Highest, Longest, Largest, Tallest, Smallest etc...

in India
Significance Highest mountain peak Highest Dam Highest Waterfall Highest Gateway Highest Award Highest Gallantry Award Highest Battle field Highest rainfall Place Highest Airport Highest Lake Highest Tower Highest populated State Highest Radio Station Highest Statue Largest lake of Fresh water Largest Temple Largest Mosque Largest Church Largest Gurudwara Largest Monastery Largest populated city Largest Building Largest Museum Largest Auditorium Largest Cinema Theatre Largest Barrage Largest Delta Largest Dome Largest Zoo Largest Exhibition Ground Largest Desert Largest cave temple Largest Cave Largest Hotel Largest State by Area Largest State by Population Largest Hospital Largest corridor Largest Post Office Largest forest area state Largest Prison Achiever Godwin Austin (k2) Tehri Dam, Uttarakhand Kunchikal waterfall, Karnataka Buland Darwaza, Fatehpur Sikri, Uttap Pradesh Bharat Ratna Paramveer Chakra Siachin Glacier Mawsynram, Meghalaya Leh, Laddakh Cholamu Lake, Sikkim Qutub Minar, Delhi Bihar The Leh station of AIR Jain Saint Gomateswara, Karnataka Wular lake, Kashmir Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu Jama Masjid, Delhi Se Cathedral, Goa Golden Temple, Amritsar Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh Mumbai, Maharastra Rashtrapati Bhawan, Delhi National Museum, Kolkata Sri Shanmukhananda Hall, Mumbai Thangam, Madurai Farakka Barrage, Ganga Sunderban Delta, West Bengal Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur, Karnataka Zoological Gardens, Alipur, Kolkata Pragati Maidan Complex, New Delhi Thar, Rajasthan Kailash temple, Ellora, Maharashtra Amarnath Cave, Jammu and Kashmir Oberoi Sheraton, Mumbai Rajasthan Uttar Pradesh B. J Medical College and Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad Rameshwaram temple corridor, Tamil Nadu Mumbai GPO Madhya Pradesh Tihar Central Jail, Delhi

Largest Stadium Largest Port Largest Lake of Saline water Largest river island Largest Planetarium Largest man-made lake Largest Cantilever Span Bridge Largest library Largest Lok Sabha Contituency by area Largest Lok Sabha Contituency by population Longest River Longest tributary river of India Longest coastline State Longest tunnel Longest national highway Longest Dam Longest River Bridge Longest Electric railway line Longest Railway Platform Longest river which forms estuary Logest bridge above water Logest distance run train Longest nonstop run train Longest railway bridge Longest Beach Smallest State by Area Smallest State by Population Smallest Lok Sabha Contituency by area Smallest Lok Sabha Contituency by population Tallest building
January, 2013 31st January: 30th January:

Salt lake Stadium, Kolkata Mumbai Chika lake, Orissa Majuli, Brahmaputra river, Assam Birla Planetarium, Kolkata Govind Sagar, Bhakra Dam Howrah Bridge, Kolkata National Library, Kolkata Ladhak Outer Delhi Ganga Yamuna Gujarat Jawahar tunnel, Jammu & Kashmir NH-7which runs from Varanasi to Kanyakumari Hirakud Dam, Orissa Mahatma Gandhi Setu, Patna From Delhi to Kolkata via Patna Kharagpur, W. Bengal Narmada Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Maharastra Vivek Express Trivandrum Rajdhani Vembanad Rail bridge, Kerala Marina Beach, Chennai Goa Sikkim Chandni Chowk Lakshdweep Imperial Tower, Mumbai

World anti Leprosy Day is observed to create awareness about the air-borne disease. Social Activist Anna Hazare declares his party name as Jantantra Morcha which will not participate in election.

29th January: Tiger Woods win his 75th PGA Tour title in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reduced repo rate by 25 points. World Winter games, 2013 started in PyeongChang, South Korea.

28th January: Mumbai win Ranji trophy final at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai defeating Saurashtra.

 World No. 1 Novak Djokovic defeated Andy Murray to win Australian Open, 2013 final. 27th January: England defeat India in the fifth and final ODI in Dharamshala . 26th January: India celebrated its 64th Republic Day. King of Bhutan participates as Chief Guest for the Republic Day Parade. 4 Padma Vibhushan, 24 Padma Bhushan and 80 Padma Shri awards has been declared on the occasion of Republic Day of India by Govt. of India. Sreeramamurthy Janaki, the renowned playback singer refused to accept the Padma Bhushan. Victoria Azarenka of Belarus wins Australian Open Womens Singles by defiting Li Na of China. Centre Constituted New High Court for Manipur, Meghalaya And Tripura. 25th January: Milos Zeman elected as Czech Republic President, first person to be directly elected . 3rd National Voters Day observe in India. 24th January: 23rd January: Uddhav Thackeray elected as Shiv Sena President. 22th January: Olympic medalists Saina Nehwal and Meri Kom will be the Election Commission's (EC) national icons. Rajnath Singh was elected as BJP President. 21st January: 20th January: 19th January: Rahul Gandhi elected as vice-president of Indian National Congress. Prof. Ved Praksah appointed as Chairman of the University Grants Commission on (UGC). 18th January: Jharkhand was brought under President's rule. Congress partys 3-day Chintan Shivir started at Jaipur. 17th January: 16th January: Om Prakash Chautala, Ajay Chautala and two IAS officers were arrested for Trained teachers hiring case of 1999. 15th January: Pakistans Supreme Court ordered arrest of Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in a corruption case. 14th January: Mahakumbh Mela started on the occasion of Makar Sankranti at Allahabad on the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati. 13th January: 12th January: 11th January: Microsoft announced its plans to shut down Messenger service from its operating system. 10th January: 9th January: 8th January: Akbaruddin Owaisi, MIM Party MLA arrested for making hate speech. Haryana Chief Minister inugrated National Data Centre of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) data center at Maneshar, Gurgaon. The data centre will be ready by June 2014. 7th January: Lionel Messi wins fourth consecutive Fifa Ballon d'Or in Zurich. 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) start in Kochi. 6th January: 5th January: 4th January:

Virat Kohli named as the International Cricketer of the Year at the CEAT Cricket Awards. Pakistan named as best International Cricket Team. 3rd January: 2nd January: 1st January: Astronautical Society of India (ASI) selected Dr. A.E. Muthunayagam, for 2011 and Dr. V.K. Saraswat for Aryabhatta Award, for 2011.

F ebruary, 2013

28th February National Science Day was observed. 27th February Chuck Hagel appointed as the new Secretary of Defense of the United States. 26th February Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal presented the Railway Budget for 2013-14 in Parliament. Delhi becomes the first state in the country to impose complete ban on manual scavenging. Microsoft introduces Internet Explorer 10. Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni equaled record of Sourav Ganguly with 21st test cricket win after defeating Australia by 8 wickets. 25th February Park Geun-hye sworn in as the first woman President of South Korea. Maghi Purnima Snan in of Mahakumbh 2013 at Allahabad. 24th February Jelena Jankovic, the former world no. 1 won the WTA Copa Claro Colsanitas Cup 2013. 85th Academy Awards for Oscar,2013 ceremony took place Assam became the first state in India to produce over 500 million kilogram tea for two years in a row. Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the first Indian wicket-keeper to score double-century in a test match while scoring unbeaten 206 runs against Australia. 23rd February 22th February Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 22 February 2013 issued final guidelines for issuing licenses for opening new banks Harbhajan Singh played his 100th test while playing against Australia in M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. 21st February The Union Cabinet approved merger of Bharat Heavy Plate & Vessels Ltd. (BHPV) with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). Ratan Tata is awarded the life time achievement award 2012 by Ernst & Young. Two bombs exploded in Dilsukhnagar, Hyderabad kill 14 people. 20th February Virat Kohli appointed as the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore for IPL, 2013. Boiko Borisov announced resignation as Prime Minister of Bulgaria. 19th February Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari appointed as Chairman of the Sahitya Academy. 18th February Vishwanathan Anand wins the Grenke Classic Chess tournament. Social Worker Ela Bhatt awarded with Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace for 2011. She is the founder of SEWA. 17th February

Rafael Nadal defeated David Nalbandian in to win the Brazil Open. Australia wins ICC Womens World Cup Trophy. In the final, they defeat defeated West Indies by 114 runs. The Romanian film Child's Pose(Pozitia Copilului) bagged the Golden Bear prize for best film at the 63rd Berlin film festival.

16th February Serena Williams became the new World number one womens tennis player after reaching Semifinals of Qatar Open Tennis Championship in Doha. 15th February In Chelyabinsk, Russia hit by a huge meteor shower, this injured at least 750 people. 14th February Y Bhaskar Rao, the former Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court, sworn in as the Lokayukta. US Airways and American Airlines merge to become the Worlds biggest airline service. 13th February Asoke Kumar Mukerji is appointed as Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations. Mohan Parasaran is appointed as the new Solicitor General of India. 12th February North Korea conducted its third Nuclear Test at North Hamgyeong Province. Kalyan Kumar Chakravarty appointed as the chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi. International Olympics Committee (IOC) announced its decision to drop wrestling from the list of core sports in Olympics. 11th February Pope Benedict XVI announced that he would resign at the end of the month. 10th February 36 people died as stampede took place at the Allahabad railway. Ranchi Rhinos beat Delhi Waveriders 2-1 to win theHockey India League (HIL). Chinese new year celebrated. Rest of India team win Irani Trophy. 9th February Parliament Attack Convict, Afzal Guru hanged at Tihar Jail. Pandit Ravi Shankar honoured with the posthumous Lifetime Achievement Grammy award. MCX-SX, new stock exchange of India inaugurated by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram. 8th February Sachin Tendulkar scored his 81st century in first class cricket and equaled the record of Sunil Gavaskar. 7th February The Supreme Court of India ordered Karnataka to release 2.44 thousand million cubic feet of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. 6th February Sally Jewell is appointed as new Interior Secretary of USA. 5th February ICICI Bank partnered with Aircel, launch of their mobile banking service called Mobile Money. Malda, West Bengal becomes Indias first all-women judicial magistrates court (JMC). 4th February Michael Clarke wins Allan Border Medal. World cancer day was observed raise awareness about cancer. 3rd February

India lost the Davis Cup Asia Oceania (Group-1) tie to South Korea. 2nd February John Kerry replaced Hillary Clinton as United States new Secretary of State. 1st February Graeme Smith, South Africa becomes the first player in test cricket history to lead in 100 test matches.

March, 2013
30th March:

BJP announces core team. Varun Gandhi, Amit Shah, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, JP Nanda and Murlidhar Rao were elevated as the party's General Secretary by the BJP president Rajnath Singh. Serena Williams win Miami masters open Tennis Tournament for record sixth time. Social activist Anna Hazare started his Jantantra Yatra from Jallianwala Bagh.

29th March: North Korea declares ''state of war'' against South Korea. Former Pakistan President Musharraf barred from going out of Pak. 28th March: Nelson Mandela admitted in hospital with lung infection in Johannesburg. New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder is in hospital at Christchurch after suffering serious head injuries in an altercation outside a local bar. 27th March: India celebrates Holi. 2,290 rhinos found in Kaziranga National Park, Assam as per the census conducted in the park. Tiger Woods regained his world no. 1 spot in PGA rankings after he win The Arnold Palmer Invitation at Orlando, Florida. 26th March: Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi resigned on Tuesday over his government's decision to return two marines to India. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) asked Subrata Roy, the head of the Sahara, to appear before it on April 10. 25th March: Indian PM Manmohan Singh reach South Africa to attend 2013 BRICS Summit. Navneet Kaur Dhillon from Chandigarh wins Femina Miss India 2013. 24th March: Former President Pervez Musharraf return back to Pakistan. India wins Airtel Border Gavaskar Trophy defiting Autralia 4-0 in the series. R Ashwin declares as man of the series. 23rd March: Jodhpur Court frames fresh charges against Bollywood actor Salman Khan and others. Nikhil Kumar sworn in as ne Governor of Kerala. Earth Hour 2013 observed in more than 150 countries.

22nd March:

Two Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen returned to India Friday.

Former President Pervez Musharraf gets bail ahead of return to Pakistan. Fourth and Final test between India and Australia start at Firoz Shah Kotla Ground, Delhi. 21st March: Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt sentenced for five years in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case. Supreme Court confirm death sentence of Yakub Abdul Razak Memon. The Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa presented a tax-free budget for 2013-14. The UN Human Rights Council vote on a US-sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka in Geneva. Anti-Rape bill passed in Rajya Sabha. 20th March: Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman dies after illness at a hospital in Singapore. 19th March: 37 people killed when a Mumbai-bound bus plunged into the Jagbudi River in Ratnagiri district. DMK withdraw support from UPA. Lok Sabha passed the anti-rape bill. 18th March: India wins the third test to take a lead of 3-0 in the ongoing Airtel Border-Gavaskar trophy. National Film Award declared. Paan Singh Tomar declare as the best film, while Irffan Khan and Vikram Gokhale share the best actor Award. Usha Jadhav choosen as best actress. 17th March: Australia wins Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey defeating Malaysia 3-2. 16th March: Shikhar Dhawan score fastest test 100 by any batsman on debut. Bobby Ghosh became the First Indian and Non-American to be appointed as Editor of Time Magazine Founder of Dr. Reddys Lab, Kallam Anji Reddy died. Pakistan Govt. complete 5 Year terms, first government to complete after independence.

15th March:

World Consumer Rights Day observed for creating awareness in terms of consumer protection. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's speech, which was broadcast simultaneously at 53 locations across 26 cities in Gujarat using 3-D hologram projection technology, has entered in the Guinness Book of World Records. Xi Jinping has assumed charge of Presidents office in China. Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Nepal. Malaysian author Tan Twan Eng won the Asias top literary prize Man Asian Literary Prize for his novel The Garden of Evening Mists, for the year 2012. Petrol prices have been cut by Rs. 2 per liter effective midnight in India. Third test between India and Australia begins in Mohali. Australia ended day 273/7.

14th March:

Jorge Mario Bergoglio has been elected as new pope of the Catholic Church in Vetican City. World Bank estimated Indias economy to grow by 6% in 2013-14. Five CRPF men killed in fidayeen attack in Srinagar.

13th March:

West zone win Deodhar Trophy, 2013 with a five-wicket win over North Zone in Guwahati .

12th March:

Ashwani Kumar and S.C. Jamir appointed as new Governors of Nagaland and Odisha respectively. Union Minister of Communications & IT Kapil Sibal inaugurated Indias First All Women Employees Post Office at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.

11th March: Australia cricket team management drop four players ahead of third test for disciplinary reasons. 10th March: 9th March: 8th March: Mukesh Ambani titled Indias richest person for 6th year in a row with a net-worth of $21.5 billion. Mukul Sangma sworn in as CM of Meghalaya for second time. 7th March: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez died at 58. 6th March: India take 2-0 lead against Australia in Airtel Border-Gavashkar Trophy, 2013. World No.1 Novak Djokovic clinches ATP Dubai Open 2013. Neiphiu Rio sworn as new CM of Nagaland for third time. Manik Sarkar sworn as Chief Minister of Tripura for the fourth time. Rajasthani writer Hariram Meena chosen for Bihari Puraskar. 5th March: U.S. babys HIV functionally cured. 4th March: 3rd March: 2nd March: 1st March:

April, 2013
30th April: Delhi court acquitted Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Pakistani court imposed a lifetime ban on former President Pervez Musharraf from contesting elections in Pakistan. Joao Havelange has resigned as honorary president of the world governing body after being named in a report as having received bribes. Additional Solicitor General Haren Raval resigned from the post over his controversy by telling the Supreme Court that CBI status report on Coalgate was not shared with the government. 29th April:

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sends nomination of Virat Kohli and Sunil Gavaskar for Arjuna Award and Dhyanchand Award respectively to Sports Ministry. Syrian PM Wael al-Halqi survives bomb attack in capital Damascus.

Goa launched a digital Krishi Card for farmers to avail benefits like subsidies and loans given by the state government. 28th April: Saturn positioned itself directly opposite the Sun and visible with the naked eye. Enrico Letta sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Italy. 27th April: President Pranab Mukherjee reappointed Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra for second term in the state. Sarabjit Singh continues to be in deep coma and on ventilator support at a hospital in Lahore after being brutally attacked by a group of prisoners. 26th April: Anil Goswami will replace RK Singh as new Home Secratary. He is the first bureaucrat from the J&K cadre to be appointed home secretary. Yash Chopra, Rajesh Khanna and Asha Bhosale will be honored with the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Academy Award. 25th April: A new keyboard layout named as KALQ Keyboard developed at University of St Andrews, USA for touch screen devices. World Malaria Day is observed. 24th April: Legendary Playback Singer Shamshad Begum died at her Mumbai residence at the age of 94. Liverpool's Luis Suarez has been banned for 10 games by the English Football Association for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic during EPL match at Anfield. A block housing garment factories and shops collapsed in Bangladesh, killing nearly 300 people and injuring more than a thousand. 23rd April: Chris Gayle set a new record for the fastest century in professional cricket by reaching 100 off 30 balls in IPL match against Pune Warrior in Bangalore. He also records the highest Twenty20 score of 175 not out. Manchester United won its record 20th English Premier League title. Police detained Sudipto Sen, the chairman of Saradha group in Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly defrauded thousands of depositors. 22nd April: Earth Day is observed to create awareness among the masses on environmental issues. Budget Session of Parliament resumes. Horacio Cartes has been elected as President in Paraguay. Union Home ministry approved 'Z' category security protection for Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani. Abdul Hamid, the speaker of Bangladesh's parliament has been elected as President of Bangladesh. Former chief justice and head of anti-rape law panel JS Verma has died in Delhi, aged 80.

