GK — Indian History & Polity

1. The First War of Indian Independence took place in:

• A. 1847
• B. 1857 (Correct)
• C. 1867
• D. 1877

Explanation: The Revolt of 1857, also known as the First War of Indian Independence or the Sepoy Mutiny, began on 10 May 1857 at Meerut.

2. Who founded the Indian National Congress in 1885?

• A. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
• B. A.O. Hume (Correct)
• C. Dadabhai Naoroji
• D. Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Explanation: A.O. Hume (Allan Octavian Hume), a retired British civil servant, founded the Indian National Congress in 1885.

3. The Indian Constitution came into force on:

• A. 15 August 1947
• B. 26 November 1949
• C. 26 January 1950 (Correct)
• D. 26 January 1952

Explanation: The Constitution of India was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950 — celebrated as Republic Day.

4. How many Fundamental Rights are guaranteed by the Indian Constitution?

• A. 5
• B. 6 (Correct)
• C. 7
• D. 8

Explanation: The Indian Constitution guarantees 6 Fundamental Rights: Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, and Right to Constitutional Remedies.

5. The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi in:

• A. 1919
• B. 1920 (Correct)
• C. 1922
• D. 1930

Explanation: The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in September 1920. It was called off after the Chauri Chaura incident in February 1922.

6. India is a:

• A. Federation
• B. Confederation
• C. Unitary State
• D. Quasi-federal State (Correct)

Explanation: India is described as a 'Union of States' — it is quasi-federal: strong central government with federal features.

7. Who was the Governor-General of India at the time of Partition in 1947?

• A. Lord Wavell
• B. Lord Mountbatten (Correct)
• C. C. Rajagopalachari
• D. Lord Irwin

Explanation: Lord Mountbatten was the last Viceroy and first Governor-General of independent India (1947). C. Rajagopalachari succeeded him.

8. Mahatma Gandhi was born on:

• A. 2 October 1869 (Correct)
• B. 2 October 1879
• C. 15 August 1869
• D. 30 January 1869

Explanation: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat. 2 October is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti and International Non-Violence Day.

9. The Supreme Court of India was established in:

• A. 1935
• B. 1947
• C. 1950 (Correct)
• D. 1952

Explanation: The Supreme Court of India came into being on 28 January 1950, replacing the Federal Court of India that existed under the Government of India Act 1935.

10. The Poona Pact (1932) was an agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and:

• A. Mohammad Ali Jinnah
• B. B.R. Ambedkar (Correct)
• C. Jawaharlal Nehru
• D. Lord Irwin

Explanation: The Poona Pact (24 September 1932) was signed between Gandhi and Ambedkar, abandoning separate electorates for Depressed Classes in favour of reserved seats in general electorates.

11. Article 21 of the Indian Constitution deals with:

• A. Right to Equality
• B. Right to Freedom of Speech
• C. Protection of Life and Personal Liberty (Correct)
• D. Right to Education

Explanation: Article 21 states: 'No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.'

12. Delhi became the capital of India in:

• A. 1857
• B. 1905
• C. 1911 (Correct)
• D. 1947

Explanation: Delhi was declared the capital of British India in December 1911 during the Delhi Durbar, replacing Calcutta (Kolkata).

13. The Battle of Plassey (1757) was fought between the British East India Company and:

• A. Hyder Ali
• B. Siraj ud-Daulah (Correct)
• C. Tipu Sultan
• D. Mir Qasim

Explanation: The Battle of Plassey (23 June 1757) saw Robert Clive defeat Siraj ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, establishing British dominance in India.

14. The Chief Election Commissioner of India is appointed by:

• A. Prime Minister
• B. President of India (Correct)
• C. Chief Justice of India
• D. Parliament

Explanation: The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners are appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Prime Minister.

15. The Lahore Session of INC (1929) was presided over by:

• A. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
• B. Jawaharlal Nehru (Correct)
• C. Mahatma Gandhi
• D. Moti Lal Nehru

Explanation: The historic Lahore Session (December 1929), presided by Nehru, passed the Purna Swaraj (complete independence) resolution and declared 26 January as Independence Day.

16. The Rajya Sabha can have a maximum of how many members?

• A. 238
• B. 245
• C. 250 (Correct)
• D. 260

Explanation: The Rajya Sabha can have a maximum of 250 members — 238 elected by State/UT legislatures and 12 nominated by the President.

17. Who authored 'Arthashastra'?

• A. Ashoka
• B. Chandragupta Maurya
• C. Kautilya (Chanakya) (Correct)
• D. Kalidasa

Explanation: Arthashastra is an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy attributed to Kautilya (also known as Chanakya), the prime minister of Chandragupta Maurya.

18. The Red Fort in Delhi was built by Mughal Emperor:

• A. Akbar
• B. Humayun
• C. Shah Jahan (Correct)
• D. Aurangzeb

Explanation: The Red Fort (Lal Qila) was built by Shah Jahan and served as the main residence of Mughal emperors from 1648 to 1857.

19. How many schedules does the Indian Constitution have (currently)?

• A. 8
• B. 10
• C. 12 (Correct)
• D. 14

Explanation: The Indian Constitution currently has 12 Schedules (originally had 8; additional schedules were added through amendments).

20. Operation Blue Star (1984) was conducted at:

• A. Amritsar (Correct)
• B. Chandigarh
• C. Ludhiana
• D. Patiala

Explanation: Operation Blue Star (June 1984) was a military operation ordered by PM Indira Gandhi to remove Sikh separatists from the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar.

21. The concept of Panchayati Raj was introduced in India through which amendment?

• A. 42nd
• B. 44th
• C. 73rd (Correct)
• D. 86th

Explanation: The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions, adding Part IX to the Constitution.

22. Who gave the slogan 'Do or Die'?

• A. Jawaharlal Nehru
• B. Subhas Chandra Bose
• C. Mahatma Gandhi (Correct)
• D. Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Explanation: Gandhi gave the 'Do or Die' slogan at the Bombay session of the INC on 8 August 1942, launching the Quit India Movement.

23. Which committee recommended the three-tier Panchayati Raj system?

• A. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (Correct)
• B. Ashok Mehta Committee
• C. L.M. Singhvi Committee
• D. G.V.K. Rao Committee

Explanation: The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957) recommended a three-tier Panchayati Raj system: village level, block level, and district level.

24. Qutub Minar in Delhi was built by:

• A. Alauddin Khilji
• B. Qutub-ud-din Aibak (Correct)
• C. Iltutmish
• D. Balban

Explanation: Qutub Minar's construction was started by Qutb ud-Din Aibak in 1193. It was completed by Iltutmish. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

25. The Morley-Minto Reforms (1909) introduced:

• A. Dyarchy
• B. Separate electorates for Muslims (Correct)
• C. Provincial Autonomy
• D. Bicameral Legislature

Explanation: The Indian Councils Act 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms) introduced separate electorates for Muslims — a significant step towards communal politics.