Medium Level – GK Questions

Answer: True

Gol Gumbaz (1656), the mausoleum of Muhammad Adil Shah in Bijapur, features a dome with a diameter of 44 meters – the second-largest pre-modern dome after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Its whispering gallery is famous. [[30]]

Answer: Kalhana

Kalhana wrote Rajatarangini in Sanskrit during the 12th century. It is considered one of the earliest historical chronicles in Indian literature, covering Kashmir's history from mythical times to his era. [[30]]

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: True

Ellora Caves (6th-10th century CE) showcase religious harmony with 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu, and 5 Jain caves carved from a single basalt cliff. The Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) is the world's largest monolithic structure. [[30]]

Answer: True

Aryabhata (476-550 CE) calculated pi as 3.1416 in his work Aryabhatiya. He also proposed that Earth rotates on its axis and revolves around the Sun, centuries before Copernicus. [[30]]

Answer: Rajaraja I

Rajaraja Chola I (985-1014 CE) built the magnificent Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing Dravidian architecture and Chola artistic excellence. [[30]]

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: True

The Fourth Buddhist Council (c. 72 CE) was held at Kundalavana in Kashmir under Kushana emperor Kanishka. It was presided by Vasumitra and led to the division of Buddhism into Mahayana and Hinayana sects. [[30]]

Answer: 1911

The partition of Bengal (1905) sparked the Swadeshi Movement. Due to widespread protests, Lord Hardinge annulled the partition in 1911 and shifted the capital from Calcutta to Delhi. [[30]]

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]]

Answer: Bahadur Shah Zafar

Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor, was proclaimed the symbolic leader of the revolt in Delhi. After the British recaptured Delhi, he was exiled to Rangoon where he died in 1862. [[30]]

Answer: True

Mangal Pandey, a sepoy of the 34th Bengal Native Infantry, attacked British officers in Barrackpore on March 29, 1857, protesting the new cartridges. He was hanged on April 8, 1857, becoming a martyr of the revolt. [[30]]

Answer: True

While railways facilitated movement of people and goods, their primary purpose was to transport raw materials to ports for export to Britain and move troops quickly to suppress rebellions. [[30]]

Answer: Bombay

The first successful cotton textile mill in India was established by Kawasji Davar in Bombay in 1854. It marked the beginning of modern industrialization in India under British rule. [[30]]

Answer: Dadabhai Naoroji

Dadabhai Naoroji propounded the 'Drain of Wealth' theory in his book 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India' (1901), arguing that Britain systematically drained India's resources, causing poverty. [[30]]

Answer: Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897 to propagate Vedanta philosophy and engage in social service. It was inspired by his guru, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. [[30]]

Answer: True

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar campaigned vigorously for widow remarriage. His efforts led to the Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act, 1856, which legalized remarriage of Hindu widows. [[30]]

Answer: True

Unlike the Permanent Settlement, the Ryotwari System allowed the government to revise revenue rates every 20-30 years based on land productivity, giving the state more flexibility but creating uncertainty for peasants. [[30]]

Answer: Mahalwari

The Mahalwari System, introduced by Holt Mackenzie and modified by William Bentinck, collected revenue from village communities (mahals) in North-Western Provinces, Punjab, and parts of Central India. [[30]]