Learn about Maharashtra, India

Maharashtra

Some Quick Facts about Maharashtra

1. Capital: Mumbai

2. Formation Day: 1 May 1960

3. Official Language: Marathi

4. Total Districts: 36

5. Famous Rivers: Godavari River, Krishna River, Narmada River, Tapti River 

6. Tourist Places: Gateway of Inida, Elephanta Caves, Marine Drive, Chhatrapati Shivaji Termius, Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Devgiri Fort, Ghishneshwar Temple, Panchvati And Duarwadi waterfall, Baba Umer Dargah, Mahalakshmi Temple, Lonavala

7. Famous Festivals: Ganesh Chathurthi,  Gudhi Padwa

8. Famous Celebrities: Shivaji Bhosale, Sant Tukaram, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Rani Lakshmibai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Dadasaheb Phalke, Lata Mangeshkar, Sachin Tendulkar

9. Famous Food: Pohay (Pohe), Misal Pav, Pithla Bhakri, Vada Pav, Puran Poli, Shrikhand

General Knowledge Questions on Maharashtra

Question: When was Maharashtra formed?
Answer: 1 May 1960

Explanation: Maharashtra was formed on 1 May 1960 by splitting the bilingual Bombay State, which had existed since 1956, into majority Marathi speaking Maharashtra, and Gujarati speaking Gujarat respectively.


Question: Which sea is to the west of Maharashtra?
Answer: Arabian

Explanation: Maharashtra is bordered by the states of Madhya Pradesh to the north, Chhattisgarh to the east, Telangana to the southeast, Karnataka to the south and Goa to the southwest. The state of Gujarat lies to the northwest, with the Union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli sandwiched between the borders. Maharashtra has coastline of 720 km.The Arabian Sea makes up Maharashtra's west coast.


Question: Which is the official language of Maharashtra?
Answer: Marathi

Explanation: Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken predominantly by around 100 million Marathi people of Maharashtra, India. It is the official language and co-official language in the Maharashtra and Goa states of Western India, respectively, and is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India. With 83.1 million speakers in 2019, Marathi ranks 10th in the list of most spoken languages in the world. Marathi has the third largest number of native speakers in India, after Hindi and Bengali.


Question: What is the name of the first Marathi talkie film?
Answer: Ayodhyecha Raja

Explanation: Marathi cinema refers to Indian films produced in Marathi, the language of the state of Maharashtra, India. The first Marathi film to be released in India was Shree Pundalik by Dadasaheb Torne on 18 May 1912 at Coronation Cinematograph, Mumbai. Although, the first Marathi talkie film, Ayodhyecha Raja, was released in 1932, just one year after Alam Ara the first Hindi talkie.


Question: Where did Thibaw, last king of Burma, live in Maharashtra?
Answer: Ratnagiri

Explanation: Thibaw, also spelled Theebaw, (born 1858, Mandalay, Burma—died Dec. 19, 1916, Ratnagiri Fort, India), last king of Burma, whose short reign (1878–85) ended with the occupation of Upper Burma by the British. He lived in Ratnagiri in his last days. It is a port city on the Arabian Sea coast in Ratnagiri District in the southwestern part of Maharashtra, India. The district is a part of Konkan division of Maharashtra. Its famous for Mango production.


Question: Which caves in Maharashtra are in UNESCO World Heritage sites list?
Answer: Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta Caves

Explanation: The Ajanta Caves are 30 (approximately) rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state of India. The caves include paintings and rock-cut sculptures described as among the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian art, particularly expressive paintings that present emotions through gesture, pose and form.

Ellora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India. It is one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world, featuring Hindu, Buddhist and Jain monuments, and artwork, dating from the 600–1000 CE period.

Elephanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a collection of cave temples predominantly dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.They are on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri, in Mumbai Harbour, 10 kilometres east of Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

Question: Who was first cheif Minister of Maharashtra State?

