1. Which crops were primarily grown as spring crops in the riverain tract of the Indus according to Allchins?
- A) Rice and pulses
- B) Wheat and barley
- C) Millets and sesame
- D) Maize and sorghum
Correct Answer: B) Wheat and barley
Explanation: According to Allchins, wheat and barley were the principal food grains grown as spring (rabi) crops in the riverain tract of the Indus.
2. What did the Greek writers praise about Indian soil and climate conditions?
- A) Scarcity of rainfall
- B) Unfavorable climate for agriculture
- C) Fertility of soil and favorable climate
- D) Lack of agricultural diversity
Correct Answer: C) Fertility of soil and favorable climate
Explanation: The Greek writers highly praised the fertility of Indian soil and favorable climate conditions for agriculture.
3. According to Megasthenes, when was wheat typically sown in India?
- A) Summer solstice
- B) Autumn equinox
- C) Winter rains
- D) Spring equinox
Correct Answer: C) Winter rains
Explanation: Megasthenes mentioned the sowing of wheat in early winter rains in India.
4. What did the Chinese pilgrim Hsieun Tsang mention about the gardening at the monastic University of Nalanda?
- A) Streams of blue water and green lotus flowers
- B) Mango groves and sandal trees
- C) Cherry blossoms and pine trees
- D) Orchards of apples and peaches
Correct Answer: A) Streams of blue water and green lotus flowers
Explanation: Hsieun Tsang described streams of blue water winding through the parks and green lotus flowers sparkling among the blossoms of sandal trees.
5. What did Sher Shah regulate to ensure the safety of peasants and their crops?
- A) Protection of forests
- B) Trade tariffs
- C) Victorious standards
- D) Safety of roads
Correct Answer: C) Victorious standards
Explanation: Sher Shah regulated the protection of the peasantry and safety of their crops by ensuring the safety of his victorious standards.
6. Which civilization is associated with the cultivation of wheat and barley as mentioned in the text?
- A) Mesopotamian civilization
- B) Indus Valley civilization
- C) Egyptian civilization
- D) Chinese civilization
Correct Answer: B) Indus Valley civilization
Explanation: The cultivation of wheat and barley in the riverain tract of the Indus is associated with the Indus Valley civilization.
7. What did the Greek writers affirm about India’s agricultural productivity?
- A) India had a single rainfall and single harvest.
- B) India had a double rainfall and single harvest.
- C) India had a double rainfall and double harvest.
- D) India had a single rainfall and double harvest.
Correct Answer: C) India had a double rainfall and double harvest.
Explanation: The Greek writers affirmed that India had a double rainfall and generally gathered two harvests.
8. According to Megasthenes, what were some of the winter crops grown in India?
- A) Rice and sesame
- B) Wheat and barley
- C) Maize and millets
- D) Lentils and chickpeas
Correct Answer: B) Wheat and barley
Explanation: Megasthenes mentioned wheat, barley, pulse, and other esculent fruits as winter crops grown in India.
9. What did the Chinese pilgrim Hsieun Tsang describe about the surroundings of the monastic University of Nalanda?
- A) Mango groves outside the enclosure
- B) Orchards of apples and peaches
- C) A desert landscape
- D) Streams of blue water and green lotus flowers
Correct Answer: A) Mango groves outside the enclosure
Explanation: While describing the surroundings of the monastic University of Nalanda, Hsieun Tsang mentioned a mango grove spreading outside the enclosure.
10. Who among the mentioned travelers praised the gardens at the monastic University of Nalanda?
- A) Megasthenes
- B) Sher Shah
- C) Hsieun Tsang
- D) Diodorus
Correct Answer: C) Hsieun Tsang
Explanation: Hsieun Tsang, the Chinese pilgrim, praised the gardens at the monastic University of Nalanda, describing them as picturesque with streams of blue water and green lotus flowers.
11. How did Sher Shah ensure the safety of cultivations according to the text?
- A) By stationing horsemen around fields
- B) By imposing heavy taxes on farmers
- C) By restricting agricultural practices
- D) By encouraging trespassing on fields
Correct Answer: A) By stationing horsemen around fields
Explanation: Sher Shah personally examined the state of cultivation and stationed horsemen around fields to prevent trespassing, ensuring the safety of cultivations.
12. Which traveler provides evidence of the structure of Mughal gardens and the plants grown in them?
- A) Abu-l-Fazl
- B) Terry
- C) Francois Bernier
- D) Anwari
Correct Answer: D) Anwari
Explanation: Anwari, a Persian poet, provides evidence of the structure of Mughal gardens and the plants grown in them through his collection of poems, Diwan-i-Anwari.
13. According to Abu-l-Fazl, how many kinds of sugarcane are mentioned?
- A) One
- B) Two
- C) Three
- D) Four
Correct Answer: C) Three
Explanation: Abu-l-Fazl mentions three kinds of sugarcane: paunda, black, and ordinary.
14. Which European traveler mentioned the abundance of musk-melons and other fruits in India?
- A) Abu-l-Fazl
- B) Terry
- C) Francois Bernier
- D) Anwari
Correct Answer: B) Terry
Explanation: Terry, an English traveler, mentioned the abundance of musk-melons and various other fruits like watermelons, pomegranates, lemons, oranges, dates, figs, grapes, coconut, plantains, mangoes, pineapples, pears, and apples.
15. What does Terry mention about the use of coffee by some people?
- A) It was considered unhealthy
- B) It was used for cooking
- C) It was a common beverage
- D) It was used for religious rituals
Correct Answer: C) It was a common beverage
Explanation: Terry mentions that many religious people drank coffee, considering it a “wholesome liquor” that quickened the spirit and cleansed the blood.
