Explanation : 

Natural Mosquito Repellents: Power of Lemongrass

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is commonly used in preparing natural mosquito repellents due to its high citronella content, which is a natural oil that repels mosquitoes. Citronella is often used in mosquito repellent sprays, candles, and oils, and it works by masking scents that are attractive to mosquitoes, thus making it harder for them to locate their targets.

Comparing Grasses: Lemongrass vs. Others

The other grasses listed do not have the same mosquito-repelling properties as lemongrass:

Congress grass, also known as Parthenium hysterophorus, is an invasive weed that can cause allergic reactions in humans and has no known insect-repelling properties.

Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum), also known as Napier grass, is a tall grass used for fodder and erosion control, not for repelling mosquitoes.

Nut grass, also known as Cyperus rotundus, is a weed that can be problematic in gardens and agricultural fields and does not have mosquito repellent properties.

Therefore, lemongrass is the correct answer as it is the one known for its use in natural mosquito repellent formulations.

Explanation : 

Survival of Organisms on Surfaces Without Soil

Lichens and mosses are organisms that are well-adapted to survive on surfaces without soil. These unique organisms have developed special adaptations that allow them to thrive in environments where traditional soil-dependent plants would not survive.

Lichen

Lichens are symbiotic associations between a fungus and an alga or a cyanobacterium. They are incredibly resilient and can colonize harsh environments, including bare rock, tree bark, and other surfaces where soil is absent or minimal. Lichens can survive in extreme conditions due to their ability to withstand desiccation (drying out) and then rapidly rehydrate when moisture becomes available.

Moss

Mosses are non-vascular plants that can grow on a variety of substrates, including rocks, tree bark, and other surfaces where soil is not present. They do not have a traditional root system but instead have structures called rhizoids that help anchor them to the substrate. Mosses can absorb water and nutrients directly through their leaves, which allows them to inhabit environments without soil.

Comparison with Soil-Dependent Plants

In contrast to lichens and mosses, other plants such as ferns and mushrooms generally require soil or organic matter to thrive. Ferns, for instance, are typically soil-dependent and require a substrate rich in organic matter for growth. While some fern species can grow on rock surfaces or as epiphytes on other plants, they usually need some form of soil or organic matter accumulation. Mushrooms, which are the fruiting bodies of fungi, also predominantly rely on organic material such as soil rich in decaying matter for growth.

Therefore, the correct answer is “2 and 3” because lichens and mosses are the organisms most likely to be found surviving on surfaces without soil.

Explanation : 

Burzahom – Rock-cut shrines

Burzahom is an archaeological site located in the Kashmir Valley of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is known for its Neolithic and Megalithic phases and not for rock-cut shrines. Therefore, this pair is not correctly matched.

Chandraketugarh – Terracotta art

Chandraketugarh is an archaeological site located in the state of West Bengal, India. It is known for its rich collection of terracotta plaques and figurines that date back to the pre-Mauryan and Gupta periods. The terracotta art from Chandraketugarh is indeed famous for its intricate detailing and beauty. This pair is correctly matched.

Ganeshwar – Copper artefacts

Ganeshwar is a village in Rajasthan, India, known for its archaeological site dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization. The site has yielded a large number of copper artefacts, suggesting that it was a center for the production of copper items. This pair is also correctly matched.

Therefore, the pairs that are correctly matched are 2 and 3, making “2 and 3” the correct answer.

Explanation : 

Role of Detritivores in Ecosystems

Detritivores are organisms that feed on dead organic material, particularly plant detritus. They play a crucial role in decomposition and nutrient cycling by breaking down organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil or water column.

Examples of Detritivores

Earthworms are detritivores. They consume dead plant material and other organic matter, breaking it down as they move through the soil, which helps with decomposition and soil structure.

Jellyfish are not detritivores. They are typically carnivorous, feeding on small fish, zooplankton, and other marine organisms. They capture their prey using their tentacles.

Millipedes are detritivores. They feed on decaying leaves and other dead plant matter, contributing to the decomposition process.

Seahorses are not detritivores. They are carnivorous and feed primarily on small crustaceans like shrimp and other small marine organisms, which they suck in through their snouts.

Woodlice, also known as pill bugs or roly-polies, are detritivores. They feed on dead plant material and play a role in breaking down organic matter.

Given this information, the correct answer is “1, 3 and 5 only,” as earthworms, millipedes, and woodlice are detritivores, while jellyfish and seahorses are not.

Explanation : 

Filter Feeders: The Oyster Example

Filter feeders are organisms that feed by straining suspended matter and food particles from water, typically by passing the water over a specialized filtering structure. Among the options provided, the oyster is the filter feeder.

