Bihar General Knowledge (GK) multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers and explanations

1. Who was the first Chief Minister of Bihar?

A) Karpoori Thakur

B) Krishna Singh

C) Lalu Prasad Yadav

D) Jagannath Mishra

Answer: B) Krishna Singh
Explanation: Dr. Sri Krishna Sinha, also known as Sri Babu, was the first Chief Minister of Bihar. He served from 1946 to 1961 and was known for his work towards social reform and education in Bihar.

2. Which river is known as the “Sorrow of Bihar”?

A) Ganga

B) Kosi

C) Gandak

D) Son

Answer: B) Kosi
Explanation: The Kosi River is referred to as the “Sorrow of Bihar” due to its frequent and devastating floods that cause significant damage to life and property in the region.

3. Which is the largest district by area in Bihar?

A) Patna

B) Gaya

C) West Champaran

D) Muzaffarpur

Answer: C) West Champaran
Explanation: West Champaran is the largest district in Bihar by area. It covers an area of approximately 5,228 square kilometers.

4. What is the official language of Bihar?

A) Hindi

B) Bengali

C) Bhojpuri

D) Urdu

Answer: A) Hindi
Explanation: Hindi is the official language of Bihar. However, Urdu is also recognized as the second official language.

5. Which university in Bihar is the oldest?

A) Nalanda University

B) Patna University

C) Magadh University

D) L.N. Mithila University

Answer: B) Patna University
Explanation: Patna University, established in 1917, is the oldest university in Bihar and one of the oldest in India.

6. Which crop is mainly grown in the plains of Bihar?

A) Wheat

B) Maize

C) Rice

D) Sugarcane

Answer: C) Rice
Explanation: Rice is the principal crop grown in Bihar, especially in the fertile plains formed by the Ganga and its tributaries.

7. Who was the founder of the Maurya Dynasty, which originated in Bihar?

A) Ashoka

B) Chandragupta Maurya

C) Bindusara

D) Samudragupta

Answer: B) Chandragupta Maurya
Explanation: Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya Dynasty around 321 BCE. He established his capital at Pataliputra (modern-day Patna).

8. Which festival is most famously associated with Bihar?

A) Diwali

B) Chhath Puja

C) Holi

D) Durga Puja

Answer: B) Chhath Puja
Explanation: Chhath Puja is a major festival in Bihar, celebrated with great devotion to worship the Sun God and his wife Usha (Chhathi Maiya).

9. The “Champaran Satyagraha” was related to which issue?

A) Indigo plantation

B) Salt production

C) Forest conservation

D) Labor rights

Answer: A) Indigo plantation
Explanation: The Champaran Satyagraha, led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1917, was a protest against the exploitation of farmers who were forced to grow indigo under oppressive conditions by British planters.

10. In which year was the state of Bihar separated from Bengal?

A) 1905

B) 1912

C) 1936

D) 1947

Answer: B) 1912
Explanation: Bihar was separated from Bengal in 1912 as a result of the partition of Bengal, making it a separate province under British India.

11. Which district is famous for the Buddhist pilgrimage site, Bodh Gaya?

A) Patna

B) Nalanda

C) Gaya

D) Rajgir

Answer: C) Gaya
Explanation: Bodh Gaya, located in the Gaya district, is famous as the place where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree.

12. Which of the following is the folk dance of Bihar?

A) Garba

B) Bhangra

C) Jhumar

D) Bihu

Answer: C) Jhumar
Explanation: Jhumar is a traditional folk dance form performed by the people of Bihar, especially during festive occasions.

13. Which city in Bihar is known as the “City of Weavers”?

A) Bhagalpur

B) Patna

C) Muzaffarpur

D) Ara

Answer: A) Bhagalpur
Explanation: Bhagalpur is known as the “City of Weavers” due to its famous silk industry, particularly the production of Tussar silk.

14. Who is regarded as the first woman Chief Minister of Bihar?

A) Rabri Devi

B) Indira Gandhi

C) Mamata Banerjee

D) Mayawati

Answer: A) Rabri Devi
Explanation: Rabri Devi became the first woman Chief Minister of Bihar in 1997, following her husband Lalu Prasad Yadav’s resignation.

15. Nalanda University was an ancient center of learning during which dynasty?

A) Maurya

B) Gupta

C) Mughal

D) British

Answer: B) Gupta
Explanation: Nalanda University was an ancient center of learning, flourishing during the Gupta Dynasty (4th to 6th century CE), and later under the patronage of Harsha and the Pala rulers.

16. Which river flows through Patna, the capital of Bihar?

A) Yamuna

B) Ganga

C) Brahmaputra

D) Godavari

Answer: B) Ganga
Explanation: The Ganga River flows through Patna, the capital of Bihar, making it an important city for trade and culture.

17. Which wildlife sanctuary in Bihar is famous for the Gangetic dolphins?

A) Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary

B) Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary

C) Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary

D) Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary

Answer: D) Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary
Explanation: Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, located in Bhagalpur, is known for being a habitat for the endangered Gangetic dolphins.

18. Which Mughal emperor built the Fort of Patna?

A) Akbar

B) Humayun

C) Aurangzeb

D) Babur

Answer: A) Akbar
Explanation: The Fort of Patna was constructed by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century.

19. The famous ancient site “Pataliputra” is the modern city of which place in Bihar?

A) Patna

B) Gaya

C) Bhagalpur

D) Darbhanga

Answer: A) Patna
Explanation: Pataliputra, the ancient city of the Maurya and Gupta empires, is the modern-day city of Patna in Bihar.

20. Which Bihar district is associated with the historical figure, Aryabhatta?

A) Nalanda

B) Patna

C) Bhagalpur

D) Gaya

Answer: A) Nalanda
Explanation: Aryabhatta, the famous ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer, is believed to have been associated with the Nalanda region, known for its ancient university and centers of learning.

21. What is the name of the annual cattle fair held in Bihar, which is one of the largest in Asia?

A) Pushkar Mela

B) Sonepur Mela

C) Gangasagar Mela

D) Surajkund Mela

Answer: B) Sonepur Mela
Explanation: The Sonepur Mela, held annually in Sonepur near Patna, is one of the largest cattle fairs in Asia.

22. Who led the Champaran Satyagraha in Bihar?

A) Mahatma Gandhi

B) Jawaharlal Nehru

C) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

D) B. R. Ambedkar

Answer: A) Mahatma Gandhi
Explanation: Mahatma Gandhi led the Champaran Satyagraha in 1917, which was his first active involvement in the Indian independence movement.

23. In which district of Bihar is the famous Mahabodhi Temple located?

A) Patna

B) Gaya

C) Vaishali

D) Muzaffarpur

Answer: B) Gaya
Explanation: The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in Bodh Gaya, Gaya district, and is a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists.

24. Which is the highest point in Bihar?

A) Someshwar Hills

B) Rajgir Hills

C) Kaimur Hills

D) Vishwa Shanti Stupa

Answer: A) Someshwar Hills
Explanation: Someshwar Hills, located in the Champaran district, is the highest point in Bihar.

25. Who was the last ruler of the Chera dynasty of Bihar?

A) Dhanananda

B) Lichchhavi

C) Shishunaga

D) None of the above

Answer: A) Dhanananda
Explanation: Dhanananda was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty (also referred to as the Chera dynasty in some sources) in Bihar before the rise of the Maurya Dynasty under Chandragupta Maurya.