Explanation : 

European Powers and Their Trading Posts

The colonial history of India is marked by the presence of various European powers that established their trading posts and colonies. The influence of these European entities has left a lasting impact on the subcontinent’s historical and cultural landscape.

Dutch in India

Contrary to the belief that the Dutch were granted lands by the Gajapati rulers, they established their presence on the east coast of India through their own negotiations. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) set up factories, particularly in Pulicat, which was under the Vijayanagara Empire’s domain before coming under the Sultanate of Golconda.

Portuguese Conquest of Goa

Alfonso de Albuquerque played a pivotal role in the expansion of the Portuguese empire in India. In 1510, he captured Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate, establishing it as the center of Portuguese colonial rule in the East.

English East India Company in Madras

English East India Company was successful in establishing a factory at Madras (now Chennai) by leasing land from a local Nayak, who was a representative of the Vijayanagara Empire. This strategic move in 1639 led to the construction of Fort St. George and the development of the city of Madras.

In conclusion, statements “2 and 3 only” are correct regarding the establishment of European colonies in India.

Explanation : 

Significance of Kulah-Daran in Indian History

The term “Kulah-Daran” (wearer of the cap) refers to the Sayyids, who claimed descent from the Prophet Muhammad. The Sayyids were respected in Islamic societies for their religious and genealogical connection to the Prophet. They often wore a distinctive cap or turban as a symbol of their lineage, which is why they were sometimes referred to as “Kulah-Daran.”

The Sayyids arrived in different waves in the Indian subcontinent, with some coming as traders, scholars, and Sufi saints, while others arrived as part of the various Islamic invasions and establishments of sultanates. Due to their claimed ancestry, they were accorded high status in Muslim communities and often became influential in politics, religion, and society.

Roles of Sayyids in Indian Society

In the Indian subcontinent, Sayyids played important roles in the spread of Islam, the establishment of religious institutions, and the administration of Muslim dynasties. They were often granted land and titles by rulers, and some Sayyid families became powerful landowners and nobility in the region.

The term “Kulah-Daran” is thus a reference to the Sayyids’ practice of wearing a cap as a symbol of their noble lineage, and it highlights their esteemed position in the social and religious hierarchy of the time.

Explanation : 

First Mongol Invasion of India

The statement that the first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji is incorrect. The actual event took place during the rule of Iltutmish, the third ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, from 1211 to 1236 AD. Jalal-ud-din Khalji, the founder of the Khalji dynasty, reigned much later, from 1290 to 1296 AD. Although the Khalji period did see Mongol invasions, they were not the first.

Ala-ud-din Khalji’s Defense Against the Mongols

During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, who ruled from 1296 to 1316 AD, there was indeed a significant Mongol assault. The Mongols, led by Qutlugh Khwaja, marched up to Delhi and laid siege to the city in 1303. However, Ala-ud-din Khalji successfully defended the city, forcing the Mongols to retreat. This statement is correct and highlights a pivotal moment in the history of the Delhi Sultanate’s resistance against the Mongols.

Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq and the Mongol Threat

The claim that Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq lost parts of the north-west of his kingdom to the Mongols is incorrect. His reign, from 1325 to 1351 AD, was marked by various internal issues and ambitious projects, such as relocating the capital to Daulatabad (Deogiri). While he faced rebellions and administrative challenges, there is no historical evidence of him losing territory to the Mongols. The Mongol threat had diminished by the time of his rule.

Explanation : 

Aryadeva – Incorrect Scholar Pairing

The pair of Aryadeva as a Jaina scholar is incorrectly matched. Aryadeva was actually a Buddhist philosopher and a disciple of the famous Indian Buddhist Nagarjuna. He is renowned for his contributions to the Madhyamaka (Middle Way) philosophy within Buddhism.

Dignaga – Correct Buddhist Scholar

Dignaga is correctly identified as a Buddhist scholar. He was a significant Indian Buddhist logician and philosopher, known for his work on logic, epistemology, and the philosophy of language. His work greatly influenced the development of Buddhist philosophy in India.

Nathamuni – Correct Vaishnava Scholar

Nathamuni is rightly matched as a Vaishnava scholar. He was a theologian in the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism and is credited with reviving the Divya Prabandham, a collection of Tamil hymns sung by the Alvars, who were Vaishnava saints.

Explanation : 

Official Answer is 2 & 3 only

Explanation : 

Impact of US Federal Reserve’s Tight Monetary Policy

The US Federal Reserve’s approach to a tight monetary policy can have significant implications for global capital flows. An increase in interest rates can make dollar-denominated assets more attractive, potentially leading to capital flight from other nations as investors seek higher returns in the United States.

Consequences of Capital Flight on External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs)

When capital flight occurs, it can have a direct impact on firms with existing External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs). As capital leaves a country, the domestic currency may depreciate, increasing the cost of servicing foreign-denominated debt. This depreciation means that firms will face higher interest costs for their ECBs, as they require more local currency to meet their debt obligations.

