BPSC Prelims 2023 History Questions with Solutions

Explanation

According to the accounts of the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Hiuen Tsang, King Meghavarman of Sri Lanka sent a mission to the Gupta King Samudragupta. The purpose of this mission was to seek permission to construct a Buddhist monastery and temple for Ceylonese monks at Bodh Gaya. Samudragupta granted this request, allowing the construction of what became known as the Mahabodhi Sangharama.

Explanation

Bihar was first separated from the Bengal Presidency on March 22, 1912. On this date, the new province of Bihar and Orissa was created by the British government. This administrative reorganization aimed to reduce the size and administrative burden of the vast Bengal Presidency.

Explanation

Christopher Columbus, a renowned explorer, was born in Genoa, Italy. Jacques Cartier, who claimed Canada for France, was a French explorer born in Saint-Malo. Sir Francis Drake, a famous circumnavigator and privateer, was an English sea captain. Ferdinand Magellan, the leader of the first expedition to circumnavigate the Earth, was of Portuguese origin. Therefore, the correct match is a-3, b-4, c-2, d-1.

Explanation

The failure of the Revolt of 1857 can be attributed to several critical factors. The British possessed military superiority, including advanced weaponry, better organization, and disciplined forces, which statement 1 correctly identifies. Furthermore, the rebels lacked a unified program and a coherent ideology; they had diverse motives and no common strategic vision, as stated in statement 2. Finally, the revolt did not garner widespread support from all sections of Indian society, with many rulers, educated classes, and even some communities siding with the British or remaining neutral, making statement 3 also correct. Therefore, all three factors contributed to its failure.

Explanation

In 1917, during Mahatma Gandhi's Champaran Satyagraha in Bihar, a British indigo planter named Erwin reportedly ordered his cook to poison Gandhi's food. The cook, Batak Mian, courageously defied the order and exposed the plot, thereby saving Mahatma Gandhi's life. Batak Mian was subsequently punished by the British for his loyalty to Gandhi but was later recognized for his brave act.

Explanation

Swami Sahajanand Saraswati was a prominent ascetic and a fiery peasant leader who founded the Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha (BPKS) in 1929 and the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) in 1936. The Bakasht Movement of 1937-1938 in Bihar was a significant peasant agitation organized under his leadership. This movement aimed to reclaim "Bakasht" lands, which were self-cultivated lands that peasants had lost to zamindars, often due to non-payment of rent or other exploitative practices. The movement sought to protect the rights of tenants and prevent their eviction.

Explanation

Let's list the chronological order of the events: Surat Split: In 1907, the Indian National Congress split into two factions, the Moderates and the Extremists, at its session in Surat. Minto-Morley Reforms: These reforms, also known as the Indian Councils Act of 1909, were enacted to introduce a limited measure of self-governance in India. Home Rule Movement: Launched in 1916 by Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak, it aimed to achieve self-rule for India within the British Empire. Kheda Satyagraha: This movement was organized by Mahatma Gandhi in 1918 in the Kheda district of Gujarat to support peasants protesting against high taxes despite crop failure. Thus, the correct chronological order is 2-4-1-3.

Explanation

Lord Lytton served as the Viceroy of India from 1876 to 1880. During his tenure, he was notably associated with the Strachey Commission (1878) for famine relief, the unpopular Arms Act (1878) which restricted Indians from possessing arms, and the Vernacular Press Act (1878) which suppressed freedom of the press in vernacular languages. The Ilbert Bill, on the other hand, was introduced in 1883 during the viceroyalty of Lord Ripon (1880-1884). This bill proposed to allow Indian judges to try European subjects, a controversial measure that Lord Lytton was not involved with.

Explanation

The Battle of Buxar occurred on October 22, 1764, marking a decisive victory for the British East India Company over the combined forces of Mir Qasim (Nawab of Bengal), Shuja-ud-Daula (Nawab of Awadh), and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. Following this crucial battle, the Treaty of Allahabad was signed in August 1765. This treaty, primarily negotiated by Robert Clive, granted the British East India Company the Diwani rights, meaning the right to collect revenue, for Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa from the Mughal Emperor, thereby consolidating British control over vast territories.

