General Knowledge 2024 PDF

CONTENTS INDIAN HISTORY Ancient India Pre-Historic Period Indus Valley Civilisation Vedic Period Jainism and Buddhism Dynasties of Ancient India Medieval India Provincial Kingdoms Mughal Empire Later Mughals and Marathas Modern India Advent of the Europeans Governor-Generals of Bengal Governor -...

CONTENTS INDIAN HISTORY Ancient India Pre-Historic Period Indus Valley Civilisation Vedic Period Jainism and Buddhism Dynasties of Ancient India Medieval India Provincial Kingdoms Mughal Empire Later Mughals and Marathas Modern India Advent of the Europeans Governor-Generals of Bengal Governor -Generals of India Viceroys of India The Revolt of 1857 Chief National Activities Art and Culture Classical Dancers of India Musical Instruments and Instrumentalists GEOGRAPHY World Geography Universe Solar System Rocks Landforms Atmosphere Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming Important Canals and Lakes of the World Major Islands and Minerals of the World Indian Geography India Highest Peaks of India Important Lakes and Rivers of India Important River Projects and their Beneficiary States Natural Vegetation of India Soils in India Forests of India Climate Agriculture Mineral Resources Transportation in India Railways Road Transport Water Transport Air Transport Environment and Ecology Important Sanctuaries and National Parks Biosphere Reserves of India INDIAN POLITY Framing of the Indian Constitution Enactment of the Constitution Preamble Important Articles Directive Principles of State Policy Fundamental Duties The President The Vice-President Council of Ministers Prime Minister Union Legislature Supreme Court Comptroller and Auditor General The States The Governor States Legislature The Panchayats and the Municipalities Committees to Study Panchayat System Union and State Public Service Commission Election and Planning Commission National Development Council Finance Commission e-Governance and Its Impacts Parliamentary Terms Constitutional Amendment INDIAN ECONOMY Outline of Indian Economy Broad Sectors of Indian Economy Five Year Plans at a Glance National Income in India Poverty Unemployment Industries Major Industries in India Banking and Finance Insurance Census 2011 Economic Terms GENERAL SCIENCE Physics Newton’s Laws of Motion Circular Motion Gravitation Satellites General Properties of Matter Archimedes’ Principle Density Heat and Thermodynamics Waves Light Lens Human Eye Magnets Atomic and Nuclear Physics Laser Technology in India Chemistry Physical and Chemical Changes Corrosion Acids, Bases and Salts Soaps and Pesticides Biology Living World The Cell and Human Systems Fat Soluble Vitamins Blood Central Nervous System Some Human Diseases Caused by Viruses and Bacteria Ecology (98), Biotechnology Computer Components of Computer Memory Some Commonly Used Terms GENERAL KNOWLEDGE First in the World (Male and Female) Superlatives Countries with Capitals and Currencies Geographical Epithets Major Newspapers of the World Religions of the World First in India (Male and Female) Books and Authors Important Dates and Days of the Year Abbreviations Awards and Honours Indian Defence GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 1 INDIAN HISTORY ANCIENT INDIA PRE-HISTORIC PERIOD INDUS VALLEY Palaeolithic Period CIVILISATION l Homo sapiens first appeared towards the l Indus Valley Civilisation is one of the end of this phase. four earliest civilisations of the world. l In this period, man barely managed to l According to radiocarbon dating, gather his food and subsisted on hunting. initiation of Indus Valley Civilisation l Distinguished by the development of the can be dated around 2500-1750 BC. first stone tools made up of Quartzite. l Systematic town planning was based l Palaeolithic period is divided into three on grid system; burnt bricks were used phases. They are to construct houses; well-managed drainage system; fortified Citadel; 1. Lower Palaeolithic highly urbanised; absence of iron 2. Middle Palaeolithic implements. 3. Upper Palaeolithic l The Great Bath (Mohenjodaro) was Mesolithic Period used for religious bathing. There were changing rooms alongside. l Domestication of animals (particularly, dogs) began and characteristic tools were l Six granaries in a row were found in used, called as microliths. the Citadel at Harappa. l Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh, is l The towns were divided into 2 parts: known for ancient caves depicting the Upper Part or Citadel and the pictures of birds, animals and humans. Lower Part. Harappans were ruled by a class of merchants, as no evidence of Neolithic Period weapons are found there. l Neolithic people knew about fire and l Indus people sowed seeds in November wheel. and reaped their harvest in April, because of the danger of flood. l An important site of this age is Burzahom, which means ‘the place of l Produced wheat, barley, rai, peas, birch’. seasum, rice and mustard. l Indus people were the first to produce Chalcolithic Period cotton, which the Greeks termed as l Use of Copper and Stone made tools. Sindon (derived from Sindh). l They practised agriculture, venerated l Animals known were oxen, sheep, Mother Goddess and worshipped the bull. buffaloes, goats, pigs, elephants, dogs, cats, asses and camels.  2 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE l Well-knit external and internal trade. Barter system was prevalent. l A very interesting feature of this civilisation was that iron was not known to the people. l The Indus people used weights and measures in the multiples of 16. l Harappans looked on Earth as fertility Goddess and phallic (lingam) and yoni worship was prevalent. l Unicorn was the most worshipped animal. Many trees (pipal), animals (bull), birds (dove, pigeon) and stones too were worshipped though no evidence of temple has been found. l Dead bodies were placed in North-South orientation. l The Seal of Pashupati depicts elephant, tiger, rhinoceros and buffalo. Two deers appear at the feet of Pashupati. l The Indus people believed in ghosts and evil forces evident by their use of amulets for protection against them. Fire altars are found at Lothal and Kalibangan. l The greatest artistic creation of the Harappan culture were the seals, made of steatite. Harappan script is pictographic and hasn’t been deciphered yet. l The script was written from right to left in the first line and left to right in the second line. This style is called Boustrophedon. l Occupations practiced were spinning, weaving, boat-making, goldsmiths, making pottery and seal-making. l The possible causes of the decline of the civilisation may be invasion of the Aryans, recurrent floods, social break-up of Harappans and earthquakes, etc. l Boundaries North-Mandu (J&K); South-Daimabad (Maharashtra); East- Alamgirpur; West-Sutkagendor. Indus Valley Sites Site Discovery/Finding(s) Harappa Situated on river Ravi in Montgomery district of Punjab (Pakistan). It was excavated by Daya Ram Sahni in 1921-23. The Indus Civilisation is named after it as the Harappan Civilisation. Stone dancing Natraja and Cemetry-37 have been found here. Mohenjodaro Situated on river Indus in Larkana district of Sind (Pak). It was excavated by (Mound of Dead) RD Bannerji in 1922. The main building includes the Great Bath, the Great Granary, the Collegiate Building and the Assembly Hall. The dancing girl made of bronze has been found here. Pashupati Mahadeva/proto Shiva seal; fragment of woven cotton, etc are other findings. Chanhudaro On river Indus; discovered by NG Majumdar (1931); only Indus site without (Sindh, Pakistan) citadel; bronze figurines of bullock cart and ekkas; a small pot suggesting a an ink pot. Lothal (Gujarat) Discovered by SR Rao (1954); situated on river Bhogava. A part of the town was divided into citadel and the lower town and dockyard. Evidence of rice has been found here. Kalibangan Discovered by BB Lal (1961); situated on Ghaggar river, a ploughed field; a (meaning, Black wooden furrow; seven fire-altars; bones of camel; and evidence of two types Bangles) (Rajasthan) of burials namely—circular grave and rectangular grave. Dholavira It was found on river Luni of Kachchh district in Gujarat discovered by JP Joshi (1967-68). It has a unique water management system; only site to be divided into 3 parts; largest Harappan inscription and a stadium. Surkotada (Gujarat) Discovered by JP Joshi in 1972; evidence of horse found; oval grave; pit burials and seemingly a port city. Banawali (Haryana) On river Saraswati; discovered by RS Bisht (1973); evidence of both pre-Harappan and Harappan culture; lacked systematic drainage system; evidence of good quality barley. Rakhigarhi (Haryana) Largest Indus valley site. