75 History Quiz with Answer and Explanations

Quiz 1: Ancient Civilizations and Kingdoms
Q. Who was the first ruler to unify most of India under a single empire?

A) Ashoka
B) Chandragupta Maurya
C) Harshavardhana
D) Samudragupta
Q. Which ancient text is considered the earliest known work of Indian literature?

A) Ramayana
B) Mahabharata
C) Rigveda
D) Arthashastra

Q. The Great Bath was found in which ancient civilization?

A) Mesopotamian
B) Egyptian
C) Indus Valley
D) Chinese
Q. The term ‘Dhamma’ was popularized by which Mauryan emperor?

A) Bindusara
B) Ashoka
C) Chandragupta Maurya
D) Brihadratha

Q. Which Gupta emperor was known as the ‘Napoleon of India’?

A) Chandragupta I
B) Samudragupta
C) Chandragupta II
D) Skandagupta

Quiz : Ancient Indian Literature and Culture
Q. Who is known as the author of Arthashastra?

A) Kalidasa
B) Kautilya (Chanakya)
C) Vatsyayana
D) Vishakhadatta
Q. Which ancient Indian text is known as the ‘Fifth Veda’?

A) Rigveda
B) Samaveda
C) Mahabharata
D) Ramayana
Q. Which ancient university was established by the Gupta rulers?

A) Takshashila
B) Nalanda
C) Vallabhi
D) Vikramashila
Q. The famous poet Kalidasa was associated with which king’s court?

A) Harshavardhana
B) Chandragupta II
C) Samudragupta
D) Ashoka
Q. Which dance form originated during the Sangam Age in ancient South India?

A) Kathak
B) Bharatanatyam
C) Odissi
D) Kuchipudi

Quiz : Ancient Economy and Administration
Q. The land revenue system during the Mauryan period was known as:

A) Bhaga
B) Bali
C) Kara
D) Hiranya
Q. Which ancient Indian text provides the earliest reference to a system of taxation?

A) Arthashastra
B) Manusmriti
C) Rigveda
D) Ramayana
Q. The term ‘Amatya’ in ancient Indian administration refers to:

A) Military General
B) Chief Minister
C) Tax Collector
D) Royal Priest
Q. Which dynasty is credited with the beginning of the ‘Feudal System’ in India?

A) Maurya
B) Gupta
C) Chola
D) Satavahana
Q. Which ancient port was a significant trade center during the Satavahana period?

A) Bharuch
B) Tamralipti
C) Muziris
D) Sopara

Quiz: Ancient Art and Architecture
Q. The rock-cut caves at Ajanta were primarily meant for:

A) Hindu Temples
B) Buddhist Monasteries
C) Jain Temples
D) Secular Use
Q. The Sanchi Stupa was built by which emperor?

A) Ashoka
B) Chandragupta Maurya
C) Harshavardhana
D) Kanishka
Q. Gandhara School of Art is known for its influence from:

A) Roman
B) Greek
C) Persian
D) Chinese
Q. The famous Kailasa temple at Ellora was built by which dynasty?

A) Chalukya
B) Rashtrakuta
C) Pallava
D) Gupta
Q. Who constructed the famous Sun Temple at Konark?

A) Narasimhadeva I
B) Raja Raja Chola
C) Krishna Deva Raya
D) Rajendra Chola

Quiz : Religion and Philosophy in Ancient India
Q. Who was the founder of the Ajivika sect?

A) Makkhali Gosala
B) Mahavira
C) Buddha
D) Charvaka
Q. The Buddhist councils were held to:

A) Expand the empire
B) Compile Buddhist scriptures
C) Establish trade relations
D) Organize festivals
Q. The concept of ‘Shunyata’ (emptiness) is associated with which Buddhist school?

