MCQ On Water Harvesting And Irrigation Developments during different periods – water storage –distribution and relevance to modern agriculture. for ICAR-JEF, ICAR-SRF, ICAR-NET, IBPS-AFO/SO, Pre-PG, BHU Pre-PG, IFFCO-AGT, CCI, FCI, B.sc, M.sc, All Agriculture Competitive Exams. 1. What were some of the irrigation principles adopted in the ancient period? – A) Construction of large mud embankments on a stone foundation – B) Building of small tanks – C) Imposition of penalties for letting water out other than through sluice gates – D) All of the above – **Correct Answer: D** – **Explanation:** The passage outlines various irrigation principles adopted in the ancient period, including construction of large mud embankments, building small tanks, and imposition of penalties for improper water management. 2. Where were extensive tank irrigation systems adopted in ancient times? – A) Sri Lanka and South India – B) Mesopotamia – C) Egypt – D) China – **Correct Answer: A** – **Explanation:** Extensive tank irrigation systems were adopted in Sri Lanka and later in South India, as described in the passage. 3. What was a special feature of tank construction in the Telengana region? – A) Construction of large concrete dams – B) Tank construction in series by bunding the same valley at several points – C) Use of underground pipelines for water distribution – D) Importation of water from neighboring regions – **Correct Answer: B** – **Explanation:** The passage mentions that a special feature of tanks in the Telengana region was construction in series by bunding the same valley at several points. 4. What did ancient kings in Sri Lanka emphasize regarding rainfall? – A) Rainfall should be prevented from reaching the sea. – B) Rainfall should only benefit the royal court. – C) Rainfall should be used for religious ceremonies. – D) Rainfall should benefit agriculture and not go to waste. – **Correct Answer: D** – **Explanation:** Ancient kings in Sri Lanka practiced the principle that not even a drop of rainfall should go to sea without benefiting humans, particularly agriculture, as stated in the passage. 5. How was the maintenance of tanks managed in ancient times? – A) By appointed royal engineers – B) By a committee of villages called `eri- variyam’ – C) Through private contractors – D) By foreign consultants – **Correct Answer: B** – **Explanation:** The passage mentions that for the maintenance of tanks, a committee of villages called `eri- variyam’ was appointed. 6. What was the preferred order of water use according to the passage? – A) Flowers, vegetables, food crops – B) Food crops, flowers, vegetables – C) Vegetables, food crops, flowers – D) Flowers, food crops, vegetables – **Correct Answer: B** – **Explanation:** The passage suggests that the preference for water use should be in the order of food crops, vegetables, and flowers. 7. What penalty was imposed for improper water management in ancient times? – A) Exile – B) Execution – C) Fines – D) Imprisonment – **Correct Answer: C** – **Explanation:** The passage indicates that severe penalties were imposed when water was let out other than through sluice gates, which implies fines or similar punishments. 8. Which region is described as ideally suited for tank construction? – A) Sahara Desert – B) Amazon Rainforest – C) Telengana region of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka – D) Rocky Mountains – **Correct Answer: C** – **Explanation:** The passage states that the topography of the Telengana region of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka is ideally suited for the construction of tanks. 9. What was the purpose of constructing large mud embankments on a stone foundation in the ancient period? – A) To prevent flooding – B) To divert flood water from the river – C) To create fishing ponds – D) To build roads – **Correct Answer: B** – **Explanation:** The passage mentions that one of the irrigation principles adopted in the ancient period was the construction of large mud embankments on a stone foundation for diverting flood water from the river. 10. What did the committee of villages called `eri- variyam’ ensure? – A) Construction of new tanks – B) Distribution of seeds – C) Repairs and de-silting of tanks – D) Organization of agricultural fairs – **Correct Answer: C** – **Explanation:** The passage states that the committee of villages called `eri- variyam’ was appointed for the maintenance of tanks, ensuring repairs and de-silting. 11. What method was commonly used to draw water from wells for irrigation in ancient times? – A) Persian wells – B) Hand pumps – C) Bullocks pulling leather bags with ropes – D) Windmills – **Correct Answer: C** – **Explanation:** The passage mentions that in ancient times, bullocks were used to draw water from wells for irrigation by pulling leather bags with ropes. 12. During which period did the practice of irrigation to crops evolve? – A) Ancient Period – B) Chalcolithic Period – C) Vedic Period – D) Medieval Period – **Correct Answer: B** – **Explanation:** The passage indicates that the practice of irrigation to crops evolved during the Chalcolithic Period (3000 – 1700 BC). 13. What irrigation method was practiced during the Vedic period? – A) Canals from rivers to fields – B) Pumping water from wells using machinery – C) Rainfed agriculture – D) Desalination plants – **Correct Answer: A** – **Explanation:** During the Vedic period (1500 – 1600 BC), people employed craftsmen to dig channels from rivers to their fields for irrigation, as mentioned in the passage. 14. When did the irrigation of rice cultivation begin in India? – A) Medieval Period – B) Pandyas / Cholas / Cheras Period – C) Vedic Period – D) Ancient Period – **Correct Answer: B** – **Explanation:** The passage states that irrigated rice cultivation started during the Pandyas / Cholas / Cheras Period (1st Century 300 AD) in India. 15. What irrigation infrastructure was developed during the Mogul period? – A) Windmills – B) Hand-drawn wells – C) Canals, dams, and tanks – D) Underground pipelines – **Correct Answer: C** – **Explanation:** During the Medieval