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EDITED BY
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30.10.2014

Timeline: Indian History

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2500-1500 BC: Indus Valley Civilisation.

2000-1500: Aryans arrive from central Asia.
1500-1000: The Early Vedic Age Rigveda.
1000-500: Later Vedic Period - Samaveda,
Yajurveda
and
Atharvaveda,
Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Samhitas, early
Upanishads and Sutras.
563-483 : Gautama Buddha born at Lumbini
(Nepal); attainment of knowledge
Bodh Gaya (Bihar); first sermon
Sarnath, near Varanasi (UP); Nirvana
Kusinagar (Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh).
540-468 : Mahavira born at Kundagrama near
Vaishali (Bihar) and nirvana at Pavapuri
(Patna, Bihar).
492-460 : Rule of Ajatasatru, son of Bimbisara,
king of Magadha.
364-321 : Rule of Nandas of Magadha
326
: Invasion of India by Alexander Battle
of Hydaspes.
322-298 : Reign of Chandragupta Maurya, the
founder of the Mauryan dynasty.
273-232 : Reign of Ashoka , son of Bindusara
261
: Kalinga war.
257
: Asoka's conversion to Budhism by
Upagupta.
250
: Third Buddhist council at Pataliputra
90
: Sakas invade India.
58
: The Vikrama Samvat (vikram era) introduced by King Vikramaditya of Ujjain.
20-46 AD : Gondophernes, the king of IndoParthians.

320-335 : Reign of Chandragupta-I.

335-380 : Reign of Samudragupta known as Indian
Napoleon.
380-414 : Reign of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya).
405-411 : The visit of the Chinese pilgrim Fa-hien
to India.
500-527 : Rule of Huns over North India.
606-647 : Harsha Vardhana of Kanauj. Hiuen-Tsang
visited India (AD 630-644).
500-757 : First Chalukya dynasty of Vatapi
630
: Harsha's clash with PulakesinII
973-1190 : Chalukya dynasty of Kalyani
760-1142 : Palas of Eastern India.
985-1014 : Reign of Rajaraja, the Great. Starts a
great land survey (AD 1000).
1014-1044 : Reign of Rajendra Chola. Naval campaign against Sri Vijaya kingdom.
788-820 : Sankaracharya and his philosophy of
Advaita.
712
: Arabs occupy Sindh.
871-1173 : Imperial cholas of Tanjore.
916-1203 : Construction of Khajuraho Temples.
1000-1027: Invasion of Mahmud of Ghazni.
1191
: Prithviraj III, defeated Muhammad Ghori
in the first battle of Tarain .
1192
: Mohammad Ghori defeated Prithviraj in
theSecond Battle of Tarain in 1192.
1206
: Foundation of the Sultanate of Delhi by
Qutub-ud-din Aibak.
1210
: Death of Qutub-ud-din Aibak.
1210-1236: Reign of Iltutmish.
1221
: Mongol invasion under Chenghis Khan.
1231
: Iltumish completed the construction of
Qutub Minar at Delhi.
1236-1240: Reign of Empress Raziya, daughter of
Iltutmish, the first and last woman ruler
of Medieval India.
1266-1287: Reign of Sultan Balban.

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7500 BC : Civilization at Gulf of Khambar

78

: Accession of Kanishka, The Saka era begins.

100-300 : The Sangam Age in south India.

50 BC-250 AD : Satavahana dynasty in the Deccan.

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Humayuns defeat near Kanauj.

Birth of Akbar.
Battle of Kalinjar.
Death of Sher Shah.
Battle of Sirhind. Sikandur Suri was defeated by Humayun, Humayun recovers the throne of Delhi.
1556
: Death of Humayun and accession of
Akbar. Second Battle of Panipat.
1556-1605: Akbar's reign.
1564
: Abolition of Jezyah.
1565
: Battle of Talikota Vijayanagar destroyed.
1571
: Foundation of Fatehpur Sikri.
1576
: Battle of Haldighati and defeat of
Maharana Pratap.
1579
: Infalliability decree issued by Akbar.
1581
: Din-i-Ilahi promulgated by Akbar.
1600
: Deccan expedition and siege of
Ahmadnagar
: Charter to British East India company.
1605
: Death of Akbar and accession of
Jahangir.
1605-1627: Reign of Jahangir.
1609
: William Hawking visited Jahangir.
1615
: Sir Thomas Roe in the court of Jahangir.
1627
: Death of Jahangir.
1628
: Shah Jahan proclaimed Emperor.
1631
: Death of Mumtaz Mahal.
1636
: Treaties with Bijapur and Golcunda.
1658
: Coronation of Aurangzeb.
1659
: Murder of Afzal Khan by Shivaji.
1663
: Death of Mir Jumla.
: Attack on Poona by Shivaji.
: Shaista Khan appointed Governor of Bengal.
1665
: Conclusion of the treaty of Purandhar signed between Sivaji and Jai Singh.
1666
: Death of Shah Jahan.
1674
: Sivaji's Coronation and assumption of
the title of Chatrapati.
1675
: Execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
1679
: Jeziah imposed on the Hindus by
Aurangzeb.
1680
: Death of Sivaji.

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1540
1542
1545
1545
1555

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1288-1293: Visit of Marco Polo in India.

1290-1296 : Sultan Jalal-ud-din Firuz Khalji, founder
of the Khalji dynasty.
1296
: Alauddin Khalji invades Devagiri.
1296-1316: Reign of Sultan Alauddin Khalji.
1309-1311: Malik Kafur's expedition into South India.
1320-1325: Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (Ghazi Malik),
founder of the Tughlaq dynasty.
1325-1351: Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq. Transferred
the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad1327. Issue of token currency 1329.
1333
: Ibn Batuta arrives in India.
1351-1388: Sultan Firuz Tughlaq.
1398
: Invasion of Timur during the reign of
Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud
1414-1451: Reign of Sayyid dynasty.
1420
: Visit of Nicolo Conti.
1451-1526: Bahlul Lodhi (1451-89), Sikandar Lodhi
(1489-1517), and Ibrahim Lodhi (1517-26)
1526
: The first Battle of Panipat (1526) Babur
defeats Ibrahim Lodhi.
1336
: Foundation of the empire of Vijayanagar
by Harihara and Bukka
1438-1468: Reign of Rana kumbha in Mewar.
1509-1530: Reign of Krishnadeva Raya, the greatest king of Vijayanagar.
1565
: Battle of Talikota, decline of the empire
of Vijayanagar.
1346
: Foundation of the Bahmani kingdom by
Ala-ud-din Hasan Bahman Shah (13471358).
1498
: Vasco da Gama arrives at Calicut
1505
: De Almeida, the first Viceroy of Portuguese
in India
1510
: Conquest of Goa from the Adilshahi Sultan of Bijapur 1510.
1526
: Babur defeats Ibrahim Lodhi at the first
battle of Panipat. Formation of Mughal
empire.
1527
: Battle of Khanwa. Babur defeats Rana
Sanga of Mewar.
1530
: Accession of Humayun.
1538
: Death of Guru Nanak.
1539
: Sher Shah defeats Humayun at Chausa
and assumes sovereignty.

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: Pitts Act passed, Setting up Board of Control for East India Company.
: Asiatic Society of Bengal founded by Sir
William Jones.
1786-93 : Lord Cornwalis, Governor-General.
1790-92 : Third Mysore War.
1792
: Treaty of Srirangapatnam signed between Tipu and English.
1793-98 : Sir John Shore, Governor-General.
1793
: The Permanent Zamindari Settlement of
Bengal.
1798
: Lord Wellesley as Governor-General and
brought subsidiary alliance.
1799
: Fourth Mysore War. Fall of Srirangapatnam. Death of Tipu.
1800
: Establishment of the College of Fort William.
1802
: The Treaty of Bassein between Peshwa
and English.
1803
: Occupation of Delhi by Lord Lake.
1803-05 : Second Anglo-Maratha War.
1807-13 : Lord Minto as Governor-General.
1809
: Treaty of Amritsar-Ranjit Singh and British sign treaty of perpetual amity.
1813-23 : Lord Hastings as Governor-General.
1814-16 : Anglo-Gurkha War.
1817-18 : Pindari War Peshwa defeated at
Kirkee.
1818-19 : Last Anglo-Maratha War.
1823-28 : Lord Amherst Governor-General.
1824-26 : First Burmese War.
1828-35 : Lord William Bentinck as GovernorGeneral.
1829
: Prohibition of Sati.
1829-37 : Suppression of Thuggee.
1833
: Renewal of Companys charter. Abolition
of the Companys trading rights.
1835-36 : Sir Charles Metcalf Governor-General.
1835
: Macaulays Education Resolution. English
made official language instead of Persian.
1835
: Foundation of Calcutta Medical College.
1836-1842: Lord Auckland as Governor-General.
1839
: Death of Ranjit Singh.
1842-44 : Lord Ellenborough as Governor-General.

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1686
: Conquest of Bijapur by Aurangzeb.
1687
: Golconda annexed to the Mughal empire.
1707
: Death of Aurangzeb at Ahmadnagar.
1739
: Invasion of Nadirshah.
1740-1761: Peshwaship of Balaji Baji Rao (Nana
Saheb).
1746-48 : First Carnatic war.
1748-54 : Second Carnatic war.
1756-63 : Third Carnatic war.
1757
: Battle of Plassey.
1760
: Battle of Wandiwash.
1761
: Third Battle of Panipat: The Marathas
defeated by the combined troops of
Ahmad Shah Abdali; the Mughals, and
other Muslim chiefs of India.
1764
: Battle of Buxar. The English defeat Shah
Alam, Shuja-ud-daulah and Mir Qasim.
1765
: Grant of the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar,
and Orissa to the East India Company
by Shah Alam II under Treaty of
Allahabad.
: Clive, Companys Governor in Bengal.
1765-72 : Dual Government of Bengal.
1767-69 : The First Anglo Mysore War.
1770
: The Great Bengal Famine.
1771
: Marathas occupy Delhi and restore Shah
Alam who was till then under English
protection at Allahabad.
1772-73 : Warren Hastings as Governor of Bengal.
: Abolition of Dual Government of Bengal
(1772).
1773
: The Regulating Act was passed, bringing the company partially under
Parliaments control and the Presidencies
under Calcuttas control.
1773-85 : Warren Hastings Governor-General.
: Establishment of Supreme Court,
Calcutta.
1775-82 : The First Anglo-Maratha War.
1776
: Treaty of Purandar
1780-84 : Second Mysore War.
1783
: Foxs India Bills give more powers to Parliament and to the Governor-General.
1784
: Treaty of Mangalore between Tipu and the
English.

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1883-84 : Ilbert Bill controversy.

1884-88 : Lord Dufferin Viceroy.
1885
: First session of the Indian National Congress held at Bombay.
1887
: Queen Victoria's Jubilee.
1888-93 : Lord Landsdowne Viceroy.
1892
: Indian Councils Act.
1894-99 : Lord Elgin II Viceroy.
1896
: Ramakrishna Mission founded.
1899-1905: Lord Curzon Viceroy.
1905
: Partition of Bengal.
1905-10 : Lord Minto II Viceroy.
1906
: Muslim League formed at Dacca.
1907
: Surat Congress, moderates-extremists
clash.
1908
: Newspapers Act. Tilak convicted of sedition.
1909
: Morley-Minto Reforms.
: Indian Councils Act passed.
1910-16 : Lord Hardinge II Viceroy.
1911
: Delhi Durbar.
: Partition of Bengal annulled. Census of India.
: Transfer of Capital to Delhi announced
1914
: Gandhi arrives in India.
1916
: Lucknow Pact of Indian National Congress and All-India Muslim League.
: Foundation of Womens University at
Poona.
: The Home Rule League founded.
1916-21 : Lord Chelmsford as Viceroy.
1919
: Montague-Chelmsford Reforms.
: Rowlatt Act passed.
: Massacre at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar
(April 13).
1920
: Khilafat Movement and Non Co-operation Movement.
1921
: Moplah Rebellion and Wagon Tragedy.
1921-26 : Lord Reading Viceroy.
1921
: Harappa excavations begin.
1922
: Mohenjodaro excavations begin.
: Chauri Chaura incident.
1923
: Swarajists in Indian Councils.
1926-31 : Lord Irwin Viceroy.

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1844-48 : Lord Hardinge as Governor-General.

1845-46 : First Anglo-Sikh War. Treaty of Lahore.
1848-49 : Second Anglo-Sikh War. Defeat of Sikhs
and annexation of the Punjab.
: Opening of a Hindu Girls School in Calcutta by Bethune.
1848-56 : Lord Dalhousie as Governor-General.
1852
: Second Anglo-Burmese War.
1853
: Railway opened from Bombay to Thana.
Telegraph line from Calcutta to Agra.
1854
: Charles Woods despatch on Education.
1855
: Santhal insurrection in Bihar.
1856
: Annexation of Awadh. Indian University Act. Hindu Widows Remarriage
Act.
1856-58 : Lord Canning Governor-General.
1857-58 : Revolt of 1857. Revolt at Meerut begins
on May 10, 1857.
1858
: British India placed under the direct government of the Crown. Queen Victorias
Proclamation.
1858-62 : Lord Canning as Viceroy.
1861
: Indian Councils Act.
: Archaeological Survey of India set up.
: Indian Civil Service Act.
: Introduction of the Penal code.
1862-63 : Lord Elgin as Viceroy.
1864-69 : Sir John Lawrence Viceroy.
1865
: Telegraphic communication with Europe
opened.
1869-72 : Lord Mayo as Viceroy.
1875
: Visit of the Prince of Wales.
: Arya Samaj founded by Swami
Dayananda.
1877
: Lord Lytton held Durbar at Delhi where
Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress
of India.
1878
: Vernacular Press Act.
1879
: Theosophical Society at Adayar, (was
set up) Madras.
1880-84 : Lord Ripon as Viceroy.
1881
: Factory Act.
1883
: Indian National Conference held in
Calcutta.

Page 4 of 191

1934
1935
1936-44
1937

1938
1939
1940
1941
1942

1944-47
1944
1945

1946
1947-48

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1931-36
1932

: Announcement of Lord Mountbattens

plan for Partition of India (June 3).
: Indian Independence Act passed (July).
: Creation of free India and Pakistan on
midnight of August 14/15, 1947 as dominions.
1947-64 : Jawaharlal Nehru Prime Minister of India.
1948
: Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi
(January 30).
: Raja-gopalachari appointed first Indian
Governor-General (June 21).
1949
: New Constitution of India adopted and
signed (November 26).
1950
: India become a Republic. New Constitution comes into force (January 26).
: Dr. Rajendra Prasad, first President of
Indian Republic.
: Planning Commission was set up
1951
: Inauguration of First Five Year Plan.
1952
: First General Election in India
: National Development Council (NDC)
set up.
: Family Planning is launched.
1953
: Conquest of Mount Everest.
: University Grants Commission (UGC) is
set up
: CBI is set up
: Formation of Andhra Pradesh on
linquiestic basis
1954
: Chou En-lai, the Chinese Premier visits
India.
: Panchashila signed between China and India.
1955
: Hindu Marriage Act and Indian Citizenship Act.
1956
: Reorganisation of Indian States on linguistic basis
: 2nd Five Year Plan launched.
: Nationalisation of insurance companies.
1957
: Second General election. Introduction of
decimal system of coinage.
: National Calender based on Saka era
adopted.
1959
: Dalai Lama reaches India for political
asylum, Indo-Chinese relations worsen.
: Panchayat Raj introduced in Rajasthan.
1961
: Goa, Daman and Diu liberated from Portu-

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1930-31
1931

1947

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1929

: Appointment of Simon Commission.

: Simon Commission comes to India.
: Death of Lala Lajpat Rai following police assault. Nehru Report.
: Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt drops
bombs in the Legislative Assembly.
: Congress on December 31 at Lahore declaring its objective of Poora Swaraj for
India.
: Gandhijis Dandi March. Civil Disobedience Movement.
: First Round Table Conference.
: Gandhi-Irwin Pact signed.
: Second Round Table Conference.
: Lord Wellingdon Viceroy.
: Third Round Table Conference.
: Communal Award announced.
: Poona Pact signed.
: Civil Disobedience Movement called off.
: Government of India Act, 1935 passed
by British Parliament.
: Lord Linlithgow Viceroy.
: Inauguration of Provincial Autonomy.
Congress Ministries formed in seven out
of eleven provinces.
: Haripura session of the Congress.
: Second World War begins (September).
: Pakistan resolution passed by Muslim
League at Lahore.
: Subhash Chandra Bose escapes from India.
: Cripps comes to India with his proposals in March.
: Congress rejects Cripps Proposal (11
April).
: Quit India resolution passed by Congress on August 8.
: Lord Wavell Viceroy.
: INA reaches Indian soil.
: Labour Government in Britain. INA surrenders to the British (May). First trial
of INA men (November 5).
: Cabinet Missions plans announced
(June 16).
: Lord Mountbatten Viceroy.

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1928

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1975

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1977
1978

1979

1980
1981

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1983

1984

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1986
1987

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1988

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1973
1974

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to scale Mount Everest.

Indira Gandhi assassinated
Rajiv Gandhi sworn in as new Prime
Minister.
Bhopal Gas tragedy
Centenary celebrations of Indian National Congress held.
Dhronachary Award instituted
Centre and Laldenga sign Mizo Accord.
Frontier Gandhi, Khan Abdul Gaffar
Khan given Bharat Ratna. First foreigner
to get Bharatratna.
Bharat Ratna conferred on M.G.
Ramachandran.
Contingent of Indian Army flown to
Maldives to help President Abdul
Gayoom.
Lok Sabha passes Constitutional
Amendment Bill reducing voting age
from 21 to 18 years.
V.P. Singh sworn in as seventh Prime
Minister with Devi Lal as his Deputy.
Nelson Mandela honoured with Bharat
Ratna.
V.P. Singh resigns after losing vote of
confidence in Lok Sabha.
Chandra Shekhar is sworn as New Prime
Minister.
Rajiv Gandhi is assassinated at Sriperum
budur in Tamil Nadu.
Bharat Ratna is conferred on Morarji Desai.
Rajiv Gandhi and Sardar Patel are awarded
Bharat Ratna posthumously.
Maulana Azad posthumously awarded
Bharat Ratna.
Kar Sevaks demolished Babri Masjid in
Ayodhya
Battle tank Arjun inducted into Indian
Army.
Job Quota for OBCs becomes operative.
Earth quake at Lathur, Maharashtra
Panchayati Raj Act becomes operational.
Morarji Desai, dies. Bombay becomes
mumbai.
Atal Behari Vajpayee becomes Prime

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1972

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1985

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1971

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1989

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1969

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1965
1966

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1962
1964

guese possession.
Arjuna Award introduced
Indo-China War.
Death of Jawaharlal Nehru
Lal Bahadur Shastri becomes Prime Minister.
Indo-Pak War.
Tashkent Declaration
Death of Lal Bahadur Shastri
Indira Gandhi becomes Prime Minister.
First Nationalisation of 14 Banks.
First Dada Sahib Phalke Award was
given to Davika Rani
Indo-Pak War
Birth of Bangladesh.
Shimla Agreement between India and
Pakistan.
Project Tiger
Underground nuclear explosion carried
out at Pokhran (May 18).
Emergency declared in the country.
Aryabhatta goes to orbit.
Janata Party comes to power.
Vajpayee address UNO in Hindi.
Denomination of high value notes of Rs.
1,000, Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 10,000
demonetised.
Morarji Desai resigns as Prime Minister.
Charan Singh becomes Prime Minister.
Death of Loknayak Jayprakash Narayan.
Bhakara I launched
Mother Theresa gets Bharat Ratna.
Six more commercial banks nationalised.
Apple was launched
First Indian Antartic Expedition to
Qusim. Dakshin Gangothri, Indias first
permanent station at Antartica was set
up.
Bharat Ratna posthumously awarded to
Acharya Vinoba Bhave.
INSAT-IB successfully launched.
Sqn. Ldr. Rakesh Sharma becomes first Indian cosmonaut to go into space.
Bachendri Pal becomes first Indian woman

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1991

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1992

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1993

1994
1995

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1996

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1999

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2000

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2001

2002

2003

in

1998

: Former Indian Air Force Chief, Arjan

Singh, is made the first ever marshal of
the IAF.
: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam 11th President
: Bhairon Singh Shekhawat is sworn in
the 12th Vice-President.
: The first exclusive 1,060 kg. meteorological satellite (METSAT) is successfully launched from the Sriharikotta by
PSLV.
: Justice V.N. Khare is sworn in Chief Justice of India.
: L.K. Advani is appointed Deputy Prime
Minister.
: INSAT 3E, was launched (September 28)
: Air Marshal T.M. Asthana is named the
first Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Forces Command.
: The Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee Christens METSAT, Kalpana I after Kalpana
Chawla.
: Mehbooba Mufti takes over as president
of the Peoples Democratic Party thus becoming the first woman to head a political party in J and K.
: INS Talwar the Navys first stealth warship is inducted into western fleet.
: G. Madhavan Nair assumes office as
Chairman, Space Commission and ISRO
: The government constitutes the 17th
Law Commission with Justice M.
Jayannatha Rao as Chairman.
: The LokSabha passes the POTA
Amendment Bill, 2003, providing for safeguard against misuse.
: Rajya Sabha passes dual citizenship bill.
: India becomes the first developing country to import LNG.
: India wins its first ever test series in Pakistan.
: Major Rajya Vardhan Singh Rathore gets
the silver medal for India in shooting
(double trap category) at the Olympic

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1997

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Minister on May 16 and resigns on May

28.
H.D. Deve Gowda becomes Prime Minister on June 1. Madras becomes
Chennai.
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C1) is
launched from Sriharikota (Andhra
Pradesh).
Arundhati Roy bagged the 29th Booker
Prize,
Kalpana Chawla became the first Indianborn US woman to go into space.
Indias second (May 11) and third (May
13) nuclear explosion at Pokhran.
M.S. Subhalekshmi and Jaya Prakash
Narayan win Bharat Ratna.
Vajpayee becomes 12 Prime Minister
of India.
Param 10000 Indias new super computer
unveailed.
Konkan Railway (760 km) inaugurated.
INSAT 2E was launched on April 3
PSLV-C2 launched IRS P4.
India becomes leading producer of milk
in the world.
Amarthya Sen wins Bharat Ratna.
India launched Operation Vijay to repel
the Pak intruders from Kargil.
Bill Clinton visits India.
Lara Dutta of India becomes Miss Universe.
Formation of the states of Chhattisgarh,
Jharkhand and Uttaranchal.
Karnam Malleswary wins bronze medal
in Sydney olympics.
Priyanka Chopra of India becomes Miss
world.
GSLV D1 launches GSAT. Indian parliament attacked.
Ms. Poornima Advani is appointed Chairperson of the National Commission for
women.

2004

Page 7 of 191

: The Government comes out with the first

ever Outcome Budget.
: The trial-run, of the first Amritsar- Lahore
service begins linking the two cities for
the first time nearly six decades.
: Indias first rubber dam is installed across
the Janjhavati river in Andhra Pradeshs
Vizianagaram district.
: Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy is
awarded the 2005 Sahitya Akademi
Award for English for her book of essays The Algebra of Infinite Justice.
: The first-ever-Lahore- Amritsar bus service begins.
: The worlds longest rail is flagged off
from Bhilai steel plant.
: The President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, returns the Office of Profit Bill for reconsideration
: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam becomes the first
President to make a sortie in a combat
aircraft after flying in a Sukhoi-30 MKT
after take off from Lahegaon airbase,
Pune.
: N. Gopalaswami takes over as the new
Chief Election Commissioner.
: The GSLV - FO2 launch from Sriharikota,
Andhra Pradesh ends in failure after the
vehicle crashes into the Bay of Bengal.
: Social activist Arvind Kajriwal is elected
for the 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Award
in the Emergent Leadership category.
: The President A.P.J Abdul Kalam, confers the 39th Jnanapith Award on
Marathi writer Vinda Karandikar.
: Actor Shabana Azmi is chosen for the
Gandhi International Peace Prize 2006.
: The protection of women from Domestic
Violence Act 2006 comes into effect.
: The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,
presents the 21st Indira Gandhi Prize for
National Integration to lyricist Javed
Akhtar.
: Sri Lankan President, Mahinda
Rajapaksa inaugurates the three - day
first Asian Mayors meet in Dehra Dun.

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2006

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2005

Games.
: EDUSAT - Indias first exclusive satellite for educational services, placed in
orbit.
: Tata Motors becomes the first company
in the Indian engineering sector to list
its securities on the New York Stock Exchange.
: Keralas Palakkad district collectorate is
the first in India to be totally computerised.
: The Mahatma Gandhi International
Peace Award to the former Botswana
President Sir Ketimile Masire.
: Over 80,000 people are killed following
an undersea earthquake off Sumatra in
Indonesia, over 19,000 people are killed
in India.
: Lakshya pilotless target aircraft, test
flown.
: Cabinet decided to offer dual citizenship
for all overseas Indians who migrated after January 26, 1950.
: Presidents rule was imposed on Goa and
the Assembly kept under suspended
animation, even after the Pratapsingh
Rane Government wins the trust vote.
: Tamil writer D. Jayakanthan is selected
for the 38th Jnanapith Award for 2002.
He is the second Tamil author after P.V.
Akhilandan to receive the honour.
: Dandi March route (384 km) is declared
a heritage path and the Prime Minister,
Manmohan Singh, announces a Rs 10
crore package for Sabarmati Gandhi
Ashram renovation, on the 75th anniversary day of the breaking of the salt act
by Mahatma Gandhi.
: Indias Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
PSLVC-6 is launched from the spaceport
in Sriharikota, and it injects two satellites CARTOSAT - 1 and HAMSAT into
their orbits.
: The Lok Sabha passes the Right to information Bill.
: The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh,
launches the National Knowledge Commission.

Page 8 of 191

INDIAN HISTORY
Banarjee. It is situated in the Larkhana district in
Sind on the right bank of river Indus (Now in
Pakistan)

Pre-Historic Period

Wheat and barley were the first cereals grown by

Indians.

The name India was derived from the rivername

Sindhu which is also known as Indus.

India was originally considered as a part of a larger

area called Jambu-dvipa (The continent of Jambu
tree)

Krita, Treta, Dwapara and Kali are the four ages

of traditional Hindu thought.

Gulf of Cambut Culture

am

An assembly hall was also discovered from

Mohanjodaro.

The most important feature of Harappan

civilisation was town planning and urbanism.

The word Mohanjedaro in Sindi language means

the mount of the dead.

Mohanjodaro was believed to have destructed

by flood.

The Gulf of Cambut culture which was discovered recently from the Bay of Cambut in Gujarat
dates back to 7500 BC.

This was found out by the National Institute of

Open Technology (NIOT).

ex

Harappans knew the art of growing cereals, wheat

and barley.

Banawali is situated in Hariyana.

Chanhudaro, discovered by N. Gopal Majundar

and Mackey, is situated in Sind on the bank of
river Indus.

Kalibangan, another famous Indus city discovered in 1953 by A Ghosh, is situated in Rajasthan
on the banks of River Ghaggar. Kalibangan stands
for black bangles.

Lothal, first man made port in the world and dockyard made of burnt bricks, was discovered in 1953
by S.R. Rao is situated in Gujarat on Bhogava
river near Gulf of Cambay.

Ropar is the site situated in Punjab on the banks

of river Sutlej. It was discovered in 1953 by
Y.D.Sharma.

Harappan people were the earliest people in the

world to grow cotton and rice.

People cultivated rice at Lothal and Rangpur and

Indus Valley Civilisation

The Harappan culture spread over the whole of

Sind, Baluchistan, almost the whole of Punjab,
northern Rajasthan, Kathiawar and Gujarat.

Harappa the first Indus site, was discovered by

Dayaram Sahni in 1921. It is situated in the province of West Punjab, Montgeomery district in Pakistan.

Harappa is located on the bank of river Ravi.

Mohanjedaro was excavated in 1922 by R.D.

in

Neolithic settlements in Indian subcontinent are

not older than 4000 BC.

The Great Granery, the Great Bath a piece of

woven cotton, a beared man in steatite and a
bronze dancing girl are found from Mohanjedaro.

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it.

The earliest traces of human existence in India so

far discovered is between 4,00,000 and 2,00,000
BC from Sohan valley (now in Pakistan)

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Page 9 of 191

barley at Benawali.

Harappan people domesticated oxen, buffaloes,

goats, camel, sheeps, domestic fowls and pigs.
Humped bulls were given special importance.
Horses were unknown to the Harappan people.

Indus people had trade contacts with Persian Gulf

and Mesopotamia.
The ancient name given to Indus region was
Meluha.

Vedic Age is the period of Aryans in India from

1500 - 500 BC.

Indus people used a gold - silver mixture called

Electrum.

Most Probable Home of the Aryans is Central

Asia. This theory is of Max Muller.

They used bronze and copper but iron was unknown to them.

The word Aryan literally means high born, but it

generally refers to language.

The word Veda is derived from the word vid

which means knowledge.

Vedas are the oldest literary works of mankind.

Vedas are four in number, they are Rig Veda,
Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharva Veda. Rig veda
is the oldest veda.

Vedas are collectively known as Sruti

Vedangas are collectively known as Smriti

Vedangas are six in number. They are,

Indus people were the first to use copper in India.

Harappans used a system of weights and measures based on 16 and its multiples.

The chief male deity of the Indus people was

Pasupati Mahadeva (Porto Siva).

Their Chief female deity was the Mother Goddess.

They also worshipped fire, pipal trees and Unicorn.

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Vedic Age

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river Indus, aridity of the area, or drying up of

river Ghaggar, the invasion of Aryans are the supposed reasons for the decline of the civilisation
towards 1500 BC.

Siksha - Phonetic

Harappan seals were made of Terra - Cotta.

Vyakarana - Grammar

Chess - like game of Harappans was called Sent.

Nirukta - Etymology

Indus Valley civilisation belongs to the

Chalcolithic period dated between 3000 BC and
1500 BC. It is a Bronze Age civilisation or a proto
Historic civilisation.

Chhanda - Metrics and

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Harappan script was Pictographic in nature, which

has not been desciphered so far.

The largest number of Harappan sites in post independent India have been discovered from
Gujarat.

Harappan civilisation extended from Jammu in the

North to Narmada in the South and from Makran
coast of Baluchistan in the West to Meerat in the
East.

The Northern most point of Indus valley

civilisation was Gumla in Jammu and the Southernmost was Daimbad.

Floods and Earthquakes, change in the course of

Kalpa - Ritual

Jyotisha - Astronomy

There are 1028 hymns in Rigveda. It is divided

into ten Mandalas (Chapters).

Rig Vedic Hymns sung by priests were called

Hotris.

Sruti literature belonged to the Sathyayuga,

Smriti belonged to Treatayuga, Puranas belonged
to Dwaparayuga and Thanthra literature belonged
to Kaliyuga.

Rigveda starts with the line Agnimele Purohitam

Famous Gayatri Mantra is contained in the

Rigveda (It is believed to have composed by
Vishwamitra)

Yajurveda deals with sacrifices and rituals.

Page 10 of 191

Visah was a cluster of gramas.

Important tribal assemblies of the Rig Vedic period were Sabha, Samiti, Vidhata and Gana.

The Aghanya mentioned in many passages of

Rigveda applies to cows.

Sama Veda deals with Music.

The Rigvedic religion was primitive animism.

Sama Vedic hymns are meant to be sung by priests

called Udgatri.

Indra was the greatest God of Aryans and Agni

occupied second position.

Atharva veda is a collection of spells and incantations. Ayurveda is a part of Atharva Veda, which
deals with medicine.

Varuna was God of water and Yama was the Lord

of dead.

The saying, War begins in the minds of men is

from Atharva Veda.

Savitri was a solar diety to whom the famous

Gayatri Mantra is attributed to.

Prithvi was Earth Godess.

The 10th Mandala of Rigveda contain the

Purusha Sukta hymn which tells about the origin of caste system.

Upanishads are 108 in number. Upanishads are

philosophical works

The battle of ten kings mentioned in the Rig Veda

was fought on the division of water of river Ravi.
It was fought on the banks of River Ravi
(Purushni).

Indra was known as Purandara.

Upanishads are known as the Jnanakantas of

Vedas.

The people called Panis, during the Vedic period

were cattle breeders.

The words Sathyameva Jayate have been taken

from Mundaka Upanishad

The Vedic God in charge of truth and moral order

was Varuna.

Brahdaranya Upanishad was the first to give the

doctrine of Transmigration of Soul and Karma.

Indra Played the role of the Warlord. He is also

considered as the rain god.

Puranas are the part of Smriti literature. They are

18 in number 6 vishnupuranas, 6 sivapuranas and
6 Brahmapuranas.

The two priests who played a major part during

the Rig Vedic period were Vasishta and
Visvamitra.

Bhagvata purana is divided into 18 skandas The

10th skanda mentions about the childhood of Sri
Krishna.

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Yajurveda is derived into two: SuklaYajurveda

(White Yajurveda) and Krishna Yajur Veda (Black
Yajurveda)

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Yajurvedic hymns are meant to be sung by priests

called Adhavaryu.

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Later Vedic Period

Skanda purana is considered as the largest

purana.

Brahmapurana is also known as Adipurana.

Adhyatma Ramayana is included in the

Brahmantapurana.

Cattle was the chief measure of wealth of the vedic

period.

Rigvedic tribe was referred to as Jana .

Many clans (vis) formed a tribe.

The basic unit of society was kula or the family

and Kulapa was the head of the family.

The period assigned to Later Vedic Phase is 1000

BC to 600 BC.
Later Vedic people used particular type of pottery called Painted Grey Ware (PGW)
The Later Vedic Aryans were familiar with two
seas, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
Rice became the staple diet of Indian people during the Later Vedic Period.
The term Rashtra which indicates territory first
appeared in the later vedic period.
Mention of the word Sudras - Rigveda (10th
Mandala)

Page 11 of 191

Mention of the Gotra is found in the

Atharvaveda.

Each Tribal republic was headed by Ganapati or

Jyeshtha.

Origin of Kingship is found in Aitareya

Brahmana.

Soma was an intoxicating drink mentioned in

the 9th Mandala of the Rig Veda.

The Vedic Education system revealed through

Frog Hymn in the Rigveda and Wedding Hymn
describe the oldest marriage rituals.

Max Mullar was the first person to speak of Aryans as a race.

Mention of the word Varna is found in Rigveda.

The fourfold division of the society is found in

the 10th Mandala of the Rigveda.

Epics

Mention about the Varnashranadhrama is found

in the Jabla Upanishad.

Hinduism has two epics Ramayana and

Mahabharata.

The Doctrine of Trimurti is found in the

Maitrayani Upanishad.

Mention about the origin of Universe is found in

the Rig Veda (10th Mandala).

Mahabharata was written by Vyasa.Mahabharata

is also known as Jayasamhita, Satasahasri
Samhita and the fifth veda.

Mahabharata has 1,17,000 hymns in it.

Mahabharata is divided into 18 Purvas, an appendix Harivamsa is considered as 19th Purva.

12th Purva is the largest and 7th is the smallest.

it.

Purohita Senani and Vrajapati were the important functionaries who assisted the king in dayto-day administration.

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It describes the 18 days battle of Kurukshetra.

Stories of Sakuntalam, Pralayam, Ramcharitam,

Rishysringan, Satyavan Savitri,Nala and
Damayanthi etc are included in the Mahabharata.

The officer who enjoyed authority over the pasture land was called Vrajapati.

The kings power increased during the Later Vedic

Period.

First law giver of ancient India was Manu. He

wrote Manusmrithi.

Valmiki is the author of Ramayana.

Manusmrithi was translated into English by William Jones.

Ramayana has 24000 hymns and is divided into

Seven Skandas (Kandas)

Bhagavatgita is included in the Bhishma Purva of

Mahabharata. It is divided into 18 chapters and
has about 700 hymns.

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Shyma Shastri translated Arthasastra into English

Bali was a tax, which the king used to collect from
the people of the Vedic period.
Aryans used iron for the first time India.
Horse, Iron, Sugarcane, Pulses etc reached India
by the coming of Aryans.
The God who occupied supreme position in the
Later Vedic Period was Prajapati.
Rudra was regarded as preserver and protector
of the people.
The most important functionary who assisted the
Vedic king was Purohita.
Manarchy was the normal form of Government in
the vedic period.

Jainism
Vardhamana Mahavira was believed to have born
in 540 BC in Kundala Grama in Vaishali the capital

Six systems of Indian Philosophy

Samkya ................................ Sage Kapila

Yoga ......................................... Patanjali

Vaisheshika .............................. Kannada

Nyaya ................... Akshapada (Gautama)

Vedanta Gaudapada and Shankaracharya.

Mimamsa .................................... Jaimini

Page 12 of 191

Mahaviras family was connected with the royal

family of Magadha.

The word Jaina was originated from the word

Jina which means conqueror.

Jainism speaks about 24 thinthankaras. Mahavira

was the 24th Thirthankara, who is considered as
the founder of Jainism.

Rishabha was the first Thirthankara. Neminath

and Parswanatha were the 22nd and 23rd
Thirthankaras respectively.

Bhagavatapurana, Vishnupurana, Vayupurana,

etc mentions about Rishabhadeva.

Sidhartha, ruler of Nandadynasty which ruled

Kundalapuri, was the father of Vardhmana
Mahavira.
Mahaviras mother was Trissala and Yasodha was
his wife.

Jameli was the daughter of Mahavira.

Mahavira is also known as Vaishalia as he was

born in Vaishali.

He got Kaivalya at the age of 42 under a Sal tree

on the bank of river Rajpalika near Village
Jimbhrikagrama.

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At first Mahavira followed the practice of an ascetic group called Nirgrandhas , which earlier led
by Parswanath.

Makhali Gosala was a companion of Mahavira.

Who later founded the Ajivika sect.

Mahavira attained Nirvana at the age of 72 at

Pavapuri near Rajagriha in 468 BC.

Jains observe the day of his nirvana as Dipavali.

Gautama Indrabhuti is considered as his first

desciple.

Jain sacred texts are called Angas.

Jain texts were written under Bhadrabahu in BC

296.

Jain texts were written in the Prakrit language of

Ardhamagadhi.

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He belonged to Jnatrika Kshatriya clan.

Ahimsa Paramo Dharma is the sacred hymn of

Jainism.
Ahimsa, Satya, Asateya, Aparigriha and
Brahmacharya are the five major principles of
Jainism.
Brahmacharya is the principle added by Mahavira.
Mahavira taught the three Jewels of Jainism
(Triratna) - Right Faith, Right Knowledge and
Right Conduct.
The Jains repudiated the authority or infallibility
of the vedas. The Jains rejected the concept of
Universal soul or a supreme power as the creator
and sustainer of the Universe.
Jainism does not condemn the Varna system.
Mahavira believed that all individuals irrespective of caste can strive for liberation through good
deeds and living.
First Jain council was held at Pataliputra in the
fourth century BC under the leadership of
Stulabahu.
Second Jain council was held at Vallabhipur in
third Century BC under the leadership of
Aryaskandil Nagarjuna Suri.
Third Jain council was held at Vallabhipur in
Gujarat in 5th Century AD under the leadership
of Devardhi Kshamasramana.
Jainism was divided into two sects Swetambaras
and Digambaras after the first Jain Council.
Digambaras are sky-clad or naked and
swetambaras are clad in white.
Gomateshwara statue is
situated in Sravana
belgola.
Syad Vada is a Jain philosophy of Knowledge.
Kharavela of Kalinga
gave patronage to
Jainism.
Mahavir Jayanti and
Rakshabandan are the
Gomateshwara
festive occassions of
Jainism.
Temple on the Mount Abu in Rajasthan is a famous centre of Jain worship.

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of Vajji. Now it is in Mussafar district in Bihar.

Page 13 of 191

Jain Temple at Sravanabelgola in Hassan district

in Mysore is known as Kasi of the Jains.

Names of Rishabhadeva and Arishtanemi are also

mentioned in the Rigveda.

Chandragupta Maurya the founder of the

Mauryan Empire, abdicated the throne towards
the end of his life, accepted Jainism reached
Sravanabelgola and died there.

Buddhism

Buddhism originated in the 6th century BC.

Gautama Buddha the founder of Buddhism was

born in Lumbini in Kapilavasthu on the border of
Nepal in 563 BC.
Buddhas mother
Mahamaya died seven
days after his birth. He
was brought up by his
aunt Mahaprajpati
Gautami, hence he got
the name Gautama.

Buddha made his first sermon after enlightenment

at a deer park at Saranath in Uttar Pradesh. This
incident is known as Dharmachakra
pravarthana.

Buddhas first teacher was Alara Kalama and second teacher Udraka Ramaputra.

During his first sermon at Sarnath, Buddha described the four noble truths and the eight fold
path.

Buddha made his sermons in Pali language and

the early Buddhist texts were also written in Pali
language.

Buddha died at the age of 80 in 483 BC at

Kushinagara in UP. This was known as
Parinirvana. Buddha died by consuming poisoned meat or poisoned mushroom.
Last meals of Buddha was served by a blacksmith
Chunda.
His last words were All composite things decay,
strive diligently.
Four noble truths of Buddhism are:
life is full of misery, desire is the cause of misery, killing desires would kill sorrows, Desire
can be killed by following the eight-told path.
The eight fold path of Buddhism are:
Right Belief, Right Thought, Right Speech,

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First Buddhist nun was

Gautami

Budhas birth place is Gautama Buddha

now known as Binla.

Budhas orginal name was Sidhartha.

Buddha belonged to the Sakhya clan of

Kshatriyas.

His father was Subhodhana.

1. Rishabhdev

13. Vimalnath

Buddhas wife was Yasodhara and his son was

Rahulan.

2. Ajitnath

14. Anandanath

3. Sambhavnath

15. Dharmanath

Four sights changed his mind and initiated him to

spiritual life they were death, old age, sadness
and sufferings.

4. Abhinandan

16. Shantinath

5. Sumitnath

17. Kunthunath

6. Padmaprabhu

18. Arnath

He left home at the age of 29 along with his charioteer Channa and favourite horse Kandaka. This
incident is known as Mahanishkramana.

7. Suparsavanath

19. Mallinath

8. Suridhi

20. Munisuvrata nath

9. Chandraprabh

21. Neminath

10. Sheetal Nath

22. Arishtanemi

11. Shreyanshanath

23. Parshvanath

12. Vasupujya

24. Mahavira

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Buddha got enlightenment at Bodha Gaya, on the banks

of Niranjana river in Bihar at the Age of 35.
After enlightenment Buddha came to be known
as thadhagatha. He is also known as
Sakhyamuni.

JAIN THIRTHANKARAS

Page 14 of 191

Vinayapitaka and Suddhapitaka were codified at

the first council.

Second Buddhist council was held in 383 BC at

Vaishali under the presidentship of Sabhakami
and under the patronage of king Kalashoka.

Third council of Buddhism was held in 250 BC at

Pataliputhra under the presidentship of
Mogaliputta Tissa and under the patronage of
Ashoka the Great.

Viharas are the Buddhist monastries.

Vajrayana was a sect of Buddhism which believed

in achieving salvation through Mantras and
spells.

Jataka stories describe the stories related to

the birth of Buddha. They are 500 in number.

Holy book of Buddhism is Tripitika- Vinayapitika,

Suddhapitika and Abhidhamapitika are collectively known as Tripitika.

Bimbisara of Magadha was a contemporary of

Buddha.

Kanishka who worked to spread Buddhism like

Ashoka is known a Second Ashoka.

Ashoka sent his son and daughter, Mahendra

and Sanghamitra to SriLanka to spread Buddhism.

Sri Buddha is known as the Light of Asia He

was named as such by Edvin Arnold.

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At the second Buddhist council Buddhism was

divided into two Staviravadins and
Mahasankikas which later came to be known a
Hinayana and Mahayana respectively.

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Abhidhamma Pitika was codified at the third council.

At the third council decision was also taken to

send missionaries to spread Buddhism.

The fourth Buddhist council was held in the first

century AD at Kundalavana in Kashmir under
the President-ship of Vasumithra and Ashvagosha
and under the patronage of Kanishka.

Clear division of Buddhism into Hinayana and

Mahayana tookplace at the fourth council.

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Upagupta converted Ashoka to Buddhism.

Ashvagosha was the first biographer of Buddha

who wrote Budhacharitam in Sanskrit.

Vasubandu is known as Second Buddha.

Ashoka is known as the Constantine of Buddhism.

Ashoka accepted Buddhism after the battle of

Kalinga in BC 261.

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Buddhist worshipping centre is known as Pagoda.

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Right Action, Right Living, Right Effort, Righ

Recollection, Right Meditation
Buddhism does not recognise the existence of
God and Soul (Atman)
Buddha accepted the traditional belief in transmigration of the soul and law of Karma.
The three jewelsof Buddhism are Buddha,
Dhamma and Sangha.
The first Buddhist council was held in 483 BC at
Sattaparni (Rajagriha) under the presidentship
of Mahakashyapa and under the patronage of king
Ajatasatru of Magadha..

Edvin Arnolds Light of Asia was translated into

Malayalam by Nalappad Narayanamenon.

Hinayanism is wide spread in Sri Lanka.

The Bodhi tree at Gaya was cut down by Sasanka,

a Bengal ruler.

The chief Buddhist monastery was at Nalanda,

which was under the patronage of Pala kings.

Previous Buddhas are known as Bodhisatvas.

Milandapanho a book of Nagasena describes how

Greek king Menandar accepted Buddhism.

Sangham Age

First five centuries of the Christian Era are commonly known as Sangham Age.

5 SYMBOLS OF BUDDHA
Birth ....................................... Lotus and Bull
Renunciation ........................................ Horse
Enlightenment ................................ Bodhitree
First Sermon ......................... Dharma Chakra
Nirvana (Death) ............................ Foot prints

Page 15 of 191

Sangham was an Assembly of literature held at

Madhurai.

References to the Sangham Age can be found in

the inscriptions of Ashoka, and Kharavela of
Kalinga and in the Indica of Megastenese.
The literature of the Sangham Age was written
mostly in the form of Poetry.
In the Sangham Age, the most common form of
government was hereditary monarchy. The village was the fundamental unit of administration.
Small village Assemblies during the Sangham Age
were known as Arai.
Tradition refers to three sangham lasting for 9,900
years.
Language of the Sangham literature was Tamil
People of the Sangham Age mainly worshiped
Murugan.
The greatest work of the Tamil literature of the
Sangham Age is Tholkappium written by
Tholkappiyar.
Tholkappium is considered as the earliest surviving Tamil literary work. It is a book on Tamil
grammar.
The Capital of the Pandyas was at Madhurai.
Uraiyur was the capital of Cholas, known for cotton trade.
Vanchi was the capital of Cheras.
Silappadigaram,
Manimegalai
and
Jeevakachintamani are the three epics of
Sangham literature.
Korkai was the main seaport of the Pandyas.
Megastanese described Pandya Kingdom as
Pearl as it was ruled by women.
Kaveripumpatnam was the main sea port of the
Cholas.
Silappatigaram as written by Ilango Adikal. It
describes the love story of Kovalan and Kannaki
Nedujezhian is the Pandyan king mentioned in
Silapadigaram.
Satanar wrote Manimekhalai which is also an
epic and tells about the story of the daughter of
Kannaki and Kovalan.
Manimekhalai gives reference about Buddhism.

The famous Chera port Muziris was a great centre of Indo-Roman Trade.

The largest single tax collected during the Sangha

period was the land tax called Karai.

The founder of later Cholas was Rajaraja I The

most important ruler of this dynasty was Rajendra
Chola.

Rajendra Chola is also known as Gagaikonda

Chola He later named his capital as Gangaikonda
Cholapuram.

RajaRaja I built Brihadeswara temple at Tanjore.

Cholas were well known for their naval supremacy

and efficient village administration.

The Utharameroor inscription tells about the local self government under the cholas.

Thirukkural of Thiruvalluvar is the Tamil work

which is known also as the fifth Veda.

Jivaka Chintamani the third epic of the Tamil was

written by Tirukkadevar.

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The greatest of the Chera rulers was

Senguttuvanchera also known as Red Chera.He
built a temple for Kannaki.

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Thirukkural is known as Tamil Bible compiled

by Thiruvalluvar. His statue is seen near
Vivekanandappara in Kanyakumari.

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II and XIII rock edicts of Ashoka mention about

the South Indian kingdoms.
Karikala most prominent among early Cholas is
known as the master of seven notes of music.
Bharatam was a Tamil version of Mahabharata
sung by Perundevanar.
Manimekhalai is looked upon as the Tamil Odyssey.

FAMOUS ERAS
Vikram Era ........................................ 58 BC
Saka Era .......................................... 78 AD
Gupta Era ...................................... 320 AD
Hijra Era ........................................ 622 AD
Kollam Era ..................................... 825 AD
Illahi Era ....................................... 1583 AD

Page 16 of 191

Ashtadhyayi by Panini (5th C.BC) the earliest

grammar book also called Bhagavati Sutra.
Mahabhashya was written by Patanjali.
Manusmriti was a law book composed between
200 BC and 200AD.
Arthashastra by Kautilya deals with statecrafts
is a major source of Mauryan administration.
Indica by Megastenes is a source of Mauryan
society and administration.
Chandsutra was written by Pingala.
Buddhacharita by Aswaghosha is the earliest
biography of Buddha. It was written in Pali language.
Raghuvamsa by Kalidasa is an epic based on
Mahabharata.
Naishad Charita by Sri Harsha contains story of
Nala and Damayanti.

Vasavadatta ...................................... Subandu

Brihat Kathamanjari ................. Kshemendra

Kathasaritsagara ........................... Somadeva

Panchathantra ......................... Vishnusharma

Hitopadesha ........................... Narayan Pandit

Kamasutra and Arya Manjushree ..... Vatsyayana

Pavandhoot .......................................... Dhoyi

Swapna Vasavadatta ............................. Bhasa

Matavilasa Prahasana ....... Mahendravarman I

Si-yu-ki ..................................... Hiuen Tsang

Fo-kuoki ........................................... Fa-hien

Panchasidhantika ........................ Varahamihir

Suryasidhantika and Aryabhatiyam .... Aryabhatta

Nitisara ....................................... Kamandaka

Charak Samhita ............................... Charaka

Hastayurveda ................................... Palkapya

Mitakshara ................................. Vigneswara

Dayabhaga ................................ Jimutavahana
Sidhanta Siromani ................ Bhaskaracharya
Nighantu .................................... Dhanvantari
Mudrarakshasa ......................... Vishakadatta
Prabhanda Chintamani .............. Meruthunga
Geography of India ............................ Ptolemy
Brihat Kathakosh ............................ Harisena
Mrichakatika ................................... Sudraka
Prithviraj Vijaya .............................. Jayanak
Nala Vemba ................................... Pugalendi

Drama

Lyric Poetry

pu

Natyashastra by Bharatamuni is the earliest

known work in Sanskrit.
Malavikagnimithram, Vikramorvashiyan and
Abhinjana Syakuntalam are dramas written by
Kalidasa.
Ratnavali, Nagananda and Priyadarshika are dramas written by Harshavardhana.

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Meghadutam by Kalidasa
Srinagarashataka, Nitishataka and
Vairagyasataka were written by Bhartrihari.
Gita Govinda was written by Jayadeva.

Magadhan Empire

Historical writing

Harshacharita - Written by Banabhatta

Vikramamangadeva charita - written by Bilhana.

Prose Literature

Dasakumaracharitam ........................ Dandin

in

Literary Activities in Ancient India

it.

Roman king built a temple of Augustus at

Muziris.

nd

In the 6th century BC there originated 16

Mahajanapadas in North India
Four prominent royal dynasties stand out prominently out of these Janapadas. They were
Haryankas of Magadha, the Ikshvakus of Kosala,
the Pauravas of Vatsa and the Pradyotas of Avanti.
Haryanka is the name of a new dynasty founded
in Magadha by Bimbisara.
Bimbisara founded the dynasty by defeating the
Brihadrathas.

Page 17 of 191

Bimbisara was a contemporary of Buddha.

Magadha became a supreme power in North India under Ajatasatru. So Ajatasatru is considered as the founder of Magadhan Supremacy.
Pataliputra and Rajagriha were the capitals of
Magadhan kingdom.
Magadha falls in the Patna region of Bihar.
Haryankas were overthrown by Sisunaga and he
founded the Sisunaga dynasty there.
Kalasoka the son and successor of Sisunaga was
succeeded by Mahapadma Nanda and he
founded the Nanda dynasty.
Ajatasatrus successor Udayin was the founder
of the city of Pataliputra.

Alexander died of Malaria at the age of 33 in 323

BC while he was in Babylon.

Alexander was cremated at Alexandria.

Alexander was known as Shehansha in Persia and

Sikhandar-I-Asam in Indo-Pak region.

The Last general of Alexander in India was

Eudamas.

Alexanders first General in India was Selucus

Nikator.

Alexander IV succeeded Alexander as the

Masedonian King.

Alexanders teacher Aristotle is considered as the

father of Politics, Biology, Taxonomy and the Science of Logic.

Xerxes was the persian ruler who enlisted Indians in his army.

The Kharoshti script was brought to India by

Persians.

ex

Alexanders Invasion

Major sources for the study of Mauryan Empire

are the Arthasastra of Kautilya and Indika of
Megasthenes.

nd

The Persian domination over Indian territory

lasted upto 330 BC.

Mauryan Empire (321-185 BC)

pu

The Achaemenian king of Persia, Darius (522 486 BC) captured some territories the east of
Sindhu in 518 BC.

am

in

Persian Invasion

it.

Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of

Mauryan Empire.

Details about his early life are not available

He is believed to have belonged to Moriya Clan,

hence got the name Maurya.

It is also said that his mother was Mura a women

of lower birth hence got the name Maurya.

Alexander was born in 356 BC as the son of King

Philip II of Mascedonia.

In some texts he is referred to as Vrishala and

Kulahina.

Epirus or Olympias was Alexanders mother.

Aristotle was Alexanders teacher.

He became the king in 336 BC

He defeated the Persian ruler Darius III.

Alexander founded the city of Alexandria in

Egypt

In 326 BC Alexander defeated Porus

(Purushothama) the ruler of Punjab and Captured
Taxila through the battle of Hydaspes on the
banks of river Jhelum.

He conspired with Chanakya (Kautilya or

Vishnugupta) the minister of Nanda to overthrew
the last Nanda ruler DhanaNanda.
Chandragupta Maurya ascended the throne in
BC 321.
He fought against Selucus in 305 BC. Selucus
surrendered before him and sent an ambassador,
Megasthenese to the court of Chandragupta
Maurya.
Chandraguptas Governor Pushygupta constructed the famous Sudarshana lake.
ChandraGupta Maurya was converted to Jainism,
abdicated the throne in favour of his son
Bindusara, passed his last days at

Ambhi the ruler of Taxila invited Alexander to India.

Page 18 of 191

Post Mauryan Period

Sunga Dynasty (185-71 BC)
Sunga Dynasty was founded by Pushyamitra
Sunga the commander-in-chief of last Mauryan
king, Brihadratha.
Kalidasas drama Malavikagnimitram is about the
love story of Pushyamitras son Agnimitra and
Malavika.

in

it.

adopted from the four lion capital of one of

Ashokas pillars which is located in Saranath.
Rock-cut architecture in India made a beginning
during Ashokas reign.
Brihadratha the last Mauryan ruler was killed by
Pushyamitra Sunga who founded the Sunga Dynasty in 185 BC.
Megasthenese the first foreign traveller to India
mentions about the existence of seven castes in
India during the Mauryan period.
Stanika in Mauryan administration refers to tax
collector.

nd

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Sravanabelagola (Near Mysore) where he died in

298 BC.
Chandragupa Maurya was responsible for the political unification of North India for the first time.
Bindusara was a follower of Ajivika sect.
Bindusara was known as Amitragatha.
Ashoka ascended the throne in 273BC and ruled
upto 232 BC.
He was known as Devanampriya priyadarsi the
beautiful one who was the beloved of Gods.
Maski and Gujara Edicts of Ashoka gave the
name Devanampriya Priyadarsi.
Buddhist tradition says Ashoka killed 99 of his
brothers to capture the throne.
Ashoka was the first king in Indian history who
had left his records engraved on stones.
Ashokan inscriptions were written in Kharoshti
and Brahmi scripts.
Ashoka fought the Kalinga war in 261 BC Kalinga
is in modern Orissa.
Ashokan inscriptions were deciphered by James
Princep.
After the battle of Kalinga Ashoka became a Buddhist, being shocked by the horrors of the war.
Ashoka was initiated to Buddhism by Upagupta
or Nigrodha a disciple of Buddha.
For the propagation of Buddhism Ashoka started
the institution of Dharmamahamatras.
The IV Major Rock Edict of Ashoka tells about
the practice of Dharma
The Major Rock Edict XII of Ahoka deals with
the conquest of Kalinga.
Ashoka held the third Buddhist council at his
capital Pataliputra in 250BC under the
presidentship of Moggaliputa Tissa.
He sent his son and daughter to Sri Lanka for the
spread of Buddhism (Mahendra and Sanghamitra)
Ashoka spread Buddhism to SriLanka and Nepal.
He is known as the Constantine of Buddhism.
In his Kalinga Edict he mentions All man are as
my children.
Ceylones ruler Devanmpriya Tissa was Ashokas
first convert to Buddhism.
Ashoka ruled for 40 years and died in 232 BC.
The emblem of the Indian Republic has been

Last ling of sunga dynasty was Devabhuti.

Kanva Dynasty (72 BC - 27 BC)

Kanva dynasty was founded by Vasudeva Kanva

in 72 BC after defeating the last Sunga ruler
Devabhuti.

This dynasty ruled for a period of 45 years.

Vasudeva, Bhumimitra, Narayana and Susuman

were the rulers of Kanva dynasty.

Cheta (Cheti) Dynasty of Kalinga

The Cheti Dynasty was believed to have founded

by Maha Meghavahana

The Hatigumbha inscription of Kharavela, of the

Important Mauryan Officers

Samaharta ................ Collector of Revenue
Sannidata ....................... Head of Treasury
Dandapala ........................... Head of Police
Durga Pala ................... Head of Royal Fort
Pradeshikas .... Head of District Administration
Prashasti .......................... Head of Prisons

Page 19 of 191

Kalinga ruler gives details about the Chedis of

Kalinga.

Alauddin Khilji)

Kharavela was a follower of Jainism.

Satavahanas (235 BC - 100BC)

Indo-Greeks were the first to introduce military

governorship in India.

The Parthians (19 - 45 AD)

Satavahanas were the most powerful ruling dynasty after the Mauryas.

Parthians also known as Pahalavas were Iranian

People.

Satavahanas were also known as Andhras.

Satavahanas were the Indian rulers who prefixed

their mothers name along with their names.

Gondophernes was the greatest of the Parthian

rulers.

St. Thomas is said to have came to India for the

propagation of Christianity during the period of
Gondophernes.

Most important Satavahana ruler was

Gautamiputra Satakarni.

Satavahanas were Brahmanas.

Nagarjuna Konda and Amaravati in

Andhrapradesh became important seats of Buddhist culture under the Satavahanas.

Sakas were also known as Scythians.

The two common structures of Satavahanas were

the temple called Chaitya and the monastery called
Vihara.

The first Saka king in India was Maues or Moga

who established Saka power in Gandhara.

The most famous of the Saka rulers in Western

India was Rudra Daman I. His achievements are
highlighted in his Junagarh inscription written in
150 AD.

Satavahanas mostly issued lead coins.

The official language of the Satavahanas was

Prakrit

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Indo Greeks

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it.

nd

The Sakas (90 BC - Ist AD)

Junagarh inscription of Rudradaman was the

first inscription in Sanskrit.

Ujjayini was the capital of Rudradaman.

First to invade India were the Greeks who were

called Indo-Greeks.

Kushans

The most famous Indo-Greek ruler was Menander

with his Capital at Sakala in Punjab (Modern
Sialkot)

ex

The Indo-Greeks were the first to issue gold coins

in India.

The introduction of Hellenistic art features into

India were also the contribution of Indo-Greek rule.

Menander was converted into a Buddhist by Buddhist monk Nagasena (Nagarjuna)

Indo-Greeks were the first to issue coins bearing

the figure of kings.

Demitrius, the king of Bacteria invaded India

about 190BC. He is considered as Second
Alexander (But the Indian ruler who accepted the
name second Alexander (Sikandar-i-sani) was

Kushans are also known as Yuch-chis or

Tocharians.
Kushans came to India from North Central Asia.
First great Kushana king was Kujala Kadphises
or Kadphises I.
The most famous
Kushana ruler was
Kanishka.
He became the ruler in 78
AD and started Saka Era
in 78 AD.
The Capital of Kanishka
was Peshawar or
Kanishka
Purushapura.
Kanishka convened the fourth Buddhist council
in Kashmir.

Page 20 of 191

Sanskrit was the court language of the Guptas.

India became Greater India under Samudra

Gupta.

Samudra Gupta was an accomplished Veena

player.

Chandragupta II the greatest of Gupta rulers was

popularly known as Vikramaditya.

Historically Important Places

Ayodhya
Birth place of Sri Rama (UP)
Amber Palace
Rajasthan
Aghakhan Palace Pune (Maharashtra)
(Gandhi and Kasturba were
kept in prison here)
Kedarnath
Holy place of Hindus
(Utharanchal)
Amarnath
Pilgrim centre (Kashmir)
Elephanta caves
Near Mumbai
Ellora Caves
Maharashtra - 34 cavetemples
(Hindu, Buddha - Jaina)
Rajgir
Jain Temple in Bihar
Golden Temple
Amritsar - Harmandir Sahib of
Sikhs
Golgumbus
Bijapur (Karnataka)
Tomb of Muhammed Adil Shah
Tanjore
Capital of Cholas Brihadveswara Temple
Charminar
Hyderabad (Monument of
Plague eradication)
Konark Temple
Orissa (Sun Temple)
Qutab Minar
Delhi
Khajuraho
Near Bhopal (M.P.) 80 temples
Mahabalipuram
Centre of Pallava architecture
(Tamil Nadu)
Kurukshetra
Battle of Mahabarata (in
Haryana)
TajMahal
Agra (UP) Built by Shah Jahan
Sanchi
Buddhist Stupa (Madhya
Pradesh)
Haridwar
Holy Place of Hindus
(Uttaranchal)

in

it.

Scholars like, Parsva, Vasumitra, Ashvaghosha,

Charaka and Nagarjuna were the courtiers of
Kanishka.
The Gandhara School of Art received royal patronage under the Kushans.
Kanishka patronised Mahayana form of Buddhism.
Kanishka is righty called the Second Ashoka
Kanishka was the first king who inscribed the
image of Lord Buddha on his coins.
Kanishka started the Saka era in 78 AD. The first
month of Saka era is Chaithra and the last month
is Phalguna.
Vasudeva was the last great king of Kushana
Dynasty.
Kushana school of art is also referred to as the
Mathura school.

Gupta Empire (320 - 540 AD)

Gupta Empire was founded by Sri Gupta.

Ghatotkacha was the second ruler.

Chandra Gupta I was the real founder of the Gupta

Empire. He came to the throne in 320 AD.

He was the first ruler to adopt the title

Maharajadhiraja.

He laid the foundation of Gupta Era on 26 February 320 AD.

Samudra Gupta succeeded Chandragupta I in 335

AD.

The Allahabad Pillar inscription composed by

Harisena contains information about
Samudraguptas conquests.

Allahabad Pillar inscription is also known as

Prayagaprasasti.

Samudra Gupta is also known as Linchchavi

Dauhitra. (son of the daughter Kumaradevi of
Lichchavis)

Samudra Gupta is described as Indian Napoleon

by V.A. Smith.

Samudra Gupta composed Vahukabita and had

the title Kaviraja.

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Page 21 of 191

He adopted the title Sakari after his victory over

Rudradaman II of Gujarat.

belonged to the Gupta period. Aryabhatta was

the first to use Decimal System.

Fa hein, the Chinese traveller, visited India during his period.

Panchsidhanta, Brihat Jataka, Laghu Jataka and

Brihat Samhita are the works of Varahamihira.

The exploits of Chandragupta II are glorified in

an iron pillar inscription fixed near Qutub Minar.

The best specimen of the Gupta paintings are seen

at Ajanta caves and the Bhaga caves.

Chandragupta II adopted the title Vikramaditya

as a mark of his victory over the Sakakshatraps.

The Gupta period marked the beginning of Indian

temple architecture.

Nine gems or Navratnas was a famous Scholastic Assembly in the court of Chandragupta II.
The members in the Ninegems were - Kalidasa,
Kadakarbhara, Kshapanaka, Varahmihira,
Vararuchi, Vethalabhatta, Dhanvantari,
Ammarasimha, Sanku.

Guptas issued large number of gold coins in India.

Guptas largely patronised art and architecture.

Guptas patronised the Gandhara school of art,

Madhura School of Art and the Andhra School
of Art.

Chandragupta II was succeeded by his son

Kumaragupta I.

The Fresco paintings in the Ajanta caves are examples of the art of the Guptas.

Skandagupta Vikramaditya was the last great

ruler of Gupta Empire.

The chief source of income was land revenue.