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 3 VEDIC PERIOD Economy No regular revenue system, kingdom Rig Vedic Period maintained by voluntary tribute called bali (1500-1000 BC) and booty won in battles. l Vedic civilisation started with the l Aryan’s main occupation was mainly migration of Aryan people in North- pastoral. Agriculture was a secondary Western part of India. occupation. l The Aryans were semi-nomadic pastoral l Cow was a standard unit of exchange. people and originally believed to have lived Gold coins-Nishka, Krishnal and Satmana. somewhere in the Steppes, stretching l The staple crop was Yava (barley). from Southern Russia to Central Asia. Rigvedic Terms l The whole region in which the Aryans were first settled in India was called the Term Meaning Land of 7 Rivers or Sapta Sindhawa. Dasyus Original inhabitant of India (the Indus and its five tributaries and the Ayas Copper/bronze Saraswati). Vajrapati/ Officer enjoying authority over Kalapas large tract of land l The Dasrajan War Battle of 10 kings against Sudas (Bharata king of Tritsus) Gramini Head of the village on the bank of river Parushni. Sudas Gavisthi Fighting hordes, Search for cows/war for cows emerged victorious. Rigvedic Rivers Political Organisation River Name in Rigveda l It was mainly a tribal system of Indus Sindhu government in which the military Kurram Krumu element was strong. Jhelum Vitasta l Tribe was known as Jana and its king as Chenab Asikni Rajan. Ravi Parushini l Although king’s post was hereditary, we Beas Vipas have also some traces of election by the Sutlej Sutudri tribal assembly called Samitis. Gomati Gomal l Other tribal assemblies that were Saraswati Sarasvati mentioned in Rigveda were Sabha, Ghaggar Drishadavati Vidatha and Gana. l Villages were headed by Gramani. Later Vedic Period l In day-to-day administration, the King (1000-500 BC) was assisted by the Purohita (most l In this period, Aryans expanded from important), a Senani and Gramani. Punjab over the whole of Western Uttar Society Pradesh covered by the Ganga-Yamuna Doab. People were loyal to the tribe, called Jana (mentioned 275 times in the Rigveda) as Political Organisation kingdom/territory was not yet established. l King (Samrat) became more powerful Women enjoyed freedom and respect. and tribal authority tended to become Religion territorial. l Worshipped Nature, Indra (also called l King’s position strengthened by rituals Purandara-breaker of forts) was the most like Ashwamedha and Vajapeya Yajnas. important divinity. Society l Soma was considered to be the God of l Society was clearly divided into four plants. varnas—Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya l People worshipped the divinities mainly and Shudra. Position of women for Praja (children), Pashu (cattle), deteriorated. The institution of Gotra food, health and wealth. No temple or (descent from common ancestors) idol worship was noted. appeared for the first time.  4 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Economy The Upanishadas l Beginning of town and settled life. l Philosophical texts emphasising value of l Agriculture was the main livelihood. right belief and knowledge; criticising rituals/sacrifices; and 108 in number. l Wheat and rice (called vrihi in later Vedic Brihadaranyaka is the oldest texts) became the staple crop. upanishada. l New occupation like those of ironsmith, l Also known as ‘Vedanta’. coppersmith and jewel work emerged. Weaving were reserved for women. Smritis Explains rules and regulations in Vedic life. Religion These are Manusmriti (the first law book); l Prajapati became the supreme God, Naradasmriti, Yajnavalkya-smriti and Parasharasmriti. followed by Rudra (animal God) and Lord Vishnu (preserver and protector of Vedangas people). These are Limbs of Vedas and are six in l Idolatry began in this period. number. l Pushana, who looked after the cattles was l Shiksha (Pronunciation) ‘God of Shudras’. l Kalpa (Rituals) l Sacrifices, rather than prayers, became l Vyakaran (Grammar) more important. l Nikrukta (Etymology) l Chhanda (Metrics) Vedic Literature l Jyotish (Astrology) The Vedas Puranas l Rigveda The oldest Indo-European Deals with world creation, the geneologies of language text is a collection of hymns. Gods and Rishis and the Royal dynasties. Contains 1028 hymns divided into There are 18 famous ‘Puranas’. The ‘Matsya 10 mandalas. The 10th Mandala contains Purana’ is the oldest puranic text. Purushasukta hymn that explain about Darshana four varnas, whereas 3rd Mandala There are six schools of Indian philosophy, contains Gayatri mantra, which was called Shada-darshana. compiled in the praise of Sun God. These are l Samaveda Collection of melodies, contains Nyaya Darshana Gautam Dhrupad raga. It is a book of chants. Vaishesika Darshana Kanada Rishi l Yajurveda Contains hymns and rituals/ Sankhya Darshana Kapila sacrifices. Yoga Darshana Patanjali l Atharvaveda Charms and spells to Purva Mimansa Jaimini ward-off evils and diseases. Uttara Mimansa Badrayna or Vyasa The Brahmanas Upavedas l They explain the hymns of Vedas. Contains There are four Upavedas ritualistic formulae and explains the social and religious meaning of rituals. Each Upaveda Deals with Upaveda of veda has several Brahmanas attached to it. Dhanurveda Art of warfare Yajurveda Rigveda : Kaushitaki and Aitareya Gandharva- Art and music Samaveda veda Yajurveda : Taittiriya and Satapatha Shilpaveda Architecture Atharvaveda Samaveda : Panchvish and Jemineya Ayurveda Medicine Rigveda Atharvaveda : Gopatha The Aranyakas Epics Mahabharata by Vyasa, also called Jaya The word Aranya means the forest. These Samhita and Satasahasri Samhita has texts were called Aranyakas, because they 100000 verses and are older than were written mainly for the hermits and Ramayana, written by Valmiki, and has students living in the jungle. 29000 verses. