History Prelims PYQs, 2017 to 2026

1. UPSC Prelims 2026, Question 2
   The artificially fixed rupee-sterling exchange rate prescribed by the Hilton-Young Commission (1926) was adopted by the British Government for which one of the following reasons?
   1. Aiding the flow of remittances from India and maintaining India’s creditworthiness
   2. Providing support to Indian importers
   3. Encouraging export of cotton produce from India
   4. Preventing depreciation of the Rupee in terms of gold
2. UPSC Prelims 2026, Question 3
   Consider the following statements:
   I. Pali texts contain the first definite references to coins, e.g., kahapana, nikkha, kamsa, and kakanika.
   II. The literary evidence from Pali texts is corroborated by archaeological evidence of punch-marked coins from many sites, most of them made of silver.
   The above statements have been associated with which of the following?
   1. Emergence of urban life
   2. Transition to money economy
   Select the answer using the code given below:
   1. 1 only
   2. 2 only
   3. Both 1 and 2
   4. Neither 1 nor 2
3. UPSC Prelims 2026, Question 7
   Consider the following statements relating to the use of the place-value system in India:
   1. The earliest epigraphic use of the place-value system in India is found in the Mankani plates from Gujarat (AD 595-596).
   2. In the ninth century, place-values become general in inscriptions all over India.
   3. The place-values have been found in Sanskrit inscriptions in South-east Asia as early as the seventh century.
   Which of the statements given above are correct?
   1. 1 and 2 only
   2. 1 and 3 only
   3. 2 and 3 only
   4. 1, 2 and 3
4. UPSC Prelims 2026, Question 8
   Consider the following statements about the archaeological findings in Harappan towns:
   I. There is wide occurrence of spindle-whorls in the houses but absence of spinning wheels.
   II. Weights and measurement scales, complete with graduations have been discovered.
   III. There are houses built in large part with baked bricks, around relatively spacious courtyards, with their own wells, bathing platforms, and large rooms.
   Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above statements?
   1. Statement I suggests that spinning was a laborious activity done at home.
   2. Statement II suggests the extent of the scientific knowledge that the Harappans possessed.
   3. Statement III suggests the emergence of a common property system.
   Select the answer using the code given below:
   1. 1 and 2 only
   2. 2 and 3 only
   3. 1 and 3 only
   4. 1, 2 and 3
5. UPSC Prelims 2026, Question 9
   Which one of the following statements about the Eka Movement and Bardoli Satyagraha is correct?
   1. The Eka Movement was throughout supported and organized by the Congress while Bardoli Satyagraha was initially independent of Congress influence and was only in the last stages supported by the Congress.
   2. The Eka Movement was provided leadership by the taluqdars of Awadh, whereas the Bardoli Satyagraha was a movement of the landless labourers.
   3. The Bardoli Satyagraha was a campaign against the enhancement of land revenue, while the Eka Movement was a protest against excessive extraction of rents.
   4. The Eka Movement was located in the Varanasi and Mirzapur districts of the present-day U.P., while the Bardoli Satyagraha took place in Saurashtra.
6. UPSC Prelims 2026, Question 10
   Consider the following statements about the Rigvedic period:
   I. Irrigation from wells allowed agriculture to expand away from flood plains and strips on river margins into the present Punjab and Haryana plains having underground water levels reasonably close to the surface.
   II. Draught-animal power was employed to draw up water out of the wells.
   Which of the following information support/supports the above statements?
   1. There is evidence in the Rigveda of the use of ashma chakra (stone pulley wheel) and ahava (strapped wooden pails) to draw up water.
   2. Mention has been made in the Rigveda of the use of implements like parashu/kulisha (axe) and datra/sreni (sickle).
   3. There is a history of the use of ox, even before the Rigveda, for ploughing the land and pulling the carts.
   Select the answer using the code given below:
   1. 1 and 2 only
   2. 1, 2 and 3
   3. 1 and 3 only
   4. 3 only
7. UPSC Prelims 2026, Question 11
   Consider the following assertion:
   In the Pleistocene period either the Yamuna once flowed into the Indus, or the Sutlej flowed into the Yamuna and one major tributary of either had shifted from the Ganga to the Indus or vice versa.
   Which of the following is/are the basis of the above assertion?
   1. The Nadi-Sukta of the Rigveda
   2. The explorations of the Sutlej and the Yamuna by Robert Bruce Foote
   3. The presence of the same species of dolphins in both the Indus and the Ganga river systems
   Select the answer using the code given below:
   1. 1 only
   2. 2 only
   3. 1 and 2
   4. 3
8. UPSC Prelims 2026, Question 13
   Which of the following pairs of ancient and modern names of rivers is/are correctly matched?
   1. Vitasta : Chenab
   2. Asikni : Jhelum
   3. Parushni : Ravi
   4. Yavyavati : Beas
   Select the answer using the code given below:
   1. 1 and 2
   2. 3 and 4
   3. 3 only
   4. 4 only
9. UPSC Prelims 2026, Question 15
   Which of the following pairs of the king and his dynasty in early historical Tamilakam is/are not correctly matched?
