-
Alexander invaded India in
326 BC
-
The Mauryan Empire was established in
322 BC
-
The First Mughal Emperor of India was
Babur
-
Taj Mahal was built by
Shahjahan
-
Lala Lajpat Rai was also known as
Lion of Punjab
-
Chandragupta II was also known as
Vikramaditya
-
The city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by
Akbar
-
The Red Fort in Delhi was built by
Shahjahan
-
Battle of Panipat was faught in
1761 AD
-
The first President of India was
Dr.Rajendra Prasad
-
"Swaraj is my birthright!" was said by
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
-
The capital of Mysore during the rule of Tipu Sultan was
Srirangapatnam
-
Battle of Plassey was fought in
1757 AD
-
The first Governor-General of Bengal under the East India Company was
Warren Hastings
-
Ashoka was born in
269 BC
-
Permanent settlement in Bengal was introduced by
Lord Cornwallis
-
The last Governor-General of India was
C.Raja Gopalachari
-
The first session of the Indian National Congress was held at
Bombay (Mumbai)
-
Quit India Movement started in the year
1942 AD
-
Sir Thomas Roe,English Ambassador, visited India during the reign of
Jahangir
-
In the battle of Plassey, Lord Clive defeated
Siraj-ud-Daula
-
The city of Calcutta was founded in
1690 AD
-
The capital of king Vikramaditya's kingdom was
Ujjain
-
In 1806,the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved by
Napolean
-
The country which celebrates Independence day on 15th August, apart from India, is
South Korea
-
The first Viceroy of India was
Lord Canning
-
The first World War ended in
1918 AD
-
The Second World War ended in
1945 AD
-
Orthography means the art of
Correct Spelling
-
The name of the famous horse of Rana Pratap was
Chetak
-
The Grand Trunk road was built during the reign of
Shersa Suri
-
Tipu Sultan was born in
1750 AD
-
Home Rule Movement was started by
Annie Besant
-
Shivaji was crowned in
1664 AD
-
East India Company was established in the year
1600 AD
-
The capital city of ancient India was
Indraprastha
-
The first woman ruler in India was
Razia Begum
-
The capital of the Mauryan was
Patliputra
-
The construction of Qutb Minar in Delhi was completed by
Ala-ud-din
-
Din-i-Ilahi was founded by
Akbar
-
Rabindranath tagore was born in
1861 AD
-
The most famous king of Vijayanagar Empire was
Krishnadevaraya
-
Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan was also known as
Frontier Gandhi
-
Samudra Gupta is popularly known as
Napolean of India
-
The first Tamil hero who fought against the British was
Veerapandya Kattabomman
-
Akbar's tomb is situated at
Sikandrabad
-
Gautama Buddha was the son of
Shuddhodan
-
Shivaji's mother was
Jeejabai
-
Gandhiji's mother was
Puthali Bai
-
The political teacher of shivaji was
Dadoji Konddev
-
Timur invaded India in the year
1398 AD
-
Mahmud Ghazni was the son of
Sabaktageen
-
The city of Ahmedabad was established by
Ahmed Shah I
-
Rani padmini was
Queen of Rana Ratna simha,the king of Chittoor
-
The real name of Babar was
Zahiruddin Muhammed
-
The meaning of the word "Babar" is
Tiger
-
Vijayasthamba is located at
Chittoor Fort
-
Timur was the ruler of
Samarkhand,Central Asia
-
The Indian social reformer who fought for the abolition of Sati was
Rajaram Mohan Roy
-
The first British Governor General of free India was
Lord Mountbatten
-
Dadabhai Naoroji was associated with the theory of
"Drain of Wealth"
-
The kingdom of South India well known for its Naval power was
The Cholas
-
Aligarh Muslim University was founded by
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
-
The first Indian ruler who prohibited Sati was
Akbar
-
The Mughal ruler who was to recruit Rajput nobles in his administration was
Akbar
-
The reforms announced by the British Govt.in 1909 are known as
The Morle-Minto Reforms
-
The architect who designed the capital City of New Delhi was
E.L.Lutyens
-
At the time of independence, the number of princely states in India were
552
-
The Indian Prime Minister known as "Man of Peace" was
Lal Bahadur Shastri
-
The Indian king who fought the last Anglo-Mysore War against the English was
Tipu Sultan
-
Kohinoor Diamond was taken away by
Nadir Shah
-
The full name of Shahjehan was
Khurram Shihabuddin Mohammed Shahjehan
-
The Bardoli satyagraha was started by
Mahatma Gandhi
-
The founder of Arya Samaj was
Swamy Dayanand Saraswati
-
The Governor General who abolished Sati was
Lord William Bentinck
-
Bihar was earlier known as
Magadha
-
Agra was earlier known as
Akbarabad
-
"Harsha Charit" was written by
Banabatta
-
Chandragupta Maurya spent the last days of his life at
Sravanabelagola
-
Jalianwala Bagh Massacre took place at
Amritsar
-
Vijayanagar kingdom was situated on the banks of river
Tungabhadra
-
In 1498,the sea route to india was discovered by
Vasco-da-gama
-
King Bhoja was from the which dynasty
Pratihara
-
The period 1206 Ad to 1526 AD is known as
The Delhi Sultanate
-
Agra city was founded by
Sikandar Lodhi
-
Vijaynagar Empire was founded by
Harihara and Bukka
-
The Vijayanagar kings fought frequent wars with the
Bahamani Sultans
-
The last king of the Vijayanagar empire was
Rama Raya
-
Shankaracharya was associated with which movement
Bhakti
-
Ramanuja preached the philosophy of
Vishishtadvaita
-
The followers of Ramanuja are known as
Vaishnavas
-
Kabir was the disciple of
Ramanand
-
The founder of Sikh religion was
Guru Nanak
-
Babar defeated Ibrahim Lodhi in the year
1526 AD
-
Babar died in the year
1530 AD
-
Humayun was defeated by
Sher Shah Suri
-
Humayun died at the age of
48 years
-
Akbar was crowned in the year
1556 AD
-
In the second battle of Panipat, Akbar defeated
Himu
-
Akbar died in the year
1605 Ad
-
The original name of Nurjahan was
Mehrunisa
-
Jehangir was known for his
Justice
-
Jehangir died in the year
1627 AD
-
Aurangzeb was the son of
Shahjehan
-
Aurangzeb died in the year
1707 AD
-
The first Guru of the sikhs was
Guru Nanak Dev
-
The tenth Guru of the sikhs was
Guru Gobind Singh
-
Amritsar was founded by
Guru Ram Das
-
The Golden Temple was built by
Guru Arjan Dev
-
The Akal Takht was built by
Guru Hargobind
-
Guru Gobind Singh was born in
1666 AD
-
The `Khalsa' at Anandpur Sahib was founded by
Guru Gobind Singh
-
Maharaja Ranjit Singh was born in
1780 AD
-
Bahadur Shah Zafar died in the year
1862 AD
-
Shivaji died at age of
50 years
-
In the year 1798,who was appointed as the Governor-General
Wellesley
-
Wellesley started the policy of
Subsidiary Alliance
-
Dalhousie became the Governor-General in
1848 AD
-
The first war of Indian Independence fought in 1857 is also known as
The Sepoy Mutiny
-
The Lady ruler who participated in the 1857 Revolt was
Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi
-
The Indian Association was formed in 1876 at
Calcutta
-
The Indian National Congress was formed in
1885 AD
-
The Rowlatt Act was passed in the year
1919 AD
-
The Jalianwala Bagh Massacre took place in the year
1919 AD
-
The movement launched in 1920 is known as
The Non-Co-operation Movement
-
The Simon Commission came to India in the year
1928 AD
-
Chandragupta Maurya was succeeded by
Bindusara
-
Ashoka invaded Kalinga in the year
261 BC
-
Ashoka died in the year
232 BC
-
Ashoka ruled for a period of
40 years
-
The last king of Maurya dynasty was
Brihadratha
-
Chandragupta was succeeded by
Samudragupta
-
The Iron Pillar near Qutb Minar was erected by
Chandragupta II
-
Fahien, a Chinese traveller visited india during the reign of
Chandragupta II
-
Harshavardhana ascended the throne at the age of
16 years
-
Harshavardhana was defeated by
Pulakeshin II
-
The Chinese traveller who visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana was
Hieun Tsang
-
Akbar was succeeded by
Jehangir
-
Jehangir was succeeded by
Shahjehan
-
In ancient times this river was called Shatadru. How do we know it now?
Sutlej
-
In the Rigveda there is a reference to the "Dasharajna Yuddha". What does this refer to?
It was a battle of 10 kings fought between Sudasa, a king of the Tritsu family on one side, and a confederacy of 10 tribes on the other. It was fought on the banks of the Parushni (Ravi). Sudasa defeated his enemies in this battle.
-
Who was the ruler of the territory between the Jhelum and the Ravi when Alexander invaded India?
Paurava or Porus as the Greeks called him
-
When Porus surrendered to Alexander, Alexander asked him how he wished to be treated. What was Porus' reply?
"As one King would treat another". This was his famous reply that has become a classic. Hearing this Alexander not only reinstated Porus on the throne, but he also added territories towards the east and domains of many republican states to the existing ki
-
Who was Megasthenes?
Megasthenes was the Greek ambassador to the Mauryan Court.
-
Who sent Megasthenes as his ambassador to the Mauryan Court?
Seleucus Nikator.
-
Where did Seleucus Nikator rule?
Babylon. He gradually extended his empire from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indus.
-
Whom did Chandragupta Maurya defeat to establish his kingdom?
The Nanda dynasty of Magadha.
-
Who helped Chandragupta Maurya defeat the Nanda rulers?
Kautilya also called Chanakya.
-
Of which territories was Ashoka the Viceroy before he became the king?
Taksha-Shila and Ujjain
-
"Beloved of the gods" and "of amiable appearance". Ashoka used these titles in his inscriptions. Can you give the original titles?
"Devanampiya" and "Piyadassi" (Devanampriya and Priyadarshin).
-
What was unique about the personal bodyguards of the Maurya rulers?
They were women.
-
Who was the last Maurya King?
Brihadratha
-
Who overthrew Brihadratha?
Pushyamitra, who was his Commander-in-chief
-
What was the name of the dynasty that succeeded Mauryan dynasty?
