History & Development of Agriculture in Ancient India Agriculture in Civilization era MCQ for All Agriculture Exams like ICAR-JEF, ICAR-SRF, ICAR-NET, IBPS-AFO/SO, Pre-PG, BHU Pre-PG, IFFCO-AGT, CCI, FCI, B.sc, M.sc, etc.
1. When did agriculture begin according to historical records?
- A) 10,000 years ago
- B) 5,000 years ago
- C) 1,000 years ago
- D) 500 years ago
- Answer: A
- Explanation: Agriculture is believed to have begun around 10,000 years ago, marking the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to more settled agricultural communities.
2. What was the sequence of successional stages in food procurement and production?
- A) Hunting and Gathering, Domestication, Root Crop Culture, Shifting Cultivation, Subsistence Agriculture, Commercial Agriculture
- B) Domestication, Hunting and Gathering, Shifting Cultivation, Subsistence Agriculture, Root Crop Culture, Commercial Agriculture
- C) Root Crop Culture, Hunting and Gathering, Subsistence Agriculture, Commercial Agriculture, Shifting Cultivation
- D) Shifting Cultivation, Hunting and Gathering, Commercial Agriculture, Subsistence Agriculture
- Answer: A
- Explanation: The sequence of successional stages in food procurement and production generally followed the pattern of Hunting and Gathering, Domestication (of animals and plants), Root Crop Culture, Shifting Cultivation, Subsistence Agriculture, and finally Commercial Agriculture.
3. What marked the significance of agriculture during the Vedic age?
- A) It was considered a crucial profession
- B) It focused on commercial agriculture
- C) It involved advanced irrigation techniques
- D) It included mechanization
- Answer: A
- Explanation: During the Vedic age, agriculture was a vital profession, playing a critical role in the society of that era.
4. Which period is known for marking the importance of trees in ancient Indian agriculture?
- A) Buddhist period (600 BC)
- B) Vedic period
- C) Medieval period
- D) Colonial period
- Answer: A
- Explanation: The Buddhist period, around 600 BC, emphasized the significance of trees in ancient Indian agriculture.
5. In which region and time period did irrigated agriculture with rice begin in ancient India?
- A) South India, 300 A.D.
- B) North India, 300 A.D.
- C) South India, 1000 A.D.
- D) West India, 1000 A.D.
- Answer: A
- Explanation: Irrigated agriculture with rice began in South India around 300 A.D., indicating the early development of advanced irrigation practices in ancient India.
6. Which ancient text provided information on soil, irrigation implements, manures, and land use during the Gupta period?
- A) Amarakosha
- B) Rigveda
- C) Mahabharata
- D) Ramayana
- Answer: A
- Explanation: Amarakosha, written during the period of Chandra Gupta II, contained valuable information on soil, irrigation implements, manures, and land use.
7. Who authored Krishi – Parashara, which provided insights into agriculture from the 9th to the 11th century in India?
- A) Parashara
- B) Manu
- C) Chanakya
- D) Kautilya
- Answer: A
- Explanation: Krishi – Parashara, written by Parashara between 950 and 1100 A.D., offered insights into the history and development of agriculture in India during that period.
8. When did modern agriculture begin, and where was it primarily confined?
- A) Early 19th century, Western countries
- B) Early 20th century, India
- C) Late 18th century, Western countries
- D) Early 19th century, Middle East
- Answer: A
- Explanation: Modern agriculture started during the early 19th century and was mainly confined to Western countries, leading to significant advancements in agricultural practices.
9. What significant change occurred in Indian agriculture after independence in terms of cultivated and irrigated areas?
- A) Cultivated and irrigated areas increased significantly
- B) Cultivated areas decreased, but irrigated areas increased
- C) Both cultivated and irrigated areas decreased
- D) Cultivated areas increased, but irrigated areas decreased
- Answer: A
- Explanation: After independence, the cultivated area in India increased from 98.5 million hectares to 143 million hectares, while the gross irrigated area increased from 19.4 million hectares to 82.6 million hectares (2005-06), showing significant growth in agricultural capacity.
10. What does the increase in gross irrigated area from 19.4 million hectares (at independence) to 82.6 million hectares (2005-06) indicate?
- A) Expansion and modernization of irrigation practices in India
- B) Decrease in the cultivated area
- C) A focus on organic farming
- D) A reduction in commercial agriculture
- Answer: A
- Explanation: The increase in the gross irrigated area from 19.4 million hectares at the time of independence to 82.6 million hectares in 2005-06 indicates the expansion and modernization of irrigation practices in India, contributing to increased agricultural productivity.
11. How much fertilizer was consumed in India during 1951-52?
- A) 0.07 million tonnes
- B) 1.98 million tonnes
- C) 35.45 million tonnes
- D) 38.03 million tonnes
- Answer: A
- Explanation: In 1951-52, the consumption of fertilizers in India was 0.07 million tonnes.
12. What was the fertilizer consumption in India during 2005-06?
- A) 35.45 million tonnes
- B) 38.03 million tonnes
- C) 0.07 million tonnes
- D) 1.98 million tonnes
- Answer: A
- Explanation: The fertilizer consumption in India during 2005-06 was 35.45 million tonnes.
13. Which year saw the fertilizer consumption in India at 1.98 million tonnes?
- A) 1969-70
- B) 1951-52
- C) 2006-07
- D) 2005-06
- Answer: A
- Explanation: The fertilizer consumption in India was 1.98 million tonnes during 1969-70.
14. What was the consumption of fertilizers in India during 2006-07?
- A) 38.03 million tonnes
- B) 35.45 million tonnes
- C) 1.98 million tonnes
- D) 0.07 million tonnes
- Answer: A
- Explanation: In 2006-07, fertilizer consumption in India was 38.03 million tonnes.
