Directions (1-10): Read the following passage and answer the following questions based on the given passage. Some of the words are highlighted which would help you to answer some of the questions given below.
Indian postal systems for efficient military and governmental communications had developed long before the arrival of Europeans. When the Portuguese, Dutch, French, Danish and British displaced The Marathas who had already defeated the Mughals, their postal systems existed alongside those of many, somewhat independent states. The British East India Company gradually displaced other powers and brought into existence a British administrative system over most of India, with a need to establish and maintain both official and commercial mail systems. The Indian postal system developed into an extensive, dependable and robust network providing connectivity to almost all parts of India, Burma, the Straits Settlements and other areas controlled by the British East India Company (EIC). Based on the model postal system introduced in England by the reformer, Rowland Hill, efficient postal services were provided at a low cost and enabled the smooth commercial, military and administrative functioning of the EIC and its successor, the British Raj. In ancient times the kings (or Raja), emperors (or Maharaja), rulers, zamindars (or the feudal lords) protected their land through the intelligence services of specially trained police or military agencies and courier services to convey and obtain information through runners, messengers and even through pigeons in most parts of India. The chief of the secret service, known as the Daakpaal (postmaster), maintained the lines of communication ... The people used to send letters to [their] distant relatives through their friends or neighbors. The postal history of India primarily began with the overland routes, stretching from Persia to India. What began as mere foot�tracks that more than often included fords across the mountainous streams, gradually evolved over the centuries as highways, used by traders and military envoys on foot and horses, for carriage of missives. The Arab influence of the Caliphate came about with the conquest of Sind by Muhammad bin Qasim in 712 A.D. (C.E.). Thereupon, the Diwan-i-Barid (or Department of Posts) established official communication across the far-flung empire. The swiftness of the horse messengers finds mention in many of the texts of that period. The first Sultan of Delhi, after the Mughals colonised India, Qutb-ud-din Aybak was Sultan for only four years, 1206–1210, but he founded the Mamluk Dynasty and created a messenger post system. This was expanded into the dak chowkis, a horse and foot runner service, by Alauddin Khalji in 1296. Sher Shah Suri (1541–1545) replaced runners with horses for conveyance of messages along the northern Indian high road, today known as the Grand Trunk Road, which he constructed between Bengal and Sindh over an ancient trade route at the base of the Himalayas, the Uttarapatha. He also built 1700 'serais' where two horses were always kept for the despatch of the Royal Mail. Akbar introduced camels in addition to the horses and runners. The first stamps valid for postage throughout India were placed on sale in October 1854 with four values: 1/2 anna, 1 anna, 2 annas, and 4 annas. Featuring a youthful profile of Queen Victoria. 15 years, all four values were designed and printed in Calcutta, and issued without perforations or gum. All were lithographed except for the 2 annas green, which was produced by typography from copper clichés or from electrotyped plates. The 4 annas value (illustrated) was one of the world's first bicolored stamps, preceded only by the Basel Dove, a beautiful local issue. These stamps were issued following a Commission of Inquiry which had carefully studied the postal systems of Europe and America. In the opinion of Geoffrey Clarke, the reformed system was to be maintained "for the benefit of the people of India and not for the purpose of swelling the revenue. The Commissioners voted to abolish the earlier practice of conveying official letters free of postage ("franking"). The new system was recommended by the Governor-General, Lord Dalhousie, and adopted by the East India Company's Court of Directors. It introduced "low and uniform" rates for sending mail efficiently throughout the country within the jurisdiction of the East India Company. The basic rate was 1/2 anna on letters not more than 1/4 tola in weight. The stamps were needed to show the postage was prepaid, a basic principle of the new system, like the fundamental changes of the British system advocated by Rowland Hill and the Scinde reforms of Bartle Frere. These reforms transformed mail services within India.
Q1. What caused the need of a developed Indian postal system?
(a) Formation of the independent states
(b) Stretching overland routes from Persia to India
(c) A gradual expansion of The British East India Company over other powers.
(d) Both (a) and (c)
(e) None of the above S1.
. Q2. The postal system in the British Raj was based upon which model?
(a) The model introduced by the Marathas before the advent of Europeans
(b) The model introduced by the reformer Rowland Hill in England
(c) The model introduced by British East India Company (EIC)
(d) Both (b) and (c)
(e) None of the above S2.
Q3. In ancient times who was supposed to maintain the lines of communication?
(a) The emperors
(b) The zamindars (or the feudal lords)
(c) The Daakpal (postmaster)
(d) Both (b) and (c)
(e) None of the above
Q4. Which of the following statements is definitely false according to the passage?
(a) Indian postal systems for efficient military and governmental communications had developed long before the arrival of Europeans.
(b) The people used to send letters to distant relatives through pigeons in most parts of India.
(c) Sher Shah Suri replaced runners with horses for conveyance of messages.
(d) The first stamps valid for postage throughout India were placed on sale in October 1854.
(e) None of the above
Q5. Out of the followings who created the messenger post system?
(a) Qutb-ud-din Aybak
(b) Muhammad bin Qasim
(c) Alauddin Khalji
(d)East India Company (EIC)
(e) None of the above
Q6. How the ‘2 annas’ stamps, valid for postage throughout India were made?
(a) lithographed
(b) typography from copper clichés
(c) From die casting method
(d) From punching process
(e) None of the above
Q7. The first stamps valid for postage throughout India were inspired from the postal system of which countries?
(a) Europe and America
(b) Europe and Australia
(c) America and China
(d) China and Europe
(e) None of the above
Q8. Who recommended the new system of "low and uniform" rates for sending mail efficiently throughout the country?
(a) Rowland Hill
(b) Scinde reforms of Bartle Frere
(c) EIC (East India Company)
(d) The Governor-General, Lord Dalhousie
(e) None of the above
Q9. Which of the following options best explain the meaning of ‘FORDS’ as used in the passage?
(a) A shallow place in a river or stream allowing one to walk or drive across
(b) A narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two other large areas of water
(c) A narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two other large areas of water
(d) A broad inlet of the sea where the land curves inwards
(e) None of the above
Q10. Which of the following options best explain the meaning of ‘missives’ as used in the passage?
(a) Address
(b) Invitations
(c) Letters
(d) Notebooks
(e) None of the above
Answer
Q1-C
Q2-B
Q3-C
Q4-B
Q5-A
Q6-B
Q7-A
Q8-D
Q9-A
Q10-C
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