The Shunga dynasty. (Pushyamitra founded this dynasty after he overthrew the Mauryan ruler)
-
From which source have historians got some details of the overthrow of the Mauryan dynasty?
Bana's Harshacharita written almost eight centuries after the event.
-
The Allahabad Pillar inscription is the most authentic record about the reign of a famous Emperor. Identify that Emperor.
Samudra Gupta
-
The Hindu kingdom of Champa flourished outside the present boundaries of India. Where would the kingdom be located in today's context?
Vietnam. During this period, the country was considered a great centre of Vedic education.
-
What is Theravada in the context of Buddhism?
It is a major form of Buddhism prevalent in Sri Lanka, Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.
-
Where is Angkor Vat located?
It is located in the ancient kingdom of Kambuja (modem Cambodia). It means Temple (Vat) of the city (Angkor).
-
Who constructed Angkor Vat?
Suryavarman II.
-
To whom is Angkor Vat dedicated?
Vishnu
-
Who wrote Uttara-Rama-Charitam?
Bhavabhuti
-
What is the Gandhara art also known as?
Indo-Greek. The Gandhara sculptures drew their inspiration from the Hellenic (Greek) art of Asia Minor.
-
After whom have the rock-cut temples at Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu been named?
The five Pandavas and Draupadi.
-
To which dynasty did Gautamiputra Shatakarni belong?
Shatavahanas
-
Who founded the Shatavahana dynasty?
The founder of the family was Simuka but it was Shatakarni I who raised it to eminence.
-
Who wrote the Buddha Charita?
Ashvaghosha
-
To which dynasty did Kanishka belong?
The Kushana dynasty
-
On the banks of which river did Harappa lie?
Ravi. Mohenjodaro was on the bank of the Sindhu (Indus.)
-
Name the trading station of the Indus Valley Civilisation.
Lothal
-
The 'Sapta Sindhu' was the area of the initial Aryan settlement. To what region did it refer?
The land of the Sindhu (Indus) and its principal tributaries.
-
Which is the crime that is most often mentioned in the Rjgveda?
Cattle-lifting
-
What does the word 'Sangam' refer to in Tamil History?
It is the literary assembly of Tamil scholars held at Madurai under the patronage of the Pandyan Kings
-
Which great Chola Emperor started the tradition of installing epigraphs with historical introductions?
Rajaraja Chola
-
Nalanda and Vikramshila were very famous in ancient India. What was the reason for their fame?
These were the centres where the famous Buddhist Universities flourished
-
What were Nalanda, Vikramshila in reality?
Buddhist monasteries. They later took on the shape of universities
-
What does the term Bhagavata relate to?
CC
-
Greek sources refer to him as Sandrocottus (Androcottus). How do we know him?
Chandragupta Maurya.
-
What does the term 'dwija' mean?
'Dwija' describes those who wear the sacred thread after Upanayanam. Literally 'Dwija' means twice-born.
-
What was the reason for the importance of Kaveripattanam during the Sangam period?
It was among the chief ports of the Tamil countries that carried on trade with the Romans.
-
What was the intoxicating drink that was consumed by the Rig Vedic Aryans during religious ceremonies?
Soma
-
How do we better know "Sakyamuni" (Shakyamuni)?
Buddha
-
Who was the twenty-fourth and the last Tirthankara of the Jains?
Vardhamana Mahavira
-
On the basis of the Dhamma that Ashoka propagated, what is "Shusrusha"?
Shusrusha meant obedience to father, mother, teacher and men of high caste.
-
What is the literal meaning of Mohenjodaro?
Mound of the dead
-
What is a Stupa?
It is a kind of tomb where the relics of Buddha or other Buddhist monks are kept.
-
What were the four sights which Gautam saw, while being driven around the city?
An old man, a sick man, a corpse and an ascetic.
-
Who was the chief deity of the Sangam Period?
Murugan (Karttikeya)
-
Which Gupta ruler is also known as 'Kavi Raja'?
Samudragupta
-
Samudragupta is represented on coins as playing a particular musical instrument. Which musical instrument is that?
Veena
-
What is common to the following: Kumarasambhava, Ritusamhara, Raghuvamsham and Meghdootam?
They are all works of Kalidasa.
-
What was the name of Harsha's sister?
Rajyashri
-
What was the title assumed by Harsha when he ascended the throne?
Shiladitya
-
Whom did Harsha succeed?
His elder brother, Rajyavardhana
-
Mahendra, the son of Ashoka, was sent as a Buddhist missionary to a particular kingdom. Identify the kingdom.
Sri Lanka
-
In ancient times, who were the foreigners who were called Yavanas?
The Greeks. The word was derived from the Old Persian form of the word 'Yauna', signifying originally the Ionian Greeks, but later, all people of Greek nationality. In the medieval times it came to be used for all foreigners irrespective of their place of
-
What was Sumatra called as, in ancient times?
Suvarnadvipa
-
Who systematised the rules of Sanskrit grammar (4 Century BC) in the work Ashtadhyayi?
Panini
-
One of the chief sources of revenue from villages mentioned in the Ashokan inscriptions is the "Bhaga". What is it?
Bhaga: King's share of the produce of the soil, usually l/6th. The other source of revenue was the Bali. The Bali was the land tribute paid to the King.
-
In the Mauryan times if someone were referring to the Karshapana, what would he be talking about?
The Karshapana was a copper coin that was in use during the Mauryan times. Dharana was a Silver coin and the Kakani were smaller copper coins.
-
Where is Gandhara art found?
The ruins of Taksha-shila, in modern Pakistan and Afghanistan.
-
What were the Jains originally called?
Nirgrantha
-
In Jainism a small group of people were called Ganadharas. Who were they?
The close disciples of Mahavira were called Ganadharas.
-
For a while, Bhagavatism and Brahmanism were separate sects. How did the two merge into one?
When Krishna, the main deity of Bhagavatism, began to be identified with Vishnu, the main deity of Brahmanism, the two sects merged into one.
-
What is the importance of the Khyber and Bolan passes in Indian history?
The land route between India and West Asia lies through these passes.
-
Which city in ancient India was famous for its textile industry?
Mathura
-
What is Stridhana?
It is the exclusive property of a married lady, something she often inherits from her mother.
-
According to the Arthashastra the Senapati was an important member of the Mantri Parishad. What was his role?
Commander-in-Chief of the army.
-
Jyotisha is one of the Vedangas. What does it deal with?
Astronomy and astrology
-
Two popular assemblies used to control the affairs of the Vedic kingdoms. Name them.
Sabha: - Body of the elders. Constituted of Brahmins and rich patrons. Samiti: - An assembly of common people. Meant for the discharge of administration
-
Who or what are the 'Uttariya' and 'Antariya'?
In ancient India, antariya (dhoti) a lower garment was worn by all common people. Uttariya was the garment that covered the upper part of the body. In addition to these the well-to-do people wore Prapata around the waist. Around the prapata, the rich wore
-
Who built the rock-cut temples at Ellora?
The Rashtrakuta king, Krishna I.
-
In the context of Buddhism, what is Vinaya Pitaka?
It is the work that deals with the governance of the life of Buddhists. It also describes the gradual development of the Sangha and the life and teachings of Buddha.
-
What is contained in the Sutta Pitaka?
Sutta Pitaka incorporates the greatest literary works of Buddhism. Of the five collections, the first four consist of discourses of Buddha.
-
Patanjali's Mahabhashya refers to some of the stories about Krishna's early life. Who does Patanjali call Samkarshana?
Balarama
-
With which modern township would you identify the ancient port of Suppara (also known as Surparaka)?
Nala Sopara an extended suburb of modern Mumbai.
-
What was the basis of barter for common articles during the Vedic period?
Paddy
-
In which script were a majority of the Ashoka inscriptions written?
Brahmi. Brahmi script was used in the whole of the country, except the northwest.
-
What script did Ashoka use in the inscriptions of the Northwest of India?
Kharoshti script
-
The Jaina texts were finally compiled in the sixth century A.D. in Vallabhi in Gujarat. In which language were they written?
Prakrit
-
Who wrote the Arthashastra?
Kautilya
-
Which is a very important source of information for the social, political and economic life of the people living in the Tamil Naidu area in the early Christian era?
Sangam literature
-
Who is the author of the Greek work "Indika"?
Megasthenes. This book, however, is not available to us in its entirety and survives only in quotations by subsequent classical writers.
-
When did the Vikram Samvat begin in India?
It began in 57 B.C.
-
Over which part of present-day India did the Pala dynasty rule?
Bengal
-
When did the Shaka era begin in India?
78A.D.
-
Who started the Shaka era?
Kanishka of the Kushana dynasty.
-
When did the Gupta era begin in India?
In 320 A.D., after Chandragupta of the Gupta dynasty.
-
Over which kingdom did Kharavela rule?
Kalinga
-
According to Buddhist sources, a dreaded dacoit had a transformation of heart and took refuge in Buddha's Dhamma. Who was he?
Angulimala
-
An accomplished and rich dancer gave away her mango-grove to the Sangha of Buddha and became his disciple. Name her.
Amrapali
-
Why was the Indus Valley Civilisation originally called the Harappan Civilisation
It was so called because the first site of this civilization was discovered (in 1921) at the modern site of Harappa, in present day Pakistan.
-
What was the basis of the town planning of the people of the Indus Valley Civilisation?
It was the Grid System. In the format that they used all roads cut across each other almost at right angles. This led to the city being divided into blocks.
-
What was the most important public place in Mohenjodaro?
It was the Great Bath. It was probably used for ritual bathing
-
The Greeks called cotton "Sindon". There is a reason behind this name. What is it?
The people of the Indus Valley Civilisation were the first to produce cotton and therefore the Greeks called it Sindon. This word is derived from the name Sindh.
-
Karikala Chola founded a famous city. What was it?
Puhar. Identified with Kaveripatnam the Chola capital.
-
To which Age does the Indus Valley Civilisation belong?
The Bronze Age. Iron was not known to them.
-
What is the birthplace of Shankaracharya?
Kaladi. Shankaracharya was a famous exponent of the Advaita philosophy. Advaita literally means not two. Advaita believes in an eternal being and holds that the plurality is nothing but illusion.
-
How many books or Mandalas does the Rig Veda contain?
Ten
-
Who introduced chariots drawn by horses into India?
The Aryans
-
Who was born to Siddhartha and Trishala in the year 540 B.C.?