   1. Senguttuvan : Chera
   2. Udiyanjeral : Chola
   3. Nedunjeliyan : Pandya
   Select the answer using the code given below:
   1. 1 and 2
   2. 2 only
   3. 1 and 3
   4. 3 only
10. UPSC Prelims 2026, Question 16
    Which of the following factors contributed to the formation of the Forward Bloc by Subhas Chandra Bose in 1939?
    1. Bose failed to win the confidence of Mahatma Gandhi.
    2. The Congress Left was disunited and failed to support Bose.
    3. The Communists did not support Bose in his endeavours.
    4. The supporters of M.N. Roy and socialist leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan preferred Congress unity to supporting Bose.
    Select the answer using the code given below:
    1. 1, 2 and 3
    2. 1, 2 and 4
    3. 1, 3 and 4
    4. 2 and 4 only
11. UPSC Prelims 2026, Question 17
    Consider the following statements regarding the British policy in Awadh immediately after its annexation in 1856:
    1. The taluqdars were dispossessed of their estates but allowed to retain their arms and forts.
    2. A Summary Revenue Settlement was made in 1856 assuming that the taluqdars were outsiders.
    3. The British believed in taking revenue directly from the peasants by removing the taluqdars.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    1. 2 and 3 only
    2. 1 and 3 only
    3. 1, 2 and 3
    4. 2 only
12. UPSC Prelims 2026, Question 18
    Consider the following assertion:
    The genesis of political alliances based on community lay in the very nature of the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919.
    Which of the following statements support/supports the above assertion?
    1. Reforms retained and extended the principle of separate electorates.
    2. Separate electorates were supposed to counter Indian nationalism, which was growing stronger.
    3. Deprived classes rallied around the favours inherent in separate electorates.
    Select the answer using the code given below:
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 2 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
13. UPSC Prelims 2026, Question 20
    In which one among the following texts does the term kshetra-patni (‘mistress of the field’) originate?
    1. Rigveda
    2. Atharvaveda
    3. Ashtadhyayi
    4. Arthashastra
14. UPSC Prelims 2025, Question 11
    Consider the following statements about Raja Ram Mohan Roy:
    I. He possessed great love and respect for the traditional philosophical systems of the East.
    II. He desired his countrymen to accept the rational and scientific approach and the principle of human dignity and social equality of all men and women.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    1. I only
    2. II only
    3. Both I and II
    4. Neither I nor II
15. UPSC Prelims 2025, Question 12
    Consider the following subjects with regard to Non-Cooperation Programme:
    I. Boycott of law-courts and foreign cloth
    II. Observance of strict non-violence
    III. Retention of titles and honours without using them in public
    IV. Establishment of Panchayats for settling disputes
    How many of the above were parts of Non-Cooperation Programme?
    1. Only one
    2. Only two
    3. Only three
    4. All the four
16. UPSC Prelims 2025, Question 13
    The irrigation device called ‘Araghatta’ was
    1. a water bag made of leather pulled over a pulley
    2. a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes
    3. a larger earthen pot driven by bullocks
    4. a large water bucket pulled up by rope directly by hand
17. UPSC Prelims 2025, Question 14
    Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles ‘Mattavilasa’, ‘Vichitrachitta’ and ‘Gunabhara’?
    1. Mahendravarman I
    2. Simhavishnu
    3. Narasimhavarman I
    4. Simhavarman
18. UPSC Prelims 2025, Question 15
    Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of
    1. Samudragupta
    2. Chandragupta II
    3. Kumaragupta I
    4. Skandagupta
19. UPSC Prelims 2025, Question 16
    Who among the following led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya, the powerful maritime State, which ruled the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and the neighbouring islands?
    1. Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta)
    2. Prataparudra (Kakatiya)
    3. Rajendra I (Chola)
    4. Vishnuvardhana (Hoysala)
20. UPSC Prelims 2025, Question 17
    With reference to ancient India (600–322 BC), consider the following pairs:

    	Territorial region	River flowing in the region
    I.	Asmaka	Godavari
    II.	Kamboja	Vipas
    III.	Avanti	Mahanadi
    IV.	Kosala	Sarayu

    How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
    1. Only one
    2. Only two
    3. Only three
    4. All the four
21. UPSC Prelims 2025, Question 19
    Ashokan inscriptions suggest that the ‘Pradeshika’, ‘Rajuka’ and ‘Yukta’ were important officers at the
    1. village-level administration
    2. district-level administration
    3. provincial administration
    4. level of the central administration
22. UPSC Prelims 2025, Question 20
    Consider the following statements in respect of the Non-Cooperation Movement:
    I. The Congress declared the attainment of ‘Swaraj’ by all legitimate and peaceful means to be its objective.
    II. It was to be implemented in stages with civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes for the next stage only if ‘Swaraj’ did not come within a year and the Government resorted to repression.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    1. I only
    2. II only
    3. Both I and II
    4. Neither I nor II
23. UPSC Prelims 2025, Question 71
    “Sedition has become my religion” was the famous statement given by Gandhiji at the time of
    1. the Champaran Satyagraha
    2. publicly violating Salt Law at Dandi
    3. attending the Second Round Table Conference in London
    4. the launch of the Quit India Movement
24. UPSC Prelims 2025, Question 72
    The famous female figurine known as ‘Dancing Girl’, found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of
    1. carnelian
    2. clay
    3. bronze
    4. gold
25. UPSC Prelims 2025, Question 73
    Who provided legal defence to the people arrested in the aftermath of Chauri Chaura incident?
