History – GK Questions

The Reign of Terror (1793-94) was a violent phase of the French Revolution led by the Committee of Public Safety under Robespierre. Thousands were executed by guillotine for alleged counter-revolutionary activities. [[30]]

The Treaty of Paris (1783) ended the American Revolutionary War, recognizing the independence of the United States from Great Britain and establishing its boundaries. [[1]]

Vladimir Lenin led the Bolshevik Party in the October Revolution of 1917, overthrowing the provisional government and establishing the world's first communist state in Russia. [[30]]

The French Revolution began in 1789 with the storming of the Bastille. It overthrew the monarchy, established a republic, and promoted ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity that influenced global politics. [[1]]

Aryabhata (476-550 CE) proposed in Aryabhatiya that Earth rotates on its axis causing day-night cycle and that planets revolve around the Sun. His heliocentric insights predated Copernicus by centuries. [[30]]

Samarangana Sutradhara (11th century CE) by Bhoja describes mechanical devices including 'Vimanas' (flying machines). While largely mythological, it reflects ancient Indian interest in aeronautics and engineering. [[1]]

Ancient Indian mathematicians developed the decimal place-value system and the concept of zero as a number. These innovations were transmitted to the Islamic world and Europe, revolutionizing mathematics. [[30]]

Sushruta (c. 6th century BCE) authored Sushruta Samhita, detailing surgical procedures, instruments, and anatomy. He described rhinoplasty and cataract surgery, earning recognition as a pioneer of surgery. [[1]]

Surya Siddhanta is an ancient Sanskrit text on astronomy of unknown authorship (c. 4th-5th century CE). It describes planetary motions, eclipses, and time measurement, influencing Indian and Islamic astronomy. [[30]]

Begum Rokeya (1880-1932) was a pioneering feminist writer and educator in Bengal. She founded the Sakhawat Memorial Girls' School and wrote 'Sultana's Dream', envisioning a women-led society. [[1]]

Pandita Ramabai founded Seva Sadan in Pune (1889) to educate and empower widows and destitute women. She also established Mukti Mission for women's rehabilitation and vocational training. [[30]]

The Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act 1856, supported by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, legalized remarriage of Hindu widows. It challenged orthodox customs and improved women's social status. [[1]]

The Age of Consent Act 1891, championed by social reformers, raised the age of consent for girls from 10 to 12 years. It faced conservative opposition but marked progress in protecting child rights. [[30]]

Raja Ram Mohan Roy campaigned vigorously against Sati, arguing it was not sanctioned by true Hindu scriptures. His efforts led to Regulation XVII of 1829 abolishing Sati under Lord William Bentinck. [[1]]

While railways facilitated movement, they primarily served British interests: transporting raw materials to ports for export and moving troops. Indian industries gained limited benefit due to discriminatory freight rates. [[1]]

The Famine Codes were introduced after the Great Famine of 1876-78, which killed millions. They outlined preventive and relief measures, though implementation remained inadequate during subsequent famines. [[30]]

The first successful modern cotton textile mill was established by Kawasji Davar in Bombay in 1854. It marked the beginning of industrialization in India, though primarily serving British economic interests. [[1]]

British free trade policy allowed duty-free import of British manufactured goods while imposing duties on Indian exports. This destroyed India's traditional handicrafts, causing unemployment and poverty. [[30]]

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]]

Vijayanagara architecture (14th-16th century) blended Dravidian temple styles with Indo-Islamic elements like arches and domes, reflecting cultural synthesis. Hampi's ruins showcase this unique fusion. [[30]]