History – GK Questions

Banabhatta, court poet of Harsha, wrote 'Harshacharita' in Sanskrit prose. It is one of the earliest historical biographies in Indian literature, providing insights into 7th-century North India. [[1]]

Agrahara grants were land donations to Brahmins and temples during the Gupta period. These grants were tax-free and hereditary, leading to the growth of self-sufficient village economies. [[30]]

The Gupta period (c. 320-550 CE) is called the 'Golden Age' due to achievements in science, mathematics, literature, art, and political stability. Scholars like Aryabhata, Kalidasa, and Varahamihira flourished. [[1]]

In Gupta administration, 'Uparika' was the governor of a province (Bhukti). Below him were 'Vishayapati' (district officer) and 'Gramika' (village headman), forming a hierarchical administrative structure. [[30]]

The Satavahanas (c. 1st century BCE-3rd century CE) ruled over the Deccan region with capitals at Pratishthana (Paithan) and Amaravati. They issued lead and potin coins and patronized Prakrit literature. [[1]]

Kalidasa's play Malavikagnimitram mentions the Yavana (Indo-Greek) invasion during the reign of Pushyamitra Shunga, indicating conflicts between Shungas and Greek rulers in North India. [[30]]

The Gandhara school of art (1st-3rd century CE) flourished under Kushana patronage, blending Greco-Roman and Indian styles. It produced the first anthropomorphic images of Buddha. [[1]]

Kushana emperor Kanishka (c. 127-150 CE) patronized Mahayana Buddhism, convened the Fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir, and supported the spread of Buddhism to Central Asia and China. [[30]]

The Indo-Greek rulers (2nd-1st century BCE) were the first to issue gold coins in India featuring royal portraits and bilingual inscriptions in Greek and Kharosthi/Prakrit. [[1]]

Sattriya, originating from Assam's Vaishnavite monasteries (sattras), was recognized as the eighth classical dance form by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2000. It combines dance, music, and drama. [[30]]

Manipuri dance, from Manipur, is deeply rooted in the Vaishnavite tradition and depicts the divine love of Radha and Krishna. It is characterized by gentle, flowing movements and devotional themes. [[1]]

Kuchipudi originated in the village of Kuchipudi in Andhra Pradesh. It combines dance and drama, with performers often singing while dancing. It is known for quick footwork and expressive abhinaya. [[30]]

Kathakali, from Kerala, is known for its vibrant makeup, elaborate costumes, and facial expressions. It depicts stories from Hindu epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata through dance, music, and acting. [[1]]

Bharatanatyam originated in Tamil Nadu's temples, with roots in the Natya Shastra. It combines dance, music, and abhinaya (expression) to depict Hindu mythology and spiritual themes. [[30]]

Sarojini Naidu was called the 'Nightingale of India' for her lyrical poetry. She was also the first Indian woman to become a state governor (Uttar Pradesh) and presided over the Congress session in 1925. [[1]]

Annie Besant became the first woman President of the Indian National Congress in 1917. A theosophist and social reformer, she also founded the Home Rule League and started the newspaper 'New India'. [[30]]

Sir C.V. Raman won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for discovering the Raman Effect – the scattering of light that reveals molecular structure. He was the first Asian to win a Nobel Prize in science. [[1]]

Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his collection 'Gitanjali'. He was the first non-European to receive this honor, bringing global recognition to Indian literature. [[30]]

The Berlin Wall, which divided East and West Berlin since 1961, fell on November 9, 1989. This event symbolized the collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe and the end of the Cold War era. [[1]]

The United Nations was founded on October 24, 1945, after World War II, to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts. Its headquarters is in New York City. [[30]]