History – MCQ – GK Questions

Home Charges were expenses of the India Office in London (salaries, pensions, interest on debt) charged to Indian revenues. Nationalists like Dadabhai Naoroji criticized this as part of the 'Drain of Wealth'. [[1]]

The Nagara style of North Indian temple architecture features a curvilinear shikhara (tower) over the sanctum, often with amalaka and kalasha finials. Examples include Khajuraho and Konark temples. [[1]]

The Khajuraho temples (950-1050 CE), built by the Chandela dynasty, are renowned for intricate erotic sculptures symbolizing the celebration of life and spiritual union. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. [[30]]

Malik Muhammad Jayasi wrote 'Padmavat' in Awadhi (1540), an allegorical epic on the legend of Queen Padmini of Chittor and Alauddin Khilji. It blends history, romance, and Sufi mysticism. [[30]]

Jayadeva composed 'Gita Govinda' in 12th-century Bengal, a Sanskrit lyrical poem celebrating the divine love of Krishna and Radha. It remains influential in Indian classical music and dance. [[1]]

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad contains the famous dialogue between Sage Yajnavalkya and his wife Maitreyi on the nature of Atman (Self) and Brahman, emphasizing that realization of the Self leads to immortality. [[1]]

Samkhya, one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy, is attributed to Sage Kapila. It is dualistic, distinguishing between Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter), and influenced Yoga philosophy. [[30]]

The Green Revolution was initiated under Lal Bahadur Shastri (1964-66) with support from agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan. It introduced high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice, transforming Indian agriculture. [[30]]

Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of independent India on August 15, 1947. He served until his death in 1964, shaping India's democratic, secular, and socialist foundations. [[1]]

The Mountbatten Plan (June 3, 1947) provided for partition of British India into two independent dominions – India and Pakistan – with princely states free to join either. It was accepted by Congress and League. [[30]]

The All India Muslim League was founded in Dhaka in 1906 to safeguard Muslim political interests. Initially loyalist, it later demanded separate electorates and eventually Pakistan. [[1]]

AITUC was founded in Bombay in 1920 under the presidency of Lala Lajpat Rai. It was the first central trade union organization in India, advocating workers' rights and linking labor movement with nationalism. [[30]]

The Ghadar Party was founded in 1913 in San Francisco, USA, by Lala Har Dayal and other Indian expatriates. It aimed to overthrow British rule through armed revolution and published the 'Ghadar' newspaper. [[1]]

Individual Satyagraha (1940-41) protested Britain's unilateral declaration of India's involvement in WWII and the inadequate August Offer. Vinoba Bhave was the first satyagrahi, followed by Nehru. [[1]]

The 'No Tax' campaign was particularly successful in Gujarat during the Civil Disobedience Movement. Peasants refused to pay land revenue, and the movement gained strong support from Patidars and other communities. [[30]]

Gopal Krishna Gokhale was a Moderate leader who believed in constitutional methods. Tilak, Pal, and Lajpat Rai (Lal-Bal-Pal) were Extremists advocating mass agitation and self-reliance. [[1]]

Moderate leaders like Gokhale and Banerjee believed in constitutional methods: Prayer (appeals to British justice), Petition (submitting memoranda), and Protest (peaceful agitation) to achieve reforms. [[30]]

The Indian Councils Act 1892 introduced indirect election to legislative councils, though members were still officially 'nominated'. It marked the beginning of representative institutions in India. [[30]]

The Regulating Act of 1773 created the office of Governor-General of Bengal (Warren Hastings was first) and a four-member Executive Council. It was the first step toward parliamentary control over the Company. [[1]]

Chauth (25% of revenue) and Sardeshmukhi (10% extra) were taxes levied by Marathas on neighboring Mughal territories in exchange for protection from raids. This system funded Maratha expansion. [[1]]