15. What is the consumption ratio for N – P – K fertilizers in India?
- A) 8.4 : 2.5 : 1.0
- B) 1.0 : 2.5 : 8.4
- C) 2.5 : 8.4 : 1.0
- D) 1.0 : 8.4 : 2.5
- Answer: A
- Explanation: The consumption ratio for N (Nitrogen) – P (Phosphorus) – K (Potassium) fertilizers in India is 8.4 : 2.5 : 1.0.
16. What is India’s average consumption of fertilizers per unit area?
- A) 150 kg/ha
- B) 200 kg/ha
- C) 50 kg/ha
- D) 300 kg/ha
- Answer: A
- Explanation: The average consumption of fertilizers per unit area in India is 150 kg/ha.
17. Which fertilizer among N, P, and K is totally imported by India?
- A) K (Potassium)
- B) N (Nitrogen)
- C) P (Phosphorus)
- D) All fertilizers are imported
- Answer: A
- Explanation: India produces its own N and P fertilizers but imports K fertilizers, indicating reliance on external sources for potassium-based fertilizers.
18. How much pesticide was used in India in 1950?
- A) 100 tonnes
- B) 92,700 tonnes
- C) 41,515 tonnes
- D) 35.45 million tonnes
- Answer: A
- Explanation: In 1950, India used 100 tonnes of pesticides.
19. What is the average use of pesticides per unit area in India?
- A) 429 g/ha
- B) 300 g/ha
- C) 500 g/ha
- D) 200 g/ha
- Answer: A
- Explanation: The average use of pesticides per unit area in India is 429 g/ha.
20. What was the total consumption of pesticides in India during 2006-07?
- A) 41,515 tonnes
- B) 92,700 tonnes
- C) 38.03 million tonnes
- D) 150 kg/ha
- Answer: A
- Explanation: During 2006-07, the total consumption of pesticides in India was 41,515 tonnes.
21. What was the main reason for the Green Revolution in India during the 1960s and 1970s?
- A) Introduction of high-yielding wheat varieties with dwarfing gene “NORIN”
- B) Development of advanced irrigation systems
- C) Increased use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
- D) Promotion of organic farming techniques
- Answer: A
- Explanation: The Green Revolution in India during the 1960s and 1970s was driven by the introduction of high-yielding wheat varieties with the dwarfing gene “NORIN.” This resulted in significantly increased wheat production.
22. What was the focus of the White Revolution in India?
- A) Milk production
- B) Cotton production
- C) Rice production
- D) Wheat production
- Answer: A
- Explanation: The White Revolution in India focused on milk production, leading to a substantial increase in dairy output and making India one of the largest producers of milk globally.
23. What is the Blue Revolution associated with in India?
- A) Aquaculture
- B) Wheat production
- C) Cotton production
- D) Sugarcane production
- Answer: A
- Explanation: The Blue Revolution in India is associated with aquaculture, focusing on increasing fish and other aquatic food production.
24. What agricultural revolution is being programmed in India, aiming for a diverse set of improvements?
- A) Rainbow Revolution
- B) Red Revolution
- C) Green Revolution
- D) White Revolution
- Answer: A
- Explanation: The Rainbow Revolution is being programmed in India, aiming for a diverse set of improvements across various agricultural sectors, including fruits, vegetables, aquaculture, poultry, and more.
25. Apart from traditional breeding programs, what other techniques are used to evolve new crop varieties in India?
- A) Use of Radio-isotopes and Biotechnology
- B) Organic farming methods
- C) Soil conservation techniques
- D) Traditional seed saving
- Answer: A
- Explanation: In addition to traditional breeding programs, other techniques such as the use of Radio-isotopes and Biotechnology are used to evolve new crop varieties in India.
26. Which non-traditional crops have been introduced into India and now occupy considerable area?
- A) Sunflower, Soya bean, and Oil palm
- B) Rice and Wheat
- C) Maize and Cotton
- D) Tea and Coffee
- Answer: A
- Explanation: Non-traditional crops like Sunflower, Soya bean, and Oil palm have been introduced into India and now occupy considerable areas.
27. Which year saw 0.01 million tractors in India, compared to much higher numbers in the modern era?
- A) 1950-51
- B) 2005-06
- C) 1980-81
- D) 1970-71
- Answer: A
- Explanation: In 1950-51, there were only 0.01 million tractors in India, indicating the beginning stages of mechanization compared to higher numbers in the modern era.
28. What is the primary obstacle to mechanization in Indian agriculture?
- A) The size of operational holding
- B) Lack of knowledge about modern equipment
- C) High costs of machinery
- D) Resistance to change among farmers
- Answer: A
- Explanation: The primary obstacle to mechanization in Indian agriculture is the size of operational holding, with an average farm size of 1.57 ha, which is much smaller than other countries with larger farm sizes.
29. Who are notable figures associated with watershed programs in India?
- A) Anna Hazare and Rajendra Singh
- B) Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru
- C) Sunderlal Bahuguna and Medha Patkar
- D) A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Satyajit Ray
- Answer: A
- Explanation: Anna Hazare in Maharashtra and Rajendra Singh in Rajasthan are notable figures associated with watershed programs in India, focusing on soil and moisture conservation in specific regions.
30. What advancement has improved weather forecasting systems in India?
- A) Use of satellite communications
- B) Introduction of new weather stations
- C) Development of advanced weather prediction software
- D) Traditional forecasting methods
- Answer: A
- Explanation: The use of satellite communications has improved weather forecasting systems in India, providing more accurate and timely weather information, including forecasts for crop-related factors such as rainfall and temperature.