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 5 The Mahajanapadas had a daughter named Priyadarshini, Mahajanapada (Locations) Capital (s) whose husband Jamali became his first disciple. Mahavira became an ascetic Gandhara (Between Kabul Taxila at the age of 30, attained Kaivalya and Rawalpindi) (Jina) outside the town of Anga (Bhagalpur and Champa Mungher in Bihar) Jimbhikgrama at the age of 42 and died at the age of 72 in 468 BC in Magadha (Patna and Gaya Girivraj, Rajagriha district, Bihar) (Bimbisara); Patliputra Pavapuri. (Udayin); Vaishali l Five Doctrines of Jainism (Shishunaga); 1. Do not commit violence (Ahimsa) Patliputra (Ashoka) 2. Do not steal (Asteya) Kashi (Varanasi district, UP) Varanasi 3. Do not acquire property (Aparigraha) Vajji (Vaishali district, UP) Vaishali 4. Do not speak lie (Satya) Malla (South of Vaishali Kusinagara and Pava 5. Observe continence (Brahmacharya) district, UP) l Triratnas of Jainism are right Chedi (River Ken Sothivati-nagar or knowledge, right faith and right Bundelkhand area) Shuktimati conduct. Vatsa (River Yamuna, Kaushambi Allahabad and Mirzapur l Jainism says salvation is possible only district in UP) by abandoning all possessions, a long Kosala (Eastern UP) Sravasti and course of fasting, self mortification, Ayodhaya (Saket) study and meditation. Kuru (Ganga-Yamuna Hastinapur and l Jainism recognised existence of God, doab. Delhi-Meerut region) Indraprastha but lower than Jina. It didn’t condemn Panchala (Ganga-Yamuna Ahichhatra and varna system unlike Buddhism. doab, Rohilkhand) Kampilya l Jainism could not delink clearly from Matsya (Jaipur- Viratnagar/Bairath Bharatpur-Alwar district) brahmanical religion, hence failed to attract masses; admitted both men and Surasenas (Mathura region) Mathura women. Jain monastic establishments Asmaka (River Godavari) Patna or Patali were called basadis. (Near Paithan in Maharashtra) l Jainism was patronised by Avanti (Malwa) Ujjain (Northern Kharavela–the king of Kalinga; capital), Mahismati Chandragupta Maurya became the (Southern capital) disciple of Bhadrabahu and spread Kamboja (Hazara district of Rajapur or Hataka Jainism in the South. Pakistan) l Jainism was divided into two sects during the reign of Chandragupta JAINISM AND BUDDHISM Maurya, mainly due to famine in l Came into existence around 600 BC. Magadha named. Svetambaras l The main causes being the reaction against (wearing white dresses) under Sthul- domination of Brahmanas and spread of bhadra and Digambaras (naked) agricultural economy in the North-East. under Bhadrabahu. l Jaina texts were written in Prakrit Jainism language. l Founded by Rishabhadeva (Emblem : Bull) born in Ayodhya. Councils l There were 24 tirthankaras (great teachers), the 23rd being Parshvanatha and the 24th First Council (300 BC) At Pataliputra Under Sthulbhadra (Pataliputra) Jaina Canons being the Vardhamana Mahavira. compiled. l Mahavira was born in 540 BC in Kundagram near Vaishali. Second Council At Vallabhi (AD 5th Century). Under Kshamasramana (Vallabhi) l Father Siddhartha of Jnatrik Kshatriya Clan. 12 Angas and 12 Upangas were compiled in l Mother Trishala—sister of Lichchhavi Ardh Magadhi language. Chief Chetaka, married to Yashoda and  6 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Buddhism l Pain and misery can be ended by killing or controlling desire. Founded by Gautama Buddha, also known l Desire can be controlled by following the as Siddhartha or Sakyamuni or Eight-Fold Path. Tathagata. l Born in 563 BC in Lumbini in Nepal in The Eight-Fold Path Shakya Kshatriya Clan. 1. Right Understanding 5. Right Efforts l His father Suddhodana was a Shakya 2. Right Thought 6. Right Speech ruler and his mother Mahamaya of 3. Right Action 7. Right Mindfullness Kosalan dynasty died early. Brought up 4. Right Livelihood 8. Right Concentration by step mother Gautami. l Married to Yashodhara and had a son Madhya Marga (The Middle Path) Rahul. Man should avoid both extremes, i.e. life of l Triratnas in Buddhism stand for comforts and luxury and a life of severe 3 pillars asceticism. – Buddha Its founder Buddhist Literature – Dhamma His teachings In Pali language commonly referred to as – Sangha Order of Buddhist monks Tripitakas, i.e., ‘three fold basket’. and nuns Buddhism was also divided in two main Vinaya Pitaka sects namely Hinayana and Mahayana. Rules of discipline in Buddhist monasteries. Phases of Buddha’s Life Symbols Sutta Pitaka Birth Lotus and Bull It contains collection of Buddha’s sermons Mahabhinishkraman Horse and teachings. It is largest among all three (Renunciation) pitakas. Nirvana (Enlightenment) Bodhi Tree Abhidhamma Pitaka Dharmachakra Pravartana Wheel (First Sermon) Explanation of the philosophical principles Mahaparinirvana (Death) Stupa of the Buddhist religion. Mahavamsha and Dipavamsa are the other Buddhist texts of The Dhamma Sri Lanka. The Four Great Truths Causes of Decline of Buddhism l The world is full of sorrow and misery. Use of Sanskrit, the language of l The cause of all pain and misery is intellectuals, in place of Pali, the language of desire. the common people. Revival of Hinduism. Buddhist Councils Buddhist Councils Period Place Chairman Patron First 483 BC Rajagriha Mahakashyapa Ajatashatru Second 383 BC Vaishali Sabakami Kalashoka Third 250 BC Patliputra Mogaliputta Tissa Ashoka Fourth AD 72 Kundalvana Vasumitra, Ashwaghosa Kanishka DYNASTIES OF ANCIENT INDIA Haryanka Dynasty l Bimbisara was the founder, who expanded the Magadha kingdom by annexing Anga, and entering into matrimonial alliances with Kosala and Vaishali. He was contemporary of Buddha. Capital-Rajgir (Girivraja). l Ajatashatru came to power by killing his father. Annexed Vaishali, Kosala and Lichchhavi kingdom. l Udayin founded the new capital, Pataliputra. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 7 Shishunaga Dynasty l The name Ashoka occurs only in copies of Minor Rock Edict I. Founded by Shishunaga; Kalashoka or l Three languages were used for Kakavarin of this dynasty convened the Ashokan inscription that is Prakrit, Second Buddhist Council. Their greatest achievement was the destruction of Avanti. Greek and Aramic. l Most of the Ashokan edicts were Nanda Dynasty written in Brahmi script. It was James l Considered non-Kshatriyan dynasty, Princep who deciphered first the founded by Mahapadma Nanda. Alexander Brahmi script of Ashokan edicts in attacked during Dhana Nanda’s reign. AD 1837. Cyrus was the first foreign invader of l Ashoka was the first king to maintain India. direct contact with people through inscriptions. l Alexander, the king of Macedonia, l Kalinga War (261 BC) mentioned in invaded India in 326 BC and fought 13th Major Rock Edict converted the Battle of Hydaspes (Jhelum) with Ashoka to Buddhism under Upagupta. Porus (Purushottam) of Paurava dynasty. l Sanchi Stupa was built by Ashoka. The last Mauryan king Brihadratha, Mauryan Dynasty l was killed by Pushyamitra Sunga in Important rulers of Mauryan Dynasty are 185 BC, who established the Sunga Chandragupta Maurya (321-298BC) dynasty. The first ruler who overthrew the Nanda l The Punch-marked coins carrying the dynasty with the help of Chanakya. symbol of the peacock and the hill and crescent, famed the imperial currency l He has been called Sandrocottus by Greek of Mauryas. scholars. l The Mauryan artisans started the l Chandragupta defeated Seleucus Nikator, practice of carving caves of monks to the general of Alexander (304 BC), who live in. Barabar Caves near Gaya is later sent Megasthenese the author of earliest example of such cave. Indica to Chandragupta’s court. l Ringwells for domestic use of water l His mother was Mura—a Shudra woman appeared first under the Mauryas. in Nanda’s court. l Sri Lanka is called Tamrapani in the l Mudrarakshasa was written by Ashokan inscription. Vishakhadatta and describes about mechanisation of Chanakya against The Sunga Dynasty (185-73 BC) Chandragupta's enemy. Chandragupta l The Sunga Dynasty was established by maintained six wings of armed forces. Pushyamitra Sunga. (who killed last l He adopted Jainism and went to Mauryan King Brihadratha) Sravanabelgola with Bhadrabahu. l They were basically Brahmins. This period saw the revival of Bhagvatism. Bindusara (298-273 BC) l Patanjali wrote ‘Mahabhasya’ at this He was called Amitraghat (i.e., slayer of time. foes) by Greek writers; Greek ambassador, Deimachos visited his court; said to conquer l In arts, the Bharhut stupa is the most the land between the two seas—The famous monument of the Sunga Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. period. Bindusara appointed his eldest son Sumana The Kanva Dynasty (73-28 BC) as his viceroy at Taxila and Ashoka at Ujjain. l In 73 BC, Devabhuti, the last ruler of Ashoka (293-273 BC) the Sunga dynasty, was murdered by l For the first eight years Ashoka ruled like a his minister Vasudeva, who usurped cruel king and maintained discipline. the throne and founded the Kanva l He was called Devanamapriya, Dear to dynasty which was later replaced by the Gods in some of his inscriptions. Satavahanas.  