad, Agra,
Delhi, which is known as Humayun’s tomb. Delhi, Lahore, Multan, Kabul, Ajmer, Malwa and
 He died in 1556, when he fell from the stairs of Gujarat. A Subahdar, Diwan, Bakshi, Sadr, Qazi
his library were appointed at each of these provinces.
 The provinces were further divided into Sarkars
3. Akbar (1556-1605) and Parganas.
 Akbar was 14 years old when he was crowned at  Chief officers of the Sarkar were Fauzdar and
Kalanaur in 1556. Amalguzar, the former being in charge of law and
 He defeated Hemu, wazir of Adil Shah Suri in order and the later responsible for the assessment
Second Battle of Panipat in 1556. and collection of the land revenue.
 Between 1556-1560, Akbar ruled under the  The entire land of empire was divided into Jagir,
regency of Bairam Khan. Khalisa and Inam lands.
 On advice of foster mother, Akbar took control of  Akbar reorganized the central machinery of the
the empire from Bairam Khan. administration on the basis of division of power
 Akbar married Hira Kunwari, who was a Kachwaha between the various departments.
princess. She took the name Jodha Bai and was
the mother of Prince Salim, who later became the 2. Akbar’s Religious Policies
Mughal emperor Jahangir.  Akbar built an Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) at
 Akbar sent Raja Man Singh of Amber to confront Fatehpur Sikri in 1575 to discuss religious
Rana Pratap Singh of Mewar in the historic Battle matters of faith. He invited many distinguished
of Haldighati in 1576. In this battle Rana Pratap persons belonging to different religions.
Singh was defeated.  Akbar abolished the pilgrimage tax on Hindus in
 At the time of Akbar, there were five leading 1563. He abolished Jizya in 1579.
states of the Deccan viz. Khandesh, Ahmadnagar,  Akbar introduced a new Khutba, written by Faizi
Berar, Bijapur and Golconda. and proclaimed Mahzarnama in 1579, which made
 He built Buland Darwaza in Fatehpur Sikri in him the final interpreter of Islamic law presented
memory of victory over Gujarat. by the Ulemas (mujtahid Imam-i-Adil) in case of
 In 1579, he issued a decree called ‘Mahzarnama’ any controversies.
and took control of the law in his own hands.  His liberalism is reflected again in the
 In 1585, he transferred his capital to Lahore in pronouncement of Tauhid-i-Illahi or Din-i-Ilahi,
order to effect a greater integration of the north which propounded sufi divine monotheism. Din-
west into the Mughal empire. i-Ilahi was viewed more as an order of people with
 His last campaign w as against Asirgarh a motto of peace with all (Sulhi-Kul) rather than
(Khandesh) in 1601. a chosen religion.
 Birbal, Abul Fazl and Faizi joined Din-i-Ilahi.
AKBAR’S CAMPAIGN
3. Akbar’s Court
Year Against  In Akbar’s court there were nine versatile
1561 Baz Bahadur of Malwa personalities which were eminent in various
1564 Rani Durgawati of Garh Katanga fields. They were called nine gems or Navratnas.
 The Navratnas included Todar Mal, Abul Fazl, Faizi,
1567 Chittor (Mewar)
Birbal, Tansen, Abdur Rahim Khan-i- Khana, Mullah-
1572 Gujarat do-Pyaza, Raja Man Singh and Fakir Aziao-Din.
1574 Bengal  Akbar established the painting karkhana, headed
1576 Rana Pratap Singh of Mewar by Abdus Samad.
1581 Kabul  Ralph Fitch was the first Englishman to visit
1586 Kashmir Akbar’s court in 1585.
 Abul Fazl wrote Akbarnama, the appendix of which
1593 Chandbibi of Ahmadnagar
was called Ain-i-Akbari. This section deals with the
1601 Khandesh (Asirgarh) laws and revenue system during the reign of Akbar.

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History
4. Jahangir (1605-1627)
 After the death of Akbar, his eldest and the only
surviving son, Salim became king under the title
of Nuruddin Muhammad Jahangir.
 In 1611, Jahangir married Mehr-un-Nisa who was
later known as Nurjahan. She was the daughter
of Itmaduddaulah.
 Nurjahan exercised tremendous influence over
state affairs. She was made the official Begum.
 In 1612, Nurjahan arranged the marriage of
Jahangir’s second son Khurram (Shahjahan) to
her brother Asif Khan’s daughter Arjumand Banu
(later known as Mumtaz Mahal).
 Jahangir banned slaughter of animals on Sunday
and Thursday.
 He established Zanjeer-e-adal at Agra Fort for the
seekers of royal justice.
 Khusrau (son of Jahangir), who received
patronage of Guru Arjan Dev, revolted against
Jahangir. The fifth Sikh Guru Arjan Dev was later
sentenced to death for his blessings to the rebel
prince.
 Khurram (Shahjahan) supported by his father-in-
law, Asif Khan, also revolted against Jahangir but
the two soon reconciled.
 Jahangir was well read and he wrote his memoirs
Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri in Persian.
 John Hawkins resided at Agra for two years (1609-
11). He was given the mansab of 400.
 Sir Thomas Roe (1615-18) who was ambassador of
James-I came to the court of Jahangir.
 Jahangir died in 1627 in Kashmir and was buried
at Lahore.
5. Shahjahan (1627-1658)
 Shahjahan took the charge of Mughal empire on
the death of Jahangir in 1628.
 It is said that, the Kingdom founded by Babur,
nurtured by Akbar, consolidated by Jahangir,
reached t o its zenith during the reign of
Shahjahan.
 The first thing that Shahjahan had to face was
revolts in Bundelkhand (Jujhar Singh Bundela of
Orchcha) and the Deccan (Khan-i-Jahan Lodi, the
governor of Deccan).
 In 1612 he married Arzumand Banu who became
famous as Mumtaz Mahal.
 In 1632, he defeated Portuguese and annexed
Ahmadnagar in 1636.
 Shahjahan built Moti Masjid (Agra); Red Fort
(Delhi); Jama Masjid (Delhi) and Taj Mahal (Agra).
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 After the sickness of Shahjahan in 1657 the war
of succession for the Mughal crown began.
 In 1657 Shahjahan’s eldest son Dara was with
him at Agra, Suza was governor in Bengal,
Aurangzeb was Viceroy in Deccan and the
youngest son Murad was governor in Gujarat.
 During the war of succession, Shahjahan’s two
daughters Jahanara and Roshanara supported his
two sons, Dara and Aurangzeb, respectively.
 Aurangzeb defeated the Mughal forces lead by Dara
in the Battle at Samugarh near Agra.
 Till 1661, Aurangzeb either killed or executed all
his brothers.
 Shahjahan passed the remaining years of his life
till 1666 in the capitivity of Aurangzeb.
 French traveller Bernier and Tavernier and the
Italian traveller Manucci visited India during the
reign of Shahjahan.
6. Aurangzeb (1658-1707)
 Aurangzeb crowned himself as emperor of Delhi
in 1658 and took the title of Alamgir. But his
second and formal coronation took place when he
defeated Dara in 1659.
 He forbade inscription of Kalma on the coins.
 He reimposed Jizya in 1679. He abolished the
inland transit duties (rahdari) and the octroi
(pandari).
 He ended the celebration of Nauroj (New Year’s
celebration) festival.
 He prohibited intoxicating drugs and destroyed the
Vishwanath temple of Varanasi.
 He forbade music in the court.
 He ended the ceremony of weighing the emperor on
his birthdays and the practice of Jharokha darshan.
 Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Guru of Sikhs, was
besieged and taken to Delhi where he was
beheaded in 1679.
 According to the Treaty of Purandar between
Shivaji and Jai Singh (the viceroy of Agra) in 1666,
Shivaji ceded some forts to Mughals and agreed to
pay a visit to the Mughal Court at Agra. But when
Shivaji went to Agra he was dissatisfied with the
reception and he secretly escaped from Agra.
 In 1689, Sambhaji, the eldest son of Shivaji, was
captured and beheaded by Aurangzeb.
 Aurangzeb compiled Fatwa-i-Alamgiri.
 Aurangzeb destroyed several Hindu temples e.g.
the Keshav Rai temple built by Raja Bir Singh in
Mathura, the Vishwanath temple built by Raja
Man Singh in Benaras.
43

 Aurangzeb died in 1707 in Ahmadnagar and was
buried near Daulatabad near the grave of Sheikh
Jail-ul-Haq.
 During his reign, the Mughal empire reached to
its territorial climax.
Mughal Architecture
 Mausoleum of Akbar’s father Humayun at Delhi
was most prominent construction in Delhi. It, like
the Dinpanah was in vicinity of Nizamuddin
Chisti’s Dargah.
 Akbar built Agra fort in 1571. According to Abul Fazl,
the Agra Fort contained more than 500 stone buildings.
 In 1573, Akbar built Buland Darwaza to comme-
morate Gujarat victory which formed the main
entrance to Fatehpur Sikri. It is built in the
Iranian style of half dome portal.
 Salim Chisti’s tomb (redone in marble by Jahangir
is the first Mughal building in pure marble),
palaces of Birbal, Anup Talao, Mariyam Mahal are
also inside Fatehpur Sikri.
 Akbar also built the Jahangir Mahal in Agra fort
according to Hindu design based on Man Mandir.
 Jahangir built a mausoleum of Akbar at Sikandra,
near Agra which is having resemblance to Panch
Mahal at Fatehpur Sikri.
 Nurjahan built a white marble mausoleum for her
father Itmad-ud-daulah near Agra. It used semi
precious stones in marbles. This technique was
known as Pietra Dura.
 During Shahjahan’s reign, the Mughal
Architecture reached to its zenith. Shahjahan
built Jami Mosque at Ajmer, his father’s
mausoleum at Lahore and Jama Masjid in Delhi.
 Shahjahan also built Shalimar Garden in Kashmir.
 Shahjahan also built Taj Mahal (in the memory of
his wife Mumtaz Mahal) at Agra and Red Fort at Delhi.
 Aurangzeb was not that good in the construction
of monuments, however he built Moti Masjid at
Delhi and Bibi Ka Maqbara at Aurangabad.
Mughal Painting
 The Mughal school of painting began with
Humayun who became familiar with Persian art
during his exile at Persia.
 Humayun took renowned painters of Persia into
service. Prominent of them were Sayyid Ali, Abdus
Samad, Dost Muhammad and Mir Musavvir.
 The Mughals introduced new themes depicting
the court, battle scenes and the chase and added
new colours (peacock blue and Indian red).
 Jaswant and Daswanth were two famous painters
of Akbar’s court.
44
History
 Apart from illustrating Persian books of fables
(Razmnama) the painters illustrated Ramzanama
(the Persian translation of Mahabharata) and
Akbarnama.
 Mughal painting reached to its zenith during Jahangir’s
rule. Jahangir was a great patron of painting.
Mughal Administration
 Mughal empire was divided into Subas. Subas
were further subdivided into Sarkar, Parganas and
Villages.
 However, it also had other territorial units such
as Khalisa (royal land), Jagirs (autonomous rajas)
and inams (gifted lands, mainly waste lands).
Mughal Economy
 Mansabdari system was introduced by Akbar.
 Jagirdari system was the assignment of land in
proportion to a jagirdar’s salary. Hence, every
Mansabdar was entitled to a jagir if he was not
paid in cash. A jagir could be transferred and the
jagirdar had no police powers over the land.
 The revenue was collected by state machinery in
alliance with local zamindars who got their due share.
 Apart from land revenue (charged 1/3 to 1/2) the
state being a military state, also depended upon
benefits of conquest. However, much of its revenue
was wasted in ostentation and wars.
 There were several methods of revenue collection
in practice viz. Kankut (estimate), ‘Zabt’ (based
on the yields of crops).
 Zamindars were hereditary claimants in every
category of land revenue assignment. They
collected revenue on behalf of the state and
received assistance called nankar of Malikana.
Sur Dynasty
(a) Sher Shah
 Sher Shah founded the Sur Dynasty after
defeating Humayun in 1540 in the Battle of
Bilgram. He had already defeated Humayun
in the Battle of Chausa in 1539.
 His original name was Farid and his father
was a small jagirdar at Jaunpur.
 The title of Sher Khan was given to him by
his patron for killing a tiger (Sher).
 Ibrahim Lodi transferred his father’s Jagir to him.
 In 1527-28 he joined Babur’s service, and then
returned to Bihar as deputy governor and
guardian of the minor king Jalal Khan Lohani.
In 1530, he usurped the throne as Hazrat-i-Ala.
 He ruled for 5 years only. He died in 1545,
while he was conquering Kalinjar, due to a
blast over there.
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History
(b) Islam Shah
 Sher Shah was succeeded by his second son
Islam Shah, who ruled till 1553.
 Islam Shah was a capable ruler and general,
but most of his energies were occupied with
the rebellions raised by his brothers, and with
tribal feuds among the Afghans.
 Islam Shah’s death at a young age led to a
civil war among the successors.
 Thus, Humayun got the opportunity, he had been
seeking for recovering his empire in India.
 In hotly contested battles in 1555, he defeated
the Afghans and recovered Delhi and Agra.
Sur Administration
 Sur Empire was divided into 47 units or sarkars.
Sarkars were further subdivided into parganas.
 In every pargana, there was one amin, one
shiqdar, one cashier, one writer in Hindi and one
in the Persian.
 Shiqdar-i-Shiqdaran was the chief officer of every sarkar.
 Every pargana was divided into a number of
villages. The important officers of the villages were
muqaddam, chowdhary and patwari.
 He continued the centr al machinery of
administration which had developed during the
Sultanate period.
 He organised high class espionage system.
 The diwani cases were heard by the amins and the
criminal cases were heard by the qazi or Mir-i-Adal.
Munshif-i-Munshifan was the Diwani Court.
 All internal customs and duties were abolished.
Only two duties were levied.
 Land was measured using the Sikandari-gaz (a
unit of measure introduced by Sikandar Lodi) and
one third of the average was fixed as tax.
 The peasant was given a patta (title deed) and a
qabuliyat (deed of agreement) and the taxes were
directly collected.
 He planted trees on both sides of the roads and he
built Sarais and Guest Houses for the stay of the
people.These sarais were also functioned as the
post offices.
 He introduced a good system of the post offices.
 He built the fort of Rohtasgarh and the old Delhi fort.
 He also constructed his tomb at Sasaram.
 Sher Shah Sur took keen interest in the
development of roads. He restored the old imperial
road called the Grand Trunk Road from the river
Indus in the west to Sonargaon in Bengal.
 He also built a road from Agra to Jodhpur and
Chittor evidently linking up with the road to the
Gujarat seaports.
Rakesh Yadav Readers Publication Pvt. Ltd
 He built a third road from Lahore to Multan.
 Some of the finest works in Hindi, such as the
Padmavat of Malik Muhammad Jayasi, were
completed during Sher Shah’s reign.
 Sher Shah was not a bigot in the religious sphere,
as is evident from his social and economic policy.
Neither Islam Shah nor he depended on the
Ulema, though they respected them with a great deal.
LATER MUGHALS
Bahadur Shah I (1707-1712)
 Aurangzeb died in 1707. A war of succession started
amongst his three surviving sons viz. Muzzam the
governor of Kabul, Azam the governor of Gujarat
and Kam Baksh the governor of Bijapur. Muzzam
defeated Azam and Kam Baksh and ascended the
Mughal throne with the title of Bahadur Shah.
 Muzzam pursued pacifist policy and was therefore
also called Shah Bekhaber.
 He also assumed the title of Shah Alam I.
 He made peace with Guru Gobind Singh and
Chatrasal. He granted Sardeshmukhi to Marathas
and also released Shahu.
 He forced Ajit Singh to submit but later in 1709,
recognised him as the Rana of Marwar.
 He defeated Banda Bahadur at Longarh and
reoccupied Sirhird in 1711.
Jahandar Shah (1712-13)
 Ascended the throne with the aid of Zulfikhar
Khan. His nephew, Farrukh Siyar defeated him.
He abolished Jizya.
Farrukh Siyar (1713-1719)
 Ascended the throne with the help of Sayyid
brothers, Abdullah Khan and Hussain Khan who
were Wazir and Mir Bakshi respectively. Farrukh
Siyar was killed by the Sayyid brothers in 1719.
Banda Bahadur was captured at Gurudaspur and
executed.
Mohammad Shah (1719-48)
 During his reign Nadir Shah raided India and took
away the peacock throne and the Kohinoor
diamond.
 He was a pleasure loving king and was nick
named Rangeela.
 Nizam-ul-mulk was appointed Wazir in 1722 but
he relinquished the post and marched to the
Deccan to find the state of Hyderabad.
 Bengal acquired virtual independence during the
governorship of Murshid Quli Khan.
45

 Saadat Khan Burhan ul-Mulk who was appointed
governor of Awadh by him laid down the foundation
of the autonomous state.
Ahmed Shah (1748-1754)
 During his reign, Ahmed Shah Abdali (one of the
ablest generals of Nadir Shah) marched towards
Delhi and the Mughals ceded Punjab and Multan.
 From 1748 to 1761 Ahmed Shah Abdali attacked
many times and looted Mathura and Delhi.
Alamgir (1754-59)
 During his reign Ahmed Shah Abdali occupied Delhi.
Later, Delhi was also plundered by the Marathas.
Shah Alam II (1759-60)
 During his reign Najib Khan Rohhilla became very
powerful in Delhi so much that Shah Alam II could
not enter Delhi. The Battle of Buxar (1764) was
fought during his reign.
Akbar Shah II (1806-37)
 During his reign Lord Hastings ceased to accept the
sovereignty of Mughals and claimed an equal status.
Bahadur Shah II (1837-62)
 The last Mughal king, who was confined by the
British to the Red Fort. During the revolt of 1857,
he was proclaimed the Emperor by the rebellions.
He was deported to Rangoon following the 1857
rebellion.
FOREIGN TRAVELLERS DURING THE MUGHAL
PERIOD
Father Anthony Monserate
 He came to the court of Akbar in 1578 and he has
described the court of Akbar and his character.
Ralph Fitch
 The first British traveller (1588-1591) who gave
an account of the people of India, their culture
and customs.
William Hawkins (1608-1613)
 He came to the court of Jahangir.
William Finch (1608)
 He has given an account of Agra, Fatehpur Sikri
and flora and fauna of India.
Sir Thomas Roe (1615-1619)
 He came to the court of Jahangir in 1616 and,
secured a farman from him.
46
History
THE MARATHAS
1. Shivaji (1627-1680)
 Shivaji was born at Shivner fort to Shahji Bhonste
and Jija Bai.
 Probably in 1637 or 1638, Shivaji inherited the
paternal jagir of Poona from his father under the
guardianship of Dadaji Kondadev.
 After the death of his guardian Dadaji Kondadev
in 1647, he assumed full charge of his jagir.
 At the age of 18, he conquered Torna fort and built
a fort at Raigarh.
 Shivaji initially targetted his campaign against
the Adil Shahi kingdom of Bijapur. Then Adil Shah
deputed Afzal Khan to punish Shivaji, but Afzal
Khan was murdered by Shivaji in 1659.
 Later Shaista Khan, governor of Deccan and
maternal uncle of Aurangzeb was appointed by
Aurangzeb to put down the rising power of Shivaji in
1660. Shivaji lost Poona and suffered several defeats
till he made a bold attack on Shaista’s military camp
and plundered Surat (1664) and later Ahmadnagar.
 Then Aurangzeb appointed Mirza Raja Jai Sing of
Amber to put down Shivaji in 1665 and Jai Singh
succeeded in besieging Shivaji in the fort of Purandar.
Consequently the Treaty of Purandar was signed.
 In 1674, Shivaji was coronated at Raigarh and he
assumed the title of Hindava Dharmodharak (Protector
of Hinduism) and Chhatrapati. He was blessed by
Samartha Guru Ramdasa on this occassion.
 Shivaji died in 1680.
Shivaji’s Administration
 Shivaji divided his empire into two parts:
(i) Swaraj (own kingdom) or Mulk-e-Qadim (old territory).
(ii) Land which was legally a part of Mughal
empire but paid Chauth to Shivaji.
 Shivaji divided his territory under his rule (swaraj)
into three provinces. Each of the province was
under a Viceroy. The provinces were divided into
prants which were subdivided into parganas or
tarafs. The lowest unit was village which was
headed by Headman or Patel.
 Shivaji was helped by the ashtapradhans (eight
ministers) which was unlike a council of ministers,
for there was no collective responsibility; each minister
was directly responsible to Shivaji.
Shivaji’s Revenue System
 It was mostly based on the Malik Amber’s
(Ahmadnagar) revenue system.
 Assessment of land revenue was based on
measurement. The kathi was adopted as the unit
of measurement.
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History
 Chauth was one-fourth of the land revenue paid Madhav Rao 1761-72
to the Marathas so as not to be subjected to Narayan Rao 1772-73
Maratha raids.
Madhav Rao 1773-96
 Sardeshmukhi was an additional levy of 10 per
cent on those lands of Maharashtra over which Baji Rao II 1796-1818
the Marathas claimed hereditary rights, but which
formed part of the Mughal empire. THE SIKHS

Peshwas (AD 1719-1818) Ten Sikh Gurus

 Founded by Balaji Vishwanath, who concluded
an agreement with the Sayyid Brothers (the
king makers in history) by which Mughal
emperor Farukh Siyyar recognized Shahu as the
king of Swarajya.
 Baji Rao considered as the “greatest exponent of
guerilla tactics after Shivaji’’; Maratha power
reached its zenith and system of confederacy
begun; defeated Siddis of Janjira; conquest of
Bassein and Salsette from Portuguese.
 Balaji Baji Rao known as Nana Sahib; Third Battle
of Panipat (AD 1761) between Marathas and Ahmad
Shah Abdali gave a big jolt to Maratha empire.
Peshwa Duration
Balaji Vishwanath 1719-20
Balaji Baji Rao I 1720-40
Balaji Baji Rao 1740-61
 Nanak (1469-1539) founded Sikh religion.
 Angad (1538-1552) invented Gurmukhi.
 Amardas (1552-1574) struggled against sati
system and purdah system and established 22
Gadiyans to propagate religion.
 Ramdas (1574-1581) founded Amritsar in 1577.
Akbar granted the land.
 Arjan Dev (1581-1606) founded Swaran Mandir
(Golden Temple) and composed Adi Granth.
 Hargobind Singh (1606-1645) established Akal
Takht and fortified Amritsar.
 Har Rai (1645-1666)
 Harkishan (1661 -1664)
 Tegh Bahadur (1664-75)
 Gobind Singh (1675-1708) was the last Guru who
founded the Khalsa. After him Sikh guruship ended.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQ)

