RI AMIN GS Practice Question: 60 History MCQs for Competitive Exams
Practice 60 important History MCQs for RI / AMIN Exam – Practice. Covers Ancient, Medieval & Modern India with correct answers.
Indian History Quiz: Questions
1. Which of the following was the most distinguishing feature of the Harappan Civilization compared to other contemporary civilizations?
A) Absence of monumental temples
B) Use of iron tools
C) Extensive inland trade only
D) Kingship-based political system
Answer: A) Absence of monumental temples
Unlike contemporary civilizations like Egypt and Mesopotamia, the Harappan Civilization is not known for grand temples or palaces. Their urban planning, drainage systems, and granaries were their hallmarks.
2. Which one of the following Indus Valley sites is known for evidence of a dockyard?
A) Lothal
B) Kalibangan
C) Rakhigarhi
D) Chanhudaro
Answer: A) Lothal
Located in Gujarat, Lothal is a prominent Indus Valley site where a massive, brick-built structure is believed to have been a dockyard, facilitating trade with Mesopotamian civilizations.
3. The term ‘Vajapeya’ mentioned in Vedic literature refers to:
A) A war campaign
B) A royal sacrifice
C) A trade guild
D) A judicial assembly
Answer: B) A royal sacrifice
Vajapeya was a significant soma sacrifice in Vedic times, often performed by kings or nobles to attain supreme sovereignty and involved a symbolic chariot race.
4. Which ancient Indian text is the earliest known manual on statecraft and economics?
A) Manusmriti
B) Arthashastra
C) Rajatarangini
D) Mudrarakshasa
Answer: B) Arthashastra
Authored by Kautilya (Chanakya), the Arthashastra is a profound treatise on political science, economic policy, and military strategy, dating back to the Mauryan period.
5. The Mehrauli Iron Pillar is notable for:
A) Its Ashokan inscriptions
B) The absence of rust despite centuries of exposure
C) Being part of the Sunga dynasty architecture
D) Use of imported iron from Central Asia
Answer: B) The absence of rust despite centuries of exposure
Located in Delhi, the Mehrauli Iron Pillar is a testament to the advanced metallurgy of ancient India. Its high phosphorus content and specific forging technique have rendered it resistant to corrosion for over 1600 years.
6. Which Buddhist Council resulted in the formal split between the Sthavira and Mahasanghika schools?
A) First Council
B) Second Council
C) Third Council
D) Fourth Council
Answer: B) Second Council
Held at Vaishali around a century after the Buddha’s death, the Second Buddhist Council was convened to settle disputes on monastic discipline. This council led to the first major schism in Buddhism, resulting in the Sthaviravada (Orthodox) and Mahasanghika (Liberal) schools.
7. The term ‘Jataka’ in Buddhist literature refers to:
A) Philosophical discourses of Buddha
B) Previous birth stories of Buddha
C) Rules for monastic life
D) Biographies of Buddhist monks
Answer: B) Previous birth stories of Buddha
The Jataka tales are a vast collection of stories about the previous lives of the Buddha in both human and animal form. They are popular for their moral lessons and are a significant part of Buddhist art and literature.
8. The Mansabdari system was introduced by which Mughal ruler?
A) Akbar
B) Humayun
C) Jahangir
D) Shah Jahan
Answer: A) Akbar
Akbar introduced the Mansabdari system, a unique military and administrative framework where officials (Mansabdars) were ranked numerically and assigned a ‘zat’ (personal rank) and a ‘sawar’ (cavalry rank) to maintain the empire’s military prowess and civil administration.
9. Who built the Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur?
A) Ibrahim Adil Shah II
B) Muhammad Adil Shah
C) Ali Adil Shah I
D) Yusuf Adil Shah
Answer: B) Muhammad Adil Shah
The Gol Gumbaz is the mausoleum of Muhammad Adil Shah of the Bijapur Sultanate. It is world-famous for its massive dome, which is the second-largest pre-modern dome in the world, and its incredible “whispering gallery.”
10. The city of Fatehpur Sikri was founded by:
A) Babur
B) Humayun
C) Akbar
D) Jahangir
Answer: C) Akbar
Akbar founded the city of Fatehpur Sikri in the 16th century to honor the Sufi saint Salim Chishti. It served as the capital of the Mughal Empire for over a decade and is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture.