16. Who among the European travelers is described as the most intelligent and learned during the Mughal rule?
- A) Terry
- B) Anwari
- C) Abu-l-Fazl
- D) Francois Bernier
Correct Answer: D) Francois Bernier
Explanation: Francois Bernier, a Frenchman, is described as the most intelligent and learned among the European travelers during the Mughal rule.
17. What does Abu-l-Fazl provide a list of in the Aini-Akbari?
- A) Types of animals
- B) Varieties of spices
- C) Fragrant flowering plants
- D) Different kinds of fruits
Correct Answer: C) Fragrant flowering plants
Explanation: Abu-l-Fazl provides a list of twenty-one fragrant flowering plants along with the color of their flowers and the season of flowering in the Aini-Akbari.
18. Which traveler gives a vivid description of Bengal, including its landscape, people, and products?
- A) Terry
- B) Anwari
- C) Abu-l-Fazl
- D) Francois Bernier
Correct Answer: D) Francois Bernier
Explanation: Francois Bernier gives a vivid description of Bengal, covering its landscape, people, and various plant and animal products.
19. What did Abu-l-Fazl illustrate during the reign of Akbar according to the text?
- A) Persian classics
- B) Mughal architecture
- C) Indian folklore
- D) Chinese poetry
Correct Answer: A) Persian classics
Explanation: Abu-l-Fazl illustrated Persian classics during the reign of Akbar, providing insights into Mughal gardens and the plants grown in them.
20. What evidence is provided in Diwan-i-Anwari regarding Mughal gardens?
- A) Paintings on gardens and gardening
- B) Descriptions of agricultural practices
- C) Lists of medicinal plants
- D) Poems about royal banquets
Correct Answer: A) Paintings on gardens and gardening
Explanation: Diwan-i-Anwari contains some excellent paintings on gardens and gardening, providing evidence of Mughal garden structures and plants grown in them.
21. What crops were cultivated according to the text?
- A) Wheat, barley, and lentils
- B) Rice, sugar, and corn
- C) Millet, sorghum, and mustard
- D) Potatoes, carrots, and onions
Correct Answer: B) Rice, sugar, and corn
Explanation: The text mentions fields of rice, sugar, and corn being cultivated.
22. What was the purpose of planting small mulberry trees mentioned in the text?
- A) For shade
- B) For timber
- C) For food
- D) For silk worms
Correct Answer: D) For silk worms
Explanation: Small mulberry trees were planted for the food of silk worms.
23. According to Meadows Taylor, what positive impact did the Bahmanis’ irrigation works have?
- A) Increased crop yields
- B) Improved living conditions for peasants
- C) Enhanced crown revenue
- D) Reduced environmental degradation
Correct Answer: C) Enhanced crown revenue
Explanation: Meadows Taylor states that the Bahmanis’ irrigation works primarily secured crown revenue, incidentally benefiting the peasantry.
24. What did Vincent Smith criticize about the Bahmanis’ rule?
- A) Lack of military prowess
- B) Overemphasis on irrigation
- C) Neglect of Hindu peasants’ welfare
- D) Excessive taxation
Correct Answer: C) Neglect of Hindu peasants’ welfare
Explanation: Vincent Smith points out that the Bahmanis’ rule showed little regard for the welfare of Hindu peasants.
25. Who reported about the wild Indian cotton trees in ancient writings?
- A) Marco Polo
- B) Herodotus
- C) Meadows Taylor
- D) Vincent Smith
Correct Answer: B) Herodotus
Explanation: Herodotus reported about the wild Indian cotton trees in his writings.
26. What did Marco Polo say about the cotton produced on the coast of Coromandel?
- A) It was coarse and of poor quality
- B) It was the finest and most beautiful in the world
- C) It was used primarily for industrial purposes
- D) It was not suitable for weaving
Correct Answer: B) It was the finest and most beautiful in the world
Explanation: Marco Polo stated that the coast of Coromandel produced the finest and most beautiful cotton in the world.
27. How is Indian cloth, particularly Dacca muslin, described in the text?
- A) Heavy and rough
- B) Coarse and uncomfortable
- C) Renowned all over the world
- D) Unsuitable for clothing
Correct Answer: C) Renowned all over the world
Explanation: Indian cloth, particularly Dacca muslin, was renowned all over the world, described as “webs of woven wind” by oriental poets.
28. What unique feature is attributed to Dacca muslin in the text?
- A) It was woven with golden threads
- B) It was so fine that it could hardly be felt in the hands
- C) It was dyed in vibrant colors
- D) It was resistant to wrinkles
Correct Answer: B) It was so fine that it could hardly be felt in the hands
Explanation: Dacca muslin was so fine that it could hardly be felt in the hands.
29. What tale is often repeated regarding the use of muslin by Moghul princes?
- A) They wore it for religious ceremonies
- B) They used it as currency
- C) They layered it for warmth
- D) They were admonished for its transparency
Correct Answer: D) They were admonished for its transparency
Explanation: The often-repeated tale is about Moghul princes who put on seven layers of muslin, and still, the contours of their bodies were visible, leading to admonishment.
30. What term is used by oriental poets to describe Dacca muslin?
- A) “Webs of woven gold”
- B) “Threads of woven air”
- C) “Cloth of woven dreams”
- D) “Webs of woven wind”
Correct Answer: D) “Webs of woven wind”
Explanation: Oriental poets described Dacca muslin as “webs of woven wind.”