21st April:

National Civil Services Day was observed across India. Mathematical genius Shakuntala Devi, known worlds fastest human computer died at a hospital in Bangalore following respiratory problems. She was 83.

20th April:

At least 150 people and over seven thousands have died in a 6.6 magnitude earthquake which hit southwestern China's Sichuan province. Assam State Government implemented the Assam Right to Public Service Act 2012 in the state. Sachin Tendulkar's wax statue unveiled at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Australian all-rounder cricketer Shane Watson stepped down from the position of ViceCaptain of the Australian test Cricket team. 19th April: Universal Commodity Exchange (UCX) started its operations and became the countrys sixth commodity exchange to launch futures trading. Time magazine included Amir Khan in the list of 100 Most Influential People in the world for 2013. He is also one of the seven who were selected for a cover of their own in the prestigious magazine. 18th April: Islamabad High Court has ordered the arrest of Gen Pervez Musharraf over his attempt to impose house arrest on judges in March 2007. The main accused of German Bakery blast, Himayat Ali Baig has been given death sentence. The blasts left 17 dead and 64 wounded at the German Bakery on February 13, 2010. Blast at a fertilizer plant in central Texas killed 15 people, wounded more than 160 in America. Aruna M. Bahuguna appointed as Special Director General of the CRPF. She is the first woman to be appointed for that position.

17th April:

A blast near the BJP office in Malleshwaram, Bangalore left 16 people injured including eight policemen. Telugu writer Dr Ravuri Bharadwaja selected for the prestigious Jnanpith award for the year 2012.

16th April:

Two bomb explosions around 2.45pm killing three people and injuring over 140 in popular Boston Marathon. A massive 7.9 Richter scale earthquake struck southeast Iran near the border with Pakistan, which killed at least 40 people in Iran and 35 in Pakistan. Gold price in India hit the lowest level in more than 18 months reaching 25,270 rupees per 10 gram.

15th April:

President on a three day visit to North-East India. India celebrates Bihu, Pongal and Vaisakhi in different parts of the country. Adam Johnson announced as the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for his book The Orphan Masters Son. Nicolas Maduro was elected as the new President of Venezuela

14th April:

Famous Industrialist, Known as the country's 'takeover specialist' Rama Prasad Goenka passed away in Kolkata. He was the Chairman Emeritus of the RPG Group, a multi-sector Indian industrial conglomerate. Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on week long visit to USA and Canada, working on a series of steps to attract at least $20 billion in new investment in India. 12th April: The Supreme Court reject a plea for commutation of death sentence to life imprisonment for Delhi bomb blast accused terrorist Deviderpal Singh Bhullar. President of India already reject the plea. Veteran Bollywood actor Pran, 92 has been honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. The award consists of the Swara Kamal medal, a shawl and a cash prize. 11th April: Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, PJ Kurien elected as the Chairman of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD)on the 73rd Executive Committee Meeting of AFPPD at Bangkok. 10th April: Sahara group chief Subrata Roy appeared before SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India), which had summoned Sahara in refund case of an estimated Rs 24,000 crore. Delhi court ordered to re-investigated 1984 anti-Sikh riots against Congress leader and former Union minister Jagdish Tytler for his role, dismissing CBI closure report of 2009 that had given a clean chit to Tytler. 9th April: A magnitude 6.1 earthquake killed at least 37 and injured hundreds more in southern Iran. Five U.N. peacekeepers from India working for the U.N. mission in South Sudan were killed in an ambush by attackers in the state of Jonglei. 8th April: Britain's 'Iron Lady' and only woman prime minister, Margaret Thatcher died following a stroke at the age of 87. She led her Conservative Party for 11 years and held office from May 1979 to November 1990. 7th April: India test fired Nuke-capable ballistic missile Agni-II successfully from a defence base off the Odisha coast. 6th April: Arvind Kejriwal breaks 15-day-long fast on the issue of water and electricity in Delhi. Annamalai University VC M. Ramanathan suspended for financial irregularities. Suicide attack in a Iraqi city of Baqouba kills 25 in a political rally. 5th April: Executive Co-Chairman of Infosys S Gopalakrishnan has been elected as the President of the industry body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). President Pranab Mukherjee presented Padma Awards to 108 personalities. Cricketer Rahul Dravid, woman boxer MC Mary Kom and late Bollywood actor Rajesh Khanna was conferred the Padma Bhushan Award in a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. 4th April: 72 dead and over 36 injured as under-construction building collapse in Thane, Mumbai. 3rd April: President Pranab Mukherjee has given his assent to the anti-rape bill. This law has the provision of life term and death sentence for rape convicts. 2nd April: The Lokayukta Aayog Bill, 2013 passed in the Gujarat assembly.

IPL6 opening ceremony held at Kolkatas Salt Lake Stadium. This time 9 teams will participate. 1st April: Supreme Court denied an India patent request by Novartis AG cancer drug. Sports Ministry asks NADA (National Anti-Doping Agency) to test Vijender for the reported use of the recreational drug heroin. G. V. Prasad appointment as new Chairman of Dr. Reddys Laboratories and Satish Reddy as Vice-Chairman.

May, 2013

31st May: Treasurer Ajay Shirke and secretary Sanjay Jagdale resign from their respective posts in BCCI. Avinash Chander appointed as the New chief of DRDO (Defence Research Development Organiastion). Anti-Tobacco Day Observed across the World. 30th May: CBSE declares class 10 results. National Award-winning filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh dies at 49. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh elected to Rajya Sabha for the 5th consecutive term from Assam. India and Thailand signed extradition treaty after 20 years of negotiations. Arvind Mahankali of Indian origin from New York wins the Scripps National Spelling Bee for the year 2013. 29th May: Executive Board (EB) of IOC recommended baseball, squash and wrestling for possible inclusion in the Olympic programme for the 2020 Summer Games. 28th May: Blue is the Warmest Colour win the prestigious Palme dOr at the 66th Cannes Film Festival. Ram Jethmalani expelled by BJP Party from Primary Membership for Six years. BCCI constituted 3-Man Probe Panel to probe to probe the allegations against Gurunath Meiyappan and the three Rajasthan Royals players.The three-member panel also includes T Jayaram Chouta, former judge and R. Balasubramanian, former judge and BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale. Punjab Government approved Online Lottery System to Increase Revenue. 27th May:

Defense Ministry inaugurated the first fighter aircraft base of India at Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu. CBSE Class 12 Results 2013 were declared by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) with pass percentage of 82.10%. England has been confirmed as the host country for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Sachin Tendulkar announced his retirement from Twenty20 cricket format after Mumbai Indians beat Chennai Super Kings in IPL6 final. Amways India Chairman and CEO William S. Pinckney and two directors of the network marketing company on charges of financial irregularities and cheating.

26th May:

Bayern Munich wins European Champions League for the fifth time beating Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the final in Wembley. Mumbai Indian wins IPL 6 defeating Chennai Super Kings by 23 runs in Kolkata. Michael Hussey and Dwayne Bravo of Chennai Super Kings claimed the orange cap and purple cap respectively in IPL6. France Open 2013 starts at Paris.

25th May:

Mumbai Police arrest Gurunath Meiyappan, CEO of Chennai Super Kings in connection with a spot-fixing scandal at IPL 6. 25 killed including senior Congress leader Mahendra Karma, Nanda Kumar Patel and 20 others are injured in an attack by Maoists in Jagdalpur district of Chhattisgarh. Radha Krishna Mathu appointed as the new Defence Secretary of India.

24th May:

The US Senate approved Indian-American Srikanth Srinivasan as the first South Asian judge to America's second highest court. The International Olympic Committee has set India a September 1 deadline for a new election to facilitate the country's return to the Olympic fold. Sebi(Securities and Exchange Board of India) turns 25. Mumbai Indian reaches the final of IPL 6.

23rd May:

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid the foundation stone of the Indian National Defence University (INDU) at Binola, Gurgaon. Yuichiro Miura of Japan became the oldest man to climb the Everest at the age of 80 year. American Writer Lydia Davis won 2013 Man Booker International Prize. Elite panel umpire Asad Rauf is withdrawn from next month's Champions Trophy by ICC following media reports of his alleged linking with bokkie in IPL 6.

22nd May:

UPA II complete four years in its second term. India successfully test fired 290-km range BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile from INS Tarkash in the coast of Goa. President Pranab Mukherjee Wednesday conferred the 47th Jnanpith Award, the country's highest literary award, for the year 2011 on noted writer Pratibha Ray.

21th May:

Arunima Sinha becomes first Indian amputee to reach Mt Everest. The President of Indian appointed Shashi Kant Sharma as the new Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India who will succeed Vinod Rai. Chennai Super Kings reach final of IPL6. Supreme Court rejects a petition seeking to halt the remaining matches of IPL 6. Pune Warriors have pulled out of IPL by the owner Sahara India over financial differences with the BCCI.

Indian actor Vindu Dara Singh has been arrested by Mumbai police for alleged links to bookies in IPL6. 20th May: India and China ink eight agreements on trade, water resources. Yahoo announced a $1.1 billion deal for blogging site Tumblr. A Pakistani court on Monday granted bail to former army chief and president Pervez Musharraf who has been under house. Oklahoma State, US devastated by a powerful tornado which more than 90 people died. 19th May: Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang visits India on a three day tour. India's first National Defence University will be set up in Gurgaon. The foundation stone of INDU will be laid by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on May 23. Serena Williams beats Victoria Azarenka 6-1 6-3 to win Rome title. 18th May: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expands cabinet ministry with 28 ministers. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index report, Bill Gates retakes Worlds richest title from Carlos Slim. Atletico Madrid win Copa del Rey Cup after defeating Real Madrid 2-1 in the final. 17th May: Nirbhay Sharma appointed as Governor of Arunachal Pradesh. The department of pharmaceuticals notified the Drug Price Control Order 2013 which will lower drug prices up to 80% of 348 essential medicines including life saving drugs. 16th May: S. Sreesanth and two other Rajasthan Royals' players arrested for spot-fixing in IPL 6 tournament by the Delhi Police. Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt surrendered before TADA court in Mumbai to serve his threeand-a-half year sentence in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blast case. Amitabh Bachchan gives Cannes opening ceremony address in Hindi. David Beckham announces his retirement from football at the end of this season. The former England captain made 115 appearances for his country. 15th May: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today filed his nomination papers in the Assam Assembly to be re-elected as a Rajya Sabha member from the state. Mittu Chandilya appointed as the first CEO of AirAsia India. Yusf Pathan become first IPL batsman to get out 'obstructing the field' in a match against Pune warrior. Chelsea win Europa League. The 66th Cannes Film Festival start. England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand announced his retirement from international soccer. 14th May: Government of India formed a Group of Ministers (GoM) under finance minister P Chidambaram to draft a law to insulate the CBI from external influence. The other members include Salman Khurshid, Kapil Sibal, Manish Tewari and V Narayanasamy as members. Manchester City sacked manager Roberto Mancini. 13th May: Congress leader Siddaramaiah sworn in as the 22nd chief minister of Karnataka. NSE launched countrys first dedicated debt trading platform. The stability certificates of all the nine stands of M.A. Chidambaram Cricket Stadium, Chepauk cancelled by the Tamil Nadu Government. 12th May:

Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) emerged as the largest party in parliament election and Nawaz Sharif set for 3rd term as Pak PM. Mother's day celebrated in India. Fernando Alonso win Spanish Grand Prix for the second time. Russell Domingo will replace Gary Kirsten as Soth African Cricket Team coach after his retirement. Serena Williams beats Maria Sharapova in Madrid Open final and winning her 50th single title. Barcelona wins La Liga Championship for 22nd time. 11th May: Minister of Communications and Information Technology Kapil Sibal gets additional charge of Law Ministry. CP Joshi is appointed as Railway Minister. National Technology Day observed in India. National Assembly election held for 272 seats in Pakistan for the first transition between civilian governments in the nation's 66-year history. 10th May: Law MinisterAshwani Kumar and Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal resign from their post. Karnataka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj appointed Siddaramaiah as Karnataka Chief Minister. Siddaramaiah will be the 28th CM of Karnataka. 9th May: Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah Ranjay passed away while being treated for injuring sustained in a scuffle. Former Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilanis son Ali Haider Gilani was kidnapped in Pakistans Punjab province by unidentified gunmen during election rally. Tamil Nadu imposed a ban on sale, storage and production of gutka and pan masala. 8th May: Congress win Karnataka State Assembly election with 121 seats while ruling party BJP gets only 40 seats. The Premier League champions confirmed that Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson will retire at the end of the season after more than 26 years in charge. The Supreme Court slammed Attorney govt, CBI, A-G for sharing CBI's coal probe report with the political executive. 7th May: Churchill Brothers of Goa win the I-League football title for 2013. Najib Razak sworn in as Malaysias Prime Minister for a second term. 6th May: According to TRAI Survey, Uttar Pradesh accounted for the largest number of mobile subscribers in India. Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, the former India leg spinner, has elected as a players' representative on the ICC cricket committee. 5th May: India and China both sides agree to withdrawing their troops to previously agreed positions from Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) sector near the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh. Chinese troops set up camp in Ladakh's Depsang Valley on April 15. Karnataka records 65 per cent vote in state assembly election today for 223 seats. 4th May: Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh were dropped from ODI squad of 15-member for next month's Champions Trophy.

P.V. Sindhu of India win the Malaysian Open Grand Prix in badminton Gold 2013 in Kuala Lumpur. Railway Minister P K Bansal's nephew arrested for accepting Rs 90 lakh bribe by CBI. 3rd May: Indian Cinema complete 100 years. The first film Raja Harishchandra was made in India 100 years ago on 3 May 1913 by Dada Saheb Phalke. Gulf state Qatar has bought a 5 percent stake in Bharti Airtel Ltd for $1.26 billion. 2nd May: Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) launched an Islamic equity index especially for Islamic investors. Sarabjit Singh died in Lahore hospital six days after being brutally attacked by a group of inmates in jail. Champions League final match will be played between Bayern Munich and Dortmund at Wembley after defeting Barcelona and Real Madrid in Semifinals respectively. 1st May: May Day celebrated. Petrol price cut by Rs 3 a liter and Price of non-subsidized cooking gas cut by Rs 54 per cylinder. Indian population reaches 121 cores as per the census of March, 2011.

June, 2013
30th June: P. Sathasivam appointed be the Next Chief Justice of India. He will be 40th Chief Justice of India (CJI) and will take office on 18th July 2013. Germany's Nico Rosberg won the British Formula One grand prix . 29th June: Airports Authority of India will develop 50 new low-cost airports across 11 states. Election Commission (EC) issues a notice to BJP leader Gopinath Munde to explain why he spent Rs. 8 crore in the last Lok Sabha elections. As announced by the International Cricket Council in London, India will host 2016 World Twenty20, 2021 World Test Championship and 2023 edition of the 50-over World Cup. 28th June: Petrol price hiked by Rs 1.82 per liter. The annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave in the Kashmir Valley started on schedule from today morning. Indian railways launched an SMS-based ticketing system. US Senate passes sweeping immigration bill. 27th June: Krishna Chaudhary appointed as Director General, National Disaster Response Force and Civil Defence. Spain and Brazil reach the final of FIFA Confederations Cup, 2013. 26th June: Wal-Mart India CEO Raj Jain resigns. Rupee sinks to record low with 60.72 against dollar. Kevin Rudd sworn in as Australian prime minister after Julia Gillard quit as prime minister. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi flag off 18-km Banihal-Qazigund rail link connecting Kashmir valley to Jammu region. 25th June: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visit Kashmir. A rescue chopper in Uttarakhand crashed killing at least 19 people were feared to be dead.

Ex-military ruler Pervez Musharraf in the list of main accused who conspired to assassinate former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007. Sonia Gandhi laid foundation stone of Rattle Hydro Power Project in Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir. 24th June: Total 19 sites have been added to UNESCO's World Heritage list of places of "outstanding universal value". Former Cricketer Darren Lehmann appointed as coach of Australian Cricket Team. A Mumbai session court rejected Salman Khan's plea in connection with 2002 hit and run case and decided that he would be tried in culpable homicide charge which implicates a jail term of 10 year. Wimbledon 2013 starts in England. 23rd June: India wins Champions Trophy 2013 defeating England by 5 runs. Shikhar Dhawan wins golden bat, Jadeja wins golden ball in Champions Trophy 2013. 22nd June: Six forts of Rajathan, Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Jaisalmer, Ranthambhore (Sawai Madhopur), Gagaron (Jhalawar) and Amber (Jaipur) were recognized as serial World Heritage Sites in the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia . 21st June: Till now 550 dead and 50,000 still trapped in Uttarakhand. Mount Etna of Italy gains World Heritage Site status.

20th June:

Indian rupee falls to record low of 59.57 Rs per Dollar. India reaches the final of ICC Champions trophy defeating Sri Lanka by 8 wickets. India will play England in the final.

19th June:

Nitish Kumar win the vote of confidence in Bihar Assembly with 126 MLA support. England reaches the final of ICC Champions Trophy, 2013 after defeating South Africa by 7 wickets in Semi Final.

18th June:

Monsoon rains in North India killed at least 60 people and left tens of thousands stranded. Tianhe-2, a supercomputer developed by Chinas National University of Defense Technology earned the number one spot of fastest computer in the Top 500 survey of supercomputers.

17th June:

UPA Government inducts 8 new ministers. Mallikarjun Kharge appoints as the new Railways Minister. AirAsia India appoints TCS Vice-Chairman S Ramadorai as Chairman. The 39th G-8 Summit start in Northern Ireland.

16th June:

Janata Dal United (JD (U)) formally announced party is breaking away 17-year alliance with the BJP opposing the elevation of Gujarat Chief Narendra Modi to chief of BJPs election campaign committee. Ratan Tata is selected as the Chief Advisor to low-cost carrier, Air Asia Indias board.