11. Who was the last ruler of the Lodhi Dynasty?
A) Bahlul Lodi
B) Sikandar Lodi
C) Ibrahim Lodi
D) Daulat Khan Lodi
Answer: C) Ibrahim Lodi
Ibrahim Lodi was the last ruler of the Lodi dynasty and the final Sultan of Delhi. His defeat by Babur at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 marked the end of the Delhi Sultanate and the beginning of the Mughal Empire.
12. The Ain-i-Akbari was written by:
A) Badauni
B) Abul Fazl
C) Amir Khusrau
D) Al-Biruni
Answer: B) Abul Fazl
Abul Fazl, one of the “Nine Jewels” (Navratnas) of Akbar’s court, authored the monumental work Ain-i-Akbari. It is the third and final part of the Akbarnama and provides a detailed administrative record of Akbar’s empire.
13. The language mostly used in the court of the Delhi Sultanate was:
A) Sanskrit
B) Persian
C) Arabic
D) Hindi
Answer: B) Persian
Persian was the official court language of the Delhi Sultanate. It was introduced by the Turkic rulers and continued to be the language of administration and elite culture for centuries, profoundly influencing the development of Urdu and other regional languages.
14. The Bhakti saint Kabir was a disciple of which guru?
A) Ramananda
B) Namdev
C) Tukaram
D) Chaitanya
Answer: A) Ramananda
Sant Kabir Das is traditionally believed to be a disciple of the renowned Vaishnava Bhakti saint Ramananda, who was known for his liberal and inclusive approach, accepting disciples from all castes and religions.
15. Who is regarded as the “Father of the Indian Renaissance”?
A) Dadabhai Naoroji
B) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
C) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
D) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Answer: B) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a visionary social and religious reformer who founded the Brahmo Samaj. His relentless efforts against social evils like Sati and for the promotion of modern education and rational thinking earned him the title “Father of the Indian Renaissance.”
16. Which was the first newspaper published in India?
A) The Hindu
B) The Bengal Gazette
C) Amrit Bazar Patrika
D) Indian Mirror
Answer: B) The Bengal Gazette
James Augustus Hicky started the Bengal Gazette, also known as the Calcutta General Advertiser, in 1780. It is widely recognized as the first newspaper printed in Asia.
17. The Swadeshi Movement was formally launched in:
A) 1905
B) 1907
C) 1919
D) 1921
Answer: A) 1905
The Swadeshi Movement was officially proclaimed on August 7, 1905, at a meeting in the Calcutta Townhall, in response to the British government’s decision to partition Bengal. It aimed at boycotting British goods and promoting indigenous industries.
18. Who was the Viceroy of India during the Quit India Movement?
A) Lord Irwin
B) Lord Linlithgow
C) Lord Wavell
D) Lord Mountbatten
Answer: B) Lord Linlithgow
Lord Linlithgow was the Viceroy of India from 1936 to 1943, a period that included the Quit India Movement launched in 1942.
19. The Rigveda was composed in:
A) Prakrit
B) Sanskrit
C) Pali
D) Persian
Answer: B) Sanskrit
The Rigveda, the oldest of the four Vedas, was composed in Vedic Sanskrit, an ancient form of the Sanskrit language.
20. Which Harappan site is famous for the Great Bath?
A) Lothal
B) Harappa
C) Mohenjo-daro
D) DholaviraAnswer: C) Mohenjo-daro
The Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro is one of the best-known structures from the Indus Valley Civilization. It was a large, brick-lined public bathing area, showcasing the advanced engineering and emphasis on hygiene of the Harappan people.
Indian History Quiz: Questions
21. The Battle of Plassey was fought in:
A) 1757
B) 1764
C) 1857
D) 1748
Answer: A) 1757
The Battle of Plassey was fought on June 23, 1757, between the British East India Company and the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah. Robert Clive’s victory established British political influence in Bengal, often considered the beginning of British rule in India.
22. Who was the founder of the Maurya Dynasty?
A) Bindusara
B) Ashoka
C) Chandragupta Maurya
D) Bimbisara
Answer: C) Chandragupta Maurya
Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire in 322 BCE with the guidance of his mentor Chanakya (Kautilya). He overthrew the Nanda Dynasty and established the first pan-Indian empire.