Skandagupta Vikramaditya was the only hero in

Asia and Europe who defeated the Hunas in their
glorious period.

The position of women declined during the Gupta

period.

A renowned physician of
the Gupta period was
Vaghbhatta

pu

nd

it.

in

Vishnu Gupta was the last ruler who died in 570

AD.

Mantriparishad assisted the king in administration.

Most important Industry of the Gupta period was

textile.

Period of the Gupta is compared to Periclean

Age of Greece, Augustan Age of Rome and
Elzabethan Age of England.

Period of the Guptas is considered as the Golden

Age in the history of India.

Earlier Guptas had their capital at Prayag in

Allahabad, later it was shifted to Ujjain by
Chandragupta II.

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Nalanda and Taxila were

the two universities of this
period.

Kalidasa is generally
called
Indian
Shakespeare and the
Prince of Indian Poets.

Kalidasa

Books on Sciences
Chandra Vyakaran ............... Chandragomin
Amar Kosh .............................. Amar Singh
Niti Shastra ............................... Kamandak

The most important officers in the Gupta empire

were Kumaramatyas.

Kamasutra ................................ Vatsya yana

The royal seal of the Guptas bore the emblem of

Garuda.

Ashtanga Hridaya ...................... Vaghbhatta

Aryabhatta was the first to treat Mathematics as

a separate subject. He wrote Aryabhattiyam. He

Sankhyakarika ...................... Iswarkrishna

Panchasiddhantika ................ Varahamihira

Hastyaurveda ............................... Pulkapya

Page 22 of 191

They were defeated by Skanda Gupta.

In the last quarter of the 5th century AD, the

Hunas established an independent kingdom in
the Punjab.
Toramana and Mihirakula were important Huna
leaders.
In 510 AD Bhanu Gupta defeated Toramana.
Narasimha Gupta defeated Mihirakula.

The Hunas gave rise to the Kshatriya Rajaputs.

Sialkot was Mihirakulas capital.

The Maitrakas of Valabhi

They were of Iranian origin, they ruled Gujarat.

Valabhi was their Capital.

Siladitya I (606 - 612 AD) was the first independent king of Maithrakas.

Their capital was Vidarbha.

The founder of the dynasty was Vindhyasakthi.

Vakatakas were Brahmins.

Vakatakas were later defeated by the Chalukyas

of Badani.

Harsha Vardhana (606 - 647AD)

Hieun Tsang said Indians were Truthful people

although quick tempered

Harshas biography Harsha Charita was written by his court poet Banabhatta. He also wrote
Kadambari.

Harsha Vardhana was a poet and dramatist.

Ratnavali, Priyadarshika and Nagananda are the
works of Harshavardhana.

Harsha Vardhana was defeated by the Chalukyan

king Pulikeshin II in AD 634.

Harshavardhanas empire was the last Buddhist

empire in India.

After Harsha, the Karkotas of Kashmir established

their power.

pu

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The Vakatakas established their power in Deccan.

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The Vakatakas (250-500 AD)

The last Hindu Emperor of North India was

Harshavardhana (Last Hindu king of Delhi was
Prithviraj Chauhan)
Harshavardhana belonged to the Pushyabhuti
Dynasty, also known as Vardhana Dynasty.
The Pushyabhuti dynasty was founded by
Pushyabhuti.
Harsha came to power in 606 AD (Harsha Era)

He made Kanauj his new capital from Taneswar.

Original name of Harsha was Siladitya.
Chinese traveller Hieun Tsang visited India during his reign.
Harsha summoned a religious assembly at Prayag.

in

The Huns were a nomadic and barberic race of

Central Asia.

The Hunas

it.

Patanjali founded Yoga Shastra, a school of

Hindu philosophy during this period.

nd

Mahendravarman I and Pulikeshin II were the

contemporaries of Harshavardhana.

Matanga, Divakar, Jayasena and Bhartrihari

were the famous scholars in the court of
Harshavadhana.

Harsha founded the Harsha Era in 606 AD.

Chalukyas of Badami

In 535 Pulikeshin I founded a small kingdom with

the Capital at Vatapipura (Modern Badami)

He was succeeded by Kirtivarman and

Mangaleshna.

Pulikeshin II was the most famous ruler of the

Chalukya dynasty.
The greatest achievement of Pulikeshin II was
the defeat he inflicted on Harshavardhana.
The Pallava king Narasimhavarman captured
Vatapi and adopted the title Vatapikonda.
Pulikeshin II defated the Pallavas and captured
Kanchi. He also defeated Cheras, Cholas and
Pandyas.
Kirtivarman, the last ruler of this dynasty was
defeated by the Rashtrakutas and the Chalukyan

Page 23 of 191

Rashtrakutas

The Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi (615 - 1076)

Simhavishnu was the founder of the Pallava dynasty.

Narasimhavarman , a Pallava ruler, defeated
Pulikeshin II and adopted the title Vatapikonda.
Narasimhavarman I was called Mahamalla which
meants a wrestler.
The book Mattavilasa Prahasana was written by
Narashimvarman I.
The Ratha temples at Mahabalipuram (Seven Pagodas) were created by Narasimhavarman I.
Dandin the author of Dasakumaracharitam, lived
in the court of Narasimhavarman II.
Narasimhavarman II was the most important ruler
of the Pallava dynasty.
He founded Kailasanatha Temple and the Shore
Temple at Mahabalipuram.

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Pallavas

The Rashtrakuta power was overthrown by Thiala

II.

Pratiharas

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The Later Western Chalukyas of Kalyani (9731190 AD)

in

rule came to an end in 757 AD.

The magnificient temples of Belur and Halebid
and the Elephanta caves were constructed during
the Chalukyan period.
From the Chronological point of view Chalukyas
can be divided into four
The Chalukyas of Vatapi (535 - 642 AD)
The later Chalukyas of Vatapi (655 - 753 AD)

The Pratiharas are also called Gurjara - Pratiharas

- belonging to the 36 clans of Rajputs.
The dynasty was founded by Nagabhatta I (725740)
Nagabhatta II made Kanauj his capital.
Pratihara ruler Mihir Bhoja adopted the title
Adivaraha.
Yashpal was the last ruler of this dynasty.
Sulthan Muhammed of Ghazni entred Kanauj during the period of the Pratiharas.

it.

nd

Elephanta caves

Rashtrakuta dynasty was founded by

Dandidurga in 753 AD. With the capital at
Manyakhed or Malkhed.
Rashtrakuta ruler Amoghavarsha I wrote
Kavirajamarga which is the earliest Kannada
work on poetics. He also wrote Prasnottarmalika.
The Kailasanath Temple at Ellora was founded
by the Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna I.
Krishna III (940 -968) was the last great ruler of
Rashtrakuta dynasty.

Palas

The Pala dynasty was founded by Gopala in 750 AD.

Famous Odandapuri University was founded by

Gopala.

The Vikramsila and Sompur Universities were

founded by the Pala king Dharmapala.

The Pala power was destroyed by Vijayasena who

founded the Sena dynasty.

Senas

The Sena dynasty was founded by Vijayasena

towards to end of 11th century. (1093)

Senas had a capital in Vikrampura and another

in Vijayapura.

About the middle of 13th century the senas were

overthrown by the Deva dynasty.

Page 24 of 191

Jayadeva, the author of Gitagovinda was patronized by Sena ruler Lakshmana Sena.

Alexander : he was the ruler of Macedonia in

Greece. He attacked India in 326 BC and captured
upto river Bias.

Ajatasatru : Son of Bimbisara. He established the

city of Pataliputra.

Arien : Greek historian who wrote about

Alexanders Indian invasion.

Ashwaghosh : Buddhist monk who initiated

Kaniskha to Buddhism wrote Buddha charita,
Sutralankar and Sandaranand.

AmarSimha : Sanskrit scholar in the court of

Chandragupta who wrote Amarakosha.

Aryabhatta : He analysed the reasons for Solar

and Lunar eclipses and declared that the Earth is
round. Wrote Aryabhattiyam.

Bimbisar : Founded the Magadhan Empire or

Haryanka dynasty. He was the first influential king
of ancient India.

Banabhatta : Court poet of Harshavardhana and

author of Harsha Charita and Kadambari.

Charak : He was an Ayurvedic expert wrote

Charak-Samhita and established the Aitereya
branch of Ayurvedic medicines.

Amoghavarsha : He was a famous Rashtrakuta

ruler.

The four Agnikula Rajputs were the Pratiharas,

Chau-hans the Solankis and Paramaras.
Chauhans had their capital at Ajmer and Delhi.
Ajayaraya established the city of Ajayameru or
Ajmer.
The most prominent ruler was Prithviraj III (11771192). He defeated Muhammed of Ghore in the
First Battle of Tarain (1191). But Ghore defeated
and killed him in the Second Battle of Tarain (1192).
Prithviraj Chauhan III was the last Hindu ruler
of Delhi.
Prithvi Raj Rao is the historical Kavya written by
Chand Bardai.

The Chandela dynasty was founded by

Yasovarman with Mahobas as the Capital

The Khajuraho temples are the best examples of

the Chandela art.

Cholas

am

Vijayalaya was the founder of the Chola empire.

He was a feudatory of the Pallavas of Kanchi.

Raja Raja I (985 - 1014) adopted the titles of

Arumudivarman, Mammudichodadeva,
Jaykonda, Marthanda Chola, Mamudichola etc.

He built the Brihadeshwara temple at Tanjavur.

which is called the RajaRajeswara temple.

Rajendra I led an expedition to North India, defeated the Pala ruler Mahipala I and adtoped the
title, Gangaikondachola and established a new
Capital, Gangai Konda Cholapuram.

Cholas maintained a well established local - self

government system. Ur, Sabha or Mahasabha and Nagaram were the assemblies for local administration.

The Uttaramerur inscription of Dantivarman Pallava

gives details about the local self government.

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The Chandelas of Bundelkhand

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Chauhans

Eminent Personalities of Ancient

India

it.

Temples and Builders

Kailas Temple at Ellora ........................ Krishna I
Chunnakesava Temple, Belur .... Vishnuvardhana
Rathas at Mahabilipuram ... Narashimhavarman I
Brihadeswara Temple, Tanjavur ... RajaRaja Chola
Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram ... Narasimha VarmanII
Lingaraja Temple, Bhavaneswar ........................
...................................... Eastern Gangarubs
Karjuraho Temples ............................ Chandellas
Rajarajeshwara Temple, Tanjavur ......... Raja raja I
Meenakshi Temple at Madhurai .. Nayaka Rulers
Shiva Temple at Tanjavur ........... Raja Raja Chola

Page 25 of 191

Mihirkula : Huna conqueror defeated by

Yashodharma.

Skand Gupt : Last mighty Gupta ruler.

Darius I : The ruler of Iran (Persia) who invaded

India in 6th century BC.

Gautami Putra Shatakarni : He was the most

famous Satavahana king in 2nd Century.

Shushrut : He was a doctor of Ayurvedic medicine. He started the Dhanwantri branch and was
an expert in Plastic Surgery.

Harisena : He was the writer of Pryaga Prashasti

or Allahabad Pillar Inscription.

Pulikeshin II. Most powerful king of Chalukyas

of Vatapi who defeated Harshavardhana in North
and Mahendravarman of South.

Kharavel : Ruler of Kalinga in I century AD. The

Famous Hathigumbha inscription belonged to
him.

Pushya Mitra sunga : He killed the last Mauryan

ruler and laid the foundation of Sunga dynasty in
185 BC.

Kanishka : (I century AD) : Most powerful

Kushan king. Started Shaka Era. Organised fourth
Buddhist council at Kundalvan near Kashmir.

Pliny : He was a Roman historian who wrote the

Natural History. He wrote about the Mauryas of
India.

Karikala : Chola ruler who founded the city of

Puhar (Kaveri patanam) in I century BC.

Panini : Sanskrit scholar specially of Grammar.

He wrote Ashtadyayi.

Kautilya : also known as Vishnugupta or

Chanakya. He wrote Arthasasthra, which is compared to The prince of Machiavelli.

Varahamihira : He was famous astronomer who

wrote Brihat Samhita.

Kalidas : Famous Sanskrit poet who wrote,

Raghuvamsa, Kumara Sambhavam, Abhigyana
Shakuntalam, Vikramorvashiyam and
Malavikagnimitram. He also wrote
Meghadootam and Ritusamharam.

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Kamban : A Tamil poet of 11th century who wrote

Ramayan in Tamil.

Mihir Bhoja : Famous Prathihara ruler of 9th century.

Kalhana - Famous Kashmiri poet and historian.He

wrote Raja Tarangini.

Marco Polo : Venitian Traveller to India in 13th

century.

Menander : He came to India as a foreign aggressor in II Century BC. MilindaPanho, a book written by Nagasena, is about him.

Nagarjuna : Famous Buddhist monk. He

popounded the philosophy known as
Madhyamika.

Makkali Gosala : Philosopher of 6th Century BC.

H was the founder of Ajivika sect.

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Dhanananda : He was a powerful king of

Magadha. Alexander did not go forward to invade Magadha only after hearing his reputation.

Sankaracharya : He was born in Kaladi in Kerala.

He propagated Advaita Philosophy.

Selected Questions from

Ancient Indian History
The source of Swastika symbol
Indus Valley
Who is considered as the father of Indian
archaeoloy
Alexander Cunningham
Meter scale has been discovered from .........
Harappa
Weapon never used by the Indus people
Sword
What was the major industry in Chanhudaro?
Bead making
The word Sindhan used by the Indus people
denoted
Cotton
Evidence of fractional burial has been excavated
from
Harappa

Page 26 of 191

Wheat

First reference about lending money for interest

can be found in

Barley

Satpatha Brahmana

Term used to denote rice in the vedic text

Vrihi

Rigvedic paintings have been discovered from

Bhagvanpura. It is in which state

Vedic term sita denoted

Hariyana

The famous frog hymn in Rig Veda throws light

to

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The term Bharata and Bharatavarsha were

first used in

Mara
Three daughters of Mara
The ruler who persecuted Buddhists
Major philosophic school of Bhagvatism
Earliest reference about Srikrishna can be found
in
Chandoghya Upanishad

Upanishad which mentions the four Ashramas of

Vedic period

Hindu God who found place in Greek literature

Sri Krishna

Jain Thirthankara, who was related to Sri Krishna

Rishabhadeva (Ist Thirthankara)

Largest number of hymns in Rigveda a are in

praise of
Indra

Who is considered as Devil by the Buddhists

Vishishtadvaita

Vedic term Aghanya denotes

Jabala Upanishad

Ananda

Pushyamitrasunga

Rig Veda

Who is considered as the St.John of Buddhism

lust, emotion and desire

Who spread Aryan religion in South India

Cows

Agasthya

Part of which veda has prose part

Yajur Veda

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Method used to calculate the number of cows in

the Vedic period
Ashtakarni

Rigvedic term Duhitri denoted

Milker of cows

The language used by the Jains to spread their

religion
Prakrit

Varuna

Community which was considered as untouchables by the Buddhists.

Chandalas

Who was considered as the god of the vedas?

God who was considered as God of Gods

Varuna

Vedi terms Urvara or kshetra denoted

Vedic education

Upanishad which mentions about police system

Brihadaranyaka Upanishads

Which veda mentions about wheel

Cultivated field

Rigveda

Kausambi

Yava denoted

Ploughed field

First town in the vedic period to use burned bricks

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The word godhume used in the vedic period

denote

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Tamil god of the Sangham age for War and Victory

Kottavai

Page 27 of 191

The Arab conquest of Sindh was led by

Muhammed Bin Kassim.

Muhammed Bin Khasim was the nephew of AlHajaj, the governor of the Arab province of Basra.

Dahir, a Brahmin was the ruler of Punjab at that

time. He was killed by Kassim.

First Sangham was founded by

The Arabs lost control over Sindh in 779 AD.

Saint Agasthya

Arab conquest of Sindh resulted in the spread of

Islam to North India.

But Islam was first introduced in India by Malik

Ibn Dinar in Kerala in 644 AD.

Lakulisa

Tamil kingdom of the Sangham Age which sent

an ambassador to the court of Roman Emperor
Augusts
Pandyas

Famous poetess of the Sangham period

Avvaiyar

Greeco-Roman traders who visited South India

during the Sangham period were denoted with
the term
Yavanas

Sangham work which describes about Buddhism

Turkish Invasions

Ghazni in Afghanistan was ruled by a Turkish

family called Gamini of Ghaznavid dynasty.

Muhammed Ghazni was the first Turkish conqueror of North India.

Muhammad Ghaznis father was Subu ktigin.

The word used by Ashoka to denote Buddha

Bhagavati
Ashokan inscriptions were desciphered by James
prince in the year
1837

Indo-Greek ruler who had his boundaries upto

Pataliputra

Edict which mentions about the relation between

India and China

The most important raid of Muhammed was the

Somanath expedition. It was in 1025. He completely
distroyed the temple. Somanath Temple was on
the sea coast of Gujarat.

Muhammed Ghazni died in 30th April 1030.

Nagarjunakonda

Later his son Masud attacked India and caputred

Kashmir.

The famous Persian poet Firdausi who wrote

Shahnama (The Book of Kings) lived in his
court.

Alberuni, an Arab Historian, who wrote Tarikhul-Hind (Reality of Hindustan), accompanied

Muhammed Ghazni to India.

Al-Firdausi is known as Indian Homer, Persian Homer, or The Immortal Homer of the
East.

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He defeated Jaipal and Anandpal of Shahi dynasty in 1001 and 1009 respectively.

Yuchi ruler who introduced gold coins for the first

time

MEDIEVALINDIA
Arab Conquest of Sindh

He attacked India seventeen times between 1000

and 1027 AD. He made all the raids in the guise of
Jihad.

Vima Kadphesus

First Invasion was in 1001 AD.

Menander

He attacked India only for want of wealth.

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Saint who founded the Saivism

it.

During the Khaliphate of Omar, Arab forces made

fertile attempts to get Bombay
Arabs captured Sindh in 712 AD.

Page 28 of 191

Muhammed of Ghore attacked India betwen 1175

and 1206 AD.

He was known as Lakh Baksh or giver of lakhs

or giver of favours for his magnanimity.

Muhammed Ghori made his first expedition to India and captured multan in 1175 AD.

Hasan Nizami was a famous historian in the court

of the Aibak.

In the First Battle Tarain in 1191 (near Taneswar)

Muhammed Ghori was defeated by the Rajput
forces under Prithviraj Chauhan III.

In the Second Battle of Tarain (1192 AD)

Muhammed Ghori assisted by Qutub -ud-din
Aibek a slave, defeated Prithviraj Chauhan III and
killed him.

Qutub-ud-din Aibak started the construction of

Qutub Minar in 1199 in Delhi in memory of the
Sufi saint Quaja Qutub - ud-din Bhaktiar Kaki.
Its construction was completed by Ithumish. It is
a five storied building.

Qutub-ud-din Aibak died 1210 by falling from

horseback while playing Polo.

After the death of Qutubuddin, Aram Shah ascended the throne but he was
deposed by Ilthumish and
crowned himself the Sulthan.

During the period of Ilthumish

(1210-1236) Chengizkhan, the
Mongole conqueror attacked
India (1221).
Chengizkhan

Muhammed Ghori returned from India by intrusting his territories in India in the hands of QutubUddin Aibak.
After the death of Ghori in 1206 Aibek founded
the Slave Dynasty.

Muhammed Ghoris Indian invasion resulted in

the foundation of Islamic rule in India.

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Delhi Sultanate

The five dynasties which founded subsequently

after the Turkish invasion were collectively known
as Delhi sulthanate. They are:

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Slave Dynasty ..................... 1206 - 1290

Khilji Dynasty .................... 1290 - 1320

Tughlaq Dynasty ................. 1320 - 1412
Sayyid Dynasty ................... 1414 - 1451
Lodi Dynasty ....................... 1451 - 1526

Slave Dynasty (1206 - 1290)

it.

In 1193 Muhamed Ghori attacked Jaichand, father in law of Prithviraj . III at Kanauj, Jaichand
was defeated.

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Important Court Scholars

Kalidasa .......... Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya)

Banabhatta ............................ Harshavardhana
Alberuni ............................ Muhammed Ghazni
Firdausi ............................. Muhammad Ghazni
Amir Khusru ........................... Alauddin Khilji
Todarmal ............................................... Akbar
Tansen .................................................. Akbar
Birbal .................................................... Akbar
Mansingh ............................................. Akbar
Abul Fazal ............................................. Akbar

Slave Dynasty was also called Ilbari Dynasty,

Yamini Dynasty or Mamluk Dynasty.

Ashva Ghosha ................................. Kanishka

Amara Simha ......................... Chandragupta II

Qutub-ud-din Aibak was a slave of Muhammed

Ghori and he founded the Slave Dynasty in 1206
AD.

Chand Bardai ...................... Prithviraj Chauhan

Aibak was the first Muslim ruler of India.

Harisen ................................... Samudra Gupta

The capital of Qutub-ud-din Aibak was at Lahore

Tenali Rama ........................ Krishnadeva Raya

Revikirti ....................................... Pulikeshin II

Dhanwantari .......................... Chandragupta II

Page 29 of 191

in

Khilji Dynasty (1290 -1320)

it.

The Chalisa or forty established by Ilthumish was

abolished by Balban.
His policies are considered to be Draconian.
He started the Iranian system of Sajda and Piabos.
He was a patron of men of letters and showed
special favour to the poet Amir Khusrau.
After Balbans death in 1286, Kayqubad (1287 -90)
became the Sulthan.
Madhavacharya of the Dwaita Philosophy got help
from Balban.
Balbans Tomb is situated in Delhi. It was constructed by Balban himself.
Kayqubad was the last Slave Sulthan. (Kayumars
who ruled for a term of three months was actually
the last Slave Sulthan. He was killed by Jalaluddin
Khilji) and founded the Khilji Dynasty.

Khilji dynasty was founded by Malik Firoz in

1290 and assumed the title Jalaluddin Khilji (129096)
In 1292 the Mongols under Abdulla accepted defeat from Jalaluddin Khilji.
Alauddin Khilji, the nephew
of Jalaluddin Khilji, killed him
after his victory on Devagiri
in 1296.
Alauddin Khiljis early name
was Ali Gurushap.
He became the Sulthan in
1296 AD and ruled till 1316
Alauddin Khilji
AD.

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Ilthumish is considered as the real founder of

Delhi Sulthanate.
Ilthumish is considered as the real founder of
Delhi Sulthanate
Ilthumish was the first Sulthan of Delhi to get
recognition of the Khalif of Bagdad.
Ilthumish was also the first Sulthan to make Delhi
his capital.
He issued a purely Arabic coinage of Silver and
was the first to do so.
Coins introdued by Ilthumish, Silver Thanka
and Copper Jital were the two basic coins of
the Sulthanate period.
He organised the Chalisa or the famous Turkish forty to help him in the administration.
Iltumish completed the construction of Qutub
Minar.
The revenue system of the Sulthanate Iqta system, was introduced by Ilthumish.
Ilthumish was succeeded by his son Ruknuddin
Firoz Shah. But he was later executed and Razia
became the sulthan (daughter of Ilthumish)
Sulthana Raziya, the only women ruler of, the
Sultanate came to power in 1236 and reigned till
1240.
Sulthana Raizya rejected the Pardah, she adorned
the male dress and held open courts.
In October 14, 1240 both Razia and Altunia who
earlier raised arms against Razia but later joined
with her were, beheaded at Kaithal.
After Raizya Behran Shah (1240 - 42) Allaud-dinMasudshah (1242 - 46) and Naziruddin
Muhammad (1246 - 1266) ruled and Balban, the
founder of the second Ilban dynasty, became the
Sulthan.
Ghiasuddin Balban a slave water carreer, huntsman, noble, statesman became the Sulthan of Delhi
in 1266 and continued in power till 1686 AD.
Balban is considered as the founder of Second
Ilbary Dynasty.
Balban described himself as shadow of God or
the viceregent of God on Earth (Zil-i-illahi)
Balban because of his autocratic rule is considered as a typical oriental despot.

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In 1303 Alauddin Khilji attacked Chittor, the capital of Mewar, to marry Padmini the wife of Chittor
king Ratna Singh.
But Padmini and other Rajput women committed
Juhar (Juhar is a mass suicide by Jumping into
fire, committed by Rajput women to escape from
being polluted by others)
Padmavat is a historical kavya about Padmini episode written by Malik Muhammed Jayasi.
Malik Muhammed Jayasi was the court poet of
Shersha Suri.
Alauddin Khilji was the first Muslim ruler to at-

Page 30 of 191

Tughlaq Dynasty was founded by Ghiazuddin

Tughlaq. His real name was Ghazi Malik.

Ghiasuddin Tughlaq founded the dynasty after

killing Khuzru Khan in 1320.

IMPORTANT DYNASTIES
IN INDIAN HISTOY
MAURYANEMPIRE .............. 322 BC - 185 BC
Chandragupta Maurya ........... BC 322 - 297 BC
Bindusara .............................. 297 BC - 274 BC
Ashoka ................................. 274 BC - 237 BC
KUSHANAEMPIRE .............. 20 AD - 225 AD
Kanishka ............................... 78 AD - 120 AD
Gupta Empire ........................ 320 AD - 606 AD
Chandragupta I .................... 320 AD - 330 AD
Samudra Gupta ..................... 330 AD - 380 AD
Chandra Gupta II .................. 380 AD - 413 AD
VARDHANA DYNASTY ...... 580 AD - 647 AD
Harsha Vardhana .................. 606 AD - 647 AD
SLAVE DYNASTY ........... 1206 AD - 1290 AD
Qutubuddin Aibak .................. 1206 - 1210 AD
Ilthumish ................................ 1210 - 1236 AD
Raziya Sulthana ...................... 1236 - 1240 AD
Balban .................................... 1266 - 1286 AD
KHILJI DYNASTY ................ 1290 - 1320 AD
Alauddin Khilji ....................... 1296 - 1316 AD
TUGHLAQ DYNASTY .......... 1320 - 1412 AD
Muhammed Bin Tughlaq ......... 1325 - 1351 AD
LODHI DYNASTY ................ 1451 - 1526 AD
Ibrahim Lodi ............................ 1517 -1526 AD
MUGHAL EMPIRE ...... 1526 - 1540, 1555-1857
Babar ..................................... 1526 - 1530 AD
Humayun ................. 1530-1540, 1555-1556 AD
Akbar ..................................... 1556 - 1605 AD
Jahangir ................................. 1605 - 1627 AD
Shahjahan ................................ 1628-1658 AD
Aurangazeb ............................ 1658 - 1707 AD
Bahadurshah II ....................... 1837 - 1857 AD

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Tughlaq Dynasty (1320 - 1412)

it.

Khilji dynasty came to an end when the Mubarak

shah Khilji was killed by Khusrau Khan.
Some historians consider Khusrau Khan as the
last Khilji Sulthan.

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tack South India.

Malik Kafur was Alauddin Khiljis Commander
who attacked South India.
Alauddin Khilji was the most famous ruler of the
Khilji Dynasty.
Alauddin was the Sulthan of Delhi who banned
the use of liquor.
Alauddin had a dream of a World Conquest so he
assumed the title Sikhandar-i-sani or Second
Alexander.
Demitrius a Bactrian ruler is popularly known as
Second Alexander.
Alauddin abolished the Zamindari System and
imposed tax on cattle.
He was the first muslim ruler of Delhi to introduce
measurement of land for tax assessment.
His market regulations were to get goods at controlled price to the people of Delhi.
Alauddin Khilji was the first Sulthan of Delhi who
separated religion from politics.
He was also the first to proclaim I am the
Khalifa.
Alauddin constructed Alai Darwaza the gate way
of Qutub Minar.
He built the city of Siri, the second of the seven
cities of Delhi, near Qutub Minar.
The first marriage between a muslim ruler and a
Hindu princess was between Alauddin and Kamala Devi, the widow of the ruler of Gujarat.
Alauddin Khilji was killed by his commander
Malik Kafur by poisoning.
Amir Khusru was the court poet of Alauddin
Amir Khusru is known as the Parrot of India
He is considered as the father of Urdu language
and the inventor of Sitar.
Laila Majnu and Tughlaq Nama are the famous
works of Amir Khusru.
Alauddin khilji was the first Sulthan to maintain a
permanent standing army.
Alauddin Khilji was responsible for the introduction of postal system in medieval India.
Mubarak shah khilji was the last ruler of the
khilji Dynasty.

Page 31 of 191

Ghiazuddin died by the collapse of a pavilion.

He built the Tughlaqabad Fort in Delhi the third

city of Delhi to the east of Qutub complex.

Ghiassudhin Tughlaq was the first Sulthan to start

irrigation works.

GhiassuddinTughlaq was succeeded by his son

Jauna Khan, popularly known as Muhammed Bin
Tughlaq.

Sayyid Dynasty (1414 - 1451)

Muhammed Bin Tughlaq is considered as the

single most responsible person for the decline of
Delhi Sulthanate.

Sayyid Dynasty was founded by Khizr Khan in

1414.

Muhammed Bin Tughlaq was known as a mixture of opposites, wisest fool, Pagal padushah,
unfortunate idealogue and the predecessor of
Akbar in intellectual and religious matters.

Last Sayyid Sulthan was Alauddin Alamshah or

Shah Alam I. He was killed by Bahalol Lodhi in
1451.

Lodhi Dynasty (1451-1526)

He shifted his capital from Delhi to Devagiri

(Daulatabad) in 1327.

In 1330 he introduced token currency of bronze

and copper.

Moroccan Traveller Ibn Batuta visited India during his period.

Edward Thanas described him as prince of

moneyers.

Muhammed Bin Tughlaq was succeeded by his

elderly cousin, Firoz Shah Tughlaq.

Firoz Shah Tughlaq was the first Sulthan of Delhi

to impose Jaziya. It was a religious tax for the
freedom of worship. He imposed it only upon Brahmins.

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He built the city of Firozbad in Delhi. The Firoz

shah Kotla was also built by him. The gate way of
Firozshah Kottla is Khooni Darwaza, or blood
stained gate. It was constructed by Shersha Suri.

He transplanted two Ashokan Pillars to Firozabad.

He is the author of Fatuhat -i- Firozshahi

After Firozshah Tughlaq Muhammed Shah

Tughlaq or Naziruddin Muhammed came to the
throne.

It was during the period of his reign that Timur

Lodhi dynasty was founded by Bahlol Lodhi in

1451. The dynasty lasted upto 1526.
Lodhi dynasty was the first Afghan dynasty or
first Pathan dynasty in India.
Sikhandar Lodhi, who ruled from 1489 to 1517
shifted the capital from Delhi to Agra.
Sikhandar Lodhi is considered as the Maker of
Agra City.
Last Lodhi Sulthan or last Delhi Sulthan was
Ibrahim Lodhi. Rana Sangram Singh of Mewar
defeated him. His brother Daulat Khan Lodhi invited Babar to India to defeat Ibrahim Lodhi in
1524.
Babar defeated Ibrahim Lodhi in the First Battle
of Panipat in 1526 April 21.
The title Sulthan was started by the Turkish rulers. Muhammed Ghazni was the first to assume
the title Sulthan.
The official language of the Delhi Sulthanate was
Persian.

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Ibn Batuta called him an illstared idealist.

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it.

Timur appointed Khizr Khan, the governor of

Multan his authority in India.

nd

the Lame or Tamerlain a Turkish conqueror of

Tartar tribe from Samarkhand attacked India in
1398.

Bahmani and Vijayanagara Kingdoms

The decline of the Sulthanate of Delhi gave birth
to two mighty states in South India the Bahmani
Kingdom of Gulbaraga and the Vijayanagara Empire.
The Bahmanis were Muslim rulers, while the rulers of the Vijayanagar were Hindus.
The Bahmani kingdom was founded by Zafar
Khan (Hassan) who took the title of Alauddin

Page 32 of 191

Vijaya Nagara Empire

Ashtadiggajas was the famous Scholastic Assembly in the court of Krishna Deva Raya.

Vijayanagar Empire was visited by many foreign

travellers.

Nicolo Conti - Venitian traveller, visited during

the reign of Devaraya I.

Abdur Razzak : Ambassador of Sulthan

ShahRukh to the court of Devaraya II.

Damingos Paes : He visited Krishna Devarayas

court.

Ferona Nuniz : A Portuguese who visited during

Achyuta Rayas reign.

Durate Barbosa : A portuguese who visited

Krishnadeva Rayas court.

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The founders of Vijaya Nagar Empire were

Harihara and Bukka Rai, the revenue officers of
the Kakatiya ruler Pratap Rudra Deva II of
Warrangal.

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Allasani Peddanna, a Telugu poet was a courtier

of Krishna Deva Raya. He is considered as the
Andra Kavita Pitamaha the Grand Father of
Telugu poetry.

They founded the dynasty in 1336 with the capital as Vijaya Nagara on the banks of Tungbhadra
river witht the help of Saint Vidyaranya.

The Mughal Empire

The Mughals were originally Turks.

They belonged to the Chaghtai branch of the

Turkish race.

Period of the Mughal empire is known as Second

Classical Age. First Classical Age is the period
Guptas.

Mughal Empire is also known as Timurid Empire

because of its relation to Amir Timur.

Aravidu (1565 - 1672)

Krishna Deva Raya (1509 1529) belonged to the

Tuluva dynasty. The Italian traveller Nicolocont
visited his court.

Mughal Emperors are 20 in number. They ruled

India from 1526 to 1857. Only six are considered
great They are:

Zahiruddin Muhammed Babur (1526 - 1530)

Naziruddin Mirza Muhammed Humayun (1530 40 & 1555 - 1556)

Jalaluddin Muhammed Akbar - (1556 - 1605)

Nuruddin Muhammed Jahangir (1605 - 1627)

Vijayanagara kingdom lasted for 230 years and

produced four dynasties.
Sangama (1336 - 1485)
Saluva - (1485 - 1505)
Tuluva (1505 - 1565) and

Athenasius Nikitin (1415) : He was a Russian,

who visited during Deva Raya Is period He wrote,
Voyage to India.

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He wrote Ushaparinayam and Amuktamalyada

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Bahman Shah. He selected Gulbaraga as its capital and renamed it Ahsanabad.

There were total eighteen Sulthans and they ruled
from 1347 to 1527.
Muhammed Gawan was the famous minister of
Bahmini kingdom.
The last prince of the Bahmani Kingdom was
Kalimullah.
By 1527, the Bahmani kingdom was split up into
five independent principalities.
The Adil Shahis of Bijapur -founder - Yusuf
Adilshah (1489 - 90)
The Nizam Shahis of Ahamadnagar - founder Malik Ahmad (1499)
The Imadshahis of Berar - founder -Fateh Ulla
Imadshanti (1490)
The Qutubshahi kingdom of Golconda - founder
- Qutabshah (1512)
The Baridshahis of Bidar - founder - Amir Ali
Barid (1527).

Krishnadeva Rayar is
known as Andhra Bhoja

Krishnadeva Rayar

Page 33 of 191

Shahabuddin Muhammed Shah Jahan (1628 1658)

Muhiyuddin Muhammed Aurangazeb Alamgir

(1658 - 1707)

Babur said I dont like India and Indians.

Babur was the first Mughal ruler to keep in hand

the Kohinur Diamond.

Babur was a contemporary of Krishnadeva Raya

of Vijaya Nagara Empire.

Babur

Humayun was born in 1507 in Kabul as the son of

Babur and Mahim Sulthana.

He became the Mughal Emperor on 29 December 1530 at

the age of 23.

He divided the empire among

his brothers - Askari, Hindal
and Kamran.

The word Humayun means

Humayun
fortunate But Human is considered as the most unfortunate Mughal ruler.

it.

nd

Humayun

Human was an accomplished mathematician and

astronomer.

In 1539 by the Battle of Chausa, Humayun was

defeated for the first time by Shershah Suri.

In the next year (1540) Shershah completely defeated Humayun in the battle of Kanauj and
founded the Sur dynasty.

After the lapse of 15 years Humayun re-captured

the Empire by defeating the last Sur ruler
Sikhandar Shah Suri by the battle of Sirhindh in
1555, July.
After the restoration Humayun ruled for only six
months.
The period from 1540 to 1555 is known as the
period of temporary eclipse of the Mughal.
Humayun died by an accidental fall from the
straicase of his Library Shermandal at the
Puranakwila in Delhi on 24 January 1556.
The Purnakwila was constructed by Humayun but
its construction was completed by Shershah.
Humayuns biography Humayun Namah was written by Humayuns sister Gulbadan Begum. The
language used to write this biography was a mixture of Turkish and Persian.

pu

Babur was born in Farghana in

Turkey on 14 Feb. 1483 as the
som of Umer Sheik Mirza ad
Babur
Qulik Nigarkhanum.
Baburs father Umershiek Mirza was the grand
son of Amir Timur and the ruler of Farghana.
Babur became the ruler of Samarkhand at the Age
of 11.
He captured Kabul in 1504.
Then Babur attacked India 5 times for want of
wealth.
Baburs first Attack of India was in 1519 Bhera
was the first place captured by Babur.
In 1524 Daulatkhan, Ibrahim Lodhis brother invited Babur to India.
On 21 April 1526 Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodhi,
the last Lodhi Sulthan in the First Battle of
Panipat.
On 16 March 1527 he defeated Rana Sangha of
Mewar, in the Battle of Khanwa.
The Rajputs in 1528 under Medini Raj of Malwa
fought against Babur in the Battle of Chanderi,
but were defeated.
In 1529 the Afghans under Muhammed Lodhi
fought against Babur in the Battle of Ghaghra
but were defeated.
In 1530 December 26, Babur died and was cremated at Kabul.
Babur was the first to use Artillery in India.

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Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, was

the fifth descendant of Timur
on Fathers side and the fourteenth
descendant
of
Chengizkhan on mothers side.

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His memoirs or autobiography Tuzuk-i-Baburi

or Baburnamah was written in Turkish language,
Baburs mothertongue.

in

Page 34 of 191

In 1533 Humayun built the city of Dinpana (world

refuge) in Delhi.

Humayuns tomb is situated in Delhi (first building in India having double domes)

Humayun tomb is known as predecessor of

Tajmahal, because Taj was modelled after this,
also known as a dormitory of the house of Timur.
Mirak Mirza Ghias is its architect.

Mother - Hamida Bhanu Begum

Step mother - Magam Anaga

Guardian - Bairam Khan

First Guardian - Munim Khan

Akbar was born at Amarkot in

Sindh in 23 Nov. 1542.

He came to the throne on February 14, 1556 at the

age of 14 at Kalanur.
Hemu the Hindu Prime Minister of Muhammed
Adilshah of Bihar occupied Agra and accepted
the title Maharaja Vikramaditya.
Akbar killed Hemu in the Second Battle of Paniput
in 1556 November 2.

In 1583 he started a new Calendar called Ilahi

Calendar.

In 1576 Akbar defeated Maharana Pratap of

Mewar in the battle of Haldighat. Haldighat is a
mountain pass in the Aravally hills in Rajasthan.

The Portuguese introduced tobacco for the first

time in India in the court of Akbar in 1604.

Akbar was the Mughal Emperor when the English East India Company was being founded in
1600 December 31.

Akbar died in 1605.

His tomb is situated at Sikhandra near Agra.

Akbar was an illiterate person, but he was a patron of men of eminence. He maintained a Scholastic Assembly in his court. They included the
following personalities.

Abul Fazal : Akbars court historian who wrote

Akbars biographical works Ain-i-Akbari and
Akbar Namah..

Abul Faizi : Persian poet and brother of Abul

Fazal. He translated Mahabharata into Persian in
name Razam Namah and Bhaskaracharyas
mathematical work Leelavati into Persian.
Mian Tansen : His original name was Ram Thanu
Pande. He was the court Musician of Akbar. He
composed a Raga, Rajdarbari in honour of Akbar.
Birbal : His real name was Mahesh Das. He is the
court jester of Akbar.

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In 1582 Akbar founded a new religion for universal peace and monotheism known as Din Ilahi
means Divine Faith.

Akbar became an independent ruler at the age of

18 in 1560, after dismissing Bairamkhan.
Later he married Bairam Khans widow Salima
Begum.
In 1561 he defeated the musician Sulthan of
Malwa - Baz Bahadur.

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Akbar

it.

Father - Humayun

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In 1562 Akbar married Joda Bhai, the daughter of

Raja Bharmal of Amber
In 1564, he abolished the religious tax Jaziya.
Jaziya was impossed for the first time by Firozshah
Tughlaq.
In 1572 he captured Gujarat and in memory of that
he built a new capital city Fathepur sikri (city of
Victory) near Agra.
The early name of Fathepur Sikri was city of Sikri.
Buland Darwaza is the gate way of Fathepur Sikri,
built by Akbar.

in

Akbar the Great

In 1575 Akbar constructed a prayer house in

Fathepur Sikri known as Ibadatkhana.
In 1579 he issued the Infallibility Decree by which
he made himself the supreme head in religious
matters.
In 1580 the first Jesuit missionaries arrived at the
court of Akbar.
In 1585 Ralph Fitch the first English man to reach
India, reached Akbars court.
Ralph Fitch is known as pioneer English man or
torch bearer Englishman.

Page 35 of 191

Period of Jahangir is considered as the Golden

Age of Mughal Painting. Jahangir himself was a
painter. Ustad Mansur and Abul Hassan were famous painters in the court of Jahangir.

Jahangir built Shalimar and Nishant Gardens in

Srinagar.

Jahangir suspended a chain of Justice known as

Zndiri Adal infront of his court.

Anarkali was Jahangairs lover. Mughal-i-Asam

directed by K. Asif is a famous film which tells
the love story of Jahangir and Anarkali.
Jahangir wrote his autobiography Tuzukh -iJahangiri in Persian language.

Jahangir died in 1627 and was cremated at

Shahdhara in Lahore.

Mughal - Rajput friendly relation began during

the period of Akbar.

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Akbar was an accomplished Sitar player.

Early name of Jahangir was Salim. Akbar called

him Sheika Baba.

Jahangir came to the throne in

1605.

Jahangir was the son of Akbar

and Jodabai.

He married Mehrunnisa, an
Afghan widow in 1611 Later he
Jahangir
gave her the titles, Noor Mahal
(light of the palace) Noor Jahan (light of the world)
and Padusha Begum.

In 1615 Sir Thomas Roe reached the court of

Jahangir as the first ambassador of James I of
England in the court of Jahangir. As a result of
his efforts first English factory was established
at Surat in Gujarat.

Jahangir

in

In 1609, Jahangir received William Hawkins, an

envoy of King James I of England, who reached
India to obtain trade concession.

it.

Maharaja Mansing : Akbars military commander.

Badauni : a historian who translated Ramayana
into Persian - Tarjuma -1-Ramayan.
Tulasidas : Hindi poet who
wrote Ramacharitamanas.
Akbars military system was
known as Mansabdari system,
which included Ranks from 10
- 7000
Akbar was also responsible
for the introduction Persian as
Tulasidas
the official language of
Mughals.
He divided the Mughal Empire into 12 Subahs
(provinces) for the administrative conveniences.
Akbar was also the first ruler to organise Hajj.
Pilgrimage at the government expense. The Port
Cambay in Gujarat is known as the Gate way to
Mecca from Mughal India.

nd

Raja Todarmal : RajaTodarmal was Akbars finance or revenue minister. He formulated Akbars
revenue system Zabti and Dashala systems. Raja
Todermal also translated Bhagavatapurana into
Persian.

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In 1606 Jahangir executed fifth Sikh Guru Guru

Arjun Dev, because he helped Jahangirs son
Prince Khusru to rebel against him.

Shah Jahan

Shah Jahan was born on 5th January 1592 at

Lahore.

His mother was Jagat Gosain

and his childhood name was
Khurram.

He married Arjumand Benu

Begum, daughter of Asaf Khan,
brother of Noor Jahan. She later Shah Jahan
came to be known as Mumtaz
Mahal which means beloved of the Palace.

Shahjahan destroyed the Portuguese settlements

at Hoogly.

Shah Jahans period is considered as the Golden

Age of Mughal Architecture and Shah Jahan is
known as the Prince of Builders.

In 1631 he started the construction of Tajmahal

in memory of his wife and completed in 1653. It is

Page 36 of 191

In 1639 he started the construction of Red fort in

Delhi on the model of Agrafort built by Akbar. Its
construction was completed in 1648. The Diwani-Am, Diwan-i-Khas and the Moti Masjid are situated inside the Red fort. The Mothi Masjid in
Agra was constructed by ShahJahan.
The INA Trial in 1945 was conducted at the Red
Fort.

The Gateway of Redfort is the Lahore Gate. It is

here at the Lahore Gate that the Prime Minister of
India hoists the National Flag and addresses the
nation on the independence day.

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In 1656 ShahJahan constructed the Juma Masjid

in Delhi. It is the biggest masjid in India. First
masjid in India was constructed at Kodungallur
in Kerala (Cheraman Palli) in 644 AD by Malik Ibn
Dinar.

Shah Jahans period is known as the Golden Age

of Mughal Empire.

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French travellers Bernier and Tavernier and Italian traveller Manucci visited India during
ShahJahans period.

Aurangazeb

Aurangazeb imprisoned his father and made himself the Padushah in 1658. But his actual coronation was conducted in 1659.

Alamgir was the name

adopted by Aurangazeb when
he became the Padusha.

Aurangazeb is known as
Zinda Pir or living saint because of his simple life.

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He banned music and dance.

Aurangazeb
He ousted all the artists from
his court. At the same time he was an accomplished Veena player.

Aurangazeb was the last great Mughal Emperor.

In 1675 he executed 9th Sikh Guru Guru Tej

Behadur because of his reluctance to accept Islam.

Teg Behadur was executed at the Chandni Chauk.

In 1679 Aurangzeb constructed the tomb of his
only wife Rubiad Daurani at Aurangabad in
Maharashtra. It is known as Bibi ka Makabara. It
is otherwise known as Mini Tajmahal as it was
the blind imitation of Tajmahal. In the same year
he reimpossed Jasya upon all the non Muslims,
which was earlier abolished by Akbar.
Aurangazeb called Shivaji a mountain rat and
gave him the title Raja because of his guerilla tactics.
In 1660 he entrusted Shaisthakhan to defeat
Shivaji.
Later in 1665 the treaty of Purandar was signed
between Maharaja Jaisingh of Amber and Shivaji
Jaisingh was deputed by Aurangazeb.

The Portuguese introduced European painting in

India during the reign of Shah Jahan

In 1658 Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son

Aurangazeb and he died in 1666, after eight years.
His daughter Jahan Ara was also kept in prison
along with him at the Agra fort.

Shah Jahans son Dhara Shukoe was a famous

scholar. He translated Bhagavat Gita and Sixty
Upanishads into Persian. He also wrote a book
titled Mujm-ul-Behrain (Mingling of the Oceans)
He also translated Atharva Veda into Persian.

ShahJahan was a famous Lyricist. He wrote Lyrics in Hindi.

in

In 1638 Shah Jahan built his new capital Shah

Jahanabad in Delhi and shifted the capital from
Agra to there.

The famous Peacock Throne was built by Shah

Jahan. It was abducted from here by Nadirsha in
1739 during his Indian invasion (Persian conqueror). Now it is kept at the London Tower Museum, Britain.

it.

nd

situated on the banks of Yamuna river in Uttar

Pradesh. Utad Iza a Turkish/ Persian was its architect. British administrator Furgurson called it
a love in marble. Now Sulphur Dioxide, emitted
by oil refinaries in Madhura after mixing with moisture in the atmosphere forms Sulphuric Acid and
damages the marble of Tajmahal.

Page 37 of 191

Later Mughals

Ahmedshahs (1748 -1754) period saw the mighty

invasion of Ahmed Shah Abdali of Afghanistan.
Akbar Shah II (1806 - 1837) conferred the title
Raja upon Ram Mohan Roy.
Bahadurshah II (837-1862) was
the last Mughal emperor. On
17th May 1857 Bahadurshah II
was declared the independent
Emperor of India by the Mutineers. He was surrendered to
LtW.S.R. Hodson at Humayuns
Bahadurshah II
Tomb in Delhi. In 1859 he was
deported to Rangoon in December where he expired on Nov. 7, 1862. The Tomb of Bahadurshah
II is in Pwin Manah, the capital of Myanmar.

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In 1739 Nadirshah Quli the Persian conqueror

attacked India during the period of the Mughal
Emperor Muhammed Shah or Rustan Khan
(1719-1748) and took away ShahJahans famous
Peacock Throne and Kohinoor Diamond.

His family came to India from Afghanistan.

He entered the service of Baharkhan Lohani of

Behar from whom received the title of Sherkhan,
for killing a lion single handed.

Later he became a member of the Mughal court of

Babur.

In 1539 by the battle of Chausa, Sherkhan defeated Humayun for the first time and assumed
the name Shershah.

Later in 1540 he completely defeated Humayun in

in the battle of Kanauj and founded the Sur dynasty.

While directing the operations of his artillery at

Kalanjar against the ruler of Bundelkhand Raja
Kirat Singh, Shershah was seriously wounded by
a sudden fire from his own artillery and died on
May 22, 1545.

Shershah constructed the Grand Trunk Road from

Sohargaon to Attock (Calcutta to Amritsar)

He introduced the National Highway concept for

the first time in India.

Now the Grand Trunk Road is known as Shershah

Suri Marg. Its part from Delhi to Amritsar is
known as National Highway -1.

Grand Trunk Road is also known a Long Walk.

He was the first ruler to introduce Silver Rupiya

(one rupiya was equal to 64 dams) and gold coin
Ashrafi.

He built the Purana Qila in Delhi (its Construction was started by Humayun) and his own
Mousoleum (Tomb) at Sasaram in Bihar.

He also constructed the Khooni Darwaza (blood

stained gate) the gate way of Firozshah Kotla in
Delhi.

Hindi poet Malik Muhammed Jayasi completed

his Padmavat, during his reign.

His Revenue system was excellent and hence

Akbars administrative reforms were modelled after him. He is regarded as the forerunner of Akbar.

Shershah was succeeded by his son Islam Shah.

pu

Bahadurshah I came to the throne after the death

of Aurangazeb. His real name was Muassam.

am

His father was Hassan Khan

in

it.

The Mughal Rajput relation became worse during the period of Aurangazeb.
Aurangazeb was the only Mughal Emperor who
was not a drunkard.
Aurangazeb is considered as religiously fanatic.
He was also a temple breaker. He persecuted the
Hindus and imposed prohibition against the free
exercise of Holi and Divali.
Aurangazeb died in 1707 February 20,at
Ahmednagar. Aurangazebs tomb is situated at
Daulatabad in Maharashtra.

nd

Bahadurshah II was also a famous Urdu Poet.

Bahadurshah II was also known as Bahadurshah

Zafar Zafar means gifted poet.

Shershah Suri

Shershahs original name was Farid.

He was born in Hissar Firosa.

Page 38 of 191

The last Sur ruler was Sikkandar Shah Sur. Who

was defeated by Humayun in 1555 by the battle
of Sirhindh.

The Marathas

The first great leader of the Marathas was

Chatrapathi Shivaji.

The Marathas became prominent in the later half

of the 17th century.
Shivaji belonged to the Bhonsle clan of the
Marathas.

Shaji Bhonsle and Jiga Bai were the Parents of

Shivaji.

He was born in 1627 February

19 at the fort of Shivner near
Junnar.

His father was a military commander under the Nizam Shahi

rulers of Ahmedanagar and
later of Bijapur.

in

Shivaji

Shivajis tutor was Dadaji Kondadev.

Shivaji received the help of Malavi tribe to capture the territories of Bijapur Sulthan.
Torna was the first place captured by Shivaji in
1646.
Shivaji came to conflict with the Mughals for the
first time in 1657, during the period of Shah Jahan.
In 1659 Bijapur Sulthan Ali Adilshah sent Afzal
Khan to kill Shivaji. But he killed Afsal Khan.
In 1660 Aurangazeb deputed his viceroy of
Deccan, Shaisthakhan to kill Shivaji.
1665, Shivaji signed the treaty of Purandar with
Raja Jai Singh of Ambher, who was deputed by
Aurangazeb.
In 1666 Shivaji visited Aurangazeb in his court at
Agra. But he and his son Sambaji were imprisoned by Aurangazeb in the Jaipur Bhavan.
On 16th June 1674 Shivaji crowned himself an
independent Hindu king became the Chatrapathi
and assumed the title Haidavadhasmodharak.
Shivaji died in 1680 at the age of 53.
Shahu became the Chatrapathi in 1708 and his
period witnessed the rise of Peshwaship.

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Balaji Vishwanath (1712 - 1720) Baji Rao (1720 40) Balaji BajiRao I (1740 - 61) and Madhav Rao I
(1761 - 1772) were the Peshwas who ruled
Maharashtra.
Baji Rao popularised the idea of Hindu
Padpadshahi or Hindu Empire.
Balaji Baji Raos period witnessed the Third Battle
of Panipat in 1761. In this battle Ahmed Shah
Abdali of Afghanistan defeated the Marathas.
Madhava Rao was the last great Peshwa.
Last Peshwa was Baji Rao II.
Madhava Raos period witnessed the disintegration of the Maratha power and the formation of independent kingdoms - Holkarofindor, Bhonsle of
Nagpur, Sindhya of Gwalior and Gaekwad of Baroda.
Shivajis Council of Ministers was known as
Ashtapradhan. They were Peshwa, Pandit Rao,
Sumant, Sachiva, Senapathi, Amatya, Mantri and
Nyayadhyaksha.
Peshwa was the Maratha Chief Minister.
Chaudh and Sardesh Mukhi were two special laxes
collected by the Marathas.
The first Maratha war (1775 -82) Swai Madhav
Rao Vs Raghunath Rao with English support.
Second Maratha war 1803 - 05.
Third Maratha war 1816 - 19.
The last great Soldier and statesman of Maratha
was Nana Phadavnis (1800)
The Maratha script was called Modiscript.
Peshwaship was abolished in 1818
Baji Rao was the ablest of the Peshwas.
Shivaji did not allow women in his military camp.
The Marathas were equipped with an efficient
naval system under Shivaji.

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Sikhism

Sikh is a sanskrit word which means desciple

Sikh religion was founded by
GuruNanak.
Guru Nanak was born was born
at Talwandi in Lahore, belonged
to the Khatri Caste (Mercantile
Community)
Nanak called his creed as
GuruNanak
Gurumat or Gurus wisdom.

Page 39 of 191

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Govind Singh proclaimed the Grandh Sahib as

the eternal Guru.

Renjith Singh (1780 - 1836)

Renjith Singh became the ruler of Punjab in 1799.

He assumed the title Maharaja

in 1801.

The 1809 the British and Renjith

Singh made the Treaty of
Amritsar during the period of
Lord Minto

In 1809 Shah Shuja the grand- Renjith Singh

son of Ahmedshah Abdali presented the Kohinoor diamond to Ranjith Singh.

Later Punjab was annexed to the British territories by Lord Dalhousie in 1849. Sir John Lawrence
became the first Chief Commissioner of Punjab.

Seventh Guru was Har Rai. He was succeeded

by Guru Harkishan. Har Kishan became the Guru
at the age of five, hence he is the youngest Sikh
Guru.
The 10th and the last Guru, Govind Singh formed
the Khalsa or the Sikh brotherhood.
He introduced Panchkakar of Sikhism -ie Kesh
(long hair) Kanga (Comb) Kripan (Sword), Kachha
(Underwear) and Kara (Iron bangk)
He introduced baptism and wanted every Sikh to
bear community surname Singh or lion.
His aim was the establishment of a Sikh State after overthrowing the Mughals. In 1708 he was
killed by an Afghan.
Vichithra Natak is the autobiography of Guru
Govind Singh.

in

Kartarpur Dabir is the root form of Guru Grandh

Sahib.

it.

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GuruNanak was born in 1469 and died in 1538.

He was the first Guru of the Sikhs.
Nanak preached only in Punjabi.
Nanak nominated Guru Angad as his successor.
Guru Angad introduced Gurumukhi Script. He
also compiled Guru Nanaks biography Janam
Sakis.
Langar or free community dining was also introduced by Guru Angad.
Third Sikh Guru was Amar Das. He started the
Manji system ie, branches for the propagation of
Sikhs. He made Guruship hereditory.
Guru Ramdas was the fourth Sikh Guru. He
founded the city of Amritsar. The place for the
city was donated by Akbar.
Under the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjun Dev,
Sikhism became an organised religion. He compiled the Adi Grandh the sacred book of the
Sikhs. He built a temple at Amritsar , (later the
Golden Temple) Har Mandir Sahib. He helped
Jahangirs son Prince Khusru to rebel against the
Emperor So he was executed by Jahangir at Lahore
in 1606 AD.
The sixth Guru Hargovind, created a Sikh army
and turned against Shah Jahan. He founded a
palace opposite to Harmandir Sahib known as
Akaltakt. He also adopted the title Sacha
Padusha, which means true ruler. (the title was
not adopted by Teg Bahadur)

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The Sikhs fought two wars against the English

First Anglo-Sikh War (1845- 1846) and the Second Anglo-Sikh war (1848 - 1849)

The Bhakti Movement

Love and devotion to one personal God is the

basic concept of Bhakti.

The Alvars or Vaishanava saints and Nayanars

or Saivite, saints became the promoters of Bhakti
movement in South India.
Ramanuja, a Vaishana saint of 12th century AD,
was born at Sriperumbathur and founded philosophy of Vishistadvaita or qualified monism.

Sikh Guru
Guru Nanak .............................. 1469-1538
Guru Angad ........................... 1538 - 1552
Guru Amardas ........................ 1552 - 1574
Guru Ramdas .......................... 1574 - 1581
Guru Arjundev ....................... 1581 - 1606
Guru Hargovind ...................... 1606 - 1645
Guru Har Rai ........................... 1645 - 1661
Guru Har Kishan ....................... 1661-1664
Guru Teg Bahadur ..................... 1664-1675
Guru Govind Singh ................. 1675 - 1708

Page 40 of 191

Al Masudi - An Arabian traveller who came to

India in 10th century AD.

Al Beruni - He came to India with Muhammed

Ghazni, his book, Tahrik-ul-Hindh.

Abbas Khan Shervani : He was a historian of

Shershahs time. He wrote Tarikh-1-Shershahi.

Abul Fazal : He was a a great scholar poet Historian in the court of Akbar. He wrote Akbarnamah
and Ain-i- Akbari.

Bhaktiyar Khilji : Commander of Muhammed

Ghori who conquered Bengal and crushed the
Sena dynasty.

Bhar Mal : He was the Rajput ruler of Amber. His

daughter Jodabai was married to Akbar. Akbars
commanders Bhangavandas and Mansingh were
his son and grandson respectively.

in

Famous Personalities in Medieval

India

Sufism

Mythical movement of the Muslims was known

as Suficism.

Sufi movement first came to India in the wake of

Muhammed Ghaznis invasion in the 11th century.

Sufi orders are called Silsilahs.

Chishti Silsilah was founded by Khawaja

Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmir.

it.

Sufism declined in the 17th Century.

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The leader of Bhakti movement or Hindu revivalism was Sankaracharya. His philosophy was
Advaita or pure monism. He wrote Commentary
on Brahmasutra and Upanishad. He founded four
matts- Sringeri, Dwaraka, Puri and Badrinath.
Vallabhacharya promoted the philosophy of
Pushtimarga. He was the founder of Sudhadvaita.
The North India the Bakti movement was promoted by two sects of thought - the Saguna and
Nirguna schools.
Ramanand, born at Prayag preached
Vaishnavaism. He was a followers of Ramanuja.
Kabir (1398 -1458) a nirguna was born near
Benaras. His followers started the Kabirpanthis.
Tulasi Dasa (1532 - 1623) a worshipper of Rama
compossed Ramcharithamanasa in Hindi. His
other works are Kavitavali and Gitavali.
Mirabai (1498 - 1509) a Rajaput princess hailed
from the Sisodiya dynasty of Chittoor was a devotee of Lord Krishna. Her lyrics were written in
Brijbhasha and in Rajasthani.
Jnanadeva, Namadeva, Eknatha Tukaram and
Samarth Ram Das were the leading Maratha
saints of Bhakti movement.
Jnanadeva founded the Maharashtra Dharma. His
famous work Jnaneswari is a commendarel on
Bhagavatgita.
Ekanath promoted the custom of singing
Kirthana and he composed abhangas or typical
poems.
Tukaram a contemporary of Shivaji was the promoter of Maratha nationalism.
Samarth Ramdas, the spiritual guide of Shivaji,
wrote Dasabhodha.

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Chathaniya : He popularised Bhakti in Bengal.

He was worshipper of Krishna.

Chand Bibi : She was the daughter of Nizam Shai

ruler of Ahmed Nagar and was married to the Adil
Shahi ruler of Bijapur. As a widow she fought
with Mughals to save her dynasty.

Bairam Khan : He helped Akbar to defeat Hemu.

Firadusi : famous poet in the court of Muhammed

Ghazni He wrote Shah Namah (The book of kings).
He is known as Indian Homer or Persian Homer.

Ibn Batuta : He was an African (Morocco) who

visited the court of Muhammed bin Tughlaq and
wrote the book Rihala.

Hasan Gangu - founder of Bahmani dynasty under the name Alauddin Bahamanshah.

Jai Chandra - He was the ruler of Kanauj, belonged to the Gahawala dynasty. He was defeated
in 1194 by Muhammed Ghori in the battle of
Chandwar.

Page 41 of 191

Islam Shah : Second Sur ruler, son of Shersha He

codified the law and introduced an impartial system of Justice.

Lalitaditya of Karkota dynasty : He ruled over

Kashmir from 724 to 760. The famous Martand
Mandir temple was built by him.

Malik Kafur : He was an army commander of

Alauddin Khilji - who conquered south India for
him. He was converted to Islam from Hinduism.

Muhamed Gawan : He was a minister to the

Bahmani rulers.

Malik Amber : He was a Syrian slave who could

became the Prime Minister of Ahmed Nagar. He
administered the State very well fought against
the Mughals and Marathas.
Mirza Ghias Beg : He was the father of Nur Jahan
and received the title Etmatuddaula. His tomb is
in Agra.

Murshid Quli Khan : He was an independent

ruler of Bengal, who founded the city of
Murshidabad.

Rana Kumbha : He was a Rajput ruler of 15th

century He built a kirti Stambh at Chittar.

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Advent of the Europeans

MODERN INDIA

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A new Sea route to India via Cape of Good Hope

(Southern tip of South Africa) by Vasco da Gama
in 1498 AD marked the beginning of European
period in Indian History.
He first arrived at Kapad near Kozhikode in Kerala.
Saint Gabriel was the name of the ship in which
Vasco-da-Gama landed at Kappad, the port of
Zamorine of Calicut.
The most famous Portuguese men from the point
of view of India Vasco da Gama, Almeida and

Albuquerque.
Vasco-da-Gama arrived for the second time in 1502
and for the third chance in 1524. He died at Fort
Cochin and was cremated at the St. Frnacis
Church there. Later his remains were brought back
to Portugal.
Don Francisco deAlmedia was the first Portuguese governor in the East. His policy was called
the bluewater policy which aimed at the
establishement of strong navy.
In 1507 the Portuguese arrived at Madras. The
city finally got its name from their leader Madra.
The greatest Portuguese governor to the East was
Albuquerque. He was the real founder of the Portuguese authority in India.
Albuquerque tried to abolish Sati.
His policy mixed colony system was to encourage intermarriage between the Portuguese and
Indians.
They Portuguese religious policy was
Lantinisation of Kerala.
The conflict for the establishment of Latin rite
and syrian rite led to the Coonan Cross Oath incident in 1653.
The Portuguese introduced agricultural products
such a cashew, coconut, custardapple, pineapple
etc in India.
They introduced Tobacco in the court of Akbar
in 1604.
Portuguese authority in Indian seas remained upto
1595.
The Portuguese started the first press in India at
Goa in 1556.
The first Portuguese fort in India was constructed
at Cochin.
Portuguese captured Goa from the Bijapur Sulthan
in 1510.

in

Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti : He was a sufi saint

of 12th century who started the Chishtia sect at
Ajmir.

it.

The Dutch

In 20 March 1602 the United East India Company

of the Netherlands was formed. The Name of the
Dutch Company was Vereenidge Oostindische
Companie (VOC)

The Dutch set up their first factory at

Masulipattanam in 1605.

Page 42 of 191

In 1663 the Dutch captured Cochin.

In 1741 Marthandavarma, the Travancore ruler

defeated the Dutch in the Battle of Kolachal.

The final Collapse of the Dutch came with their

defeat by the English in the Battle of Bedara in
1759.

The English and the French

With the treaty of Paris in 1763 peace was settled

between the French and English.

The battle of Plassey was fought in the year 1757

June 13.

In 1756 Siraj-ud-daula, the Nawab of Bengal, attacked Calcutta and captured it. 146 British prisoners including their commander John Zepheria Holwell
and four women were locked
in a small room. 123 of them
died inside due to suffication.
This incident is known a
Black-hole tragedy.

in

it.

At the Battle of Wandiwash Eyre Coot defeated

French general Lally in 1760.

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Early Name of the company was John Company.