A) Theravada
B) Mahayana
C) Hinayana
D) Vajrayana

Q. Which ancient text is considered the philosophical foundation of the Sankhya school?

A) Yoga Sutras
B) Samkhya Karika
C) Nyaya Sutras
D) Brahma Sutras

Q. The doctrine of ‘Anekantavada’ is a core principle of which religion?

A) Buddhism
B) Hinduism
C) Jainism
D) Ajivika

Answer and Explanations:
Quiz: Ancient Civilizations and Kingdoms
B) Chandragupta Maurya – He was the first ruler to unify most of India under the Maurya Empire.
C) Rigveda – It is the earliest known work of Indian literature.
C) Indus Valley – The Great Bath was found in Mohenjo-Daro, part of the Indus Valley Civilization.
B) Ashoka – He popularized the term ‘Dhamma’ as a moral code of conduct.
B) Samudragupta – Known as the ‘Napoleon of India’ for his military conquests.

Quiz: Ancient Indian Literature and Culture
B) Kautilya (Chanakya) – He authored the Arthashastra.
C) Mahabharata – It is often referred to as the ‘Fifth Veda’ due to its spiritual and cultural significance.
B) Nalanda – Established during the Gupta period and became a renowned center of learning.
B) Chandragupta II – Kalidasa was one of the ‘Navaratnas’ (Nine Gems) in his court.
B) Bharatanatyam – It originated during the Sangam Age in ancient South India.

Quiz: Ancient Economy and Administration
A) Bhaga – The land revenue system during the Mauryan period was known as Bhaga.
A) Arthashastra – It provides the earliest reference to a system of taxation.
B) Chief Minister – ‘Amatya’ referred to a high-ranking minister or chief advisor.
B) Gupta – They are credited with the beginning of the ‘Feudal System’ in India.
B) Tamralipti – It was a significant trade center during the Satavahana period.

Quiz: Ancient Art and Architecture
B) Buddhist Monasteries – Ajanta Caves were primarily Buddhist Viharas and Chaityas.
A) Ashoka – He built the original Sanchi Stupa, later expanded by the Shungas.
B) Greek – The Gandhara School of Art was influenced by Greek Hellenistic styles.
B) Rashtrakuta – They built the magnificent Kailasa temple at Ellora.
A) Narasimhadeva I – He constructed the Sun Temple at Konark.

Quiz: Religion and Philosophy in Ancient India
A) Makkhali Gosala – He founded the Ajivika sect.
B) Compile Buddhist scriptures – Buddhist councils were held for this purpose.
B) Mahayana – The concept of ‘Shunyata’ is central to Mahayana Buddhism.
B) Samkhya Karika – It is the foundational text of the Sankhya school.
C) Jainism – ‘Anekantavada’ is a core philosophical concept of Jainism.

Quiz: Delhi Sultanate and its Administration
Q. Who introduced the Persian festival of Nauroz in India?
A) Alauddin Khilji
B) Balban
C) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
D) Muhammad bin Tughlaq

Q. Which Delhi Sultan established the ‘Diwan-i-Mustakhraj’ to recover arrears of revenue?
A) Balban
B) Alauddin Khilji
C) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
D) Iltutmish

Q. The title ‘Zille Ilahi’ (Shadow of God) was adopted by which ruler?
A) Akbar
B) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
C) Balban
D) Alauddin Khilji

Q. The market control policy or ‘Dagh’ system was introduced by which Sultan?
A) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
B) Iltutmish
C) Alauddin Khilji
D) Balban

Q. Who was the first woman to rule Delhi Sultanate?
A) Razia Sultana
B) Nur Jahan
C) Chand Bibi
D) Mumtaz Mahal

Quiz: Mughal Empire and Cultural Contributions
Q. Which Mughal emperor translated the Atharva Veda into Persian?
A) Babur
B) Akbar
C) Jahangir
D) Shah Jahan

Q. The Mansabdari system was introduced by which Mughal ruler?
A) Babur
B) Humayun
C) Akbar
D) Aurangzeb

Q. The ‘Ain-i-Akbari’ and ‘Akbarnama’ were written by:
A) Abdul Fazl
B) Badauni
C) Ibn Battuta
D) Al-Biruni

Q. Which Mughal emperor banned the practice of Sati?
A) Babur
B) Akbar
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb

Q. The Peacock Throne was created during the reign of:
A) Akbar
B) Jahangir
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb

Quiz: Regional Kingdoms and Their Contributions
Q. Who was the founder of the Bahmani Kingdom?
A) Mahmud Gawan
B) Alauddin Bahman Shah
C) Muhammad Shah I
D) Firoz Shah Bahmani

Q. The Vijayanagara Empire was defeated by the combined forces of Deccan Sultanates in which battle?
A) Battle of Talikota
B) Battle of Panipat
C) Battle of Chausa
D) Battle of Khanwa

Q. Which kingdom was known for its maritime trade and naval power in medieval India?
A) Cholas
B) Pandyas
C) Vijayanagara
D) Bahmani

Q. Who was the famous traveler who visited the Vijayanagara Empire during the reign of Devaraya II?
A) Al-Biruni
B) Ibn Battuta
C) Nicolo Conti
D) Marco Polo

Q. The Gol Gumbaz, known for its massive dome, was built by which dynasty?
A) Bahmani
B) Bijapur Sultanate
C) Mughal
D) Chalukya

Quiz: Bhakti and Sufi Movements
Q. Who among the following was a pioneer of the Bhakti movement in North India?
A) Tulsidas
B) Kabir
C) Ramananda
D) Mirabai

Q. The Chishti order of Sufism was introduced in India by:
A) Nizamuddin Auliya
B) Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti
C) Baba Farid
D) Shah Waliullah

Q. Which Bhakti saint preached the unity of Hindus and Muslims and composed in Hindi?
A) Surdas
B) Tulsidas
C) Kabir
D) Namdev

Q. The famous work ‘Ramcharitmanas’ was composed by:
A) Surdas
B) Tulsidas
C) Kabir
D) Mirabai

Q. Who among the following was a woman saint of the Bhakti movement?
A) Andal
B) Mirabai
C) Akka Mahadevi
D) All of the above

Quiz: Administration, Economy, and Society
Q. The term ‘Patta’ and ‘Qabuliyat’ related to land revenue system was introduced by:
A) Akbar
B) Sher Shah Suri
C) Alauddin Khilji
D) Firoz Shah Tughlaq

Q. The concept of ‘Jagirdari’ system became prominent under which dynasty?
A) Delhi Sultanate
B) Mughals
C) Vijayanagara
D) Cholas

Q. Who introduced the currency system of ‘Rupiya’ in medieval India?
A) Akbar
B) Sher Shah Suri
C) Alauddin Khilji
D) Balban

Q. The largest number of foreign travelers visited India during the reign of:
A) Babur
B) Akbar
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb

Q. The ‘Iqtadari’ system was related to:
A) Land Revenue
B) Military Assignments
C) Judicial Administration
D) Trade and Commerce

Answer and Explanations:

Quiz: Delhi Sultanate and its Administration
B) Balban – He introduced Nauroz to establish Persian cultural influence and assert royal authority.
C) Muhammad bin Tughlaq – To recover arrears and maintain financial stability.
C) Balban – Adopted ‘Zille Ilahi’ to strengthen his authority as a divine ruler.
C) Alauddin Khilji – Implemented market control to prevent price inflation and ensure affordability for his army.
A) Razia Sultana – The only female ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, known for her administrative skills.

Quiz: Mughal Empire and Cultural Contributions
B) Akbar – To promote religious harmony and understanding.
C) Akbar – Introduced the Mansabdari system for efficient military and civil administration.
A) Abdul Fazl – A court historian and close advisor to Akbar.
B) Akbar – Took progressive social reforms, including banning Sati.
C) Shah Jahan – Known for architectural marvels, including the Peacock Throne.

Quiz: Regional Kingdoms and Their Contributions
B) Alauddin Bahman Shah – He founded the Bahmani Kingdom after revolting against the Delhi Sultanate.
A) Battle of Talikota – Marked the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire.
A) Cholas – Noted for their powerful navy and overseas trade.
C) Nicolo Conti – An Italian traveler who documented the prosperity of the Vijayanagara Empire.
B) Bijapur Sultanate – Gol Gumbaz is a prominent architectural achievement of Bijapur.

