BPSC (Bihar) - MCQ Practice Questions

# Institution of Eminence Status in Bihar

The "Institution of Eminence" scheme is a Government of India initiative to recognize and promote world-class institutions of higher education.

Step 1: Understanding the Institution of Eminence Scheme

The Government of India launched the "Institution of Eminence" scheme to grant autonomous status and special privileges to select higher educational institutions to help them achieve global rankings and excellence. This scheme identifies both established and emerging institutions with potential for becoming world-class universities.

Step 2: Analyzing Bihar Universities Against the Criteria

Among the options listed:

As of recent years, no university in Bihar has been granted the "Institution of Eminence" status by the Government of India. The status has been awarded to select institutions like Delhi University, IIT Bombay, IISc Bangalore, and a few others, but none from Bihar.

Final Answer: (D) None — No university in Bihar has received the Institution of Eminence status from the Government of India.

Bhagalpur is historically known as the silk city of India and was developed as a textile hub under the PM MITRA scheme.

Bihar's economic development plan emphasized food processing and agro-industries to leverage its agricultural strength and create employment.

Vaishali, the ancient capital of the Licchavi Republic, has been developed as a major heritage and Buddhist pilgrimage tourism site in Bihar.

Munger district is known for salt production from saline groundwater and is a significant salt-producing region in eastern India.

The Bihar Kaushal Development Mission is a state-specific initiative to provide skill training and employment opportunities to rural youth in Bihar.

# Understanding the Title 'Shaheed-e-Azam' in Indian Freedom Struggle

"Shaheed-e-Azam" is a Persian/Urdu term meaning "the Great Martyr," bestowed upon freedom fighters who made supreme sacrifices for India's independence.

Step 1: Identifying the Correct Freedom Fighter

Bhagat Singh (1907-1931) was a prominent revolutionary from Punjab who became widely recognized by this honorific title across India, including Bihar and the broader Hindi-speaking regions, due to his bold anti-colonial activities and ultimate martyrdom.

Step 2: Analyzing the Other Options

Final Answer: (C) Bhagat Singh — He is universally acknowledged as 'Shaheed-e-Azam' for his revolutionary activities with the HSRA (Hindustan Socialist Republican Association) and his execution in 1931, making him an iconic martyr across all of India, including Bihar.

Rajgir was the capital of the Magadha Kingdom, one of the most powerful ancient kingdoms in India. It was later replaced by Pataliputra as the capital.

The Great Stupa of Nalanda, also known as the Nalanda Stupa, is one of the largest brick structures built in ancient times and represents the architectural brilliance of the Gupta period.

The Ministry of Rural Development's schemes like MGNREGA and rural infrastructure development have been significant in Bihar's development focus in recent years.

Hiuen Tsang visited multiple significant Buddhist sites in Bihar including Nalanda University, Rajgir, and Bodhgaya during his travels in the 7th century CE.

According to the 2011 Census, Bihar's literacy rate was approximately 59.8%, which remains one of the lower literacy rates among Indian states, making education a key development priority.

Gaya district is known as the 'Land of Gods' because of its immense religious significance. It is home to the Vishnupad Temple and is a major pilgrimage site for Hindu devotees.

Understanding:

We need to identify the river that forms the northern boundary of Bihar with Nepal.

Step 1: Boundary rivers of Bihar

Bihar shares its northern border with Nepal. The Gandak River (also known as Narayani in Nepal) flows along and forms a significant part of the northern boundary between Bihar and Nepal before entering the Gangetic plains.

Step 2: Eliminating other options

The Kosi flows through northeastern Bihar but does not form the boundary with Nepal throughout. The Bagmati originates in Nepal and enters Bihar in the Sitamarhi district but does not form the boundary. The Mahananda flows through the eastern part of Bihar (Kishanganj and Purnia regions).

Answer:

The Gandak River forms the northern boundary of Bihar, separating it from Nepal.

Quick Tip:

Gandak enters Bihar at Valmikinagar (West Champaran) and is a major tributary of the Ganga. It is also called the "Sorrow of Bihar" along with Kosi in some contexts due to frequent flooding.

Understanding:

We need to identify the city in Bihar that is nicknamed the 'Manchester of Bihar' for its textile industry.

Step 1: Identifying the textile city

Bhagalpur is famously known as the 'Silk City of India' and is also referred to as the 'Manchester of Bihar' because of its significant silk and textile weaving industry. Bhagalpur silk, known as Tussar silk, is famous worldwide.

Step 2: Eliminating other options

Muzaffarpur is known for its litchis (Shahi Litchi). Gaya is a major religious city (Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimage centre). Darbhanga is known as the cultural capital of Mithila and for Madhubani art (though Madhubani district is separate).

Answer:

Bhagalpur is known as the 'Manchester of Bihar' due to its celebrated silk and textile industry.

Quick Tip:

Bhagalpur's Tussar silk has a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, making it a frequent topic in state GK questions.

