WBCS Indian History Q&A

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### 2015 Questions #### Ancient India - **Author of 'Brihatsamhita':** Varahamihira - **'Charaka Samhita' is a work on:** Medicine - **'Prabhavati Gupta' was the daughter of:** Chandragupta II - **First Gupta ruler to issue silver coins:** Chandragupta II - **Not mentioned in the 'Periplus of the Erythraean Sea':** Kaveripattanam - **Most important deity of the Vedic Pantheon:** Indra - **The word 'gotra' first appears in:** The Rigveda - **First great exponent of the Shunya-vada (voidism):** Nagarjuna - **Sect of Buddhism that accorded divine status to Buddha:** Mahayana - **Famous port of the Indus Valley Civilization:** Lothal - **'Palaeolithic Age' people lived in:** Caves - **Indus Valley people produced:** Wheat, Barley, Cotton - **'Mahmud of Ghazni' attacked India mainly with the intention of:** Plundering wealth - **The Capital of Satvahanas:** Paithan (Pratisthana) - **'Harsha Charita' was written by:** Banabhatta - **'Huen Tsang' visited India during the reign of:** Harsha Vardhana - **'Ajivikas' were a religious sect that emerged during the time of:** Buddha - **Not associated with Buddhism:** Pitaka (associated with Jainism - Jataka and Tripatika are Buddhist) - **Indian king who requested kaliph for reconstruction of temples:** Kumaragupta - **'Purushasukta' is a part of:** Rigveda #### Medieval India - **'Dahsala' system was introduced by:** Todarmal - **'Polo' started in India by:** Turks - **Not connected with Sufism:** Ulema - **'Zawabit' during the Mughal period meant:** State Laws - **'Mansabdari System' was introduced by:** Akbar - **'Jahangir's' reign is particularly famous for:** Artistic achievement - **'Raja Birbal' was a Minister in the Court of:** Akbar - **'Ibadatkhana' at Fatehpur Sikri was:** A hall in which Akbar held discussions with scholars of various religions. - **The battle of 'Haldighati' (1576 AD) was fought between Rajput and Mughal army and the Mughal general was:** Man Singh - **'Akbarnama' was written by:** Abul Fazal - **'Alauddin Khilji' enforced market control for:** Welfare of the people - **'Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi' was written by:** Ziauddin Barani - **'Razia Sultan' was the daughter of:** Iltutmish - **The first Sultan of Delhi to issue regular currency and declare Delhi as the capital of his empire was:** Iltutmish - **The 'Bhakti Movement' was started by:** Alvar saints - **'Vijayanagara kingdom' was founded by:** Harihara and Bukka - **'Krishnadeva Raya' maintained friendly relations with the:** Portuguese - **'Amuktamalyada' is a work in Telugu by:** Krishnadeva Raya - **Battle of 'Talikota' was fought in:** 1565 AD - **The 'Qutub Minar' was completed by:** Iltutmish - **'Diwan-i-Kohi' was a department started by Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq for the development of:** Agriculture #### Modern India - **The 'Ryotwari settlement' was initially introduced in:** Madras - **The 'partition of Bengal' in 1905 was effected by:** Lord Curzon - **The 'First President of the Indian National Congress' was:** W. C. Bonerji - **'Indian War of Independence' was written by:** V. D. Savarkar - **'Swami Vivekananda' delivered his address in the 'Parliament of Religions' held in Chicago in:** 1893 - **'Shuddhi Movement' was started by:** Arya Samaj - **The 'Drain Theory' was propounded by:** Dadabhai Naoroji - **'Purna Swaraj' was declared the goal of the INC at its Lahore session held in:** 1929 - **'Gandhiji' started the 'Dandi March' in 1930 from:** Sabarmati Ashram - **The 'Poona Pact' (1932) was an agreement between:** Gandhiji and B. R. Ambedkar - **The 'Cripps Mission' visited India in:** 1942 - **The 'Cabinet Mission' came to India in:** 1946 - **'Subhas Chandra Bose' founded the 'Forward Bloc' in:** 1939 - **The 'Quit India Movement' was launched in:** 1942 - **'Simon Commission' was boycotted by Indians because:** It had no Indian member - **'Mahatma Gandhi' returned to India from South Africa in:** 1915 - **'Jallianwala Bagh Massacre' occurred in:** 1919 - **The 'first Partition of Bengal' was done away with in:** 1911 - **The 'capital of British India' was changed from Calcutta to Delhi in:** 1911 - **'Non-cooperation Movement' was suspended due to the:** Chauri Chaura incident - **'Indigo Revolt' occurred in:** Bengal - **'Permanent Settlement' was introduced in:** Bengal - **The 'last Governor-General of India' was:** Lord William Bentinck (First Governor-General of India, Lord Mountbatten) - **'Sati' was abolished by:** Lord William Bentinck - **'Indian Universities Act' was passed in:** 1904 (by Lord Curzon) - **First English factory was established in India at:** Surat (1613) - **'Lord Dalhousie' introduced the 'Doctrine of Lapse' in:** 1848 - **'Indian National Congress' was founded in:** 1885 - **'First Governor-General of Bengal' was:** Warren Hastings - **'Battle of Plassey' was fought in:** 1757 - **'Battle of Buxar' was fought in:** 1764 - **'Third Battle of Panipat' was fought in:** 1761 - **'Brahmo Samaj' was founded by:** Raja Ram Mohan Roy - **'Young Bengal Movement' was started by:** Henry Louis Vivian Derozio - **'Arya Samaj' was founded by:** Swami Dayanand Saraswati - **'Ramakrishna Mission' was founded by:** Swami Vivekananda - **'Widow Remarriage Act' was passed in:** 1856 - **'Vernacular Press Act' was passed in:** 1878 - **'Ilbert Bill Controversy' occurred during the tenure of:** Lord Ripon - **'Morley-Minto Reforms' were introduced in:** 1909 - **'Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms' were introduced in:** 1919 - **'August Offer' was made in:** 1940 - **'Cripps Mission' came to India in:** 1942 - **'Wavell Plan' was put forth in:** 1945 - **'Cabinet Mission Plan' was made in:** 1946 - **'Mountbatten Plan' was adopted in:** 1947 - **'Indian Independence Act' was passed in:** 1947 - **'Khilafat Movement' was started by:** Ali Brothers - **'Home Rule Movement' was started by:** Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak - **'Swadeshi Movement' was started in:** 1905 - **'Swaraj Party' was founded by:** Motilal Nehru and C. R. Das - **'Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA)' was founded by Bismil, Bhagat Singh, etc. in:** 1928 #### Miscellaneous - **'Tipu Sultan' was the ruler of:** Mysore - **'Shivaji' was crowned at:** Raigad - **'Nur Jahan' was the wife of:** Jahangir - **'Mumtaz Mahal' was the wife of:** Shah Jahan - **'Ranjit Singh' was the ruler of:** Punjab - **'Queen Victoria' was proclaimed Empress of India in:** 1876 - **'First Census in India' was conducted in:** 1872 - **'First regular Census in India' was conducted in:** 1881 - **'Father of Indian Archaeology':** Alexander Cunningham - **'Father of Indian Nationalism':** Raja Ram Mohan Roy - **'Father of Modern India':** Raja Ram Mohan Roy - **'Grand Old Man of India':** Dadabhai Naoroji - **'Ironman of India':** Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel - **'Frontier Gandhi':** Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan - **'Netaji':** Subhas Chandra Bose - **'Lokmanya':** Bal Gangadhar Tilak - **'Deshbandhu':** C. R. Das - **'Dinabandhu':** C. F. Andrews - **'Gurudev':** Rabindranath Tagore - **'Mahamana':** Madan Mohan Malaviya - **'Sardar':** Vallabhbhai Patel - **'Bardoli Satyagraha' (1928) associated with:** Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ### 2016 Questions #### Ancient India - **Archaeological site of Atranjikhera is located in:** Uttar Pradesh - **Indus Valley Civilisation was discovered in:** 1921 - **The Great Bath is found at:** Mohenjo-Daro - **Harappans had commercial links with:** Mesopotamia - **The term Yavana for foreigners first used in:** Brahmanas - **The Rigveda is divided into:** 10 Mandalas - **First metal to be extensively used by the people in India was:** Copper - **Vedic literature comprises:** Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads - **Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism was recorded in:** Rock Edict XIII - **The capital of the Magadhan Empire shifted from Rajagriha to Pataliputra during the reign of:** Udayin - **The first Buddhist Council was held at:** Rajagriha - **The famous physician Jivaka was in the court of:** Bimbisara - **The Shishunaga dynasty was succeeded by the:** Nanda dynasty - **Taxila was the capital of:** Gandhara - **The Arthashastra was written by:** Kautilya (Chanakya) - **The Mauryan king who patronised Jainism was:** Chandragupta Maurya - **The Hathigumpha inscription relates to:** Kharavela - **The Satavahanas ruled in:** Deccan - **The Pushyamitra Sunga was a staunch opponent of:** Buddhism - **The author of 'Mrichchhakatika' was:** Sudraka - **The founder of the Gupta dynasty was:** Sri Gupta - **The Allahabad Pillar Inscription of Samudragupta was composed by:** Harisena - **Fa-Hien visited India during the reign of:** Chandragupta II - **The Nalanda University was founded by:** Kumaragupta I - **The last great Hindu king of Northern India was:** Harsha Vardhana - **The Aihole inscription is associated with:** Pulakeshin II - **The Pallavas were succeeded by the:** Cholas - **The Kailashnath Temple at Ellora was built by:** Krishna I (Rashtrakuta dynasty) - **The famous Sun Temple at Konark was built by:** Narasimhadeva I #### Medieval India - **The first battle of Tarain was fought in:** 1191 AD - **The 'Kitab-ul-Hind' was written by:** Al-Biruni - **The 'Qutub Minar' is named after the Sufi Saint:** Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki - **The 'Chahalgani' was a group of:** Forty Turkish nobles - **The 'Diwan-i-Arz' was a department of:** Military - **The 'Tughlaqabad Fort' was built by:** Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq - **'Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq' shifted his capital from Delhi to:** Daulatabad - **'Firoz Shah Tughlaq' built the city of:** Jaunpur - **'Timur' invaded India in:** 1398 AD - **'Babur' defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the Battle of Panipat in:** 1526 AD - **'Sher Shah Suri' defeated Humayun in the Battle of Chausa in:** 1539 AD - **'Akbar' abolished Jizya in:** 1564 AD - **The 'Mausoleum of Sher Shah Suri' is at:** Sasaram - **'Din-i-Ilahi' was founded by:** Akbar - **'Tulsidas' was a contemporary of:** Akbar - **'Mughal painting' reached its zenith during the reign of:** Jahangir - **The 'Peacock Throne' was built by:** Shah Jahan - **'Shivaji' was crowned as Chhatrapati in:** 1674 AD - **'Aurangzeb' reimposed Jizya in:** 1679 AD - **'Banda Bahadur' was executed during the reign of:** Farrukhsiyar - **The 'first Maratha Peshwa' was:** Balaji Vishwanath - **The 'Battle of Plassey' was fought between:** Siraj-ud-Daulah and Robert Clive - **The 'Third Battle of Panipat' was fought between:** Marathas and Ahmad Shah Abdali #### Modern India - **The 'Treaty of Bassein' was signed in:** 1802 - **'Subsidiary Alliance' was introduced by:** Lord Wellesley - **'Permanent Settlement' was introduced by:** Lord Cornwallis - **'Ryotwari System' was introduced by:** Thomas Munro - **'Mahalwari System' was introduced by:** William Bentinck - **'Lord Dalhousie' is associated with:** Doctrine of Lapse - **The 'first railway line' in India was laid from Bombay to Thane in:** 1853 - **The 'Revolt of 1857' started from:** Meerut - **The 'Governor-General of India' during the Revolt of 1857 was:** Lord Canning - **The 'Government of India Act' of 1858 transferred the power from:** East India Company to the British Crown - **'Indian National Congress' was founded by:** A. O. Hume - **'Swadeshi Movement' was started in response to:** Partition of Bengal - **'Muslim League' was formed in:** 1906 - **'Morley-Minto Reforms' introduced:** Separate electorates for Muslims - **'Ghadar Party' was founded in:** 1913 - **'Home Rule League' was started by:** Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak - **'Jallianwala Bagh Massacre' took place on:** April 13, 1919 - **'Non-cooperation Movement' was launched in:** 1920 - **'Chauri Chaura incident' occurred in:** 1922 - **'Swaraj Party' was formed in:** 1923 - **'Simon Commission' came to India in:** 1928 - **'Lahore Session of INC' (1929) demanded:** Purna Swaraj - **'Dandi March' was started by Mahatma Gandhi in:** 11 March 1930 - **'First Round Table Conference' was held in:** 1930 - **'Gandhi-Irwin Pact' was signed in:** 1931 - **'Poona Pact' was signed in:** 1932 - **'Government of India Act' was passed in:** 1935 - **'Quit India Movement' was launched in:** 1942 - **'Cripps Mission' came to India in:** 1942 - **'Indian National Army' was founded by:** Mohan Singh (later revived by Subhas Chandra Bose) - **'Wavell Plan' was proposed in:** 1945 - **'Cabinet Mission' visited India in:** 1946 - **'Direct Action Day' was declared by Muslim League on:** August 16, 1946 - **'Mountbatten Plan' was announced in:** 1947 - **'Indian Independence Act' was passed on:** July 18, 1947 #### Personalities & Organizations - **'Vande Mataram' was written by:** Bankim Chandra Chatterjee - **'Anand Math' was written by:** Bankim Chandra Chatterjee - **'Kesari' and 'Mahratta' newspapers were started by:** Bal Gangadhar Tilak - **'Young India' and 'Harijan' newspapers were started by:** Mahatma Gandhi - **'Al-Hilal' newspaper was started by:** Maulana Abul Kalam Azad - **'Indian Sociologist' was started by:** Shyamji Krishna Varma - **'Ghadar' newspaper was started by:** Ghadar Party - **'Amrita Bazar Patrika' was started by:** Sisir Kumar Ghosh - **'Mahatma Gandhi' associated with:** Champaran, Kheda, Ahmedabad Mill Strike - **'Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel' associated with:** Bardoli Satyagraha - **'Rabindranath Tagore' renounced his knighthood after:** Jallianwala Bagh Massacre - **'Subhas Chandra Bose' founded the:** Forward Bloc - **'Bhimrao Ambedkar' associated with:** Poona Pact, All India Depressed Classes Federation - **'Swami Vivekananda' founded the:** Ramakrishna Mission - **'Raja Ram Mohan Roy' founded the:** Brahmo Samaj - **'Dayanand Saraswati' founded the:** Arya Samaj ### 2017 Questions #### Ancient India - **The word 'Purana' literally means:** Old - **The 'concept of eight-fold path' forms the subject of:** Divyavadana - *Note:* Traditionally associated with the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. - **The 'first grammatical work' of Sanskrit was:** Ashtadhyayi (by Panini) - **The 'famous Indian physician Dhanvantari' was in the court of:** Chandragupta II - **The 'rock edicts of Ashoka' are written in:** Brahmi script - **'Harappan culture' belongs to the:** Bronze Age - **'The Rigveda' contains:** 1028 hymns - **The 'god Varuna' was:** Upholder of the cosmic order - **'Chandragupta Maurya' embraced Jainism towards the end of his life and spent his last days at:** Sravanabelagola - **The 'system of Danda' (Punishment) of the Mauryan administration was:** Harsh and severe - **'Gandhara school of art' was a synthesis of:** Indian and Greek styles - **'The Mathura school of art' was influenced by:** Indigenous traditions - **'The Sunga dynasty' was founded by:** Pushyamitra Sunga - **'The Gupta period' is known as:** Golden Age of Ancient India - **'Kailashnath temple at Ellora' was built