Vardhamana Mahavira
-
According to the Arthashastra, the Purohita was an important member of the Mantri Parishad. What was his role?
He was the High Priest.
-
In ancient India handicraftsmen were organised into economic corporations or guilds. What were these Guilds called?
Shreni
-
Who wrote Kadambari?
Banabhatta
-
At what age did Mahavira abandon the world and become an ascetic?
At the age of 30 yrs.
-
Where and when did Mahavira pass away?
In 468 B.C at Pavapuri, in modern Bihar.
-
Jainism was divided into two sects. Name them.
Shvetambara: - Those clad in white. Digambara: - Those who are sky-clad (or are naked)
-
Where was Buddha born?
Buddha was born in the royal grove in Lumbini near Kapilavastu.
-
Where did Buddha deliver his first sermon?
At Sarnath.
-
What was the path to be followed to be free from misery according to Buddha?
He recommended following the eight-fold path, (ashtanga magga)
-
Under whose rule did Magadha first attain prominence?
Bimbisara. According to Ashwaghosha, Bimbisara belonged to the Haryanka dynasty.
-
Who was the Royal Physician at Bimbisara's court?
Jivaka
-
Which was the capital of the kingdom of Magadha before Pataliputra?
Girivraja. Also called Rajagriha or Rajgir.
-
Who succeeded Bimbisara to the throne of Magadha?
Ajatashatru
-
Which dynasty succeeded the dynasty of Bimbisara?
The Shishunagas. They conquered the kingdom of Avanti, and made it a part of the Magadhan empire.
-
Where was Pataliputra situated?
It was situated at the confluence of the Gandak, the Son, and the Ganga. It is present-day Patna.
-
What were the reasons behind the refusal of the Greek soldiers to accompany Alexander beyond the Beas?
They were war weary and home sick. The hot climate of India did not suit them. Having experienced the fighting abilities of the Indian people they were apprehensive about the power of the Nandas. All these reasons contributed to their refusal.
-
What theme does Vishakhadatta's play, Mudrarakshasa, deal with?
The strategies adopted by Chanakya against the enemies of Chandragupta Maurya.
-
Which were the four divisions of the army in ancient India?
Infantry, cavalry, elephants and chariots.
-
Why did Ashoka exempt the village of Lumbini from 'Bali' (tribute paid to the king)?
Because this was the birthplace of Gautama Buddha.
-
Menander, also known as Milinda, was the most famous of the Indo-Greek kings. Where was his capital city?
Sakala, modern Sialkot
-
Who was the Buddhist monk who converted Menander into Buddhism?
Nagasena or Nagarjuna.
-
What is the Milinda Panha?
It is a book, which records the conversation between Nagarjuna and Menander. Milinda Panha literally means Questions by Milinda
-
Who issued the first long inscription in chaste Sanskrit?
Rudradaman, the famous Shaka ruler.
-
We know of two successive dynasties of the Kushanas. Who founded them?
The first dynasty was founded by Kadphises I and the second by Kanishka.
-
The Shakas and the Kushanas completely identified themselves with Indian culture. What factors helped them in this?
They did not have a script of their own nor did they have any organised religion.
-
What were the articles of clothing introduced in India by the Shakas and the Kushanas?
Trousers, long coat, tunic and turban. The turban, however, is mentioned as a head dress in ancient India (Ushneesha)
-
How were the foreign elements like Shaka, Pahlava and the Kushanas assimilated into Indian society?
Since they came as conquerors they were classified as Kshatriyas.
-
Buddhism was divided into two sects. What were they?
Mahayana: - The Great wheel. Hinayana: - The Lesser wheel.
-
Name the two Buddhist centres located in present day Andhra Pradesh?
Nagarjunakonda and Amaravati.
-
What was the contribution of the Greeks to Indian theatre techniques?
The use of curtain was borrowed from the Greeks. The curtain was called "Yavanika"
-
Over which areas did the Shatavahana dynasty rule?
The Deccan and Central India.
-
Over which area of India did Rashtrakutas rule?
Northern Maharashtra.
-
Who were Gandhikas?
Artisans who are mentioned as giving donations to the Buddhists. Originally Gandhika meant perfumes but was later used to describe shopkeepers. The name Gandhi is said to have been derived from it.
-
What was the Buddhist temple known as?
Chaitya
-
What was a Buddhist monastery known as?
Vihara
-
What were the main articles of trade of the Southern Kingdoms of the Cholas, the Cheras and the Pandyas?
Spices especially pepper, ivory, pearls, muslin and silk.
-
Name two of the epics of the Sangam Age
Silappadikaram, Jivakachintamani and Manimekalai.
-
What was the Uttarapatha?
It was the route that was used for trade. It ran from Taksha-shila to Broach on the Western coast.
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Which empire rose on the remains of the Kushan Empire?
The Gupta Empire.
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Who were Lichchhavis? What are they known for?
Lichchhavis ruled over a vast area from Magadha to Nepal. They were best known for the democracy they practised. It would not be correct to compare it with democracy as understood today. Some preferred to call it oligarchy.
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Who wrote 'Hitopadesha'?
Narayana Bhatta. Hitopadesha is a collection of stories, most of which were drawn from the Panchatantram of Vishnu Sharma.
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Who is regarded as the first important King of the Gupta dynasty?
Chandragupta I.
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Which Gupta ruler adopted the title 'Vikramaditya'?
Chandragupta II. He is regarded as the greatest of the Gupta rulers (376 to 414 AD).
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Who was the Chinese pilgrim who visited India during the time of Chandragupta II?
Fa-Hien
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Who was the first Gupta king to assume the title 'Rajadhiraja"?
Chandragupta I. In addition to 'Rajadhiraja', Samudragupta assumed the titles 'Parambhattaraka' and 'Paramabhagavata'
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What was the image on the royal seal of the Guptas?
Garuda
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Who was the author of the play 'Mrichchhakatikam'?
Shudraka
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Which empire rose on the ruins of the empire of the Pallavas of Kanchi?
The Chola Empire.
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A ruling dynasty at Thanesar, (in modern Haryana), extended its authority over the feudatories of the Gupta Empire. Who was the ruler who achieved this?
Harsha
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Which city did Harsha make his capital?
Kanauj
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Who was the Chinese pilgrim who visited India during the time of Harsha?
Hiuen Tsang
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Who was the ruler of South India who prevented Harsha from extending his kingdom southwards?
The Chalukya King Pulakesin II
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What religion did Harsha follow during his early years?
He was a devotee of Shiva.
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Which religious sect did Harsha patronise in his later years?
The Buddhist
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What are the Vedangas?
The limbs of the Vedas. It was necessary to learn the Vedanga to understand the Vedas. The Vedangas were : a) Shiksha (phonetics) b) Kalpa (rituals) c) Vyakarana d) Nirukta (etymology) e) Chhanda (metrics) f) Jyotisha (astronomy)
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Who was reputed to be the author of the following books: Priyadarshika, Ratnavali and Nagananda?
Harsha
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In which book would you find the famous Gayatri mantra?
Rigveda
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In the Rigveda, a daughter is sometimes referred to as 'duhitr'. What is the literal translation of the word?
One who milks the cow.
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Who was the first person to hold that the earth was a sphere and rotated on its axis?
Aryabhata. He also declared that the eclipses were not the work of Rahu but were caused by the shadow of the earth falling on the moon. Varahamihira and Brahmagupta later astronomers did not agree with his view. Aryabhata also gave an accurate approximati
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What is the 'Dharmachakrapravartana'?
The preaching of the first sermon by Buddha.
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Who was responsible for establishing the order of nuns in Buddhism?
Ananda, the personal attendant of Buddha, was largely responsible for the admission of Gautami (the widowed stepmother of Buddha) into the Sangha. This was the beginning of the order of nuns.
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Who deciphered the Asokan inscriptions?
James Prinsep.
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The word 'Aryan' originates from the Sanskrit word 'Arya'. What was the meaning of the word?
Of good family
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What was the complaint of Pliny the elder, against India?
He complained that India drained Roman wealth by selling luxury articles at high prices to Romans
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What was the name of the son of King of Takshashila who offered Alexander help in invading India?
Ambhi. This was the first recorded instance of an Indian King turning traitor.
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What was the name the Greeks used to refer to Ambhi?
Omphis
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By which name do we know the ancient city of Prayag?
Allahabad
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Of the five Siddhantas (Indian astronomical works) two are said to be of Western origin. Which?
Romaka Siddhanta and Paulisa Siddhanta. This shows that Indian astronomy was considerably influenced by Western thoughts.
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What is the modern name for the ancient city of Purushapura?
Peshawar
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From which language is the word 'Sindoora' (vermilion) derived?
Chinese. (From the Chinese word Tsin-sung.)
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According to Chinese sources Kaundinya an Indian Prince, formed a kingdom in south East Asia. Where was this kingdom located?
Cambodia
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Who was Buddha's personal physician?
Jivaka. Jivaka was the personal physician of Bimbisara. During his visit to Buddha, Bimbisara offered the services of Jivaka, who became Buddha's personal physician.
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Who were the Ajivikas?
They were one of the prominent religious sects during the time of Mahavira and Buddha.
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In Vedic times, who was referred to as a 'Grihapati'?
The master of the house
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Which common seasoning ingredient of today finds no reference in the Rig Veda?
Salt
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What was the name of the famous tract of land that lay between the Saraswati and the Drishadvati?
Kurukshetra
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What was the Rajasuya sacrifice (yajna)?
It was the yajna to mark the royal consecration. It included offerings to the gods in the houses of officials and a formal abhisheka by the priest. Other popular rites that followed were a cow-raid and a game of dice in which the king was made the Victor.
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What was the Vishwajit sacrifice?
In the Vishwajit sacrifice, the (yajamana) performer had to give away all that he possessed.
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Who succeeded Chandra Gupta I?
Samudragupta
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According to legend, who succeeded Samudragupta?
His son Rama Gupta. He was a weak ruler who surrendered his wife to a Shaka tyrant. Her honour was saved by the younger brother of Rama Gupta, Chandra Gupta, who killed the Shaka ruler, replaced his brother on the throne and married Dhruvadevi.
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Who succeeded Chandra Gupta II?
His son Kumara Gupta, who ruled from AD 415 to 455.
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Who or what were the Huns?
They were a race of fierce, warlike people, whose original home was in the steppes of Central Asia. They spread terror and destruction both in the West (i.e. the Roman Empire) and India.
