Medium Level – GK Questions

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]]

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]]

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]]

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]]

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]]

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]]

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]]

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]]

Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha in 1793. It fixed land revenue permanently and recognized zamindars as landowners, creating a new landlord class. [[30]]

The Battle of Talikota (1565) between Vijayanagara and the Deccan Sultanates resulted in the destruction of Hampi and marked the beginning of the empire's decline. [[1]]

Harihara I and Bukka Raya I founded the Vijayanagara Empire in 1336 CE with guidance from sage Vidyaranya. Hampi was its magnificent capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site today. [[1]]

Ahimsa is a core principle in both Buddhism and Jainism. Jainism emphasizes it more strictly, advocating non-violence in thought, word, and deed towards all living beings. [[30]]

The First Buddhist Council was held at Rajagriha (modern Rajgir) under King Ajatashatru's patronage, presided by Mahakasyapa, to compile Buddha's teachings. [[30]]

Nalanda University (5th-12th century CE) in Bihar was a premier center for Buddhist learning, attracting scholars from China, Korea, and Central Asia. It was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1193. [[30]]

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels published 'The Communist Manifesto' in 1848. It outlined class struggle and called for proletarian revolution, influencing global socialist movements. [[30]]

The Industrial Revolution began in Britain around 1760 with mechanization of textiles, steam power, and the factory system. It transformed economies and societies globally. [[30]]

The 42nd Amendment added the words 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity' to the Preamble. It also emphasized the unity and integrity of the nation during the Emergency period. [[30]]

Lord Mountbatten served as the first Governor-General of independent India (August 1947 – June 1948). C. Rajagopalachari was the first and last Indian Governor-General (1948-1950). [[30]]

Fundamental Duties (Part IVA, Article 51A) were added by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, inspired by the USSR Constitution. They emphasize citizens' responsibilities towards the nation. [[1]]

The Constituent Assembly first met on December 9, 1946. The Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949, and enforced on January 26, 1950 – totaling 2 years, 11 months, 18 days. [[30]]