by:** Krishna I - **'The Chola king' who built the 'Brihadeswara temple at Thanjavur':** Rajaraja I - **'Pala empire' was founded by:** Gopala #### Medieval India - **'The Razmnama' is the Persian translation of:** Mahabharata - **'Akbar's tomb' is located at:** Sikandra - **'Nur Jahan' was the real power behind the throne during the reign of:** Jahangir - **'The Mughal emperor' who executed 'Guru Tegh Bahadur':** Aurangzeb - **'The first Battle of Panipat' was fought in:** 1526 - **'Babur' established Mughal rule in India in:** 1526 - **'The Grand Trunk Road' was built by:** Sher Shah Suri - **'Akbar's land revenue system' was known as:** Todarmal's bandobast or Zabti system - **'Din-i-Ilahi' was a syncretic religion developed by:** Akbar - **'Mughal architecture' reached its zenith during the reign of:** Shah Jahan - **'Shivaji' was influenced by:** His mother Jijabai and his guru Dadaji Kondadev - **'Aurangzeb' died in:** 1707 - **'First Battle of Plassey' was fought in:** 1757 - **'The Battle of Buxar' was fought in:** 1764 - **'The Third Battle of Panipat' was fought in:** 1761 - **'Sultanate of Delhi' was founded by:** Qutb al-Din Aibak - **'Iltutmish' transferred his capital from Lahore to:** Delhi - **'Razia Sultan' was the first and only Muslim woman ruler of Delhi.** - **'Alauddin Khilji' introduced market control measures** - **'Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq' was known as:** The 'wisest fool' - **'Firoz Shah Tughlaq' built a large number of canals and towns.** - **'Ibn Battuta' visited India during the reign of:** Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq - **'Vijayanagara Empire' was founded in:** 1336 - **'Krishnadeva Raya' belonged to the:** Tuluva dynasty - **'Bahmani Kingdom' was founded by:** Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah - **'Sufism' originated in:** Persia - **'Chishti order' was founded in India by:** Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti - **'Bhakti movement' in South India was started by:** Alvars and Nayanars #### Modern India - **'The Dual Government in Bengal' was established by:** Robert Clive - **'The Regulating Act' was passed in:** 1773 - **'The Permanent Settlement' was introduced by:** Lord Cornwallis - **'The Subsidiary Alliance System' was introduced by:** Lord Wellesley - **'The Doctrine of Lapse' was introduced by:** Lord Dalhousie - **'The Revolt of 1857' started on:** 10 May 1857 - **'The first Viceroy of India' was:** Lord Canning - **'The Indian National Congress' was founded in:** 1885 - **'The Partition of Bengal' took place in:** 1905 - **'The Muslim League' was formed in:** 1906 - **'The Surat Split' in Congress occurred in:** 1907 - **'The Morley-Minto Reforms' were introduced in:** 1909 - **'The Ghadar Party' was founded in:** 1913 - **'The Home Rule League' was started in:** 1916 - **'The Lucknow Pact' was signed in:** 1916 - **'Mahatma Gandhi' launched 'Champaran Satyagraha' in:** 1917 - **'The Rowlatt Act' was passed in:** 1919 - **'The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre' occurred in:** 1919 - **'The Non-Cooperation Movement' was launched in:** 1920 - **'The Chauri Chaura incident' took place in:** 1922 - **'The Swaraj Party' was formed in:** 1923 - **'The Simon Commission' visited India in:** 1928 - **'The Lahore Session of INC' declared 'Purna Swaraj' as its goal in:** 1929 - **'The Dandi March' was launched in:** 1930 - **'The Civil Disobedience Movement' was launched in:** 1930 - **'The Gandhi-Irwin Pact' was signed in:** 1931 - **'The Communal Award' was announced in:** 1932 - **'The Poona Pact' was signed in:** 1932 - **'The Government of India Act' was passed in:** 1935 - **'The August Offer' was made in:** 1940 - **'The Cripps Mission' visited India in:** 1942 - **'The Quit India Movement' was launched in:** 1942 - **'The Cabinet Mission' visited India in:** 1946 - **'The interim government' was formed in:** 1946 - **'The Mountbatten Plan' was announced in:** 1947 - **'Indian Independence Act' was passed in:** 1947 - **'India became independent' on:** 15 August 1947 #### Personalities & Movements - **'Raja Ram Mohan Roy' was known as:** Father of Indian Renaissance - **'Swami Dayanand Saraswati' founded:** Arya Samaj - **'Swami Vivekananda' attended the 'Parliament of Religions' in Chicago in:** 1893 - **'Annie Besant' associated with:** Theosophical Society, Home Rule Movement - **'Dadabhai Naoroji' propounded the 'Drain of Wealth' theory.** - **'Surendranath Banerjee' was known as:** Indian Burke - **'Bal Gangadhar Tilak' gave the slogan:** "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it!" - **'Lala Lajpat Rai' was known as:** Punjab Kesari - **'Bipin Chandra Pal' was a leader of:** Extremist faction of Congress - **'Mahatma Gandhi' launched:** Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India Movements - **'Subhas Chandra Bose' founded:** Forward Bloc, Indian National Army - **'Bhagat Singh' was a revolutionary nationalist.** - **'Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel' known as:** Iron Man of India - **'Jawaharlal Nehru' was the first Prime Minister of India.** - **'B. R. Ambedkar' was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.** - **'Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan' was known as:** Frontier Gandhi - **'Sarojini Naidu' was the first Indian woman President of INC.** ### 2018 Questions #### Ancient India - **'The Painted Grey Ware' (PGW) culture is associated with:** Vedic period - **'The term 'Janapada' refers to:** A tribal settlement - **'The Ashtadhyayi' was a book on:** Sanskrit Grammar - **'The Upanishads' are:** Philosophical texts - **'The Rigveda Samhita' contains prayers in honour of:** Gods - **'The Battle of Hydaspes' was fought between Alexander and:** Porus - **'King Ashoka' is famous for his efforts to propagate:** Buddhism - **'Megasthenes' in his Indica mentioned about:** Mauryan administration - **'The Gandhara school of art' is a blend of:** Indian and Greco-Roman styles - **'The Kaniska' was a great patron of:** Buddhism - **'The Satavahanas' were known for their maritime trade and ports.** - **'The Gupta period' saw significant advancements in science and mathematics.** - **'The Ajanta Caves' are famous for their rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments.** - **'The Mehrauli Iron Pillar inscription' mentions the achievements of:** Chandragupta II - **'The Harshavardhana' was a ruler of the Pushyabhuti dynasty.** - **'The Aihole inscription' provides information about the reign of:** Pulakeshin II - **'The Mamallapuram rathas' were built by:** Pallavas - **'The Rashtrakutas' built the 'Kailashnath Temple at Ellora'.** #### Medieval India - **'The Qutub Minar' was originally started by:** Qutb al-Din Aibak - **'The Delhi Sultanate' was an Islamic empire based in Delhi that stretched over large parts of the Indian subcontinent for 320 years (1206-1526).** - **'Alauddin Khilji' introduced market control measures, fixed prices of goods, and maintained a large standing army.** - **'The Tughlaq dynasty' was founded by:** Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq - **'Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq' is known for his controversial experiments and policies.** - **'Firoz Shah Tughlaq' built several new cities, canals, and reformed the revenue system.** - **'Timur's invasion' of India in 1398 led to the weakening of the Delhi Sultanate.** - **'The Battle of Panipat' (1526) led to the establishment of the Mughal Empire in India.** - **'Babur' was the founder of the Mughal Empire.