PART-I 5. The Dilwara Temple is located (a) Shankaracharya

at– (b) Ramanujacharya
1. Who built the Khajur aho
temples ? (a) Bhubaneswar (c) Bhaskaracharya
(a) Holkars (b) Scindias (b) Aurangabad (d) Madhvacharya
(c) Bundela (d) Chandela (c) Khajuraho (d) Mount Abu 9. The Lingaraja Temple built dur-
2. Arabs were defeated in 738 AD by— 6. Alberuni lived during the period ing the medieval period is at—
of which one of the following?
(a) Pratiharas (b) Rashtrakutas (a) Bhubaneswar
(a) Mahmud Ghaznavi
(c) Palas (d) Chalukyas (b) Khajuraho
(b) Mohammad Ghori
3. Who among the following Rajputa (c) Madurai (d) Mount Abu
kings defeated Muhammad Ghori (c) Alauddin Khalji
10. Who fought the battle of
for the first time ? (d) Firuzshah Tughlaq
Waihind (1009 AD) ?
(a) Prithviraj III (b) Baghel Bhim 7. Jaideva, the famous author of 'Gita
Gobinda', was the court poet of– (a) Anandpala and Mahmud
(c) Jaichanda (d) Kumarpal Ghaznavi
4. Who constructed the world famous (a) Harsha
(b) Jayapala and Muhammad
Jagannath Temple at Puri ? (b) Prithviraj Chauhan
Ghori
(a) Krishnavarman (c) Lakshmanasena
(c) Prithviraj Chauhan and
(b) Anantavarman (d) None of these
Muhammad Ghori
(c) Devavarman 8. Who founded four mathas in the
four corners of India ? (d) Jaichanda and Bakhtiyar
(d) None of these Khalji

Rakesh Yadav Readers Publication Pvt. Ltd 47


11. The temple of Somnath which 20. ________ was one of the famous
was destroyed by Mahmud of philosophers and scholars of
Ghazni (Mahmud Ghaznavi) the Pala period.
was dedicated to Lord—
(a) Atish Dipankar
(a) Shiva (b) Vishnu
(b) Dibyok
(c) Surya (d) Ganapati (c) Ravikirti (d) Aryabhatta
12. In India, the first to put forward
21. Who wrote 'Ramcharita' ?
the theory that the earth re-
volves round the sun was— (a) Banabhatta (b) Kalidas
(a) Aryabhatta (b) Brahmagupta (c) Sandhyakar Nandi
(c) Bana (d) Kalhana (d) Tulsidas
13. The Sun Temple of Konark was 22. The Vikramsila Vihara was
built by Narasimhadeva I. To founded by—
which dynasty he belong to? (a) Mahipala (b) Devapala
(a) Somvansi dynasty (c) Dharmapala (d) Surapala
(b) Gang dynasty 23. Who among the following was not
a part of tripartite struggle ?
(c) Suryavansi dynasty
(a) Palas (b) Pratiharas
(d) Bhoj dynasty
(c) Rashtrakutas
14. Which one of the following is
(d) Cholas
NOT a feature of North Indian
temple architecture ? 24. Who was the founder of Pala Dy-
nasty ?
(a) Shikhara (b) Garbha Griha
(c) Gopuram (a) Dharmapala
(d) Pradakshina-path (b) Deopala
(c) Gopala (d) Rampala
15. Who among the following is well
known for his contribution in 25. Which of the following was NOT
one of the titles assumed by the
the field of Algebra ?
Chola king Rajendra ?
(a) Aryabhatta (b) Brahmagupta
(a) Tyagasamudra
(c) Bhaskara (d) Lalla
(b) Gangaikonda
16. The presiding deity of Bhojshala
(c) Mudikonda
Temple is—
(a) Goddess Durga (d) Pandita Chola
(b) Goddess Laxmi 26. Rath temples at Mahabalipuram
(c) Goddess Saraswati were built in the reign of which
Pallava ruler ?
(d) Goddess Parvati
(a) Mahendravarman
17. Vikramsila Mahavihara was
established by the ruler of- (b) Narasinghvarman I
(a) Pushyabhuti Dynasty (c) Parameshwarvarman
(b) Barman Dynasty (d) Nandivarman I
(c) Sen Dynasty
27. Which one of the following
(d) Pal Dynasty Chola kings conquered Ceylon
18. ‘Daskumar Charitam’ was com- (Sinhal) first ?
posed by— (a) Aditya I (b) Rajaraja I
(a) Surdas (b) Dandin (c) Rajendra (d) Vijayalaya
(c) Tulsidas (d) Kalidas
28. The seven pagodas of
19. The Laxman Era was started (in Mahabalipuram are a witness
1119 AD) by which of the follow- to the art patronised by the—
ing dynasty ?
(a) Pallavas (b) Pandyas
(a) Pratiharas (b) Palas
(c) Chauhans (d) Sens (c) Cholas (d) Cheras
History
29. The Chola period is best known
for which of the following?
(a) Gram Sabhas (Village As-
semblies)
(b) War with the Rashtrakutas
(c) Trade with Ceylon
(d) Growth of Tamil culture
30. Mahabalipuram was estab-
lished by the—
(a) Pallavas (b) Pandyas
(c) Cholas (d) Chalukyas
31. The famous Idol of Gomteshwar
and famous Jain temple is situ-
ated at—
(a) Hampi
(b) Srirangapattam
(c) Sravanabelagola
(d) Mysore
32. 'Ramayan' the Tamil version of
the great epic Ramayana was
made by—
(a) Kamban (b) Awaiyar
(c) Ilango Adigal (d) None of these
33. The two kingdoms established
by the Indians in Indo- China
included—
(a) Champa and Kamboja
(b) Champa and Srivijaya
(c) Srivijaya and Kamboja
(d) Svarnbhumi and Champa
34. The famous Kailasha Nath
Temple, cut out of solid rock at
Ellora, was built under the pa-
tronage of the—
(a) Cholas (b) Kadambas
(c) Pallavas (d) Rashtrakutas
35. Who destroyed the Empire of
Chalukyas of Badami?
(a) Cholas (b) Pallavas
(c) Pandyas (d) Rashtrakutas
36. Which one among the following
religions was patronised by
Rashtrakutas ?
(a) Jainism (b) Buddhism
(c) Saivism (d) Vaishnavism
37. The famous battle of Takkolam of
South India was fought between—
(a) Cholas and North Chalukyas
(b) Cholas and Rashtrakutas
(c) Cholas and Hoyasals
(d) Cholas and Pandyas

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History
38. The South Indian state which was PART-II 10. Mohammad - bin - Tughlaq
famous for its naval power was— changed his capital from Delhi to
1. Where did the traveller Ibn
Deogiri because he wanted to—
(a) Chalukyas (b) Cholas Batuta come from?
(a) improve trade in the Deccan
(c) Hoyasalas (d) Pandyas (a) Morocco (b) Persia
(b) spread Islam in the Deccan
(c) Turkey (d) Central Asia
39. Adi Shankaracharya estab- (c) punish the people of Delhi
2. Mohammad -bin -Tughlaq was
lished four mathas. These (d) escape from the Mongol inva-
proficient in—
mathas are situated at— sion
(a) Art (b) Music
11. The contemporary chronicle of
(a) Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri, (c) Calligraphy (d) Philosophy Sayyid period is—
Sringeri 3. The Khalji Sultans of Delhi were— (a) Tarikh-i-Mubaraqshahi
(b) Sringeri, Dwarka, Badrinath, (a) Mongols (b) Afghans (b) Waqiat-i-Mushtaqi
Prayag (c) Turks (d) A Jat tribe (c) Futuh-us-Salatin
4. The Sultan who described him- (d) Masalik-ul-Absar
(c) Dwarka, Badrinath, Prayag, self as Sikandar-i-Sani (The
Sringeri 12. Amir Khusrau was a famous
Second Alexander) was—
court poet of—
(d) Puri, Sringeri, Dwarka, Varanasi (a) Balban
(a) Akbar
40. Who among the following Chola (b) Alauddin Khalji
(b) Alauddin Khalji
(c) Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq
rulers converted the Bay of (c) Mahmud Ghazanvi
(d) Sikandar Lodi
Bengal into a 'Chola lake' ? (d) None of these
5. Ibn Batuta visited India during
(a) Rajraja I (b) Rajendra I the reign of— 13. Alauddin Khalji captured the
Delhi throne after securing
(c) Adhiraj (d) Kulottung (a) lltutmish (b) Alauddin Khalji
fabulous wealth from—
41. Who was the Chola King to have (c) Balban
(a) Chanderi (b) Gujarat
conquered Bengal? (d) Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq
(c) Deogiri (d) Madurai
6. The Qutub Minar was com-
(a) Rajraja (b) Rajendra I pleted by the famous ruler— 14. Who of the following was a con-
(c) Rajendra II (d) Rajadhiraj (a) Qutubuddin Aibak temporary of Chingiz Khan?
(b) lltutmish (a) Mahmud Ghazanvi
42. Which one of the Chola Kings
(c) Firoz Shah Tughlaq (b) Iltutmish
conquered Ceylon ?
(d) Alauddin Khalji , (c) Alauddin Khalji
(a) Aditya I (b) Rajadhiraj
7. Which of the following are cor- (d) Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq
(c) Rajendra I (d) Vijayalaya rectly matched ? 15. Who among the following laid the
Persons Events foundation of Rashtrakuta Empire?
1. Sultan Mahmud Sack of Somnath (a) Dantidurga
Answer Key 2. Mohammad Ghori Conquest of (b) Amoghvarsha I
1. (d) 15. (c) 29. (a) South Sindh
(c) Dhruva
3. Alauddin Khalji Revolt in Bengal
2. (a) 16. (c) 30. (c) (d) Krishna I
4. Mohammad-bin Chingiz Khan's
3. (a) 17. (d) 31. (c) 16. Who among the following Delhi
-Tughlaq invasion
4. (b) 18. (b) 32. (a) Sultans is known for introducing
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only
5. (d) 19. (d) 33. (a) market control mechanism ?
(c) 1 only (d) 2 and 4
6. (a) 20. (a) 34. (d) (a) Iltutmish (b) Balban
8. The Lodi dynasty was founded
7. (c) 21. (c) 35. (d) by— (c) Alauddin Khalji
8. (a) 22. (d) 36. (a) (a) Ibrahim Lodi (d) Firozshah Tughlaq
9. (a) 23. (d) 37. (b) (b) Sikandar Lodi 17. Who was the Delhi Sultan
(c) Bahlol Lodi (d) Khizr Khan when the threat of invasion by
10. (a) 24. (c) 38. (b)
9. Yahya bin Ahmed Sirhindi, the au- Mongols under Chingiz Khan
11. (a) 25. (a) 39. (a) loomed over India?
thor of 'Tarikh - i - Mubaraqshahi'
12. (a) 26. (b) 40. (b) (a) Iltutmish (b) Balban
lived in the period of—
13. (b) 27. (b) 41. (b) (c) Jalaluddin Khalji
(a) Khalji (b) Tughlaq
14. (c) 28. (a) 42. (c) (c) Sayyid (d) Lodi (d) Alauddin Khalji

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 History
18. During the reign of Alauddin (a) Firoz Tughlaq 32. Which one of the following dy-
Khalji, who were Amils? (b) Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq nasties ruled over India after
(a) Government agents to col- the invasion of Timur ?
(c) Khizr Khan
lect land revenue
(d) Sikandar Lodi (a) Lodi dynasty
(b) Local landlords at village
level 25. Who among the following ap- (b) Sayyid dynasty
(c) Khurasani and Multani trad- pointed Ibn Batuta as the Chief (c) Tughlaq dynasty
ers of food-grains Qazi of Delhi ?
(d) Khalji dynasty
(d) Banjaras who carried the food- (a) Ghiyasuddin Balban
33. Which of the following Sultans
grains from village to towns (b) Alauddin Khalji had greatest number of slaves
19. Who among the following was (c) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq in his court ?
the author of ‘Tarikh-i-Alai’, (d) Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq (a) Balban (b) Alauddin Khalji
which contains the details of
26. Who among the following was (c) Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq
first few years of Sultan
NOT a noble under Alauddin (d) Firoz Tughlaq
Alauddin Khalji ?
Khalji ?
(a) Ziauddin Barani 34. Which of the following Sultans pro-
(a) Amirmulk Multani
(b) Shams Siraj Afif vided employment to unemployed?
(c) Amir Khusrau (b) Zafar Khan
(a) Alauddin Khalji
(d) Yahiya - bin - Ahmed (c) Nusrat Khan
(b) Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq
20. Who among the following was (d) Munim Khan
(c) Firoz Tughlaq
the first Muslim Military Com- 27. Malik Kafur was whose General ?
mander who annexed Bihar and (d) Sher Shah Suri
(a) Balban (b) Alauddin Khalji
Bengal by overthrowing the 35. ‘When he attained kingship, he
(c) Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq
Sena dynasty ? was quite independent of rules and
(a) Mahmud Gawan (d) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
orders of Shanat’. For which Sul-
(b) Bakhtiyar Khalji 28. In medieval India, what did the tan Barani made this statement?
(c) Adil Shah (d) Shamsuddin term Jital refer to?
(a) Iltutmish (b) Balban
21. Who among the following sul- (a) Weight (b) Diet
(c) Alauddin Khalji
tans was advised by Qazi (c) Coin (d) Game
Mughisuddin to act according to (d) Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq
29. With reference to Delhi Sultan-
the laws of Shariat, but the ate, who was the founder of 36. In the Sultanate period, the
Sultan rejected his advice ? Sayyid Dynasty? highest rural authority for land
(a) Alauddin Khalji revenue was—
(a) Khizr Khan
(b) Jalaluddin Khalji (a) Chowdhary (b) Rawat
(b) Mubarak Shah
(c) Mohammad - bin - Tughlaq (c) Malik (d) Patwari
(c) Muhammad Shah
(d) Firoz Tughlaq 37. Who was the first ruler of the
(d) Alauddin Alam Shah Slave dynasty?
22. The medieval ruler who was
30. Which of the following Sultans (a) Qutubuddin Aibak
the first to establish a minis-
founded a town where now (b) Iltutmish
try of agriculture (Diwan -i-
Kohi) was— stands Agra ?
(c) Razia (d) Balban
(a) Alauddin Khalji (a) Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq
38. Who was the ruler of Deogiri at
(b) Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq (b) Firoz Tughlaq the time of Alauddin Khalji’s
(c) Bahlol Lodi invasion ?
(c) Sher Shah (d) Akbar
(d) Sikandar Lodi (a) Ramchandra Dev
23. In the Delhi Sultanate, an ad-
ministrative unit called (b) Prataprudra Dev
31. Which one of the following Sul-
Paragana was headed by an of- tans of Delhi introduced mea- (c) Malik Kafur
ficial known as— sures for improving the quality (d) Rana Ratan Singh
(a) Shiqdar (b) Barid of fruits? 39. Which of the following Sultans
of Delhi was known as Lakh
(c) Ariz (d) Amil (a) Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq Bakhsh (giver of Lakhs) ?
24. Who among the following Sultans (b) Firoz Tughlaq (a) Iltutmish (b) Balban
of Delhi had accepted the suzerainty (c) Sikandar Lodi (c) Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq
of the Timurid ruler Mirza Shah
Rukh ? (d) Sher Shah Suri (d) Qutubuddin Aibak

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History
40. M o h a m m a d - b i n - T u g h l a q (a) lltutmish (b) Balban 5. The Bahmanis of the Deccan
shifted his capital from Delhi (c) Alauddin Khalji rose to prominence in which of
to— (d) Firoz Tughlaq the following centuries ?
(a) Daulatabad (b) Kalinjar (a) 13th century (b) 14th century
(c) Kannauj (d) Lahore Answer Key (c) 15th century (d) 16th century
41. Timur, the Lame invaded India 1. (a) 17. (a) 33. (d) 6. The most important cause of
during the reign of— 2. (c) 18. (a) 34. (c) the downfall of the Vijayanagar
(a) Alauddin Khalji empire was—
3. (c) 19. (c) 35. (c)
(b) Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq (a) Rivalries within the empire
4. (b) 20. (b) 35. (a)
(c) Firoz Tughlaq (b) Unity among the Muslim
5. (d) 21. (a) 37. (a) rulers of Bijapur, Golconda
(d) Muhammad Shah Tughlaq
6. (b) 22. (b) 38. (a) and Ahmednagar
42. Who was the first Muslim ruler
of Delhi ? 7. (a) 23. (d) 39. (d) (c) Rebellion of t he Hindu
8. (c) 24. (c) 40. (a) feudatories
(a) Qutubuddin Aibak
(b) Iltutmish 9. (c) 25. (d) 41. (d) (d) Weak successors of Krishnadeva
Raya
(c) Razia (d) Balban 10. (d) 26. (d) 42. (a)
7. 'Taraf' in the Bahmani King-
43. Who amongst the following Sul- 11. (a) 27. (b) 43. (c)
dom signfied—
tans built the fifth storeys of 12. (b) 28. (c) 44. (c)
Qutub Minar ? (a) Province (b) Land grant
13. (c) 29. (a) 45. (a)
(a) Qutubuddin Aibak (c) Transit tax (d) Gold coin
14. (b) 30. (d) 46. (a)
(b) Iltutmish 8. When Babur invaded India who
15. (a) 31. (b) 47. (a)
(c) Firoz Shah Tughlaq was the ruler of Vijayanagara
16. (c) 32. (b) 48. (d) empire in south India ?
(d) Sikandar Lodi
44. Which one of the following rul- (a) Saluva Narasimha
PART-III
ers from Central Asia con- (b) Devaraya II
quered North India in 1192 ? 1. Who got the monumental
Rayagopurams in front of the (c) Krishnadeva Raya
(a) Jalaluddin Mangbami temples at Hampi, Tiruvannamalai, (d) Sadashiva Raya
(b) Mahmud Ghazanvi Chidambaram, Sri Rangam, 9. Which one of the following re-
(c) Shihabuddin Muhammad Tirupati etc constructed? gions was NOT the bone of con-
Gori (a) Vidyaranya tent ion between the
(d) Chingiz Khan (b) Krishnadeva Raya Vijayanagar rulers and the
45. Who of the following was the (c) Harihara (d) Rajaraja Bahmani sultans ?
first woman ruler of medieval 2. The rulers of Vijayanagar pro- (a) Krishna-Godavari delta
India ? moted—
(b) Marathwada country
(a) Razia Sultan (a) Hindi, Marathi and Sanskrit
(c) Tungbhadra country
(b) Chand Bibi (b) Malayalam, Tamil and Sanskrit
(c) Tamil, Telugu and Sanskrit (d) Warangal
(c) Durgavati (d) Noorjahan
(d) Telugu, Urdu and Sanskrit 10. The Nayakas in the
46. Who among the following wit-
nessed the reign of seven Sul- 3. Who among the follow ing Vijayanagar empire were—
tans of Delhi ? Bahmani rulers built the fa- (a) Central ministers
mous Gol Gumbaj at Bijapur ? (b) Military chiefs controlling
(a) Amir Khusrau
(a) Muhammd Adil Shah particular territories
(b) Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya
(b) Mahmud Gawan
(c) Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti (c) Cavalry soldiers
(c) Yusuf Adil Shah
(d) None of these (d) Priests of large and power-
(d) Ismail Adil Shah
47. Amir Khusrau, the 'Parrot of ful temples
4. Bijapur is known for its—
India', was born at— 11. When Harihara and Bukka set
(a) Heavy rainfall
(a) Patiali (b) Patti up a principality in the South
(c) Patli (d) Patiala (b) Rock temple
India, which lat er became
48. Delhi Sultan who wrote his (c) Gol Gumbaj Vijayanagar Empire, who was
memoir was— (d) Statue of Gomateshwara the Delhi Sultan ?

