GK Questions

Answer: Lord William Bentinck

Lord William Bentinck, with support from Raja Ram Mohan Roy, abolished Sati through Regulation XVII of 1829, prohibiting the immolation of widows on their husbands' funeral pyres. [[30]]

Answer: Warren Hastings

Warren Hastings served as the first Governor-General of Bengal (1773-85) under the Regulating Act of 1773. He established administrative foundations but was later impeached for alleged corruption. [[1]]

Answer: Joseph Dupleix

Joseph François Dupleix served as French Governor-General of Pondicherry (1742-54). He pioneered the policy of intervening in local succession disputes to expand French influence, though ultimately unsuccessful. [[1]]

Answer: War of Austrian Succession

The First Carnatic War (1746-48) was the Indian theatre of the War of Austrian Succession (1740-48) in Europe. It saw French forces under Dupleix capture Madras from the British. [[30]]

Answer: Louis XIV

The French East India Company was founded in 1664 during the reign of Louis XIV, under the guidance of Finance Minister Jean-Baptiste Colbert. Pondicherry became their main settlement in India. [[30]]

Answer: Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama reached Calicut (Kozhikode) on May 20, 1498, becoming the first European to reach India by sea via the Cape of Good Hope. This opened direct maritime trade between Europe and India. [[1]]

Answer: Aurangzeb

Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed by Aurangzeb in 1675 for refusing to convert to Islam and for defending the religious freedom of Kashmiri Pandits. His martyrdom is commemorated at Gurdwara Sis Ganj in Delhi. [[30]]

Answer: Guru Gobind Singh

Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa Panth on Vaisakhi day (March 30, 1699) at Anandpur Sahib. He initiated the Five Ks and established the Khalsa as a community of saint-soldiers. [[1]]

Answer: Bajirao I

Bajirao I (1720-1740) served as Peshwa under Chhatrapati Shahu. He expanded Maratha territory from Malwa to Delhi through brilliant military campaigns, earning the title 'Thorale Bajirao' (the great). [[30]]

Answer: Shivaji

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj founded the Maratha Empire in 1674 with his coronation at Raigad. He pioneered guerrilla warfare (Ganimi Kava) and established a well-organized administration. [[1]]

Answer: Akbar

Akbar's finance minister Raja Todar Mal introduced the Zabt system, which fixed revenue based on land measurement and average produce of 10 years. It was part of the Dahsala system implemented across the empire. [[30]]

Answer: Qutb ud-Din Aibak

Qutb ud-Din Aibak laid the foundation of Qutub Minar in 1192. Iltutmish completed three more storeys, and Firoz Shah Tughlaq added the fifth after lightning damage. It is the world's tallest brick minaret. [[1]]

Answer: Chand Bardai

Chand Bardai, court poet of Prithviraj Chauhan, composed Prithviraj Raso in Brajbhasha. Though its historical accuracy is debated, it remains an important source for medieval Rajput history. [[30]]

Answer: Buddhist Jataka tales

Ajanta Caves (2nd century BCE-6th century CE) in Maharashtra contain exquisite frescoes depicting Jataka tales (stories of Buddha's previous births) and scenes from Buddhist life. [[1]]

Answer: Charaka

Charaka Samhita (c. 2nd century CE) is one of the two foundational texts of Ayurveda. It deals with internal medicine, diagnosis, and treatment methods. Sushruta Samhita focuses on surgery. [[1]]

Answer: Thanjavur Sangam

According to Tamil tradition, three Sangams were held: First at Madurai (mythical), Second at Kapadapuram, and Third at Madurai. Thanjavur was not a Sangam venue but later became a Chola capital. [[30]]

Answer: Mahayana

Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes the Bodhisattva ideal – enlightened beings who postpone their own Nirvana to help others achieve liberation. This contrasts with Hinayana's focus on individual salvation. [[30]]

Answer: Rishabhanatha

According to Jain tradition, Rishabhanatha (Adinatha) was the first Tirthankara. Mahavira was the 24th and last Tirthankara who reorganized and propagated Jainism in its current form. [[1]]

Answer: Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Annie Besant founded the Home Rule League in Madras (September 1916), and Bal Gangadhar Tilak founded another in Poona (April 1916). Both demanded self-government for India within the British Empire. [[1]]

Answer: Dadabhai Naoroji

Dadabhai Naoroji was elected as a Liberal Party MP from Finsbury Central (London) in 1892. He used this platform to highlight India's economic exploitation under British rule. [[30]]