English East India Company was formally established on 31st December 1600 by a Charter issued
by Queen Elizabeth of the Tudor dynasty.
Hector, the first ship of the English East India
company reached Surat on 24 August 1606.
In 1612 the Company became a joint stock company.
Sir Thomas Roe, first ambassador of James I of
England landed at Surat and met Jahangir in 1613
and the first English factor, was established at
Surat.
The company acquired Bombay from Charles II
on lease which he got as dowry from Portugal.
The designation of Chief Justice was introduced
in India by the English in 1678.
Madras became the first presidency chartered as
municipal corporation with Mayors court 1687.
Job Charnock founded the city of Calcutta.
Colbert the minister of Louis XIV created the
compangnile des Indes Orientales in 1664.
Francis Carton set up the first French factory at
Surat in 1668.
The First French Governor of Ponicherry was
Francois Martin.
The arrival of Dupleix as French Governor in India in 1742 saw the beginning of Anglo- French
Conflict.
The first Carnatic war between the French and
the English for supremacy in South India occured
in 1742. It ended in 1748 by the treaty of Aix-laChapple.

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The English East India Company was formed by

a group of Merchants known as The Merchant
Adventurers in 1599.

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The second Carnatic war was from 1748 to 1754.

Robert Clive was the Governor of the English
during the Carnatic wars.
The Gregorian Calendar came to be used throughout the British dominion in 1752.
The Second Carnatic war ended with the treaty of
Pondicherry in 1754.
The Third Carnatic war was from 1758 to 1763.

Battle of Plassey was fought Siraj-ud-daula

between Robert Clive and
Siraj-ud-daula, the Nawab of Bengal.

Siraj-ud-daula was defeated in the battle.

Mir Zafar was made the Nawab of Bengal after

the battle of Plassey.

After the battle of Plassey Robert Clive became

the first Governor of Bengal.

The Construction of fort William of Calcutta was

started by Lord Clive.

In 1764 the European Bengal Regiment mutinied

which was followed by the First Indian Sepoy
Mutiny against the British.

The combined forces of Mirkassim, Emperor of

Delhi and Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula of Oudh were
defeated in the Battle of Buxar on October 23
1764.

Robert Clive introduced official postal system in

India in 1766.

Page 43 of 191

Robert Clive introduced Dual government in

Bengal.

Conquest of Mysore

Second Mysore war was fought during the period of Warren Hastings.
Third Mysore war started in 1790 and ended in
1792.
The third war ended by the treaty of
Seringapatnam on March 19th1792.
Fourth Anglo Mysore war was in 1799.
Fourth Mysore war was fought during the period
of Governor general wellesley.
In this battle Tipu was killed in 1799 at
Srerangapatanam by Col. Arthur Wellesley.
Tipus Capital was Srerangapatanam.
Tipu is known as Mysore Tiger.

Subsidiary Alliance System was used by

Wellesley to bring Indian States within the orbit
of British political power.

First Indian ruler to join the Subsidiary Alliance

System was the Nizam of Hyderabad.

Lord Wellesley is consdiered as the Akbar of

English East India Company by Marshman.

Permanent Revenue Settlement was introduced

in Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and districts of Benaras
and northern districts of Madras by Lord
Cornwallis in 1793. It was planned by Johnshore.

it.

Fathul Mujahiddin is the book written by Tippu

which describes about Rockets.

Ryotwari System was introduced in Bombay,

Madras and Assam. This system was similar to
Akbars revenue policy Zabti system.

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Subsidiary Alliance system and other

Policies

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Haider Ali was the son of Fatheh Muhammed.He

was born in 1722.
In 1766 he became the ruler of Mysore after the
death of Mysore Raja Krishna Wodeyar.
First Mysore war between Haider Ali and the English started in 1767 and ended in 1769.
First Anglo-Mysore war ended with the defeat of
English and the treaty of Madras.
Second Mysore war was from 1780 to 1784.
Haider Ali died in 1782 and Tipu Sulthan became
the Mysore ruler.
The second Mysore war ended by the treaty of
Mangalore in 1784.

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The third Anglo Maratha war was from 18171818. Thus by the end of third Maratha war the
Maratha power disappeared and the English created the State of Sathara.

in

Mahalwari System was introduced in Awad region, Punjab, NWFP and parts of Central India.

Executors of British Policies

Warren Hastings : (1772-85) He introduced quinquennial settlement of land revenue in 1772.

He codified the Hindu and Muslim laws.

He founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal with

the help of William Jones in 1784.

The trial of Maharaja Nandakumar (1775) and his

Judicial Murder was during the period of Warren
Hastings.

Maratha Wars

First Anglo Maratha war (1775-82) It ended by

the treaty of Salbai.

He abolished the Dual Government in Bengal in

1772.

Second Anglo-Maratha War was from 1803 to

1805.

After his return to England he was impeached

there in 1785.

The treaty of Bassein was signed between the

last Peshwa Baji RaoII and the English in 1802.

By the Regulating Act 1775 of appointed him

the first Governor General.

The second Maratha War was ended by the treaty

of Rajghat, 1806.

First Anglo - Maratha war took place during his

period.

Page 44 of 191

Warren Hastings established a Muhammedan

Madrasa in Calcutta.

Lord Cornwallis (1786 - 93)

He introduced Permanent settlement in 1793.

The Police system was introduced in India.

Cornwallis Code was introduced. It was based

on the separation of powers.

Lord Wellesley (1793 - 1798)

Described himself as Bengali Tiger.

He created the Madras presidency.

Introduced the system of Subsidiary Alliance.

The first state to sign the Subsidiary Alliance system was Hyderabad in 1798. Then Mysore,
Tanjore, Awadh, Peshwar, Bhonsle, Sindhia, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Mecheri, Bundi, Bharatpur and Berar
signed the subsidiary treaty.
Lord Wellesley fought the second Maratha war.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy wrote the Tuhfat-ulMuwahiddin (gift to the Monotheists) during his
period.

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Lord Minto (1807-1813)

Lord William Bentinck (1828- 35)

First Governor General of India by the government of India Act of 1833.

Known as benevolent Governor General.

Banned the practice of Sati in 1829. Suppressed

Tughi in 1830.

Banned female infanticide.

Created the province of Agra in 1834.

Made English to be the court language in higher

court but Persian continued in Lower courts.

Appointed Macaulay as president of the committee of public instruction, Mecaulays Minutes was
submitted in 1835.

Sir Charles Metcalfe (1835 - 36)

Abolished restriction on press

He is called the Liberator of Press

pu

First Afghan war was started during the Governor Generalship of Lord Auckland.

Slavery was abolished by Governor general Lord

Ellenborough.

Lord Dalhousie (1849 - 56)

Signed the treaty of Amritsar in 1809 between

Ranjith Singh of Punjab and the English.

Mahalwari System of land revenue was introduced in North West Province by James Thomson.

in

it.

In 1780 James Augustus Hickey started a weekly

paper called Bengal Gazette or Calcutta General
Advertiser during the period of Warren Hastings.

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Lord Hastings (1813-23)

He was made Marques of Hastings due to his

success in the Gorkhar war or the Anglo Nepalis
war.

He abolished the Peshwaship and annexed his

territories to the Bombay presidency after the third
Anglo-Maratha war (1818)

Introduced the Ryotwari System in Madras presidency by Governor Thomas Munroe in 1820 under the governor generalship of Hastings.

Introduced the policy of Doctrine of Lapse

Indian states annexed through the Doctrine of
Lapse were Satara (1848), Jaitpur and Sambalpur
(1849) Baghatpur (1850), Udaipur (1852) Jhansi
(1853) and Nagpur (1854).
Introduced the Woods Despatch known as the
Magnacarta of English Education in India prepared by Charles Wood in 1854.
Boosted up the development of Railways and laid
the first Railway line in 1853 from Bombay to
Thane and Second from Calcutta to Raniganj.
Gave a great impetus to Post and Telegraph. Telegraphic lines were laid - first line from Calcutta to
Agra.
Shimla was made summer Capital and Army Head
Quarters.

Page 45 of 191

Hindu Marriage Act was passed in 1856.

In 1853 started recruitment of the Covenanted Civil
Service by competitive examination.

A Post Office Act was passed in 1854. Postage

stamps were issued for the first time.

In 1855 the Santhal Uprising took place

Abolished the title of the Nawab of Carnatic.

The Mughal Emperor Akbarshah II gave Ram

Mohan the title Raja.

After the death of Raja Ram Mohan Roy

Brahmasamaj was divided into several sects.

Adi Brahmasamaj lead by Devendra Nath Tagore

and Bharatiya Brahmasamaj led by Keshav
Chandra Sen were started in 1866.

Sadharana Brahma Samaj was started by

Anandmohan Bose in 1878.

Devendra Nath Tagore was the founder of

Tatvabodhinisabha in Calcutta in 1839.

Keshav Chandrasen started a paper called Indian

Mirror in 1861.

Brahmasamaj reached outside Bengal under

Keshav Chandra Sen.

Keshav Chandra Sen was the first Indian who

attempted to reform the society on an all India
basis.

Surendra Nath Banerjee was the first Indian to

took up his political activity on an all India basis.

Precepts to Jesus is a book written by Rajaram

Mohan Roy.

Thuhafath ul - muvahiddin or Gift to Monotheists is also a work of Raja Ram Mohan Roy.

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Raja Ram Mohan Roy is

known as the father of Modern India, Herald of New
Age, Bridge between Past
and Future. First Modern
Man in India Father of Indian Renaissance, Pathfinder
Raja Ram Mohan Roy
of his Century etc.
Believed in monotheism and opposed idol worship.
Established the Atmiya Sabha in Calcutta in 1815
inorder to propagate monotheism and to fight
against the evil customs and practices in Hinduism.
He got legitimisation to his views from
Upanishads.
In 1821 he started a paper called Samvat Kaumudi.
In 1822 he started Mirat-ul-Akbar, which was the
first journal in Persian.
In the same year Rammohan and Dwarakanath
Tagore jointly started a newspaper called
Bangadatta.

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Rammohan Roy (1772 - 1883) and Brahmo Samaj

it.

Socio - Religious Reform Movements

In 1825 he started the Vedanta College at Calcutta.

In 1828, August he founded the BrahmaSabha

Later in 1845 the name Brahmasamaj was given
to it by Devendranath Tagore.

Against the Brahmasabha orthodox Hindus lead

by Raja Radhakant Deb started Dharmasabha.

In 1829 December 4 Sati was abolished by governor general William Bentinck.

In 1831 he went to England to argue the case of

Akbar II before the Board of Control.

in

Prarthana Samaj

Founded in 1867 in Bombay by Dr. Atmaram

Pandurang (not by MG Ranade) as an offshoot
of the Brahmasamaj.

It was later joined by M.G. Ranade and R.G.

Bhandarkar.

Arya samaj

It was founded by Swami

Dayanand Saraswathi in
1875.
He considered Vedas as
eternal and infalliable and
said Go back to Vedas
Dayanand Saraswati (1824
- 1883) was a Sanyasi from
Gujarat.

Page 46 of 191

Swami Dayanand
Saraswathi i

Dayanand, was known in his early life as Mul

Shankar.

He started two papers - the monthly Prabudha

Barat in English and Udbodhana a Bengali fortnightly.

He is called thepatriot saint of India.

He founded the Arya Samaj at Bombay in 1575.

He was also described as a Cyclonic Hindu.

He is known as Luther of Hinduism.

He was the first to use the terms - Swarajya

Swabhasha and Swadharma.

In 1898 Sister Nivedita, (Margaret Elizebth Noble)

an Irish lady was initiated to brahmacharya by
Vivekananda.

He was the first to consider Hindi as a National

Language.

Theosophical Society

He started the Suddhi Movement to re-convert to

Hinduism those who were converted to other religions.

The Theosophical Society was founded by Madame Blavatsky and Col. H.S.Olcott in Newyork
in 1875.

His book Satyartha Prakash is a commentary on

Vedas.

In 1882 it shifted its head quarters to Adayar near

Madras.

He started Dayanand Anglo Vedic College in 1866.

Aryaprakash was the news paper started by

Dayanand Saraswati.

Its philosophy was inspired by the Hindu

Upanishads.

Dr.Annie Basant came to India in 1893, was its

notable President.

Ramakrishna Mission

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His early name was Shuddirama Gadhadhar

Chatterjee.

She was the first woman to become the president

of INC in 1917.

She started the Home Rule League with the Cooperation of Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1916 with
Dadabhai Naoroji as its President.

He was a priest in the Dakshineswar Kali temple.

So he is called the Saint of Dakshineswar.

The most famous disciple of

Ramakrishna
was
Vivekananda (1861 - 1903).

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In 1898 she started the Central Hindu School at

Benaras, it later became Benaras Hindu University under Madan Mohan Malavya (1916).

Shri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa (1834 - 1886)

was born in Kumarpukur village in the Hoogly
village of Bengal.

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it.

He was the first to teach an aggressive, reformed

and militant Hinduism.

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Young Bengal Movement

Vivekananda was born in a

Kayastha family of Calcutta.
He attended the Parliament
of Reigions at Chicago in
1893, September 11.

Started by Henry Vivian Derozio, teacher in the

Calcutta Hindu College.

His followers were known as the Derozians They

attacked the old traditions and decadant customs.

In 1828 he started the Academic Association.

Vivekananda

He was invited to the Congress of the History of

Religions at Paris in 1900.

He founded the Ramakrishana Mission on Ist May

1897.

1899 the Matha or the centre of the mission was

shifted to Belur.

Gopal Ganesh Agarkar

Reformer from Maharashtra he advocated the

power of human reason.

He founded the Deccan Education Society at

Poona in 1884 with Tilak, V.K. Chiplunkar and
N M Joshi.

Page 47 of 191

Belonging to the low caste of Mali from

Maharashtra, struggled against upper caste domination and Brahamincal supremacy through his
Sathyashodhak Samaj founded in 1873.
He wrote Ghulam-giri in 1872 exposing the conditions of the backward castes.
He pioneered the Widow Remarriage Movement
in Maharashtra and worked for the education of
women.

Muslim Reform Movements

Aligarh Movement

Deva Samaj

It was started in 1887 by Shiv Narayan Agnihotri

at Lahore.
The religious text of this Samaj was Deva Shastra
and the teaching Devadharma.

NM Joshi

He left AITUC in 1929 and started the Indian

Trades Union Federation.

HN Kunzru

Ahmadia Movement

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Initially a member of Ghoklales Servants of India

Society.
He founded the Social Service League at Bombay
in 1911.
He also founded the All India Trade Union Congress in 1920 at Bombay.

He founded the Seva Samiti at Allahabad in 1914

with the objective of organising social service
during the natural calamities and promoting education sanitation, physical culture etc.

Founded the Seva Samiti Boys Scouts Association in 1914 at Bombay on the lines of world wide
Baden Powell organisation, which at that time
banned Indians from Joining it.

Veerasalingam Pantulu

In 1873 the Singh Sabha Movement was founded

at Amritsar.

The Akali Movement was also started for Sikh

reform

Kuka Movement was started with the aim of Sikh

reform and restoration of Sikh sovereignty in
Punjab by driving the British away.

Kuka movement was founded by Bagat

Jawaharmal, popularly known as Sian Sahib in
the 19th century.

Kukas recognised Guru Govind Singh as the only

true Guru of the Sikhs.

Some other Reformers

Most prominent social reformer of South India in

the second half of the 19th Century.

Founded by Mirza Ahmad at Quadiani in Punjab.

Sikh Reform Movements

Shri Ram Bajpal

This movement was started by Sir Syed Ahmad

Khan (1817 - 98)
Sir Syeds journal Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq advocated a
rational approach towards religion.
He founded the Muhammadan Literarary Society at Calcutta in 1863.
In 1875 he founded the Aligarh Muhammadan
Anglo-Oriental College, (later Aligarh Muslim
University)
Altaf Hussain Hali, Dr. Nazir Ahmad, Nawab
Mutin Ul Mulk, Chirag Ali etc were the prominent
leader of Aligarh Movement.
In 1866 Syed Ahmed Khan founded the Muslim
Educational Conference.

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He founded the Rajmundri Social Reform Association in 1878 with the principal objective of promoting widow remarriage.

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it.

Jyotiba Phule

Prof. D.K. Karve who took the cause of widow

remarriage started the Indian Women University
at Bombay in 1916.

Page 48 of 191

B.M. Malabari started a Crusade against child

marriage and his efforts were crowned by the enactment of the Age consent Act. 1891.

The revolt of 1857 ended in failure but it promoted

the spirit of Nationalism and Patriotism.

The 19th Native Infantry

at Berhampur which refused to use the greased
Cartridge and the enfield
rifle, started mutiny in February 26, 1857.

The first shot was fired on

March 29 by Mangal
Pandey (of Ballia, UP) of
the 14th Bengal Infantry at
Barrakpore of Bengal.

Ahrar Movement was founded in 1910 under the

leadership of Maulana Mohamed Ali.

The Revolt of 1857

Faridabad - Maulavi Ahmmadulla

Mangal Pandey

Mangal Pandey was hanged to death on 29 March

1857.

May 10, 1857 witnessed the real mutiny at Meerut

then in Delhi on 11th May.

it.

Bareili - Khan Bahadur

The first British to loose

his life was Col.Finnis Meerut.

nd

Major Tribal Movements

Area

Year

Chuars

W.Bengal

1768 - 1832

Bhils

Khandesh

1818 - 1848 Sevaram

Hos

Chotanagpur

1820-1832

Kolis

Sahyadri hillis

Kharies

Khasi hils

Singh Phos Assam

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Tribe

Bahadurshah II surrendered to Lt. W.S.R. Hodson on September 21, 1957 at Humayuns Tomb
in Delhi.

1830 - 39

The capture of Delhi and

the proclamation of Bahadurshah as
the Emperor of Hindustan gave a
positive political meaning to the revolt.

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The Great Mutiny of 1857 took place during the

period of Lord Canning.
The Centres and Leaders of the Revolt
Lucknow - Begum Hazrat Mahal
Kanpur - Nana Saheb
Delhi - General Bhaktkhan
Bihar - Kunwar Singh
Jhansi - Rani Lekshmi Bai

1824 - 48

1829 - 32 Tirut Singh and Barmanik

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Kols

Chotanagpur

1831 - 32 Budho Bagat

Kayar

Andhra Pradesh

1840 - 1924 Alluri Sitaram Raju

Kachnagar Assam

1882 Sambudhan

Ahom

Assam

1828 - 33 Gomdhar Konovar

Khonds

Orissa

1846 - 1914 Chattre Bisayi

Santhals

Rajmahal Hills

1855 - 56

Sidhu and Kanhu

Naikadas

Gujarat

1858 - 68

Rup Singh Jogia Bhagat

Mundas

Chotanagpur

1899 - 1900 Birsa Munda

Bhils

South Rajasthan

1933

Oraons

Chotanagpur

1914 - 1915 Jatra Bhagat

Govind Guru

Kukis

Manipur

1917 - 19

Rampa

Andhra Pradesh

1916 Alluri Sitaram Raju

Rani Gaidinlue

Page 49 of 191

The immediate cause for

the 1857 revolt was the introduction
of the greased Catridges.
Educated middle class
section of Indian population did not
support the revolt fo 1857.

As a result of the revolt

of 1857 the then Governor General
Lord Canning was appointed as the
Viceroy of India.

On November 1, 1858 a
proclamation was made by the
Queen to the people of India in
eighteeen languages.

The best and the bravest military leader of the rebels sir
Hugh Ross said this about Rani
of Jhansi.

The name Congress was suggested to the

organisation by DadaBai Naoroji.

Dadabai Naoroji founded the East Indian Association in 1866.

The original name of Rani of

Jhansi was Mani Karnika.

A.O. Hume was the General Secretary of INC till

1892.

The administration by Indian Jhansi Rani

civil service officers started as
a result of the Queens proclamation.

The revolt was completely crusted in 1858.

The Second Session of the INC met at Calcutta in

December 1886, under the presidentship of
Dadabhai Naoroji. Here the National Conference
merged itself with the INC.

Benjamin Disraeli described the revolt as a National Rising.

The second session was attended by 436 delegates and there were 2000 delegates in 1889.

V.D. Savarkar in his book First war of Independence called it The First War of Independence.

Eighteen Fifty Seven is a book written by

Surendra Nath Sen.

The period from 1885 to 1905 is known as the

Moderate Phase of Indian National Congress.
Prominent leaders of this phase were Dadabhai
Naoroji, Badruddin Tyabji, Pheroz Shah Mehta,
Surendranath Banerjee, Gopalakrishna Gokhale
etc.

We do not ask favours, we only want justice,

these were the words Dadabhai Naroji.

Dadabhai Noaroji is the author of the book Poverty and UnBritish Rule in India which contains the famous drain theory.

The most important events during Lord Duferins

Period (1884-1888) were the third Anglo Burmese
War (1885-86) and the establishment of the first
All India organisation, the Indian National Congress.
The INC was founded in December 28, 1885 at the
Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College, Bombay.
72 delegates participated in the first session of
the INC.
It was founded by A.O. Hume a retired Civil Servant.
W.C. Banerjee was the first president of INC.
The Indian Association of S.N. Banerjee and
Anand Mohan Bose, organised an All Indian National Conference in 1883
December. They had
given a call for another
conference in 1885.
The term congress was
desired from the history
of The United States of
America.
Congress means assembly of the people.
DadaBai Naoroji

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The Great Indian National Movement

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The British committee of INC was founded in 1889.

Aurobindo Ghosh called INC a begging institute

Bibin Chandra Pal viewed INC playing with

bubble.

Tilak, the father of Indian unrest said INC should

distinguish between begging and claiming
right Tilak said Rights are not begged they
are claimed.

The congress sessions lasts only for three days

a year.

Dadabhai Naoroji is known as The Grand Old

Man of India. He was the first Indian to become
a member of the House of Commons on the Liberal Partys ticket. He became the president of INC
thrice, in 1886, 1893 and 1906. He founded Gyan
Prakash Mandali and Bombay Association in
1852. He is also known as father of Indian Economics and Politics.

Page 50 of 191

Sarojini Naidu was the first

Indian woman to become the
president of Indian National
Congress (1925 Kanpur session)

Nellin Sengupta became the

third woman President of INC,
1933 at the Calcutta Session. Sarojini Naidu
in 1906.

The word Swaraj was first used in the Calcutta

session in1906.

First Joint session of Congress and Muslim

League was held at Lucknow 1916.

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Gokhale is considered as the political guru of

Gandhiji.

EARLY ASSOCIATIONS

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Year.. Organisation

Founder

Place

1838 ... Landholders society ............................. Dwaraknath Tagore .................................. Calcutta

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W.C. Banerjee founded the Bombay chronicle in

1913 and the Moderate school.
S.N. Banerjee founded the Indian Association in
1876. He was the first President of Indian National
Liberal Federation (1918).
Gopalakrishna Gokhale founded the Servants
of India Society in 1905.
K.T. Telang became the first Hardworking secretary of INC.
Jawaharlal Nehru observed the Early Congress
to be an English knowing upper class affair.
George Yule was the first foreigner to become
the President of INC. (1888, Allahabad)
Gopala Krishna Gokhale was populary known as

the Socrates of Maharahstra. M.G. Ranade was

the political guru of Gokhale.

1839 ... British India Society.............................. William Adams ......................................... London

1851 ... British India Association ....................... Devendranath Tagore ............................... Calcutta

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Badruddin Tyabji was the first Indian barrister at

Bombay High Court. He was the first Muslim
president of INC. He became the third president
of INC in Madras session in 1887.

1862 ... London India Committee ....................... C.P. Mudaliar ............................................ London
1866 ... East India Association .......................... Dadabhai Naoroji ...................................... London
1867 ... National Indian Association .................. Mary Carpenter ........................................ London

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1872 ... Indian Society ...................................... Anand Mohan Bose ................................. London
1876 ... Indian Association ............................... Anand Mohan Bose andS.N. Banerjee ...... Calcutta
1883 ... Indian National Society ......................... Shishir Chandra Bose ............................... Calcutta
1884 ... Indian National Conference ................... S M Banerjee ............................................ Calcutta
1885 ... Bombay Presidency Association ........... Mehta and Telang .................................... Bombay
1888 ... United India Patriotic Association ......... Sir Syed Ahmed Khan ............................... Aligarh
1905 ... Servants of India Society ...................... G.K. Gokhale ............................................ Bombay
1920 ... Indian Trade Union Congress ............... NM Joshi (founder) .................................. Lucknow
Lala Lajpat Rai (President)
1924 ... All India Communist Party..................... Satyabhakta ............................................. Kanpur
1928 ... Khudai Khidmatgar ............................... Abdul Gaffar Khan ................................... Peshwar
1936 ... All India Kisan Sabha ........................... Sahajananda and N.J. Ranga ..................... Lucknow
1940 ... Radical Democratic Party....................... M.N. Roy ................................................. Calcutta

Page 51 of 191

First session held in a village was 1937 session

held at Fazipur.

Only session presided over by Gandhi - Belgaum

(1924)

1938 session of Congress was held in a village

Haripura.

Complete independence was demanded for the

first time (1929) at Lahore.

In the Ramagarh session (1904) decision was

taken on Individual Satyagraha.

For the first time National Song was sung in the

Calcutta session (1896) of INC ie Vande Mataram.

During the fourth session of INC (1888, Allahabad)

emphasise was given on the formation of its constitution.

During the Nagpur session 1891, the word National was added to congress.

During the Poona session (1895) representives

for the second time discussed on the formation
of its Constitution.

While Britishers tried to use Congress as a safety

valve, Indian leaders tried to use it as a lightning
conductor.
During the Tripura session (1939) Subash Chandra
Bose defeated Pattabhi Sitaramayya (Gandhis
candidate in presidential election) but later resigned and Rajendra Prasad became the president.
During Calcutta session (1928) first All India
Youth Congress was established.
During the Delhi session (1918) along with S.N.
Banerjee many liberals resigned and Rajendra
Prasad became its president.
Aurobindo published New Lamps For Old. It was
the first systematic critic of the Moderates.
The radical wing of the INC that emerged at the
end of the 19th century is referred to as the Extremist Group.
The main leaders of the Extremist Group were Lala
Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, B.C. Pal and
Aurobindo Ghosh.
Tilak asserted Swaraj is my birthright and I shall
have it.
Tilak started two newspapers the Mahratha in
English and the Kesari in Marathi. He started
Sivaji festival to stimulate nationalism.
Lord Curzon Partitioned Bengal on 20th July 1905
as a part of the Divide and Rule Policy.
Rabindra Nath Tagore composed Amer Sonar
Bengla as a part of ante
partition movement,
which later became the
National Anthem of
Bangladesh.

During the special session of the congress in

Calcutta (1920) Gandhi proposed to start Non-co
operation Movement. Instead of Constitutional
self-government congress declared Swaraj Party
in 1922.
During the Delhi session (1923) Indian National
Congress decided to establish All India Khadi
Board.
During the Guwahati session of INC (1926) wearing Khadi was made cumpulsory to its workers.
During the Madras session (1908) its constitution was formed.
In Madras session of the INC (1927) proposals
for independence and to boycott Simon Commission were passed
During the Karachi session (1931) Fundamental
Rights and Economic Policy proposals were
passed.

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During its 1932 and 1933 Sessions Government

had declared INC an illegal organisation.

During the Lucknow session (1936) Nehru explained for the first time.

During Faizpur session (1937) Congress decided

it.

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In the Lucknow session of the Congress (1916)

the two factions of congress (extremists and moderates) reunited.

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to takepart in election of 1937.

in

Boycott of British products was first suggested by Krishna

Kumar Mitra
in
Rabindra Nath Tagore
Sanjivani.

Page 52 of 191

Swadesh Bandhav Samiti of Barisal founded by

Ashwini Dutt was the largest Volunteer body to
support Swadeshi Movement.

First real labour union - The Printers Union was

formed on October 1905.

Vande Mataram Movement was started by

Chandra Pal in Madras
Tilak began the Swadesh Vastra Pracharine
Sabha to propagate Swadeshi Movement.
Savarkar founded Mitra mela.
Chakravarthi Vijiaraghavacharya was the first
Indian leader to undergo imprisonment in 1882.
He was an extremist leader. He was the first Indian to draft a Swaraj constitution for India which
was presented at the Madras session in 1927.
First congress leader to suffer severe terms of
imprisonment for the sake of the country was Bal
Gangadhar Tilak.

Tilak wrote Gita Rahasya.

Bipin Chandrapal started an English weekly New

India.

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Bipin Chandrapal founded Bande Mataram in 1906

(an organization)

Lala Lajpat Rai is popularly known as Sher-ePunjab (Lion of Punjab). He founded and edited
The Punjabee, The Vante Mataram and the
English weekly The people.

The Bengali daily Yugandar was started by

Aurobindo Gosh. He also started weeklies
Karma Yogin and Dharma.

The Formation of the Muslim League

(1906)

Muhammed Iqbal, who presided over the

Allahabad session of the League in 1930 gave
the idea of Separate Muslim State in North West
India. Hence Iqbal is known as the father of the
idea of Pakistan. But the name Pakistan was
framed by Rahmat Ali.

Mohammed Ali Jinnah gave his famous Two Nation Theory in March 1940, at the Lahore session
of the Muslim League.

Sarojini Naidu called Jinnah the Prophet of HinduMuslim Unity.

Later Jinhah became the first Governor General of

Pakistan. He is also known as the father of Pakistan.

Surat Split (1907)

All India Muslim League was founded under the

Leadership of Aga Khan to divert the Muslims
from the National Political Movement. On December 30th Nawab Salimulla Khan of Dhaka became
its first President.

The clash between the Moderates and Extremists culminated in a split which occurred at Surat
in 1907.

Dr. Rash Bihari Bose was the INC President during the Surat Split.

After the Surat Split the congress remained under the control of the Moderates.

The Moderates did not approve the boycott of

foreign goods but the Extenmists favoured it. The
Moderates continued to have faith in the good
intensions of the British government. They
wanted self government in gradual stages, while
the Extremists wanted complete autonomy at the
earliest.

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Charka (spinning wheel) came to typify the

popular concern for countrys economic self sufficiency.

it.

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The Swadeshi Movement was started in 1905.

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Minto-Morley Reforms of 1909

The Minto Morley Reforms for the first time tried

to introduce communal representation (for
muslims) and a popular element in the govt.

The real purpose of the reforms of 1909 was to

confuse the Moderate nationalists and to check
the growth of unity among Indians.

Page 53 of 191

Home Rule Movement (1916)

Jalianwala Bagh Massacre - April 13,

1919

Home Rule Movement was started by Annie

Besant and Tilak in 1916.

Self government for India in British Empire and

work for national education, social and political
reform etc were the aims of Home Rule League.

In 1919, Rowlatt Act, which authorised the government to detain any person without trial was
passed.

Annie Besnat was the first woman president of

INC (1917, Calcutta Session)

The Act was passed during the period of Lord

Chelmsford.

Annie Besant set up the newspapers -New India,

Common Weal and Young India (1916).

The official name of the Rowlatt Act was the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act (1919).

Home Rule Movement marks the beginning for

the attainment of Swaraj.

Sir Sydney Rowlatt was the president of the committee to make proposals for the Act.

The Montague declaration of 1917 was the greatest achievement of the Home Rule League.

The Lucknow session of the Indian National Congress in 1916 marked the re union of the Moderates and Extremists together at Lucknow in 1916.

C.Sankaran Nair was the only Indian official

member who supported the bill, while all the 22
elected Indian members in the Imperial Legislative Council opposed the bill.

Gandhiji set up Rowlatt Committee to protest

this act.

The protest against this Black Act was the

strongest in Punjab where it led to the Massacre
at Jalianwala Bagh Amritsar on April 13, 1919. It
was on a Baishaki day. The British Officer General Dyer ordered his troops to open fire at unarmed gathering, who were gathered there to protest against the arrest of their popular leaders
Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal.
On this occasion Tagore renounced his Knighthood in protest.
Michael ODyer Governor of the Punjab province supported the incident and on March 15,
Martial law was declared.
Gandhiji renounced the Kaiser-i-Hind medal
given to him for his work during the Boer War.
Hunter Committee was appointed to enquire into
the Jallianwallah Massacre (1920)
Hunter Commissions report was described by
Gandhiji as a white wash.
Sardar Udham Singh, who took the name Ram
Muhammed Singh, Sonak Murdered Dyer in England as a revenge to the Massacre.
The English House of Lords presented a jewelled
sword to General in which was inscribed saviour of the Punjab.

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Montegue - Chelmsford Reforms 1919

It is also known as the Government of India Act
of 1919.

In 1918, Edwin Montague, the Secretary of State

and Lord Chelmsford, the Viceroy produced their
scheme of constitutional reforms which led to the
enactment of the Government of India Act of
1919.

ex

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The Provincial Legislative Councils were enlarged

and the majority of their members were to be
elected. The provincial government were given
more powers under the system of dyarchy.
Indian National Congress in a special session at
Bombay in August 1918 criticised the reform as
disappointing and unsatisfactory.

The Montague Chelmsford reforms introduced

dyarchy in the provinces.

Provincial subjects were divided into Reversed

subjects and Transferred Subjects.

Central legislature was made bicameral by this

reform.

it.

The Lucknow pact was executed between the

congress and Muslim League in 1916.

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Page 54 of 191

Events/Acts/Reforms.............. Viceroy/Governor Generals

Permanent Settlement (1793).......... Lord Cornwallis
Subsidiary Alliance (1798) .............. Lord Wellesley
Abolition of Sati (1829) ....... Lord William Bentinck
Introduction of Civil service .......... Lord Cornwallis
Doctrine of Lapse ......................... Lord Dalhousie
Railways started in India ............... Lord Dalhousie
Post and Telegraph ....................... Lord Dalhousie

Provincial Autonomy (1937) ......... Lord Linlithgow

Cripps Mission (1942) .................... Lord Linthgow
Quit India Movement ................... Lord Linlithgow
Cabinet Mission (1946) ...................... Lord Wavell
INA Trial (1945) ................................. Lord Wavell
Indian Independence Act 1947) ....... Lord Mountbatten
Partition of India (1947) ............ Lord Mountbatten

Non-Co-operation Movement (1920)

Non Co-operation Movement was started with
the aim of the annulment of the Rowlatt Act, and
correcting the Punjab wrong changing the
Khilafat wrong as well as moving towards the
cherished goal of swaraj.

It was the first mass based political movement

under Gandhiji.

The movement was launched as per the resolution of Calcutta session and ratified in Nagpur
session in December 1920.

The main emphasise of the movement was on

boycott of schools, colleges, law courts and advocacy of the use of Charka.

The whole movement was called off on 11th February 1922 at Gandhis insistence following the
news of burning alive of 22 English plicemen by
the angry peasants at ChauriChaura (Chauri
Chaura Incident) in Gorakhpur district of Up on
5th February 1922.

The Non Cooperation movement converted the

national movement into a mass movement . It
strengthened Hindu-Muslim unity.

Arms Act (1878) ................................. Lord Lytton

Local Self Government (1882) ............ Lord Rippon
Ryotwari System ................................ Lord Munro
Partition of Bengal (1905) ................... Lord Curzon
Simon Commission (1928) ... Lord William Bentinck
Sepoy Mutiny (1857) ....................... Lord Canning
Queens Proclamation (1858) ............. Lord Canning

Factory Act (1881) .............................. Lord Ripon

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Rowlatt Act (1914) ...................... Lord Chelmsford

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Repeal of Vernacular Press Act (1881)Lord Canning

Indian councils Act/Minto -Morley Reforms (1909)
....................................................... Lord Minto II

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Partition of Bengal revoked (1911) Lord Hardinge II

Transfer Capital to Delhi (1911) ... Lord Hardinge II
Dyarchy in province (1919) ......... Lord Chelmsford
Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy (1919) .. Lord Chelmsford
Non co-operation ....................... Lord Chelmsford
Poorna Swaraj resolution (Lahore 1929) . Lord Irwin
Frist Round Table Conference (1930) ..... Lord Irwin
Gandhi Irwin Pact (1931) ....................... Lord Irwin
Communal Award (1932) .............. Lord Wellington

Khilafat Movement (1919)

The main object of the Khilafat Movement was to

force the British Government to change its attitude towards Turkey and restore the Turkish
Sulthan (Khalifa) to his former position.

A Khilafat committee was formed under the

leadersip of Ali brothers Maulana Azad, Hakim
Ajmal khan, and Hasrat Mohani.

Poona Pact (1932) ........................ Lord Wellington

2nd Round Table Conference(1931) .... Lord Wellington
3rd Round Table Conference (1932) ..... Lord Wellington
Separate Electorates (1932) .......... Lord Wellington
Government of India Act (1935) .... Lord Wellington

it.

Vernacular Press Act (1878) ................. Lord Lytton

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English Education in India .. Lord William Bentinck

Page 55 of 191

Indian Working Class

First organised strike by any section of the working class was the Signalers Strike in May 1899
in the Great Indian Peninsular (GIP) Railway.

AITUC was formed in 1920 with Lala Lajpat Rai as

its first President and Dewan Chaman Lal as its
General Secretary.

Indian National Congress at its Gaya session of

1922 welcomed the formation of AITUC.
Government appointed the Royal Commission on
Labour in 1929.

am

In November 1927, the British Government appointed the Indian Statutory Commission, popularly known as Simon Commission, to go it to the
question of further constitution reform.
The Congress passed a resolution to boycott the
Simon Commission at its Madras session 1927.
The day Simon landed at Mumbai ; 3 February
1928 all the major cities and towns observed a
complete hartal.
The Madras session 1927 was presided over by
Dr. Ansari.
On the arrival of the Commission in Mumbai in
1928, it met with the slogan Go back Simon.
There were Seven members in the Simon Commission. but no Indian.
Lala Lajpat Rai was severely wounded in a police Lathi charge and died while protesting against
the Commission.
To avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat
Singh shot dead General Saunders.

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Amini Commission on Land Revenue and Famine

(1878)
Fraser Commission on Agriculture (1902)
Hunter Commission on Punjab Disturbance (1919)

Books and Authors

Vande Mataram ..................... Aurobindo Ghosh
New Lamps for Old ............... Aurobindo Ghosh
Bhavani Mandir .................... Aurobindo Ghosh
Hind Swaraj ........................... Mahatma Gandhi
Gora ................................ Rabindranath Tagore
Ghare Baiyare .................. Rabindranath Tagore
Gitanjali ........................... Rabindranath Tagore
Discovery of India ............................ J.L. Nehru
Essays in Indian Economics .......... M.G. Ranade
Arctic Home of the Aryans ................ B.G. Tilak
Geeta Rahasya ................................... B.G. Tilak
Poverty and Un-British Rule in IndiaDada Bhai Naoroji
We ........................................... M.S. Golwalkar
Durgesh Nandini .... Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
Bang Darshan ......... Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
Anand Math .......... Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
India in Transition ............................ M.N. Roy
Economic History of British India ....... R.C. Dutt
The Indian Struggle ...... Subhash Chandra Bose
Indian Musalmans ................................. Hunter
Gana Devta ....... Tarashankar Bandhopadhyaya
Philosophy of the Bomb..... Bhagavati Charan Vohra
Why Socialism ................ Jayaprakash Narayan
Gandhi Versus Lenin ....................... S.A. Dange
Problem of the East ....................... Lord Curzon
Neel Darpam ...................... Deen Bandu Mithra
India Today ........................................ R.P. Dutt
India Wins Freedom ............ Abdul Kalam Azad
Indian Unrest .......................... Valentine Chirol
Prachya Aur Paschchatya .... Swami Vivekanand
Gau Karunanidhi .................... Swami Dyayanda
Letters from Russia ............ Rabindranth Tagore
Wither India ...................................... J.L.Nehru
Soviet Asia ...................................... J.L. Nehru
Pather Debi ................... Avanindranath Tagore
History of Hindu Chemistry .................. P.C. Rai
Peasantry of Bengal ........................... R.C. Dutt

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Simon Commission

in

On 1 June 1920 the Khilafat Committee at

Allahabad unanimously accepted Gandhis suggestion of non co-operation and asked him to
lead the Movement.

Some Commissions

it.

The Khilafat Movement lost its relevance due to

the reforms of Mustafa Kamal Pasha in Turkey.
Pasha abolished Khilafat and made Turkey a secular state.

nd

Page 56 of 191

Peasant Movements
Indigo Revolt - 1860
The revolt was directed against the British Planters who behaved like Feudal Lords in their estates.
The revolt began after Hemachandrakar deputy
Magistrate, published on 17 August, 1859 a proclamation to policmen that they should interefere
with the rights of the peasants to saw whatever
they preferred.
It began at Govindpur village in Nadia and was
led by Digambar Bishwas and Bishnu Bishwas.
Din Bandu Mitras novel Neel Darpan protrayed
this struggle.
An Indigo Commission was also appointed in 1860.

In may 1874 an Agrarian League was formed in

Pabna. Main leader was Ishan Chandra Roy. The
revolt was against increased rent.

am

C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru were the frist president and Secretary respectively of the Swaraj
Party.

C.R. Das gave the slogan Enter the Council

Swaraj Party was formed at Allahabad.

The 1924 when Gandhi came out of Jail he supported the programme of Swaraj Party.

Trade Union Movement in India

First Textile Mill : Bombay (1853)

First Jute Mill at Rishra in Bengal (1855)

First Factory Act was passed in 1881.

The Second Factory Act was passed in 1891.

First Industrial Commission was appointed in

1875.

The first real labour union was formed in October

1901 in Calcutta called the Printers Union.

The Madras Labour Union was the first

organisation with regular membership and was
started by G. Ramanujalu Naidu, G. Challapathi
and was presided over by B.P. Wadia in 1918.

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Pabna Revolt (Bengal)

Its early name was Congress Khilafat Swaraj

Party.

The All India Trade Union Congress was founded

in 1920. The Indian National Congress President
of the year was elected as its President.

The Trade Union Act of 1926 organised trade

unions as legal Associations.

The Jamshedpur Labour Association was

founded by S.N. Haldar and Byomkesh
Chakravarthy in 1920.

In 1929, All India Trade Union Federation was

formed under the leadership of NM Joshi.

The Congress Socialist Party was founded in

1934.

Kanpur Labour Enquiry Committee was founded

under the chairmanship of Rajendra Prasad.

In 1944 national leaders lead by Sardar Patel

organised the Indian National Trade Union Congress.

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Champaran Satyagraha (1917)

The peasants in this region were forced to cultivate indigo at the prices decided by the British.
This system was known as Tinkathia system.
Gandhijis first Satyagraha in India was the
Champaran in 1917.

Kheda Satyagraha (1918)

Chiefly directed against the government.

It was started by Madan Mohan Malavya later

taken up by Gandhiji in 1918.

Swaraj Party (1923)

C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru resigned from congress on 31 December 1922 and founded the
Swaraj Party on 1st January 1923.

in

it.

Rowlatt Commission on Sedition (1919)

Butler Commission on Indian States (1927)
Sapru Commission on Unemployment (1935)
Whitley Commission on Labour (1939)
Floud Commission on Tenancy in Bengal (1940)

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Page 57 of 191

Civil Disobedience movement -1930

The Civil Disobedience Movement was started

by Gandhiji with his famous Dandi March

He started his Salt Satyagraha or the Dandi

March on the morning of 12 March 1930 with a
band of 78 volunteers. It was 385km (240 miles)
Journey from Sabarmati Ashram at Ahmedabad
to Dandi on the West Coast. On April 5, at 6 in the
morning Gandhiji and his volunteers picked up
Salt lying on the sea-shore. (Sarojini Naidu, at
this hailed Gandhiji as Law breaker)
In Tamil Nadu C. Rajagopalachari led a Salt
March from Trichirapalli to Vedaranyam on the
Tanjore Coast. He was arrested on 30 April, 1930.
In Malabar K. Kelappan, the hero of the Vaikkom
Satyagraha, walked from Calicut to Payyannur to
break the Salt law.
Gandhiji was arrested on May 5, 1930. After his
arrest his place was taken by Abbas Tyabji and
after the arrest of Abbas leadership passed on to
Sarojini Naidu.
Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy called the decision
of Gandhi as a Kindergarten stage of revolution.
Irwin called Gandhis breaking of salt law as a
Storm in a tea cup
Salt suddenly became a mysterious word, a word
of power These words were spoken by Nehru
on the occassion of Salt Satyagraha.
On 18, April 1930 Chittagong Armoury was raided
by Surya sen.
On 23 April 1930, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khans

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Governors Generals of India

1772-1785 ............................. Warren Hastings
1786 - 1793 ............................. Lord Cornwallis
1793 - 1798 ................................. Sir Joh Shore
1798 - 1805 .............................. Lord Wellesley
1807- 1813 .................................... Lord Minto
1813 -1823 ................................ Lord Hastings
1823 - 1828 ................................ Lord Amherst
1828 - 1835 .................... Lord William Bentinck
1835 - 1842 ....................... Baron Ellenborough
1842 - 1844 .................. William Wilberfore Bird
1844 - 1848 ............................... Lord Hardinge
1848 - 1856 .............................. Lord Dalhousie
1856 - 1858 ................................ Lord Canning

in

it.

In 1930, Gandhiji launched the Civil Disobedience

Movement.
In 1929 INC adopted Poorna Swaraj (complete
independence) as its goal at the Lahore session
of the congress under the Presidentship of Nehru.
It also decided for launching a Civil Disobedience Campaign.
At midnight on 31 December 1929, Jawaharlal
Nehru unfurled the newly adopted Tricolour Flag
of freedom on the bank of river Ravi.
26 January 1930 was fixed as the first independent day.

nd

Khudai Khidmatgar activated the NWFP leading

to rioting where the Hindu Gahrwal Rifles refused
to fire on Muslim rioters.
Darshana Salt Works (21 may) Satyagraha led
by Sarojini Naidu, Imam Saheb and Manilal
Gandhi.

Viceroys of British India

1858 - 1862 ................................ Lord Canning

1862 - 1863 .............................. 8th Earl Elgin I.
1863 .................................... Sir Robert Napier
1863 - 1864 .................... Sir William T. Dension
1864 - 1869 ................................. Earl of Mayo
1872 - .................................. Sir John Strachey
1872 - 1876 ........................ Baron North Brook
1876 - 1880 ................................... Lord Lytton
1880-1884 ..................................... Lord Ripon
1884 -1888 ................................. Lord Dufferin
1888-1894 ............................. Lord Lansdowne
1894 -1899 .................................. Lord Elgin II
1899 - 1905 .................................. Lord Curzon
1905 - 1910 ................................. Lord Minto II
1910 - 1916 ............................ Lord Hardinge II
1916 - 1921 ............................ Lord Chelmsford
1921 -1926 ................................. Lord Reading
1926-1931 ...................................... Lord Irwin
1931 -1936 ............................ Lord Wellington
1936 -1942 ............................. Lord Linlithgow
1942-1947 .................................... Lord Wavell
1947 (March 13 - August 14) ..........................
................................. Lord Louis Mounbatten

Governors - Generals of Indian Union

1947 (August 15)
1948 (June 20) ........... Lord Louis Mountbatten
1950 Jan. 25 ....................... C. Rajagopalachari

Page 58 of 191

pressed classes was abolished.

Harijan upliftment now became Gandhijis main

concern. He started an All India Anti-Untouchability League in September 1932 and the weekly
Harijan in January 1933. The January 8, 1933 was
observed as Temple Entry Day.

Only Indian to participate all the three Round Table

conference was B.R. Ambedkar.

Round Table Conferences

It was above all Jawaharlal Nehru who imported a

socialist vision to the national movement.

At the Lahore session in 1929 Nehru introduced

this idea.

The Congress Socialist Party was founded in

October 1934 at Bombay under the leadership of
Jaya Prakash Narayan, Acharya Narendra Dev
and Minoo Masani

The CSP supported the Quit India Movement.

Socialist ideas led to the emergence of Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Congress Socialist party.

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Socialists

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The British government organised the First Round

Table Conference at London to discuss the Simon
Commission Report.
The first Round Table Conference was from 12
Nov. 1930 to 19 January 1931.
British Prime Minister Ramsay Mac Donald presided over the First Round Table Conference.
The first Round Table Conference was attended
by Tej Bahadur Supru B.R. Ambedkar, Muhammed
Shafi, M.A. Jinnah etc. Gandhiji did not participate in it.
As a result of the Gandhi Irwin pact (1931) Congress decided to stop the Civil Disobedience
Movement.
Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed on 5th March 1931.
The Second Round Table Conference started in
London on 7 September 1931. It was attended by
107 Indians including Gandhiji.
The Second Round Table Conference was a failure. So the Civil Disobedience movement was restarted on 3rd January 1932.

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One notable feature of the Civil Disobedience

Movement of Gandhiji was wide participation of
women.

it.

Towards the end of 1920 M.N. Roy and other Indian emigres at Tashkant formed a communist
party of India. In India on 1st September, 1924
Satyabhakta in a press note announced the for-

Sarojini Naidu participated in the Second Round

Table Conference.

The Communal Award was announced on August 16, 1932 by British Prime Minister Ramsay
Mac Donald.

Case

By the Communal Award minority communities

were given Separate Communal Electroates.

Nasik
1909-10
Conspiracy

Vinayak Savarkar

The Communal Award was opposed by Gandhiji

and he decided to go on fast unto death.

Alipore

Aurobindo Ghosh

Hawrah case 1910

Jatin Mukharjee

The Third and the last Round Table Conference

was held between Nov. 17 and December 24, 1932.

Dacca Case

1910

Pulin Das

Delhi case

1915

The Third Round Table Conference agreed upon

certain broad principles for the future constitutional set up: Which were published later as white
paper (March 1933)

Amirchand, Awad
Bihari and Bal Mukund

Lahore case

1929 - 30

Bhagat Singh, Rajguru

and Sukhdev

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The Poona Pact was signed on 25 September 1932

at Bombay. By this the separate electorate for de-

Famous Conspiracy Cases

Date

1908

Accused

Banaras case 1915 - 16

Sachindranath Sanyal

Kakori case

Rama Prasad Bismil and

Ashfaq

Page 59 of 191

1925

Ram Prasad Bismil, Jogesh Chatterjee and

Sachindranath Sanyal founded the Hindustan
Republican Associations (HRA) in 1924, whose
object was to establish a Federal Republic.
On 9 August 1925 ten revolutionaries robbed the
8-Downtrain at Kakori, near Lucknow. This is
known as Kakori Conspiracy.

HRA became Hindustan Socialist Republican

Association in 1928.

Bhagat Singh and B.K. Dutt threw bomb on the

Central Legislative Assembly against the passage
of the Public Safety Bill and the Trade Disputes
Bill.
Chittagong Armoury Raid was planned by
Suryasen and his associates on 18 April 1930.
In March 1929, a group of 31 labour leaders were
tried in Meerat Conspiracy Case.
Provisional Government of Free India was set up
at Kabul in 1915 by Mahendrapratap and
Barkatulla.
Death of Jitin Das, a revolutionary in jail on the
64th day of a hunger strike was in 1929.
Execution of Bhagatsingh Sukh Dev and RajGuru
by the British was on March 23, 1931.
Death of Chandrasekhar Azad in 1931 in an encounter with police at Allahabad.

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The mission under Stafford Cripps (the Lord Privy

Seal and a member of the British War Cabinet) arrived in India on March 22, 1942 to find out a political formula for transfer of power to Indians.

The main proposals of the mission was to grant

Dominion status to India at the end of the Second World War and setting up of an interim government to administer the country in all matters
except defence.

The government of India Act 1935 proposed a

government based on Federal System.
It ensured complete autonomy
First general election as per the Act of 1935 was
held in 1937, Congress got the majority.
But all the Congress Ministers resigned in 1939
as a protest against Britains decision to drag In-

The Congress and the League rejected the offer

Gandhiji called the cripps offer a Post Dated
Cheque on a Crashing Bank.

Quit India Movement (1942)

Government of India Act (1935)

The famous proclamation made by Lord

Linlithgow on 8 August 1940 is known a August
Offer.
This ensured to give dominion status and freedom to frame constitution based on representative nature.

Cripps Mission 1942

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The government declared CPI illegal in 1934.

Revolutionary Terrorism

August offer (1940)

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In December 1928 the All India Worker and Peasants Party came into existence.

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dia into the Second World War.

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mation of the Communist Party of India with himself as the Secretary.

The failure of the Cripps Mission was the major

reason for the beginning of Quit India Movement.
The All India Congress Committee met at Bombay
on August 8, 1942 passed the famous Quit India
resolution.
The Movement began on 9 August 1942.
On the occasion of the Quit India Movement
Gandhiji gave his famous call of Do or Die.
The term Quit India was coined by an American
Journalist while interviewing Gandhiji.
Quit India, Bharat Chodo Do or Die these
were the powerful slogans of Quit India movement.
Muslim League new slogan during the Movement
was Divide and Quit.
C. Rajagopalachari evolved, in 1944, a formula
called the CR Formula to end the struggle between the Congress and Muslim League.

Page 60 of 191

On 18thFebruary 1946 1,100 naval ratings of the

Signal School of HMIS Talwar (ship) in Bombay
went on strike against racial discrimination regarding pay and food.

BC Dutt was arrested for writing Quit India on

HMIS Talwar.

Both Congress and Muslim league did not help

the mutineers.

Cabinet Mission (1946)

The British Government headed by Attlee of the

Labour Party, appointed a Cabinet Mission consisting of Pethic Lawrence, Stafford Cripps and
A.V. Alexander.
Cabinet Mission proposed a federal government
for the whole of India.

Mountbatten Plan (1947)

Elections to the Constituent Assembly were held

under the Cabinet Mission Plan, in 1946.

Cabinet Mission arrived in India in 1946 March

23.

The Mission was headed by Lord Pethwick

Lawrence.

It provided an interim government during the time

of Lord Wavell

It also provided for the establishment of a

Constitutent Assembly to frame a constitution

On 2 September 1946 an Interim Government

headed by Nehru came to power.

It was a 12 member Ministry.Three members were

Muslims.

Liakqat Ali Khan was the Finance Minister in the

Interim Government.
The Muslim League proclaimed Direct Action
Day on 16 August 1946 with battle cry of
Pakisthan, Larke Langa Pakistan.
The Muslim League proclaimed September 2, 1946
as a Day of Mourning.

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Communal riots broke out in Naokhali from November 7, 1946 to March 2, 1947 Gandhiji toured
in these 49 villages.
December 3 - 6, 1946 The British Prime Minister
Clement Atlee summoned Jawaharlal Nehru,
Baldev Singh, MuhammedAli Jinnah and Liaqat
Ali Khan for an extraordinary conference at 10
Dawning Street London.
Constituent Assembly: The constituent Assembly started its session on December 9, 1946 in the
Library of the Council Chamber without the participation of the League.
Rajendra Prasad was elected as the President of
the Constituent Assembly.

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Royal Indian Navy Mutiny (1946)

Mountbatten arrived in India on March 22, 1947.

Mountbatten became the last Viceroy of India,
the last Governor General of India and first governor general of free India.
Mountbatten proposed a plan to divide India.
Clement Atlee announced the plan in the House
of Commons on 2 June 1947, hence it came to be
known as 3rd June Plan.
Work of the demarcation of the boundaries was
done by Radcliff . Hence the line is known as
Radcliff line.
The 3rd June Plan was given effect by the Indian Independence Act 1947.
The dominion of Pakistan was inaugurated in
Karachi on 14th August 1947. India became free
on 15th 1947.

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Lord Wavell, the then Governor General offered

the famous Wavellplan in 1945 at Shimla.

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Integration of States

The integration of Princely States was done by

Sardar Patel with the assistance of V.P. Menon.
By August 1947, all the 554 States, with the exception only of Hyderabad, Kashmir and Junagarh
acceded to the union.
On 26th October the Maharaja of Kashmir,
Harisingh signed the Instrument of Accession
and Sheik Abdulla is known as Lion of Kashmir.
The Nizam of Hyderabad signed the agreement

Page 61 of 191

Indian National Army (INA)

The Viceroys of India

Lord Canning (1856 - 62)

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Revolt of 1857.

Queen Victorias Proclamation and passing of the

Indian Act of 1858.

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Withdrawal of the Doctrine of Lapse in 1859,

which was passed by Lord Dalhousie.

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Foundation of the Universities of Calcutta,

Bombay and Madras in 1857.

Indigo Revolt in Bengal in 1859-60.

White Mutiny by the European troops of East

India Company in 1859.

Bahadurshah II was sent to Rangoon

Enactment of Indian Penalcode.

Indian Councils Act of 1861.

Enactment of Indian Code of Criminal Procedure.

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The idea of Indian National Army was first conceived by Mohan Singh at Malaya, an officer in
British Indian Army.
The first division of INA was formed in September 1942 with Japanese help.
Subash Chandra Bose began to associate with
INA by July 1943. The command was handed over
by Rash Bihari Bose
To the Indians Subash Chandra Bose said you
give me blood I will give you freedom..
Subash Chandra Bose set up two INA headquarters at Rangoon and Singapore.
The womens regiment called the Rani Jhansi
regiment was under Captain Lekshmi Segal.
He was the first to address Gandhiji as the Father of the nation in his appeal on the Azad
Hind Radio Singapore.
In may 1944 INA captured Mowdok and hoisted
the tri-colour flag on Indian soil.
The Japanese government handed over the
Andaman and Nickobar island to him which were
renamed Shaheed and Swaraj islands respectively.
The INA troops surrendered before the British
army in 1945.
The British Government of India charged INA
soldiers of waging war against the king. The trials were held in the Red Fort in Delhi.
The first three accused were capt. P.K. Sehgal ,
Capt. Shah Nawaz and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon.
Subash Chandra Bose was born at Cuttack in
Orissa.
He appeared for the Indian Civil Service in 1920
and passed with merit, but resigned before completing his probation in April 1921, he joined the
Congress and plunged into the national movement.
He was unanimously elected President at the
Haripura Congress session in 1938 and was reelected for the second term at the Tripuri session in 1939, defeating Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramayya,

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who was supported by Gandhiji.

He resigned the Presidentship of INC in April 1939
and founded All India Forward Block and the
Kisan Sabha.
But in January 1941, he escaped out of India and
reached Berlin (Germany) from where he arrived
in Singapore in 1943.
Bose was popularly known as the Netaji
He was reportedly killed in an air cash over Taipei,
Taiwan on August 18, 1945.
A.N. Mukherjee Commission enquired about the
mysterious disappearance of Subash Chandra
Bose.

it.

to join the Indian Union through police action in

1948.

Lord Elgin (1862 - 63)

Supressed the Wahabi Movement

Sir John Lawrence (1864 - 69)

Famine commission was constituted.

Followed a policy of rigid non-interference in Afghanistan called policy of masterly inactivity.

Set up highcourts in Calcutta Bombay and Madras (1865).

Page 62 of 191

Lord Curzon (1899-1905)

Wahabi and Kuka movements were active.

Mayo was murdered

Lord Lytton (1876-80)

Passing of the Royal Titles Act of 1876 and the

assumption of the title empress of India (Qaiser-ihind) by Queen Victoria.

Holding of Delhi Durbar in 1877.

Passing of the Vernacular Press Act of 1878.

Passing of the Arms Act of 1878.

Lowering of maximum age from 21 years to 19

years for the Civil Services Examination, an attempt to prevent Indians from entering Civil Services.

Appointment of first Famine Commission under

Sir Richard Strachy.

Started Statutory Civil Service.

Second Anglo Afghan war in 1878.

Coronation durbar in 1911 at Delhi in honour of

George V
A separate state of Bihar and Orissa was created
in 1911.
Indias capital was decided to shift to Delhi in
1911 and shifted in 1912.
Kamagata Maru incident.
1916, Saddler committee on Univerisities appointed.

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Tilak founded Home Rule League.

Lord Chelmsford (1916 - 21)

Repeal of Vernacular Press Act in 1882.

Foundation of the Local Self Government (1882)

Holding of the first decennial and regular census

in 1881 which put the total population at 254 million.

Appointment of an Education Commission under

Sir William Hunter in 1882.

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Passing of the first Factory Act in 1881 for the

welfare of child labour.

Famine code of 1883.

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Lord Ripon (1880-84)

The Ilbert bill controversy.

Lord Hardinge (1910-1916)

Creation of a new province called the North West

Frontier Province.
Appointment of Universities Commission in 1902
under Sir Thoma Releigh and passing of Indian
Universities Act 1904.
Partition of Bengal

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Lord Mayo (1869-72)

Lord Dufferin (1884 - 88)

Foundation of Indian National Congress

Third Anglo Burmese war

Commented on the Congress being a microscopic

minority.

Foundation of womens university at Poona.

Hunter Commission on Jalianwala Bagh Massacre.

Chamber of Princes established in 1921.

Home Rule League founded by Annie Besant.

Third Afghan war started.

Aligarh Muslim University was founded in 1920.

Lord Reading (1921-26)

Foundation of Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh

by K.B. Hedgewar at Nagpur in 1925.

Beginning of Indianisation of the officers cadre

of the Indian Army.

Railway Budget was separated from General Budget in 1921.

Hilton Young Committee on currency was appointed in 1926.

Viswa Bharati University started by Rabindra

Nath Tagore.

Page 63 of 191

Train Robbery at Kakori.

Lord Mountbatten (1947-48)

Lord Irwin (1926-31)

His plan to make India free on August 15 1947 is

also known as June 3rd Plan.

First Governor General of free India

Popularly known as Christian Viceroy.

Simon Commission arrives in Bombay.

Meerut conspiracy case.

Rajagopalachari (1948-50)

Gandhi started his Dandi March.

Chitagong Armoury Raid.

First Round Table Conference.

Father of Our Nation

Gandhi-Irwin pact.

Communal Award in 1932 by Ramsay Mac

Donald.

Third Round Table Conference in 1932.

White Paper on Political reforms in India was published in 1933.

Burma was separated from British Empire in 1935.

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August Offer by the Viceroy in which he declared

dominion status as the ultimate goal of British
policy in India.

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Lord Linlithgow (1936-43)

In 1940 individual Civil Disobedience Movement

was started.

1942 Cripps Mission came.

Congress starts Quit India Movement.

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Gandhijis first imprisonment was in 1908 at

Johannesberg in South Africa.

In 1899 during the Boer war Gandhiji organised

Indian Ambulance Corps for the British.

Gandhiji was humiliated and ousted from Peter

Marits Burg Railway Station in South Africa.

Gandhiji became a Brahmachari in 1906.

Gandhiji started Tolstoy Farm South Africa in

1910.

Gandhiji started the Foenix Settlement in Durban.

Gandhian Era in Indian politics is from 1915 -1948.

He returned to India on 9th January 1915, leaving

South Africa for ever. January 9 is observed as
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to commemorate this.

Lord Wavell (1943-47)

Wavell Plan, Shimla conference Congress represented by Maulana Azad

RIN Mutiny (1946)

Interim Government was formed (September 2,

1946)

Prime Minister of Britain Clement Atlee announced to give independence to India by June
1948.

Cabinet Mission 1946.

16th August 1946, Muslim League begins Direct Action day.

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Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, called Mahatma,

is the father of our nation.
He was born on 2 October 1869 at Porbandar in
Gujarat as the son of Diwan Karamchand and his
fourth wife Putilibai.
In 1883, at the age of 14, he married Kasthurba
Later he went to England to study law.
In 1893 he went to South Africa to practice law.
After his studies in England Gandhiji began his
practice as a lawyer in Bombay and Rajcot.
He was subjected to racial discrimination and
organised Natal Indian Congress in 1894. There
he started a weekly, Indian opinion 1904.
Gandhiji experimented the weapon Satyagraha for
the first time in South Africa in September 1906 to
protest against the Asiatic Ordinance issued
against the Indians in Transval

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Lord Willington (1931-36)

First Indian Governor General.

Page 64 of 191

Gandhijis first Satyagraha in India was for the

right of Indigo workers in Champaran in 1917.

Gandhiji called Subhah Chandra Bose

thePalriots, Patriot

Gandhijis first fast was in 1918 in connection with

the strike of mill workers in Ahmedabad.

Winston Churchil called Gandhiji a Half naked

Seditious Fakir.

He started the Satyagrahasrama on the banks of

Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad in 1917.
In 1918 he started two weeklies - Young India in
English and Navjeevan in Gujarati.
Gandhiji abandoned his title Kaiser -i-Hind in protest against Jallianwalabagh Massacre (1919)
Gandhijis first National Movement was organised
against the Rowlat Act in 1919.
Gandhiji launched the Non-Co-operation Movement on August 1, 1920 which caused the violent
incident at Chauri Chaura in UP. This incident
initiated Gandhiji to suspend the movement in
1922.
Gandhiji renounced worldly pleasures and became a symbol of halfnaked villager in 1920.
The only Congress session presided over by
Gandhiji was the one which held at Belgaum in
1924.
Gandhiji started his historic Dandi March on 12
March 1930 related to the Salt Satyagraha.
Gandhiji partcipated in the Second Round Table
Conference in London in 1931 August.
With the aim of eradicating untouchability
Gandhiji founded the All India Harijan Samaj in
1932.

The name Gurudev was given to Tagore by

Gandhiji

Tagore called Gandhiji Mahatma.

Wardha scheme of education was the basic education policy formulated by Gandhiji.

In 1940 Gandhiji started Individual Satyagraha and

selected Vinoba Bhave and Nehru for that.

In 1942 August 9 Gandhiji started the Quit India

Movement and gave the call Do or Die.

