History – English Medium GCE O/L – MCQ – 2023

The Vamsatthappakasini is the specific commentary, or ‘Tika’, written in the Pali language to explain and elaborate on the verses of the Mahavamsa. The other options are distinct historical chronicles, not commentaries on the Mahavamsa.

‘Kahapana’ is the indigenous term for the earliest type of currency found in Sri Lanka. These are ancient punch-marked coins, made of silver or copper, that date back to the early trade activities of the island around the 3rd century BCE.

The Pre-historic Era (Stone Age) is defined by a hunter-gatherer existence, which involved a nomadic or semi-nomadic life (C) in search of food. The characteristic technology of this period was the use of stone tools, with micro stone tools (microliths) being a key feature in Sri Lanka (D). Iron (B) and widespread pottery use (A) define the later Proto-historic Era.

The Proto-historic Era is the transitional period marking the end of the Stone Age. It is identified by the introduction of key new technologies, namely the widespread use of manufactured burnt clay pots (A) and the beginning of metallurgy with the use of iron (B). Nomadic life (C) and micro stone tools (D) are characteristic of the preceding Pre-historic Era.

The term ‘Gamika’, derived from the word ‘gama’ (village), is the title found in early Brahmi inscriptions that refers to the village headman or the chief responsible for the administration of a village.

Anuradhapura’s location in the fertile plains of the Malvatu Oya basin in the Dry Zone was ideal for large-scale paddy cultivation. The development of a sophisticated irrigation system to support this agriculture created a food surplus, which was the fundamental economic base that allowed the settlement to grow into a populous city and a powerful capital.

1. King Pandukabhaya is credited with systematically developing and making Anuradhapura the capital (B). 2. King Devanampiyatissa’s reign is marked by the arrival of Buddhism and the planting of the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi sapling (D). 3. King Valagamba’s (Vattagamani Abhaya) reign is famously associated with the event where the Buddhist scriptures (Tripitaka) were committed to writing for the first time (C). The correct sequence is B, D, C.

The Vallipuram gold plate inscription, an important archaeological source from the reign of King Vasabha, explicitly states that a minister named Isigiri (Rshigiri) was administering Nakadiva (Nagadipa), the ancient name for the Jaffna peninsula.

During the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa (Rajarata) periods, the inaccessible and rugged terrain of the central mountains (Malaya rata) served as a strategic refuge. Kings, princes, and rebels frequently retreated to this area during foreign invasions or internal conflicts to remain secure and organize resistance.

The Mahavamsa chronicle specifically credits King Pandukabhaya with the first major administrative organization of the kingdom. A key part of this organization was the systematic demarcation and establishment of village boundaries (Gam-sīmā) throughout the island.

The Proto-historic era is characterized by key technological advancements. The use of the potter’s wheel (A) allowed for the creation of more sophisticated and uniform pottery. Basic construction methods, such as building walls perpendicularly (D) for early dwellings and structures, were also part of the technological knowledge of this period. Lightning conductors (B) and the complex Sigiriya garden (C) belong to much later historical periods.

The Anuradhapura period witnessed highly advanced technology. The pinnacle (‘yupa’) on large stupas is believed to have functioned as a lightning conductor (B) to protect the massive structures. The construction of the elaborate water gardens at Sigiriya (C), with their complex hydraulic systems, is another prime example of the advanced engineering of this era.

In ancient economies, where currency was not ‘fiat’, the value of a coin was intrinsic, meaning it was based on the material it was made of. Therefore, the value was directly determined by the weight and purity of the precious metal (such as gold, silver, or copper) used to make the coin.

The term ‘Gruhadanda’ translates to a fine (‘danda’) on the household (‘gruha’). This refers to the ancient practice of collective responsibility, where if a village failed to apprehend and surrender a criminal residing within it, a punitive tax or fine was levied on all the households of that village.

1. King Vijayabahu I, after defeating the Cholas, established his capital in Polonnaruva (B). 2. King Parakramabahu II was the most illustrious ruler of the Dambadeniya kingdom (C). 3. King Dutugemunu, after unifying the country, ruled from the great capital of Anuradhapura (A). The correct sequence is B, C, A.

While King Vijayabahu I performed all the actions listed, his single most significant and foundational achievement was his successful, long-drawn-out military campaign to liberate the country from decades of Chola occupation and unify it under a single ruler. This political achievement was the necessary precondition for all his later work of reconstruction and revival.

The pivotal conflict between a major Christian power and a major Islamic power in the mid-15th century was the siege and conquest of Constantinople. In 1453, the Ottoman Empire, led by Sultan Mehmed II, captured the city, which was the capital of the Christian Byzantine Empire, marking a major turning point in world history.

Sri Lanka had a well-established import-export economy and used coins for centuries before the European Renaissance. While European arrival (an outcome of the Renaissance) altered the dynamics of trade, it did not cause the ’emergence’ of these systems. Therefore, attributing the existence of these long-standing economic features to the influence of the Renaissance is incorrect.

The Kingdom of Sitavaka was founded by King Mayadunne (C) in the 16th century. His son, who was known as Prince Tikiri before becoming King Rajasinghe I, led the Sitavaka army to a famous and decisive victory over the Portuguese at the Battle of Mulleriya (A).

