Thursday, December 16, 2010

India | Mahabharata

Q.  Name the Persian version of the Mahabharat, translated during Akbar’s reign?
A.  Razm-namah
Q.  In the war of the Mahabharata, who killed Chitrasena, Satyasena and Sushena, the sons of Karna?
A.  Nakula
Q.  According to the Mahabharata, who revealed the fact the Kamsa was not the son of Ugrasena?
A.  Narada
Q.  According to the Mahabharata, in which wildlife sanctuary in India did Bhima kill Kichaka?
A.  Chikhaldhara
Q.  In the Mahabharata, who was Drona's father?
A.  Bharadwaz
Q.  In the Mahabharata, who slayed Ghatotkacha?
A.  Karna
Q.  In the Mahabharata, who was the mother of Babhruvahana?
A.  Chitrangada
Q.  In the Mahabharata, who was the father of Janmajaya?
A.  Parikshit
Q.  Who was Bishma's father?
A.  King Shantanu. King Shantanu was one of the first few kings of the Kuru house. He had two wives, Ganga( the river goddess) and Satyavati (who was a fisherwoman). Bishma was King Shantanu's son through his first wife Ganga. Chitraganda and Vichitraveerya were Bishma's step brothers.
Q.  Who vowed to kill Bishma in her next birth?
A.  Princess Amba. Princess Amba was reborn as Shikandi. She had vowed to kill Bishma as the latter refused to marry her. Her sisters Ambika and Ambaalika married King Vichtraveerya.
Q.  When King Vichitraveerya died, who finally gave an heir to the Kuru clan?
A.  Veda Vyaasa. In the absence of a king a noble brahmin was allowed to give an heir to the throne. Queen Ambika closed her eyes when she saw the brahmin; hence Dirtharashtra was born blind. Queen Ambaalika became pale and weak when she saw the bhramin, and hence Pandu was born anaemic.A charya Vidura was born to Queen Ambika's maid through Veda Vyaasa.
Q.  Who was Shakuni?
A.  The brother of Gandhari. Shakuni, the expert at the game of dice was the brother of Gandhari and hence was King Ditharashtra's brother-in-law. He was the maternal uncle of the Kauravas.
Q.  The 100 Kauravas also had a sister. What was her name?
A.  Dushala. Dushala was the sister of the Kauravas. She later married Jayadrata.
Q.  Which great sage gave Kunti a boon that she could beget a son whenever she wished for one through the devas?
A.  Sage Duruvasa. Sage Duruvasa was short in stature but incomparable in learning.He was a very short-tempered man. Kunti was a great devotee of his and hence he gave her the boon.
Q.  What was the pet name given to Karna by his foster parents?
A.  Radheya. Karna was Kunti's eldest born through Surya, the sun god. Without realising the consequences, Kunti playfully tried Sage Duruvasa's mantra when she was still unmarried. Karna was thus born. She had placed him in a wooden box and set it afloat on a river. A charioteer, Adhiratha, found the baby and called it by the pet name Radheya," meaning ""son of Radha"". (Radha was Karna's foster mother.)"
Q.  Who was Kamsa?
A.  Krishna's Uncle. Kamsa was King Ugrasena's son, Lord Krishna's maternal uncle, and Devaki's brother. He was married to the twin daughters of King Jarasandha (the ruler of Magadha). He tormented Vasudeva, Devaki and Ugrasena and was later killed by Lord Krishna.
Q.  Who was Lord Krishna's foster mother?
A.  Yashoda. Yashoda was Lord Krishna's foster mother; she was Nanda's wife. They were from the Yadava dynasty. Nanda was a great friend of Vasudeva who was Krishna's father. Fearing that Kamsa would harm Krishna, Vasudeva exchanged his son for Nanda's daughter.
Q.  Who had insulted Acharya Drona?
A.  King Drupada. Acharya Drona was the teacher of the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Drupada was Acharya Drona's Childhood Friend. He had insulted Drona when the latter went to him for financial help. Drona had his revenge when the Pandavas captured Drupada and brought him before Drona. Drupada vowed that he would beget a son who would kill Drona.
Q.  What "Guru-Dakshina" did Drona ask from Ekalavya?
A.  His right thumb. This was one of the most cruel acts that Drona committed and he paid for it on the Kurukshetra battlefield.
Q.  Friendship in the Mahabharatha was defined by whom?
A.  Duryodhana and Karna. Karna and Duryodhana were the thickest of friends.Karna gave his life in the end for his friend. It was Duryodhana who made Karna the king of Anga.
