Sixteen Mahajanapadas Quiz

 Q.1. In ancient India the only Mahajanapada to be located in south India was 

(A) Kamboja

(B) Asmaka

(C) Matsya 

(D) Surasena

Q.2. The capital of Panchala Mahajanapada was Ahichatra which is in the state of 

(A) Bihar

(B) Punjab

(C) Uttar Pradesh

(D) Gujarat

Q.3. Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?  

(1) Gandhara

(2) Avanti

(3) Magadha

(4) Kosala

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(A) 1, 2 and 3

(B) 2 and 4

(C) 3 and 4 

(D) 1, 3 and 4

Q.4. Which among the following was the capital of Mahajanapada of Vatsa?

(A) Kausambi

(B) Viratnagar

(C) Kusinara

(D) Rajapura

Q.5. Which of the following Buddhist text has referred to the existence of the 16 Mahajanapadas on the sixth century BC?

(A) Khuddaka Nikaya 

(B) Anguttara Nikaya

(C) Sutta Piṭaka

(D) None of the above

Answer

Q. 1. - B

Asmaka or Assaka is one of the 16 Janapadas that existed in the sixth century BC in ancient India. It included areas in present-day Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. 

The capital of the Assaka was Potana or Potali. It is identified with present-day Bodhan in Telangana. 

The ancient Assaka janapada was located along the Godavari river 

Q.2. - C

Capital of Panchala was Ahichatra (also known as Adhichhatra and Chhatravati, near present-day Aonla) tehsil of Bareilly district in Uttar Pradesh. 

Q.3. - C

A large number of Buddha's sermons were delivered in Sravasti which served as the ancient capital of Kosala during the reign of king Presenajit.

Q. 4. - A

The capital of Vatsa Mahajanapada was the city of Kauśāmbī or Kosāmbī, on the Yamunā river. 

Q. 5. - B

Angutara Nikaya, a Buddhist Pali scripture mentions 16 great kingdoms or Mahajanapadas at the beginning of the 6th century BCE in India. 

Ajivikas and Other Ascetics Quiz

Q.1. Ajivika sect was founded by which of the following?

(A) Ajita Kesakambalin

(B) Pūraṇa Kassapa, 

(C) Makkhali Gosala

(D) Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta 

Q.2. Which among the following rulers is associated with the Sudama Caves in Bihar?

(A) Chandragupta Maurya

(B) Bimbisara

(C) Bindusara

(D) Ashoka

Q.3.  "As long as he lives a man should live happily

And drink ghee, though he run into debt,

For when the body is turned to ashes

How can there be any return to life?”

This rejection of after-life is an aphorism of which of the following sects?

(A). Kapalika sect. 

(B) Sunyavada of Nagarjun

(C)  Ajivikas. 

(D) Charvakas

Q.1. Answer: C

Notes: Ajivikas were a religious sect founded in the 5th century BC by Goshala Maskariputra (Makkhali Gosala), a contemporary of the Buddha and Mahavir. 

Q.2. Answer: D

Notes: The 3rd century BC Mauryan emperor Ashoka had dedicated the Sudama cave as evidenced in Brahmi featuring his protocol name (Priyadarsin who brings joy) found at the cave entrance. 

Ashoka had dedicated the caves of Sudama to the "Ajivikas" in the 12th year of his reign. 

Q.3. Answer: D

Notes: Charvaka is an ancient Indian philosophical system which propounded materialism and rejected the notions of an afterlife. According to the Charvaka school of thought, all religious observance and morality were useless. The school encouraged making most of the life and seeking after the happiness that can be found in life.

IT Quiz

Q. 1. The term used to describe an email that is targeting a specific person is known as

(A) Spam

(B) Phishing

(c) Vishing

(D) Spear phishing

 

Q. 2. Machine learning is a subset of which of the following.

(A) Deep learning

(B) Data learning

(C) Artificial intelligence

(D) None of the above

Q. 3. What is the term used when a cybercriminal sends a fraudulent email disguised as being from a legitimate, trusted source?

(A) Trojan

(B) vishing

(C) Phishing

(D) backdoor

 

Q. 4. Who is the father of Machine Learning?

(A) Geoffrey Everest Hinton

(B) Howard Hinton

(C) George Everest

(D) Colin Clarkf

 

Q. 5.Personal Identifiable Information (PII) is used to distinguish one person from another and verify your identity. Which of the following is an example of PII?