** - **'Sher Shah Suri' reformed the administration, introduced a new currency, and built the Grand Trunk Road.** - **'Akbar' is known for his policy of religious tolerance, administrative reforms, and expansion of the empire.** - **'Din-i-Ilahi' was a syncretic religion propounded by:** Akbar - **'Jahangir's' reign is known for its artistic achievements, especially in miniature painting.** - **'Shah Jahan' is known for commissioning the 'Taj Mahal' and other magnificent architectural structures.** - **'Aurangzeb' expanded the Mughal Empire to its greatest extent but also faced numerous rebellions.** - **'Shivaji' was the founder of the Maratha Empire.** - **'The Peshwas' were the hereditary prime ministers of the Maratha Empire.** - **'The Battle of Plassey' (1757) marked the beginning of British dominance in Bengal.** - **'The Battle of Buxar' (1764) further solidified British power in India.** - **'The Third Battle of Panipat' (1761) resulted in a decisive defeat for the Marathas.** - **'The Vijayanagara Empire' was a powerful South Indian empire known for its rich culture and architecture.** - **'Krishnadeva Raya' was the most famous ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire.** - **'Bahmani Kingdom' was a Muslim kingdom in the Deccan.** - **'Sufism' and 'Bhakti movements' were prominent religious movements during the medieval period.** #### Modern India - **'The Dual Government of Bengal' was abolished by:** Warren Hastings - **'The Pitts India Act' was passed in:** 1784 - **'Lord Cornwallis' is associated with the 'Permanent Settlement' and reform of the civil services.** - **'Lord Wellesley' introduced the 'Subsidiary Alliance System'.** - **'Lord William Bentinck' carried out social reforms like the abolition of Sati.** - **'Lord Dalhousie' introduced the 'Doctrine of Lapse' and initiated railway construction.** - **'The Revolt of 1857' was a major uprising against British rule.** - **'The Government of India Act of 1858' ended the rule of the East India Company.** - **'The Indian National Congress' was founded in:** 1885 - **'The Partition of Bengal' was annulled in:** 1911 - **'The Swadeshi Movement' encouraged Indian goods and boycotts of foreign goods.** - **'The Muslim League' advocated for the rights of Muslims in India.** - **'The Minto-Morley Reforms' introduced separate electorates for Muslims.** - **'The Ghadar Movement' was an early attempt to overthrow British rule by force.** - **'The Home Rule Movement' agitated for self-government within the British Empire.** - **'The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre' was a brutal incident in Amritsar.** - **'Mahatma Gandhi' emerged as a prominent leader of the Indian independence movement.** - **'The Non-Cooperation Movement' was a large-scale civil disobedience movement.** - **'The Chauri Chaura incident' led to the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement.** - **'The Simon Commission' was boycotted by Indian leaders.** - **'The demand for Purna Swaraj' was made at the Lahore session of the INC in:** 1929 - **'The Dandi March' was a protest against the British salt monopoly.** - **'The Civil Disobedience Movement' aimed to defy unjust British laws.** - **'The Gandhi-Irwin Pact' was a truce between Gandhi and the Viceroy.** - **'The Poona Pact' was an agreement between Gandhi and Ambedkar.** - **'The Government of India Act of 1935' introduced provincial autonomy.** - **'The Cripps Mission' failed to gain Indian support for the British war effort.** - **'The Quit India Movement' was a call for immediate independence from British rule.** - **'The Indian National Army' was formed to fight against the British with Japanese support.** - **'The Cabinet Mission Plan' proposed a federal structure for India.** - **'The Mountbatten Plan' proposed the partition of India into India and Pakistan.** - **'Indian Independence Act' (1947) granted independence to India and Pakistan.** #### Social and Religious Reform Movements - **'Raja Ram Mohan Roy' founded the 'Brahmo Samaj' and advocated for social reforms.** - **'Swami Dayanand Saraswati' founded the 'Arya Samaj' and propagated the return to Vedic roots.** - **'Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar' championed widow remarriage and women's education.** - **'Jyotiba Phule' worked for the upliftment of lower castes and founded the 'Satyashodhak Samaj'.** - **'Swami Vivekananda' spread the message of Vedanta and reformed Hinduism.** - **'Annie Besant' played a key role in the 'Theosophical Society' and 'Home Rule Movement'.** - **'Sree Narayana Guru' worked for social equality in Kerala.** - **'E.V. Ramasamy Periyar' founded the 'Self-Respect Movement' in Tamil Nadu.** ### 2019 Questions #### Ancient India - **The 'concept of Dharma Chakra Pravartana' is associated with:** Buddha's first sermon - **'The Rigvedic Aryans' were primarily:** Pastoral - **'The capital of the Kosala Mahajanapada' was:** Sravasti - **'The founder of the Nanda dynasty' was:** Mahapadma Nanda - **'The Seleucid-Mauryan War' resulted in:** Treaty of peace and an exchange of territories and marriage alliance - **'Bindusara' was known as:** Amitrachates (destroyer of foes) - **'Ashoka's Dhamma' was based on:** Principles of morality and social welfare - **'The Sungas' were succeeded by the:** Kanva dynasty - **'The Indo-Greeks' were the first to issue gold coins in India.** - **'The Saka era' started in:** 78 AD - **'Kanishka' is known for his patronage of:** Buddhism - **'The author of the 'Harshacharita'' was:** Banabhatta - **'The Nalanda University' was a famous center of Buddhist learning.** - **'The Pallava king' who wrote 'Mattavilasa Prahasana':** Mahendravarman I - **'The Chola navy' was very powerful.** - **'The Rashtrakutas' were known for their rock-cut architecture.** - **'The Western Chalukyas' were known for their temple architecture.** #### Medieval India - **'The first Muslim invasion of India' was led by:** Muhammad bin Qasim in 712 AD - **'Mahmud of Ghazni' made 17 raids on India.** - **'Muhammad Ghori' defeated Prithviraj Chauhan in the Second Battle of Tarain.** - **'The Delhi Sultanate' was established in:** 1206 - **'Qutb al-Din Aibak' was the founder of the Delhi Sultanate.** - **'Iltutmish' introduced the 'Iqta system'.** - **'Razia Sultan' was the first and only female ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.** - **'Balban' strengthened the central army and introduced the policy of 'blood and iron'.** - **'Alauddin Khilji' introduced market reforms and maintained a strong army.** - **'Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq' shifted his capital, introduced token currency, and made ambitious expeditions.** - **'Firoz Shah Tughlaq' known for public works and reforms.** - **'The Sayyid dynasty' and 'Lodi dynasty' were the last two dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate.** - **'Babur' founded the Mughal Empire after the Battle of Panipat in:** 1526 - **'Humayun' faced challenges from Sher Shah Suri.** - **'Akbar' implemented the 'Sulh-i-Kul' policy of religious tolerance.** - **'Jahangir' was known for his love of art and justice.** - **'Shah Jahan' built the Taj Mahal.** - **'Aurangzeb' was a strict orthodox Muslim ruler.** - **'The Maratha Empire' rose under the leadership of Shivaji.** - **'The Peshwas' became the de facto rulers of the Maratha Empire.** - **'The Battle of Plassey' (1757) and 'Battle of Buxar' (1764) established British dominance.** #### Modern India - **'The Treaty of Purandar' was signed between Shivaji and Jai Singh in:** 1665 - **'The first Carnatic War' was an extension of the Austrian War of Succession.