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 History
(a) Jalaluddin Khalji List-I List-II 27. The founder of the Bahmani
(b) Alauddin Khalji A. Adil Shahi 1. Ahmednagar Kingdom was—
(c) Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq B. Qutub Shahi 2. Bijapur (a) Alauddin Mujahid Shah
(d) Firoz Shah Tughlaq C. Nizam Shahi 3. Golconda (b) Ahmed Shah
12. The first dynasty of the D. Imad Shahi 4. Berar (c) Alauddin Bahaman Shah
Vijayanagar kingdom was— Codes: A B C D (d) Tajuddin Firoz Shah
(a) Sangama (b) Tuluva (a) 1 2 3 4 28. Name the Bengali poet who was
(c) Saluva (d) Hoyasala (b) 2 3 4 1 conferred with the title Gunraj
13. Which one of the following pairs (c) 3 4 1 2 Khan in the Sultanate period ?
is NOT correctly matched? (d) 2 3 1 4 (a) Jnaandas (b) Gobindadasa
(a) Hoysalas Dwarasamudra 20. The city of Jaunpur was founded (c) Maladhar Basu
(b) Pallavas Vatapi in the memory of— (d) Chandi Das
(c) Pandyas Madurai (a) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq 29. Which one of the following Mus-
(d) Yadavas Devagiri (b) Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq lim rulers was hailed as the
14. Which region of India was ruled (c) Firoz Tughlaq Jagadguru by his Muslim sub-
by Sultan Zainul Abidin ? jects because of his belief in
(d) Akbar
(a) Assam (b) Delhi secularism ?
21. The Bahmani Kingdom was
(c) Kashmir (d) Orissa founded in the year— (a) Husain Shah
15. Which one of the following was (a) 1336 (b) 1338 (b) Zainul Abidin
the capital of Hoyasalas? (c) Ibrahim Adil Shah II
(c) 1347 (d) 1361
(a) Malkhed (d) Mahmud II
22. The kingdom of Vijayanagar
(b) Dwarasamudra was founded by— 30. Hoysala monuments are found
(c) Somnathpur (a) Vijaya Raja in—
(d) Badami (b) Harihara II (a) Hampi and Hospet
16. 'A Forgotten Empire', written by (c) Harihara and Bukka (b) Halebid and Belur
the renowned historian Robert (c) Mysore and Bangalore
(d) Bukka II
Swell is about which one of the (d) Sringeri and Dharwar
23. Sufi Kalam, a type of devotional
following empires ?
music, is the characteristic of— 31. When Raja Wodeyar founded the
(a) Mauryan Empire kingdom of Mysore, who was the
(a) Gujarat (b) Rajasthan
(b) Kushan Empire ruler of the Vijayanagar Empire?
(c) Kashmir (d) None of these
(c) Vijayanagar Empire (a) Sadasiva (b) Tirumala
24. Which ruler of Vijayanagar had
(d) Mughal Empire (c) Ranga II (d) Venkata II
sent his embassy to the em-
17. What is the meaning of ‘Athavana’ ? peror of China ? 32. Where is the famous Vijaya
(a) Revenue department (a) Harihara I (b) Bukka I Vithala Temple, having its 56
(b) Revenue (c) Krishnadeva Raya carved pillars emitting musical
(c) Import tax (d) Trade tax notes located?
(d) Suluva Narsimha
18. Who were the ashta-diggajas in (a) Belur
25. Who was given the title of
the court of Krishnadeva Raya ? Andhra-Kavita-Pitamaha? (b) Bhadrachalam
(a) Eight ministers (a) Sayan (b) Madhav (c) Hampi
(b) Eight Telugu poets (c) Srinath (d) Peddana (d) Srirangam
(c) Eight great generals 26. Who was called the Akbar of 33. Where is the famous
(d) Eight advisors Kashmir ? Virupaksha Temple located ?
19. Match List-I (Dynasty) with List- (a) Zainul Abidin (a) Bhadrachalam
II (Capital) and select the cor- (b) Hussain Shah (b) Chidambaram
rect answer from the codes
(c) Balban (c) Hampi
given below:
(d) Sujauddaulla (d) Srikalahasti

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History

Answer Key 6. Which one is NOT situated at 14. Who among the following was an
Fatehpur Sikri ? illiterate ?
1. (b) 12. (a) 23. (c)
(a) The Panch Mahal (a) Jahangir (b) Shahjahan
2. (c) 13. (b) 24. (b)
(b) Moti Masjid (c) Akbar (d) Aurangzeb
3. (a) 14. (c) 25. (d) (c) Tomb of Salim Chisti 15. The first Indian Hindi scholar
4. (c) 15. (b) 26. (a) (d) The Mariam Palace of the Mughal period was—
5. (b) 16. (c) 27. (c) 7. The original name of Tansen, (a) Malik Muhammad Jayasi
6. (b) 17. (a) 28. (c) the most famous musician at (b) Abdur Rahim
7. (a) 18. (b) 29. (c) the court of Akbar was—
(c) Mulla Wajhi
8. (c) 19. (d) 30. (b) (a) Lal Kalawant (d) Chandbardai
9. (d) 20. (b) 31. (d) (b) Banda Bahadur 16. Which one of the following
10. (b) 21. (c) 32. (c) (c) Ramtanu Pande terms is NOT associated with
11. (c) 22. (c) 33. (c) (d) Markandey Pande the Mughals ?
8. Where did Babur die ? (a) Dam (b) Jagir
PART-IV (a) Agra (b) Kabul (c) Jital (d) Mansab
1. Who is believed to have created (c) Lahore (d) Delhi 17. Who among the following was
the raga Miyan Ki Malhar? 9. Which of the undermentioned facts defeated by Babur in the first
(a) Tansen about Taj Mahal is NOT correct ? Battle of Panipat ?
(b) Baiju Bawara (a) It is a magnificent mausoleum (a) Bahlol Lodi
(c) Amir Khusrau (b) It was built by Shahjahan (b) Daulat Khan Lodi
(d) Swami Haridasa (c) It is situated outside Agra Fort (c) Ibrahim Lodi
(d) The names of artisans who (d) Sikandar Lodi
2. Mughal presence in the Red
built it are engraved on it 18. Mughal painting flourished dur-
Fort ceased with the fall of—
10. Between which two rulers was the ing the reign of—
(a) Aurangzeb
First Battle of Panipat fought ? (a) Akbar (b) Jahangir
(b) Muhammad Shah (a) Akbar and Bahlol Lodi (c) Shahjahan (d) Aurangzeb
(c) Shah Alam (b) Babur and Ibrahim Lodi 19. Revenue system during
(d) Bahadur Shah 'Zafar' (c) Bairam Khan and Sikandar Lodi Akbar's reign was in the hands
3. The world famous Takht-i - (d) Shahjahan and Daulat of—
Taus (the Peacock Throne) was Khan Lodi (a) Bairam Khan (b) Man Singh
kept in which of the following 11. Who is the author of 'Ain -i - Akbari' ? (c) Birbal (d) Todarmal
Mughal buildings ? (a) Abul Fazl 20. Which of the following Mughal
(a) The Diwan - i - Khas at (b) Abdus Samad painters according to Abul Fazl was
Fatehpur Sikri
(c) Bairam Khan excellent in drawing of features ?
(b) Agra Fort (d) Raja Todarmal (a) Abdus Samad
(c) The Rang Mahal at the Red 12. Din-e-llahi of Akbar was not a (b) Behjad
Fort at Delhi success because— (c) Mir Saiyad Ali
(d) The Diwan - i - Am at the (a) After Akbar, it was not pa- (d) Basawan
Red Fort at Delhi tronized
21. Dara Shikoh finally lost the war
4. The famous Kohinoor diamond (b) The Muslims did not accept of succession to Aurangzeb in
was produced from one of the other religious practices the battle of—
mines in— (c) It was not suitably projected (a) Dharmat (b) Samugarh
(a) Orissa (b) Chhotanagpur to the masses
(c) Deorai (d) Khanua
(c) Bijapur (d) Golconda (d) All the above
22. Who among the following Indian
5. A renowned Jain scholar who 13. Bahadur Shah was— rulers was a contemporary of Akbar?
was greatly honoured by Akbar (a) last ruler of the Lodis
was— (a) Rani Durgawati
(b) last Mughal ruler
(a) Hemchandra (b) Ahilya Bai
(c) successor of Shershah
(b) Harivijaya (d) successor of the Maratha (c) Martanda Varma
(c) Vastupala (d) Bhadrabahu ruler Shivaji (d) Sawai Jai Singh

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 History
23. During the reign of Akbar, the Codes: A B C D 35. The Mughal Empire extended
role of an official called (a) 4 1 3 2 upto Tamil territory in the
Amalguzar was— south under the reign of—
(b) 1 4 2 3
(a) To be in-charge of law and (a) Akbar (b) Aurangzeb
(c) 1 4 3 2
order (c) Jahangir (d) Shahjahan
(d) 4 1 2 3
(b) To make an assessment
and collection of land revenue 29. Tulsidas composed his 'Ramcharita-
Answer Key
manasa' in the reign of-
(c) To be in-charge of imperial 1. (a) 13. (b) 25. (c)
household (a) Babur (b) Akbar
2. (d) 14. (c) 26. (d)
(d) To maintain the royal trea- (c) Aurangzeb
3. (d) 15. (b) 27. (b)
sury (d) Bahadur Shah 'Zafar' 4. (d) 16. (c) 28. (d)
24. The Moti Masjid in Agra was built 30. At the time when Nadir Shah 5. (b) 17. (c) 29. (b)
during the reign of— attacked Delhi, the Mughal 6. (b) 18. (b) 30. (c)
(a) Humayun (b) Shahjahan emperor was— 7. (c) 19. (d) 31. (c)
(c) Aurangzeb (d) Shah Alam II (a) Ahmad Shah 8. (a) 20. (d) 32. (a)
25. Which one of the following ter- (b) Bahadur Shah 9. (d) 21. (b) 33. (c)
ritories was outside the bound- (c) Muhammad Shah 10. (b) 22. (a) 34. (d)
aries of the Mughal Empire dur- (d) Shah Alam II 11. (a) 23. (b) 35. (b)
ing the reign of Akbar ? 31. Mughal dynasty was to Bahadur 12. (d) 24. (b)
(a) Khandesh (b) Kabul Shah 'Zafar' as Lodi dynasty was
(c) Bijapur (d) Kashmir to— PART-V
26. Which of the following Mughal (a) Bahlol Lodi 1. In Shivaji's council of minis-
ters the Prime Minister was
emperors spent a greater part (b) Daulat Khan Lodi
called—
of his reign to overthrow the (c) Ibrahim Lodi (a) Peshwa (b) Sachiv
Deccan Kingdoms ? (d) Sikandar Lodi (c) Mantri (d) Sumanta
(a) Akbar (b) Jahangir 32. The Battle of Khanwa in 1527 was 2. Match List-I with List-II and se-
(c) Shahjahan (d) Aurangzeb fought between— lect the correct answer by using
27. Between whom was the battle the codes given below the Lists—
(a) Babur and Rana Sanga
of Chausa fought ? List-I List-II
(b) Ibrahim Lodi and Rana Sanga
(Kingdom) (Territory)
(a) Bahadur Shah of Gujarat (c) Humayun and Sher Shah
and Humayun A. Peshwas 1. Nagpur
(d) Humayun and Nusrat Shah B. Gaekwads 2. Pune
(b) Humayun and Sher Khan
(c) Akbar and Rana Pratap 33. Which one of the following struc- C. Bhonsles 3. Indore
(d) Jahangir and Rana Amar tures was constructed by Emperor D. Holkars 4. Baroda
Singh Akbar in Fatehpur Sikri ? Codes: A B C D
28. Match List-I with List-II and se- (a) Moti Mahal (b) Rang Mahal (a) 2 4 1 3
lect the correct answer using the (b) 1 3 2 4
(c) Panch Mahal
codes given below the Lists :
(c) 2 4 3 1
List-I (Name) List-II (Work) (d) Hira Mahal
(d) 4 3 2 1
A. Abdul Hamid 1. Akbarnama 34. Who among the following Later
3. Shivaji was crowned in the
Lahori Mughal Emperors had the long- year—
B. Abul Fazl 2. Muntakhab-ut- est regin? (a) 1664 (b) 1666
Tawarikh (a) Bahadur Shah (c) 1670 (d) 1674
C. Badauni 3. Tabqat-i-Akbari (b) Jahandar Shah 4. Shivaji died in the year—
D. Nizamuddin 4. Badshahnama (c) Farrukhsiyar (a) 1676 (b) 1677
Ahmed (c) 1678 (d) 1680
(d) Muhammad Shah

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History
5. Aurangzeb failed to defeat
Shivaji because the—
(a) Mughal army grew unman-
ageable
(b) Marathas were expert in
Guerilla warfare
(c) Mughals had no navy
(d) Mughal generals were
treacherous
6. Who among the follow ing
Peshwas was popularly known
as Nana Saheb ?
(a) Balaji Vishwanath
(b) Baji Rao
(c) Balaji Baji Rao
(d) Madhav Rao I
7. Ashtapradhana was the official
council of—
(a) Harihara I
(b) Krishnadeva Raya
(c) Shivaji
(d) Balaji Baji Rao
8. In medieval India, during the
reign of Shivaji, the role of the
official called Chitnis was to—
(a) be the in - charge of King's
personal security guard
(b) be the in - charge of intelli-
gence/espionage activity
(c) be the matter of ceremonies
in the royal court
(d) be assisting the king with
his correspondence
9. The treaty of Bassein (1802) was
signed with the British by
Peshwa—
(a) Madhav Rao
(b) Balaji Baji Rao
(c) Baji Rao I (d) Baji Rao II
10. Between whom was the treaty
of Purandhar in 1776 made?
(a) English and Nizam of
Hyderabad
(b) Marathas and Portuguese
(c) Marathas and English
(d) English and Sultan of
Mysore
Rakesh Yadav Readers Publication Pvt. Ltd
11. Who among the following finally
removed the Maratha Peshwa
from his position, captured his
territories and sent him off to
a distant place ?
(a) Wellesley (b) Cornwallis
(c) Dalhousie (d) Hastings
12. The third Battle of Panipat was
fought between—
(a) Hemu and Akbar
(b) Humayun and Shershah
(c) Maratha and Ahmed Shah
Abdali
(d) Nadir Shah and Mughals
13. Arrange the following in the correct
chronological order—
1. Chhatrapati Sahuji
2. Rajaram
3. Shambhaji
4. Shivaji II
Select the correct answer from the
codes given below:
Codes:
(a) 3-2-1-4 (b) 3-2-4-1
(c) 2-3-1-4 (d) 1-3-2-4
14. Shivaji defeated the Mughals
in the battle of—
(a) Purandhar (b) Raigarh
(c) Salhar (d) Shivner
15. Who among the following Maratha
women led struggles against the
Mughal Empire from 1700 AD on-
wards?
(a) Ahalya Bai (b) Mukta Bai
(c) Tara Bai (d) Rukmini Bai
16. Who was called ’Chanakya of
Maratha Politics' ?
(a) Baji Rao II
(b) Balaji Vishwanath
(c) Nana Pharnabis
(d) Mahadji Scindia
17. Who among t he Mar atha
Peshwa followed the ideal of
Hindu Pada - Padshahi ?
(a) Baji Rao
(b) Balaji Vishwanath
(c) Narayana Rao
(d) Madhav Rao
18. Who among the following
streamlined the Maratha ad-
ministration after Shambhaji ?
(a) Raja Ram
(b) Balaji Vishwanath
(c) Ganga Bai
(d) Nanaji Deshmukh
19. What was the immediate cause
for Ahmed Shah Abdali to invade
and fight the Third Battle of
Panipat?
(a) He wanted to avenge the expul-
sion by Marathas of his viceroy
Timur Shah from Lahore
(b) The frustrated governor of
Jullundhar Adina Beg Khan
invited him to invade Punjab.
(c) He wanted to punish Mughal
administration for non-payment
of the revenues of the Chahar
Mahal (Gujarat, Aurangabad,
Sialkot and Pasrur).
(d) He wanted to annex all the
fertile plains of Punjab upto
the borders of Delhi to his
kingdom
20. Ghazni was a small principal-
ity in
(a) Mongolia (b) Turkey
(c) Persia (d) Afghanistan
21. Who was the author of Kitab-ul-
Hind?
(a) Abu Said (b) Abul Fazl
(c) Firdausi (d) Al-Beruni
22. Who is known as the "slave of a
slave”?
(a) Muhammad-bin-Qasim
(b) Mahmud of Ghazni
(c) Iltutmish
(d) Qutbuddin Aibak
23. Who was the first Sultan of Delhi to
issue regular currency and to
declare Delhi as the capital of his
empire?
(a) Balban (b) Aram Shah
(c) Nasiruddin Mahmud
(d) Iltutmish
24. Who among the following came
to India at the instance of Sul-
tan Mahmud of Ghazni?
(a) Al-Masudi (b) Al-Beruni
(c) Sulaiman (d) Abdul Haq
55
 History
25. Which Sultan of Delhi died while 31. What is meant by “The Forty”? 36. Which one of the following state-
playing the chaugan (polo)? (a) The cream of Afghan nobles ments is not correct?
(a) Qutbuddin Aibak (b) The pick of the intellectu- (a) Krishnadeva Raya wrote
als among the Khaljis Amuktamalyada.
(b) Ghiyasuddin Balban
(c) The select body of the Turk- (b) He was the founder of the
(c) Shamsuddin Iltutmish
Tuluva dynasty.
(d) Nasiruddin Mahmud ish aristocracy
(c) His court was adorned by the
(d) The Ulema or the Muslim
26. The most learned medieval Ashtadiggajas.
divines
Muslim ruler who was well (d) He maintained friendly rela-
versed in various branches of 32. What was the most important tions with the Portuguese.
learning including astronomy, cause of the invasion of 37. Match List-I (Names of rulers)
mathematics and medicine was Mahmud of Ghazni? with List-II (Dynasties to which
(a) To destroy idolatry they belonged) and select the
(a) Sikandar Lodi correct answer from the codes
(b) Iltutmish (b) To gain possession of the given below the lists:
wealth of India
(c) Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq List-I List-II
(c) To spread Islam into India A. Kaikubad 1. Slave dynasty
(d) Alauddin Khalji
(d) To establish a Muslim State B. Qutbuddin 2. Khalji
27. The largest standing army of the in India
Delhi Sultanate directly paid by Mubarak
the State was created by– 33. Match List-I (Books) with List- C. Ibrahim 3. Lodi
II (Authors) and select the cor- D. Muizuddin 4. Sayyid
(a) Balban (b) Iltutmish
rect answer from the codes Mubarak
(c) Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq
given below the lists:
(d) Alauddin Khalji Codes: A B C D
List-I List-II (a) 2 3 4 1
28. Which one of the following is
A. Kitab-ul-Hind 1. Vijanesvara (b) 1 2 3 4
not correctly matched?.
(a) Qutbuddin _______ Adhai din B. Amuktamalyada 2. Ziauddin (c) 3 4 1 2
ka Jhompra Barani (d) 4 1 2 3
(b) Iltutmish _______ Qutab Minar C. Tarikh-i-Firuz 3. Krishnadeva 38. What was the unique system
(c) Alauddin _______ Hauz-i-Khas Shahi Raya developed by the Mughals?
(d) Firoz Tughlaq _______ Tughlaq- D. Mitakshara 4. Al-Beruni (a) Centralised autocracy
abad Codes: A B C D (b) Ryotwari settlement
29. What is the correct chronological (a) 3 4 2 1 (c) Mansabdari system
sequence of the following rulers? (b) 2 3 4 1 (d) Local responsibilities for
1. Muizuddin Bahram Shah (c) 4 3 2 1 crime detection
2. Iltutmish (d) 1 2 3 4 39. The Buland Darwaza was built
3. Raziya to mark Akbar’s conquest of–
34. Which is the correct chrono-
4. Rukhnuddin Firoz (a) Awadh (b) Malwa
logical sequence of the follow-
Select the correct answer using ing Sayyid rulers of Delhi? (c) Gujarat (d) Chittor
the codes given below:– 1. Muhammad Shah 40. Match List-I with List-II and
select the correct answer from
(a) 1, 2, 3, 4 (b) 2, 4, 3, 1 2. Alauddin Alam Shah the codes given below the lists:
(c) 3, 2, 4, 1 (d) 4, 3, 1, 2 3. Mubarak Shah List-I List-II
30. Among the following was the 4. Khizr Khan A. Ulema 1. Gentlemen-
most appropriate cause for the Select the correct answer us- troopers
failure of Raziya– ing the codes given below: B. Mir Bakshi 2. Muslim theo-
(a) Her sex (a) 1,2, 3, 4 (b) 4, 3, 1,2 logians
(b) Her intention to be the ruler (c) 4, 1,2, 3 (d) 4, 2, 3, 1 C. Ahadis 3. A system of
35. Who is the author of “Shahnama”? revenue as-
not only in name but also in fact
sessment
(c) Her unpopularity with the (a) Utbi (b) Firdausi
D. Kankut 4. Head of the
people of Delhi (c) Hasan Nizami military de-
(d) Her incompetence (d) Al-Beruni partment

56 Rakesh Yadav Readers Publication Pvt. Ltd

History
Codes: A B C D (b) Alauddin Khalji (a) Jahandar Shah
(a) 2 4 1 3 (c) Akbar (b) Muhammad Shah
(b) 2 1 4 3 (d) Krishnadeva Raya (c) Shah Alam-I
(c) 1 3 4 2 50. Which of the following revolts (d) Bahadur Shah Zafar
(d) 2 1 3 4 during Aurangzeb’s period had 55. Abdul Hamid Lahori is the au-
a peasant agrar ian back- thor of–
41. Purana Quila at Delhi was built ground? The revolt of the–
by– (a) Muntakhab-ul-Tawarikh
(a) Rajputs (b) Padshah Nama
(a) Akbar (b) Sher Shah
(b) Jats and Satnamis
(c) Humayun (d) Shah Jahan (c) Alamgir Nama
(c) Marathas (d) Sikhs
42. What is meant by Mughalai? (d) Muntakhab-ul-Lubab
51. Match List-I (Tombs) with List-
(a) Infantry of the Mughals II (Places) and select the cor- 56. Which one of the following was
(b) Very rich food rect answer from the codes NOT introduced by Shivaji?
(c) Royal household given below the lists: (a) Land tax (b) Chauth
(d) Mughal territories from which List-I List-II (c) Sardeshmukhi
Chauth was claimed A. Babar’s 1. Kabul (d) Pilgrim tax
43. Who among the following was mausoleum
Akbar's teacher? Answer Key
B. Humayun’s tomb 2. Delhi
(a) Kabir (b) Bairam Khan 1. (a) 20. (d) 39. (c)
C. Jahangir’s tomb 3. Shahdara
(c) Abul Fazl (d) Abdul Latif 2. (a) 21. (d) 40. (a)
D. Shahjahan's tomb 4. Agra
44. After his coronation Shivaji as- 3. (d) 22. (c) 41. (b)
sumed the title of– Codes: A B C D
4. (d) 23. (d) 42. (d)
(a) Maharaja (b) Peshwa (a) 2 3 4 1
5. (b) 24. (b) 43. (d)
(c) Chhatrapati (d) Samrat (b) 3 4 1 2
6. (c) 25. (a) 44. (c)
45. Akbar’s mausoleum is situated at (c) 1 2 3 4
7. (c) 26. (c) 45. (b)
(a) Sasaram (b) Sikandra (d) 4 1 2 3 8. (d) 27. (d) 46. (b)
(c) Agra (d) Delhi 52. Who among the following took 9. (d) 28. (d) 47. (d)
greater interest in laying out
46. The Upanishads were trans- 10. (c) 29. (b) 48. (c)
gardens than others?
lated into Persian by– 11. (d) 30. (b) 50. (b)
(a) Humayun (b) Babur
(a) Akbar (b) Dara Shikoh 12. (c) 31. (c) 51. (c)
(c) Jahangir (d) Akbar
(c) Shah Jahan(d) Jahangir 13. (d) 32. (b) 52. (b)
53. Who was the last Mughal emperor?
47. Akbar est ablished Ibadat 14. (c) 33. (c) 53. (c)
(a) Shah Alam-II
Khana at 15. (c) 34. (b) 54. (b)
(b) Akbar-II
(a) Lahore (b) Delhi 16. (c) 35. (b) 55. (b)
(c) Bahadur Shah-II
(c) Agra (d) Fatehpur Sikri 17. (a) 36. (b) 56. (d)
(d) Ahmad Shah
48. Tulsi Das composed his Ramachari- 18. (a) 37. (b)
tamanas during the reign of 54. Who was the last Mughal emperor
19. (a) 38. (c)
to sit on the peacock throne?
(a) Harsha