(A) ID Number

(B) Date of Birth

(C) Home Address

(D) All of the answers are correct

 

Q. 6.Who is responsible for information security within your company?

(A) IT Security Department

(B) Everyone in the Company

(C) IT Department

(D) Top Management

 

Q. 7. Tailgating is a form of social engineering that allows hackers to:

(A) Watch company’s main gate

(B) Get unauthorized access to restricted area

(C) Watch employees as they leave gates

(D) Follow employee after work

 

Q. 8. Which one of the following can protect a computer from the risk of unwanted emails?

(A) Anti-Spam Software

(B) Anti-Virus Software

(C) Anti-Spyware Software

(D) PC Diagnostic Software

Q. 9. If you want to share a password with someone, what's the best option?

(A) Tell it via the phone

(B) Send a text message

(C) Send it via email

(D) None of the above

 

Q. 10. Which one of the following describes why firewalls are used?

(A) To prevent unauthorised access by incoming transmissions.

(B) To prevent destruction of a computer in the event of a fire.

(C) To enable easy downloading of data from web sites

(D) To detect and disable viruses already on a computer.

Answers

Q.1. Answer: D

Notes: Spear phishing is a phishing method that targets specific persons or targets.

Spear Phishing occurs when a malicious party obtains information about the targeted individuals from websites or social networking sites and customize a phishing scheme to them

Q.2. Answer: C

Notes: Deep learning is a subset of machine learning, and machine learning is a subset of Artificial Intelligence.

Q.3. Answer: C

Notes: Phishing is an email used by cybercriminals who create fraudulent messages that are meant to lure a user into either revealing sensitive or confidential information or installing malware.

Q.4. Answer: A

Notes: Geoffrey Everest Hinton is the father of Machine Learning.

Q.5. Answer: D

Notes: Personally identifiable information (PII) is any data that is used to identify a specific individual. All information that directly or indirectly links to a person is considered PII. One's name, email address, phone number, bank account number, and government-issued ID number are all examples of PII.

Q.6. Answer: B

Notes: Everyone bears the responsibility for information security in an organization?

Q.7. Answer: B

Notes: In information security, tailgating is a social engineering technique used by hackers to deceive organization's officials through direct speech or actions in order to gain access into restricted areas. An example of tailgating is when one person tags along with an authorized employee to access a building or pass a certain checkpoint.

Q.8. Answer: A

Notes: Anti-Spam Software has the potential of protecting your computer from the risk of unwanted emails.

Q.9. Answer: D

Notes: A password is personal data which shouldn't be shared with others.

Q.9. Answer: A

Notes: Firewalls are used to prevent unauthorised access by incoming transmissions.

Vedic Period Quiz - 2

Q.1. Which of the following tribal assemblies completely disappeared during the later Vedic Period?

1. Sabha

2. Samiti

3. Vidhata

Select the correct option from the codes given below:

(A) Only 1

(B) Only 1 and 2

(C) Only 2 and 3

(D) Only 3

Q.2. On the bank of which river the Battle of Ten Kings (Dasrajan Yudha), referred to in the Rig Veda, was fought?

(A) Parushni 

(B) Vitasta

(C) Vipasa

(D) Asikni

Q.3. In which among the following sacrifices, the sacrificial materials used was sura in Vedic Era?

A. Agnistoma

B. Rajasuya

C. Sautramani

D. Vajapeya

Q.4.  The number of hymns (suktas) Rig Veda contains are __.

(A) 1124

(B) 1028

(C) 1149

(D) 1024

Q.5. How many Mandalas were in Rig Vedic Samhita?

(A) 10

(B) 11

(C) 12

(D) 13

Answers:

Q. 1. - D

In later Vedic Period the Rig Vedic assemblies lost importance and royal power increased. The vidatha completely disappeared; the sabha and samiti continued to exist with changed character. 

Q. 2. - A

The Battle of Ten Kings (Dasrajan Yudha), referred to in the Rig Veda, was fought on the bank of the Parushni river (modern Ravi River). This battle pitted the Bharata tribe, led by Sudas, against a coalition of ten other tribes. 

Q. 3. - A 

Agnistoma. In the Vedic Era, the sacrificial material used was "sura" in the Agnistoma sacrifice.

Q.4. - B

Rig Veda consists of 1028 hymns grouped into ten books (mandalas) distributed over 10 chapters known as mandalas. These hymns are addressed to different Gods that included Agni, Indra, Agni and Soma.

Q.5. - A 

Rig Veda is organized in ten "books", or maṇḍalas ("circles"). The first and the tenth mandalas are the youngest. The ninth mandala is entirely dedicated to Soma and the Soma ritual.

Rashtrakuta Empire Quiz

Q. 1. Who among the following was the founder of Rashtrakuta dynasty ?

(A) Dantidurga

(B) Krishna I

(C) Krishna II

(D) Amoghavarsha

Q. 2. Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora was built by 

(A) Krishna I 

(B) Krishna II

(C) Mahendravarman I

(D) Vishnuvardhana II

Q. 3.  Manyakheta (modern Malkhed in Gulbarga (modern Kalaburagi) district in Karnataka) was the capital of the Rasstrakuta dynasty. Which Rashtrakuta ruler transferred regnal capital from Mayurkhandi (in the Bidar district of Karnataka) to Manyakheta.