Gandhiji called the Cripps Mission (1942) a postdated cheque on a drowning bank.

Gandhiji was assassinated by Nadhuram Vinayak

Godse on 30 January 1948 at the Birla house in
Delhi. He died at 5 : 17 pm.

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He Ram, He Ram was his last words.

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Gandhiji started his journey for Harijan upliftment

from the Wardha Ashram in Maharashtra.

Gandhiji called low class people as Harijan

which means sons of God.

He started the weekly Harijan in 1933.

Gandhi-Irwin pact was signed on 5 march 1931.

Gandhiji was associated with the Vaikom and

Guruvayur Sathyagraha in Kerala.

Gandhiji called the Temple Entry Proclamation a

wonder of the Modern Age.

Pattabhi Sitaramayya Gandhijis candidate for the

Presidentship of INC was defeated by Subash
Chandra Bose.

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Godse used an Italian Beritta Pistol to shoot at

Gandhiji.

Gandhiyum Godseyum is a book written by N.K.

Krishnavarier.

Mem Nadhuram Godse Bolthai is a play written

by Pradeep Dalvi to humiliate Gandhi.

After the assassination, The R.S.S was banned in

1948 February 4.

Narayan Dathathrya Apte was hanged to death

along with Godse on the Gandhi Assassination
case.

French Novelist who wrote the biography of

Gandhiji was Romain Rolland.

Medalim Slaiduin a British woman became a follower Gandhi and came to be known as Meera
Ben.

The original autobiography of Gandhiji written in

Gujarathi language was Sathya na Karogo.

Liberty or Death written by Patrick French deals

with antogonism in Gandhis life.

Gandhiji called his hanging clock my little dictator.

Page 65 of 191

Ente Gurunathan poem written by Vallathol

Narayana Menon speaks about Gandhiji.

Thats my mother Gandhiji said these words

about Bhagavatgita.

Gandhijis political guru was Gopalakrishna

Gokhale.

Gandhis prisoner is a book written by Uma

Dupfeli Mistri , daughter of Gandhis son, Manilal.

Harilal, Manilal, Ramdas and Devdas were

Gandhijis four sons.

I follow Mahatma is a book written by

K.M.Munshi.

Unto This Last of John Ruskin greately influenced Gandhiji

Rabindnranath Tagore

R.K. Narayan wrote Waiting for the Mahatma.

A week with Gandhi, Gandhi and Stalin and Life

of Mahatma Gandhi are the books written by
Fischer.

Gandhiji grandson Thushar Gandhi led the second Dandi March from Marh 12 - April 17, 2005
on the 75th anniversary of Dandi March.

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My only hope lies in prayer and answer to

prayer - Gandhiji

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Rabindranath Tagore was born at Calcutta in

West Bengal as the son of Maharshi
Devendranath Tagore and Sarda Devi. One of
Rabindranaths brothers, Satyendranth Tagore
was the first Indian to get selcted for the ICS in
1864.

In 1901 Tagore established a school at Shanti

Niketan which finally developed into the world
famous University of ViswaBharati in 1921.

In 1913,Tagores Gitanjali was selected for the

Nobel prize for Literature.

Gandhijis autobiography My Experiments with

Truth was written in 1922 while he was in Jail. It
describes his life from 1869 to 1921.

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Swaraj for me means freedom for the meanest of

our countrymen - Gandhiji
The light has gone out of our lives and there is
darkness everywhere Nehru on the death of
Gandhiji.
Non-violence is the law of our species as violence is the law of the brute Gandhiji
Indian culture is neither Hindu, Islam, nor any
other wholly. It is a fusion of all - Gandhiji
Non Co-operation with evil is as much a duty
as co-operation with good - Gandhiji

It was translated into English by Mahadev Desai.

Leon Tolstoy is considered as the spiritual guru

of Gandhiji.

In 1912 Tagore Published Jana Gana Mana (Now

Indias National Anthem)

One of the great dreams of Gandhiji was the establishment of Grama Swaraj. He said India lives
in villages. He started Sewagram Ashram on
30 April 1936.

The National anthem is composed in the Raga,

Sankarabharanam

The English translation of the national anthem is

The morning song of India.

Gandhiji said Non violence is not one form it is

the only form of direct action.

National anthem was first sung at the Calcutta

session of INC (1911)

Gandhiji once sarcastically (humorously) called

jail His Majestys Hotel.

India accepted it as our national anthem on 24

January 1950.

''Generations to come it may scarce believe that

such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked
upon this earth'', Einstein said about Gandhiji.

Bharat Vidhata was the first name of National

anthem.

Truth and Non-violence are my Gods Gandhiji

National anthem was first published in the book

Tatvabodhini.

Untouchability is a crime against God and Mankind Gandhiji.

Tagore also wrote the national anthem of

Bangladesh Amar Sonar Bengla.

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Page 66 of 191

Gandhiji called Tagore Gurudev.

For Tagore, the great objective of education was

to know man and to make oneself known to
man.

Jeevan Smriti is the autobiography of Tagore.

Gora, Raja and Rani Rajarishi, Kabooliwala

etc are the famous novels of Tagore.

Purabhi, The cycle of the spring The evening

song The morning song etc are the other famous works of Tagore.

Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964)

Jawaharlal Nehru was the son of Motilal Nehru

and Swarupa Rani.

Jawahar means Jewel.

He was born in 1886 November 14.

Vijayalekshmi Pandit and Krishna Harthising

were the sisters of Nehru.

Nehru became a member of Theosophical Society at the age of 13.

He went to London in 1905 and joined the Haro

Public School, Then Trinity College in Cambridge
and finally at the Inner Temple.

He returned India in 1912 and started practice at

the Alahabad High Court.

Nehru attended the Bankipore Congress Session

in 1912.

He met Gandhi in 1916 at the Lucknow session.

Nehru became the General Secretary of INC in

1923.
Nehru became the president of INC for the first
time 1929. Poorna Swaraj Resolution was passed
at this session (Lahore).
Nehru became the President of INC for the largest number of times Lahore (1929), Lucknow
(1935), Faizpur (1936), New Delhi (1951),
Hyderabad (1953) and Kalyan (1954).

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Nehru started a newspaper called National Herald.

Nehru headed the interim ministry formed in 1946
September.
He became the first Prime Minister of India after
independence in 1947.
Nehru has the largest term as Indias Prime Minister.
Important works of Nehru are Glimpses of World
History,The Unity of India, The Discovery of
India Bunch of Old letters.
An Autobiography is the autobiography of
Nehru.
.......... At the stroke of the mid night hour, when
the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom........... these are the words of Nehru.
Nehrus main contribution to the evolution of
Indias foreign policy was the acceptance of nonallignment.
Non-alignment meant taking independent decisions on international issues with a sense of neutrality.
Nehru visited China in 1954, both the countries
signed the Panch Sheel.
I want the cultures of all lands to be brought to
my house as freely as possible He said
The expression Tryst with destiny was first used
by Jawaharlal Nehru on the Occasion of India
attaining freedom.
There will be no freedom in this country or in the
world so long as a single human being is unfree.
Jawaharlal Nehru.
It is not so much the existence of a nation that
counts but what the nation that counts but what
the nation does during various periods of existence Nehru.
Nehru was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1955.
Nehru got placed in Indial Postal Stamp in 1964.
India government began to distribute International Award for International understanding in
1965 U Thant got it for the first time.
First woman to get the award was Mother Theresa
(1969)

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In 1915, Tagore was awarded Knighthood by the

British Monarch George V, but he surrendered it
in 1919 as a protest against the Jalianwallabagh
Massacre.

Nehru died on 27 may 1964 at the age of 75.

Page 67 of 191

Famous Statements

Swami Vivekananda Christianitywins its prosperity

by cutting the throats of its fellowmen.

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Swami Vivekananda For our own motherland a

junction of the two great system Hinduism and
Islam is the only hope.
Swami Vivekananda We are just dont touchists
Our religion is our kitchen our god is the cooking
and our religion is dont touch me, I am holy. If
this goes on for a century, everyone of us will be
in a lunatic asylum.
Aurobindo Ghosh : - Political freedom is the
life breath of a nation.
Tilak : Swaraj is my birth right and I will have it.
Gandhiji on the eve of Dandi March Sedition
has become my religion.
Ram Krishna Paramahamsa God is of no use
to the hungry belly

INDIA AFTER
INDEPENDENCE

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Lord Dufferin : Congres was a microscopic minority.

Lord Curzon : Congress was tottering to its
fall and one of his greatest ambition in India was
to assist it (congress) a peaceful demise.
Charles Napier: We have no right to seize Sind,
yet we shall do so and a very advantageous, useful humane piece of rascality it will be .
Thomas Roe : I know these people are best
treated with the sword in one hand and the
caducean in the other.
Nabin Chandra Sen : The battle of Plassey was
followed by a night of eternal gloom for India.
John Sullivan : Our system acts very much like a
sponge drawing up all the good things from the
banks of the Ganges and Squeezing them down
on the banks Thames
Tipu Sultan - Better to die like a Soldier, than
to live a miserable dependent on the infidels in
the list of their pensioned Rajas and nobles.
Peter the Great of Russia Bear in mind that the
commerce of India is the commerce of the world.
Cornwallis Every native of Hindustan is corrupt.
William Bentinck : The misery hardly find a parallel in history of commerce, the bones of the cotton weavers were bleaching the plains of India.
Rani of Jhansi - With our own hands we shall
not let our Azadshahi burry.
J.L. Nehru : British power became the guardian and upholder of many and evil custom and
practice which it other wise condemned.
Cornwallis : One third of Bengal has been transformed into a jungle inhabitated only by wild
beats
A.O. Hume - A safety valve for the escape of
great and growing forces generate by our action was urgently needed.
Dada Bhai Naroji : Regarding law and orders
pray strike on the back but dont strike on the
belly.
Dufferin : Branded the national leaders as Disloyal Babus Seditious Brahmins and Violent
Villains.

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India - Pak Wars

The major cause of the India - Pak wars was the

Kashmir problem.

On September 1, 1965 Pakistan started attack on

the border and invaded Chhamb and Dewa regions.

On September 11, UN Secretary General U-Thant

reached to talk on cease fire.
After the battle, Tashkent agreement was signed
under the mediation of Russia.
Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Sastri and
Pakistan President Ayub Khan signed the agreement.
On December 2 The Border Security Force was
formed.
Lal Bahadur Sastri died at Tashkent on 11 January 1966.
The deplomacy of Sastri was the major source
behind Indias victory in the 1965 Indo-Pak war.
The Second Indo-Pak war was in 1971. After the
war Bangladesh became an independent country.

Page 68 of 191

Indo-China War

Nuclear Experiments in India

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Nehru and Chinese Prime Minister Chau Enlai

established bilateral friendly relation signing the
Panchsheel in 1954.
But giving asylium to the Dalai Lama of Tibet
(1954) provocated China.
China attacked India by crossing the Mac Mohan
line on September 8, 1962.
On October 19 Chinese made a massive attack.
On October 26 Government declared Emergency
and Defence of India Ordinance.
Keeping view of the Chinese aggression the Gold
Bond Scheme was declared.
In November 1962 the National Defence Council
was set up.
On Nov. 10, the Chinese declared a Unilateral withdrawal.
In 2005 China removed Sikkhim from Chinese map
and accepted it Indias part.
In 2006, Two countries agreed to open the Nathula
pass (Sikkim) after a lapse of four decades.

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Goa was in the hands of Portuguese from 1510

AD onwards.
The Liberation Army captured Dadra, Nagarhaveli
on 22 July 1954.
Goa, Daman and Diu were liberated from the Portuguese in 1964.
Pondicherry was under the French
Since 1946 there were freedom struggle in
Pondicherry.
The legal hand over of Pondicherry was in 1962.
Malayalam speaking Mahi, Telegu speaking
yanam and Tamil speaking Karakkal are the parts
of Pondicherry.
Pondicherrys new name is Puthussery.

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Liberation of Pondicherry and Goa

Nuclear researches in India were lead by Homi J.

Bhaba.
Council for Scientific Industrial Research Institute was formed in 1942.
Indias first Nuclear Experiment was on 18th May
1974.
First Nuclear Experiment of India was code named
as Buddha Smiles. It was during the period of
Indira Gandhi as Prime Minister.
It was conducted at the Pokhran Desert in
Rajasthan.
Uranium was used in the process.
It was lead by Dr. H.N. Setna and Dr. Raja
Ramanna.
Second Nuclear experiment was in 1998.
It was code named a Operation Shakti or Buddha Smiles again.
Pokhran is in the Jaisalmer district in Rajasthan.
Second experiment was conducted during the term
of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

nd

The agreement signed after the 1971 war was the

Simla Agreement.
Simla Agreement was signed by Indian Prime
Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistan Prime Minister Sulfiker Ali Bhuto in 1972.
The Kargil war in 1999 was against the terrorist
usurpation into Kashmir from Pakistan.
Kargil military operation of India was known as
Operation Vijay.
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee conducted the famous Lahore Bus Journey in 1999
February.
The Kargil war officially ended on 26 July 1999.
Boundary line between India and Pakistan is
Radcliff line.
The Lahore declaration was signed between A.B.
Vajpayee and Nawaz Sherif.
Military operation conducted by India on Pakistan 1948 was known as Operation Sojila.
The operation in which Indian army captured
Siachin was known as Operation Meghdoot.
India and Pakistan signed the Indus River Water
Agreement in 1960.

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Ante Sikh Riots

In 1984, General K. Sundarji, Commander-in-chief

with the army besieged the Golden Temple in
Operation Blue Star on June 5.90 soldiers and
712 Sikh extremists including Bhindranwale.

Page 69 of 191

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On 6th December 1992, the B.J.P. and VHP

organised a huge rally of over 20,000 volunteers
at the site of Babri Masjid. The BJP Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Kalyan Singh assured to the
Supreme court that the mosque would be protected. But the mosque was hammered down.
The Central Government banned VHP, RSS,
BajrangDal and Jamaat -e-Islami. The Kalyan
Singh government was dismissed.
Babri Masjid was constructed by Babars governor Mir Sakhi at Ayodhya (U.P).
Narasimha Rao was the Prime Minister when the
Babary Masjid was demolished.
Ayodhya 6th December, 1992 is a book written
by NarasimhaRao,published Posthumously.

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Demolition of Babri Masjid

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The operation was done by 15th Cavalry Regiment of Indian Army.

As a sequel to the Operation Blue Star. Indira Gandhi
was gunned down and killed by her own security
guards, Sub Inspector Beant Singh and Constable
Satwant Singh on October 31, morning.
In the Ante Sikh riots more than 3000 sikhs died.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi officially
apologised the Community in 1998.
Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission appointed in 1985 submitted the report in 1986.
Kapur Mithal Committee (1987) Jane Banerjee
Committee Potti Rosha Committee (1990) Jane
Agarwal Committee (1990) Dhillan Committee
(1985), Narula Committee (1993), Nanavati Commission (2004) etc enquired about the incident.

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Page 70 of 191

in
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Indian
Constitution

he Constitution of India lays

down the framework on
which Indian polity is run. The
Constitution declares India to be
a sovereign socialist democratic
republic, assuring its citizens of
justice, equality, and liberty. It
was passed by the Constituent
Assembly of India on November
26, 1949, and came into effect on
January 26, 1950. India celebrates
January 26 each year as Republic
Day. It is the longest written
constitution of any independent
nation in the world, containing

395 articles and 12 schedules, as

well as numerous amendments,
for a total of 117,369 words in the
English language version.
Besides the English version, there
is an official Hindi translation.
The Constitution lays down
the basic structure of government
under which the people chose
themselves to be governed. It
establishes the main organs of
government - the executive , the
legislature and the judiciary. The
Constitution not only defines the
powers of each organ, but also

Page 71 of 191

demarcates their responsibilities.

It regulates the relationship
between the different organs and
between the government and the
people.
The Constitution is superior to
all other laws of the country. Every
law enacted by the government has
to be in conformity with the
Constitution. The Constitution lays
down the national goals of India Democracy, Socialism and National
Integration. It also spells out the
Fundamental Rights, Directive
Principles and Duties of citizens.

27. The function of a Public

Service Commission in India
is .........
28. In ......... of the constitution,
reference to Hindus shall
include a reference to Sikhs.
29. Raja Chellayya Committee
dealt with .........
30. The Constituent Assembly of
India took all decision by .........

Answers sto Fill in the blanks

Attorney General of India
Speaker
six months
Parliament
Lok Sabha
The Prime Minister
The President
Governor
President
10th schedule
1/10 of the total membership
of the house
500
one month
1963
The President
Minerva Mills Ltd. & others,
60
any courts in the country
submit the resignation of his/
her cabinet
the Parliament of India
Quasi-Judicial
368
50
State
State
Prime Minister of India
Advisory
Article 25
tax reforms
consensus.

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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

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1. ......... is the highest legal

adviser to the Government of
India.
2. ......... decides the question of
disqualification of a member
of the Lok Sabha.
3. The time gap between two
sessions of the Parliament
should not exceed .........
4. The residuary powers under
the Indian Constitution rest
with the .........
5. The Prime Minister is
responsible to the .........
6. National Integration Council
is chaired by .........
7. The credential of all
Ambassadors or High
Commissioners of foreign
countries are received by .........
8. No money bill can be
introduced in the Legislative
Assembly without the
recommendation of the .........
9. Any dispute between the two
houses of the Parliament can
be resolved by joint sitting of
both the houses summoned by
the .........
10. The provisions as to
disqualification on grounds
of defection by a member of
Parliament are contained in
.........
11. The minimum number of
members that must be present
to hold the meeting of the Lok
Sabha is .........
12. The number of members of a
state Legislative Assembly
cannot be more than .........
13. The proclamation of national
emergency ceases to operate
unless it is approved by the
parliament within .........

14. The first no confidence

motion was moved in the Lok
Sabha after independence
was in the year .........
15. A bill for alteration of
boundaries of states shall not
be introduced
in the
Parliament without the
recommendation of .........
16. The Supreme Court passed
the special judgement that the
basic tenets of our
constitution cannot be
changed by the Parliament by
any amendment, in the .........
case.
17. A member of Parliament will
lose his seat if he remains
absent from all meetings
without permission for a
period of ......... days.
18. Judges of the Supreme Courts
cannot practice, after
retirement, in .........
19. If the Finance Minister fails to
get the annual budget passed
in the Lok Sabha, the Prime
Minister should be expected
to .........
20. The name of an Indian State
can be changed by .........
21. The Finance Commission is a
......... body.
22. The article which lays down
the amendment of the
constitution is ...................
23. The introduction of no
confidence motion in the Lok
Sabha requires the support of
at least ......... members.
24. Betting and Gambling is
included in ......... list.
25. Prisons are included in .........
list.
26. According to the Indian
Constitution, the ministers
shall hold office during the
pleasure of the .........

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Fill in the Blanks

Page 72 of 191

12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.

17.

18.

19.

20.
21.

23.
24.

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25.

26.

27.

28.
29.

30.

Answers
1. Socialist, Secular, integrity
2. Cabinet Mission
3. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha,
4. The Governor
5. The Parliament
6 . 10 years
7. It can only withhold the bill
for 14 days to make recommendations
8. 6
9. Puducherry and Delhi
10. Uttar Pradesh
11. State Government
12. Article 19 (1)
13. The President
14. Thrice
15. Public Accounts Committee,
16. Provisions regarding disqualification on grounds of
defection
17. Any number of times
18. 13
19. Article 74
20. Death sentence
21. 1989
22. 1/10 th of the elected members
of the parliament
23. Public Accounts Committee
24. Union List
25. No Confidence Motion
26. 20
27. Until repealed
28. Sales tax
29. The Union Government
30. 1956.

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16.

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1. Name the words which were

added to the Preamble by the
42nd Constitutional Amendment.
2. On whose recommendation
was the Constituent Assembly formed?
3. To whom does the Public
Accounts Committee submit
its report?
4. Who is the executive head of
a state in the Indian Union?
5. If a state is under Presidents
rule, then the state Budget is
passed by whom?
6. By how many years has the
62nd Amendment of the
Constitution in
1990
extended the reservation for
persons belonging to SC and
ST in Public Services?
7. What is the power of the Rajya
Sabha in regard to money
bills?
8. How many states in India
have bicameral legislature?
9. Name the Union Territories
which have a legislature and
a Chief Minister?
10. Which state in India has the
largest membership in its
Legislative Assembly?
11. Who finances the Village
Panchayat?
12. Freedom of the Press is
guaranteed under which
Article?
13. Who is legally competent to
declare war or conclude
peace?
14. How many times has a
national emergency been
declared so far by the
President?
15. Which parliamentary committee in India is normally

chaired by a prominent
member of the opposition?
What is contained in the Tenth
Schedule of the Constitution?
How many times can the
President of India seek reelection to his post?
How many committees were
set up by the Constituent
Assembly for framing the
Constitution of India?
Name the article which
empowers the President to
appoint the Prime Minister of
India.
What is meant by Capital
Punishment?
In which year was voting age
reduced from 21 to 18 in
India?
A party in India in order to be
recognised as official
opposition in the parliament
should have at least how
many seats?
Which is the oldest financial
committee in the Parliament?
Extradition is included in
which list?
Through which resolution,
the Lok Sabha brings a
change in the Government?
What is the maximum
number of starred questions
that can be asked in Lok Sabha
on a particular day?
How long does a national
emergency duly proclaimed
and approved by the
Parliament remain in force?
States earn more revenue
directly through which tax?
In the case of subjects not
mentioned in any of the three
lists, the power to make laws
rests with whom?
In which year the state
reorganisation Bill was
passed by the parliament?

it.

One Word Questions

Page 73 of 191

Short Notes
1. What are the distinct features
of a Constitution?
2. The President & his Functions
3. How can the constitution be
amended?

2. The President of India is the

head of the Union Executive.
The President is elected by
indirect election by an
electoral
college,
in
accordance with the system of
proportional representation
of single transferable vote.
The electoral college shall
consist of elected members of
both houses of Parliament, the
elected members of the
Legislative Assemblies of the
States and the elected
members of the Legislative
Assemblies of the Union
Territories of Delhi and
Pondicherry.
Qualification for a presidential candidate are :
Must be a citizen of India.
Must have completed 35
years of age.
Must be qualified to be a
member of the Lok Sabha.
Must not hold any office
of profit.
The following appointments are made by the
President,
The Prime Minister and
on his advice other
ministers.
Attorney General of India.
Comptroller and AuditorGeneral of India.
Judges of the Supreme
Court and High Courts
including the Chief
Justice.
Governors of States.
Lieutenant Governors
and Commissioners of
Union Territories.
Members of Finance
Commission.
Members of the Union
Public Service Commission.

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29. Discuss
about
the
constitutional provision of the
no-confidence motion.
30. 93rd amendment Bill
Answers
1. An analysis of the various
definitions of a constitution
shows that the constitution
has the following distinct
features:
Firstly, it refers to a collection
of those basic laws which are
more sacrosanct than the
ordinary laws.
Secondly, the constitution is
not entirely written. Though
a major part of the
constitution is generally
available in the form of a
written document, certain
laws are also based on
customs, usages and
conventions and form part of
the constitution.
Thirdly, the constitution may
be created by a special body
set up for the purpose or
evolved in course of time.
Fourthly, the constitution
determines the structure of the
main organs of government,
the distribution of sovereign
power between various
authorities and the relations
between the citizens and
various organs of the
government.
Fifthly, it contains procedures
for its own change which is
generally quite different from
the procedure for the
enactment of ordinary laws.
Sixthly, the constitution
generally
contains
a
statement of its objectives.
Finally, the constitution not
only lays down the rights of
the citizens, but also specifies
the limitations on the
authority of the government.

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4. Anti-Defection Law
5. What are the major
commitments
of
the
Constitution of India as
incorporated in its Preamble?
6. Indian Constitution is
drawn from different
sources. Establish the point.
7. Identify the nature and
methods of Parliamentary
control over the Executive in
Indian Polity.
8. Explain the concept of
Minorities in the Indian
Constitution and mention the
safeguards provided there in
for their protection.
9. Discuss the power privileges
and immunities of the Indian
Parliament.
10. Explain the relevance of Rajya
Sabha in the federal set up of
the Indian Parliamentary
System.
11. Highlight the significance of
the 73rd Amendment to the
Constitution of India.
12. Indian Judiciary
13. Supreme Court
14. Jurisdiction of the Supreme
court
15. 42nd Amendment
16. Relation between the Union
and the States
17. Fundamental Duties
18. Powers of the Governor
19. Sarkaria Commission
20. Public Service Commission
21. Election Commission
22. Finance Commission
23. Contingency Fund
24. Eighth Schedule of the
Constitution
25. Family Courts
26. CAT
27. Lok Adalats (LAs)
28. High Court

Page 74 of 191

ment is made to political,

social and economic justice.
And to ensure social,
economic and political
justice, the Preamble
emphasises the need for
securing liberty, equality and
fraternity for the Indian
people. The liberty, would be
of thought, expression, beliefs
and faith, signifying political
freedom and secularism.
Equality is sought to be
ensured on political, social
and economic level thus
besides adult franchise there
would be equality of status
and opportunity. Individuals self expression would
be allowed freedom but
within the limits of the overall
objective of national unity
and progress.
6. The constitution of India may
be said to be a borrowed
Constitution as its framers
have gathered the best
features liberally from
various sources. The single
most important source is the
Government of India Act of
1935: the federal scheme,
office of the Governor, power
of
federal
judiciary,
emergency powers were
drawn from this Act. The
British practice influenced
the law- making procedure,
rule of law, single citizenship,
besides, of course, basically
giving the mode of
Parliamentary Government.
The U.S. Constitution
inspired in independence of
judiciary, judicial, fundamental rights, removal of
Supreme and High Court
judges.
The Irish Constitution was
the source for the Directive
Principles, method of

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provisions to be amended
requires a majority of not less
than two third of the members
present and voting in each
house. In some other cases
besides two third members of
both the house present and
voting, it must be ratified by
the legislatives of the one-half
of the states.
4. Anti Defection Law was
passed in 1985 as the 52nd
Constitutional Amendment
with the aim to political
defections in India. A member
of Parliament or state
legislature belonging to a
political party shall be
disqualified if he voluntarily
gives up the membership of
his party or vote against the
party directive or abstain from
voting.
Anti-defection law is added
as the 10th schedule of Indian
Constitution. The speaker
considers the question of
disqualification under antidefection law. The decision of
the speaker in anti-defection
law is now open to judicial
review.
5. The Preamble of the
Constitution of India
embodies the ideals,
aspirations and objectives of
the social and political order
to which the people of India
are committed. The Preamble
rests the sovereignty in the
people of India which is a
socialist, secular and
democratic republic. Thus, the
head of the nation will be
elected, all religions will be
respected and the State of
India would be a welfare state
committed to the ideals of
socio-economic justice to be
obtained in a democratic way
by the rule of law. Commit-

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Chief Election Commissioner and other members

of the Election Commission.
Special officers for the
scheduled castes and
other tribal areas.
The President of India
who is the Supreme
Commander of the armed
forces has the following
powers:
Right to declare war and
peace.
Legislative powers which
include nomination of 12
members to the Rajya
Sabha and 2 AngloIndian members to the Lok
Sabha.
Right to address the
Parliament.
The tenure of the
President is five years.
The President takes the
oath of office before the
Chief Justice of India but
his letter of resignation
should be addressed to
the Vice-President of
India. The President shall
be removed only through
impeachment, applicable
only for the violation of
the Constitution. In case
of a dispute related to the
Presidential election,
only the Supreme Court of
India has jurisdiction
over it. With regard to
vacancy a new President
should be elected within
six months.
3. Three methods of amendment
of different provision of
constitution are prescribed in
the Article 368 of the
constitution. First method of
amendment is by a simple
majority. Certain other

Page 75 of 191

9. The Parliament can claim a

privilege
if
(i)
the
Constitution grants it
specifically or (ii) it has been
created by a law of the
Parliament (iii) it was enjoyed
by the lower house on
January 26, 1950. More
specifically the Parliament
enjoys freedom of speech,
immunity from court
proceeding, freedom from
arrest in civil cases within 40
days before and after the
session of the Parliament and
immunity from liability in
respect of Parliamentary
papers. The Parliament can
punish a person for contempt,
can legislate and control the
executive. The basic financial
function of the parliament
relates to the imposition of
taxes and expenditure from
consolidated funds of India.
The Parliament can amend
the Constitution but cannot
alter its basic structure. The
Parliament has internal
autonomy to regulate its
proceedings
and
act
independently in internal
matters.
10. The Rajya Sabha is an
indirectly elected body of 250
members under Article 80 of
the Constitution, can offer
expert opinion on many
issues as it consists of more
experienced men. It has many
legislative and watch dog
functions to perform. It
provides for additional
debating forum and can
reduce the legislative time
problems faced by the Lok
Sabha. It has exclusive power
to transfer state legislative
powers to the Centre. It can
impose emergency in case the
Lok Sabha stands dissolved.

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Policy Resolution of the

Parliament are meant as
supreme guidelines for the
functioning of the executive
Government. Parliament also
specifies the manner in which
certain specific powers
constitutionally granted to
different authorities is to be
exercised.
8. According
to
the
Constitution of India, the
concept of Minorities
incorporates the groups of
people differing from the
other in religion, culture and
language numerically the
majority. Thus there are
religious, linguistic and
cultural minorities. Religious,
cultural and educational
safeguards are incorporated
in the Constitution to protect
all minority groups (religious,
cultural and linguistic.)
The safeguards are:
i. Right to maintain
religious and charitable
institutions and manage
religious affairs without
state interference.
ii. Religious and linguistic
minorities may establish
and administer their own
institutions and avail of
state grants without
discrimination.
iii. A minority language may
be recognised as one of
the official language in a
State.
iv. Special officer for
linguistic minorities to
report on their status.
Besides these, the state
does not discriminate on
the basis of religion,
culture etc, in manners of
public appointment and
employment.

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presided elections, nomination of members of Rajya

Sabha by the President. From
the Canadian Constitution
was taken the idea of a
federation with a strong
Centre, and placing residuary
powers with the Centre. The
Weimer Constitution of
Germany was the source of
provisions concerning the
suspension of fundamental
rights during emergency,
while the idea of a Concurrent
List was taken from the
Australian Constitution.
7. Indian Parliament is vested
with the power to control over
the Executive. The Executive
is collectively responsible to
the Lok Sabha. Thus it is
assumed that the working of
the Union Government is
effectively controlled by the
Parliament. However, in
practice this control is
exercised only in the form of
question on adminstration
raised during the question
hour in the houses of
Parliament. Parliament also
has control over the revenue
and expenditure of the
Government. The Executive,
cannot impose any tax
without legislative sanction.
If any tax is imposed without
legislative authority, the
aggrieved person can obtain
his relief from the courts of
India. As for expenditure, the
pivot of parliamentary control
is the Consolidated Fund of
India. No money can be
issued out of the Consolidated
Fund of India unless the
expenditure is authorised by
an Appropriation Act. In fact,
Executive cannot spend the
public revenue without
parliamentary sanction. The

Page 76 of 191

of the judges of the Supreme

Court was initially fixed at
eight (including the Chief
Justice). Every judge of the
Supreme Court is appointed
by the President. The judges
hold office until they attain
the age of 65 years. No
minimum age has been
prescribed for the appointment as a judge of the Supreme
Court of India nor any fixed
period of office. In order to be
qualified for appointment as
a judge of the Supreme Court,
a person must be
(a) a citizen of India and
(b) either a distinguished
jurist, in the opinion of the
President, or
(c) should have been a High
Court Judge for at least
five years.
An advocate on a State High
Court of ten years standing
also qualifies for the post. The
independence of the Judges of
the Supreme Court has been
secured by the Constitution in
a number of ways. Our
Supreme Court possesses
larger powers than its
American counterpart, in
many respects. The law
declared by the Supreme
Court shall, be binding on all
courts within the territory of
India.
14. The Supreme Court of India
enjoys three types of
jurisdiction:
(a) original, (b) appellate and
(c) advisory
Besides, the Supreme Court
has been constituted as a
court of record and has the
power to punish for
contempt. This is an

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resources to them. The other

important part of the
Amendment is concerned
with the constitutionality of
the Plan, the Gram
Panchayat passes for their
local development. As per
political scientists, the 73rd
Constitutional Amendment is
a milestone in the administrative development of the
country.
12. One of the greatest legacies of
British rule is the Judiciary
and the legal set-up in India.
An independent judiciary is
the very heart of a republic.
The foundation of a
democracy, the source of its
perennial vitality, the
condition for its growth, and
the hope for its welfare, all lie
in that great institution - an
independent judiciary. There
is a single, integrated judicial
system for the Union as well
as the States for the
administration of both Union
and State laws. The judiciary
is perhaps the most vital limb
of the Government. The
sanctity of any constitution
rests, to a large extent, on this
organ. The Constitution of
India provides for an
independent judiciary for the
country, with the Supreme
Court at the apex and High
Courts at the State level. The
Supreme Court of India is the
highest judicial body of the
land.
13. Union Parliament has been
vested with the power to make
laws
regulating
the
constitution, jurisdiction,
organisation and powers of
the Supreme Court. It now
consists of a Chief Justice and
25 other judges. The strength

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It can revise bills, control

passing of hasty legislation
and interpose reasonable
delay
on
arbitrary
functioning of the Lok Sabha.
11. In the year 1994, our
parliament enacted a very
important constitutional
amendment. This amendment
was concerned with the
Panchayati Raj Institutions
(PRIs). As India opted for the
planned development of the
country, a proper role for the
Panchayati Raj Institutions
was
prepared.
This
amendment is concerned
with the last tier of the threetier PRI system. In the longdrawn debate of the
democratic decentralisation, a
major part had been
concerned with the financial
resources of the Gram
Panchayat. The other
important factor was the
suitable role of the Gram
Panchayat in planning
process of the area. The
present
constitutional
amendment went for major
power delegation to the Gram
Panchayat. The Gram Sabha
was given full autonomy in
the matters of planning as
well as some extent of
financial self-reliance. Onethird of the elected seats in the
Gram Panchayat were
reserved for the women. The
most
important
fact
concerning the Gram
Panchayat
had
been
concerning the financial
powers. The eleventh Finance
Commission has been asked
by the President to devise the
methods through which the
Gram Panchayats could raise
their fund as well as the
devolution of revenue

Page 77 of 191

time to time. The autonomy of

the States having been thus
eroded, some of them
(especially those ruled by
opposition parties) have been
fighting hard to alter the
picture. They have been
pressing
for
greater
autonomy, while demanding
for a radical revision of the
lopsided financial relations
that subsist between the Centre
and the States. The welfare
activities of the States
involving huge expenditure,
coupled with recurring
natural calamities, do call for
an urgent revision of the
financial provisions of the
Constitution, in the light of the
experience of 50 long years of
our sovereign existence as a
modern state.
17. Fundamental Duties is
incorporated as part IV A of
the constitution by the 42nd
Amendment Act, 1976, based
on the former USSR model.
Fundamental Duties include
ten duties of the citizens
towards the State, by which it
shall be the duty of every
citizen of India.
The ten duties are:
1. to abide by the
Constitution and respect
the National Flag and the
National Anthem;
2. to cherish and follow the
noble ideas which
inspired our national
struggle for freedom;
3. to protect the sovereignty,
unity and integrity of
India;
4. to defend the country;
5. to promote the spirit of
common brotherhood
amongst all the people of
India;

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(b) It devalued the Fundamental Rights vis-a-vis

the Directive Principles.
(c) It effectively obviated the
possibility of judicial
review of any Act for
amendment of the
constitution.
(d) It virtually unsettled the
original balance between
the various organs of the
State.
This amendment had in fact
effected a mini revolution,
whereby Parliament sought
to overthrow the supremacy
of the Constitution and made
itself supreme in its stead.
Some of the far-reaching
changes introduced by Mrs.
Gandhi through this
amendment were reversed by
the Janata Government, by
repealing them (through the
43rd Amendment Act of
1977). Some provisions of the
42nd Amendment, however,
still stick (despite the Janata
Governments bid to scrap
them too), as a result of
opposition of the Congress
Party in the Rajya Sabha.
16. Despite the unitary characteristics and centralising
tendencies, the Indian
Constitution is yet a federal
constitution of its own kind.
India is a diverse society with
fundamental underlining
unity. The unity of India is
firmly based on geography
and deeply rooted in history.
Criticism has become
inevitable, in recent years,
that the Union Government
by virtue of its dominant
position in the economic
sphere, has left the States high
and dry, and they have to
constantly look to the Centre
for financial assistance from

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extraordinary power which

must be used sparingly, but
where the public interest
demands it, the Court will not
shrink from exercising it and
imposing punishment even
by way of imprisonment in
cases where a mere fine may
not suffice. The Supreme
Court has been conferred
powers to direct the transfer
of any civil/criminal case
from one State High Court to
another. As the final appellate
court, the Supreme Court can
revise the decisions of the
High Courts. Likewise,
substantial questions of law
of general importance
pending before State High
courts may be taken over by
the Supreme Court and
disposed of. The Supreme
Court enjoys numerous other
powers including the power
of judicial review. The apex
court through its power of
judicial review, has ensured
that the basic structure of the
constitution is in any way
vitated.
15. The jurisdiction of the
Supreme Court was sought to
be severely curtailed by the
42nd Amendment of the
Constitution effected in 1976.
It is called as the Mini
Constitution. The amending
Act is a piece of comprehensive legislation containing
59 clauses and touching
upon varied constitutional
issues.
The drastic impact of the
42nd Amendment Act briefly
was:
(a) It narrowed down and
fettered the scope for
judicial review of
ordinary laws.

Page 78 of 191

till the age of retirement. The

main functions of the Election
Commission are:
(1) Prepare electoral rolls for
the election to parliament
and state legislatures.
(2) Supervise, direct and
controls elections of
President, Vice-President,
Parliament and State
Legislatures.
(3) Lays down general rules
for election and issues
notification of dates and
schedules of election.
(4) Accord recognition to
political parties and allot
symbols etc.
22. The President constitutes a
Finance Commission every
five years. Article 280 of the
Constitution provides for the
appointment of the Finance
Commission. It consists of a
chairman and four other
members to be appointed by
the President. The Finance
Commission makes recommendation to the President
regarding the distribution of
money between the Union
and States and the net
proceeds of taxes. The 11th
Finance Commission was set
up in 1997 under the chairmanship of A.M. Khusro. It
submitted its report. The 12th
Finance Commission was
appointed by the Government in 2002 under the
chairmanship of C. Rangarajan. The 13th Commission
was setup in 2007 under the
chairman ship of Vijay Kelker.
23. Parliament has established a
contingency fund of India,
into which sums are
deposited from time to time. It
is placed at the disposal of the
President to enable advances

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functioning of the State. It also

laid down wholesome
guidelines for the application
of Article 356 which was not
to be exercised for the purpose
of securing good government.
20. For the recruitment to the civil
services and other posts
under the Government, the
Constitution provides for an
independent body known as
the
Public
Service
Commission. The chairman
and members of .the
Commission are appointed by
the President. Article 315
provides that there shall be a
Public Service Commission
for the Union as well as
separate Public Service
Commissions for each State.
Two or more states may agree
among themselves to have a
common Public Service
Commission. Further, the
Union Public Service
Commission, if requested by
the Governor of a State may,
with the approval of the
President, agree to serve the
needs of two or more states.
To ensure the integrity and
independence of
the
commission the Constitution
debars its chairman and
members from further
employment after retirement,
either under the Government
of India or any State
Government.
21. Indian Constitution provide
for an independent body
called Election Commission
in Article 324 for the conduct
of fair and unpartial elections.
At present, the Election
Commission consists of a
Chief Election Commissioner
and two Deputy Commissioners. Generally they hold
office for a term of six years or

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6. to preserve the rich

heritage of our composite
culture;
7. to protect and improve the
natural environment;
8. to develop scientific
temper and spirit of
inquiry;
9. to safeguard public
property ;
10. to strive towards
excellence in all spheres
of individual and
collective activity.
18. The powers of the Governor
are:
He/She appoints the
Chief Minister and the
council of Ministers, the
Advocate-General and
the members of the State
Public Service Commission.
The Governor nominates
one member of the AngloIndian community to the
Legislative Assembly of
his State.
The Governor can
promulgate ordinances
during the period, when
the State Legislature is
not meeting.
The Governor has the
power to grant pardon,
reprieves, respites or
remission of punishments. But he has no
power to pardon death
sentence.
19. The Sarkaria Commission, set
up in June 1983 to study the
Centre-State relations, has
submitted its 1,500 page
report. The report, which has
now been published,
comprehensively and categorically recommends a strong
Centre for the proper

Page 79 of 191

Court. The salaries are from

the charged expenditure of
the consolidated fund of the
state. They retire at the age of
62.
29. According to the constitution,
the Council of Ministers stays
in office only as long as it
enjoys the confidence of the
Lok Sabha; once the
confidence is withdrawn the
Government is bound to
resign. The rules of
parliamentary procedure
accordingly provide for
moving a motion to ascertain
this confidence. The motion is
generally known as noconfidence motion. A motion
of this kind must express
want of confidence in the
council of ministers, and an
individual minister, as the
Constitution only provides for
collective responsibility. A
notice of such a motion must
be given before the
commencement of the sitting
on the day it is desired to be
raised. If the Speaker is
convinced that the motion is
in order, the motion is read in
the House. Members in favour
of leave being granted to
debate the motion are to
indicate their support. The
Speaker grants leave if not
less-than fifty members
support the motion. Once
admitted, the motion has to be
taken up within ten days of
the leave being granted. The
time for discussion is usually
decided after consulting the
Business Advisory Committee.
30. The 93rd Amendment Bill of
the Constitution to make
elementary education a
fundamental right secured

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26. CAT is the Central Administrative Tribunal. CAT was

set up in November 1985 to
provide
speedy
and
inexpensive justice to Central
Government employees in
respect to their service
matters. The tribunals are
empowered to resolve
disputes and complaints
relating to recruitment and
conditions of service of
persons appointed to public
services and posts in
connection with affairs of the
union Government. It has the
jurisdiction, powers and
authority of a court in
specified matters.
27. Lok
Adalats
are
supplementary forums for
conciliatory settlement of
disputes. All categories of
cases except criminal cases
can be settled through LAs.
They have acquired a
statutory base and the
awards passed by the LAs are
deemed to be the decrees of
the civil court and are
binding on all parties to the
dispute. There does not lie
any appeal to any court
against an award passed by
LAs. Permanent and
continuous LAs are being set
up in all districts for
encouraging the parties to
resolve their disputes and
differences amicably.
Legal services Day is
observed on November 9.
28. The High Court is the zenith
of judiciary in the State.
Jurisdiction of a High Court
can be extended to more than
one State. The Chief Justice is
appointed by the President in
consultation with the Chief
Justice of the concerned High

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to be made by him to meet the

unforeseen expenditure.
Similar funds at the disposal
of the State Governors are
created in the State.
24. List of 22 regional languages
are recognised by the
Constitution in this schedule.
With the passing of the 100th
constitutional Amendment
Bill four new languages
(Maithili, Dogri, Bodo and
Santhali) were included in
the group of officially
recognised languages. The
other 18 languages are
Assamese,
Bengali,
Gujarathi, Hindi, Kannada,
Kashmiri,
Malayalam,
Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi,
Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil,
Telugu, Urdu, Konkani,
Manipuri & Nepali. Konkani,
Manipuri and Nepali were
added to the 8th schedule by
the 71st amendment. English
is not included in the list.
25. Family Courts were set up in
the country under the Family
Court Act passed in 1984.
They aim to promote
conciliation and secure
speedy settlement of disputes
relating to marriage and
family affairs. These courts
are set up in cities with a
population of more than 10
lakh. Subtle family disputes
are settled in an atmosphere
of
friendliness
and
consideration. The aim of the
court is to strengthen family
ties and bind people not to
break them apart wherever
possible. International Day of
the Family is observed on
May 15. 1994 was observed
as the international Year of
the Family by U.N.

Page 80 of 191

in

Judicial Review: Judicial

Review refers to the power of
the judiciary to pronounce
judgement with regard to the
validity of legislation passed
by the legislature and the
action taken by the
administrative authorities.
Article 32 confers the power
of judicial review on the
Supreme Court.
Junta: It is a collective body,
consisting usually of military
men, which imposes military
rule in a country.
Lobbying: The practice of
trying to canvass support for
a particular measure or
viewpoint through personal
contacts with the members of
legislature. This is usually
done in the lobbies to which
public has access. Hence the
term lobbying.
Legal Sovereignity: The
Sovereignity of a state which
is legally vested in a particular
agency e.g., the Monarch of
England, the President of
India etc. Such persons may
be called titular or nominal
sovereigns.
Manifesto: It is a document
which is issued, generally
before a major election, by a
political party, outlining its
policies and programmes.
Martial Law: A state of affairs
declared by a civilian
government in which the
military forces are authorised
to govern and control certain
areas without the usual
constraints of democratic
decision making or without
accepting civil rights. Martial
law is a temporary state of
affairs and is legitimate in the
sense that is directly decided
upon and granted by the
civilian government.

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Adjournment: When a sitting

assembly is discontinued to
be resumed later, it is said that
the assembly is adjourned
and if the assembly is
discontinued without prescribing
the
date
for
reassemblage, it is said that
the assembly has been
adjourned sine die. A sitting
can be adjourned by the
speaker on a resolution being
passed by the assembly.
Adult Franchise: Franchise
refers to the right or privilege
of voting. Adult franchise is a
voting right of an adult
without the distinction of
gender, caste, colour or
religion. This is also called
universal suffrage. New
Zealand is the first country to
introduce women franchise.
Bicameral States: Those
states which have two
Houses of Legislature is
called bicameral states.
Unicameral states have only
one House of Legislature.

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Terminology

Climbing on the Bandwagon:

Endorsing support to a
person who is likely to be
elected.
Crossing the Floor: When a
legislator changes his party
label, he is said to have
crossed the floor.
Cross Voting: The voting by
members breaking the
barriers of the party is cross
voting.
Dissolution: Disbanding of
the Assembly to hold fresh
elections.
Extradition: The removal of a
person by the state where he
happens to be, to the state or
the territory on which he is
alleged to have committed a
crime.
Gallup Poll: Conduct of test
poll to ascertain public
opinion on topical subjects. It
has been named after Dr.
Gallup of U.S.A., who
introduced this poll.

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the approval of the Lok Sabha

on November 27, 2002. Once
the bill becomes Act, all the
children in the 6 to 14 age
group will have the
Fundamental Right to free
and compulsory education.
As per the bill the state shall
endeavour to provide early
childhood care and education for all children until
they complete the age of six
years. The new law
empowers a child to take a
state to court of he/she be
devoid of his/her fundamental Right.

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Gram Sabha: It is a general

body of all the voters residing
within the jurisdiction of the
village panchayat.
Gram Panchayat: It is the first
tier of the Panchayati Raj and
is elected by Gram Sabhas.
Gerrymandering: A reorganisation of electoral districts
to gain some advantage in a
forthcoming election. It
should be distinguished from
the reorganisation of electoral
districts which is sometimes
essential to ensure that every
parliamentary representative
speaks for approximately the
same number of votes, which
is known as redistribution.

Page 81 of 191

day marked for discussion of

budget.
Ratification: The formal
adoption by a state of a treaty
signed by the representatives.
Refrendum: A device of direct
democracy which is used to
ascertain the view of electorate
either in the form of
government or as a legislative
proposal on a policy issue.
Question Hour: The first hour
of every parliamentary sitting
is slotted for this. During this
time, the members ask
questions and the ministers
usually give answers. The
questions are of three kinds
namely starred, unstarred
and short notice.
Zero Hour: It is an informal
device available to the
members of the parliament to
raise matters without any
prior notice. The zero hour
starts immediately after the
question hour and lasts until
the agenda for the day. The
time gap is 60 minutes.
No-Confidence Motion:
Article 75 of the constitution
says that the ministry stays in
the office so long as it enjoys
confidence of the majority of
the members of the LokSabha.
In otherwords, the Lok Sabha
can remove the ministry from
office by passing a non
confidence motion. The
motion needs the supports of
50 members to be admitted.

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opposition party to assume

portfolios in case the party is
able to wrest the power.
Snap Vote: Voting unexpectedly recorded without the
voters being informed in
advance by party whip.
Zila Parishads: It is the thirdtier of the Panchayati Raj and
consists of Presidents of
Panchayat Samithis, besides
the MLAs and MPs elected
from the district.
Amnesty: An act of general
pardon of offenders and
termination of their penalties
Amnesty is generally granted
for political offences in the
name of the Head of the State
to placate the opponents of the
regime through an act of
generosity and trust.
Byelection: Special election to
a seat rendered vacant during
the running term of an elected
person (by death, resignation
or disqualifica-tion)
Cold War: A state of tension
between countries in which
each side adopts policies
designed to strengthen itself
and weaken the other, but
falling short of actual war.
Coupd'etat: A sudden
change of government by
force, brought about by those
who already hold some
governmental or military
power.
Filibuster: Parliamentary
device of long speeches, not
necessarily relevant to
obstruct delay or bargain over
a measure under consideration
for voting.
Guillotine: The act of putting
all the demands to vote
without discussion on the last

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Nyaya Panchayat: It is the

judicial panchayat and is
considered an adjunct of the
Panchayati Raj system. It is
meant to provide speedy and
cheap justice to the villagers.
People Sniffer: Indictment of
Government through unofficial media.
Plebiscite: A vote by which
the people of an entire
country or district, express an
opinion for or against a
proposal especially on a
choice of government or ruler.
Political Defection: The
phenomenon of a legislator
elected as a member of a
political party quitting the
party without resigning the
seat is called political
defection.
Prorogation: The discontinued
sitting of the Assembly is to
be reassembled later. It is done
by the Governor or the
President on the advice of the
Chief Minister or the Prime
Minister
respectively.
Adjournment can be over
ruled by prorogation.
Proportionate Representation: An electoral system
which was first advocated by
J.S. Mill. According to this, the
votes of minorities are not
wasted. Indian President,
Vice-President and members
of Rajya Sabha are elected by
this method.
Public Interest Litigation: It
means that any member of the
public can directly write and
draw attention of the court to
some injustice being suffered
by the members of the public.
Shadow Cabinet: the persons
who have been elected by the

Page 82 of 191

Abbreviations
AAGSP : All Asian
Gana
Sangam Parishad.
ABVP : Akhil
Bharatiya
Vidhyarthi Parishad.
AG
: Attorney General.

: Dravida Munnetra
Kazhagam.
ESMA : Essential Services
Maintenance Act.
EVM : Electronic
Voting
Machine.
FBL
: Forward Block.
INL
: Indian
National
League.
ISP
: Indian Socialist Party.
IUML : Indian Union Muslim
League.
JD (U) : Janata Dal (United).
JP
: Janata Party.
MDMK : Marumalarchi Dravida
Munnetra Kazhagam.
NCP
: National Congress Party.
NDA : National Democratic
Alliance.

POTA : Prevention of Terrorism

Activities (Act).
PDP
: Peoples Democratic
Party.
PMK : Pattali Makkal Katchi.
RJD
: Rashtriya Janata Dal.
RJP
: Rashtriya Janata Party.
RLD
: Rashtriya Lok Dal.
RPI
: Republican Party of
India.
RSP
: Revolutionary Socialist
Party.
SJP
: Samajwadi Janata Party.
SAD
: Shiromani Akali Dal.
TDP
: Telugu Desam Party.
TULF : Tamil United Liberation Front.
UPA
: United Progressive
Alliance.

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DMK

Important Amendments

statehood to Goa. Provided a 40 member

Legislative Assembly to Goa.
Amend. 61 (1988) Reduced the voting age from
21 to 18 years for the Lok Sabha as well as
Assembly elections.
Amend. 71 (1992) Provides that the Konkani,
Manipuri, and Nepali shall be included in the
Eighth Schedule, thus raising the number of
languages from 15 to 18.
Amend. 73 (1992) Lead to the formation of
Panchayati Raj.

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Amendments deal with

Amend. 7(1956) Implement State Reorganisation Plan.

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AIADMK : All India Anna

Dravida Munnetra
Kazhagam.
BJP
: Bharatiya Janatha
Party.
BKD
: Bharatiya Kranthi Dal.
BJD
: Biju Janata Dal.
BLD
: Bharatiya Lok Dal.
BSP
: Bahujan Samaj Party.
CPI
: Communist Party of
India.
CPI (M) : Communist Party of
India (Marxist).
CMP : Common Minimum
Programme.
CAT
: Central Administrative
Tribunal.
CAG : Comptroller
and
Auditor General.

Amend. 25 (1971) Amended Art. 31 regarding

the right of the state to acquire private property
for public purpose.

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Amend. 42 (1976) Brought about drastic changes

in the Indian Constitution. Because of its wide
sweep and drastic nature, it came to be called a
Mini Constitution. Its main provisions are 1) the
words secular and socialist were added to
the Preamble. 2) the primacy of Directive
Principles over Fundamental Rights was
ensured 3) restrictions were placed on the
exercise of judicial review by the High Courts. It
was laid down that the Supreme Court alone
would be entitled to examine the constitutional
validity of union laws.
Amend. 44 (1978) The Right of Property, a
fundamental right was taken away and it is
only a legal right now.
Amend. 56 (1987) Accorded the status of

Amend. 74 (1992) Led to the formation of

Nagar Palikas.
Amend. 79 (1999) Extended the reservation of
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and
Anglo- Indians in Lok Sabha and State
Assemblies for ten more years ie, upto 2010.
Amend. 84 (2000) Relates to the creation of new
states of Jharkhand, Chattisgarh and
Uttaranchal.
93 Amendment Bill : Education - A
Fundamental Right.

Page 83 of 191

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Source of Indian constitution

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Govt. of India act 1935: Federal system, office of the Governor, Power of federal judiciary,
emergency power, public Service commission, Administrative details

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United Kingdom: Law making procedure, Rule of law, provision of single citizenship,
Parliamentary Govt., Bicameralism, prerogative writs, Office of the CAG

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USA: Independent judiciary, Judicial review, Fundamental rights, Removal of supreme and high
court judge (Impeachment), preamble, Function of Vice president
Canada: Federation with a strong centre, residuary power with the centre, Appointment of state
Governors by center, Advisory/review of Supreme Court
Ireland: Directive principle of state policy, method of presidential election, Nomination of
members of Rajyasabha by president
Germany: Emergency provision and suspension of fundamental rights
Australia: Con current list and Freedom of trade
South Africa: Amendment procedure
France: Republic
Russia (USSR): Fundamental duties
Japan: Procedure establish by law

Page 84 of 191

Indian Geography

Queen Mary 2

The Indian mainland can be divided into

five physiographic units namely
(i) The Great Mountains of the North
(ii) The North Indian Plains
(iii) The Peninsular Plateau
(iv) The Coastal Plains (v) The Islands

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India : Physical
Features

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Karakoram

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The Himalayas is the highest mountain range in the

world and also the youngest mountain range.
Longest Mountain Range is Andes in South
America
Mountains between the Indus and the Brahmaputra are called 'the Himalayas' meaning 'the abode
of snow.'
The Himalayas consist of three parallel ranges.
(i) The southernmost range, called the Siwalik is
the lowest.
(ii) The ranges lying north of the Siwalik are known
as the middle Himalayas or the Himachal.
(iii) The northernmost ranges of the Himalayas,
known as the Himadri, are the highest with an
average height of more than 6,000 metres above
the sea level.

Longitudina or Regional Divisions of Himalayas.

Kashmir Himalayas, between river indus and sutlej.

Mountains of India
The mountains extending between the
Pamir plateau and the Indus river in Kashmir are known as the Karakoram.
The Karakoram mountains contain the
Siachen, which is the world's largest mountain glacier.
The world's second highest peak called K2
(Godwin Austin) belongs to Karakoram
World's largest and most expensive cruise liner
range.
Queen
Mary 2, the luxury ship carrying more than

The Himalayas surrounds India on the north,

2,500
passengers and 1,500 employees.
north west and north - east which extends to
about 2400 km.

Page 85 of 191

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it.

Geographically, Deccan plateau is the

oldest part of India.

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Important passes of Himalayas

Kashmir : Burzil and Jojila
Himachal Pradesh : Bara, Lepcha-la, Shipkila
Uttar Pradesh : Thanga-la, Niti-la, Lipu-Lekhla
Sikkim - Nathula, Jelepla
Khybar pass is the most famous pass which leads
from Peshwar to Kabul.
South of Khybar pass is the Gomal Pass (it is in
Pakistan)
The Bolan Pass leads from Kandahar to Quetta.
Shipki Pass leads from the Punjab to Tibet.
The Purvachal Hills in the north-east consist of
the Patkai-Bum, the Garo-Khasi-Jaintia and Lushai
Hills.
Vindhya mountains cut off the northern plain from
the south.
The Peninsular mountains include The Western
Ghats (The Sahyadris), The Eastern Ghats, The
Satpura Range and The Aravallis.
The Western Ghats runs along the west coast
from the south of Tapti river valley to
Kanyakumari. Passes in Western Ghats are the
Palghat between Palakkad and Coimbatore,
Shenkotta between Kollam and Madurai, Thalghat
between Mumbai and Pune and the Bhorghat between Mumbai and Nassik.

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Kumaon Himalayas, between river Sutlej and River

Kali.
Nepal Himalayas, between river Kali and river
Teesta.
Assam Himalayas, between river Teesta and
Brahmaputra Gorge.
The Himadri contain some of the world's highest
peaks.
Mt. Everest (8848 m) in Nepal is the world's
highest peak.

Kanchenjunga in Sikkim is the highest peak of

the Himalayas in India.

Highest Mountain Peak in India

(a) K2
(b) Kanchenjunga
(c) Nanda Devi
(d) Mt. Everest
Ans: (a) K2
It is in Pak Occupied Kashmir.HutZym-Kn-I-ambn
CXv Cy-bpsS {]tZ-i-am-Wv.

The Eastern Ghats are irregular hill ranges that

stretch from northern Orissa to the Nilgiris in
Tamil Nadu across the coastal Andhra.
The Satpura range extends from the Narmada valley in the north to the Tapti valley in the south.
The 800 km range Aravallis stretching from the
north-east to the south - west of India separates
the semi-desert regions of Rajasthan from the fertile Udaipur and Jaipur regions.
Aravallis is the oldest mountain range in India.
Sahyadri hills is a part of the Western Ghats.
Nilgiris is also a part of Western Ghats. Nilgiri is
known as the Blue Mountains.

The southernmost tip of Eastern Ghats is called

Cardamom Hills.
The Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats meet at
Nilgiri Hills.

The Peninsular Plateau

Rising from the Alluvial plains of U.P and Bihar,

south of the Yamuna - Ganga line, the great Indian
plateau (Peninsular plateau) extends towards the
south to encompass the whole of the peninsula.
Its north-west limit is marked by the Aravalli range.
The Peninsular plateau can be divided into three-

Page 86 of 191

Anthroth Island
The largest Island in Lakshadweep

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The Great plains are found between the Himalayas

and Peninsular plateau which extends to about
2400 km.
The plains are drained by river Sutlej and the Beas
in the west, the Ganges and its tributaries in the
east.
Sambhar, the salt lake lies in the Rajasthan plains.
The most fertile region of India is the northern
plains formed by the valleys of rivers Ganges and
Brahmaputra.

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Great Plains

Soils in India

The Islands
Besides mainlands India has two groups of Islands
namely the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the
Bay of Bengal and the Lakshadweep Islands in the
Arabian Sea.

Andamans consists of a northern cluster of 204

small islands and Nicobar islands consists of a
southern cluster of 19 Islands.
Ten degree channel separates Andaman from
Nicobar.
Port Blair is the capital of Andaman & Nicobar

Islands.
The southernmost tip of India, Indira point is in
Great Nicobar islands which is the biggest island
in Nicobar group.
The islands of Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi
in the Arabian sea are known as Lakshadweep. It
comprises of a group of 36 islands, about 300km
to the west of Kerala coast. Only 10 of the islands
are inhabited.
Kavarathi is the capital of Lakshadweep.
New Moore Island lies in Bay of Bengal near West
Bengal also belong to India.
Coco Islands North of Andaman belong to
Myanmar.
Biggest Island in Andaman Group - Middle
Andaman
Biggest Island in Nicobar Group - Great Nicobar
Smallest Island in Andaman Group - Ross Island
Smallest Island in Nicobar Group - Pilomillow Island
Highest point in Nicobar Group - Mount Thullier.

it.

the Central Plateau, the Eastern Plateau and the

Deccan Plateau.
The Eastern plateau lies to the north - east of
Malwa.

East of Baghelkhand is the Chottanagpur plateau

in Jharkhand which is 700m high and has steep
borders.

The Malwa plateau, particularly its north - eastern part called the Chottanagpur plateau is the
richest mineral producing region of India.

Anamudi (Idukki) in Kerala is the highest peak of

Peninsular India.

The Deccan plateau lies to the south of northern

plain. The plateau is flanked by mountain ranges
called Eastern and Western Ghats.

The triangular plateau is Indias largest plateau

with a height ranging from 900 to 300 m in the
west and east. N- Sextenat - 1600 km and E-Wextent
- 1400 km.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research

(ICAR) divides the soils found in the country into
8 major groups.
They are: Alluvial soil, Black soil, Red soil, Laterite soil, Forest soil, Arid and Desert soils, Saline
and Alkaline soils and Peaty and Organic soils.

Alluvial Soil

Alluvial soil contributing the largest share, is

formed by the deposition of sediments by rivers
in the interior parts of India and by the sea waves

Page 87 of 191

Black Soil
Black soil is found
largely in the
Deccan plateau.
Black soil is suitable for the cultivation of cotton and
therefore it is called
black cotton soil.
The black colour of
the black soil is attributed to the presence of compounds
of Iron and alum i n i u m ,
accumulated humus, aluminium silicate, colloidal

They are more suitable for the cultivation of rice,

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Gujarat, Orissa and

Kerala are some of
the states in which
alluvial soil is
found.
The coastal alluvium is of tidal origin.
The desert alluvium
or 'Loess' is
bought by wind
erosion.

Red soil is formed by the weathering of ancient

metamorphic and crystalline rocks.
They are airy and need irrigation support for cultivation. Red soil is suitable for the cultivation of
pulses and coarse grains.
Red soils are poor in nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and organic matter.

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Red Soil

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hydrated double iron and titaniferous magnetite.

Black soil found in Maharashtra, Gujarat, West
Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil
Nadu

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in the coastal areas of the country.

Alluvial soil is the best agricultural soil because
(i) They contain a variety of salts derived from
Himalayan rocks.
(ii) They are light and porous, therefore easily
tillable.
(iii) They are good for canal irrigation because of
high water table and an easily penetrable stratum.
Alluvial soils are rich in potash and poor in nitrogen and organic matter.
Alluvial soils are suitable for cultivation of almost
all kinds of cereals, pulses, oil seeds, cotton, sugarcane and vegetables.
Ahmedabad, Baroda and Kheda districts of

Page 88 of 191

ragi, tobacco and vegetable.

of organic matter. These soils are highly saline

and rich in organic matter.

Laterite Soil

Forest soils are formed by the deposition of organic matter derived from forests. They are rich in
organic matter and humus. They are found mainly
in Punjab, Karnataka, Manipur and Jammu &
Kashmir.
These soils are used for plantations of tea, coffee, spices and fruits.

Himalayan rivers

Arid and Desert Soils

Arid and Desert soils are formed under arid and

semi arid conditions in the north -western parts of
the country. They are rich in phosphate though
poor in nitrogen.

These soils often have a high soluble salt content

and low to very low humus content.
These soils are made fertile by adding gypsum.

Saline and
Alkaline Soils

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Rivers in India may be classified into the Himalayan rivers, the Deccan river (Peninsular Rivers).
These soils cover the high rainfall areas of West
Bengal, Orissa and Kerala.

The Himalayan rivers are perennial snow fed rivers. During the monsoon season, the rivers discharge the maximum amount of water causing frequent floods.
Yamuna, Gomti, Ghagra, Gandak, Ram Ganga, Son,
Chambal, Betwa and Ken are the the main tributaries of Ganga.
Ganga is known by the name Padma in Bangladesh.
Ganga flows through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West
Bengal and finally enters into the Bay of Bengal.
Brahmaputra is the second largest river system
of Indian sub-continent. The 2,688 km
Brahmaputra is longer than the Ganges, but only
one third of the river passes through India.
Brahmaputra orginates from the Manasarovar lake
in Western Tibet. It mainly flows through Tibet
and a small portion of it flows through India.
In Tibet, Brahmaputra is known as Tsang Po.
After making deep gorges in Namcha Barwa, it
enters India in Arunachal Pradesh as 'Dihang'. It
enters Sadiya District of Assam and known as
Brahmaputra when it enters Bangladesh, it is
named as 'Meghna.'
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Forest Soil

The River Systems of India

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Laterite soils are formed by the weathering of laterite rocks. Laterite soils are deficient in nitrogen.
They are chiefly found in Karnataka, Kerala,
Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Malabar areas.
These soils are agriculturally unimportant because
of intensive leaching, a low base exchange capacity and their acidic nature.