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PART-III
MODERN INDIA
ADVENT OF EUROPEANS
Topics
 Establishment of EEIC
 The Bengal Nawabs
 Important Acts before 1857
 British Governor Generals and Viceroys of India
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER/FACTS, FIGURES
AND IMPORTANT DATES
 The period f rom 1707 AD, t he year w hen
Aurangzeb died, to 1857, the year of the Indian
uprising, saw the gradual increase of the Euro-
pean influence in India. The Europeans had been
filtering into India for a long time before they ac-
tually decided to set up shop here.
 Even though the British got away with the jackpot,
the real pioneers to reach India were the Portu-
guese. Full of crusading and commercial zeal, Vasco
da Gama was the first known European to reach
India in 1498, even before the Mughals arrived here.
 When Vasco da Gama docked his ship in Calicut, he
announced that he came in search of ‘‘Christians
and spices” and the very first people he met here
were Christians, who were descendants of those who
had settled in India way back in the 4th century AD.
Portuguese Rule
 The Portuguese settled down to a very prosperous
trade in spices with India. The Muslim rulers in
Delhi and then the Mughals never really warmed
up to the idea of a foreign power continuing trade
on the seas under their imperial noses.
 What’s more, they were not exactly very honest
traders too, since they thought that no word that
was given to an infidel need be kept. So much so
that the word phirangi or foreigner in colloquial,
came to be a hissing and a byword among locals.
 In fact in Goa, where the Portuguese ruled, intol-
erance levels ran high and even the building of
Hindu temples was banned.
 Alberquerque (1509-1515), who was the second
Portuguese viceroy in India, encouraged mixed
marriages with the sole object of creating a mixed
race who were Portuguese Catholics, and who
would be bound by race and culture to the Portu-
guese. They were known as Luso-Indians at one
time and now simply as Goans.
58
History
Advent of Dutch
 The Dutch came shipping in the East for the first
time in 1595. However, they did not come to In-
dia initially, and established themselves at the
helm of things in the spice trade in Jakarta.
 India came into the picture for them purely as a route
to Europe, as part of a great Asian trade route that they
developed which went through Ceylon and Cape Town.
 Although the Dutch had their factories dotting all
over in Cochin, Nagapatam and even up in Agra
they did not attempt to gain military power, being
quite content to gain in cash.
French Invaders
 Although the French King Louis XII had granted let-
ters of monopoly to French traders in 1611, it was
not until December 1667, that a French company
was actually set up in India. This was at Surat with
Francis Caron as its Director- General. Soon, in
1669, another French company came up in
Masulipatnam.
The English
 The English East India Company was formed in
1599, and was given the royal Charter by Queen
Elizabeth I in 1600 to trade in the east.
 Captain William Hawkins stayed in Jahangir’s
court from 1609-1611. But he failed to get the
king’s permission to erect a factory at Surat.
Captain Middleton succeeded in this effort in 1611.
 An imperial farman allowed the Company to set
up a permanent factory at Surat in 1613. Sir Tho-
mas Roe played an important role in this.
 The Company got the lease of Madras in 1639 and
built Fort St. George in Madras, which acted as
its headquarter on the Coromandal coast.
 Bombay was made the Company’s main settle-
ment on the west coast in 1668.
 Aurangzeb gave the Company the farman in 1667
to trade in Bengal. In 1690, a factory was set up
at Sutanuti village. In Sutanati and nearby vil-
lage of Kalikata and Gobindpur, grew the city of
Calcutta (now Kolkata). In 1690 the Company for-
tified the Calcutta factory into Fort William.
 In 1717, John Surman obtained a farman from
Farrukhsiyar which gave large concessions to the
Company. This farman is called the ‘Magna Carta’
of the Company.
THE BRITISH CONQUEST OF BENGAL
 The Mughal governor of Bengal, Murshid Quli
Khan, made Bengal virtually independent of the
Mughal Empire during his reign (1717-1727).
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History
 His son Shuja-ud-daulah succeeded him and ruled
for 12 years.
 After his death, Alivardi Khan ruled till 1756.
 These three rulers gave Bengal a long reign of
peace and orderly administration.
 They suppressed the East India Company, but
never crushed it. On the other hand, the Com-
pany constantly increased its power taking advan-
tage of the corrupt officers.
 The result was the defeat of Siraj-ud-Daulah
(grandson and successor of Alivardi Khan) in the
Battle of Plassey in 1757. In this battle major part of
the Nawab’s army (led by Mir Jafar and Rai Durlabh)
did not take part. The Nawab was defeated and killed.
ESTABLISHMENT OF ENGLISH EAST INDIA COMPANY (EEIC)
1600: Elizabeth I signed charter for 15 years (monopoly
trading rights)
1608: Captain William Hawkins came at Jehangir’s
court to seek permission to open a factory at Surat.
1608-9: After the death of Elizabeth I, James I was
appointed as ruler of England and he renewed the Char-
ter for indefinite period.
1612: Battle of Swally: English vs Portugal. In this battle, Por-
tugal was defeated by the English and Surat was conquered.
1613: A Farman was issued by Jahangir permitting
the English to build a factory at Surat.
1615 -1618: James I send ambassador, Thomas Roe
in Jahangir’s court to obtain the permission to trade
and erect factories in different parts of the Empire.
1619-1623: Some more factories like Agra, Baroda,
Bharuch, Ahmedabad were started.
1639: Got site for Madras factory and the name of Ma-
dras factory was Fort St. George.
1668: Estd. Bombay Factory.
1691: Aurangzeb issued Farman for duty free trade in
Bengal.
1698: Two more factories Govindpur and Kalikata near
Sutanuti were established.
1700: In Calcutta, Fort William established and
Calcutta became the British capital.
1707: Rise of autonomous states led by his governors.
These governors were independent due to the death of
Aurangzeb.
1717: Farrukhsiyar’s Farman gave the rights of duty free
trade in Bombay and Madras. Later on, this farman was
proved as Magna Carta of Company’s trade in India.
1740-1756: Nawab of Bengal Alivardi Khan found misuse
of Dastaks and Fortification of factories. He prevented
the English and the French from fortifying their factories
at Calcutta and Chandernagore respectively. He was
succeeded by his grandson Siraj-ud-Daulah.
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THE EAST INDIA COMPANY &
THE BENGAL NAWABS
1. Siraj-ud-Daulah (1756-1757)
 He seized the English factory at Kasimbazar,
marched on to Calcutta and occupied Fort Will-
iam on June 20, 1756. After capturing Calcutta,
it was renamed as Alinagar after the name of
Alivardi Khan.
 The English officials took refuge at Fulta near the
sea protected by their naval superiority. Here, they
waited for aid from Madras, from where came a
strong naval and military force under Admiral
Watson and Colonel Robert Clive. In the begin-
ning of 1757, Clive reconquered Calcutta by de-
feating Siraj-ud-Daulah.
 On 2nd January 1757, Treaty of Alinagar was
signed, whereby Siraj conceded practically all the
demands. British then captured Chandernagore,
the French settlement, in March 1757.
 On 23rd June 1757, Battle of Plassey was fought
between Siraj-ud-Daulah and East India Company
(led by Clive). In this battle, Siraj was defeated
due to the conspiracy and intrigue on the part of
Men of Siraj.
2. Mir Jafar (1757-1760)
 He was appointed by the Company as eighth nawab
of Bengal after Siraj.
The Company was granted undisputed right for
free trade in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa and also
received the Zamindari of 24 Parganas.
 In the reign of Mir Jafar, Company explored maxi-
mum benefit. So, Jafar realized it and met with
Dutch and again a battle was fought.
 In 1759-1760, battle of Bedara was fought between
English and Dutch. In this battle, Dutch were defeated.
 After this battle, Mir Jafar, however, fell into ar-
rears and was forced to abdicate in favour of his
son-in- law Mir Qasim.
 In 1763, he was again placed on the throne.
3. Mir Qasim (1760-1764)
 Mir Qasim ceded Diwani rights of three more
parganas- Burdwan, Midnapore and Chittagong.
 He shifted his capital from Murshidabad to Munger.
 Mir Qasim soon revolted as he was angry with the
British for misusing the dastaks (free duty passes).
However, having been defeated by the British, he
fled to Awadh, where he formed a confederacy with
Shuja-ud-daula (Awadh Ruler) and Shah Alam-ll
(Mughal Emperor)
59

 The three allies clashed with the Company’s army
at Buxar on 22nd October, 1764 and were thor-
oughly defeated by the Company due to better
methods of warfare. This battle was one of the
most decisive battles of Indian history and it came
to be known as Battle of Buxar. Hector Munro was
the incharge of Company’s army in the battle.
4. Nizam-ud-daulah (1765-1772)
 On Mir Jafar’s death, his son Nizam-ud-daulah was
placed on the throne and signed a treaty on 20th
February, 1765 by which the Nawab was to disband
most of his army and to administer Bengal through
a Deputy Subahdar nominated by the Company.
 Clive concluded two separate Treaties of Allahabad in
1765 with Shuja-ud-daulah and Shah Alam II and
acquired the diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
 With this, Dual System of government started in
Bengal. The Company acquired both Diwani
(Rights related to Revenue) and Nizamat (Admin-
istrative) rights from Nizam-ud-Daulah(1765-66),
the new Nawab of Bengal. But the Company did
not take over direct administration and revenue
collection that means Company acquired power
without responsibility.
 Later on, in 1772, the first Governor General of
Bengal Warren Hastings ended the Dual System
of government.
ANGLO-MYSORE WARS
1. First War (1767-1769)
 Mysore was a powerful state under Haider Ali. In
1769, the first Anglo-Mysore war was fought in
which Haider Ali defeated the British and Treaty
of Madras was signed between them. Haider Ali
occupied almost the whole of Carnatic.
2. Second War (1780-1784)
 Warren Hastings attacked French port Mahe,
which was in Haider Ali’s territory.
 Haider Ali led a joint front with Nizam and Marathas
and captured Arcot (Capital of Carnatic State).
 In July 1781, Haider Ali was defeated at Porto Novo
by Eyre Coote and saved Madras.
 In December 1782, after the death of Haider Ali
the war was carried on by his son Tipu Sultan.
 Treaty of Mangalore was signed by Tipu Sultan in
March 1784 which ended the second Anglo-
Mysore war.
3. Third War (1789-1792)
 This war was fought between Tipu Sultan and
English, began in 1789 and ended with Tipu’s defeat
in 1792. In this war, Marathas and Nizam aided
the British and Cornwallis captured Bangalore.
60
History
 This war was ended by signing of Treaty of
Seringapatam, between Tipu Sultan and Lord
Cornwallis. In this treaty, Tipu ceded half of his
territories and two of his sons as hostages of war.
4. Fourth War (1799)
 In 1799, the British Army led by Lord Wellesley
attacked and defeated Tipu Sultan in a brief but
fierce war. He met a heroic end on 4th May, 1799
while defending his capital Seringapatam.
ANGLO-SIKH WARS
 Anglo Sikh wars began after the death of Maha-
raja Ranjit Singh in June, 1839.
1. First War (1845-1846)
 Lord Gough, the Commander-in-Chief and Lord
Hardinge, the Governor General marched towards
Ferozpur and declared a war on the Sikhs on De-
cember 13, 1845 and this war resulted in partial
subjugation of Sikh empire.
 Sikhs were defeated in all the four battles at
Mudki, Ferozpur, Aliwal and Sobraon.
 The Sikhs were forced to concede defeat and to
sign the humiliating Treaty of Lahore on March
8, 1846.
2. Second War (1848-1849)
 Dalhousie annexed Punjab. Sir John Lawrence
became the first Chief Commissioner of Punjab.
ANGLO-FRENCH CARNATIC (ARCOT) WARS
 In the mid 18th century, owing to the unstable
political situation in India, rivalry between the
English and the French did not remain confined
only to trade concerns but also assumed political
overtones. Thus, French and English were locked
in a struggle for economic and political fortune in
India which unfolded in the form of three Carnatic
Wars in South India.
1. First War (1746-1748)
 The French and the British companies clashed at
Carnatic. Dupleix was then the chief official of
the French Company at Pondicherry. The French
opened hostilities by sacking Fort St George (Ma-
dras) and expelled all Englishmen.
 The Nawab of Carnatic sent an army but was de-
feated on the banks of river Adyar by the French
Company under control of Dupleix.
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History
 The terms of Treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle (1748)
brought the Austrian War of succession to a con-
clusion. Under the terms of this treaty, Madras
was handed back to the English.
2. Second War (1749-1754)
 Dupleix aligned with Muzaffar Jung (Hyderabad)
and Chanda Sahib (Carnatic).
 Robert Clive attacked Arcot, the capital of Carnatic
and besieged it.
 In December 1754, the war ended with the Treaty
of Pondicherry.
3. Third War (1756-1763)
 In 1756, the Anglo-French struggle again started
in India as a reflection of the seven years war in
Europe. The French government sent Count de
Lally to India in April, 1758. Lally captured Fort
St. David in 1758 and attacked Tanjore.
 In January 1760, English General Sir Eyre Coote de-
feated the French army in the Battle of Wandiwash.
 In January 1761, the French army retreated to
Pondicherry, but the English followed there and captured
it. Mahe was also lost by the French to the British.
 With the conclusion of the Treaty of Paris in 1763 in
Europe, the war also ended in India and foiled the
dreams of the French to have an empire in India.
 Pondicherry was returned to French by the Treaty
of Paris.
ANGLO-MARATHA WARS
1. First War (1775-1782)
 Favouring the cause of Raghunath Rao for
Peshwaship, English (Hastings) came in conflict
with the Marathas and the first Anglo-Maratha war
was fought. On being defeated, the British had to
sign the humiliating Convention of Wadgaon in 1779
by which the Company was required to give up all
the advantages acquired by the Treaty of Purandar.
 First Anglo-Maratha war began with the Treaty of
Surat and ended with Treaty of Salbai.
 British signed Treaty of Salbai, renouncing the
cause of Raghunath Rao and Madhav Rao II was
accepted as the Peshwa.
Maratha Kingdom Territory
The Scindia Gwalior
The Holkar Indore
The Gaekwad Baroda
The Bhonsle Nagpur
The Peshwa Poona
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2. Second War (1803-1805)
 The Maratha’s Peshwa signed the Subsidiary
Alliance Treaty of Bassein (1802).
 The Maratha confederacy, which did not like the
idea challenged the British power but were
defeated by the British.
3. Third War (1816-1818)
 Lord Hastings was determined to proclaim Brit-
ish paramountcy in India. Hastings moved against
Pindaris and transgressed the sovereignty of the
Maratha Chief and the war began.
 The Marathas were decisively defeated.
POLICIES OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE IN INDIA
 The administrative policy of the Company under-
went frequent changes during the long period be-
tween 1757 and 1857.
Economic Policy in India
 The East India Company was purely a trading com-
pany dealing with import of goods and precious
metals into India and export of spices and textiles.
 The Company used revenue of Bengal to finance
exports of Indian goods.
 The Company used its political power to monopolize
trade and dictate terms to the weavers of Bengal.
LAND REVENUE SYSTEM
Permanent Settlement (or Zamindari System)
 It was introduced in Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and dis-
tricts of Benaras and northern districts of Madras
by Lord Cornwallis in 1793.
 John Shore planned the Permanent Settlement, who
later succeeded Cornwallis as Governor General.
 It declared Zamindars as the owners of the land.
Hence, they could keep 1/11th of the revenue
collected with themselves while the British got a
fixed share of 10/11th of the revenue collected.
The Zamindars were free to fix the rents.
 Assured of their ownership, many zamindars
stayed in towns (absentee landlordism) and
exploited their tenants.
Ryotwari System
 It was introduced in Bombay, Madras and Assam
region by Lord Hastings in 1822 whereas Munro
and Charles Reed recommended it.
 In this system, a direct settlement was made
between the government and the ryot (cultivator).
 The revenue was fixed for a period not exceeding
30 years, on the basis of the quality of the soil
and the nature of the crop.
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 The position of the cultivator became more secure
but the rigid system of revenue collection often
forced him into the clutches of the moneylender.
 Besides, the government itself became a big
zamindar and retained the right to enhance rev-
enue at will while the cultivator was left at the
mercy of its officers.
Mahalwari System
 It was a modified version of Zamindari settlement
introduced in the Ganga valley, North-West Fron-
tier Province, parts of Central India and Punjab.
It was also implemented by Lord Hastings in 1822.
 Revenue settlement was to be made by village or
estates (Mahals) with landlords or heads of fami-
lies who collectively claimed to be the landlords of
the village or estate. In western Uttar Pradesh, a
settlement was made with the village communi-
ties, which maintained a form of common owner-
ship known as Bhaichara, or with Mahals, which
were groups of villages.
 Revenue was periodically revised.
IMPORTANT ACTS (TILL 1857)
1. The Regulating Act, 1773
 It was the first attempt by the British Parliament
to regulate the affairs of the Company in India.
This act also brought an end to Dual system of
Government in India.
 This was the first attempt towards centralised Ad-
ministration.
 In this act, Governor of Bengal became Governor
General for all British territories in India.
 Bombay and Madras Presidency subordinated to
Bengal Presidency in certain matters.
 Supreme Court to be set up at Calcutta and also
founded Calcutta Madarasa.
2. The Pitts India Act, 1784
 This Act gave the British Government supreme
control over the Company’s affairs and its admin-
istration in India.
 It established dual system of governance :
(i) Government by Board of Control
(ii) Government by Court of Directors.
 The Board of Control was to guide and control the
work of the Court of Directors.
 Presidencies of Madras and Bombay were subordinated
to the Governor-General and Council of Bengal
in all matters of diplomacy, revenue and war.
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History
3. The Charter Act of 1813
 The Company was deprived of its monopoly over trade
with India except in tea and trade with China.
 Under this act, a sum of one lakh rupees ear-
marked annually for education and this amount
was paid by the Company.
4. The Charter Act of 1833
 It brought an end to Company’s trade monopoly
even in tea and trade with China.
 The Act centralised the administration of India.
 The Governor-General of Bengal became the Gov-
ernor-General of India (1st Governor-General of
India was Lord William Bentinck).
 Government of Madras and Bombay deprived of leg-
islative powers.
 A fourth member, law member, added to Council
of Governor-General.
 Civil Services was thrown open to the people of India.
 Regularised Opium Trade.
5. The Charter Act of 1853
 It extended life of the Company for an unspecified
period.
 Law member was made a full member of the
Executive Council of the Governor-General.
 Recruitment to Civil Services was based on open
annual competitive examination (excluding Indians).
BRITISH GOVERNOR GENERALS AND
VICEROYS OF INDIA (TILL 1857)
Bengal Governor General
Warren Hastings (1772-1785)
 Brought the Dual Government of Bengal to an end
by the Regulating Act, 1773.
 Deprived zamindars of their judicial powers and
Civil and Criminal courts were established.
 Maintenance of records was made compulsory.
 Great patron of oriental learning, founded the Asi-
atic Society of Bengal with William Jones in 1784,
wrote introduction to the first English translation
of ‘The Gita’ by Charles Wilkins.
 Impeachment proceeding started against him
when he retured on the charges of taking bribe.
After a trial of 7 years, he was finally acquitted.
Lord Cornwallis (1786-1793)
 Introduced the Permanent Settlement of Bengal
(also called Zamindari System).
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History
 First person to codify laws. The code separated the
revenue administration from the administration
justice.
 Police Reforms: Each district was divided into 400
sq. miles and placed under a police superintendent.
 The civil service was brought into existence.
Lord Wellesley (1798-1805)
 Adopted the policy of Subsidiary Alliance- a sys-
tem to keep the Indian rulers under control and
to make the British, the paramount power.
 The states that accepted this policy were the
Nizam of Hyderabad, the ruler of Mysore, the Raja
of Tanjore, the Peshwa, Nawab of Awadh, the
Bhonsle, Raja of Berar, the Scindia, the Rajputs of
Jodhpur, Jaipur, etc.
Governor Generals of India
Lord William Bentinck (1828-1835)
 Carried out the social reforms like Prohibition of
Sati (1829) and elimination of thugs (1830).
 Made English the medium of higher education in
the country (After the recommendation of Macaulay).
 Suppressed female infanticide and child sacrifice.
 Charter Act of 1833 was passed that made him
the first Governor General of India. Before him,
the designation was Governor General of Bengal.
Lord Dalhousie (1848-1856)
 Opened the first Indian Railway in 1853 (from
Bombay to Thane).
 Laid out the telegraph lines in 1853 (First was
from Calcutta to Agra).
 Introduced the Doctrine of Lapse and captured
Satara (1848), Jaipur and Sambhalpur (1849),
Udaipur (1862), Jhansi (1853) and Nagpur (1854).
 Established the postal system on the modem lines
through the length and breadth of the country,
which made communication easier.
 Started the Public Works Department. Many
bridges were constructed and the work on Grand
Trunk Road was started. The harbors of Karachi,
Bombay and Calcutta were also developed.
 Made Shimla, the summer capital.
 Started Engineering College at Roorkee.
 Encouraged science, forestry, commerce- miner-
alogy and industry.
 In 1854, ‘Wood’s Dispatch’ was passed, which was
provided for the properly anticulated system of
education from the primary school to university.
 Due to Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar’s efforts,
remarriage of widows was legalized by Widow
Remarriage Act, 1856.
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Viceroy Lord Canning (1856-1862)
 The last Governor General and the first Viceroy.
 Mutiny took place in his time.
 On November 1858, the rule passed on to the Crown.
 Withdrew Doctrine of Lapse.
 The Universities of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras
were established in 1857.
 Indian Councils Act was passed in 1861.
THE REVOLT OF 1857
Topic
Popular Movements Against British Rule
Important Acts after 1857
IMPORTANT TERMS
 Firangi: A term of Persian origin, possibly derived
from Frank (from which France get its name), is
used in Urdu and Hindi, often in a derogatory
sense, to designate foreigners.
 Mutiny: A collective disobedience of rule and
regulations within the armed forces.
 Revolt: A rebellion of people against established
authority and power.
 Enfield Rifles: These rifles were introduce initially
by Henary Hardinge (Governor General of East India
Company). Initially the greased cartridges were used,
after cutting the fixed paper on it supposed to be cov-
ered with the grease of pigs and cows. The Hindu
and Muslim Indian sepoys rebelled against it.
 Resident: Resident was designation of a represen-
tative of the Governor General who lived in a state
which was not under direct British rule.
 Subsidiary Alliance: It was a diplomatic system,
derived by Lord Wellesley in 1798 to bring more
and more Indian princely states under influence
and control of the Company.
IMPORTANT DATES
1. Mutiny starts in Meerut 10 May, 1857
2. Delhi garrisons revolt and 11-12 May, 1857
Bahadur Shah accepts
nominal leadership
3. Sepoys mutiny remained From 20 to 27 May, 1857
in Aligarh and Etawah,
Mainpuri, Etah
4. Rising of Rebellion in On 30 May, 1857
Lucknow (Capital of Awadh)
5. Mutiny turned into a general May-June, 1857
revolt of the people
6. English captured Delhi, September 20, 1857
revolt further breaks
out in central India.
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7. Sir Colin Campbell won the December 6, 1857
battle of Kanpur.
8. Campbell captured Lucknow March, 1858
9. English captured Jhansi April, 1858
10.English authority was Jul-Dec., 1858
re-established
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER
 Late in the afternoon of 10th May 1857, the sepoys
in the cantonment of Meerut broke out in mutiny.
It began in the lines of the native infantry, spread
very swiftly to the cavalry and then to the city.
 The ordinary people of the town and surrounding
villages joined the sepoys. The sepoys captured the
bell of arms where the arms and ammunition were
kept and proceeded to attack white people, and to
ransack and burn their bungalows and property.
 Government buildings - the record office, jail,
court, post office, treasury, etc., were destroyed
and plundered.
 The telegraph line to Delhi was cut. As darkness
descended, a group of sepoys rode off towards Delhi.
The sepoys arrived at the gates of the Red Fort
early in the morning on 11th May.
 Another group of sepoys also entered Delhi, and
the ordinary people of the city joined them.
Europeans were killed in large numbers ; the rich
of Delhi were attacked and looted. It was clear that
Delhi had gone out of British control.
 The sepoys began their action with a signal: in
many places it was the firing of the evening gun
or the sounding of the bugle. They first seized the
bell of arms and plundered the treasury. They then
attacked government buildings.
 In Kanpur, the sepoys and the people of the town
gave Nana Sahib, the successor to Peshwa Baji Rao
II and expected same to join the revolt as their
leader. In Jhansi, the Rani was forced by the popular
pressure around her to assume the leadership of
the uprising.
 Rumours and prophecies played an important part
in moving people in action. The sepoys who had
arrived in Delhi from Meerut had told Bahadur
Shah about bullets coated with the fat of cows and
pigs and that biting those bullets would corrupt
their caste and religion.
 Ther e was the rumour t hat the Brit ish
government had hatched a gigantic conspiracy to
destroy the caste and religion of Hindus and Muslims.
To this end, the rumours said, the British had mixed
the bone dust of cows and pigs into the flour.
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History
 Under the leadership of Governor General Lord
William Bentinck, the British adopted policies
that aimed at ‘reforming’ Indian society by
introducing Western education, Western ideas
and Western institutions. The British established
laws to abolish customs like sati (1829) and to
permit the remarriage of Hindu widows.
 In 1851 Governor General Lord Dalhousie described
the kingdom of Awadh as “a cherry that will drop into
our mouth one day”. Five years later, in 1856, the
kingdom was formally annexed to the British Empire.
 Lord Dalhousie’s annexations created disaffection
in all the areas and principalities that were
annexed but no where more so than in the
kingdom of Awadh in the heart of North India.
Here, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was dethroned and
exiled to Calcutta on the plea that the region was
being misgoverned.
 The prince, came to identify firangi raj with the
end of their world - the breakdown of things they
valued, respected and held dear. A whole complex of
emotions and issues, traditions and loyalties worked
themselves out in the revolt of 1857. The
annexation displaced not just the Nawab. It also
dispossed the taluqdars of the region. The rebel
proclamations in 1857 repeatedly appealed to all
sections of the population, irrespective of their caste
and creed. Many of the proclamations were issued
by Muslim princes or in their names but even these
took care to address the sentiments of Hindus.
 The proclamation completely rejected everything
associated with British rule or firangi raj as they
called it. They condemned the British for the
annexations they had carried out and the treaties
they had broken. About British, the rebel leaders
said could not be trusted.
 The proclamation expressed the widespread fears
that the British were bent on destroying the caste
and the religions of Hindus and Muslims and
converting them into Christianity.
 British attempts to recover Delhi began in early
June 1857 but it was only in late September that
the city was finally captured.
 In the Gangetic plain too the progress of British
reconquest was slow. The forces had to reconquer
the area village by village.
 British pictures offer a variety of images that were
mean to provoke a range of different emotions and
reactions. Some of them commensurate the
British heroes who saved the English and
repressed the rebels.
 Newspaper reports have a power over public
imagination; they shaped feelings and attitudes
of events. Inflamed particularly by tales of violence
against women and children, there were public
demands in Britain for revenge and retribution.
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History
 As waves of anger and shock spread in Britain
demands for retribution grew louder. There were
innumerable other pictures and cartoons in the
British press that sanctioned brutal repression
and violent reprisal.
 At the time when the clamour was for vengeance,
pleas for moderation were ridiculed. When
Governor General Canning declared that a gesture
of leniency and a show of mercy would help in
winning back the loyalty of the sepoys , he was
mocked in the British press.
 The national movement in the twentieth century
draw its inspiration from the events of 1857. A
whole world of nationalist imagination was woven
around the revolt. It was celebrated as the First
War of Independence in which all sections of the
people of India came together to fight against
imperial rule.
CAUSES OF REVOLT
1. Grievances of Sepoys
 Discrimination in payment and promotions.
 Ill-treatment of the sepoys by the British officials.
 Refusal of the British to pay foreign service
allowance (bhatta) while fighting in remote regions
such as Punjab or Sindh.
 Religious objections of the high caste Hindu sepoys
to Lord Canning’s General Service Enlistment Act
(1856) ordering all recruits to be ready for service
both within and outside India.
 All these led to disaffection among the sepoys
which manifested itself on a number of occasions
in the form of mutinies before 1857.
2. Grievances of Orthodox & Conservative People
 Fear of the Indians (both Muslim and Hindu) due
to the activities of the Christian missionaries and
the protection and encouragement given to them
by the British government.
 Humanitarian measures introduced by the
gov ernment, e.g. abolition of sat i (1829),
legalization of widow remarriage (1856), protection
of the civil rights of converts from Hinduism (by
the Religious Disabilities Act of 1856), spread of
western education.
3. Grievances of the Craftsmen, Peasants and Zamindars
 Destruction of village industries and handicrafts
due to the one-way free trade policy of the British.
 Loss of peasant’s lands to the moneylenders due to
the land and land-revenue policies of the British.
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4. Military causes
 Jolts given to the British armed strength by
certain events like the First Afghan War (1838-
42), Anglo- Sikh War (1845-49), Crimean War
(1854-56) and the Santhal Uprising (1855-57).
 The disproportionate ratio of the sepoys to the
Europeans in the British Indian Army (6:1).
5. Immediate cause
 Introduction of the Enfield rifle (January, 1857)
with greased (supposedly with the fat of cows and
pigs) cartridge, whose end had to be bitten off before
loading it into the rifle caused disaffection among
the sepoys and led to disobeyal of orders by the
sepoys of the 19th Native Infantry stationed at
Berhampur of February 26, 1857, and its
disbandment by the British Government (Colonel
Mitchell—its commanding officer).
 It also led to the mutiny of Mangal Pandey, a sepoy
of t he 34th Native Infantry stationed at
Barrackpore, on 29th March, 1857.
Centres of Revolts & their Leaders
1. Delhi Bahadur Shah was the nominal
leader. The real command was
under General Bakht Khan.
2. Kanpur The revolt was led by Nana Sahib.
Most of the fighting was done by
Tantia Tope. Azimullah Khan was
another loyal servant of Nana Sahib.
3. Lucknow The revolt was led by Hazrat Mahal
the begum of Awadh. Maulvi
Ahmadullah of Faizabad was also
one of the great leaders.
4. Jhansi Rani Laxmi Bai assumed the
leadership of the sepoys. Later, she
captured Gwalior with the help of
Tantia Tope and Afghan guards.
5. Bareilly Khan Bahadur Khan proclaimed
himself as Nawab Nazim.
6. Arrah Kunwar Singh, the ruined Zamindar
of Jagdishpur was the main leader.
Suppression of the Revolt
1. Gen. John Captured Delhi on September 20,1857.
Nicholson
2. Lieutenant Killed Bahadur Shah’s sons and grandsons
Hudson in Delhi
3. Sir Hugh Defence against Nana Sahib’s forces in
Wheeler the beginning.
4. Colonel Supressed Banaras rebellion and put
James Neill to-death all suspected rebels and
disorderly sepoys.
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5. Sir Colin Final recovery of Kanpur on 6th December
Campbell 1857. He captured Lucknow on 21st
March 1858.
6. Henry Chief Commissioner of Awadh (died).
Lawrence
7. Maj. Gen. Defeated the rebels (Nana Sahib’s force)
Havelock on July 17,1857.
8. Vincent Eyre Suppressed the revolt at Arrah in
August 1857.
9. Hugh Rose He killed Rani Laxmibai and
suppressed the revolt at Jhansi.
IMPORTANT ACTS PASSED (AFTER 1857)
1. The Government of India Act, 1858
 Indian Administration transferred from Company
to British Crown i.e. end of rule of East India
Company and beginning of direct rule of Crown.
 In this act, the Court of Directors and Board of
Control abolished. Thus, the ‘Double Government’
introduced by the Pitt’s India Act of 1784 was
finally ended. The Doctrine of Lapse was also
withdrawn under this act.
 The post of ‘Secretary of State’ for India was created
(who was the member of the British cabinet, and a
direct representative of the Parliament).
 Governor-General was to be called the ‘Viceroy’ and
was the direct representative of the Crown in India.
 A unitary and highly centralized administrative
structure was created.
2. The Indian Councils Act, 1861
 Foundation of Indian legislature was laid down in
1861 and the policy of association of Indians in
legislation started.
 Legislative powers of the Presidency Government
deprived in 1833 were restored.
 Under this act, the Civil Services became Indian
Civil Services.
 Portfolio (or Cabinet) system in the Government
of India was introduced.
 Viceroy could issue ordinances in case of emergency.
3. The Indian Councils Act, 1909
(The Morley-Minto Reforms)
 Morley was the Secretary of State, while Minto
was the Indian Viceroy.
 It introduced for the first time indirect elections
to the Legislative Councils.
 Separate electorates were introduced for the
Muslims.
 Resolution could be moved before the Budget takes
its final form. Supplementary questions could be asked.
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History
4. The Government of India Act, 1919
(The Montague-Chelmsford Reforms)
 Subjects of administration were divided into two
categor ies - ‘Central’ and ‘Provincial’. All
important subjects (like Railways, and Finance)
were brought under the category of Central, while
matters relating to the administration of the
provinces were classified as provincial.
 Dyarchy system introduced in the provinces.
 The Provincial subjects of administration were
divided into two categories ‘transferred’ and
‘Reserved’ subjects.
 The Transferred subjects were to be administered
by the Governor with the aid of ministers
responsible to the Legislative Council.
 The Reserved subjects (Rail, Post, Telegraph,
Finance, Law & order, etc.) were to be administered
by the Governor and his Executive Council.
 Indian legislature became ‘bicameral’ for the first time.
 Communal representation extended to Sikhs.
 Secretary of State for India now to be paid from
British revenue.
 An office of the High Commissioner of India was
created in London.
5. The Government Of India Act, 1935
 This Act provided for setting up of the Federation
of India comprising British Indian provinces and
Indian States (Princely States). The joining of
Princely States was voluntary and as a result, the
federation did not come into existence.
 Dyarchy in the provinces was replaced by Provincial
autonomy. They were granted separate legal identity.
 It made three fold division of powers : Federal,
Provincial and Concurrent. Residuary powers were
to be with the Governor-General.
 The Indian Council of Secretary of State for India
was abolished.
 The Federal Bank (The Reserve Bank of India)
and the Federal Court (Supreme Court of India)
were established in 1935 and 1937, respectively.
6. Indian Independence Act, 1947
 This Act did not lay down any provision for the
administration of India.
 Partition of India and the establishment of two
Dominions (India and Pakistan).
 Constituent Assembly of each Dominion would
have unlimited powers to frame and adopt any
Constitution.
 The office of the Secretary of State for India was to
be abolished and his work was to be taken over by
the Secretary of State for commonwealth affairs.
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VICEROYS OF INDIA
(FROM 1857-1947)
Lord Canning (1856-62)
 Indian Penal Code 1859 was passed.
 Indian Council Act was passed in 1861.
Lord Elgin (1862)
Wahabi Movement.
Lord John Lawrence (1864-69)
 Established the High Courts at Calcutta, Bombay
and Madras in 1865.
 Tele graphic communication was opened with
Europe.
 Created the Indian Forest Department.
Lord Mayo (1869-72)
 Organised the statistical survey of India and for the
first time in Indian history, a Census was held in 1871.
 Started the process of financial decentralization
in India.
 Established the Department of Agriculture and
Commerce.
 Established the Rajkot College at Kathiavar and
Mayo College at Ajmer for the Indian princes. He
was the only viceroy to be murdered in office by a
Pathan convict in the Andamans in 1872.
Lord Northbrook (1872-1876)
Lord Lytton (1876-80)
 Known as the Viceroy of reverse character.
 Royal Titles Act of 1876 and the assumption of
the title of ‘Empress of India’ by Queen Victoria,
the Delhi Durbar in January 1877.
 Vernacular Press Act and the Arms Act (made it
mandatory for Indians to acquire license in arms)
of 1878.
Lord Ripon (1880-84)
 First Factory Act of 1881. (prohibited labour)
 Local Self-Government was introduced in 1882.
 Repealed the Vernacular Press Act in 1882.
 Finances of the centre were divided.
 An Education Commission was appointed under
Sir William Hunter in 1882 to improve primary
and secondary education.
 The Ilbert Bill Controversy (1883). It enabled Indian
district magistrates to try European criminals.
Lord Dufferin (1884-88)
 Third Burmese War (AD 1885-86).
 Establishment of the Indian National Congress in 1885.
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Lord Lansdowne (1888-94)
 Factory Act of 1891 granted weekly holiday and
stipulated working hours for women and children.
 Civ il Ser vices were divided into Imperial,
Provincial and Subordinate Services.
 Indian Councils Act of 1892.
 The Durand Commission defined the Durand Line
between British India and Afghanistan (now
between Pakistan and Afghanistan) in 1893.
Lord Elgin II (1894-99)
 Southern uprisings of 1899. Great famine of 1896-
1897 and Lyall Commission on famine was
established.
Lord Curzon (1899-1905)
 A commission was appointed under Sir Thomas
Raleigh in 1902, to suggest reforms regarding
universities, the Indian Universities Act of 1904
was passed on the basis of its recommendations.
 Agricultural Research Institute was established
at Pusa in Delhi. Partition of Bengal in 1905.
 Colonel Young Husband’s Expedition to Tibet in 1904.
Lord Minto (1905-1910)
 Swadeshi Movement (1905-08); foundation of
Muslim League (1906); Surat Session and split in
the Congress (1907).
 Morley-Minto Reforms (1909).
Lord Hardinge (1910-16)
Capital shifted from Calcutta to Delhi (1911); Delhi
Durbar; Partition of Bengal was cancelled. The
Hindu Mahasabha was founded in 1915 by Pandit
Madan Mohan Malaviya.
Lord Chelmsford (1916-21)
 Gandhi returned to India (1915) and founded the
Sabarmati Ashr am (1916), Champaran
Satyagraha, Satyagraha at Ahmedabad (1918),
Kheda Satyagraha (1918).
 Rowlatt Act (March, 1919) and the Jallianwala
Bagh Massacre (April 13, 1919).
 Khilafat Committee was formed and Khilafat
Movement started, (1919-20).
 Non-Cooperation Movement started (1920-22).
 Women’s University was founded at Poona (1916).
Lord Reading (1921-26)
 Repeal of Rowlatt Act.
 Chauri-Chaura Incident.
 RSS founded in 1925.
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 Suppressed Non-Cooperation Movement.
 Formation of Swaraj Party.
 Kakori Train Robbery on August 1, 1925.
Lord Irwin (1926-31)
 Simon Commission visited India in 1927.
 Congress passed the Indian Resolution in 1929.
 Dandi March (March 12, 1930).
 Civil Disobedience Movement (1930).
 First Round Table Conference was held in England
in 1930.
 Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
 Lahore Session of Congress and Poorna Swaraj
Declaration (1925).
Lord Willingdon (1931-36)
 Second Round Table Conference in London in 1931
and third in 1932.
 Government of India Act, (1935) was passed.
 Communal Awards (August 16, 1932) assigned
seats to different religious communities. Gandhiji
went on a epic fast to protest against this division.
Lord Linlithgow (1936-44)
 Congress Ministries resignation celebrated as
‘Deliverance Day’ by the Muslim League (1939),
the Lahore Resolution (March 23, 1940) of the
Muslim League demanding separate state for the
History
Muslims. (It was at this session that Jinnah
propounded his Two-Nation Theory).
 Outbreak of World War II in 1939.
 Cripps Mission in 1942.
 Quit India Movement (August 8, 1942).
Lord Wavell (1944-47)
 Cabinet Mission Plan (May 16, 1946).
 First meeting of the Constituent Assembly was
held on December 9, 1946. Arranged the Shimla
Conference on June 25, 1945 with Indian National
Congress and Muslim League failed.
Lord Mountbatten (March 1947-August 1947)
Last Viceroy of British India and the first Governor
General of free India. Partition of India decided by the
June 3 Plan or Mountbatten Plan. Retired in June 1948
and was succeeded by C.Rajagopalachari the first and
the last Indian Governor General of Free India.
IMPACT OF THE REVOLT
 The control of Indian administration was passed
on to the British Crown by the Government of India
Act, 1858.
 Reorganisation of army. After the revolt, the
British pursued the policy of Divide and Rule.