    1. C. R. Das
    2. Madan Mohan Malaviya and Krishna Kant
    3. Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Khwaja Hasan Nizami
    4. M. A. Jinnah
26. UPSC Prelims 2025, Question 74
    Subsequent to which one of the following events, Gandhiji, who consistently opposed untouchability and appealed for its eradication from all spheres, decided to include the upliftment of ‘Harijans’ in his political and social programme?
    1. The Poona Pact
    2. The Gandhi-Irwin Agreement (Delhi Pact)
    3. Arrest of Congress leadership at the time of the Quit India Movement
    4. Promulgation of the Government of India Act, 1935
27. UPSC Prelims 2025, Question 75
    Consider the following fruits:
    I. Papaya
    II. Pineapple
    III. Guava
    How many of the above were introduced in India by the Portuguese in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?
    1. Only one
    2. Only two
    3. All the three
    4. None
28. UPSC Prelims 2025, Question 78
    Who among the following was the founder of the ‘Self-Respect Movement’?
    1. ‘Periyar’ E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker
    2. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
    3. Bhaskarrao Jadhav
    4. Dinkarrao Javalkar
29. UPSC Prelims 2024, Question 54
    With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets?
    1. Nayaputta
    2. Shakyamuni
    3. Tathagata
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1, 2 and 3
    4. None of the above are epithets of Gautama Buddha
30. UPSC Prelims 2024, Question 55
    Consider the following information:

    	Archaeological Site	State	Description
    1.	Chandraketugarh	Odisha	Trading Port town
    2.	Inamgaon	Maharashtra	Chalcolithic site
    3.	Mangadu	Kerala	Megalithic site
    4.	Salihundam	Andhra Pradesh	Rock-cut cave shrines

    In which of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
    1. 1 and 2
    2. 2 and 3
    3. 3 and 4
    4. 1 and 4
31. UPSC Prelims 2024, Question 56
    Who of the following rulers of medieval India gave permission to the Portuguese to build a fort at Bhatkal?
    1. Krishnadevaraya
    2. Narasimha Saluva
    3. Muhammad Shah III
    4. Yusuf Adil Shah
32. UPSC Prelims 2024, Question 62
    With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements:
    1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States.
    2. Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
33. UPSC Prelims 2024, Question 73
    Consider the following pairs:

    	Party	Its Leader
    1.	Bharatiya Jana Sangh	Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee
    2.	Socialist Party	C. Rajagopalachari
    3.	Congress for Democracy	Jagjivan Ram
    4.	Swatantra Party	Acharya Narendra Dev

    How many of the above are correctly matched?
    1. Only one
    2. Only two
    3. Only three
    4. All four
34. UPSC Prelims 2023, Question 41
    In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?
    1. Andhra
    2. Gandhara
    3. Kalinga
    4. Magadha
35. UPSC Prelims 2023, Question 43
    With reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar and Muchiri were well known as
    1. capital cities
    2. ports
    3. centres of iron-and-steel making
    4. shrines of Jain Tirthankaras
36. UPSC Prelims 2023, Question 44
    Which one of the following explains the practice of ‘Vattakirutal’ as mentioned in Sangam poems?
    1. Kings employing women bodyguards
    2. Learned persons assembling in royal courts to discuss religious and philosophical matters
    3. Young girls keeping watch over agricultural fields and driving away birds and animals
    4. A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death
37. UPSC Prelims 2023, Question 45
    Consider the following dynasties:
    1. Hoysala
    2. Gahadavala
    3. Kakatiya
    4. Yadava
    How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in early eighth century AD?
    1. Only one
    2. Only two
    3. Only three
    4. None
38. UPSC Prelims 2023, Question 48
    Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and a canal-cum-aqueduct several kilometres long from the river to the capital city?
    1. Devaraya I
    2. Mallikarjuna
    3. Vira Vijaya
    4. Virupaksha
39. UPSC Prelims 2023, Question 49
    Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to Portuguese?
    1. Ahmad Shah
    2. Mahmud Begarha
    3. Bahadur Shah
    4. Muhammad Shah
40. UPSC Prelims 2023, Question 50
    By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?
    1. The Regulating Act
    2. The Pitt’s India Act
    3. The Charter Act of 1793
    4. The Charter Act of 1833
41. UPSC Prelims 2022, Question 51
    In the Government of India Act 1919, the functions of Provincial Government were divided into “Reserved” and “Transferred” subjects. Which of the following were treated as “Reserved” subjects?