Answer: Yashwantrao Chavan

Explanation: Maharashtra was formed by dissolution of Bombay State on 1 May 1960. Yashwantrao Chavan, who was serving as the third CM of Bombay State since 1956, became the first CM of Maharashtra. He belonged to the Indian National Congress and held the office until the 1962 Assembly elections.

Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher (24 August 1888 – 8 March 1957) was the first chief minister of Bombay State which consisted of present-day Maharashtra and Gujarat States of India. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India in 1954.

Question: What was the birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj ?
Answer: Shivneri Fort

Explanation: Shivaji Bhosale I (19 February 1630 – April 3, 1680) was an Indian warrior-king and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan. Shivaji carved out an enclave from the declining Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur that formed the genesis of the Maratha Empire. In 1674, he was formally crowned as the chhatrapati (emperor) of his realm at Raigad.

Shivneri Fort is a 17th-century military fortification located near Junnar in Pune district in Maharashtra, India. It is the birthplace of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of Maratha Empire.

Question: When was Bombay renamed as Mumbai?

Answer: 1995

Explanation: Bombay’s official name change, to Mumbai from Bombay happened when regional political party Shiv Sena came into power in 1995. The Shiv Sena saw Bombay as a legacy of British colonialism and wanted the city’s name to reflect its Maratha heritage, hence renaming it to pay tribute to the goddess Mumbadevi. 

Question: when was Bombay Stock Exchange was established?

Answer: 1875

Explanation: The BSE, formerly known as the Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd., is an Indian stock exchange located at Dalal Street, Mumbai. Established in 1875, it is Asia's oldest stock exchange. The BSE is the world's 10th largest stock exchange with an overall market capitalization of more than $2.2 trillion on as of April 2018.

Learn about Brazil

Brazil

Introduction

Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At 8.5 million square kilometers (3.2 million square miles) and with over 211 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area and the sixth most populous. Its capital is Brasília, and its most populous city is São Paulo. The federation is composed of the union of the 26 states and the Federal District. It is the largest country to have Portuguese as an official language and the only one in the Americas; it is also one of the most multicultural and ethnically diverse nations, due to over a century of mass immigration from around the world.

Brazil in world map [source: wikipedia] 

Some Quick facts about Brazil

1. Capital : Brasília

2. Provinces (States): 26 states and the Federal District

3. Largest City : São Paulo

4. National Language : Portuguese

5. Republic day : 15 November

6. National Animal : Jaguar

7. Flag :

Brazil Flag [Source: wikipedia]

8. Tourist places: Sugar Loaf, Cristo Redentor, Iguaçu Falls, Amazon Rain Forests, Brasília's Modernist Architecture, Salvador's Pelourinho, Pernambuco Beaches, Ouro Preto [Source: plantware.com]

Cristo Redentor

Iguaçu Falls

Amazon Rain Forests

Brasília's Modernist Architecture

Pernambuco Beaches

9. Famus Sports : Football

10. Longest river : Amazon River

Learn about United Kingdom (UK)

United Kingdom (UK)

[source: wikipedia.com]

Some Quick Facts about UK

1. Capital : London

2. Provinces (States): The UK doesn't have any states or provinces because it has four countries. England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland

3. Largest City : London

4. National Language : English 

5. Formation Year: 1606

6. National Anthem: God Save the Queen

7. Flag :

[source: wikipedia.com]

8. Tourist places: London: The UK's All-in-One Destination, Edinburgh: Scotland's Capital, Roman-Era Bath, Ancient Stonehenge and Medieval Salisbury, Wonderful Windsor, Idyllic England: The Cotswolds and Lake District, Medieval York and its Minster, The University Towns of Cambridge & Oxford, Liverpool and Manchester, Canterbury

London: The UK's All-in-One Destination

Ancient Stonehenge and Medieval Salisbury

Roman-Era Bath

Medieval York and its Minster

9. Famus Sports : Foot ball, Cricket (originated in England)

10. Longest river : River Severn

Learn about Canada

Canada

Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering 9.98 million square kilometres (3.85 million square miles), making it the world's second-largest country by total area. Its southern border with the United States, stretching 8,891 kilometres (5,525 mi), is the world's longest bi-national land border. Canada's capital is Ottawa, and its three largest metropolitan areas are Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