Q.  By Whom the ""House of Lac"" was built ?
A.  Purochana. The architect built the ""house of lac"" in Varnavata. It was plot to kill the Pandavas hatched by Duryodhana and Shakuni. Acharya Vidura saved the Pandavas."
Q.  Who were Gatotkacha's parents?
A.  Bheema and Hidimbaa. Bheema and Hidimbaa were Gatotkacha's parents. Bheema killed Hidimbasura, Hidimbaa's brother.
Q.  Which Rakshasa did Bheema kill in Ekachakra?
A.  Bakasura. Bakasura was killed by Bheema at Ekachakra. The Pandavas took shelter in the house of a poor Bhramin. Bakasura lived just outside the city. The villagers had an agreement with Bakasura that if he left the them undisturbed they would send a cart load of food with a human being for him to eat every week. Bheema took the Bhramin's place and killed Bakasura.
Q.  What was the capital of Panchala?
A.  Kamapilya. Kamapilya was the capital of Panchala. It was Drupada's Kingdom.Drupada's daughter - Draupadi or Panchali was the wife of the Pandavas.
Q.  What was the Balarama's weapon?
A.  plough. Balarama's weapon was the plough. He is the god of wine. He was the brother of Lord Krishna.
Q.  Which emperor did Bheema defeat in order to enable Yudhistra to perform the Rajasuya Yagna?
A.  Jarasandha. Jarasandha the emperor who ruled from Magadha was killed by Bheema in order to enable Yudhistra to perform the Rajasuya Yagna. It was said Jarasandha would die only if his body was spilt into two pieces and if the pieces were thrown in opposite directions.
Q.  Who was Beeshmaka?
A.  Krishna's father-in-law. King Beeshmaka was the father of Prince Rukmi and Princess Rukmini.Princess Rukmini later married Lord Krishna.
Q.  Which apsara wanted to marry Arjuna when he was in Indraloka?
A.  Urvashi. Urvashi, the apsara, wanted to marry Arjuna. Arjuna declined as the immortal apsara had been married to one of Arjuna's ancestors. Urvashi cursed Arjuna that he would have to spend a part of his life as a eunuch.
Q.  What was Yudhistra's weakness?
A.  Gambling. Gambling was a major weakness of Yudhishtra. Shakuni and Duryodhana exploited this.
Q.  Which Pandava vowed to kill the evil Dushasana and drink his blood when he molested Draupadi?
A.  Bheemasena. Bheema accomplished his vow in the great battle of the kurus which followed.
Q.  Who was bestowed with unique vision to narrate the happenings of the war to King Dirtharashtra?
A.  Sanjaya. Maharishi Ved Vyasa bestowed divine vision upon Sanjaya to narrate the happenings of the war to the king.
Q.  How many warriors did each elephant carry in the war?
A.  Seven (7). Each elephant was decked with ornaments and carried seven warriors and their weapons.
Q.  After beholding which divine sight did Arjuna take up his arms against the Kurus?
A.  Lord Krishna's Vishwaroopa or divine form. Lord Krishna bestowed special eyesight upon Arjuna and he was shown the Lord's Vishwaroopa or Divine Form, encompassing of all possible matter in the universe.
Q.  Who was the First Commander in Chief of the Kaurava Army?
A.  Bheeshma. Bheeshma was the first Commander in Chief , Drona was the second, Karna was the third, and Ashvathama the last Commander in chief of the Kaurava army.
Q.  Acharya Drona was a Maharathi?
A.  True. Indeed Acharya Drona was one of the greatest Maharathis. Warriors on Chariot were classified as Rathi, Atirathi or Maharathi ,depending on their skill and valour.
Q.  Virata was one of the Maharathis in the Pandava army: who was the other?
A.  Drupada. Drishtadyumna and Drishtaketu were Atirathis while Shikhandi was a Rathi.
Q.  Who was King Santunu's first wife?
A.  The Ganga. King Santunu got married twice. His first wife killed 7 of his 8 sons and his second wife, who was called Satyavati, rowed a boat on a lake.
Q.  Who was the blind king?
A.  The Dhitarashta. Dhitarashta was born blind. When he got married, his wife Gandhari put on a blindfold to 'share her husband's world'.
Q.  What offering did Eklavya give Dronacharya?
A.  The His right thumb. Dronacharya (Sage Drona) asked for Eklavya's thumb because he was learning from Dronacharya without him knowing. Eklavya pulled out a dagger and sliced his thumb off.