Oysters are bivalve mollusks that live in marine or brackish habitats. They have specialized gills that work as a filtration system. Water is drawn over the gills through the beating of cilia, and particles in the water, including plankton and organic matter, are trapped in mucus on the gills. The mucus with the trapped food is then transported to the oyster’s mouth for consumption. This method of feeding allows oysters to process large volumes of water and extract the nutrients they need to survive.

Feeding Strategies of Other Aquatic Animals

The other options listed do not employ filter feeding as their primary method of feeding:

• Catfish are bottom-dwellers that use a variety of feeding strategies, including scavenging and predation. Some species may sift through sediment to find food, but they do not filter feed in the same way oysters do.
• Octopuses are predators that typically hunt live prey, such as crustaceans and small fish, using their arms and suckers to capture them.
• Pelicans are birds that feed primarily by scooping up fish in their large bill pouches while swimming at the surface or by plunge-diving.

Therefore, the correct answer is the oyster, as it is the only filter feeder among the options provided.

Explanation : 

Mitakshara and Dayabhaga Legal Systems

The correct answer to the question is indeed “2 only“. Let’s analyze each statement:

Statement 1: Caste-Based Distinction of Civil Laws

This statement is incorrect. The distinction between Mitakshara and Dayabhaga schools of Hindu law was not based on caste lines. Both were commentaries on the ancient Hindu law texts and were followed in different geographical regions of India, irrespective of caste. Mitakshara was followed throughout most of India, while Dayabhaga was prevalent in Bengal and Assam.

Statement 2: Rights to Property in Mitakshara and Dayabhaga Systems

This statement is correct. The Mitakshara school advocates for the concept of joint family and coparcenary property, where the male members acquire an interest in the property by birth. In contrast, under the Dayabhaga school, the right to property is not acquired by birth but only upon the death of the owner.

Statement 3: Gender and Property Rights in Mitakshara and Dayabhaga Systems

This statement is incorrect. While it is true that the Mitakshara system was more patriarchal and provided limited rights to women, it is not accurate to say that it dealt exclusively with property held by male members. Women did have certain rights, albeit limited. The Dayabhaga system did provide somewhat better rights for women, but it did not specifically deal with property held by both male and female members; rather, it was more liberal in allowing women to inherit property.

Therefore, the only correct statement is the second one, making the answer “2 only“. The Mitakshara and Dayabhaga schools are distinguished by their rules concerning the timing of when sons can claim rights to the property and not by caste or the gender of property holders.

Explanation : 

The Paramaras of Malwa: The Paramara dynasty rose to prominence later in the 9th century and was a major power during the medieval period in the region of Malwa (central India).

The Yadavas of Devagiri: The Yadavas (also known as the Seuna dynasty) established their kingdom much later, around the 12th century, with their capital at Devagiri (in present-day Maharashtra).

Explanation : 

Dholavira’s Ingenious Water Management

Dholavira, one of the most prominent sites of the Indus Valley Civilization (also known as the Harappan Civilization), is well-known for its sophisticated water conservation system, which was a necessity in its arid environment. Located on the Khadir bet island in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, India, this ancient town showcases the ingenuity of its inhabitants in water management.

Elaborate System of Reservoirs and Channels

The people of Dholavira built an elaborate system of reservoirs, dams, channels, and waterways to harness and manage water. The town had a series of reservoirs that were excavated around the city walls and interconnected through channels. These reservoirs collected rainwater and stored it for use during the dry seasons. The water management system was not only used for irrigation and domestic purposes but also played a significant role in the town’s defense strategy.

Advanced Hydro-Engineering Techniques

The sophisticated design of the water system included rock-cut channels that directed the flow of water from the city’s stormwater drains into the reservoirs. The inhabitants also constructed check dams across seasonal streams to capture and store rainwater. This advanced hydro-engineering allowed Dholavira to sustain itself in a region with scarce water resources and is a testament to the advanced urban planning and engineering skills of the Harappan people.

Explanation : 

Bhavabhuti (c. 7th-8th century CE) was a celebrated Indian playwright and poet, known for his Sanskrit plays. He was not a Jain monk; rather, he is believed to have been a Brahmin, possibly associated with the Vidarbha region. Bhavabhuti’s most famous works include “Malatimadhava,” “Mahaviracharita,” and “Uttararamacharita,” which are considered masterpieces of Sanskrit literature. His plays are known for their sophisticated use of the Sanskrit language and their deep emotional impact.

Explanation :

By 1st quarter of 17th century , English East India Company had established factories at Surat, Broach, Ahmedabad, Agra, and Masulipatam and not at Chicacole and Tichonopoly.