Daily UPSC Prelims Quiz on History and Culture Week 118 – July 2025 – Exam Ki Tayari

QUESTION 1

With reference to Elephanta Caves, consider the following statements:

1. They are older than the Ajanta Caves.

2. The island on which the Elephanta Caves are situated was originally called Gharapuri, but after the British conquered the region, they renamed it Elephanta after erecting a large stone elephant on the island.

3. The most notable among the network of caves is the Trimurti, a massive three-headed statue representing Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. 

How many statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one statement

(b) Only two statements

(c) All three statements

(d) None of the three statements

Explanation

A masterpiece of Buddhist art, Ajanta caves are located in Maharashtra and are renowned for their exquisite Buddhist rock-cut cave monuments. These caves date back to the 2nd century BCE and were created as retreats for Buddhist monks.

Another architecturally significant cave complex situated in Maharashtra, Elephanta caves are just a short boat ride from Mumbai.

This site features a collection of rock-cut temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. These caves, dating back to the 5th century CE, are situated on Elephanta Island and are famous for their colossal sculptures.

What’s worth noting is that the island on which Elephanta Caves are situated was originally called Gharapuri. However, after the Portuguese conquered the region, they renamed it as Elephanta, as they erected a large stone elephant on the island.

The most notable among the network of caves is the Trimurti, a massive three-headed statue representing the aspects of Shiva as the highest form of God in Hinduism fulfilling the roles of a creator, preserver, and destroyer.

Therefore, d is the correct answer.

(For more, refer: In Elephanta Caves, artistic carvings, spiritual callings, and a religious monolith by Ruchika Goswamy, Lifestyle, The Indian Express; World Heritage Day 2024: Explore some of the most architecturally significant caves in India, Lifestyle, The Indian Express.)

QUESTION 2

Who established the first Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha in Madras?

(a) Gopal Krishna Gokhale

(b) Mahatma Gandhi

(c) Vinayak Damodar Savarkar

(d) K. Kamaraj

Explanation

“Scholars say Hindi actively began to make its presence felt in the South around the Independence movement, with Mahatma Gandhi establishing the first Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha in Madras (now Chennai) in 1918. The objective was to teach Hindi to a non-Hindi-speaking populace as a link language for the freedom movement.” — Nikhila Henry

Therefore, b is the correct answer.

(For more, refer: History Headline — Far from politics, journey of Hindi in southern states by Nikhila Henry, The Indian Express)

QUESTION 3

Consider the following statements:

1. Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah was the first Nizam of Hyderabad.

2. Hyderabad was founded by Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan Siddiqi. 

Which of the statements given above is/are true?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

“The year is 1725. It is a cool November morning in Hyderabad, a city founded by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah. Bustling bylanes converge around Charminar, its tall minarets whispering stories of the Shah’s triumph over a devastating plague.

Beyond the towering structure, a flash of yellow flutters carelessly in the clear, blue sky. It is the flag of Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan Siddiqi, the first Nizam of Hyderabad.” — Shreya Saksena

Therefore, d is the correct answer.

(For more, refer: From Khichdi-Khatta to Patthar ka Gosht, what Hyderabadi cuisine tells us about the city’s multicultural past by Shreya Saksena, Research, The Indian Express)

QUESTION 4

What was the ‘Gagging Act’ related to in pre-independent India?

(a) Disarming Indians

(b) Legal equality for Indian judges

(c) Press control

(d) Small and medium landowners

Explanation

During the reign of the British empire there were several Acts passed as stringent curbs over the Indian Press. Prior to the rumblings of the 1857 mutiny, the Press was fiercely involved in rallying the masses, and inevitably, the British government was increasingly becoming apprehensive about the Press’ freedom. Through the newspapers, a nationalistic rebellion was slowly being pieced together through words and symbols. In view of this, the “Gagging Act” was passed by Lord Lytton, which was driven to curtail and control the Indian publications’ content. The Act compelled all Indian publications to apply for a license from the government, while also ensuring that nothing was written against the British government, nor was the government challenged in any measure.