Kusumasana Devi (later Dona Catarina) was the legitimate heir to the Kandyan throne, and the Portuguese attempted to install her as a puppet queen (B). The Battle of Randeniwela (1630) was a major victory for the Kandyan Kingdom against the Portuguese, where the Kandyan forces were commanded by Prince Maha Astana, the future King Rajasinghe II (D).

Line sowing involves planting seeds in straight rows, as opposed to broadcasting (scattering) them randomly. This organized layout makes it much easier to identify and remove weeds that grow between the rows, either manually or with tools like the Japanese rotary weeder. This reduction of weed growth is a primary benefit of the method.

The Great Rebellion of 1818 was fought by the Kandyans with the aim of installing a Sinhalese king on the throne. The rebellion centered around a pretender named Wilbawe, who was believed to be a member of the deposed royal family. The rebellion lost significant momentum and legitimacy when it was revealed by the British that the pretender was an impostor and not a true royal heir.

1. In 1796, the British captured the maritime provinces, and rule was commenced by the British East India Company (B). 2. In 1802, the maritime provinces were formally separated from the Madras Presidency and became the British Crown Colony of Ceylon (A). 3. In 1815, the British conquered the Kandyan Kingdom (D). The correct sequence is B, A, D.

Arumuga Navalar was the foremost figure in the 19th-century Hindu (Saivite) revival in Jaffna. A central part of his mission to counter Christian missionary influence was the establishment of a network of Saivite schools. He pioneered this movement by founding the Vannarpannai Saiva Pragasa Vidyalayam as a model institution for modern education within a Hindu framework.

When the Ceylon National Congress was formed in 1919, its primary goal was to agitate for constitutional reforms and self-governance. In its initial phase, it was founded on the principle of unity between Sri Lanka’s various ethnic groups, particularly the Sinhalese and Tamils, who worked together within the organization for the common benefit of the country.

Walisingha Harischandra was a prominent Buddhist revivalist and nationalist who dedicated his life to the protection of the sacred city of Anuradhapura. He founded the ‘Ruwanweli Chaitya Wardhana Society’ and campaigned tirelessly against the colonial government’s policies, commercial activities, and encroachment that were desecrating the ancient Buddhist sites, thereby initiating a movement for their protection.

The Donoughmore Constitution of 1931 introduced a unique system of governance based on Executive Committees. The State Council was divided into several committees, each responsible for a set of government functions, and the chairman of each committee became the minister for that area. This Executive Committee System (B) is the most distinctive feature of the Donoughmore reforms.

The Soulbury Constitution, which granted independence in 1948, was modeled on the British Westminster system. It established a cabinet-style government headed by a Prime Minister (A) and a bicameral legislature, which was collectively known as the Parliament (C). The other features listed belong to earlier or different constitutional models.

While cinnamon (2) was a traditional export monopolized by Europeans, it was not a new plantation crop they introduced. The major new plantation crops introduced and cultivated on a large scale by the Europeans (primarily the British) were Coffee, which was the first major cash crop, followed by Tea, Rubber, and Coconut, which formed the backbone of the colonial plantation economy.

The Tea Research Institute (TRI) of Sri Lanka, the primary scientific body responsible for research into tea cultivation and processing, has its main research station and headquarters located in Talawakele, in the heart of the up-country tea-growing region.

Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) was a dominion under the British crown until 1972. The First Republican Constitution of 1972 severed the final links with Britain, declared the country a sovereign and independent republic, and established it as a unitary state.

The Mahaweli River is the longest river in Sri Lanka and has the largest river basin. The massive Mahaweli Development Project has harnessed its water for large-scale irrigation, supporting agriculture for a significant portion of the population, and for generating a major share of the country’s hydroelectric power, making it the river that contributes most to the national economy.

A referendum is a direct vote by the entire electorate on a specific proposal or issue of national importance. It is a tool of direct democracy that bypasses the legislature to obtain the public’s opinion directly, unlike elections which are for choosing representatives.

The entry of the United States into World War I in 1917 was a decisive turning point. The influx of millions of fresh American troops and the vast industrial and financial resources of the USA tipped the military balance decisively in favour of the Allies at a time when the original combatants were exhausted, leading directly to the collapse and defeat of the Central Powers in 1918.

The General Assembly is the main deliberative organ of the United Nations and is the only one in which all member states have equal representation. It serves as the primary forum for all 193 member countries to discuss and vote on international issues.

The Treaty of Versailles, which officially ended World War I, placed the sole blame for the war on Germany and its allies. It imposed extremely harsh punishments on Germany, including massive financial reparations, severe military restrictions, and significant territorial losses, which caused deep resentment.

The correct chronological order of establishment is: The League of Nations (C) was established in 1920 after World War I. The United Nations Organization (A) was established in 1945 after World War II. The Non-Alignment Movement (B) was formally established at the Belgrade Conference in 1961. The correct sequence is C, A, B.

The French Revolution (2) directly resulted in the overthrow and abolition of the absolute Monarchy (1) in France. The victory of the revolution led to the execution of the king and the establishment of a republic, signifying the collapse of the monarchical system.

The States General (1) was the legislative assembly of France that was convened in 1789, an event which helped trigger the French Revolution. It has no direct relationship with the Russian Revolution (2), which occurred in a different country over a century later under completely different circumstances. All other pairs have a direct causal or ideological connection.

The Russian Revolution (1) was the first successful large-scale revolution based on Marxist principles. Its victory led to the establishment of the Soviet Union, the first communist state, which then actively promoted and supported the spread of socialist philosophy (2) and communist movements throughout the world.