McqMate
These multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are designed to enhance your knowledge and understanding in the following areas: General Knowledge (GK) , Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) .
| 1. |
When is the Independence Day of Pakistan celebrated? |
| A. | 15 August |
| B. | 4 July |
| C. | 16 August |
| D. | 14 August |
| Answer» D. 14 August | |
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Explanation: The modern state of Pakistan was established on 14 August 1947 in the eastern and northwestern regions of British India, where there was a Muslim majority. It comprised the provinces of Balochistan. East Bengal, the North-West Frontier Province, West Puniab andSindh. From 1947 to 1956, Pakistan was a dominion in the Commonwealth of Nations under two monarchs. |
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| 2. |
The first Defence Minister of India was - |
| A. | K. M. Cariappa |
| B. | Gopalaswami Aiyangar |
| C. | Baldev Singh |
| D. | Sardar Patel |
| Answer» C. Baldev Singh | |
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Explanation: Baldev Singh was an Indian Sikh political leader who was an Indian independence movement leader and the first Defence Minister of India. Moreover, he represented the Punjabi Sikh community in the processes of negotiations that resulted in the independence of India, as well as the Partition of India in 1947. |
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| 3. |
First Indian Commander-in Chief was - |
| A. | Gen. K. S. Thimayya |
| B. | Gen. K.M. Kariappa |
| C. | S.H.F.J. Manekshaw |
| D. | None of the above |
| Answer» B. Gen. K.M. Kariappa | |
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Explanation: Field Marshal Kodandera "Kipper" Madappa Cariappa was the first Indian Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army and led the Indian forces on the Western Front during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1947. He is among only two Indian Army officers to hold the highest rank of Field Marshal (the other being Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw). |
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| 4. |
Who gave the concept of Total Revolution? |
| A. | Jayaprakash Narayan |
| B. | Mahatma Gandhi |
| C. | Karl Marx |
| D. | Lenin |
| Answer» A. Jayaprakash Narayan | |
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Explanation: Jayaprakash Narayan was an Indian independence activist and political leader, remembered especially for leading the opposition to Indira Gandhi in the 197Os and for giving a call for peaceful Total Revolution'. He called for Sampoorna Kranti on the 5th of June, 1975 total revolution at a historic rally of students at Patna's Gandhi Maidan. |
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| 5. |
The potato crop was introduced in India by the - |
| A. | British |
| B. | Dutch |
| C. | Portuguese |
| D. | French |
| Answer» C. Portuguese | |
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Explanation: Some of the crops introduced by Portuguese in India were: potato, tobacco, etc. Potato was introduced in India in the early part of the 17th century by the Portuguese. It was first cultivated in Surat on the West coast. From there it spread to other areas, like Goa, which were under Portuguese influence. |
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| 6. |
Which country offered its good office to resolve Indo-Pak conflict peacefully, in the year 1966? |
| A. | U.S.A |
| B. | Britain |
| C. | U.S.S.R |
| D. | Japan |
| Answer» C. U.S.S.R | |
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Explanation: A meeting was held in Tashkent in the Uzbek SSR, USSR (now in Uzbekistan) beginning on 4 January 1966 to try to create a more permanent settlement. The Soviets, represented by Premier Alexei Kosygin moderated between Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Pakistani President Muhammad Ayub Khan. The Tashkent conference, under UN, American and Russian pressure, compelled Pakistan and India to restore their national boundary and the 1949 ceasefire line in Kashmir. |
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| 7. |
Identify the UNESCO approved World Heritage Site from the following - |
| A. | Meenakshi Temple, Madurai |
| B. | Writers' Building, Calcutta |
| C. | Purana gila, Delhi |
| D. | Kaziranga National Park |
| Answer» D. Kaziranga National Park | |
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Explanation: Kaziranga National Park is a national park in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of the state of Assam India. A World Heritage Site, the park hosts two-thirds of the world's Great One-horned Rhinoceroses. It wasdeclared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 for its unique natural environment. It was first established as a reserved forest in 1908 to protect the dwindling species of Rhinoceros. |
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| 8. |
Wich of the following Gods are worshipped in the sanctum of Badrinath and Kedarnath temples respectively? |
| A. | Vishnu and Shiva |
| B. | Shiva and Vishnu |
| C. | Shiva and Parvati |
