Hard Level – GK Questions

Answer: 42nd Amendment

The 42nd Amendment Act (1976) added 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity' to the Preamble during the Emergency. These additions reflected the commitment to social justice and national unity. [[1]]

Answer: Sivaraman Committee

The Sivaraman Committee (1979) recommended establishing NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) to coordinate rural credit. NABARD was set up in 1982. [[30]]

Answer: Simla Agreement

The Simla Agreement (1972) between India and Pakistan established the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, replacing the ceasefire line of 1949. It committed both nations to bilateral resolution of disputes. [[1]]

Answer: Non-Aligned Movement

India, under Nehru's leadership, was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement (1961) to promote Afro-Asian solidarity and independence from Cold War blocs. The Bandung Conference (1955) laid its groundwork. [[30]]

Answer: Dinabandhu Mitra

Dinabandhu Mitra wrote 'Nil Darpan' (1860), a Bengali play exposing the exploitation of indigo farmers by European planters. It sparked public outrage and contributed to the Indigo Commission. [[1]]

Answer: Ziauddin Barani

Ziauddin Barani wrote 'Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi' (c. 1357), covering the Delhi Sultanate from Balban to Firoz Shah Tughlaq. It reflects the political ideology and administrative practices of the period. [[30]]

Answer: Mudrarakshasa

Vishakhadatta's 'Mudrarakshasa' (c. 5th century CE) dramatizes Chanakya's political strategies in establishing Chandragupta Maurya's rule. It is a valuable source for understanding Mauryan political thought. [[1]]

Answer: United Arab Emirates

The UAE has the largest Indian diaspora (over 3.5 million), primarily for employment. The US has the largest diaspora in terms of permanent residents and citizens of Indian origin. [[30]]

Answer: Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar

Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar served as Dewan of Mysore during accession. Mysore joined India peacefully in 1947, and the Maharaja was retained as Rajpramukh under the new constitutional arrangement. [[1]]

Answer: Chakra Bisoi

Chakra Bisoi led the Khond Uprising (1837-56) in Odisha against British attempts to suppress human sacrifice (Meriah) and impose new revenue policies. The movement combined religious and anti-colonial resistance. [[30]]

Answer: Golconda

The Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golconda (1518-1687) was famous for the Golconda Fort and the Kollur diamond mines, which produced the Kohinoor and Hope diamonds. [[1]]

Answer: Mayurasharma

Mayurasharma (c. 345-365 CE) founded the Kadamba dynasty and established Banavasi (in present-day Karnataka) as the capital. The Kadambas were among the earliest native kingdoms of Karnataka. [[30]]

Answer: All of the above

Bhangra (men), Giddha (women), and Jhumar are Punjabi folk dances celebrating harvest (Vaisakhi). They feature energetic movements, traditional music, and vibrant costumes, reflecting agrarian culture. [[1]]

Answer: Ghana

Ghana (formerly Gold Coast) became the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence from colonial rule on March 6, 1957, under Kwame Nkrumah. It inspired liberation movements across Africa. [[30]]

Answer: Bhaskara II

Bhaskara II's Lilavati (12th century) is a comprehensive mathematics text covering arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. Named after his daughter, it uses poetic verses to explain mathematical concepts. [[1]]

Answer: Fifth Plan

The Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974-79) emphasized 'Garibi Hatao' (Remove Poverty) and growth with social justice. It focused on employment generation, minimum needs program, and self-reliance. [[30]]

Answer: Bhutan

Bhutan is known as 'Druk Yul' (Land of the Thunder Dragon) in Dzongkha. The dragon symbol appears on its flag and represents the Drukpa Kagyu school of Buddhism, which is central to Bhutanese identity. [[1]]

Answer: Pallava

The Pallava script (South India) influenced the development of scripts in Southeast Asia, including Thai, Khmer, and Javanese scripts. This reflects the spread of Indian culture through trade and religious missions. [[30]]

Answer: World Bank-mediated treaty

The Indus Waters Treaty (1960), mediated by the World Bank, allocated the three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India and the three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan. [[1]]

Answer: Third Battle of Panipat

The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) saw Maratha forces defeated by Ahmad Shah Abdali. It halted Maratha expansion northward, weakened their confederacy, and created a power vacuum the British later filled. [[30]]