15th June:

The Government of India appoints SK Roy as the new Chairman of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). Hassan Rowhani elected as new Iranian President. Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation minister Ajay Maken submitted his resignation ahead of the Cabinet reshuffle. 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup starts at Brazil.

14th June:

The world observed the World Blood Donor Day on 14 June 2013 with its theme of the year Give the Gift of Life: Donate Blood. Iran's presidential election held for a successor to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who serving two consecutive terms.

13th June:

BSNL decided to put an end to the 160-year-old telegraph service in India from July 15. Maoist attacked a passenger train in Bihar, killing three people.

12th June:

Naveen Jindal and Dasari Narayana Rao named in Coalgate FIR registered by CBI. India Cricket Team reaches the semifinal of Champions Trophy in England. Gauri Monga wins Southern India golf title.

11th June:

Former union minister and Congress leader V.C Shukla from Chhattisgarh, died in a Gurgaon hospital after battling injuries sustained in a deadly naxal attack on a convoy of party leaders on May 25, 2013. L K Advani withdraws resignation. Cayan Tower in Dubai inaugurated as the world's tallest twisted tower, which spirals at 90 degrees from the bottom.

10th June:

LK Advani quits all posts in BJP. BCCI suspends Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra after he confessed betting in IPL.

9th June:

Narendra Modi anointed as chairman of BJP 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign committee. K Srikanth wins his maiden men's singles title at the Thailand Open Grand Prix.

Rafael Nadal wins men's single in French Open defeating David Ferrer.

8th June:

Serena Williams wins French Open defeating Maria Sharapova 6-4 6-4 in the final. Former South African President Nelson Mandela taken to a hospital after being critical condition. Bob and Mike Bryan won Doubles Title at French Open 2013.

7th June:

Jet Airways India CEO Nikos Kardassis resigns. BJP national executive meeting in Goa started. K R Kamath Re-Elected as the Chairman of Indian Banks Association.

6th June:

Sanjay Patel has been appointed as the BCCI secretary, replacing Sanjay Jagdale. T Venkatesh has been selected as the new treasurer of BCCI. Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra has confessed to betting in IPL matches. TCA Raghavan is appointed as new High Commissioner to Pakistan. ICC Champions Trophy start from today in England and Wales. The first all women police station in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh started functioning. Susan Elizabeth Rice Appointed as the National Security Adviser to US President Barack Obama.

5th June:

BJP win all six constituencies in Gujrat, two Lok Sabha and four state assembly seats in the by-elections held on Sunday. Nawaz Sharif formally elected as Pakistans PM. World Environment Day is observed promote awareness on the importance of preserving biodiversity. Amazon.com Inc launches online marketplace in India.

4th June:

Actress Jiah Khan committed suicide at her Juhu residence. Delhi Police invoked MCOCA against cricketer S Sreesanth and 25 others arrested in the Indian Premier Leaguespot-fixing scandal. Actor Vindu Dara Singh and CSK principal Gurunath Meiyappan granted bail by a local court. Former Bangladesh cricket team captain Mohammad Ashraful suspended by BCB after his involvement in fixing. More Than 65 Countries across the World Signed the Arms Trade Treaty. Raghav Joneja at the age of 15, becomes youngest Indian to climb Everest. Burundi's Lydia Nsekera became the first woman to be elected to the FIFA Executive Committee for four years.

3rd June:

Six major political parties would be answerable under the Right to Information Act as informed by The Central Information Commission. These parties are Congress, BJP, CPI(M), CPI, BSP and NCP. Jose Mourinho returns to English Football Club Chelsea as manager again.

2nd June:

Arvind Kejriwal will contest against Sheila Dikshit in Delhi polls. Former BCCI & ICC President Jagmohan Dalmiya chosen as interim BCCI Board President till the probe into the spot-fixing scandal is completed.

1st June: Infosys Limited announced the appointing of Mr. N R Narayana Murthy as Executive Chairman of the Board and Additional Director of the company. Rajeev Shukla resigns as IPL Chairman.

July, 2013
31st July: The Union Home Ministry has agreed for handing over the security of BodhGaya complex to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).This is the first time the paramilitary force will guard a religious place. The Bombay High Court declared the probe panel BCCI to look into allegations of spot-fixing IPL-6 as illegal and unconstitutional, and directed to form a new panel to investigate the issue correctly. India defeated Nepal to wins Under-16 SAFF Football Title, 2013. 30th July:

Congress Working Committee (CWC) endorsed the formation of Telangana State. Hyderabad will be the capital of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for 10 years. Mamnoon Hussain elected as President of Pakistan. Convict of Batla House Encounter Shahzad Ahmed got life sentence. Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan will receive 21st Rajiv Gandhi National Sadhbhavna Award.

29th July:

Ashwani Kumar sworn in as Governor of Manipur. 2,058 crore Jet-Etihad deal cleared by investment board with conditions. Britain confirms 3,000 cash bond for visas for visitors from India and 5 other countries. India's 'Metro Man' E Sreedharan chosen for Lokmanya Tilak award, 2013.

28th July:

BCCI's two-member probe panel clears Raj Kundra, Gurunath Meiyappan of involvement in IPL spot-fixing. 13 injured in grenade blast in Guwahati World Hepatitis Day 2013 observed. India defeat Zimbabwe by seven wickets to lead 3-0 series win.

27th July:

More than 100 people have been killed and 1,500 injured at a protest held by supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi in Cairo.

26th July:

Indias advanced meteorological satellite INSAT-3D launched successfully from the spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana by the European rocket, Arianespace's Ariane 5 rocket. India defeat Zimbabwe by 58 runs in the second ODI.

25th July:

A Delhi court convicted Indian Mujahideen operative Shahzad Ahmad in the 2008 Batla House encounter case for murdering a police inspector M C Sharma and death of Head Constables Balwant Singh and Rajbir Singh. India's K Jennitha Anto wins the 13th IPCA World Women's Individual Chess Championship title at Czech Republic.

24th July:

Bihar Police arrested headmistress of the school in Bihar where 23 children died after eating a meal in Chapra District. Afghanistan's first woman governor Habiba Sarabi, Civil society organiser Lahpai Seng Raw from Myanmar, Nepal's Shakti Samuha, Ernesto Domingo of Philipine and Indonesia's independent anti-corruption government body Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi (KPK) are the five winners of Magsaysay awards for 2013. India wins the first ODI against Zimbabwe by 6 wickets.

23rd July:

Leo Burnett chairman and CEO of India subcontinent Arvind Sharma has been re-elected president of the Advertising Agencies Association of India. Kate Middleton The Duchess of Cambridge, Gave Birth to a Baby Boy. Devendra Jhajharia wins India's first-ever gold at the IPC Athletics World Championships in Lyon, France. Josy Joseph and Ravish Kumar awarded Ramnath Goenka Journalist of the Year award for print and broadcast categories respectively.

22nd July:

56 people died in China's western Gansu province after 6.6 magnitude earthquake. Supreme Court asks Centre to enforce tobacco advertisement rules at shops. Delhi Police filed charge sheet in match-fixing case of 2000 involving Hansie Cronje. Britain's Chris Froome was crowned champion of the 100th edition of the Tour de France.

21st July:

India win bronze medal in Archery World Cup held in Medellin, Colombia. Australia lost second test of Ashes Series in Lords England.

20th July:

U.S. city Detroit filed for bankruptcy. Shane Warne inducted into ICC Hall of Fame at Lord's, England.

19th July:

Supreme Court order to cancel common medical entrance exam (NEET) because the MCI is not empowered to hold it and now private medical and dental universities and colleges will now have the right to conduct their own entrance exams. Justice Palanisamy Sathasivam sworn in as the new Chief Justice of India. Anil Ambani and wife Tina Ambani summoned as witness in 2G case.

18th July:

The Union Government approved recommendations of a Group of Ministers (GoM) to make marriage laws more women friendly, including providing for compensation to a woman from her husbands ancestral property in the case of divorce. Union Govt. approved Proposal to give SEBI more Powers including to carry out search and seizure operations on ponzi schemes. Veteran Tamil lyricist Vaali passes away in Chennai at the age of 81. The Union Government approved to rename Bengaluru International Airport as Kempegowda International Airport. Delhi and KKR seamer Pradeep Sangwan fails dope test conducted during IPL 6. Second Test of Ashes Series begins in Lord Cricket Ground, England.

17th July:

The Indian Government permits 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in telecom sector. ArcelorMittal decides to drop its Rs 50,000 crore steel plant project in Odisha. NASA announced discovery of 14th moon named S/2004 N1 of Neptune.

16th July:

22 children died after mid-day meal in Saran district, Bihar. The Supreme Court allowed dance bars in Maharashtra to reopen which were shut down by the state government eight years. Central Railway to use first fully retrofitted AC rake on Pune-Lonavala section. Two of worlds leading sprinters, American Tyson Gay and the Jamaican Asafa Powell both have failed doping tests.

15th July:

List of 5,748 missing persons released by Uttarakhand government. Monsoon Session of Parliament to begin on August 5. Cipla appoints MK Hamied as Executive Vice-Chairman. Abhijeet Gupta won Commonwealth Chess Championship.

14th July:

163 year old telegram service in India to be close forever from 9pm today. England beat Australia by 14 runs in first Ashes test.

13th July:

Hemant Soren sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. Bhutan's opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party wins the election with 30 seats. Bofors payoffs scandal accused Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi died in Milan following a stroke.

12th July:

Veteran actor and Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient Pran dies at 93 in Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital. A 15-year-old girl from Meerut Razia Sultan has been conferred with the first United Nation Malala Award. Founder of Massachusetts-based Bose audio firm Amar Bose dies at 83.

11th July:

In a landmark ruling The Supreme Court has barred those in jail from contesting elections even if they are not convicted of any crime yet. Allahabad high court bans caste-based rallies in Uttar Pradesh. India Cricket Team wins tri series in West Indies by defeating Sri Lanka. Bhuvneshwar Kumar declared as Man of the Series. World Population Day observed. Month long Ramzan fast begins today.

10th July:

In a landmark judgment the Supreme Court struck down a provision in the electoral law that protects a convicted lawmaker from disqualification on the ground of pendency of appeal in higher courts. The annual Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannath, his brother Bhalabhadra and sister Subhadra began in Puri, Odisha. Hazem El-Beblawi appointed as the new Prime Minister of Egypt. India reaches the final of Tri-Nation competition in West Indies. They will play against Sri Lanka in the final. First test match of the Ashes series starts between England and Australia in Trent Bridge. Former Olympian Maharaj Krishan Kaushik appointed as a coach of the Indian hockey team.

9th July:

Chinese troops again enter Ladakh. Investigating agency detained three men, one woman in Bihar for being questioned for suspicious movement in Bodha Gaya temple Blasts. Supreme Court restrained a special CBI court in Jharkhand from pronouncing its verdict on July 15 in a fodder case involving RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav.

8th July:

Shiva Thapa becomes the youngest pugilist from the country to clinch a gold medal at the Asian Championships in Amman, Jordan. India move to second spot in ICC Test rankings.

7th July:

Two people have been injured in a series of 8 blasts inside the Mahabodhi temple in Bihar's Bodhgaya. World Champion Sebastian Vettel wins German Grand Prix. Vidya Balan wins Best Actress Award, Ranbir Kapoor bags best actor and 'Barfi!' wins best film at IIFA, 2013 in Macau, China. Andy Murray of England wins the Wimbledon Championship, 2013 by defeating Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-4. Fred Perry was the last British man to win the Wimbledon title in 1936.

6th July:

Venezuela offers asylum to former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden. Former Secretary Department of Telecommunications (DoT) R. Chandrasekhar appointed President of Nasscom. French tennis player Marion Bartoli defeat Sabine Lisicki 6-1, 6-4 to win her first Wimbledon title.

5th July:

President Pranab Mukherjee signed Ordinance on Food Security Bill. Former Vice Admiral DK Dewan appointed new UPSC member.

4th July:

Egyptian Army ousts Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi from his post. Head of the Supreme Constitutional Court Adly Mansour appointed as Egypt's new interim President. Douglas C. Engelbart known as the father of the mouse dies at 88. Vikas Gowda wins first gold medal in the ongoing Asian Athletics Championships, Pune. Oxford University's Indian origin student Samridh Agarwal become first ever cricketer to score a triple century in a University match. He scores a triple-century against Cambridge in a first-class match at the FP Fenner's ground in Cambridge.

3rd July:

Bhiwani and Mahendragarh districts of Haryana and Bharatpur in Rajasthan will be a part of the National Capital Region (NCR) with the approval of NCR Planning Board. The Indian government launched a $22 billion welfare scheme to give cheap food to hundreds of millions of people in India. Sunil Soni has been appointed as Director General of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Sujatha Singh will be Indias new Foreign Secretary. With the declaration made in compliance to Section 4 of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003, Himachal Pradesh declared as the first Smoke-free state of the country.

Shriniwas Patil is appointed as new Governor of Sikkim.

2nd July:

Seven policemen kill in attack by Maoist in Jharkhand. India reject Edward Snowden's request for asylum. Indian navy decommissions INS Taragiri after 33 years of service. India Govt releases National Cyber Security Policy 2013.

1st July:

Croatia becomes the 28th member of the European Union. Brazil wins the 2013 FIFA Confederation Cup after defeating Spain by 3-0 in the final held at Rio. Suresh Kalmadi loses bid for Chief of Asian Athletics Association to Brigadier Dalham alHamad, the senior vice-president of athletics association Qatar. Indias first navigation satellite IRNSS-1A launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Jamia Milia university Vice Chancellor Najeeb Jung appointed as the new Lt Governor of Delhi. Former Delhi Police Commissioner K K Paul appointed as Governor of Meghalaya.

India's First......
Governor-General of Independent IndiaLord Lewis Mountbatten Indian Governor-General of Independent IndiaChakravarti Rajgopalachari Indian Commander-in-Chief of Free India General Kodandera Madappa Cariappa, 1949 Field MarshallGeneral S. H. F. J. Manekshaw Speaker of loksabhaShri G.V. Mavalankar (15 May 1952- 27 February 1956). PresidentDr. Rajendra Prasad Vice-PresidentDr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan Prime-MinisterPt. Jawahar Lal Nehru Home MinisterSardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Finance Minister of IndiaR. K. Shanmukham Chetty Auditor General of IndiaV. Narahari Rao Director of CBI DP Kohli National Security Adviser Brijesh Mishra Governor of RBI Sir Osborne Smith Non-Congress Prime-Minister Morarji Desai from Janata Party in 1977-79. British Governor-General of BengalWarren-Hastings Space travellerS. Leader-Rakesh Sharma C. S.Satendra Nath Tagore Woman IASAnna Ranjan George, 1950 Swimmer who crossed over the English channel by swimmingMihir Sen Woman to swim across the English ChannelArati Saha, 1959 Raman-Magsaysay awardeeAcharya Vinoba Bhave Novel prize winnerRabindra Nath Tagore Nobel Prize in PhysicsC. V. Raman in 1930 President of National CongressVyomesh Chand Banerjee Chairman of Lok SabhaG. B. Mavlankar First Woman Chief MinisterSucheta Kriplani

 Woman Speaker of Lok SabhaSmt. Meira Kumar, 2009 Chief Election CommissionerSukumar Sen Indian Chairman in International CourtJustice Dr. Nagendra Singh Foreigner awardee of Bharat RatnaKhan Abdul Gaffar Khan Leader of the Indian Antarctica MissionDr. Syed Zahuv Quasim Chief Justice of Supreme CourtJustice Hiralal J. Kaniya Awarded with Bharat RatnasDr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, Chakravarti Rajgopalachari, Sir C. B. Raman Woman Awarded with Bharat Ratnas Indira Gandhi Commandeur of the Order of Arts and Letters Mrinal Sen Chevalier of the Order of Arts and LetterSivaji Ganeshan Posthumally Bharat Ratna AwardeeLal Bahadur Shastri Person awarded Bhartiya-Gyan-Peeth PurskarG. Shankar Kurup (Malayalam1965) Woman awarded with Bhartiya-Gyan-Peeth PurskarAshapurna Devi, 1976 Woman Sahitya Akademi Award WinnerAmrita Pritam, 1956 Woman Honours GraduateKamini Roy Woman Director General of PoliceKanchan C Bhattacharya Successful Surgeon who transplanted heartDr. P. Venugopal Woman to received Nobal Prize Mother Teresa Woman GovernorSarojini Naidu Licensed Pilot J R D Tata Woman Air PilotDurba Banerjee Woman TeacherSavitribai Phule Successful heart transplanted personDevi Ram (1994) President of National Human Rights CommissionJustice Rangnath Mishra Hindi Literature person-awarded Bhartiya Gyan Peeth PurskarSumitra Nandan Pant (1968) Indian who won the World Billiard awardWilson Jans Indian who won the Grammy awardPt. Ravi Shankar Person delivered the Lecture in Hindi in U.N.O. Atal Bihari Bajpai (1977) Indian member in British House of Commons Dada Bhai Naoroji (1892) First President of Indian Science CongressSir Asutosh Mukherjee Mountaineer who scaled Mount Everest 8 timesSherpa-Augarita Writer who was awarded Vyas SammanRamvilas Sharma Indian Managing Director of World BankGautam Kazi Player awarded Padam BhusanC. K. Naidu Actress to win Padma Shri AwardNargis Dutt, 1958 Indian players played Davis CupM. Salim and S. M. Jacob (Singles), A. A. Faiyaz and L. S. Dare (Doubles) (1921)
Tennis Grandslam title winnerMahesh Bhupati Indian player who played the test cricketK. S. Ranjeet Singh (from England) Scientist elected for Lok SabhaDr. Meghnad Saha Scientist awarded Ghanshyam Das Birla awardProf. Ashish Datta (1991) Literature who was awarded Murti Devi Purskar C. K. Nagraj Rao (1993) Person, who became High Commission in Great BritainV. K. Krishna-Menon Indian who was awarded the Lenin Peace PrizeDr. Safuddin Kichlu (1952) First Indian who contested the election for British ParliamentLal Mohan Ghose Woman GraduatesKadambini Ganguly and Chandramukhi Basu, 1883 Woman Chief Justice of High CourtLeila Seth, Himachal Pradesh, 1991 An Indian, appointed the judge of High Court, during the British periodRam Prasad Ram Indian member of Viceroy Executive CouncilSir. S. P. Sinha

