Indian History – Questions and Answers
Q.1: Which among the following kings was also known as Mamallan (great wrestler)?
A. Pulakeshin II
B. Mahendravarman I
C. Narasimhavarman I
D. None of the above
Answer: C. Narasimhavarman I
Explanation: Narasimhavarman I was a Tamil king of the Pallava dynasty who ruled South India from 630–668 AD Narasimhavarman was also known as Mamallan (great wrestler) and Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) was named after him.
Q.2: Which among the following is the most unique feature of Dholavira site of the Indus Valley Civilization?
A. Its cities were horizontally divided in multiple parts
B. Its cities were unevenly divided
C. Its cities were divided into 3 parts
D. None of these
Answer: C. Its cities were divided into 3 parts
Explanation: Its cities were divided into 3 parts – was the most unique feature of Dholavira site of the Indus Valley Civilization.
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Q.3: Which among the following Gupta emperors called himself 'Lichchhavi-dauhitra'?
A. Shrigupta
B. Chandragupta I
C. Chandragupta II
D. Samudragupta
Answer: D. Samudragupta
Explanation: Samudragupta was the Gupta emperor who called himself 'Lichchhavi-dauhitra'.
Q.4: In Pali texts, who among the following is referred to as 'Nigantha Nataputta'?
A. Gautam Buddha
B. Mahavira
C. Parshvanatha
D. Rishabha
Answer: B. Mahavira
Explanation: Mahavira, also known as Vardhamana is referred to as Nigantha Nataputta.
Q.5: At which among the following sites of Indus Valley Civilization, the rows of distinctive fire altars with provision of ritual bathing have been found?
A. Mohen-jo-daro
B. Harappa
C. Kalibangan
D. Lothal
Answer: C. Kalibangan
Explanation: The rows of distinctive fire altars with provision of ritual bathing have been found in kalibangan site of Indus Valley Civilization.
Q.6: Which among the following is a Tamil grammatical treatise?
A. Pattupattu
B. Ettutogai
C. Silappadikaram
D. Tolkappiyam
Answer: D. Tolkappiyam
Explanation: Tolkappiyam is the Tamil grammar texts. This book was written by one of the twelve qualified disciples of Augusta Rishi, 'Tolkappier'. This book, written in formula style, is the oldest grammar texts of the Tamil language.
Q.7: Todar Mal was associated with:
A. Finance
B. Law
C. Literature
D. Music
Answer: A. Finance
Explanation: Raja Todar Mal was the Finance Minister of the Mughal empire during Akbar's reign. He was one of the Navaratnas in Akbar's durbar.
Q.8: Under Akbar, the Mir Bakshi was required to look after:
A. The Land Revenue System
B. The Military Affairs
C. The Royal Household
D. The State Treasury
Answer: B. The Military Affairs
Explanation: The head of the military was called the Mir Bakshi, appointed from among the leading nobles of the court. The Mir Bakshi was in charge of intelligence gathering, and also made recommendations to the emperor for military appointments and promotions.
Q.9: The Battle of Plassey was fought in:
A. 1748
B. 1757
C. 1764
D. 1782
Answer: B. 1757
Explanation: The Battle of Plassey, 23 June 1757, was a decisive British East India Company victory over the Nawab of Bengal and his French allies, establishing Company rule in South Asia which expanded over much of the Indies for the next 190 years. The battle took place at Palashi, Bengal, on the river banks of the Bhagirathi River, about 150 km north of Calcutta, near Murshidabad, then capital of undivided Bengal. The belligerents were Siraj-ud-daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal, and the British East India Company.
Q.10: The treaty of Mangalore was signed between:
A. English East India Company & Haidar Ali
B. English East India Company & Tipu Sultan
C. French East India Company & Tipu Sultan
D. Haidar Ali & the Zamorin of Calicut
Answer: B. English East India Company & Tipu Sultan
Explanation: The treaty of Mangalore was signed between English East India Company & Tipu Sultan.
Q.11: To conquer and annex Peshawar and Punjab, Mahmud of Ghazni defeated:
A. Arabs
B. Ghurids
C. Hindu Shahis
D. Karkotakas
Answer: C. Hindu Shahis
Explanation: Mahmud of Ghazni defeated Hindu Shahis to conquer and annex Peshawar and Punjab.
Q.12: Two of the great Mughals wrote their own memories. Those were:
A. Babar & Humayun
B. Babar & Jahangir
C. Humayun & Jahangir
D. Jahangir & Shahjahan
Answer: B. Babar & Jahangir
Explanation: Babar & Jahangir wrote their own memories.
Q.13: The use of spinning wheel (Charkha) became common during the:
A. 9th Century AD
B. 10th Century AD
C. 12th Century AD
D. 14th Century AD
Answer: D. 14th Century AD
Explanation: The use of spinning wheel (Charkha) became common during the 14th Century AD.
Q.14: Under the Mountbatten Plan of 1947 the people of _____________ were given the right to decide through a plebiscite whether they wished to join Pakistan or India.
A. Assam
B. Bengal
C. N.W.F.P and the Sylhet District of Assam
D. Punjab
Answer: C. N.W.F.P and the Sylhet District of Assam
Explanation: Under the Mountbatten Plan of 1947, the people of N.W.F.P and the Sylhet District of Assam were given the right to decide through a plebiscite whether they wished to join Pakistan or India.
Q.15: The term 'Yavanapriya' mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts denoted:
A. Damsels sent to the Greek court for dance performance
B. Indian Muslin (fine variety)
C. Ivory
D. Pepper
Answer: D. Pepper
Explanation: The term 'Yavanapriya' mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts denoted Pepper.
Q.16: The language of discourses of Gautama Buddha was:
A. Bhojpuri
B. Magadhi
C. Pali
D. Sanskrit
Answer: C. Pali
Explanation: The language of discourses of Gautama Buddha was Pali.
Q.17: To which king belongs the Lion capital at Sarnath?
A. Ashoka
B. Chandragupta
C. Harsha
D. Kanishka
Answer: A. Ashoka
Explanation: The Lion capital at Sarnath belongs to King Ashoka.
Q.18: The title of 'Viceroy' was added to the office of the Governor-General of India for the first time in:
A. 1848 AD
B. 1856 AD
C. 1858 AD
D. 1862 AD
Answer: C. 1858 AD
Explanation: The title of 'Viceroy' was added to the office of the Governor-General of India for the first time in 1858 AD.
Q.19: Tripitakas are sacred books of:
A. Buddhists
B. Hindus
C. Jains
D. None of the above
Answer: A. Buddhists
Explanation: Tripitakas are sacred books of Buddhists.
Q.20: The territory of Porus who offered strong resistance to Alexander was situated between the rivers of:
A. Beas & Sutlej
B. Chenab & Jhelum
C. Chenab & Ravi
D. Ganga & Yamuna
Answer: B. Chenab & Jhelum
Explanation: The territory of Porus was situated between the rivers of Chenab & Jhelum, which offered strong resistance to Alexander.