8 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE The Indo-Greeks l The official language of the Satavahanas was Prakrit. l The most famous king among the l The Satavahanas issued coins of lead Indo-Greeks was Menander (165-145 (mainly), copper, bronze and potin. BC) also called Milinda, his capital was Sakala (modern Sialkot) in Punjab. l Gautamiputra Satakarni was a famous l Converted to Buddhism by Nagasena as king. per the Milindapanho—a Pali text. Sangam Age l The Greeks were the first to issue coins l Sangam Age corresponds to the attributable to the king and also the first post-Mauryan and pre-Gupta periods. to issue gold coins in India; introduced l South India, during the Sangam Age, Hellenistic art. was ruled by three dynasties- the cheras, cholas and pandyas. The Shakas l The most famous ruler was The Pandyas Rudradaman I (AD 130-150), who l Their capital was Madurai famous for repaired Sudarshana lake in Kathiawar pearls. The Pandyas were first mentioned region, issued first ever inscription in by Megasthenese. Chaste Sanskrit (Junagarh inscription). l Traded with Roman empire, sent He defeated the Satavahanas twice. embassies to emperor Augustus. Vikramaditya, the king of Ujjain, was The Cholas l the only one who defeated the Shakas. To commemorate the victory, he started l The Chola kingdom, also called as the Vikram Samvat in 57 BC. Cholamandalam was situated to the North-East of Pandya Kingdom between l The Parthians The most famous king Pennar and Vellar rivers. was Gondophernes (AD 19-45), in whose reign St Thomas visited India to l Their Capital was Kaveripattanam/ Puhar. propagate Christianity. The Cheras The Kushanas l Their capital was Vanji (also called l Also called Yechi or Tocharians, were Kerala country). It had important trade nomadic people from the Steppes. relations with the Romans. l Kanishka was the greatest of the Sangam Literature Kushanas , who started the Saka Era in l Sangam was a college or an assembly of AD 78. Tamil poets, held under Royal Patronage. l Kushanas were the first rulers to issue Three Sangams were held gold coins on a wide scale known for (i) at Madurai chaired by Agastya. metallic purity. (ii) at Kapatpuram, chaired by Tolkappiyar. l In the royal court of Kanishka, a host of (iii) at Madurai, chaired by Nakkirar. scholars found patronage, like Parsva, Vasumitra, Asvaghosha, Nagarjuna, l Kural by Tiruvalluvar is called the ‘Fifth Charak (Physician) and Mathara. He also Veda’ or the Bible of Tamil Land.’ patronised the Greek engineer Agesilaus. Gupta Period The Satavahanas (or Andhras) The important rulers of Gupta period are l Simuka (60-37 BC) was the founder of Chandragupta I (AD 319-334) the Satavahana dynasty. Married a Lichchhavi princess, who l Satavahanas were finally succeeded by strengthened his position and enhanced the Ikshvakus in AD 3rd century. the prestige of the Guptas. l Under the Satavahanas, many chaityas l He was the first Gupta ruler to acquire (worship halls) and viharas (monastries) the title of Maharajadhiraja. were cut out from rocks mainly in l Chandragupta I was able to establish his North-West Deccan or Maharashtra the authority over Magadha, Prayaga and famous examples were Nasik, Kanheri Saketa. and Karle. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 9 Samudragupta (AD 335-380) Pushyabhuti Dynasty l He is called the Napoleon of India (by VA (AD 606-647) Smith) on account of his conquests. l The greatest king was Harshavardhana, l Meghavarman the ruler of Sri Lanka, son of Prabhakar Vardhana of sent a missionary to his court for Thaneshwar. He shifted the capital to permission to built a Buddhist temple at Kannauj. Gaya. l Hieun Tsang visited during his reign. l The Allahabad pillar inscription gives l He established a large monastery at detailed information about Samudragupta, it was composed by his Nalanda. Banabhata adorned his court, court poet Harisena. wrote Harshacharita and Kadambari. Harsha himself wrote three l He assumed the titles of Kaviraj and plays—Priyadarshika, Ratnawali and Vikrama. Nagananda. Chandragupta II (AD 380-414) l Mehrauli inscription on Iron Pillar near Rashtrakutas Qutub Minar is related to him. l Founded by Dantidurg; Krishna I built the Kailasha temple at Ellora. l His court was adorned by Navratnas, the Amoghavarsha, who is compared to chief being Kalidasa and Amarsimha. Vikramaditya, wrote the first Kannada l Fa-hien, Chinese Pilgrim (AD 399-414) poetry Kaviraj Marg. Rashtrakutas are visited during his reign. credited for building cave shrine l Defeated Saka Kshatrapa Rudrasimha III Elephanta, dedicated to Shiva. l Chandragupta II also succeeded in killing Ramagupta, and not only seized Gangas his kingdom, but also married his widow Ruled Orissa; Narsimhadeva constructed Dhruvadevi. the Sun Temple at Konark; Anantvarman l He was the first Gupta ruler to issue the built the Jagannath Temple at Puri; and silver coins in the memory of victory over Kesaris, who used to rule before Gangas Sakas and to have adopted the titles built the Lingaraja Temple at Sakari and Vikramaditya. Bhubaneshwar. l The Gupta age is called golden age of Indian history and saw the issuance of Pallavas the largest number of gold coins. Founder–Simhavishnu; Capital–Kanchi; greatest king Narsimhavarman, who Kumaragupta I (AD 415-455) founded the town of Mamallapuram l Chandragupta II was succeeded by his (Mahabalipuram) and built rock-cut rathas son Kumaragupta I. and even pagodas. l Kumaragupta was the worshipper of God Kartikeya. Palas, with their capital at Monghyr is known l He founded the ‘Nalanda Mahavihara’ for Dharmapala, their second king, who which developed into a great centre of founded the Vikramashila University and learning. revived the Nalanda University. The greatest ruler of Pratiharas was Bhoja Skandagupta (AD 455-467) (also known as Mihir, Adivraha). l Skandagupta was the last great ruler of Khajuraho temples were built during the the Gupta dynasty. reign of Chandellas of Bundelkhand. l During his reign the Gupta empire was Chalukyas of Vatapi-founded by Jayasimha invaded by the Hunas. were contemporary to Harshavardhan. l Success in repelling the Hunas seems to Rajputs divided into four clans: Pratiharas have been celebrated by the assumption (S Rajasthan), Chauhans (E Rajasthan), of the title ‘Vikramaditya’ (Bhitari Pillar Chalukyas/Solankis (Kathiawar), Parmaras Inscription). (Malwa).  