Medium Level – GK Questions

Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, founded the Indian National Congress in December 1885 in Bombay. W.C. Banerjee was its first president. [[1]]

Rash Behari Bose initially organized the INA in 1942. Subhash Chandra Bose later took command in 1943, reorganized it, and proclaimed the Provisional Government of Free India. [[1]]

Lord Chelmsford was Viceroy during the Jallianwala Bagh massacre (April 13, 1919). General Dyer ordered troops to fire on unarmed civilians in Amritsar, killing hundreds. [[30]]

Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920 to protest the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and Rowlatt Act. It was withdrawn in 1922 after the Chauri Chaura incident. [[30]]

Treaty of Seringapatam (1792) ended the Third Anglo-Mysore War. Tipu Sultan ceded half his territory to the British and their allies and paid a large indemnity. [[30]]

Lord Dalhousie's Doctrine of Lapse (1848-1856) allowed annexation of princely states without a natural male heir. It caused resentment and contributed to the 1857 Revolt. [[30]]

Goswami Tulsidas composed Ramcharitmanas (16th century), an Awadhi version of the Ramayana. It popularized Rama bhakti across North India and remains widely recited. [[30]]

Kabir, a weaver-poet of Varanasi, was influenced by Ramananda and preached nirguna bhakti (devotion to a formless God), criticizing ritualism and caste discrimination. [[30]]

Akbar built the Buland Darwaza (Gate of Magnificence) in 1601 to commemorate his victory over Gujarat. It is the world's highest gateway and a masterpiece of Mughal architecture. [[30]]

Aurangzeb reimposed Jizya on non-Muslims in 1679, reversing Akbar's policy. This decision caused resentment among Rajputs, Marathas, and other communities, weakening Mughal unity. [[30]]

The Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty (1206-1290 CE) was the first of five dynasties of Delhi Sultanate. Its rulers were former slaves who rose to power through military merit. [[30]]

Alauddin Khilji implemented strict price controls, rationing, and market reforms (Diwan-i-Riyasat) to ensure affordable supplies for his army and prevent hoarding. [[30]]

Fa-Hien (Faxian) visited India during Chandragupta II's reign (c. 399-414 CE). His travelogue 'Fo-Kuo-Chi' provides valuable insights into Gupta administration, society, and Buddhism. [[30]]

Mathematicians like Aryabhata and Varahamihira flourished during the Gupta era. Aryabhata's work included place-value system and approximation of pi; zero's conceptualization advanced significantly. [[30]]

Prince Mahendra (Mahinda) and Princess Sanghamitra carried a sapling of the Bodhi Tree to Sri Lanka during Ashoka's reign, establishing Buddhism on the island. [[30]]

Most of Ashoka's inscriptions were written in Brahmi script. Kharosthi was used in northwestern regions (modern Pakistan/Afghanistan). Brahmi is the ancestor of most Indian scripts. [[30]]

The Gayatri Mantra (Rigveda 3.62.10) was composed by Sage Vishwamitra. It is dedicated to Savitr (Sun God) and is one of the most revered Vedic hymns. [[30]]

Saraswati is praised as the greatest and holiest river in Rigveda. Its identification with the modern Ghaggar-Hakra river system is debated by scholars. [[30]]

The civilization developed along the Indus River and its tributaries. Major sites include Harappa (Ravi), Mohenjo-Daro (Indus), and Lothal (Sabarmati). [[30]]

The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro was likely used for ritual purification. It showcases advanced engineering with waterproof lining and drainage systems. [[30]]