Indian War

Q.  In which year the first battle of plassy was fought?
A.  1757
Q.  Which war strategy Shivaji Used against Moghuls?
A.  Guerilla Warfare
Q.  Next to shivaji who was the greatest exponent of guerilla tactics of warfare?
A.  Baji Rao – 1
Q.  Total how many wars were fought between the Marathas and the East India Company?
A.  Four (4)

Indian Temples

Q.  Who built Brihadeshwara temple in Tanjore?
A.  Raja Raja Chola
Q.  Name the temple built in Nagara style and located at Kajuraho?
A.  Nilakanteshwara
Q.  Which is the tallest of all medieval Indian Temples?
A.  Brihadeswara at Tanjore
Q.  Name the temple built by Krishnadeva Raya at Hampi-Vijayanagara?
A.  Vittalswamy temple, Krishnaswamy temple and hazaraRamaswamy temple
Q.  Which is the largest temple in the world?
A.  According to the Guinness Book of Records 1999, Angkor Wat (“City Temple”) in Cambodia is the largest religious structure ever built, covering an area of 402 acres. The entire temple complex has a total area of 15 by 5 miles and consists of 72 major monuments, the construction of which began in AD 900.
Q.  The famous Thirumala Thirupathi Venkateswara Temple is in which district?
A.  Chittoor
Q.  Which place in Assam is said to be the meeting place of Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam?
A.  Hajo
Q.  Lord Mahavira breathed his last at
A.  Pavapuri

Indian Religions

Q.  To whom is the Gayatri Mantra dedicated?
A.  Savitri(a solar deity)
Q.  Who was the first Tirthankara according to Jaina tradition?
A.  Rishabha
Q.  Who was responsible for the revival of Brahmanical Hinduism?
A.  ShankaraCharya
Q.  Who was the founder of Buddhism? What are the main precepts of Buddhism?
A.  Siddhartha, also called Gautama, was the founder of Buddhism. He was a Kshatriya prince of Saka clan. He lived between 576 B.C. and 480 B.C. The four basic doctrines of Buddhism are : (i) man suffers from one life to the next (ii) The origin of suffering is craving, the desire for pleasure, possession and cessation of pain. (iii) The way to non-attachment is the eight-fold path of right conduct, right effort, right intention, right meditation, right mindfulness, right speech and right views. There is no God in Buddhism to judge, protect or punish. There is only one inexorable law of dharma, of cause and effect, which determines the individual’s fate. Buddhism preaches ahimsa (non-violence), and non-cruelty towards all living beings.
Q.  The Vedic saying "War begins in the minds of men" appears in which Ved?
A.  Atharva Veda

