Throughout history, many powerful empires have risen and fallen, shaping civilizations, cultures, and global politics. From the mighty Roman Empire to the vast Mongol Empire, these historical superpowers influenced the world in profound ways.
If you’re preparing for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, and State PSCs, or just want to test your knowledge, this Great Empires in History GK Quiz will help you learn key facts about some of the greatest empires in human history.
Let’s get started!
🏛️ Ancient Empires GK Quiz
1. The Roman Empire
- Who was the first emperor of Rome?
- A) Julius Caesar
- B) Augustus
- C) Nero
- D) Trajan
- ✅ Answer: B) Augustus
- Which famous structure was built to entertain the citizens of Rome?
- A) The Pantheon
- B) The Colosseum
- C) The Parthenon
- D) The Forum
- ✅ Answer: B) The Colosseum
- What was the official language of the Roman Empire?
- A) Greek
- B) Latin
- C) Persian
- D) Aramaic
- ✅ Answer: B) Latin
2. The Persian Empire
- Who was the founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire?
- A) Darius I
- B) Xerxes I
- C) Cyrus the Great
- D) Artaxerxes
- ✅ Answer: C) Cyrus the Great
- Which famous battle in 480 BCE saw King Leonidas and 300 Spartans fight against the Persian army?
- A) Battle of Salamis
- B) Battle of Thermopylae
- C) Battle of Marathon
- D) Battle of Gaugamela
- ✅ Answer: B) Battle of Thermopylae
- Which Persian emperor built the Royal Road to improve communication and trade?
- A) Cyrus the Great
- B) Darius I
- C) Xerxes I
- D) Cambyses II
- ✅ Answer: B) Darius I
3. The Maurya Empire
- Which Indian emperor established the Maurya Empire?
- A) Chandragupta Maurya
- B) Ashoka
- C) Harsha
- D) Samudragupta
- ✅ Answer: A) Chandragupta Maurya
- Who was the greatest ruler of the Maurya Empire, known for adopting Buddhism after the Kalinga War?
- A) Bindusara
- B) Ashoka
- C) Chandragupta Maurya
- D) Brihadratha
- ✅ Answer: B) Ashoka
- Which famous ancient text by Kautilya (Chanakya) served as a guide for governance in the Maurya Empire?
- A) Arthashastra
- B) Manusmriti
- C) Ramayana
- D) Mahabharata
- ✅ Answer: A) Arthashastra
⚔️ Medieval Empires GK Quiz
4. The Mongol Empire
- Who founded the Mongol Empire?
- A) Kublai Khan
- B) Genghis Khan
- C) Tamerlane
- D) Attila the Hun
- ✅ Answer: B) Genghis Khan
- Which Mongol ruler became the first emperor of China’s Yuan Dynasty?
- A) Ogedei Khan
- B) Kublai Khan
- C) Genghis Khan
- D) Hulagu Khan
- ✅ Answer: B) Kublai Khan
- The Mongol Empire was known for its vast size. At its peak, it covered parts of which continent(s)?
- A) Only Asia
- B) Only Europe
- C) Asia and Europe
- D) Asia, Europe, and Africa
- ✅ Answer: C) Asia and Europe
5. The Ottoman Empire
- Which city was conquered by the Ottomans in 1453, marking the fall of the Byzantine Empire?
- A) Athens
- B) Constantinople
- C) Alexandria
- D) Rome
- ✅ Answer: B) Constantinople
- Who was the longest-reigning Ottoman Sultan, known for expanding the empire significantly?
- A) Mehmed II
- B) Suleiman the Magnificent
- C) Osman I
- D) Selim I
- ✅ Answer: B) Suleiman the Magnificent
- What was the elite military unit of the Ottoman Empire called?
- A) Janissaries
- B) Knights Templar
- C) Samurai
- D) Mamluks
- ✅ Answer: A) Janissaries
🏰 Modern Empires GK Quiz
6. The British Empire
- Which country was known as the “Jewel in the Crown” of the British Empire?
- A) Canada
- B) Australia
- C) India
- D) South Africa
- ✅ Answer: C) India
- What was the name of the trading company that played a significant role in British colonial rule in India?
- A) The British Trading Company
- B) The East India Company
- C) The West India Company
- D) The Anglo-Indian Corporation
- ✅ Answer: B) The East India Company
- Which war led to the independence of the United States from British rule?
- A) The War of 1812
- B) The Napoleonic Wars
- C) The American Revolution
- D) The French and Indian War
- ✅ Answer: C) The American Revolution
7. The Russian Empire
- Who was the first emperor (Tsar) of Russia?
- A) Peter the Great
- B) Ivan the Terrible
- C) Nicholas II
- D) Catherine the Great
- ✅ Answer: B) Ivan the Terrible
- Which Russian ruler is known for westernizing the country and expanding its borders?
- A) Alexander I
- B) Peter the Great
- C) Ivan IV
- D) Nicholas I
- ✅ Answer: B) Peter the Great
📢 Why Should You Learn About Great Empires?
Studying history’s greatest empires helps us understand how societies evolved, how leaders shaped nations, and how conflicts changed the world. These empires left behind architectural wonders, cultural traditions, and political systems that still influence us today.
✅ If you’re preparing for exams, these Great Empires in History GK Questions and Answers will boost your knowledge and confidence for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other competitive exams.
💬 How many did you get right? Share your score and challenge your friends! 🏛️⚔️🌍