logo
Daily subject-wise quiz: History and Culture MCQs on Indian infantry, rivers in Vedas, translations in colonial India (Week 111)

Daily subject-wise quiz: History and Culture MCQs on Indian infantry, rivers in Vedas, translations in colonial India (Week 111)

Indian Express19-05-2025

Are you preparing for UPSC CSE Prelims 2025? UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of daily subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today's subject quiz on History and Culture to check your progress.
With inputs from Vikas Sharma
🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for May 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨
Why is October 27 in India observed as Infantry day?
(a) Victory of India in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 which led to the creation of Bangladesh.
(b) INA, led by Subhas Chandra Bose, was formed.
(c) Some units of the Bengal Native Infantry and Cavalry mutinied against the British East India Company.
(d) The first military action by an Indian regiment against external aggression in Jammu and Kashmir.
Infantry Day, observed on October 27, commemorates the first military action by an Indian regiment against external aggression. On October 27, 1947, the First Battalion of the Sikh Regiment arrived at Srinagar to defend Jammu and Kashmir from external aggression.
Therefore, (d) is the correct answer.
(For more, refer: Infantry Day 2024: Recalling the first Indian military action, on this date in 1947 in J&K, Explained, the Indian Express.)
This inscription gives details of the functioning of the local sabha, i.e. the village assembly. A sabha was an assembly exclusively of brahmans and had specialised committees tasked with different things. The inscription details how members were selected, the required qualifications, their roles and responsibilities, and even the circumstances in which they could be removed.
The inscription referred to in the above lines is:
(a) Aihole inscription
(b) Uttaramerur
(c) Mandsaur inscription
(d) Lumbini pillar inscription
— Uttaramerur lies in present-day Kanchipuram district, approximately 90 km southeast of Chennai. Today, it is a small town and had a population of roughly 25,000 in the census of 2011. It is known for its historic temples built during Pallava and Chola rule.
— The famous inscription from Parantaka I's reign is found on the walls of the Vaikunda Perumal Temple.
— The inscription gives details of the functioning of the local sabha, i.e. the village assembly. A sabha was an assembly exclusively of brahmans and had specialised committees tasked with different things. The Uttaramerur inscription details how members were selected, the required qualifications, their roles and responsibilities, and even the circumstances in which they could be removed.
Therefore, (b) is the correct answer.
(For more, refer: What the Uttaramerur inscription, recently referred to by PM Modi, says; Explained, The Indian Express.)
With reference to books and their translations in the colonial period, consider the following statements:
1. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's English translation of his Bengali work, Marriage of Hindu Widows, influenced the passage of the Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act in 1856.
2. Orientalist Charles Wilkins, influenced by his judicial engagement with legal texts like the Manusmriti, published his translation titled Institutes of Hindu Law.
3. In Balidaan (Sacrifice), his Hindi translation of Victor Hugo's Quatre-vingt-treize, Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi enriched the text with contextual details about the French Revolution to emphasize its message of self-sacrifice for Indian readers.
Which of the above given statements is/are not true?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
— Orientalist William Jones, influenced by his judicial engagement with legal texts like the Manusmriti, published his 1794 translation titled Institutes of Hindu Law. As Tejaswini Niranjana observes in her article Translation, Colonialism and the Rise of English (1990), Jones's work embodied a broader colonial impulse—the belief that translation should be carried out by Europeans rather than Indians, in order to codify local laws and 'purify' Indian culture. Siddiqi concurs, 'For the British, translation was a project of control.' Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
— Another turning point in colonial translation came with English Orientalist Charles Wilkins' 1785 translation of the Bhagavad Gita. This, according to Jones, as cited by Kothari in her book Translating India (2014), was the 'event that made it possible for the first time to have a reliable impression of Indian literature.'
— Indian social reformers played a pivotal role in legal reform. Gargi Bhattacharya highlights how Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's English translation of his Bengali work, Marriage of Hindu Widows, directly influenced the passage of the Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act in 1856.
— Translation also served as a mode of resistance. A powerful example is Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi's Hindi translation of Victor Hugo's Quatre-vingt-treize, retitled Balidaan (sacrifice), which he enriched with contextual details about the French Revolution to underscore its message of self-sacrifice for Indian readers.
Hence, statement 1 and 3 are correct.
Therefore, (b) is the correct answer.
(For more, refer: From Ashokan edicts and Manusmriti to modern novels: deciphering the art and politics of translation in multilingual South Asia by Nikita Mohta, The Indian Express.)
Match the following:
Select the correct codes:
(a) A-3, B-1, C-2
(b) A-2, B-3, C-1
(c) A-1, B-3, C-2
(d) A-2, B-1, C-3
— The Dargah in Ajmer is the mausoleum of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (also spelt Muinuddin or Mu'in al-din), one of the most pivotal figures for the spread of Sufism in the subcontinent.
— The Dargah of Sufi Shah Sharif is located near Hirnigan in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh.
— The Dargah of Salim Chishti, located within the historic Fatehpur Sikri complex, is one of the most iconic Sufi shrines in India. Salim Chishti was a revered Sufi saint of the Chishti order, known for his spirituality and miracles. Emperor Akbar, in his desire to have a son, sought blessings at the dargah and vowed to build a city in the saint's honour.
Therefore, (a) is the correct answer.
(For more, refer: Who was Moinuddin Chishti, the most important figure in the spread of Sufism in India? Explained, The Indian Express; uptourism.gov.in)
Match the following:
Select the correct codes:
(a) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2, E-5
(b) A-1, B-5, C-5, D-4, E-1
(c) A-2, B-5, C-3, D-4, E-1
(d) A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1, E-5
— Geologically, the Indus is among Asia's oldest rivers. It likely began forming during the early Eocene Epoch, shaped by the tectonic uplift of the Tibetan Plateau following the collision of the Indian and Asian continental plates. This set the stage for one of humanity's earliest and most advanced civilisations: the Indus Valley Civilisation (c. 3000-1500 BCE).
— In Vedic times, the Indus Basin was known as the Sapt Sindhu, or 'land of seven rivers,' which included the Saraswati.
— The Rigveda's Book 6 describes the Saraswati as surpassing in majesty and might all other rivers. By Book 10, Sinha notes, the Indus had emerged as the dominant river. During this period, the rivers of the Indus region were referred to by various names: the Indus as Sindhu, the Chenab as Asikni, the Jhelum as Vitasta, the Ravi as Purushni, the Sutlej as Shutudri, and the Beas as Vipas.
Therefore, (c) is the correct answer.
(For more, refer: Terror, treaties, and civilisations: Indus through the centuries by Nikita Mohta, The Indian Express.)
Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.
Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
Vikas Sharma is working as an intern with indianexpress.com.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Overlooking own concerns in past, forest committee clears Arunachal hydel project
Overlooking own concerns in past, forest committee clears Arunachal hydel project