| D. | Vishnu and Brahma |
| Answer» A. Vishnu and Shiva | |
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Explanation: The Garbhagriha (Sanctum) of Badrinath temple houses Lord Badari Narayan (Vishnu), Kuber (God of wealth), Narad rishi, Udhava, Nar & Narayan Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the exquisitely architecture Kedarnath temple is considered to be more than 1000 years old. The temple has a Garbha Griha for worship and a Mandap, apt for assemblies of pilgrims and visitors. |
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| 9. |
The first woman Governor of a State in free India was - |
| A. | Mrs, Sarojini Naidu |
| B. | Mrs. Sucheta Kriplani |
| C. | Mrs. Indira Gandhi |
| D. | Mrs. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit |
| Answer» A. Mrs, Sarojini Naidu | |
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Explanation: Sarojini Naidu was the second Indian woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress and the first woman to become the Governor of Uttar Pradesh state. |
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| 10. |
Name the Pakistan Prime-Minister who signed the Simla Agreement in 1972. |
| A. | Ayub Khan |
| B. | Yahya Khan |
| C. | Z.A. Bhutto |
| D. | Benazir Bhutto |
| Answer» C. Z.A. Bhutto | |
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Explanation: A summit conference between Indira Gandhi and Zulfigar Ali Bhutto, the newly elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, was held in Simla in June 1972. |
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| 11. |
Which one of the following pair is not correctly matched? |
| A. | Harshvardhan- Hiuen Tsang |
| B. | Akbar- Todarmal |
| C. | Chanakya -Chandragupta |
| D. | Vikramaditya - Chaitanya |
| Answer» D. Vikramaditya - Chaitanya | |
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Explanation: Chaitanya was a Hindu monk and social reformer from 16th century India who founded Gaudiya Vaishnavism, a Vaishnava religious movement. Vikramaditya was a legendary first-century BC emperor of Uijain, India, famed for his wisdom, valour and magnanimity. |
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| 12. |
Who amidst the following great music composers was the ruler of a State? |
| A. | Tyagaraja |
| B. | Shyama Shastri |
| C. | Muthu Swami Dikshitar |
| D. | Swati Thirunal |
| Answer» D. Swati Thirunal | |
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Explanation: Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma was the Maharaja of the state of Travancore in the first half of the 19th century. Besides being an able ruler, he was a patron of music and a musician himself. He encouraged both broad systems of Indian music, Hindustani and Carnatic music, though he was essentially a connoisseur of the Carnatic music tradition. He is credited with composing over 400 compositions in Carnatic music as well as Hindustani music. Some of his favorite compositions are Padmanabha Pahi, Deva Deva, Sarasijanabha and Sree Ramana Vibho. |
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| 13. |
Who was the architect of North and South Blocks of the Central Secretariat in Delhi? |
| A. | Sir Edward Lutyens |
| B. | Herbert Bakers |
| C. | Robert Tor Tussell |
| D. | Antonin Raymond |
| Answer» A. Sir Edward Lutyens | |
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Explanation: Edwin Landseer Lutyens had originally intended the Kingsway (Rajpath) to slope up to the Viceroy's palace. However, Herbert Baker, his colleague, felt it necessary tolevel the space between the two secretariat buildings, thus creating the great central vista called the North & South Block. The two secretariat buildings are raised on a plinth so as to be level with the Rashtrapati Bhavan. |
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| 14. |
Which of the following is called the Land of the Golden Pagoda? |
| A. | Myanmar |
| B. | China |
| C. | Japan |
| D. | North Korea |
| Answer» A. Myanmar | |
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Explanation: Myanmar is known as the Land of the Golden Pagoda for its glittering golden pagodas. It is also known as Suvarnabumi or "Golden Land." Yangon (formerly Rangoon), the country's largest city, is home to gilded Shwedagon Pagoda, which contains Buddhist relics and dates to the 6th century. Pagodas are indeed unique landmarks of Myanmar. |
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| 15. |
'Buland Darwaza' was built by . |
| A. | Humayun |
| B. | Akbar |
| C. | Babur |
| D. | Aurangzeb |
| Answer» B. Akbar | |
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Explanation: Buland Darwaza or the "Gate of Magnificence", was built in 1601 A.D. by Akbar to commemorate his victory over Gujarat. |
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| 16. |
Battle of Buxar was fought in the year |
| A. | 1576 |
| B. | 1526 |
| C. | 1764 |
| D. | 1857 |
| Answer» C. 1764 | |
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Explanation: The Battle of Buxar was fought on 22 October, 1764 between the forces of the British East India Company uner Hector Munro and the combined armies of Mir Qasim, Nawab of Awadh and the Mughal King Shah Alam II. |
