Frequently asked questions of APSC (21-25)

Topic 21

Appeared 17 times in the last 5 years

Phulaguri Dhewa

1. Phulaguri Dhewa was a peasant uprising in 1861 in Assam against British colonial taxation policies.
2. The revolt was triggered by a ban on opium cultivation and proposed taxes on betel leaf and nut.
3. Poppy cultivation, vital to local farmers’ livelihood, was completely banned by the British in 1861.
4. The imposition of taxes on betel nut and leaves further worsened the economic burden on peasants.
5. Farmers from Raha, Barapujia, Saragaon, and Katahguri united in protest against these policies.
6. Public meetings were held to criticize the oppressive British taxation measures.
7. Lt. Singer was sent by the British to suppress the protest but acted with arrogance and brutality.
8. His behavior enraged the peasants, leading to his murder and disposal in the Kolong river.
9. The British retaliated fiercely, arresting 141 people and sentencing many to death or life imprisonment.
10. The Phulaguri uprising became one of the earliest expressions of agrarian resistance in colonial Assam.

Topic 22

Appeared 11 times in the last 5 years

Patharughat incident of 1894:

1. On January 28, 1894, British forces massacred around 140 peasants in Patharughat
2. The farmers were protesting a steep hike in land revenue imposed by the colonial government.
3. JR Berington ordered the brutal firing on unarmed peasants demanding justice in Darrang district.
4. The incident stands as a tragic symbol of colonial oppression and peasant resistance in Assam.
5. Patharughat is remembered as Assam’s Jallianwala Bagh for its blood-soaked cry for farmers’ rights.

Topic 23

Appeared 12 times between 2016 to 2023

Rang Ghar:

1. The Rang Ghar is one of the oldest surviving amphitheaters in Asia
2. It was originally built in 1696 by Ahom king Swargadeo Rudra Singha using wood and bamboo.
3. The initial structure was inaugurated in 1714 during the festive occasion of Bhogali Bihu.
4. Due to its fragile materials, the original Rang Ghar deteriorated and was destroyed by 1740.
5. Swargadeo Pramatta Singha, Rudra Singha’s son, reconstructed it in 1744 using brick and stone.
6. The new design by Pramatta Singha was more durable and architecturally refined.
7. It took seven years to complete the new Rang Ghar, which was finished in 1751.
8. The current Rang Ghar structure reflects the grandeur of 18th-century Ahom architecture.
9. Rang Ghar was used by Ahom royalty to watch traditional games and cultural performances.
10. Today’s Rang Ghar stands as a symbol of Assam’s rich royal heritage and architectural brilliance.

Topic 24

Appeared 9 times in the last 5 years

Madhabdev’s works:

1. Nam Ghosa glorifies chanting the Lord’s name as the ultimate path to salvation.
2. Bhakti Ratnavali is a radiant compilation of devotional jewels for the seeker’s heart.
3. Borgeets of Madhabdev blend melody and divinity in timeless classical devotion.
4. Jhumuras are theatrical expressions of spiritual wisdom in vibrant one-act plays.
5. Janma Rahasya delves into the mysteries of creation and cosmic cycles.
6. Naam Maalikaa strings the sacred names of God like a garland of divine fragrance.
7. Adi Kanda (Assamese Ramayana) retells Lord Rama’s early life in devotional Assamese verse.
8. Guru Bhattima stands as a poetic tribute to the revered Guru Srimanta Sankardeva.
9. Dhyana Varnana adds a contemplative third chapter to the Kirtan-Ghosha tradition.

Topic 25

Appeared 9 times in the last 6 years

Limestone Reserves in Assam

Assam has rich reserves of limestone, an important industrial mineral.

Major limestone deposits are located in Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong districts.

The total estimated reserve in these two districts is 97 million tonnes.

Nearly 50% of the limestone is of cement-grade quality, supporting the cement industry.

These reserves offer significant economic and industrial potential for Assam’s development.