Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is Ganges and Gandak.

• Sonepur Cattle Fair is held on Kartik Poornima in the month of November- December in Sonepur, Bihar, on the confluence of river Ganges and Gandak.

Key Points

• It is also known as Harihar Kshetra Mela and it attracts visitors from all over Asia.
• To date, it is the biggest cattle fair in Asia and stretches from fifteen days to one month.
• It historically began when Chandragupta Maurya (340 - 297 BCE) bought elephants and horses across the river Ganges.
• The Sonepur Cattle Fair used to attract traders from places as far away as Central Asia.

The correct answer is 1919.

• The Rowlatt Satyagraha was a national protest against Rowlatt Act introduced in 1919.
• The Rowlatt Act was passed on 6^th February 1919.
• Rowlatt Satyagraha was founded in 1919 by Mahatma Gandhi.
• Gandhiji became a true national leader as a result of the Rowlatt Satyagraha.
• The Rowlatt Act gave the British government the ability to arrest and imprison anyone for no cause.
• The Rowlatt Act was officially known as the "anarchical and revolutionary offenses act."
• Gandhiji referred to the Rowlatt Act as a "black act."
• On April 6, 1919, Mahatma Gandhi resolved to fight the Rowlatt Act and issued a call for satyagraha.
• The British viceroy who approved the Rowlatt Act was Lord Chelmsford.

The correct answer is Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan.

Key Points

• Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was a prominent political and spiritual leader known for his non-violent opposition to British rule in India.
• He was also referred to as the "Frontier Gandhi" due to his close association with Mahatma Gandhi and his adherence to Gandhian principles of non-violence.
• He founded the Khudai Khidmatgar ("Servants of God") movement in 1929, which advocated for the rights and welfare of the Pathans (Pashtuns) and promoted social reform and non-violent resistance.
• Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement and continued to advocate for peace and unity even after India gained independence.

Additional Information

• Rabindranath Tagore
• He was a renowned Bengali poet, philosopher, and polymath who reshaped Bengali literature and music in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.
• Tagore became the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his collection of poems titled "Gitanjali".
• He is also the author of the Indian national anthem "Jana Gana Mana".
• Gopal Krishna Gokhale
• He was a senior leader of the Indian National Congress and a social reformer who played a significant role in the early stages of India's independence movement.
• Gokhale was a mentor to Mahatma Gandhi and a proponent of moderate and constitutional methods of political agitation.
• He founded the Servants of India Society in 1905 to promote education and social reform.
• Subhash Chandra Bose
• He was a prominent Indian nationalist leader who advocated for complete independence from British rule.
• Bose was known for his militant approach and founded the Indian National Army (INA) to fight against British forces during World War II.
• He is often referred to as "Netaji" and is remembered for his famous slogan, "Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom!".

The correct answer is Varuna.

Key Points

• Varuna is a naval combat exercise between India and France.
• The Indian and French navies have been conducting bilateral maritime exercises since 1993.

Additional Information

• Bilateral Exercise with other Countries:

• About Varuna Exercise 2021:
• This is the first time the United Arab Emirates (UAE) participated in the Varuna maritime exercise.
• Its objective is to contribute to the stability of these strategic areas and to strengthen cooperation with the navies of partner countries, in particular India, for the Indian Ocean component.
• The exercise was seen with high-speed naval operations at sea, including advanced anti-aircraft and anti-submarine exercises, tactical maneuvers, ongoing force resupply, and other operations, other maritime security operations.

The correct answer is USA.

Key Points

• The Ghadar Party was an organization founded by Indian immigrants in the USA.
• It was established in 1913 in San Francisco, California.
• The party aimed to secure India's independence from British rule through armed rebellion.
• The members were primarily Sikhs, but it also included Hindus and Muslims.
• The Ghadar Party published a newspaper called ‘Ghadar’ to promote revolutionary activities.
• The party received support from other immigrant communities and the broader Indian diaspora.
• It played a significant role in inspiring subsequent movements for Indian independence.

 Additional Information

• Turkey
• Turkey has no significant historical connection with the Ghadar Party or Indian revolutionary activities.
• Britain
• While Britain was the colonizing power in India, it was not the location for the establishment of the Ghadar Party.
• Many Indian revolutionary activities, however, did take place in Britain.
• Ireland
• Ireland has its own history of rebellion against British rule, but it was not directly involved in the establishment of the Ghadar Party.
• Some Irish revolutionaries did inspire Indian revolutionaries, but the Ghadar Party was not established there.

The correct answer is Kaimur

In News

• The central government has granted in-principle approval for Bihar's second tiger reserve in Kaimur district, following a proposal from the Bihar government to convert Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) into a tiger reserve.

Key Points

• The Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran district was the only existing tiger reserve in Bihar, currently housing 54 tigers, exceeding its capacity of 45.
• The state's Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister, Prem Kumar, emphasized this decision as a significant advancement for wildlife protection in Bihar, although additional technical approvals from the Centre are still needed for the formal declaration.
• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) provided its in-principle approval during its 12^th meeting, responding to the increasing tiger population at VTR.
• Plans for the Kaimur Tiger Reserve include a buffer zone around the Shergarh Fort, a tourist attraction, while excluding 58 nearby villages from the core zone based on NTCA feedback.
• The forest department has designated 450 square kilometers of forest as prime tiger habitat for the new reserve, reduced from an initial proposal of 900 square kilometers.
• The establishment of the Kaimur Tiger Reserve was prompted by the surge in VTR's tiger population, which has grown from 31 in 2018, as highlighted in the Status of Tigers Report 2022 by NTCA and the Wildlife Institute of India.
• The initiative to recognize Kaimur as a tiger reserve gained traction in 2018 after reports of tiger presence, including pugmarks and prey remains, were confirmed by former Kaimur District Forest Officer Satyajeet Kumar, leading to an evaluation by wildlife experts.