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| 17. |
Chandragupta Maurya was the |
| A. | Great grandfather of Ashoka |
| B. | Brother of Ashoka |
| C. | Father of Ashoka |
| D. | Grandfather of Ashoka |
| Answer» D. Grandfather of Ashoka | |
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Explanation: Ashoka was born to the Mauryan emperor, Bindusara and Subhadrangi. He was the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya, founder of the Maurya dynasty. |
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| 18. |
The First Battle of Panipat was fought between the forces of |
| A. | Akbar and Hemu |
| B. | Abdali and the Marathas |
| C. | Humayun and Sher Shah Suri |
| D. | Babur and Ibrahim Lodi |
| Answer» D. Babur and Ibrahim Lodi | |
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Explanation: The First Battle of Panipat was fought between the invading forces of Babur and Ibrahim Lodi on 21th April, 1526. |
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| 19. |
India Gate was designed by - |
| A. | Frank Lloyd Wright |
| B. | Sir Edwin Lutyens |
| C. | Frank Gehry |
| D. | Zaha Hadid |
| Answer» B. Sir Edwin Lutyens | |
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Explanation: The India Gate was designed by Edwin Lutyens, who was not only the main architect of New Delhi, but a leading designer of war memorials. |
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| 20. |
Indian Constitution came into force on |
| A. | 15th August, 1947 |
| B. | 26th January, 1950 |
| C. | 26th November, 1948 |
| D. | 6th November, 1948 |
| Answer» B. 26th January, 1950 | |
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Explanation: The Constitution of India came into force on 26 January 1950. |
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| 21. |
In India Governor of a state is removed by - |
| A. | Parliament |
| B. | Central Government |
| C. | President |
| D. | Cheif Minister of a respective state |
| Answer» C. President | |
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Explanation: According to Article 156 of Indian constitution, the Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President. |
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| 22. |
In which of the following Indus civilization sites, the Grate Bath structure is found? |
| A. | Harappa |
| B. | Mohenjodaro |
| C. | Kalibangan |
| D. | Dholavira |
| Answer» B. Mohenjodaro | |
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Explanation: 0 |
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| 23. |
Who was the first Indian woman to win 'Miss World' title? |
| A. | Reita Faria Powell |
| B. | Susmita Sen |
| C. | Aishwara Rai |
| D. | Lara Dutta |
| Answer» A. Reita Faria Powell | |
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Explanation: Reita Faria Powell won the 'Miss World' title in the year 1966. She is the first Indian and Asian to win the event. |
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| 24. |
n which session 'Dadabhai Naoroji' was elected as President of Indian National Congress for the first time? |
| A. | Lahore |
| B. | Banaras |
| C. | Calcutta |
| D. | Lucknow |
| Answer» C. Calcutta | |
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Explanation: Dadabhai Naoroji was elected as President of Indian National Congress for the first time at Calcutta session in 1886. |
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| 25. |
Which dynasty immediately succeeded the Maurya dynasty and ruled Magadha Kingdom ? |
| A. | Satavahana |
| B. | Shunga |
| C. | Nanda |
| D. | Kanva |
| Answer» B. Shunga | |
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Explanation: After the fall of Mauryan dynasty, Shunga dynasty established their rule on Magadha kingdom. |
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| 26. |
Which script was used in Ashoka's inscription? |
| A. | Brahmi |
| B. | Devnagri |
| C. | Gurumukhi |
| D. | Sanskrit |
| Answer» A. Brahmi | |
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Explanation: The inscriptions and edicts of Ashoka refers to a collection of 33 inscriptions on the pillars of Ashoka and cave walls. The inscriptions were written in Magadhi language using the Brahmi script. |
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| 27. |
'Shantivan' is the Samadhi of |
| A. | Lal Bahadur Shastri |
| B. | Indira Gandhi |
| C. | Bhimrao Ambedkar |
| D. | Jawaharlal Nehru |
| Answer» D. Jawaharlal Nehru | |
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Explanation: Shantivan ("forest of peace") is a memorial dedicated to India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. |
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| 28. |
Bharat Ratna is designed like the leaf of |
| A. | banana tree |
| B. | peepal tree |
| C. | coconut tree |
| D. | sandalwood tree |
| Answer» B. peepal tree | |
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Explanation: The Bharat Raina is designed in the shape of a peepal leaf and carries the words ‘Bharat Ratna’, inscribed in Devanagari script. |