 Leanin Peace Prize Saifuddin Kitchlew Chairman of Finance CommissionK. C. Niogi Woman Doctorate of ScienceAsima Chatterjee (1944) Woman IPSKiran Bedi Woman Supreme Court judgeKumari Fathima Beevi Indian member of American CongressDeleep Singh Editor of Time MagazineBobby Ghosh Director of CBI becoming GovernorAshwani Kumar Person to reach the North PoleSquadron Leader Sanjay Thapar Person to reach the South PoleCol Jatinder Kumar Bajaj Nishan-e-PakistanMorarji Desai, 1990 Magsaysay AwardVinoba Bhave, 1958 Miss WorldReita Faria in 1966 Miss Asia PacificZeenat Aman in 1970 Miss UniverseSushmita Sen in 1994 Miss EarthNicole Faria in 2010 Place to get electricityDarjeeling in 1897 Sound filmAlam Ara (1931) directed by Ardeshir Irani Colour filmKisan Kanya (1937), directed by Moti B. Gidvani Oscar winnerBhanu Athaiya for Best Costume Design for Gandhi (film) in 1982. Dadasaheb Phalke AwardDevika Rani in 1969 Chevalier of the Order of Arts and LettersSivaji Ganesan Test-tube babyDurga Agarwal, born 1978 NewspaperHickey's Bengal Gazette started in 1760 First Lady DoctorAnandibai Joshi SatelliteAryabhata, launched on 19 April 1975 Man to climb Mt EverestTenzing Norgay Man to climb Mt Everest without oxygenPhu Dorjee, 1984 Woman to climb Mt everestBachendri Pal District to achieve 100% literacy rateErnakulam district, Kerala, 1990 Captain in TestsC. K. Nayudu for the 1932 tour of England ODI captainAjit Wadekar Bowler who made hat-trick in Test CricketHarbhajan Singh Batsman who made 300 runs in test CricketVirendra Sehwag First Marshal of Indian Air ForceArjan Singh Individual Medal in Olympic gamesKD Jadhav Grandmaster Viswanathan Anad Woman GrandmasterKoneru Humpy First Indian who individually won the Gold medal in Olympic gamesAbhinav Bindra First Indian who won the Bronze medal in Boxing in Olympic g amesVijendra Kumar Fellow of Trinity College, CambridgeSrinivasa Ramanujan Fellow of the Royal SocietyArdaseer Cursetjee

Indian Award Winner...

Ashoka Chakra: Naik Nar Bahadur Thapa, Havildar Bachittar Singh, Flt Lt Ashoka Chakra Award to a civilian: D.K. Jatar (posthumous) and M.C Dixit Bharat Ratna: Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, C. Rajagopalachari, and C. V. Raman, 1954 Commandeur of the Order of Arts and Letters: Mrinal Sen Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters: Sivaji Ganesan Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Devika Rani, 1969 Duff Cooper: Nirad C. Chaudhuri, 1966 Dronacharya Award: O.M. Nambiar , Om Prakash Bhardwaj ,

Suhas Biswas, 1952

Bhalchandra Bhaskar Bhagwat , 1985

Dr. B. C. Roy Award: Dr. J. G. Jolly, 1981 Golden Globe Award: A R Rahman, 2009 Grammy Award: Pandit Ravishankar, 1967 Jamnalal Bajaj Award: Jugatram Dave, Satish Chandra Das Gupta, 1978 Jnanpith Award: G. Sankara Kurup, 1965 Kamal Kumari National Award: Sobha Brahma, 1991 Man Booker Prize: Arundhati Roy, 1997 Miss World: Reita Faria, 1966 Miss Asia Pacific: Zeenat Aman, 1970 Miss Universe: Sushmita Sen, 1994 Mrs. World: Aditi Gowitrikar, 2001 Miss Earth: Nicole Faria, 2010 Miss Asia Pacific World: Himangini Singh Yadu, 2012 Nishan-e-Pakistan: Morarji Desai, 1990 Nobel Prize Winner: Rabindranath Tagore, 1913 Newbery Medal: Dhan Gopal Mukerji, 1927 Magsaysay Award: Vinoba Bhave, 1958 Oscar for Lifetime Achievement: Satyajit Ray Oscar Award: Bhanu Authaia , 1982 Olympic Medal: Khashaba Jadav, 1952 Param Vir Chakra: Major Som Nath Sharma, 1947 Padma Vibhushan: Satyendra Nath Bose, Nand Lal Bose, Zakir Hussain, Balasaheb

Gangadhar Kher, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, V. K. Krishna Menon in 1954

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna: Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award: Rabindra Puraskar: Stalin Peace Prize: Woman to win Gold Medal in Sports:

Viswanathan Anand, 1991-92 Dr Pushkarnath, 1968 Satinath Bhaduri and Niharranjan Ray, 1950 Saifuddin Kitchlew, 1952 Kamaljeet Sandhu, 1970

Longest, Largest, Biggest, Smallest, Tallest and Highest

Longest river (India) Longest river (World) The longest tributary river of India The longest river of the south Highest mountain peak Largest lake (Fresh water) Highest Dam Largest Mosque Longest Road State with longest coastline Largest railway route Ganges Nile Yamuna Godavari Godwin Austin (k2) Wular lake (Kashmir) Tehri Dam on Bhagirathi River Jama Masjid, Delhi Grand Trunk Road Gujarat Dibrugarh in Assam to Kannyakumari in Tamil Nadu

Longest tunnel Longest national highway Longest Dam Longest River Bridge Longest populated city Largest Museum Largest Delta Largest Dome Largest Zoo Largest man-made Lake Largest Desert Highest Tower Smallest State (Area) Smallest State (Population) Highest Waterfall Longest Electric railway line Densest populated State Largest cave temple Largest animal Fair Highest Gateway Biggest Hotel Largest State (Area) Largest State (Population) Place of heaviest rainfall Largest corridor Largest cantilever span bride Largest forest state Highest straight gravity Dam Longest Railway Platform Largest Stadium

Jawahar tunnel (Jammu & Kashmir) NH-7 which runs from Varanasi to Kanyakumari Hirakod Dam (Orissa) Mahatma Gandhi Setu, Patna Mumbai (1.60 crore) National Museum, Kolkata Sunderban Delta, W. Bengal Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur (Karnataka) Zoological Gardens, Alipur, Kolkata Govind Vallabh Pant Sagar (Rihand Dam) Thar (Rajasthan) Pitampura Tower, Delhi Goa Sikkim Gersoppa waterfall (Karnataka) From Delhi to Kolkata via Patna West Bengal Kailash temple, Ellora (Maharashtra) Sonepur (Bihar) Buland Darwaza, Fatehpur Sikri (Agra) Oberal Sharaton (Mumbai) Rajasthan Uttar Pradesh Mausinram (Meghalaya) Rameshwaram temple corridor (Tamil Nadu) Howrah Bridge (Kolkata) M.P. Bhakra Dam Kharagpur (W. Bengal) Salt lake (Yuva Bharti), Kolkata

Largest Port Highest Lake Largest Lake (Saline water) Highest Award Highest Gallantry Award Largest Gurudwara Deepest river valley State with longest coastline of South India Longest river which forms estuary Largest Church Longest Beach Highest Battle field Highest Airport

Mumbai Devatal (Garhwal) Chika lake, Orissa Bharat Ratna Paramveer Chakra Golden Temple, Amritsar Bhagirathi & Alaknanda Andhra Pradesh Narmada Saint Cathedral (Goa) Marina Beach, Chennai Siachin Glacier Len (Laddakh) Majuli (Brahmaputra river, Assam) Birla Planetarium (Kolkata)
Answer
326 BC 322 BC

Largest river island Largest Planetarium

Indian History & Culture Part - I
No.
01 02

Question
Alexander invaded India in The Mauryan Empire was established in The First Mughal Emperor of India was Taj Mahal was built by Lala Lajpat Rai was also known as Chandragupta II was also known as The city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by The Red Fort in Delhi was built by Battle of Panipat was faught in The first President of India was "Swaraj is my birthright!" was said by

03

Babur

04 05 06

Shahjahan Lion of Punjab Vikramaditya

07

Akbar

08 09 10 11

Shahjahan 1761 AD Dr.Rajendra Prasad Bal Gangadhar Tilak

12

The capital of Mysore during the rule of Tipu Sultan was Battle of Plassey was fought in The first Governor-General of Bengal under the East India Company was Ashoka was born in Permanent settlement in Bengal was introduced by The last Governor-General of India was The first session of the Indian National Congress was held at Quit India Movement started in the year Sir Thomas Roe,English Ambassador, visited India during the reign of In the battle of Plassey, Lord Clive defeated The city of Calcutta was founded in The capital of king Vikramaditya's kingdom was The first Viceroy of India was The name of the famous horse of Rana Pratap was The Grand Trunk road was built during the reign of Tipu Sultan was born in Home Rule Movement was started by Shivaji was crowned in East India Company was established in the year The capital city of ancient India was The first woman ruler in India was

Srirangapatnam

13 14

1757 AD Warren Hastings

15 16

269 BC Lord Cornwallis

17

C.Raja Gopalachari

18

Bombay (Mumbai)

19

1942 AD

20

Jahangir

21

Siraj-ud-Daula

22

1690 AD

23

Ujjain

24 25

Lord Canning Chetak

26

Shersa Suri

27 28

1750 AD Annie Besant

29 30

1664 AD 1600 AD

31

Indraprastha

32

Razia Begum

33 34

The capital of the Mauryan was The construction of Qutb Minar in Delhi was completed by Din-i-Ilahi was founded by Rabindranath tagore was born in The most famous king of Vijayanagar Empire was Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan was also known as Samudra Gupta is popularly known as The first Tamil hero who fought against the British was Akbar's tomb is situated at Gautama Buddha was the son of Shivaji's mother was Gandhiji's mother was The political teacher of shivaji was Timur invaded India in the year Mahmud Ghazni was the son of The city of Ahmedabad was established by Rani padmini was The real name of Babar was The meaning of the word "Babar" is Vijayasthamba is located at Timur was the ruler of The Indian social reformer who fought for the abolition of Sati was The first British Governor General of free India was Dadabhai Naoroji was associated with the theory of

Patliputra Ala-ud-din

35 36 37

Akbar 1861 AD Krishnadevaraya

38

Frontier Gandhi

39

Napolean of India

40

Veerapandya Kattabomman

41 42 43 44 45

Sikandrabad Shuddhodan Jeejabai Puthali Bai Dadoji Konddev

46 47 48

1398 AD Sabaktageen Ahmed Shah I

49 50 51

Queen of Rana Ratna simha,the king of Chittoor Zahiruddin Muhammed Tiger

52 53 54

Chittoor Fort Samarkhand,Central Asia Rajaram Mohan Roy

55

Lord Mountbatten

56

"Drain of Wealth"

57

The kingdom of South India well known for its Naval power was Aligarh Muslim University was founded by The first Indian ruler who prohibited Sati was The Mughal ruler who was to recruit Rajput nobles in his administration was The reforms announced by the British Govt.in 1909 are known as The architect who designed the capital City of New Delhi was At the time of independence, the number of princely states in India were The Indian Prime Minister known as "Man of Peace" was The Indian king who fought the last Anglo-Mysore War against the English was Kohinoor Diamond was taken away by The full name of Shahjehan was The Bardoli satyagraha was started by The founder of Arya Samaj was The Governor General who abolished Sati was Bihar was earlier known as Agra was earlier known as "Harsha Charit" was written by Chandragupta Maurya spent the last days of his life at Jalianwala Bagh Massacre took place at Vijayanagar kingdom was situated on the banks of river In 1498,the sea route to india was discovered by

The Cholas

58

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

59

Akbar

60

Akbar

61

The Morle-Minto Reforms

62

E.L.Lutyens

63

552

64

Lal Bahadur Shastri

65

Tipu Sultan

66

Nadir Shah

67 68

Khurram Shihabuddin Mohammed Shahjehan Mahatma Gandhi

69 70

Swamy Dayanand Saraswati Lord William Bentinck

71 72 73 74

Magadha Akbarabad Banabatta Sravanabelagola

75

Amritsar

76

Tungabhadra

77

Vasco-da-gama

78

King Bhoja was from the which dynasty The period 1206 Ad to 1526 AD is known as Agra city was founded by Vijaynagar Empire was founded by The Vijayanagar kings fought frequent wars with the The last king of the Vijayanagar empire was Shankaracharya was associated with which movement Ramanuja preached the philosophy of The followers of Ramanuja are known as Kabir was the disciple of The founder of Sikh religion was Babar defeated Ibrahim Lodhi in the year Babar died in the year Humayun was defeated by Humayun died at the age of Akbar was crowned in the year In the second battle of Panipat, Akbar defeated Akbar died in the year The original name of Nurjahan was Jehangir was known for his Jehangir died in the year Aurangzeb was the son of Aurangzeb died in the year The first Guru of the sikhs was

Pratihara

79

The Delhi Sultanate

80 81

Sikandar Lodhi Harihara and Bukka

82

Bahamani Sultans

83

Rama Raya

84

Bhakti

85

Vishishtadvaita

86

Vaishnavas

87 88 89

Ramanand Guru Nanak 1526 AD

90 91 92 93 94

1530 AD Sher Shah Suri 48 years 1556 AD Himu

95 96

1605 Ad Mehrunisa

97 98 99 100 101

Justice 1627 AD Shahjehan 1707 AD Guru Nanak Dev

102 103 104 105 106 107

The tenth Guru of the sikhs was Amritsar was founded by The Golden Temple was built by The Akal Takht was built by Guru Gobind Singh was born in The `Khalsa' at Anandpur Sahib was founded by Maharaja Ranjit Singh was born in Bahadur Shah Zafar died in the year Shivaji died at age of In tne year 1798,who was appointed as the GovernorGeneral Wellesley started the policy of Dalhousie became the GovernorGeneral in The first war of Indian Independence fought in 1857 is also known as The Lady ruler who participated in the 1857 Revolt was The Indian Association was formed in 1876 at The Indian National Congress was formed in The Rowlatt Act was passed in the year The Jalianwala Bagh Massacre took place in the year The movement launched in 1920 is known as The Simon Commission came to India in the year Chandragupta Maurya was succeeded by Ashoka invaded Kalinga in the year

Guru Gobind Singh Guru Ram Das Guru Arjan Dev Guru Hargobind 1666 AD Guru Gobind Singh

108

1780 AD

109

1862 AD

110 111

50 years Wellesley

112 113

Subsidiary Alliance 1848 AD

114

The Sepoy Mutiny

115

Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi

116

Calcutta

117

1885 AD

118

1919 AD

119

1919 AD

120

The Non-Co-operation Movement

121

1928 AD

122

Bindusara

123

261 BC

124 125 126

Ashoka died in the year Ashoka ruled for a period of The last king of Maurya dynasty was Chandragupta was succeeded by The Iron Pillar near Qutb Minar was erected by Fahien, a Chinese traveller visited india during the reign of Harshavardhana ascended the throne at the age of Harshavardhana was defeated by The Chinese traveller who visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana was Akbar was succeeded by Jehangir was succeeded by In ancient times this river was called Shatadru. How do we know it now? In the Rigveda there is a reference to the "Dasharajna Yuddha". What does this refer to?

232 BC 40 years Brihadratha

127 128

Samudragupta Chandragupta II

129

Chandragupta II

130

16 years

131 132

Pulakeshin II Hieun Tsang

133 134 135

Jehangir Shahjehan Sutlej.

136

It was a battle of 10 kings fought between Sudasa, a king of the Tritsu family on one side, and a confederacy of 10 tribes on the other. It was fought on the banks of the Parushni (Ravi). Sudasa defeated his enemies in this battle. Paurava or Porus as the Greeks called him.

137

Who was the ruler of the territory between the Jhelum and the Ravi when Alexander invaded India? When Porus surrendered to Alexander, Alexander asked him how he wished to be treated. What was Porus' reply?

138

"As one King would treat another". This was his famous reply that has become a classic. Hearing this Alexander not only reinstated Porus on the throne, but he also added territories towards the east and domains of many republican states to the existing kingdom of Porus (according to Plutarch). Megasthenes was the Greek ambassador to the Mauryan Court. Seleucus Nikator.

139 140

Who was Megasthenes? Who sent Megasthenes as his ambassador to the Mauryan Court? Where did Seleucus Nikator rule?

141

Babylon. He gradually extended his empire from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indus. The Nanda dynasty of Magadha.

142

Whom did Chandragupta Maurya defeat to establish his kingdom? Who helped Chandragupta

143

Kautilya also called Chanakya.

Maurya defeat the Nanda rulers? 144 Of which territories was Ashoka the Viceroy before he became the king? "Beloved of the gods" and "of amiable appearance". Ashoka used these titles in his inscriptions. Can you give the original titles? What was unique about the personal bodyguards of the Maurya rulers? Who was the last Maurya King? Who overthrew Brihadratha? What was the name of the dynasty that succeeded Mauryan dynasty? From which source have historians got some details of the overthrow of the Mauryan dynasty? Taksha-Shila and Ujjain.

145

"Devanampiya" and "Piyadassi" (Devanampriya and Priyadarshin).

146

They were women.

147 148 149

Brihadratha. Pushyamitra, who was his Commander-in-chief. The Shunga dynasty. (Pushyamitra founded this dynasty after he overthrew the Mauryan ruler)

150

Bana's Harshacharita written almost eight centuries after the event.