Quiz: Bhakti and Sufi Movements
C) Ramananda – He emphasized personal devotion (Bhakti) and was an early leader in North India.
B) Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti – Established the Chishti order, emphasizing love and tolerance.
C) Kabir – Preached unity beyond religious boundaries in his dohas (couplets).
B) Tulsidas – Composed the ‘Ramcharitmanas’ in Awadhi, making Ramayana accessible to common people.
D) All of the above – Andal, Mirabai, and Akka Mahadevi were all influential women saints in the Bhakti movement.

Quiz: Administration, Economy, and Society
B) Sher Shah Suri – Introduced ‘Patta’ (land title) and ‘Qabuliyat’ (agreement) to streamline revenue collection.
B) Mughals – The Jagirdari system was used for military administration and revenue collection.
B) Sher Shah Suri – Standardized the currency system with silver Rupiya, influencing later Mughal coinage.
B) Akbar – His religious tolerance and prosperous empire attracted many foreign travelers.
B) Military Assignments – The Iqtadari system assigned land to officials for revenue collection in exchange for military services.

Quiz: Revolt of 1857 and its Impact
Q. Who was the Governor-General of India during the Revolt of 1857?
A) Lord Dalhousie
B) Lord Canning
C) Lord Ripon
D) Lord Curzon

Q. The Doctrine of Lapse, a key cause of the 1857 Revolt, was introduced by:
A) Lord Wellesley
B) Lord Hastings
C) Lord Dalhousie
D) Lord Canning

Q. Who was proclaimed the Emperor of India by the rebels during the 1857 Revolt?
A) Nana Sahib
B) Bahadur Shah II
C) Rani Lakshmibai
D) Tantia Tope

Q. Which of the following was NOT a center of the Revolt of 1857?
A) Kanpur
B) Lucknow
C) Delhi
D) Madras

Q. Which social reformer criticized the British policy post-1857 for its divide and rule strategy?
A) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
B) Swami Vivekananda
C) Dadabhai Naoroji
D) Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Quiz: Indian National Congress and Freedom Struggle
Q. Who presided over the first session of the Indian National Congress in 1885?
A) W.C. Banerjee
B) Dadabhai Naoroji
C) Surendranath Banerjee
D) A.O. Hume

Q. The Partition of Bengal in 1905 was carried out by:
A) Lord Curzon
B) Lord Minto
C) Lord Ripon
D) Lord Hardinge

Q. The Surat Split in 1907 was mainly due to differences between:
A) Extremists and Moderates
B) Hindus and Muslims
C) Peasants and Zamindars
D) Educated and Illiterate leaders

Q. Who was the leader of the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal?
A) Bipin Chandra Pal
B) Lala Lajpat Rai
C) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
D) Mahatma Gandhi

Q. The Indian National Congress adopted the Purna Swaraj resolution in which session?
A) Calcutta, 1928
B) Lahore, 1929
C) Karachi, 1931
D) Bombay, 1934

Quiz: Gandhian Era and Mass Movements
Q. Gandhi’s first major satyagraha in India was for:
A) Indigo farmers in Champaran
B) Mill workers in Ahmedabad
C) Salt tax protest in Dandi
D) Anti-Rowlatt Act protest

Q. The Non-Cooperation Movement was withdrawn due to:
A) Jallianwala Bagh massacre
B) Chauri Chaura incident
C) Gandhi-Irwin Pact
D) Simon Commission arrival

Q. Who was called the ‘Lion of Gujarat’ and actively participated in the Salt Satyagraha?
A) Vallabhbhai Patel
B) Morarji Desai
C) C. Rajagopalachari
D) Rajendra Prasad

Q. The Civil Disobedience Movement was relaunched by Gandhi after:
A) Gandhi-Irwin Pact failure
B) Simon Commission Report
C) Second Round Table Conference
D) Quit India Movement call