Therefore, c is the correct answer.

(For more, refer: A pre-Independence history of press freedom in India by Radhika Iyengar, Research, The Indian Express)

QUESTION 5

Consider the following books and authors:

       Books                                 :    Authors

1. Unhappy India                 : Dadabhai Naoroji       

2. Gita Rahasya                    : Bal Gangadhar Tilak

3. India Wins Freedom     : Jawaharlal Nehru

4. The Golden Threshold  : Sarojini Naidu

Which of the above give pairs are not correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 4 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 4 only

(d) 1 and 3 only

Explanation

The correct pairs are :

 Books                                      :    Authors

1. Unhappy India                 :   Lala Lajpat Rai  

2. Gita Rahasya                    : Bal Gangadhar Tilak

3. India Wins Freedom     : Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

4. The Golden Threshold  : Sarojini Naidu

Therefore, d is the correct answer.

QUESTION 6

Shaikh Mohammad Ibrahim Zauq was a contemporary of which of the following Mughal rulers?

(a) Jahangir

(b) Muhammad Shah

(c) Bahadur Shah Zafar

(d) None of the above

Explanation

Shaikh Mohammad Ibrahim Zauq, the poetry ustaad of the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah ‘Zafar’ saw, in his lifetime, the Mughal Empire brought to its knees (though not formally ended — Zauq, perhaps mercifully, died three years before the ‘Ghadar’ of 1857, the uprising that was to so impact the fabric of Delhi’s social, cultural and literary life).

But an impoverished Mughal court and an equally penurious north Indian aristocracy meant that many of Zauq’s contemporaries drifted south to Hyderabad, where there was still patronage to be sought and stipends to be earned. Zauq, however, when asked why he did not migrate to the Deccan, had famously remarked, ‘In dinon garche Dakan mein hai bohot qadr-e-sukhan/ Kaun jaaye Zauq par Dilli ki galiyaan chhor kar?’ As Saif Mahmood translates this in his book Beloved Delhi: ‘Although poetry is greatly valued in the Deccan these days, Zauq, who would trade that for the lanes of Delhi?’

Therefore, c is the correct answer.

(For more, refer: The City of Mushairas by Madhulika Liddle, The Indian Express)

QUESTION 7

With reference to ‘Doctrine of Lapse’, consider the following statements:

1. It was introduced by Lord Dalhousie during his time as the Governor-General of India.

2. According to this doctrine, the adopted heir to the throne was not allowed to acquire the state, and the state automatically ‘lapsed’ into British dominion if the ruler died without any natural, biological heir. 

3. The territories of Satara, Punjab, Sambalpur , and Jhansi and Nagpur  were annexed under it.

Which of the above given statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

What is the Doctrine of Lapse?

Therefore, d is the correct answer.

(For more, refer: Knowledge Nugget — Why Mangal Pandey’s role in revolt of 1857 matters for your UPSC exam by Khushboo Kumari, UPSC Essentials, The Indian Express.)

QUESTION 8

Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are sacred to which of the following religious groups?

1. Hindus

2. Buddhists

3. Jains

4. Sikhs

5. Baháʼís

Select the correct code:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 5 only

Explanation

After a five-year hiatus triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic and extended due to tensions between India and China, the Kailash-Mansarovar yatra has resumed in 2025.

This year, the Ministry of External Affairs chose 750 pilgrims who would be making the storied pilgrimage: five batches of 50 yatris will cross into Tibet through the Lipulekh pass in Uttarakhand, and 10 batches of 50 pilgrims will make the longer but relatively easier journey through the Nathu La pass in Sikkim. The first batches of pilgrims on both routes are currently on their way.

Therefore, c is the correct answer.

(For more, refer: Kailash-Mansarovar yatra resumes after five years: history of a storied pilgrimage, Explained, The Indian Express.)

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