The correct answer is XIII.

Key Points

• The Kalinga War is mentioned in the Major Rock Edict XIII of Ashoka.
• This edict provides details about the war, its aftermath, and Ashoka's remorse over the bloodshed and suffering caused.
• Edict XIII also highlights Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism and his efforts towards spreading Dhamma (moral law).
• The edict emphasizes Ashoka's change of heart and his dedication towards non-violence and the welfare of his subjects.

Additional Information

• Major Rock Edicts of Ashoka
• The Major Rock Edicts are a set of 14 inscriptions that were issued by Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty around 250 BCE.
• These edicts are found across various parts of the Indian subcontinent, including modern-day India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
• The edicts focus on ethical and moral teachings, emphasizing non-violence, tolerance, and respect for all forms of life.
• Ashoka's edicts also promote social welfare, justice, and the importance of following the Dhamma.
• Kalinga War
• The Kalinga War was fought between the Mauryan Empire under Ashoka and the state of Kalinga (present-day Odisha) around 261 BCE.
• The war is renowned for its massive scale and the significant loss of life and suffering it caused.
• Ashoka's experience in the aftermath of the war led to his deep remorse and a transformative shift in his beliefs.
• The Kalinga War played a pivotal role in Ashoka's adoption of Buddhism and his subsequent efforts to promote peace and non-violence.
• Ashoka the Great
• Ashoka was the third emperor of the Maurya Dynasty, ruling from approximately 268 to 232 BCE.
• He is widely remembered for his role in spreading Buddhism and his emphasis on moral governance.
• Ashoka's reign marked a period of significant cultural and religious transformation in ancient India.
• His legacy is celebrated for his contributions to the promotion of non-violence, social welfare, and the spread of Buddhist teachings.

The correct answer is Mahi.

Key Points

• River Mahi:
• Mahi river rises in Madhya Pradesh and flows into the Arabian Sea after flowing through the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
• It is the river that crosses the tropic of cancer twice.
• River Narmada:
• It is the largest west flowing river.
• It acts as the boundary between North and South India.
• It originates in the Amarkantak plateau, where the Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges meet.
• It flows through the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat before emptying into the Arabian sea.
• River Tapti:
• It is a river in central India, located to the south of the Narmada river, and drains into the Arabian Sea.
• The Tapti River is located in Madhya Pradesh.
• River Chambal:
• It originates at Singar Chouri peak in Vindhya ranges in Madhya Pradesh.
• It is a tributary of the Yamuna River.
• It lies in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

The correct answer is Jeevika Health Insurance Scheme.

Key Points

• The Jeevika Health Insurance Scheme is an initiative by the Bihar government aimed at providing health insurance coverage to rural households.
• It primarily focuses on families associated with self-help groups (SHGs) under the Jeevika program.
• The scheme offers financial assistance for healthcare expenses, ensuring access to quality medical services for economically weaker sections.
• It is part of the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS) initiative, which aims to reduce healthcare-related financial burdens on rural communities.
• This scheme is an important step towards improving healthcare accessibility in rural Bihar, aligning with state-level efforts to support marginalized populations.

Additional Information

• Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS):
• BRLPS is an autonomous body under the Bihar government, implementing the Jeevika program to promote sustainable livelihoods.
• It works to empower rural communities through self-help groups and various socio-economic initiatives.
• The Jeevika Health Insurance Scheme is one of its key healthcare-focused efforts.
• Self-Help Groups (SHGs):
• SHGs are small voluntary associations of people, often women, formed to address economic and social challenges collectively.
• Under the Jeevika program, SHGs play a critical role in accessing health insurance benefits for their members.
• Health Insurance in India:
• Health insurance schemes like Ayushman Bharat aim to provide financial protection against medical expenses.
• State-level schemes, such as Jeevika, complement national programs by addressing specific local needs.
• Challenges in Rural Healthcare:
• Lack of access to quality medical facilities and financial barriers are key challenges in rural India.
• Schemes like Jeevika address these issues by reducing the economic burden and improving healthcare accessibility.

The correct answer is Humayun.

• Humayun was the eldest son of Babur.
• Humayun (1530 AD-1540 AD and 1555 AD-1556 AD):
• He was the eldest son of Babur and ascended the throne in 1530 AD.
• His birth name was Nasir al-Din Muhammad.
• Kamran, Hindal and Askari were brothers of Humayun.
• Battle of Chausa (1539 AD) was fought between Sher Shah and Humayun’s army and Humayun was defeated.
• Humayun was again defeated by Sher Shah in the Battle of Kannauj (Bilgrama) (1540 AD).
• Shah Jahan was the son of Jahangir.
• Akbar was the son of Humayun.
• Changez Khan was the founder of the Mongol Empire.