Medium Level – GK Questions

Tipu Shah led the Pagal Panthi movement (1820s-1840s) in Mymensingh, Bengal. It combined religious revivalism with peasant resistance against zamindari oppression and British authority. [[1]]

The Eka Movement (1921) was a peasant uprising in the United Provinces (UP) against high rents and oppressive landlords. It was part of the Non-Cooperation Movement but had distinct local grievances. [[1]]

The Ahom kingdom of Assam resisted Mughal invasions for over a century, notably defeating them at the Battle of Saraighat (1671). They maintained independence until British conquest in 1826. [[30]]

The Sisodia clan of Rajputs ruled Mewar from Chittorgarh and later Udaipur. Notable rulers include Rana Sanga, Rana Pratap, who resisted Mughal expansion valiantly. [[30]]

The Bahmani Sultanate was founded in 1347 by Alauddin Bahman Shah (Hasan Gangu) in the Deccan, breaking away from the Delhi Sultanate. It later fragmented into the five Deccan Sultanates. [[30]]

The Ikshvaku dynasty (c. 3rd-4th century CE) succeeded the Satavahanas in the Krishna-Guntur region. They patronized Buddhism and built notable stupas at Nagarjunakonda. [[1]]

The Shunga dynasty (c. 185-73 BCE) succeeded the Mauryas in Magadha. Pushyamitra Shunga, a Brahmin commander, assassinated the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha and established Shunga rule, patronizing Brahmanism. [[1]]

Pattachitra is a traditional scroll painting from West Bengal and Odisha, depicting Hindu epics and folk tales. Artists use natural colors on cloth or palm leaves, continuing centuries-old techniques. [[30]]

Warli painting is a tribal art form from Maharashtra, created by the Warli community. It uses geometric shapes and natural pigments to depict daily life, rituals, and nature worship. [[30]]

The Vietnam War ended with the fall of Saigon (April 30, 1975) to North Vietnamese forces. Vietnam was reunified in 1976 as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, marking a significant Cold War outcome. [[1]]

The African National Congress (ANC), founded in 1912, led the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Nelson Mandela became its iconic leader and South Africa's first black president in 1994. [[1]]

The Bandung Conference (1955) brought together 29 Asian and African nations to promote economic cooperation and oppose colonialism. It laid groundwork for the Non-Aligned Movement and South-South cooperation. [[1]]

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

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 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 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]]

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]]