[Source: wikipedia]

Some Quick facts about Canada

1. Capital : Ottawa

2. Provinces (States): 10 provinces and 3 territories

3. Largest City : Toronto

4. National Language : English and French

5. Republic day : 1 July

6. National Animal : North American beaver

7. Flag :

8. Tourist places: Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, Statue of Liberty, White House, Yellowstone National Park, Walt Disney World Resort, Times Square, Golden Gate Bridge, Las Vegas Strip

9. Famus Sports : American football

10. Longest river : Mississippi River

GK Quiz on USA

Learn about United States of America

Some facts about USA:


1. Capital : Washington, D.C.


2. States : 50 states


3. Largest City : New York City


4. National Language : English


5. Republic day : 4 July


6. National Animal : American bison


7. Flag :

8. Tourist places: Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, Statue of Liberty,  White House,  Yellowstone National Park,  Walt Disney World Resort, Times Square, Golden Gate Bridge, Las Vegas Strip

White house 

Statue of Liberty

9. Famus Sports : American football

10. Longest river : Mississippi River

GK Questions on Australia

Question: Who among the following discovered the North America?

Answer: Christopher Columbus

Which of the following is highest peak as well as active volcano of North America?

Mt. Mackenzie

Which is the largest fresh water lake in the world?

Lake Superior

Which North American country known as the 'Sugar Bowl of the World'?

Cuba

What is our national motto?

In God We Trust

Where would you find the Statue of Liberty?

New York Harbor, New York City

What is the birthday of the United States of America?

July 4, 1776

How many states are in our country?

50

Which two states were the last to join the U.S.A.?

Alaska and Hawaii

What are the two major political parties in the United States?

Democrat and Republican

On what date did the Revolutionary War officially end?

September 3, 1783

Who was the first president of the United States of America?

George Washington

Which NASA mission first landed men on the moon?

Apollo 11

Who was first to sign the Declaration of Independence?

John Hancock

On what date did the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor?

December 7

What state is the Liberty Bell located in?

Pennsylvania

How many stars are displayed on the American flag?

50

What is the second most spoken language in America?

Spanish

Who was the first person to walk on the moon?

Neil Armstrong

GK Quiz on Australia

 

Independence Question on Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist, who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India's independence from British Rule, and in turn inspire movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. The honorific Mahātmā (Sanskrit: "great-souled", "venerable"), first applied to him in 1914 in South Africa, is now used throughout the world.

Born and raised in a Hindu family in coastal Gujarat, western India, Gandhi was trained in law at the Inner Temple, London, and called to the bar at age 22 in June 1891. After two uncertain years in India, where he was unable to start a successful law practice, he moved to South Africa in 1893 to represent an Indian merchant in a lawsuit. He went on to stay for 21 years. It was in South Africa that Gandhi raised a family, and first employed nonviolent resistance in a campaign for civil rights. In 1915, aged 45, he returned to India. He set about organising peasants, farmers, and urban labourers to protest against excessive land-tax and discrimination. Assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for easing poverty, expanding women's rights, building religious and ethnic amity, ending untouchability, and above all for achieving Swaraj or self-rule.

[Source:https://en.wikipedia.org]

Independece Question on Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi 

 1.What is meant by the term 'Mahatma'?
 Answer: Great Soul


 2. What is the main implication of his philosophy? Answer: Means justify the ends

 3. What is the full name of the Mahatma? Answer: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi


 4. What is the name of the Ashram that he set up? Answer: Sabarmati Ashram

  
 5. What did Gandhi’s family want him to become? Answer: Dewan (Prime Minister)


 6. Where did Gandhi go for his higher studies? Answer: London, England

  
 7. What was the organization that was contemporarily fighting for India’s freedom? Answer: Indian National Congress


 8. What was Gandhiji also called in Hindi which means Father? Answer: Bapu


 9. Where was Gandhiji born ?
 A) Porbander


 10.Which is a part of his ideals which he religiously followed ?
 A) Truth and Non-Violence

    
 11. What is the meaning of Satyagraha ?
 A) Force which is born of Truth

 12. What was Gandhiji's wife's name?
 A) Kasturba

Indian Independence

A common story of all freedom fighters in chronological order.

