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Generate QuizHistory – True/False – GK Questions
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The 'Junagadh Rock Inscription' of Rudradaman I is in Sanskrit and praises his achievements.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Junagadh Rock Inscription (150 CE) of Shaka ruler Rudradaman I is one of the earliest long Sanskrit inscriptions. It records the repair of Sudarshana Lake and praises Rudradaman's military and administrative skills. [[30]]
Ashoka's inscriptions were written in Prakrit using Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Most Ashokan edicts were in Prakrit using Brahmi script. In northwestern regions, Kharosthi was used. Greek and Aramaic inscriptions were found in Afghanistan, reflecting the empire's multilingual character. [[1]]
The Satavahanas issued lead and potin coins with bilingual legends in Prakrit and Tamil.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Satavahana coins had bilingual legends in Prakrit (using Brahmi script) and sometimes Greek, but not Tamil. They featured symbols like elephant, lion, and ship, indicating trade and royal authority. [[1]]
The Kushanas issued gold coins with portraits of kings and Greek deities.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Kushana gold coins (1st-3rd century CE) featured royal portraits on obverse and Greek, Iranian, or Indian deities on reverse. They facilitated trade along the Silk Road and reflected cultural syncretism. [[30]]
The 'Adichanallur' site in Tamil Nadu provided evidence of megalithic burial practices.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Adichanallur (Tamil Nadu) is a megalithic site with urn burials containing iron tools, pottery, and gold artifacts. It provides insights into early historic South Indian societies and trade networks. [[30]]
The 'Bhimbetka' rock shelters in Madhya Pradesh contain prehistoric cave paintings.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Bhimbetka rock shelters (UNESCO World Heritage Site) contain cave paintings dating from the Paleolithic to medieval periods. They depict hunting, dancing, and daily life of early humans in India. [[1]]
India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974, codenamed 'Smiling Buddha'.
- True
- False
Answer: True
India's first nuclear test, 'Smiling Buddha', was conducted on May 18, 1974, at Pokhran. It was described as a 'peaceful nuclear explosion' but significantly altered South Asia's strategic balance. [[1]]
India was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1961.
- True
- False
Answer: True
India, along with Yugoslavia, Egypt, Indonesia, and Ghana, was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement at the Belgrade Conference (1961). NAM aimed to promote peace and independence from superpower rivalry. [[30]]
The 'Mandal Commission' recommendations for OBC reservations were implemented in 1990.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Mandal Commission (1980) recommended 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes in government jobs. Prime Minister V.P. Singh implemented these recommendations in 1990, sparking widespread protests and political realignment. [[30]]
The first general elections in India (1951-52) were conducted under universal adult franchise.
- True
- False
Answer: True
India's first general elections (1951-52) were conducted with universal adult franchise, making it the world's largest democracy. Over 173 million people were eligible to vote, with a turnout of about 45%. [[1]]
The 'Basic Structure Doctrine' was propounded by the Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973).
- True
- False
Answer: True
In Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973), the Supreme Court held that Parliament cannot amend the 'basic structure' of the Constitution. This doctrine limits constitutional amendments and protects core democratic values. [[1]]
The Constituent Assembly had 299 members when it adopted the Constitution.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Constituent Assembly had 389 members initially (292 from provinces, 93 from princely states, 4 from Chief Commissioners' provinces). After Partition, it had 299 members who adopted the Constitution on November 26, 1949. [[30]]
Manipur was a princely state that acceded to India after independence.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Manipur was a princely state under British suzerainty. After independence, it acceded to India in 1949 and later became a full-fledged state in 1972. It has a rich history of monarchy and cultural traditions. [[30]]
The Treaty of Yandabo (1826) ended the First Anglo-Burmese War and brought Assam under British control.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Treaty of Yandabo (1826) ended the First Anglo-Burmese War. Burma ceded Assam, Manipur, and Arakan to the British, marking the beginning of colonial rule in North-East India. [[1]]
The construction of railways in India primarily served to transport raw materials to ports for export.
- True
- False
Answer: True
While railways facilitated internal connectivity, their primary purpose was economic exploitation: transporting cotton, jute, and minerals to ports for export to Britain, and distributing British manufactured goods inland. [[1]]
The 'Permanent Settlement' created a class of absentee landlords in Bengal.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Permanent Settlement (1793) recognized zamindars as landowners who paid fixed revenue to the British. Many zamindars lived in cities, collecting rent without investing in agriculture, leading to rural impoverishment. [[30]]
The Deccan school of painting shows influences from Persian, Turkish, and local Indian traditions.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Deccan painting (Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmadnagar) blended Persian elegance with vibrant Indian colors and local themes. It is known for rich landscapes, romantic themes, and distinctive facial types. [[30]]
The Pahari school of painting flourished in the Himalayan foothills of North India.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Pahari school (17th-19th century) developed in hill states like Basohli, Guler, and Kangra. It is known for delicate brushwork, vibrant colors, and themes from Krishna bhakti and Ragamala series. [[1]]
The discovery of Roman gold coins in South India indicates extensive trade with the Roman Empire.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Large hoards of Roman gold and silver coins found in Tamil Nadu and Kerala confirm flourishing trade between South India and the Roman Empire. Pliny the Elder complained about the drain of Roman gold to India for spices. [[1]]
The 'Periplus of the Erythraean Sea' provides information about ancient Indian ports and trade.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea (1st century CE) is a Greek navigation guide describing trade routes, ports, and commodities of the Indian Ocean, including Indian ports like Barbaricum, Barygaza, and Muziris. [[30]]