10 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE The Cholas Northern Sri Lanka; constructed Rajarajeshwari (or Brihadeshvara) Shiva l Founder Vijayalaya, Capital Tanjore. temple at Tanjore. l Aditya I wiped out the Pallavas and weakened the Pandyas. l Rajendra I (AD 1014-1044) annexed the whole of Sri Lanka; took the title of l Purantaka I captured Madurai, but was Gangaikonda and founded Gangaikonda defeated by the Rashtrakuta ruler Cholapuram. Krishna III at the Battle of Takkolam. l Dancing Figure of Shiva (Nataraja) l Rajaraja I (AD 985-1014) led a naval belongs to the Chola period. Local self expedition against Shailendra empire government existed. (Malaya Peninsula) and conquered MEDIEVAL INDIA l Mohammad bin Qasim invaded India Iltutmish (AD 1210-1236) in AD 712 and conquered Sindh. l Attack of Mongols; formed l Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni led about Turkan-e-Chahalgani or Chalisa (a 17 expeditions of India. group of 40 powerful Turkish nobles). l In 1025, he attacked and raided the l Divided his empire into Iqtas most celebrated Hindu temple of (assignment of land in lieu of salary). Somnath, situated on the sea coast of l Introduced 2 types of coins-silver tanka Kathiawar. and copper jital. FOUNDATION OF THE Razia Sultan (AD 1236-1240) First and last Muslim woman ruler of DELHI SULTANATE Medieval India. l l Mohammad Ghori invaded India and l She disregarded Purdah, married Altunia, was defeated by Prithviraj Chauhan in the Governor of Bhatinda. First Battle of Tarain (1191). l Bahram Shah, son of Iltutmish, killed her. l Ghori defeated the Rajput king in Second Battle of Tarain (1192) and laid Balban (AD 1266-1286) the foundation of the Muslim dominion l Separated Military Department (Diwan- in India. He may be considered the e-Ariz) and Finance Department ‘founder of Muslim rule’ in India. (Diwan-e-Wazarat). l He declared that king was the deputy of Ilbari Dynasty (AD 1206-1290) God (Niyabat-e-Khudai) and shadow of God (Zil-e-Illahi) and introduced the Qutub-ud-in-Aibak practices of Sijdah and Paibos. l Capital Lahore (initial); Delhi (later) l The founder of the Slave dynasty. Also Khalji Dynasty (AD 1290-1320) called Lakh Baksh because of his l Jalaluddin Firuz Khalji was the first generosity. ruler, who reviewed that India cannot be a l Qutub-ud-din Aibak laid the foundation totally Islamic state. of Qutub Minar, after the name of the l Alauddin Khalji His conquests were that famous Sufi saint Khwaja Qutubuddin of Gujarat ruled by Vaghela king; Bakhtiyar Kaki; built Quwwat-ul-Islam Ranthambhor, Chittor and Malwa and (first mosque in India) and Adhai Din later to the South (mainly by Malik ka Jhopra (Ajmer). Kafur). l Died while playing Chaugan (polo) at l He abolished Zamindari in Khalisa land. Lahore. No iqta was allotted in Doab area. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 11 l Alauddin adopted the policy of Blood and l He introduced the following coins— Iron in tackling the Mongols. Aadha, Bhikh, Shashgani and Hasthragani. l He built Khizrabad, Alai Darwaja and his l Timur Mongol leader of Central Asia, capital city Siri. ordered general massacre in Delhi (AD l Also built Hauz Khas in Delhi and added 1398) at the time of Nasiruddin entrance door to Qutub Minar, Mahmud (last Tughlaq king). introduced market reforms. l Adopted the title of Sikandar-i-Sani. Sayyids and Lodhis l Built a permanent army, introduced l Sayyids dynasty was founded by Chehra and Dagh System. Khizr Khan : Successors-Mubarak Shah, Muhammad Shah and Alauddin Alam l First Turkish Sultan’ who separated Shah. religion from politics. l The Lodhis were the first Afghans to l His court poets were Amir Khusrau and rule India. Mir Hassan Dehlvi. l Bahlol Lodhi (AD 1451-1481) founded the dynasty. Tughlaq Dynasty l Sikander Lodhi (AD 1418-1517) (AD 1320-1413) introduced Gaz-i-Sikandari. (unit for l Founded by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, who measuring cultivated field). He founded built the fortified city of Tughlaqabad and Agra in 1504. He wrote the Persian made it his capital. verse ‘Gulrukhi’. l He was the first sultan to start irrigation l He was succeeded by Ibrahim Lodhi works. (1517-1526), who was defeated by Rana l Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq also called the Sanga of Mewar in the Battle of Khatoli. wise fool king on account of five Ibrahim Lodhi was also defeated by experiments, namely (a) Transfer of Babur in April, 1526 which led to the capital to Daulatabad (b) Taxation in Doab establishment of the Mughal rule in India. (c) Qarachil expedition (d) Khurasan expedition (e) Token currency. PROVINCIAL KINGDOMS l The Sultan set-up a separate department Gujarat for agriculture, Diwan-i-kohi. He gave l Broke away from Delhi in AD 1397 Sondhar loans to farmers. under Zafar Khan, who assumed the l South Indian states of the Vijayanagara title of Sultan Muzaffar Shah. empire, the Bahmani kingdom and the l His grandson Ahmed Shah I built a new Sultanate of Madura were founded. city Ahmedabad. l The famous traveller of Morocco, l The next prominent ruler was Mahmud Ibn-Batuta visited his court. Beghra. During his rule, the Portuguese l Firoz Shah Tughlaq built new towns of set-up a factory at Diu. Hissar, Firozpur, Fatehabad, Jaunpur and Firozabad (his capital). During his reign Kashmir two Ashokan pillars, one from Topara in Kashmir was ruled by Hindu rulers until Ambala and the other from Meerut were Shamsuddin Shah asserted himself in AD brought. Built canals was fond of slaves 1339. The greatest ruler was Zain-ul- and wrote a book Fatuhat-e-Firozshahi. Abidin (AD 1420-70), who is called the l He repaired Qutub Minar when it was Akbar of Kashmir, built Zaina lank, struck by lightening. artificial island in Wular lake. l Firoz Shah Tughlaq also made Iqtadari system hereditary and imposed new taxes Mewar like Kharaj (land tax equal to one-tenth of l Rajput rule restored by Rana Hamir the producer) and Zakat and Khams after Alauddin Khilji captured Chittor in (one-tenth of the booty captured in war). AD 1303. l He made Jizya a separate tax and he l The greatest was Rana Kumbha who imposed this tax upon the Brahmans for built the Vijay Stambh at Chittor to the first time in the history of Sultanate. commemorate his victory over Mahmud Khalji of Malwa.  12 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Vijayanagara Kingdom Mughal Empire (AD 1336-1565) (AD 1526-1707) l Founded by Harihara I and Bukka I. l Four dynasties ruled over Vijayanagar- Babur (AD 1526-1530) Sangam, Saluva, Tuluva and Aravidu. l Founder of Mughal empire, who introduced gunpowder in India; l Devaraya I built a dam across defeated Ibrahim Lodhi in the First Tungabhadra river and Italian traveller Battle of Panipat (AD 1526); Rana Nicolo de Conti visited his court followed Sanga (Sangram Singh) at Battle of by the Russian merchant Nikitin. Khanwa (AD 1527); Medini Rai of l Devaraya II, the greatest ruler, who was Chanderi at Battle of Chanderi seen as incarnation of Indra by Commoners; (AD 1528) and Mahmud Lodi at He was also called ‘Gajabetekara’ and wrote Battle of Ghagra (AD 1529); he Mahanataka Sudhanidhi and commentary wrote Tuzuk-i-Baburi in Turkish on the Brahma Sutras in Sanskrit; Persian language. Ambassador Abdur Razzaq visited his l Babur declared Jehad and adopted court. Krishnadeva Raya (AD 1509-29) was the title Ghazi. the greatest ruler. l Died in 1530 and was buried at Aram l Krishnadeva Raya was known as Abhinava Bagh (Agra). Later his body was taken Bhoja, Andhra Pitamah and Andhra to Bagh-e Babun (Kabul). Bhoja because of being a great patron of literature. Eight great poets of Telugu Humayun (AD 1530-1556) (Ashta Diggaja) adorned his court like l Built Dinpanah at Delhi as his second Pedanna and Tenalirama. capital. l Portuguese Dominigo Paes and Barbosa l Sher Shah Suri gradually gained visited his court. power. He fought two battles with l Battle of Talikota (AD 1565) Sadasiva, the Humayun—Battle of Chausa (AD last ruler of the Tuluva dynasty was defeated 1539) and another Battle of Kannauj by an alliance of Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, (AD 1540) culminating into Golconda and Bidar. Humayun’s defeat. Bahmani Kingdom l Humayun passed 15 years in exile; l Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah (AD again invaded India in 1555 with the 1347-58), also known as Hasan Gangu, help of his officer Bairam Khan. founded it with capital at Gulbarg. l Died in AD 1556 due to a fall from his library building’s stairs; Gulbadan l Ahmad Shah Wali transferred the capital Begum, Humayun's half-sister wrote from Gulbarg to Bidar. Humayun-nama. l Bahmani kingdom broke up into : ¡ Nizamsahis of Ahmadnagar Akbar (AD 1556-1605) Founder Malik Ahmad Bahri l Coronated at the young age of 14 by ¡ Adilsahis of Bijapur Bairam Khan; defeated Hemu at the Founder Yusuf Adil Shah Second Battle of Panipat (AD 1556) ¡ Imadsahis of Berar with the help of Bairam Khan; Founder Fatullah Khan Imad-ul-Mulk conquered Malwa (AD 1561) ¡ Qutubsahis of Golconda defeating Baz Bahadur followed by Founder Quli Qutub Shah Garh-Katanga (ruled by Rani ¡ Baridsahis of Bidar Durgawati), Chittor (AD 1568), Founder Ali Barid Ranthambhor and Kalinjar (AD 1569), Gujarat (AD 1572), Mewar l The Gol Gumbaz (a tomb with World's (Battle of Haldighati, AD 1576 Akbar second largest dome) was built by and Rana Pratap), Kashmir (AD Muhammad Adil Shah at Bijapur. 