    1. Administration of Justice
    2. Local Self-Government
    3. Land Revenue
    4. Police
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    1. 1, 2 and 3
    2. 2, 3 and 4
    3. 1, 3 and 4
    4. 1, 2 and 4
42. UPSC Prelims 2022, Question 52
    In medieval India, the term “Fanam” referred to:
    1. Clothing
    2. Coins
    3. Ornaments
    4. Weapons
43. UPSC Prelims 2022, Question 53
    Consider the following freedom fighters:
    1. Barindra Kumar Ghosh
    2. Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee
    3. Rash Behari Bose
    Who of the above was/were actively associated with the Ghadar Party?
    1. 1 and 2
    2. 2 only
    3. 1 and 3
    4. 3 only
44. UPSC Prelims 2022, Question 54
    With reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the following statements:
    1. The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States.
    2. Any Province, which is not prepared to accept the new Constitution would have the right to sign a separate agreement with Britain regarding its future status.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
45. UPSC Prelims 2022, Question 57
    With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:
    1. The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji.
    2. During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
    3. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of north-west of his kingdom to Mongols.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    1. 1 and 2
    2. 2 only
    3. 1 and 3
    4. 3 only
46. UPSC Prelims 2022, Question 58
    With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as “Kulah-Daran”?
    1. Arab merchants
    2. Qalandars
    3. Persian calligraphists
    4. Sayyids
47. UPSC Prelims 2022, Question 59
    With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:
    1. The Dutch established their factories/warehouses on the east coast on lands granted to them by Gajapati rulers.
    2. Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate.
    3. The English East India Company established a factory at Madras on a plot of land leased from a representative of the Vijayanagara empire.
    Which of the statements given above are correct?
    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
48. UPSC Prelims 2022, Question 60
    According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, which of the following are correct?
    1. A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment.
    2. If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free.
    3. If a son born to a female slave was fathered by her master, the son was entitled to the legal status of the master’s son.
    Which of the statements given above are correct?
    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
49. UPSC Prelims 2022, Question 91
    Consider the following pairs:
    (Site of Ashoka’s major rock edicts : Location in the State of)
    1. Dhauli : Odisha
    2. Erragudi : Andhra Pradesh
    3. Jaugada : Madhya Pradesh
    4. Kalsi : Karnataka
    How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
    1. Only one pair
    2. Only two pairs
    3. Only three pairs
    4. All four pairs
50. UPSC Prelims 2022, Question 92
    Consider the following pairs:
    (King : Dynasty)
    1. Nannuka : Chandela
    2. Jayashakti : Paramara
    3. Nagabhata II : Gurjara-Pratihara
    4. Bhoja : Rashtrakuta
    How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
    1. Only one pair
    2. Only two pairs
    3. Only three pairs
    4. All four pairs
51. UPSC Prelims 2022, Question 93
    Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct?
    1. Sangam poems are devoid of any reference to material culture.
    2. The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.
    3. Sangam poems have no reference to warrior ethic.
    4. Sangam literature refers to magical forces as irrational.
52. UPSC Prelims 2022, Question 94
    “Yogavasistha” was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of:
    1. Akbar
    2. Humayun
    3. Shahjahan
    4. Aurangzeb
53. UPSC Prelims 2021, Question 32
    Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs?
    1. Dholavira
    2. Kalibangan
    3. Rakhigarhi
    4. Ropar
54. UPSC Prelims 2021, Question 33
    In the first quarter of seventeenth century, in which of the following was/were the factory/factories of the English East India Company located?
    1. Broach
    2. Chicacole
    3. Trichinopoly
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    1. 1 only
    2. 1 and 2
    3. 3 only
    4. 2 and 3
55. UPSC Prelims 2021, Question 34
    From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India?
    1. The Guptas of Magadha
    2. The Paramaras of Malwa
    3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar
    4. The Maukharis of Kanauj
    5. The Yadavas of Devagiri
    6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    1. 1, 2 and 5
    2. 1, 3, 4 and 6
    3. 2, 3 and 4
    4. 5 and 6
56. UPSC Prelims 2021, Question 35
    According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in Vijayanagara Empire were expert in which of the following areas?
    1. Wrestling
    2. Astrology
    3. Accounting
    4. Soothsaying
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    1. 1, 2 and 3 only
    2. 1, 3 and 4 only
    3. 2 and 4 only
    4. 1, 2, 3 and 4
57. UPSC Prelims 2021, Question 36
    With reference to Madanapalle of Andhra Pradesh, which one of the following statements is correct?
    1. Pingali Venkayya designed the tricolour Indian National Flag here.
    2. Pattabhi Sitaramaiah led the Quit India Movement of Andhra region from here.
    3. Rabindranath Tagore translated the National Anthem from Bengali to English here.
    4. Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott set up headquarters of Theosophical Society first here.
58. UPSC Prelims 2021, Question 37
    Consider the following pairs:
    (Historical place : Well-known for)
    1. Burzahom : Rock-cut shrines
    2. Chandra-ketugarh : Terracotta art
    3. Ganeshwar : Copper artefacts
    Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
    1. 1 only
    2. 1 and 2
    3. 3 only
    4. 2 and 3
59. UPSC Prelims 2021, Question 38
    Consider the following statements:
    1. It was during the reign of Iltutmish that Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince.
    2. It was during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq that Taimur occupied Multan and crossed the Indus.