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Which Gupta ruler successfully defended his empire against the invading Huns
Skanda Gupta
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Which Gupta ruler performed the Ashwamedha yajna?
Samudra Gupta
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Into which group of people were the Huns assimilated by the Indian society?
The Rajputs
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Which dynasty claimed its descent from Lakshmana, the brother of Shri Rama?
The Pratiharas. By the ninth century the influence of Pratiharas extended from the Punjab to central India and from Kathiawar to north Bengal
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Who invented the decimal place value system?
Aryabhata invented the decimal place value system. Scholars hold that it cannot be said with certainty that the system was invented by Aryabhata. It seems it was known to astronomers who came before him.
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The Cholas extended their territory in South India and also conquered the northern part of Sri Lanka. Who was the ruler who made northern Sri Lanka a province of his empire?
Rajaraja Chola.
-
India is the largest country in the Indian Subcontinent, deriving its name from the river Indus which flows in the northwest. Indian mainland extends in the tropical zone from latitute 8o4' north to 37o6' north and from longitude 68o7' east 97o25' east. T
-
The first Olympiad was held in Greece in the year
776 BC
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Which part of India did the Arabs first conquer?
Sindh. Mohammed Ibn-Kasim, the nephew and son-in-law of the governor of Iraq, defeated Dahir Sen in 712 A.D.
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What are the four sources of Law according to the law giver, Manu?
a. Sruti or the Vedas. b. Smriti (expanded version of the Dharma shastras). Smriti is also regarded as the only authentic source of Hindu Law and social customs, c. Customs of holy men d. One's own inclination
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By what name was the area of western and northwestern Bengal known?
Gauda. The name was applied both to the people and their country.
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Where in Maharashtra are frescoes that depict the Jataka Stories?
At Ajanta, near Ellora caves.
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What was the language used by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization
Historians have as yet not been able to determine the language used by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization. The script used by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization has also not been deciphered.
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Which was the animal that was most engraved on Indus Valley Civilization seals?
The Humpless Bull
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What was unique about the ascension to the throne by Gopala, the founder of the Pala dynasty in Gauda (present day West Bengal)?
He was not a hereditary ruler, but was elected by the people to rule over them.
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Which was the seat of power of the Pallava dynasty?
Kanchipuram. The Pallavas founded the first great empire in south India. Under the Pallavas, Kanchi became a great centre of Brahminical and Buddhist learning.
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Who was the Chola ruler who crossed the Ganga and defeated the rulers there?
Rajendra Chola
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When did the first invasion of Mahmud of Ghazni take place?
1000 A.D.
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Who was the first Indian ruler defeated by Mahmud of Ghazni?
Jayapala of the Hindushahi dynasty.
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Where is Ghazni?
In modem Afghanistan
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Why were temples the main target of Mahmud of Ghazni?
They had immense wealth stockpiled.
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Who was the Arab traveller whose work on India is referred to as a mirror of 11"1 century India?
Alberuni.
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At whose request did Alberuni travel to India?
Mahmudof Ghazni.
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At which battle did Prithviraj Chauhan defeat Mohammed of Ghori?
In the first Battle of Tarain in 1190-91.
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Which medieval ruler is reputed to be an author of almost 20 books on subjects as diverse as medicine, architecture and astronomy?
Raja Bhoja of the Paramara dynasty. The Paramara dynasty ruled over the Malwa region
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Identify the person who was in charge of Mohammad of Ghori's possessions in India.
Qutbuddin Aibak
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To which deity was the temple of Somnath dedicated?
Shiva
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Who wrote the Ramayana in Tamil?
Kamban
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Why is the term "Slave dynasty" an inaccurate term?
Only three sultans (Qutbuddin Aibak, Iltutmish and Balban) were slaves, and later even they were released from slavery by their masters. They were slaves, but only in the early part of their lives.
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Who was the only woman to ascend the throne of Delhi?
Razia Sultana
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Which Persian historian accompanied Alauddin Khalji on his expedition to Chittor?
Amir Khusrau
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The Choda Ganga dynasty of Orissa was responsible for the construction of some famous temples. Can you identify them?
The Jagannath temple at Puri and the Sun Temple at Konark
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Name the king of Mewar who is said to have built thirty two forts during his reign?
RanaKumbha
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How did Rana Kumbha celebrate his victory over Mahmud Khalji of Malwa?
He built the Tower of Victory in Chittor. It is called the Vijayastambha.
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Who helped Humayun save himself after the Battle of Chausa?
A water carrier helped Humayun cross the Ganga and to safety
-
Over which kingdom did Chand Bibi rule?
She ruled over Ahmadnagar as a Regent.
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What articles of trade was the kingdom of Golconda known for?
Diamonds and textiles
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Who founded the city of Hyderabad?
Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah.
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Who was the Qutub Minar dedicated to?
The Sufi saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki and not Qutbuddin Aibak as people mistakenly assume.
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In which language did Shankaradeva, a Bhakti Saint, propagate his views?
Assamese
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In which language did Surdas sing?
Brij
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Where is the famous Kamakhya temple (Kamakshi)?
At Guwahati
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Which Mughal Emperor adopted the Zoroastrian practice of Navroz?
Akbar
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Which were the provinces added by Aurangzeb to the Mughal Empire?
Bijapur and Golconda
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Who took care of Shah Jahan when he was kept imprisoned by Aurangzeb?
Jahanara, Shah Jahan's daughter.
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Who installed a chain of bells outside his palace gate?
Jahangir
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Why was the chain of bells installed?
This was the "Chain of Justice" installed to ensure that all citizens of the country had access to justice
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During the reign of which Mughal Emperor was the peacock throne made?
Shah Jahan
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Which place did Vasco da Gama reach when he found a new route to India?
Calicut. Now known as Kozhikode
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What were the European Factories that are referred to in Indian history?
Factories were nothing but fortified trading stations established by the European powers in India.
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Where did the English set up their first factory?
Surat
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Who was the Englishman who succeeded in getting a farman from the Mughals exempting the English from paying any inland toll?
Sir Thomas Ro
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What prompted Jahangir to allow the English to set up a factory in Surat?
The British defeated the Portuguese naval squadrons. Jahangir wanted to use the English as a counter against the growing Portuguese power
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What were the reasons why the British wanted to secure Bombay from the Portuguese?
Those controlling Bombay controlled trade on the west coast. And there was no interference from either the Mughals or the Marathas on this sea.
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Which city did Job Charnock establish?
Colcutta
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Which Saint inspired the Marathas with ideals of social reform and national regeneration?
Saint Samarth Ramdas
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Surface water resources are highest in
Ganga plains
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Near which fort, acquired early in his career, did Shivaji build Raigarh?
Torna
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Between 1649 and 1655 Shivaji suspended offensive operations against Bijapur. Why did he do so?
His father had been arrested and was released only on the condition that Shivaji suspend his military activities.
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Alauddin Khalji was the nephew and son-in-law of a Delhi Sultan whom he later murdered. Who was the sultan?
Jalaluddin Firuz Khalji.
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One of the more interesting causes for a battle fought in Indian history has been vividly described by Malik Muhammad Jayasi in his epic Padmavat. What, according to Malik Muhammad Jayasi was the cause of the battle?
That Allaudin Khalji invaded Chittor because he was infatuated by Padmini, the queen of Rana Ratan Singh of Mewar.
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Why did Muhammad-bin-Tughluq shift his capital from Delhi?
He shifted his capital to Deogir (Deogiri) because it held a central position in the empire and therefore, would be safe from Mongol invasions.
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Who was the first Afghan to be seated on the throne of Delhi?
Buhlul Khan Lodi (in April 1451).
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Which kingdom came into existence during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq?
Bahmani kingdom
-
Where is Babur buried?
He is buried in Kabul
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Poems of which Kashmiri poet are the oldest of the ones still available with us?
LallaDidi(LalDed)
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The ruler of Bihar conferred upon the young Farid a title. What was the title and why was it conferred upon him?
Sher Khan, for killing a tiger single-handed.
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What was the name assumed by Farid when he ascended the throne?
Sher Shah
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Who were the opponents in the battle fought at Chausa?
Humayun and Sher Shah.
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How did Sher Shah die?
Sher Shah died due to an accidental explosion of gunpowder while attempting to capture the fort Kalinjar in 1545.
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Which ruler helped Humayun recover Kandahar and Kabul?
The Ruler of Persia
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Who proclaimed Akbar the Emperor?
Bairam Khan in 1556
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What words did Saint Ramanuja use to describe the scheduled castes?
Tirukulattar (Belonging to the family of God).
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At what age did Akbar ascend the thorne?
Thirteen years
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How did Humayun die?
Humayun tumbled down the stairs of his library when he was responding to the call of muezzin for evening prayers.
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What was the occupation of Himu (also spelt Hemu) before he rose to prominence in politics?
He was a grocer
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Who fought the second battle of Panipat?
Akbar and Himu
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Who wrote Lilavati, a treatise on Algebra?
Bhaskaracharya
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What title did Himu adopt after he occupied Agra and Delhi by defeating its Mughal governor?
Raja Vikramaditya
-
Who did Iltutmish nominate as his successor
His daughter Razia
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Himu, in the battle of Panipat, gained initial success against the Mughal forces. How did the tide turn in the favour of the Mughals?
A chance arrow struck Himu in the eye rendering him unconscious. Deprived of his leadership his soldiers dispersed in confusion
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The Mughal forces defeated a Rajput ruler at the pass of Haldighat. Which ruler are we talking about?
Rana Pratap
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Which work describes the romantic story of the marriage of Sanyogita the daughter of the Gahadavala king Jaichandra with Prithviraj Chauhan?
Prithviraja Raso
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Marco Polo was a traveller (from Venice) who is very well known for his adventures. Which south Indian dynasty does he mention in his travelogues?
The Kakatiya dynasty
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Timur or Tamerlane, a central Asian Turk (and an ancestor of Babur) invaded India and ransacked Delhi. Who was the ruler of Delhi at that time?
Sultan Mahmud Shah.
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Name the ruler of the Tughluq dynasty who was well versed in Astronomy, Mathematics and Medicine.
Muhammad bin Tughluq.
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A particular dance form gained prominence during the Vijayanagara period. What was the dance form?
Yakshagana
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Who fought the battle of Talikota?
