History – MCQ – GK Questions

Answer: Maharashtra

Warli painting is a tribal art form from Maharashtra, created by the Warli community. It uses geometric shapes and natural pigments to depict daily life, rituals, and nature worship. [[30]]

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: Asia and Africa

The Bandung Conference (1955) brought together 29 Asian and African nations to promote economic cooperation and oppose colonialism. It laid groundwork for the Non-Aligned Movement and South-South cooperation. [[1]]

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: Sharngadhara Samhita

Sharngadhara Samhita (13th-14th century) is a medieval Ayurvedic text that introduced pulse diagnosis (Nadi Pariksha) and detailed formulations. It reflects the evolution of Indian medical knowledge. [[30]]

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: Extensive government control over industry

The License Raj (1947-1991) required businesses to obtain numerous government licenses for production, expansion, and imports. It aimed at planned development but led to inefficiency and corruption, reformed after 1991. [[1]]

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: Sikkim

The Namgyal dynasty ruled Sikkim from 1642 to 1975. It was founded by Phuntsog Namgyal, and the kingdom became a protectorate of India before merging with the Indian Union in 1975. [[30]]

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: All of the above

Indian cultural influence in Southeast Asia (Greater India) is seen in temple architecture (Angkor Wat), scripts (Pallava-derived), epics (Ramayana, Mahabharata), and Hindu-Buddhist religious practices. [[1]]

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: China

The Panchsheel Agreement (1954) between India and China outlined five principles of peaceful coexistence: mutual respect, non-aggression, non-interference, equality, and peaceful coexistence. [[30]]

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]]

Answer: Porus

The Battle of Hydaspes (326 BCE) was fought between Alexander the Great and King Porus on the Jhelum River. Despite defeat, Porus impressed Alexander with his bravery and was reinstated as a satrap. [[1]]

Answer: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1534) preached 'Achintya Bheda Abheda' (inconceivable oneness and difference) in Bengal. He emphasized Krishna bhakti through kirtan and inspired the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition. [[1]]

Answer: Basavanna

Basavanna (12th century) founded the Lingayat movement in Karnataka, emphasizing personal devotion to Shiva through the Ishtalinga. It rejected caste discrimination and ritualism, promoting social equality. [[30]]

Answer: Antonio Monserrate

Antonio Monserrate, a Jesuit missionary, visited Akbar's and Jahangir's courts. His account provides insights into Mughal administration, military, and religious policies from a European perspective. [[30]]

Answer: Hiuen Tsang

Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) visited India during Harsha's reign (630-645 CE). His travelogue 'Si-yu-ki' provides detailed accounts of Indian society, Buddhism, administration, and geography. [[1]]

Answer: Uttiramerur Inscription

The Uttiramerur Inscription (10th century CE) details the Chola village administration, including qualifications for assembly members, election procedures, and committees for various functions. [[1]]