Pakistan Studies/Affairs MCQs
Topic Notes: Pakistan Studies/Affairs
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
11
The 'Brahui' ethnic group is primarily concentrated in which mountain range area?
Answer:
Kirthar and Central Brahui Range
Brahuis primarily inhabit the central part of Balochistan, specifically the Kalat Plateau and the Central Brahui mountain range. They have historically been led by the Khan of Kalat.
12
Which language is considered the 'Mother of Punjabi' by some linguists in the context of the Pothohar region?
Answer:
Gandhari Prakrit
Linguists studying the ancient history of the region suggest that the Prakrit spoken in the Gandhara civilization (centered around Taxila) provided the foundational structure for the modern languages of Northern Pakistan, including Punjabi and Hindko.
13
The 'Pothohari' dialect uses many words from which ancient language?
Answer:
Sanskrit and Prakrit
Pothohari, like other Indo-Aryan languages of the region, has deep roots in Sanskrit and the local Prakrit dialects that were spoken in the Gandhara region for centuries.
14
Which minority ethnic group in Pakistan is known for following the 'Zoroastrian' faith?
Answer:
Parsis
Parsis are a very small but highly influential ethnic and religious minority in Pakistan, primarily located in Karachi. They are descendants of Zoroastrians who fled Persia centuries ago.
15
The 'Ae-shami' or 'Insa-e-Nabuwat' controversy in education related to which language policy?
Answer:
Making Arabic mandatory
In 2021-2022, there were significant debates in the parliament and provincial assemblies regarding making Arabic a mandatory subject in schools to facilitate the understanding of the Quran, a move supported by religious parties but debated for its pedagogical impact.
16
Which ethnic group is majority in the city of Quetta?
Answer:
Pashtun
Although Quetta is the capital of Balochistan, it has a Pashtun majority. The city also has significant Baloch, Brahui, Hazara, and Punjabi communities, making it a melting pot of ethnic diversity.
17
The 'Marwari' language is spoken in the border regions of which desert in Pakistan?
Answer:
Cholistan and Thar Desert
Marwari is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by communities in the Cholistan desert of Punjab and the Thar desert of Sindh, reflecting the cross-border cultural links with the Rajasthan region of India.
18
Which city is the cultural center of the Punjabi ethnic group?
Answer:
Lahore
Lahore is universally regarded as the heart of Punjabi culture. It is the center for Punjabi literature, cinema (Lollywood), and traditional arts, and has historically been the capital of various Punjabi empires.
19
The 'Dardic' languages in Pakistan include which of the following?
Answer:
Shina and Khowar
The Dardic languages are a sub-branch of the Indo-Aryan family found in Northern Pakistan, Eastern Afghanistan, and Kashmir. Shina, Khowar, and Kashmiri are prominent members of this linguistic group.
20
Which Pakistani province is the most linguistically diverse, hosting Balochi, Brahui, Pashto, and Seraiki speakers?
Answer:
Balochistan
Balochistan is highly diverse; the south and east are predominantly Balochi-speaking, the center is Brahui-speaking, and the north (including Quetta) has a large Pashto-speaking population, while Seraiki and Sindhi are spoken in the border areas.