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Saline and Alkaline soils are salt impregnated

and infertile. These soils are found especially in
the dry tracts of the north.
Also known as reh, kallar, usar, thur, karl and
chopan
They contain a larger proportion of sodium potassium and magnesium
They acquire salts largely because of dry climate
and poor drainage

Peaty Soils

Peaty soils are developed under humid conditions

as a result of the accumulation of large amounts

Page 89 of 191

The River Ganga is

the longest river
(2640 km) in India. Its
source is at Gangotri
glacier in the
Himalayas.

Peninsular rivers

Lakes

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Peninsular rivers (The Deccan System) are generally rainfed and comprises the rivers of peninsular India. They are shorter and seasonal in nature.
River Godavari is the largest river system (1465
km long) of peninsular India. It is known as the
'Vridha Ganga' or 'Dakshin Ganga.' It rises from
Trambak in Nasik district in the Western Ghats.
River Krishna rises from the north of
Mahabaleswar in the Western Ghats. It enters into
the Bay of Bengal. Krishna basin forms the third
largest river basin in India.
River Cauvery rises from the Brahmagiri hills in
the Coorg district of Karnataka. About 55 percent
of the cauvery basin lies in Tamilnadu, 41 percent
in Karnataka and three percent in Kerala.
River Pennar rises in the Kolar district of Karnataka.
River Damodar rises from the Chottanagpur plateau near Tori in Palamau district of Jharkhand.
River Damodar of Jharkhand is called as "Sorrow
of Bengal and Jharkhand", because of frequent
flood, mass, soil erosion and heavy siltation.
River Narmada which rises from the Amarkantak
plateau in Chhattisgarh is the largest among the
west flowing peninsular rivers.
Narmada and Tapti are the major west flowing
rivers of India. They drains into the Gulf of
Cambay in the Arabian Sea.
Satpula Mountain range lies between Narmada
and Tapti.
Luni and Sabarmati are the other two west flowing peninsular rivers.
Sabarmati rises from the Jai Samand lake of
Udaipur, Rajasthan.

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The largest fresh water lake in India: Lake Kolleru

(Andhra Pradesh). Wular is the second largest
fresh water lake.
The second largest salt water lake is Sambhar in
Rajasthan.
Important lakes in India are Chilka (Orissa),
Sambhar (Rajasthan),
Pulicat
(Andhra
The largest
Pradesh)
and
saltwater lake :
Vembanad (Kerala),
Lake Chilka
Woolar (J &K), Dal
(Orissa)
(J&K), Uday Sagar
(Rajasthan), Puslikar
(Rajasthan), Puslikar
(Rajasthan), Loktak
(Manipur Hills).

Dal Lake is famous for house boats.

Sambar
in
Rajasthan is the largest inland salt lake in India.

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The Luni orginates from Annasagar in the Aravallis

and ends on the Sahni marshes, North of Rann of
Kutch.
The worlds largest delta, Sunderbans is formed
by the Ganges and Brahmaputra in West Bengal
and Bangladesh, in the Bay of Bengal.
The Third river system is also called the Rivers
of Inland Drainage Basins which consists of small
rivers in the sandy areas of Rajasthan.

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Brahmaputra is the only river in the world which
form a river island named 'Majauli Island.'
Indus is the longest river of Indian sub-continent.
It is 2900 km long. It flows mainly through Pakistan.
Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum are the five
tributaries of Indus. Mount Kailash in Tibet is the
source of Indus river. It enters into the Arabian sea.
The Ravi is the smallest river of Punjab and is wellknown as the 'River of Lahore.' It rises near the
Rohtang pass in the Kulu hills of Himachal Pradesh.
The Chenab is the largest of Indus tributaries. It
has a total length of 1,800 km in India.

Indian Climate
Indian climate is greatly influenced by the presence of Himalayas in the north and the Indian
Ocean in the south.
The climate of India is monsoonal type, fed up by
two rain bearing winds.

Latitude and the monsoon winds are the major

factors affecting the Indian climate.

The Tropic of Cancer divides India into two almost equal climatic zones namely the northern
zone and the southern zone.

India receives 90% of the total rainfall from monsoons.

Monsoons are the seasonal winds which blow during
six months of summer from ocean to land and for the
six months of winter from land to sea.

The South West Monsoon forms the main monsoon season in India (June to August).

Page 90 of 191

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Wild life Sanctuaries & National Parks

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landmass of north-western India towards the Indian Ocean.

Thunder storm cause upto 25 cm of rainfall along
the Kerala and Karnataka coasts and about 10 cm.
in the interior of South India. Such rains are called
'Cherry Blossoms' in Karnataka where they
prove immensely beneficial to coffee plantation.
They are called as 'Mango Showers' in South
India, due to their salutary effect on mango crop.
The normal date of the onset of the rains is 20th
May in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and by the
end of June, it is usually established over most of
the country.

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The North East Monsoon (October - November)

brings rain mainly to Tamil Nadu.
On the basis of monsoonal variations there are
four seasons in India namely the cold (winter)
season (December to February), the hot (summer)
season (March to May), the south west monsoon
(the rainy season) (June to September) and the
season of retreating monsoon (October to November).
The North - East Monsoons are comparitively minor monsoons confined to a smaller area of the
country. They are the winds blowing out from the

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Page 91 of 191

Mawsynram in
Meghalaya (1141 cm) is the
rainiest place in the world.

gions, Drass and Kargil of Ladakh region are the

coldest regions in the country.
Chirapunji in Meghalaya is the wettest place in
India.
Jaisalmer in western Rajasthan is the driest place
in India which receives the lowest rainfall.

India : Natural Vegetation

(Forests)
Natural vegetation in India varies from region to
region due to variations in climatic conditions,
soil types and relief features.

Nearly 19.39% of the total land area in India is

under forest. The National Forest policy has laid
down a target of raising the area under forest to
nearly 33.3%.

Tropical Evergreen forests are dense forests of

luxuriant growth found in areas where rainfall
ranges between 200 to 300 cm. eg; Western Ghats
and sub-Himalayan regions.
Tropical Decidous Forests or Monsoon Forests
are areas having annual rainfall between 100-200
cm.
Tidal or Littoral Forests occur along the deltas of
West Bengal Orissa and Andhra Pradesh receiving annual rainfall above 200 cm. Sundari tree is
the important tree in these forest.

Dry Tropical forests are mostly prevalent in regions with an annual rainfall of 90 to 130 cm.

Swamps or Littoral forests are also called tidal

forests which occur in and around the tidal creeks
and along the deltas of river Ganges, Mahanadi,
Krishna and Godavari.

Alpine forests cover the alpine areas in the

Himalayas, at a height of 2880 m to 3700m.

Siwaliks are covered with tropical moist deciduous

flora such as sal and bamboo.

Planting of trees is known as afforestation.

Deforestation is the destruction of trees.

Forests also help to prevent soil erosion and

land slides. It maintains the ecological balance
and provides forest products such as timber and
industrial raw materials. Forests helps to protect wild life and rare species of trees and plants.

Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under forest among the Indian states.

National Parks, Sanctuaries and

Biosphere Reserves in India

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Namdapha (B.R) .................. Arunachal Pradesh

Kaziranga (N.P) ...................................... Assam
Manas (N.P) ........................................... Assam
Hazaribagh (N.P) ............................... Jharkhand
Gir (N.P) ................................................. Gujarat
Nalsarovar (S) ........................................ Gujarat
Jaldapara (S) .................................. West Bengal
Manali (S) ............................. Himachal Pradesh
Dachigam (N.P) ..................... Jammu & Kashmir
Salim Ali (N.P) ....................... Jammu & Kashmir
Karakoram (S) ........................ Jammu & Kashmir
Bandipur (N.P) .................................. Karnataka
Kudremukh (N.P) ............................... Karnataka
Ranganathittu (S) .............................. Karnataka
Eravikulam (N.P) ...................................... Kerala
Silent Valley (N.P) .................................... Kerala
Idukki (S) ................................................ Kerala
Indravati (N.P) ............................... Chhattisgarh
Kanha (N.P) .................................. Chhattisgarh
Sariska (N.P) ...................................... Rajasthan
Jim Corbett (N.P) ............................. Uttaranchal
Dudhwa (N.P) ............................... Uttar Pradesh
Nanda Devi (N.P) ............................ Uttaranchal

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Normal duration of the monsoon varies from 2 to 4

months.
The Trans-Himalayan and Greater-Himalayan re-

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Page 92 of 191

Haryana has the least area under forest.

Arunachal Pradesh has the largest percentage of
area under forest.
India provides about 8% of the worlds hardwood
and ranks third after Brazil and Indonesia.
Mangrove forests are found in the coastal plains.
The forests on the Ganges delta in Bengal are called
Sunderbans after the sundari trees in these forests.
Evergreen forests (Tropical) are found in the Western ghats and Sub-Himalayan region. They provide hardwood like teak, rosewood, ebony etc.
Social forestry aims at not only providing
fuelwood, fodder and other forest products, but
also to meet the requirement of ecological balance through large scale afforestation on
community lands and waste lands.
Energy plantations are plantation of softwood and
grass to meet the energy needs of households.
World Environment Day : June 5

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The wild life reserves of India are of two types the Wild life sanctuaries and National parks.
Presently the country has 500 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 92 National Parks and 27 Tiger Reserves.
Wild life protection in India was given statutory
status with the adoption of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 by all the Indian states except
Jammu and Kashmir..
Trade in endangered species is subject to strict
rules under the Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species (CITES) of wild flora and

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Indias Wild Life

fauna, to which India is a signatory.

Some of the endangered species are Asiatic Lion,

One Horned Rhinocerous, Hangul, Royal Bengal
Tiger, Wild Ass etc.

The Animal Welfare Board of India was established in 1962. Research programmes in wildlife
are carried out by the Wild life Institute of India,
Dehradun and the Salim Ali Centre for
Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore.

Project Tiger is the centrally sponsored scheme

launched on April 1, 1973 to save the tigers from
extinction on India.

At present Madhya Pradesh tops the state with

greater number of Tigers. Madhya Pradesh is
known as the tiger state of India. M.P was followed by Uttar Pradesh.

Project Elephant was launched to protect the wild

life and elephant population during the eighth
plan, ie in 1991.

A wild life week is observed in the first week of

October every year.
Biosphere Reserves: Biosphere preserve are multi
purpose protected area to preserve the genetic
diversity in representative eco system.
So far fourteen biosphere reserves have been set
up.
They are: Nilgiri, Nanda Devi, Nokrek, Great
Nicobar, Gulf of Mannar, Manas, Sunderbans,
Similipal, Dibru Daikhowa, Dehong Deband,
Panchmarhi, Khangchendzonga. Agastyamalai
and Achanakamar - Amar Kantak.

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Mineral Wealth In India

Keibul Lamjo is the only floating National

Park in the country, is located in Manipur in
Loktak Lake

India is rich in mineral resources and has the potential to become an industrial power.
India is the 5th largest exporter of Iron ore in the
world.
India is the largest producer of mica in the world.
Jharkhand is the leading producer of mica. Bihar,
Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh also produce mica.
The Great plains of Northern India are devoid of
deposits of economic minerals. On the other hand
Jharkhand and Orissa areas on the North-Eastern
parts of Peninsular India possess large concentration of mineral deposits accounting for nearly
three-fourths of the countrys coal deposits.

Page 93 of 191

Raniganj (West Bengal), Jharia (Bihar), Singarui

(Madhya Pradesh) and Korba (Chhattisgarh) are
the major coal fields in India.

Mineral deposits are also scattered over the peninsular India and in parts of Assam and Rajasthan.
Thorium, a likely future substitute for Uranium as
a fission meterial in atomic reactors, occurs in considerable quantities as ThO2, in the beach sands
of Kerala coast.
Thorianite and Monazite are the main ores of thorium. Monazite deposits of commercial value are
found in about 160 kms between Cape Comorin
and Kollam in Kerala.
India possesses the largest reserves of monazite
known in the world.
Uranium compounds occurs in Singhbhum - copper belt of Jharkhand, Aravalli's and central
Himalaya.
Monazite which contains small percentage of Uranium Oxide occurs in the beach sands of the east
and west in India.

Marble is found largely in Rajasthan.

Diamond is found at Panna in Madhya Pradesh.

India is rich in iron, mica, manganese and bauxite.

India is deficient in copper, lead, mercury, zinc,

tin, nickel, petroleum products, sulphur and
tungsten and spends considerable amounts in
foreign exchange on their imports.

Gypsum deposit is found in Rajasthan.

Leading salt producer in India is Gujarat. It produces 60% of salt of the country.

State with the largest mineral deposit is Jharkhand.

Formerly it was a part of Bihar.

Jharkhand is the state with highest mineral output in India.

Chottanagpur plateau is the richest mineral belt

of India.

Gold is found in the Kolar Gold fields in Karnataka

and in small quantities in Ramigiri gold fields in
Andhra Pradesh.

Lignite is mainly found in the Neyveli fields in Tamil

Nadu.
Natural gas fields are Ankleshwar and Cambay in
Gujarat, Bombay high and Assam.

Almost all the copper in India comes from

Singhbhum and Hazaribagh in Jharkhand and
Khetri in Rajasthan.

India ranks third in the world in the production of

manganese. Orissa is the leading producer of manganese in the state.

Mineral State of India

Jharkhand

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The first successful oil well was sunk at Digboi in

1889. The recently discovered sea-bed oil fields of
Bombay High are also yielding, substantial quantities of oil.
Bombay High is the offshore oil field located in
the coast of Maharashtra.
The first boring was made at Nahor Pung in November, 1866 in Makum area of Assam.
Digboi in Assam is the oldest oil well of India.
Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) was set
up at Dehradun in 1956.

it.

Major Industries in India

The Industrial policy adopted by the Government
of India envisages a mixed economy, i.e., the
co-existance of public and private sectors.

The large scale industries of India covers iron

and steel, engineering, jute, cotton, textiles and
sugar industries.

Cotton textiles is the oldest industry in India. It

has the largest number of workers employed in
an industry.
Mumbai has become the 'cottonpolis' of India.
Ahmadabad Vadodra region is the second largest
centre of cotton textile.

Kanpur is famous for textiles and clothing, large

modern tanneries, leather works and shoe
manufacturing.

Sholapur is famous for important textiles based

on cotton grown in local regular soils.
The first modern cotton textile mill was estab

Page 94 of 191

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Agriculture

it.

Agriculture is the largest source of livelihood for

over 2/3rd (about 70%) of the population of India.
Agriculture contributes 22% to the GDP.

Crops in India can be classified into subsistence

crops, commercial crops, plantation crops and horticulture crops.

Crop season in India can be classified into three

such as Kharif, Rabi and Zayad.
Kharif (rainy) crops are sown in June/July and
harvested in September / October. Rice, Jowar,
Bajra, Ragi, Maize, Cotton and Jute are the important Kharif crops.
Rabi (winter) crops are sown in October/ December and harvested in April/ May. Wheat , Barley ,
Peas, Rape-seed, Mustard and Grams are the important Rabi crops.

Zayad (Summer) crops : Swon in April, May and

June. Products are mostly fruits and vegetables.

Cardamom is found mainly in Karnataka, Kerala,

Sikkim and Tamil Nadu.

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(i) at Vellore (near Kottayam) in Kerala

(ii) at Nepanagar (M.P) - 1955
(iii) Shimoga in Karnataka.
(iv) Pugalur in Tirchchirapalli (T.N.)
West Bengal is the leading state in paper manufacturing.
NALCO (National Aluminium Company Ltd.),
BALCO (Bharat Aluminium Company),
HINDAL CO (The Hindustan Aluminium Corporation Ltd.), The Indian Aluminium Co. Ltd.
(INDAL) are the leading producers of aluminium
in the country.
India is the largest sugar producing country with
over 15% share of the global output. It is also the
largest consumer.
Maharashtra produces more than one third of the
total production of sugar in country.

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lished in Bombay in 1851.

Karnataka is the largest producer of silk.
First modern silk factory - was set up at Howrah in
1832.
Dharwar - Belgaum are known for cotton textiles
railway and general engineering goods.
In 1870, the first steel industry,Bengal Iron
Company was set up at Kulti, West Bengal.
The first large scale steel plant in the private sector was Tata Iron and Steel Company, Jamshedpur.
The public sector steel plants are managed by the
Steel Authority of India (SAIL).
Majority of the jute mills are located in West Bengal. As a foreign exchange earner, it is an important industry in the country.
Rourkela steel plant in Orissa was set up under
the second five year plan in assistance with Germany.
Bokaro, the biggest plant in Asia was set up under the fourth five year plan in association with
the Russian Government. It is located in
Jharkhand.
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is a quasi governmental institution for drawing up standards
for the products of Indian industry. It was established in 1947.
National Productivity Council (NPC) is an autonomous body formed to inculcate productivity in
industries, established in 1958.
Godavari - Krishna delta is known for local tobacco, sugarcane, rice, oil, cement and small textiles.
The industry associated with sports materials
mainly located at Agra, Meerut (UP), Batalla,
Jalandhar (Punjab) and Delhi.
Pinjore in Haryana and Jalahalli in Bangalore are
associated with watch industry.
Moradabad is famous for brass utensils with engraving and polishing.
Indian Explosives factory is located at Gomia in
Hazaribagh (Jharkhand).
First fertilizer plant is near Ranipet of Tamil Nadu
in 1906.
First public sector fertilizer plant is at Sindri
(Jharkhand)
The first synthetic rubber factory was started in
Bareilly in 1955.
There are only four newsprint manufacturing
plant:

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Page 95 of 191

Punjab is
known as the

'Granary of
India.'

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Uttar Pradesh leads in the production of wheat,

sugarcane, maize and barley.

Gujarat is the leading producer state of cotton,

caster seed and groundnut.
Rajasthan leads in the production of coriander (a- n).
West Bengal leads in the rice production and jute
production.
Irrigation in India can be classified into Wells,
Tanks and Canals.
Wells account for about 48% of the total irrigated
area in the country.
Tanks account for about 10% of the total irrigated
area, are used in Central and Southern India.
Canals are the major sources of irrigation in Punjab,
Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. They account for
about 40% of the total irrigated area.

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India is the third largest producer of and fourth

largest consumer of Rubber.
Black pepper is the most important dollar earning
crop.
India occupies second position after Gautemala
in terms of production, productivity and export of
cardamom.
Andhra Pradesh is the largest producer of chillies.
India is the largest (80%) producer of ginger
India stands second in terms of cultivated land
after USA.
Millets (Jowar & Bajra) is a poor man's food.
Two varieties of tea in India : Black tea and Green tea.
Indian Coffee is known for its quality and aroma.
There are two types of coffee : Arabica and
Raibusta. Arabica is better than Raibusta.
Wheat production is highest in Uttar Pradesh
and Punjab comes next.
Operation flood I was launched in 1970, which
aimed at capturing a commanding share of the
liquid milk market.
A centrally sponsored Command Area Development Programme was launched in 1974-75 with the
main objective of improving utilization of irrigation
potential and optimizing agricultural productivity.
India is the leading producer of tea.

it.

nd

Cashewnut is mainly found in Kerala.

Saffron is found mainly in Jammu and Kashmir.
Groundnut is found mainly in Gujarat.
Karnataka is the chief producer of coffee.
Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of sugarcane.

Tobacco is mainly produced in Maharashtra.

The Green Revolution (first) was launched in 1967-68.

The second Green Revolution was launched in

1983-84.

The father of Green Revolution in India - Dr. M.S.

Swaminathan.

Father of Green Revolution - Norman Borlaug.

To increase yield per hectare government of India

introduced a programme called Green Revolution. According to this programme the farmers are
taught to use high yielding variety of seed (H.Y.V),
correct types of fertilisers and the government
has provided facilities of irrigation.

Rice in the staple food of India.

India has the largest area under rice cultivation in
the world
In terms of production it is next only to China.
India occupies second position in rice exports,
nex only to Thailand.

Banana ranks no 1 in fruit production in India's

followed by Mango and citrus.

Potato ranks No. 1 in vegetable production in India, followed by Brinjal, Tomato, Cabbage.

India accounts for 10% of world fruit production.

India has highest productivity in grapes.

India's share in mango production is 54% of world

production

India leads the world in Mango, banana and acid

lime.

India occoupies first position in the production

of cauliflower, second in onion and third in cabbage in the world.

India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of cashew in the world.

India is the largest producer and consumer of

pulses

India is the second largest producer of groundnut in the world.

India is the second largest producer of tobacco in

the world after China.

Tobacco crop depletes the potash content of the

soil.

Page 96 of 191

The most
populous state
of India: Uttar
Pradesh

The least
populous state:
Sikkim

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Largest
populated
city:
Mumbai

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in

The
largest
state:
Rajasthan

The eastern
most state:
Arunachal
Pradesh

The
smallest
state
Goa

The Mineral
state:
Jharkhand

The
smallest
Union
Territory

The southern
most tip of
India: Indira
point

Page 97 of 191

INDUS

INDIA

Indus ( km) is
the
largest
river of Indian
sub continent.
J h e l u m ,
Chenab Ravi,
Sutlej, Beas are
the important
tributaries
Chenab is the
largest of all
the
Indus
tributaries

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in

Water Bodies

nd

T apt i

important west
flowing rivers of
India

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Narmada &
Tapti are the two

am

pu

Brahmaputra

GANGA
It is the longest
river in India
(2640 km).
Formed by two
head streams,
Alakananda and
Bhagirathi which
join at Devprayag.

East Flowing
Rivers
Mahanadi,
Godavari, Krishna,
Kaveri are the
important rivers.
Godavari is the
longest river of the
Peninsula.
Bhima, Krishna and
Thungabhadhra are
the three tributaries
of Krishna.

The Yamuna is the

largest and the
most important
tributary of Ganga.
Ganga is known as
Padma in
Bangladesh.

Page 98 of 191

Brahmaputra is
the second
largest river
system of Indian
sub continent.
After making
deep gorges in
Namcha Barwa,
it enters India in
Arunachal
Pradesh as
Dihang. It
enters Sadiya
District of
Assam and
known as
Brahmaputra.
When it enters
Bangladesh, it is
named as
Meghna.

INDIA Physical Features

Worlds second
highest peak: K2
(Godwin Austin)

Mount Everest:
Highest Peak
in the World
(Nepal)

Kachenjunga
in Sikkim is
the highest
peak of the
Himalaya in
India

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Bhor Ghat, Thal

Ghat, Pal Ghat are
the important passes
of Western Ghats

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Aravallis is the
Oldest Mountain
Range in India

Cardomom Hills
Southern tip of
Eastern Ghats

The highest peak in

Western Ghaths:
Anamudi

Page 99 of 191

Deccan Plateau
is the oldest part of
India

Now India have

Wild life Sanctuaries: 490
National Parks : 88
Keibul Lamjo is the only floating National
Park in India (Manipur)
Sanctuaries/National Parks .... Location & State

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Valmiki ............................ Hazaribagh (Jharkhand)

Simlipal ................................. Mayurbhanj (Orissa)
Palamau .......................... Daltonganj (Jharkhand)
Bandipur ................................ Mysore (Karnataka)
Kanha ...................... Mandla and Balaghat (M.P)
Melghat ............................................... Maharashtra
Ranthambore .......... Swai Madhopur (Rajasthan)
Corbett ............................. Garhwal (Uttarakhand)
Sunderbans ........................................ (West bengal)
Manas ......................................... Barpetal (Assam)
Periya r ........................................... Idukki (Kerala)
Sariska ....................................... Alwar (Rajasthan)
Buxar .................................................... West Bengal
Indra vathi ............................................. Chattisgarh
Nagarjuna Sagar ............................ Srisailam (A.P)
Namdapha ................ Tirap (Aruanchal Pradesh)
Dudwa ............................. Lakhimpur Kheri (U.P)
Kalkad Mundanthuria Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu)
Bandhavagarh ............. Shadol (Madhya Pradesh)
Panna ............................................ Madhya Pradesh
Da mpha .................................... Aizwal (Mizoram)
Bhadra ..................................................... Karna taka

am

INDIA - Minerals
India has the worlds largest
reserves of iron.

ex

Chottanagpur plateau is the

richest mineral belt of India.

India is rich in iron, mica,

manganese and bauxite but
deficient in copper, lead,
mercury, zinc, tin, nickel,
petroleum products, sulphur &
tungsten.

India ranks third in the world in

the production of manganese
Orissa is the leading producer.
Gold is found in Kolar Gold
fields in Karnataka and in small
quantities in Ranigiri gold fields
in Andhra Pradesh.

Page 100 of 191

pu

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River Valley Projects

Idukki Project ........................................................ Periyar

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am

Koyna Project ......................................................... Koyna

Tehri Dam Project ..................... Bhilangana, Bhagirathi

Narmada Sagar Valley Project ......................... Narmada
Obra Power Station .................................................. Obra
Rihand project ....................................................... Rihand

Name of the Project .............................................. River

Bhakra - Nangal Project .......................................... Satlej

Farakka Project ................................. Ganga - Bhagirathi

Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) .............. Damodar

Beas Project ............................................................... Beas

Hirakud Dam Project ......................... Mahanadi (Orissa)

Rajasthan canal project ................ Beas, Ravi and Sutlej

Mayurakshi Project .................................... Murali (A.P.)

Chambal Project ................................................. Chambal

Nagarjunasagar Project ....................................... Krishna

Kakrapara Project ..................................................... Tapti

Kosi Project ................................................................Kosi

Ukai Project ............................................................... Tapti

Pallivasal .....................................Mudirappuzha (Kerala)

Poochampad Project .......................................... Godavari

Peringalkuthu ..................... Chalakkudy Puzha (Kerala)

Malaprabha Project ....................................... Malaprabha

Sabarigiri ................................................. Pamba (Kerala)

Mahi ........................................................................... Mahi

Kuttiyadi ................................. Kuttiyady Puzha (Kerala)

Page 101 of 191

&

ex

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in

Neighbouring Countries

Page 102 of 191

in
it.
nd
pu
am
ex
Page 103 of 191

in
it.
pu

nd

11

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10

5
8

6
7

Page 104 of 191

12

in
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nd
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ex
Page 105 of 191

ex

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in

Golden Quadrilateral - Links Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai

North-South Corridor - Sreenagar to Kanyakumari
East West Corridors - Porbandhar to Silchur

Page 106 of 191

TIMELINE:WORLD HISTORY
BC

c. 2500 : The Pyramids and Great Sphinx were built

in Giza, Egypt.
c. 2500 : The Indus Valley civilisation began to
flourish in the cities of Mohenjo-Daro and
Harappa in what is now Pakistan.

400

: Hippocrates, the father of Medicine

showed that diseases have natural
causes.

399

: Socrates was forced to commit suicide by

drinking hemlock, a poison.

44

: Julius Caesar of Rome was assassinated.

27

: Augustus became the first Roman emperor.

: Birth of Jesus Christ.

AD
1

in

c. 3500 : The Sumerians invented the first form of

writing. It was later simplified to produce
wedge-shaped cuneiform writing, which
spread throughout the Middle East.

: The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were

built.

it.

c. 3500 : A number of small cities, centres of the

worlds
first civilisation, appeared
in Sumer, the lower part of the TigrisEuphrates Valley (present Iraq).

500

: The Chinese invented paper.

nd

c. 9000 : The development of agriculture.

250

: The Mayans developed an advanced civilization in Central America and Mexico.

313

: Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which

granted freedom of worship to Christians of
the Roman Empire.

395

: The Roman Empire split into the East Roman, or Byzantine Empire and the West
Roman Empire.

300

: The Ghana Empire, the first great black

empire in Western Africa, existed as a trading state.

c. 1700 : Code of Hammurabi, one of the first law

codes, was drawn up.

570

: Birth of Prophet Muhammad, the founder

of Islam.

c.1500-1000:The Aryans of central Asia came to India.

610

: Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, began

preaching.

c. 1400 : The making of iron began.

622

: Muhammad, prophet of Islam, fled from

Mecca to Medina. His flight, called the
Hijra, marks the beginning of the Islamic
calendar.

750

: The Abbasids became the Caliphs of

the Islamic world.

800

: Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne, ruler

of the Franks, emperor of the Romans.

pu

c. 2500 : The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Epic of

Creation, the oldest epic poems in world
literature, were written in Mesopotamia.

am

c. 2500-1100: The Minoan civilisation on the island

of Crete rose and fell.

ex

2300s : Sargon of Akkad conquered the Sumerians

and united all Mesopotamia under his rule,
creating the worlds first empire.
c. 1792-1750 : Babylonia flourished under King
Hammurabi.

776

: The first recorded Olympic Games were

held in Greece.

c. 550 : Cyrus the Great established the Persian

Empire.
509

: The people of Rome revolted against their

Etruscan rulers and established a republic.

Page 107 of 191

988

: Vladimir I converted the Russians to

Christianity.

1054

: Rivalries between the church in Rome and

the church in Constantinople resulted in
their separation as the Roman Catholic
Church and Eastern Orthodox Churches,
respectively.

1110

: The Chinese invented the magnetic compass.

1279

: The Mongols gained control of all China.

1300s : The Renaissance began in Italy.

1858

: Great Britain took over the rule of India

from the East India Company after the Indian Revolt.

1869

: The Suez Canal opened.

1871

: Germany became united under the Prussian king, who ruled the new empire as
Kaiser Wilhelm I.

1901

: Trans-Siberian Railway opened. Marconi

sends first wireless message. Sweden
awards first Nobel Prizes.

1902

: First Siamese twins Barnam and Bailey circus twins separated. Thomas Alva Edison
invents a new electrical storage battery. London School of Economics and Political Science opened. Cedric, the world largest ship
(21,000 tons) built. First Trans-Atlantic telegraph message sent.

1492

: Columbus discovered America.

1498

: Vasco da Gama discovered sea route to

India.

1903

pu

1500s : The Reformation led to the birth of

Protestantism.

it.

: The Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople (Istanbul) and overthrew the Byzantine Empire.

nd

1453

in

1400-1450s : The first book printed in Europe with

movable type appeared in the mid-1400s.

am

1519-1521: Ferdinand Magellan commanded the first

globe-circling voyage, completed in 1522
after his death.
: Babar, a Muslim prince, invaded India and
founded the Mughal Empire.

1543

: Nicolas Copernicus proposed that the sun

was the centre of the universe.

1588

: The Royal Navy of England defeated the

Spanish Armada, establishing England as
a great naval power.

1776

: The 13 American colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, establishing the

United States of America.

1904

: Henry Royce produces first motor car, a

10hp 2-cylinder model.

1905

: Frenchman Alfred Binet invents intelligence tests. Albert Einstein says time and
speed are relative. Norwegian explorer
Roald Amundsen lands at Alaska and
finds magnetic pole.

1906

: HMS Dreadnought, worlds most powerful ship, built. SOS (Save our Souls)
adopted as international distress signal. First
submarine, UI, enters service.

1907

: Finland becomes the first to elect women

as MPs. Robert Baden Powell forms Boy
Scout Movement. Establishment of
Kuomintang by Sun Yat-sen. Worlds first
working helicopter made.

1908

: Solid helium developed by Dutch scientists. Professor Albert Einstein presents

ex

1526

1789

: The French Revolution began.

1815

: Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated in the

Battle of Waterloo, ending his attempt to rule
Europe.

: Marie Curie becomes the first woman to

win a Nobel Prize (Physics). Wilber and
Orville Wright fly their Flyer at Kitty
Hawk, North Carolina.

Page 108 of 191

: First pure sample of radium isolated by

Marie Curie. Death of Leo Tolstoy.

1911

: First wireless messages from the air. King

George V crowned King of the United
Kingdom and Emperor of India. Worlds
first official airmail flight between Bamrauli
and Naini (India). Beginning of the the
Chinese Revolution that ended 1000
years of imperial rule. Sun Yat-sen becomes the first president of the Chinese
Republic. Second Nobel Prize awarded to
Marie Curie. Ronald Amundsen reaches
South Pole.
: Titanic, worlds biggest ship sinks in
North Atlantic.

1913

: Grand Central Station, New York, worlds

largest railway station, opened. Neil Bohrs quantum theory of the structure of
atoms published. Thomas Edison invents
a telephone recorder. Noguchi isolates the
virus of rabies.

ex

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1912

1914

: Atoms split by artificial means for the first

time by Professor Ernest Rutherford. First
nonstop flight across the Atlantic by
Alcock and Brown. Treaty of Versailles
signed. First World War ends. Germany declared a republic (Weimar).

1920

: League of Nations inaugurated. The International Court of Justice set up at Hague.

1921

: First BCG vaccine given in France.

1922

: Arms conference in Washington agrees

to outlaw the use of gas in warfare. BBC
formed. Free state of Ireland created.

1923

: Turkey declared a Republic.

: Cancer treated with radium successful.

Heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, the
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and his wife
shot and killed in Sarajevo by a student,
Garvilo Princip. It served as a catalyst for
World War I.

1917

: Russian Revolution. Russia became a republic. Bolsheviks came to power in Russia.

1918

: US President Wilson enumerates his 14

points. Moscow is made the new capital
of Russia. Bolsheviks become the Russian

in

1910

1919

it.

: Londons new direct 7,000 mile telegraphic

link with India opened. Colour films are
screened in public for the first time in
Brighton. North Pole conquered by US
Commander Robert E. Peary.

1924

pu

1909

Communist Party. Tzar Nicholas II and his

family massacred.

: Bacillus causing rabies isolated by the Pasteur Institute, Paris. Edwin Hubble discovers the unknown boundaries of the Milky
Way.

nd

his Quantum theory of light. Jack

Jackson (USA) is the first Negro to become world heavyweight champion.

1925

: John Logie Baird perfects television.

1926

: Abdul Aziz ibn Saud proclaimed King of the

Hejaz who named his country Saudi Arabia.

1927

: The Jazz Singer, the first talkie, made. First

solo non-stop flight between New York
and Paris made by Charles Lindbergh.

1928

: Germ killing mould discovered by Alexander Fleming, London. Stalins First Five
Year Plan.

1929

: Wall Street crash, the biggest financial

crisis of the century.

1930

: Pluto, the 9th planet, discovered by

Claude Tombaugh. First modern computer designed by Vannevar Bush and his
team.

1931

: Thomas Alva Edison dies.

1932

: Chadvick discovers the neutron.

1933

: Adolf Hitler, Nazi leader, becomes Chancel-

Page 109 of 191

: Walt Disneys first feature-length cartoon,

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

1939

: Spanish Civil War comes to an end. Pact of

Steel between Italy and Germany. World
War II begins.

1941

: Birth of modern commercial television.

The Japanese attack Pearl Harbour,
bringing USA into World War II.

1944

: DNA discovered. Bretton Woods Conference.

1945

: Mussolini killed by Italian partisans Hitler commits suicide. 50 nations sign the
World Security Charger to establish UN.
UN Charter signed by 50 countries.
Postdam Conference. Little Boy, a Uranium-235 fission bomb, dropped over
Japanese city Hiroshima, explodes, 570
mts. above ground, instantly killing over
70,000. A 22-kiloton plutonium 239 bomb,
Fat Man, dropped over Nagasaki, explodes 510 mts above ground, killing
40,000 immediately. The International
Monetary Fund and the World Bank are
founded.

: Agatha Christies Mousetrap performs its

1,998th performance. Russia launches a
man-made satellite, Sputnik-1.

1958

: US enters space arena, launching Explorer-1.

1959

: Dalai Lama, fleeing from Tibet reaches India and finds sanctuary. Pictures of the dark
side of the moon sent back by Lunik III.

1960

: Sirimavo Bandaranaike sworn in as the

worlds first woman Prime Minister in Sri
Lanka. John F. Kennedy elected president
of USA youngest man and first Roman
Catholic to be elected.

1961

: Inter-planetary space station launched by

USSR. Soviet Unions Yuri Gagarin, becomes the first man to fly in space. Alan
Shephard Jr. becomes the first American
in Space. East Germans erect a five foot
wall (Berlin Wall). UN Secretary-General
Dag Hammarskjld killed in an aircrash.

am

ex

in

1938

1957

it.

: Spanish Civil War begins. Germanys

Peoples Car Volkswagen launched.

: Non Alignment Movement founded.

pu

1936

1956

nd

lor of Germany.

1962

: John Glenn becomes the first American

to orbit Earth in Mercury.

1963

: Valentina Tereshkova (USSR) becomes

first woman in space. Martin Luther
Kings immortal I have a dream speech.
US President John F.Kennedy assassinated.

1965

: Singapore recedes from Malaysia to become an independent state.

1946

: Paris Peace Conference.

1947

: IMF begins operations.

1948

: GATT enters into force. New state of Israel proclaimed.

1966

: Luna 9 of USSR makes the first soft lunar

landing.

1952

: King George VI of UK dies and Elizabeth

II becomes Queen. Artificial heart used
for the first time in USA. A non-violent
campaign against apartheid begins in
South Africa.

1967

: Apollo I cabin bursts at the Kennedy

Space Centre launch pad killing three.

1968

: Martin Luther King assassinated.

1969

: Arafat head of PLO. Anglo-French supersonic airline Concorde introduced. Neil

Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin become the
first men to set foot on the moon.

1970

: Kingdom of Cambodia becomes the

Khmer Republic.

1953

: Chinas five-year plan begins. Hammarskjld

sworn in as UN Secretary- General. Mount
Everest conquered by Edmund Hillary and
Tensing Norway.

Page 110 of 191

: Agreement ending Vietnam War signed.

1974

: U.S President Nixon resigns following the

Watergate Scandal. Gerald Ford takes over.

1975

: Japans Junko Tabei becomes first women

to scale Everest. Army coup in Bangladesh. Mujibur Rehman killed.

1977

: Coup in Pakistan; Bhutto deposed; Gen.

Zia-ul-Haq takes over.

1978

: Louise Brown, the first test tube baby, born

in UK.

1979

: Z.A. Bhutto executed. Margaret Thatcher

becomes first woman Prime Minister of Britain. SALT II agreement signed by Jimmy
Carter and the Soviet leaders.
: The reusable Space Shuttle Columbia
launched. TGV, worlds fastest train, makes
its inaugural run from Paris to Lyons.

1982

: Russias Venus-13 lands on Venus.

1984

: Dorjei conquers the Everest without oxygen.

1985

: The Rainbow Warrior, flagship of ecological

group Greenpeace, sinks after explosion in
Auckland.

1986

: New Zealander, Richard Hadlee, becomes

the first cricketer to take 400 test wickets.
Nelson Mandela freed after 27 years in
prison. Iraq invades Kuwait. UN imposes
embargo on Iraq. Unification of Germany.
Formal end of Cold War.

1991

: Gulf War. Warsaw Pact disbanded. Kuwait fully liberated. Khaleeda Zia appointed first woman Prime Minister of
Bangladesh. Formal end to the Soviet
Union. Commonwealth of Independent
states formed.

1992

: Earth Summit in Rio.

1993

: Bill Clinton new US President. Netherlands

becomes the first country to sanction
mercy killings. Allan Border betters
Gavaskars record (10,122 runs). Sri Lankan
President Ranasinghe Premadasa assassinated. USAs Strategic Defense Initiative
(SDI) stopped. Maastricht Treaty on European Union comes into effect.

ex

am

pu

1981

1990

in

1973

onstrate for democratic rights. Chinese

troops storm Tienanmen Square and
crush the pro-democracy campaign. Ayatollah Khomeini dies. Demolition of Berlin Wall. Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia.

it.

: Vietnam War comes to an end (57,000

Americans lost their lives). Mujibur
Rehman declares Bangladesh independent. Marines-9 orbits Mars (first spacecraft to do so).

nd

1971

: US Space Shuttle Challenger explodes after takeoff, killing seven astronaut. Soviet
Unions Mir Space Station launched.
Nuclear leak in Chernobyl power station.
Ann Bancroft becomes first woman to
reach North Pole.

1994

: End of Apartheid in South Africa. The

comet Shoemaker Levy 9 smashes into Jupiter.

1995

: WTO comes into effect. Austria, Finland

and Sweden become new members of EU.
Kobe earthquake in Japan kills 4,700
people. DNA code of living organisms deciphered.

1988

: Pakistan President General Zia-ul-Haq

killed in an air crash. India quells invasion of Maldives by sea-borne group.
George Bush elected President of USA.

1996

: Gary Kasparov wins chess series against

IBM computer Deep Blue. Arafat becomes President of Palestinian Authority.

1989

: Ranasinghe Premadasa becomes President of Sri Lanka. Students in Beijing dem-

1997

: British scientists clone a sheep (Polly). Hale

Bopp comet comes closest to earth (200

Page 111 of 191

m.km). Labour Party wins polls in Britain;

Tony Blair becomes Prime Minister. Chemical weapons convention takes effect. Britain hands back Hong Kong to China. Mars
Pathfinder sends pictures of Mars. Diana,
Princess of Wales killed in a car accident.
1998

the German Novelist, Gnter Grass.

: China celebrates the 50th anniversary of
Communist rule
: Army takes over in Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif
sacked and confined to House.
: World population turns 6 billion.

: Myanmar celebrates its 50th anniversary

of independence. Pope John Paul II visits
Cuba.
: Sri Lanka celebrates its 50th anniversary
of independence. Communist Manifesto
completes 150 years of publication. US
scientists produce the worlds first cloned
Calf named Mr. Jefferson.

: The US formally transfers the control over

the Panama Canal to Panama.
2000

: At the NPT conference in the United Nations, USA, Russia, France, Britain and
China pledge to eliminate atomic weapons, without setting a time table.

it.

ex

am

: Jose Saramago, the Portuguese novelist

win 1998 Nobel prize for literature.
Amartya Sen of India wins 1998 Nobel
Prize for Economics. John Glenn, 77, the
oldest man in space.
1999

: An e-mail virus I Love You created by a

Filipino creates wide spread damage to
computer systems across the world.

nd

pu

: France win World Cup Football.

in

: James Camerons Titanic wins 11 Oscar

awards.
: India conducts five nuclear tests (three on
11th May and two on 13th May 1998).
Pakistan conducts six nuclear test (5 on
28th May and one on 30th May 1998).

: Ananova, the worlds first virtual newsreader, makes her debut on the internet at
www.ananova.com.

: Twelve European countries launch single

currency, the Euro.
: The South African Parliament elects
Thabo Mbeki, the countrys new President.
: The US space shuttle, Columbia, blasts
off under the first woman commander
Eileen Collins, after two failed attempts.
: The former New Zealand Prime Minister,
Mike Moore, takes over as the head of the
World Trade Organisation.
: S.R. Nathan, sworn in as Singapores sixth
president.
: The 1999 Nobel Prize for Literature goes to

Page 112 of 191

: Fijis President declares a state of emergency after a group of gunmen led by

George Speight seize the nations first ethnic Indian Prime Minister, Mahendra Pal
Chaudhry and his Cabinet colleagues and
MPs as hostages.
: The North Korean leader, Kim Jong Il and
the South Korean President, Kim Dae
Jung meet at the North Korean capital
Pyongyang. They decide to work for the
unification of the Korean Peninsula.
: The two-day G-15 summit begins in Cairo
(Egypt). It has now 19 members with the
inclusion of Columbia and Iran.
: The International Space Station linked up
smoothly with the Russian-made Zvezda
control module. Zvezda is the first module built solely by Russians.
: George Speight, the leader of the coup
in Fiji, is arrested.
: The US astronomers announce that they
have detected 10 new planets outside the

solar system. It brings the total number of

planets circling other stars, so-called
exoplanets, to 50.

elected to the Senate.

: Margaret Atwood of Canada wins the
coveted Booker Prize 2000 for her novel,
The Blind Assassin.

: British Airways suspends Concorde

operations.

: Netherlands becomes the first country to

legalise euthanasia, (the mercy killing).

: Carl Banks, the Disney Illustrator and creator of Donald Duck passes away.

: Nawaz Sharif pardoned off and exiled to

Saudi Arabia.

: Tuvalu, a Pacific island state admitted to

the United Nations as its 189th member in
its first session of the New Millennium in
New York (USA).
: French voters approve a referendum on
shortening the Presidential term to five
years.

: George W. Bush declared elected as the 43rd

President of United States.
2001

: ANDi the worlds first genetically modified monkey, created.

in

: Russia recognises Yugoslav opposition

leader, Vojislav Kostunicas, historic presidential election victory over Slobodan
Milosevic.

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it.

: The radical Islamic Taliban regime in Afghanistan demolishes two huge statues
of the Buddha at Bamiyan.
: Dennis Tito of the United States becomes
the first person to tour the space.

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: Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the worlds first

elected woman Prime Minister, passes
away.

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: Gao Xingjian, a dissident Chinese novelist and playwright settled in France who
left China in 1987 to settle in France, wins
the Nobel Prize for Literature for 2000 for
his work that has opened new paths for
the Chinese novel and drama.

: The Guinness Book of World Records,

sets a new record of its own selling seven
million copies of its first edition of the
new century.
: Hillary Clinton, wife of US President Bill
Clinton, wins the US Senate seat from New
York. Thus, she becomes the first wife of
a President in American history to be

: Denise Quinones August chosen as the

50th Miss Universe at a function in
Bayamon in Puerto Rico.
: The Organisation of African Union (OAU)
becomes African Union (AU).

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: Kim Dae Jung, South Korean President,

selected for the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize
for his work towards peace and reconciliation with North Korea that led to a
ground breaking summit with his North
Korean counterpart.

: The 15-year-old Mir Space Station abandoned

: Gen. Pervez Musharraf takes over as the

President of Pakistan.
: United Nations (UN) Secretary General
and V.S. Naipaul win the Nobel Prize For
peace and Literature respectively for 2001.
2002

: Euthanasia or mercy killing comes into

force in Netherlands.
: Robert Mugabe elected President of
Zimbabwe.
: Xanana Gusmao, the independence leader
of East Timor, elected President of the island nation.
: Mark Shuttleworth of South Africa becomes the second space tourist.

Page 113 of 191

: The Iraqi special Tribunal holds the first

hearing in the trial of Saddham Hussian.
: Afghanistan holds its first ever presidential election.
: Scientists discover a new tiny species of
human that lived in Indonesia.
: Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat dies in
Paris.
2005

in

: Muhammed Abbas is sworn in as Palestinian Authority President.

it.

: Taiwan and China agree Temporarily lift

Taipes five - decade ban on direct flights
between the two rivals.
:

Former Lebanese Prime Minister RafikalHariri is assassinated in a car bombing in

central Beirut close to the harbour.

The trial of pop star Michael Joseph

Jackson gets underway in Santa Maria
over a year since his arrest on charges of
child molestation.

American aviator Steve Fosset completes

the first solo fight around the world without refuelling and lands his jet plane in
Salina Kansas.

Israel open the worlds largest Holocast

museum on Mount Herzi in Jerusalem to
commemorate the six million Jews exterminated by the Nazis.

Jalal Talabani is sworn in Iraqi President

making him the first non-Arab head of an
Arab nation. Shia leader Irabhim Jaafari
is nominated as the Prime Minister.

Pope John Paul II, the Peoples Pope or

the Travelling Pope is laid to rest in
the cryst of St. Peters Baslica in Vatican.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany is

elected 265 th Pope and is to be known as
Benedict XVI.

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2004

: NASAs unmanned. Probe Deep Impact

collided with the comet Tempel-1 on June
3, 2005.
G-8 Summit was held at Gleneagles, Resort, Scotland on July 6-8, 2005

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2003

: Switzerland becomes the 190th member

of UNO.
: Hamid Karzai elected President of Afghanistan.
: The International criminal Court (ICC)
starts functioning in the Hague (Netherlands)
: The UN Earth Summit held in Johannesburg (South Africa)
: East Timor joins as the 191st member of
the United Nations.
: The 17th Commonwealth Games held in
Manchester (U.K)
: The 14th Asian Games held in Busan
(South Korea)
: Miss Asra Akin crowned as Miss World.
: SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome) outbreak in China and spreads
all over world killing thousands.
: The space shuttle Columbia perished in
space. Seven astronauts including
Dr. Kalpana Chawla died (February).
: The USA and Britain jointly launch
Operation Iraqi Freedom to liberate Iraq
from Sadam Hussain, who build up weapons of mass destruction.
: Spirit and Opportunity land on Mars.
: 28th Summer Olympics was held in Athens in Greece. The USA secured first
place, China stood at second. India won
only one silver.
: Bomb attacks on four Madrid commuter
trains kill 191 and injure hundreds more
: Photos of US soldiers allegedly abusing
Iraqi detainees in Abu Gharaib prison
emerge.
: A team of Russian scientists and another
of US scientists report the discovery of
two new chemical elements. These are elements 113, given the temporary name
Ununtrium (Uut) and element 115 designated Ununpentium (Uup)

Page 114 of 191

Lakshmi Mittals 18.6 billion euro takeover bid for Arcelor is blocked by a change
in Luxemburg corporate law.

Solar eclipse observe in Turkey.

Kuwaits first woman Prime Minister

Maasuma al Mubarak, takes out in Parliament.

Junichiro Koizumi is re-elected as Japanese Primier by the new House of Representatives at a special session in Tokyo.

Kavya Vishwanathans novel How Opal

Mehta Got kissed, Got wild and got a Life
being recalled from store shelves, after
she admits copying passages fr
om
another book.

The IAEA and its chief Muhammed El

Baradei get the Nobel Peace Prize for their
work in Stopping the spread of nuclear
weapons.

Britain replaces US as the publisher of

most new books in English.

Earthquake measuring 6.2 rocks

Yogyakarta in Java killing about three
thousand as per first reports.

J.K. Rowling voted the greatest living

British writer in a survey, followed by
Terry Pratchett, Ian Mcewan, Salman
Rushdie, Kazuo Ishiguro and Philip Pullman.

it.

The worlds first facial transplantation is

done on a French woman Isabella Dinoire
in Amiens.

nd

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The Dhaka Declaration decides to set up

a SAARC Poverty Alleviation Fund and
to declare 2006 - 2015 the SAARC decade
of Poverty Alleviation.

Worlds oldest tortoise Harriet dies at 176

years in Australia.

Montenegro becomes the 192th member

of United Nations

Qinghai - Tibet railway the worlds highest and longest highland railway becomes
operational.

US space probe Stardust returns to

earth carrying precious samples of dust
from stars and comets.

Chile elects Michaelle Bachelet to be its

first woman President.

NASA launches the first space mission

to Pluto, as the New Horizons spacecraft
is hurled on a 9-year 4.5 b - KM journey.

First world summit of religious leaders in

Moscow is attended by 200 representatives from 40 countries.

35th summit of World Economic Forum

opens, in Davos, Switzerland.

Italy beats France 5-3 to win World Cup

Football.

French actress Eva Green chosen as the

new James Bond girl.

Kiran Desai wins the Booker Prize.

Bhutans king Jigme Singye Wangchuk

abdicates the throne after a 34 year reign
in favour of his son crown prince Jigme
Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk.

The former Iraqi President Saddam

Hussein is hanged to death in Baghdad
for the 1982 killing of 148 persons of Dujail
town, three years after being captured by
the US forces.

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2006

in

Albanian poet and novelist Ismail Kadare

is named the winner of the Man Booker
International Prize, a brand new laurel for
the worlds finest writers.

Jamaica to have Portia Simpson Miller as

Prime Minister, the first woman head of
the state.

Oscar award announced : Crush is the

best film, Philip Seymour Hoffman - best
actor, Reese Witherspoon - best actress
and Ang Lee - Best Director.

Page 115 of 191

World History

First metal used by man was copper

The Pre-historic period is divided into four distinct periods.

Paleololithic Period (Old Stone Age) 5,000,000 10,000 BC

Mesolithic Period (Late Stone Age) 10,000 4000

BC

Neolithic period (New stone Age) 6000 1000 BC

Chalcolithic Period (Metal Age)

The possible ancestor of hominids (Proconsul)

appeared in East Africa towards 20,000,00 BC

Australopithecus was the first hominids on the

earth, which appeared in East Africa towards
3,700,000 BC.

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Homohabilis was the first hominid tool maker,

which appeared in Africa towards 2,100,000 BC.

Zinjanthropus, which was found in the Great

Rift Valley of Central Africa, is considered to be
the earliest in the human species.

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The earliest known primate (Plesiandapis) appeared on the earth towads 70,000,000 BC.

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Java Man existed some seven lakh years ago in

Java and Peking Man who existed some three
lakh years ago excavated from Peking in China
are some humans of the Paleolithic Period.
Most famous Paleolithic man was the
Neandarthal Man who was discovered from
Germany.
Cromagnan (France) and Grimaldi (Itali) men belonged to the Middle Stone Age.
Paleolithic people used tools and implements
made of rough stone.

in

They ate raw flesh and wild fruits and vegetables.

They had no idea of agriculture. They belonged
to the Negrito race.
Paleolithic men led a nomadic life, ie, wandering
from one place to another.
Neolithic Age means the New Stone Age.
People learnt the art of cultivation and the
Neolithic Age was the food producing stage.
They started using polished and sharp stone
implements.
Man began to domesticate animals during the
Neolithic Age. Dog was the first animal domesticated by man.
Wheat and Barley were the earliest cereals grown
by man.
Potters Wheel was invented in the Neolithic Age.
Paleolithic Age is known as the Age of Hunters
while the Neolithic Age is known as the Age of
Farmers.
Most polished weapon of the Neolithic Age was
the Stone axe.
Man discovered the use of jute and began to use
cloth made of jute during the Neolithic period.
Early men started the settled life in the Neolithic
period.
Earliest human villages appeared towards 6000BC
in Egypt and Mesopotamia.
The Barter system of exchange came into practice during the Neolithic period.
Family life also began during the Neolithic Age.
The concept of State also originated during the
Neolithic period.
Chalcolithic Age is known as the Metal Age.

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Pre-Historic Period

Page 116 of 191

Copper was first used to make ornaments and

tools.

The period when man began to use Bronze tools

and weapons is known as Bronze Age.

The period when man began to use iron is known

as Iron Age.

MAJOR HUMAN RACES OF THE WORLD

Majority of modern Human race belonged to the

Mongloid race.

People living in Japan, China, Indonesia, Formosa

Tibet etc belonged to the Mongloid race.

People lived in Ancient Egypt belonged to the

Hemitic race.

Ancient Babilonians, Hebrews, Phoenesians,

Arabs etc belonged to the Semitic race.

Semitic, Hemitic and Indo-Europeans are the subgroups of the Caucasoid race.

Hieroglyphics

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ORIGIN OF LANGUAGES AND WRITING

SUMERIAN

OR MESOPOTAMIAN
CIVILIZATION (3000 -1600 BC)

Man began to speak meaningfully during the

Neolithic Period.

English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Greek,

Russian, Persian, Sanskrit and American languages belonged to the Indo-European or Aryan
language group

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Hebrew, Arabic, Abyssenian early Assirian and

Phoenesian languages belonged to the Semitic
group of languages.

Languages spoken by the people lived around

Mediterranean sea were of the Hemitic group.

Lapis, Finnish, Magyar,Tartar, Manchu, Mongol

etc, belonged to the Turanean group of languages.

Egyptians were the first to use Phonetic writing.

The early writing of the Egyptians were known as

Hieroglyphics.

Phoeniseans were considered as the originators

of the modern pattern of writing.

in

Pigmies seen in Africa, South East Asia and

Indonesia is a subgroup of the Negroids.

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People living in Africa, Arabia, India, Malaysia,

Australia and Tansania belonged to the Negroid
Race.

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Sumerian civilisation flourished on the banks of

rivers Euphrates and Tigris later came to be
known as Mesopotamian civilisation
The word Mesopotamia means land between rivers.
The name Mesopotamia was given by the Greeks.
The area where Mesopotamian civilisation existed
belonged to modern Iraq.
The northern part of Mesopotamia was known as
Assiria and southern part was known as
Babilonia.
The first dynasty in the world was established at
Ur in Sumeria in 3000 BC.

CUNIEFORM WRITING
The Sumerians are credited with the invention
of a distinctive system of writing known as
Cunieform. They wrote on clay tablets using
wedge shaped letters. The name Cunieform was
originated from the Latin word cuneus which
means wedge. The Cunieform script was
desciphered by Henry Rawlinson.

Page 117 of 191

Ur, Urukh, Lagash, Uma, Nippor were the major

cities of the Sumerians.
The Sumerian Empire declined towards BC 2650
due to the attack of the Accadians.
The chief architect of the Acadian empire was
Sargon.
Dungi was the most important ruler of the
Sumerians.
The writing system of the Sumerians was known
as Cunieform.
Mesosoptamian seals throw light on the trade
relation between the Indus people and the
Sumerians.

ciple of an eye for eye and tooth for a tooth.

Babilonian people invented water clock and sundial to know the time.

Assirians were credited for the invention of the

system of dividing a circle into 360 degrees.

Mesopotamian civilisation is also known as the

melting pot of civilisation.

Egyptian Civilisation (3000 BC 1750 BC)

Egyptian civilisation flourished on the banks of

Nile river.

Egyptian kings were known as Pharoh

The Mesopotamians invented wheel and glassware.

Pharoh means one who lives in a mansion.

Mesopotamian civilization is considered to be the

worlds first urban civilisation.

Hyksus were a semetic group of people who

captured Egypt towards BC 1750.

Mesopotamians discovered the system of Geometry. It was later called Pythagorus Theorem.

A Lunar Calendar based on the Moon was one

of the major achievements of the Sumerians.

Mesopotamians were worshippers of multi Gods.

Their major God was the Sky God Anu.

Mesopotamians were the first to invent the system of Multiplication.

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Egyptian Queen Hatsheput is considered as the

first women ruler of the world.

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Ramses III is considered as the last of great

Pharohs of Egypt.
Egyptians were the first to invent a solar calendar having 365 days with 12 months of 30 days
each.

Empires, water supply system, use of gold and

silver for transaction, code of laws, libraries, educational centres, poetry, literature, sculpture, palaces, arches, pillars, domes, slavery, autocracy
imperialism etc first originated in Sumeria.

Egyptian Sun God

was known as
Ra or Re.

Hammurabi is known as the founder of Early

Babilonian
Empire.

Osiris was the

Goddess of truth
worshipped by the
Egyptians.

Preserved dead
Mummies
bodies of the
Egyptians were
known as mummies. Mummification shows their
belief in life after death.

Egyptians were responsible for the invention of

Addition, Subtraction and Division.

The word Chemistry was originated from the

Egyptian language.

Egyptian script was pictographic in nature. It was

known as Hierogliphics.

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Hammurabi
was responsible for the introduction of a
code of conduct
to
the
Mesopotamians.
It was based
on the prin-

Hammurabi

Page 118 of 191

The word Hierogliphic means sacred writing. It

consisted of 24 signs. Vowels were not used. The
Egyptian alphabets were deciphered by
Champollion.

knots made in strings.

Paper was invented by the Chinese.

Lao-Tse, Confucious and Mencious were the three

major Philosophers of ancient China.

Lao-Tse was the founder of the most important

religion of China known as Taoism.

Lao-Tse is considered as the Chinese Buddha

Confucianism was the new religion founded by

Confucious.

The Great Temple of Abu Simbel is known as

the Temple of the Rising Sun, since the rays
of the rising sun get into the temple.

Pyramids were the Tombs of Egyptian Pharohs.

First Pyramid was built about 2700 BC.

Greatest of the Pyramids was the Great Pyramid

at Giza built by Pharoh Khufu.

Siesmograph and Gun Powder were also invented

by the Chinese.

Biggest of the temples built by the Egyptians was

the temple at Karnak.

Tea was invented by the Chinese.

Great Pyramid at Giza is the only survivor of the

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

Earliest coins were believed to have used by the

Egyptians.

Indus Valley Civilisation was discovered as a result of the archaeological excavations carried out
in 1920-22 at Mohenjodaro and Harappa (Both in
Pakistan) by R D Banarjee and Dayaram Sahni.
John Marshall was the Director General of the
Archaeological Survey of India at that time (more
details are given in the Indian History part).

Persians belonged to the Indo-European race.

Cyrus was the strongest of the Persian rulers.

Cyrus is considered as the founder of the Persian Empire.

Greatest of the Persian rulers was Darius I.

Darius I was responsible for the foundation of

the ever largest empires of the world.

The Greeco- Persian conflict began during the

period of Darius I.

The Battle of Marathon (BC 490) between the

Persians and Athenians was led by Darius I.

The writing of the Persians was Cunieform,

adopted from the Mesopotamians.
The Persian priests were known as Maji.
The English word Magician was originated from
the Persian word Maji.

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Chinese Civilisation

Chinese Civilisation originated on the banks of

river Hwang Ho.

Shang dynasty was the first dynasty to rule China

from BC 1750-1125.

The Qin dynasty established Chinas first strong

central government.

Chin ruler Shih Hwangti was responsible for the

construction of the Great Wall of China to prevent the Huna invasion.

Shih Hwangti was the founder of Chin dynasty.

The Great Wall is 1500 mile long and having 20

feet breadth and 20 feet height.

Early communication of the Chinese was done by

in

it.

Persian Civilisation existed in modern Iran

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Indus Valley Civilisation

Persian Civilisation

Sphinx
Sphinx was a mythological animal of the
ancient Egyptians. It was
the largest of the Egyptian statues. It has a human head and the body
of a lion. It has 100 feet
length and 70 feet height.

Page 119 of 191

Herodotus who, wrote

about the Persian war
was a Greek historian.
He is considered as
the Father of History.

Demosthenese was a
world famous Greek
orator

Avesta is known as Persian Bible

Thales of Meletus is
considered as the father of Greek Mathematics

Pythagoras who made

great contributions in
Geometry was a Greek.

Anaxagoras, Euclid etc were famous Greek Mathematicians.

Greek Civilisation
Greek Civilisation dates back to 800 BC

Greece is in the European continent.

Greece is on the coast of Mediterranean sea.

The civilisation existed in Greece, before the

Greeks was known as Aegean Civilization.

Early Greek immigrants were known as Ionians.

Greeks were collectively known as Hellenes.

Hence their civilization was known as Hellenistic Civilization.

Herodotus

Hippocrates, who is considered as the father of

Medical Science was a Greek.

Leopold Van Ranke, a German historian is considered as the father of Modern History.

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Zorastrianism (Persian religion) was founded by

Zorathushtrar.
The Parsies of India believe in Zorastrianism.
Ahuramazda is the God of the Zorastrian religion.
Ahriman was considered as the evil spirit by
the Persians.
Avesta (Zend Avesta) is the sacred book of
Zorastrianism.

it.

Homer, a blind poet, composed Greek epics Illiad

and Odyssey.

Homer lived in the 9th century BC.

Democracy was originated in Greece. Greek Democracy was direct democracy.

Greek Civilisation reached the Zenith of its

progress during the period of Pericles, a ruler of
Athens. His Age is considered as the Golden
Age of Athens. Under Pericles the city of Athens
got the name the School of Hellas.

Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Thebes, Mascedonia etc

were the major city states in Greece.

Aristotle was the tutor of Alexander the Great.

Pindar was a famous Greek Lyric Poet.

Aesceles was the greatest of the Greek dramatists, who wrote famous tragedies.

Aristotle founded a school named Lycium in Athens.

Greeks were the first to introduce Vowels in the

alphabet.

Aristotle is considered as the father of Biology,

Politics and the Science of Reasoning.

Aristotle was considered as a Walking University.

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Thucydides another great Greek historian wrote

the history of the Peloponnesian war between
Athens and Sparta.
Socrates the Greatest of the Greek philosphers
was forced to commit suicide by drinking Hemlock a poison, in 399 BC.
Zantippee was the wife of Socrates.
Plato was the student of Socrates.
Platos original name was Aristocles.
Plato founded a university named Academy in
Athens.
Republic was the famous work of Plato.
Aristotle was the famous student of Plato.

The civilisation of Greek city states is known as

Classical Civilisation.

Euripides and Aristophenes were the other famous Greek dramatists.

Page 120 of 191

Hipparchus calculated the diameter of the Moon.

Erathosthenes calculated the circumference of the

Earth.

Punic Wars were fought between Rome and

Carthage.

The first Olympic Games were held at Olympia in

Greece in 776 BC.

Julius Caesar one of the prominent rulers of Rome

was born in 102BC.

Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44BC by Casius,

Brutus and other senators.

The Roman Emperor Theo-dosius banned Olympics in 394 BC. (more details about Olypics could
be seen in sports and games portion)

I came, I saw, I conquered His famous saying

Caesar modified the Old Calendar which had only

355 days, New Calendar came to be known as
Julian Calendar.

Macedonian Empire
Mascedonia was a Greek city state. It became a
prominent empire under its king Philip II (359 336 BC)

Later this calendar was modified by Pope Grigory

XIII and came to be known as Grigorian Calendar.

Alexander the Great, the son and successor of

Philip II, was born in 350 BC and became the ruler
in 337 BC.

Caesarism means autocracy or imperial

supermacy.

Alexander defeated the Persian ruler Darius III.

Alexander captured Egypt and founded the city
of Alexandria there.
Alexander invaded India in 326 BC and defeated
Porus, the ruler of Taxila.
He died at the age of 33 in 323 BC at Babilonia.
Ptolemy, a commander of Alexander is considered as the Father of Cartography.

Constantine was the first Roman king who accepted Christianity.

The city of Constantinople was founded by

Constantine.
Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople in 1453.
The Greatest contribution of Romans to the world
is their code laws.
Vergil the author of Aenid was famous Roman
poet.
Lucricius the author of On the Nature of
Things was famous Epicurian Philosopher.
Pliny wrote the famous book Historia Naturalis
Romans were the inventors of concrete and the
technique of binding stone and bricks.
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is a
famous book written by Edward Gibbon.