Understanding:

We need to identify the origin state of the Sone River before it enters Bihar.

Step 1: Course of Sone River

The Sone River (also spelled Son) originates near Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh, which is also the origin point of the Narmada River. The Sone flows northeast through Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand before entering Bihar and finally joining the Ganga near Patna.

Step 2: Eliminating other options

Although the Sone passes through Jharkhand, its origin is in Madhya Pradesh at Amarkantak plateau. Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are not on its primary course from origin.

Answer:

The Sone River originates from Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh before entering Bihar.

Quick Tip:

Amarkantak is a unique geographical location where both Sone and Narmada rivers originate — Narmada flows westward and Sone flows eastward — a favourite exam fact.

Understanding:

We need to identify the correct district location of the ancient Vikramshila University in Bihar.

Step 1: About Vikramshila University

Vikramshila University was one of the two most important centres of Buddhist learning in ancient India during the Pala Empire (8th–12th century CE), the other being Nalanda. It was established by King Dharmapala of the Pala dynasty.

Step 2: Location

Vikramshila was located at a place now known as Antichak village in Bhagalpur district, Bihar. Archaeological excavations have confirmed its presence near the Ganga river in Bhagalpur.

Step 3: Eliminating other options

Nalanda University is in Nalanda district. Bodh Gaya (a major Buddhist site) is in Gaya district. Vaishali is known for the ancient Licchavi republic and Ananda Stupa, not Vikramshila.

Answer:

Vikramshila University is located in Bhagalpur district of Bihar.

Quick Tip:

Remember the Pala king Dharmapala established Vikramshila, while Nalanda was patronised by the Gupta kings — both are common comparison points in BPSC.

Understanding:

We need to identify the system against which the Champaran Satyagraha of 1917 was launched.

Step 1: Background of Champaran Satyagraha

The Champaran Satyagraha was launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1917 in the Champaran district of Bihar. It was directed against the oppressive Tinkathia system.

Step 2: What was the Tinkathia system?

Under the Tinkathia system, British planters compelled the tenant farmers (ryots) to cultivate indigo on at least $\frac{3}{20}$ (teen = three, katha = unit) of their land holdings. The farmers received very low prices for the indigo, causing extreme poverty and misery.

Step 3: Eliminating other options

The Zamindari, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari systems were different land revenue collection mechanisms, not directly what the Champaran Satyagraha opposed. The specific grievance was forced indigo cultivation under the Tinkathia system.

Answer:

The Champaran Satyagraha was launched against the Tinkathia system of forced indigo cultivation imposed by British planters.

Quick Tip:

Champaran Satyagraha (1917) is significant because it was Gandhiji's first experiment with Satyagraha in India after returning from South Africa — a crucial BPSC fact.

Understanding:

We need to identify the national highway that connects Patna (Bihar) to Kolkata.

Step 1: Major National Highways in Bihar

NH-19 (previously known as NH-2, the Grand Trunk Road) is the major highway connecting Delhi to Kolkata. It passes through Varanasi, Mughalsarai, Aurangabad (Bihar), and Dhanbad before reaching Kolkata. It connects Patna to Kolkata via this route.

Step 2: Eliminating other options

NH-31 connects Barhi (Jharkhand) to Dalsingpara (West Bengal) through parts of Bihar (North Bihar). NH-30 connects Patna to Visakhapatnam but goes south. NH-28 connects Lucknow to Barauni in Bihar but not directly to Kolkata.

Answer:

NH-19 (Grand Trunk Road) connects Patna to Kolkata, passing through southern Bihar.

Quick Tip:

After the 2010 National Highways renumbering, many old NH numbers changed. NH-2 (Grand Trunk Road) became NH-19 — knowing both old and new numbers helps in BPSC.

Understanding:

We need to identify the art form associated with 'Patna Kalam' in Bihar.

Step 1: About Patna Kalam

Patna Kalam (also called Patna School of Painting or Company Painting) is a distinctive style of miniature painting that developed in Patna during the 18th and 19th centuries. It evolved from the Mughal miniature tradition but adapted to depict everyday life, common people, artisans, and festivals in Bihar.

Step 2: Characteristics

Patna Kalam paintings were typically done on paper or ivory and were popular among European Company officials as souvenirs. Artists like Sewak Ram and Hulas Lal were prominent in this tradition.

Step 3: Eliminating other options

Sculpture on stone is associated with Mauryan art at sites like Dhauli. Terracotta pottery is found at Chirand (Saran district). Brass metalwork (Dhokra) is a tribal art form more common in Jharkhand and West Bengal.

Answer:

Patna Kalam is associated with the miniature painting tradition of Bihar, depicting everyday life during the Mughal and British periods.

Quick Tip:

Patna Kalam is distinct from Madhubani (Mithila) painting — Madhubani uses natural dyes on walls/cloth in geometric patterns, while Patna Kalam uses watercolours on paper/ivory in realistic style.