0

The Role of Food in Indian History and Politics

Description: This quiz explores the multifaceted role of food in shaping Indian history and politics. From ancient culinary practices to contemporary food movements, these questions delve into the cultural, social, and political significance of food in India.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: indian history food and identity politics cuisine culture
Attempted 0/15 Correct 0 Score 0

In ancient India, which staple food crop was considered sacred and central to religious rituals?

  1. Wheat

  2. Rice

  3. Barley

  4. Millet


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Rice held a sacred status in ancient India, particularly in the southern regions. It was believed to possess divine qualities and was often used in religious ceremonies and rituals.

The Mughal Empire introduced several new ingredients and cooking techniques to Indian cuisine. Which of these ingredients became a staple in many North Indian dishes?

  1. Potatoes

  2. Tomatoes

  3. Chillies

  4. Yogurt


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Yogurt, known as 'dahi' in India, was brought to the country by the Mughals. It quickly became an integral part of North Indian cuisine, used in dishes like raita, curry, and biryani.

The British Raj had a significant impact on Indian agriculture. Which cash crop was heavily promoted by the British, leading to the displacement of traditional food crops?

  1. Cotton

  2. Tea

  3. Indigo

  4. Sugarcane


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Indigo was extensively cultivated in India during the British Raj to produce a blue dye used in textiles. This led to the displacement of traditional food crops, causing widespread famines and economic hardship.

The Swadeshi movement, a part of the Indian independence struggle, emphasized the importance of self-reliance and economic boycott of British goods. Which food item became a symbol of this movement?

  1. Salt

  2. Sugar

  3. Wheat

  4. Rice


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Salt, a basic necessity, was chosen as a symbol of the Swadeshi movement. Mahatma Gandhi led the Salt Satyagraha in 1930, encouraging Indians to produce their own salt and boycott British-imposed salt taxes.

The Green Revolution, a period of agricultural modernization in India, was aimed at increasing food production. Which crop was central to this initiative?

  1. Wheat

  2. Rice

  3. Maize

  4. Sorghum


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Green Revolution focused on the introduction of high-yielding varieties of wheat, along with modern farming techniques and inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, to increase wheat production and address food shortages.

The Public Distribution System (PDS) in India is a government-run program aimed at providing subsidized food grains to the poor. Which food grain is the primary staple distributed through the PDS?

  1. Wheat

  2. Rice

  3. Millet

  4. Barley


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Wheat is the primary staple distributed through the PDS in India, along with rice in some regions. The PDS aims to ensure food security and provide affordable access to essential food grains for the economically disadvantaged population.

The Food Security Act, passed in 2013, is a landmark legislation aimed at addressing food security and hunger in India. Which of the following is a key provision of the act?

  1. Right to Food

  2. Minimum Support Price

  3. Food Subsidies

  4. Public Distribution System


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Right to Food is a key provision of the Food Security Act. It recognizes the right of every person to have access to adequate food and ensures that the government has the responsibility to provide food security to its citizens.

The 'Anna Hazare Movement' in 2011 gained widespread support in India. What was the primary demand of this movement?

  1. Food Security

  2. Anti-Corruption

  3. Right to Information

  4. Judicial Reforms


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The 'Anna Hazare Movement' was primarily focused on demanding stronger anti-corruption measures and a more transparent and accountable government. Food security was not the central issue of this movement.

The 'Chipko Movement' in the 1970s is known for its non-violent resistance against deforestation. Which region of India was the epicenter of this movement?

  1. Uttarakhand

  2. Himachal Pradesh

  3. Jammu and Kashmir

  4. Arunachal Pradesh


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The 'Chipko Movement' took place primarily in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India. It was a non-violent protest against deforestation, where villagers embraced trees to prevent them from being cut down.

The 'Right to Food' campaign in India has been advocating for the recognition of food as a fundamental right. Which organization has been at the forefront of this campaign?

  1. Right to Food Campaign

  2. National Food Security Mission

  3. Food and Agriculture Organization

  4. World Food Programme


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The 'Right to Food Campaign' is a coalition of organizations and individuals working towards the recognition of food as a fundamental right in India. It has been instrumental in advocating for policies and legislation to ensure food security and access to adequate nutrition.

The 'Mid-Day Meal Scheme' in India provides free lunches to children in government schools. Which ministry is responsible for implementing this scheme?

  1. Ministry of Education

  2. Ministry of Women and Child Development

  3. Ministry of Agriculture

  4. Ministry of Food Processing Industries


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The 'Mid-Day Meal Scheme' is implemented by the Ministry of Education in India. It aims to provide free lunches to children in government schools, with the objective of improving their nutritional status and encouraging regular school attendance.

The 'National Food Security Mission' in India was launched with the aim of increasing production of which staple food crops?

  1. Wheat and Rice

  2. Maize and Sorghum

  3. Pulses and Oilseeds

  4. Fruits and Vegetables


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The 'National Food Security Mission' was launched with the primary objective of increasing the production of wheat and rice, two of the most important staple food crops in India, to ensure food security and address the growing demand for these grains.

The 'Food Safety and Standards Authority of India' (FSSAI) is responsible for regulating and ensuring the safety of food products in India. Which ministry oversees the functioning of FSSAI?

  1. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

  2. Ministry of Agriculture

  3. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

  4. Ministry of Commerce and Industry


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The 'Food Safety and Standards Authority of India' (FSSAI) functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It is responsible for regulating and ensuring the safety of food products, including setting standards, conducting inspections, and taking enforcement actions to protect public health.

The 'National Institute of Nutrition' (NIN) in India is a premier research institute dedicated to the study of nutrition. Which city is it located in?

  1. Hyderabad

  2. New Delhi

  3. Bengaluru

  4. Mumbai


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The 'National Institute of Nutrition' (NIN) is located in Hyderabad, Telangana. It is a premier research institute dedicated to the study of nutrition, conducting research on various aspects of nutrition, including dietary patterns, nutrient requirements, and the relationship between nutrition and health.

The 'Swaminathan Commission' was formed to address the challenges faced by the agricultural sector in India. Who chaired this commission?

  1. M.S. Swaminathan

  2. C. Subramaniam

  3. B. Sivaraman

  4. V. Kurien


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The 'Swaminathan Commission' was chaired by M.S. Swaminathan, a renowned agricultural scientist and the father of the Green Revolution in India. The commission was tasked with examining the challenges faced by the agricultural sector and recommending measures to improve the livelihoods of farmers and ensure food security.

- Hide questions