Indian History

1849 -  The bloody battle of Chillianwala was fought at Chillianwala (now in Pakistan) between the British and Sikh armies on  January 13, 1849  during the  Second Anglo-Sikh war . The British and Sikh armies were respectively commanded by Sir Hugh Gough and the Raja Sher Singh Attariwala. Following the battle, both sides  claimed victory. The British won the battle though it was a "pyrrhic victory" for them.  According to the historians, 757 soldiers of British army were killed, 1,651 were wounded and 104 went missing. Sikhs lost near 3,600  soldiers.  Lord Dalhousie  was the Governor-General of India during the Battle of Chillianwala.   1907 - Birth of Manindra Nath Banerjee on 13th January 1907 . Manindra Nath Banerjee was a revolutionary who had shot his maternal uncle J.N. Banerji , the Deputy Superintend of Police investigating the Kakori Conspiracy case. O n August 9th, 1925, a train carrying government money was passing...

Q. 1. Which among the following rulers of Delhi Sultanate loved to style himself as Sikandar-I-Sani? [A] Balban [B] Kaiqubad [C] Alauddin Khilji [D] Firoz Tughlaq Q. 2. Chachnama records the history of which conquest? [A]  Arabs [B]  Hunas [C] Greeks [D] Kushanas Q. 3. Who among the following was not included in the “Asta Pradhan” of Shivaji? [A] Sumant [B] Majmudar [C] Vakiyanavis [D] Vakeel Q. 4. For the first time in Gujarat, who implemented Jizya tax? [A] Ahmed Shah I [B] Mahmud Begda [C] Mujaffarshah I [D] Mujaffarshah II Q. 5. The famous “Treaty of Purandhar” was signed between Shivaji and which among the following in 1665? [A] Jaswant Singh [B] Jai Singh [C] Shaista Khan [D] Aurangzeb Q. 6. During whose reign did Timur invaded India? [A] Bahlol Lodi [B] Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah [C] Firoz Shah Tughlaq [D] Allauddin Khilji Q. 7.Which among the following two cities were joined by “Sadak-i-Azam” or the precursor of the Grand Trunk Road built by Shershah Suri? [A] Agra & C...

Today ( January 12)  is Swami Vivekananda's birthday.  Every year on January 12, India observes   National Youth Day  to mark the birthday of   Swami Vivekananda , one of the country’s greatest spiritual leaders and philosophers.  Narendranath Dutta, better known as Swami Vivekananda, was a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886), a priest in a temple at Dakhinesvar in Kolkata. Ramakrishna believed in the truth of all religions.  A graduate of the Calcutta University, Vivekananda (1863-1902) carried his master’s message throughout India. Vivekananda was a Vedantist. In 1983 he went to the US and attended the famous “Parliament of Religions” at Chicago. His speech at that august assembly earned him fame and followers throughout the world. New York Herald wrote, “after hearing him we feel how foolish it is to send missionaries to this learned nation” Sir Valentine Chirol characterizes Vivekananda as “the first Hindu whose personality won demonstr...

Q. 1. Which of the following was the capital of Bahmani Kingdom? [A] Bijapur [B] Ahmadnagar [C] Hampi [D] Bidar Q. 2. In the administration of second Khilji Sultan Allauddin Khilji, the ministry of commerce was organised by whom? [A] Malik Qabul [B] Rais Parwani [C] Malik Yakub [D] Khusru Malik Q. 3. Name of the tax during Delhi Sultanate period, which was only imposed on rich Muslims? [A] Ushr [B] Zakat [C] Kham [D] None of the above Q.  4. Who among the following Tuluva dynasty ruler belonging to the Viajayanagar empire wrote ‘Amuktamalayada’ ? [A] Krishna Dev Raya [B] Venkata I [C] Achyuta Devraya [D] Vir Narsimha Raya Q.  5. Which monument, built during the Delhi sultanate period, was built according to the correct scientific lines for the first time? [A] Sikandar Lodi Tomb [B] Tughlaqabad [C] Tomb of Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq [D] Alai Minar Q.  6. Which of the following Sultanate Rulers made Delhi as capital in place of Lahore? [A] Qutubuddin Aibak [B] Iltutmish [C] Raz...

Rani ki Vav/ Image credit: U nsplash The Chalukyas of Anhilwara or Solankis, as they are popularly known, ruled in Gujarat and Kathiawar for nearly three centuries and a half (c 950-1300). One of the earliest kings of this line of Chalukyas was Mularaja who consolidated the Chalukya authority in Gujarat.  The next king of importance was Bhima I (c. 1022-64), during whose reign Mahmud Ghazni, who made seventeen raids on India between 1001 and 1027, overran Gujarat and plundered the great temple of Somanath. When Mahmud appeared before the capital city Anhilwara (modern Siddhpur Patan), Bhima I took refuge in Kanthkot fort in Kutch. After the withdrawal of Mahmud, Bhima I revived the Chalukya power and entered into a coalition with Lakshmi – Karna Kalachuri against Bhoja (c1010-55), the greatest ruler of the  Paramara dynasty of Malwa .  It was during the reign of  Bhima I that the Sun Temple of Modhera was built. His spouse Udaymati is known for constructing Rani ki...

Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Gujarat holds a rich and sacred past with copper plates, inscriptions and memorial stones that reflect its prosperity, heritage and enduring spirit of valour. Inscriptions and original relics detailing the history of Prabhas Patan and the Somnath Temple are found throughout the Prabhas region. Inscriptions, copper plates, and relics from temples destroyed during the invasions are housed in the Prabhas Patan Museum, a symbol of valor, strength, and devotion. The museum currently operates in the former Sun Temple in Prabhas Patan. One such inscription is located near the museum in Prabhas Patan, next to the old Ram Temple in Bhadrakali Lane. Preserved at the home of Sompura Brahmin Deepakbhai Dave , it is embedded in the wall of the ancient Bhadrakali Temple in his courtyard. This inscription, according to Mr. Tejal Parmar, Curator (Museum Head) of the Prabhas Patan Museum, was created in 1169 AD ( Vallabhi Samvat 850 and Vikram Samvat 1255) and is curr...

1708-  Coronation of Maratha ruler Sahu  I  on   12 January.  Shahu was the fifth Chhatrapati of Maratha Empire founded by his grandfather, Shivaji.  Sahu, son of Sambhaji (eldest son of Shivaji), who was imprisoned by Aurangzeb, was  released from the Mughal captivity during the reign of    Bahadur Shah I, who had  emerged victorious in the war of succession among the sons of Aurangzeb following latter's death in 1707. 1779  -  Part of the  First Anglo-Maratha War,   the  Battle of Wadgaon  (12–13 January) was fought between the Maratha Confederacy and the British East India Company near Vadgaon Maval village in Maharashtra.  The battle resulted in the victory of the Marathas who were  commanded by  Mahadji Sindhia  (also known as Mahadji Shinde). 1934  -  Surya Sen , a revolutionary leader from Bengal, was hanged on  12 January 1934  by the British.