UPPSC (UP) - MCQ Practice Questions

Understanding:

The question asks about an ancient fort in Sonbhadra district, UP, nicknamed the 'Great Wall of India'.

Step 1: Identify the fort in Sonbhadra

Vijaygarh Fort, located in Robertsganj area of Sonbhadra district, is a massive ancient fort built by the Kol tribe. Its enormous defensive walls have earned it the popular title 'Great Wall of India'.

Step 2: Eliminate the other options

Chunar Fort is located in Mirzapur district, not Sonbhadra. Kalinjar Fort is located in Banda district, UP. Agra Fort is in Agra district and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mughal origin.

Answer:

Vijaygarh Fort in Sonbhadra district is known as the 'Great Wall of India' due to its exceptionally large ancient fortification walls.

Quick Tip:

Sonbhadra is UP's most mineral-rich district. Vijaygarh and Kalinjar are often confused — remember Vijaygarh is in Sonbhadra while Kalinjar is in Banda.

Understanding:

The question asks about the neighbouring country along whose border Dudhwa National Park in UP is situated.

Step 1: Locate Dudhwa National Park

Dudhwa National Park is situated in Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh in the Terai region.

Step 2: Identify the border

The park lies along the Indo-Nepal border in the Himalayan foothills (Terai). It was declared a national park in 1977 and is famous for tigers, rhinos, and swamp deer (barasingha).

Step 3: Eliminate other options

UP does not share borders with China, Bangladesh, or Bhutan. UP's international border is only with Nepal.

Answer:

Dudhwa National Park is located along the border of Uttar Pradesh and Nepal.

Quick Tip:

Dudhwa is a part of the larger Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, which includes Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.

Understanding:

The question asks about the district in UP where Sarnath, the site of Buddha's first sermon, is located.

Step 1: Historical significance of Sarnath

Sarnath is the Deer Park (Isipatana) where the Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. This event is called 'Dhammachakkappavattana' — the setting in motion of the wheel of Dharma.

Step 2: Geographic location

Sarnath is located approximately 13 km northeast of Varanasi city and falls within Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh.

Step 3: Eliminate other options

Kushinagar is where Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana (death). Shravasti is where Buddha spent many monsoon seasons. Mathura is associated with Lord Krishna, not Buddha's first sermon.

Answer:

Sarnath is located in Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh.

Quick Tip:

The Lion Capital of Ashoka, excavated at Sarnath, became the national emblem of India. The Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath is one of the finest examples of Mauryan art.

Understanding:

The question asks about the city in UP with which the Chikankari embroidery craft is primarily associated and that holds a GI tag for it.

Step 1: What is Chikankari?

Chikankari is a delicate form of hand embroidery done on light fabrics like muslin, silk, chiffon, and georgette. It involves a variety of stitches and is characterised by fine threadwork.

Step 2: City association

Chikankari has been traditionally practiced in Lucknow for centuries, with Nawabi patronage playing a major role in its development. Lucknow Chikankari received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2008, protecting its identity as an authentic craft of Lucknow.

Step 3: Eliminate other options

Varanasi is known for Banarasi silk sarees. Agra is famous for leather goods. Kanpur is known as the leather city of India.

Answer:

Lucknow Chikankari is primarily associated with Lucknow and holds a GI tag.

Quick Tip:

Under the UP ODOP (One District One Product) scheme, Lucknow's signature product is Chikankari and Zardozi embroidery — a common exam data point.

Understanding:

The question asks about the literal meaning of the word 'Doab' used to describe the fertile land between the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in UP.

Step 1: Etymology of 'Doab'

The word 'Doab' comes from Persian: 'Do' means 'two' and 'Ab' means 'water' (river). So Doab literally means 'land of two waters' or the tract of land lying between two rivers.

Step 2: Application to UP geography

The Ganga-Yamuna Doab is the interfluve region between the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. This region spans much of western and central UP and is one of the most fertile agricultural zones in the country, producing wheat, sugarcane, and rice.

Step 3: Eliminate other options

Punjab (meaning 'five rivers') is often confused with Doab, but Punjab refers to five rivers collectively, not the land between them in the Doab sense.

Answer:

Doab literally means the land between two rivers.

Quick Tip:

Punjab = 'Punj' (five) + 'Ab' (water); Doab = 'Do' (two) + 'Ab' (water). Both are Persian-origin geographical terms frequently tested in UPPSC.

Understanding:

The question asks about the river originating from Vindhya hills, passing through Mirzapur, and known as the 'River of Sorrows' due to its flooding.

Step 1: Identify the river

The Betwa River (also called Vetravati) originates from the Vindhya Range near Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, flows through Bundelkhand, and joins the Yamuna at Hamirpur in UP. It passes through and near Mirzapur-adjacent regions. The Betwa has historically caused recurring floods, earning the nickname 'Sorrow of Bundelkhand' or 'River of Sorrows'.