Indian Express

time2 hours ago

  • Indian Express

Overlooking own concerns in past, forest committee clears Arunachal hydel project

In a move that aligns with the Centre's push to fast-track hydropower projects in the North-East, the Environment Ministry's Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has granted in-principle forest clearance to the 3,097-MW Etalin hydel project, which involves diversion of 1,175 hectares of forest land and felling of around 2.78 lakh trees in Arunachal Pradesh's Dibang Valley and has long been at the centre of protests. The Etalin project is among the largest proposed hydropower projects in India in terms of generation capacity. The approval comes despite the same FAC raising biodiversity and wildlife concerns in 2022, when it had rejected the proposal and directed the state to conduct fresh biodiversity and cumulative impact assessments for the Dibang river basin. This time, however, the FAC granted approval based on existing studies, overlooking its own recommendations made in December 2022. The project will be a run-of-the-river one, which does not involve storage, and is proposed to be constructed on Dri river and Talo river, the local name for Dibang, in the state's biodiverse Dibang valley. The appraisal of the project has been underway since 2014 and the FAC had discussed it six times between 2015 and 2022. The FAC noted the past deliberations held with the state government, regional office of the Environment Ministry and said it had examined ecological, social and economic aspects and issues related to wildlife as well as the project's cumulative impact. It said that the submissions made by the state forest department on these concerns were found satisfactory and hence, it recommended grant of in-principle approval, subject to general, standard and specific conditions. The forest area of over 1,000 hectares required for the project is mostly community forest, and it has faced continued resistance from the Idu Mishmi community. The area is home to tigers, leopards, snow leopards, black bears, alpine musk deer, Mishmi takin, and about 680 bird species. The FAC had rejected the project in December 2022 primarily on two grounds. One, the project was originally submitted in 2014 and FAC said it was imperative to review the facts and figures presented, especially regarding tree felling. Secondly, owing to the biodiversity and wildlife protection concerns raised, a sub-committee of the FAC had recommended further assessments and safeguards. This included a multi-seasonal replicate biodiversity study, as was already directed by FAC in 2017, and a cumulative impact assessment, since multiple hydroelectric projects are planned in Dibang valley. A wildlife conservation plan, instead of a multi-season biodiversity study, was carried out by the Wildlife Institute of India and submitted in 2019. However, since it was carried out over just four months, the FAC sub-committee had insisted on the multiple-season study again in December 2022. The WII study was also heavily panned by 29 independent Indian conservationists in a peer-reviewed paper for inaccurate wildlife documentation, scientific deficiencies among other things. Specifically, the WII study had reported a species of African bat and long-tailed house bat, not found in India. Minutes of the FAC's May 26 meeting as well as documents submitted to the Centre show that the FAC relied on the existing WII study, as well as the existing cumulative impact assessment. Senior officials of the Environment Ministry, who are part of the FAC, did not respond to queries regarding the rationale behind recommending forest approval, in the absence of fresh studies. An award-winning journalist with 14 years of experience, Nikhil Ghanekar is an Assistant Editor with the National Bureau [Government] of The Indian Express in New Delhi. He primarily covers environmental policy matters which involve tracking key decisions and inner workings of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. He also covers the functioning of the National Green Tribunal and writes on the impact of environmental policies on wildlife conservation, forestry issues and climate change. Nikhil joined The Indian Express in 2024. Originally from Mumbai, he has worked in publications such as Tehelka, Hindustan Times, DNA Newspaper, News18 and Indiaspend. In the past 14 years, he has written on a range of subjects such as sports, current affairs, civic issues, city centric environment news, central government policies and politics. ... Read More

