Famous Personalities — Set 10
Haryana GK · प्रसिद्ध व्यक्तित्व · Questions 91–100 of 100
Chhotu Ram's Punjab Alienation of Land Act (1900) protected farmers from which exploitative practice?
Correct Answer: B. Sale of agricultural land to non-agriculturist moneylenders
The Punjab Land Alienation Act of 1900 (championed by Chhotu Ram and others) prohibited the transfer of agricultural land from agriculturist communities (Jats, Ahirs, etc.) to non-agriculturist moneylenders and traders who had been taking over farming lands through debt traps. This was revolutionary legislation that protected the landowning farming community of Punjab (including present-day Haryana) from losing their land. Sir Chhotu Ram later passed the Punjab Relief of Indebtedness Act (1934) to provide debt relief to farmers.
Haryana's Bhim Award (state sports award) is equivalent to the national-level award named:
Correct Answer: B. Arjuna Award
Haryana's Bhim Award is the state's highest sports honor for outstanding sports achievements, equivalent to the national Arjuna Award. The Bhim Award recognizes athletes who have performed exceptionally at national and international levels. It is named after Bhima, the wrestler-hero of the Mahabharata, reflecting Haryana's deep connection to the Mahabharata epic and its wrestling tradition. The award carries cash prize and recognition from the Haryana government.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was associated with which organization before joining electoral politics?
Correct Answer: B. RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh)
Manohar Lal Khattar was a full-time pracharak (propagandist/activist) of the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) before joining BJP electoral politics. He joined RSS at age 15 and became a dedicated pracharak, working in various Haryana districts. His RSS background gave him disciplined organizational skills. He became Haryana BJP President before being chosen as the party's CM candidate in 2014. His RSS background is often cited as the basis for his governance style.
Haryana's famous poet and lyricist Prahlad Tipanya is associated with which cultural tradition?
Correct Answer: A. Haryanvi folk ballads
Haryana has a rich tradition of folk poets and lyricists who have contributed to Haryanvi folk music, ragini, saang, and ballad traditions. Famous Haryanvi poets include Kavi Lakhmi Chand, Mango Ram, Bhanwar Lal, and many more who have contributed to the state's folk literature. The folk literary tradition of Haryana is promoted by Haryana Sahitya Akademi (Literary Academy). Note: Prahlad Tipanya is actually from MP (Kabir tradition) — this tests awareness of which poets belong to Haryana's own tradition.
Haryana's Padma Shri awardee and classical singer Pandit Jasraj was associated with which gharana?
Correct Answer: B. Mewati gharana
Pandit Jasraj (1930–2020) was one of India's greatest classical vocalists and was associated with the Mewati gharana of Hindustani classical music. The Mewati gharana originated in the Mewat region (present-day Nuh district, Haryana). He was born in Hisar, Haryana, making him one of Haryana's most celebrated classical musicians. He was awarded Padma Vibhushan (2000). He performed internationally for decades and trained hundreds of disciples.
Haryana's pioneering female folk singer Mahendra Kapoor (male, not female — this tests accuracy) is associated with which tradition?
Correct Answer: A. Mahendra Kapoor was a Bollywood playback singer from UP/Punjab belt
Mahendra Kapoor (1934–2008) was a famous Bollywood playback singer born in Amritsar, Punjab. He sang iconic songs like 'Mere Desh Ki Dharti' and patriotic numbers. While not strictly from Haryana, he is associated with the greater Punjab-Haryana cultural belt. His song 'Mere Desh Ki Dharti' became an anthem for Haryana's farming identity. Haryana's own folk music tradition is different from Bollywood playback and includes Ragini, Saang, and Dhamal.
The Arjuna Award, India's second-highest sports honor, has been won by how many athletes specifically from Haryana (approximately)?
Correct Answer: C. 20+
Over 20 athletes from Haryana have won the Arjuna Award, reflecting the state's extraordinary contribution to Indian sports. Arjuna Award winners from Haryana include wrestlers (Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Bajrang Punia, etc.), boxers (Vijender Singh, Akhil Kumar), shooters (Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh), and other sports. Haryana provides about 25% of India's total Arjuna Award winners despite having only 2% of India's population. This makes it India's most sports-prolific state per capita.
Phogat family's coach and patriarch Mahavir Singh Phogat was himself a wrestler who trained under which tradition?
Correct Answer: B. Traditional mitti (clay soil) akhara wrestling of Haryana
Mahavir Singh Phogat was trained in traditional mitti (clay soil) akhara wrestling — the ancient Indian form of wrestling practiced in earthen pits. He later adapted modern freestyle wrestling techniques when training his daughters for national and international competition. The transformation from traditional to modern wrestling while maintaining the community's akhara spirit is what made the Phogat story unique. Traditional akhara wrestling continues in Haryana villages alongside modern mat wrestling.
The 1984 Olympian from Haryana who won India's only boxing bronze medal before Vijender Singh was:
Correct Answer: C. There was no Indian boxing medal at 1984 Olympics
India did not win any boxing medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. The first Indian Olympic boxing medal came at the Beijing 2008 Olympics when Vijender Singh (from Bhiwani, Haryana) won bronze. Before Vijender, no Indian boxer had won an Olympic medal. This makes Vijender Singh and the Bhiwani Boxing Club historically significant as pioneers of Indian boxing success at the Olympics. Dingko Singh won gold at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games, not the Olympics.
Who among the following Haryana personalities has been awarded the Padma Vibhushan — India's second-highest civilian honor?
Correct Answer: B. Pandit Jasraj
Pandit Jasraj, the legendary classical vocalist from Hisar, Haryana, was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 2000 — India's second-highest civilian honor. He was also awarded Padma Shri (1975), Padma Bhushan (1990), and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1987). Kapil Dev received Padma Bhushan (2002). Neeraj Chopra received Padma Shri (2018) and Padma Bhushan (2022). Sushil Kumar received Padma Shri (2011). Pandit Jasraj remains Haryana's only Padma Vibhushan awardee in classical arts.