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| 29. |
Who was the first Indian to go into space? |
| A. | Satish Dhawan |
| B. | Ravi Malhotra |
| C. | Rakesh Sharma |
| D. | None of the above |
| Answer» C. Rakesh Sharma | |
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Explanation: Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian (man or woman) to go into space when heflew aboard the Soviet rocket Soyuz T-11 on 2 April 1984. |
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| 30. |
Which was the only Indus Site with an Artificial brick dockyard? |
| A. | Lethal |
| B. | Kalibangan |
| C. | Harappan |
| D. | Mohenjodaro |
| Answer» A. Lethal | |
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Explanation: Lothal is an Indus valley located near Gulf of khambat in Gujarat, India. It was first excavated by SR Rao in 1957 and it famous for the discovery of dockyard here. |
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| 31. |
The place of birth of Gautam Buddha is - |
| A. | Dhauli |
| B. | Lumbini |
| C. | Valabhi |
| D. | Kapilvastu |
| Answer» B. Lumbini | |
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Explanation: Gautam Buddha was born into the Shakya royal family in Lumbini in south Nepal. He grew up in Kapilvastu, the capital city of the Shakya kingdom. |
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| 32. |
Who drafted the preamble of Indian Constitution? |
| A. | Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan |
| B. | Jawaharlal Nehru |
| C. | Dr. BR. Ambedkar |
| D. | Led Bahadur Shastri |
| Answer» B. Jawaharlal Nehru | |
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Explanation: The Preamble to Indian constitution is based on the Objectives Resolution which was drafted and moved in the Constituent Assembly by Jawaharlal Nehru on 13 December 1946. |
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| 33. |
Who is the first woman legislator in India? |
| A. | Tara Cherian |
| B. | Cornelia |
| C. | Muthulakshmi Reddy |
| D. | Anna Chandy |
| Answer» C. Muthulakshmi Reddy | |
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Explanation: Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddi, an eminent medical practitioner and social reformer, was the first female legislator in India was appointed to the Madras Legislative Council in 1927. |
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| 34. |
n the day of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the people were collected in the Bagh to protest against which measure of the British Government? |
| A. | Martia1 law in Punjab |
| B. | Simon Commission |
| C. | Ilbert Bill |
| D. | Rowlatt Act |
| Answer» D. Rowlatt Act | |
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Explanation: A huge crowd gathered at Jallianwala Bagh for a meeting on 13 April 1919, the day of Baisakhi, to make their pleadings with the authorities to withdraw the highly suppressive Rowlatt Act. |
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| 35. |
The Upanishads are the - |
| A. | Great Epica |
| B. | Story Books |
| C. | Source of Hindu Philosophy |
| D. | Law Books |
| Answer» C. Source of Hindu Philosophy | |
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Explanation: The Upanishadsare a collection of texts that contain some of the central philosophical concepts of Hinduism. |
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| 36. |
Who was the founder of 'Banaras Hindu University'? |
| A. | Sukumar Dutt |
| B. | Madan Mohan Malvia |
| C. | Dr. Rajendra Prasad |
| D. | Motilal Nehru |
| Answer» B. Madan Mohan Malvia | |
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Explanation: Banaras Hindu University (BHU), formerly Central Hindu College, was established by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviyain Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, in 1916. |
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| 37. |
The second Battle of Tarain was fought between - |
| A. | Alexander and Porus |
| B. | Jai Chand and Mohammed Ghori |
| C. | Akbar and Hemu |
| D. | Mohammed Ghori and Prithviraj Chauhan |
| Answer» D. Mohammed Ghori and Prithviraj Chauhan | |
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Explanation: The Second Battle of Tarain was fought between Mohammed Ghori and Prithviraj Chauhannear Thanesar in present-day Haryana in 1192 A.D. In this battle, Prithviraj Chauhan was defeated by Mohammed Ghori. |
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| 38. |
Which article of the Indian Constitution mentions Financial Emergency? |
| A. | 360 |
| B. | 340 |
| C. | 350 |
| D. | 330 |
| Answer» A. 360 | |
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Explanation: Article 360 empowers the president to proclaim a Financial Emergency if he is satisfied that a situation has arisen due to which the financial stability or credit of India or any part of its territory is threatened. |
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| 39. |
When did Jallianwala Bagh' tragedy occur? |
| A. | 13th April, 1867 |
| B. | 15th June, 1947 |
| C. | 13th April, 1919 |
| D. | 17th May, 2011 |
| Answer» A. 13th April, 1867 | |