(A) Govinda II 

(B)  Indra III

(C) Amoghavarsha I (r. 814 – 878 CE)

(D) Amoghavarsha II (r. 929–930 CE) 

Q. 4. Which of the following languages was the mother tongue of Rashtrakutas?

(A) Tamil

(B) Telgu

(C) Malayalam 

(D) Kannad

Q. 5. At the court of which Rashtraluta ruler did Halayudha, author of ancient Sanskrit text Kavirahasya, reside?

(A) Govinda II

(B) Indra III

(C) Amoghavarsha

(D) Krishna III

Answers

Q. 1. - A 

The Rashtrakuta kingdom was founded by Dantidurga or Dantivarman who overthrew the Chalukya dynasty about 753.

Q. 2. - A 

Kailasnatha Temple, the crowning achievement of Ellora, was excavated on the instructions of Krishna I.

Q. 3. - C

Amoghavarsha I moved the Rashtrakuta regnal capital from Mayurkhandi in the present-day Bidar district to Manyakheta in the present-day Kalaburagi district in the modern Karnataka state.

Q. 4. -  D

Rashtrakuta's Amoghavarsha I was an accomplished poet and scholar. He wrote the Kavirajamarga, the earliest extant literary work in Kannada.  

Q. 5. -  D

Halayudha, the author of Kavirahasya, resided at the court of Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna III. He wrote Kavirahasya during Krishna III's reign. The work Kavirahasya eulogized Krishna III. 

Pal Dynasty Quiz

Q.1.- Who is the founder of Vikramshila University? 

(A) Chandragupta II

(B) Harshavardhana

(C) Samudragupta

(D) Dharampala

Q.2. - Which Pala ruler is said to have granted 5 villages for the upkeep of a Buddhist monastery commissioned by Balaputradeva, the king of Sumatra and Java, at Nalanda.

(A) Gopala 

(B) Dharampala 

(C) Devapala 

(D) Mahipala 

Q.3. - Which Pala ruler was elected by the public? 

(A) Gopala 

(B) Devapala 

(C) Narayanapala

(D) Mahendrapala 

Q.4. - Which region of India was ruled by the Pala Dynasty?

(A) Karnataka

(B) Madhya Pradesh 

(C) Maharashtra

(D) Bihar and Bengal

Q.5. Somapura Mahavihara, built by Pala ruler Dharampala, is located in which country?

(A) Bangladesh

(B) Mayanmar

(C) Pakistan

(D) India

Answers

1- (D) 

Pala ruler Dharampala (r. 770- c.810) had built the famous monastery of Vikramshila (in the Bhagalpur district of Bihar).  

2- (C) 

Devapala (ruled from 815 to 855 AD.), the most powerful Pala ruler, was in diplomatic contact with the Sailendra kings of Sumatra. He is said to have granted 5 villages, as requested by Balaputradeva, the king of Sumatra and Java, for the upkeep of a Buddhist monastery commissioned by the latter at Nalanda. His reign may be dated from 815 to 855 AD.

3- (A)

The first king of Pala dynasty was Gopala who was chosen (grahita) as king by the people. 

There are instances when rulers were chosen by the people, ministers and nobles in ancient India. Harsha was invited by the nobles of Kannauj to assume the throne when Grahavarman died childless. 

The appointment of the boy Nandivarman (735-797) as the Pallava ruler of Kanchi by an assembly of nobles and ministers is another case in point.  

He was chosen by an assembly of nobles and ministers to ascend the throne as the previous Pallava monarch Paramesvaravarman II died issueless. 

4- (D) 

Pala dynasty ruled regions of Bengal and Bihar for about four centuries from the middle of the 8th century until the end of the 12th century.

5.- (A) 

Now in the Naogaon district of Bangladesh, Somapura Mahavihara is one of the famous Buddhist monasteries in ancient India. Located at the Paharpur archaeological site in the Naogaon district of Bangladesh, Somapura Mahavihara was built by the second Pala ruler Dharmapala (r. 770- c.810). The Pala rulers were great patrons of Buddhism and built several monasteries. 

Vedic Period Quiz

 Q.1. - Which of the following was the much talked about river in the Rig Veda?

(A) Sindhu

(B) Ganga

(C) Yamuna

(D) Godavari

Q.2. - The early Vedic god Indra was the god of 

(A) Fire 

(B) Wind

(C) Rain and Thunder

(D) None of the above

Q.3. - Gayatri Mantra has been taken from which Veda?