23. The capital of the Gupta Empire was:
A) Pataliputra
B) Ujjain
C) Kannauj
D) Prayag
Answer: A) Pataliputra
Pataliputra (modern-day Patna) served as the capital of the Gupta Empire, which is often regarded as the “Golden Age” of ancient India due to its advancements in science, mathematics, literature, and art.
24. The Ilbert Bill controversy took place during the rule of:
A) Lord Ripon
B) Lord Curzon
C) Lord Dalhousie
D) Lord Lytton
Answer: A) Lord Ripon
The Ilbert Bill (1883), introduced during Lord Ripon’s tenure, sought to allow Indian judges to try European offenders. The controversy arose due to strong opposition from the British community in India.
25. The Permanent Settlement was introduced by:
A) Lord Wellesley
B) Lord Cornwallis
C) Lord Hastings
D) Lord Bentinck
Answer: B) Lord Cornwallis
Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa in 1793. It fixed the land revenue permanently, creating a class of zamindars who acted as intermediaries between the peasants and the British.
26. Who founded the Delhi Sultanate?
A) Qutb-ud-din Aibak
B) Iltutmish
C) Balban
D) Razia
Answer: A) Qutb-ud-din Aibak
Qutb-ud-din Aibak, a former slave of Muhammad Ghori, founded the Delhi Sultanate in 1206 and established the Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty. He is also known for beginning the construction of the Qutub Minar.
27. The Chola dynasty was famous for:
A) Cave temples
B) Naval power
C) Rock-cut architecture only
D) Trade with Rome only
Answer: B) Naval power
The Chola dynasty, particularly under Rajaraja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I, had a powerful navy that enabled them to conquer Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and parts of Southeast Asia, establishing trade and cultural links across the Indian Ocean.
28. The first Governor-General of independent India was:
A) C. Rajagopalachari
B) Lord Mountbatten
C) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
D) Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer: B) Lord Mountbatten
Lord Mountbatten served as the last Viceroy of British India and the first Governor-General of independent India from August 15, 1947, to June 1948. He was succeeded by C. Rajagopalachari, the first and only Indian Governor-General.
29. The Quit India Movement was launched in:
A) 1930
B) 1942
C) 1919
D) 1920
Answer: B) 1942
The Quit India Movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942, during the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee. It demanded an immediate end to British rule and is also known as the August Movement.
30. Who composed the Arthashastra?
A) Kalidasa
B) Chanakya
C) Banabhatta
D) Panini
Answer: B) Chanakya
Chanakya, also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, composed the Arthashastra, an ancient Sanskrit treatise on statecraft, economics, and military strategy. He was the chief advisor to Chandragupta Maurya.
31. The Khilji dynasty was founded by:
A) Jalal-ud-din Khilji
B) Alauddin Khilji
C) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
D) Iltutmish
Answer: A) Jalal-ud-din Khilji
Jalal-ud-din Khilji founded the Khilji dynasty in 1290 after overthrowing the last Mamluk ruler. He was later succeeded by his nephew and son-in-law, Alauddin Khilji, the most powerful ruler of this dynasty.
32. The Non-Cooperation Movement was started in:
A) 1919
B) 1920
C) 1930
D) 1942
Answer: B) 1920
The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi in September 1920 as a response to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the Rowlatt Act. It was the first mass movement against British rule.
33. The Battle of Panipat (First) was fought between:
A) Babur and Ibrahim Lodi
B) Akbar and Hemu
C) Aurangzeb and Dara
D) Sher Shah and Humayun
Answer: A) Babur and Ibrahim Lodi
The First Battle of Panipat was fought in 1526 between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi. Babur’s victory marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire in India.
34. Who was known as “Napoleon of India”?
A) Ashoka
B) Samudragupta
C) Chandragupta II
D) Harsha
Answer: B) Samudragupta
Samudragupta, the second ruler of the Gupta Empire, was known as the “Napoleon of India” due to his extensive military conquests and strategic brilliance. His campaigns are detailed in the Allahabad Pillar inscription.
35. The Sati system was abolished by:
A) Lord Dalhousie
B) Lord Bentinck
C) Lord Curzon
D) Lord Wellesley
Answer: B) Lord Bentinck
Lord William Bentinck abolished the Sati system on December 4, 1829, with the help of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, who campaigned vigorously against this social evil.