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Explanation: The Jallianwala Bagh tragedy took place on 13 April, 1919 when a crowd of nonviolent protesters, along with Baishakhi pilgrims, who had gathered in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar Punjab, were fired upon by troops of the British Indian Army Colonel Reginald Dyer. |
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| 40. |
Who was the first indian Chief Election Commissioner? |
| A. | Morarji Desai |
| B. | Sukumar Sen |
| C. | Sardar Patel |
| D. | V.S Ramadevi |
| Answer» B. Sukumar Sen | |
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Explanation: Sukumar Sen, an Indian civil servant, was the first Chief ElectionCommissioner of India. he served from 21 March, 1950 to 19 December 1958. |
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| 41. |
Synagogue is a worship place for which religion? |
| A. | Parsi religion |
| B. | Taoism |
| C. | Judaism |
| D. | Shinto religion |
| Answer» C. Judaism | |
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Explanation: In Judaism, Synagogue is a community house of worship that serves as a place not only for liturgical services but also for assembly and study. |
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| 42. |
Bahadur Shah (First) was born in the year . |
| A. | 1543 |
| B. | 1643 |
| C. | 1743 |
| D. | 1843 |
| Answer» B. 1643 | |
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Explanation: Bahadur Shah I was born on 14 October 1643 in Burhanpur to the sixth Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, and his secondary wife Nawab Bai. |
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| 43. |
Which type of ancient script did the Harappans use? |
| A. | Pictographic |
| B. | Linear |
| C. | Symbolic |
| D. | Hieroglyphic |
| Answer» A. Pictographic | |
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Explanation: Harappan script is regarded as pictographic since its signs represent birds, fish, Varieties of the human form, etc. |
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| 44. |
Who is the author of Arthashastra? |
| A. | Kautilya |
| B. | Tulsidas |
| C. | Vishnu Sharma |
| D. | Kalidasa |
| Answer» A. Kautilya | |
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Explanation: The Arthashastra is an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy, written by Kautilya. |
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| 45. |
The harvest festival of Indian state of Punjab is known as - |
| A. | Pongal |
| B. | Lohri |
| C. | Basant Panchami |
| D. | Gudi Padva |
| Answer» B. Lohri | |
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Explanation: Lohri festival of Punjab is traditionally associated with the harvest of the rabi crops. The traditional time to harvest sugarcane crops is January, therefore, Lohri is celebrated as a harvest festival. |
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| 46. |
Who was appointed by Akbar as his Court Musician? |
| A. | Abul Fazal |
| B. | Mian Tansen |
| C. | Raja Birbal |
| D. | Raja Todar Mal |
| Answer» B. Mian Tansen | |
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Explanation: Mian Tansen was appointed as a court musician by Akbar in 1562 A.D. Tansen was one of the 'Navaratnas' of Akbar's court. |
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| 47. |
Tripitakas are sacred books of - |
| A. | Hindus |
| B. | Jains |
| C. | Parsis |
| D. | Buddhists |
| Answer» D. Buddhists | |
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Explanation: The Tripitaka or Three Baskets is the oldest collection of Buddhist scriptures and includes many texts believed to be the words of the historical Buddha. |
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| 48. |
Which of the following institutions was not founded by Mahatma Gandhi? |
| A. | Sabarmati Ashram |
| B. | Sevagram Ashram |
| C. | Vishwa Bharti |
| D. | Phoenix Ashram |
| Answer» C. Vishwa Bharti | |
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Explanation: Vishwa Bharti was founded by Rabindranath Tagore in 1921 with proceeds from the prize money of the Nobel Prize he received in 1913 for the publication of his book of poems Gitanjali. |
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| 49. |
The immortal national song "Vande Mataram" has been written by - |
| A. | Rabindranath Tagore |
| B. | Sarat Chandra Chatterji |
| C. | Bankim Chandra Chatterji |
| D. | Surendranath Bandopadyay |
| Answer» C. Bankim Chandra Chatterji | |
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Explanation: Vande Mataram is a poem from Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's 1882 novel Anandmath. |
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| 50. |
One of the earliest explorers who visited India was Megasthenes. Which country did he hail from? |
| A. | Greece |
| B. | Spain |
| C. | Egypt |
| D. | Italy |
| Answer» A. Greece | |
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Explanation: Megasthenes was an ancient Greek historian, diplomat and Indian ethnographer and explorer in the Hellenistic period. |
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