Most important Questions on History with suggested answers for the preparation of Competitive Exams in 2025

Most important Questions on History with suggested answers for the preparation of Competitive Exams in 2025

History Set-2 (CDS)

History Questions with Answers

1. Who was the first Prime Minister of India?

Jawaharlal Nehru – First PM of independent India (1947–64).

2. Who founded the Maurya Empire?

Chandragupta Maurya – Founded Maurya Empire (321 BCE) with Chanakya’s guidance.

3. The Quit India Movement was launched in:

1942 – Quit India Movement launched by Gandhi (August 8, Bombay).

4. Which of the following sites is known for its extensive water management system, including large reservoirs and dams, indicating a sophisticated understanding of hydraulics by the Indus Valley Civilization?

Dholavira – Indus site in Gujarat with advanced water reservoirs.

5. The famous “Dancing Girl” sculpture in bronze belongs to which of the following civilizations?

Indus Valley Civilization (Mohenjo-daro) – Bronze “Dancing Girl” c. 2500 BCE.

6. The Rig Veda consists of how many hymns?

1,028 hymns – Rig Veda, oldest Veda.

7. Which of the following Vedic gods was considered the “Lord of Thunder and Rain” and was frequently invoked in hymns?

Indra – Vedic god of thunder, rain, and war.

8. The term “Mahajanapadas” refers to:

Sixteen large states (6th century BCE) – Known as Mahajanapadas.

9. Who was the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism?

Mahavira (Vardhamana) – 24th Tirthankara of Jainism.

10. The first Buddhist Council was held at which of the following places?

Rajgir (Rajagriha) – First Buddhist Council after Buddha’s death.

11. The Battle of Hydaspes was fought between Alexander the Great and which

King Porus (Puru) – Fought Alexander at Hydaspes (326 BCE).

12. Who authored the “Arthashastra,” a treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and The rock edicts of Ashoka predominantly used which script?

Kautilya (Chanakya) wrote Arthashastra | Brahmi script used in Ashokan edicts.

13. Which Gupta ruler was known as “Vikramaditya” and his reign is often referred to as the “Golden Age” of ancient India?

Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) – His reign = Gupta Golden Age.

14. The famous Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien visited India during the reign of which Gupta emperor?

Chandragupta II – Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien visited India during his reign.

15. Nalanda University, a renowned center of learning in ancient India, was founded by which of the following Gupta rulers?

Kumaragupta I – Founded Nalanda University (5th century CE).

16. The “Aihole Inscription” provides valuable information about the achievements of which Chalukya ruler?

Pulakeshin II – Aihole inscription by Ravikirti records his victories.

17. The famous Sun Temple at Konark was built by which dynasty?

Eastern Ganga Dynasty – Narasimhadeva I built Konark Sun Temple (13th c.).

18. Who was the first Muslim invader to successfully establish a kingdom in India?

Muhammad Ghori – Defeated Prithviraj Chauhan (1192) → Delhi Sultanate.

19. The Qutub Minar in Delhi was largely completed by which Delhi Sultanate ruler?

Iltutmish – Completed most of Qutub Minar (started by Aibak).

20. The market control policy of the Delhi Sultanate was introduced by which ruler?

Alauddin Khilji – Introduced market control system.

21. Who was the traveler from Morocco whose travelogue “Rihla” provides valuable insights into the Delhi Sultanate period?

Ibn Battuta – Moroccan traveler, wrote Rihla, visited under Muhammad bin Tughlaq.

22. The Vijayanagara Empire was founded by Harihara and Bukka in which year?

1336 CE – Vijayanagara Empire founded by Harihara & Bukka.

23. Which famous battle marked the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire?

Battle of Talikota (1565) – Vijayanagara defeated by Deccan Sultanates.

24. The Lodi Dynasty was founded by which of the following rulers?

Bahlul Lodi – Founded the Lodi dynasty (1451).

25. The First Battle of Panipat (1526) was fought between Babur and which Lodi Sultan?

Ibrahim Lodi – Defeated by Babur in 1st Battle of Panipat (1526).

26. Akbar’s Din-i-Ilahi was a new religious path aimed at promoting harmony among different faiths. Which of the following statements about it is correct?

Din-i-Ilahi failed, few followers – Akbar’s attempt at religious unity.

27. The Mansabdari system, a unique administrative system of the Mughal Empire, was introduced by which emperor?

Akbar – Introduced Mansabdari system.

28. The famous poet Tulsidas, author of “Ramcharitmanas,” was a contemporary of which Mughal emperor?

Akbar – Tulsidas (author of Ramcharitmanas) was his contemporary.

29. Which Mughal emperor is known for building the magnificent Taj Mahal?

Shah Jahan – Built Taj Mahal (1632–53).

30. Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire, belonged to which clan?

Bhonsle clan – Shivaji’s Maratha lineage.

31. The “Ashtapradhan,” a council of eight ministers, was a key feature of the administration under which ruler?

Shivaji Maharaj – Created Ashtapradhan (council of 8 ministers).

32. The Persian traveler Abdur Razzaq visited the court of which Vijayanagara ruler?

Deva Raya II – Abdur Razzaq visited Vijayanagara court (1440s).

33. Which European power was the first to establish a trading post in India?

Portuguese – First Europeans to establish trading post (Calicut, 1498).

34. The Battle of Plassey (1757) was fought between the British East India Company and which Nawab of Bengal?

Siraj-ud-Daulah – Defeated at Battle of Plassey (1757).

35. Who introduced the Dual Government in Bengal?

Robert Clive – Introduced Dual Government in Bengal (1765–72).

36. The Permanent Settlement of land revenue was introduced in Bengal by which Governor-General?

Lord Cornwallis – Introduced Permanent Settlement (1793).

37. The Doctrine of Lapse, which led to the annexation of several Indian states, was introduced by:

Lord Dalhousie – Doctrine of Lapse annexation policy.

38. Who was the Governor-General of India during the Revolt of 1857?

Lord Canning – Governor-General during Revolt of 1857.

39. The Indian National Congress was founded in which year?

1885 – Indian National Congress founded at Bombay.

40. Who is known as the “Father of Indian Renaissance”?

Raja Ram Mohan Roy – Called “Father of Indian Renaissance.”

41. The Partition of Bengal in 1905 was orchestrated by which Viceroy of India?

Lord Curzon – Orchestrated Bengal Partition (1905).

42. The Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha) was launched by Mahatma Gandhi in which year?

1930 – Gandhi’s Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha).

43. Who was the founder of the Ghadar Party in North America?

Lala Hardayal – Founded Ghadar Party (1913, North America).

44. The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre took place in which year?

1919 – Jallianwala Bagh massacre at Amritsar (General Dyer).

45. The “Poorna Swaraj” (Complete Independence) resolution was passed by the Indian National Congress at its session in:

1929, Lahore Session – INC passed Poorna Swaraj resolution.

46. The Battle of Plassey (1757) was fought between:

British East India Company vs Siraj-ud-Daulah – Plassey (1757).

47. The founder of the Brahmo Samaj was:

Raja Ram Mohan Roy – Founded Brahmo Samaj (1828).

48. The Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by:

Lord Dalhousie – Introduced Doctrine of Lapse

49. The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in:

1885, Bombay (Gokuldas Tejpal Hall) – 1st INC session, presided by W.C. Bonnerjee.

50. The Permanent Settlement was introduced in:

1793, Bengal by Lord Cornwallis – Permanent Settlement (zamindari system).

51. The Chola Empire is famous for:

• Dravidian temple architecture (Brihadeshwara Temple)
• Strong navy (Indian Ocean trade)
• Bronze sculpture art
• Efficient local self-government