    3. It was during the reign of Deva Raya II of Vijayanagara Empire that Vasco da Gama reached the coast of Kerala.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    1. 1 only
    2. 1 and 2
    3. 3 only
    4. 2 and 3
60. UPSC Prelims 2021, Question 39
    Consider the following statements:
    1. St. Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Jesuit Order.
    2. St. Francis Xavier died in Goa and a church is dedicated to him there.
    3. The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated in Goa each year.
    Which of the statements given above are correct?
    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
61. UPSC Prelims 2021, Question 40
    With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
    1. Mitakshara was the civil law for upper castes and Dayabhaga was the civil law for lower castes.
    2. In the Mitakshara system, the sons can claim right to the property during the lifetime of the father, whereas in the Dayabhaga system, it is only after the death of the father that the sons can claim right to the property.
    3. The Mitakshara system deals with the matters related to the property held by male members only of a family, whereas the Dayabhaga system deals with the matters related to the property held by both male and female members of a family.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    1. 1 and 2
    2. 2 only
    3. 1 and 3
    4. 3 only
62. UPSC Prelims 2021, Question 42
    Consider the following statements:
    1. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting rights to all the women above the age of 21.
    2. The Government of India Act of 1935 gave women reserved seats in legislature.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
63. UPSC Prelims 2021, Question 43
    With reference to 8th August, 1942 in Indian history, which one of the following statements is correct?
    1. The Quit India Resolution was adopted by the AICC.
    2. The Viceroy’s Executive Council was expanded to include more Indians.
    3. The Congress ministries resigned in seven provinces.
    4. Cripps proposed an Indian Union with full Dominion Status once the Second World War was over.
64. UPSC Prelims 2021, Question 44
    Who among the following is associated with ‘Songs from Prison’, a translation of ancient Indian religious lyrics in English?
    1. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
    2. Jawaharlal Nehru
    3. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
    4. Sarojini Naidu
65. UPSC Prelims 2021, Question 45
    With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size?
    1. Paragana—Sarkar—Suba
    2. Sarkar—Paragana—Suba
    3. Suba—Sarkar—Paragana
    4. Paragana—Suba—Sarkar
66. UPSC Prelims 2021, Question 46
    Who among the following was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female School which later came to be known as Bethune Female School?
    1. Annie Besant
    2. Debendranath Tagore
    3. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
    4. Sarojini Naidu
67. UPSC Prelims 2021, Question 47
    In the context of Colonial India, Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sehgal and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon are remembered as
    1. leaders of Swadeshi and Boycott Movement
    2. members of the Interim Government in 1946
    3. members of the Drafting Committee in the Constituent Assembly
    4. officers of the Indian National Army
68. UPSC Prelims 2021, Question 48
    With reference to Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct?
    1. The Nizamat of Arcot emerged out of Hyderabad State.
    2. The Mysore Kingdom emerged out of Vijayanagara Empire.
    3. Rohilkhand Kingdom was formed out of the territories occupied by Ahmad Shah Durrani.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    1. 1 and 2
    2. 2 only
    3. 2 and 3
    4. 3 only
69. UPSC Prelims 2021, Question 50
    Consider the following statements:
    1. 21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF.
    2. The demand that Bangla has to be one of the national languages was raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan.
    Which of the above statements is/are correct?
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
70. UPSC Prelims 2020, Question 21
    With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:
    1. Aurang : In-charge of treasury of the State
    2. Banian : Indian agent of the East India Company
    3. Mirasidar : Designated revenue payer to the State
    Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
71. UPSC Prelims 2020, Question 22
    With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:
    1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism.
    2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism.
    3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered the Mahayana Buddhism.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
72. UPSC Prelims 2020, Question 23
    Which of the following statements correctly explains the impact of Industrial Revolution on India during the first half of the nineteenth century?
    1. Indian handicrafts were ruined.
    2. Machines were introduced in the Indian textile industry in large numbers.
    3. Railway lines were laid in many parts of the country.
    4. Heavy duties were imposed on the imports of British manufactures.
73. UPSC Prelims 2020, Question 24
    Consider the following events in the history of India:
    1. Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja
    2. Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman – I
    3. Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka – I
    4. Pala dynasty founded by Gopala
    What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest time?
    1. 2 – 1 – 4 – 3
    2. 3 – 1 – 4 – 2
    3. 2 – 4 – 1 – 3
    4. 3 – 4 – 1 – 2
74. UPSC Prelims 2020, Question 25
    Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the ‘Hundi’ generally referred to in the sources of the post-Harsha period?