1586), Sindh (AD 1593) and Asirgarh l Muhammad Quli Qutubshah founded (AD 1603) were also conquered. Hyderabad and built Charminar. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 13 l Buland Darwaza was constructed at Aurangzeb (Alamgir) Fatehpur Sikri after victory over Gujarat in AD 1572. (AD 1658-1707) l Married to Harkha Bai, daughter of l Aurangzeb became victorious after the Rajput ruler Bharmal brutal war of succession among his brother Dara, Shuja and Murad. l Ralph Fitch (in AD 1585) was the first Englishman to visit Akbar's court. l Rebellions during his rule—Jat Peasantry at Mathura, Satnami l Abolished Jaziyah (AD 1564); believed peasantry in Punjab and Bundelas in in Sulh-i-Kul (peace to all), built Ibadat Bundelkhand. Khana (Hall of prayer) at Fatehpur Sikri; issued ‘Degree of Infallibility (AD 1579); l The annexation of Marwar in AD 1658 formulated religious order Din-i-Ilahi led to a serious rift between Rajput and (AD 1582). Birbal was the first to Mughals after the death of Raja Jaswant embrace it. Singh. l Land revenue system was called Todar l Ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Mal Bandobast or Zabti System was executed by him in AD 1675. measurement of land, classification of l Mughal conquests reached territorial land and fixation of rent; and introduced climax during his reign. Mansabdari System (holder of rank) to l It stretched from Kashmir in North to organise nobility and army. Jinji in South, from the Hindukush in l The Navratnas included Todar Mal, Abul West to Chittagong in East. Fazal, Faizi, Birbal, Tansen, Abdur l He was called Darvesh or a Zinda Pir. Rahim Khana-i-Khana, Mullah-do-Pyaza, He forbade Sati. Conquered Bijapur (AD Raja Man Singh and Fakir Aziao-Din 1686) and Golconda (AD 1687) and reimposed Jaziya in AD 1679. Jahangir (AD 1605-1627) l He built Biwi ka Makbara on the tomb l Executed the fifth Sikh guru, Guru of his queen Rabaud-Durani at Arjan Dev. Aurangabad; Moti Masjid within Red l Greatest failure was loss of Kandahar to Fort, Delhi; and the Jami or Badshahi Persia in AD 1622. Mosque at Lahore. l Married Mehr-un-Nisa in AD 1611 and conferred the title of Nurjahan on her; Causes behind the fall He established Zanjir-i-Adal at Agra Fort of Mughal Empire for the seekers of royal justice. Weak and incompetent successors l Captain Hawkins and Sir Thomas Roe Wars of succession visited his court. Aurangzeb’s Deccan, religious and Rajput l Famous painters in his court-Abdul policies Hassan, Ustad Mansur and Bishandas. Jagirdari crisis Growth of Marathas and other regional Shahjahan (AD 1628-1658) powers l Annexed Ahmadnagar while Bijapur Foreign invasions of Nadir Shah (1739) and and Golconda accepted his overlord- Abdali ship. l Secured Kandahar (AD 1639). Sur Dynasty l Two Frenchmen, Bernier and Tavernier l The founder of Sur dynasty was Farid. and an Italian adventurer Manucci l Afghan ruler of Bihar, Bahar Khan visited his court. Lohani gave the title of Sher Shah to l Built Moti Masjid and Taj Mahal at Farid. Introduced Silver coin called Agra, Jama Masjid and Red Fort at Rupaya and Copper coin Dam. Delhi. His reign is considered the l Built his tomb at Sasaram and built a Golden Age of the Mughal new city on the bank of Yamuna river in architecture. Delhi (present day Purana Qila).  14 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Ashtapradhan (eight ministers) helped LATER MUGHALS l in administration. These were Peshwas, l Bahadur Shah I (1707-12) Original Sar-i-Naubat (Military), Mazumdar or name was Muazzam; Title-Shah Alam I. Amatya (Accounts); Waqenavis l Jahandar Shah (1712-13) He (Intelligence); Surunavis (Corres- ascended the throne with the help of pondence); Dabir or Sumanta Zulfikar Khan; abolished Jizya. (Ceremonies); Nyayadhish (Justice); and l Farrukhsiyar (1713-19) He lacked the Panditrao (Charity). ability and knowledge to rule l Successors of Shivaji were Shambhaji, independently. His reign saw the Rajaram and Shahu (fought at Battle of emergence of the Sayyid Brothers. Khed in AD 1708). l Muhammad Shah (1719-48) Nadir Shah invaded India and took away Peshwas (AD 1719-18) Peacock throne and Kohinoor diamond. l Balaji Vishwanath was the first Peshwas, l Ahmed Shah (1748-54) Ahmed Shah who concluded an agreement with the Abdali (General of Nadir Shah) Sayyid Brothers (the king makers in marched towards Delhi and the history) by which Mughal emperor Mughals ceded Punjab and Multan. Farukh Siyyar recognised Shahu as the king of Swarajya. l Alamgir (1754-59) Ahmed Shah occupied Delhi. Later, Delhi was l Baji Rao considered as the “greatest plundered by Marathas. exponent of guerilla tactics after Shivaji”; Maratha power reached its zenith and l Shah Alam II (1759-1806) could not system of confederacy began; defeated enter Delhi for 12 years. Siddis of Janjira; Conquest of Bassein and l Akbar II (1806-37) pensioner of East Salsette from Portuguese. India Company. He gave the title ‘Raja’ l Balaji Baji Rao known as Nana Sahib; to Ram Mohan Roy. Third Battle of Panipat (AD 1761) l Bahadur Shah II (1837-57) Last between Marathas and Ahmed Shah Abdali Mughal Emperor who was made gave a big jolt to the Maratha empire. premier during the 1857 Revolt. Literature of Mughal Period SIKH GURUS l Guru Nanak Ji (1469-39) founded Sikh Author Work religion. Babur Tuzuk-i-Babari l GuruAngad(1539-52)inventedGurmukhi. Abul Fazal Ain-i-Akbari, Akbarnamah l Guru Amardas (1552-74) struggled Jahangir Tuzuk-i-Jahangir against sati system, and purdah system and established 22 Gadiyans to propagate Hamid Lahori Padshahnama religion. Darashikoh Majma-ul-Bahrain l Guru Ramdas (1574-81) founded Amritsar Mirza Md Qasim Alamgirnama in 1577. Akbar granted the land. l Guru Arjan Dev (1581-1606) founded MARATHAS (AD 1674-1818) Swarn Mandir (Golden Temple) and composed Adi Granth later expanded Shivaji (AD 1627-80) into the Guru Granth Sahib. l Born at Shivner to Shahji Bhonsle and l Guru Hargobind Singh (1606-44) Jijabai. His religious teacher was established Akal Takht, and fortified Samarth Ramdas and guardian was Amritsar. Dadaji Kondadev. l Guru Har Rai (1644-61) provided care to l Treaty of Purandar (AD 1665) between Dara Shikoh. Shivaji and Mughals. l Guru Harkishan (1661-64) l Coronation at Raigarh (AD 1674) and l Guru Tegh Bahadur (1664-75) assumed the title of Haindava l Guru Gobind Singh (1675-1708) was the Dharmadharak (Protector of last Guru who founded the Khalsa. After Hinduism). him Sikh guruship ended.  