History – GK Questions

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]]

Hoysala temples (11th-14th century) at Belur and Halebidu feature exquisite soapstone carvings depicting deities, dancers, and mythological scenes. The soft stone allowed for detailed sculptural work. [[30]]

The Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai, expanded by the Nayak rulers, is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Shiva. Its towering gopurams and thousand-pillar hall exemplify Dravidian architecture. [[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]]

Mirabai (16th century), a Rajput princess and devotee of Krishna, composed heartfelt bhajans expressing divine love. Her poems remain popular in Hindu devotional music across India. [[1]]

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]]

Thiruvalluvar composed Thirukkural, a classic Tamil text of 1,330 couplets on ethics, politics, and love. It is revered across religious and linguistic boundaries in South India. [[1]]

Goswami Tulsidas composed Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi (a dialect of Hindi) in the 16th century. It popularized the Rama bhakti movement across North India and remains widely recited. [[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]]

Charvaka (Lokayata) was a materialistic school that rejected Vedas, afterlife, and supernatural entities. It emphasized perception as the only source of knowledge and advocated hedonistic ethics. [[30]]

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]]

'Ahimsa Paramo Dharma' (non-violence is the supreme duty) is a core principle of Jainism. Jains practice strict non-violence towards all living beings, influencing Indian culture and Gandhi's philosophy. [[30]]

Patanjali compiled the Yoga Sutras (c. 2nd century BCE), systematizing Yoga philosophy and practice. The text outlines the eight limbs of Yoga (Ashtanga) leading to spiritual liberation. [[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 Indo-Pak War of December 1971 resulted in Pakistan's surrender and the creation of Bangladesh. India's victory strengthened its regional position and demonstrated military capability. [[1]]

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]]

India's first general elections were held in 1951-52, with over 173 million eligible voters. The Indian National Congress won a majority, and Nehru continued as Prime Minister. [[1]]

The States Reorganisation Commission (Fazl Ali Commission, 1953) recommended reorganizing states primarily on linguistic lines. The States Reorganisation Act 1956 implemented most recommendations, creating 14 states and 6 UTs. [[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 Indian Independence Act 1947, passed by British Parliament, set August 15, 1947, as the date for transfer of power and creation of two dominions. Lord Mountbatten advanced the date from June 1948 to August 1947. [[1]]