    1. An advisory issued by the king to his subordinates
    2. A diary to be maintained for daily accounts
    3. A bill of exchange
    4. An order from the feudal lord to his subordinates
75. UPSC Prelims 2020, Question 26
    With reference to the book “Desher Katha” written by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar during the freedom struggle, consider the following statements:
    1. It warned against the Colonial State’s hypnotic conquest of the mind.
    2. It inspired the performance of swadeshi street plays and folk songs.
    3. The use of ‘desh’ by Deuskar was in the specific context of the region of Bengal.
    Which of the statements given above are correct?
    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
76. UPSC Prelims 2020, Question 28
    The Vital-Vidhvansak, the first monthly journal to have the untouchable people as its target audience was published by
    1. Gopal Baba Walangkar
    2. Jyotiba Phule
    3. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
    4. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
77. UPSC Prelims 2020, Question 29
    With reference to the history of India, the terms “kulyavapa” and “dronavapa” denote
    1. measurement of land
    2. coins of different monetary value
    3. classification of urban land
    4. religious rituals
78. UPSC Prelims 2020, Question 30
    Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription?
    “Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely.”
    1. Ashoka
    2. Samudragupta
    3. Harshavardhana
    4. Krishnadeva Raya
79. UPSC Prelims 2020, Question 32
    In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around
    1. women’s right to gain education
    2. age of consent
    3. restitution of conjugal rights
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
80. UPSC Prelims 2020, Question 33
    Indigo cultivation in India declined by the beginning of the 20^th century because of
    1. peasant resistance to the oppressive conduct of planters
    2. its unprofitability in the world market because of new inventions
    3. national leaders’ opposition to the cultivation of indigo
    4. Government control over the planters
81. UPSC Prelims 2020, Question 34
    Wellesley established the Fort William College at Calcutta because
    1. he was asked by the Board of Directors at London to do so
    2. he wanted to revive interest in oriental learning in India
    3. he wanted to provide William Carey and his associates with employment
    4. he wanted to train British civilians for administrative purpose in India
82. UPSC Prelims 2020, Question 35
    With reference to the history of India, “Ulgulan” or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events?
    1. The Revolt of 1857
    2. The Mappila Rebellion of 1921
    3. The Indigo Revolt of 1859 – 60
    4. Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899 – 1900
83. UPSC Prelims 2020, Question 36
    With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements:
    1. Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga.
    2. Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana.
    3. Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta – II.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
84. UPSC Prelims 2020, Question 82
    With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were well known as
    1. ports handling foreign trade
    2. capitals of powerful kingdoms
    3. places of exquisite stone art and architecture
    4. important Buddhist pilgrimage centres
85. UPSC Prelims 2020, Question 97
    With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:
    (Famous Place : Present State)
    1. Bhilsa : Madhya Pradesh
    2. Dwarasamudra : Maharashtra
    3. Girinagar : Gujarat
    4. Sthanesvara : Uttar Pradesh
    Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
    1. 1 and 3 only
    2. 1 and 4 only
    3. 2 and 3 only
    4. 2 and 4 only
86. UPSC Prelims 2019, Question 1
    With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar?
    1. Jagirdars were holders of land assignments in lieu of judicial and police duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without obligation to perform any duty other than revenue collection.
    2. Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
87. UPSC Prelims 2019, Question 2
    With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the following statements is correct?
    1. The ceiling laws were aimed at family holdings and not individual holdings.
    2. The major aim of land reforms was providing agricultural land to all the landless.
    3. It resulted in cultivation of cash crops as a predominant form of cultivation.
    4. Land reforms permitted no exemptions to the ceiling limits.
88. UPSC Prelims 2019, Question 4
    Consider the following statements about ‘the Charter Act of 1813’:
    1. It ended the trade monopoly of the East India Company in India except for trade in tea and trade with China.
    2. It asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over the Indian territories held by the Company.
    3. The revenues of India were now controlled by the British Parliament.
    Which of the statements given above are correct?
    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
89. UPSC Prelims 2019, Question 5
    With reference to Swadeshi Movement, consider the following statements:
    1. It contributed to the revival of the indigenous artisan crafts and industries.
    2. The National Council of Education was established as a part of Swadeshi Movement.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
90. UPSC Prelims 2019, Question 6
    Consider the following pairs:
    

    	Movement/Organization	Leader
    1.	All India Anti-Untouchability League	Mahatma Gandhi
    2.	All India Kisan Sabha	Swami Sahajanand Saraswati
    3.	Self-Respect Movement	E. V. Ramaswami Naicker

    Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
    1. 1 only
    2. 1 and 2 only
    3. 2 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
91. UPSC Prelims 2019, Question 7
    Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?
    1. Chanhudaro
    2. Kot Diji
    3. Sohgaura
    4. Desalpur
92. UPSC Prelims 2019, Question 8
    In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is ‘Ranyo Ashoka’ (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka?
    1. Kanganahalli
    2. Sanchi
    3. Shahbazgarhi
    4. Sohgaura
93. UPSC Prelims 2019, Question 10
    With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct?