Rebellion of 1857

10 May 1857 at Meerut | Mangal Pandey

The Indian Rebellion of 1857 is an another name of the "Indian Mutiny" where Indian soldiers working in British army refuse to obey the orders. Intersting fact is there were 3,00,000 Indian soldiers compare to 50,000 British troops. This was North India's First attempt to get Independence. It started on 10 May 1857 at Meerut when Mangal Pandey attacked British officer.

End of the East India Company, 1858

Empress of India - Queen Victoria

The Rebellion of 1857 was foundation of Indian Independence. British never imagined such a strong opposition from their own soldiers( offcourse Indian soldiers working under British Army). Although British Army suppressed the rebellions in June 1958, but still the Parliament of the United Kingdom removed the right of the British East India Company to rule India in November 1858. The United Kingdom decided to rule India directly through the Governor General (Viceroy). Thus, it included India as a part of the British Empire. Later, Queen Victoria used to call Empress of India. .

Formation of INC, December 1885

Founder of INC - A.O. Hume

British Empire came into existence after Rebellion of 1857. The Governor-General wanted to improve the governance of India with the participation of English-educated Indians. During same time, Retired British Indian Civil Service (ICS) officer Allan Octavian Hume (also known as A.O. Hume) thought to form a group of educated Indians to discuss civil and political situation of India in British Empire. Thus, on 28 December 1885, the Indian National Congress (INC) was founded at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay, with 72 delegates in attendance..

Partition of Bengal, July 1905

Governor-General - Lord Curzon

Lord Curzon, the Viceroy and Governor-General of British Raj, ordered the partition of Bengal in July 1905. He justified the partition for improvements in administrative efficiency in the huge region covering Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. However, the Indians took partition as an attempt to disrupt the growing national movement in Bengal and divide the Hindus and Muslims of the region..

Arrival of Mahatma Gandhi, 1915

Gandhi, who?

Mahatma Gandhi studied from UCL Faculty of Law at London. After completing his studies, he went to South Africa to be the lawyer for Abdullah's cousin. He spent 21 years in South Africa. Gandhi returned to India on 9 January 1915. Gopal Krishna Gokhale became Gandhi's mentor.

Jallianwala Bagh Genocide, April 1919

Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer

After World War I, British tried to bring reforms in India in 1917. The positive impact of reform was seriously undermined in 1919 by the Rowlatt Act recommendation made by the Rowlatt Committee. The main purpose of Rowlatt Act was to analyse the war-time conspiracies by nationalist. It gave super powers to Viceroy like detaining political activists and arresting people without warrant. to oppose Rowlatt Act, a nationwide hartal (cessation of work) was called by activist. The agitation lead to Jallianwala Bagh massacre (or Amritsar Massacre) on 13 April 1919, in Amritsar, Punjab. The British military commander, Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer, blocked the main, and only entrance, and ordered his soldiers to fire into an unarmed and unsuspecting crowd of some 15,000 men, women, and children.

The Non-Cooperation Movement, 1920-1922

Swadeshi movement

The Non-Cooperation Movement was led by Mahatma Gandhi after the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre from 1 August 1920 to February 1922. The main objective was to resist British rule by non-violent (Ahinsa). People opted domestic products instead of British goods. The movement was withdrawn after Chauri Chaura incident where protesters clashed with police. Police opened the fire on protesters and in retaliation protesters set the fire in police station.