The battle was fought between the Vijayanagara Empire and the combined forces of the Deccan Sultans. The Sultan of Berar however did not take part in this battle.
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Who won the battle of Talikota?
The Vijayanagara forces were comprehensively defeated and this eventually led to their downfall.
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Where was the Battle of Talikota fought?
It was fought in the area between the villages of Rakassi and Tangadi (Tagdi). Due to the bloodshed and ruin that this battle brought on the Vijayanagara Empire it was also called 'Raktakshi Tangadi'.
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Who were the opponents at the battle of Khanua?
Rana Sanga and Babur.
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What was the name of RanaPratap's horse?
Chetak
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Who was the Jesuit missionary who held personal discussions with Akbar?
Anthony Monserrate
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How do we better know Mihr-un-nisa in Indian history?
NurJahan
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What was the title given to Mihr-un-nisa by Jahangir?
Nur Mahal (the light of the Palace). The title was later changed to Nur Jahan (Light of the World).
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Who was the Mughal queen whose name was written on all the imperial Mughal farmans of her time and inscribed on coins?
Nur Jahan.
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After Akbar secured victory in Gujarat he undertook an activity to commemorate this victory. What was that activity?
He founded the city of Fatehpur Sikri.
-
By which name was Ramtanu Mishra known?
Tansen. He was earlier in the employment of the Raja of Rewah
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Name the Mughal emperor who was an accomplished veena player.
Aurangzeb
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The Razmnama in Persian was a compilation by several scholars. Of which Hindu epic was this a translation?
Mahabharata
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Name Aurangzeb's daughter who wrote under the pen name Makhi and produced a collection of poems.
Zebunnisa
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King Charles II of England married the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza. How did this event affect Indian history?
The Portuguese transferred the islands that make up modern Mumbai to the British as the dowry of Catherine.
-
From whom did the Portuguese capture Goa?
Sultan of Bijapur.
-
Who was the Portuguese Governor who captured Goa?
Alfonso de Albuquerque.
-
What was Shivaji's council of ministers known as?
The Ashla Pradhan Mandal.
-
Who were the opponents in the battle of Takkolam?
Cholas and Pandyas. The Pandyas were completely defeated.
-
How do we better know the Kingdom of Pragjyotishpur?
Assam
-
Which dynasties rose on the ruins of the Chola dynasty?
The Pandyas and the Hoysalas.
-
Who wrote the Telugu version of the Mahabharata?
Nanniah. Though he began the work it was eventually completed by Tikkanna.
-
Who were the "Nayanars" in Tamil Nadu?
They were devotees of Shiva who flourished between the sixth and ninth centuries.
-
Who were the "Alvars" in Tamil Nadu?
They were the devotees of Vishnu.
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Who fought the second battle of Tarain in 1192 A,D?
Prithviraj Chauhan and Muhammad Ghori.
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Before the battle of Tarain, Prithviraj Chauhan appealed for help from the rajas of North India. One prominent ruler refused any. Who was this ruler?
Jaichandra of Kanauj
-
What was the capital of the Bahmani kingdom?
Gulbarga.
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Who was the Turkish officer who conquered the area of north Bengal?
BakhtiyarKhalji
-
How did Qutbuddin Aibak die?'
He fell off his horse while playing chaugan (polo) and died due to the resultant injuries.
-
Who succeeded Qutbuddin Aibak to the throne of Delhi?
Iltutmish (son-in-law of Qutbuddin Aibak)
-
What did Shivaji say when he got the news of the capture of Kondana?
"Gadh aala pun Sinha gela" - We got the fort but lost the lion (referring to Tanaji Malsure).
-
What was the original name of the town Daulatabad?
Deogiri (Devgiri)
-
For how long did Razia rule?
About three and a half years.
-
How do we better know Ulugh Khan in Indian history?
Balban
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What were the ceremonies introduced by Balban, merely to demonstrate his superiority to other nobles?
Sijada-Prostration Paibos - Kissing the emperor's feet. He introduced these ceremonies to demonstrate his superiority over the nobles.
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During whose rule did the Mongols make the first serious attempt to establish their rule over Delhi?
Alauddin Khalji.
-
What is the region of Kamrup known in modern India?
Assam
-
Who were the sons of Shah Jahan?
Dara Shikoh (also Shukoh), Shuja Murad and Aurangze
-
During the reign of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, where was his son Muhammad Tughlaq posted?
Deogir.
-
Who was the first sultan of Delhi to pay his soldiers in cash?
Alauddin Khalji.
-
Which ruler introduced the concept of token currency in India?
Muhammad Bin Tughlaq
-
Harihara and Bukka rebelled against Muhammad Bin Tughlaq and founded a kingdom. What was it?
The Vijayanagara Kingdom.
-
Whom did Shah Jahan choose, in his last will, as his heir apparent?
Dara Shukoh
-
During whose rule did jizyah become a separate tax?
Firuz Tughlaq. It was a part of the land revenue in earlier times.
-
During the period of the Delhi Sultanate who was the most important official?
TheWazir
-
Who was commissioned by Akbar to write the history of his reign?
AbulFazI
-
What did India import from China (during the medieval period)?
Porcelain, raw silk.
-
What is Jnaneshwari?
The free rendering of the Gita in Marathi, along with elucidation.
-
From whom did some sections of the Hindus adopt the concept of the purdah?
The Turks.
-
Who was the guru of Harihara and Bukka?
Vidyaranya. He was the one who readmitted them into the Hindu fold.
-
Who were the first two kings of the Vijayanagara Empire?
Harihara (1336-1356), Bukka I (1356-1377)
-
Who founded the Bahmani Kingdom?
Alauddin Hasan also called Hasan Gangu
-
What title did Alauddin Hasan adopt at his coronation?
Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah. He is supposed to have adopted the name Bahman Shah as a mark of respect for a Brahmin in whose service he had risen to greatness.
-
Which Bahmani ruler encouraged the study of astronomy and even built an observatory near Daulatabad?
Firuz Shah Bahmani.
-
What was the title of the ruler of Calicut (Kozhikode)?
What was the title of the ruler of Calicut (Kozhikode)?
-
Who were the parents of Sankaracharya?
Sivaguru and Aryamba.
-
Who wrote Ain-i-Akbari?
Abul Fazl. It is a work which deals with regulations issued by Akbar.
-
Who was the Sultan of Malwa who died when he went on board a Portuguese ship for negotiations?
Bahadur Shah.
-
Which European power declared that trade in pepper, warhorses and arms and ammunitions was a royal monopoly?
Portugal
-
From which area have the potato and tobacco been introduced into India?
Central America. By the Portuguese.
-
Who was born in Talwandi in 1469?
GuruNanak
-
What form of worship did Chaitanya Mahaprabhu popularise?
Kirtans
-
In which language did Narasimha Mehta (also known as Narsee Mehta) compose his songs and preach?
Gujarati
-
Which language did the Turks introduce into India?
Persian
-
Who was Nizammudin Auliya?
A famous Sufi saint. His Dargah is in Delhi.
-
Which was the language, apart from Persian, used for administrative purpose in the Bahmani kingdom?
Marathi
-
What was the chief reason for the difference between Hindustani and Camatic music?
The introduction of Persian scales in Hindustani music led to the difference.
-
Babur, after defeating Ibrahim Lodi and Rana Sanga had to deal with the Afghans who had regrouped. Who did the Afghans proclaim as their leader?
Mahmud Lodi, brother of Ibrahim Lodi.
-
What was the new mode of warfare introduced by Babur in India?
Extensive use of gunpowder. Though gunpowder was known in India, it was not used as skilfully and in combination with cavalry as Babur did.
-
What was the name of Babur's memoirs?
Tizuk-I-Baburi.
-
Which kingdom did Shahaji Bhonsale, Shivaji's father serve initially?
The Nizam Shahis of Ahmednagar. When Shah Jahan captured Ahmednagar, Shahaji sought service with the Sultan of Bijapur
-
Who was the ruler of Malwa who was among the chief adversaries of Humayun?
Bahadur Shah.
-
Who built a new city at Delhi called Dinpanah?
Humayun
-
At which battle was Humayun defeated by Sher Shah?
The Battle of Chausa (March 1539) and Battle of Kanauj (May 1540).
-
At what age did Sher Shah ascend the throne of Delhi?
At 67 years.
-
Where did Sher Shah build a Mausoleum for himself?
Sasaram. (InBihar)
-
Who repaired the Grand Trunk road that ran from the river Indus to Sonargaon in Bengal?
SherShah
-
Where was Akbar born?
Amarkotin 1542
-
Where was Akbar crowned?
Kalanaur in Punjab in 1556.
-
What was the title that Bairam Khan adopted?
He became the wakil of the kingdom with the title Khan-I-Khanan.
-
Who was the ruler of Malwa, who was defeated by the Mughal forces?
Baz Bahadur. He was a master musician and an accomplished poet. There were also stories of his romance with the beautiful and talented Roopmati.
-
Who were the two famous warriors of Chittor who held the Mughal forces at bay for almost six months?
Jaimal and Patta. Akbar, to honour these two warriors ordered their stone statues, seated on elephants, be erected outside the gate of the Agra fort.
-
What did Akbar divide his empire into?
Suba. Each Suba was under a governor called Subedar.
-
Who succeeded Rana Udai Singh to the throne of Mewar?
Rana Pratap (in 1572)
-
Akbar sent a series of embassies to Rana Pratap. These were sent to persuade him to accept the suzerainty of the Mughals. Who led these embassies?
Man Singh, Bhagwan Das, Raja Todar Mal.
-
To whom did Akbar assign the task to translate the Bible (Gospel) into Persian?
AbulFazl
-
Which famous Mughal courtier lost his life in a campaign against the tribesmen of the Khyber pass?
RajaBirbal.
-
Akbar, in 1575, built the Ibadat Khana. What was it for?
It was the Hall of Prayer at Fatehpur Sikri.
-
What was the original name of Raja Birbal?
MaheshDas
-
Who founded Din-I-Ilahi?
Akbar. Birbal was the only Hindu to accept the new religion of Din-i-Ilahi or Tauhid-i-Ilahi.
-
Who ordered the construction of the Charminar?
Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. He was a patron of art and architecture and a poet in Dakhani Urdu, Persian and Telugu. He had the Charminar constructed in 1591-92 at the centre of the new city of Hyderabad.
-
The Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur is one of the largest single domed structures constructed. Which dynasty built it?