(A) Samveda

(B) Rigveda

(C) Atharva Veda

(D) Yajur Veda

Q.4. - Mundaka Upanishad and Prashna Upanishad were part of which Veda?

(A) Yajurveda

(B) Samveda

(C) Atharva Veda

(D) Rig Veda

Q.5. - The term Gotra was first used  in_? 

(A) Rig Veda

(B) Sam Veda

(C) Yajur Veda

(D) Atharva Veda

Answer 

Q.1.- A 

Sindhu river or Indus River has been mentioned in the Rig Veda.

Q.2.- C

Indra is one of the main gods of the Rigveda. He was known as the protector of cows and priests in the Vedic religion. Indra brought rain as god of the thunderbolt. 

Q.3.- B

The Gayatri Mantra first appeared in the Rig Veda

Q.4.- C

Atharva Veda comprises three fundamental Upanishads – Mundaka Upanishad, Mandukya Upanishad, and Prashna Upanishad. 

Q.5.- A

The term Gotra first appeared in the Rig Veda where it is used to refer to cattle sheds. 

Delhi Sultanate Quiz

Q.1. Which of the following was the leading disciple of Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti?] Iltutmish?

[A] Ahmad Sirhindi 

[B] Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki

[C] Nizamuddin Auliya

[D] Fariduddin Ganj-i- Shakar

Q. 2. Alauddin Khilji attacked and captured Chittorgarh in Mewar (in Rajasthan) in 1303 AD and changed its name to

[A] Khizrabad

[B] Shadiabad 

[C] Khairabad

[D] Kasganj

Q. 3. Who among the following is considered as the “mixture of opposites”.?

[A] Balban 
[B] Mohammed bin Tughlaq
[C] Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
[D] Firuz Tughlaq

Q. 4. Who among the following led a military expedition campaign to Warangal in 1309? 

[A] Mohmmad bin Tuglaq

[B] Firoz Shah Tughlaq

[C] Malik Kafur

[D] Khusrav Khan 

Q.5. Bahmani Sultanate was established during the period of which Sultan of Delhi Sultanate?

[A] Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq 

[B] Mohammed bin Tughlaq
[C] Firoj Shah Tughlaq

[D] Muhammad Shah

Answer

Q.1- [B]

Muinud-din-Chisti was the founder of the Chisti Sufi order in India. Headquartered in Ajmer in Rajasthan, Chisti Sufi order attracted devotees from both Muslims and Hindus and continue to do so. Moinuddin Chishti came from Sistan with the Muslim invasion, eventually arriving in Ajmer where he died in 1236.

Disciples of Moinuddin Chisti 

Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki

The most important disciple of Moinuddin Chisti, Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki popularized the Chisti order in Delhi. He had come to Delhi some time after 1221. He died in 1235. His tomb is in Mehrauli in Delhi and it is said that Qutub Minar takes its name from this Sufi saint. 

Hamiduddin Nagauri

Another prominent disciple of Moinuddin Chisti, Hamiduddin Nagauri was instrumental in initiating Chisti order in Nagaur in Rajasthan.

Q. 2 - [A] 

Alauddin attacked Chittor, the capital of the powerful kingdom of Mewar, in 1303. After the subjugation of Mewar army, Chittor was captured and named Khizrabad, after the name of Alauddin’s eldest son Khizr Khan.

Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s idiosyncratic behaviour had earned him several epithets including “Mixture of opposites”. 

Q. 3- [B]

Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s idiosyncratic behaviour had earned him several epithets including “Mixture of opposites”. 

Q. 4. - [C] 

Malik Kafur had defeated Kakatiya King Pratap Rudra Deva II in 1309-10. Warangal was the capital of Kakatiya dynasty. 

Q.5- B - In 1347 AD, the  Bahmani kingdom was founded by Hasan Gangu. During the reign of Sultan Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq, new kingdoms came into being in south India and the Deccan like Vijayanagara Empire and the Bahmani kingdom. 

Kushana Empire Quiz

 Q.1. Who was the founder of the Kushana dynsty?

[A] Kujula Kadphises

[B] Kanishka

[C] Vasudeva

[D] Vāsishka

Q.2. During the reign of which Kushana ruler, the Fourth Buddhist Council was held?

[A] Kanishka I

[B] Huvishka

[C] Vasudeva I

[D] Vāsishka

Q.3. Who among the following patronised Buddhist scholars Vasumitra and Asvaghosha?

[A] Ashoka

[B] Kanishka I 

[C] Chandragupta I

[D] Harshavardhan

Q.4. Who among the following was not ruler of the Kushana dynasty?

[A] Sadashkana 

[B] Huvishka

[C] Nahapana

[D] Vāsishk

Q.5. Which of the following cities emerged as the second capital of the Kushanas?

