Medium Level – GK Questions

Ganimi Kava (guerrilla warfare) was Shivaji's military strategy using terrain knowledge, surprise attacks, and quick retreats. It enabled the Marathas to effectively challenge larger Mughal forces. [[1]]

Chauth (25% of revenue) and Sardeshmukhi (10% extra) were taxes levied by Marathas on neighboring Mughal territories in exchange for protection from raids. This system funded Maratha expansion. [[1]]

Akbar promulgated Din-i-Ilahi (Divine Faith) in 1582, a syncretic religion blending elements of Islam, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, and Christianity. It had few followers and declined after Akbar's death. [[1]]

Akbar introduced the Mansabdari system to organize civil and military administration. Mansabdars held ranks (zat and sawar) determining salary, status, and military obligations. [[1]]

The Iqta system assigned land revenue collection rights to military officers (Iqtadars) in lieu of salary. Iqtadars maintained troops and remitted surplus revenue to the central treasury. [[30]]

The Chola bronze Nataraja depicts Shiva as the cosmic dancer performing the Tandava, symbolizing creation, preservation, and destruction. These sculptures are masterpieces of Chola art and metallurgy. [[1]]

Rajendra Chola I (1014-1044 CE) led naval expeditions to Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Southeast Asia (Srivijaya Empire). He assumed the title 'Gangaikonda Chola' after conquering the Ganga region. [[1]]

According to Hiuen Tsang, Harsha convened a grand religious assembly at Prayag (Allahabad) every five years, distributing wealth to people of all religions. This reflected his policy of religious tolerance. [[30]]

Agrahara grants were land donations to Brahmins and temples during the Gupta period. These grants were tax-free and hereditary, leading to the growth of self-sufficient village economies. [[30]]

In Gupta administration, 'Uparika' was the governor of a province (Bhukti). Below him were 'Vishayapati' (district officer) and 'Gramika' (village headman), forming a hierarchical administrative structure. [[30]]

The Gandhara school of art (1st-3rd century CE) flourished under Kushana patronage, blending Greco-Roman and Indian styles. It produced the first anthropomorphic images of Buddha. [[1]]

The Indo-Greek rulers (2nd-1st century BCE) were the first to issue gold coins in India featuring royal portraits and bilingual inscriptions in Greek and Kharosthi/Prakrit. [[1]]

Kuchipudi originated in the village of Kuchipudi in Andhra Pradesh. It combines dance and drama, with performers often singing while dancing. It is known for quick footwork and expressive abhinaya. [[30]]

Bharatanatyam originated in Tamil Nadu's temples, with roots in the Natya Shastra. It combines dance, music, and abhinaya (expression) to depict Hindu mythology and spiritual themes. [[30]]

Annie Besant became the first woman President of the Indian National Congress in 1917. A theosophist and social reformer, she also founded the Home Rule League and started the newspaper 'New India'. [[30]]

Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his collection 'Gitanjali'. He was the first non-European to receive this honor, bringing global recognition to Indian literature. [[30]]

The United Nations was founded on October 24, 1945, after World War II, to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts. Its headquarters is in New York City. [[30]]

The Bolshevik Revolution (October 1917) led by Vladimir Lenin overthrew the provisional government and established the world's first communist state, the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, later part of the USSR. [[30]]

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, as Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, led the integration of over 560 princely states into the Indian Union. V.P. Menon was his key administrator in this monumental task. [[30]]

The Radcliffe Line, named after Cyril Radcliffe, demarcated the boundary between India and Pakistan during Partition in 1947. Its hurried drawing caused massive displacement and communal violence. [[30]]