** - **'The Black Hole Tragedy' involved the suffocation of British prisoners in Calcutta.** - **'The Dual Government of Bengal' was started by:** Robert Clive - **'The Regulating Act of 1773' was the first attempt by the British Parliament to regulate the affairs of the East India Company.** - **'The Permanent Settlement' created a new class of landlords (Zamindars).** - **'Lord Cornwallis' introduced the 'Civil Services' in India.** - **'Lord Wellesley' introduced the 'Subsidiary Alliance System' to expand British influence.** - **'Lord William Bentinck' abolished Sati in:** 1829 - **'The Doctrine of Lapse' led to the annexation of several Indian states.** - **'The first cotton textile mill' in India was established in Bombay in:** 1854 - **'The Revolt of 1857' was a widespread rebellion against British rule.** - **'The Queen's Proclamation' of 1858 promised equal treatment to Indians.** - **'The Indian National Congress' was founded by:** A. O. Hume in 1885 - **'The Partition of Bengal' (1905) was done by Lord Curzon.** - **'The Swadeshi Movement' promoted indigenous industries and goods.** - **'The Muslim League' was founded in Dhaka in:** 1906 - **'The Morley-Minto Reforms' of 1909 introduced separate electorates for Muslims.** - **'The Home Rule Movement' (1916) sought self-government for India.** - **'The Lucknow Pact' (1916) involved a joint demand for reforms by Congress and Muslim League.** - **'Mahatma Gandhi' launched the 'Champaran Satyagraha' (1917), 'Kheda Satyagraha' (1918), and 'Ahmedabad Mill Strike' (1918).** - **'The Rowlatt Act' (1919) allowed detention without trial.** - **'The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre' (1919) was a turning point in the independence movement.** - **'The Non-Cooperation Movement' (1920-22) aimed at non-violent resistance.** - **'The Chauri Chaura incident' (1922) led to the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement.** - **'The Simon Commission' (1927) was an all-British commission to review constitutional reforms.** - **'The Lahore Session' (1929) of INC declared 'Purna Swaraj' as its goal.** - **'The Dandi March' (1930) was a civil disobedience against the salt tax.** - **'The Civil Disobedience Movement' (1930-34) was a mass movement for independence.** - **'The Gandhi-Irwin Pact' (1931) ended the first phase of the Civil Disobedience Movement.** - **'The Communal Award' (1932) introduced separate electorates for depressed classes.** - **'The Poona Pact' (1932) revoked separate electorates for depressed classes, substituting them with reserved seats.** - **'The Government of India Act of 1935' provided for provincial autonomy and a federation of India.** - **'The August Offer' (1940) proposed dominion status after the war.** - **'The Cripps Mission' (1942) proposed an Indian dominion and constituent assembly.** - **'The Quit India Movement' (1942) was a massive civil disobedience movement for immediate independence.** - **'The Indian National Army' (INA) fought alongside Japan against the British.** - **'The Wavell Plan' (1945) proposed a new Executive Council for India.** - **'The Cabinet Mission Plan' (1946) proposed a three-tier federal structure for India.** - **'The Direct Action Day' (1946) led to widespread communal violence.** - **'The Mountbatten Plan' (1947) proposed the partition of India.** - **'The Indian Independence Act' (1947) granted independence and created India and Pakistan.** #### Social and Cultural Developments - **'The Brahmo Samaj' was founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy.** - **'The Arya Samaj' was founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati.** - **'The Ramakrishna Mission' was founded by Swami Vivekananda.** - **'The Theosophical Society' was founded by Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott.** - **'Sir Syed Ahmed Khan' founded the 'Aligarh Movement' for Muslim education.** - **'Jyotiba Phule' founded the 'Satyashodhak Samaj' for social reform.** - **'Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar' promoted widow remarriage and women's education.** - **'The Young Bengal Movement' was started by Henry Vivian Derozio.** - **'Pandita Ramabai' championed women's rights and education.** ### 2020 Questions #### Ancient India - **The 'term 'Aryan'' denotes:** A linguistic group - **'The Iron Age' in India began around:** 1000 BCE - **'The Harappan sites' are mostly found in (Modern day):** Pakistan and Western India - **'The Great Granary' is found at:** Mohenjo-Daro - **'Vedic society' was primarily:** Rural - **'The Battle of Ten Kings' was fought on the bank of the river:** Parushni (Ravi) - **'The concept of 'Trimurti'' emerged during the:** Gupta period - **'Magadha' was the most powerful Mahajanapada due to:** Fertile land, rich mineral resources, strategic location - **'The first ruler of the Magadhan Empire' was:** Bimbisara - **'The founder of the Mauryan Empire' was:** Chandragupta Maurya - **'Ashoka's edicts' are important sources for understanding Mauryan history.** - **'The Kushans' were known for their gold coinage and patronage of Buddhism.** - **'The Gandhara school of art' depicts Buddha in a realistic manner.** - **'The Gupta golden age' saw contributions in science, literature, art, and mathematics.** - **'The famous iron pillar of Mehrauli' is near:** Qutub Minar - **'Harshavardhana' convened the 'Prayag Assembly' and 'Kannauj Assembly'.** - **'The Chalukyas of Badami' were known for their rock-cut temples.** - **'The Pallavas' developed the Dravidian style of temple architecture.** - **'The Cholas' were known for their naval power and magnificent temples.** #### Medieval India - **'Muhammad Ghori' established his rule in India after defeating Prithviraj Chauhan.** - **'Qutb al-Din Aibak' built the 'Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque' and started the 'Qutub Minar'.** - **'Iltutmish' completed the 'Qutub Minar' and introduced the 'Tanka' and 'Jital' coins.** - **'Razia Sultan' faced opposition from Turkish nobles.** - **'Balban' introduced the 'Sijda' and 'Paibos' rituals in his court.** - **'Alauddin Khilji' introduced the 'Dagh' (branding of horses) and 'Chehra' (descriptive roll of soldiers) systems.** - **'Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq' introduced a new copper currency, tried to conquer Khurasan, and shifted his capital.** - **'Firoz Shah Tughlaq' founded new cities like Firozabad and Hisar.** - **'The Vijayanagara Empire' and 'Bahmani Kingdom' were major powers in South India.** - **'Krishnadeva Raya' defeated the Bahmani Sultanate and expanded his empire.** - **'Babur' defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat.** - **'Humayun' was defeated by Sher Shah Suri at the Battle of Chausa and Kannauj.** - **'Sher Shah Suri' built the Grand Trunk Road and reformed the land revenue system.** - **'Akbar' introduced the 'Mansabdari system' and 'Din-i-Ilahi'.** - **'Jahangir' was known for his 'Zanjir-i-Adal' (chain of justice).** - **'Shah Jahan' built the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, and Jama Masjid.** - **'Aurangzeb' adopted a policy of religious intolerance and expanded the empire.** - **'Shivaji Maharaj' used guerrilla warfare tactics against the Mughals.** - **'The Peshwas' rose to prominence after Shivaji's death.** - **'The Battle of Plassey' (1757) marked the beginning of British political dominance in India.** - **'The Battle of Buxar' (1764) gave the British control over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.** #### Modern India - **'Robert Clive' was the first Governor of Bengal after Plassey.** - **'Warren Hastings' was the first Governor-General of Bengal.