[A] Mathura

[B] Kannauj

[C] Purushpur

[D] Patliputra

Answers

Q.1 [A] 

Kujula Kadphises

Q.2 [A] 

The Fourth Buddhist Council was held at Kundalvana, Kashmir in 72 AD during the reign of Kushan king Kanishka. It was held under the Presidentship of Vasumitra to compose commentaries on the Tripitika. Here at this council Savastivadin doctrines were codified in a summary, the Mahavibhasa ("Great Exegesis"). The convening of this council led to the division into two broad sects, namely the Mahayana (great Vehicle ) and the Hinayana (lesser Vehicle). 

Q.3. [B] 

Q.4. [C] 

Q.5. [A] 

Mughal Empire Quiz

Q.1. Which of the following women authored the biography of Humayun during Mughal period? 

[A] Gulbadan Begum

[B] Jahanara Begum

[C] Zebun-nissah Begum

[D] Noorjahan Begum

Q.2. Who among the following Mughal emperors discontinued the practice of inscribing Islamic creed (Kalima) on coins? 

[A] Akbar

[B] Jahangir

[C] Shahjahan

[D] Aurangzeb

Q.3. Who among the following assumed the title of Islam Shah Suri?

[A] Jalal Khan

[B] Sikandar Shah Suri 

[C] Firuz Shah Suri

[D] Sher Shah Suri

Q.4. Who had introduced Ain-i-Dahsala system of land revenue assessment during the reign of Akbar?

[A] Raja Todar Mal

[B] Birbal

[C] Raja Man Singh

[D] Murshid Quili Khan

Q.5. Who among the following accepted Din-i-Ilahi?

[A] Raja Man Singh

[B] Birbal

[C] Raja Tansen

[D] Raja Todarmal

Answer: 

Q.1 (A) 

Ahval-i-Humayun Badshah or Humayun-Nama was written by Babur's daughter and Humayun’s half- sister, Gulbadan Begam, who stayed with Akbar, son and successor of Humayun, from 1556 to 1603 at Agra.  

Written at the instance of Akbar, Humayun-Nama, which contains Gulbadan’s personal reminiscences of her father and brother, was composed between 1580 and 1590 A. D.

Humayun-Nama was translated into English by Mrs. Beveridge.

Q.2 [D] 

Kalima is a sacred Islamic expression of faith .  

Q.3 [A]

After the death of Sher Shah Suri in 1545, he was succeeded on the throne by his second son Jalal Khan on 25th May 1545 AD. Jalal Khan ascended the throne with the title of Islam Shah though he is more popularly known as Salim Shah.  

Q.4 [A]

Raja Todar Mal had introduced the new system of revenue known as ‘zabt’ and the system of taxation called ‘dahshala’. 

Q.5 [B]

In 1582, the Mughal emperor Akbar created an order known as Din-I-Ilahi ("the religion of God") .

Today in Indian History (24th April)

Birth of Suraj Mahal, the ruler of the Rathore kingdom of Marwar, on 24 April in 1571. He was the brother of Jagat Gosain, the consort of Mughal emperor Jahangir. Jagat Gosain was the mother of Shah Jahan, the successor of Jahangir. 

Tabaqat-i-Akbari of Nizamuddin Ahmad

Khwajah Nizamuddin Ahmad was a medieval writer who has written Tabaqat-i-Akbari, dealing with the event from early Muslim invasions to the 38th year of the reign of Akbar (1593-4). He held the military title of Mir Bakhshi during Akbar's region.

Tabaqat-i-Akbari was translated into English by Dr.Brajendranath De (1852-1932). 

Udupi

Some 60km from Mangalore in Karnataka is the Vaishnavite pilgrimage town of Udupi, a sanctum of Madhvacharya, founder of Dvaita school of philosophy. A 13^th century Sanskrit philosopher, Madhvacharya called his philosophy Tattvavāda meaning "arguments from a realist viewpoint". He had authored several texts including Tantrasara Sangraha. 

Also known as Rajata Peetha (silver seat) and Shivalli, Udupi is famous for its Krishna Temple.

The main attraction at this temple is the 'Kanakana Kindi (Kanaka's window),' - a small window through which Krishna is believed to have given darshan to his ardent devotee, Kanakadasa, the sixteenth century Bhakti saint and philosopher. Kanakadasa belonged to Kuruba (shepherd) community.

Today In Indian History (19th April)

Execution of young Indian revolutionary Anant Laxman Kanhere on 19th April in 1910 by the British colonial government for shooting Nashik district collector Arthur Mason Tippetts Jackson on 21 December 1909.

Born on 7 January 1892 in a Chitpavan Brahmin family in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, Anant Laxman Kanhere or Anantrao was 18 years old when he was executed. 

B. R. Ambedkar's Birth Anniversary

Today is the birth anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar who was a leader of the depressed classes throughout his life. He worked for the moral and material progress of the 'untouchables'.

