History – Medium Level – GK Questions

Answer: Thrice

National Emergency was proclaimed thrice: 1962 (China war), 1971 (Pakistan war), and 1975 (internal disturbance). The 44th Amendment (1978) made emergency provisions more stringent to prevent misuse. [[30]]

Answer: True

The Poona Pact was signed on September 24, 1932, between Gandhi and Ambedkar. It ensured reserved seats for Depressed Classes within joint electorates, replacing separate electorates proposed in the Communal Award. [[30]]

Answer: True

Judicial Review, the power to examine constitutionality of laws, is inherent in the Indian Constitution (Articles 13, 32, 226). It was reinforced by the Basic Structure Doctrine in Kesavananda Bharati case (1973). [[30]]

Answer: Australian

The Concurrent List (List III in Seventh Schedule) allowing both center and states to legislate on certain subjects was borrowed from the Australian Constitution. It facilitates cooperative federalism. [[30]]

Answer: Federal structure

The Government of India Act 1935 provided the structural framework for India's federal system, including the division of powers between center and states, though the Constitution made it more flexible and democratic. [[30]]

Answer: True

The 1991 economic reforms, known as LPG (Liberalization, Privatization, Globalization), dismantled the License Raj, opened India to foreign investment, and integrated the economy with global markets. [[1]]

Answer: Second

The Second Five-Year Plan (1956-61), based on the Mahalanobis Model, emphasized heavy and capital goods industries to achieve rapid industrialization. It laid foundations for India's public sector. [[1]]

Answer: Indian industrialists

The Bombay Plan (1944) was drafted by leading Indian industrialists including J.R.D. Tata and G.D. Birla. It proposed state-led industrialization and planning, influencing post-independence economic policy. [[1]]

Answer: True

India was a founding member of the WTO established on January 1, 1995, succeeding GATT. India has actively participated in WTO negotiations, advocating for developing countries' interests in trade. [[30]]

Answer: South Asian

The Gujral Doctrine (1996), articulated by PM I.K. Gujral, emphasized non-reciprocal generosity towards smaller South Asian neighbors to build trust and regional cooperation, particularly with Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. [[30]]

Answer: P.V. Narasimha Rao

The Look East Policy was initiated by PM P.V. Narasimha Rao in 1991 to strengthen economic and strategic ties with Southeast Asia. It was later upgraded to 'Act East Policy' under PM Narendra Modi. [[30]]

Answer: True

Annie Besant established the Home Rule League in Madras in September 1916, demanding self-government for India. It complemented Tilak's league and mobilized mass support for Home Rule. [[1]]

Answer: World War I

The Berlin Committee (1915) was formed by Indian revolutionaries in Germany during WWI, seeking German support for India's independence. It coordinated with the Ghadar Party for anti-British activities. [[1]]

Answer: Germany

After escaping India in 1941, Subhash Chandra Bose reached Germany via Afghanistan and the Soviet Union. He sought Axis support for India's independence before moving to Southeast Asia in 1943. [[1]]

Answer: True

Subramania Bharati (1882-1921) was a Tamil poet, journalist, and freedom fighter. His poetry advocated social reform, women's emancipation, and Indian nationalism, influencing Tamil literature profoundly. [[30]]

Answer: Bankim Chandra Chatterjee

Bankim Chandra Chatterjee wrote 'Anandamath' (1882), featuring the song 'Vande Mataram'. The novel inspired nationalist sentiment and became a rallying cry during India's freedom struggle. [[30]]

Answer: Premchand

Munshi Premchand wrote 'Godaan' (1936), a landmark Hindi novel depicting peasant life, exploitation, and social realities. He is considered the greatest novelist of modern Hindi literature. [[30]]

Answer: True

Amir Khusrau (1253-1325) blended Persian and Indian musical traditions, developing qawwali as a form of Sufi devotional music. He also contributed to the evolution of Hindustani classical music. [[1]]

Answer: Chagatai Turkish

Babur wrote his memoirs 'Baburnama' in Chagatai Turkish, later translated to Persian. It provides vivid accounts of his life, Central Asian culture, and early Mughal India. [[1]]

Answer: Minhaj-i-Siraj

Minhaj-i-Siraj Juzjani wrote 'Tabaqat-i-Nasiri' (1260 CE), a Persian chronicle covering Islamic dynasties including the Delhi Sultanate up to 1260. It is a key source for early Sultanate history. [[1]]