The Adil Shahi dynasty. A whisper at one end can be heard at the other end.
-
Jehangir had to face a rebellion immediately after he ascended the throne. Who was the rebel?
Khusrau, Jehangir's eldest son.
-
Which Sikh guru completed the compilation of the Adi Granth?
Guru Arjan Dev.
-
Which Mughal Prince had the Gita translated into Persian?
Dara Shukoh (also spelt Shikoh).
-
Whom did the ruler of Bijapur send to capture Shivaji?
Afzal Khan.
-
Who was the Mughal Governor of Deccan who was instructed by Aurangazeb to invade Shivaji's territories?
Shaista Khan
-
Which Mughal port city did Shivaji attack in 1664?
Surat
-
Who persuaded Shivaji to visit Aurangazeb at Agra?
Raja Jai Singh of Amber.
-
Golconda, the world famous kingdom was built on the ruins of an old Hindu Kingdom. Which one?
Warangal.
-
How was Mumtaz Mahal related to Nur Jahan?
Mumtaz Mahal was the daughter of Asaf Khan, Nur Jahan's brother.
-
Who is regarded as the father of Carnatic music?
Purandaradasa
-
How could Shivaji with a relatively small army fight against the army of Bijapur?
By adopting Guerrilla Warfare.
-
Whom did King Prataparudra consider as his guru?
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
-
What was the capital of the Rajput Kingdom of Mewar?
Chitor
-
What was the act that led to the martyrdom of Guru Arjan?
Khusrav, the son of Jehangir rebelled unsuccessfully against his father. When Khusrav was fleeing the Mughal forces, he was honourably received by Guru Arjan and provided with some money. This was perceived by Jehangir as an act of treason and ultimately
-
Humayun attacked and besieged the fort of Chunar because it commanded the route between Agra and the east. Who was the person who held the fort?
SherShah
-
What gift did Humayun offer Babur after Babur arrived in Agra following the first Battle of Panipat?
The Koh-i-nur.
-
Who saved the life of Uday Singh of Mewar, when he was still a prince?
Panna. Panna, who was Uday Singh's nurse realised that his life was in danger; she placed her own son in Uday Singh's bed. The attackers assuming that Panna's son was the prince killed him thus saving Uday Singh.
-
From where did the Hoysala dynasty rule?
Dorasamudra (or Dwarasamudra). The Hoysalas succeeded the Chalukyas of Kalyana as the leading power of the Mysore area
-
Domingo Paes, the famous Portuguese traveller, described this city as the best provided city in the world. Name the city.
Vijayanagar
-
Who was the poet who enriched Kashmiri literature with her exquisite lyrics on love and life?
Habba Khatun (also spelt Habba Khotun)
-
Who is the author of the Telugu work "Amuktamalyada"?
Sri Krishnadevaraya, the greatest of the Vijayanagara rulers.
-
Over which part of India did Queen Didda (980-1003)rule?
Kashmir
-
According to tradition who were Harihara I and Bukka I serving before founding the Vijayanagara Empire?
Prataparudra of Warangal.
-
During the time of the Vijayanagara rule, (Krishnadevaraya) what was the title adopted by the rulers of Orissa?
Gajapati (1434 to 1541)
-
Vishwambhara (Nimai) was responsible for the revival of Vaishnavism in Bengal. What was the name by which we know him?
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
-
The Sangama dynasty (1336 -1485), the Saluva dynasty (1485 - 1505) the Tuluva dynasty (1505 -1570), and the Aravidu dynasty (1570 - 1649). These dynasties ruled over, in the sequence given, the same kingdom. Which kingdom are we talking about?
Vijayanagara Empire
-
How did Timur come to be called Tamerlane?
Timur had a limp because of an injury to his leg. Due to this the Persians called him Timur-i-lang (Timur the lame) which was corrupted by Europeans into Tamerlane.
-
What was the capital of the kingdom of the Gonds?
Chandrapur. Durgavati was the queen of the Gonds who fought bravely with the Mughal forces sent by Akbar.
-
Who was Gorakhshanath, popularly known as Gorakhnath?
Gorakhnath popularized the practice of Hathayoga throi AD. throughout India. He lived in the 10lh - 11th century
-
Where was Kabir born? What was he known for?
Kabir was born in Varanasi. Throughout his life he kept dwelling on the essential unity of all religions
-
What are Abhangs? Who composed them?
Abhang literally means unbroken. Unbroken rhymes were referred to as Abhangs. Tukaram is best known for his Abhangs. Many saints that came after him also composed Abhangs.
-
According to tradition who was the guru of Kabir?
Ramananda
-
In which year was emergency declared in post-independent India?
In 1975.
-
What did the East India Company acquire as its zamindari in 1698?
The zamindari of Sutanati, Kalikata and Govindpur.
-
Where is Fort William located?
Present day Kolkata.
-
Which European power established itself at chandernagore and Pondicherry?
The French
-
During the rule of Tipu Sultan, what was the capital of Mysore?
Srirangapatnam
-
What were the Indian soldiers in the English army called?
Sepoys
-
During the rule of Muhammad Shah, who was the ruler of Persia who invaded India?
Nadir Shah
-
What was the result of the Battle of Karnal fought between Nadir Shah and Emperor Mohammad Shah?
The Mughals lost and the Emperor Muhammad Shah was taken prisoner,
-
Among the other things, what were the precious articles Nadir Shah carried away from India?
The Koh-i-noor diamond and the Peacock throne.
-
After Nadir Shah's death, which of his generals established his authority in Afghanistan?
Ahmad Shah Abdali
-
What was the Doctrine of Lapse?
When the ruler of a protected state died without a natural heir, the adopted heir would not be able to succeed him. In such a case the state would be annexed by the British. The only exception would be if the British authorities approved of the adoption b
-
Who was the Peshwa who signed the "Subsidiary Alliance"?
Peshwa Baji Rao II on December 31, 1802. This was after the combined armies of the Peshwa and the Sindhia were defeated by the Holkar.
-
Who fought the third Battle of Panipat?
Ahmad Shah Abdali and the Marathas (on 14th Jan 1761).
-
Who fought the battle of Buxar?
The English fought against a confederacy of Mir Kasim; Shah Alam, the Mughal Emperor and Nawab Shuja-ud-daulah.
-
What was the result of the battle of Buxar?
The English won and established their supremacy in Bengal.
-
Which Indian ruler was a member of the Jacobin Club?
Tlpu Sultan.
-
Name the Indian ruler who tried to promote trade with Russia, Arabia and Turkey. He also tried to set up a trading company on the lines of the East India Company.
Tipu Sultan.
-
Of which state was Martanda Varma the ruler?
Travancore
-
The capital of the state of Travancore became an important centre of Sanskrit scholarship towards the later half of the 18th century. How do we know it today?
Thiruvanthapuram (Trivandrum)
-
Who founded the city of Jaipur?
Raja Sawai Jai Singh of Amber
-
Where did Raja Sawai Jai Singh build astronomical observatories?
Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Varanasi and Mathura.
-
Under which guru did the Sikhs become a united political power?
Guru Gobind Singh.
-
He was born in a Bengali Brahmin family at Radhanagar in 1774. He served under the East India Company from 1803 to 1814. He also founded the Brahmo Samaj? Who was he?
He was born in a Bengali Brahmin family at Radhanagar in 1774. He served under the East India Company from 1803 to 1814. He also founded the Brahmo Samaj? Who was he?
-
Why was the Cripps Mission sent to India?
The British Government wanted India's help in the Second World War. It sent the Cripps Commission to persuade Indian leaders to support its war effort.
-
Who was the guru of Swami Vivekananda?
Ramakrishna Paramhansa. He was a saint who lived in Dakshineshwar in Bengal.
-
Over which kingdom did Ahalyabai rule?
Indore
-
Who was the first Viceroy of India? (appointed after the revolt of 1857)
Lord Canning (1858-62).
-
When did the revolt of 1857 start?
At Meerut, on May 10,1857.
-
Name India's first newspaper?
Bengal Gazette.
-
When and where did the first Congress session take place?
1885, Bombay. Goculdas Tejpal Auditorium
-
When did Gandhiji start his Dandi March?
Marchl2,1930.
-
Who was known as the "Frontier Gandhi"?
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan.
-
Who wrote the novel, 'Anand Math'?
Bankim Chandra Chatterji
-
Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood as a protest against an incident. Name the incident.
The Jailianwalla Baug massacre.
-
He was an uncle of Bhagat Singh and was closely . associated with Lala Lajpat Rai. He founded the "Bharat Mata" society and worked for the Ghadar party. He died on 15th August 1947. Who was it?
AjitSingh
-
What was the Kuka movement?
The Kuka movement began as a religious movement. Its aim was to purify die Sikh religion by removing superstitions mat had crept into it. After the conquest of the Punjab by the British, the revival of the Sikh sovereignty became its chief aim.
-
Who wrote the poem "Heer Ranjha" (also known simply as "Heer")?
Wans Shah
-
He was born in Cuttack in 1897. He ranked 4lh in the ICS (the forerunner of the IAS) exam but resigned. He was elected President of the Indian National Congress in 1938 and 1939, in spite of opposition from Mahatma Gandhi. He organised the Azad Hind Fauj
Subhas Chandra Bose.
-
The Revolt of 1857 started in Meerut. To which regiment did the Sepoys belong?
3rd Cavalry
-
What was the immediate cause of the revolt?
The introduction of the New Enfield Rifle whose cartridges were believed to be greased with the fat of cows and pigs. Both Hindus and Muslims resented this.
-
Who led the revolt in Kanpur?
NanaSaheb
-
Which was die Maratha family that established itself in Baroda?
The Gaekwads established themselves at Baroda, the Bhonsales at Nagpur, Holkars at Indore and the Sindhias at Gwalior.
-
What were the Dastaks?
They were passes that the East India Company had the right to issue for the movement of goods. The East India Company did not pay any taxes on these goods.
-
The English secured the Diwani of Bengal from the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam. This Diwani was however different from the existing practice by the Mughals. In what respect?
The English got their Diwani rights permanently as opposed to the practice of limited tenure. Also under the Mughal system the office was given to an individual.
-
What did the Charter Act of 1833 achieve?
It divested the East India Company of its commercial functions.
-
He was born in 1856 in Ratnagiri. He was one of the founders of the Poona New English School. In 1908 he was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment in Mandalay. He died in August 1920. Who is he?
Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
-
Who recaptured Jhansi for die British?
Sir Hugh Rose.
-
The Sikhs were organised into a confederacy of 12 units. What was the term given to these units?
Misl
-
Who was the first Peshwa of the Maratha kingdom?
Balaji Vishwanath.
-
What help did Balaji Vishwanath render the Sayyid brothers?
He marched to Delhi and helped them overthrow the Mughal Emperor Farrukh Siyar. (1719).
-
Who succeeded Balaji Vishwanath as the Peshwa?
BajiRaoI
-
He was born in 1888 in Mecca. He was a scholar of Arabic, Persian, Urdu and fluent in Islamic theology. He was the education minister in Nehru's cabinet. Who was he?
Abdul Kalam Azad
-
What was the Rowlatt Act?
The Rowlatt Act sought to impose wartime restrictions on civil liberties on a permanent basis. It provided for detention without trial.
-
Who is called the 'Mother of the Indian Revolution'?
Madam Bhikhaji Rustam K.R. Cama
-
When did Bhikhaji Cama unfurl the Indian flag?
August 1907 at the International Socialist Congress held in Stuttgart. This was a tricolour in green, red and yellow.
-
What was the revolutionary Jatin Mukherji popularly known as?
Bagha Jatin.
-
Why did all the Congress ministers resign in 1939?
The working committee of the Congress asked the British Government to state whether their war aims included the elimination of imperialism and the treatment of India as a free nation. The British did not give a satisfactory reply. Hence they all resigned.
-
When was the Sharada Act for prevention of child marriage passed?
In 1929. It was to come into force from 1930.
-
Who founded the "Mirat-ul-Akbhar", the first Journal in Persian and the "Banga-Dutta" a weekly in four Languages?
Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
-
He was a watchmaker by profession and had come to India from Netherlands in 1800. He however spent his entire life promoting education in India. He founded the Hindu College in Calcutta to take forward his ideas. Who was he?
David Hare.
-
He was the Principal of die Sanskrit College in Calcutta and opened its gates to non-Brahmin students. He was a great proponent of widow-remarriages and the first lawful Hindu widow remarriage among the upper castes was celebrated under his supervision. W
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.
-
Who started the Swatantra Party?
C. Rajagopalachari.
-
Who gave the slogan "Do or Die"?
Mahtma Gandhi. While launching the Quit India movement.
-
Where is JalHanwala Baug?
In Amritsar.
-
What infamous event occurred on April 13, 1919?
The Jallianwala Baug massacre.
-
Why were people gathered at the JallianwaJa Baug?
They had gathered there to protest against the arrest of their leaders Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal.
-
Who was the first Governor General of Bengal?
Warren Hastings
-
What was the most important difference between the British and other conquerors of India?
Previous invaders became an integral part of India, whereas the British always maintained their own identity.
-
Who was the Maratha general who repeatedly fought against die British during die 1857 revolt and later kept harassing the British with guerrilla warfare till he was betrayed by Mansingh and hanged by the British?
TatiaTope.
-
When was the Champaran Agitation launched?
The Champaran agitation was launched in the Champaran district of Bihar. It was against the English landlords who used to force the peasants, to cultivate indigo. When synthetic indigo was discovered they began to force the peasants to pay them compensati
-
Which area did the Japanese hand over to the Azad Hind Government?
Andaman and Nicobar islands.
-
Where did Mahatma Gandhi establish his first ashram in India?
At Sabarmati, Ahmedabad.
-
Who popularised the Young India Journal?
Mahatma Gandhi
-
Why did Mahatma Gandhi spin cloth daily?
To emphasise the dignity of labour and the value of self-reliance. Gandhi once said that from among the activities he was engaged in, khadi and uplift of the scheduled castes was the most important to him.
-
Why was the Akali movement started?
To remove corrupt mahants from the Gurudwaras.
-
What was the unique mode of protest of the population of Chirala (in present day Andhra Pradesh) against the British?
The whole town refused to pay the municipal tax and moved out of the village.
-
What was the Chauri Chaura incident?
A crowd angered by police firing set Fire to a police station killing many policemen.
-
What was the impact of the Chauri Chaura incident on the Freedom struggle
Gandhiji suspended the struggle because he felt people had yet to understand the concept of non-violence.
-
Where was the decision to suspend the agitation taken?
Bardoli in Gujarat.
-
Who founded the Swarajya party?
Chitta Ranjan Das and Motilal Nehru.
-
To which country did Subhas Chandra Bose escape to carry on the Freedom Struggle?
Germany. He escaped from Calcutta (Kolkata) and travelled through Peshawar, reaching Kabul via Jalalabad. From there he went to Russia (with an Italian passport) and then to Berlin from Moscow.
-
Who is the father of the Indian Chemical Industry?
Prafulla Chandra Ray.
-
After Delhi fell to the British during the revolt of 1857 what brutal act did the British officer Hodson commit?
He shot dead the sons of Bahadur Shah at point blank range
-
Who passed a resolution declaring Sati illegal and punishable by the courts?
William Bentinck.
-
Who led the rebellion of the Koyas (tribals of the West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh) against the British?
Alluri Sitarama Raju.
-
When was Bengal first partitioned by the British, leading to wide-spread agitation?
In 1905.
-
Who did the soldiers, who rebelled in Meerut, declare as the Emperor of India?
The soldiers set out for Delhi from Meerut where they were joined by the local infantry. Here they proclaimed Bahadur Shah as the Emperor of India.
-
Who led the revolt at Lucknow?
Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh.
-
What did Swami Dayananda Saraswati regard as infallible?
The Vedas. He considered them to be the fountain of knowledge.
-
Madam H.P. Blavatsky and Colonel H.S Olcott founded the headquarters of this society at Adyar, Madras. Which society was this?
The Theosophical Society.
-
Who was the first Indian to be elected to the leadership of the Communist International?
M.N.Roy.
-
Who threw a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly?
Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt (on April 9, 1929).Their aim in throwing a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly was, as their leaflet pointed out, "to make the deaf hear". Not to hurt anyone.
-
Which British general defeated Haider Ali?
EyreCooteinJuly 1781.
-
He was a member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army. He was sentenced to death for his role in the Kakori train conspiracy. He composed the revolutionary song, "Sarfaroshi ki tamana ab hamare dil mein hai....." Name him.
Ram Prasad Bismil. (1897-1927).
-
Who became the Peshwa after the Battle of Panipat?
Madhav Rao. After the death of Balaji Baji Rao.
-
Which Mughal Emperor became a pensioner of the Marathas in 1771?
ShahAlam
-
When was the Poona Pact signed by Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar?
In 1932.
-
When did Mahatma Gand
1915 (January).
-
Who was the Viceroy who was assassinated by a convict when he visited the Andamans?
Lord Mayo.
-
When was the "Quit India" Resolution passed?
August 8, 1942, in Goculdas Tejpal Auditorium in Bombay.
-
Who was the only Indian ruler who never alied himself with the British to fight against other Indian rulers?
Tipu Sultan.
-
Who were the signatories to the treaty of Seringapatam (Srirangapatnam)?
Tipu Sultan and the British.
-
What were the important clauses of the treaty of Seringapatam?
Tipu Sultan had to cede about half his territories to the English and also pay Rs.330 lakhs as indemnity. His two sons were also kept as hostages.
-
What was the Wood's Despatch? What is its significance?
Sir Charles Wood sent an educational despatch that formed the basis of the subsequent development of university education in India. Based on the principles outlined in Wood's Despatch three universities were established in India in Calcutta (Kolkata}, Bom
-
Who were the Siddhis?
They were people of Abyssinian descent who were put in charge of important forts like Raigarh, Dabhol and Ratnagiri by Aurangzeb. They were a maritime power and constant source of problems for the Marathas.
-
He was a revolutionary, who was arrested by the British in the Maniktala bomb conspiracy. In 1910, he went to Pondicherry and led a life of a spiritualist. Who was he?
Aurobindo Ghosh.
-
Who founded the Benaras Hindu University?
Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya in 1916.
-
He entered politics with the Kheda Satyagraha. In 1922 he played a leading role in the Bardoli Satyagraha. He was Independent India's first home minister. Name him.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
-
Who succeeded Peshwa Baji Rao?
Peshwa Baji Rao was succeeded by Balaji Baji Rao.
-
Who was the Peshwa during the third battle of Panipat?
Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao.
-
Who founded the Tattvabodhini Sabha? Later he became a great leader of the Brahmo Samaj movement.
Debendranath Tagore, father of Rabindranath Tagore.
-
What was the Komagata Maru episode?
The Komagata Maru was a Japanese vessel that was hired to take a large number of Punjabis to Canada. The passengers were not allowed to disembark and they therefore made their way back to India. The Komagata Maru on return, docked at Budge-Budge near Calc
-
After the Revolt, Bahadur Shah II was arrested and deported to a city outside modern India. Name the city.
Rangoon
-
Who was the French Governor General who helped Muzzafar Jung become the Nizam of Hyderabad?
Dupleix
-
How do we better know Narendranath Datta?
Swami Vivekananda.
-
Muazzam, Aurangazeb's son, succeeded him to the throne of Delhi. On ascension he assumed a royal title. What was the title?
Bahadur Shah.
-
Ranjit Singh was appointed the governor of Kabul at the age of 19. Who appointed him?
ZamanShah
-
Who was the 18th century Hindu ruler who performed two Asvamedha sacrifices?
Sawai Jai Singh of Amber.
-
The English obtained the royal Farman from the Nawabs of Bengal in 1717. There was one privilege in the Farman that was to prove an irritant. What was the privilege?
The freedom to export and import goods in Bengal without paying customs duties.
-
Who was the judge who found Raghunath Rao Peshwa, guilty of murder and said, "No penalty other than death is prescribed for such a crime"?
Ram Shastri Prabhune.
-
Who did General Hugh Rose refer to as "the only man among the rebels"?
Rani Lakshmibai.
-
Who were the adversaries in the battle of Wandiwash?
The British and the French. The supremacy of the British was thoroughly established as the consequences of this battle.
-
What was the result of the battle of Wandiwash?
The British under Eyre Coote comprehensively routed the French
-
Who coined the slogan "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan"?
Lal Bahadur Shastri. The slogan became immensely popular and was soon on the lips of almost every Indian.