B. R. Ambedkar was born on 14 April 1891 in Mhow (now officially known as Dr Ambedkar Nagar) in Madhya Pradesh. He belonged to the 'untouchable' Mahar caste.

Ambedkar was a great scholar who studied economics at Columbia University and the London School of Economics. 

In 1924 Ambedkar founded the Depressed Classes Institute (Bahishkrit Hitkarni Sabha) in Bombay. Three years later in 1927 he established the Samaj Samta Sangh to propagate the gospel of social equality between caste Hindus and worked for the uplift of the 'untouchables'.

In December 1927, he led a satyagraha in Mahad to fight for the rights of the 'untouchables' to draw water from public wells and tanks.

In 1928 he organized temple entry movement named  Parvati temple satyagraha. He started Kalasam temple satyagraha during 1930 and 1935. 

In 1936, Ambedkar founded the Independent Labour Party for protecting the interest of the labour classes. That year he wrote seminal work Annihilation of Caste which strongly criticizes the caste system. 

In 1942 he founded Scheduled Castes Federation to campaign for the rights of the Dalit community.

Ambedkar was one of the chief authors of the Indian Constitution which came into effect on January 26, 1950. He resigned from government in 1951. In 1956 he converted to Buddhism, and he died later that year.

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

Jallianwala Bagh / Amritsar

The infamous Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place on 13 April 1919 when troops of the British colonial power under the command of Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer opened fire on thousands of people who had gathered at the Jallianwala Bagh public gardens in Amritsar to protest against the Rowlatt Act and arrest of pro-independence leaders of Amritsar, Saifuddin Kitchlew and Satyapal. Passed in 1919, the Rowlatt Act was a repressive law passed by the British colonial government in India which gave the police sweeping powers to arrest and detain people without trial.

Brigadier General Reginald Dyer, the military commander of Amritsar, had ordered the firing on the innocent people who have gathered here to protest the arrest of Congress leaders Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satya Pal under Rowlatt Act.

1919 soldiers of the British Army in India had opened fire on the crowd in a walled public garden and killed over 1,000 of them. This became known variously as the Amritsar Massacre or the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The bloodbath was endorsed by Michael O’Dwyer who had called it “correct action”. Michael O’Dwyer was the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab in 1919 when Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place. 

On 13 March 1940, Udham Singh shot O’Dwyer at London's Caxton Hall where he was attending a meeting of the East India Association and the Royal Central Asian Society. O’Dwyer was killed instantly. 

History of Murshidabad

Ancient Times 

Karnasuvarna (কর্ণসুবর্ণ), currently located in the present day Murshidabad district, was the capital of Gauda Kingdom,  ruled by Sasank, a contemporary of Harshvardhan (Harsha) of Kanauj and his arch enemey. Sasank had killed Rajyavardhana, elder brother and predecessor of Harsha. Sasank ruled in the first half of the seventh century AD.  

It was after the death of Sasank that the Gauda kingdom of Karnasuvarna became a part of the Assam's Kamarupa kingdom which was ruled by Bhaskaravarman. 

Mughal Period 

Named after Murshid Quli Khan, the Diwan of Bengal under Aurangzeb, Murshidabad came to the forefront of attention in 1704 when the former transferred his capital from Dacca to this place and renamed it Murshidabad. Murshid Quli Khan was the first Nawab of Bengal and the founder of the Nasiri dynasty which ruled Bengal from 1717 until 1740.

Siraj ud Daula became the Nawab of Bengal after the death of his grandfather Alivardi Khan who died in 1756. He was the son of latter's youngest daughter. This was not liked by his near relations including his mother’s eldest sister, Ghasiti Begum, and his cousin Shaukat Jung who went all length to conspire against him.  In addition Siraj ud Daula found in Mir Jafar, the Commander-in-Chief of the army, a formidable enemy.

Though inexperienced and lacking decision making power, Siraj-ud-Daulah became successful in overcoming these challenges by killing Shaukat Jung in October 1756. Ghasiti Begum was rendered powerless by the confiscation of her wealth. Mir Jafar was replaced by Mir Madan as the commander of the army.

Siraj ud Daula, the then Nawab of Bengal, resented to the interference by the East India Company in his province. He was also livid with the company’s abuse of the commercial privileges which was granted by the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar under the firman of 1717.

With the worsening of the relations between the Bengal Nawab and the English, the latter hatched a conspiracy with Mir Jafar. The battle of Plassey was fought on 23 June 1757, resulting in the defeat of Siraj-ud-Daulah who fled from the battlefield. He was, however, captured and put to death by the orders of Miran, the son of Mir Jafar who was now made the Nawab of Bengal.

