History – GK Questions

India was a founding member of the WTO established on January 1, 1995, succeeding GATT. India has actively participated in WTO negotiations, advocating for developing countries' interests in trade. [[30]]

The Simla Agreement (1972) between India and Pakistan established the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, replacing the ceasefire line of 1949. It committed both nations to bilateral resolution of disputes. [[1]]

The Gujral Doctrine (1996), articulated by PM I.K. Gujral, emphasized non-reciprocal generosity towards smaller South Asian neighbors to build trust and regional cooperation, particularly with Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. [[30]]

India's first nuclear test 'Smiling Buddha' was in 1974. The second series 'Pokhran-II' in 1998 declared India a nuclear weapon state, leading to international sanctions later eased. [[1]]

The Look East Policy was initiated by PM P.V. Narasimha Rao in 1991 to strengthen economic and strategic ties with Southeast Asia. It was later upgraded to 'Act East Policy' under PM Narendra Modi. [[30]]

Annie Besant established the Home Rule League in Madras in September 1916, demanding self-government for India. It complemented Tilak's league and mobilized mass support for Home Rule. [[1]]

India, under Nehru's leadership, was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement (1961) to promote Afro-Asian solidarity and independence from Cold War blocs. The Bandung Conference (1955) laid its groundwork. [[30]]

The Berlin Committee (1915) was formed by Indian revolutionaries in Germany during WWI, seeking German support for India's independence. It coordinated with the Ghadar Party for anti-British activities. [[1]]

India House (1905-1910) in London, founded by Shyamji Krishna Varma, became a hub for Indian revolutionaries like Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and Madan Lal Dhingra, promoting armed resistance against British rule. [[30]]

After escaping India in 1941, Subhash Chandra Bose reached Germany via Afghanistan and the Soviet Union. He sought Axis support for India's independence before moving to Southeast Asia in 1943. [[1]]

Subramania Bharati (1882-1921) was a Tamil poet, journalist, and freedom fighter. His poetry advocated social reform, women's emancipation, and Indian nationalism, influencing Tamil literature profoundly. [[30]]

Dinabandhu Mitra wrote 'Nil Darpan' (1860), a Bengali play exposing the exploitation of indigo farmers by European planters. It sparked public outrage and contributed to the Indigo Commission. [[1]]

Bankim Chandra Chatterjee wrote 'Anandamath' (1882), featuring the song 'Vande Mataram'. The novel inspired nationalist sentiment and became a rallying cry during India's freedom struggle. [[30]]

Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for 'Gitanjali' (Song Offerings), a collection of devotional poems. He was the first non-European to receive this honor. [[1]]

Munshi Premchand wrote 'Godaan' (1936), a landmark Hindi novel depicting peasant life, exploitation, and social realities. He is considered the greatest novelist of modern Hindi literature. [[30]]

Amir Khusrau (1253-1325) blended Persian and Indian musical traditions, developing qawwali as a form of Sufi devotional music. He also contributed to the evolution of Hindustani classical music. [[1]]

Ziauddin Barani wrote 'Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi' (c. 1357), covering the Delhi Sultanate from Balban to Firoz Shah Tughlaq. It reflects the political ideology and administrative practices of the period. [[30]]

Babur wrote his memoirs 'Baburnama' in Chagatai Turkish, later translated to Persian. It provides vivid accounts of his life, Central Asian culture, and early Mughal India. [[1]]

Abdul Fazl, Akbar's court historian, wrote 'Akbarnama' (chronicle of Akbar's reign) and 'Ain-i-Akbari' (administrative details). These works provide comprehensive insights into Mughal administration and culture. [[30]]

Minhaj-i-Siraj Juzjani wrote 'Tabaqat-i-Nasiri' (1260 CE), a Persian chronicle covering Islamic dynasties including the Delhi Sultanate up to 1260. It is a key source for early Sultanate history. [[1]]