Devaluation of Domestic Currency and Currency Risk

Contrary to reducing risk, the devaluation of a domestic currency actually escalates the currency risk associated with ECBs. A weaker domestic currency means that borrowers will have to exchange more of their currency to acquire the foreign currency needed for debt repayment, thus increasing the financial burden on firms with ECBs.

Explanation : 

Tea Production in Indian States

All four states mentioned in the list—Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Tripura—are known for producing tea, although to varying extents and with different levels of prominence in the tea industry.

Andhra Pradesh Tea Plantations

While not one of the largest tea-producing states in India, Andhra Pradesh does have tea plantations, particularly in the Visakhapatnam district. The Ananthagiri Hills in this region are known for their tea gardens.

Kerala’s Tea Estates

Kerala is a significant tea-producing state in India, with its well-known tea plantations primarily located in the Western Ghats, especially in the Idukki and Wayanad districts. The town of Munnar in Kerala is famous for its sprawling tea estates.

Himachal Pradesh’s Tea Industry

Tea production in Himachal Pradesh is not as extensive as in some other states, but it does have a history of tea cultivation. Areas like Kangra and Mandi have tea plantations, and Kangra tea is quite well-known for its quality.

Tripura’s Tea Gardens

Tripura is one of the smaller tea-producing states in the Northeastern region of India. It has a long history of tea production, with the first tea gardens established in the late 19th century. The state has numerous tea estates, and the tea produced here is known for its unique flavor.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is “All four States,” as each of them is involved in tea production to some extent.

Explanation : 

Regulation of Credit Rating Agencies in India

In India, credit rating agencies are not regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Instead, they are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). SEBI is the regulatory body for securities and commodity market in India under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. It is SEBI that lays down the policies and regulates the functioning of credit rating agencies in India.

ICRA Limited

The rating agency popularly known as ICRA is indeed a public limited company. ICRA Limited (formerly Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency of India Limited) was set up in 1991 by leading financial/investment institutions, commercial banks, and financial services companies as an independent and professional investment information and credit rating agency.

Brickwork Ratings

Brickwork Ratings is an Indian credit rating agency. It is one of the credit rating agencies registered with SEBI and provides credit ratings for corporations, banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, state governments, and other public entities.

Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correct, while statement 1 is incorrect.

Explanation : 

Cripps Mission to India in 1942

The Cripps Mission was sent to India in 1942 by the British government with the aim of securing Indian cooperation and support for their efforts in World War II. Sir Stafford Cripps, a member of the War Cabinet, led the mission and proposed a draft declaration of the British government’s intentions for the future of India.

Analysis of the Cripps Mission Proposals

1. The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States.

This statement is incorrect. The Cripps Mission proposed that the Constituent Assembly would be composed of members elected by the Provincial Assemblies and representatives of the Princely States. However, the members from the Provincial Assemblies would be elected based on the principle of proportional representation, not nominated.

2. Any Province, which is not prepared to accept the new Constitution would have the right to sign a separate agreement with Britain regarding its future status.

This statement is correct. One of the key proposals of the Cripps Mission was to allow any province not willing to accept the new constitution the option to retain its current constitutional position or to sign a separate agreement with Britain regarding its future status. This was intended to address the concerns of Muslim-majority areas, where the Muslim League was demanding a separate nation (which would later become Pakistan).

Therefore, the correct answer is “2 only,” as the second statement accurately reflects the proposals of the Cripps Mission.

Explanation : 

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Uses

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a type of plastic that is widely used in the manufacture of various products, including textiles, bottles, and food containers. Let’s evaluate each of the statements provided:

PET in Textile Blends

Its fibers can be blended with wool and cotton fibers to reinforce their properties. This statement is correct. PET fibers, often known as polyester fibers, are commonly blended with natural fibers like wool and cotton to improve the strength, durability, and wrinkle resistance of the fabric.

PET for Alcoholic Beverage Storage

Containers made of it can be used to store any alcoholic beverage. This statement is not entirely correct. While PET containers are used for storing some types of alcoholic beverages, they may not be suitable for all kinds. Some alcoholic beverages, especially those with high alcohol content, can degrade PET over time, leading to potential contamination of the beverage and a decrease in the quality of the container. Therefore, PET is not universally used for all alcoholic beverage storage.

Recycling PET Bottles

Bottles made of it can be recycled into other products. This statement is correct. PET is a highly recyclable material, and bottles made from PET can be recycled into a variety of products, including fibers for textiles, new bottles, and even materials for construction.

Incineration of PET and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Articles made of it can be easily disposed of by incineration without causing greenhouse gas emissions. This statement is incorrect. Incinerating PET or any other plastic will produce carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. While incineration can be a method of disposal, it is not free from environmental impact, and it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

Based on the evaluation, the correct statements are 1 and 3, which means the correct answer is “1 and 3.”