Today in Indian History (13th April)

1796 - First Elephant arrives in U.S. on April 13 in 1796

1919 - The infamous Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place on 13 April 1919 when troops of the British colonial power under the command of Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer opened fire on thousands of people who had gathered at the Jallianwala Bagh public gardens in Amritsar to protest against the Rowlatt Act and arrest of pro-independence leaders of Amritsar, Saifuddin Kitchlew and Satyapal.

Today in Indian History (12th April)

1482 - Birth of Rana Sanga on 12 April in 1482. Ruler of Mewar from 1508 to 1528, Rana Sanga was the grandson of Rana Kumbha (1417–1468) and grandfather of Maharana Pratap. 

1801 - Declaration of Ranjit Singh as the Maharaja of Punjab on 12 April in 1801.  Born on November 13, 1780, in Gujranwala, which is now in modern-day Pakistan, Ranjit Singh is one of the most remarkable rulers in Indian history, 

Maharaja Ranjit Singh  was the only son of Maha Singh, the leader of the Sukerchakia Misl, one of the several Sikh confederacies (misls) that existed in Punjab at the time. Often referred to as the "Lion of Punjab," Ranjit Singh ruled from 1801 to 1839. 

1885- Birth of Indian archaeologist R. D. Banerji (Rakhal Das Banerji) on 12 April in 1885 in Murshidabad.  Mohenjo-daro was discovered by R.D. Banerji, .

The Moenjodaro was discovered in 1922, while R.D. Banerji, an officer of the Archaeological Survey of India, was excavating a Buddhist stupa.

12 kilometres from Moenjodaro railway station, in Larkana district of Sindh  in Pakistan, the Moenjodaro remains are situated on the western bank of the river Indus.

Bengal Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah And Murshidabad

After the death of sixth Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1707, the disintegration of the Mughal Empire was rapid.  Delhi, the seat of power of the Mughals, gave way to Bengal as the centre of political importance in India. It can be ascertained from the fact that the British win over Siraj ud Daula in the Battle of Plassey in 1757, which took place just 50 years after death of Aurangzeb, laid the foundation of the British Empire in India. During the period, Bengal was ruled by the Nawabs with their capital at Murshidabad. Though nominally governors or viceroys of the Mughals, the Nawabs were independent heads of state for all practical purposes. 

Siraj ud Daula became the Nawab of Bengal after the death of his grandfather Alivardi Khan who died in 1756. He was the son of latter's youngest daughter. This was not liked by his near relations including his mother’s eldest sister, Ghasiti Begum, and his cousin Shaukat Jung who went all length to conspire against him.  In addition Siraj ud Daula found in Mir Jafar, the Commander-in-Chief of the army, a formidable enemy.

Though inexperienced and lacking decision making power, Siraj-ud-Daulah became successful in overcoming these challenges by killing Shaukat Jung in October 1756. Ghasiti Begum was rendered powerless by the confiscation of her wealth. Mir Jafar was replaced by Mir Madan as the commander of the army.

Siraj ud Daula, the then Nawab of Bengal, resented to the interference by the East India Company in his province. He was also livid with the company’s abuse of the commercial privileges which was granted by the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar under the firman of 1717.

The ‘Black Hole’ was a tragic incident that happened in the run-up to the Battle of Plassey. The incident served as casus belli for the invasion by the British on Murshidabad.

With the worsening of the relations between the Bengal Nawab and the English, the latter hatched a conspiracy with Mir Jafar. The battle of Plassey was fought on 23 June 1757, resulting in the defeat of Siraj-ud-Daulah who fled from the battlefield. He was, however, captured and put to death by the orders of Miran, the son of Mir Jafar who was now made the Nawab of Bengal.

Murshidabad

Today known more for its silk, Murshidabad is a district town that seems to exist suspended in time somewhere between the medieval and the modern.

Named after Murshid Quli Khan, the Diwan of Bengal under Aurangzeb, Murshidabad came to the forefront of attention in 1704 when the former transferred his capital from Dacca to this place and renamed it Murshidabad. Murshid Quli Khan was the first Nawab of Bengal and the founder of the Nasiri dynasty which ruled Bengal from 1717 until 1740.

Attractions of Murshidabad

Nimak Haram Deohri (Traitor’s Gate)

Presently in ruins, Nimak Haram Deohri or the Traitor's Gate is the gate to the residence of Mir Jafar who was the general of Siraj-ud-doula. It was Mir Jafar’s treacherous advice to Siraj-ud-doula to suspend the battle after the death of latter's trusted officer Mir Madan Khan lost the day for Siraj-ud-doula in the Battle of Plassey. 

Fauti or Phuti Masjid

Phuti Masjid is a mosque built by Sarfaraz Khan who had held the role of Nawab of Bengal for only one year (1739- 1740.) 