Indian Politics

Q.  Who accords recognition to political parties?
A.  Election Commission
Q.  In which session , the Indian National Congress adopted the resolution of ‘Poorna Swaraj’?
A.  Lahore
Q.  What is the ratio of length and breadth of Indian National Flag?
A.  3:2
Q.  Who was the first female president of Indian National Congress?
A.  Sarojini Naidu
Q.  Who was the first Muslim President of Indian National Congress?
A.  Badruddin Tayyabji
Q.  What is present strength of Rajya Sabha?
A.  245
Q.  Who is the First woman Minister in India
A.  Vijayalakshmy Pandit
Q.  Who is the First woman Chief Minister in India
A.  Sucheta Kripalani
Q.  Who is the First woman Speaker in India?
A.  Suseela Nayar
Q.  Who was the first woman President of the Indian National Congress?
A.  Annie Besant
Q.  Who was The first woman member in the Planning Commission?
A.  Durgabhai Deshmukh
Q.  Who was the first woman to recipient of Bharat Ratna?
A.  Indira Gandhi
Q.  Who advocated for the 'Total Revolution' during 1974-75
A.  Jayaprakash Narayan
Q.  Which Government introduced the food for work program first
A.  Janatha Government (1977)
Q.  Who gave the slogan 'Garibi Hatao'
A.  Indira Gandhi

Indian Mountains

Q.  Which is Highest Peak in India?
A.  Nanda Devi (7817 meters), Kanchenjanga, Everest , Makalu are in Nepal

India | Indian History

 Show Answers
Q.  Seleukas was defeated by?
A.  Chandra Gupta Maurya
Q.  What was the name of writer of Bande Mataram?
A.  Bankimchandra Chatterjee
Q.  Where did ‘Tebhega’ movement occurred in 1946?
A.  Bengal
Q.  Which was the first occasion when our national song was sung for the first time?
A.  1896 session of Indian National Congress
Q.  When Indian national Anthem was was first sung?
A.  December 27, 1951 Calcutta
Q.  Where is situated the battlefield of Plassy?
A.  West Bengal
Q.  In the third battle of Panipat, who defeated Marathas?
A.  Afgans
Q.  What was the name of Harsha’s Capital?
A.  Kannaauj
Q.  What was the name of the Chinese pilgrim who visited during the reign of Harshavardhana?
A.  Hiuen Tsang
Q.  During whose reign Ajanta period was built?
A.  Guptas
Q.  What was the real name of “Vikramaditya” ?
A.  ChandraGupta II
Q.  Where did the formation of Azad Hind Fauj take Place?
A.  Singapore
Q.  In which only decade, India’s Population had shown negative growth?
A.  1911-1921
Q.  Who was accompanying Bhagat Sigh while throwing a Bomb at the central legislature at New Delhi?
A.  Batukeshwar Datta
Q.  By which name the officer responsible for safe custody of land records during the Gupta Period was known as?
A.  Karanika
Q.  Civil Disobedience Law started with which event?
A.  Breaking Salt Law
Q.  Which was the socialist leader , who ran away from the Hazaribagh Prison and assumed the leadership of Quit India Movent?
A.  Jaiprakash Narayan
Q.  During whose reign the Gandhara School of Art blossom?
A.  Kanishka
Q.  Who was regarded as the Nana Sahib?
A.  Balaji Bhajirao
Q.  What was saranjam of the Marathas?
A.  In lieu of salaries, the military commanders and the big officials were assigned lands