POPULAR MOVEMENTS AGAINST BRITISH RULE (BEFORE AND AFTER 1857)

Socio-Religious Movements
Name of the organisation Year Place Founder Remark
1. Atmiya Sabha 1815 Calcutta Rammohan Roy Its aim was to attack the evils in
Hinduism and to ropagate monotheism.
2. Brahmo Samaj 1828 Calcutta Rammohan Roy It was initially known as Brahmo Sabha
and its aim was the same as above.
3. Tattvabodhini Sabha 1839 Calcutta Debendranath Tagore Its aim was to propagate Rammohan
Roy’s ideas.
4. Brahmo Samaj of India 1866 Calcutta Keshab Chandra Sen A group of Brahmos under Sen
established this new organisation
after seceding from the original
Samaj (established by Roy) over the
question of social reforms. After this
session, the old one came to be
known as the Adi Brahmo Samaj.
5. Prarthana Samaj 1867 Bombay Dr. Atmaram Pandurang In 1870 it was Joined by M.G.
Ranade and R.G. Bhandarkar. Its
aim was reformation of Hindu
religious thought and practice.
6. Arya Samaj 1875 Bombay Swami Dayanand Its main aims were reform of Hinduism
Saraswati and prevention of the conversion of
Hindus to other religions.

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7. Theosophical Society
8. Sadharan Brahmo Samaj
9. Deccan Education Society
10. Indian National Social
Conference
11. Ramakrishna Mission
12. Servants of Indian Society
13. Poona Seva Sadan
14. Muhammadan Educational
Conference
1875 New York Madame H.P. Blavatsky They came to India (1879) and established
(USA) and Col. H.S. Olcott their headquarters at Adyar, near
Madras (1882). Its main aims were
promotion of ancient religions and
philosophies, formation of universal
brotherhood of man, etc.
1878 Calcutta Anand Mohan Bose, As the result of a second schism
among the Brahmos, a group of
Shivanatha Shastri, etc. young followers of K.C. Sen left him
over the question of management
of the Samaj and social reforms.
1884 Poona G.G. Agarkar, M.G. Its aim was to remodel the education of
Ranade, V.G. Chibdonkar the young in order to prepare them
for the service of the country.
1887 Bombay M G. Ranade Its aim was to remove the social evils
prevalent in the Indian society and
to promote the welfare of women.
1897 Belur Swami Vivekananda Its main aim was to carry on
humanitarian relief and social work.
1905 Bombay Gopala Krishna Gokhale Its aim was to train Indians in
different fields for the service of their
motherland.
1909 Poona Mrs Ramabai Ranade Its aim was to promote the welfare
of women.
1886 Aligarh Sir Syed Ahmed Khan Its aim was to promote the education
and others of Muslim masses on western lines
(this and other educational and
social service activities of Sir Syed
and his followers are together
known as the ‘Aligarh Movement’).

Peasant Movements
Movement Place Year Leaders
1. Indigo Revolt Bengal 1859 Bishnu and Digambar Biswas
2. Champaran Bihar 1917 Gandhi Ji (Initiated by Raj Kumar Shukla)
3. Kheda Gujarat 1918 Gandhi Ji and Vallabh Bhai Patel (Initiated by
Mohanlal Pandya)
4. Moplah Kerala 1921 Sayyad Ali and Sayyid Fazl
5. Bordoli/Borsad Gujarat 1928 Vallabh Bhai Patel (In this movement, Patel bestowed
the title of ‘Sardar’)
6. Telengana Andhra Pradesh 1946 Kumaraiya and Sundaraiya
7. Forest Satyagrah South India 1931 NV Rama Naidu, NG Ranga

Non-Tribal Movements
Name of the Area Affected Year Leader(s) Main Cause(s) Course of the
Movement Movement and
Consequences
1. Katchh Katch and 1816-19 Rao Bharmal Anti-British feeling due Final defeat and
Rebellion Kathiawar (ruler of Katchh) to British expansionist deposal of Rao
policy and their interferenc Bharmal; imposition of
in internal affairs of Subsidiary Treaty on
Katchh. Katchh

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2. Kittur Rising Kittur (near 1824-29 Channamma and Death of Shivalinga Rudra Revolt of Channamma
Dharwar in Rayappa Desai (chief) of Kittur (1824), (widow of late Desai)
Karnataka) leaving no male to recognise in 1824 and murder
the adopted issue; refusal of English officers
of the British assumption including Thackeray
of administration of a kittur (collector of Dharwar)
by British. conquest of Kittur and
its annexation by the British.
3. Satara Satara 1840-41 Dhar Rao Pawar Deposal and banishment Revolt of the people of
Disturbances (Maharashtra) and Narsingh of Pratap Singh, the popular Satara under Dhar Rao
Dattatreya ruler of Satara by the British in 1840; their revolt under
Petkar Narsingh and seizure of
Badami in 1841, defeat
and capture of Narshingh
by the British (he was
transported for life).
4. Wahabi North India and 1820-70 Sayyid Ahmad Degeneration of the Islamic Fight of the Wahabis
Movement Deccan (founder of the society and. loss of power against the British for
Movement) to the British. 50 long years, and their
final suppression by
British after a series
of trials in the 1860s.
5. Kuka Punjab 1845-72 Bhagat Jawahar Degeneration of Sikh Though it started as
Movement Mal (Founder) religion and loss of Sikh a religious reform
sovereignty movement, it became
a movement for the
restoration of Sikh
sovereignty after the
annexation of Punjab
by the British.

Tribal Movements
Name of the Area Affected Year Leader(s) Course of the Movement and
Movement Consequences
1. Chuar Uprising Nanbhum and 1768 & 1832 Raja Jagannath Defiance of British authority by
Barabhum Chuars; suppression of the uprising
(West Bengal) by the British through use of force
as well as conciliatory measures.
2. Bhil Uprising Khandesh 1817 to 1848 Sewaram Beginning of revolt of Bhils with
British occupation of Khandesh (1817)
and their defiance of British for 30
years; final suppression through
military operations combined with
conciliatory measures.
3. Khasis Khasi Hills 1829-32 Tirut Singh and Unsuccessful attempts of the Khasis
(Assam & Bar Manik to drive away the British from their
Meghalaya) (Chiefs of territory; surrender of all Khasi chiefs,
Nounklow and including Tirut Singh to the British in
Molim respectively) 1832.

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4. Kols Chhotanagpur 1831-32 Buddhu Bhagat Suppression of the revolt after

extensive military operations by
British and death of Bhagat.
5. Santhals Rajmahal Hills 1855-56 Sidhu & Kanhu Revolt of Santhals and establishment
(Bihar) of their own government (July, 1855);
defeat of British under Major
Burrough by Santhals; transfer of the
disturbed area to the military and
final suppression of the revolt by the
end of 1856; creation of a separate
district of Santhal Paraganas to
prevent Santhals from revolting
again in future.
6. Mundas Chhota nagpur 1899-1900 Birsa Munda Foundation of a new religious sect,
with Singh Bonga as the only true
god, by Birsa (1895); British fears over
Birsa’s preachings among Mundas,
and arrest and imprisonment of Birsa
(1895-97); release of Birsa and revival
of his doctrine (1898); revolt of
Mundas and their attack of churches
and police stations (1899); defeat of
Mundas by British (Jan, 1900) and
capture of Birsa (he died of cholera
in jail in June 1900).

INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT  “INC is a begging institute”. —Aurobindo Ghosh

Topic
 Chief National Activities
 Gandhi's Role in India's Struggle of Freedom
 Some Important Congress Sessions
CHIEF NATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Formation of the Indian National Congress
 It was formed in 1885 by AO Hume.
 The first session was held in Bombay under WC
Bonnerjee in 1885, attended by 72 delegates from
all over India.
 Moderate leaders Dada Bhai Naoroji, Badruddin
Tyabji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Surendranath
Banerjee, Anand Mohan Bose.
Selected Opinions about INC
 “INC represents only a microscopic miniorities”.
—Lord Dufferin
 “The Congress is tottering to its fall, and one of
my great ambitions while in India, is to assist it
to a peaceful demise”. —Lord Curzon
 “INC should distinguished between begging and
claiming the rights”.
—Bal Gangadhar Tilak
 “INC playing with bubbles”. —Bipin Chandra Pal
Partition of Bengal (1905)
By Lord Curzon on16 October, 1905 through a royal
proclamation, reducing the old province of Bengal in
size by creating East Bengal and Assam out of the rest
of Bengal.
The Anti Partition Movement
 The Anti-Partition Movement was initiated on
August 7, 1905.
 It began in Bengal by the moderate leaders like
Surendranath Banerjee and Krishna Kumar Mitra.
 It soon spread to other parts of India under the
extremist leaders.
 On the day of 16th October 1905, there was a fast-
ing and hartal in Calcutta. It was observed as day
of mourning and people bathed in the Ganga in
the early morning hours.
 Rabindranath Tagore composed the national song
Amar Sonar Bangla, which was sung by huge crowds.
 Vande Mataram became the national song of Bengal.

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 Hindus and Muslims tied rakhi on one another’s wrists
as a symbol of the unbreakable unity of the Bengalis.
 The veteran leader Ananda Mohan Bose laid the
foundation of a Federation Hall to mark the inde-
structible unity of Bengal.
Swadeshi Movement (1905)
 Had its origin in the anti-partition movement of Bengal
 Lal, Bal, Pal and Aurobindo Ghosh played an im-
portant role.
 INC took the swadeshi call first at the Banaras
Session, 1905 presided over by GK Gokhale.
Muslim League (1906)
Setup in 1906 by Aga Khan, Nawab Salimullah of
Dhaka and Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk. The League sup-
ported the partition of Bengal and opposed the Swadeshi
Movement, demanded special safeguards to its commu-
nity and a separate electorate for Muslims. This led to
communal differences between Hindus and Muslims.
Surat Session (1907)
 The INC split into two groups— The extremists
and the moderates, due to the debate on nature
of Swadeshi Movement.
 Extremists were led by Bal, Lal, Pal while the mod-
erate by GK Gokhale.
Minto-Morley Reforms (1909)
 The reforms envisaged a separate electorate for
Muslims besides other constitutional measures.
Ghadar Party (1913)
Formed by Lala Hardayal, Taraknath Das and
Sohan Singh Bhakna. Headquarter—San Francisco.
The name was taken from a weekly paper, Ghadar,
which had been started on November 1, 1913 to com-
memorate the 1857 Revolt.
Home Rule Movement (1916)
 Started by BG Tilak (April, 1916) at Poona and
Annie Besant and S. Subramania Iyer at Adyar,
near Madras (September, 1916).
 Objective self-government for India in the Brit-
ish Empire.
 Tilak supported the movement and joined Annie
Besant. He raised the slogan: Swaraj is my birth
right and I shall have it.
Lucknow Pact (1916)
Pact between INC and Muslim League following a
war between Britain and Turkey leading to anti-Brit-
ish feelings among Muslims. Both organisations jointly
demand dominion status for the country.
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History
Rowlatt Act (March 18, 1919)
 This gave unbridled powers to the government to
arrest and imprison suspects without trial. This
law enabled the Government to suspend the right
of Habeas Corpus, which had been the foundation
of civil liberties in Britain.
 Rowlatt Satyagrah was started against the act.
This was the first country wide agitation by
Gandhiji.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (April 13, 1919)
 People were agitated over the arrest of Dr. Kitchlu
and Dr. Satyapal on April 10, 1919.
 General O’ Dyer fired at people who assembled in
the Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar. Hunter Commis-
sion was appointed to enquire into it. Sardar
Udham Singh killed General Dyer in Caxton Hall,
London.
Khilafat Movement (1920)
 Muslims were agitated by the treatment done with
Turkey by the British in the treaty that followed
the First World War.
 Ali brothers, Mohd Ali and Shaukat Ali started this
movement. It was jointly led by the Khilafat lead-
ers and the Congress.
Non-Cooperation Movement (1920)
 Congress passed the resolution in its Calcutta Ses-
sion in September, 1920. It was the first mass-
based political movement under Gandhiji.
 Refusal to attend government durbars and boycott
of British courts by the lawyers.
Chauri-Chaura Incident (1922)
 The Congress Session at Allahabad in December
1921, decided to launch a Civil Disobedience
Movement. Gandhiji was appointed its leader. But
before it could be launched, a mob of people at
Chauri-Chaura (near Gorakhpur) clashed with the
police and burnt 22 police men on February 5, 1922.
 This compelled Gandhiji to withdraw the Non-Co-
operation Movement on February 12, 1922.
Swaraj Party (1923)
Motilal Nehru, CR Das and NC Kelkar (called Pro-chang-
ers) demanded that the nationalists should end the boycott
of the Legislative Councils, enter them and expose them.
The Simon Commission (1927)
 Constituted under John Simon, to review the po-
litical situation in India and to introduce further
reforms and extension of parliamentary democracy.
 Indian leaders opposed the commission, as there
were no Indians in it.
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History
 The Government used brutal repression and police
attacks to break the popular opposition. At Lahore,
Lala Lajpat Rai was severely beaten in a lathi charge.
He succumbed to his injuries on October 30, 1928.
Lahore Session (1929)
 On December 19,1929 under the Presidentship
of J. L. Nehru, the INC, at its Lahore Session, de-
clared Poorna Swaraj (Complete Independence) as
its ultimate goal.
 On December 31, 1929, the newly adopted tri-
colour flag was unfurled and 26th November, 1930
was fixed as the First Independence Day, which
was to be celebrated every year.
First Round Table Conference (1930)
 It was the first conference arranged between the Brit-
ish and Indians as equals. It was held on November
12, 1930 in London to discuss Simon Commission.
 Hindu Mahasabha and Muslim League participated
in it. The Conference failed due to absence of INC.
Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931)
 The government represented by Lord Irwin and
INC by Gandhiji signed a pact on March 5, 1931.
 In this the INC called off the Civil Disobedience
Movement and agreed to join the Second Round
Table Conference.
 The government allowed the villagers on the coast
to make salt for consumption and released the
political prisoners.
 The Karachi Session of 1931 endorsed the Gandhi-
Irwin Pact.
Second Round Table Conference (1931)
Gandhiji represented the INC and went to London
to meet British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald.
The conference however failed as Gandhiji could not
agree with British Prime Minister on policy of commu-
nal representation and refusal of the British govern-
ment on the basic Indian demand for freedom.
Poona Pact (September 25, 1932)/ Gandhi-Ambedkar Pact
The idea of separate electorate for the depressed
classes was abandoned, but seats reserved for them
in the provincial legislature were increased. Thus,
Poona Pact agreed upon a joint electorate for upper
and lower castes.
Third Round Table Conference (1932)
Proved fruitless as most of the national leaders were
in prison.
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August Offer (8 August, 1940)
It offered (i) Dominion status in the unspecified
future, (ii) A post-war body to enact the Constitution
(iii) to expand the Governor-General’s Executive Coun-
cil to give full weightage to minority opinion. This was
rejected by INC but was accepted by the Muslim League.
The Cripps Mission (1942)
The British government with a view to get co-op-
eration from Indians in 2nd World War, sent Sir Stafford
Cripps to settle disputes with Indian leaders.
He offered dominion status to be granted after war.
The Congress rejected it. Gandhiji termed it as post
dated cheque on a crashing bank.
REVOLUTIONARY ACTIVITIES
 The first political murder of a European was com-
mitted in 1897, at Pune by the Chapekar broth-
ers Damodar and Balkrishna. Their target was Mr.
Rand, President of the Plague Commission, but
Lt. Ayerst was accidentally shot.
 In 1907, Madam Bhikaiji Cama, a Parsi revolu-
tionary, unfurled the flag of India at Stuttgart Con-
gress (of Second International).
 In 1908, Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki threw
a bomb on the carriage of Kingford, the unpopular
judge of Muzaffarpur. Khudiram, Kanhaiyalal Dart
and Satyendranath Bose were hanged. (Alipur Case).
 In 1909, M.L. Dhingra shot dead CH. William
Curzon Whyllie, the political advisor of India Of-
fice in London.
 In 1912, Rashbehari Bose and Sachindra Nath
Sanyal threw a bomb at Lord Hardinge at Delhi.
(Delhi Conspiracy Case).
 In October 1924, a meeting of revolutionaries from all
parts of India was called at Kanpur. They setup
Hindustan Socialist Republic Association/Army (HSRA).
 They carried out a decoity on the Kakori bound
train on the Saharanpur-Lucknow railway line on
August 9, 1925.
 Bhagat Singh, with his colleagues, shot dead
Saunders (Asst. S. P. of Lahore, who ordered lathi
charge on Lala Lajpat Rai) on December 17, 1928.
 Then Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw a
bomb in the Central Assembly on April 8, 1929. Thus,
he, Rajguru and Sukhdev were hanged on March, 23,
1931 at Lahore Jail (Lahore Conspiracy Case) and their
bodies cremated at Hussainiwala near Ferozepur.
 In 1929 Jatin Das died in Lahore jail after 63 days
fast to protest against horrible conditions in jail.
 Surya Sen; a revolutionary of Bengal, formed the
Indian Republic Army in Bengal. In 1930, he mas-
terminded the raid on Chittagong armoury. He was
hanged in 1933.
73

 In 1931, Chandrashekhar Azad shot himself at
Alfred Park in Allahabad.
MOVEMENTS LED BY M.K. GANDHI
Gandhi ji came to India in the year 1915 but his
active participation into Indian politics can be traced
with the Champaran Satyagraha (1917), Kheda
Satyagraha (1918) and Ahmedabad Mill Workers strike
(1918) respectively.
 During the Gandhian period, the objective of Con-
gress was the attainment of Swaraj by all legiti-
mate means.
 Gandhiji advocated the adoption of the policy of
Satyagraha (literally persistence in truth), i. e., non-
violent, non-cooperation towards the government.
 Gandhiji emerged as the most popular and accept-
able figure in Indian politics because of his tech-
nique of mass mobilization.
THREE GREAT MASS MOVEMENTS
1. The Khilafat and Non-Cooperation Movement
(1919-22)
 A Khilafat Committee was formed under the lead-
ership of the Ali Brothers, Maulana Abul Kalam
Azad and Hakim Ajmal Khan, and a countrywide
agitation was organised.
 The All India Khilafat Conference held at Delhi in
November 1919 decided to withdraw all co-operation
from the government if their demands were not met.
 The Khilafat Committee launched a Non- Coop-
eration Movement on August 31, 1920.
 Gandhiji became one of the leaders of the Khilafat
Movement to maintain Hindu-Muslim unity.
 The Congress held a special session in Septem-
ber 1920 at Calcutta and an annual session in
December 1920 at Nagpur, and passed a resolu-
tion to launch Non-Cooperation Movement.
 On the basis of Lucknow Pact, Anti-Rowlatt Agitation,
Jallianwala Bagh tragedy, Khilafat Movement and
Swaraj, the Congress launched the Non-Cooperation
Movement. The Tilak Swaraj Fund was started to
finance the Non-Cooperation Movement.
 The main emphasis of the movement was on boycott
of schools, colleges, law courts, elections to Provincial
and Central Assembly. Advocacy of the use of
Charkha, Swadeshi education. Top lawyers like C.R.
Das and Motilal Nehru gave up their legal practice.
 Some swadeshi programmes like swadeshi Edu-
cation (establishment of Jamia Milia Islamia in
Delhi and Kashi Vidyapeeth in Banaras), Hindu-
Muslim unity, removal of untouchability, no tax
campaign etc. were implemented.
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History
 Non-Cooperation Movement progressed powerfully
from January, 1920 to early February, 1922 and
it was the first well organised Indian movement.
 The attack on a local police station by angry peas-
ants at Chauri Chaura, in Gorakhpur district of
UP, on February 5, 1922, changed the whole situ-
ation. Gandhiji was shocked by this incident and
withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement to pre-
vent the public mass from demoralisation.
 On the failure of this movement, Subhash
Chandra Bose said it as a “National Calamity”.
2. The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930)
 To achieve the goal of ‘Complete Independence’
Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) was started
by Gandhiji with the Dandi March on March 12,
1930. He started his march alongwith 78 follow-
ers from Sabarmati Ashram to the small village
Dandi (Navsari District) to break the Salt Law.
Gandhi covered a distance of 240 miles in 24 days.
 The Civil Disobedience Movement differed from the
earlier Non-Cooperation Movement (1921-22) be-
cause the policy of Non-Cooperation Movement was
affecting the administration of the Government by
non-cooperation whereas the Civil Disobedience
Movement aimed at paralysing the administration
by performance of specific illegal acts.
Chronology of events in Civil Disobedience Movement
 12th March, 1930 : Dandi March was undertaken
from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi by Gandhiji.
 18th April 1930 : Chittagong Armoury was raided
by Surya Sen.
 January 1931: First Round Table Conference.
 5th March, 1931: ‘Delhi Pact’ signed between Vice-
roy Irwin and Gandhiji.
 23rd March 1931: Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and
Sukhdev were executed.
 March, 1931 (Karachi Congress): It accepted Delhi
Pact and Civil Disobedience Movement was with-
drawn. The session also passed the resolution for
Fundamental Rights and the Economic Policy.
 Sept.-Dec. 1931: Gandhiji participated in Second
Round Table Conference alongwith Sarojini Naidu.
 Dec. 1931: Gandhiji returned and launched CDM
but the movement was brutally suppressed by force.
 April, 1934: The movement was withdrawn formally.
Facts about Gandhi
 Date and Place of birth: Oct. 2, 1869 at Porbandar,
Gujarat.
 Father: Karamchand Gandhi, Mother: Putalibai,
Political Guru: Gopal Krishna Gokhale.
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History
 Literary Influences on Gandhi: The Kingdom of
God is Within You (Leo Tolstoy), Unto the Last
(John Ruskin’s), Civil Disobedience (Thoreau)
and the Gita.
 Literary Works: Hind Swaraj (1909), My Experi-
ments with Truth (his autobiography written in
Gujarati language).
 As an Editor: Indian Opinion, Harijan, Young In-
dia (in English and Gujarati - named Navjeevan)
 Other Names: Mahatma (Saint) by Rabindranath
Tagore, Rashtrapita (the Father of the Nation)
by Subhash Chandra Bose, Nanga Faqir/Traitor
Faqir by Winston Churchill,
Note: UNO declared Oct. 2 as International Non-
Violence Day”
3. Quit India Movement (1942)
 In the back-drop of the failure of Cripps Mission,
imminent Japanese threat, the British attitude
towards Indians who were left behind in Burma
and the prevailing anger and hostility to an alien
and meaningless war, Quit India resolution was
passed on 8 August, 1942 at Gowalia Tank, Bombay.
Gandhiji told the British to quit and “leave India in
God’s hand”. His message was ‘Do or Die’.
 In this movement, all the prominent leaders like Gandhi,
Nehru, Patel etc. were arrested but the other leaders
like Jai Prakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, Aruna
Ashaf Ali, Usha Mehta (she ran All-India Congress
Radio) etc. continued the revolutionary struggle.
 Violence spread throughout the country and parallel
government were established in some places viz. 1.
Balia (Uttar Pradesh), 2. Tamulak (Bengal) 3. Satara
(Maharashtra) 4. Talcher (Orissa). Finally, the move-
ment was, however, crushed by the government.
Public Participation
 The participation was on many levels. School and
college students remained in the forefront, women
actively participated and workers went on strikes.
There were no communal clashes during the
movement. Repression was severe.
 Communist Party of India due to its People’s War line
did not support the movement. The Indian princes
and the landlords were supporting the war effort and
therefore did not sympathize with the movement.
 Some Congress leaders like Rajagopalachari also
did not participate.

Pre-Congress Nationalist Organisations

Organisation Founder (s) Year Place
Landholders’ Society Dwarakanath Tagore 1830 Calcutta
British India Society William Adam 1839 London
British India Association Debendranath Tagore 1851 Calcutta
East India Association Dadabhai Naoroji 1866 London
National Indian Association Mary Carpenter (biographer of Rammohan Roy) 1867 London
Poona Sarvajanik Sabha S.H. Chiplunkar, G.V. Joshi, M.G. Ranade, etc. 1870 Poona
Indian Society Anand Mohan Bose 1872 London
Indian Association Anand Mohan Bose and S.N. Bannerji 1876 Calcutta
Bombay Presidency Association Pherozeshah Mehta, K.T. Telang, Badruddin Tyabji etc. 1885 Bombay
Deccan Education Society M.G. Ranade, V.G. Chibdonkar, G.G. Agarkar 1884 Pune

Some Important Congress Sessions

Year Venue President Remarks
1885 Bombay W.C. Bonnerji Attended by 72 delegates
1886 Calcutta Dadabhai Naoroji Number of delegates increased to 436
1887 Madras Badruddin Tyabji First Muslim President
1888 Allahabad George Yule First English President
1896 Calcutta Rahimtulla M. Sayani First time Vande Mataram was sung.
1905 Banaras G.K. Gokhale Resentment against partition of Bengal
1906 Calcutta Dadabhai Naoroji The word ‘Swaraj’ was used for the first time by the President
1907 Surat Rash Bihari Ghosh Split in the Congress into moderates and extremists
1908 Madras Rash Bihari Ghosh Constitution for the Congress was drawn

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 History

1909 Lahore Madan Mohan Malaviya Disapproval over formation of separate electorates
on the basis of religion.
1911 Calcutta Bishan Narayan Dhar ——
1916 Lucknow A.C. Majumdar Congress merger and Pact with Muslim League
1917 Calcutta Annie Besant First woman President
1918 Delhi Madan Mohan Malaviya Resignation of moderates like S.N. Bannerji
1919 Amritsar Pandit Motilal Nehru Jallianwala Bagh Massacre was condemned
1920* Nagpur C. Vijayaragha vachari Change in the Constitution of the Congress
1920 Calcutta Lala Lajpat Rai Inclusion of Khilafat issue on the agenda of Congress
1922 Gaya C.R. Das Formation of Swaraj Party
1923* Delhi Abul Kalam Azad ——
1924 Belgaum Mahatma Gandhi ——
1925 Kanpur Sarojini Naidu First Indian woman President
1927 Madras M.A. Ansari Independence Resolution passed for the first time
at the insistence of Jawaharlal Nehru
1928 Calcutta Motilal Nehru First All India Youth Congress came into being
1929 Lahore Jawaharlal Nehru Poorna Swaraj Resolution
1931 Karachi Vallabhbhai Patel Resolution on Fundamental Rights and National
Economic Policy.
1934 Bombay Rajendra Prasad Formation of Congress Socialist Party
1936 Lucknow Jawaharlal Nehru The President urged the Congress to adopt Socialism
as its goal
1938 Haripura Subhas Chandra Bose National Planning Committee setup under the
Chairmanship of Jawaharlal Nehru.
1939 Tripuri Subhas Chandra Bose Resignation of Bose (Rajendra Prasad took over) and
formation of Forward Bloc
1940 Ramgarh Abul Kalam Azad ——
1946 Meerut J.B. Kripalani ——

*Important Newspapers/Journals/Books
Name of the Paper/Journal/Books Name of the Founder/Editor/Author
Bengal Gazette, 1780 James Augustus Hicky
Mirat-ul-Akbar (in Persian), 1822 Raja Rammohan Roy
Samvad Kaumudi (in Bengali Language), 1821 Raja Rammohan Roy
Rast Goftar, 1851 Dadabhai Naoroji
Amrita Bazar Patrika, 1868 (Bengali and later, an Sisirkumar Ghosh & Motilal Ghosh
English daily)
The Hindu, 1878 G.S. Aiyar, Viraraghavachari & Subba Rao Pandit
The Punjabi Lala Lajpat Rai
Kesari & Maratha, 1881 Tilak, Chiplunkar, Agarkar
Sanjibani K.K. Mitra
Yugantar, 1906 Barindra Kumar Ghosh and Bhupendranath Dutta
Bande Mataram, Paris Madam Bhikaji Cama, Aurobindo Ghosh
Ghadar, San Francisco Ghadar Party
Bangadarshan, 1873 Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
Indian Mirror, 1862 Devendranath Tagore
Som Prakash, 1858 Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
Hindustan Times, 1923 K.M. Panikar
Bandi Jivan Sachindranath Sanyal
National Herald, 1938 Jawaharlal Nehru
Al-hilal Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
Young India Annie Besant, Bipin Chandra Pal

