History plays a vital role in competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, Bank exams, Railways, and state-level exams. A strong grasp of historical events, leaders, and movements can help you score high. To aid your preparation, here are 100 important history General Knowledge (GK) questions and answers, covering Ancient, Medieval, and Modern History.
Ancient History GK Questions and Answers
- Who is known as the father of history?
Herodotus - Which is the oldest civilization in the world?
Mesopotamian Civilization - Which river is associated with the Indus Valley Civilization?
Indus River - Who wrote the famous book ‘Arthashastra’?
Kautilya (Chanakya) - Which ruler is known as the founder of the Maurya Empire?
Chandragupta Maurya - Who was the first woman ruler of India?
Razia Sultana - Which Indian king converted to Buddhism after the Kalinga War?
Emperor Ashoka - Which ancient Indian university was famous for its education?
Nalanda University - Who is the author of ‘Meghaduta’ and ‘Shakuntala’?
Kalidasa - Which Veda is the oldest?
Rigveda
Medieval History GK Questions and Answers
- Who was the founder of the Delhi Sultanate?
Qutb-ud-din Aibak - Which Mughal emperor built the Taj Mahal?
Shah Jahan - Who was the last ruler of the Mughal Empire?
Bahadur Shah II - Who introduced the Mansabdari system?
Akbar - Which ruler is known as ‘Napoleon of India’?
Samudragupta - Who was the first woman to sit on the throne of Delhi?
Razia Sultana - Which battle marked the beginning of Mughal rule in India?
First Battle of Panipat (1526) - Who was the founder of the Vijayanagara Empire?
Harihara and Bukka - Which Sikh Guru was executed by Aurangzeb?
Guru Tegh Bahadur - Who built the famous Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur?
Mohammed Adil Shah
Modern History GK Questions and Answers
- When did Vasco da Gama discover the sea route to India?
1498 - Which battle marked the beginning of British rule in India?
Battle of Plassey (1757) - Who was the first Governor-General of India?
Warren Hastings - Who led the Revolt of 1857 in Kanpur?
Nana Sahib - Which social reformer started the Brahmo Samaj?
Raja Ram Mohan Roy - Who was the Viceroy of India during the Partition of Bengal?
Lord Curzon - Who founded the Indian National Congress in 1885?
A.O. Hume - Who is known as the ‘Grand Old Man of India’?
Dadabhai Naoroji - When did the Jallianwala Bagh massacre take place?
1919 - Who gave the slogan “Give me blood, and I will give you freedom”?
Subhas Chandra Bose
Freedom Struggle and Independence GK Questions
- Who was the first Prime Minister of independent India?
Jawaharlal Nehru - Who wrote ‘India Wins Freedom’?
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad - Who was the leader of the Salt March in 1930?
Mahatma Gandhi - Which act led to the division of British India into India and Pakistan?
Indian Independence Act, 1947 - Which movement was launched by Gandhiji in 1942?
Quit India Movement - Who was the first President of India?
Dr. Rajendra Prasad - Who designed the Indian national flag?
Pingali Venkayya - When did India gain independence?
15th August 1947 - Which freedom fighter was known as ‘Iron Man of India’?
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel - Which movement led to the formation of Pakistan?
Pakistan Movement (Two-Nation Theory)
World History GK Questions and Answers
- Who was the first President of the United States?
George Washington - When did World War I begin?
1914 - Which treaty ended World War I?
Treaty of Versailles (1919) - Who was the dictator of Germany during World War II?
Adolf Hitler - When did the United Nations come into existence?
1945 - Who was the first person to step on the moon?
Neil Armstrong (1969) - Which country was known as the ‘Sick Man of Europe’?
Ottoman Empire - Who wrote ‘The Communist Manifesto’?
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels - Which country dropped the first atomic bomb?
United States (Hiroshima, 1945) - Who was the first female Prime Minister in the world?
Sirimavo Bandaranaike (Sri Lanka)
These 100 History GK questions and answers cover essential topics for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, Bank exams, and more. Regular practice and revision of historical facts, events, and leaders will help boost your exam preparation and performance.
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