History – Medium Level – GK Questions

The Shunga dynasty (c. 185-73 BCE) succeeded the Mauryas in Magadha. Pushyamitra Shunga, a Brahmin commander, assassinated the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha and established Shunga rule, patronizing Brahmanism. [[1]]

Pattachitra is a traditional scroll painting from West Bengal and Odisha, depicting Hindu epics and folk tales. Artists use natural colors on cloth or palm leaves, continuing centuries-old techniques. [[30]]

Warli painting is a tribal art form from Maharashtra, created by the Warli community. It uses geometric shapes and natural pigments to depict daily life, rituals, and nature worship. [[30]]

The Vietnam War ended with the fall of Saigon (April 30, 1975) to North Vietnamese forces. Vietnam was reunified in 1976 as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, marking a significant Cold War outcome. [[1]]

The African National Congress (ANC), founded in 1912, led the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Nelson Mandela became its iconic leader and South Africa's first black president in 1994. [[1]]

The Bandung Conference (1955) brought together 29 Asian and African nations to promote economic cooperation and oppose colonialism. It laid groundwork for the Non-Aligned Movement and South-South cooperation. [[1]]

Zij-i-Muhammadi and other astronomical tables were compiled in medieval India, blending Indian, Persian, and Greek knowledge. They facilitated accurate calendar calculations and navigation. [[30]]

Bhaskara II (12th century) wrote Siddhanta Shiromani, covering arithmetic, algebra, and astronomy. He calculated planetary positions, discussed gravity concepts, and contributed to calculus foundations. [[30]]

Sharngadhara Samhita (13th-14th century) is a medieval Ayurvedic text that introduced pulse diagnosis (Nadi Pariksha) and detailed formulations. It reflects the evolution of Indian medical knowledge. [[30]]

Indira Gandhi nationalized 14 major banks in 1969 and 6 more in 1980. This aimed to extend banking to rural areas, support agriculture, and reduce concentration of economic power. [[1]]

The Green Revolution (mid-1960s) introduced high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice, along with irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides. It transformed India from a food-deficient to a self-sufficient nation. [[1]]

The License Raj (1947-1991) required businesses to obtain numerous government licenses for production, expansion, and imports. It aimed at planned development but led to inefficiency and corruption, reformed after 1991. [[1]]

After the Anglo-Nepalese War, the British were impressed by Gurkha bravery and began recruiting them into the British Indian Army. Gurkhas continue to serve in the Indian and British armies with distinction. [[30]]

The Treaty of Sugauli (1816) ended the Anglo-Nepalese War and defined Nepal's boundaries. Nepal ceded territories like Kumaon and Garhwal but retained independence, and the Gurkha recruitment tradition began. [[30]]

The Namgyal dynasty ruled Sikkim from 1642 to 1975. It was founded by Phuntsog Namgyal, and the kingdom became a protectorate of India before merging with the Indian Union in 1975. [[30]]

The Ramayana and Mahabharata are integral to Southeast Asian cultures, adapted in local languages and performance arts like Wayang Kulit (Indonesia), Khon (Thailand), and Ramakien (Cambodia). [[1]]

Srivijaya (7th-13th century), based in Sumatra, was a major maritime empire and center for Mahayana Buddhism. Indian scholars like Atisha studied there, and it facilitated cultural exchange between India and Southeast Asia. [[1]]

Indian cultural influence in Southeast Asia (Greater India) is seen in temple architecture (Angkor Wat), scripts (Pallava-derived), epics (Ramayana, Mahabharata), and Hindu-Buddhist religious practices. [[1]]

SAARC was founded in 1985 with seven members: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Maldives. Afghanistan joined later in 2007. SAARC aims to promote regional cooperation in South Asia. [[30]]

The Simla Agreement (July 1972) was signed by Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto after the 1971 War. It established the Line of Control in Kashmir and committed both nations to bilateral resolution of disputes. [[30]]