History – GK Questions

The Junagadh Rock Inscription (150 CE) of Shaka ruler Rudradaman I is one of the earliest long Sanskrit inscriptions. It records the repair of Sudarshana Lake and praises Rudradaman's military and administrative skills. [[30]]

The Uttiramerur Inscription (10th century CE) details the Chola village administration, including qualifications for assembly members, election procedures, and committees for various functions. [[1]]

The Nasik Inscription (c. 2nd century CE) by Gautami Balashri records her son Gautamiputra Satakarni's victories over Shakas, Pahlavas, and Yavanas. It highlights Satavahana power in the Deccan. [[30]]

Most Ashokan edicts were in Prakrit using Brahmi script. In northwestern regions, Kharosthi was used. Greek and Aramaic inscriptions were found in Afghanistan, reflecting the empire's multilingual character. [[1]]

The Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayag Prashasti), composed by Harisena, eulogizes Samudragupta's military conquests, generosity, and patronage of arts. It is a key source for Gupta history. [[30]]

Satavahana coins had bilingual legends in Prakrit (using Brahmi script) and sometimes Greek, but not Tamil. They featured symbols like elephant, lion, and ship, indicating trade and royal authority. [[1]]

Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) issued gold coins with the legend 'Vikramaditya' and titles like 'Parama-bhagavata'. His coins depict him as an archer, lion-slayer, and patron of arts. [[30]]

Gupta gold coins (Dinara) were of high purity and featured elegant designs of kings performing rituals, hunting, or playing instruments. They reflect the prosperity and cultural achievements of the Gupta age. [[1]]

Kushana gold coins (1st-3rd century CE) featured royal portraits on obverse and Greek, Iranian, or Indian deities on reverse. They facilitated trade along the Silk Road and reflected cultural syncretism. [[30]]

Punch-marked coins (6th-2nd century BCE) were issued by Mahajanapadas like Magadha, Kosala, and Avanti. They were made of silver and bore symbols like sun, moon, and animals, representing early state authority. [[1]]

Adichanallur (Tamil Nadu) is a megalithic site with urn burials containing iron tools, pottery, and gold artifacts. It provides insights into early historic South Indian societies and trade networks. [[30]]

Lothal (Gujarat) had the world's earliest known dockyard (c. 2400 BCE), connected to the Sabarmati river. It facilitated maritime trade with Mesopotamia and demonstrates advanced hydraulic engineering. [[1]]

Sirkap, near Taxila (Pakistan), was built by Indo-Greek rulers in the 2nd century BCE. It features a grid plan, Hellenistic architecture, and artifacts showing fusion of Greek and Indian cultures. [[30]]

Bhimbetka rock shelters (UNESCO World Heritage Site) contain cave paintings dating from the Paleolithic to medieval periods. They depict hunting, dancing, and daily life of early humans in India. [[1]]

Dholavira (Indus Valley Civilization) features sophisticated water conservation systems including reservoirs, channels, and stepwells. It demonstrates advanced urban planning and adaptation to arid conditions. [[30]]

India's first nuclear test, 'Smiling Buddha', was conducted on May 18, 1974, at Pokhran. It was described as a 'peaceful nuclear explosion' but significantly altered South Asia's strategic balance. [[1]]

The Soviet Union supported India during the 1971 War through the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship (August 1971). This deterred US-China intervention and ensured India's strategic advantage in the conflict. [[30]]

The Tashkent Agreement (January 1966) was signed by Lal Bahadur Shastri and Ayub Khan under Soviet mediation. It restored pre-war boundaries but Shastri died hours after signing, adding mystery to the event. [[1]]

India, along with Yugoslavia, Egypt, Indonesia, and Ghana, was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement at the Belgrade Conference (1961). NAM aimed to promote peace and independence from superpower rivalry. [[30]]

Non-Alignment, championed by Nehru, meant India would not join military blocs led by the USA or USSR. However, India maintained strategic autonomy and engaged with both sides based on national interests. [[1]]