SSC CGL (Prelims) General: Indian History questions with solutions

Q1. Which statement best describes the contribution of Kabir to Indian literature?

1. Promoted ritualistic worship
2. Criticized social inequalities through verses
3. Wrote only court poetry
4. Composed epics in Sanskrit

Answer: Criticized social inequalities through verses

Kabir was a Bhakti poet-saint whose verses criticized social inequality, caste distinctions, and empty ritualism. His poetry emphasized devotion and moral equality.

Q2. Assertion (A): The Kailashnath Temple at Ellora is a monolithic structure. Reason (R): It was carved out of a single rock from top to bottom.

1. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. A is true, but R is false.
4. A is false, but R is true.

Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

The Kailashnath Temple at Ellora is indeed a monolithic structure. It was carved out of a single rock from top to bottom, which directly explains why it is called monolithic.

Q3. Which of the following best describes the book “The Discovery of India” by Jawaharlal Nehru?

1. Autobiography focused on prison life
2. Analysis of India’s history and culture
3. Collection of political speeches
4. Fictional account of freedom struggle

Answer: Analysis of India’s history and culture

The Discovery of India is a reflective historical and cultural work by Jawaharlal Nehru. It examines India’s civilization, history, philosophy, and culture.

Q4. Find the odd one out:

1. Swadeshi Movement
2. White Revolution
3. Khilafat Movement
4. Quit India Movement

Answer: White Revolution

Swadeshi Movement, Khilafat Movement, and Quit India Movement are all part of India’s freedom struggle. The White Revolution is related to dairy development, not the independence movement.

Q5. Find the odd one out:

1. Quit India Movement
2. Civil Disobedience Movement
3. Green Revolution
4. Non-Cooperation Movement

Answer: Green Revolution

Quit India Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, and Non-Cooperation Movement are all part of India’s freedom struggle. Green Revolution is related to agricultural modernization, so it is the odd one out.

Q6. Find the odd one out from the given alternatives:

1. Ashoka
2. Akbar
3. Shivaji
4. Rabindranath Tagore

Answer: Rabindranath Tagore

Ashoka, Akbar, and Shivaji are all rulers associated with administration and empire/kingdom building. Rabindranath Tagore was a poet, writer, and Nobel laureate, so he is the odd one out.

Q7. Under which Governor-General was the first Factory Act of 1881 passed to improve labour conditions in India?

1. Lord Ripon
2. Lord Lytton
3. Lord Mayo
4. Lord Dufferin

Answer: Lord Ripon

The first Factory Act was passed in 1881 during the tenure of Lord Ripon. It aimed to improve labour conditions, especially for child workers.

Q8. Which of the following statements about Sir M. Visvesvaraya is correct?

1. He was the first recipient of the Bharat Ratna
2. He was known for his role in India's hydroelectric projects
3. He designed the first Indian Rail budget model
4. He was a noted industrialist from pre-Independence India

Answer: He was known for his role in India's hydroelectric projects

Sir M. Visvesvaraya was a renowned civil engineer known for major engineering works, including irrigation and hydroelectric projects in India. The other statements are incorrect.

Q9. What does the term "Kunbis" refer to in the context of Maratha society?

1. A warrior caste of the Rajput clans
2. A class of temple priests
3. A group of peasant-pastoralists
4. A community of merchant bankers

Answer: A group of peasant-pastoralists

In Maratha society, Kunbis were a peasant-pastoral community. They formed an important agrarian social group in the Deccan region.

Q10. Tana Bhagat led a tribal movement among the Oraon community in which modern-day state?

1. Chhattisgarh
2. Madhya Pradesh
3. Jharkhand
4. West Bengal

Answer: Jharkhand

The Tana Bhagat movement was led among the Oraon community in the region that is now Jharkhand. It was a tribal reform and anti-colonial movement.

Q11. Which significant political move by Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi ensured that Assam remained a part of India in 1946?

1. Opposing the grouping of Assam with Bengal
2. Launching the Quit India Movement in Assam
3. Signing the Assam Accord
4. Rejecting the Instrument of Accession

Answer: Opposing the grouping of Assam with Bengal

Gopinath Bordoloi played a crucial role in opposing the grouping of Assam with Bengal under the Cabinet Mission Plan. This helped ensure Assam's political future within India.

Q12. Which of the following pairs of a Mauryan pillar site and its state is correctly matched?

1. Vaishali - Bihar
2. Dhauli - Rajasthan
3. Rampurva - Uttar Pradesh
4. Amaravati - Karnataka

Answer: Vaishali - Bihar

Vaishali is a well-known Mauryan pillar site located in Bihar. The other options are incorrect because Dhauli is in Odisha, Rampurva is in Bihar, and Amaravati is in Andhra Pradesh.

Q13. Assertion (A): The Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora is a monolithic structure. Reason (R): It was carved out of a single rock from the top downwards. Choose the correct option.

1. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
3. A is true, but R is false
4. A is false, but R is true

Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

The Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora is indeed monolithic because it was carved from a single rock. The reason correctly explains the assertion, since carving from the top downward is the method that makes it monolithic.