36. The founder of the Arya Samaj was:
A) Swami Vivekananda
B) Dayanand Saraswati
C) Ramakrishna
D) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Answer: B) Dayanand Saraswati
Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in 1875 in Bombay. He advocated for a return to Vedic principles and rejected idol worship, casteism, and untouchability. His motto was “Back to the Vedas.”
37. The Simon Commission came to India in:
A) 1927
B) 1928
C) 1929
D) 1930
Answer: B) 1928
The Simon Commission, headed by Sir John Simon, arrived in India in 1928 to review the Government of India Act of 1919. It was boycotted by Indians because it had no Indian members, leading to the slogan “Simon Go Back.”
38. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred in:
A) 1918
B) 1919
C) 1920
D) 1921
Answer: B) 1919
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place on April 13, 1919, in Amritsar, Punjab. British troops under the command of General Dyer fired on a peaceful gathering, killing hundreds of unarmed men, women, and children.
39. The founder of the Mughal Empire was:
A) Akbar
B) Babur
C) Humayun
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: B) Babur
Babur, a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan, founded the Mughal Empire in 1526 after defeating Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat. He was a skilled military leader and a noted poet and writer.
40. The Treaty of Allahabad was signed in:
A) 1757
B) 1764
C) 1765
D) 1773
Answer: C) 1765
The Treaty of Allahabad was signed in 1765 between Robert Clive of the British East India Company and Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. It granted the Company the Diwani rights (right to collect revenue) in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, establishing British economic control.
Indian History Quiz: Questions
41. The Capital of Vijayanagara Empire was:
A) Madurai
B) Hampi
C) Mysore
D) Bijapur
Answer: B) Hampi
Hampi (in modern-day Karnataka) was the glorious capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Known for its stunning architecture and prosperous markets, the ruins of Hampi are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
42. The founder of the Sikh religion was:
A) Guru Gobind Singh
B) Guru Arjan Dev
C) Guru Nanak
D) Guru Tegh Bahadur
Answer: C) Guru Nanak
Guru Nanak Dev (1469-1539) was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. He preached a message of unity, equality, and devotion to one God, traveling far and wide to spread his teachings.
43. The Government of India Act 1935 provided for:
A) Complete independence
B) Provincial autonomy
C) Dominion status
D) Separate electorates only
Answer: B) Provincial autonomy
The Government of India Act 1935 was a lengthy and detailed act that provided for provincial autonomy, meaning elected legislatures gained more power to govern the provinces. It also proposed a federal structure, though this was never fully implemented.
44. The capital of British India was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi in:
A) 1905
B) 1911
C) 1920
D) 1935
Answer: B) 1911
During the Delhi Durbar of 1911, King George V announced the shifting of the capital of British India from Calcutta to Delhi. The new capital, New Delhi, was formally inaugurated in 1931.
45. The Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by:
A) Lord Dalhousie
B) Lord Ripon
C) Lord Canning
D) Lord Wellesley
Answer: A) Lord Dalhousie
Lord Dalhousie introduced the Doctrine of Lapse, a policy that allowed the British to annex any Indian princely state whose ruler died without a natural male heir. This policy angered many rulers and was a major cause of the 1857 Revolt.
46. Who wrote “Gita Govinda”?
A) Kalidasa
B) Tulsidas
C) Jayadeva
D) Valmiki
Answer: C) Jayadeva
Jayadeva, a 12th-century Sanskrit poet from Odisha, composed the Gita Govinda. This lyrical poem beautifully depicts the divine love between Lord Krishna and Radha.
47. The first President of India was:
A) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
B) S. Radhakrishnan
C) Jawaharlal Nehru
D) Zakir Husain
Answer: A) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of independent India, serving from 1950 to 1962. He was a key leader of the Indian independence movement and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi.
48. The revolt of 1857 started at:
A) Delhi
B) Meerut
C) Kanpur
D) Lucknow
Answer: B) Meerut
The Sepoy Mutiny, or the Revolt of 1857, began on May 10, 1857, at Meerut. Indian soldiers (sepoys) in the British East India Company’s army rebelled against the introduction of new rifle cartridges greased with animal fat, which offended both Hindu and Muslim religious sentiments.
49. Who built the Qutub Minar?
A) Balban
B) Iltutmish
C) Qutb-ud-din Aibak
D) Alauddin Khilji
Answer: C) Qutb-ud-din Aibak
Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the first ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, initiated the construction of the Qutub Minar in Delhi around 1199. However, he only completed the basement; his successor Iltutmish added more storeys.
