A) Jawaharlal Nehru
B) Lal Bahadur Shastri
C) Indira Gandhi
D) Rajiv Gandhi
Correct Answer: B) Lal Bahadur Shastri
Explanation: Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister of India, coined the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” (Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer) to emphasize the importance of soldiers and farmers in India’s development. The slogan became a rallying cry during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.
A) Cheran Senguttuvan
B) Rajendra Chola I
C) Krishnadevaraya
D) Marthanda Varma
Correct Answer: A) Cheran Senguttuvan
Explanation: Cheran Senguttuvan, a ruler of the ancient Chera dynasty in South India, is credited with establishing the “Pattini cult,” which involved the worship of the goddess Kannagi, a symbol of chastity and moral virtue. This cult became widespread in Tamil culture.
A) Babur
B) Akbar
C) Jahangir
D) Aurangzeb
Correct Answer: C) Jahangir
Explanation: The Shalimar Bagh in Srinagar was constructed during the reign of Emperor Jahangir. The garden, which exemplifies Mughal horticulture, was built as a symbol of love for his wife, Nur Jahan, and remains one of the most famous Mughal gardens in India.
A) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
B) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
C) Jyotirao Phule
D) Swami Vivekananda
Correct Answer: A) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
Explanation: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a key figure in the passage of the Widow Remarriage Act of 1856. His tireless efforts to reform Hindu society and promote the rights of widows led to the legalization of widow remarriage, which was a significant step towards social justice.
A) Ellora
B) Ajanta
C) Badami
D) Elephanta
Correct Answer: B) Ajanta
Explanation: The Ajanta Caves, located in Maharashtra, are renowned for their rock-cut architecture and exquisite paintings, which date back to the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE. These caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and provide valuable insights into ancient Indian art and culture.
A) Shivaji
B) Samudragupta
C) Tipu Sultan
D) Raja Raja Chola I
Correct Answer: D) Raja Raja Chola I
Explanation: Raja Raja Chola I, the ruler of the Chola dynasty, is known for establishing a powerful navy that dominated the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. His naval expeditions extended Chola influence to Southeast Asia and strengthened maritime trade.
A) Kalidasa
B) Bhavabhuti
C) Bhasa
D) Banabhatta
Correct Answer: A) Kalidasa
Explanation: Kalidasa, one of ancient India’s greatest poets and playwrights, is best known for writing “Shakuntala,” a classical Sanskrit play. The play, which tells the story of the love between Shakuntala and King Dushyanta, is considered a masterpiece of Sanskrit literature.
A) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
B) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
C) Lala Lajpat Rai
D) Dadabhai Naoroji
Correct Answer: A) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Explanation: Gopal Krishna Gokhale founded the Servants of India Society in 1905 with the aim of promoting social reform, education, and the upliftment of the underprivileged. The society played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement by advocating for non-violent methods of protest.
A) Upanishads
B) Manusmriti
C) Rigveda
D) Arthashastra
Correct Answer: D) Arthashastra
Explanation: The Arthashastra, attributed to the ancient Indian scholar Kautilya (Chanakya), is a seminal text on statecraft, warfare, and economics. It provides detailed instructions on governance, diplomacy, military strategy, and the management of resources.
A) Mahmud of Ghazni
B) Muhammad bin Qasim
C) Babur
D) Alauddin Khilji
Correct Answer: B) Muhammad bin Qasim
Explanation: Muhammad bin Qasim, an Arab general, led the conquest of Sindh in 711 CE, marking the beginning of Muslim rule in the Indian subcontinent. His conquest laid the foundation for subsequent Muslim dynasties in India.
A) Babur
B) Humayun
C) Akbar
D) Aurangzeb
Correct Answer: D) Aurangzeb
Explanation: The Treaty of Purandar was signed in 1665 between the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and the Maratha leader Shivaji. The treaty temporarily settled hostilities between the Mughals and the Marathas, with Shivaji agreeing to certain conditions while retaining some of his territories.
A) Natya Shastra
B) Mahabharata
C) Ramayana
D) Arthashastra
Correct Answer: A) Natya Shastra
Explanation: The Natya Shastra, attributed to the sage Bharata, is the earliest known work on Indian dramaturgy and theater. It covers various aspects of classical Indian dance, music, and drama, and is considered a foundational text in Indian performing arts.
A) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
B) Annie Besant
C) Lala Lajpat Rai
D) Dadabhai Naoroji
Correct Answer: B) Annie Besant
Explanation: Annie Besant, along with Bal Gangadhar Tilak, founded the Home Rule League in 1916 to demand self-governance for India. The movement was instrumental in mobilizing public support for greater political autonomy from British rule.
A) Gupta Empire
B) Vakataka Kingdom
C) Pushyabhuti Dynasty
D) Chola Empire
Correct Answer: C) Pushyabhuti Dynasty
Explanation: King Harsha, also known as Harshavardhana, was a ruler of the Pushyabhuti Dynasty in the 7th century CE. His reign is noted for the consolidation of northern India and his patronage of Buddhism and literature.
A) Ramanuja
B) Shankaracharya
C) Madhvacharya
D) Vallabhacharya
Correct Answer: B) Shankaracharya
Explanation: Shankaracharya, also known as Adi Shankara, was a philosopher and theologian who founded the Advaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy. His teachings emphasized the concept of non-dualism, or the idea that the individual soul (Atman) and the universal soul (Brahman) are one and the same.
A) Babur
B) Akbar
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Correct Answer: C) Shah Jahan
Explanation: The Peacock Throne was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan and was a symbol of Mughal opulence and power. The throne was made of gold and encrusted with precious stones, including the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond. It was later taken to Persia by Nadir Shah in 1739.
A) Tolkappiyam
B) Ashtadhyayi
C) Manusmriti
D) Mahabharata
Correct Answer: B) Ashtadhyayi
Explanation: The Ashtadhyayi, written by the ancient Indian grammarian Panini, is considered the earliest known work on grammar and linguistics. It systematically outlines the rules of Sanskrit grammar and is a foundational text in the study of linguistics.
A) Tulsidas
B) Valmiki
C) Kalidasa
D) Kabir
Correct Answer: A) Tulsidas
Explanation: Tulsidas, a 16th-century Indian poet and philosopher, is best known for writing the “Ramcharitmanas,” an epic poem that retells the story of the Ramayana in the Awadhi language. The work is highly revered in Hinduism and has had a profound influence on Indian culture and religion.
A) Babur
B) Akbar
C) Aurangzeb
D) Bahadur Shah II
Correct Answer: D) Bahadur Shah II
Explanation: Bahadur Shah II, also known as Bahadur Shah Zafar, was the last Mughal emperor. His reign saw the decline of the Mughal Empire, which had been weakened by internal strife and external invasions. The British deposed him following the Indian Rebellion of 1857, marking the end of the Mughal dynasty and the beginning of direct British rule in India.
A) Babur
B) Akbar
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb
Correct Answer: C) Shah Jahan
Explanation: The Moti Masjid, or Pearl Mosque, in Agra was built by Emperor Shah Jahan. This mosque, known for its purity of form and elegance, is located within the Agra Fort and exemplifies the Mughal architecture of the period.
& stay ahead of your competitors!
* Subscribe to our email newsletter to get the latest posts delivered right to your email.
