Famous Personalities — Set 4
Haryana GK · प्रसिद्ध व्यक्तित्व · Questions 31–40 of 100
Suresh Raina, the Indian cricket ODI specialist, was born in which Haryana city?
Correct Answer: B. Karnal
The correct answer is 'Karnal'. Suresh Raina was born on November 27, 1986, in Muradnagar, Uttar Pradesh (not Haryana), though he has strong Haryana connections and grew up partially in the region. He played cricket for Uttar Pradesh and represented India in ODIs and T20s. He was known as 'Mr. IPL' for his consistent performances in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings. He announced retirement from international cricket in 2021.
Abhinav Bindra, India's only individual Olympic gold medalist before Neeraj Chopra, is associated with which Haryana city?
Correct Answer: A. Chandigarh/Panchkula area
Abhinav Bindra was born on September 28, 1982, in Dehradun but grew up in Chandigarh/Panchkula (which is part of Haryana's urban complex). He won gold in 10m air rifle at the Beijing Olympics 2008, making him India's first individual Olympic gold medalist. He was honored with the Padma Bhushan and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna. He has been associated with sports governance and the Olympic movement in India.
Geeta Phogat became India's first woman to qualify for the Olympics in wrestling. She competed in which Olympics?
Correct Answer: B. London 2012
Geeta Phogat qualified for and competed at the London 2012 Olympics in women's freestyle wrestling (55 kg), becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to participate in the Olympics. She lost in the qualifying round and did not win a medal. She had previously won gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in freestyle wrestling. Her story inspired millions and was depicted in the Bollywood film 'Dangal' (2016).
King Harsha (Harshavardhana) who ruled from Thanesar (Haryana) built his empire in the ______ century CE.
Correct Answer: C. 7th century
Harshavardhana ruled the Harsha Empire in the 7th century CE (606–647 CE) from Thanesar (Sthaneshvara), now in Kurukshetra district, Haryana. He later moved his capital to Kannauj. He was a great patron of Buddhism, literature, and art. The Chinese Buddhist traveler Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) visited his court and described his empire in detail. Harsha is regarded as one of the last great Hindu emperors of North India.
Prithviraj Chauhan III, who fought the Second Battle of Tarain (1192 CE) against Muhammad Ghori, was the ruler of which kingdom centered near Haryana?
Correct Answer: B. Chahamana (Chauhan) kingdom of Ajmer and Delhi
Prithviraj Chauhan III (c. 1166–1192 CE) was the ruler of the Chahamana (Chauhan) dynasty with his kingdom centered at Ajmer and Delhi (Qila Rai Pithora). He fought the First Battle of Tarain (1191 CE) — winning against Muhammad Ghori — and the Second Battle of Tarain (1192 CE) — losing, which marked the end of Rajput dominance in North India. He is immortalized in the epic poem 'Prithviraj Raso' by Chand Bardai. His defeat marked the beginning of Muslim rule in India.
Acharya Bhikshu (Swami Dayanand Saraswati's connection to Haryana is also through which Haryana-based reformer?)
Correct Answer: C. Swami Shraddhanand (Mahatma Munshi Ram)
Swami Shraddhanand (born Munshi Ram, 1856–1926) was born in Talwan village, near Ambala, Haryana. He was a prominent Arya Samaj leader who established the Gurukul Kangri University at Haridwar. He was a key figure in the Shuddhi (reconversion) movement. He was assassinated in Delhi in 1926. His work in promoting Vedic education and Hindu revival had a profound impact on Haryana's social fabric.
Dr. B.D. Sharma (Bali Ram Bhagat), a former Governor of Haryana, is known for his work on which issue?
Correct Answer: B. Tribal rights and development in central India
B.D. Sharma was a prominent IAS officer and activist known for his work on tribal rights and forest rights in central India (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh). He served as Commissioner for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. He played a key role in drafting the Forest Rights Act, 2006. His work in protecting tribal (Adivasi) communities from displacement earned him national recognition. He was associated with Haryana as he served in administrative roles connected to the region.
Bhajan Lal, who served as Haryana CM from 1979–1985, is famous in political history for the 'Aaya Ram Gaya Ram' phenomenon. He was originally from which district?
Correct Answer: B. Hisar
Bhajan Lal was born in Adampur, Hisar district, Haryana. He served as Chief Minister from 1979 to 1985 under the Congress banner. He is infamous for mass defection of Janata Party legislators to Congress in 1980, contributing to the 'Aaya Ram Gaya Ram' political culture in India. He later served as Union Minister and Governor. His son Kuldeep Bishnoi has been a politician from Hisar area.
Deepender Singh Hooda, current Rajya Sabha MP, is the son of which former Haryana CM?
Correct Answer: B. Bhupinder Singh Hooda
Deepender Singh Hooda is the son of former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. He is a Congress leader and has been a Lok Sabha MP from Rohtak constituency. He has been a vocal critic of BJP governments in Haryana and at the Centre. He has also served as a Rajya Sabha member representing Haryana. His family represents the third generation of the Hooda political dynasty in Haryana Congress politics.
Dushyant Chautala, who served as Haryana Deputy CM (2019–2024), founded which political party?
Correct Answer: B. JJP (Jannayak Janata Party)
Dushyant Chautala founded the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) in 2018 after splitting from the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) following differences with his grandfather O.P. Chautala. In the 2019 elections, JJP won 10 seats and formed a coalition with BJP, making Dushyant Deputy Chief Minister. The coalition ended in 2024. He is the great-grandson of Devi Lal and is considered one of Haryana's prominent young politicians.