Indian History & Culture Part - II

No.
151

Question
The Allahabad Pillar inscription is the most authentic record about the reign of a famous Emperor. Identify that Emperor. The Hindu kingdom of Champa flourished outside the present boundaries of India. Where would the kingdom be located in today's context? What is Theravada in the context of Buddhism? Where is Angkor Vat located?

Answer
Samudra Gupta

152

Vietnam. During this period, the country was considered a great centre of Vedic education.

153

It is a major form of Buddhism prevalent in Sri Lanka, Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. It is located in the ancient kingdom of Kambuja (modem Cambodia). It means Temple (Vat) of the city (Angkor). Suryavarman II. Vishnu. Bhavabhuti. Indo-Greek. The Gandhara sculptures drew their inspiration from the Hellenic (Greek) art of Asia Minor. The five Pandavas and Draupadi.

154

155 156 157 158

Who constructed Angkor Vat? To whom is Angkor Vat dedicated? Who wrote Uttara-Rama-Charitam? What is the Gandhara art also known as? After whom have the rock-cut temples at Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu been

159

named? 160 To which dynasty did Gautamiputra Shatakarni belong? Who founded the Shatavahana dynasty? Who wrote the Buddha Charita? To which dynasty did Kanishka belong? On the banks of which river did Harappa lie? Name the trading station of the Indus Valley Civilisation. The 'Sapta Sindhu' was the area of the initial Aryan settlement. To what region did it refer? Which is the crime that is most often mentioned in the Rjgveda? What does the word 'Sangam' refer to in Tamil History? Which great Chola Emperor started the tradition of installing epigraphs with historical introductions? Nalanda and Vikramshila were very famous in ancient India. What was the reason for their fame? What were Nalanda, Vikramshila in reality? What does the term Bhagavata relate to? Greek sources refer to him as Sandrocottus (Androcottus). How do we know him? What does the term 'dwija' mean? Shatavahanas.

161

The founder of the family was Simuka but it was Shatakarni I who raised it to eminence. Ashvaghosha. The Kushana dynasty Ravi. Mohenjodaro was on the bank of the Sindhu (Indus.) Lothal.

162 163 164

165

166

The land of the Sindhu (Indus) and its principal tributaries.

167

Cattle-lifting.

168

It is the literary assembly of Tamil scholars held at Madurai under the patronage of the Pandyan Kings. Rajaraja Chola.

169

170

These were the centres where the famous Buddhist Universities flourished.

171

Buddhist monasteries. They later took on the shape of universities. CC.

172

173

Chandragupta Maurya.

174

'Dwija' describes those who wear the sacred thread after Upanayanam. Literally 'Dwija' means twice-born. It was among the chief ports of the Tamil countries that carried on trade with the Romans.

175

What was the reason for the importance of Kaveripattanam during the Sangam period? What was the intoxicating drink that was consumed by the Rig Vedic Aryans during religious ceremonies? How do we better know "Sakyamuni" (Shakyamuni)?

176

Soma.

177

Buddha.

178 179

Who was the twenty-fourth and the last Tirthankara of the Jains? On the basis of the Dhamma that Ashoka propagated, what is "Shusrusha"? What is the literal meaning of Mohenjodaro? What is a Stupa?

Vardhamana Mahavira

Shusrusha meant obedience to father, mother, teacher and men of high caste.

180

Mound of the dead.

181

It is a kind of tomb where the relics of Buddha or other Buddhist monks are kept. An old man, a sick man, a corpse and an ascetic.

182

What were the four sights which Gautam saw, while being driven around the city? Who was the chief deity of the Sangam Period? Which Gupta ruler is also known as 'Kavi Raja'? Samudragupta is represented on coins as playing a particular musical instrument. Which musical instrument is that? What is common to the following: Kumarasambhava, Ritusamhara, Raghuvamsham and Meghdootam? What was the name of Harsha's sister? What was the title assumed by Harsha when he ascended the throne? Whom did Harsha succeed? Mahendra, the son of Ashoka, was sent as a Buddhist missionary to a particular kingdom. Identify the kingdom. In ancient times, who were the foreigners who were called Yavanas?

183

Murugan (Karttikeya)

184

Samudragupta.

185

Veena.

186

They are all works of Kalidasa.

187 188

Rajyashri Shiladitya

189 190

His elder brother, Rajyavardhana. Sri Lanka

191

The Greeks. The word was derived from the Old Persian form of the word 'Yauna', signifying originally the Ionian Greeks, but later, all people of Greek nationality. In the medieval times it came to be used for all foreigners irrespective of their place of origin. Suvarnadvipa.

192

What was Sumatra called as, in ancient times? Who systematised the rules of Sanskrit grammar (4 Century BC) in the work Ashtadhyayi? One of the chief sources of revenue from villages mentioned in the Ashokan inscriptions is the "Bhaga". What is it?

193

Panini.

194

Bhaga: King's share of the produce of the soil, usually l/6th. The other source of revenue was the Bali. The Bali was the land tribute paid to the King.

195

In the Mauryan times if someone were referring to the Karshapana, what would he be talking about? Where is Gandhara art found?

The Karshapana was a copper coin that was in use during the Mauryan times. Dharana was a Silver coin and the Kakani were smaller copper coins. The ruins of Taksha-shila, in modern Pakistan and Afghanistan. Nirgrantha. The close disciples of Mahavira were called Ganadharas.

196

197 198

What were the Jains originally called? In Jainism a small group of people were called Ganadharas. Who were they? For a while, Bhagavatism and Brahmanism were separate sects. How did the two merge into one? What is the importance of the Khyber and Bolan passes in Indian history? Which city in ancient India was famous for its textile industry? What is Stridhana?

199

When Krishna, the main deity of Bhagavatism, began to be identified with Vishnu, the main deity of Brahmanism, the two sects merged into one. The land route between India and West Asia lies through these passes. Mathura

200

201

202

It is the exclusive property of a married lady, something she often inherits from her mother. Commander-in-Chief of the army.

203

According to the Arthashastra the Senapati was an important member of the Mantri Parishad. What was his role? Jyotisha is one of the Vedangas. What does it deal with? Two popular assemblies used to control the affairs of the Vedic kingdoms. Name them.

204

Astronomy and astrology

205

Sabha: - Body of the elders. Constituted of Brahmins and rich patrons. Samiti: - An assembly of common people. for the discharge of administration.

Meant

206

Who or what are the 'Uttariya' and 'Antariya'?

In ancient India, antariya (dhoti) a lower garment was worn by all common people. Uttariya was the garment that covered the upper part of the body. In addition to these the well-to-do people wore Prapata around the waist. Around the prapata, the rich wore Rasana, usually of gold. Ushneesha was used to cover the head and Stanapatta was worn to cover the breasts. The Rashtrakuta king, Krishna I.

207

Who built the rock-cut temples at Ellora? In the context of Buddhism, what is Vinaya Pitaka?

208

It is the work that deals with the governance of the life of Buddhists. It also describes the gradual development of the Sangha and the life and teachings of Buddha. Sutta Pitaka incorporates the greatest literary works of Buddhism. Of the five collections, the first four consist of discourses of Buddha. Balarama.

209

What is contained in the Sutta Pitaka?

210

Patanjali's Mahabhashya refers to some of the stories about Krishna's early life. Who does Patanjali call Samkarshana? With which modern township would you

211

Nala Sopara an extended suburb of modern Mumbai.

identify the ancient port of Suppara (also known as Surparaka)? 212 What was the basis of barter for common articles during the Vedic period? In which script were a majority of the Ashoka inscriptions written? What script did Ashoka use in the inscriptions of the Northwest of India? The Jaina texts were finally compiled in the sixth century A.D. in Vallabhi in Gujarat. In which language were they written? Who wrote the Arthashastra? Which is a very important source of information for the social, political and economic life of the people living in the Tamil Naidu area in the early Christian era? Who is the author of the Greek work "Indika"? Paddy.

213

Brahmi. Brahmi script was used in the whole of the country, except the northwest. Kharoshti script.

214

215

Prakrit.

216 217

Kautilya. Sangam literature.

218

Megasthenes. This book, however, is not available to us in its entirety and survives only in quotations by subsequent classical writers. It began in 57 B.C.

219

When did the Vikram Samvat begin in India? Over which part of present-day India did the Pala dynasty rule? When did the Shaka era begin in India? Who started the Shaka era? When did the Gupta era begin in India? Over which kingdom did Kharavela rule? According to Buddhist sources, a dreaded dacoit had a transformation of heart and took refuge in Buddha's Dhamma. Who was he? An accomplished and rich dancer gave away her mango-grove to the Sangha of Buddha and became his disciple. Name her. Why was the Indus Valley Civilisation originally called the Harappan Civilisation? What was the basis of the town

220

Bengal.

221 222 223 224

78A.D. Kanishka of the Kushana dynasty. In 320 A.D., after Chandragupta of the Gupta dynasty. Kalinga.

225

Angulimala.

226

Amrapali.

227

It was so called because the first site of this civilization was discovered (in 1921) at the modern site of Harappa, in present day Pakistan. It was the Grid System. In the format that they used all

228

planning of the people of the Indus Valley Civilisation? 229 What was the most important public place in Mohenjodaro? What religion did Kharavela patronise? The Greeks called cotton "Sindon". There is a reason behind this name. What is it? Karikala Chola founded a famous city. What was it? To which Age does the Indus Valley Civilisation belong? What is the birthplace of Shankaracharya?

roads cut across each other almost at right angles. This led to the city being divided into blocks. It was the Great Bath. It was probably used for ritual bathing. Jainism. The people of the Indus Valley Civilisation were the first to produce cotton and therefore the Greeks called it Sindon. This word is derived from the name Sindh. Puhar. Identified with Kaveripatnam the Chola capital.

230 231

232

233

The Bronze Age. Iron was not known to them.

234

Kaladi. Shankaracharya was a famous exponent of the Advaita philosophy. Advaita literally means not two. Advaita believes in an eternal being and holds that the plurality is nothing but illusion. Ten.

235

How many books or Mandalas does the Rig Veda contain? Who introduced chariots drawn by horses into India? Who was born to Siddhartha and Trishala in the year 540 B.C.? According to the Arthashastra, the Purohita was an important member of the Mantri Parishad. What was his role? In ancient India handicraftsmen were organised into economic corporations or guilds. What were these Guilds called? Who wrote Kadambari? At what age did Mahavira abandon the world and become an ascetic? Where and when did Mahavira pass away? Jainism was divided into two sects. Name them.

236

The Aryans

237

Vardhamana Mahavira

238

He was the High Priest.

239

Shreni.

240 241

Banabhatta. At the age of 30 yrs.

242

In 468 B.C at Pavapuri, in modern Bihar.

243

Shvetambara: - Those clad in white. Digambara: - Those who are sky-clad (or are naked) Buddha was born in the royal grove in Lumbini near Kapilavastu. At Sarnath.

244

Where was Buddha born?

245

Where did Buddha deliver his first sermon? What was the path to be followed to be free from misery according to Buddha?

246

He recommended following the eight-fold path, (ashtanga magga)

247

Under whose rule did Magadha first attain prominence? Who was the Royal Physician at Bimbisara's court? Which was the capital of the kingdom of Magadha before Pataliputra? Who succeeded Bimbisara to the throne of Magadha? Which dynasty succeeded the dynasty of Bimbisara? Where was Pataliputra situated?

Bimbisara. According to Ashwaghosha, Bimbisara belonged to the Haryanka dynasty. Jivaka.

248

249

Girivraja. Also called Rajagriha or Rajgir.

250

Ajatashatru.

251

The Shishunagas. They conquered the kingdom of Avanti, and made it a part of the Magadhan empire. It was situated at the confluence of the Gandak, the Son, and the Ganga. It is present-day Patna. They were war weary and home sick. The hot climate of India did not suit them. Having experienced the fighting abilities of the Indian people they were apprehensive about the power of the Nandas. All these reasons contributed to their refusal. The strategies adopted by Chanakya against the enemies of Chandragupta Maurya. Infantry, cavalry, elephants and chariots.

252

253

What were the reasons behind the refusal of the Greek soldiers to accompany Alexander beyond the Beas?

254

What theme does Vishakhadatta's play, Mudrarakshasa, deal with? Which were the four divisions of the army in ancient India? Why did Ashoka exempt the village of Lumbini from 'Bali' (tribute paid to the king)? Menander, also known as Milinda, was the most famous of the Indo-Greek kings. Where was his capital city? Who was the Buddhist monk who converted Menander into Buddhism? What is the Milinda Panha?

255

256

Because this was the birthplace of Gautama Buddha.

257

Sakala, modern Sialkot.

258

Nagasena or Nagarjuna.

259

It is a book, which records the conversation between Nagarjuna and Menander. Milinda Panha literally means Questions by Milinda. Rudradaman, the famous Shaka ruler.

260

Who issued the first long inscription in chaste Sanskrit? We know of two successive dynasties of the Kushanas. Who founded them? The Shakas and the Kushanas completely identified themselves with Indian culture. What factors helped them in this? What were the articles of clothing introduced in India by the Shakas and the Kushanas?

261

The first dynasty was founded by Kadphises I and the second by Kanishka. They did not have a script of their own nor did they have any organised religion.

262

263

Trousers, long coat, tunic and turban. The turban, however, is mentioned as a head dress in ancient India (Ushneesha)

264

How were the foreign elements like Shaka, Pahlava and the Kushanas assimilated into Indian society? Buddhism was divided into two sects. What were they? Name the two Buddhist centres located in present day Andhra Pradesh? What was the contribution of the Greeks to Indian theatre techniques? Over which areas did the Shatavahana dynasty rule? Over which area of India did Rashtrakutas rule? Who were Gandhikas?

Since they came as conquerors they were classified as Kshatriyas.

265

Mahayana: - The Great wheel. Hinayana: - The Lesser wheel. Nagarjunakonda and Amaravati.

266

267

The use of curtain was borrowed from the Greeks. The curtain was called "Yavanika". The Deccan and Central India.

268

269

Northern Maharashtra.

270

Artisans who are mentioned as giving donations to the Buddhists. Originally Gandhika meant perfumes but was later used to describe shopkeepers. The name Gandhi is said to have been derived from it. Chaitya.

271

What was the Buddhist temple known as? What was a Buddhist monastery known as? What were the main articles of trade of the Southern Kingdoms of the Cholas, the Cheras and the Pandyas? Name two of the epics of the Sangam Age. What was the Uttarapatha?

272

Vihara.

273

Spices especially pepper, ivory, pearls, muslin and silk.

274

Silappadikaram, Jivakachintamani and Manimekalai.

275

It was the route that was used for trade. It ran from Taksha-shila to Broach on the Western coast. The Gupta Empire.

276

Which empire rose on the remains of the Kushan Empire? Who were Lichchhavis? What are they known for?

277

Lichchhavis ruled over a vast area from Magadha to Nepal. They were best known for the democracy they practised. It would not be correct to compare it with democracy as understood today. Some preferred to call it oligarchy. Narayana Bhatta. Hitopadesha is a collection of stories, most of which were drawn from the Panchatantram of Vishnu Sharma. Chandragupta I.

278

Who wrote 'Hitopadesha'?

279

Who is regarded as the first important King of the Gupta dynasty? Which Gupta ruler adopted the title 'Vikramaditya'? Who was the Chinese pilgrim who

280

Chandragupta II. He is regarded as the greatest of the Gupta rulers (376 to 414 AD). Fa-Hien.

281

visited India during the time of Chandragupta II? 282 Who was the first Gupta king to assume the title 'Rajadhiraja"? Chandragupta I. In addition to 'Rajadhiraja', Samudragupta assumed the titles 'Parambhattaraka' and 'Paramabhagavata'. Garuda.

283

What was the image on the royal seal of the Guptas? Who was the author of the play 'Mrichchhakatikam'? Which empire rose on the ruins of the empire of the Pallavas of Kanchi? A ruling dynasty at Thanesar, (in modern Haryana), extended its authority over the feudatories of the Gupta Empire. Who was the ruler who achieved this? Which city did Harsha make his capital? Who was the Chinese pilgrim who visited India during the time of Harsha? Who was the ruler of South India who prevented Harsha from extending his kingdom southwards? What religion did Harsha follow during his early years? Which religious sect did Harsha patronise in his later years? What are the Vedangas?

284

Shudraka.

285

The Chola Empire.

286

Harsha.

287 288

Kanauj. Hiuen Tsang.

289

The Chalukya King Pulakesin II.

290

He was a devotee of Shiva.

291

The Buddhist.

292

The limbs of the Vedas. It was necessary to learn the Vedanga to understand the Vedas. The Vedangas were : a) Shiksha (phonetics) b) Kalpa (rituals) c) Vyakarana d) Nirukta (etymology) e) Chhanda (metrics) f) Jyotisha (astronomy) Harsha.

293

Who was reputed to be the author of the following books: Priyadarshika, Ratnavali and Nagananda? In which book would you find the famous Gayatri mantra? In the Rigveda, a daughter is sometimes referred to as 'duhitr'. What is the literal translation of the word? Who was the first person to hold that the earth was a sphere and rotated on

294

Rigveda.

295

One who milks the cow.

296

Aryabhata. He also declared that the eclipses were not the work of Rahu but were caused by the shadow of the

its axis?

earth falling on the moon. Varahamihira and Brahmagupta later astronomers did not agree with his view. Aryabhata also gave an accurate approximation ofn. The preaching of the first sermon by Buddha. Ananda, the personal attendant of Buddha, was largely responsible for the admission of Gautami (the widowed stepmother of Buddha) into the Sangha. This was the beginning of the order of nuns. James Prinsep.

297 298

What is the 'Dharmachakrapravartana'? Who was responsible for establishing the order of nuns in Buddhism?

