History – GK Questions

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]]

Humayun brought Persian painters Mir Sayyid Ali and Abdus Samad from Tabriz during his exile, establishing the imperial atelier. Akbar expanded it significantly, employing over 100 artists for manuscript illustrations. [[1]]

Rajput painting (16th-19th century) flourished in Rajput kingdoms like Mewar, Marwar, and Bundi. It depicts royal portraits, hunting scenes, and Hindu epics with vibrant colors and flat perspective. [[30]]

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]]

Mughal painting blended Persian miniature traditions with Indian themes, Chinese landscape techniques, and later European perspective and shading. Akbar's atelier produced illustrated manuscripts like Hamzanama and Akbarnama. [[30]]

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]]

Manigramam and Ainnurruvar were powerful merchant guilds in ancient South India that controlled maritime trade with Southeast Asia. They had settlements in Sri Lanka, Sumatra, and other regions. [[30]]

The Silk Road facilitated trade and cultural exchange between India, Central Asia, China, and the Mediterranean. Indian spices, textiles, and ivory were exchanged for Chinese silk, Central Asian horses, and Roman gold. [[1]]

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]]

Muziris (modern Kodungallur, Kerala) was the most important port for Indo-Roman trade in ancient times. Roman coins, amphorae, and artifacts found here confirm extensive maritime commerce with the Mediterranean world. [[1]]

Purandara Dasa (1484-1564) is called the 'Father of Carnatic Music' for systematizing music education through graded exercises (sarali varisai, jantai varisai). He composed thousands of devotional songs in Kannada. [[30]]

Venkatamakhin (17th century) systematized Carnatic music through the Melakarta scheme of 72 parent ragas in his work 'Chaturdandi Prakasika'. This framework remains foundational to Carnatic music theory. [[1]]

Thumri, a semi-classical vocal form emphasizing emotion and romance, originated in the Lucknow court of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. It is often performed in lighter ragas and talas. [[30]]

Tansen, the legendary Hindustani classical musician, was one of Akbar's Navaratnas (nine gems). He is credited with creating ragas like Miyan ki Todi and Deepak, and his tomb is in Gwalior. [[1]]

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi belonged to the Kirana Gharana, known for its emphasis on melody, intricate taans, and devotional renditions. He popularized Hindustani classical music globally. [[30]]

The Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950, making India a sovereign democratic republic. This date was chosen to commemorate the 1930 Purna Swaraj declaration. [[1]]

The Quit India Movement was launched by Gandhi on August 8, 1942, at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee. The slogan 'Do or Die' inspired mass participation despite immediate arrests of leaders. [[30]]

The Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha) began on March 12, 1930, with Gandhi walking from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi. He broke the salt law on April 6, 1930, launching the Civil Disobedience Movement. [[1]]

Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915. He spent a year traveling across India to understand the people's conditions before launching his first satyagraha in Champaran (1917). [[1]]

The Chinese Communist Revolution culminated in 1949 with Mao Zedong proclaiming the People's Republic of China. The Nationalist government retreated to Taiwan, ending decades of civil war. [[1]]