    1. It was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.
    2. It was totally absent in the Madhya Pradesh and Kathiawar regions of the Gupta Empire.
    3. The forced labourer was entitled to weekly wages.
    4. The eldest son of the labourer was sent as the forced labourer.
94. UPSC Prelims 2019, Question 12
    Consider the following statements:
    1. In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of revenue collection was known as ‘Amil’.
    2. The Iqta system of Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution.
    3. The office of ‘Mir Bakshi’ came into existence during the reign of Khalji Sultans of Delhi.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    1. 1 only
    2. 1 and 2 only
    3. 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
95. UPSC Prelims 2019, Question 13
    Consider the following statements:
    1. Saint Nimbarka was a contemporary of Akbar.
    2. Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
96. UPSC Prelims 2019, Question 14
    With reference to the British colonial rule in India, consider the following statements:
    1. Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in the abolition of the system of ‘indentured labour’.
    2. In Lord Chelmsford’s ‘War Conference’, Mahatma Gandhi did not support the resolution on recruiting Indians for World War.
    3. Consequent upon the breaking of Salt Law by Indian people, the Indian National Congress was declared illegal by the colonial rulers.
    Which of the statements given above are correct?
    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 1 and 3 only
    3. 2 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
97. UPSC Prelims 2019, Question 15
    With reference to Indian National Movement, consider the following pairs:
    

    	Person	Position held
    1.	Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru	President, All India Liberal Federation
    2.	K. C. Neogy	Member, The Constituent Assembly
    3.	P. C. Joshi	General Secretary, Communist Party of India

    Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
    1. 1 only
    2. 1 and 2 only
    3. 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
98. UPSC Prelims 2019, Question 16
    With reference to Mian Tansen, which one of the following statements is not correct?
    1. Tansen was the title given to him by Emperor Akbar.
    2. Tansen composed Dhrupads on Hindu gods and goddesses.
    3. Tansen composed songs on his patrons.
    4. Tansen invented many Ragas.
99. UPSC Prelims 2018, Question 11
    He wrote biographies of Mazzini, Garibaldi, Shivaji and Shrikrishna; stayed in America for some time; and was also elected to the Central Assembly. He was
    1. Aurobindo Ghosh
    2. Bipin Chandra Pal
    3. Lala Lajpat Rai
    4. Motilal Nehru
100. UPSC Prelims 2018, Question 19
     Regarding Wood’s Dispatch, which of the following statements are true?
     1. Grants-in-Aid system was introduced.
     2. Establishment of universities was recommended.
     3. English as a medium of instruction at all levels of education was recommended.
     Select the correct answer using the code given below:
     1. 1 and 2 only
     2. 2 and 3 only
     3. 1 and 3 only
     4. 1, 2 and 3
101. UPSC Prelims 2018, Question 38
     In the Federation established by The Government of India Act of 1935, residuary powers were given to the
     1. Federal Legislature
     2. Governor General
     3. Provincial Legislature
     4. Provincial Governors
102. UPSC Prelims 2018, Question 51
     After the Santhal Uprising subsided, what was/were the measure/measures taken by the colonial government?
     1. The territories called ‘Santhal Paraganas’ were created.
     2. It became illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a non-Santhal.
     Select the correct answer using the code given below:
     1. 1 only
     2. 2 only
     3. Both 1 and 2
     4. Neither 1 nor 2
103. UPSC Prelims 2018, Question 52
     Economically, one of the results of the British rule in India in the 19^th century was the
     1. increase in the export of Indian handicrafts
     2. growth in the number of Indian owned factories
     3. commercialization of Indian agriculture
     4. rapid increase in the urban population
104. UPSC Prelims 2018, Question 68
     The staple commodities of export by the English East India Company from Bengal in the middle of the 18^th century were
     1. Raw cotton, oil-seeds and opium
     2. Sugar, salt, zinc and lead
     3. Copper, silver, gold, spices and tea
     4. Cotton, silk, saltpetre and opium
105. UPSC Prelims 2018, Question 69
     Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha?
     1. Active all-India participation of lawyers, students and women in the National Movement
     2. Active involvement of Dalit and Tribal communities of India in the National Movement
     3. Joining of peasant unrest to India’s National Movement
     4. Drastic decrease in the cultivation of plantation crops and commercial crops
106. UPSC Prelims 2018, Question 70
     Who among the following were the founders of the “Hind Mazdoor Sabha” established in 1948?
     1. B. Krishna Pillai, E.M.S. Namboodiripad and K.C. George
     2. Jayaprakash Narayan, Deen Dayal Upadhyay and M.N. Roy
     3. C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer, K. Kamaraj and Veeresalingam Pantulu
     4. Ashok Mehta, T.S. Ramanujam and G.G. Mehta
107. UPSC Prelims 2018, Question 73
     Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed about diamonds and diamond mines of India?
     1. Francois Bernier
     2. Jean-Baptiste Tavernier
     3. Jean de Thevenot
     4. Abbe Barthelemy Carre
108. UPSC Prelims 2018, Question 75
     Which one of the following statements does not apply to the system of Subsidiary Alliance introduced by Lord Wellesley?
     1. To maintain a large standing army at other’s expense
     2. To keep India safe from Napoleonic danger
     3. To secure a fixed income for the Company
     4. To establish British paramountcy over the Indian States
109. UPSC Prelims 2018, Question 76
     Which of the following led to the introduction of English Education in India?