Purna Swaraj, 19 December 1929

Bhagat Singh and Indian National Congress

The Purna Swaraj (or declaration of the Independence of India) was announced by the Indian National Congress on 19 December 1929. Some sources suggest, Bhagat singh was the first person who gave call for Purna Swaraj (total Independence). This declaration made the Congress and Indian nationalists to fight for one mission that is Purna Swaraj (complete self-rule). Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted Indian flag on 31 December 1929 on the banks of Ravi river, in Lahore, Pakistan. the congress announced to celebrate Indian Independence on 26th January.

Azad hind Fauj, 1942

All India Forward Bloc

Subhas Chandra Bose was against India's involvement in World War I. He resigned from Congress due to differences in opinion with Gandhi. He created a separate group called Forward Bloc, later called All India Forward Bloc. British authorities placed Bose in house arrest but he escaped to his way through Afghanistan to Nazi Germany to seek Hitler and Mussolini's help for raising an army to fight the British. Hitler advised Bose to go to Japan. In Japan, Bose formed the Azad Hind Army with the help of Japan. Azad Hind Fauj (along with Japanese 15th Army) fought against British Army and captured Andaman and Nicobar islands. INA failed due to poor resources and surrendered to British Army. Bose escaped to Japanese-held Manchuria and thus, entire Azad Hind movement ended.

Quit India Movement, August 1942

Do or Die

Bharat Chhodo Andolan Bharat Chhodo Andolan (or Quit India Movement) was a civil disobedience movement. On 8 August 1942, the Quit India resolution was passed at the Mumbai session of the All India Congress Committee (AICC). Mahatma Gandhi gave a slogan "Do or Die !" for immediate self rule. Gandhi urged Indian's to leave their job's and join the movement. Congress led the movement and demanded the transfer of political power from British. The Quit India Movement turned out a failure and lasted till 1943.

Partition of India and Pakistan, June 1947

India got Independence on 15 August 1947 at 12:02 AM

Viscount Louis Mountbatten, the last British Governor-General of India, announced partition of British India into India and Pakistan on 2 June 1947. India celebrated the Independence on 15 August 1947 at 12:02 AM whereas Pakistan celebrated on 14 August. Jawaharlal Nehru became first Prime Minister. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel became dupty prime minister who bought 565 princely states into Union of India. On June 1948, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari replaced Mountbatten as Governor General of India.

Learn about China

Home/ World/ China

GK Questions on China

Introduction

China, officially the People's Republic of China), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.428 billion in 2017. Covering approximately 9.6 million square kilometres (3.7 million mi2), it is the world's third or fourth largest country by area. Governed by the Communist Party of China, the state exercises jurisdiction over 22 provinces, five autonomous regions, four direct-controlled municipalities (Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Chongqing), and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

China in World map

Some Quick Facts about China

1. Capital : Beijing

2. Provinces (States): 26 states and the Federal District

3. Largest City : Shanghai

4. National Language : Standard Chinese

5. Formation Day: 1 October 1949

6. Republic day : 10 October 

7. Currency : renminbi 

8. Flag :

Chinese Flag

9. Tourist places: The Great Wall of China, The Terracotta Army, The Forbidden City, The Li River in Guilin, Giant Pandas in Chengdu, Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong

The Great Wall of China

The Terracotta Army

9. Famus Sports : Table Tennis

10. Longest river : Yangtze River

General Knowledge Questions on China

Question: Which city was known as Peking?
Answer: Beijing

Question:  What is the meaning of Tiananmen?
Answer: Heavenly gate

Question:  What is the official name of China?
Answer: People’s Republic of China

Question:  When did China get back Hong Kong?
Answer: 1997

Question:  When did China get back Macao?
Answer: 1999

Question:  Which country was annexed by China in 1950?
Answer: Tibet

Question:  Which country was attacked by China in 1962?
Answer: India

Question:  Who ruled China when Marco Polo reached there in 1266?
Answer: Kublai Khan

Question:  Who became the President of China in 1912?
Answer: Sun Yat Sen

Question:  Which country is considered a renegade province by China?
Answer: Taiwan

Please let us know if we miswritten something.

Source: Wikipedia