Monument protection: AMASR Act and Article 49

1. Question 1Answer B

   Concern over construction near which caves in Junnar, Pune district, revived focus on monument protection?

   • AKarla caves
   • BCorrect answer: Naneghat caves
   • CBhaja caves
   • DElephanta caves

   Core Trigger: Concern over construction near the Naneghat caves at Junnar, Pune district, revived focus on monument protection.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 315, point 1

2. Question 2Answer D

   The first-century BCE Naneghat inscriptions are written in which script?

   • AKharosthi
   • BGrantha
   • CSharada
   • DCorrect answer: Brahmi

   Inscription: Naneghat's first-century BCE Brahmi inscriptions in Prakrit record the Satavahana queen Naganika. Brahmi is the ancestor of most Indian scripts.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 315, point 2

3. Question 3Answer C

   Who heads the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)?

   • AIts Chairperson
   • BIts Chief Commissioner
   • CCorrect answer: Its Director General
   • DThe Culture Secretary

   Current Head: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is headed by its Director General.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 315, point 3

4. Question 4Answer D

   The Naneghat inscriptions of the first century BCE belong to which Deccan dynasty?

   • AChalukya
   • BRashtrakuta
   • CVakataka
   • DCorrect answer: Satavahana

   Era: The Satavahana dynasty ruled the Deccan; the Naneghat inscriptions date to the first century BCE.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 315, point 4

5. Question 5Answer B

   Along with the ASI and local authorities, which Union Ministry shares protection duties?

   • AMinistry of Education
   • BCorrect answer: Ministry of Culture
   • CMinistry of Tourism
   • DMinistry of Home Affairs

   Stakeholders: The ASI, the Union Ministry of Culture and local authorities share protection duties.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 315, point 5

6. Question 6Answer C

   Which statute governs protected sites in India, including bans on construction near monuments?

   • AAntiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972
   • BIndian Treasure Trove Act, 1878
   • CCorrect answer: AMASR Act, 1958
   • DPlaces of Worship Act, 1991

   India Link: The 1958 Act governs protected sites, including bans on construction near monuments.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 315, point 6

7. Question 7Answer B

   Who founded the ASI in 1861?

   • AJohn Marshall
   • BCorrect answer: Alexander Cunningham
   • CMortimer Wheeler
   • DJames Prinsep

   Founded: The ASI was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 315, point 8

8. Question 8Answer D

   The 1958 Act replaced which earlier law?

   • AIndian Treasure Trove Act, 1878
   • BAntiquities Export Control Act, 1947
   • CIndian Antiquities Act, 1925
   • DCorrect answer: Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904

   Landmark: The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 replaced the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 315, point 9

9. Question 9Answer C

   Which Article obliges the State to protect monuments of national importance?

   • AArticle 51A
   • BArticle 29
   • CCorrect answer: Article 49
   • DArticle 21

   Articles: Article 49, a Directive Principle, obliges the State to protect monuments of national importance.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 315, point 10

10. Question 10Answer A

    1. As amended in 2010, the 1958 Act bars construction in a 100-metre prohibited zone around protected monuments. 2. Directive Principles are enforceable in court. Which is/are correct?

    • ACorrect answer: Only 1
    • BOnly 2
    • CBoth 1 and 2
    • DNeither 1 nor 2

    Doctrine: Directive Principles are not enforceable in court but are fundamental to governance (Article 37).From Book 1 RATNA, topic 315, point 12

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