History – GK Questions

Zij-i-Muhammadi and other astronomical tables were compiled in medieval India, blending Indian, Persian, and Greek knowledge. They facilitated accurate calendar calculations and navigation. [[30]]

Bhaskara II's Lilavati (12th century) is a comprehensive mathematics text covering arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. Named after his daughter, it uses poetic verses to explain mathematical concepts. [[1]]

Bhaskara II (12th century) wrote Siddhanta Shiromani, covering arithmetic, algebra, and astronomy. He calculated planetary positions, discussed gravity concepts, and contributed to calculus foundations. [[30]]

The Delhi Iron Pillar (c. 4th-5th century CE) has resisted rusting for over 1,600 years due to its high phosphorus content and protective passive film. It showcases ancient Indian metallurgical expertise. [[1]]

Sharngadhara Samhita (13th-14th century) is a medieval Ayurvedic text that introduced pulse diagnosis (Nadi Pariksha) and detailed formulations. It reflects the evolution of Indian medical knowledge. [[30]]

Indira Gandhi nationalized 14 major banks in 1969 and 6 more in 1980. This aimed to extend banking to rural areas, support agriculture, and reduce concentration of economic power. [[1]]

The Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974-79) emphasized 'Garibi Hatao' (Remove Poverty) and growth with social justice. It focused on employment generation, minimum needs program, and self-reliance. [[30]]

The Green Revolution (mid-1960s) introduced high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice, along with irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides. It transformed India from a food-deficient to a self-sufficient nation. [[1]]

The 1991 economic reforms, led by Finance Minister Manmohan Singh under PM P.V. Narasimha Rao, liberalized trade, reduced licenses, and opened India to foreign investment, transforming the economy. [[30]]

The License Raj (1947-1991) required businesses to obtain numerous government licenses for production, expansion, and imports. It aimed at planned development but led to inefficiency and corruption, reformed after 1991. [[1]]

After the Anglo-Nepalese War, the British were impressed by Gurkha bravery and began recruiting them into the British Indian Army. Gurkhas continue to serve in the Indian and British armies with distinction. [[30]]

Bhutan is known as 'Druk Yul' (Land of the Thunder Dragon) in Dzongkha. The dragon symbol appears on its flag and represents the Drukpa Kagyu school of Buddhism, which is central to Bhutanese identity. [[1]]

The Treaty of Sugauli (1816) ended the Anglo-Nepalese War and defined Nepal's boundaries. Nepal ceded territories like Kumaon and Garhwal but retained independence, and the Gurkha recruitment tradition began. [[30]]

Bhutan maintained independence during British rule, though it signed the Treaty of Punakha (1910) accepting British guidance in external affairs. Post-1947, it signed a Treaty of Friendship with India (1949, revised 2007). [[1]]

The Namgyal dynasty ruled Sikkim from 1642 to 1975. It was founded by Phuntsog Namgyal, and the kingdom became a protectorate of India before merging with the Indian Union in 1975. [[30]]

The Ramayana and Mahabharata are integral to Southeast Asian cultures, adapted in local languages and performance arts like Wayang Kulit (Indonesia), Khon (Thailand), and Ramakien (Cambodia). [[1]]

The Pallava script (South India) influenced the development of scripts in Southeast Asia, including Thai, Khmer, and Javanese scripts. This reflects the spread of Indian culture through trade and religious missions. [[30]]

Srivijaya (7th-13th century), based in Sumatra, was a major maritime empire and center for Mahayana Buddhism. Indian scholars like Atisha studied there, and it facilitated cultural exchange between India and Southeast Asia. [[1]]

Angkor Wat (12th century), built by Suryavarman II, was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. It later became a Buddhist temple and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and symbol of Cambodia. [[30]]

Indian cultural influence in Southeast Asia (Greater India) is seen in temple architecture (Angkor Wat), scripts (Pallava-derived), epics (Ramayana, Mahabharata), and Hindu-Buddhist religious practices. [[1]]