** - **'The Permanent Settlement' (1793) made Zamindars the owners of the land.** - **'The Subsidiary Alliance' (1798) forced Indian states to maintain British troops.** - **'The Doctrine of Lapse' (1848) allowed the British to annex states without natural heirs.** - **'The Revolt of 1857' was suppressed by the British.** - **'The Government of India Act, 1858' transferred governance directly to the British Crown.** - **'The Indian National Congress' (1885) was formed to address political grievances.** - **'The Partition of Bengal' (1905) aimed to divide the Bengali population.** - **'The Swadeshi Movement' (1905-08) promoted self-reliance and boycott of foreign goods.** - **'The Muslim League' (1906) was founded to protect Muslim interests.** - **'The Morley-Minto Reforms' (1909) introduced limited self-government and separate electorates.** - **'The Home Rule Movement' (1916) called for self-rule for India.** - **'The Lucknow Pact' (1916) reconciled differences between Congress and the Muslim League.** - **'Mahatma Gandhi' led various Satyagrahas (Champaran, Kheda, Ahmedabad).** - **'The Rowlatt Act' (1919) was opposed by nationwide hartals.** - **'The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre' (1919) led to widespread condemnation.** - **'The Non-Cooperation Movement' (1920-22) aimed at withdrawing support from the British government.** - **'The Chauri Chaura incident' (1922) led to its suspension.** - **'The Swaraj Party' (1923) aimed at entering legislative councils.** - **'The Simon Commission' (1927) was established to review constitutional reforms.** - **'The Lahore Session' (1929) declared 'Purna Swaraj' as the ultimate goal.** - **'The Dandi March' (1930) marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.** - **'The Civil Disobedience Movement' (1930-34) involved mass protests and non-payment of taxes.** - **'The Gandhi-Irwin Pact' (1931) led to Gandhi's participation in the Second Round Table Conference.** - **'The Communal Award' (1932) provided separate electorates for minorities.** - **'The Poona Pact' (1932) substituted separate electorates for depressed classes with reserved seats.** - **'The Government of India Act, 1935' introduced provincial autonomy and a federal structure.** - **'The Quit India Movement' (1942) demanded immediate British withdrawal from India.** - **'The Cabinet Mission Plan' (1946) proposed a federal India and a Constituent Assembly.** - **'The Mountbatten Plan' (1947) partitioned India into India and Pakistan.** - **'The Indian Independence Act' (1947) formally granted independence.** #### Reform Movements - **'Raja Ram Mohan Roy' advocated for monotheism, women's rights, and modern education.** - **'Swami Dayanand Saraswati' advocated a return to the Vedas and denounced idolatry.** - **'Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar' was a pioneer of widow remarriage and education.** - **'Jyotiba Phule' founded the 'Satyashodhak Samaj' for the upliftment of lower castes.** - **'Swami Vivekananda' promoted universal brotherhood and interfaith harmony.** - **'Sir Syed Ahmed Khan' founded the 'Aligarh Muslim University' for modern education.** - **'Mahatma Gandhi' played a pivotal role in the freedom struggle through non-violent resistance.** - **'Bhimrao Ambedkar' championed the rights of untouchables and drafted the Indian Constitution.** ### 2021 Questions #### Ancient India - **'Mesolithic sites' are characterized by the presence of:** Microliths - **'The earliest evidence of agriculture' in the Indian subcontinent comes from:** Mehrgarh - **'The Indus Valley Civilization' covered parts of:** Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Western UP - **'The main occupation of the Rigvedic people' was:** Pastoralism - **'The Battle of Ten Kings' is described in the:** Rigveda - **'The four varnas' in the Vedic society were based on:** Occupation - **'The founder of Jainism' was:** Rishabhanatha - **'Mahavira' was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism.** - **'Gautam Buddha' attained enlightenment at:** Bodh Gaya - **'The first Buddhist Council' was held at:** Rajagriha - **'The Mauryan Empire' was the first large empire in India.** - **'Ashoka the Great' adopted Buddhism after the Kalinga War.** - **'The Arthashastra' provides details about:** Mauryan administration and polity - **'The Sunga Dynasty' was a Brahmin dynasty.** - **'The Satavahanas' were known for their matriarchal succession.** - **'The Kushans' introduced the gold coinage in India.** - **'Kanishka' belonged to the Kushan dynasty.** - **'The Gupta Empire' is considered the 'Golden Age of India'.** - **'Chandragupta I' was the real founder of the Gupta Empire.** - **'Samudragupta' was known as the 'Napoleon of India'.** - **'Fa-Hien' visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II.** - **'Harshavardhana' patronized Buddhism and art.** - **'Hiuen Tsang' visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana.** #### Medieval India - **'The Arab invasion of Sindh' in 712 AD was led by:** Muhammad bin Qasim - **'Mahmud of Ghazni' destroyed the 'Somnath Temple'.** - **'Muhammad Ghori' was defeated by Prithviraj Chauhan in the First Battle of Tarain (1191) but defeated him in the Second Battle of Tarain (1192).** - **'The Delhi Sultanate' was founded by:** Qutb al-Din Aibak - **'Iltutmish' introduced the 'i-qtadari system'.** - **'Razia Sultan' was the first female ruler of India in the Delhi Sultanate.** - **'Balban' adopted the policy of 'blood and iron'.** - **'Alauddin Khilji' introduced market control policies and a permanent standing army.** - **'Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq' was known for his economic experiments and transfer of capital.** - **'Firoz Shah Tughlaq' was known for his public works and reforms.** - **'The Sayyid' and 'Lodi Dynasties' followed the Tughlaqs.** - **'Babur' defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat (1526).** - **'Humayun' was defeated by Sher Shah Suri at the Battle of Chausa (1539) and Kannauj (1540).** - **'Sher Shah Suri' introduced the 'Rupiya' currency and Grand Trunk Road.** - **'Akbar' introduced the 'Mansabdari system' and 'Din-i-Ilahi'.** - **'Jahangir' focused on justice and patronage of art.** - **'Shah Jahan' built the 'Taj Mahal' and commissioned other architectural marvels.** - **'Aurangzeb' was an expansionist ruler but faced various rebellions.** - **'Shivaji' founded the Maratha Empire and introduced 'Chauth' and 'Sardeshmukhi'.** - **'The Peshwas' became the de facto rulers of the Maratha Empire.** - **'The Battle of Plassey' (1757) established British supremacy in Bengal.** - **'The Battle of Buxar' (1764) gave the British control over revenue and administration of Bengal.** #### Modern India - **'The Dual Government of Bengal' was abolished by:** Warren Hastings - **'The Regulating Act of 1773' brought the East India Company under parliamentary control.** - **'The Permanent Settlement' (1793) was introduced by Lord Cornwallis.** - **'The Subsidiary Alliance' (1798) was introduced by Lord Wellesley.** - **'The Doctrine of Lapse' (1848) was introduced by Lord Dalhousie.** - **'The Revolt of 1857' was a major anti-colonial uprising.** - **'The Government of India Act, 1858' transferred power from the Company to the Crown.** - **'The Indian National Congress' was founded in:** 1885 - **'The Partition of Bengal' (1905) by Lord Curzon sparked the Swadeshi Movement.** - **'The Muslim League' was formed in:** 1906 - **'The Morley-Minto Reforms' (1909) introduced separate electorates for Muslims.** - **'The Lucknow Pact' (1916) saw Congress and Muslim League unite for reforms.