-
Who said the following and in what context ".... in the sky of India, serene as it is, a small cloud might arise, at first no bigger than a man's hand but which growing larger and larger, may at last threaten to burst and overwhelm us with ruin."
Lord Canning. He was referring to the situation in India just prior to he Revolt of 1857.
-
The first Round Table Conference was a result of a suggestion by an Englishman to the then British Prime Minister. Who was the Britisher?
Sir John Simon (Chairman of the Simon Commission)
-
Who was the sole representative of the Congress at the second Round Table Conference?
Mahatma Gandhi.
-
Who was the first President of the Indian National Congress?
Womesh Chandra Banerji.
-
Who was the first Indian woman President of the Indian National Congress?
Sarojini Naidu.
-
When did Mahatma Gandhi become the President of the Indian National Congress?
1924
-
Who was the President of the Congress in 1947 at the time of Independence?
Rajendra Prasad
-
Who died fighting the police at Alfred Park in Lucknow?
Chandrashekhar Azad. He shot himself with the last bullet that he had been left with.
-
Who signed the Treaty of Salbai?
The Marathas and the English in 1782. The treaty established beyond dispute, the dominance of the British as the controlling factor in Indian politics.
-
What was the result of the Treaty of Salbai?
Though the English did not gain materially, it gave them peace with the Marathas for 20 years, thereby enabling them to fight other enemies such as the French and Tipu Sultan.
-
Who was the chief minister of Peshwa Baji Rao II?
Nana Fadnavis. He was responsible for preserving the Maratha confederacy. He also resisted British interference in Maratha affairs.
-
What is the meaning of the word "Satyagraha"?
Satyagraha consists of two words : Satya (truth) and agraha (insistence). The term was coined by Mahatma Gandhi.
-
Who started the Home Rule movement?
Annie Besant. At the Congress session held in Kolkata in 1917, the demand for home rule was made eloquent by Ms. Annie Besant, the President of the session.
-
Who formulated the two nation theory?
M.A.Jinnah.
-
Over which area did the Asaf Jahis rule?
The state of Hyderabad as it then was.
-
Where did Aurobindo Ghosh begin to live after renouncing an active political life?
In Pondicherry from 1910 till the end 1950.
-
Which was the first state of India to be formed on the basis of language?
Andhra Pradesh.
-
Who was Gopal Ganesh Agarkar?
He was a social reformer of Maharashtra. He was the founder editor of Kesari, but later concentrated on a new newspaper he started called Sudharak.
-
Who was Kanaklata Barua?
Kanaklata Barua played an important role in the freedom struggle. She was shot dead while holding the congress flag during the Quit India movement.
-
Who led the Santhals who were armed with only bows and arrows?
BirsaMunda
-
A prominent Naga fighter she spent eighteen years in prison for her role in the freedom struggle. Who was she?
Gidalyu Rani who led the Nagas. She was released in 1949.
-
When did the Naval Mutiny break out?
February 1946
-
He was born in 1889 at Allahabad. He was sent to England for studies and returned to India in 1912. He made his first appearance on the Congress platform as a delegate in 1912 at the Bankipore session. In 1923 he was elected General Secretary of the Congr
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
-
Who were the adversaries at the Battle of Plassey?
The British fought Siraj-ud-Daulah the Nawab of Bengal.
-
In the Battle of Plassey, a major part of Siraj-ud-Daulah's army did not take part in the fighting. Why was this?
Mir Jafar and Rai Durlabh who commanded a major portion of the army had turned traitors and did not join in the battle.
-
Who were the only two leading men of Siraj-ud-Daulah's court who took active part in the Battle of Plassey?
Mir Madan and Mohan Lal.
-
Who was raised to the throne of Bengal after the Battle of Plassey?
Mir Jafar.
-
Who succeeded Mir Jaffar to the throne of Bengal?
Mir Kasim, his son-in-law.
-
Who devised the system of "Subsidiary Alliances"?
Lord Wellesley. By using Subsidiary Alliances Lord Wellesley saw to it that the Indian princes remained helpless and would soon be unable to govern their territory without the help of the British army.
-
How did Tipu Sultan die?
He died fighting the English on May 4, 1799?
-
What role did the Chapekar brothers play in the Freedom struggle?
Damodar Chapekar along with his two brothers, Vasudev and Balakrishna, fired at Rand and then disappeared in the dark. They were arrested later and were hanged.
-
He worked throughout his life for the uplift of the 'untouchables'. He was the law minister in the interim government. He was the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly's Drafting Committee. Who was he?
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
-
Which day was fixed as the first Independence Day?
31st December 1929
-
When was the Indian Tri-colour (saffron, white and green) hoisted for the first time?
December 31, 1929. At the Congress session.
-
If anyone wanted to meet Mahatma Gandhi on the 6lh of April 1930, where would they have needed to go?
To Dandi. On this day Gandhiji breached the salt law.
-
Who organised the society of Khudai Khidmatgars (servants of god)?
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan.
-
Why did Subhas Bose resign from the Presidentship of the Congress in 1939?
He did so because of opposition from Gandhiji.
-
Which party did Subhas Bose found?
Forward Bloc.
-
Who was responsible (as President of the "Committee of Public Instruction") for the introduction of English education in India?
Thomas Babington Macaulay.
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Whom did Ahmed Shah Abdali serve as a general before proclaiming himself king?
Nadir Shah. Ahmed Shah Abdali proclaimed himself king of Afghanistan after Nadir Shah's assassination.
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What was the title adopted by Ahmed Shah Abdali when he crowned himself ruler of Afghanistan?
Durr-i-Durran, 'The pearl of the age.' His clan came to be known as Durrani.
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What were the Morley Minto reforms?
In 1909, the reforms introduced by Morley and Minto provided for the association of qualified Indians with the Government of India to a greater extent in deciding public queries.
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Who did the Marathas decisively defeat in the Palkhed campaign of 1727-28?
The Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad. This campaign ensured that the Nizam's attempt at challenging Maralha supremacy failed.
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Which French Governor has been given the credit of using Indian Sepoys in his army?
Dupleix
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Who handed over the leadership of the Independence Movement in East Asia to Subhas Chandra Bose?
Rash Behari Bose (on July 4, 1943).
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What was the slogan adopted by the Muslim League at its Karachi Session in 1943?
Divide and Quit.
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Who is Subramania Bharati?
A Tamil poet and nationalist of the early 20th Century.
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Who was the Viceroy at the time of Indepenence?
Lord Louis Mountbatten.
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Who was hired by a group of Porbandar Muslims (who were working in Natal, South Africa) as their lawyer in!893?
M.K. Gandhi.
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Where did Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose set up the provisional government of free India?
In Singapore. It had been renamed Shonan. Subhas Chandra Bose regularly addressed Indians from Shonan Radio.
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Who gave the first call for the freedom struggle in 1857?
Mangal Pandey.
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Who was the freedom fighter who led the Ramoshis of Maharashtra?
Vasudev Balwant Phadke.
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He was popularly known as Sher-1-Punjab. He founded the weekly "The People". He died due to the injuries he received from a brutal lathi charge by the police when protesting against the Simon Commission. Who was he?
LalaLajpatRai
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Who initiated the celebration of the Ganapati Festival and the Shivaji Jayanti as social activities to awaken the people?
Lokamanya Tilak.
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What was the slogan that electrified the nation when Bengal was partitioned?
Bande Mataram.
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What was the Poona Pact?
The pact between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Ambedkar. This pact was against the separate electorates announced by the British.
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What was the Act which granted partial autonomy to the Provinces?
Government of India Act of 1935.
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Who was the Governor General of India who added the maximum extent of Indian territories to the East India Company?
Lord Dalhousie
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Who was the Governor General of India when the Revolt of 1857 broke out?
Lord Canning
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Which Act passed by the British was termed the Gagging Act?
The Vernacular Press Act, 1878. This Act empowered a magistrate to stop a publisher from publishing anything that would create disaffection against the government.
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Who was responsible for the partition of Bengal in 1905?
Lord Curzon.
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During whose Viceroyalty was the capital changed from Calcutta to Delhi?
Lord Hardinge (in 1912)
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What was the Khilafat movement?
The Sultan of Turkey, who was the Caliph, was deposed after World War I. The Khilafat Movement was launched in India to defend the prestige of the Caliph.
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Her real name was Madeleine Slade. She was a devoted follower of Gandhiji. What was the name given to her by Gandhiji?
MeeraBehn
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The British created the Kingdom of Satara out of the Peshwa's lands. Who was it given to?
A descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
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To which party did Chandrashekar Azad belong?
Hindustan Socialist Republican Association.
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Who was the leader, whose death led Bhagat Singh, Azad and Rajguru to assassinate the British police officer Saunders?
Lala Lajpat Rai.
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In April 1930, the revolutionary Surya Sen led an activity. What was it?
He organised an armed raid on the government armoury at Chittagong
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Who were executed on March 23, 1931?
Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru in Lahore prison.
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In 1927, the British Government appointed the Indian Statutory Commission. How was it popularly known as?
Simon Commission.
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What was interesting about Jawaharlal Nehru taking over the Presidentship of the Indian National Congress at the Lahore session of 1929?
He succeeded his father Motilal Nehru.
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At which session was a resolution passed which declared "Poorna Swaraj" (total freedom) as the Congress objective?
At the session held at Lahore, 1929.
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Who conceived of the idea of setting up the Indian National Congress?
Allan Octavian Hume.
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What did Mahatma Gandhi describe as a post-dated cheque?
The Cripps offer of Independence.
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Who was the admiral who recreated the Maratha navy almost single handed?
Kanhoji Angrey (also spelt Angria).
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The place where Indian Standard time coinsides with local time is
Allahabad
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Madras state was renamed as Tamilnadu in the year
1969
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The main industry of Assam is
Tea Industry
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The Indian state which has maximum number of districts is
Uttar pradesh
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Ajmer was founded by
Raja Ajay Dev Chauhan
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Metallurgy
Science dealing with the method of extraction of metals from their ores and the preparation of alloys
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What were the names of Kama's foster parents?
Radha and Adhiratha.
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Where did Drona go when he was insulted by Drupada?
Hastinapura.
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Who threw Devayani into a well?
Sharmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparva, the king of the asuras.
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When Krishna goes to Hastinapura, with whom does he stay?
Vidura.
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The ratio of width of our National flag to its length is?
2:3