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History PYQ Practice: Set 10

Authored CAPF-level history MCQs (hardest, mixed full-syllabus) on art and architecture, music and dance, and a chronological span from ancient to post-independence India, with answer key and explanations, not verbatim PYQs

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PaperPaper ISubjectHistory

Authored practice, not a verbatim PYQ. Twenty-five questions in a mixed full-syllabus revision span: art and architecture, classical music and dance, the cultural heritage, and a chronology stretching from ancient India to post-independence consolidation. Attempt closed-book, then check the key.

Questions

Q1The rock-cut caves at Ajanta are famous chiefly for their:
  1. AIron pillars
  2. BBuddhist murals (paintings)
  3. CMosques
  4. DStepwells
Q2The Ellora caves are notable for housing temples and monasteries of:
  1. AOnly Buddhism
  2. BBuddhism, Hinduism and Jainism together
  3. COnly Islam
  4. DOnly Christianity
Q3The Kailasa temple at Ellora, carved out of a single rock, was built under the:
  1. ACholas
  2. BRashtrakutas
  3. CMughals
  4. DMauryas

Q4 (statement-based). Consider the following about temple architecture styles:

  1. The Nagara style is associated with North India.
  2. The Dravida style is associated with South India.
  3. The Vesara style blends features of both. How many are correct?
  • (a) Only one
  • (b) Only two
  • (c) All three
  • (d) None
Q5The Sun Temple at Konark, designed as a colossal chariot, is in which state?
  1. ATamil Nadu
  2. BOdisha
  3. CGujarat
  4. DMadhya Pradesh
Q6The Khajuraho group of temples is associated with the:
  1. AChandela dynasty
  2. BChola dynasty
  3. CMughal dynasty
  4. DMaurya dynasty
Q7Match List I (Classical dance) with List II (State of origin):
  1. ABharatanatyam
  2. BKathak
  3. COdissi
  4. DKathakali
  1. Odisha
  2. Tamil Nadu
  3. Kerala
  4. North India (Uttar Pradesh region) Codes:
  • (a) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
  • (b) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
  • (c) A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3
  • (d) A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1
Q8The two principal systems of Indian classical music are:
  1. AHindustani and Carnatic
  2. BFolk and tribal
  3. CWestern and Eastern
  4. DVedic and Puranic
Q9The "Stupa" as an architectural form is associated with:
  1. AIslamic architecture
  2. BBuddhist architecture (housing relics)
  3. CColonial architecture
  4. DSikh architecture
Q10The Great Stupa at Sanchi was originally commissioned by:
  1. AAkbar
  2. BAshoka
  3. CShah Jahan
  4. DKrishnadevaraya

Q11 (statement-based). Consider the following about the Indus Valley material culture:

  1. Standardised baked bricks were used in construction.
  2. A system of weights and measures existed.
  3. Cities had covered drainage systems. How many are correct?
  • (a) Only one
  • (b) Only two
  • (c) All three
  • (d) None
Q12The "Gandhara school" of art is best known for:
  1. ASculptures of the Buddha showing Greco-Roman influence
  2. BMughal miniature painting
  3. CCave murals at Ajanta
  4. DBronze Nataraja idols
Q13The bronze image of "Nataraja" (the dancing Shiva) is a masterpiece of:
  1. AGupta painting
  2. BChola bronze sculpture
  3. CMughal architecture
  4. DHarappan seals

Q14 (assertion-reason). Assertion (A): Indo-Islamic architecture introduced the arch and the dome on a large scale in India. Reason (R): Sultanate and Mughal builders combined Persian and Central Asian forms with Indian craftsmanship, producing structures such as the Qutb complex and the Taj Mahal.

  • (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
  • (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
  • (c) A is true, R is false
  • (d) A is false, R is true
Q15The Indian National Army trials (the "Red Fort trials") of 1945 to 1946 generated public sympathy because they tried:
  1. ABritish officials
  2. BOfficers of the Indian National Army of Subhas Chandra Bose
  3. CMughal princes
  4. DMembers of the Constituent Assembly
Q16The first session of the Constituent Assembly of India was held in:
  1. A1942
  2. BDecember 1946
  3. CAugust 1947
  4. DJanuary 1950
Q17The Constitution of India came into force on:
  1. A15 August 1947
  2. B26 November 1949
  3. C26 January 1950
  4. D2 October 1950
Q18Match List I (Event) with List II (Year):
  1. ABattle of Plassey
  2. BRevolt of 1857
  3. CIndian Independence
  4. DFirst general election of independent India
  1. 1857
  2. 1757
  3. 1951 to 1952
  4. 1947 Codes:
  • (a) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
  • (b) A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
  • (c) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
  • (d) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
Q19The Battle of Plassey (1757), a turning point for British power in Bengal, was won by:
  1. AThe Marathas
  2. BThe East India Company under Robert Clive
  3. CThe Mughals
  4. DTipu Sultan
Q20The "Doctrine of Lapse", used to annex princely states, is associated with:
  1. ALord Dalhousie
  2. BLord Curzon
  3. CWarren Hastings
  4. DLord Mountbatten

Q21 (statement-based). Consider the following about the Revolt of 1857:

  1. It began with sepoys at Meerut.
  2. Bahadur Shah Zafar was proclaimed a symbolic leader.
  3. It led to the end of Company rule and the start of Crown rule. How many are correct?
  • (a) Only one
  • (b) Only two
  • (c) All three
  • (d) None
Q22The first woman President of the Indian National Congress was:
  1. ASarojini Naidu
  2. BAnnie Besant
  3. CIndira Gandhi
  4. DVijaya Lakshmi Pandit
Q23"Vande Mataram", which became a rallying song of the freedom movement, was composed by:
  1. ARabindranath Tagore
  2. BBankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
  3. CSubhas Chandra Bose
  4. DBal Gangadhar Tilak

Q24 (assertion-reason). Assertion (A): India's cultural heritage is marked by continuity and synthesis. Reason (R): Successive ancient, medieval and modern influences blended into a composite tradition in art, architecture, music and thought.

  • (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
  • (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
  • (c) A is true, R is false
  • (d) A is false, R is true
Q25Which of the following best describes the sweep of Indian history tested by the CAPF exam?
  1. AA short, recent story only
  2. BA continuous arc from the Indus cities through classical and medieval empires to the freedom struggle and the building of a modern republic
  3. CAn unbroken record of foreign rule
  4. DA purely regional history with no national dimension

Answer key

Reveal the answer key and full worked solutions
Q Answer
1 (b) Buddhist murals
2 (b) Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism together
3 (b) Rashtrakutas
4 (c) All three
5 (b) Odisha
6 (a) Chandela dynasty
7 (a) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
8 (a) Hindustani and Carnatic
9 (b) Buddhist architecture
10 (b) Ashoka
11 (c) All three
12 (a) Buddha sculptures with Greco-Roman influence
13 (b) Chola bronze sculpture
14 (a) Both true, R is the correct explanation
15 (b) Officers of the Indian National Army
16 (b) December 1946
17 (c) 26 January 1950
18 (a) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
19 (b) The East India Company under Robert Clive
20 (a) Lord Dalhousie
21 (c) All three
22 (b) Annie Besant
23 (b) Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
24 (a) Both true, R is the correct explanation
25 (b) A continuous arc from the Indus cities to a modern republic

Explanations

Cross-references

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