Archemedes the originator of the law of specific

gravity lived in the Hellenistic Age.

Roman Civilisation

City of Rome was known as City of Seven Hills.

City of Rome was founded in BC 753 by two brothers Romulas

and Romus.

The idea of
Republic originated in Rome.

Senate was
the Roman
Assembly of
Elders

Rome

Roman Civilisation developed on the banks of

river Tiber in Italy.

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Major Religions of the World

Judaism- Christianity - Islam
Judaism is one of the oldest religions of the world.
Abraham is considered as the father of the Jews.
Jews are the believers of one God, Jehovah.
Jews are the selected people of Jehovah
Mosses is considered as the founder of Judaism.
Mosses freed Egypt from slavery and gave the
Ten Commandments at the Mount of Senai.

Page 121 of 191

Christianity

Revelation is the last book of Bible.

Tamil was the first Asian language in which Bible

was printed (1715)

Ponthios Pelathos was the Roman Governor who

tried Jesus Christ.

Crusification of Christ was on a Friday, now it is

observed as Good Friday.

Islam

Hijas is known as the birthplace of Islam. The

Island which includes Hijas is known as the Island of Arabs.

Ka aba was the ancient worshipping centre in

Mecca.

Muhammed Nabi was born in AD 570 in the

Khuraisi tribe in Mecca. His father was Abdulla
and mother was Amina.

The Word Islam was originated from the root of

Aslama.

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Christianity was originated from Judaism.

Jesus Christ was born in 4 BC at Bethlahem in
the small town of Nasreth in Galeleo.
King Herodos of Yuda was a contemporary of
Jesus Christ.
Roman emperors Augustus and Thiberius Caesar had direct contact to Jesus Christ.
Those who believe in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ came to be known as Christians.
Christianity was spread to Kerala by St. Thomas
Aposthel in 52 AD (Crangannore).
Bible has four Gospels. They are the Gospels of
Mathews, Markose, Yohannan and Luckose.
Christ was crusified by the Jews in 29 AD.
Christ spoke in the Aramic Language which was
a mixture of Cyriac and Hebrew.
Roman Emperor Constantine gave freedom to the
Roman Christians through his Milan Proclamation (AD 313)

Invisible forces which acts as per the directions

of the god are known as Malakku.

Khadeeja was the first to receive the message of

Muhammed.

Muhammed Nabi fled from the Mecca to Medina

to escape from the Khuraisis on 24th September
AD 622. This day is known as Hijra.

The followers who accompanied Muhammed to

Medina are known as Muhajirs.

He died on 8th June 632 AD at Medina.

Ka aba was the first centre established in the

world worship Allah.

Koran, Hadis and Ijmah are the basis of Islamic

law.

Khalifa became the head of Islam after the death

of Muhammed.

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testament.

it.

Judaism is considered as the mother religion of

Christianity and Islam.
Thorah is the Sacred text of the Jews
Thorah is included in the Old Testament of Bible.
The Hebrew word Thorah means to lead .
Synagogue is the worshipping centre of the Jews.
The White Jews Synagogue at Mattanchery in
Cochin is a worshipping centre of Jews in Kerala.
Jarusalem was the famous pilgrim centre of the
Jews.
The worshipping centre in Jerusalem was constructed by King Solomon in BC 1000.
It was destructed by the Babilonian king
Nebukanisar in 587 BC.
Jarusalem is an equally holy place for the Jews,
the Christians and the Muslims.

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Theodosius proclaimed Christianity as state religion.

Abu Beker, Umar, Usman and Ali were the

Khalifas.

The word Bible means book.

Bible is divided into two - Old Testament and New

In 1924 Mustafa Kamal Pasha of Turkey abolished the title of Khalifa.

Page 122 of 191

Koran is the codification of revelations given

through the Gabriel Angel to Muhammed.

The Sun Temple at Cusco was a contribution of

the Inca Civilization.

It contains 114 chapters. It took 22 years to have

the complete revelations to Nabi.

Red Indians were the aborginals of America. They

were named so by Columbus.

Koran was codified in AD 633 during the period

of Khalifa Abu Beker.

Christopher Columbus discovered America in

1492.

There are two divisions in Islam - Shias and

Sunnis.

America derived its name from Americo Vespuci,

an Italian explorer.

Shias are the followers of Ali.

Copper was the first metal used by Americans.

Iran is the only Shia majority nation in the world.

Maize cultivation was the base of American

Civilisation.

Mayan, Inca and Aztec are the main native American civilisations flourished before the European
colonization of America.

African Civilisation

It is believed that human beings evolved in Africa.

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American Civilisation

First American Civilisation developed between

1000BC and 1000 AD.

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to reach

Africa.

Mayan books written on the bark of trees were

known as Codid.

City of Moro in Central Africa is known as

Berminhatam of Central Africa.

Mayan Civilisation declined in the 15th century

due to Spanish invasion.

Toltecs were another Amarindian people who

developed their civilisation to the south of Mexican plateau. They constructed pyramids like the
Egyptians.

First country formed in the western part of Africa

is Ghana. Ghana is also known as the Gold
Coast.

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Islam spread to Africa in the 8th Century.

Vasco-da-Gama was the first European to reach

the Cape of Good Hope, the southern most tip of
Africa.

Floating Gardens built by the Aztecs were known

as Chinambus.

Aztecs believed in the worships of serpents

(Snakes)

Bandus are the Negroes of Central and South

Africa. Bandu means humans.

The dark skinned race of Africa are called Negroes.

Swahilis are the people living in the parts of Kenya

and Tanzania. Zulus are the people living in South
Africa, belonging to the Bandu family.

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The capital of Aztec was Tinochtitlans it was captured by Spanish conquerors in 1519 AD, thus
ended the Aztec Civilisation.
Most civilised of the Amarindian civilizations
was the Inca, which developed in Peru (South
America)

Middle Ages

Inca was politically the most developed

Amarindian tribes.

Maize, Potato, Tomato, Pumpkin, Pineapple,

Ground nuts, Guava, Tobacco, Cocaine etc were
made to use for the first time by the Inca people
of Peru.

The attack of Roman Empire and its destruction

by the Barbarians in 455 AD marks the end of the
ancient world and the beginning of Middle Ages.

The word Barbarian means uncultured.

Early Middle Ages is known as Dark Ages. It

ended up to the 11th century.

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He belonged to Poland.

Pope Pius IX was the Pope who ruled the longest

term (31 years)

John Paul II is the Pope with second longest term

(26 years).

John Paul II was the first Pope to accept the

Theory of Evolution by Charles Darwin.

John Paul II visited India twice (1986, 1999)

Crossing the Threshold of Hope Gift and Mystery Roman Tryptych Meditations
Rise up Let us Go, Memory and Identity are
the books written by Pope John Paul II.

Joseph Ratzinger of Germany who came to be

known as Benedict XVI became the 265th Pope
after the death of John Paul II.

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Pope John Paul II died on 2 April 2005.

Benedict XVI is the second oldest pesson (78) to

become the Pope.

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Oldest person to become the Pope was Clemant

XII.

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Benedict XVI was the Second German to become

the Pope.

Latin Language is considered as theVehicle of

Medieval Culture.

Geofery Chaucer is considered as the father of

English Poetry.

Canterbury Tales is the famous work of Chaucer.

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Monasticism originated in Europe in the Middle

Ages.
In the 12th and 13th centuries there occurred several wars between Christians and Muslims in Palestine. These battles are known as Crusades.
Muslims became religiously intolerant due to the
Crusades.
Crusades resulted in the spread of Islam to Europe.
Feudal System was first emerged in Europe.
The early name of feudalism was Clientage.
The word feudalism was originated from the word
fief or fued which means land given to peasant.
The structure of feudal relationship was like a
pyramid. King was on top of the pyramid and
slaves were at the bottom.
Feudalism came to an end towards AD 1000 by
the influence of christianity.
Feudalism helped to control the autocratic rule of
kings in the Middle Ages
Guilds were th merchant organisations of Europe
in the Middle Ages.
The University of Italy founded in 825 was the
first University in Europe.
Paris University was the first University in France.
Oxford University was founded in 1163 AD and
Cambridge in 1284.
Aleson Richard was the first woman to become
the Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University.
Christianity was responsibile for making the Barbarians a civilised people.
The Monastry of Monte Casino was founded by
St. Benedict.
The word Catholic means
Omnipresent.
Pope was the head of Medieval Christian Church.
The silver jubilee celebrations of the Pope John Paul
IIs Pontification has been
one of the longest in the
history of the Papacy celPope John Paul II
ebrated in 2003.

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Joan of Arc

The Middle Age was a period of superstitions. It

was common among the orthodox to accuse someone, especially young, beautiful and enterprising
girls as witch and initiate legal proceding against
them.

The Court of Inquisition was meant for the trial

of those who are accused of as such.

Heresy or the denial of religious principles was one of

the most severe offences of the Middle Ages.

In the Hundred Years War which started in 1338

between England and France, France was losing

Page 124 of 191

The Last Supper a fresco in

Milan,
The
Mona Lisa and
the Virgin and
the Child were
the famous paintings of Leonardo
Da Vinci.

Da Vinci was the

first person to
identify the models of aeroplanes,
submarines and
Mona Lisa
cars.
Madona and
The School of Athens are the famous paintings
of Raphael.

Modern Age

The literal meaning of Renaissance is rebirth.

The capture of Constantinople by the Turks in

1453 was the cause of Renaissance in Europe.
The new name of Constantinople is Istambul.
During the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries there
was a great revival in Europe in the field of art,
literature and learning. This marked the transition
from the Medieval to the Modern period. This is
known as the Renaissance. The birth place of
Renaissance movement was Italy.

Michelangelo was another Italian painter who was

the author of famous painting Last Judgement
and Sculpture David and Moses.

St. Peters Basilica in Rome was built under the

patronage of Pope Julius II and Pope Leo X It
was designed by Michelangelo.

The Praise of Folly was a satiristic work written

by Erasmus.

Erasmus was known as the prince among the

humanists.

Utopia was a famous work of Sir Thomas More

portraying an ideal community on an imaginary
island indicating the glaring abuses of his time.

Humanism is considered as the heart and soul of

Renaissance. Petrarc, an Itaian poet is considered as the, father of Humanism.

The technique of printing was first developed by

the Chinese.

John Guttenburg of Germany is considered as

the father of printing. He published Bible in 1456.

Niccolo Machiavelli wrote a book on politics

named The Prince

William Caxton established the first printing

press in England in 1477.

Machiavelli is known as Italian Kautilya and

Kautilya is known as Indian Machiavelli.

The Renaissance painters painted directly on plaster walls called frescoes.

Copernicus a Polish astronomer developed the

theory of universe through his book Six Books
concerning the Revolutions of the Heavenly
Spheres.

Renaissance was actually the rebirth of Classical

Grecco-Roman literature and learning.

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The Renaissance

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frequently. There was nobody to lead France.

Then Joan a shephered girl, with gods revelation
met the king of France and got the permission to
lead the French army. She started her victorious
Journey by crashing the barricade of English
Army in Orleans, in France. Thus she got the name
Maid of Orleans. The orthodox church authorities accused her a witch and trialed at the court of
inquisition. The verdict was to burn her alive. In
1431 Joan was burnt at the stake. But later the
church authorities realized their mistake and in
1921 Vathican proclaimed her a beatified person.
Now Joan of Arc is known as St. Joan.

The Renaissance emerged in Italy roughly between AD 1300 and AD 1550.

Italy is known as the Cradle of Renaissance

Divine Comedy written by Dante was a classical

work of the Renaissance period.

Page 125 of 191

Kepler wrote a book titled On the Motion of

Mars to establish the heliocentric theory.

Galileo Galilei an Italian scientist invented telescope in 1609.

Isaac Newton was born in England in 1642. He

published his work The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy.

The great dramatist Shakespeare who is popularly known as the Bard of Avon was born in
AD 1564 and died in AD 1616. His great tragedies
are Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello and KingLear.
He wrote altogether 37 plays.

Reformation and Counter Reformation

The name Protestant was first applied by Martin Luther.

Reformation was started in Germany by Martin

Luther in 1517. This resulted in the formation of
Protestant Religion.

Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin were the leaders

of reformation in Switzerland.

Reformation in Switzerland was known as Calvinism.

Reformation movement in England was known as

Anglicanism it was led by King Henry VIII and
Queen Elizabeth I.

Portugal was the first European country to encourage geographical discoveries.

Prince Henry, the Navigator of Portugal encouraged sailors by making maps.

Bartholomew Diaz sailed down the west coast of

Africa in 1487, which came to be known as Cape
of Good Hope.

Vasco-da Gama followed Diazs route, rounded

the Cape of Good Hope and landed at Kappad in
Calicut in the Spring of 1498.

Vasco-da-Gama was sent to India by the Portuguese king Dom Manual.

He reached India in a ship named St. Gabriel.

Christopher Columbus discovered West Indies

and thought that it was India in 1492 and called
its people Red Indians.

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Counter-Reformation was a reformist movement

within the Catholic Church to restore its universal authority.

John Wycliffe is known as the Morning Star of

the Reformation. He was responsible for giving
inspiration to translate Bible into English for the
first time.

Ignatius Layola formed a society of monks known

as Jesut order in Spain.

Jesute missionaries reached India for the first

time during the period of Akbar the Great in 1580.

Later, Amerigo Vespucci reached the South

American coast in 1499 and America was named
after him.

Ferdinant Megallan of Portugal who started his Voyage in 1519 was the first
circum navigator (who
sailed around the world). His
circum navigation exclusively proved that the Earth
is round.

The name Pacific was

given to the ocean by Megallan.

He reached Phillipines in 1521 and died there fighting its aborgins.

The coast of Venezuela was explored by Amerigo

Vespucci.

John Cabbot discovered New Foundland in 1497.

Peru was discovered by Francisco Pizzaro.

Kabral discovered Brazil in 1500. He was a Portuguese.

Portugal was the first country in the field of colonialism.

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Geographical Discoveries

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His theory of universe was later supported by

Galileo.

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Page 126 of 191

Megallan

The inhabitance of England in the Neolithic Age

were known as Iberians.

Julius Caesar captured England in BC 55 and the

Romans ruled England for 367 years.

After the Romans England came in the hands of

Anglo-Saxons.

First priest to rule England was Dunston.

Christianity reached England for the first time by

the coming of Romans.

Ceadmon was the first English poet and Bede was

the first English historian.

The Magna Carta was signed by King John of

England in AD 1215 at Runnymede. The
Magnacarta is described as the Bible of the English Constitution. It is also known as the Bible
of English Liberty.

The Hundred years war (1338-1453) fought between England and France started during the period of King Edward III.

The Peasants Revolt in England was in 1381.

Battle of Roses were the civil wars in England.

The Great Plague in London broke out in 1665.

The system of Parliament originated in England

during the period of Henry I.

The Stuart king of England believed in the

Divine Right Theory of Kingship.

James I, the Stuart king wrote a book The Law of

Free Monarchies.

Stuart king Charles I dissolved the Parliament in

1629 and did not summoned it till 1640.

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He resummoned the Parliament in 1640 and ended

in 1660. It is known as Long Parliament.

The Petition of Rights was accepted by the British Parliament in 1628.

The Bloodless revolution or Glorious Revolution
occurred in England in 1688.
Through the Bloodless Revolution English king
JamesII was dethroned and Mary, the daughter
of Charles I and her husband William of Orange
came to power in England.
Whigs and Torys the political parties of England originated during the period of Charles II.
Habeas Corpus Act was passed in England in
1679 during the period of Charles II.
The Bill of Rights was accepted in England after
the Glorious Revolution in 1689.
In 1707 by the Act of Union England and Scotland joined together and became Great Britain.
By the Act of Union of 1801 Great Britain and
Northern Ireland joined together and it became
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
But Ireland was delinked in 1921 and Northern
Ireland became part of England.
The official name of England is United kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Pound Sterling is the Currency of England.
Robert Walpole was
the first Prime Minister
of England and the first
in the world to hold the
post of Prime Minister.
He laid the foundation
of Cabinet system. He
became the Prime Minister in 1721.
The Industrial Revolution first started in
Robert Walpole
England in the second
half of the 18th century
with the rapid growth of applied sciences, power
driven machines replaced handwork.
The Agrarian Revolution also took place in Britain.
The Commonwealth of Nations is an association of those free nations which were previously
the part of British Empire.

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Innocent III was the Pope when the Magna Carta

was signed.

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Civil War in England started in 1642. Oliver

Cromwell led England after the Civil War. He ruled
with the little Lord Protector.

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United Kingdom includes the Islands of England,

Scotland and Ireland

Charles first was beheaded publically in 1649.

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England

Page 127 of 191

The Boston Tea Part

American War of Independence

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America was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 12th October 1492.

In the first quarter of the 17th century some
protestants from England migrated to the southern part of North America to escape from the religious persecution of James I. They came to be
known as pilgrim fathers. They sailed to
America in a ship named, The May Flower.
Britain established its first colony in Jamestown
in Virginia in 1607.

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United States of America

The American war of independence was fought

between the American colonies and the Britain.
The leader of colonies was George Washington.
The Stamp Act was passed in 1765.
The Navigation Act was passed in 1651.
The Town Shent Act was passed in 1767. These
Acts were passed to control and exploit the colonies.
The Boston Tea Party of 1773 was associated
with the American Revolution. To protest against
the tax on tea, the revolutionaries threw tea boxes
from the ship anchored in the Boston Port. This
incident is known as Boston Tea Party.

No taxation without representation was the famous slogan associated with the American Revolution.
The representatives of the 13 colonies met at the
First Continental Congress at Philadelphia in
1774.
Second Philadelphia Congress was met in 1776
and it adopted the Declaration of Independence
on 4 July 1776.
The Declaration of American Independence was
drafted by Thomas Jefferson.
By the Treaty of Paris in 1783, the United States
of America came to being.
The Constitution of America was adopted in 1789.
The Civil War in America was during 1861-65
Abraham Lincoln was the
President during Civil War.
The city of Chicago in
America has the largest
number of rail roads.
Uncle Toms Cabin of
Harriet Beechstowe published for the first time in
1852.

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The delegates send each other by Common Wealth

Countries are known as High Commissioners and
delegates send by Common Wealth nations to other
countries are known as Ambassadors.
The Falklands War was fought between England
and Argentina in 1982.
Stanley is the capital of Falkland Island. Britain
came out victorious in the battle. It is a British
colony even today.
10 Dowining Street is the official residence of
the British Prime Ministers.
Tony Blair of Labour Party is the Prime Minister
of England.
Princess Diana died in a car accident along with
Dodi Al Fayed in Paris.
Buckingham Palace is the residence of British
Monarch.

it.

Abraham Lincoln

Statue of Liberty is situated

in the Liberty Island in the Newyork Port. It has
91 meter height.

Eagle is the National bird of America.

American women got voting right in 1920.

John Jai (1789-95) was the first Chief Justice of

America.

Baseball is the National game of America.

Golden Rod is the National Symbol of America

Page 128 of 191

George Washington is the father of America.

He became the President of America in 1789.

Thomas Jefferson was the third President of

America.

President who abolished slavery in America was

Abraham Lincoln. He was the 16th President of
America. He worked as storekeeper and village
postmaster. He abolished slavery in 1862. He was
assassinated in 1865 while watching a drama,
Our American Cousin in the Fords Theatre
alongwith his wife. He was assassinated by John
Wilksbooth. Lincoln is known as Great
Immancipator.

First modern census was held in America in 1790.

49th Parallel separates America and Canada.

William Henry Harrison was the President who

ruled the least term.
James Madison is known as the father of American Constitution.

Ronald Reagan was the only filmstar who became

American President.

Chicago International Airport is the worlds busiest airport.

Gand Canyon in the Colarado river in America is

the biggest Gorge in the world.
United States Library of Congress is the largest
library in the world.
American Museum of Natural History is the largest museum in the world.
Port of New-York and New Jersy is the largest
port in the world.
Grant Central Terminal in Newyork city is the biggest railway station in the world.
Yerkis Observatory of Illinois University has the
largest refractor telescope.
General Sherman in California is the biggest
tree in the world.
Coast Redwood in the Redwood National Park in
California is the tallest tree in the world.

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The first American President to be assassinated

was Abraham Lincoln.
Other American Presidents who were assassinated
James A Garfield in 1881
William McKinley in 1901
John F Kennedy in 1963
USA has two political parties - Republicans and
Democrates.
Great Depression striked America in 1930s
There are 50 states and one district in the U.S.A
District of Columbia (Washington DC) on the
banks of Potomak river is Americas capital district.
New York is the largest city in America.
Chicago is known as the City of Winds.
Newyork city is situated on the banks of Hudson
river.

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The residence of American President got the

name White House during the period of Theodor
Roosevelt.

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Important Battles

Hundred Years War (1337-1453) : England and

France
Seven Years War (1756-1763) : French were
defeated by the English
Battle of Trafalgar (1805) : British fleet (under
Nelson) defeated the combined fleet of France
and Spain.
Battle of Water Loo (1815) : British force led
by Duke of Wellington defeated French force
led by Napolean Bonaparte.
Opium War (1839-1842) : China and Britain
Crimean War (1853-1856) : War between Russia and the alliance of England, France, Turkey and Sardinia.
Boer War (1899 - 1902) : Fought in South Africa between the British and the Boers (settlers of Dutch descent in South Africa)
World War I (1914 - 1918) : Germany (with
Austria, Hungary) against Britain (with Russia, France, Japan, Canada and Belgium)
World War II (1935 - 1945) : Axis powers (Germany, Italy and Japan) against the Allies (Great
Britain, U.S.A., U.S.S.R, China) Axis powers
were defeated.

Page 129 of 191

The figures of four American Presidents are engraved on the Mount Rushmor.

The term of American President is four years.

Only American president who got all the electoral votes - George Washington.

The birth place of George Washington -Virginia

George Washington died on 1799 December 14.

First Vice President of America - John Adams

First American Lady

who advocated for the
rights of women Abey Gale Smith
(Wife of John Adams)

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American President
who was entrusted to
prepare American
Constitution - Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison is
known as the Father of American Constitution.
Last military officer of the American revolution to
become the President of America - James Munroe
First American President who was the son of a
former president - John Kwinsy Adams
Kitchen Cabinet prevailed during the period of
Andrew Jackson.
First American President to die in harness Wilham Henry Harrison
First American President who was subjected to
impeachment - John Tailor
American President who is known as Black
Horse - James K. Polk
First American President who was ousted from
his party while in Office - John Tailor
American President who chose the site for White
House - Herbert Hover
American President who worked as the Chairman
of UN Human Rights Committee - Elenar
Roosevelt
American President who gave orders to drop atom
bomb in Hiroshima and Nagasaki - Harry S.
Truman

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American President who was known as Smiling

President - Eisonhower
First Roman Catholican born in 20th century to
become the President of America - John
F.Kennedy
Who shot dead John F. Kennedy - Lee Harvey
Oswald.
John F. Kennedys assassination was the first live
broadcast murder in the world.
First Vice President to become President while
the President was alive - Jerald R. Ford.
Watergate incident (1972) is related to - Richard
Nixon
Oldest President of America - Ronald Reagon
The agreement to give back Panama canal to the
nation of Panamas was signed during the term of
Jimmy Carter as President.
American Presidents who got Nobel Prize for
Peace - Theodor Roosevelt, Jimmy Carter,
Wudrow Wilson.
First Bachelor President of America - James
Buccanan.
Tallest American President - Abraham Lincoln
First to be elected for a second term as President
- George Washington
First to get married while he was president -Grover
Cleavelend
Which American President is known as Human
Chain - Benjamin Harrison
First American to win Nobel Prize for Peace Theodor Rousevelt (1906)
First American President who later became Chief
Justice - William Haward Daft
Which American President said The Chief business of America is business. - Kalvin Koolinch
First American Citizen to become American President - Martin Von Buran
He was born after the declaration of American
independence in 1776.

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American Presidents

French Revolution (1789)

The century from 1750 to 1850 is known as the

Age of Revolutions

Page 130 of 191

18th century is known as the Age of Enlightenment

18th century is also known as Age of Reason

Voltaire, Rousseau and Montesquieu were the

prominent philosophers who gave inspiration to
the French people.

Louis XVI was the king of France when the revolution broke out (1774-1792)

His wife was beautiful but Empty Headed lady

Mary Antoinette.

Like the Stuart kings of England, the Bourbons of

France also ruled by the Divine Right Theory of
Kingship. Louis XIV (1643 - 1715) who fully exploited the theory said I am the state He also
said flood after me

The French Parliament was known as Estates

General.

The Bastile Prison which was the symbol of

monarchs cruelty was broken by the Third Estate on 14th July 1789. Thus began the French
Revolution.

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July 14th is observed as a national holiday in

France every year in memory of this incident.

Liberty, Equality and Fraternity the slogan of the

French Revolution was given by Rousseau the
French Philosopher and the author of The Social Contract.

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The Eiffel Tower is

situated on the banks
of river Science in
Paris. It was built in
1888 by Gaustave
Eiffel.
His famous saying is
Man is born free but
everywhere he is in
chains.

Napolean Bonaparte (1769-1821) is known as the

Child of the French Revolution.
Napolean Bonaparte was bornin Corsica, an island in the Meditteranean sea in 1769. He proclaimed himself the emperor of France in 1804. He
was defeated by the English in 1813 and deported
to Elba. But later he
recaptured power.
But after his final defeat in the Battle of
Water Loo he was
deported to St. Helena Island. There he
died in 1821. The government formed by
Nepolean in France
Rousseau
was known as Consulate. The Bank of France was established by
Napolean.
French Philosopher Rousseau is the author of
books such as Emile, Confessions, Social Contract etc.
The most important work of Montesquieu is The
Spirit of Laws
French Revolution resulted in the destruction of
feudalism in France.
French Revolution gave the term nation, its modern meaning.
Elysee Palace is the official residence of French
President.
Now the term of French President is five years,
earlier it was seven years.
Franc is French currency
Jacqueous Shirak is the President of France.
In 2006 there was a racial conflict between the
African immigrants and natives.

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French society on the eve of Revolution was divided into three Estates - Clergy, Nobles and Commons.

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shunned the traditional symbols of monarchy and

came to be known as the Citizen King.

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The Industrial Revolution

Eiffel Tower

Louise Phillippe was

the Emperor of France from 1830 - 1848 AD. He

The Industrial Revolution is the name given to a

series of changes that brought about a transition
from production by hand to production by ma-

Page 131 of 191

chine from small scale production to large scale

production, hand made goods to machine made
goods.

Electric Telegraph was invented by Graham Bell

in 1876.

John Macadam, an engineer of Scotland made

the first strong roads in England with the help of
small stones.

First important Trade Union Movement in the

world was Chartist Movement originated in England as a result of the Industrial Revolution.

Industrial Revolution started in England in the

second part of the 18th century and in the first
part of the 19th century.

Industrial Revolution first influenced the Cotton

Textile Industry.

In 1733, John Kay invented the Flying Shuttle

for weaving cloth.

Japan was the first Asian country to be

indsutrialised.

James Hargreaves invented the Spinnng Jenny

in 1764 (Jenny was the name of his wife)

The Steam Engine invented by Jameswatt was

called Beelzebub.

Water Frame was invented by Richard

Archwright.

Industrial Revolution gave rise to Capitalism.

Samuel Crompton invented Mule in 1779.

A little before the Industrial Revolution the Agrarian Revolution broke out in England.

Power Loom was invented by Edmund Cartwright

in 1785.

Russian Revolution

James Watt invented Steam Engine in 1769.

Safety Lamp or Davis Lamp was invented by

Humphrey Davy in 1816.

The Warrior was the first warship built with

iron plates.

Abraham Derby invented the method of smelting

iron with coke in 1709.

Bersemer invented the steel furnace in 1856.

First Steam Locomotive was invented by

Trevithick in 1800.

In 1814 George Stephenson invented an improved

steam locomotive called Rocket. It was finally
used in opening the first passenger railway from
Liverpool to Manchester. That is why
Stephenson is called the father of Steam Locomotive.

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Steam Boat was invented by Robert Fulton in

1807.

First steam ship sailed from Glasgow to Liverpool

in 1857. A ship first crossed the Atlantic in 1833.

The method of sending message by wire was invented by Morse in 1835.

it.

Russia was united into an empire in the 9th century AD. Russia was unified by the Rurichs.
Russians belonged to the Salvonic race.
Mongols captured Russia in the 13th century.
The Romanoff Dynasty of Russia was founded
by Michael Romanoff in 1613.
Romanoff Emperors were known as Czars. They
ruled Russia from 1613 to 1917.
Peter the Great is considered as the father of
modern Russia.
Peters foreign policy was known as warm water
policy
Russian Revolution was started in 1917 and it
was led by Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov Lenin.

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Elias Home invented sewing machine in 1846.

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Lenin was the leader of the Russian Social

Democractic Labour Party.

Bloody Sunday
On the 22nd of 1905 thousands of unarmed Russian workers marched to the Winter Palace of Czar
in St.Peterburg. Their demand was to have administrative reforms. But the army fired at the mob
Hundereds of workers died, thousands wounded.
This incident is known as Bloody Sunday, that is
related to the Revolution of 1905 in Russia.

Page 132 of 191

Lenin is known as the

arichitect of Soviet Union.

St. Petersburg is the largest city in Russia second only to Moscow.

Lenin was born in 1870

April 10. in Simbrisk,
Russia.

He received the name

Lenin in 1901.

He was led to Communism

by his elder brother
Alexander.

The city of St. Petersburg was founded by Peter

the Great in 1703. The city was known as
Petrograd from 1914 to 1924. Later it came to be
known as Leningrad. Gorbachov renamed it St.
Petersburg again.
Grand Cremlin Palace was the Residence of
Czars.
Rasputin was a crooked witch, who had an influence over the Czarina.
The economic and political reforms started by
Gorbachev in 1985 was known as Peristroika
which means restructuring. For freedom of press
and freedom of expression he also introduced
Glasnost which means open approach.
The Crimean War (1854-56)
The Crimean War was fought between Russia on
the one side and Turkey, France and England on
the other.

Lenin

Lenin started a newspaper known as Iskara in

1900.

Lenin was the leader of the Bolshevic section of

the party.

He died in 21st January 1924 of cerebral stroke.

Bolsheviks, the majority party and Menshiviks,

the minority party were the two division of the
Russian Social Democractic Labour Party.

USSR came into existence in 1922 December

Czar Nicholas II was the reigning Czar of Russia

when the Revolution occurred.

Russian Parliament is known as Duma.

The new form of workers organisation formed on

the eve of the Revolution was known as Soviet.

Chinese Revolution (1911)

February Revolution was on 12 March 1917.

The Chinese Revolution tookplace in 1911.

Provisional Government which formed after the

February Revolution was led by Alexander
Kerensky.

Ching dynasty or the Manchus were the last ruling dynasty of China.

The October Revolution happened on 7 November 1917 (because old Russian Calendar was 14
days backward).

Puyi, a six year old boy was the last Manchu

Emperor.

The Republic of China was formed in 1912 and

Sun Yat-Sen became the first Chairman and first
President of the Chinese Republic.

Sun-Yat-Sen was a leader of the Comintang Party

MilitaryHead Yuan Shikai assumed power replacing Sun-Yat-Sen in 1912 march 10.

In 1949 the Chinese Communist Party defeated

the nationalists and formed the Peoples Republic of China.

The Opium Wars were fought between Britain

and China.

Florence Nightingale established the first nursing school.

Florence Nightingale is known as Lady with the
Lamp

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After the October Revolution Trotsky came to

power

Stalin is known as the Iron Man of Communism.

Stalin became the head of Soviet Union in 1924.

He introduced Five Year Plans (1928) for the economic progress of Russia.

In 1991 the Communist rule in Russia came to an

end and the USSR collapsed. Russia and other
Soviet Republics became independent nations.

Page 133 of 191

The first Opium War, was fought during 1839-42

and the second was during 1856-60.

Opium Wars were fought to get open the ports of

China to trade opium from British India.

As a result of the first Opium War the Chinese

province of Hongkong came under the control of
Britain in 1844.
Hong Kong became a special administrative region of China on July 1, 1997 when the colony
was handed over by Britain to China.

ated water way extends more than 1600 Kilometers from Hangzhou in the south to Beijing in the
north.

Chinese Peoples Liberation Army is the worlds

largest Army in number.

China is the largest producer of paddy, silk and

coal in the world.

China has the largest Communist Party in the

world.

Worlds largest dam Three Gorges Dam is built

across the Yangtse river in China.

China opened worlds highest and longest highland railway on 1st July 2006 The Qinghai-Tibet
Railway (1, 1142 Km)

Macao, which was a colony of the Portugal was

restored to China on 20th December 1999.

Shanghai is the biggest city in China. Beijing is

in the second place.

China was admitted to the UN in 1971. Now she is

a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council.

Karakkoram highway is the only overland connection between China and Pakistan.

92% of the Chinese people belonged to the Han

race.

Communist Chinas first international religious

gathering was conducted in April 2006.

The Tianen Square in Beijing is described as the

Naval of China. The name means the gate of
heavenly peace.

The highest Court in China is the Supreme

Peoples Court.

Chinas leading newspaper is Renin Ribao

(Peoples Daily) of Beijing, which is the official
newspaper of Chinese Communist Party.

China is the first Asian country to launch a space

shuttle. Zhenshou V was the Chinese space
shuttle and Yang Liwei was its first space traveller.
China is the worlds most populous country. It
has about a fifths of the worlds population.

China has the oldest living civilisation.

Chinese were the first to make compasses, paper,

pottery, and silk.

Chinese Mandarin is the most widely spoken language of the world and it is the mother tongue of
the largest number of people. Chinese call this
language Putoghua (Common language)

China has the worlds largest fishing industry.

The Grand Canal worlds longest artificially cre-

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In that World Buddhist Forum, Buddhists from

more than 30 countries participated.

2012 Olympics will be held in China.

Wenjiabo became the President of China.

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It is for the first time the posts of President and

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China
held by two persons.

The present General Secretary of Communist

Party of China is the former President JiangZemin

Den-Sia-O-Ping brought liberalist policies in

China in 1970.

First World War (1914-1918)

The murder of Arch Duke Ferdinant of Austria

by a Serbian student Gavle Prince on June 28,
1914 was the immediate cause of the outbreak of
the First World War (1914-1918). The war was
started by the declaration of war against Serbia
by Austria - Hungry. The main combatants in the
war were the Central Powers (Germany, Austria,
Hungary, Turkey and Bulgaria) and the Allied
Powers (England, France, Belgium, Serbia and
Russia). The Central Powers lost the war. The war

Page 134 of 191

Unification of Italy, and Fascism

Submarine warboat (U-boat) used by Germany in

the war was a great menace.

Wudrow Wilson was the President of America

during the First World War.

Lloyd George was the British Prime Minister and

Clemenceace was the French Prime Minister during the War.

The Treaty of Versailles was signed between the

Allies and Germany on 28th June 1919.

The Treaty of St. Germain was signed by the

Allies with Austria- Hungary in 1919.

An armistice (Peace Agreement) was signed on

November 11, 1918 to end the war. It was followed
by a peace conference at Paris and the Treaty of
Versailles in 1920.

The Treaty of Versailes resulted in the foundation of League of Nations in 1919.

League of Nations was formed on the basis of the

Fourteen Points put forward by Wudrow Wilson in 1918.

League of Nations was the predescessor of the

UNO.

League of Nations was disbanded in 1945 and

even before that it lost its importance in 1939
when the Second World War broke out.

The First World War was fought as a war to end

all wars.

One of the most important results of the First

World War was the Great Depression which
started in USA in 1929.

Only one European country which was not affected by great depression was Russia.

Three major powers during the interwar period

were USA, USSR and Japan.

Ku Klux Klan was a white terrorist gang working

in America during the period of Great Depression.

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Franklin D. Roosevelt became American president

during the great depression in 1932.

After the decline of the Roman Empire Italy was

divided into a number of small independent states.
Joseph Massini is known as the Prophet of Italian Nationalism
Massini founded Young Italy in 1821.
Garibaldi was another famous leader of Italian
Nationalism. He founded an organisation known
as Red Shirts.
The unification of Germany was completed in
1870.
Political organisations which originated in Europe
after the First World War were collectively known
as Fascist Movements.
The word Fascism was originated from the Italian word fasces which means a bundle of rods
and an axe.
Benitto Mussolini, the worlds first fascist dictator who came to power in Italy in 1922, is known
as the father of Fascism.
Mussolini organised his followers into the Black
shirts
In October 1922 he organised a March to Rome
and took over as Prime Minister.
Mussolini was against Socialism and Communism
and formed an organisation known Fasci di
Combattiment.
When Italy surrendered after the Second World War
in 1945 Mussolini was captured and executed at Como.
Italy was the first Axis Power to surrender in the
First World War.
After 2000 Medea Tycoon Silvio Berlysconi won
the election and became the PM. In 2006 he was
defeated by the former President of EU
Romano Prodi.
Italy won the World Cup Football title held in
Germany by defeating France.

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ended with the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.

(Versailles is a city near Paris)

Unification Germany, and Nazism

Germany was known as Prussia in olden times.

The process of German Unification began when

King William I appointed Otto Von Bismark as his
Prime Minister in 1862.

Page 135 of 191

Bismark is known as the Iron man of Germany

His policy was known as Blood and Iron Policy.

Customs Union was an organisation which supported German unification indirectly.

Bismark is known as Iron Chancellor.

Nazism in Germany
was a German form of
Fascism in Italy.

In 2006 June Germany decided to open up a huge

archive of Nazi records on Concentration camp
inmates.

Second World War (1939-45)

The Treaty of Versailles and the rise of the Nazi

Party in Germany were the main causes of the
war.

The Soviet German Non Aggression Pact was

signed on August 23, 1939.

Hitlers armies invaded Polland on 1 September

1939.

On 3 Septmber 1939 Britain and France declared

war on Germany, thus began the Second World
War.

The Second World War was between The Axis

Powers (Germany, Italy and Japan) and the Allied Powers (Britain, France, Russia, USA etc)

Adolf Hitler

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Adolf Hitler (18891945) was the leader

of the Nazi Party in
Germany. He was
known as the Fuehrer
(Leader). Hittler was
born in Austria in
1889.

National Socialist German Workers Party founded

in 1920 was known as Nazi Party.

Nazi Party wanted the exclusion of Jews from

German citizenship.

The supporters of Nazi Party were known as Sturn

Abteilung or Brown Shirts.

Hitler became the head of Nazi Party in 1923.

Hitler wrote his autobiography Mein Kampf

(My Struggle) while he was in Jail.

German attack on Russia during the war was

known as Operation Barbosa

Hitler became the Chancellor of Germany on 30

January 1933.

When the Second World War broke out, the US

announced her neutrality.

In 7 December 1941, the Japanese bombers attacked the US naval base at Pearl Harbour in
Hawai.

On 8 December 1941 US declared war on Japan.

Thus US formally entered the Second World War.

In 1935 under the Nuremberg Law German Jews

were deprived of their citizenship.

Hitler became the President of Germany in 1934

when Hindenburg died.

Secret Police force of Hitler was known as

Gustapo.

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Hitler committed suicide along with his wife Iva

Brown after the failure of Second World War in
1945.
Bismark is known as the father of German integration and Helmet Kohl is known as father of German Unity. It was under Helmet Kohl that two
Germanies united in 1991.
In 2005 Angela Merckel became the first woman

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Chancellor of Germany.

The German plan of conquering Britain during

the Second World War was known as Sea Lion.

Titles

Persons

Fuehrer ...................................... Adolf Hitler

II Duke .......................................... Mussolini
Lady with the Lamp ..... Florence Nightingale
Maid of Orleans ......................... Joan of Arc
Maiden Queen ............................. Elizabeth I
Man of Blood and Iron .................... Bismark
Man of Destinig Little Corporal ..... Napolean

Page 136 of 191

The first Atom Bomb was dropped in Hiroshima

on August 6, 1945 by America. This bomb is
known as Little boy.
The second Atom Bomb was dropped in Nagasaki
on August 9, 1945 it is known as fat man.
The first country to surrender in the war was Italy
and last to surrender was Japan.
On 2 September 1945 Japan surrendered and the
Second World War ended.
The Axis powers lost the Second World War. This
war led to the foundation of UNO in 1945.
The UN Charter was signed at San Francisco on
26th June 1945 by fifty nations and UN came into
force on 24 October 1945.

The Nuremberg Trials were the trials of the major

war criminals of the Second World War. It began
on November 20, 1945.

Big Powers and Cold War

The formation of North Atlantic Treaty

Organisation (NATO) in April 1949 was one of
the most important aspects of Cold War.
In 1954 the US brought most of the South East
Asian Countries under a common framework modelled on NATO called SEATO.
The Arab states formed CENTO in 1955. (Central
Treaty Oganisation)
The Cold War continued upto the collapse of Soviet Union in 1990.
HOTLINE is a telecommunication link established
since 1963 between the Kremlin (Moscow) and
White House (Washington DC, USA) to avoid
misunderstanding. Now hotline means a direct
exclusive line of communication especially for an
emergency.
Warsaw Pact was a military alliance formed under the Soviet Union against NATO in 1955.

Now Russia is in a more or less stable condition

under the Presidentship of Vladimir Putin.

The United States of America, the Soviet Union,

Britain, France and China were regarded as the
big powers since the end of the Second World
War (1945). Among them, the United States and
the Soviet Union were the Super Powers.

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The biggest crisis of the early stage of Cold War

was the Berlin Blockade which began in 1948.

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Second World War became a Global war in 1941.

nd

There was much co-operation among the Big Powers during the War. But later there aroused mutual suspicion among them and Cold War began.

The Cold War was a war of words or ideologies

and of nerves. This Cold War created great international tension. The Cold War was announced
by Winston Churchill in his famous iron curtain speech at Fulton, Missourie in 1946.

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The word Cold War was first coined by

Bernard Baruch 1946.

Middle East Conflict

Israel Palestine conflict is popularly called

Middle-East Conflict. The conflict became worse
by the formation of Israel in Palestine in 1948. In
the battle that occured in 1948, Israel came out
victorious.

Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) was

formed in 1964 to defeat Israel.

In the 1967 Arab-Israel battle which lasted for six

days, Israel came out victorious.

Revolutions
American war of Independence .................... 1776

The years 1945-47 are generally taken to mark the

beginning of the Cold War.

Russian Revolution ...................................... 1917

The first shot of Cold War was fired by Winston

Churchill.

Chinese Revolution ...................................... 1911

The US decision to intervene in the Greek Civil

War may be considered as formally ushering in of
the Cold War.

Industrial Revolution .......... 1750-1850 (England)

French Revolution ....................................... 1789

Communist Revolution in China ................... 1949
Green Revolution in India ............................ 1964

Page 137 of 191

The Israel - Palestine Peace Treaty was signed

in 1994 and PLO supremo sworn in as the head of
PalestineNational Authority.

The historic Israel-PLO agreement was signed in

Washington on September 28, 1995. River Wye
Agreement was signed by Israel and Palestine
for solving the crisis.

Islands of West Indies are the major parts of Latin

America.

There are altogether 46 countries in Latin

America. 33 independent nations and 13 dependent countries.

Brazil is the largest Latin American country in

area and Population.

Golan Height was a place captured by Israel from

Cyria in 1967

Spanish is the most widely spoken language in

Latin America.

West Bank : This place was captured by Israel

from Jordan. As per the peace treaty of 1994 the
administrative authority of this place was given
to Palestine National Authority.

Guarani is the language of Indian origin spoken

in Paragua.

Quechua is the Indian language in Peru.

Aymara is the Indian language Spoken in Bolivia.

Christopher Columbus was the first European to

a reach Latin America.

Francisco De Miranda (1750-1816) was one of

the most important leaders of Latin America. He
fought for the liberation of Venezuela and came
out victorious in 1910 and it proclaimed its independence in 1911.

Sinai Peninsula : This place was also captured

from Egypt in the 1967 war and handed over to
Palestine in 1982.

The official name of Israel is Medinat Israel.

Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages of

Israel.

The conflict reached a turning point with the election (January 2005) of
Mahmud Abbas as the new
Palestinian leader following
the death of Yassar Arafat.

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Gaza Strip is in the Egypt. It was captured by

Israel in the 1967 battle and as per the treaty of
1994 it was handed over to Palestine National
Authority.

nd

In 2006 July-August Israel

invaded Labanon and tried to
destroy the so called extremist organisation Hisbulla led
by Sheik Hassan Nasrulla. Yassar Arafat
The Hamas lead coalition
won the general election in Palestine. But the Israel and EU blocked their financial assistance to
this country. Now it is in great financial crisis.

San Martin (1778 - 1850) another famous Latin

American leader worked for the liberation of Argentina, Chili and Peru.

Brazil got independence from Spain in 1822.

Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba in 1959.
Due to health reason Cuban
President Fidel Castro
transferred his power temporarily to his brother Raul
Castro in September 2006.
Panama got the Panama Canal from US in 1999.
Panama Canal was opened
in 1914. Panama Canal connects the Pacific and Atlan- Fidel Castro
tic Oceans.

Countries to the south of USA are collectively

called Latin America.

Mexico, Central America, South America and the

Simon Bolivor (1783-1830) worked for the liberation of Columbia, Venezuela, Equador, Peru and
Bolivia. He is considered as the father of their
nation by all these countries. He is known as the
Liberator or the Washington of South.

LATIN AMERICAN NATIONALISM

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Soccer (Football) is the most important game of

Latin American countries.

Page 138 of 191

Aguaretiente is a liquor obtained from sugarcane

used in Latin America

Latin American Tea is known as Mate.

Most of the Latin American countries follow

Christianity.

Brazilian dance is known as Samba

Cuba
- Conga
Argentina
- Tango
Bolivia & Chile - Cueca
Mexico
- Jarabe Tapatio

Japan

craft named Box car on 9 August 1945. Follwed

by the Japan surrendered before the Axis Powers
on 2 September 1945. The treaty of surrender was
signed in a ship named USS Missourie in the Bay
of Tokyo.

Kabuki is a form of stage drama in Japan.

Bunraku - a puppet theatre

Sumo is a Japanese form of Wrestling.

Ikebana - Japanese style of flower arranging

Sake - Rice wine made in Japan

Cloisonne - A Japanese type of decorative enameling

Japan is an Island nation of the North Pacific.

The name Japan was originated from the name

Zipangu used by Marco Polo in Italian language.

Origami - The Japanese art of folding paper into

decorative objects.

The official name of Japan is Nippon or Nihon,

which means the source of the Sun.

Japan is known as the Land of Rising Sun or

Britain of the East.

Kawabata Yasunari is the first Japanese to win

the Nobel Prize (1968) for literature. Snow Country is the book authored by him.

Yuichiro Miura : 70 year old man who became

the oldest to conquer Mt Everest in May 22, 2003.

Junko Tabei First woman to climb mount Everest.

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Iasu Tokugama who ruled Japan the 16th Century is known as Napolean of Japan.

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Tokyo became the capital of Japan during enlightened rule (Meiji Age) which is known as the
Golden Age of Japan.

Manasobu Fukuvoka is the author of the famous

book One Straw Revolution. He was a famous
agricultural scientist.

First constitution of Japan came to force in 1889

and the Japanese Parliament Diet was formed.

Jimmu Tenno : He was supposedly the first emperor of Japan. In 660 BC he became the Emperor.

Geographically Japan is situated in the Ring of

fire which is in the coast the Pacific ocean with
lot of volcanoes.

Hirohito became the first Japanese emperor who

travelled outside Japan in 1971.

Mount Fujiyama is the highest mount in Japan.

In the first World War Japan was in the part of

Allied Powers.

Worlds longest suspension bridge, the Akasi

Kaikyo Bridge (1990 metres) is in Japan. It connects the Island of Honshee and the Island of
Shikoku.

Japan joined the Second World War in 1940 on

the part of Italy and Germany.

Japans largest single export is Crude Oil.

On 7 December 1941 Japan attacked Pearl Harbour.

This resulted in the entry of USA into the Second
World War.

Yomeeyerie shimbon a News paper in Japan has

the largest circulation in the world. It is also published in English with the name Daily Yomiyurie.

The Japans economy ranks second only to USA

in terms of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Japan has the largest fishing industry in the world.

New PM of Japan is Shinzo Abe (Liberal Democratic Party)

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America dropped an Atom Bomb named Little

boy in Hiroshima from an aircraft named Inola
Gay on 6, August 1945. Later another bomb
Fatman was dropped in Nagasaki from an air-

Page 139 of 191

INDIA AND PAKISTAN

THE SOUTH AFRICAN STORY

The Union of South Africa was formed in 1910.

It became a Republic in 31 May 1961.
Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990
after 27 years of imprisonment. He was imprisoned at
Robert Islands In 1994 he
sworn in as the first black
President of South Africa.
His term ended in 1999.
First Democratic President
Nelson Mandela
of South Africa is Nelson
Mandela. Thabo Mbeki, the President of ANC
(Africa National Congress) succeeded Nelson
Mandela as the President of South Africa in 1999.
Nelson Mandela was the second foreigner to receive the Bharat Ratna.
The first foregner to receive Bharat Ratna was
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, the Frontier Gandhi
South Africa is the leading producer of gold in
the World.
African Development Bank (ADB) was formally established in 1964 and began its operation in 1966.
Organization of African Unity (OAU/ OUA) was
formed in 1963, with its headquarters at Addis
Ababa (Ethiopia)

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Muhammed Ali Jinna was the founder of Pakistan. He was the first Governor General of the
Dominion of Pakistan.
Jinna house is in Mumbai.
Pakistan observes its independence day on August 14
Jinna is called the father of Pakistan.
Pakistan proclaimed itself an Islamic Republic in
1956.
Poet - Philosopher Muhammed Iqbal, first articulated the concept of Pakistan in 1931.
Pakistans first free elections were held in December 1970.
Bangladesh was separated from Pakistan in march
26, 1971.
On 28 and 30 may 1998 Pakistan carried out five
nuclear tests in the desert of Baluchistan at the
Chagai Hills in response to Indias test.
On 12 Octber 1999, General Pervez Musharraf in
a military coup deposed the Premier Nawaz
Sherif and suspended the constitution.
In 2001 he became the President of Pakistan.
Musharrafs presidency was extended by five
more years till 2007.
The Tashkent Agreement was signed on January 10, 1966. This Agreement was signed by Lal
Bahadur Shastri and Ayub Khan just after the
1965 Indo - Pak War. On January 11, Shastri died
at Tashkent.
Now Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekisthan.
The Shimla Agreement of 1972 was signed between India and Pakistan after the 1971 battles.
The Lahore Declaration was signed between India and Pakistan just before the Operation Vijay
of 1999 in Kargil to expel the ussurpers.
Th Radcliff line separates India from Pakistan,
the Durand Line is between Pakistan and
Afghanisthan and the McMohan Line is between
India and China.
Siachin Glacier which lies between India and Pakistan is referred as the highest and the coldest
battle field in the world.
The Agra Summit (2002) between Musharaff

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and AB Vajpayee ended in failure. Aim-solving

bilateral problems.
Pak conspirations attacked Indian Parliament in
2001 that led to the verge of a war.
Relation worsened due to the Mumbai blasts in
July 2006
In the side line NAM summit in Havana (2006
September) both agreed to continue to the peace
process

Gulf War I and II

The Gulf War (1991) was fought between the

US led multinational forces and Iraq to expel Iraqi
troops from Kuwait. Its code name was Operation Desert Storm.

Operation Desert Fox was the continuation of

operation Desert storm.

Page 140 of 191

Australia

nd

Harriet a 178 year old giant tortoise credited with

helping Charles Darwin pioneer the theory of evolution dies in Australia in 2006 June 22.
Australian Crocodile hunter Steve Irwin (44) died
on September 4, 2006 following a stingray blow
to the chest while filming a documentary on the
Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Port Douglas in
Queenland state.
Marsupial lions, Kangaroos as tall as trucks and
wombats the size of a rhinoceros roamed
Australias outback before being killed off by fires
it by arriving humans. The giant animals lived in
the arid Nullarbor Desert around 400,000 years
ago, but died out around 50,000 year ago, relatively shortly after the arrival of human settlers,
according to new fossil skeletons found in Caves.

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Father of History
Herodotus
Iron was accidently discovered by
Neanderthal man
Humans with similarity to the Neanderthal man
Cromagnans
Mesopotamian ruler who gave a famous code of
laws
Hammurabi
The Cunieform script was discovered by
Sumerians
Largest Pyramid of Egypt
Khufu
Large temple in ancient Egypt dedicated to Sun
God
Temple of Abusimbel
Three states of China existed in the 300 BC
Chin, Chu, Ehi

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Selected Questions
from World History

Siesmograph was discovered by

Ancient Chinese
Most important Persian ruler who lived in BC 600
Cyrus
God of Parsies or Zorastrians
Ahuramazda
Most famous ruler of ancient Athens
Pericles
Olygarchy is a form of government led by .
a group of rich people
Greek poetess who sung about love, nature and
beauty
Sappho
Greek poet who wrote poems in honour of victorious athletes
Pindar
Father of tragic dramas
Aeschilus
Father of Comic dramas
Sophocles
Most important example of Greek architecture
Temple of Parthenon
The word Heirogliphic means
Sacred Writing
Philosopher king of Rome
Marcus Areleus
Famous Orator of Greece
Cesero
The Roman Governor who gave the verdict to
crucify christ
Pontheos Pelathose
The birth place of Prophet Muhammed
Mecca
Who as the wife of Prophet Muhammed
Khadeija

in

On 11 March 2006 Michelle Bachlet is sworn in

as Chiles first woman president.
Now there is a trend in South America that several of its countries moving to the communist side
of political ideology.

it.

Which place is known as the Bermingham of Central Africa

Sinja - Trophus

Most famous ruler of Mali in Africa

Manga Kangan Muza

Time taken to complete the construction of the

Great Pyramid in Egypt
20 years

Page 141 of 191

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it.

Capital of Arab Empire during th Abbsasid rule

Baghdad
Frist Industrially developed country in Asia
Japan
The Capital of Japan in the 8th Century
Nara
Ancient religion of Japan
Shintoism
Architectural style developed in France
Goethic
The mount where Saint Benedict founded his
monastery
Monte Cassino
Holy Ka aba was built by
Prophet Ebrahim
The capture of constantinople by the Suljek
Turks resulted in the decline of
Byzantine Empire
The prophet of French Revolution
Rasseau
Nationalisation of Suez Canal was done by
Col. Gamal Abdul Nazar of Egypt
Japanese Parliament is known as
Diet
Battle in which Napolean was defeated in 1815
Battle of Trafalgar
Unification of Germany was done by
Bismark
Pakistan President who was hanged to death in
1979
Sulfiker Ali Bhuto
English king who was trialed and executed
publically in 1649
Charles I
English king who signed the Magnacarta in 1215
John
Treaty which ended the Ruso-Japanese battle of
1905
Treaty of Portsmouth
Co-operative movement was started in England
in 1821 by
Robert Oven

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Who was the commander of Carthage in the Punic wars

Hannibal
Who became the ruler of Rome after Julius Caeser
Octavian (Augustus Caesar)
Country known as the nest of singing birds
England
Perceolis was the capital of the ancient Empire
Persia
The hanging gardens of Babilona was built in
the name of
Nebuchandnessar
Only South East Asian country never occupied
by any European powers
Thailand
Famous chinese king Shihuangti belonged to
Chin dynasty
Which ancient civilisation was famous for secular architecture
Persian
The tutelary diety of the city UR in Mesopotamia
Nannar
The Mayan calendar had
18 months
Buddhism reached China from India during the
period of
Han dynasty
Golden Age of Rome is the period of Augustus
Caesar
Most cultured civilisation of Middle Ages was of
Arabs
Which was the language of learning of the Middle
Ages
Latin
First university in the world was started in Paris
Which subject was known as Queen of Sciences
during the Middle Ages
Theology
Who was the immediate successor of prophet
Muhammed or first Khalifa
Abubekker

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Page 142 of 191

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it.

Vietnamis freedom struggle was led by

Ho Chimin
Who banned Shake Hand in Italy in 1930
Benitto Mussolini
Saudi Arabian king who gave the name to the
country in 1925
Abdul Aziz Sand
Persia came to be known as Iran from
9th March 1935
Symbol accepted by Hitler for German national
flag
Swastika
Lover of Hitler
Iva Brown
Country ousted from League of Nations in 1939
U.S.S.R
Hitler and his wife Iva Brown committed suicide
in
30 April 1945
Mussolini and his wife Claretta were killed by the
Italian Guerillas in
28 April 1945
Which city is called by its natives as The Big
Apple
New York
Who questioned the Sale of Indulgence
Martin Luther
Founder of Salvation Army
William Booth
Who killed Abraham Lincoln in 1865
Wilks Booth
Princess Diana was killed in a car accident in Paris
on 31 August 1997.
Communist leader who proclaimed war with Cuban ruler Batista in 1958
Fidel Castro
The Great fire of London was in the year 1666.
Chinese President who adopted christianity in
1980
Chiang Kaishek
Mussolini was captured and killed at
Como
Founder of Comintang Party Dr. Sunyat Sen

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Small Island where Columbus landed in 1492

Wattlings Island
Amerigo Vespucci who identified America belonged to
Italy
The petition submitted American colonists before king George III of England in 1774
Olive Branch Petition
The Queen who was known as Madam Deficit
Mary Antoinet (France)
Oath of Tennis Court is related to
French Revolution
Water Loo where Napoleon was defeated is situated in
Near Brussels in Belgium
Nepoleon Bonapparte was died in the year
1821
Who is considered as the father of Scientific Socialism
Karl Marx
Work which is considered as the birth cry of modern socialism
Communist Manfesto
Open Door Policy was introduced by
USA
The rebellion led by the peasants of Keniya
against the British
Mau-Mau-Rebellion
Russian Parliament was known as
Duma
Spy organisation formed by Germany during the
second world war
Fifth Columists
The policy of USA which helped Britain and
France during the Second World War
Cash and Carry Policy
Party which became prominent in Britain after the
Second World War
Labour Party
Trojan horse tactics was the policy adopted during the Second World War by
Germany
Leader of Indonesian Nationalism
Dr. Sukarno

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Page 143 of 191

WORLD GEOGRAPHY
Bed
P-waves (Primary Waves)
2/3rd
Fumarole
Biosphere
Political maps
Mountain Gorillas
Green land
Leningrad, Omsk
Pacific
rain - shadow area
Paleontology
Alfred Wegner
Orographic rain
travelling time from a point
USA
Cork
conserve water
Echo-sounding
western disturbances
The Mediterranean region
cattles
bajra
Potato ores
afforestation
Hail
The Suez
Sumatra and Malaysia
Savanna
Tibet
Coffee
Zaire (Boyomar falls)

in

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.

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1. The temperature at which the

air is fully saturated is called
.............
2. The type of soil typically
formed under tropical monsoon condition is .............
3. The bottom of a river is called
.............
4. The waves which pass
through the core of the earth
is .............
5. Ocean covers ............. part of
the earths surface
6. A vent in the ground of a
volcanic area which gives off
volcanic hot gases is known
as .............
7. The narrow contact zone of
land, water and air which
contains all forms of life is
called .............
8. Maps showing different
countries and states of the
world with their boundaries
are called .............
9. Virunga National Park in
Congo is famous for .............
10. ............. is the largest island in
the world.
11. The Trans-Siberian Railway
(8960 km) connects ......... in
the west to .......... in the east.
12. Humbolt ocean current is in
............. ocean.
13. The leeward side of a
mountain which does not
receive rain is known as the
.............
14. The study of fossils is .............
15. ............. is the propounder of
the continental drift theory.
16. The rainfall caused due to the
presence of mountains in the
way of winds is called .............
17. Isochrones are lines joining
places with equal .............

18. Leading producer of cement

is .............
19. Cadiz, in Spain, is famous for
.............
20. Trees shed their leaves in
winter season to .............
21. ............. is the technique
applied to measure the depth
of the sea.
22. Winter rains in north-western
India are caused by ..............
23. The western disturbances
causing winter rains in
northern India originate in
.............
24. Johns disease affects .............
25. The disease, green ear,
affects .............
26. ............. are nodules on the sea
bed containing a variety of
minerals.
27. The Thar Desert believed to be
expanding. The most suitable
way to check it would be by
.............
28. ............. consists of masses of
ice in layers one above the
other.
29. ............. Canal lies on the
worlds largest of trade routes
connecting Europe and Far East.
30. Strait of Malacca separates
............ and ..........
31. ............. grasses are known as
elephant grasses.
32. The river Tsangpo (River
Brahmaputra) flows through
............. before entering India.
33. The most valuable cashcrop
of Brazil is .............
34. The country in which the
greatest waterfall is situated
.............
Answers
1. Dew Point
2. Alluvial

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Fill in the Blanks

Page 144 of 191

Answer in a Word or
Sentence
1. What is called the study of
lakes and ponds?
2. Which gas in the atmosphere
absorbs ultraviolet rays?
3. Which is the longest river of
Asia?
4. Name the lowest point in
Europe?

Farakka Barrage
Completed in 1990, the Farakka Barrage is a dam located 10 km
from the Indian side of the border between India and Bangladesh,
in the state of West Bengal. India uses it to control the flow of the
Ganges river. The dam was built to divert the Ganges River water
into the Hooghly River during the dry season, from January to June,
in order to flush out the accumulating silt which in the 1950s and
1960s was a problem at the major port of Calcutta on the Hooghly
River. Bangladesh and India have not had many debates about
how the Farakka Barrage cuts off Bangladeshs water supply. Also
in Bangladesh, the diversion has raised salinity levels,
contaminated fisheries, hindered navigation, and posed a threat to
water quality and public health. Lower levels of soil moisture along
with increased salinity have also led to desertification

21. The ocean surrounds the

continents where as the sea
is an arm of the ocean
22. Captain james Cook
23. Mt. Kosciusko (2226 m)
24. Santos (Brazil)
25. Wharton Trench (South of
Java)
26. Venus
27. In Southern Argentina
28. Yellow Stone National Park
(U.S.A)

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27. Where is Patagonia Desert

situated?
28. Which is the worlds first
National Park?
Answers
1. Limnology
2. Ozone
3. Yangtze Kiang
4. Caspian Sea
5. Trich Mir (7,699 m)
6. Queensland Coast of Australia.
7. Lake Tanganyika (East Africa)
8. Direction of winds
9. Mediterranean Sea
10. Botswana
11. Farakka Barrage
12. Majuli (Assam)
13. River Jordan
14. Lake Baikal
15. Indian Ocean (South west of
Sri Lanka)
16. Grand Coulee Dam (Washington)
17. Keibul Lamjao National Park
(Manipur)
18. Mount Etna
19. Gurushikhar (1772 m)
20. Brazil

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5. The highest peak in Hindukush mountain range is

6. Which is the largest reef in the
world?
7. Which is the longest fresh
water lake in the world?
8. Ferrels Law is concerned
with
9. Which is the largest inland
sea in the world?
10. In which country is Kalahari
desert located?
11. Which is the worlds largest
River Barrage?
12. Which is the largest river
island in the world?
13. Which river flows into the
Dead Sea?
14. Which is the deepest lake in
the world?
15. In which ocean is the island
Diego Garcia situated?
16. Worlds largest concrete dam
17. Which is the only place in the
world where Browantlered
Deer is found?
18. Which famous volcano is
known as the Bonfire of
Europe?
19. Which is the highest peak in
Aravalli range?
20. Which is the largest country
in South America?
21. What is the difference
between the ocean and the
sea?
22. Who discovered Hawai
Island?
23. Which is the highest
mountain in Australia?
24. Which port is known as the
Coffee Pot in the world?
25. Which is the deepest spot in
the Indian Ocean?
26. Where is Maxwell mountain
range situated?

Page 145 of 191

Short Notes
1. What are the rocks? How
would you classify them?
2. Write short notes on:
(i) Weathering
(ii) Denudation &
(iii) Springs
3. Write short notes on
(i) Canyon (ii) Delta
(iii) Geyser (iv) Rift Valley
4. What are earthquakes? How
are they caused?
5. Write short notes on
(i) Continental Shelf
(ii) Coral Reefs

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Lake Baikal

recognisable crystal form,

colour, hardness, lustre,
fracture and other physical
characteristics. Rocks of the
earths crust are grouped in
three principle classes.
(i) Igneous Rocks: Rocks
which are solidified directly
from molten materials are
called igneous rocks. To a
certain extent, all other rocks
originate from igneous rocks.
Therefore, these rocks are
commonly referred to as
primary rocks. These are
divided into extrusive rocks,
viz., lava and pumice, or
intrusive rocks, such as some
granites which is high in
calcium and magnesium and
low in silicon. The intrusive
rocks are solidified beneath
the surface while extrusive
rocks are solidified at the
surface.
(ii) Sedimentary Rocks:
These rocks are formed from
materials which have
accumulated as the result of
various processes, viz, by the
build - up of particles derived
from other rocks, or from the
remains of organically formed
matter (from living or once
living things), or from
deposits created by chemical
action. The rocks formed by
the deposition of sediment in
water are conglomerates (e.g.,
gravel, shingle, pebbles),
sandstones and shales
(layered clay and claystone).
Peat, lignite, bituminous coal
and anthracite are the result
of the deposition of organic
matter. Gypsum, chalk and
limestone are examples of
chemical sedimentation.
(iii) Metamorphic Rocks:
These rocks were originally
igneous or sedimentary but

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22. What is soil erosion and how

is it caused? What are the
consequences of soil erosion?
23. What is The International
Date line?
24. Write notes on the Pressure
Gradient Force and the
Coriolis Force. ?
25. Define the following terms:
Typhoon, Hurricane and
Tornado.
26. What are Ocean Currents ?
What are their causes?
27. What causes the change of
seasons? Also explain the
terms summer solstice, winter
solstice and equinoxes and
how are they caused?
28. What is an equator, latitude,
meridian, prime meridian,
local or sun time and
standard time?
Answers
1. Rocks are the main materials
composing the earths crust.
Rocks are composed of
minerals. Minerals are
natural inorganic substances
each with a fairly definite
chemical composition and

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6. What are tides?