299

Who deciphered the Asokan inscriptions? The word 'Aryan' originates from the Sanskrit word 'Arya'. What was the meaning of the word?

300

Of good family.

Indian History & Culture Part - III

No.
301

Question
What was the complaint of Pliny the elder, against India? What was the name of the son of King of Takshashila who offered Alexander help in invading India? What was the name the Greeks used to refer to Ambhi? By which name do we know the ancient city of Prayag? Of the five Siddhantas (Indian astronomical works) two are said to be of Western origin. Which? What is the modern name for the ancient city of Purushapura? From which language is the word 'Sindoora' (vermilion) derived? According to Chinese sources Kaundinya an Indian Prince, formed a kingdom in south East Asia. Where was this kingdom located? Who was Buddha's personal physician?

Answer
He complained that India drained Roman wealth by selling luxury articles at high prices to Romans Ambhi. This was the first recorded instance of an Indian King turning traitor.

302

303

Omphis.

304

Allahabad.

305

Romaka Siddhanta and Paulisa Siddhanta. This shows that Indian astronomy was considerably influenced by Western thoughts. Peshawar.

306

307

Chinese. (From the Chinese word Tsin-sung.)

308

Cambodia.

309

Jivaka. Jivaka was the personal physician of Bimbisara. During his visit to Buddha, Bimbisara offered the services of Jivaka, who became Buddha's personal physician. They were one of the prominent religious sects during the time of Mahavira and Buddha. The master of the house.

310

Who were the Ajivikas?

311

In Vedic times, who was referred to as a 'Grihapati'?

312

Which common seasoning ingredient of today finds no reference in the Rig Veda? What was the name of the famous tract of land that lay between the Saraswati and the Drishadvati? What was the Rajasuya sacrifice (yajna)?

Salt.

313

Kurukshetra.

314

It was the yajna to mark the royal consecration. It included offerings to the gods in the houses of officials and a formal abhisheka by the priest. Other popular rites that followed were a cow-raid and a game of dice in which the king was made the Victor. In the Vishwajit sacrifice, the (yajamana) performer had to give away all that he possessed. Samudragupta. His son Rama Gupta. He was a weak ruler who surrendered his wife to a Shaka tyrant. Her honour was saved by the younger brother of Rama Gupta, Chandra Gupta, who killed the Shaka ruler, replaced his brother on the throne and married Dhruvadevi. His son Kumara Gupta, who ruled from AD 415 to 455. They were a race of fierce, warlike people, whose original home was in the steppes of Central Asia. They spread terror and destruction both in the West (i.e. the Roman Empire) and India. Skanda Gupta.

315

What was the Vishwajit sacrifice?

316 317

Who succeeded Chandra Gupta I? According to legend, who succeeded Samudragupta?

318

Who succeeded Chandra Gupta II?

319

Who or what were the Huns?

320

Which Gupta ruler successfully defended his empire against the invading Huns? Which Gupta ruler performed the Ashwamedha yajna? Into which group of people were the Huns assimilated by the Indian society? Which dynasty claimed its descent from Lakshmana, the brother of Shri Rama?

321

Samudra Gupta.

322

The Rajputs.

323

The Pratiharas. By the ninth century the influence of Pratiharas extended from the Punjab to central India and from Kathiawar to north Bengal. Aryabhata invented the decimal place value system. Scholars hold that it cannot be said with certainty that the system was invented by Aryabhata. It seems it was known to astronomers who came before him. Rajaraja Chola.

324

Who invented the decimal place value system?

325

The Cholas extended their territory in South India and also conquered the northern part of Sri Lanka. Who was the ruler who made northern Sri Lanka a province of his empire? Which part of India did the Arabs first conquer?

326

Sindh. Mohammed Ibn-Kasim, the nephew and son-in-law of the governor of Iraq, defeated

Dahir Sen in 712 A.D. 327 What are the four sources of Law according to the law giver, Manu? a. Sruti or the Vedas. b. Smriti (expanded version of the Dharma shastras). Smriti is also regarded as the only authentic source of Hindu Law and social customs, c. Customs of holy men d. One's own inclination. Gauda. The name was applied both to the people and their country. At Ajanta, near Ellora caves.

328

By what name was the area of western and northwestern Bengal known? Where in Maharashtra are frescoes that depict the Jataka Stories? What was the language used by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization?

329

330

Historians have as yet not been able to determine the language used by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization. The script used by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization has also not been deciphered. The Humpless Bull.

331

Which was the animal that was most engraved on Indus Valley Civilization seals? What was unique about the ascension to the throne by Gopala, the founder of the Pala dynasty in Gauda (present day West Bengal)? Which was the seat of power of the Pallava dynasty?

332

He was not a hereditary ruler, but was elected by the people to rule over them.

333

Kanchipuram. The Pallavas founded the first great empire in south India. Under the Pallavas, Kanchi became a great centre of Brahminical and Buddhist learning. Rajendra Chola.

334

Who was the Chola ruler who crossed the Ganga and defeated the rulers there? When did the first invasion of Mahmud of Ghazni take place? Who was the first Indian ruler defeated by Mahmud of Ghazni? Where is Ghazni? Why were temples the main target of Mahmud of Ghazni? Who was the Arab traveller whose work on India is referred to as a mirror of 11"1 century India? At whose request did Alberuni travel to India? At which battle did Prithviraj Chauhan defeat Mohammed of Ghori? Which medieval ruler is reputed to be an author of almost 20 books on subjects as diverse as medicine, architecture and astronomy?

335

1000 A.D.

336

Jayapala of the Hindushahi dynasty.

337 338

In modem Afghanistan. They had immense wealth stockpiled.

339

Alberuni.

340 341

Mahmudof Ghazni. In the first Battle of Tarain in 1190-91.

342

Raja Bhoja of the Paramara dynasty. The Paramara dynasty ruled over the Malwa region.

343

Identify the person who was in charge of Mohammad of Ghori's possessions in India. To which deity was the temple of Somnath dedicated? Who wrote the Ramayana in Tamil? Who was the founder of the Slave dynasty? Why is the term "Slave dynasty" an inaccurate term?

Qutbuddin Aibak.

344

Shiva.

345 346 347

Kamban. Qutbuddin Aibak. Only three sultans (Qutbuddin Aibak, Iltutmish and Balban) were slaves, and later even they were released from slavery by their masters. They were slaves, but only in the early part of their lives. Razia Sultana.

348

Who was the only woman to ascend the throne of Delhi? Which Persian historian accompanied Alauddin Khalji on his expedition to Chittor? The Choda Ganga dynasty of Orissa was responsible for the construction of some famous temples. Can you identify them? Name the king of Mewar who is said to have built thirty two forts during his reign? How did Rana Kumbha celebrate his victory over Mahmud Khalji of Malwa? Who helped Humayun save himself after the Battle of Chausa? Over which kingdom did Chand Bibi rule? What articles of trade was the kingdom of Golconda known for? Who founded the city of Hyderabad? Who was the Qutub Minar dedicated to?

349

Amir Khusrau.

350

The Jagannath temple at Puri and the Sun Temple at Konark.

351

RanaKumbha

352

He built the Tower of Victory in Chittor. It is called the Vijayastambha. A water carrier helped Humayun cross the Ganga and to safety. She ruled over Ahmadnagar as a Regent. Diamonds and textiles.

353

354 355

356 357

Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah. The Sufi saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki and not Qutbuddin Aibak as people mistakenly assume. Assamese.

358

In which language did Shankaradeva, a Bhakti Saint, propagate his views? In which language did Surdas sing? Where is the famous Kamakhya temple (Kamakshi)? Which Mughal Emperor adopted the Zoroastrian practice of Navroz? Which were the provinces added by Aurangzeb to the Mughal Empire? Who took care of Shah Jahan when he was kept

359 360

Brij. At Guwahati.

361

Akbar.

362

Bijapur and Golconda.

363

Jahanara, Shah Jahan's daughter.

imprisoned by Aurangzeb? 364 Who installed a chain of bells outside his palace gate? Why was the chain of bells installed? Jahangir.

365

This was the "Chain of Justice" installed to ensure that all citizens of the country had access to justice. Shah Jahan.

366

During the reign of which Mughal Emperor was the peacock throne made? Which place did Vasco da Gama reach when he found a new route to India? What were the European Factories that are referred to in Indian history?

367

Calicut. Now known as Kozhikode

368

Factories were nothing but fortified trading stations established by the European powers in India. Surat. Sir Thomas Roe.

369 370

Where did the English set up their first factory? Who was the Englishman who succeeded in getting a farman from the Mughals exempting the English from paying any inland toll? What prompted Jahangir to allow the English to set up a factory in Surat?

371

The British defeated the Portuguese naval squadrons. Jahangir wanted to use the English as a counter against the growing Portuguese power. Those controlling Bombay controlled trade on the west coast. And there was no interference from either the Mughals or the Marathas on this sea. Colcutta. Saint Samarth Ramdas.

372

What were the reasons why the British wanted to secure Bombay from the Portuguese?

373 374

Which city did Job Charnock establish? Which Saint inspired the Marathas with ideals of social reform and national regeneration? Near which fort, acquired early in his career, did Shivaji build Raigarh? Between 1649 and 1655 Shivaji suspended offensive operations against Bijapur. Why did he do so? Alauddin Khalji was the nephew and son-in-law of a Delhi Sultan whom he later murdered. Who was the sultan? One of the more interesting causes for a battle fought in Indian history has been vividly described by Malik Muhammad Jayasi in his epic Padmavat. What, according to Malik Muhammad Jayasi was the cause of the battle? Why did Muhammad-bin-Tughluq shift his capital from Delhi?

375

Torna.

376

His father had been arrested and was released only on the condition that Shivaji suspend his military activities. Jalaluddin Firuz Khalji.

377

378

That Allaudin Khalji invaded Chittor because he was infatuated by Padmini, the queen of Rana Ratan Singh of Mewar.

379

He shifted his capital to Deogir (Deogiri) because it held a central position in the empire and therefore, would be safe from Mongol invasions. Buhlul Khan Lodi (in April 1451).

380

Who was the first Afghan to be seated on the

throne of Delhi? 381 Which kingdom came into existence during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq? Where is Babur buried? Poems of which Kashmiri poet are the oldest of the ones still available with us? The ruler of Bihar conferred upon the young Farid a title. What was the title and why was it conferred upon him? What was the name assumed by Farid when he ascended the throne? Who were the opponents in the battle fought at Chausa? How did Sher Shah die? Bahmani kingdom.

382 383

He is buried in Kabul. LallaDidi(LalDed)

384

Sher Khan, for killing a tiger single-handed.

385

Sher Shah.

386

Humayun and Sher Shah.

387

Sher Shah died due to an accidental explosion of gunpowder while attempting to capture the fort Kalinjar in 1545. The Ruler of Persia.

388

Which ruler helped Humayun recover Kandahar and Kabul? Who proclaimed Akbar the Emperor? What words did Saint Ramanuja use to describe the scheduled castes? At what age did Akbar ascend the thorne? How did Humayun die?

389 390

Bairam Khan in 1556. Tirukulattar (Belonging to the family of God).

391 392

Thirteen years. Humayun tumbled down the stairs of his library when he was responding to the call of muezzin for evening prayers. He was a grocer.

393

What was the occupation of Himu (also spelt Hemu) before he rose to prominence in politics? Who fought the second battle of Panipat? Who wrote Lilavati, a treatise on Algebra? What title did Himu adopt after he occupied Agra and Delhi by defeating its Mughal governor? Who did Iltutmish nominate as his successor Himu, in the battle of Panipat, gained initial success against the Mughal forces. How did the tide turn in the favour of the Mughals? The Mughal forces defeated a Rajput ruler at the pass of Haldighat. Which ruler are we talking about? Which work describes the romantic story of the

394 395 396

Akbar and Himu. Bhaskaracharya. Raja Vikramaditya

397 398

His daughter Razia. A chance arrow struck Himu in the eye rendering him unconscious. Deprived of his leadership his soldiers dispersed in confusion. Rana Pratap.

399

400

Prithviraja Raso.

marriage of Sanyogita the daughter of the Gahadavala king Jaichandra with Prithviraj Chauhan? 401 Marco Polo was a traveller (from Venice) who is very well known for his adventures. Which south Indian dynasty does he mention in his travelogues? Timur or Tamerlane, a central Asian Turk (and an ancestor of Babur) invaded India and ransacked Delhi. Who was the ruler of Delhi at that time? Name the ruler of the Tughluq dynasty who was well versed in Astronomy, Mathematics and Medicine. A particular dance form gained prominence during the Vijayanagara period. What was the dance form? Who fought the battle of Talikota? The Kakatiya dynasty.

402

Sultan Mahmud Shah.

403

Muhammad bin Tughluq.

404

Yakshagana.

405

The battle was fought between the Vijayanagara Empire and the combined forces of the Deccan Sultans. The Sultan of Berar however did not take part in this battle. The Vijayanagara forces were comprehensively defeated and this eventually led to their downfall. It was fought in the area between the villages of Rakassi and Tangadi (Tagdi). Due to the bloodshed and ruin that this battle brought on the Vijayanagara Empire it was also called 'Raktakshi Tangadi'. Rana Sanga and Babur.

406

Who won the battle of Talikota?

407

Where was the Battle of Talikota fought?

408

Who were the opponents at the battle of Khanua? What was the name of RanaPratap's horse? Who was the Jesuit missionary who held personal discussions with Akbar? How do we better know Mihr-un-nisa in Indian history? What was the title given to Mihr-un-nisa by Jahangir? Who was the Mughal queen whose name was written on all the imperial Mughal farmans of her time and inscribed on coins? After Akbar secured victory in Gujarat he undertook an activity to commemorate this victory. What was that activity? By which name was Ramtanu Mishra known?

409 410

Chetak. Anthony Monserrate.

411

NurJahan.

412

Nur Mahal (the light of the Palace). The title was later changed to Nur Jahan (Light of the World). Nur Jahan.

413

414

He founded the city of Fatehpur Sikri.

415

Tansen. He was earlier in the employment of the Raja of Rewah.

416

Name the Mughal emperor who was an accomplished veena player. The Razmnama in Persian was a compilation by several scholars. Of which Hindu epic was this a translation? Name Aurangzeb's daughter who wrote under the pen name Makhi and produced a collection of poems. King Charles II of England married the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza. How did this event affect Indian history? From whom did the Portuguese capture Goa? Who was the Portuguese Governor who captured Goa? What was Shivaji's council of ministers known as? Who were the opponents in the battle of Takkolam? How do we better know the Kingdom of Pragjyotishpur? Which dynasties rose on the ruins of the Chola dynasty? Who wrote the Telugu version of the Mahabharata? Who were the "Nayanars" in Tamil Nadu?

Aurangzeb

417

Mahabharata

418

Zebunnisa.

419

The Portuguese transferred the islands that make up modern Mumbai to the British as the dowry of Catherine. Sultan of Bijapur. Alfonso de Albuquerque.

420 421

422

The Ashla Pradhan Mandal.

423

Cholas and Pandyas. The Pandyas were completely defeated. Assam.

424

425

The Pandyas and the Hoysalas.

426

Nanniah. Though he began the work it was eventually completed by Tikkanna. They were devotees of Shiva who flourished between the sixth and ninth centuries. They were the devotees of Vishnu. Prithviraj Chauhan and Muhammad Ghori.

427

428 429

Who were the "Alvars" in Tamil Nadu? Who fought the second battle of Tarain in 1192 A,D? Before the battle of Tarain, Prithviraj Chauhan appealed for help from the rajas of North India. One prominent ruler refused any. Who was this ruler? What was the capital of the Bahmani kingdom? Who was the Turkish officer who conquered the area of north Bengal? How did Qutbuddin Aibak die?'

430

Jaichandra of Kanauj.

431 432

Gulbarga. BakhtiyarKhalji.

433

He fell off his horse while playing chaugan (polo) and died due to the resultant injuries. Iltutmish (son-in-law of Qutbuddin Aibak).

434

Who succeeded Qutbuddin Aibak to the throne of Delhi? What did Shivaji say when he got the news of

435

"Gadh aala pun Sinha gela" - We got the fort but

the capture of Kondana? 436 What was the original name of the town Daulatabad? For how long did Razia rule? How do we better know Ulugh Khan in Indian history? What were the ceremonies introduced by Balban, merely to demonstrate his superiority to other nobles? During whose rule did the Mongols make the first serious attempt to establish their rule over Delhi? What is the region of Kamrup known in modern India? Who were the sons of Shah Jahan?

lost the lion (referring to Tanaji Malsure). Deogiri (Devgiri).

437 438

About three and a half years. Balban.

439

Sijada-Prostration Paibos - Kissing the emperor's feet. He introduced these ceremonies to demonstrate his superiority over the nobles. Alauddin Khalji.

440

441

Assam.

442

Dara Shikoh (also Shukoh), Shuja Murad and Aurangzeb. Deogir.

443

During the reign of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, where was his son Muhammad Tughlaq posted? Who was the first sultan of Delhi to pay his soldiers in cash? Which ruler introduced the concept of token currency in India? Harihara and Bukka rebelled against Muhammad Bin Tughlaq and founded a kingdom. What was it? Whom did Shah Jahan choose, in his last will, as his heir apparent? During whose rule did jizyah become a separate tax? During the period of the Delhi Sultanate who was the most important official? Who was commissioned by Akbar to write the history of his reign?

444

Alauddin Khalji.

445

Muhammad Bin Tughlaq.

446

The Vijayanagara Kingdom.

447

Dara Shukoh.

448

Firuz Tughlaq. It was a part of the land revenue in earlier times. TheWazir.

449

450

AbulFazI.

Indian History & Culture Part - IV

No.
451

Question
What did India import from China (during the medieval period)? What is Jnaneshwari?

Answer
Porcelain, raw silk.