     1. Charter Act of 1813
     2. General Committee of Public Instruction, 1823
     3. Orientalist and Anglicist Controversy
     Select the correct answer using the code given below:
     1. 1 and 2 only
     2. 2 only
     3. 1 and 3 only
     4. 1, 2 and 3
110. UPSC Prelims 2018, Question 79
     In 1920, which of the following changed its name to “Swarajya Sabha”?
     1. All India Home Rule League
     2. Hindu Mahasabha
     3. South Indian Liberal Federation
     4. The Servants of India Society
111. UPSC Prelims 2018, Question 80
     Which among the following events happened earliest?
     1. Swami Dayanand established Arya Samaj.
     2. Dinabandhu Mitra wrote Neeldarpan.
     3. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote Anandmath.
     4. Satyendranath Tagore became the first Indian to succeed in the Indian Civil Services Examination.
112. UPSC Prelims 2018, Question 89
     With reference to educational institutions during colonial rule in India, consider the following pairs:
     

     	Institution	Founder
     1.	Sanskrit College at Benaras	William Jones
     2.	Calcutta Madarsa	Warren Hastings
     3.	Fort William College	Arthur Wellesley

     Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
     1. 1 and 2
     2. 2 only
     3. 1 and 3
     4. 3 only
113. UPSC Prelims 2018, Question 91
     Consider the following events:
     1. The first democratically elected communist party government formed in a State in India.
     2. India’s then largest bank, ‘Imperial Bank of India’, was renamed ‘State Bank of India’.
     3. Air India was nationalised and became the national carrier.
     4. Goa became a part of independent India.
     Which of the following is the correct chronological sequence of the above events?
     1. 4 – 1 – 2 – 3
     2. 3 – 2 – 1 – 4
     3. 4 – 2 – 1 – 3
     4. 3 – 1 – 2 – 4
114. UPSC Prelims 2017, Question 2
     With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct?
     1. Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them.
     2. Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron.
     3. Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal.
     Select the correct answer using the code given below:
     1. 1 only
     2. 2 and 3 only
     3. 1 and 3 only
     4. 1, 2 and 3
115. UPSC Prelims 2017, Question 13
     Who among the following was/were associated with the introduction of Ryotwari Settlement in India during the British rule?
     1. Lord Cornwallis
     2. Alexander Read
     3. Thomas Munro
     Select the correct answer using the code given below:
     1. 1 only
     2. 1 and 3 only
     3. 2 and 3 only
     4. 1, 2 and 3
116. UPSC Prelims 2017, Question 15
     The Trade Disputes Act of 1929 provided for
     1. the participation of workers in the management of industries.
     2. arbitrary powers to the management to quell industrial disputes.
     3. an intervention by the British Court in the event of a trade dispute.
     4. a system of tribunals and a ban on strikes.
117. UPSC Prelims 2017, Question 24
     Consider the following statements:
     1. The Factories Act, 1881 was passed with a view to fix the wages of industrial workers and to allow the workers to form trade unions.
     2. N.M. Lokhande was a pioneer in organizing the labour movement in British India.
     Which of the above statements is/are correct?
     1. 1 only
     2. 2 only
     3. Both 1 and 2
     4. Neither 1 nor 2
118. UPSC Prelims 2017, Question 26
     The object of the Butler Committee of 1927 was to
     1. Define the jurisdiction of the Central and Provincial Governments.
     2. Define the powers of the Secretary of State for India.
     3. Impose censorship on national press.
     4. Improve the relationship between the Government of India and the Indian States.
119. UPSC Prelims 2017, Question 37
     Consider the following pairs:
     1. Radhakanta Deb — First President of the British Indian Association
     2. Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty — Founder of the Madras Mahajana Sabha
     3. Surendranath Banerjee — Founder of the Indian Association
     Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
     1. 1 only
     2. 1 and 3 only
     3. 2 and 3 only
     4. 1, 2 and 3
120. UPSC Prelims 2017, Question 51
     Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?
     1. Kakinada
     2. Motupalli
     3. Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam)
     4. Nelluru
121. UPSC Prelims 2017, Question 53
     With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:
     1. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism.
     2. Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary, but existed forever in a latent form.
     Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
     1. 1 only
     2. 2 only
     3. Both 1 and 2
     4. Neither 1 nor 2
122. UPSC Prelims 2017, Question 62
     In the context of Indian history, the principle of ‘Dyarchy (diarchy)’ refers to
     1. Division of the central legislature into two houses.
     2. Introduction of double government i.e., Central and State governments.
     3. Having two sets of rulers; one in London and another in Delhi.
     4. Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories.
123. UPSC Prelims 2017, Question 93
     With reference to Indian freedom struggle, consider the following events:
     1. Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy
     2. Quit India Movement launched
     3. Second Round Table Conference
     What is the correct chronological sequence of the above events?
     1. 1-2-3
     2. 2-1-3
     3. 3-2-1
     4. 3-1-2

Take the timed test above to see the answers and explanations.