MODERN INDIA ADVENT OF THE large concessions to the company. This farman has been called the Magna Carta EUROPEANS of the Company. Portuguese l Battle of Plassey (1757) English defeated Sirajuddaula, the nawab of l Vasco-da-Gama reached the port of Bengal. Calicut in 1498 during the reign of king l Battle of Buxar (1764) Captain Munro Zamorin. (Hindu ruler of Calicut). defeated joint forces of Mir Qasim l Settlements Daman, Salsette, Chaul (Bengal), Shujauddaula (Awadh) and and Bombay (West coast), San Thome Shah Alam II (Mughal). (near Madras) and at Hooghly. l Alfonso de Albuquerque, the second Danes Governor of India (first being Francisco l The Danish East India Company was de Almeida) arrived in 1509 and formed in 1616. captured Goa in AD 1510. l The Danish colony ‘Tranquebar’ was established on Southern Coromondel Dutch coast of India. l Dutch East India Company was formed l Settlements Serampur (Bengal) and in AD 1602. Tranquebar (Tamil Nadu) sold their l Dutch were defeated by English at the settlements to the English in 1845. Battle of Bedara in AD 1759 and as per French agreement, the Dutch gained the control l The French East India Company was over Indonesia and the British over formed by Colbert under state patronage India, Sri Lanka and Malaya. in 1664. The First French factory was l Settlements They set-up their first established at Surat by Francois Caron in factory at Masulipatnam in 1605. Their 1668. A factory at Masulipatnam was other factories were at Pulicat, Chinsura, set-up in 1669. Patna, Balasore, Naga pattanam, Cochin, l French were defeated by English in Surat, Karaikal and Kasimbazar. Battle of Wandiwash (1760). English GOVERNOR-GENERALS l The English East India Company was formed in 1599 under a charter granted OF BENGAL by Queen Elizabeth in 1600. Jahangir granted a farman to Captain William Warren Hastings (AD 1774-85) Hawkins permitting the English to erect l Brought the dual government to an end a factory at Surat (1613). by the Regulating Act, 1773. l In 1615, Sir Thomas Roe succeeded in l The Act of 1781 made clear demarcation getting an imperial farman to trade and between the jurisdiction of the Governor establish factory in all parts of the General-in-Council and Supreme Court Mughal Empire by ruler Jahangir. at Calcutta. l In 1690, a factory was established at l Pitt’s India Act (1784), Rohilla War Suttanati by Job Charnock. In 1698, (1774), First Maratha War (1775-1782) following the acquisition of zamindari of and Treaty of Salbai with Marathas three villages of Suttanati, Kalikata and (1782) and Second Mysore War (1780- Govindpur, the city of Calcutta was 84). Foundation of Asiatic Society of founded. Fort William was set-up in Bengal (1784) in Calcutta by Sir 1700. William Jones. l In 1717, John Surman obtained a l English translations of Bhagavad Gita by farman from Farrukhsiyar, which gave Charles Wilkins in 1785.  16 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Lord Cornwallis (AD 1786-93) GOVERNOR-GENERALS Third Mysore War (1790-92) and l Treaty of Seringapatnam (1792). OF INDIA l Introduced Permanent Settlement in Lord William Bentinck Bengal and Bihar (1793). (AD 1828-35) l He is called the Father of Civil l Charter Act of 1833 was passed and he was Services in India, introduced judicial made the first Governor General of India. reforms by separating revenue Before him, the designation given was administration from judicial Governor General of Bengal. administration and established a l Carried out social reforms like prohibition system of circles (thanas, headed by a of sati (1829) and elimination of thugs Daroga (an Indian). (1830). On Macaulay’s recommedations, l Translation of Abhigyan Shakuntalam English was made the medium of higher in English by William Jones in 1789. education. Suppressed female infanticide and child sacrifice. Sir John Shore (AD 1793-98) l Played an important role in the Lord Metcalfe (AD 1835-36) introduction of Permanent Settlement. Known as liberator of the press in India. l Battle of Kharda between the Nizams Lord Auckland (AD 1836-42) and the Marathas (1795). First Afghan War (1838-42), a disaster for Lord Wellesley (AD 1798-1805) the English. l Introduction of the Subsidiary Lord Ellenborough (AD 1842-44) Alliance (1798), first alliance with Brought an end to the Afghan war. War with Nizam of Hyderabad followed by Gwalior (1843), Annexation of Sind by Mysore, Tanjore, Awadh, the Peshwa, Charles Napier (1843). the Bhonsle and the Scindia. l Treaty of Bassein (1802) and the Lord Hardinge (AD 1844-48) Second Maratha War. First Anglo-Sikh War (1845-46) and Treaty of Lahore (1846). Gave preference to English George Barlow (1805-07) educated persons in employment. l Vellore Mutiny (1806) Lord Dalhousie (AD 1848-56) l Introduction of Doctrine of Lapse and Lord Minto I (AD 1807-13) annexation of Satara (1848), Jaitpur and l Concluded the Treaty of Amritsar Sambhalpur (1849), Baghat (1850), with Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1809). Udaipur (1852), Jhansi (1853), Nagpur Charter Act of 1813 was passed. (1854) and Awadh (annexed in 1856 on account of maladministration). Lord Hasting (AD 1813-23) l Laid down the first railway line between l Anglo Nepal War (1814-1816) and Bombay and Thane (1853), Telegraph line Treaty of Sagauli (1816). between Calcutta and Agra and Postal l Third Maratha War (1817-18) reforms (first issue of the Indian stamp in dissolution of Maratha confederacy Karachi in 1854) with the Post Office Act. and creation of Bombay Presidency. l Widow Remarriage Act, 1856 (the main l Pindari War and establishment of force being Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar). Ryotwari System by Thomas Munro l Started Public Works Department, Grand (1820). Trunk Road work and harbour of Karachi, Bombay and Calcutta developed. Lord Amherst (AD 1823-28) l Charter Act, 1853-Selection to Civil l First Burmese War (1824-26), Service through competitive examination. Treaty of Yandaboo (1826) and l Started Engineering College at Roorkee; capture of Bharatpur (1826). made Shimla, the summer capital of India. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 17 VICEROYS OF INDIA Lord Ripon (AD 1880-84) l First Factory Act of 1881 prohibited Lord Canning (AD 1856-62) Child Labour under the age of 7. Local l The last Governor General and the first Self-Government was introduced in Viceroy. Withdrew Doctrine of Lapse. 1882. l Revolt of 1857, Mutiny took place. l Repealed the Vernacular Press Act in Indian Penal Code 1860 was passed. 1882. Finances of the centre were l Passed the Act, 1858, which ended the divided. rule of the East India Company. The l Lord Ripon is regarded as ‘the founding Universities of Calcutta, Bombay and father of local self governance’ in India. Madras were established in 1857. l An Education Commission was appointed under Sir William Hunter in 1882 to Lord Elgin (AD 1862) improve primary and secondary l Wahabi Movement education. l The llbert Bill Controversy (1883) Lord John Lawrence (AD 1864-69) enabled Indian district magistrates to try l Established the High Courts at Calcutta, European criminals. Bombay and Madras in 1865. l Telegraphic communication was opened Lord Dufferin (AD 1884-88) with Europe. Created the Indian Forest Third Burmese War (AD 1885-86). Department. Establishment of the Indian National Congress in 1885. Lord Mayo (AD 1869-72) Lord Lansdowne (AD 1888-94) l Organised the Statistical Survey of India and for the first time in Indian history, a l Factory Act of 1891 granted weekly census was held in 1871. holiday and stipulated working hours for women and children. l Started the process of financial decentralisation in India. Established l Civil services were divided into Imperial, the Department of Agriculture and Provincial and Subordinate Services. Commerce. l Indian Councils Act of 1892. l Established the Rajkot College at l The Durand Commission defined the Kathiawar and Mayo College at Ajmer for Durand Line between British India and the Indian princes. Afghanistan (now between Pakistan and l He was the only viceroy to be murdered Afghanistan) in 1893. in office by a Pathan convict in the Lord Elgin II (AD 1894-99) Andamans in 1872. l Southern uprisings of 1899. Great Lord Northbrooke (AD 1872-76) famine of 1896-1897 and Lyall Commission on famine was established. Kuka Rebellion in Punjab, Famine in Bihar. Lord Curzon (AD 1899-1905) Lord Lytton (AD 1876-80) l A Commission was appointed under l Known as the ‘Viceroy of Reverse Sir Thomas Raleigh in 1902 to suggest Character’. reforms regarding universities, the l Royal Titles Act of 1876 and the Indian Universities Act of 1904 was assumption of the title of ‘Empress of passed on the basis of its India’ by Queen Victoria, the Delhi recommendations. Durbar in January 1877. l Ancient Monuments Preservation Act l Vernacular Press Act (also called the of 1904. Thus, Archaeological Survey of ‘Gagging Act’ to restrain the circulation of India was established. printed matter) and the Arms Act (made l Agricultural Research Institute was it mandatory for Indians to acquire established at Pusa in Delhi. Partitioned license in arms) of 1878. Bengal in 1905.  