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The 'Gurkha' soldiers were recruited by the British after the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814-16).
- True
- False
Answer: True
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]]
Bhutan was never colonized by the British but signed a treaty of friendship with India after independence.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Bhutan maintained independence during British rule, though it signed the Treaty of Punakha (1910) accepting British guidance in external affairs. Post-1947, it signed a Treaty of Friendship with India (1949, revised 2007). [[1]]
The Ramayana and Mahabharata are widely known and performed in traditional arts across Southeast Asia.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Ramayana and Mahabharata are integral to Southeast Asian cultures, adapted in local languages and performance arts like Wayang Kulit (Indonesia), Khon (Thailand), and Ramakien (Cambodia). [[1]]
The Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia was originally dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Angkor Wat (12th century), built by Suryavarman II, was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. It later became a Buddhist temple and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and symbol of Cambodia. [[30]]
India was a founding member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in 1985.
- True
- False
Answer: True
SAARC was founded in 1985 with seven members: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Maldives. Afghanistan joined later in 2007. SAARC aims to promote regional cooperation in South Asia. [[30]]
India hosted the first Asian Relations Conference in New Delhi in 1947.
- True
- False
Answer: True
India hosted the Asian Relations Conference in New Delhi (March-April 1947), bringing together Asian nations to discuss cooperation and decolonization. It reflected India's leadership role in post-colonial Asia. [[1]]
The 'Battle of Assaye' (1803) was a significant victory for the British under Arthur Wellesley against the Marathas.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Battle of Assaye (1803) saw Arthur Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) defeat the Maratha confederacy. It was a key victory in the Second Anglo-Maratha War, expanding British control in Central India. [[1]]
The 'First Battle of Panipat' (1526) established Mughal rule in India.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The First Battle of Panipat (1526) saw Babur defeat Ibrahim Lodi using gunpowder and cavalry tactics. It marked the beginning of Mughal rule in India, which lasted for over three centuries. [[30]]
The 'Nathpanthis' were ascetic yogis who influenced both Hindu and Sufi traditions.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Nathpanthi tradition, founded by Gorakhnath, emphasized yoga, meditation, and rejection of ritualism. Their ideas influenced Bhakti saints like Kabir and Sufi poets, promoting syncretic spiritual practices. [[30]]
The 'Alvars' and 'Nayanars' were Bhakti saints of South India who composed devotional hymns.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Alvars (Vaishnava) and Nayanars (Shaiva) were Bhakti saints (6th-9th century) in South India. They composed Tamil hymns (Divya Prabandham, Tevaram) that emphasized personal devotion and social inclusivity. [[1]]
Fa-Hien visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II and documented Buddhist sites.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Fa-Hien (Faxian) visited India (399-414 CE) during Chandragupta II's reign. His travelogue 'Fo-Kuo-Chi' describes Buddhist monasteries, practices, and the prosperous Gupta administration. [[1]]
Megasthenes wrote 'Indica', describing Mauryan India during Chandragupta Maurya's reign.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Megasthenes, Greek ambassador to Chandragupta Maurya's court, wrote 'Indica' (fragments survive). It describes Mauryan administration, society, and geography, though with some inaccuracies. [[30]]
The 'Junagadh Rock Inscription' of Rudradaman I is in Sanskrit and praises his achievements.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Junagadh Rock Inscription (150 CE) of Shaka ruler Rudradaman I is one of the earliest long Sanskrit inscriptions. It records the repair of Sudarshana Lake and praises Rudradaman's military and administrative skills. [[30]]
Ashoka's inscriptions were written in Prakrit using Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Most Ashokan edicts were in Prakrit using Brahmi script. In northwestern regions, Kharosthi was used. Greek and Aramaic inscriptions were found in Afghanistan, reflecting the empire's multilingual character. [[1]]
The Satavahanas issued lead and potin coins with bilingual legends in Prakrit and Tamil.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Satavahana coins had bilingual legends in Prakrit (using Brahmi script) and sometimes Greek, but not Tamil. They featured symbols like elephant, lion, and ship, indicating trade and royal authority. [[1]]
The Kushanas issued gold coins with portraits of kings and Greek deities.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Kushana gold coins (1st-3rd century CE) featured royal portraits on obverse and Greek, Iranian, or Indian deities on reverse. They facilitated trade along the Silk Road and reflected cultural syncretism. [[30]]
The 'Adichanallur' site in Tamil Nadu provided evidence of megalithic burial practices.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Adichanallur (Tamil Nadu) is a megalithic site with urn burials containing iron tools, pottery, and gold artifacts. It provides insights into early historic South Indian societies and trade networks. [[30]]
The 'Bhimbetka' rock shelters in Madhya Pradesh contain prehistoric cave paintings.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Bhimbetka rock shelters (UNESCO World Heritage Site) contain cave paintings dating from the Paleolithic to medieval periods. They depict hunting, dancing, and daily life of early humans in India. [[1]]
India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974, codenamed 'Smiling Buddha'.
- True
- False
Answer: True
India's first nuclear test, 'Smiling Buddha', was conducted on May 18, 1974, at Pokhran. It was described as a 'peaceful nuclear explosion' but significantly altered South Asia's strategic balance. [[1]]
India was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1961.
- True
- False
Answer: True
India, along with Yugoslavia, Egypt, Indonesia, and Ghana, was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement at the Belgrade Conference (1961). NAM aimed to promote peace and independence from superpower rivalry. [[30]]