"Deeply saddened by tragic road accident...": Indian High Commission in Kenya
"Deeply saddened by tragic road accident...": Indian High Commission in Kenya

India Gazette

time4 hours ago

  • India Gazette

"Deeply saddened by tragic road accident...": Indian High Commission in Kenya

Nairobi [Kenya], June 10 (ANI): The Indian High Commission in Kenya has expressed grief over the loss of lives of five Indian nationals who lost their lives in a road accident in Kenya's Nyandarua County. As per the Indian Mission in Qatar, a group of 28 Indians from Qatar were visiting Kenya, where their bus met with an unfortunate road accident yesterday. The Indian High Commission in Kenya noted that the road accident occurred at Ol Jororok-Nakuru Road in Nyandarua County, in which 5 Indian nationals lost their lives. In a post on X, the High Commission said that the consular team from the High Commission is on the ground and is in close contact with the local authorities to extend all necessary support. Both missions shared helpline numbers for reaching out. It said, 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic road accident on Ol Jororok-Nakuru Road in Nyandarua County, in which 5 Indian nationals have lost their lives. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. We pray for the swift recovery of the injured. The consular team from the High Commission is on the ground and is in close contact with the local authorities to extend all necessary support. We can be reached at +254 734916532.' The Indian Mission in Doha also shared the details in a post on X. It said, 'A group of 28 Indians from Qatar were visiting Kenya, where their bus met with an unfortunate road accident yesterday. As per available information, 5 Indian nationals have lost their lives in the accident. Officials from HCI Nairobi are on the ground and extending all help (1/2) '@Indiainqatar is also in touch, including with ICC, ICBF & other community groups in extend sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who have unfortunately passed Embassy could be reached on mobile number +974 55097295 for queries/assistance(2/2).' Additionally, in a statement from the Kerala Chief Minister's Office, it was mentioned, 'On June 9, at around 7 pm Indian time (4.30 pm Kenyan time), a tourist bus carrying a group of 28 Indians who had come for tourism met with an accident. They had come from Qatar for tourism. The accident took place at Nyahururu, 150 km from Nairobi.' It further added, 'Loka Kerala Sabha members have intervened through Norka Roots ( Non- Resident Keralites Affairs). The Loka Kerala Sabha has informed that the Indian citizens, including the injured Malayalis, will be shifted to hospitals in Nairobi. They informed that the injured who are currently in hospitals in Nyahururu will be taken to Nairobi by road or air ambulance by night and the bodies of those who died in the accident will also be taken to Nairobi. The Malayali Association and members of the Lok Kerala Sabha have also informed that the injured will be treated at Nakuru and Aga Khan hospitals in Nairobi.' The statement by the CMO Kerala mentioned, 'For assistance, services and information, Keralites can contact the help desk of the Norka Global Contact Center at 18004253939 (toll-free number, from India) and +91-8802012345 (missed call, from abroad). As soon as the accident was reported, former members of the World Kerala Sabha in Kenya, G.P. Rajmohan and Sajith Shankar, and members of the Kerala Association of Kenya, reached the spot.' (ANI)

24-hr waterhole wildlife census begins today across state
24-hr waterhole wildlife census begins today across state

Time of India

time5 hours ago

  • Time of India

24-hr waterhole wildlife census begins today across state

Jaipur: Rajasthan's forest department will conduct its annual 24-hour waterhole wildlife census across all forest areas, except in the state's tiger reserves, starting 8am Wednesday. Chief wildlife warden Shikha Mehra has issued directives for assessment of leopard populations and other wild animals. Preparations, including the setting up of machans (observation towers), have been completed in protected areas such as Jhalana and Amagarh. The annual exercise involves forest staff, nature enthusiasts, and conservation organisations, who will observe and document wildlife visiting waterholes. Originally scheduled a month ago, the census was postponed due to the Indo-Pak conflict. A forest official said, "The census will begin at 8am and run for 24 hours. Volunteers will record the number and species of animals visiting each waterhole. Since all animals require water at least once in 24 hours, this method ensures comprehensive coverage and helps determine wildlife density in specific areas." TNN

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store