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History of India: GK questions and answers

These questions walk through Indian history from the Indus Valley to independence: the great rulers, the famous battles and the leaders and slogans of the freedom struggle.

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Ten questions picked at random from this topic, four choices each. Or go through every question as flash cards.

20 questions on history of India

  1. Harappa and Mohenjo-daro were cities of which civilisation? Indus Valley Civilisation
  2. Who founded the Maurya Empire? Chandragupta Maurya He was guided by his teacher Chanakya (Kautilya).
  3. After which war did Emperor Ashoka give up violence? Kalinga War
  4. Which period is often called the "Golden Age" of ancient India? Gupta period
  5. Who founded the Mughal Empire in India? Babur He won the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.
  6. Which Mughal emperor built the Taj Mahal? Shah Jahan He built it in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
  7. In which year was the First Battle of Panipat fought? 1526 It was fought between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi.
  8. The Battle of Plassey was fought in which year? 1757 It opened the way for British rule in Bengal.
  9. In which year did the Revolt of 1857, also called the First War of Independence, begin? 1857
  10. In which year was the Indian National Congress founded? 1885
  11. In which year did the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy take place? 1919 It happened in Amritsar on 13 April 1919.
  12. The Dandi March of 1930 was a protest against the tax on what? Salt
  13. In which year was the Quit India Movement launched? 1942
  14. Who gave the slogan "Do or Die"? Mahatma Gandhi He gave it during the Quit India Movement.
  15. Who said "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it"? Bal Gangadhar Tilak
  16. Who gave the call "Dilli Chalo" to the soldiers of the Azad Hind Fauj? Subhas Chandra Bose He is lovingly called Netaji.
  17. Who is known as the "Iron Man of India"? Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel He united the princely states into the Indian Union.
  18. Who was the first Prime Minister of independent India? Jawaharlal Nehru
  19. Who was the first President of India? Dr Rajendra Prasad
  20. Who gave the slogan "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan"? Lal Bahadur Shastri

These are well-established facts, written in our own words and last checked on 11 November 2026. If your textbook says something different, follow your textbook and tell us.

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