** - **'Mahatma Gandhi' led 'Champaran Satyagraha', 'Kheda Satyagraha', and 'Ahmedabad Mill Strike'.** - **'The Rowlatt Act' (1919) was met with widespread protests.** - **'The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre' (1919) was a horrific event.** - **'The Non-Cooperation Movement' (1920-22) was launched by Gandhi.** - **'The Chauri Chaura incident' (1922) led to the withdrawal of the movement.** - **'The Simon Commission' (1927) was boycotted due to absence of Indian members.** - **'The Lahore Session' (1929) of INC passed the 'Purna Swaraj' resolution.** - **'The Dandi March' (1930) initiated the Civil Disobedience Movement.** - **'The Civil Disobedience Movement' (1930-34) involved mass participation.** - **'The Gandhi-Irwin Pact' (1931) led to Gandhi's participation in the Second Round Table Conference.** - **'The Communal Award' (1932) provided separate electorates for minorities.** - **'The Poona Pact' (1932) was signed between Gandhi and Ambedkar.** - **'The Government of India Act, 1935' provided for provincial autonomy.** - **'The August Offer' (1940) by Viceroy Linlithgow.** - **'The Cripps Mission' (1942) failed to resolve the political deadlock.** - **'The Quit India Movement' (1942) demanded immediate independence.** - **'The Cabinet Mission Plan' (1946) proposed a three-tier federal structure.** - **'The Mountbatten Plan' (1947) proposed the partition of British India.** - **'Indian Independence Act' (1947) created two independent dominions: India and Pakistan.** #### Social and Religious Reformers - **'Raja Ram Mohan Roy' was a social and religious reformer and founder of Brahmo Samaj.** - **'Swami Dayanand Saraswati' founded Arya Samaj and upheld the authority of Vedas.** - **'Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar' campaigned for widow remarriage and female education.** - **'Jyotiba Phule' worked for the upliftment of lower castes.** - **'Swami Vivekananda' represented Hinduism at the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago.** - **'Sir Syed Ahmed Khan' promoted modern education among Muslims.** - **'Mahatma Gandhi' known for his philosophy of Satyagraha and non-violence.** - **'Bhimrao Ambedkar' championed the cause of Dalits and played a key role in drafting the Constitution.** ### 2022 Questions #### Ancient India - **'The Harappan Civilization' is known for its advanced urban planning.** - **'The script of the Indus Valley Civilization' is:** Undeciphered - **'The main source of information for the Vedic period' is:** The Vedas - **'The Rigveda' is the oldest Veda.** - **'The Puranas' contain myths, legends, and genealogies of gods and kings.** - **'The Mahajanapadas' were sixteen large states in ancient India.** - **'Bimbisara' was the founder of the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha.** - **'Siddhartha Gautama' (Buddha) founded Buddhism.** - **'Mahavira Swami' founded Jainism.** - **'The Mauryan Empire' was founded by Chandragupta Maurya.** - **'Chanakya' (Kautilya) was the advisor to Chandragupta Maurya.** - **'Ashoka's Dhamma' focused on peace, non-violence, and social harmony.** - **'The Kautilya's Arthashastra' is a treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy.** - **'The Gandhara school of art' emerged during the Kushan period.** - **'The Satavahanas' were also known as the Andhras.** - **'The Gupta Empire' experienced a golden age in art, science, and literature.** - **'Kalidasa' was a renowned Sanskrit poet and dramatist in the Gupta period.** - **'Aryabhata' was a prominent mathematician and astronomer of the Gupta period.** - **'Fa-Hien' was a Chinese Buddhist monk who traveled to India during the Gupta period.** - **'Harshavardhana' was the last great Hindu emperor of North India.** - **'The Chalukyas' and 'Pallavas' were powerful dynasties in South India during the post-Gupta period.** - **'The Chola Empire' was known for its naval power and temple architecture.** #### Medieval India - **'The Ghaznavid dynasty' was founded by:** Alptigin - **'Muhammad Ghori' established his rule in India after the Second Battle of Tarain.** - **'Qutb al-Din Aibak' was the first Sultan of Delhi.** - **'Iltutmish' appointed 'Forty Turkish Nobles' (Chahalgani).** - **'Razia Sultan' was the first and only woman Sultan of Delhi.** - **'Balban' adopted a strong centralized monarchy.** - **'Alauddin Khilji' introduced revenue reforms and standing army.** - **'Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq' experimented with currency reforms and administrative changes.** - **'Firoz Shah Tughlaq' focused on public works and agricultural development.** - **'Timur's invasion' in 1398 weakened the Delhi Sultanate.** - **'The Lodi dynasty' was the last dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.** - **'Babur' defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat (1526) to establish the Mughal Empire.** - **'Humayun' was temporarily ousted by 'Sher Shah Suri'.** - **'Sher Shah Suri' introduced a sound administrative system and currency.** - **'Akbar' adopted a policy of 'Sulh-i-Kul' (universal peace) and reformed administration.** - **'Jahangir' encouraged painting and built beautiful gardens.** - **'Shah Jahan' built the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, and Jama Masjid.** - **'Aurangzeb' expanded the empire but also faced Maratha and Sikh rebellions.** - **'Shivaji' laid the foundation of the Maratha Empire.** - **'The Peshwas' rose to power after Shivaji.** - **'The Battle of Plassey' (1757) and 'Battle of Buxar' (1764) were crucial for British control.** - **'The Vijayanagara Empire' was a prominent Hindu kingdom in South India.** - **'Krishnadeva Raya' was its most illustrious ruler.** - **'The Bahmani Kingdom' was the rival of the Vijayanagara Empire.** #### Modern India - **'Robert Clive' was the hero of Plassey.** - **'Warren Hastings' was impeached for his administrative policies.** - **'Lord Cornwallis' introduced the 'Permanent Settlement' (1793).** - **'Lord Wellesley' introduced the 'Subsidiary Alliance' (1798).** - **'Lord William Bentinck' abolished Sati (1829) and suppressed Thuggee.** - **'Lord Dalhousie' introduced the 'Doctrine of Lapse' and modern reforms.** - **'The Revolt of 1857' was a significant challenge to British rule.** - **'The Government of India Act, 1858' transferred power to the British Crown.** - **'The Indian National Congress' was founded by A. O. Hume (1885).** - **'The Partition of Bengal' (1905) sparked intense nationalism.** - **'The Swadeshi Movement' (1905-08) promoted self-reliance and boycott.** - **'The Muslim League' (1906) was formed to safeguard Muslim interests.** - **'The Morley-Minto Reforms' (1909) introduced separate electorates.** - **'The Home Rule Movement' (1916) demanded self-government.** - **'The Lucknow Pact' (1916) united Congress and Muslim League.** - **'Mahatma Gandhi' launched 'Champaran Satyagraha' (1917), 'Kheda Satyagraha' (1918), and 'Ahmedabad Mill Strike' (1918).** - **'The Rowlatt Act' (1919) and 'Jallianwala Bagh Massacre' (1919) intensified nationalist feelings.** - **'The Non-Cooperation Movement' (1920-22) was launched by Gandhi.** - **'The Chauri Chaura incident' (1922) led to its suspension.** - **'The Simon Commission' (1927) was boycotted.** - **'The Lahore Session' (1929) declared 'Purna Swaraj'.** - **'The Dandi March' (1930) and 'Civil Disobedience Movement' (1930-34) were major turning points.** - **'The Gandhi-Irwin Pact' (1931) and 'Poona Pact' (1932) addressed immediate concerns.** - **'The Government of India Act, 1935' provided for provincial autonomy.