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History
Ghulamgiri (Slavery)
Prabhudha Bharat, Udbodhana
Comrade
Satyarth Prakash
Poverty and Unbritish Rule in India
Economic History of India
The Indian Struggle
Unhappy India
India wins Freedom
Why I am an Atheist
My Experiments with Truth (in Gujarati Language)
Hind Swaraj
INDIA TOWARDS FREEDOM
TOPICS
Formation of Constituent Assembly
 Partition and Independence
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER
 The partition of British India into the sovereign
states of India and Pakistan (with its western and
eastern wings) led to many sudden developments.
 Thousands of lives were snuffed out, many others
changed dramatically, cities changed, India
changed, a new country was born, and there was
unprecedented genocidal violence and migration.
 In 1947-48, the subcontinent did not witness any state-
driven extermination as was the case with Nazi
Germany where various modern techniques of control
and organisation had been used. The “ethnic cleansing”
that characterised the partition of India was carried
out by self-styled representatives by state agencies.
 India-haters in Pakistan and Pakistan-haters in
India are both products of partition.
 The relationship between Pakistan and India has
been profoundly shaped by this legacy of partition.
 Some scholars see partition as a culmination of
communal politics that started developing in the
opening decades of the twentieth century.
 In 1937, elections to the provincial legislatures
were held for the first time. Only about 10 to 12
per cent of the population enjoyed the right to vote.
The Congress did well in the elections, winning an
absolute majority in five out of eleven provinces and
forming governments in seven of them.
 In the United Provinces, the Muslim League
wanted to form a joint government with the
Congress. The Congress had won an absolute
majority in the province, so it rejected the offer.
 The Pakistan demand was formalised gradually.
On 23 rd March, 1940, the League moved a
resolution demanding a measure of autonomy for
Rakesh Yadav Readers Publication Pvt. Ltd
Jyotirao Phule
Vivekananda
Maulana Muhammad Ali
Dayanand Saraswati
Dadabhai Naoroji
R.C. Dutta
Subash Chandra Bose (An Autobiography)
Lala Lajpat Rai
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
Bhagat Singh
Mahatma Gandhi (An Autobiography)
Mahatma Gandhi
the Muslim-majority areas of the subcontinent.
This ambiguous resolution never mentioned
partition or Pakistan.
 Initially even Muslim leaders did not seriously raise
the demand for Pakistan as a sovereign state. In the
beginning Jinnah himself may have seen the
Pakistan idea as a bargaining counter, useful for
blocking possible British concessions to the Congress
and gaining additional favours for the Muslims.
 In March 1946 the British Cabinet sent a three
member mission to Delhi to examine the League’s
demand and to suggest a suitable political framework
for a free India. The Cabinet Mission toured the country
for three months and recommended a loose three-
tier confederation. India was to remain united.
 It was to have a weak central government
controlling only foreign affairs, defence and
communications with the existing provincial
assemblies being grouped into three sections while
electing the constituent assembly: Section A for the
Hindu-majority provinces, and Sections B and C for
the Muslim-majority provinces of the north-west
and the north-east (including Assam) respectively.
 Partition had made nationalists fervently opposed
to the idea of separate electorates. They were
haunted by the fear of continued civil war, riots
and violence. Separate electorates was a “poison
that has entered the body politics of our country”,
declared Sardar Patel.
 Initially all the major parties accepted this plan. But
the agreement was short-lived because it was based
on mutually opposed interpretations of the plan. The
League wanted the grouping to be compulsory, with
Sections B and C developing into strong entities with
the right to secede from the Union in the future.
 After withdrawing its support to the Cabinet
Mission plan, the Muslim League decided on
“Direct Action” for winning its Pakistan demand.
It announced 16th August 1946 as “Direct Action Day”.
On this day, riots broke out in Calcutta, lasting several
days and leaving several thousand people dead.
77

 Problems were compounded because Indian soldiers
and policemen came to act as Hindus, Muslims or
Sikhs. As communal tension mounted, the
professional commitment of those in uniform could
not be relied upon. In many places not only
policemen did help their coreligionists but they also
attacked members of other communities.
 Amidst all this turmoil, one man’s valiant efforts at
restoring communal harmony bore fruit.The 77
years old Gandhiji decided to stake his all in a bid to
vindicate his lifelong principle of non-violence, and
his conviction that people’s hearts could be changed.
 In the last decade and a half, historians have been
examining the experiences of ordinary people
during the partition. Scholars have written about
the harrowing experiences of women in those
violent times. Women were raped, abducted, sold,
often many times, forced to settle down to a new
life with strangers in unknown circumstances.
 Scholars have also shown how ideas of preserving
community honour came into play in this period
of extreme physical and psychological danger. This
notion of honour drew upon a conception of
masculinity defined as ownership of zan (women)
and zamin (land), a notion of considerable
antiquity in North Indian peasant societies.
 Many Muslim families of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya
Pradesh and Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh continued
to migrate to Pakistan through the 1950s and early
1960s, although many chose to remain in India.
 In Bengal the migration was even more protracted
with people moving across a porous border.This
also meant that the Bengali division produced a
process of suffering that may have been less
concentrated but was as agonising.
 Historians have discovered numerous stories of
how people helped each other during the Partition
period, stories of caring and sharing, of the opening
of new opportunities, and of triumph over trauma.
 The Draft of Constitution provided for three lists
of subjects; Union, State and Concurrent. The
subjects in the first list were to be the preserve of
the Central Government while those in the second
list were vested with the states. As for the third
list, here centre and state shared responsibility.
 The rights of the states were most eloquently
defended by K. Santhanam from Madras. A
reallocation of powers was necessary, he felt, to
strengthen not only the states but also the Centre.
 The argument for greater power to the provinces
provoked a strong reaction in the Assembly. The
need for a strong centre had been underlined on
numerous occasions since the Constituent
Assembly had begun its sessions.
78
History
 By the 1930s the Congress had accepted that
Hindustani ought to be the national language,
Mahatma Gandhi felf that everyone should speak in a
language that common people could easily understand.
Formation of Constituent Assembly (December 9, 1946)
 The Constituent Assembly met on December 9, 1946
and Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as its President.
 The Constituent Assembly had 300 members in
all. These members held a wide range of views.
Some were atheists and secular.
 Some were socialists in their economic philosophy
while other defended the right of landlords.
 Independent members of different castes and
religious groups were also members of the
Constituent Assembly as were women e.g., Sarojini
Naidu etc., and Maulana Azad, Frank Anthony etc.
 Law experts also deliberated on matters involving
substantial question of law. The intense debates
that took place within the Constituent Assembly
reflected the diversity of opinions.
 Thus the Constituent Assembly consisted of people
of all regions and communities making it a
miniature India.
Mountbatten Plan (June 3,1947)
 On June 3,1947, Lord Mountbatten put forward his
plan which outlined the steps for the solution of India’s
political problem. The outlines of the Plan were:
– India to be divided into India and Pakistan.
– Bengal and Punjab will be partitioned and a
referendum in NEFP and Sylhet district of
Assam would beheld.
– There would be a separate constitutional
assembly for Pakistan to frame its constitution.
– The Princely states would enjoy the liberty to join
either India or Pakistan or even remain independent.
– August 15, 1947 was the date fixed for handing
over power to India and Pakistan.
– The British government passed the Indian
Independence Act of 1947 in July 1947, which
contained the major provisions put forward by
the Mountbatten Plan.
Partition and Independence (August 1947)
 All political parties accepted the Mountbatten Plan.
 At the time of independence, there were 562 small
and big Princely States in India.
 Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, the first home
minister, used iron hand in this regard. By August
15, 1947, all the States, with a few exceptions like
Kashmir, Hyderabad and Junagarh had signed the
I nstrument of Accession. Goa was with the
Portuguese and Podicherry with the French.
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History
Factors that led to the Partition of India
1. Arrival of the Cabinet Mission : After the Second
World War, the Labour Party came to power in
England. Clement Attlee became the Prime
Minister of England. He was in favour of making
India a free and independent country. In accordance
with his declaration, a Mission of ministers came
to India on 23rd March, 1946 to resolve the problems
of India. This Mission held meetings with different
political leaders of India. It recommended that a
federal government might be set up in India.
2. Communal Riots : Elections to the Constituent
Assembly were held in 1946. The Indian National
Congress won these elections with a thumping
majority. Because of jealousy, the Muslim League
refused to join the Interim Government and again
raised its demand for Pakistan and gave a clarion-
call for Direct Action. It resulted in communal riots
at various places. At last, the Interim Government
was formed in September, 1946. The Muslim League
agree to participate in this government but did not
extend any cooperation to the Prime Minister.
3. Failure of the Interim Government: When an
Interim Government was formed in 1946, the
Congress and the Muslim League got an opportunity
to work hand in hand. But the Muslim League always
put some obstacles in every work initiated by the
Congress. As a result, the Interim Government
remained a failure. It became quite evident that the
Hindus and the Muslims could not rule together.
4. The British Declaration to Free and Leave India:
On 20th February, 1947, Clement Attlee, the British
Prime Minister declared to leave India in June, 1948.
This Declaration also calssified that the British
would leave India only if the Muslim League and the
Congress agreed to govern the country unitedly.
However, the Muslim League was not ready for it. It
wanted to attain separate Pakistan for the Muslims.
Consequently the British Government started
planning for the partition of the country.
5. The Partition of the Country : With the aim of
dividing India into two parts, Lord Mountbatten
was sent as the Viceroy of I ndia. With his
sagacious wisdom, he brought round both Nehru
and Patel for the partition of the country.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQ)

PART - I 1. Eradication of all possible race, (c) Abul Kalam Azad

1. Which one of the following is
considered the Magna Carta of
the Indian people ?
(a) The Government of India
Act, 1858
(b) The Ilbert Bill
(c) Indian Councils Act of 1892
(d) Queen Victoria’s Proclamation
2. In what way did the early
nationalists undermine the moral
foundations of the British rule with
great success?
(a) By their agitation for
constitutional reforms
(b) By advocating open revolt
(c) By seeking foreign help
against the British
(d) By seeking the support of
the Indians living abroad
3. What were the aims of the
Indian National Congress in the
early years of its existence ?
creed or provincial prejudices (d) Bhutto
among all lovers of India.
6. The Home Rule Leagues were
2. Promotion of personal intimacy formed during the–
among all the earnest workers
in the cause of India. (a) First World War
3. Formulation of popular (b) just before the First World War
demands. (c) after the First World War
4. Organisation of a violent (d) after the passing of the Act
struggle for the political of 1909
emancipation of India. 7. Of the following, who was not the
Select the correct answer from leader of the extremists?
the codes given below: (a) Lokmanya Tilak
(a) 1,2 and 3 (b) 1, 2 and 4 (b) Aurobindo Ghosh
(c) 3 and 4 (d) 2 and 3 (c) Lala Lajpat Rai
4. Which one of the following was the (d) A. O. Hume
‘newspaper’ of Annie Besant ?
8. The famous Resolution on non
(a) The Hindu
co-operation under the inspiration
(b) Indian Express of Mahatma Gandhi was adopted
(c) The Times of India in a special session of the
(d) New India Congress held in Calcutta in–
5. Aligarh Muslim University was (a) September, 1920
founded by– (b) December, 1922
(a) Jinnah (c) October, 1924
(b) Syed Ahmad Khan (d) November, 1925

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 History
9. The Swaraj Party was 16. Why was the Simon Commission 22. The Treaty of Salbai was
organised by– boycotted ? concluded between the British and
(a) Lala Lajpat Rai and Feroz (a) Simon was not known to be (a) the French
Shah Mehta a great supporter of the Indian
(b) the Marathas
(b) Sarojini Naidu and Annie cause.
(c) Tipu Sultan
Besant (b) All the members of the
commission were Englishmen. (d) the Nizam of Hyderabad
(c) C. R. Das and Motilal Nehru
(c) It was appointed before the 23. The First Carnatic War ended
(d) C. Rajagopalachari and C.
expiry of the statutory period. by the Treaty of–
Y. Chintamani
(d) Peaceful demonstrators were (a) Salbai (b) Bassein
10. The Khilafat Movement was
severely beaten by the police. (c) Aix-la-Chapelle
organised to protest against
the injustice done to– 17. What was the Ilbert Bill (d) Paris
(a) Egypt (b) Arabia intended for? 24. What is the correct chronological
(c) Persia (d) Turkey (a) To remove racial discrimi- order of the following Governors-
nation in employment General ?
11. Where did Gandhiji form the
Satyagraha Sabha? (b) To enable India District 1. Wellesley
(a) Bombay (b) Calcutta Magistrates and Session 2. Marquess of Hastings
Judges to try Europeans
(c) Poona (d) Nagpur 3. Amherst 4. Bentinck
(c) To save Indians from
12. Which one of the following is Select the correct answer from
incorrectly matched? racial humiliation
the codes given below:
(a) Bhagat Singh : Meerut (d) To change the method of
(a) 1,2, 3, 4 (b) 1,3, 2, 4
Conspiracy Case recruitment in the Indian
Civil Service (c) 2, 1, 4, 3 (d) 3, 1, 2, 4
(b) Ram Prasad Bismil : Kakori
18. The Act of 1935 provided ‘a 25. Which of the following Acts had
Conspiracy Case
machine with strong brakes decided that recruitment to Indian
(c) Chandra Shekhar : New Delhi
but no engine’. Who said this? Civil Services should be through a
Azad
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru competitive examination?
Conspiracy Case
(b) Rajendra Prasad (a) Charter Act of 1813
(d) Surya Sen : Chittagong
Armoury Raid (c) Mahatma Gandhi (b) Government of India Act, 1858
13. The Non-Cooperation Movement (d) Vallabhbhai Patel (c) Charter Act of 1853
was abandoned because– 19. The Battle of Wandiwash was (d) Charter Act of 1833
(a) the non co-operators were not fought between– 26. The Treaty of Seringapatam
enthusiastic (a) The Nizam of Hyderabad was concluded between Tipu
(b) the leaders like Subhas and the French Sultan and–
Chandra Bose were against it (a) Warren Hastings
(b) The English and the French
(c) Gandhiji bowed to the (b) Robert Clive
(c) The English and Hyder Ali
pressure of the British
government (d) The Nawab of Carnatic and (c) Cornwallis
(d) of the Chauri Chaura incident the English (d) Dalhousie
14. The historic fast by Gandhiji 20. The ‘August Offer’ of 1940, rejected 27. Railway and telegraph was
came to an end as a result of the– by the Congress was made by– introduced in India by
(a) Poona Pact (a) Lord Wavell (a) Lord Cornwallis
(b) issue of White Paper (b) Lord Linlithgow (b) Lord Dalhousie
(c) Gandhi-lrwin Pact (c) Sir George Stanley (c) Lord Wellesley
(d) Arrival of Simon Commission (d) Lord Willingdon (d) Lord Bentinck
15. Who led the Bardoli Satyagraha 21. The Doctrine of Lapse was 28. Who was the first Indian to
in 1928 ? initiated by enter the Indian Civil Service?
(a) Morarji Desai (a) Lord Wellesley (a) Satyendranath Tagore
(b) M. K. Gandhi (b) Lord Auckland (b) R. C. Dutt
(c) Mahadev Desai (c) Lord Dalhousie (c) Behari Lal Gupta
(d) Vallabhbhai Patel (d) Warren Hastings (d) Surendranath Banerjee

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History
29. Who among the following 2. The Indian Independence 9. Raja Rammohan Roy was
Governors-General is known League was set up by responsible for which of the
(a) Aruna Asaf Ali following reforms?
for his reforms in the field of
(b) Ras Behari Bose 1. Abolition of Sati
local self-government?
(c) Jayaprakash Narayan 2. Abolition of child marriage
(a) Lord Mayo
(d) S. M. Joshi 3. Widow remarriage
(b) Lord Dufferin 3. Which one of the following was Select the correct answer using
(c) Lord Northbrook a French possession before its the codes given below:–
(d) Lord Ripon merger with India? (a) 1 alone (b) 1 and 2
(a) Nagar Haveli (c) 1,2 and 3 (d) 2 and 3
30. Who among the following
Governors-General repealed the (b) Daman 10. Consider the following rulers:–
Vernacular Press Act of Lytton? (c) Chandernagore 1. Nasir Jang
(a) Northbrook (b) Dufferin (d) Dadra 2. Muzaffar Jang
(c) Elgin-ll (d) Ripon 4. Who among the following organi- 3. Anwaruddin
zed the Khudai Khidmatgar? 4. Chanda Sahib
31. Who has shown great interest
(a) Abdul Ghaffar Khan Those who had an alliance with
in the preservation of ancient
(b) Abul Kalam Azad the French during the course
monuments ?
(c) Maulana Mohammad Ali of the Carnatic wars includes–
(a) Lord Curzon
(d) Zakir Hussain (a) l and 2 (b) 2 and 3
(b) Lord Ripon
5. The Moplah Rebellion broke (c) 3 and 4 (d) 2 and 4
(c) Lord Lytton (d) Lord Irwin out in– 11. The Kheda Satyagraha was
32. During whose Viceroyalty the (a) Uttarakhand basically initiated by–
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (b) Chauri Chaura (a) Mahatma Gandhi
took place ? (c) Malabar (b) Mohanlal Pandya
(a) Hardinge-II (b) Chelmsford (d) Telangana (c) Sardar Patel
(c) Reading (d) Irwin 6. Which one of the following (d) Vinoba Bhave
Governor-General was impeached
12. Hunt er Commission was
Answer Key by the British Parliament?
appointed by the Brit ish
(a) Lord Curzon
1. (d) 12. (c) 23. (c) Government to probe into–
(b) Warren Hastings
2. (a) 13. (d) 24. (a) (a) Chauri Chaura incident
(c) Lord Canning
3. (a) 14. (a) 25. (c) (b) demolition of Kanpur mosque
(d) William Bentinck
4. (d) 15. (d) 26. (c) (c) Jallianwala Bagh massacre
7. Wit h reference to Indian
5. (b) 16. (b) 27. (b) freedom struggle, consider the (d) Kakori train dacoity incident
6. (a) 17. (b) 28. (a) following:– 13. The historic 1916 Lucknow
7. (d) 18. (a) 29. (d) 1. Passing of ‘Indian Press Act’ Session of the Congress was
2. Surat Split of Congress presided over by–
8. (a) 19. (b) 30. (d)
9. (c) 20. (b) 31. (a) 3. Launch of Non-Cooperation (a) Annie Besant
Movement (b) Madan Mohan Malviya
10. (d) 21. (c) 32. (b)
4. Passing of ‘Rowlatt Act’
11. (a) 22. (b) (c) Ambika Charan Majumdar
Which one of the following is
the correct chronological order (d) Subhas Chandra Bose
of the above events? 14. Which one of the following
PART - II
(a) 1, 2, 3, 4 (b) 2, 1, 3, 4 national leaders was opposed to
1. With which of the following Annie Besant’s idea of launching
movements, is the slogan “Do (c) 2, 1,4, 3 (d) 1, 2, 4, 3
Home Rule Movement?
or die” associated? 8. The Government of India Act
which gave separate represent- (a) G. K. Gokhale
(a) Swadeshi Movement
ation to the Muslims was the (b) Mahatma Gandhi
(b) Non-Cooperation Movement Act of– (c) Aurobindo Ghosh
(c) Civil Disobedience Movement (a) 1909 (b) 1919 (d) B. G. Tilak
(d) Quit India Movement (c) 1935 (d) 1947

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 History
15. What was the ultimate 22. Who among the following did not 6. The English East India Company
objective of Mahatma Gandhi’s attend the First Round Table founded a permanent factory at
Salt Satyagraha? Conference? Surat in the year–
(a) Complete Independence for (a) M. K. Gandhi (a) 1611 (b) 1613
India (b) Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru (c) 1621 (d) 1626
(b) Economic relief to the (c) Dr. Ambedkar 7. The administration of the
common people (d) C. Y. Chintamani English East India Company in
(c) Repeal of salt laws 23. When was the First Round India came to an end in–
(d) Curtailment of the Table Conference held? (a) 1857 (b) 1858
Government powers (a) 1933 (b) 1931 (c) 1862 (d) 1892
16. Pindaris who had created (c) 1930 (d) 1903 8. Bombay was acquired by the
havoc in Central India by
English from the Portuguese
indulging in large-scale looting
were \ liquidated during the
Answer Key in the year—
tenure of– 1. (d) 9. (a) 17. (a) (a) 1661 (b) 1612
(a) Lord William Bentinck 2. (b) 10. (d) 18. (c) (c) 1600 (d) 1595
(b) Lord Hastings 3. (c) 11. (b) 19. (b) 9. During the Mughal period
(c) Lord Cornwallis which one of the following
4. (a) 12. (c) 20. (b)
traders first came to India ?
(d) Lord Wellesley 5. (c) 13. (c) 21. (b)
17. Who among the following formed (a) Portuguese (b) English
6. (b) 14. (a) 22. (a)
the Home Rule League? (c) Dutch (d) Danish
7. (c) 15. (c) 23. (c)
(a) B. G. Tilak 10. Who granted the permission to
8. (a) 16. (b) establish the French factory at
(b) G. R. Gokhale
Masulipattanam?
(c) M. G. Ranade
(a) Abdulla Kutub Shah
(d) M. K. Gandhi
18. Who among the following gave
PART - III (b) Nasirjung
the safety valve theory for 1. Which one of the following was NOT (c) Muzaffarjung
Indian National Congress? a French settlement in India ? (d) Salabatjung
(a) Dadabhai Naoroji (a) Pondicherry (b) Mahe 11. Vasco da Gama discovered the
(b) M N Roy (c) Goa sea-route to India in which one
(c) Lala Lajpat Rai (d) Chandranagar of the following years ?
(d) Motilal Nehru 2. Where are the traces of Portuguese (a) 1498 (b) 1492
19. Who was the author of the book, culture found in India ? (c) 1494 (d) 1452
The Indian War of Independence, (a) Goa (b) Calicut 12. With reference to the colonial
1857? period of India, the t rade
(c) Cannanore (d) Cochin
(a) Sir Syed Ahmad Khan monopoly of the East India
3. Who was the first Governor
(b) V.D. Savarkar Company was ended by—
General of Bengal?
(c) S.R. Sharma (a) The Regulating Act of 1773
(a) Robert Clive
(d) R.C. Majumdar (b) Pitt’s India Act of 1784
(b) Warren Hastings
20. The Indian National Congress (c) The Charter Act of 1813
(c) William Bentinck
met first at– (d) The Charter Act of 1833
(d) Cornwallis
(a) Calcutta (b) Bombay 13. In 1717, who among the
(c) Madras (d) Allahabad 4. Who were the first Europeans to following Mughal emperors had
reach India for trade? issued the royal edict to allow
21. The British Prime Minister who
convened the First Round Table (a) Portuguese (b) British the business privilege to
Conference in London was– (c) Dutch (d) French Britain's East India Company—
(a) Churchill 5. The French East I ndia (a) Shah Alam II
(b) Ramsay McDonald Company was formed in— (b) Bahadur Shah
(c) Chamberlain (a) 1600 (b) 1660 (c) Jahandar Shah
(d) Disraeli (c) 1664 (d) 1668 (d) Farrukhsiyar

