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Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2)

Class 7 · Foundation (Classes 6–9)

Ch 4 · Turning Tides: 11th and 12th Centuries

Real UPSC Prelims questions from 2016–2026, linked to this book. Try each one first, then open the answer. 2026 answers follow UPSC's provisional answer key.

Prelims 2019 · Q12

Consider the following statements:

1.In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of revenue collection was known as 'Amil'.
2.The Iqta system of Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution.
3.The office of 'Mir Bakshi' came into existence during the reign of Khalji Sultans of Delhi.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)1 only
(b)1 and 2 only
(c)3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3

Show answer

UPSC's answer: (a)

NCERT answers it: Class 8 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1), Ch 2 (Reshaping India's Political Map); Class 7 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2), Ch 4 (Turning Tides: 11th and 12th Centuries).

How to solve it with NCERT: Class 8 Exploring Society (Part 1), ch 2, lists the Mir Bakhshi among Akbar's (Mughal) officers, so statement 3 is false. Class 7 Exploring Society (Part 2), ch 4, shows land assignments for revenue and military service arriving with Muhammad Ghuri and growing under the Delhi Sultanate. That makes the iqta a new system, not an ancient Indian one, so statement 2 is false. Only (a) has neither.

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2019), question 12 ↗

Prelims 2023 · Q45

Consider the following dynasties:

1.Hoysala
2.Gahadavala
3.Kakatiya
4.Yadava

How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in early eighth century AD?

(a)Only one
(b)Only two
(c)Only three
(d)None

Show answer

UPSC's answer: (d)

NCERT answers it: Class 7 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2), Ch 4 (Turning Tides: 11th and 12th Centuries); Class 11 An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I, Ch 6 (Temple Architecture and Sculpture); old Class 7 Our Pasts – II, Ch 2 (Kings and Kingdoms); Class 8 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1), Ch 3 (The Rise of the Marathas).

How to solve it with NCERT: NCERT places all four dynasties well after the 8th century: the Kakatiyas rose in the 12th century (Class 7 Exploring Society Part 2, ch 4). The Hoysalas rose after Chola power waned (Class 11 An Introduction to Indian Art I, ch 6). The Gahadavalas were rivals of Prithviraja III, who ruled 1168–1192 (old Class 7 Our Pasts II, ch 2). The Yadavas ruled Maharashtra in the 13th century (Class 8 Exploring Society Part 1, ch 3). So none of them was founded in the early 8th century. Answer (d).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2023), question 45 ↗

Prelims 2025 · Q16

Who among the following led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya, the powerful maritime State, which ruled the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and the neighbouring islands?

(a)Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta)
(b)Prataparudra (Kakatiya)
(c)Rajendra I (Chola)
(d)Vishnuvardhana (Hoysala)

Show answer

UPSC's answer: (c)

NCERT answers it: Class 7 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2), Ch 4 (Turning Tides: 11th and 12th Centuries).

Exploring Society, Class 7 Part 2 (ch 4): Rajendra I is celebrated for his successful naval expedition against the Shrivijaya Empire. So (c).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2025), question 16 ↗

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