18 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Lord Minto (AD 1905-10) Lord Willingdon (AD 1931-36) Swadeshi Movement (1905-08); foundation l Second Round Table Conference in of Muslim League (1906); Surat Session and London in 1931 and third in 1932. split in the Congress (1907). Morley-Minto l Government of India Act (1935) was Reforms (1909). passed. Communal Awards (16th August, 1932) assigned separate Lord Hardinge (AD 1910-16) electorate for Gandhiji went on a Capital shifted from Calcutta to Delhi epic fast to protest against this (1911); Delhi Durbar; Partition of Bengal was division. cancelled. The Hindu Mahasabha was founded in 1915 by Pandit Madan Mohan Lord Linlithgow (AD 1936-43) Malaviya. l Congress Ministries resignation celebrated as ‘Deliverance Day’ by the Lord Chelmsford (AD 1916-21) Muslim League (1939), the Lahore l Gandhi returned to India (1915) and Resolution (23rd March, 1940) of the founded the Sabarmati Ashram (1916), Muslim League demanding separate Champaran Satyagraha (1917), state for the Muslims. (It was at this Satyagraha at Ahmedabad (1918), Kheda session that Jinnah propounded his Satyagraha (1918). Two-Nation Theory). Outbreak of l August Declaration (1917) by Montague, World War II in 1939. Cripps Mission the then Secretary of State, and Montford in 1942. Quit India Movement (8th reforms or the Government of India Act of August, 1942). 1919. l Rowlatt Act (March, 1919) and the Lord Wavell (AD 1943-47) Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (13th April, l Cabinet Mission Plan (16th May, 1919). 1946). l Khilafat Committee was formed and l First meeting of the Constituent Khilafat Movement started (1919-20). Assembly was held on 9th December, 1946. l Non-Cooperation Movement started (1920-22). Women’s University was l Arranged the Shimla Conference on founded at Poona (1916). 25th June, 1945 with the failure of talks between the Indian National Lord Reading (AD 1921-26) Congress and Muslim League. l Repeal of Rowlatt Act. Chauri-Chaura l Election to the Constituent Assembly incident. RSS founded in 1925. Suppressed were held and an interim government Non-Cooperation Movement. Formation of was appointed under Nehru. Swaraj Party. l Moplah Rebellion (1921) took place. Lord Mountbatten Kakori Train Robbery on 1st August, 1925. (March to August, 1947) Communal Riots of 1923-25 in Multan, l Last Viceroy of British India and the Amritsar, Delhi etc. first Governor-General of free India. l Partition of India decided by the 3rd Lord Irwin (AD 1926-31) June Plan or Mountbatten Plan. l Simon Commission visited India in 1927. l Retired in June, 1948 and was Congress passed the Indian Resolution in succeeded by C Rajagopalachari, the 1929. first and the last Indian Governor- l Dandi March (12th March, 1930). Civil General of Free India. Disobedience Movement (1930). l Indian Independence Act was passed l First Round Table Conference was held by the British Parliament on in England in 1930. Gandhi-Irwin Pact. 4th July, 1947, by which India became l Lahore Session of Congress and Poorna independent on 15th August, 1947. Swaraj Declaration (1925). GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 19 THE REVOLT OF 1857 Impact of the Revolt l Started at Meerut on 10th May, 1857. The control of Indian administration was l Political Causes The policy of Doctrine of passed on to the British Crown by the Lapse. Government of India Act, 1858. Reorganisation of the army. l Economic Causes Heavy taxation, evictions, Discriminatory Tariff Policy After the revolt, the British pursued the against Indian products and destruction of Policy of Divide and Rule. traditional handicrafts that hit peasants, artisans and small zamindars. CHIEF NATIONAL Military Discrimination as Indian ACTIVITIES l soldiers were paid low salaries, they could not rise above the rank of subedar and The Indian National Congress were racially insulted. l It was formed in 1885 by AO Hume a l Grievances of Sepoys The introduction of retired Civil Servant. Enfield rifle, and its cartridge of which l The first session was held in Bombay was greased with animal fat, provided the under Presidentship of WC Bannerjee spark. in 1885, attended by 72 delegates from l A rebellion broke out among Sepoys of all over India. Meerut on 10th May, 1857 which later spread to other parts of the country. l The first two decades of INC are described in history as those of moderate l British social reforms (widow remarriage, demands and a sense of confidence in abolition of sati, education for girls, British justice and generosity. Christian missionaries). l Moderate leaders Dada Bhai Centres of Revolt and the Leaders Naoroji, Badruddin Tayabji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Surendranath Centre Leader British Bannerjee and Anand Mohan Bose. of Revolt Suppressor Delhi Bahadur Shah II, John Nicholson, Partition of Bengal (1905) Bakht Khan Hudson l The partition was announced by Lord Banaras Liaquat Ali James Neill Curzon on 16th October, 1905 through Kanpur Nana Saheb, Tantia Campbell, a royal proclamation, reducing the old Tope, Azimullah Havelock province of Bengal in size by creating Khan East Bengal and Assam out of the rest of Lucknow Hazrat Mahal Havelock, Bengal. (Begum of Awadh) James Neill, Campbell Swadeshi Movement (1905) Jhansi Rani Laxmi Bai Sir Hugh Rose This movement had its origin in the anti-partition movement of Bengal. Lal, Bareilly Khan Bahadur Khan Sir Colin Bal, Pal and Aurobindo Ghosh played an Campbell important role. INC took the Swadeshi Awadh Veer Kunwar Singh William Taylor call first at the Banaras Session, 1905 (Bihar) and Vincent presided over by GK Gokhale. Eyer Muslim League (1906) Causes of Failure l It was set-up in 1906 by Aga Khan, The Nizam of Hyderabad, the Raja of Jodhpur, Nawab Salimullah of Dhaka and Nawab Scindia of Gwalior, the Holkar of Indore, the Mohsin-ul- Mulk. rulers of Patiala, Sindh and Kashmir and the l The league supported the Partition of Rana of Nepal provided active support to the Bengal and opposed the Swadeshi British. Movement, demanded special Comparative lack of efficient leadership. safeguards to its community and a separate electorate for Muslims.  20 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE l This led to communal differences August Declaration (1917) between the Hindus and the Muslims. l After the Lucknow Pact, the British policy Demand for Swaraj was announced which aimed at ‘‘increasing association of Indians in every branch of (Calcutta Session in Dec, 1906) the administration for progressive realisation l The INC, under the leadership of of responsible government in India as a