50. The Champaran Satyagraha was related to:
A) Salt
B) Indigo cultivation
C) Land tax
D) Trade tax
Answer: B) Indigo cultivation
Mahatma Gandhi’s first civil disobedience movement in India, the Champaran Satyagraha of 1917, was fought against the oppressive Tinkathia system, which forced farmers to grow indigo on a portion of their land under unfair conditions.
51. The founder of the Gupta Dynasty was:
A) Chandragupta I
B) Samudragupta
C) Skandagupta
D) Kumaragupta
Answer: A) Chandragupta I
Chandragupta I is considered the founder of the Gupta Dynasty. He ruled from 320 CE and established the dynasty’s power through strategic marriages and military campaigns. He assumed the title Maharajadhiraja (King of Kings).
52. The Capital of Ashoka was:
A) Taxila
B) Pataliputra
C) Ujjain
D) Vaishali
Answer: B) Pataliputra
Pataliputra (modern Patna) was the capital of the Mauryan Empire, including during the reign of Emperor Ashoka. It was a magnificent city with palaces, parks, and a renowned university.
53. Who succeeded Aurangzeb?
A) Bahadur Shah I
B) Shah Alam II
C) Jahandar Shah
D) Farrukhsiyar
Answer: A) Bahadur Shah I
After Aurangzeb’s death in 1707, a war of succession followed. His son, Bahadur Shah I (also known as Shah Alam I), emerged victorious and became the Mughal emperor. His reign marked the beginning of the slow decline of the Mughal Empire.
54. The first woman ruler of Delhi was:
A) Noor Jahan
B) Razia Sultan
C) Mumtaz Mahal
D) Jahanara
Answer: B) Razia Sultan
Razia Sultan, daughter of Iltutmish, ascended the throne of the Delhi Sultanate in 1236. She was the first and only woman to rule Delhi. Despite her capabilities, she faced opposition from nobles and was eventually dethroned.
55. The Third Battle of Panipat was fought in:
A) 1757
B) 1761
C) 1764
D) 1775
Answer: B) 1761
The Third Battle of Panipat was fought on January 14, 1761, between the Maratha Empire and the Afghan invader Ahmad Shah Abdali. The Marathas suffered a devastating defeat, halting their expansion northwards.
56. The capital of the Pallavas was:
A) Kanchipuram
B) Madurai
C) Thanjavur
D) Mysore
Answer: A) Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu was the capital of the Pallava dynasty, who ruled parts of South India from the 4th to the 9th centuries CE. They were great patrons of art and architecture, known for their rock-cut temples and monuments.
57. Who was known as the “Frontier Gandhi”?
A) Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
B) Maulana Azad
C) B.R. Ambedkar
D) Sardar Patel
Answer: A) Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, also known as Bacha Khan, was a Pashtun independence activist who worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi. He was a devout Muslim and a staunch advocate of non-violence, earning him the title “Frontier Gandhi.”
58. The Dandi March was associated with:
A) Quit India Movement
B) Non-Cooperation Movement
C) Civil Disobedience Movement
D) Swadeshi Movement
Answer: C) Civil Disobedience Movement
The Dandi March (or Salt March) was a pivotal event in the Civil Disobedience Movement. In March-April 1930, Mahatma Gandhi led a 240-mile march to the coastal village of Dandi to produce salt from seawater, defying the British salt tax.
59. The capital of the Mauryan Empire under Ashoka was:
A) Pataliputra
B) Ujjain
C) Taxila
D) Vaishali
Answer: A) Pataliputra
As with his predecessors, Pataliputra remained the primary capital of the Mauryan Empire under Ashoka. While Taxila and Ujjain were important provincial capitals, Pataliputra was the center of political power and administration.
60. The founder of the Bahmani Kingdom was:
A) Alauddin Bahman Shah
B) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
C) Ibrahim Adil Shah
D) Firoz Shah
Answer: A) Alauddin Bahman Shah
Alauddin Bahman Shah (originally Hasan Gangu) founded the Bahmani Kingdom in 1347 after rebelling against the Delhi Sultanate. It was the first independent Muslim kingdom in the Deccan, with its capital at Gulbarga and later at Bidar.