India | Indian Festivals

Q.  If India celebrates Diwali (or Deepawli) which country celebrates the Lantern Festival as the festival of lights?
A.  China
Q.  According to Hindu mythology, on whose home-coming from 14 years of exile is Deepawli celebrated?
A.  Lord Rama
Q.  Deepawli is known as Tihar in which SAARC nation?
A.  Nepal
Q.  Goddess Lakshmi is generally worshiped during Deepawli. However in Eastern and North-Eastern India, which goddess is worshiped?
A.  Goddess Kali
Q.  What is the first day of Deepawli called?
A.  Dhanteras
Q.  Whose puppets are burned alongside Ravana during Dussehra?
A.  Kumbhakarna (his brother) and Meghnad (his son)
Q.  What does the word ‘Garba’, the popular Gujarati dance performed during Deepawli mean in Sanskrit?
A.  Light
Q.  According to myth, which sweet is primarily offered during Deepawli to Goddess Lakshmi?
A.  Kaju Katli (Almond sweet)
Q.  Diwali is related to which Religion?
A.  Hindu
Q.  Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating (the demon king)-----------?
A.  Ravana
Q.  According to the Hindu Calendar Diwali is celebrated in the months?
A.  It begins in late Ashwin (between September & October) and ends in early Kartika (October–November).
Q.  For how many days Diwali is celebrated according to the lunar Hindu Calendar?
A.  Diwali is celebrated for 5 days according to the lunar Hindu Calendar.
Q.  In Diwali 5 days celebration what is celebrated on the first and last days?
A.  The first day is Dhan Teras. The last day is Yama Dvitiya.
Q.  After how many year of Vanvas Lord Rama return to his kingdom of Ayodhya?
A.  14 Years of Vanvas (banishment).
Q.  The Killing of Narakasura: Celebrated as?
A.  Narak Chaturdashi
Q.  Narak Chaturdashi, is celebrated after or before Diwali?
A.  Narak Chaturdashi, is celebrated one day before Diwali.
Q.  Which Puja is celebrated the day after Diwali?
A.  Govardhan
Q.  Govardhan Puja is relate to Which Lord?
A.  Lord Krishna , Govardhan Puja is celebrated the day after Diwali which is the day Krishna defeated Indra,
Q.  What is the role of Lakshmi Puja on Diwali?
A.  Lakshmi Puja marks the most important day of Diwali celebrations in North India. Hindu homes worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Ganesh, the God of auspicious beginnings, and then light lamps in the streets and homes to welcome prosperity and well-being.
Q.  Name a sweet made during Diwali?
A.  Gujia

India | Indian Constitution


Q.  Who is the final authority to interpret the constitution?
A.  Supreme Court
Q.  The constitution of India, established a parliamentary system of Government . This was based on which country’s pattern?
A.  Britain
Q.  In which house of the Parliament, the presiding officer is not a member of the House?
A.  Rajya Sabha
Q.  The constitution of India is rigid or flexible?
A.  Both partially.
Q.  Who was a first chief justice of a high court of a state in India?
A.  Leila Seth
Q.  Who is legally competent to declare war or conclude peace treaty in India.
A.  The President
Q.  The National emblem was adopted by the Government of India in the year
A.  26thJanuary, 1950
Q.  The design of the Indian National Flag was adopted in the year
A.  22nd July 1947
Q.  The playing time of the full version of the National Anthem is approximately equal to
A.  52 sec
Q.  Who is the First woman Governor in India
A.  Sarojini Naidu
Q.  Jammu & Kashmir was acceded to India on
A.  26th October 1947
Q.  Who is legally competent to declare war or conclude peace treaty in India
A.  The President

India | Date Or Year

Q.  In which year the battle of HaldiGhati was fought?
A.  1576
Q.  In which year battle of Talikota was fought ?
A.  1565
Q.  On what date Indo-US Nuclear cooperation treaty was signed?
A.  October 11, 2008
Q.  When and where was Shivaji born?
A.  Shivnagar in the year 1627
Q.  Shivaji signed the Treaty of purandhar in which year and with whom?
A.  1665 – Raja Jai Singh
Q.  When did the Danes arrive in India and formed an East India Company?
A.  1616
Q.  When and by whom were the Portuguese driven out of Hughli in Bengal?
A.  1631 – Qasim Khan
Q.  Brahma Samaj was founded in which year?
A.  1828