Explanation : 

I. Asmaka : Godavari
The Asmaka (or Assaka) Mahajanapada was indeed located on the banks of the Godavari River in south-central India, encompassing areas in present-day Telangana, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. This pair is correctly matched.

II. Kamboja : Vipas
The Kamboja Mahajanapada was situated in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, near modern Afghanistan and Pakistan, with its capital at Rajapura. The Vipas (Vipasa) is the ancient name for the Beas River, which flows through the present-day states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. While both regions are in the broader northwest, Kamboja was not specifically associated with the Beas River. This pair is incorrectly matched.

III. Avanti : Mahanadi
The Avanti Mahajanapada was a significant kingdom in western India, roughly corresponding to the modern Malwa region in Madhya Pradesh. It was divided into northern and southern parts by the Vindhya mountains, with the northern part drained by the Shipra River and the southern part by the Narmada River. The Vetravati (Betwa) River also divided Avanti. The Mahanadi River, however, flows through eastern India (Odisha and Chhattisgarh). This pair is incorrectly matched.

IV. Kosala : Sarayu
The Kosala Mahajanapada was located in the region of present-day Uttar Pradesh and parts of Nepal, corresponding to the modern Awadh (Oudh) region. The kingdom was situated along the Ghaghara River, which was known as the Sarayu in ancient times. This pair is correctly matched.

Therefore, only two of the given pairs are correctly matched.

Explanation :

Rajendra I, a powerful emperor of the Chola dynasty in South India, launched a significant naval expedition against Srivijaya around 1025 CE. This campaign targeted several strategic locations within Srivijaya’s realm, including its capital Palembang and other key ports in the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. The Chola forces achieved a formidable victory, capturing the Srivijayan king Sangrama Vijayottunggavarman and seizing a large amount of treasure. This invasion significantly weakened Srivijaya’s maritime power and influence over the lucrative trade routes in Southeast Asia.

Explanation : 

Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim, visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II (also known as Chandragupta Vikramaditya), who ruled the Gupta Empire from approximately 380 CE to 415 CE. Fa-hien traveled to India around 399 CE and stayed until about 414 CE. His primary objective was to collect Buddhist scriptures and visit sacred Buddhist sites. Fa-hien’s detailed accounts provide valuable historical insights into the social, religious, and economic conditions of India during the Gupta period.

Explanation : 

Mahendravarman I, a prominent ruler of the Pallava dynasty in ancient India, assumed the titles Mattavilasa, Vichitrachitta, and Gunabhara. These titles reflect various aspects of his personality and accomplishments:

Mattavilasa: This title translates to “one who is addicted to sport or pleasure” or is related to “drunken revelry.” It is also the name of a satirical Sanskrit play, Mattavilasa Prahasana, authored by him.

Vichitrachitta: Meaning “curious-minded” or “wonderfully-minded,” this title highlights his innovative and versatile nature, particularly in art and architecture. The Mandagappattu inscription specifically honors him as Vichitrachitta for building a temple without traditional materials like bricks, wood, metal, or mortar.

Gunabhara: This title signifies “bearer of virtues” or “full of merits,” emphasizing his positive qualities and achievements.

Mahendravarman I reigned from approximately 600 to 630 AD and was a significant figure in the Pallava Empire, known for his contributions to art, architecture, and literature. He was a pioneer of rock-cut architecture in South India.

Explanation : 

The irrigation device called ‘Araghatta’ was a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes. Also known as a Persian wheel, it was a mechanical device primarily used for lifting water from open wells for irrigation. The term ‘ara-ghatta’ is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘ara’ (spoke) and ‘ghatta’ (pot), which describes its structure. This device was typically operated by draught animals such as bullocks, buffaloes, or camel.

Explanation : 

I. The Non-Cooperation Movement explicitly called for the boycott of British-run institutions, including courts. Lawyers were asked to leave the Raj’s courts.

II. The movement was fundamentally based on Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of Satyagraha, which emphasized non-violence and civil disobedience.

III. The Non-Cooperation Movement encouraged individuals to surrender their titles and honorary positions conferred by the British government, not retain them.

IV. The establishment of national institutions, including national schools, colleges, and private panchayat courts (arbitration courts), was a positive action promoted by the movement to replace British institutions.

Explanation : 

Statement I: Ram Mohan Roy’s impact on modern Indian history was his revival of the pure and ethical principles of the Vedanta school of philosophy as found in the Upanishads. He preached the unity of God, made early translations of Vedic scriptures into English, co-founded the Calcutta Unitarian Society and founded the Brahmo Sabha, precursor to Brahmo Samaj.

Statement II: He was a strong opponent of the caste system and fought to abolish social evils like Sati, child marriage, and caste discrimination, promoting dignity, equality, and justice for all. He also championed women’s rights, advocating for their education and equality.

Explanation : 

Statement 1 & 2: Scientists estimate that roughly half of the oxygen production on Earth comes from the ocean. The majority of this production is from oceanic plankton — drifting plants, algae, and some bacteria that can photosynthesize. One particular species, Prochlorococcus, is the smallest photosynthetic organism on Earth.
Source : https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/ocean-oxygen.html

Statement 3 : Well-oxygenated surface water may only contain around 8 mg O₂/l, while the air contains 210 mg O₂/l.

Explanation : 

I. Cassava : Woody shrub Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a woody shrub. It is a perennial shrub with woody stems. Thus, this pair is correctly matched.

II. Ginger : Herb with pseudostem Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a herbaceous perennial plant characterized by a pseudostem formed by rolled leaf bases. Thus, this pair is correctly matched.

III. Malabar spinach : Herbaceous climber Malabar spinach (Basella alba) is a fast-growing, soft-stemmed, herbaceous climbing vine. Thus, this pair is correctly matched.

IV. Mint : Annual shrub Mint (Mentha spp.) is a perennial herbaceous plant, not an annual shrub. It does not have woody stems and typically grows back each year from underground rhizomes. Thus, this pair is incorrectly matched.

V. Papaya : Woody shrub Papaya (Carica papaya) is generally considered a large herbaceous plant or small tree-like herb, not a woody shrub. It has a soft, hollow, herbaceous stem rather than a woody stem. Thus, this pair is incorrectly matched.

Correct matches are:

• Cassava (correct)
• Ginger (correct)
• Malabar spinach (correct)
• Mint (incorrect)
• Papaya (incorrect)

Therefore, correct answer is option (b) Only three.

Explanation : 

I. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO2/capita.

This statement is incorrect. In 2023, India’s per capita emissions were around 2 tonnes, 2.05 metric tons of CO2 equivalent, or 2.9 tons of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e).

II. In terms of CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, India ranks second in Asia-Pacific region.
This statement is correct. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) data for 2022, in the Asia-Pacific region, China ranks first in CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, followed by India in second place, and Japan in third.

III. Electricity and heat producers are the largest sources of CO2 emissions in India.

This statement is correct. The energy sector is the largest contributor to India’s overall greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 75.66% in 2020. Within the energy sector, power generation (electricity and heat producers) is consistently identified as the primary source of CO2 emissions, contributing approximately 45% of the total energy emissions in 2018. Industries are the second largest contributor, with a share of about 25%.