452

The free rendering of the Gita in Marathi, along with elucidation.

453

From whom did some sections of the Hindus adopt the concept of the purdah? Who was the guru of Harihara and Bukka?

The Turks.

454

Vidyaranya. He was the one who readmitted them into the Hindu fold. Harihara (1336-1356), Bukka I (1356-1377).

455

Who were the first two kings of the Vijayanagara Empire? Who founded the Bahmani Kingdom? What title did Alauddin Hasan adopt at his coronation?

456 457

Alauddin Hasan also called Hasan Gangu Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah. He is supposed to have adopted the name Bahman Shah as a mark of respect for a Brahmin in whose service he had risen to greatness. Firuz Shah Bahmani.

458

Which Bahmani ruler encouraged the study of astronomy and even built an observatory near Daulatabad? What was the title of the ruler of Calicut (Kozhikode)? Who were the parents of Sankaracharya? Who wrote Ain-i-Akbari?

459

Zamorin.

460 461

Sivaguru and Aryamba. Abul Fazl. It is a work which deals with regulations issued by Akbar. Bahadur Shah.

462

Who was the Sultan of Malwa who died when he went on board a Portuguese ship for negotiations? Which European power declared that trade in pepper, warhorses and arms and ammunitions was a royal monopoly? From which area have the potato and tobacco been introduced into India? Who was born in Talwandi in 1469? What form of worship did Chaitanya Mahaprabhu popularise? In which language did Narasimha Mehta (also known as Narsee Mehta) compose his songs and preach? Which language did the Turks introduce into India? Who was Nizammudin Auliya? Which was the language, apart from Persian, used for administrative purpose in the Bahmani kingdom? What was the chief reason for the difference between Hindustani and Camatic music? Babur succeeded to the throne of this kingdom in

463

Portugal.

464

Central America. By the Portuguese.

465 466

GuruNanak. Kirtans.

467

Gujarati.

468

Persian.

469 470

A famous Sufi saint. His Dargah is in Delhi. Marathi

471

The introduction of Persian scales in Hindustani music led to the difference. Farghana. Farghana is located in modern

472

1494 at the tender age of 11. Identify the kingdom. 473 474 When did Timur sack Delhi? Who is supposed to have invited Babur to invade India? Who were the opponents in the first battle of Panipat? How long did the first battle of Panipat last? Who were the adversaries at the Battle of Khanua? Babur, after defeating Ibrahim Lodi and Rana Sanga had to deal with the Afghans who had regrouped. Who did the Afghans proclaim as their leader? What was the new mode of warfare introduced by Babur in India?

Uzbekistan.

1398. Daulat Khan Lodi, uncle of Ibrahim Lodi.

475

Babur and Ibrahim Lodi.

476 477

Three hours. It was all over by mid-day. It was fought between Babur and Rana Sanga.

478

Mahmud Lodi, brother of Ibrahim Lodi.

479

Extensive use of gunpowder. Though gunpowder was known in India, it was not used as skilfully and in combination with cavalry as Babur did. Tizuk-I-Baburi. The Nizam Shahis of Ahmednagar. When Shah Jahan captured Ahmednagar, Shahaji sought service with the Sultan of Bijapur. Bahadur Shah.

480 481

What was the name of Babur's memoirs? Which kingdom did Shahaji Bhonsale, Shivaji's father serve initially?

482

Who was the ruler of Malwa who was among the chief adversaries of Humayun? Who built a new city at Delhi called Dinpanah? At which battle was Humayun defeated by Sher Shah? At what age did Sher Shah ascend the throne of Delhi? Where did Sher Shah build a Mausoleum for himself? Who repaired the Grand Trunk road that ran from the river Indus to Sonargaon in Bengal? Where was Akbar born? Where was Akbar crowned? What was the title that Bairam Khan adopted?

483 484

Humayun. The Battle of Chausa (March 1539) and Battle of Kanauj (May 1540). At 67 years.

485

486

Sasaram. (InBihar)

487

SherShah.

488 489 490

Amarkotinl542. Kalanaur in Punjab in 1556. He became the wakil of the kingdom with the title Khan-I-Khanan. Baz Bahadur. He was a master musician and an accomplished poet. There were also stories of his romance with the beautiful and talented Roopmati.

491

Who was the ruler of Malwa, who was defeated by the Mughal forces?

492

Who were the two famous warriors of Chittor who held the Mughal forces at bay for almost six months?

Jaimal and Patta. Akbar, to honour these two warriors ordered their stone statues, seated on elephants, be erected outside the gate of the Agra fort. Suba. Each Suba was under a governor called Subedar. Rana Pratap (in 1572).

493

What did Akbar divide his empire into?

494

Who succeeded Rana Udai Singh to the throne of Mewar? Akbar sent a series of embassies to Rana Pratap. These were sent to persuade him to accept the suzerainty of the Mughals. Who led these embassies? To whom did Akbar assign the task to translate the Bible (Gospel) into Persian? Which famous Mughal courtier lost his life in a campaign against the tribesmen of the Khyber pass? Akbar, in 1575, built the Ibadat Khana. What was it for? What was the original name of Raja Birbal? Who founded Din-I-Ilahi?

495

Man Singh, Bhagwan Das, Raja Todar Mal.

496

AbulFazl.

497

RajaBirbal.

498

It was the Hall of Prayer at Fatehpur Sikri.

499 500

MaheshDas. Akbar. Birbal was the only Hindu to accept the new religion of Din-i-Ilahi or Tauhid-i-Ilahi. Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. He was a patron of art and architecture and a poet in Dakhani Urdu, Persian and Telugu. He had the Charminar constructed in 1591-92 at the centre of the new city of Hyderabad. The Adil Shahi dynasty. A whisper at one end can be heard at the other end.

501

Who ordered the construction of the Charminar?

502

The Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur is one of the largest single domed structures constructed. Which dynasty built it? Jehangir had to face a rebellion immediately after he ascended the throne. Who was the rebel? Which Sikh guru completed the compilation of the Adi Granth? Which Mughal Prince had the Gita translated into Persian? Whom did the ruler of Bijapur send to capture Shivaji? Who was the Mughal Governor of Deccan who was instructed by Aurangazeb to invade Shivaji's territories? Which Mughal port city did Shivaji attack in 1664? Who persuaded Shivaji to visit Aurangazeb at

503

Khusrau, Jehangir's eldest son.

504

Guru Arjan Dev.

505

Dara Shukoh (also spelt Shikoh).

506

Afzal Khan.

507

Shaista Khan.

508 509

Surat. Raja Jai Singh of Amber.

Agra? 510 Golconda, the world famous kingdom was built on the ruins of an old Hindu Kingdom. Which one? How was Mumtaz Mahal related to Nur Jahan? Warangal.

511

Mumtaz Mahal was the daughter of Asaf Khan, Nur Jahan's brother. Purandaradasa. By adopting Guerrilla Warfare.

512 513

Who is regarded as the father of Carnatic music? How could Shivaji with a relatively small army fight against the army of Bijapur? Whom did King Prataparudra consider as his guru? What was the capital of the Rajput Kingdom of Mewar? What was the act that led to the martyrdom of Guru Arjan?

514

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

515

Chitor.

516

Khusrav, the son of Jehangir rebelled unsuccessfully against his father. When Khusrav was fleeing the Mughal forces, he was honourably received by Guru Arjan and provided with some money. This was perceived by Jehangir as an act of treason and ultimately led to the Guru's martyrdom. SherShah.

517

Humayun attacked and besieged the fort of Chunar because it commanded the route between Agra and the east. Who was the person who held the fort? What gift did Humayun offer Babur after Babur arrived in Agra following the first Battle of Panipat? Who saved the life of Uday Singh of Mewar, when he was still a prince?

518

The Koh-i-nur.

519

Panna. Panna, who was Uday Singh's nurse realised that his life was in danger; she placed her own son in Uday Singh's bed. The attackers assuming that Panna's son was the prince killed him thus saving Uday Singh. Dorasamudra (or Dwarasamudra). The Hoysalas succeeded the Chalukyas of Kalyana as the leading power of the Mysore area. Vijayanagar.

520

From where did the Hoysala dynasty rule?

521

Domingo Paes, the famous Portuguese traveller, described this city as the best provided city in the world. Name the city. Who was the poet who enriched Kashmiri literature with her exquisite lyrics on love and life? Who is the author of the Telugu work "Amuktamalyada"? Over which part of India did Queen Didda (9801003)rule? According to tradition who were Harihara I and

522

Habba Khatun (also spelt Habba Khotun).

523

Sri Krishnadevaraya, the greatest of the Vijayanagara rulers. Kashmir.

524

525

Prataparudra of Warangal.

Bukka I serving before founding the Vijayanagara Empire? 526 During the time of the Vijayanagara rule, (Krishnadevaraya) what was the title adopted by the rulers of Orissa? Vishwambhara (Nimai) was responsible for the revival of Vaishnavism in Bengal. What was the name by which we know him? The Sangama dynasty (1336 -1485), the Saluva dynasty (1485 - 1505) the Tuluva dynasty (1505 -1570), and the Aravidu dynasty (1570 - 1649). These dynasties ruled over, in the sequence given, the same kingdom. Which kingdom are we talking about? How did Timur come to be called Tamerlane? Gajapati (1434 to 1541).

527

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

528

Vijayanagara Empire.

529

Timur had a limp because of an injury to his leg. Due to this the Persians called him Timur-ilang (Timur the lame) which was corrupted by Europeans into Tamerlane. Chandrapur. Durgavati was the queen of the Gonds who fought bravely with the Mughal forces sent by Akbar. Gorakhnath popularized the practice of Hathayoga throi AD. throughout India. He lived in the 10lh - 11th century Kabir was born in Varanasi. Throughout his life he kept dwelling on the essential unity of all religions. Abhang literally means unbroken. Unbroken rhymes were referred to as Abhangs. Tukaram is best known for his Abhangs. Many saints that came after him also composed Abhangs. Ramananda. In 1975.

530

What was the capital of the kingdom of the Gonds?

531

Who was Gorakhshanath, popularly known as Gorakhnath?

532

Where was Kabir born? What was he known for?

533

What are Abhangs? Who composed them?

534 535

According to tradition who was the guru of Kabir? In which year was emergency declared in postindependent India? What did the East India Company acquire as its zamindari in 1698? Where is Fort William located? Which European power established itself at chandernagore and Pondicherry? During the rule of Tipu Sultan, what was the capital of Mysore? What were the Indian soldiers in the English army called? During the rule of Muhammad Shah, who was the ruler of Persia who invaded India?

536

The zamindari of Sutanati, Kalikata and Govindpur. Present day Kolkata. The French.

537 538

539

Srirangapatnam.

540

Sepoys.

541

Nadir Shah.

542

What was the result of the Battle of Karnal fought between Nadir Shah and Emperor Mohammad Shah? Among the other things, what were the precious articles Nadir Shah carried away from India? After Nadir Shah's death, which of his generals established his authority in Afghanistan? What was the Doctrine of Lapse?

The Mughals lost and the Emperor Muhammad Shah was taken prisoner,

543

The Koh-i-noor diamond and the Peacock throne. Ahmad Shah Abdali.

544

545

When the ruler of a protected state died without a natural heir, the adopted heir would not be able to succeed him. In such a case the state would be annexed by the British. The only exception would be if the British authorities approved of the adoption before hand. Peshwa Baji Rao II on December 31, 1802. This was after the combined armies of the Peshwa and the Sindhia were defeated by the Holkar. Ahmad Shah Abdali and the Marathas (on 14th Jan 1761). The English fought against a confederacy of Mir Kasim; Shah Alam, the Mughal Emperor and Nawab Shuja-ud-daulah. The English won and established their supremacy in Bengal. Tlpu Sultan.

546

Who was the Peshwa who signed the "Subsidiary Alliance"?

547

Who fought the third Battle of Panipat?

548

Who fought the battle of Buxar?

549

What was the result of the battle of Buxar?

550

Which Indian ruler was a member of the Jacobin Club? Name the Indian ruler who tried to promote trade with Russia, Arabia and Turkey. He also tried to set up a trading company on the lines of the East India Company. Of which state was Martanda Varma the ruler? The capital of the state of Travancore became an important centre of Sanskrit scholarship towards the later half of the 18th century. How do we know it today? Who founded the city of Jaipur? Where did Raja Sawai Jai Singh build astronomical observatories? Under which guru did the Sikhs become a united political power? He was born in a Bengali Brahmin family at Radhanagar in 1774. He served under the East India Company from 1803 to 1814. He also founded the Brahmo Samaj? Who was he? Why was the Cripps Mission sent to India?

551

Tipu Sultan.

552 553

Travancore. Thiruvanthapuram (Trivandrum).

554 555

Raja Sawai Jai Singh of Amber. Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Varanasi and Mathura.

556

Guru Gobind Singh.

557

Raja Ram Mohan Roy.

558

The British Government wanted India's help in the Second World War. It sent the Cripps

Commission to persuade Indian leaders to support its war effort. 559 Who was the guru of Swami Vivekananda? Ramakrishna Paramhansa. He was a saint who lived in Dakshineshwar in Bengal. Indore. Lord Canning (1858-62).

560 561

Over which kingdom did Ahalyabai rule? Who was the first Viceroy of India? (appointed after the revolt of 1857) When did the revolt of 1857 start? Name India's first newspaper? When and where did the first Congress session take place? When did Gandhiji start his Dandi March? Who was known as the "Frontier Gandhi"? Who wrote the novel, 'Anand Math'? Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood as a protest against an incident. Name the incident. He was an uncle of Bhagat Singh and was closely . associated with Lala Lajpat Rai. He founded the "Bharat Mata" society and worked for the Ghadar party. He died on 15th August 1947. Who was it? What was the Kuka movement?

562 563 564

At Meerut, on May 10,1857. Bengal Gazette. 1885, Bombay. Goculdas Tejpal Auditorium.

565 566 567 568

Marchl2,1930. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. Bankim Chandra Chatterji The Jailianwalla Baug massacre.

569

AjitSingh.

570

The Kuka movement began as a religious movement. Its aim was to purify die Sikh religion by removing superstitions mat had crept into it. After the conquest of the Punjab by the British, the revival of the Sikh sovereignty became its chief aim. Wans Shah.

571

Who wrote the poem "Heer Ranjha" (also known simply as "Heer")? He was born in Cuttack in 1897. He ranked 4lh in the ICS (the forerunner of the IAS) exam but resigned. He was elected President of the Indian National Congress in 1938 and 1939, in spite of opposition from Mahatma Gandhi. He organised the Azad Hind Fauj founded by Ras Behari Bose. Who was he? The Revolt of 1857 started in Meerut. To which regiment did the Sepoys belong? What was the immediate cause of the revolt?

572

Subhas Chandra Bose.

573

3rd Cavalry.

574

The introduction of the New Enfield Rifle whose cartridges were believed to be greased with the fat of cows and pigs. Both Hindus and Muslims resented this. NanaSaheb.

575

Who led the revolt in Kanpur?

576

Which was die Maratha family that established itself in Baroda?

The Gaekwads established themselves at Baroda, the Bhonsales at Nagpur, Holkars at Indore and the Sindhias at Gwalior. They were passes that the East India Company had the right to issue for the movement of goods. The East India Company did not pay any taxes on these goods. The English got their Diwani rights permanently as opposed to the practice of limited tenure. Also under the Mughal system the office was given to an individual. It divested the East India Company of its commercial functions. Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

577

What were the Dastaks?

578

The English secured the Diwani of Bengal from the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam. This Diwani was however different from the existing practice by the Mughals. In what respect? What did the Charter Act of 1833 achieve?

579

580

He was born in 1856 in Ratnagiri. He was one of the founders of the Poona New English School. In 1908 he was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment in Mandalay. He died in August 1920. Who is he? Who recaptured Jhansi for die British? The Sikhs were organised into a confederacy of 12 units. What was the term given to these units? Who was the first Peshwa of the Maratha kingdom? What help did Balaji Vishwanath render the Sayyid brothers?

581 582

Sir Hugh Rose. Misl.

583

Balaji Vishwanath.

584

He marched to Delhi and helped them overthrow the Mughal Emperor Farrukh Siyar. (1719). BajiRaoI. Abdul Kalam Azad.

585 586

Who succeeded Balaji Vishwanath as the Peshwa? He was born in 1888 in Mecca. He was a scholar of Arabic, Persian, Urdu and fluent in Islamic theology. He was the education minister in Nehru's cabinet. Who was he? What was the Rowlatt Act?

587

The Rowlatt Act sought to impose wartime restrictions on civil liberties on a permanent basis. It provided for detention without trial. Madam Bhikhaji Rustam K.R. Cama.

588

Who is called the 'Mother of the Indian Revolution'? When did Bhikhaji Cama unfurl the Indian flag?

589

August 1907 at the International Socialist Congress held in Stuttgart. This was a tricolour in green, red and yellow. Bagha Jatin.

590

What was the revolutionary Jatin Mukherji popularly known as? Why did all the Congress ministers resign in 1939?

591

The working committee of the Congress asked the British Government to state whether their war aims included the elimination of imperialism and the treatment of India as a free nation. The British did not give a satisfactory reply. Hence they all resigned.

592

When was the Sharada Act for prevention of child marriage passed? Who founded the "Mirat-ul-Akbhar", the first Journal in Persian and the "Banga-Dutta" a weekly in four Languages? He was a watchmaker by profession and had come to India from Netherlands in 1800. He however spent his entire life promoting education in India. He founded the Hindu College in Calcutta to take forward his ideas. Who was he? He was the Principal of die Sanskrit College in Calcutta and opened its gates to non-Brahmin students. He was a great proponent of widowremarriages and the first lawful Hindu widow remarriage among the upper castes was celebrated under his supervision. Who was he? Who started the Swatantra Party? Who gave the slogan "Do or Die"?