** - **'The Quit India Movement' (1942) demanded an end to British rule.** - **'The Cabinet Mission Plan' (1946) proposed a federal India.** - **'The Mountbatten Plan' (1947) partitioned India.** - **'Indian Independence Act' (1947) granted independence.** #### Cultural and Reform Movements - **'Raja Ram Mohan Roy' advocated for social reform and reason.** - **'Swami Dayanand Saraswati' founded Arya Samaj and promoted Vedic values.** - **'Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar' championed women's education and widow remarriage.** - **'Jyotiba Phule' worked for the rights of untouchables and women.** - **'Swami Vivekananda' promoted Hindu spiritualism and social service.** - **'Sir Syed Ahmed Khan' founded the 'Aligarh Movement' for modern education among Muslims.** - **'Mahatma Gandhi' used non-violence (Satyagraha) as a tool for political and social change.** - **'Bhimrao Ambedkar' championed the cause of Dalits and played a crucial role in drafting the Constitution.** ### 2023 Questions #### Ancient India - **'The earliest known human ancestors' in India:** Homo Erectus - **'Mehrgarh' is an important Neolithic site.** - **'The Indus Valley Civilization' was a non-Aryan civilization.** - **'Harappan seals' were made mostly of:** Steatite - **'The Vedic literature' includes Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads.** - **'The Rigveda' mentions the term 'Varna'.** - **'The Battle of Ten Kings' was a conflict described in the Rigveda.** - **'Jainism' and 'Buddhism' emerged in the 6th century BCE.** - **'Mahavira' added the fifth vow of 'celibacy' to Jainism.** - **'Buddha' taught the 'Eightfold Path' for the cessation of suffering.** - **'The Magadhan Empire' rose to prominence under Bimbisara and Ajatashatru.** - **'Chandragupta Maurya' established the Mauryan Empire.** - **'Ashoka' propagated Dhamma through rock and pillar edicts.** - **'The Arthashastra' by Kautilya is an important source for Mauryan administration.** - **'The Sunga dynasty' ruled after the Mauryas.** - **'The Kushan Empire' reached its peak under Kanishka.** - **'The Gandhara school of art' combined Hellenistic and Indian artistic traditions.** - **'The Gupta period' is known for its classical Sanskrit literature.** - **'Kalidasa' authored famous plays like 'Abhijnanasakuntalam'.** - **'Fa-Hien' documented early Buddhist sites in India.** - **'Harshavardhana' united fragmented kingdoms in North India.** - **'Hiuen Tsang' provided valuable insights into India of the 7th century.** - **'The Chalukyas of Badami' were known for their cave temples.** - **'The Pallavas' were patrons of Dravidian architecture.** - **'The Chola Empire' was famous for its bronze sculptures and temples.** #### Medieval India - **'Muhammad bin Qasim' conquered Sindh.** - **'Mahmud of Ghazni' repeatedly raided India for its wealth.** - **'Muhammad Ghori' defeated Prithviraj Chauhan at the Second Battle of Tarain (1192).** - **'The Delhi Sultanate' was ruled by five dynasties: Mamluk, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi.** - **'Qutb al-Din Aibak' started the construction of the Qutub Minar.** - **'Iltutmish' organized the Delhi Sultanate and introduced Arabic coinage.** - **'Razia Sultan' was a capable ruler but faced gender bias.** - **'Balban' strengthened the monarchy and introduced Persian court customs.** - **'Alauddin Khilji' introduced market control measures and a large standing army.** - **'Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq' transferred his capital to Daulatabad and experimented with token currency.** - **'Firoz Shah Tughlaq' built new towns and promoted agriculture.** - **'The Vijayanagara Empire' and 'Bahmani Kingdom' flourished in South India.** - **'Krishnadeva Raya' was the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire.** - **'Babur' defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat (1526) to establish the Mughal Empire.** - **'Humayun' regained his empire after being exiled by Sher Shah Suri.** - **'Sher Shah Suri' introduced significant administrative and economic reforms.** - **'Akbar' unified a large part of India, promoted religious tolerance, and introduced the Mansabdari system.** - **'Jahangir' was known for his love of nature and art.** - **'Shah Jahan' built splendid monuments like the Taj Mahal.** - **'Aurangzeb' expanded the empire to its最大 extent but his policies led to resentment.** - **'Shivaji' unified the Marathas and established an independent kingdom.** - **'The Peshwas' were powerful administrators of the Maratha Confederacy.** - **'The Battle of Plassey' (1757) and 'Battle of Buxar' (1764) were pivotal for British expansion.** #### Modern India - **'The East India Company' gained significant political power after the Battle of Plassey.** - **'Warren Hastings' faced challenges of administration and corruption.** - **'Lord Cornwallis' introduced the 'Permanent Settlement' (1793).** - **'Lord Wellesley' introduced the 'Subsidiary Alliance' system (1798).** - **'Lord William Bentinck' carried out social reforms like the abolition of Sati (1829).** - **'Lord Dalhousie' introduced the 'Doctrine of Lapse' and initiated railway construction.** - **'The Revolt of 1857' was a major landmark in Indian history.** - **'The Government of India Act, 1858' marked the end of Company rule.** - **'The Indian National Congress' (1885) was formed to voice Indian aspirations.** - **'The Partition of Bengal' (1905) by Lord Curzon led to the Swadeshi Movement.** - **'The Muslim League' (1906) was founded to protect Muslim interests.** - **'The Morley-Minto Reforms' (1909) introduced separate electorates for Muslims.** - **'The Home Rule Movement' (1916) called for self-government.** - **'The Lucknow Pact' (1916) united Congress and Muslim League on common demands.** - **'Mahatma Gandhi' led 'Champaran Satyagraha' (1917), 'Kheda Satyagraha' (1918), and 'Ahmedabad Mill Strike' (1918).** - **'The Rowlatt Act' (1919) and 'Jallianwala Bagh Massacre' (1919) sparked nationwide protests.** - **'The Non-Cooperation Movement' (1920-22) was launched by Gandhi.** - **'The Chauri Chaura incident' (1922) led to its suspension.** - **'The Simon Commission' (1927) was boycotted.** - **'The Lahore Session' (1929) declared 'Purna Swaraj'.** - **'The Dandi March' (1930) initiated the Civil Disobedience Movement.** - **'The Civil Disobedience Movement' (1930-34) involved mass participation.** - **'The Gandhi-Irwin Pact' (1931) and 'Poona Pact' (1932) were significant agreements.** - **'The Government of India Act, 1935' introduced provincial autonomy.** - **'The Quit India Movement' (1942) demanded immediate independence.** - **'The Cabinet Mission Plan' (1946) proposed a federal India.** - **'The Mountbatten Plan' (1947) proposed partition.** - **'Indian Independence Act' (1947) granted independence to India and Pakistan.** #### Social and Religious Reform Movements - **'Raja Ram Mohan Roy' was a pioneer of modern reforms, including the abolition of Sati.** - **'Swami Dayanand Saraswati' founded Arya Samaj and advocated for a return to Vedic principles.** - **'Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar' championed widow remarriage and female education.** - **'Jyotiba Phule' fought for the rights of lower castes and women.** - **'Swami Vivekananda' promoted universal religion and social service.** - **'Sir Syed Ahmed Khan' founded the 'Aligarh Movement' for education among Muslims.** - **'Mahatma Gandhi' played a central role in the independence movement through non-violent resistance.** - **'Bhimrao Ambedkar' was a champion of Dalit rights and the architect of the Indian Constitution.**