7. What are Trade Winds?
8. Write short notes on
(i) Roaring Forties
(ii) Horse Latitudes.
9. What is the difference
between Sea Breeze and Land
Breeze?
10. Write a short note on
Monsoons?
11. What is the difference
between Cyclones and AntiCyclones?
12. What is a rain shadow
region?
13. What is the difference between
weather and climate?
14. Distinguish between Tributary
and distributary.
15. Write short notes on El Nino
& La Nino
16. What are Aurora?
17. Water Harvesting
18. Artesian Well
19 What is Condensation?
20. Relief (or Orographic) Rain:
21. What is soil and what are its
main constituents?

Lake Baikal is in Southern Siberia in Russia, located between Irkutsk

Oblast to the northwest and the Buryat Republic to the southeast,
near the city of Irkutsk. The name Baikal comes from Baigal or 0930;
which in the Mongolian language means nature. It is also known
as the Blue Eye of Siberia. In Buryat language and Mongol
language it is called Dalai-Nor, which means sea lake.
At 1,637 meters (5,371 ft), Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the
world and is the largest freshwater lake by volume (23,000 km),
containing approximately twenty percent of the worlds total surface
fresh water. Like Lake Tanganyika, Lake Baikal was formed on an
ancient rift valley and is therefore long and crescent-shaped with a
surface area (31,500 km) less than half that of Lake Superior or
Lake Victoria.
Olkhon, the largest island in Lake Baikal, is the second largest lakebound island in the world after Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron.

Page 146 of 191

dolomite, accumulated by
lime secreting organisms
known a coral polyps. Coral
polyps secrete calcareous
matter to form shells around
their body. A colony of corals
comprises a very large
number of animals living in
shells sticking to each other.
As the corals die, the shells
remain deposited and new
corals attach their shells to
the existing deposits. In this
manner corals produce large
rock formations. These rock
formations made by corals are
called coral reefs. Eg. Barrier
reef, Atoll etc.
6. Alternative rise and fall of the
surface of the sea, approximately twice a day, are called
tides. These are caused by the
difference of attraction
between water and the earth.
These are of two types:
(i) Spring Tide: At new moon
and full moon, the sun and the
moon are in the same line as
the earth and both exert their
influence together on earth. So
the tide produced by the sum
of their force is consequently
higher than usual. This is
called spring tide.
(ii) Neap Tide: At the first and
third quarters of moon, as the
sun and the moon are at right
angles to each other; the tide
produced by the difference of
their force is consequently
lower than usual. This is
called Neap Tide.
7. These are the winds which
blow towards equator. They
blow between 5 degrees to 30
degrees north and 5 degrees
and 30 degrees south latitude.
8. (i) Roaring Forties: These are
steady north-west anti-trade
winds between latitude 45 to
50 degrees south.

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(iii) Geyser: It is a fountain of

hot water; issuing from a hole
which extends deep into the
earths crust. The water is
hurled high into the air by the
force of steam formed low in
the hole. It contains minerals
in solution and they get
deposited around the hole
from which the water gushes
out.
(iv) Rift Valley: A long and
narrow valley formed by the
sinking of a portion of the
earth is called a Rift Valley.

African Rift Valley. From left to right:

Lake Upemba, Lake Mweru, Lake
Tanganyika (largest), and Lake
Ruk wa.

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have been changed by

pressure, heat or action of
water. When individual
grains tend to deform and
interlock from existing rocks,
they are then called metamorphic rocks. For example,
granite, an igneous rock, may
be metamorphosed into
gneiss.
Limestone,
a
sedimentary rock, may
become marble. Sandstone
may be metamorphosed into
quartzite and shale when
greatly compressed into slate.
2. (i) Weathering: It means the
breaking up or disintegration
of rocks. The chief agents of
weathering are temperature,
frost, air and rain.
(ii) Denudation: It means
laying bare of a rock which
was previously covered. The
chief agents of denudation are
temperature, water in its
various forms, air and wind,
plant life and animal life.
(iii) Springs: A spring is a
place where water issues out
of the ground spontan eously.
3. (i) Canyon: A deep and
narrow river valley with steep
bank is called a canyon. The
most famous canyon in the
world is that of the Grand
Canyon, Colorado (U.S.A).
For about 480 kms, the river
flows through a gorge or a
canyon the banks of which
are, at some places, more than one and a half kilometre
high.
(ii) Delta: An alluvial deposit
shaped like the Greek letter D
(delta) formed at mouth of
river is called delta. Nile delta
is well known in the world
and so is the Sunderbans delta
in India and Bangladesh.

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4. An earth quake is a sudden

temporary motion or a series
of motions which originate in
a limited region and then
spread out from the place of
origin in all directions. It
continues for a while and
then gradually dies out Earth quakes are caused
either by volcanic eruptions
or by sudden movement of
rock along fault planes.
5. (i) Continental Shelf: It is that
part of a country or continent
which is submerged under
the sea and where the water
is not more than 200 metres
in depth.
(ii) Coral Reefs: Coral reefs are
masses of limestone and

Page 147 of 191

Alfred Lothar Wegener

12.

13.

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(ii) Land Breeze: These are the

winds, which blow during the
night from land to sea, during
which sea is hotter than the
land.
10. These are the seasonal winds,
which blow during the six
months of summer from
ocean to land and for the six
months of winter from land
to sea. This is due to the fact
that during summer, when
rays of the sun fall vertically
over the Tropic of Cancer, the
land becomes comparatively
hotter than the sea. Therefore,
the winds blows from the sea.
Reverse is the case in winter.
They blow over S.E. Asia, East
Asia, Australia, New
Zealand etc.
11. Cyclones: These are the
winds, which blow in a spiral
form round a centre of
minimum pressure. They
move anti-clockwise in the
northern hemisphere. They

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(ii) Horse Latitudes: The

tropical Belts of Calms, i.e.,
regions between 30 degrees and
35 degrees, are known as Horse
Latitudes. The origin of this term
is obscure. It is said that the
sailing ships carrying horses to
the west Indies were often
becalmed between 30 degrees
north and 35 degrees north and
the sailors were obliged to
throw all the horses overboard
and then the ships could move.
This part, therefore, came to be
called Horse Latitudes. But now
both tropics of calm are known
by this name.
9. (i) Sea Breeze: These are the
winds blowing during the
day from sea towards land
which is comparatively hotter
than sea. This is due to the fact
that during the day there is
high pressure on sea and low
pressure on the land and the
wind blows from high
pressure to low pressure.

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Alfred Lothar Wegener (Berlin, November 1, 1880

Greenland, November 2 or 3, 1930) was a
German interdisciplinary scientist and
meteorologist, who became famous for his theory
of continental drift (Kontinentalverschiebung
or die Verschiebung der Kontinente in his
words).
Wegener had early training in astronomy (Ph.D.,
University of Berlin, 1904). He became very interested in the new
discipline of meteorology (he married the daughter of famous
meteorologist and climatologist Wladimir Kppen) and as a recordholding balloonist himself, pioneered the use of weather balloons
to track air masses. His lectures became a standard textbook in
meteorology, The Thermodynamics of the Atmosphere. Wegener
was part of several expeditions to Greenland to study polar air
circulation, when the existence of a jet stream itself was highly
controversial. On his last expedition, Alfred Wegener and his
companion Rasmus Villumsen went missing in November 1930.
Wegener's body was found on May 12, 1931. His suspected cause
of death was heart failure through overexertion.

cause wind, storm, rains and

other changes in the weather.
The winter rainfall in punjab
and Tamil Nadu is due to
cyclones. They occur in the
regions of the Indian Ocean.
Anti-Cyclones: They are also
winds, which blow in a spiral
form. They move when
pressure at the centre is
maximum and it decreases
towards the edges. They do
not bring any rain.
Rain shadow region is just on
the opposite of windward
side of the mountain and
hence receives little or no rain,
e.g., western coast receives
heavy rainfall, while the
Deccan Plateau receives little
rainfall as the latter is in the
rain shadow region.
Weather: It is the condition of
atmosphere at a certain time
or period showing pressure,
temperature, humidity and
rainfall for a shorter duration.
Climate: It is the average
weather condition of a place
for a longer period, say, for a
year.
A tributary is a small river
which confluences a major
river and increases its volume
of water. It losses its existence
after meeting the main river.
A distributary is a branch of
main river which comes into
existence due to the blockade
of the main channel by the
deposition of silt and mud on
its bed. It establishes its
existence after it originates
from the main channel.
El Nino is a warm current in
the Pacific Ocean that flows
southward along the west
coast of South America. It
warms the normally cold
waters of the coast of Ecuador

Page 148 of 191

14.

15.

of loose fragments which

covers most of the earths land
area. It contains both decayed plants and animal
substances. The four main
constituents of soils, present
in varying proportion, are:
1. Silica, present in soil in
small crystalline grains
form, is the chief constituent of sand.
2. Clay is a mixture of
silicates and contains
several minerals such as
iron, potassium, calcium,
sodium and aluminium.
3. Chalk (calcium carbonate) provides calcium,
the most important
element for the growth of
plants.
4. Humus is not a mineral,
it is an organic matter. It
is formed by decomposed
plant remains, animal
manure and dead animals and is the most
important element in the
fertility of the soil.
22. Soil erosion is the removal of
soil particles by natural
agencies such as water and
wind and also as a result of
human and animal interference. Human and animal
interference in a variety of
ways leads to soil erosion.
Deforestation, over-grazing of
pastures, shifting cultivation,
faulty method of cultivation,
cultivation of dry crops,
diversion of natural drainage
courses, ruts in roads,
ditches, improperly constructed terrace outlets (along
which running water is
concentrated) etc., are
responsible for soil erosion.
Consequences of Soil Erosion:
Soil erosion leads to loss of
soil and badly affects the

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water to the ground water

through a pipe so that water
table rises by recharging of
ground water.
18. Artesian Well: In an artesian
well, underground water is
reached by sinking a shaft
from the surface and water
rises up to the surface by
hydraulic pressure. It works
upon the principle that water
keeps its surface level. The
Green Artesian basin of
Australia is the biggest area
of artesian water. In India,
these wells are found in
Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and
Pondicherry.
19 Condensation is the process
in which water vapour in the
atmosphere changes into
minute droplets of water or icy
crystals. Rapid condensation
produces rain, drizzle, snow,
hail, frost and dew. When
small droplets donot come
down, they remain suspended in the air and are known
as clouds.

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and Peru. El Nino, a spanish

term meaning the child,
usually occurs around
Christmas, and its name
refers to the Christ child.
The unusual warmth kills
many fish and birds and the
rain accompanied by it
causes disastrous floods in
neighbouring coastal area.
La Nino is an another
unusual weather pattern that
brings unusually cold
temperature to the eastern
pacific.
16. Auroras are glows of light,
hundred of kilometres above
the Earths surface. They are
seen when electrically
charged atomic particles,
sprayed off the Suns surface,
collide with atoms in the
earths atmosphere and make
them release energy in the
form of flashes of light.
Auroras are the most visible
effect of the suns activity on
the earths atmosphere. The
auroras in the northern
hemisphere are called the
aurora boralis and those in
the southern hemisphere
aurora australis. The most
common colour in an aurora
is green. Auroral displays are
associated with the solar
wind, a continuous flow of
electrically charged particles
from the sun. Most auroras
occur in far northern and
southern regions.
17. Water Harvesting refers to
allowing rain water to sweep
into ground rather than just
letting it flow on the ground.
This can help in arresting the
decreasing trend of ground
water level besides meeting
the tremendous need of
drinking water. It can be done
by connecting the roof top rain

Example: Dew on a spider web

20. Relief (or Orographic) Rain:

When moist winds strike
against mountains, they rise
up, expand, cool down and
bring rain. Such rain, as
caused by winds striking
against mountains, is called
relief rain.
21. Soil is the loose material
which forms the upper layer
of the mantle rock; i.e. the layer

Page 149 of 191

26. Currents: Ocean currents is

the movement of a sizeable
body of water as a current for
fairly long distances along a
specific path. They occur as
seasonal and permanent
streams flowing horizontally
at the surface and at deep
levels, they also occur as
vertical upswellings of water.
Best understood are the
surface currents, many of
which have long been studied
and used, especially in
navigation.
Causes of Currents: Currents
are caused by several
interacting forces. One of the
prime causes, particularly of
surface currents, is wind. As
the wind blows over the sea,
part of its energy is transferred
to the water, which is thus
dragged along as a current.
Unequal heating of the sea by
the Sun is another major
cause of the oceanss
circulation, particularly in the
deep layers. In polar regions,
especially during winter,
extremely cold, salty, and
dense water sinks far below
the surface and moves
towards the Equator in very
slowly moving layers. At the
same time, warm and less
dense tropical water in the
oceans upper layers moves
towards the poles.
Other factors that influence the
oceans circulation are the
shape and relative positions
of the continents; the presence
of barrier-like island chains;
and local winds. The currents
wax and wane with the
seasons, mainly because of the
shifting of the winds. Currents
also meander and shift their
courses from year to year.

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deflected from their original

path. This deviation is the
result of the earths rotation
and is called the Coriolis
effect or Coriolis force. Due to
this effect winds in the
Northern Hemisphere get
deflected to the right of their
path. It is known as the
Ferrels Law. The coriolis
force changes wind direction
but not its speed. It is
noteworthy that this
deflection force does not seem
to exist until the air is set in
motion and it increases as the
wind speed increases.
25. Typhoon is the name given
for a tropical cyclone in the
Far East.
Hurricane: is a tropical storm
in the Caribbean or West
Pacific Ocean, with extremely
strong winds. The wind force
reaches 12 on the Beaufort
Scale.
Tornado is a type of
whirlwind which is formed
by rising air currents
associated with large
cumulonimbus clouds. It
rotates in anticlockwise
direction in the Northern
Hemisphere and in clockwise
direction in the Southern
Hemisphere.

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runoff. It causes: (1) heavy

floods in rivers; (2) lowering
down of subsoil water level;
(3) reduction of soil fertility;
(4) silting of streams and
water courses; (5) disappearance and downfall of
civilizations.
23. The International Date line is
a zig-zag line that roughly
coincides with the 180th
meridian. When the date line
is crossed from East to the
West, the date must be
advanced by one day, when
the line is crossed from the
West to the East, the date must
be set back by one day. The
International Date line (the
meridian 180) was chosen
because it passes through the
mid-Pacific, where there are
no land masses. It goes zigzag in some places to avoid
land and leaves some island
groups wholly on the same
side of the line.
24. The force that drives the
winds, results from horizontal pressure differences,
which is produced from the
region of higher pressure
towards the area of lower
pressure is known as the
pressure gradient force. The
greater the difference in
pressure between two points,
the steeper is the pressure
gradient and the higher is the
wind speed. Since the
direction of the force is from
higher to lower pressure area
and perpendicular to the
isobars, the initial tendency of
the wind is to blow parallel
to the gradient and at right
angles to the isobars.
Due to rotation of the earth,
winds do not cross the isobars
at right angles as the pressure
gradient force directs but get

A tornado in central Oklahoma. The

tornado itself is the thin tube reaching
from the cloud to the ground. The
lower part of this tornado is
surrounded by a translucent dust
cloud, kicked up by the tornados
strong winds at the surface

Page 150 of 191

near London. It is the zero

degree longitude.
Local Time or Sun Time of a
place is the time which is
reckoned according to the
time when the suns altitude
is the highest at that place. At
this time the shadow of a
vertical rod fixed in the
ground is the shortest. If at
this time we set our watch at
12 Oclock, it will indicate
local time.
Standard Time: If every place
were to use its own local time
that would cause confusion in
administration and other
activities; so the local time of a
place generally in the middle of
the country, is used everywhere
in that country as the Standard
Time of that country and is taken
to be uniform throughout.
Standard Time of India is the
local time of a place near
Allahabad situated at 82o E
longitude. Some countries on
account of their distances have
more than one standard time.
Russia has 11 such different
timings.

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in

Spring or Autumn because

(a) both the North Pole
and the South Pole are
inclined equally towards
the sun; days and nights
are equal everywhere; all
points on earth have a 12
hour day and 12 hour
night. (b) Suns rays fall
vertically on the equator.
These two positions of
the earth are called
equinoxes due to the
equal length of the days
and nights.
28. Equator is an imaginary circle
on the surface of the earth
midway between the poles.
latitude is the angular distance measured North or South
of the Equator from the plane
of the Equator.
Meridian means Midday
line. It is imaginary line
joining North and South
Poles, which when any place
come directly below the sun,
it has its midday everywhere
on it. Prime Meridian is the
meridian which passes
through Greenwich, a place

am

27. The change of seasons is

mainly due to the revolution
of the earth. The earths axis
is inclined to the plane of its
orbit and always points in
the same direction.
(1) 21 st June: At this time it
is summer in the
Northern Hemisphere
because (a) The North
Pole is inclined towards
the sun; so days are
longer than nights. Near
the North pole there is a
day of 24 hours. (b) The
suns rays fall vertically
on the Tropic of Cancer.
This position of the Earth
is called Summer
Solstice. In the Southern
Hemisphere there will be
winter season because (a)
the South Pole is inclined
away from the sun. So
days are shorter than
nights, the South Pole
have continuous nights
for 24 hours. (b) the Suns
rays are oblique.
(2) 22nd December: At this
time it is winter in the
Northern Hemisphere
and summer in the
Southern Hemisphere
because (a) the North Pole
is inclined away from the
sun while the South Pole
is towards the sun, so
days are shorter in the
Northern Hemisphere
and longer in the
Southern Hemisphere. (b)
the Suns rays are vertical
in the South at the Tropic
of Capricorn and oblique
in the North. This
position of the Earth is
called Winter Solstice.
(3) Equinoxes: On 21st
March and 23rd September the season is either

ex

Savanna

A savanna or savannah is a tropical or subtropical woodland

ecosystem. Savannas are characterised by the trees being sufficiently
small or widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. It is often
believed that savannas are characterized by widely spaced, scattered
trees, however in many savanna communities tree densities are
higher and trees are more regularly spaced than in forest
communities.
The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach the ground to
support an unbroken herbaceous layer consisting primarily of C4
grasses. Savannas are also characterised by seasonal water
availability, with the majority of rainfall being confined to one season
of the year. Savannas can be associated with several types of biomes.
Savannas are frequently seen as a transitional zone, occurring
between forest regions and desert regions.

Page 151 of 191

Khamsin: The hot, dry wind

experienced in Egypt
corresponding to the Sirocco
of North Africa. Khamsin in
the Arabic word for 50; the
wind is said to blow during
the period of 50 days from
April to June.
Kurosiwo: Warm oceanic
current of the Pacific Ocean
which flows near the east
coast of Japan and ultimately
drifts along the west coast of
Canada. It raises the
temperature of Canada and
Japan.
Smoke Screens: Smoke clouds
formed by firing smoke shells,
dropping smoking bombs,
burning smoke pots or
operating mechanical smoke
generators in war to conceal
their movements from
enemies.
Sirocco: A hot, normally dry
and dust - laden wind that
blows from the deserts of
North Africa across the
Mediterranean into South
Europe. It occurs only in
spring. The name Sirocco is
also applied to any hot
oppressive wind.
Stratus clouds: Clouds which
are like a dark grey sheet
extending from one side of
horizon to the other and have
uniform base.
Terrain: The physical
characteristics and features of
any stretch of country.
Troposphere: Troposphere is
the lower most layer of the
atmosphere. It extends upto 8
km at the equator and 16 km
at the poles. The word
Tropo means change.
This layer acts as a warm
blanket to moderate the
extremes of outer space. The

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it.

am

Anticlines and Synclines: An

anticline is a fold with strata
sloping downwards on both
sides from a common crest to
form an arch. The top of the
arch, being pressed upward
is the loosest and weakest
part and as such is quickly
eroded. A syncline is a low
trough like area in bedrock
with rocks inclined together
from opposite sides. the rocks
at the lowest part are under
great pressure from all sides;
they become compact and
hard and erode slowly.
Atoll: A coral reef in the shape
of a horse shoe or ring with a
lagoon in the centre, e.g.
Murora Atoll in the Pacific
Ocean.
Asthenosphere:
Soft
semifluid layer of rock on
which the earths continents
and ocean floor float. The
asthenosphere is a part of the
earths mantle, the rest of
which is solid both above and
below.
Attrition: The constant
wearing down of pieces of
rock into even finer particles
as they are carried of along by
wind, water or ice.
Bog: An area of water-logged,
spongy ground with rotting
vegetation lying on the
surface. Eventually the layer
turns into a layer of peat.
Bora: A cold and dry wind
which blows along the
eastern coast of the Adriatic
Sea and northern Italy in
winter.
Cloud Burst: A phenomenon
in which a huge mass of

moisture-carrying clouds
bursts into a heavy
downpour on account of
condensation of its entire
volume of water vapour at the
same time.
Coriolis Force: The force
exerted on the atmosphere by
earths rotation.
Crater: Is the small mouth of
a volcano. It is usually cupshaped and serves as a vent
for lava to flow out of the
volcano.
Creek: A small stream; a
smaller inlet or tidal estuary
of a river.
Escarpment: A steep inland
cliff. An escarpment is found
where layers of hard rock
slope upwards to the surface
over softer rocks below.
Estuary: A channel formed by
mixing of sea and river water,
e.g., Thames Estuary.
Foehn: A warm dry wind
which blows down the iceward slope of a mountain, best
known in the valleys of the
northern alps.
Gale: A strong wind that
blows at a speed of 62-101
kmph.
Isogonic lines: Contour lines
of magnetic declination.
Isohyte: A line drawn on a
map joining places receiving
equal amount of rainfall over
a certain period.
Isoneph: A line on a map
joining places having equal
average cloudiness over a
certain period.
Isostasy: The state of balance
or equilibrium that is said to
exist between highlands and
lowlands of the earth due to
difference in the density of
their respective rock material.

in

Important Terms in
Geography

ex

Page 152 of 191

rapid melting of snow.

Sometimes, during spring
season, it triggers avalanches.
It is developed when warm,
moist air is drawn towards a
mountain range from an area
of relative high pressure. This
wind blows in Andes and
Rockies mountains.
Equatorial Regions: The
equatorial region is found
between 5o and 10o north and
south of the equator. The midday sun is always near the
vertical and it is overhead
twice a year, at the equinoxes.
Uniformity of temperature
throughout the year is the
most outstanding feature of
the region. The relative
humidity is very high. Here,
annual rainfall is between
160 and 350 cm. It is of the
convectional type. Squalls
and thunderstorms occur
frequently, followed by
brilliant sunshine. The four
seasons of the temperature
zone are unknown.
Tsunamis: It is the Japanese
name given to the huge waves
caused by an earthquake.
Tsunamis are quite common
along the coasts of Japan and
other regions in the pacific
ocean.
Fold mountains: Mountains
which have been thrown into
massive folds or ridges by the
earth movements are known
as fold mountains. They are
characterised by ruggedness
of relief. The higher and more
pointed the peaks, the more
recently the mountain was
formed. Some young fold
mountains
are
the
Himalayas, the Alps, the
Rockies and the Andes and
some old fold mountains are
the Pennines, Applachians,

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in

respect to the mid day

position of the sun at that
place.
Torrid Zone: which is the
hottest zone lies between 23o
north and 23 o south. ie.,
between the Tropic of Cancer
and Tropic of Capricorn.
Temperate Zone : lies
between 23o N and 66 o N
is the North Temperate zone
and South Temperate zone
lies between 23 o S and
66 oS. This zone has a
marked annual range of
temperature.
Frigid zone lies between 66o
N and 90oN in the case of
north frigid zone and 66o S
and 90o S in the case of south
frigid zone. They are
extremely cold regions.
Hurricane
Ivan:
The
Hurricane Ivan is a tropical
cyclone. The winds are more
violent and cause severe
damage to life and property.
Recently, it occured in the
Carribean Sea, and moved
forward to the Gulf of Mexico.
Further it went upward and
made vast destruction in the
U.S.A.
Tropic of Cancer: Tropic of
cancer is an imaginary line of
latitude of 23o N. It marks
the limit of that portion of the
earth where the suns rays fall
vertically on June 21st.
Tropic of Capricorn: In the
southern hemisphere, an
imaginary line of latitude of
23o S is termed as tropic of
capricorn. This line marks the
limit of that portion of the
earth where the suns rays fall
vertically on December 21st.
Chinook: A very warm, dry
wind that descends the
mountain slopes causing

ex

am

thickness is greater at the

equator, because the heated
air rises to greater heights.
Stratosphere: Stratosphere
lies above the troposphere. It
is a region of uniform
temperature extending from
an altitude of about 11 km
above the earth to a height of
nearly 50 km. It is free from
water vapour, clouds and
dust. The upper part of this
layer has plenty of ozone
which affords protection to
human beings on the earth
against the fatal effects of UV
radiations. It also provides
ideal conditions for flying
aeroplanes.
Ionosphere: It extends from 65
km to nearly 400 km above the
earths surface. It is an
electrically charged layer
characterised
by
the
ionisation of atoms. Due to the
presence of electric charge in
this layer, radio waves
transmitted from the earth are
reflected back to the earth by
this layer. Its also benefits
man by absorbing the suns
deadly rays. Aurora are
produced by charged
particles from the sun
captured by the earths
magnetic field at a height of
about 100 km.
Longtitudes are equi-distant
lines drawn east and west of
the Greenwich meridian.
They denote the angular
distances of a place due east
or west of the Greenwich
meridian. There are 360
meridians of longtitudes. One
hour is equal to 15 o of
longtitude. Longtitude is an
important
factor
in
determining the time in all
parts of the world. Local time
of a place is calculated with

Page 153 of 191

in

Richter Scale: It is a scale used

for measuring the magnitude
of the earthquake at its focus.
According to it, the
magnitude ranging 7 is
severe and 8 is devastating.
Seismograph: It is used to
measure the intensity and
location of earthquake.
Norwesters: Norwesters are
violent thunderstorms which
occur on the passages of a
strong wind that approaches
from the west or north-west,
hence the name norwesters.
They occur in the Bengal and
Assam region during the hot
season before the onset of the
south-west monsoon.
Rainbows: Rainbows are
caused by refraction and
internal reflection of light
from the sun in raindrops.
Each raindrop acts like a tiny
prism which breaks up the
white light into the primary
colours. In the main rainbow
the colours are: violet, indigo,
blue, green, yellow, orange
and red (VIBGYOR). We are
able to see a rainbow only
when we are facing the falling
raindrops with the sun
behind us.

it.

nd

pu

am

prairies in North America,

pampas in South America,
veldt in Southern Africa,
downs in Australia, pustaz
in Hungary and steppes in
Russia.
There is no typical
temperature for any one
priarie type region. However,
as all the grasslands in the
northern hemisphere lie in
the interior of the large
continents the climate is very
extreme. Summers are short
and quite warm. There is
abundant sunshine and the
skies are clear. The region
falls in the zone of the
westerlies. The rainfall in the
grasslands are of convectional
type, but very light.
Savannah is a region which
lies on both sides of the
equator roughly between 5
degrees and the tropics. Here
summers are hot and moist
and winters are warm and
dry. Characteristic vegetation
is tall grass.
Taiga: This region lies
between 55 o and 70 o C in
northern hemisphere only. It
stretches as an almost
continuous belt across
southern Canada, Northern
Europe and Russia. The
Tundra region lies on the
north and the temperate
grasslands on the south. In the
Taiga region, summers are
short, lasting for 3 or 4
months and winters are cold
and severe. For 6 to 7 months,
this region has temperatures
below freezing point. In this
region lies Verkhoyansk, the
cold pole, colder than Arctic
region. Rainfall varies from
25 to 100 cm. Most of the rain
comes from cyclonic weather.

ex

Cape Ranges of South Africa

and the Great Dividing
Range of Australia.
Block mountains: Block
mountains are formed when
a mass of land was pushed
up between parallel cracks or
faults in the earths crust or
by sinking of the land around
them. They are usually very
steep-sided and are flattopped. Black forest; Meseta
are examples of block
mountains.
Rift Valley Lakes: Lakes
formed by the movements of
the earth cause subsidence in
the earths crust and the
hollows lying in the bed of the
Rift Valley is termed as Rift
Valley lake. Lake Baikal in
Siberia, the Dead Sea are
examples of this type of lakes.
Lava Dam Lakes: Sometimes,
a lava stream may flow across
a valley and form a natural
dam. It is called lava dam
lakes. The sea of Galilee in
Palestine was formed by lava
which flowed across the
Jordan Valley.
Crater Lakes: Crater lakes
occur on the extinct
volcanoes. They are circular
and steep-sided. Mars
mission space craft spirit
landed on Gustav Crater.
Temperate Grasslands: The
temperate grasslands are
found between latitudes 40o
and 55o N and S. They lie far
away from the influence of the
sea in the heart of the
continents, and most of them
are interior lowlands
consisting of level, generally
treeless, plains. The temperate
grasslands are known by
different names in different
countries. They are known as

Page 154 of 191

Greenland
Greenland is a self-governing
Danish province located
between the Arctic and Atlantic
Oceans. Though geographically and ethnically an Arctic
island nation associated with
the continent of North
America, politically and
historically Greenland is
closely tied to Europe,
specifically Iceland, Norway
and Denmark. It is the largest
island in the world that is not
also considered a continent.

GENERAL SCIENCE
New Delhi
Sphygmomanometer
Charles Darwin
Insulin
Plants
The nervous system
chromosomes
206,
in fertility

14. drugs prepared from moulds

and mould like organisms
15. Carbon Monoxide
16. Stethescope
17. Crocodile
18. 120 days
19. 5-6
20. Genetically modified

Answer in a Word

Nervous system
brian
Cerebellum
Spinal cord
Brachial plexus
Musculocutaneous
nerve

1. Vaccine for influenza has

been discovered by:
2. Penicillin was discovered by:
3. Oncology is the study of :
4. The number of chromosomes
in a normal human body cell is:
5. Who is known as the father
of Genetics?
6. The average length of human
pregnancy is:
7. Colour vision is made
possible by the cells in the
retina called:
8. The naturally occuring
anticoagulant in the human
body is:
9. The cellular energy is made
available in the form of:
10. Osteomalacia symptomised
by bone softening is due to the
deficiency of:
11. 1 gm of carbohydrate food
gives energy which is about :
Answers
1. Salk,
2. Alexander Fleming
3. Cancer
4. 46
5. Gregor Johann Mendel
6. 36-38 weeks
7. cone cells
8. Heparin
9. ATP
10. Vitamin D
11. 4.2 k.cal.

in

Intercostal
Nerves

nd

Genitofernoral
nerve
Obturator
nerve
Ulnar nerve

Common peroneal
nerve

Subcostal nerve
Lumbar
plexus
Sacral
plexus
Formal nerve
Pudendal nerve
Sciatic nerve

it.

Median nerve
liohypogastic
nerve

Muscular branches
of femoral nerve
Saphenous nerve
Tibial nerve

am

1. Deforestation has an
alarming effect on ............
2. Sharbati Sonora refers to
............
3. Kisan-Khad is an example of
fertilizer ............
4. Commercial Cork is obtained
from the bark of ............
5. The National Bureau of Plant
Genetic Resource is located
at ............
6. Blood-Pressure is measured
by using ............
7. Origin of species was
published by ............
8. The deficiency of ............ in the
body leads to diabetis.
9. Botany is the study of ............
10. Neurology is the study of
............
11. Genes are located in ............
12. The total number of bones in
human body is ............
13. Deficiency of Vitamin E
results in ............
14. Antibiotics are ............
15. A gas which is atmospheric
pollutant and most fatal for
man ............
16. An instrument to hear and
analyse movements of heart
and lungs ............
17. Largest reptile is ............
18. Life span of RBC is ............
19. An adult person will have
............ liters of blood.
20. In GM food, GM stands for
............
Answers
1. Soil erosion,
2. A variety of wheat
3. N-P-K
4. Oak,

5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

pu

Fill in the Blanks

Deep peroneal nerve

ex

Superficial peroneal
nerve

The nervous system is a highly

specialized tissue network
whose principal component
are neurons. These cells are
interconnected to each other in
a complex arrange, and have
the property of conducting,
using electrochemical signals,
a great variety of stimuli within
the nervous tissue as well as
from and towards most of the
other tissues. Thus, neurons
coordinate multiple functions
in organisms. The classification of the nervous system
is mostly similar in humans as
in other vertebrates.

Page 155 of 191

Name the Following

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the father of cloning?

2. Who invented oral polio
vaccine?
3. Name the disease which
created panic in Asian
countries in 2003.
4. Name the first transgenic
crop sown in India.
5. What is exobiology?
6. Write the scientific name of
coconut.
7. Name the largest flower in the
world?
8. World Environment Day is
observed on
9. National Institute of
Communicable diseases is
located at
10. Name the inventor of mercury
thermometer.
11. Name the scientist who
prepared smallpox vaccine
first.
12. The shortest bone in the
human body is
13. Name the disease caused by
the deficiency of vitamin C.
14. Name the instrument used to
determine altitude.
Answers
1. Ian Wilmut
2. Albert Sabin
3. Avian Flu
4. Bt. Cotton
5. Study of life in outerspace
6. Cocus nucifera
7. Rufflesia
8. June 5
9. New Delhi
10. Fahrenheit
11. Edward Jenner
12. Stapes
13. Scurvy
14. Altimeter.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

am

12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

in

11.

it.

10.

nd

9.

pu

6.
7.
8.

What is Tissue Culture?

What are infectious diseases?
What is Cloning?
What are anaesthetics ?
It is dangerous to sleep in a
closed room with coal fire in
it. Why ?
How are identical twins born ?
How is acid rain caused ?
What do you mean by test
tube baby?
Why blood group O is
called a universal donor?
Why do we perspire on a hot
day ?
Describe briefly the functions
of liver.
What is Mutation?
What is a greenhouse ?
What is inoculation ?
What are contagious diseases?
Mitochondria are called
Power house of the cell.
Why?
What is fertilizer?
What is field capacity of
water?
What is Photosynthesis?
What is Biological Oxygen
Demand (BOD)
Why are earthworms
regarded as a great friend of
the farmers?

ex

17.
18.
19.
20.
21.

22. What is soil profile?

23. What is food chain?
24. Pituitary gland is also called
master gland. Why?
25. Why are chromosomes called
heriditary vehicles?
26. What is a gene?
27. What is Balanced Diet?
28. What is pace maker?
29. What is blood pressure?
30. Why excess water must be
removed from the body by any
means?
31. What is leukemia?
32. What is meningitis?
33. What is Metabolism?
34. What is neurosis?
35. What is haemoglobin?
36. What is hibernation?
37. What are hormones?
38. What is autopsy?
39. What is B.C.G.?
40. What is Bile?
41. What is Biological Warfare
42. What is colour blindness?
43. What is disinfectant?
44. What are proteins?
45. Give the three main
constituents of blood.
46. What is aspirin?
47. What is protoplasm?
48. What are the functions of
pituitary gland?

Days to remember
World Environment day
Hroshima Day
Nagasaki Day
Ozone day
National Pollution Prevention Day
Bhopal Gas Disaster Day

Page 156 of 191

5th June
August 6
August 9
September 16
December 2
December 3 1984

1. A branch of biology in which

living tissues or cells are
grown artificially in suitably
controlled environments. The
cells or tissues may be grown
on solid substrates such as

5.

it.

nd

pu

ex

Answers

4.

cells into nucleated infertilized egg in the laboratory. In

cloning nucleus of egg is
replaced with a nucleus of a
body cell which contain the
full compliment of chromosomes to tick the host egg
cytoplasm to initiate mitosis.
Anaesthetics are drugs
administrated to patient by
surgeons
during
an
operation, so that the patient
cannot feel any kind of pain.
A prominent anaesthetic
used is chloroform.
When coal is burnt, carbon
monoxide is produced. It is
poisonous and injurious to
health. Moreover, the fire
consume oxygen in the room,
so the person sleeping there
get suffocated.
One sperm fertilises with the
ovum and then the zygote
divides into two separate
cells developing independently. They grow into the
identical twins.
Acid rain is caused by large
scale emission of acidic gases
into the atmosphere from
thermal power plants,
industries and automobiles.
The gases mainly responsible for acid rain are sulphur
dioxide, nitrogen oxides and
hydrogen chloride. Sulphur
dioxide and nitrogen oxides
are changed in the
atmosphere into sulphuric
acid and nitric acid
respectively by combining
with oxygen and water.
The effect of acid rain on
plants are chlorosis, necrosis,
defoliation, dieback etc. It also
deposits same toxic minerals
in soil which kill the plants.
Acid rain has also ruined
fresh water reservoirs of most
industrialised countries. Acid

in

glass or cellophane, or in
liquid suspension. The
necessary nutrient medium is
provided from outside to
create ideal conditions for
growth. Tissue culture is used
to study cell growth,
multiplication and differentiation.
2. Diseases which are caused by
the attack of diseases causing
germs are called infection
diseases. Infectious diseases
are also communicable.ie. it
can be spread from one
person to another. The
common disease causing
microbes are viruses, bacteria,
fungus, worms and so on. The
common infectious diseases
in India are measles, chicken
pox, cholera, enteric fever, TB,
leprosy etc. Treatment and
remedial measures are
available for most of the
infectious diseases.
3. Cloning is the production of
copies that are genetically
identical to the parent. It
occurs naturally in asexually
reproducing lower organism
and vegitatively reproducing
plants. Naturally it is not
possible in higher animals.
Artificial cloning can be
achieved in such cases. Dolly
is the first cloned animal.
Cloning generally involves
transplantation of a nucleus
from body cells or embryonic

am

49. What is carbon cycle in

biology?
50. What are fossils?
51. What is Gene Therapy?
52. What is Noise Pollution?
53. Amniocentesis
54. Biodegradation
55. Endoscopes
56. Transgenic Organism
57. Biochips
58. Hepatitis - B
59. Acquired Immuno Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS)
60. Blood Group
61. Food Chain
62. Pasteurization
63. Blood count
64. Bonsai
65. How is a pearl formed?
66. First-aid
67. Plastic surgery
68. Hydrophobia
69. What is Radiocarbon dating?
70. What are Bio-Fertilizers?
71. What is GM Crop?
72. What is National Rural
Health Missionb
73. What is Chikunguniya? How
it can be Prevented?
74. What is Germ theory of
disease?
75. What is Japanese Encephalitis (JE)?
76. What is Insulin?
77. Why should a certain amount
of calcium be a necessary
content of our food?

Green muffler - Growth of

green plants along road sides
to reduce noise pollution.
ODP: Ozone Depleting Potential
C P C B: Central Pollution
Control Board
U N E P: United National
Environment Programme.

Page 157 of 191

6.

7.

in
it.

3. It synthesis blood clotting

factors
4. It stores glycogen, fats
and fat soluble vitamin.
5. Destruction of worn-out
RBC is taking place in the
liver.
6. Detoxification of toxins
and elimination of
foreign bodies.
7. Production of RBC in the
foetal stage.
8. Liver produces heparin,
the natural anticoagulant.
9. It synthesis urea from
ammonia through ornithin cycle.
12. Mutations are sudden stable
heritable changes that occur
in the genotype of an
organism. Genotype can
change due to changes in the
chromosome number, chromosome structure and gene
mutation. Those mutations
that affect at the negetative

ex

am

10.

The adult human liver

normally weighs between
1.4 - 1.6 kilograms (3.1 - 3.5
pounds), and it is a soft,
pinkish-brown "boomerang
shaped" organ. It is the
second largest organ (the
largest organ being the skin)
and the largest gland within
the human body. It is located
on the right side of the upper
abdomen
below
the
diaphragm. The liver lies to
the right of the stomach and
overlies the gallbladder
(which stores bile).

nd

9.

Liver

pu

8.

rain corrodes metals, marble,

painted surfaces, slate, stone
etc. This phenomenon is
called stone leprosy.
If a woman is unable to
conceive and bear children an
ovum is taken from the
woman and fertilized by the
sperm of the male inside a test
tube containing nutrient
medium. The zygote thus
formed is allowed to develop
inside test tube until it
reaches the 32 cell state. Then
it is implanted in the utreus
of the female for further
development. The babies
produced by this technique
are called test tube babies.
Blood group O do not
contains both the antigen (A
& B). So there is no
possibilities to agglutinate
and it is safe to transfuse
into persons of any blood
group.
Human body is physiologically conditioned to
maintain uniform temperature. When the heat produced
in the body becomes excessive
and not dissipated properly,
the sweat glands inside the
body are stimulated to secrete
sweat. When sweat evaporates
from the body it produces a
cooling effect, and temperature
is brought down. So sweating
on a hot day is bodys natural
way of keeping the body
temperature normal.
Liver is the largest gland in
human body. The main
functions of liver are
1. It secretes bile which
helps in digestion.
2. It synthesis aminoacids,
plasma proteins, cholesterol etc.

11.

Page 158 of 191

cells are called somatic

mutations. They are not
heritable and disappear with
the death of that individual.
Mutations occur in the sex
cells are called germinal
mutations. The genes which
mutate frequently are called
mutable genes.
The physical and chemical
factors which bring about
new mutations and increase
the frequency of spontaneous
mutations
is
called
mutagens. The main physical
mutagenes are temperature,
UV radiations, and ionising
radiation. Nitrous acid,
alkylating agents etc are
chemical mutagen.
13. It is a glass structure of
variable size, shape and
complexity in which plants
are grown under artificially
created environment as is
necessary for the production
of fruits, vegetables or flowers
of market value.

Internation Initiative for mitigating

Global changs

in

Under the control of UNEP (United Nations Environment

Programme) various efforts have been made to find solution for
ozone depletion and global warming.
1. Monetreal Protocol (16 September 1987) 27 industrialised
countries agreed to limit production of chlorofluoro carbons to
half the level of 1986.
2. Helsinki Declaration: (May 1989) montrial protocol was ratified
by 82 national Helsinki. They pledged to phase out CFCs by
2000.
3. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes (IPCC, 1988)
prepared a world climate programme (WCP)
4. Convention on Climate Changes (CCC):- under UN framework
the 1991.
the multiplicity of its function
and also of its control over
other endocrine glands.
25. The chromosomes are
capable of replication and
maintaining the morphological and physiological
properties in successive
generations. They transmit
the contained hereditary
material to the next
generation and hence are
known as hereditary vehicles.
26. The heredirary unit which is
transmitted from one
generation to the next is
called gene. A gene is the
fundamental biological unit.
27. A balanced diet is the food
stuff which supplies the
various constituents needed
by the body in proper
proportion for its functioning.
It consists of (1) proteins - the
tissue and flesh building
substance of the body. It is
found in cheese, milk etc. (2)
Carbohydrates - which form
the fuel of the body, found in
starchy food, sugar and
sweets. (3) Fats - the warmth

21.

pu

nd

it.

measured in terms of B.O.D.

BOD is the oxygen in
milligrams required for five
days in one litre of water at
20C for the microorganisms
to metabolise organic waste.
BOD is high in highly
polluted water.
Earthworms increase the
fertility of the soil by taking
dead decaying leaves in their
burrows which ultimately
form the humus content of the
soil. Thus they are regarded
as a great friend of farmers.
Soil profile is a term used to
show different layers or
horizons of soil for their study
in undisturbed state. The
horizons may differ in
thickness, colour, texture,
structure, porosity, activity
and composition.
A food chain can be defined
as a group of organisms in
which there is a transfer of
food energy through a series
of repeated eating and being
eaten.
Pituitary gland is also called
the master gland because of

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14. Introduction of germs of the

some disease below the skin,
so as to produce the disease
in a mild form and thus give
immunity from a severe attack
of the same disease is called
inoculation. inoculation is
done to control diseases like
plague, cholera etc.
15. These are diseases which are
caused when a healthy
person comes into actual
contact with the sick. Eg:
Small pox, tuberculosis are
examples for contagious
diseases.
16. The energy released during
the biological oxidation of
carbohydrates and fats is
utilised by the mitochondria
and synthesize the energy
rich compound known as
ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Thus mitochondria
mainly concerned with the
production of ATP and hence
they are called power house
or batteries of cell.
17. Any material which when
added to the soil, increases
the quantity of mineral
elements in it, is called a
fertilizer.
18. The amount of water retained
by the soil after the drainage
of gravitational water is
called field capacity or the
water-holding capacity of the
soil.
19. Photosynthesis is a process by
which the green plants
synthesise organic matter in
the presence of sunlight with
the help of chlorophyll.
During photosynthesis light
is converted into chemical
energy.
20. Degree of impurity of water
due to organic matter is

22.

23.

24.

Page 159 of 191

count in a normal man ranges

from 5000-9000. A mere
increase in lecucyte count ie
upto 11, 000/cc is known as
leucocytosis where as
abnormal increase ie above
25,000/cc is leukemia or blood
cancer. A decrease in WBC
count is called leucopenia.
32. Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges, the
covering which lies over the
brain and the spinal cord, due
to viral or bacterial infection.
33. Metabolism is the chemical
change where by, food is
changed into living matter
and also the transformation
by which energy is made
available for the use of
organism.

pu

nd

it.

in

known as sphygmomano
meter.
30. Excess water must be
removed from the body by any
means of excretion because it
may result in a serious
condition of oedema
(swelling of tissue through
increase of its fluid content).
Over secretion of Antidiuretic
hormone (ADH) results more
reabsorption of water and less
output of water.
31. Leukemia is a malignant
condition of blood in which
there is proliferative,
purposeless increase of white
blood cells in the blood, along
with premature cells. The
condition usually ends
fatally. The total lecucocyte

ex

am

producing and protecting

food, found in buffer and
animal fat. (4) Vitamins which exert a necessary
influence on digestive
processes and help in the
absorption of food; found in
fresh fruits and vegetables.
An average person requires
daily 12 to 16 oz. of
carbohydrates; 3 to 3.5 oz. of
proteins and 2.25 to 3 oz. of
fat.
28. Pace maker is the region which
controls the heart beat which
is located in the right auricle.
SA node(sinu-atrial node) is
the natural pace maker. It has
a rich capillary blood supply
and is found at the point
where superior venacava
empties into the right auricle.
If the activity of the existing
Pacemaker system is disrupted due to any reason leads
to heart failure. Such persons
are provided with an artificial
electronic device which
regularly sends small
amount of electrical charge
for maintaining the rhythmicity of the heart. This
device is known as artificial
pace maker.
29. The pressure exerted by
blood on the walls of blood
vessels is known as blood
pressure or arterial blood
pressure. It is in high in aorta
near the heart. It is low in the
capillaries and veins. The
maximum blood pressure is
known as systolic pressure
and minimum is known as
diastolic pressure. In man the
systolic pressure is 120 mm
Hg and diastolic pressure is
80 mm Hg. It is generally
expressed as 120/80 mm Hg.
The pressure can be
measured by an instrument

Illustration of blood cells maturing from stem cells

Page 160 of 191

Environmental Laws
for controlling
pollution
Environment (Protection)
Act, 1986:
Insecticide Act 1968
Water (Prevention and
control of pollution) Act
1974.
Air (Prevention and
Control of Pollution) Act,
1981.

of infectious materials
derived from them as
weapons to bring about death
or diseases in humans,
animals or plants. Most of the
advanced countries including the USA have biological
weapons ready in their
arsenal. The use of anthrax by
the terrorists against USA is
an example for biological
warfare.
42. Colour blindness is an inborn
condition in which the
individual is unable to
distinguish between particular colours of red and green.
The person suffering from
colour blindness has a
normal ordinary vision. It is
a herditary diseases
43. Disinfectant or germicide is
an agent which kills
infectious organisms out side
the body by direct exposure to
chemical or physical agent.
They are too corrosive or toxic
to be applied to tissues. They are
used on inanimate surface. eg.
phenol, bleaching powder etc.
44. Proteins are the main
chemical substances of living
matter, composed of
aminoacids. They are a part
of every living cell and are
found in all animals and
plants. It is very essential for
growth and maintanance of
the body. Lean meat, fish and
eggs are almost entirely
proteins. Proteins occur in
structural matter as bones,
tendons, skin, hair and hoof,
and in some vitamins and
hormones. All enzymes are
proteins. Their composition
varies with the source, but all
proteins are basically
constructed of carbon,
hydrogen, oxygen and
nitrogen and some contain

39.

pu

38.

nd

it.

in

by the thyroid gland controls

the growth as a whole where
as the secretion of the
pituitary gland exerts a
powerful influence on the
development of skeletal
structures.
Autopsy is a post-mortem
examination of the body. It is
done to find out the reason of
death.
B.C.G. (Bacillus Calmette
Guerin) is a vaccine against
tuberculosis. Proper and timely
treatment with B.C.G. vaccine
can control tuberculosis.
Secretion of the liver is called
bile. It contains two types of
pigments, bilirubin and
biliverdin. Bile emulsifies
fats, prevents food from
decomposing and forming
gas. It helps the digested food
to pass smoothly along the
digestive canal. It is partly
absorbed by the intestines, get
into the blood and helps to
keep up the heat of the body.
A high level of bile pigments
in the blood causes jaundice.
Biological Warfare is the use
of living organisms such as
deadly bacteria or viruses or

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34. Neurosis is a nervous

disorder affecting the action
but not the structure of the
nervous system, specially
caused by mental influences
and not traceable to physical
injury.
35. Haemoglobin is the red
pigment present in the blood
of man and other vertebrate
animals which contains iron
and protein. It plays an
important part in taking up
oxygen from air in the lungs
and carries it to various parts
of the body where oxygen is
required. Haemoglobin also
carries CO2 from all the cells
to the lungs.
36. Animals like frog, lizards etc.
undergo a kind of inactivity
during winter as a short-term
adaptation. A very low rate of
metabolism is maintained just
for survival until favourable
conditions of the environment
return. This phenomenon is
called hibernation. During
this period the energy for life
activities is derived from
stored fat.
37. Hormones are the internal
secretions of the ductless
(endocrine) glands like
pituitary,
pancreas,
suprarenal and thyroid
which are passed directly
into the blood inside vessels
within the gland itself. These
hormones exert a great
influence upon health and
development of the body.
Pancreas manufacture a
hormone called insulin,
which assists in the
assimilation of sugar, and
thus prevents diabetes.
Adrenalin, a secretion of
suprarenal glands control
blood pressure and tones the
nerves. Thyroxine produced

40.

41.

Page 161 of 191

in

is measured on the decibel

scale (dB). The main sources of
noise pollution are industrial
machinery, transportation, and
community activities and
entertainment.
Constant exposure to noise
levels above 75 decibels can
damage the ear and impair
hearing. Exposure to noise
levels above 120 decibels
causes pain in the ear, and
continuous exposure to noise
levels above 180 decibels may
even cause death. Road traffic
noise is usually of moderate
intensity, but being of
continuous nature can be
irritating people living along
busy streets. Badly maintained vehicle engines and
indiscriminate use of horns
often make the situation worse
leading to various types of
physiological disorders such
as high blood pressure and
heart problems. Loud noise is
even known to affect unborn
babies. Sudden loud noise
such as gunfire or crackers
can cause irreversible
damage to ear-drums.
53. Amniocentesis is a technique
used to determine chromosome abnormalities of the
foetus. In this tehcnique, a
small sample of amniotic fluid
is taken from the mothers
womb (uterus) using a
surgical needle without
causing any damage to the
foetus. The foetus cells
obtained from this fluid are
examined for chromosomal
abnormalities and bichemical
defects.
54. It is a process by which living
organisms break down
complex matter into its
simpler constituents. The
agents of the process, mainly

it.

nd

48.

pu

47.

am

46.

49. Carbon cycle is the circulation

of carbon (as carbon dioxide)
between living organisms
and the atmosphere. Carbon
dioxide is built into complex
carbon compounds by plants
during photosynthesis.
Animals obtain their carbon
atoms by feeding on plants or
other animals; during
respiration, and by decay and
death, some of this carbon is
returned to the atmosphere in
the form of carbon dioxide.
50. Fossils are the remains of an
organism preserved in rocks
in the earths crust. Usually
only hard parts (bones, shells
etc.) are so preserved, but
occasionally fossils of soft
organism have also been
recognised. fossils are
important to archeologists for
their usefulness in the study
of pre-historic forms of
organisms and subsequent
changes with time.
51. It is a potential approach to
the treatment of genetic
disorders in man. Removal of
defective genes and their
replacement with normal
healthy functional genes is
called gene therapy. For eg
genetic disorders such as
sickle cell anaemia, SCID etc
can be cured by gene therapy
Currently, its use is restricted
to the treatment of somatic
cells (which include all the
cells of the body), except the
reproductive or germ cells the egg and the sperm cells.
52. Any unwanted form of
sound, such as noise of
vehicles, machinery, jet
planes, indiscriminate use of
loud speakers, are examples
of noise pollution. Just as we
measure temperature on
celsius scale, the level of noise

ex

45.

sulphur, phosphorous and

iron (haemoglobin).
Red blood corpuscles (RBC or
erythrocytes), white blood
corpuscles (WBC or leucocytes) and blood platelets
(thrombocytes).
Aspirin is a sedative drug
used for relieving rheumatic
pains, neuralgia, etc. It is a
synthetic drug. It is
acetylsalicylic acid.
Protoplasm is the living matter
present in the cells of animal
and, plants. It includes both
the nucleus and the
cytoplasm of the cell.
Pituitary is a small Pea
shaped gland attached to the
hypothalamus by pitutary
stalk. Pituitary gland plays
an important role in the
regulation of many other
endocrine glands and
influence the physiological
functions of the body directly
or indirectly. Hence it is also
called master gland. But the
activities of pitutary gland is
regulated by hypothalamus.
The important hormones
produced by the anterior lobe
of pitutary gland is growth
bormone (GH), thyroid
stimulating hormone (TSH),
adrenocorticcotropic hormone (ACTH), and Gonad
stimulating hormones (GSH).
Dovarfism is a disorder of
children due to hyposecretion
(low production) of GH and
gigantism is a disorder due to
hyper secretion (excess
production) of GH. In an adult
person the excess secretion of
GH hormone leads to a
particular condition known
as acromegaly. The victims
have a gorilla like appearance.

Page 162 of 191

disarms the immune system.

With its main line of defence
shattered, the body now falls
an easy prey to even the
common infecting agents that
it would otherwise ward off.
The patient usually dies of
these infections.
HIV spreads from an infected
person to a healthy person
through body fluids. Sexual
transmission of HIV is most
common. Contaminated
blood and blood products
and improperly sterlized
zyringes and needles besides
passage of the virus from
infected mother to unborn
baby are other ways through
which the virus spreads.
60. On the basis of the antigens,
human blood can be
classified into various types
or groups. The most common
blood group system is the
ABO blood group which was
discovered in 1900 by Karl
Landsteiner. Depending on
the presence or absence of the
two antigens called A and B,
this system divides human
blood into four types. Type A
blood group has erythrocytes
with antigen A on its
membrane. Type B has
antigen B, while type AB has
both antigen A and B. The
fourth type called blood group
O has neither antigen A nor B.
In 1940, Landsteiner and
Alexander Wiener discovered another antigen called
the Rh factor. Most human
beings bear the Rh factor on
the surface of their red blood
cells and are said to have Rh
positive blood. Those who
lack this antigen have R h
negative blood.
To avoid clumping of blood
cells after blood transfusions

pu

nd

it.

in

Sayr has long flavourful shelf

life.
57. Use of biotechnology for
producing microchips has
resulted in the invention of
biochips that promise to cope
better with the problems such
as electron tunneling seen in
the use of silicon chips.
Biochips have found a number
of applications and opened the
doors for development of
powerful miniscule computers or biological computers.
58. Hepatitis - B (Hepatitis means
inflammation of liver) is an
infectious viral disease
caused by Hepatitis - B virus.
It is a virus that is hundred
times more infectious than the
Human Immuno Deficiency
Virus (HIV). Like HIV,
Hepatitis - B is passed on
through sexual contact,
infected needles, blood
transfusion and from infected
mothers to the infants born.
However, unlike HIV,
Hepatitis - B can infect
another person merely
through exposure to body
secretions such as saliva,
tears, vomit, bleeding, cuts
and wounds.
59. Acquired Immuno Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS) is the most
devastating and fatal disease
of the 20th century. It is a viral
disease caused by the Human
Immuno Deficiency Virus
(HIV). What makes it different
from other viruses is that it
strikes at the bodys own
defence machinery (the
immune system) that
constantly fights to the vast
array of microbial enemies
invading our bodies. The
virus may remain dormant
upto 10 years until some event
activates it. On awakening, it

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bacteria and moulds, are

known as decomposers. Any
matter that can be acted upon
by these decomposers is
known as biodegradable. All
organic matter can be
decomposed and hence is
biodegradable. Biodegradation helps in recycling
essential nutrients in a
natural way. Non-biodegradable materials are those
which cannot be broken
down by biological agents.
Plastic and other synthetic
materials are examples of
non-biodegradable matter.
55. Instruments made of optical
fibres used to look at the
bodys internal organs.
Endoscopes are inserted in
the body to produce images
of the organs that can be
viewed on a TV monitor or
captured by a camera. This
painless method of diagnosis is known as endoscopy.
56.Transgenics or transgenic
organisms are Genetically
Modified Organism (GMOs)
which have been made to
incorporate in their genetic
make up some useful foreign
genes. Transgenic animals
with additional gene for
increased growth rate can be
marked more quickly. Transgenic cattle produce more
milk and theuraptic human
proteins will secrete through
their milk. Transgenic pigs
with genes for human
antigens can provide various
organs for transplantation in
human beings without any
chance of rejection. Bt cotton
is transgenic cotton in which
gene for insecticidal protein
from Bacillus thurengensis
has been incorporated.
Transgenic tomato, Flavr

Page 163 of 191

nd

it.

68.

64.

65.

69.

ex

63.

pollution agriculture. This

Bio-organic fertilizer can
increase the output, improve
the quality and it is
responsible for agriculture
environment. Today, it has
been widely used with
excellent results in all kinds of
plants and several countries.
71. These are the crops with
genetic material from another
organism. Genetic materials
are introduced in it for the
desired qualities Bt cotton
was the Indias first GM crop
with Bollworm resistant.
Genetic engineering allows
scientist to develop such
plants whch have resistance
towards diseases, pests and
stress like drought or heat. It
can also be used to keep
vegetables fresh for long
periods with increased
nutritive value.
72. The NRHM has following
objectives:
(a) The Mission adopts a
synergistic approach by
relating health to determinants of good health viz.
segments of nutrition,
sanitation, hygiene and safe
drinking water.
(b) It also aims at mainstreaming the Indian systems
of medicine to facilitate health
care.
(c) To ensure community
participation and ownership
of assets, induction of
management and financial
personnel into district health
system, and operationalizing
community health centres
into functional hospitals,
meeting Indian Public Health
Standards in each Block of the
Country.

in

67.

am

62.

66.

within the shell, the mantle

secretes calcium carbonate
around the irritant body over
several years. This encrustation forms the pearls.
Treatment that can be given
in an accident, injury and
sudden illnes, until more
skilled persons arrive or the
patient is transferred to a
hospital is called first aid.
It is a branch of surgery
devoted to reconstruction or
repair of deformity, surgical
defect, or the result of injury.
Plastic surgery is performed
using bone, cartilage and skin
from other parts of the body.
Hydrophobia is a disease
caused by a virus after the bite
by an infected animal.
Symptoms like headache,
fever, difficulty in drinking
water and food will be
developed 4 to 6 days after the
bite by an infected animal. So
the patient is extremely thirsty
and struggles to drink water.
Showing conclusive reaction
which may appear as fear of
water.
The method of finding out the
age of fossils by determining
the amount of radiocarbon
(C14) remaining in them. Since
the half life of C 14 is 5,720
years, its amount is reduced
to half after so many years
and, thus, the age of a fossil
can be determined.
Bio-fertilizers are those
fertilizers in which organic
matters are used.
Bio-Fertilizers are the most
advanced bio-technology
necessary to support developing organic agriculture,
sustainable agriculture, green
agriculture and non-

pu

61.

it is necessary to crossmatch
the donors blood type with
that of the recipients.
Food chain is a sequence of
organisms in a community
which is formed by eating
and being eaten. Plants are
base of the sequence. In other
words, food energy passes
from plants to animals in a
long chain called the food
chain.
Each step in the food chain
represents a trophic level. The
energy from the sun is fixed
by the producers and it is
then passed through the
various trophic levels in the
form of food.
Pasteurization is the
sterilization of food by
heating it to a temperature
below 1000 C to reduce the
number of micro-organisms it
contains and so to protect it
from decay. For milk, the
method involved is heating it
to 1610 F/720 C for 15 seconds
followed by rapid cooling to
500 F/100 C. The process kills
micro-organisms but retains
the taste, flavour and nutritive
value of milk.
Blood count is the counting
of the number of white blood
corpuscles in blood. In
normal state one cubic mm
blood contains 10,000 WBCs.
If the number exceeds, it will
cause leukaemia. Defensive
mechanism of the body is
affected by the fall in number
of WBCs.
It is the ancient Japaneese art
of growing dwarf trees. Trees
are kept small by pruning
roots and branches and by
restricting growth in pots.
Pearl is formed due to an
irritation by foreign matter

70.

Page 164 of 191

76. It is a very useful drug for

diabetes and was discovered
by Dr.F.G. Banting in 1922. It
is a product of unknown
nature derived from the
pancreas of animals. It
regulates the percentage of
sugar in blood. If the
percentage is too high it
converts the excess into starch
and stores the starch in liver,
muscles and skin. With the
help of insulin a diabetic
patient leads a normal
healthy life. It is generally
injected into the patient.
77. Calcium is required for the
growth and maintenance of
bones and teeth. Calcium is
also needed for the activity of
the heart and muscles.
Hence, a certain amount of
calcium must be included in
our daily diet. It may be
worthwhile to mention here
that the daily intake of
calcium
should
be
approximately one gram. The
rich sources of calcium are
milk, milk products, green
leafy vegetables, fish, marine
products, cereals like millet,
ragi, etc.

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in

74. The germ theory of

disease, also called the
pathogenic theory of
medicine, is a theory that
proposes that microorganisms are the cause of
many diseases. Although
highly controversial
when first proposed, it is
now a cornerstone of
modern medicine and
clinical microbiology,
leading to such important
innovations
as
antibiotics and hygienic
practices.
75. Japanese encephalitis is
caused by a virus belongs to
flavi virus family. This virus
occurs along the orient, from
korea and Japan in the north
and Malaysia in the south.
The disease has been
recognised in Japan since
1871. The virus was first
isolated in Japan in 1935. The
principal vector of this
disease is Culex mosquito.
The disease has an abrupt
onset with fever, headache
and vomiting. The fever is
high and continuous. In India
Japanese encephalitis was
first recognised in 1955. It
occurred mainly between
October and November.
Preventive measures include
mosquito control and
locating piggeries away from
human dwellings.
Maximum cases are reported
from A.P., West Bengal,
Assam, Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka, Kerala, Manipur,
Haryana and U.P.
JE vaccine has been
indigenously developed by
Central Research Institue,
Kasauli.

ex

am

(d) The Goal of the Mission is

to improve the availabilityof
and access to quality health
care by people, especially for
those residing in rural areas,
the poor, women and
children.
73. Chikungunya virus was first
isolated from human patients
and Aedes aegypti from
Tanzania in 1952. The name
chikungunya is derived from
a native word for the diseases
in the patient lies doubled up
due to sever joint pains. The
virus first appeared in India
in 1963. The disease appears
as a sudden onset of fever.
Crippling joint pains,
lymphadenopathy and
conjunctivities. The vector is
Aedes aegypti mosquito.
The incubation period is 1 to
12 days. They spread only
through mosquitoes. Spread
from one person to another
due to direct contact or touch
has yet never been reported.
There is no vaccine for
Chikunguniya. Symptoms
are treated rather than the
disease.
Following methods can be
adopted to prevent Chickunguniya.
1. It has to be ensured that
there is no stagnant
water.
2. Insect repellent should be
used over the exposed
parts of the body to avoid
mosquito bites.
3. Mosquito repellent or
mosquito nets should be
used in non-AC rooms.
4. Long sleeved shirts
should be worn.