In 1929. It was to come into force from 1930.

593

Raja Ram Mohan Roy.

594

David Hare.

595

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.

596 597

C. Rajagopalachari. Mahtma Gandhi. While launching the Quit India movement. In Amritsar. The Jallianwala Baug massacre. They had gathered there to protest against the arrest of their leaders Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal.

598 599 600

Where is JalHanwala Baug? What infamous event occurred on April 13, 1919? Why were people gathered at the JallianwaJa Baug?

Indian History & Culture Part - V

No.
601

Question
Who was the first Governor General of Bengal? What was the most important difference between the British and other conquerors of India? Who was the Maratha general who repeatedly fought against die British during die 1857 revolt and later kept harassing the British with guerrilla warfare till he was betrayed by Mansingh and hanged by the British? When was the Champaran Agitation launched?

Answer
Warren Hastings.

602

Previous invaders became an integral part of India, whereas the British always maintained their own identity. TatiaTope.

603

604

The Champaran agitation was launched in the Champaran district of Bihar. It was against the English landlords who used to force the peasants, to cultivate indigo. When synthetic indigo was discovered they began to force the peasants to pay them compensation for not growing indigo any longer. Andaman and Nicobar islands.

605

Which area did the Japanese hand over to

the Azad Hind Government? 606 Where did Mahatma Gandhi establish his first ashram in India? Who popularised the Young India Journal? Why did Mahatma Gandhi spin cloth daily? At Sabarmati, Ahmedabad.

607 608

Mahatma Gandhi. To emphasise the dignity of labour and the value of self-reliance. Gandhi once said that from among the activities he was engaged in, khadi and uplift of the scheduled castes was the most important to him. To remove corrupt mahants from the Gurudwaras. The whole town refused to pay the municipal tax and moved out of the village.

609 610

Why was the Akali movement started? What was the unique mode of protest of the population of Chirala (in present day Andhra Pradesh) against the British? What was the Chauri Chaura incident?

611

A crowd angered by police firing set Fire to a police station killing many policemen. Gandhiji suspended the struggle because he felt people had yet to understand the concept of nonviolence. Bardoli in Gujarat.

612

What was the impact of the Chauri Chaura incident on the Freedom struggle?

613

Where was the decision to suspend the agitation taken? Who founded the Swarajya party? To which country did Subhas Chandra Bose escape to carry on the Freedom Struggle?

614 615

Chitta Ranjan Das and Motilal Nehru. Germany. He escaped from Calcutta (Kolkata) and travelled through Peshawar, reaching Kabul via Jalalabad. From there he went to Russia (with an Italian passport) and then to Berlin from Moscow. Prafulla Chandra Ray.

616

Who is the father of the Indian Chemical Industry? After Delhi fell to the British during the revolt of 1857 what brutal act did the British officer Hodson commit? Who passed a resolution declaring Sati illegal and punishable by the courts? Who led the rebellion of the Koyas (tribals of the West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh) against the British? When was Bengal first partitioned by the British, leading to wide-spread agitation? Who did the soldiers, who rebelled in Meerut, declare as the Emperor of India?

617

He shot dead the sons of Bahadur Shah at point blank range.

618

William Bentinck.

619

Alluri Sitarama Raju.

620

In 1905.

621

The soldiers set out for Delhi from Meerut where they were joined by the local infantry. Here they proclaimed Bahadur Shah as the Emperor of India. Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh. Swami Dayananda Saraswati in 1875.

622 623

Who led the revolt at Lucknow? Who founded the Arya Samaj?

624

What did Swami Dayananda Saraswati regard as infallible? Madam H.P. Blavatsky and Colonel H.S Olcott founded the headquarters of this society at Adyar, Madras. Which society was this? Who was the first Indian to be elected to the leadership of the Communist International? Who threw a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly?

The Vedas. He considered them to be the fountain of knowledge. The Theosophical Society.

625

626

M.N.Roy.

627

Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt (on April 9, 1929).Their aim in throwing a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly was, as their leaflet pointed out, "to make the deaf hear". Not to hurt anyone. EyreCooteinJuly 1781. Ram Prasad Bismil. (1897-1927).

628 629

Which British general defeated Haider Ali? He was a member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army. He was sentenced to death for his role in the Kakori train conspiracy. He composed the revolutionary song, "Sarfaroshi ki tamana ab hamare dil mein hai....." Name him. Who became the Peshwa after the Battle of Panipat? Which Mughal Emperor became a pensioner of the Marathas in 1771? When was the Poona Pact signed by Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar? When did Mahatma Gandhi arrive in India from South Africa? Who was the Viceroy who was assassinated by a convict when he visited the Andamans? When was the "Quit India" Resolution passed? Who was the only Indian ruler who never alied himself with the British to fight against other Indian rulers? Who were the signatories to the treaty of Seringapatam (Srirangapatnam)? What were the important clauses of the treaty of Seringapatam?

630

Madhav Rao. After the death of Balaji Baji Rao.

631

ShahAlam.

632

In 1932.

633

1915 (January).

634

Lord Mayo.

635

August 8, 1942, in Goculdas Tejpal Auditorium in Bombay. Tipu Sultan.

636

637

Tipu Sultan and the British.

638

Tipu Sultan had to cede about half his territories to the English and also pay Rs.330 lakhs as indemnity. His two sons were also kept as hostages. Sir Charles Wood sent an educational despatch that formed the basis of the subsequent development of university education in India. Based on the principles outlined in Wood's Despatch three universities were established in India in Calcutta (Kolkata}, Bombay (Mumbai) and Madras (Chennai). They were people of Abyssinian descent who were

639

What was the Wood's Despatch? What is its significance?

640

Who were the Siddhis?

put in charge of important forts like Raigarh, Dabhol and Ratnagiri by Aurangzeb. They were a maritime power and constant source of problems for the Marathas. 641 He was a revolutionary, who was arrested by the British in the Maniktala bomb conspiracy. In 1910, he went to Pondicherry and led a life of a spiritualist. Who was he? Who founded the Benaras Hindu University? He entered politics with the Kheda Satyagraha. In 1922 he played a leading role in the Bardoli Satyagraha. He was Independent India's first home minister. Name him. Who succeeded Peshwa Baji Rao? Who was the Peshwa during the third battle of Panipat? Who founded the Tattvabodhini Sabha? Later he became a great leader of the Brahmo Samaj movement. What was the Komagata Maru episode? Aurobindo Ghosh.

642 643

Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya in 1916. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

644 645

Peshwa Baji Rao was succeeded by Balaji Baji Rao. Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao.

646

Debendranath Tagore, father of Rabindranath Tagore.

647

The Komagata Maru was a Japanese vessel that was hired to take a large number of Punjabis to Canada. The passengers were not allowed to disembark and they therefore made their way back to India. The Komagata Maru on return, docked at Budge-Budge near Calcutta. The British ordered the passengers to go to Punjab in a special train. Those who wanted to go to Calcutta refused to do so and were fired upon, leaving eighteen dead and twenty nine not being accounted for. Rangoon.

648

After the Revolt, Bahadur Shah II was arrested and deported to a city outside modern India. Name the city. Who was the French Governor General who helped Muzzafar Jung become the Nizam of Hyderabad? How do we better know Narendranath Datta? Muazzam, Aurangazeb's son, succeeded him to the throne of Delhi. On ascension he assumed a royal title. What was the title? Ranjit Singh was appointed the governor of Kabul at the age of 19. Who appointed him? Who was the 18th century Hindu ruler who performed two Asvamedha sacrifices? The English obtained the royal Farman from the Nawabs of Bengal in 1717. There was one privilege in the Farman that was to prove

649

Dupleix.

650 651

Swami Vivekananda. Bahadur Shah.

652

ZamanShah.

653

Sawai Jai Singh of Amber.

654

The freedom to export and import goods in Bengal without paying customs duties.

an irritant. What was the privilege? 655 Who was the judge who found Raghunath Rao Peshwa, guilty of murder and said, "No penalty other than death is prescribed for such a crime"? Who did General Hugh Rose refer to as "the only man among the rebels"? Who were the adversaries in the battle of Wandiwash? Ram Shastri Prabhune.

656

Rani Lakshmibai.

657

The British and the French. The supremacy of the British was thoroughly established as the consequences of this battle. The British under Eyre Coote comprehensively routed the French Lal Bahadur Shastri. The slogan became immensely popular and was soon on the lips of almost every Indian. Lord Canning. He was referring to the situation in India just prior to he Revolt of 1857.

658

What was the result of the battle of Wandiwash? Who coined the slogan "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan"?

659

660

Who said the following and in what context ".... in the sky of India, serene as it is, a small cloud might arise, at first no bigger than a man's hand but which growing larger and larger, may at last threaten to burst and overwhelm us with ruin." The first Round Table Conference was a result of a suggestion by an Englishman to the then British Prime Minister. Who was the Britisher? Who was the sole representative of the Congress at the second Round Table Conference? Who was the first President of the Indian National Congress? Who was the first Indian woman President of the Indian National Congress? When did Mahatma Gandhi become the President of the Indian National Congress? Who was the President of the Congress in 1947 at the time of Independence? Who died fighting the police at Alfred Park in Lucknow? Who signed the Treaty of Salbai?

661

Sir John Simon (Chairman of the Simon Commission)

662

Mahatma Gandhi.

663

Womesh Chandra Banerji.

664

Sarojini Naidu.

665

1924.

666

Rajendra Prasad.

667

Chandrashekhar Azad. He shot himself with the last bullet that he had been left with. The Marathas and the English in 1782. The treaty established beyond dispute, the dominance of the British as the controlling factor in Indian politics. Though the English did not gain materially, it gave them peace with the Marathas for 20 years, thereby enabling them to fight other enemies such as the French and Tipu Sultan.

668

669

What was the result of the Treaty of Salbai?

670

Who was the chief minister of Peshwa Baji Rao II?

Nana Fadnavis. He was responsible for preserving the Maratha confederacy. He also resisted British interference in Maratha affairs. Satyagraha consists of two words : Satya (truth) and agraha (insistence). The term was coined by Mahatma Gandhi. Annie Besant. At the Congress session held in Kolkata in 1917, the demand for home rule was made eloquent by Ms. Annie Besant, the President of the session. M.A.Jinnah. The state of Hyderabad as it then was. In Pondicherry from 1910 till the end 1950.

671

What is the meaning of the word "Satyagraha"?

672

Who started the Home Rule movement?

673 674 675

Who formulated the two nation theory? Over which area did the Asaf Jahis rule? Where did Aurobindo Ghosh begin to live after renouncing an active political life? Which was the first state of India to be formed on the basis of language? Who was Gopal Ganesh Agarkar?

676

Andhra Pradesh.

677

He was a social reformer of Maharashtra. He was the founder editor of Kesari, but later concentrated on a new newspaper he started called Sudharak. Kanaklata Barua played an important role in the freedom struggle. She was shot dead while holding the congress flag during the Quit India movement. BirsaMunda.

678

Who was Kanaklata Barua?

679

Who led the Santhals who were armed with only bows and arrows? A prominent Naga fighter she spent eighteen years in prison for her role in the freedom struggle. Who was she? When did the Naval Mutiny break out? He was born in 1889 at Allahabad. He was sent to England for studies and returned to India in 1912. He made his first appearance on the Congress platform as a delegate in 1912 at the Bankipore session. In 1923 he was elected General Secretary of the Congress. Who was he? Who were the adversaries at the Battle of Plassey? In the Battle of Plassey, a major part of Siraj-ud-Daulah's army did not take part in the fighting. Why was this? Who were the only two leading men of Sirajud-Daulah's court who took active part in the Battle of Plassey? Who was raised to the throne of Bengal after

680

Gidalyu Rani who led the Nagas. She was released in 1949.

681 682

February 1946 Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

683

The British fought Siraj-ud-Daulah the Nawab of Bengal. Mir Jafar and Rai Durlabh who commanded a major portion of the army had turned traitors and did not join in the battle. Mir Madan and Mohan Lal.

684

685

686

Mir Jafar.

the Battle of Plassey? 687 Who succeeded Mir Jaffar to the throne of Bengal? Who devised the system of "Subsidiary Alliances"? Mir Kasim, his son-in-law.

688

Lord Wellesley. By using Subsidiary Alliances Lord Wellesley saw to it that the Indian princes remained helpless and would soon be unable to govern their territory without the help of the British army. He died fighting the English on May 4, 1799? Damodar Chapekar along with his two brothers, Vasudev and Balakrishna, fired at Rand and then disappeared in the dark. They were arrested later and were hanged. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

689 690

How did Tipu Sultan die? What role did the Chapekar brothers play in the Freedom struggle?

691

He worked throughout his life for the uplift of the 'untouchables'. He was the law minister in the interim government. He was the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly's Drafting Committee. Who was he? Which day was fixed as the first Independence Day? When was the Indian Tri-colour (saffron, white and green) hoisted for the first time? If anyone wanted to meet Mahatma Gandhi on the 6lh of April 1930, where would they have needed to go? Who organised the society of Khudai Khidmatgars (servants of god)? Why did Subhas Bose resign from the Presidentship of the Congress in 1939? Which party did Subhas Bose found? Who was responsible (as President of the "Committee of Public Instruction") for the introduction of English education in India? Whom did Ahmed Shah Abdali serve as a general before proclaiming himself king? What was the title adopted by Ahmed Shah Abdali when he crowned himself ruler of Afghanistan? What were the Morley Minto reforms?

692

31st December 1929.

693

December 31, 1929. At the Congress session.

694

To Dandi. On this day Gandhiji breached the salt law.

695

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan.

696

He did so because of opposition from Gandhiji.

697 698

Forward Bloc. Thomas Babington Macaulay.

699

Nadir Shah. Ahmed Shah Abdali proclaimed himself king of Afghanistan after Nadir Shah's assassination. Durr-i-Durran, 'The pearl of the age.' His clan came to be known as Durrani.

700

701

In 1909, the reforms introduced by Morley and Minto provided for the association of qualified Indians with the Government of India to a greater extent in deciding public queries. The Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad. This campaign ensured that the Nizam's attempt at challenging Maralha supremacy failed.

702

Who did the Marathas decisively defeat in the Palkhed campaign of 1727-28?

703

Which French Governor has been given the credit of using Indian Sepoys in his army? Who handed over the leadership of the Independence Movement in East Asia to Subhas Chandra Bose? What was the slogan adopted by the Muslim League at its Karachi Session in 1943? Who is Subramania Bharati?

Dupleix.

704

Rash Behari Bose (on July 4, 1943).

705

Divide and Quit.

706

A Tamil poet and nationalist of the early 20th Century. Lord Louis Mountbatten.

707

Who was the Viceroy at the time of Indepenence? Who was hired by a group of Porbandar Muslims (who were working in Natal, South Africa) as their lawyer in!893? Where did Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose set up the provisional government of free India?

708

M.K. Gandhi.

709

In Singapore. It had been renamed Shonan. Subhas Chandra Bose regularly addressed Indians from Shonan Radio. Mangal Pandey.

710

Who gave the first call for the freedom struggle in 1857? Who was the freedom fighter who led the Ramoshis of Maharashtra? He was popularly known as Sher-1-Punjab. He founded the weekly "The People". He died due to the injuries he received from a brutal lathi charge by the police when protesting against the Simon Commission. Who was he? Who initiated the celebration of the Ganapati Festival and the Shivaji Jayanti as social activities to awaken the people? What was the slogan that electrified the nation when Bengal was partitioned? What was the Poona Pact?

711

Vasudev Balwant Phadke.

712

LalaLajpatRai.

713

Lokamanya Tilak.

714

Bande Mataram.

715

The pact between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Ambedkar. This pact was against the separate electorates announced by the British. Government of India Act of 1935.

716

What was the Act which granted partial autonomy to the Provinces? Who was the Governor General of India who added the maximum extent of Indian territories to the East India Company? Who was the Governor General of India when the Revolt of 1857 broke out? Which Act passed by the British was termed the

717

Lord Dalhousie

718

Lord Canning

719

The Vernacular Press Act, 1878. This Act empowered a magistrate to stop a publisher from publishing

Gagging Act?

anything that would create disaffection against the government. Lord Curzon.

720

Who was responsible for the partition of Bengal in 1905? During whose Viceroyalty was the capital changed from Calcutta to Delhi? What was the Khilafat movement?

721

Lord Hardinge (in 1912).

722

The Sultan of Turkey, who was the Caliph, was deposed after World War I. The Khilafat Movement was launched in India to defend the prestige of the Caliph. MeeraBehn.

723

Her real name was Madeleine Slade. She was a devoted follower of Gandhiji. What was the name given to her by Gandhiji? The British created the Kingdom of Satara out of the Peshwa's lands. Who was it given to? To which party did Chandrashekar Azad belong? Who was the leader, whose death led Bhagat Singh, Azad and Rajguru to assassinate the British police officer Saunders? In April 1930, the revolutionary Surya Sen led an activity. What was it? Who were executed on March 23, 1931?

724

A descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji.

725

Hindustan Socialist Republican Association.

726

Lala Lajpat Rai.

727

He organised an armed raid on the government armoury at Chittagong. Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru in Lahore prison.

728

729

In 1927, the British Government appointed the Indian Statutory Commission. How was it popularly known as? What was interesting about Jawaharlal Nehru taking over the Presidentship of the Indian National Congress at the Lahore session of 1929? At which session was a resolution passed which declared "Poorna Swaraj" (total freedom) as the Congress objective? Who conceived of the idea of setting up the Indian National Congress? What did Mahatma Gandhi describe as a post-dated cheque? Who was the admiral who recreated the Maratha navy almost single handed?

Simon Commission.

730

He succeeded his father Motilal Nehru.

731

At the session held at Lahore, 1929.

732

Allan Octavian Hume.

733

The Cripps offer of Independence.

734

Kanhoji Angrey (also spelt Angria).