Sarfaraz Khan had succeeded his father Shuja-ud-Din Muhammad Khan who had become Bengal Nawab after the death of latter's father-in-law Murshid Quli Khan. 

Chowk Mosque

Built in 1767 AD by Munni Begum (the second wife of Mir Jafar, the Bengal Nawab from 1757 to 1760 and 1763 to 1765) the Chowk Mosque in Murshidabad is now under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).  

Motijheel or Pearl Lake is an oxbow lake in Murshidabad. This horse-shoe shaped lake broke away from the meandering River Bhagirathi centuries ago. Located at the bend of this lake is a beautiful palace named Sang-i-Dalan (Stone Palace), a towering gateway and a three-domed mosque and some other structures erected by Nawazish Muhammad Khan, nephew and son-in-law of Alivardi Khan (the Bengal Nawab after whose death his grandson Siraj ud Daula became the Nawab of Bengal).

Today In Indian History (11th April)

1827-  Birth of anti-caste social reformer Jyotirao Phule on 11 April in 1827. Also known as Jyotiba Phule, Jyotirao Phule was born in Pune. He formed the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Truth Seekers) to attain equal rights for people from lower castes. 

Critical of the prevailing Hindu religion and custom, Jyotirao Phule along with her wife , Savitribai Phule,  were pioneers of women's education in India and established educational trusts.

 

Today In Indian History (10th April)

1857 - Establishment of Arya Samaj in Bombay in 1857 on April 10 by Swami Dayananda Saraswati. 

Today In Indian History (6th April)

1606 - After unfurling the banner of revolt against his father and Mughal emperor Jahangir, Khusrau escapes from Agra on 6 April, 1606. After the death of his grandfather, Akbar, in 1605, Khusrau was imprisoned in Agra Fort by Jahangir who had succeeded Akbar as the Mughal emperor.

Khusrau was later defeated by the Mughal forces in 1606.  The fifth Sikh Guru Arjan Dev was sentenced to death by Jahangir in 1606, since he had blessed Khusrau during his rebellion against the emperor.

Khusrau was later blinded and was forced into the custody of his brother Khurram (future Shah Jahan) who eventually strangled him at Burhanpur in 1621. 

On the orders of Jahangir, Khusrau was buried in a tomb adjoining his mother's in a garden (now called Khusrau Bagh) in Prayagraj (Allahabad).

Today In Indian History (5th April)

1663 - Shaista Khan was wounded by the Maratha chief Shivaji who made a surprise night attack in Poona on 5 April, 1663, wounding him. 

After his accession to the throne, Aurangzib sent Shayista Khan (Shaista Khan was the son of Asaf Khan and brother of Mumtaz Mahal) as viceroy of the Deccan with instruction to crush Shivaji. However, Shayista Khan had to retreat when Shivaji embarked on a surprise attack at the well-guarded mansion of Shayista Khan in Poona. In the scuffle Shaista Khan lost his thumb and his son, Abul Fath, was killed. This incident served a body-blow to the Mughal prestige in the Deccan. Aurangzeb recalled Shayista and transferred him to Bengal. 

1930 - Mahatma Gandhi reached Dandi on 5th April 1930 to break the salt law. Led by Mahatma Gandhi, The famous 1930 "salt march" (Dandi March) was an act of nonviolent civil disobedience to defy the monopoly on salt production by the British colonial rulers. Dandi March is also called Salt Satyagraha.  

The 24-day march which lasted from 12 March 1930 to 6 April 1930 spanned 387 kilometres, from Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad to the coastal village of Dandi, which was called Navsari at that time (now in the state of Gujarat). Gandhi broke the British Raj salt laws on 6 April 1930. 

It sparked India's civil disobedience movement as thousands joined him on the beach to pick up salt, the production of which was under colonial control.

78 volunteers had accompanied Mahatma Gandhi on the Dandi March.  

Today In Indian History (4th April)

1944- The Battle of Kohima took place in three stages from 4 April to 22 June 1944 around the town of Kohima, now the capital city of Nagaland in Northeast India.

The Battle of Kohima was the turning point of the Japanese U-Go offensive into India in 1944 during the Second World War.

Today In Indian History (3rd April)

1680 -  Shivaji died a premature death at the age of fifty-three (or fifty, according to some) on the 3rd April, 1680. One of the most famous figures of Indian history, Shivaji was the founder of the Maratha kingdom.

Today In Indian History (2nd April)

1870 - Poona Sarvajanik Sabha was founded on April 2, 1870 in the Pune district of Maharashtra. It was one of the first Indian socio-political organisations formed to represent the interests of the Indian people during the British rule. It was by Mahadev Govind Ranade  and his associates G V Joshi, S H Sathe, and S H Chiplonkar.