Page 165 of 191

Important Terms
Antibiotic : A drug derived
from living organisms such as
fungi or bacteria which kills
or inhibits the growth of
bacteria or fungi. Medical
science is greatly indebted to
antibiotic as the treatment of
wound and injury is easier
with the application of
antibiotics. The well known
antibiotics are penicillin,
streptomycin, terramycin,
neomycin, etc.
Antigen : A foreign
substance, usually protein in

it.

ex

It is usually single stranded,

unlike the double stranded
DNA and consists of a large
number of nucleotides stung
together, each of which
comprises the sugar ribose, a
phosphate group and one of
four bases (uracil, cytosine,
adenine and guanine).
Diffusion : The spontaneous
and random movement of
molecules or particles in a
fluid (gas or liquid) from areas
of higher concentration to
areas of lower concentration,
until a uniform concentration
is achieved throughout. For
instance, if a drop of ink is
added to water, its molecules
will diffuse until their colour
become evenly distributed
throughout.
Ecology : The study of plants
and animals in relation to
their environment. The term
was coined by the biologist
Ernest Haeckel in 1866.
Electro Cardio Gram(ECG) :
A recording of the electric
current produced by the
contraction of heart (cardiac)
muscles. ECG is used in the
diagnosis of heart disease.
Electro Encephalo Gram
(EEG) : A recording of the
electric currents developed in
the brain.
Enzyme : An organic catalyst
which accelerates a reaction
within a cell. All are wholly
or partially protein, with or
without a prosthetic group.
Most of them are highly
specific in their effects.
Fertilization : The process of
fusion of a male gamete
(sperm) with a female gamete
(an egg) resulting in the
formation of a zygote.

in

am

nd

the information needed to

build, control and maintain a
living organism. DNA is a
ladder like double-stranded
nucleic acid that forms the
basis of genetic inheritance in
almost all organisms. In
organisms other than
bacteria, it is organised into
chromosomes and contained
in the cell nucleus.
Diabetes Mellitus : Diabetes
is a common metabolic
disorder in which there is
failure of the pancreas to
produce insulin in amounts
needed to control sugar
metabolism. As a result the
blood sugar rises above the
normal values and spills over
into the urine, causing large
volumes to be produced.
Treatment is coupled with
strict dietary control and
application of insulin
depending on the type of
diabetes. It is estimated that
nearly 4% of world
population suffers from this
disease. To create the
awareness
and
take
precaution to prevent the
disease November 14 is
observed as world diabetes
day.
Dialysis : Technique for
removing waste products
from the blood in chronic or
acute kidney failure. The
scientific principle applied
here is diffusion. The
dissolved substances of
different molecular weight
can be separated by using
their rate of diffusion across
this layers of material.
RNA : RNA is ribonucleic
acid involved in the process
of translating DNA, the
genetic material into proteins.

pu

nature, which causes the

formation of specific
antibodies by the bodies
immune system. Antibodies
are produced to eliminate the
antigens by a number of
mechanisms.
Biomass : The total mass of
living organisms present in a
particular habitat. Measurement of biomass can be used
for various purposes such as
interaction between organisms, variations in population
numbers etc.
Biological clock : Biological
clock is the internal mechanism by which living
organisms such as animals
and plants keep track of time.
It is this tracking mechanism
inside them help the clock to
announce the arrival of
morning and flowers to
bloom in spring.
Chromosomes : Chromosomes
are thread like structure
present in a cell nucleus that
carry the genes. They are
regarded today as the major
carrier of genetic material,
consisting of DNA and
various types of protein.
There are 46 chromosomes in
a normal human cell. It has
the ability to make duplicate
copy of its own.
Dehydration : Dehydration is
the excessive loss of water
and salt from the tissues of the
body. Excessive loss of saltcontaining fluids as a result
of severe vomiting, diarrhoea
or excessive urination can
affect the circulatary system,
pulse rate and blood pressure.
DNA : DNA is deoxyribonucleic acid. It is the complex
giant molecule that contains,
in chemically coded form, all

Page 166 of 191

Plant breeding: It is the

science of producing improved varieties of crop plants by
changing their heridity for
one or more traits like higher
yield, better quality shorter
duration, resistance to
common diseases etc.
Quarantine: It is checking of
incoming plants, seeds,
fruits, tissues and other
organisms for any harmful
effect, which can cause
diseases in local plants,
animals and humans. Plant
quarantine is meant for
preventing introduction of
exotic pests, weeds, and
diseases into the country
under DIP Act 1914.
Germplasm: Germplasm is
the sum total of all alleles of
genes present in various
varieties of crop plant, its
related species and wild
relatives. Germ plasm is the
foundation over which all the
improved varieties are
constructed.
Hybridisation: It is crossing
of two or more types of plants
for bringing their traits
together in the progeny. The
individual used in hybridisation are called parents.
Hybridisation is the most
common method of creating
genetic variation.
Animal breeding: It is the
science of producing improved breeds of domesticated
animal, by improving their
genotype through selective
mating. The main objectives
for animal breeding are
increased quantity and
improved quality of their
products and resistance to
diseases etc.

pu

nd

it.

in

the solvent but not of

dissolved substances.
Eugenics: The study of the
production of better offsprings of human beings by the
careful selection of parents.
Astigmatism : It refers to a
defect of an optical image in
which rays passing through
the lens focus in different
planes. It can be rectified by
using cylindrical lenses.
Bile : Secretion from the liver. It
has a brownish - yellow colour
and is bitter to taste. It is
helpful in the digestion of food.
Blood sugar : Glucose
circulating in blood. its
normal level is 90-180 mg per
100 ml of blood in man.
Fermentation : The chemical
changes brought about by
living organisms (yeasts,
bacteria, etc)in which bigger
organic molecules are
converted into smaller
molecules, e.g., conversion of
glucose and sugar into
alcohol and carbon dioxide.
Genetic code : The code by
which inherited characteristics are passed on from one
generation to another. The
deoxyribonucleic acids
(DNA) in the chromosomes
carry them forward during
reproduction.
Demography : It is the study
of all aspects of population
like number, birth rate, death
rate, age groups, sex relation,
occupation, education etc. in
human beings.
Morphine : White crystalline,
bitter narcotic principal
alkaloid of opium. It is used
in medicine as hydrochloride
or sulphate to dull pain,
sedation and induce sleep.

am

Hereditary : Passing by
inheritance from one
generation to another.
Inflammation : The reactions
of tissues to injury, pain,
increased temperature,
redness and accumulation of
white blood cells.
Neoplasm : a new and
abnormal formation of tissue
as a cancer or tumour.
Obesity : Overweight of the
body due to excessive
accumulation of fat.
Parasite : An organism that
lives in (endo) or on (ecto)
another organism, at whose
expense it gains nourishment, and, often protection.
Vaccine: A preparation of
pathogens or substances
derived
from
them
administered to a person in
order to establish resistance
to an infection. Vaccine is
available for most of the
diseases caused by bacteria.
BCG, triple antigen, polio
vaccine are some examples.
Bionics : The study of
functions, characteristics and
phenomena observed in the
living world and the
application of this knowledge
to the world of machines.
Hypermetropia: It is a defect
of eye in which near objects
are not distinctly visible. This
is also called longsightedness. It can be
corrected by using convex
lenses (converging lenses).
Hydroponics: The cultivation
of plants by placing the roots
in liquid nutrient solutions
without soil.
Osmosis: The flow of a
solvent through a membrane
that permits the passage of

ex

Page 167 of 191

it.

breastbone. The heart is usually felt to be on the

left side because the left heart (left ventricle) is
stronger (it pumps to all body parts). The left
lung is smaller than the right lung because the
heart occupies more of the left hemithorax. The
heart is enclosed by a sac known as the
pericardium and is surrounded by the lungs.
The pericardium comprises two parts: the
fibrous pericardium, made of dense fibrous
connective tissue; and a double membrane
structure containing a serous fluid to reduce
friction during heart contractions (the serous
pericardium). The mediastinum, a subdivision
of the thoracic cavity, is the name of the heart
cavity.
The apex is the blunt point situated in an inferior
(pointing down and left) direction. A stethoscope
can be placed directly over the apex so that the
beats can be counted. It is located posterior to the
5th intercostal space in the left mid-clavicular line.
In normal adults, the mass of the heart is 250-350
g (9-12 oz), or about three quarters the size of a
clenched fist, but extremely diseased hearts can
be up to 1000 g (2 lb) in mass due to hypertrophy.
It consists of four chambers, the two upper atria
(singular: atrium ) and the two lower ventricles.
On the left is a picture of a fresh human heart
which was removed from a 64-year-old male.

pu
Aorta
(blood to
the body)

Pulmonary veins
from right lung
Right
atrium
Aortic
valve

Pulmonary artery
(to left lung)
Pulmonary veins
(from left lung)

ex

Pulmonary artery
to right lung

am

superior vena cava

(blood from the body)

Tricuspid
valve
Right ventricle
Inferior vena cava
(blood from the body)

preceptions, standards and

principle which regulate our
activities in relation to
exploitation of biological
world particularly in view of
the latest break through in
biotechnology.
Explant: In tissue culture,
part of plant to be cultured.
Radon: A rare radio active
gaseous element now found
to be emitted from several
mineral ingredients causing
leukemia, brain tumours and
kidney cancers.
Biodegradable plastic: It is
being developed from low
density polyethylene mixed
with starch. The new plastic
takes only two months to
degrade inside the soil.

in

can provide commercial

benefits. They are abundant
in developing countries
which are poor in technology.
They are rich in traditional
knowledge related to
bioresources also. On the
other hand developed
countries are poor in bioresources. Based on traditional
knowledge institutions and
companies of industrialised
nations are collecting and
exploiting bioresources of
other nations by getting them
patented.
Eg: A patent granted in
U.S.A. for basmati rice
germplasm which has an
entire range located in India.
Bioethics: Bioethics is a set of

nd

Biopesticide: They are

biological agents and their
products which can be used as
pesticides against seeds, insects
and pathogens. Biopesticides
can be viruses, bacteria, fungi,
protozoa and mites.
Biopatent: It is an official
licence to use a particular
biological material for
commercial exploitations.
Biopiracy : It is exploitation
of bioresources of a country
by organisations and multinationals for commercial
exploitation with or without
patent but without any access
and
benefit
sharing
agreement (ABA). Bioresource or biological sources are
all those organisms which

left
atrium
Pulmonary
valve
Mitral
valve
Left
ventricle
Septum

Anterior (frontal) view of the opened heart.

In the human body, the heart is usually situated in

the middle of the thorax with the largest part of the
heart slightly offset to the left (although sometimes
it is on the right, see dextrocardia), underneath the

Page 168 of 191

in

37. The energy possessed by a

body due to its position is
called .............
38. Kinetic energy of a body is due
to its .............
39. ............. is the ability to do
work.
40. Fluids flow with zero
viscosity is called .............
41. ............. is used for measuring
flow of liquids.
42. As temperature increases
viscosity of liquids .............
43. Surface tension decreases
with ............. of temperature.
44. Liquid assumes spherical
shape due to .............
45. study of sound is known as
.............
46. The speed greater than speed
of sound is .............
47. ............. is used to reproduce
sound.
48. Rocket propulsion is based on
.............
49. ............. is used to measure
atomic distances. It is also the
unit of wavelength of light.
50. ............. is the distance
travelled by light in one year.
51. Nautical mile is used in
navigation. One nautical
mile is equal to ............. km.
52. One inch (in) is equal to
............. cm.
53. One yard (yd) is equal to
............. m.
54. One foot (ft) is equal to ............. m.
55. One mile is equal to ............. km.
56. ............. is the amount of heat
required to raise the
temperature of 1 gm of water
by 1o C.
57. One Acre (a) is equal to ............. m2
58. 1 Hectare (ha) is equal to
............. acres.

it.

nd

ex

am

1. Heat engine converts heat in

to .........
2. Diamond is an allotropic form
of .............
3. ............. was the first space ship
to land on moon.
4. The atmospheric pressure at
sea level is .............
5. Indian
Institute
of
Astrophysics is in
6. Human eye contains .............
lens.
7. ............. is employed as a
moderator in a nuclear
reactor.
8. The hydrometer is an
instrument used to measure
............. of liquids
9. The laws of electrolysis were
propounded by .............
10. ............. is used to measure
angular distances between
two objects.
11. ............. is the apparatus for
measuring blood pressure.
12. ............. is used to measure the
speed of a moving vehicle.
13. ............. is used to determine
the concentration of salt
solutions by measuring their
densities.
14. Sonometer is used to study the
behaviour of .............
15. ............. is used to calculate the
curvature of spherical objects.
16. ............. is used to see two
dimensional pictures as
having depth and solidity.
17. ............. is to hear and analyse
beats of heart and lungs.
18. ............. is used to record small
intervals of time in the
laboratory, races etc.

19. ............. is used to convert a

photograph into a map.
20. ............. is an instrument used
to record speed of aeroplane
and motor boats.
21. Tangent galvanometer is
used for measuring the
strength of .............
22. ............. is an instrument used
to measure the speed and
direction of motion of cloud.
23. By winding a watch, we store
............. energy.
24. Beta rays are nothing but
speeding .............
25. The filament of an electric
bulb is made of .............
26. The
element
most
abundantly found in the
earths crust is .............
27. The element found on the
surface of the moon, which is
also described as strategic
metal is .............
28. Thermocouple is used to
convert heat energy into
............. energy.
29. .............. is an instrument to
measure the pressure of gases.
30. The quantities that have only
magnitude and not direction
are called .............
31. Rate of change of velocity is
called .............
32. The amount of water vapour
in the air is termed as .............
33. The density of water is
maximum at ............. temperature.
34. Weight of a body at the centre
of earth is .............
35. The escape velocity of earth
is .............
36. The force of attraction
between like molecules is
called .............

pu

Fill in the Blanks

Page 169 of 191

Answers to fill in the blanks

Michael Faraday

4. Barometer was invented by 5. Intensity of an earthquake is

measured by6. Raman effect is related with
the7. The instrument which is
used to measure very high
temperatures 8. The instrument which detects
the presence of infrared rays
is 9. Name the quantity which
remains same before and after
the immersion of two objects
of same weights.
10. Name the energy possessed
by the water when it is collected in the reservoir of a dam?
11. Which law states that stress
by strain is a constant?
12. Echo and reverberation is due
to which phenomenon?
13. Sound travels fastest in which
medium?
14. In a doctors stethescope, the
sound is intensified because
of which phenomenon?
15. Why does mercury is used as
the liquid in thermometers?

nd

it.

decreases
rise
surface tension
Acoustics
supersonic
phonogram
Newtons third law of motion.
Angstrom
Light year
1.825
2.54
0.914
0.3048
1.609
Calorie
100
2.471

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42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.

in

Michael Faraday, FRS (September 22, 1791

August 25, 1867) was an English chemist and
physicist (or natural philosopher, in the
terminology of that time) who contributed to
the fields of electromagnetism and
electrochemistry.
Faraday studied the magnetic field around a
conductor carrying a DC electric current, and
established the basis for the magnetic field
concept in physics. He discovered
electromagnetic induction, diamagnetism and electrolysis. He
established that magnetism could affect rays of light and that there
was an underlying relationship between the two phenomena. His
inventions of electromagnetic rotary devices formed the foundation
of electric motor technology, and it was largely due to his efforts
that electricity became viable for use in technology.

am

Mechanical energy
Carbon
Lunic-II
1 bar
Kodai Canal (Tamil Nadu)
Convex lens
Graphite
Specific Gravity
Faraday
Sextant,
Sphygmomanometer
Speedometer
Salinometer
vibrating strings
Spherometer
Stereoscope
Stethescope
Stopwatch
Stereoplotter
Tachometer
direct current
Nephoscope
Potential
Electrons
Tungsten
Aluminium
Titanium
Electrical
Manometer
Scalar quantities
Acceleration
humidity
4o C
zero
11.2 km/s or 7 miles/s
cohesion
potential energy
motion
energy
Super fluids
Venturimeter

ex

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.

Answer in a Word
1. Name the instrument used to
measure the strength of an
electric current
2. Which metal is called the
metal of future?
3. Which is the first nuclear
research reactor of India?

Page 170 of 191

Answers to the
sententence or two

in

1. Light year is a unit of distance

in astronomical calculations.
It is the distance that light
travels in one year at the speed
of about 3 lakh km per second.
2. Radiography is the production of photographs of the
internal structure of bodies
opaque to visible light, by the
radiation from X rays or by
gamma rays from radio active
substances
3. Lactometer is a scientific
instrument for testing the
purity of milk. It is based on
the principle of floatation.
4. Seismograph is an instrument
for recording the intensity
and origin of earthquakes.
5. Electric potential difference
measured in volts is known
as voltage.
6. A conductor of electricity
installed in a structure to save
it from lightning damage is
known as lightning conductor. It neutralises the electric
charge of the clouds coming
in its contact or carries it to
the earth.
7. Rectifier is a device for
converting an alternative
current into a direct one.

ex

Explain the following

in a sentence or two
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

light year
Radiography
Lactometer
Seismograph
Voltage
Lightning conductor
Rectifier
Short circuit

8. The direct flow of current

between two points of
different potential is known
as short circuit.

Write Short Notes

it.

Ammeter
Titanium
Apsara
Toricelli
Richter scale
Scattering of light
Pyrometer
Bolometer
density
potential energy
Hookes law
reflection of sound
Steel
reflection
Because it does not wet the
glass, high density and high
termal expansivity.
16. Unlike molecules
17. Sliding to rolling
18. mass remains constant but
weight becomes zero

am

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

Tungsten also called wolfram is a chemical element that has the

symbol W (German: wolfram) and atomic number 74. A very hard,
heavy, steel-gray to white transition metal, tungsten is found in
several ores including wolframite and scheelite and is remarkable
for its robust physical properties, especially the fact that it has the
highest melting point of all the non-alloyed metals and the second
highest of all the elements after carbon. The pure form is used mainly
in electrical applications but its many compounds and alloys are
widely used in many applications, most notably in light bulb
filaments, in X-ray tubes (as both the filament and target), and in
superalloys. Tungsten is the only metal from the third transition
series that is known to occur in biomolecules.

nd

Answers to the answer in a

word

Tungsten

pu

16. Adhesion is the force of

attraction between what type
of molecules?
17. Friction can be reduced by
changing over from which
friction?
18. When a man circles round the
earth in a spacecraft, what
happens to his mass and
weight?

Page 171 of 191

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.

Laser
EDUSAT Programme
SRE
CARTOSAT-2
Fibre Optics
Direct to Home (DTH)
Resonance
Raman Effect
Teleprinter
Micro waves
Cohesion
Temperature scales
Buoyancy
Photo electric effect
Fluorescence
Super conductivity
Super fluidity
Piezoelectric effect
Remote Control System
Viscosity
Phosphorescence
Teflon
Ultrasonics

24. Black Box

25. Escape Velocity
26. Quautum Theory

Light-year

in

it.

nd

transmitting data, voice, and

images by the passage of light
through thin, transparent
fibres or some other
transparent material of high
refractive index.
In telecommunications, fibre
optic technology has virtually
replaced copper wire in longdistance telephone lines, and
it is used to link computers
within local area networks.
Fibre optics is also the basis
of the fibrescopes used in
examining internal parts of
the body (endoscopy) or
inspecting the interiors of
manufactured structural
products.
The principle on which this
transmission of light depends
is that of total internal
reflection.
6. It is a system of TV broadcasting where TV signals are
transmitted directly to
viewers, side stepping the
cable operators. The viewer
needs decoder to synchronize

ex

am

1. A Laser (Light Amplification

by Stimulated Emission of
Radiation) is an optical
source that emits photons in
a coherent beam. Laser light
is typically near-monochromatic, i.e. consisting of a
single wavelength, and
emitted in a narrow beam.
This is in contrast to common
light sources, such as the
incandescent light bulb,
which emit incoherent
photons in almost all
directions, usually over a
wide spectrum of wavelengths.
In 1916, Albert Einstein laid
the foundation for the
invention of the laser, while
the first working laser was
made by Theodore H.
Maiman in 1960.
2. EDUSAT programme is
aimed to provide distance
education service using
advanced space technology
and ground technology of
convergence.
3. Space-capsule Recovery
Experiment (SRE) is intended
for demonstrating the
capability to recover an
orbiting space capsule.
SRE will be launched as a copassenger of CARTO-SAT-2
on board PSLV during the
second half of 2006-2007.
4. Cartosat-2, the twelfth in the
Indian Remote Sensing (IRS)
satellite series, is an
advanced remote sensing
satellite capable of providing
scene-specific spot imagery.
5. Fibre optics, also spelled Fiber
Optics, is the science of

A light-year or lightyear is a
unit of measurement of length,
specifically the distance that
light travels in a vacuum in one
year. While there is no
authoritative decision on which
year is used, the International
Astronomical Union (IAU)
recommends the Julian year.
Numerical value
A light-year is equal to:
9,460,730,472,580.8 km
(about 9.461 Pm)
5,878,625,373,183.61
statute miles
about 63,240 astronomical units
about 0.3066 parsecs

pu

Answers to the short notes

the signals with TV sets. The

DTH system has highest
quality visual and audio
signals. The system makes
use of advanced digital
communication and video
compression technique. It
functions on the basis of KUband transponders. This
implies that DTH providers
would be in the position to
offer value added service like
interactive media, teleshopping, etc.
7. Resonance is a phenomenon
of forced vibrations due to
which sound waves can be
produced with a large
amplitude or intensity. All
bodies have their natural
frequency of vibration. When
we apply a small signal of the
same frequency to the body,
the signal is greatly amplified
and this is called reonance.
8. When monochromatic light is
passed through a transparent
medium, it is scattered. The
scattered light contains
original wavelength as well
as lines of larger and shorter
wavelengths than the
original line, such wave
lengths are called Raman
lines and the effect is called
Raman Effect.
9. Teleprinter is a telegraph
transmitter with the help of
which we can send more than
50 words per minute to
several stations simultaneously without any strain to the
operator and none whatsoever to the receiver. The
person at the sending station
pressesr the key on the key
board which is just like that
of a typewriter, corresponding to a particular letter. At
the receiving station the letter
is recorded automatically.

Page 172 of 191

13.

to near absolute zero or very

low temperature.
17. All liquids have viscosity at
room temperatures. However,
as the temperature goes
down, helium, which is
available in gas form, gets
transformed into liquid form
and its viscosity becomes
zero. This means no aperture
is too narrow for it to flow
through. This property is
called super fluidity.
18. The production of current
when mechanical pressure is
applied on certain dielectric
(electrically non-conducting)
crystals such as quartz and
Rochelle salt. The application
of stress distorts the
arrangement of ions in these
crystals and an electric field
is built up. This effect is
known as direct piezoelectric
effect and is used in devices
like electronic gas lighters,
microphones, phonograph
pick-up needles, etc.
Conversely, application of an
electric field across certain
faces on the crystal results in
mechanical distortion of the
crystal. This effect is known
as reverse piezoelectric effect
and is used in devices which
convert electric signals into
mechanical vibrations.
19. A system in which the
operations of a unit are
controlled from a distance, in
other words, there is a substantial distance separating the
operating unit and the
controlling unit. The operating
unit may range from a
television set to guided missile
and the distance may vary
from a few meters to a few
hundred kilometres. There are
three essential components in
a remote control system - a
controlling quantity, a
transmission medium and a

pu

15.

nd

it.

in

14.

Fahrenheit to Celsius
C = (F-32) x 5/9
Celsius to Fahrenheit
F = C x 9/5 + 32
A body seems to weigh less
when immersed in a liquid,
but the moment it comes out
of water, the same body
seems too heavy to be easily
lifted. We conclude that a
liquid exerts an upthrust on
a body immersed in it. The
tendency of a liquid to exert
an upthrust on a body
immersed in it is called
buoyancy and the upthrust is
called buoyant force.
When visible light, ultra violet
rays, X-rays etc., fall upon
certain metals (caesium,
rubidium, pottassium) electrons are liberated from them.
This phenomenon is known
as photo electric effect.
The luminescence obtained
when certain substance
absorb radiation of one wave
length and emit light of
another wavelength is known
as fluorescence.
Super conductivity is a
phenomenon of complete
disappearance of electrical
resistance and appearance of
diamagnetism in certain
solids when they are cooled

am

10. High frequency radio waves

whose wavelength is less than
about one metre are usually
designated as microwaves.
These are electromagnetic
waves travelling with the
speed of light, i.e., 3 108 m/s.
11. The force of attraction
between the molecules of the
same substance is called
cohesive force and this
property is called cohesion.
Due to this property the
molecules of the substance
are held together. Cohesive
force is maximum in the case
of solids, less in liquids and
minimum in the case of gases.
The definite shape of a solid
body is due to cohession.
12. Three systems of temperature
measurement are now in usethe Celsius scale, the
Fahrenheit scale and the Kelvin
Scale. The Celsius scale was
worked out by the Swedish
Physicist, Anders Celsius in
1742. The Fahrenheit scale was
devised by the German born
Physicist, Gabriel Daniel
Fahreinheit around 1715. The
Kelvin scale was devised by the
British Physicist, William
Thompson Kelvin.
Conversion Formula
Celsius to Kelvin
K = C + 273.16

ex

16.

Anders Celsius
Anders Celsius (November 27, 1701 April 25,
1744) was a Swedish astronomer. Celsius was
born in Uppsala in Sweden. He was professor
of astronomy at Uppsala University from 1730
to 1744, but traveled from 1732 to 1735 visiting
notable observatories in Germany, Italy and
France. Celsius founded the Uppsala
Astronomical Observatory in 1741, and in 1742
he proposed the Celsius temperature scale in a
paper to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. His thermometer
had 100 for the freezing point of water and 0 for the boiling point. The
scale was reversed by Carolus Linnaeus in 1745, to how it is today.

Page 173 of 191

23.

having energy h is called

photon.

Scientific Reasons

in

Blotting paper absorbs ink.

Why ?
The blotting paper is porous
and has a number of
capillaries of very fine pores.
When a portion of the blotting
paper is brought in contact
with the ink, it enters the
capillaries due to the surface
tension.
. Why does carbon dioxide is
used in extinguishing fire?
Carbon dioxide being heavier
than oxygen acts as fire
extinguisher by cutting off its
oxygen supply to a burning
object.
Why do the stars twinkle ?
Stars appear to twinkle
because its light travels
through different layers of
space of varying densities. As
a result the light from the stars
bends and makes them
appear to blink on and off.
Why is it not possible to see
the stars in the day light ?
The blazing light of the sun
during daytime prevents the
less intense light of the stars
from being seen distinctly.
Why does the ice float on
water while it sinks in
alcohol?
The specific gravity of ice is
less than that of water but the
same is more than that of
alcohol, hence ice floats on
water but sinks in alcohol.
Why is mercury used in
thermometer ?
Mercury is the only metal
which is in liquid state even
at the ordinary room tempe-

it.

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22.

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21.

ultrasound is used to detect

and diagnose tumours,
gallstones, heart diseases,
distinguish between diseased
and healthy tissues, monitor
the development of the foetus,
destroy diseased tissue etc. In
industry, ultrasound is used
to measure the thickness of
pipes,detect cracks or leakeages in pipes, flaws in metal
castings and in sonar devices.
24. The black box is a term used
for a self contained unit of
electronic circuit which is
orange in colour. In
aeronautics, this device is
known as flight recorder. It
records data on the
functioning of an aircraft and
its systems on a tape. The
recorder is contained in a
crash - proof, floatable box
which is ejected in case of an
accident and is usually fitted
with a homing radio beacon
and flashlight to reveal its
presence. In routine flights of
airliners it traces faults for
maintenance control. By
analysing the data stored in
the black box the cause of the
failure of the aircraft can be
known.
25. It is the velocity that a
projectile, space probe etc.,
must have in order to escape
the gravitational field of a
planet or the moon. It depends
on the mass and diameter of
the planet. The escape
velocity is about 11.2 km/s for
the earth and escape velocity
of moon is 2.37 km/s
26. According to this theory,
changes of energy in atoms
and molecules occur only in
discrete packets, each an
integral multiple of a
fundamental quantity (h)
generally referred to as
quantum. Light packet

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20.

controlled quantity. Most

controlling quantities send
signals to the controlled
quantity through infrared rays
or radio waves or lasers or ultra
sonic waves. The common
TV/VCR remote control
systems use infrared pulses.
The property of a liquid by virtue
of which it offers a resistance to
the flow is called viscosity.
Viscosity is internal friction of
a fluid. Viscosity is due to the
cohesive forces between the
molecules of the liquid. Greater
the cohesion or cohesive forces
between the molecules of a
liquid, larger is the opposition
of the liquid. Thus honey which
has more cohesive forces than
water displays greater viscosity
than water
It is the form of luminescence
in which a substance emits
light of higher wavelength
after absorbing an electromagnetic radiation. Phosphorescence may continue even
after the source of light is cut
off.
An organic substance made
by the polymerisation of
tetrafluoroethane, CF2 = CF2.
The chemical name of teflon
is polytetra fluoroethane.
Because of its properties high
resistance to heat, chemical
etc. It is used to coat non-stick
cooking materials, electrical
insulation etc.
The Science of sound waves
of frequency greater than the
audible range, i.e., greater
than 20,000 Hz (20 KHz). The
vibrations of certain crystals
(quartz, zinc oxide, barium
litanate etc) under the
influence of an applied
alternating voltage produces
ultrasound or ultrasonic
waves up to well above 20
KHz. In the medical field,

Page 174 of 191

What is a breeder reactor ?

A breeder reactor is such a
reactor which produces more
fissionable material than it
burns.
What does a moderator do in
a nuclear reactor?
The number of nuclei split by
the impact of neutrons is
regulated by a moderator in a
nuclear reactor.
Why is a small space left at the
joint between the two rails?
To permit the expansion of
rails due to heat generated by
friction of the moving train in
summer.
A glass tumbler is filled to the
brim with water and a piece
of ice is floating on it. As the
ice melts, will the water
overflow or not? Give reason
for your answer.
Level of water remains
unchanged because the
volume of water produced by
the melting of ice is exactly
the same as that of the piece
of ice. On melting, the water
will be equal to the volume of
water displaced by the ice.
When a moving train slows
down quickly, will a passenger tend to fall backward or
forward? Explain why?
The passenger will tend to fall
forward because the lower
portion of his body which is
in contact with the seat will
come to rest quickly whereas
the upper portion of the body
continues to be in a state of
motion. Hence, the person is
thrown forward, due to inertia.
Explain why it takes more
time to cook meat and
vegetables at hill stations?
At higher altitudes, the
atmospheric pressure is low

it.

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our feet, and thus the

equilibrium is kept stable.
Why are lightning conductors fixed at the top of high
buildings ?
When an electric discharge
takes place from the cloud, the
lightning conductor provides
it an easy conducting path to
the earth without damaging
the building.
Why does a parachute must
have a hole ?
A hole in the centre of
parachute is made to avoid
oscillation of the parachute
while descending owing to
the changing currents of
wind. The hole allows the air
to run out of the parachute
regularly.
How does a flute produce
different sound notes?
A flute produces different
sound notes because air
particles passing through it
are vibrated with different
frequencies with the closing
and opening of the holes.
Why do we use a fuse in an
electric circuit?
A fuse is used in an electric
circuit because when excess
current flows through the
circuit the fuse melts and
breaks the circuit and
prevents the damage to any
of the electrical goods used.
What causes wind ?
Winds are caused by the
unequal heating of the earths
surface and rotation of earth.
Why does a drop of liquid
assume a spherical shape ?
A drop of liquid assumes a
spherical shape due to
surface tension. A sphere has
the least surface area for a
given volume.

am

rature. Also, it uniformly

expands when heated and
does not stick to the walls of
thermometer. Its high boiling
point and low freezing point
is the main reason for using it
in ordinary thermometers.
How can bats fly in the dark
avoiding obstacles?
The ultrasonic waves produced by bats during flying are
reflected back when they hit
the obstacles. Hence, bats can
find their path without any
difficulty.
Why does water pipe often
burst in cold countries?
In winter, the water in the
pipes freezes. On freezing into
ice the water increases in
volume, which results in
bursting of water pipes.
Why is cooking quicker in
pressure cooker ?
In a pressure cooker, boiling
point of water is raised by
increasing pressure with
steam. Food gets high
temperature and so cooking
becomes quicker.
We bring our hands close to
mouth while shouting to
somebody at a distance.
Why?
By bringing the hands close
to our mouth, the sound
energy is not allowed to
spread in all directions,
rather being made unidirectional (i.e. directed in a
particular direction). Hence
the sound produced becomes
louder.
Why do we lean forward
while climbing a hill ?
Leaning forward enables us
to keep the line passing
through the centre of gravity
vertically downward, within

Page 175 of 191

a system of their own.

Planets, on the other hand, are
bodies which revolve around
a star and shine by the
reflected light of the stars.
What is the difference
between supersonic and
ultrasonic sounds?
Sounds of frequency higher
than 20,000 Hz are known as
ultrasonic and are inaudible.
The speed greater than the
speed of sound is referred to
as supersonic.
Copper wire cannot be used
as a heating element in
electric heaters. Why?
Copper has less melting point
and if we use it in electric
heater it cannot withstand
high temperature.
What would happen if the
force of gravity were to
disappear suddenly ?
In the absence of gravitational
force, all living objects on the
earth will be practically in a
floating condition. They will
be thrown away because of
the centrifugal force caused
by the rotation of earth. After
a certain time the whole earth
will disintegrate.
Radio reception improves
slightly during the night.
Why?
During day time due to
sunlight the radio broadcasting is affected to a certain
extend. Due to the absence of
sun during night radio
reception improves slightly.
We perspire on a hot day. why?
Human body is physiologically conditioned to maintain in form the temperature.
When the heat produced in
the body becomes excessive
and not dissipated properly,

nd

it.

in

pu

and they contain water

droplets. Water droplets act
like prisms. Suns rays falling
on water droplets suffer
dispersion and produce a
spectrum. The different
colours are viewed in the form
of a rainbow.
What causes the rumbling
sound of thunder?
Air is heated instantly when
an electrical charge of
lightning passes through it.
The heat causes the
molecules of air to expand in
all the directions. As the
molecules seek more room,
they collide violently with
layers of cool air, and set up a
great air wave that has the
sound of thunder.
Why are mornings and
evenings less warm than noon?
In the mornings and
evenings, the rays of the sun
falling on earth are slanting
and their distance is more.
The earth gets heated up only
slightly. At noon, the rays of
the sun falling on the earth
are nearly vertical and the
distance is also less, with the
result that the earth gets
heated up considerably.
Hence mornings and evenings are less warm than noon.
The sky appears blue. Give
reason.
Violet and blue light have short
wavelength and are scattered
more than red light waves.
While red light goes almost
straight through the atmosphere, blue and violet are scattered by particles in the atmosphere. Thus we see a blue sky.
What is the difference
between a planet and a star?
Stars are self-luminous
celestial bodies and they have

am

ex

as compared to that in the

plains and, therefore water
boils below 1000C. Hence
sufficient heat is not supplied
for cooking the meat and
vegetables at hill stations.
When we drink soft drinks
through a straw, why does
the liquid go up into our
mouth?
When a person sucks air from
the straw, the pressure of the
air inside the straw is reduced
as compared to the atmospheric pressure acting on the
surface of the liquid. Therefore,
the soft drink rushes up into
the straw and to the mouth.
Explain why the moisture
(water droplets) gathers on
the outer side of a glass
tumbler containing ice-cold
water?
The water vapour present in
air gets cooled and appear as
droplets of water on coming
in contact with the cold
surface of the glass tumbler.
Why does a metal seen colder
in winter and hotter in
summer compared with a
piece of wood?
Metals absorb and transmit
heat more rapidly than wood.
A thick glass tumbler often
cracks when a very hot liquid
is poured in it. Why?
The inner surface of the thick
glass tumbler coming in
contact with the hot liquid
expands more in comparison
to the outer surface which is
relatively at a lower
temperature. The uneven
expansion of inner and outer
surface may produce cracks.
How does a rainbow form?
Explain the phenomenon.
After rain, some clouds
continue to linger in the sky

Page 176 of 191

in

Microtome : Used to cut an

object into thin parts for
microscopic inspection.
Periscope: It is used usually
by the crew of a submarine to
survey the ships etc., on the
surface of the sea while the
submarine is under water. It
also enables the sailors to
observe objects on the other
side of an obstacle without
exposing themselves.
Photometer : An apparatus
used to compare the
illuminative power of two
sources of light.
Pyrometer : Thermometers
used to measure high
temperature from great
distance by making use of the
law of radiation.
Quadrant : For measuring
altitudes and angles in
navigation and astronomy.
Quartz clock : A highly
accurate clock used in
astronomical observations
and other precision works.
Refractometer : To measure
refraction indices.
Resistant : Used for
determining the electrical
resistance of conductor.
Saccharimeter : Used for
determining the amount of
sugar in a solution.
Anemometer : It measures the
power and speed of air.
Audiometer : It measures the
intensityof sound.
Hygroscope : An instrument
to measure the height above
sea level.
Internal Combustion engine :
It is an engine in which heat
supplied to the working
substance is produced by
combustion taking place

it.

ex

am

Accelerometer : An instrument that measures the rate

of which the velocity of a body
is changing.
Altimeter : The instrument
used in aircraft for measuring
altitudes.
Audiophone : Used to improve the imperfect sense of
hearing.
barograph : For continuous
recording of atmospheric
pressure.
Binocular : To see the distant
object.
Callipers : An apparatus for
measuring the inside or
outside diameter of bodies.
Chronometer : An instrument
kept on ships for measuring
accurate time.
Carburettor : An apparatus
for charging air with petrol
vapours, in an internal
combustion engine.
Clinical thermometer : For
measuring temperature of
human body.
Cardiogram : Instrument
used to trace the movements
of hearts.
Commutator : An instrument
to change or reverse the
direction of an electric current.

nd

Scientific Instruments
& their Uses

Cinematograph : Instrument
used to reflect the image of
picture on a screen.
Compass needle : For knowing approximately the northsouth direction of a place.
Drinkers apparatus : To help
breathing in infantile
paralysis.
Electro encephalo graph
(EEG) : It is a technique of
recording and interpreting
the electrical activity of brain.
Records of the electrical
activity of the brain, brain
waves are called electro
encephalograms.
Electroscope : To detect the
presence of electric charge.
Eudiometer : It is a glass tube
for measuring volume
changes in chemical reactions
between gases.
Galvanometer : For measuring
currents of small magnitude.
G.M. counter : For detecting
the presence of radiation and
counting certain atomic
particles.
Gravimeter : For recording
measurement under water
and to determine the
presence of oil deposits under
water.
Hydrometer : To calculate the
specific gravity of liquids.
Hydrophone : For recording
sound beneath water.
Hygrometer : For measuring
humidity in air.
Lactometer : To find out the
purity of milk.
Magnetometer : To measure
the intensity of earths
magnetic field.
Microphone : Used to convert
sound waves to electrical
vibrations.

pu

the sweat glands inside the

body are stimulated to secrete
sweat. Therefore, we perspire
on a hot day.
The gun kicks back when a
bullet is fired. Why?
According to Newtons third
law of motion, to every action,
there is an equal and opposite
reaction. So the gun kicks
back when a bullet is fired.

Page 177 of 191

Important Terms

Absolute Zero: It is the lowest

temperature theoretically
possible and is equal to (273o C).
At absolute zero all molecular
motion comes to a stop.
Alternating current : It is an
electric current that periodically reverses its direction
in the circuit, with a frequency
independent of the constants
of the circuit.
Boiling point : Boiling point
is the temperature of a liquid
at which visible evaporation
occurs throughout the bulk of

rough surfaces than between

smooth or oiled surfaces.
Gamma Rays : They are
electromagnetic radiations
emitted spontaneously by
certain radioactive substances in the process of a nuclear
transition.
Horse power (Hp) : It is a
practical unit of power which
is equal to 550 foot-pounds
per second or 746 watts.
Hydrogen Bomb: Bomb that
works on the principle of
nuclear fusion. Large scale
explosion results from the
thermonuclear release of
energy when hydrogen nuclei
are fused to form helium
nuclei. The first hydrogen
bomb was exploded at
Eniwetok Atoll in the Pacific
ocean by the US 1952.
Inertia : It is a property of
matter by which it resists
change in its state of rest or in
its direction of motion.
Newtons first law gives the
definition for inertia.
Integrated circuit : An
integrated circuit can be
defined generally as an
arrangement of multifunction
semi conductor devices. It
consists of a single crystal
chip of silicon, nearly 1.5 mm
in cross section, contained
both active and passive
elements and their interconnections.
Kelvin temperature scale : It
is a scale used to measure
temperature. On the kelvin
scale absolute zero is 0K, ie.
in Kelvin scale 0oC corresponds to 273.16 K and 100oC
corresponds to 373.16 K. It is
named after the British
Scientist, Lord Kelvin.

in

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the liquid and at which the

vapour pressure of the liquid
equals the external atmospheric pressure. It is the
temperature at which liquid
and vapour can exist together
in equilibrium at a given
pressure.
Centripetal force : The inward
force that keeps body, such
as a satellite, moving in a
circular path. The centripetal
force is directed towards the
centre.
Conduction : It is the process
in which heat or electrical
energy is transmitted from
one particle to another nearby
particles without actual
motion of the particles. In
solids, heat is transmitted by
conduction.
Convection : It is a process by
which heat is transferred by
actual motion of the particles
themselves. In liquid and
gases, heat is transmitted by
convection.
Critical Temperature : The
temperature above which a
gas cannot be liquefied, no
matter how great a pressure
is exerted.
Doppler effect : It is the
change in frequency of a wave
(sound or light) due to the
motion of the source or
observer. For example, the
pitch of a police car siren
appears higher when the car
approaches the listener but
lower as the car moves away
from listener. It was named
after the Australian physicist,
Christian Doppler (1803-55).
Friction : The force that
opposes the relative motion
and produces heat, when two
surfaces are rubbed together.
friction is greater between

am

ex

inside the cylinder. eg. petrol

engine, dieasel engine.
Odometer : An instrument
used to determine the distance
covered by wheeled vehicles.
Seismograph : An instrument
used to record the intensity
and distance of an earthquake.
Tachometer : An instrument
that determines speeds of
aeroplanes, motor boats etc.
Telex : It helps in direct
exchange of information
between two countries.
Thermocouple : An instrument based on thermo
electricity used for measuring
temperatures.
Ultra sonoscope : It is an
instrument used to determine
the viscosity of liquids.
Venturimeter: It is a device
based on Bernoulli's theorm,
for measuring the quantity of
a liquid flowing through the
pipe.
Wireless : It is an instrument
which can send messages
from one place to another
without the use of wire.

Page 178 of 191

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alternating current into direct

current.
Generator: It is a device by
which mechanical energy is
converted into electrical
energy. The electrical energy
received by us from the power
house is produced by the
generator.
Radar: Radio detection and
ranging employs high
frequency radiowaves for
detecting objects like ships
and aeroplanes. A rotating
aerial sends out pulses
which are reflected from
objects on which they fall. The
time interval between
transmission and reception
of pulses helps determine the
distance of the object.
Seismograph: An instrument
used for recording the
intensity and origin of
earthquake.
Soldering: It is a means of
joining together two pieces of
material usually metals, by
melting a third metal into the
joint.
Transformer: It is a device
which converts low A.C.
voltages to high or high A.C.
voltages to low. The
transformer which converts
high A.C. voltage to low is
called step-down transformer. The transformer which
converts low A.C. voltage to
high is called step-up
transformer. The transformer
works on the principle of
mutual induction that is
electromagnetic induction.
Chain reaction: It is a series
of nuclear transformations
initiated by a single nuclear
fission. Chain reaction is
caused by neutrons.

in

harm living being. Nuclear

reactors are used to produce
electricity.
Potential energy : The energy
that an object has because of
its position. An object on a
high shelf has potential
energy that is released as it
falls to the ground. Water in
an elevated reservoir
possesses potential energy.
Quartz : It is a double
refracting crystal optically
uniaxial and positive and
rotating the plane of
polarization to the left or right
according to the variety, and
to a different extent for
different colours.
Radioactivity : It is the
spontaneous disintegration
of an unstable atomic nucleus
accompanied by the emission
of alpha, beta and gamma
radiations. Nucleus having
93 or more protons are
unstable and is radioactive.
Robot : It is a machine which
can do a job that is usually
done by a human being.
Robots are used on factory
assembly lines to do one
particular job that is
continually repeated.
Surface tension : It is the
property of a liquid that its
surface behaves like elastic
film and has a tendency to
contract. This causes small
droplets to become spherical.
Some insects like pond skater
can walk on water because
the surface tension holds
them up.
Commutator: It is an
instrument to change or
reverse the direction of an
electric current. In dynamo, it
is used to convert the

am

Kinetic energy : It is the energy

possessed by the body by
virtue of its motion. A moving
bullet or a moving stone
possesses kinetic energy.
Latent heat : It is the quantity
of heat required to convert a
unit amount of a substance
from one state to another
without changing its temperature. Unit is calories per
gram.
Mariners Compass : It is a
device for determining
direction, graduated to
indicate 33 directions. The
N point on the dial
indicates north pole and the
S point, the south pole. It
helps the sailors to determine
the North-South direction.
Mirage : It is an optical
illusion often observed in
deserts due to total internal
reflection and atmospheric
refraction.
Nuclear fission : It is the
nuclear reaction in which a
heavy atomic nucleus disintegrates into nearly two equal
fragments releasing a large
amount of energy. Atom bomb
is based on the principle
nuclear fission reaction.
Nuclear fusion : It is a nuclear
reaction in which two light
nuclei fuse together to form a
heavy nucleus releasing a
large amount of energy.
Stellar energy is due to fusion
reaction. The principle of
hydrogen bomb is nuclear
fusion.
Nuclear reactor : It is an
atomic pile in which nuclear
chain reaction is controlled
for the production of nuclear
energy. These are well
protected so that the
radiations they emit do not

Page 179 of 191

IMPORTANT SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIPS AND CUPS

Agha Khan Cup : Hockey, India

Kings Cup: Air Races, England

Ashes : Cricket, Australia and England

Lady Ratan Tata Trophy: Hockey, India

Augusta Masters: Golf, International

Liners Open: Golf, International

Australian Open: Lawn Tennis,

International(Hosted by Australia)

Malaysian Open: Badminton, International

Meredka Cup: Football, Asia

Azlan Cup: Hockey, International

MLS Cup: Soccer, America

Bama Belleck Cup: Table Tennis, India

Moinuddaulah Gold Cup: Cricket, India

Beighton Cup: Hockey, India

Nehru Trophy: Hockey, India

Bombay Gold Cup: Hockey, India

Radha Mohan Cup: Polo, India

British Open: Golf, International

Ranji Trophy: Cricket, India

Burdwan Trophy: Weight Lifting, India

Rangeshwari Cup: Hockey, India

Champions Trophy: Hockey, International

Scindia Gold Cup: Hockey, India

nd

Davis Cup: Tennis, International

Subrato Mukherjee Cup: Football, India

DCM Trophy: Football, India

The Scottish Cup: Football, International

am

Dhyanchand Trophy: Hockey, India

pu

Swaythling Cup: Table Tennis, International

Derby: Horse Racing, International

Dr. BC Roy Trophy: Football, India

ex

Duleep Trophy: Cricket, India

Santosh Trophy: Football, India

it.

Colombo Cup: Football, International

Rovers Cup: Football, India

in

Calcutta Cup: Rugby, England and Scotland

Thomas Cup: Badminton, International

U. Thant Cup: Tennis, International
Uber Cup: Badminton
(Women), International

Durand Cup: Football, India

European Champion Clubs'
Cup: Football, Europe

UEFA Champions League: Football, Europe

US Maters: Golf, International

Ezra Cup: Polo, India

US Open: Lawn Tennis, International

FIFA World Cup

Trophy: Football, International

Webb Ellis Cup: Rugby, World

Wellington Trophy: Rowing, India

French Open: Lawn

Tennis, International(Hosted by France)
Heineken Cup: Lawn Tennis, International
Hopman Cup: Lawn Tennis, International
IFA Shield: Football , India

Page 180 of 191

List of Important Books and

Authors
One Life is not enough - Kunwar Natwar
Singh

Venkaiaha Naidu Karnataka (Rajya Sabha)

Nitin Gadkari - Nagpur

Munger through the Ages - Late Devendra

Prasad Yadav
Not Just an Accountant - Former CAG Vinod
Rai
Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi: An Inside Job?
- Faraz Ahmed

DV Sadananda Gowda - North Bangalore

Uma Bharti - Jhansi
Najma Heptullah - Madhya Pradesh (Only
Muslim in Cabinet)
Ram Vilas Paswan - Hajipur

The Vijay Mallya Story - K Giriprakash

Maneka Gandhi - Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh

India Junction A Window to the Nation Arunendra Kumar, Chairman of Railway

Board

Ananth Kumar - Bangalore South

The Lives of Others - Neel Mukherjee

Ashoke Gajapati Raju Pusapati Vizianagaram , Andhra Pradesh

The Substance and the Shadow - Uday Tara

Nayar - Autobiography of Dilip Kumar

Narendra Singh Tomar - Gwalior

in

it.

nd

Jual Oram - Sundargarh

pu

Train to Pakistan - Khuswant Singh

A Bend in the River - V.S Naipaul

Ravi Shankar Prasad Bihar (Rajya Sabha)

Thawar Chand Gehlot - Shajapur, Madhya

Pradesh

am

What Young India Wants - Chetan Bhagat

ex

My Unforgettable Memories-Mamata
Banerjee

Half Girlfriend - Chetan Bhagat - Unreleased

Kalraj Mishra - Deoria, Uttar Pradesh

Radha Mohan Singh - Purvi Champaran,
Bihar
Harsh Vardhan - Chandni Chowk, Delhi

ModiNomics: Inclusive Economics, Inclusive

Governance - Sameer Kochhar.

Harsimrat Kaur Badal - Bhatindha, Punjab

God of Small things- Arundhati Rai

Anant Geete - Raigarh, Maharasthra

Smriti Irani - Amethi(lost to Rahul Gandhi)

Cabinet Ministers and their

Constituency
Narendra Modi - Varanasi, Vadodara
Rajnath Singh - Lucknow
Sushma Swaraj - Vidisha
Arun Jaitley - Gurarat(Rajya Sabha)

Page 181 of 191

IMPORTANT NATIONAL DAYS

Independence Day - August 15

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas - January 9

Sadbhavana Day (Birth anniversary of

RajivGandhi)- August 20

National Youth Day - January 12

National Sports Day (Dhyanchands

Brithday) - August 29

Army Day - January 15

Netaji Day - January 23

Teachers Day (Birth anniversary of Dr.

Radhakrishnan) - September 5

India Tourism Day/ National Voters Day January 25

Hindi Day - September 14

Deaf Day - September 26

Republic Day - January 26

National Blood Donation Day - October 1

Martyrs Day - January 30

Gandhi Jayanti Day - October 2

Panchayat Day - February 19

in

Wild Life Week - October 1st to 7

Central Excise Day - February 24

it.

Air Force Day - October 8

National Science Day - February 28

Azad Hind Day - October 21

pu

Ordinance Factories Day (India) - March 18

nd

National Postal Day - October 10

National Security Day - March 4

am

Orissa Day - April 1

National Maritime Day - April 5

ex

Jallianwala Bagh Day - April 13

National Rededication Day (Death

anniversary of Mrs. Indira Gandhi, birth
anniversary of Sardar Vallabhai Patel) October 31
Legal Service Day - November 9

National Technology Day - May 11

Transport Day - November 10

National Mother Security Day - April 11

Childrens Day - November 14

Sikkim Day - May 16

National News Paper Day - November 16

Anti Terrorism Day (Death anniversary of

Rajiv Gandhi) - May 21

Indian Citizen Day - November 19

Everest Day- May 29

NCC Day - November 24

Doctors Day - July 1

National Law Day - November 26

Kargil Vijay Day - July 26

Quit India Day - August 9

Navy Day - December 4

Armed Force Flag Day - December 7
National Mental Disorder Day - December 8

Page 182 of 191

Conservation Day - December 14

March 23 World Meteorological Day

National Energy Protect Day - December 14

March 24 World Tuberculosis Day

Vijay Divas - December 16

April 2 World Autism Awareness Day

National Minorities Rights Day - December 18

April 6 International Day of Sport for

Development and Peace

Kissan Day (Farmers Day) - December 23

April 7 World Health Day

National Consumer Day - December 24

IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL
DAYS

April 12 International Day of Human Space

Flight
April 22 International Mother Earth Day
April 23 World Book and Copyright Day

February 4 World Cancer Day

April 23 English Language Day

February 6 International Day of Zero

Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation

April 25 World Malaria Day

it.

in

January 26 International Customs Day

nd

April 26 World Intellectual Property Day

February 13 World Radio Day

April 28 World Day for Safety and Health at

Work

February 21 International Mother Language

Day

April 29 Day of Remembrance for all Victims

of Chemical Warfare

March 1 Zero Discrimination Day

April 30 International Jazz Day

March 3 World Wildlife Day

May 1 May Day, International Workers' Day

March 8 International Women's Day

May 3 World Press Freedom Day

March 20 International Day of Happiness

May 15 International Day of Families

March 21 International Day for the

Elimination of Racial Discrimination

May 22 International Day for Biological

Diversity

March 21 World Poetry Day

May 23 World Turtle Day

March 21 World Down Syndrome Day

May 29 International Day of UN

Peacekeepers

ex

am

pu

February 20 World Day of Social Justice

March 21 International Day of Forests and

the Tree

May 31 World No-Tobacco Day

March 22 World Water Day

First Tuesday of May World Asthma Day

Page 183 of 191

Second Saturday of May World Fair Trade

Day

August 29 International Day against Nuclear

Tests

Second Sunday of May Mother's Day

September 8 International Literacy Day

A weekend in May World Migratory Bird

Day

September 15 International Day of

Democracy

June 1 International Children's Day

September 16 International Day for the

Preservation of the Ozone Layer

June 5 World Environment Day

September 21 International Day of Peace
June 8 World Oceans Day
September 27 World Tourism Day
June 12 World Day Against Child Labour
September 28 World Rabies Day
June 14 World Blood Donor Day
September 29 World Heart Day

in

June 17 World Day to Combat

Desertification and Drought

it.

October 1 International Day of Older

Persons

June 18 Autistic Pride Day

nd

October 1 World Vegetarian Day

June 20 World Refugee Day

am

June 23 International Widow's Day

pu

October 2 International Day of NonViolence

June 21 World Music Day

ex

3rd Sunday of June Fathers' Day

October 2 World Cerebral Palsy Day

October 4 World Animal Day

July 11 World Population Day

October 5 World Teachers' Day

July 12 Malala Yousafzai Day

October 9 World Post Day

July 17 - World Day for International Justice

October 11 International Day of the Girl

Child

July 18 Nelson Mandela International Day

October 16 World Food Day
July 28 World Hepatitis Day
October 24 United Nations Day
July 29 International Tiger Day
November 12 World Pneumonia Day
July 30 International Day of Friendship
November 14 World Diabetes Day
August 12 International Youth Day
August 13 International Lefthanders Day

November 16 International Day for

Tolerance

August 19 World Humanitarian Day

November 17 International Students Day

Page 184 of 191

November 20 Universal Children's Day

2007-08 Year of the Dolphin

November 21 World Television Day

2008 International Year of Languages

November 29 International Day of Solidarity

with the Palestinian People

2008 International Year of the Potato

2008 International Year of Sanitation

Third Thursday in November, November 15

World Philosophy Day

2009 International Year of Astronomy

December 1 World AIDS Day

2009 International Year of Natural Fibres

December 2 International Day for the

Abolition of Slavery

2009 International Year of the Shark

2010 International Year of Biodiversity
2010 International Year of Youth

December 7 International Civil Aviation Day

2011 International Year of Forests

December 9 International Anti-Corruption

Day

2011 International Year of Chemistry

it.

in

December 3 International Day of Persons

with Disabilities

nd

2014 International Year of Crystallography

December 11 International Mountain Day

am

INTERNATIONAL YEARS

2014 International Year of Solidarity with

the Palestinian People

pu

December 10 Human Rights Day

ex

1970 International Education Year

1974 World Population Year

2015 International Year of Soils

2015 International Year of Light and Lightbased Technologies

2016 International Year of Pulses

1975 International Women's Year

INTERNATIONAL DECADES

1979 International Year of the Child

1981 International Year of Disabled Persons
1986 International Year of Peace

19761985 United Nations Decade for

Women

1990 International Literacy Year

20012010 International Decade for a

Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the
Children of the World

1992 International Space Year

20032012 United Nations Literacy Decade

2004 International Year of Rice

20052014 United Nations Decade of

Education for Sustainable Development

2005 World Year of Physics

20052015 Water for Life Decade

Page 185 of 191

20102020 United Nations Decade for

Deserts and the Fight Against Desertification
20112020 United Nations Decade on
Biodiversity
20112020 United Nations Decade of Action
for Road Safety
20142024 United Nations Decade of
Sustainable Energy for All

ex

am

pu

nd

it.

in

20152024 International Decade for People

of African Descent

Page 186 of 191

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION & HEADQUARTERS

A
African Development Bank ADB - Abidjan (Cote dIvoire)
Asian Clearing Union ACU - Tehran
Asian Development Bank ADB Manila

C
Commonwealth Foundation - London

E
European Council EU - Brussels, Belgium

F
Food and Agriculture Organization FAO - Rome

am

pu

nd

it.

in

International Atomic Energy Authority IAEA - Vienna

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development IBRD - Washington
International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO - Montreal
International Court of Justice- Hague, Netherlands
International Chamber of Commerce - Paris
International Development Association IDA - Washington
International Finance Corporation IFC - Washington
International Fund for Agricultural Development IFAD - Rome
International Labor Organization ILO - Geneva
International Maritime Organization IMO - London
International Monetary Fund IMF - Washington
International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) - Vienna, Austria
International Criminal Police Organization InterPol - Lyon, France
International Telecommunications Union ITU - Geneva

ex

North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO - Brussels, Belgium

New Development Bank (BRICS Bank) Shanghai, China
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation SAARC Kathmandu (Nepal)

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO - Paris

Universal Postal Union UPU - Berne
United Nations UN - New York
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNCTAD - Geneva
United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund UNICEF - New York

W
West African Economic Community WAEC - Ouagadougou
World Customs Organization (WCO) - Brussels, Belgium
World Health Organization WHO - Geneva
World Intellectual Property Organization WIPO Geneva

Page 187 of 191

Countries and Capital PDF by ExamPundit.in

A

Burundi Bujumbura

Egypt - Cairo

Afghanistan - Kabul

El Salvador - San Salvador

Albania - Tirana

Cambodia - Phnom Penh

Equatorial Guinea - Malabo

Algeria - Algiers

Cameroon - Yaounde

Eritrea - Asmara

Andorra - Andorra la Vella

Canada - Ottawa

Estonia - Tallinn

Angola - Luanda

Cape Verde - Praia

Ethiopia - Addis Ababa

Antigua & Barbuda - Saint

John's

Central African Republic Bangui

Argentina - Buenos Aires

Chad - N'Djamena

Armenia - Yerevan

Chile - Santiago

Australia - Canberra

China - Beijing

Austria - Vienna

Colombia - Bogota

Azerbaijan - Baku

Comoros - Moroni

Finland - Helsinki
France - Paris

in

Gabon - Libreville

it.

Congo - Brazzaville
Costa Rica - San Jose

Bahamas - Nassau

Cote d'Ivoire - Abidjan

Bahrain - Al-Manamah

Croatia - Zagreb

Bangladesh - Dhaka

Cuba - Havana

Belgium - Brussels
Belize - Belmopan
Bhutan - Thimphu

pu

am

Cyprus - Nicosia
Czech Republic - Prague

ex

Belarus - Minsk

nd

Barbados - Bridgetown

Fiji - Suva

Djibouti - Djibouti City

Botswana - Gaborone

Dominican Republic - Santo

Domingo

Bulgaria - Sofia
Burkina Faso Ouagadougou

Germany - Berlin
Ghana - Accra
Greece - Athens
Grenada - Saint George's
Guatemala - Guatemala City

Guyana - Georgetown

Denmark - Copenhagen

Dominica - Roseau

Brunei - Bandar Seri

Begawan

Georgia - Tbilisi

Guinea - Conakry

Bosnia & Herzegovina Sarajevo

Brazil - Brasilia

Gambia - Banjul

Democratic Republic of the

Congo - Kinshasa

H
Haiti - Port-au-Prince
Honduras - Tegucigalpa
Hungary - Budapest

I
Iceland - Reykjavik
India - New Delhi

East Timor - Dili

Indonesia - Jakarta

Ecuador - Quito

Iran - Tehran

Page 188 of 191

Countries and Capital PDF by ExamPundit.in

Iraq - Baghdad

Malawi - Lilongwe

Ireland - Dublin

Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur

Pakistan - Islamabad

Israel - Jerusalem

Maldives - Male

Palau - Melekeok

Italy Rome

Mali - Bamako

Malta - Valletta

Palestinian State
Ramallah(Administrative) &
Jerusalem(Claimed)

Jamaica - Kingston

Marshall Islands - Majuro

Japan - Tokyo

Mauritania - Nouakchott

Jordan - Amman

Mauritius - Port Louis

Papua New Guinea - Port

Moresby

Mexico - Mexico City

Paraguay - Asuncion

Micronesia - Palikir

Peru - Lima

Moldova - Chisinau

Philippines - Manila

Monaco - Monaco

Poland - Warsaw

Kiribati - Tarawa Atoll

Korea North - Pyongyang

Mongolia - Ulaanbaatar

in

Kenya - Nairobi

it.

Kazakhstan - Astana

Panama - Panama City

Montenegro - Podgorica

nd

Korea South - Seoul

Morocco - Rabat

Kosovo - Pristina

pu

Mozambique - Maputo

Kuwait - Kuwait City

Portugal - Lisbon

Q
Qatar - Doha

Myanmar (Burma) Rangoon (Yangon); Nay Pyi

Taw (Administrative)

Romania - Bucharest

Rwanda - Kigali

Namibia - Windhoek

Lebanon - Beirut

Nepal - Kathmandu

Saint Lucia - Castries

Lesotho - Maseru

Netherlands - Amsterdam

Saudi Arabia - Riyadh

Liberia - Monrovia

New Zealand - Wellington

Senegal - Dakar

Libya - Tripoli

Nicaragua - Managua

Serbia - Belgrade

Liechtenstein - Vaduz

Niger - Niamey

Seychelles - Victoria

Lithuania - Vilnius

Nigeria - Abuja

Sierra Leone - Freetown

Luxembourg - Luxembourg

Norway - Oslo

Singapore - Singapore

Slovakia - Bratislava

Macedonia - Skopje

Oman - Muscat

Slovenia - Ljubljana

am

Kyrgyzstan - Bishkek

Laos - Vientiane
Latvia - Riga

ex

Russia - Moscow

Solomon Islands - Honiara

Madagascar - Antananarivo

Page 189 of 191

Countries and Capital PDF by ExamPundit.in

Somalia - Mogadishu

Vatican City - Vatican City

South Africa Cape Town

Venezuela - Caracas

South Sudan - Juba

Vietnam - Hanoi

Spain - Madrid

Sri Lanka - Colombo

Yemen - Sanaa

Sudan - Khartoum

Sweden - Stockholm

Zambia - Lusaka

Switzerland - Bern

Zimbabwe Harare

Syria - Damascus

T
Taiwan - Taipei

in

Tajikistan - Dushanbe

it.

Tanzania - Dodoma

nd

Thailand - Bangkok

pu

Trinidad and Tobago - Port

of Spain

Turkey - Ankara

U
Uganda - Kampala

ex

Turkmenistan - Ashgabat

am

Tunisia - Tunis

Ukraine - Kyiv
United Arab Emirates Abu
Dhabi
United Kingdom - London
United States of America
Washington D.C.
Uruguay - Montevideo
Uzbekistan - Tashkent

V
Vanuatu - Port-Vila

Page 190 of 191

Important Currencies List by ExamPundit.in

A

Iraq : Dinar

Sri Lanka : Rupee

Afghanistan : Afghan
Afghani

Switzerland : Franc

Japan : Yen

Syria : Pound

Lithuania : Euro

Thailand : Baht

Libya : Dinar

Turkey : Lira

Malaysia : Ringgit

Ukraine : Hryvnia

Maldives : Rufiyaa

UAE : Dirham

Mexico : Peso

UK : Pound

USA : Dollar

Australia : Dollar
Austria : European euro

Bhutan : Ngultrum
Brazil : Real

C
Canada : Dollar
Chile : Peso
China : Yuan
Cuba : Peso

Nepal : Rupee
Netherlands : Euro
Norway : Krone

it.

Bangladesh: Taka

nd

in

Argentina : Peso

Denmark : Krone

pu

North Korea : Won

F
France : Euro

G
Germany : Euro

H
Hong Kong : Dollar

Philippines : Peso
Portugal : Euro

ex

Egypt : Pound

am

Pakistan : Rupee

Q
Qatar : Riyal

R
Romania : Leu
Russia : Ruble

Saudi Arabia : Riyal

India : Rupee

Singapore : Dollar

Indonesia : Rupiah

South Africa : Rand

Iran : Rial

South Korea : Won

Page 191 of 191

Vatican City : Euro

Z
Zimbabwe : Dollar