Step 2: Eliminate other options

The Ken River also originates in Vindhyas and merges with Yamuna at Banda. Tons River is a tributary of Yamuna originating in Vindhyas. Rihand River flows through Sonbhadra and is dammed at Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar reservoir.

Step 3: Context confirmation

Betwa's seasonal flooding has devastated Bundelkhand settlements historically, justifying the 'River of Sorrows' epithet.

Answer:

The Betwa River is known as the 'River of Sorrows' due to its recurring floods in the Bundelkhand and Mirzapur regions.

Quick Tip:

The Ken-Betwa River Interlinking Project is India's first river interlinking project, aimed at transferring surplus water from Ken to Betwa to address water scarcity in Bundelkhand — a frequent current affairs topic for UPPSC.

Understanding:

The question asks about the three rivers forming the Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj, site of the Kumbh Mela.

Step 1: Meaning of Triveni Sangam

'Triveni' means 'three streams' and 'Sangam' means 'confluence'. The Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj is the confluence of three rivers.

Step 2: Identify the three rivers

The three rivers are:

Step 3: Significance

The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years (Maha Kumbh), was recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017. The 2019 Ardh Kumbh (half Kumbh) at Prayagraj was the world's largest human gathering.

Step 4: Eliminate other options

Gomti, Ghaghra, and Betwa do not form any part of the Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj.

Answer:

The Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj is the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

Quick Tip:

The Saraswati is considered an invisible (underground) river at the Sangam — this is why it is called 'Triveni' despite only two rivers being visibly seen.

Understanding:

The question asks about the UP city famous for brassware production with a GI tag, promoted under ODOP.

Step 1: Identify the city

Moradabad, located in western UP, is internationally renowned for its brass and metal handicrafts. It is called the 'Peetal Nagri' (City of Brass) and is one of the largest exporters of metal handicrafts in India.

Step 2: GI tag and ODOP

Moradabad's brassware has received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Under the UP ODOP (One District One Product) scheme, Moradabad's designated product is Metal Craft (brassware).

Step 3: Eliminate other options

Firozabad is famous for glassware and bangles ('Suhag Nagri'). Saharanpur is known for woodcraft. Aligarh is famous for locks.

Answer:

Moradabad, known as 'Peetal Nagri', is the city famous for brassware with a GI tag and is promoted under the ODOP scheme.

Quick Tip:

A quick mnemonic for UP ODOP: Moradabad = Brass, Firozabad = Glass, Aligarh = Locks, Saharanpur = Woodcraft, Lucknow = Chikankari — these are frequently tested in UPPSC.

Understanding:

The question asks about the city at one end of the Bundelkhand Expressway, which starts from Chitrakoot.

Step 1: About Bundelkhand Expressway

The Bundelkhand Expressway is a 296-km, four-lane (expandable to six-lane) expressway in Uttar Pradesh. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 16 July 2022.

Step 2: Route identification

The expressway connects Chitrakoot (in Chitrakoot district) to Etawah (in Etawah district), passing through the Bundelkhand region districts of Banda, Mahoba, Hamirpur, and Jalaun. At Etawah, it meets the Agra-Lucknow Expressway.

Step 3: Eliminate other options

Agra, Lucknow, and Jhansi are not the terminal points of the Bundelkhand Expressway. Jhansi is in Bundelkhand but not the expressway terminus.

Answer:

The Bundelkhand Expressway connects Chitrakoot to Etawah in Uttar Pradesh.

Quick Tip:

The Bundelkhand Expressway is significant for developing the backward Bundelkhand region. Remember: Chitrakoot–Etawah (296 km). It connects to the Agra-Lucknow Expressway at Etawah.

Understanding:

The question asks about the district of Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary in UP and its key conservation species.

Step 1: Location of Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary

Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Meerut district (also spanning parts of Bijnor, Muzaffarnagar, Hapur, and Amroha districts) of Uttar Pradesh. The sanctuary was established in 1986.

Step 2: Key species conserved

The sanctuary is particularly known for the conservation of Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), a critically endangered crocodilian, in the Ganga river system. It also shelters Swamp Deer (Barasingha), which is the state animal of Uttar Pradesh.

Step 3: Eliminate other options

One-horned Rhinoceros is associated with Kaziranga (Assam) and Dudhwa (UP) in small numbers. Bengal Tiger is the focus of tiger reserves, not Hastinapur. Asiatic Lions are found only in Gir (Gujarat).

Answer:

Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Meerut district and is known for conservation of Gharial and Swamp Deer (Barasingha).

Quick Tip:

Barasingha (Swamp Deer) is the state animal of Uttar Pradesh. Hastinapur is also significant as the ancient capital of the Kaurava kingdom from the Mahabharata, making it culturally and ecologically important.