Q. Who coined the term ‘Quit India’ during the 1942 movement?
A) Mahatma Gandhi
B) Yusuf Meherally
C) Jawaharlal Nehru
D) Subhas Chandra Bose

Quiz: Revolutionary Movements and Leaders
Q. Who founded the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA)?
A) Bhagat Singh
B) Chandrashekhar Azad
C) Sukhdev
D) Ram Prasad Bismil

Q. The Kakori Train Robbery was organized by:
A) Anushilan Samiti
B) HSRA
C) Ghadar Party
D) Indian National Army

Q. Who authored the book ‘Why I am an Atheist’?
A) Bhagat Singh
B) Chandrashekhar Azad
C) Sukhdev
D) Ram Prasad Bismil

Q. The Ghadar Party was founded in:
A) India
B) USA
C) England
D) Canada

Q. Who was the founder of the Indian Independence League?
A) Rash Behari Bose
B) Subhas Chandra Bose
C) Bhagat Singh
D) Chandrashekhar Azad

Quiz: Constitutional Reforms and Indian Independence
Q. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms were introduced in which year?
A) 1909
B) 1919
C) 1935
D) 1947

Q. Which Act provided for the establishment of a federal structure in India?
A) Indian Councils Act, 1909
B) Government of India Act, 1919
C) Government of India Act, 1935
D) Indian Independence Act, 1947

Q. The Cripps Mission was sent to India during which event?
A) Non-Cooperation Movement
B) Civil Disobedience Movement
C) Quit India Movement
D) Cabinet Mission Plan

Q. Who among the following was not a member of the Cabinet Mission?
A) Lord Pethick-Lawrence
B) A.V. Alexander
C) Stafford Cripps
D) Lord Mountbatten

Q. The ‘August Offer’ was announced by:
A) Lord Linlithgow
B) Lord Wavell
C) Lord Mountbatten
D) Lord Irwin

Answer and Explanations:
Quiz: Revolt of 1857 and its Impact
B) Lord Canning – He was the Governor-General during the Revolt of 1857.
C) Lord Dalhousie – Introduced the Doctrine of Lapse, a major cause of the revolt.
B) Bahadur Shah II – Proclaimed as the Emperor of India by the rebels.
D) Madras – Was not a center of the Revolt of 1857.
C) Dadabhai Naoroji – Criticized the British divide and rule policy post-1857.

Quiz: Indian National Congress and Freedom Struggle
A) W.C. Banerjee – Presided over the first session in 1885.
A) Lord Curzon – Partitioned Bengal in 1905.
A) Extremists and Moderates – Main reason for the Surat Split.
A) Bipin Chandra Pal – Leader of the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal.
B) Lahore, 1929 – Purna Swaraj resolution was adopted here.

Quiz: Gandhian Era and Mass Movements
A) Indigo farmers in Champaran – Gandhi’s first satyagraha in India.
B) Chauri Chaura incident – Led to the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
A) Vallabhbhai Patel – Known as the ‘Lion of Gujarat.’
C) Second Round Table Conference – Relaunched Civil Disobedience Movement.
B) Yusuf Meherally – Coined the term ‘Quit India.’

Quiz: Revolutionary Movements and Leaders
A) Bhagat Singh – Co-founded HSRA with Chandrashekhar Azad.
B) HSRA – Organized the Kakori Train Robbery.
A) Bhagat Singh – Wrote ‘Why I am an Atheist.’
B) USA – Ghadar Party was founded here.
A) Rash Behari Bose – Founded the Indian Independence League.

Quiz: Constitutional Reforms and Indian Independence
B) 1919 – Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms were introduced.
C) Government of India Act, 1935 – Provided for a federal structure.
C) Quit India Movement – Cripps Mission was sent during this event.
D) Lord Mountbatten – Not a member of the Cabinet Mission.
A) Lord Linlithgow – Announced the ‘August Offer.’

75 History Quiz

75 History Quiz

75 History Quiz