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History
14. Why did Dutch East India (c) Issues of Carnatic Succession (a) Masulipattanam
Company fail to maintain its (d) Capture of French ships by the (b) Pulicat
influence in India ? British
21. Which one of the following (c) Cochin
(a) Portuguese did not allow
them to trade in India Mughal emper ors gav e an (d) Kasim Bazar
important Farman to the 28. In the year 1611, where was the
(b) Ther e was a grow ing
English for facilitating their
interference of Dutch trade in India? English East India Company
Gov ernment in the given permission to set up a
(a) Bahadur Shah I
Company’s internal affairs factory (Trading post) ?
(b) Farrukhsiyar
(c) Dutch indulged in forcible
(c) Shah Alam II (a) Bangalore
religious conversion of the
people and thus were (d) Bahadur Shah II (b) Madras
expelled by local kings 22. Who was the first Portuguese (c) Masulipattanam
Viceroy in India?
(d) The English forces made (d) Surat
them to leave India (a) Diaz
(b) Vasco da Gama 29. Which one of the following was
15. Who granted the permission to
establish the fir st British (c) Francisco de Almeida the first fort constructed by the
factory at Hoogly in Bengal ? (d) Albuquerque British in India ?
(a) Shah Shuja 23. One of the following rulers, who (a) Fort St. George
(b) Murshid Quli Khan had granted Diwani to the East (b) Fort St. David
(c) Shujauddin India Company, was—- (c) Fort St. William
(d) Alivardi Khan (a) Farrukhsiyar
(d) Fort St. Angelo
16. The first definite step to provide (b) Shah Alam I
parliamentary control over East 30. Who among the follow ing
India Company was taken by— (c) Shah Alam II
Europeans, were the last to
(a) The Regulating Act of 1773 (d) Shujauddaula come to pre-independence
(b) The Pitt’s India Act of 1784 24. Among the following factories India as traders ?
(c) The Charter Act of 1793 in Bengal, the one established
(a) Dutch (b) English
(d) The Charter Act of 1813 by the Portuguese was—
(a) Kasim Bazar (c) French (d) Portuguese
17. During whose reign did Sir
Thomas Roe hav e regular (b) Chinsura 31. During the time of which
attendance at the Mughal (c) Hoogly Mughal Emperor did the English
court to secure commercial East India Company establish its
privilege ? (d) Srirampur
first factory in India ? '
(a) Akbar (b) Jahangir 25. Who were the first Europeans to
set up sea trade centres in India? (a) Akbar (b) Jahangir
(c) Shahjahan (d) Aurangzeb
18. Who was Francisco de Almeida ? (a) The English (c) Shahjahan (d) Aurangzeb
(a) Portuguese Viceroy in India (b) The French
(b) English Viceroy in India (c) The Portuguese Answer Key
(c) Dutch Viceroy in India (d) The Dutch 1. (c) 12. (d) 22. (c)
(d) French Viceroy in India 26. Which English Governor of East 2. (a) 13. (d) 23. (c)
19. Which of the British officials India Company in India was 3. (b)
defeated Portuguese at Sowlley ? 14. (d) 24. (c)
expelled by Aurangzeb? 4. (a)
(a) William Hawkins 15. (a) 25. (c)
5. (c)
(a) Aungier 16. (b) 26. (b)
(b) Thomas Best 6. (b)
(c) Thomas Roe (b) Sir John Child 17. (b) 27. (a)
7. (b)
(d) Josiah Child (c) Sir John Gayer 18. (a) 28. (d)
8. (a)
20. Which one of the following was (d) Sir Nicholas Waite 19. (b) 29. (a)
9. (b)
the immediate cause of the 20. (d) 30. (c)
27. In India, among the following 10. (a)
First Carnatic War ?
locations, the Dutch established 21. (b) 31. (b)
(a) Anglo - French Rivalry 11. (a)
(b) Austrian War of Succession their earliest factory at—

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 History
PART - IV 9. When did the British Government (c) Marquess Wellesley
start ruling India directly ? (d) Warren Hastings
1. Khalsa was founded by—
(a) After the Battle of Plassey 16. By which one of the following
(a) Guru Gobind Singh
(b) Guru Ramdas (b) After the Battle of Panipat Acts did the Governor General
(c) After the War of Mysore of Bengal became the Governor
(c) Guru Nanak
General of India?
(d) Guru Arjan Dev (d) After Sepoy Mutiny
(a) The Regulating Act
2. Which was the birth place of 10. Who issued Farmar granting
Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and (b) The Pitt’s India Act
Guru Nanak ?
(a) Gurdaspur (b) Amritsar Orissa to the English ? (c) The Charter Act of 1793
(a) Ahmed Shah (d) The Charter Act of 1833
(c) Lahore (d) Talwandi
(b) Bahadur Shah 17. What was the reason of ground
3. Which Governor General had
(c) Farrukhsiyar for the British Empire to annex
entertained Ranjit Singh with
(d) Shah Alam II Sambalpur in 1850 ?
great honour at Ropar ?
11. Who was the first Indian native (a) Lack of proper governance
(a) Minto-I
ruler to accept the system of (b) Death of its ruler without
(b) William Bentinck Subsidiary Alliance ? an heir
(c) Hastings (a) Scindia of Gwalior (c) Subsidiary Alliance
(d) Auckland (b) Nizam of Hyderabad (d) Its involvement in a consp-
4. Which Governor General is (c) Dalip Singh of Punjab iracy against British rule
associated with Doctrine of (d) Gaikwad of Baroda 18. Who among the following was
Lapse ? 12. The state of Jhansi was made NOT a part to the league that
(a) Lord Ripon a part of the British Empire in was defeated by the British in
(b) Lord Dalhousie India through— the Battle of Buxar ?
(c) Lord Bentinck (a) The policy of Doctrine of (a) Shujauddaulah
Lapse (b) Shah Alam
(d) Lord Curzon
(b) The policy of Subsidiary (c) Mir Jafar (d) Mir Kasim
5. Tipu Sultan took support of
Alliance
which one of the following 19. Which of the following Indian
(c) Mayo's Provincial settlement
powers to fight the English ? was appointed as Deputy Diwan
(d) War against Gangadhar Rao of Bihar by Robert Clive ?
(a) Portuguese (b) French
13. The founder of the autonomous (a) Omi Chand
(c) Spanish (d) Dutch kingdom of Awadh was—
6. In which of the following years, (b) Manik Chand
(a) Shujauddaula
the Battle of Buxar was fought ? (c) Rai Durlabh
(b) Saadat Khan Burhan-ul-Mulk
(a) 1764 (b) 1766 (d) Raja Shitab Rai
(c) Safdarjang (d) Sher Shah
(c) 1767 (d) 1761 20. Who was appointed Deputy
14. Who of the following joined Mir
Diwan of Murshidabad (Bengal)
7. Which one of the following Qasim and Shujauddaula in
declaring war upon the English by Robert Clive after the
places was famous as capital
East India Company and was Allahabad Treaty ?
of Tipu Sultan ?
later defeated by the British at (a) Mohd Reza Khan
(a) Srirangpattam
the Battle of Buxar? (b) Raja Shitab Rai
(b) Gulbarga (a) Jahandar Shah (c) Rai Durlabh
(c) Hampi (b) Farrukhsiyar (d) Syed Ghulam Hussain
(d) None of these (c) Muhammad Shah 21. Emperor Shah Alam II gave the
8. Tipu Sultan died fighting the (d) Shah Alam II diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa
English forces under— 15. Who among the following was to East India Company on—
(a) Lord Cornwallis the first Governor General of (a) 12 August, 1765
(b) Lord Wellesley Bengal? (b) 18 August, 1765
(c) Lord Dalhousie (a) Robert Clive (c) 29 August; 1765
(b) William Bentinck
(d) Lord Hastings (d) 21 August, 1765

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22. Hyder Ali was defeated at Porto 31. When was the Battle of Plassey 39. The East India Company
Novo by which British General ? fought ? secured the Diwani from—
(a) Captain Pophem (a) 1757 (b) 1789 (a) Sujauddaulah
(b) Sir Eyrecoot (c) 1848 (d) 1857 (b) Aurangzeb
(c) Captain Hector Munro 32. First decisive military success (c) Bahadur Shah
(d) General Gedard of English East India Company (d) Shah Alam II
23. The successor of Maharaja in India is marked by—-
Ranjit Singh was— 40. The Gurumukhi script was
(a) Battle of Buxar
(a) Kharak Singh introduced by—
(b) Battle of Plassey
(b) Harihar Singh Nalwa (a) Guru Amardas
(c) Battle of Panipat
(c) Sher Singh (b) Guru Ramdas
(d) Battle of Haldi Ghati
(d) Naunihal Singh (c) Guru Angad
24. Which Sikh Guru helped the 33. Who converted Sikhs into a
martial race ? (d) Guru Nanak
rebel prince Khusro w ith
money and blessings ? (a) Arjan Dev
Answer Key
(a) Guru Hargovind (b) Gobind Singh
(b) Guru Govind Singh 1. (d) 15. (d) 28. (d)
(c) Hargobind
(c) Guru Arjan Dev 2. (a) 16. (d) 29. (b)
(d) Tegh Bahadur
(d) Guru Tegh Bahadur 3. (b) 17. (b) 30. (b)
34. Who founded independent
25. A group of eunuches and ladies sultanate of Bengal? 4. (b) 18. (c) 31. (a)
dominated in the Government 5. (b) 19. (d) 32. (a)
(a) Ilias Shah
under:– 6. (a) 20. (a) 33. (b)
(a) Muhammad Shah (1719-48) (b) Murshid Quli Khan
7. (a) 21. (a) 34. (b)
(b) Ahmed Shah (1748-54) (c) Hussain Shah
8. (b) 22. (b) 35. (c)
(c) Alamgir II (1754-59) (d) Alivardi Khan
9. (d) 23. (a) 36. (b)
(d) Shah Alam II (1759-1806) 35. Who founded Sikhism ?
10. (d) 24. (c) 37. (c)
26. Sirajuddaulah was defeated by (a) Gobind Singh
Lord Clive in the battle of:– 11. (b) 25. (b) 38. (c)
(b) Ramdas
(a) Plassey (b) Buxar 12. (a) 26. (a) 39. (d)
(c) Nanak
(c) Munger (d) Wandiwash 13. (b) 27. (b) 40. (c)
(d) Hargobind 14. (d)
27. In whose reign, Guru Nanak
Dev established Sikhism ? 36. Which Sikh Guru assumed the
(a) Firoz Shah Tughlaq title ‘Sachcha Padshah’ ? PART - V
(b) Sikandar Lodi (a) Guru Nanak
1. According to Dadabhai Naoroji
(c) Humayun (d) Akbar (b) Guru Tegh Bahadur Swaraj meant—
28. Who of the following compiled (c) Guru Hargobind (a) Complete independence
‘Adigranth’ or ‘Guru Granth Saheb’ ? (d) Guru Gobind Singh (b) Self government
(a) Guru Nanak Dev (c) Economic independence
37. The first Governor General of
(b) Guru Tegh Bahadur (d) Political independence
India was—
(c) Guru Govind Singh 2. Which book was written by
(a) Lord Clive
(d) Guru Arjan Dev Dadabhai Naoroji on Indian
(b) Lord Canning
29. The first Governor General of poverty and economy under
India was appointed in— (c) Lord William Bentinck British rule ?
(a) 1774 (b) 1833 (d) Lord Lytton' (a) Indian Economy under
(c) 1858 (d) 1911 38. Who among the following was British Raj
30. Which of the following was not involved in the conspiracy (b) British Rule and Economic
capital of Raja Ranjit Singh of against Sirajuddaulah ? Drain of India
Punjab ? (c) Poverty and Un-British
(a) Manikchand
(a) Amritsar (b) Lahore Rule in India
(b) Omichand (d) Economic Drain and
(c) Rawalpindi (d) Peshawar
(c) Mohanlal (d) Clive Poverty of India

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3. The partition of Bengal (1905)
was annulled by the—
(a) Indian Councils Act of 1909
(b) Chelmsford-Montague Report,
1919
(c) Proclamation of Delhi
Durbar in 1911
(d) Government of India Act,
1935
4. Who of the following founded the
East India Association?
(a) C.R. Das
(b) Dadabhai Naoroji
(c) Debendranath Tagore
(d) V.D. Savarkar
5. At which Congress session did
Dadabhai Naoroji announced
that Swaraj was the goal of
India's political efforts ?
(a) 1886 Calcutta session
(b) 1893 Lahore session
(c) 1905 Benaras session
(d) 1906 Calcutta session
6. With reference to Indian freedom
struggle, who among the following
was labelled as 'Moderate' leader
in the Congress ?
(a) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
(b) Bipin Chandra Pal
(c) Lala Lajpat Rai
(d) Aurobindo Ghosh
7. Who among the following was
thrice elected president of the
Indian National Congress ?
(a) Dadabhai Naoroji
(b) Surendranath Banerji
(c) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
(d) Shankaran Nair
8. Where was the first session of
Indian National Congress held?
(a) Calcutta (b) Bombay
(c) Ahmedabad(d) Allahabad
9. Indian National Congress was
founded by—
(a) Womesh Chandra Banerjee
(b) Michael Hume
(c) Allon Octavian Hume
(d) Mahatma Gandhi
86
10. Who was the founder of the
Indian Association?
(a) Dadabhai Naoroji
(b) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(c) A.O. Hume
(d) Surendranath Banerjee
11. The second session of Indian
National Congress was
presided over by—
(a) Ganesh Agarkar
(b) Surendranath Banerjee
(c) Dadabhai Naoroji
(d) Pheroz Shah Mehta
12. The partition of Bengal came
into effect on—
(a) 15th August, 1905
(b) 15th September, 1905
(c) 15th October, 1905
(d) 15th November, 1905
13. Who among the following was
NOT known as a moderate in
the National movement ?
(a) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(b) Dadabhai Naoroji
(c) M.G. Ranade
(d) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
14. Which of the following papers was
essentially the mouthpiece of
the policies of liberals ?
(a) New India (b) Leader
(c) Free Press Journal
(d) Young India
15. The method of moder ate
leaders of the Congress was ?
(a) Non-Cooperation
(b) Constitutional Legitations
(c) Passive Resistance
(d) Civil Disobedience
16. The most important organisation
of the pre-Congress nationalist
organisations was the—
(a) Bengal British India Society
(b) East India Association
(c) Young Bengal Association
(d) Indian Association of Calcutta
17. Who said, 'The Congress is
tottering to its fall and one of
my greatest ambition while in
India is to assist it to a peaceful
demise' ?
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History
(a) George Hamilton
(b) Lord Curzon
(c) Lord Dufferin
(d) Lord Minto
18. Who of the following was the
first Muslim President of
Indian National Congress ?
(a) Badaruddin Tyabji
(b) Abul Kalam Azad
(c) Rafi Ahmed Kidwai
(d) M.A. Ansari
19. Who is the exponent of the
theory of ‘economic drain’ of
India during the British rule ?
(a) Dadabhai Naoroji
(b) M.N. Roy
(c) Jai Prakash Narayan
(d) Ram Manohar Lohiya
20. The first Indian to contest an
election to the British House
of Commons was—
(a) Dadabhai Naoroji
(b) Gopal Krishna Gokahle
(c) Pheroz Shah Mehta
(d) W.C. Bonnerjee
21. The President of the Indian
National Congress in l885 was:
(a) George Yule
(b) Dadabhai Naoroji
(c) W.C. Bonnerji
(d) W. Wedderburri
22. Who, among the following, was
NOT present in the founding
session of Indian National
Congress?
(a) Dadabhai Naoroji
(b) G. Subramaniya Iyer
(c) Justice Ranade
(d) Surendranath Bannerjee
23. Who was the first Indian to
become member of the British
Parliament?
(a) Badruddin Tyabji
(b) W.C. Bonnerjee
(c) D.N. Wacha
(d) Dadabhai Naoroji
24. In which year the Indian National
Congress was established ?
(a) 1888 (b) 1887
(c) 1886 (d) 1885
History
25. Who was the Viceroy of India at 8. The Round Table Conference at
the time of the formation of the
PART - VI
London met for the decision of—
Indian National Congress ? 1. Who led the Salt Satyagraha
(a) A future constitution of India
(a) Curzon (b) Canning Movement with Mahatma
(b) Provision of Provincial
(c) Lawrence (d) Dufferin Gandhi ?
Autonomy
26. Who wanted Indian National (a) Annie Besant (c) Gandhi’s demands for calling
Congress to be a ‘Safety Valve’? (b) Mridula Sarabhai off Civil Disobedience
(a) A.O. Hume (b) Lord Lytton (c) Muthu Lakshmi Movement.
(c) W.C. Bonnerjee (d) Congress claim to be the sole
(d) Sarojini Naidu
(d) Surendranath Bannerjee representative of Indians
2. In w hich of the follow ing
27. Who among the following was 9. Sarvodaya stands for—
NOT a moderate? movements did Mahatma
Gandhi make the first use of (a) Total revolution
(a) Bipin Chandra Pal
Hunger Strike as a weapon ? (b) Non-cooperation
(b) Feroz Shah Mehta
(a) Ahmedabad Strike, 1918 (c) Upliftment of all
(c) Surendranath Bannerjee
(b) Rowlatt Satyagraha, 1919 (d) Non-violence
(d) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
(c) Non-Cooperation Movement, 10. In which city of South Africa
28. When was t he Indian 1920-22 was Mahatma Gandhi beaten
Association founded? (d) Bardoli Satyagraha, 1928 up and thrown off the pavement
(a) 1876 (b) 1884 3. Which one of the following by the white people ?
(c) 1887 (d) 1890 writings is NOT related to (a) Cape Town (b) Durban
29. Who was called ‘Grand Old Man Mahatma Gandhi ? (c) Johannesburg
of India’ ? (a) My Experiments with Truth
(d) Pretoria
(a) Dadabhai Naoroji (b) Harijan
11. Who attended the Congress of
(b) Jamshedji Tata (c) The Holy Family
Oppressed Nationalist at
(d) Hind Swaraj Brussels in 1927, on behalf of
(c) Surendranath Bannerjee
4. The book ‘Unto this Last’ which the National Congress ?
(d) C. Rajagopalachari
influenced Gandhi was
30. Who among the follow ing (a) Jawahar Lal Nehru
authored by—
rejected the title of ‘Knighthood’ (a) Boris Yeltsin(b) John Ruskin (b) Mahatma Gandhi
and refused to accept a position (c) Pushkin (c) Dr. Ansari
in the council of the Secretary (d) Moti Lal Nehru
(d) Ruskin Bond
of State for India?
5. Moti Lal Nehru and Chitta 12. Gandhiji was the staunch
(a) Motilal Nehru Ranjan (C.R.) Das were the supporter of—
(b) M.G. Ranade founder-members of the— (a) big industries
(c) G.K. Gokhale (a) Communist Party of India (b) cottage industries
(d) B.G. Tilak (b) Forward Bloc
(c) both ‘a’ and ‘b’
(c) Socialist-Swarajist Party
(d) None of these
Answer Key (d) Swaraj Party
13. Who was t he last Brit ish
6. Gandhi considered Khadi as a
1. (b) 11. (c) 21. (c) Viceroy of India ?
symbol of—
2. (c) 12. (c) 22. (d) (a) Lord Linlithgow
(a) Industrialisation
3. (c) 13. (a) 23. (d) (b) Economic Independence (b) Lord Wavell
(c) Economic growth (c) Clement Attlee
4. (b) 14. (b) 24. (d)
(d) Moral purity (d) Lord Mountbatten
5. (d) 15. (b) 25. (d)
7. ‘India wins Freedom’ is the 14. The Swaraj Party was formed
6. (a) 16. (d) 26. (a)
autobiography of— following the failure of
7. (a) 17. (b) 27. (a)
(a) Abul Kalam Azad (a) Non-Cooperation Movement
8. (b) 18. (a) 28. (a)
(b) Muhammad Ali (b) Civil Disobedience Movement
9. (c) 19. (a) 29. (a)
(c) Zakir Hussain (c) Quit India Movement
10. (d) 20. (a) 30. (c)
(d) Syed Ahmed Khan (d) Champaran Satyagraha

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15. Who was the President of Indian 21. Who among the following were 28. With which of the following
National Congress when the members of the Swaraj Party ?
newspapers was Jawahar Lal
Mountbatten Plan was 1. Motilal Nehru
Nehru associated ?
accepted ? 2. Sardar Patel
(a) Jawahar Lal Nehru (a) The Leader
3. Gopal Krishna Gokhale
(b) Sardar Patel (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 (b) Amrit Bazar Patrika
(c) Maulana Azad (c) 2 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3 (c) The Tribune
(d) J.B. Kripalani
22. Who was the author of the book (d) National Herald
16. Who developed the idea that ‘My Experiments with Truth’?
‘means justify the ends’? 29. Which of the following days was
(a) Aurobindo Ghosh declared as the 'International
(a) Kautilya
(b) Bal Gangadhar Tilak Day of Non-violence' by the
(b) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
(c) Dayanand Saraswati (c) M. K. Gandhi UNO ?
(d) Mahatma Gandhi (d) Vinoba Bhave
(a) August, 15 (b) October, 2
17. Provincial Autonomy was one 23. Gandhiji’s mov ement of
boycotting the foreign goods (c) November, 12(d) January, 26
of the important features of the
aimed at— 30. ‘Dyarchy’ in the provincial
Act of—
(a) promotion of welfare state Government was established
(a) 1935 (b) 1919 by the—
(c) 1909 (d) 1858 (b) creating anti-British sentiment
(a) Act of 1892 (b) Act of 1909
18. Mahatma Gandhi’s remark, ‘A (c) promotion of cottage industry
(c) Act of 1919 (d) Act of 1935
post-dated cheque on a (d) full independence
31. Dur ing I ndia’s freedom
crumbling bank’ is regarding the 24. Aft er the Chauri-Chaura struggle, which one of the
proposals of— incident, Gandhiji suspended following led to the first ‘All
(a) Simon Commission the— India Hartal’ ?
(b) Cripps Mission (a) Civil Disobedience Movement (a) Protest against Rowlatt Act
(c) Cabinet Mission (b) Khilafat Movement (b) Protest against Jallianwalla
(d) Wavel Plan (c) Non-Cooperation Movement Bagh Massacre
19. Under whose leadership was (d) Quit India Movement (c) Trial of Mahatma Gandhi
the Congress Socialist Party 25. India att ained ‘Dominion (d) Arrival of Simon Commission
founded in 1934 ? Status’ on— 32. The famous INA trials took place
(a) Jawahar Lal Nehru and (a) 15th January, 1947 in the Red Fort, Delhi in—
Mahatma Gandhi (b) 15th August, 1947 (a) 1945 (b) 1946
(b) Acharya Narendra Dev and (c) 15th August, 1950 (c) 1944 (d) 1947
Jai Prakash Narayan
(d) 15th October, 1947
(c) Subhas Chandra Bose and
26. Who called Gandhiji ‘half naked
P.C. Joshi Answer Key
beggar’ ?
(d) Saifuddin Kitchlew and
(a) Mountbatten 1. (d) 12. (b) 23. (c)
Rajendra Prasad
(b) Hastings 2. (a) 13. (d) 24. (c)
20. The issue on which the Civil
(c) Winston Churchill 3. (c) 14. (a) 25. (b)
Disobedience Movement of
1930 was launched was— (d) Jinnah 4. (b) 15. (d) 26. (c)
(a) Equal employment 27. The final arrangements for the 5. (d) 16. (d) 27. (a)
opportun- ities for Indians India's independence were 6. (b) 17. (a) 28. (d)
worked out by the— 7. (a) 18. (b) 29. (b)
(b) The proposed execution of
Bhagat Singh (a) Cabinet Mission 8. (a) 19. (b) 30. (c)
(b) Simon Commission 9. (c) 20. (d) 31. (a)
(c) Salt monopoly exercised by
the British Government (c) Gandhi-Irwin Pact 10. (c) 21. (a) 32. (a)
(d) Complete freedom (d) Cripps Mission 11. (a) 22. (c)

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