Explanation

The Dutch East India Company, also known as the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC), established a significant trading presence in India. One of its key factories was located at Patna, in the present-day state of Bihar. This factory was established in the year 1632. The Dutch traders at Patna primarily dealt in saltpetre, which was essential for gunpowder production, as well as opium, indigo, and other local commodities, facilitating their lucrative trade networks across Asia and with Europe.

Explanation

Mahatma Gandhi first employed the hunger strike as a weapon of protest during the Ahmedabad Mill Strike in 1918. He undertook a fast unto death to support the textile workers who were demanding a wage increase from the mill owners. This fast put moral pressure on the mill owners, eventually leading to a settlement in favor of the workers. While he used other forms of non-violent protest in movements like Non-Cooperation and Rowlatt Satyagraha, the Ahmedabad Strike marked his initial use of the hunger strike.

Explanation

Shri Krishna Singh, the first Chief Minister of Bihar, was famously known by the honorific title ‘Bihar Kesari’ (Lion of Bihar). He was a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement from Bihar and played an active and significant role in various national movements, including the Quit India Movement of 1942. During the Quit India Movement, he was arrested and imprisoned, demonstrating his active participation and leadership in the struggle for India's freedom.

Explanation

The Champaran Movement, a significant peasant uprising in 1917, was led by Mahatma Gandhi against the Tinkathia system, which forced peasants to cultivate indigo. In response to the widespread agitation, the British Government appointed an inquiry body known as the Champaran Agrarian Committee. This committee investigated the grievances of the indigo cultivators, and Mahatma Gandhi was also a member of it. Its recommendations led to the enactment of the Champaran Agrarian Act, which eventually abolished the oppressive Tinkathia system.

Explanation

The correct matches are as follows: The Servants of India Society was founded by Gopal Krishna Gokhale. The Tattwabodhini Sabha was established by Debendranath Tagore. The Atmiya Sabha was founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. While Raja Ram Mohan Roy also founded the Brahmo Samaj, Keshab Chandra Sen was a very prominent leader who played a crucial role in its development and later splits, making his association with the Brahmo Samaj significant for this matching question. Thus, option C correctly pairs these figures with their respective organizations.

Explanation

Ambabai was a distinguished woman freedom fighter who hailed from the state of Karnataka. She actively participated in the Indian independence movement, particularly in the coastal regions of Karnataka. Her contributions included organizing women, picketing foreign goods, and participating in various acts of civil disobedience, for which she also faced imprisonment during the freedom struggle against British rule.

Explanation

The Cabinet Mission was dispatched to India in 1946 by the British government to discuss the transfer of power and help Indian leaders agree on a framework for the country's independence. The mission comprised three British Cabinet members: Lord Pethick-Lawrence, who was the Secretary of State for India; Sir Stafford Cripps, the President of the Board of Trade; and A. V. Alexander, the First Lord of the Admiralty. J. Andrew was not a member of this mission.

Explanation

The 'Safety Valve Theory' suggests that the Indian National Congress was founded by A.O. Hume with the primary intention of providing a peaceful and constitutional channel for the growing political unrest and discontent among Indians. This was meant to protect the British Government from a potentially violent uprising. This theory was prominently put forward by the nationalist leader Lala Lajpat Rai, who elaborated on it in his book "Young India."

Explanation

The Indian National Congress, in its Karachi Session of 1931, passed significant resolutions relating to Fundamental Rights and the National Economic Programme for the first time. This session was presided over by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The resolution, which was drafted by Jawaharlal Nehru, outlined the vision of an independent India that would guarantee civil liberties and socio-economic rights for its citizens, including protection for workers, peasants, and women.

Explanation

The Servants of India Society was founded by Gopal Krishna Gokhale in 1905, aiming to train national missionaries for the service of India and to promote constitutional means for national regeneration. The Tattwabodhini Sabha was established by Debendranath Tagore in 1839 to propagate the teachings of the Upanishads and promote a rational and monotheistic form of Hinduism. The Atmiya Sabha, a pioneering socio-religious reform organization, was founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1815, advocating for monotheism and social reforms.

Explanation

The 'Safety Valve Theory' posits that the Indian National Congress was formed by A.O. Hume primarily to provide a safe, constitutional outlet for the growing political discontent among educated Indians, thereby preventing a more violent and widespread rebellion against British rule. This perspective was notably articulated by the prominent nationalist leader Lala Lajpat Rai, who discussed it in his influential work "Young India," published in 1916.