History & Heritage — Set 20
MP GK · इतिहास और विरासत · Questions 191–200 of 220
The Holkar dynasty of Indore traces its origins to which community from Maharashtra?
Correct Answer: C. Dhangar (shepherd) community of Maharashtra
The Holkar dynasty of Indore originated from the Dhangar (shepherd) community of Pune district in Maharashtra. Malhar Rao Holkar I, the founder of the dynasty, rose from a common soldier in Peshwa Baji Rao I's army to become a powerful Maratha commander. The Holkars were known for their military valor and their remarkable governance under Ahilyabai Holkar. Despite their humble origins, they became one of the most powerful ruling dynasties in 18th-century central India.
The Man Mandir Palace within Gwalior Fort is attributed to which Tomar Rajput ruler who also patronized music and literature?
Correct Answer: B. Man Singh Tomar
Man Singh Tomar (r. 1486-1516) built the exquisite Man Mandir Palace within Gwalior Fort, one of the finest examples of medieval Hindu architecture in India. The palace is adorned with colourful glazed tiles and intricate carvings of ducks, elephants, and crocodiles. Man Singh was also a great patron of music and is credited with composing or patronizing the Dhrupad style of classical music. The Tomar dynasty brought Gwalior Fort to its greatest architectural glory before Mughal conquest.
The Great Stupa at Sanchi, originally built by Emperor Ashoka, was later enlarged and its carved toranas (gateways) were added during which dynasty?
Correct Answer: C. Satavahana dynasty
The famous carved toranas (gateways) of Sanchi Stupa were added during the Satavahana period, likely in the 1st century BCE to 1st century CE. The four gateways are covered with elaborate carvings depicting Jataka tales and scenes from the life of the Buddha. Emperor Ashoka had originally built the stupa in the 3rd century BCE to enshrine Buddhist relics. Sanchi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and represents the full evolution of Buddhist art and architecture over several centuries.
Rani Durgavati, the brave Gond queen who sacrificed her life fighting Mughal forces in 1564, ruled which kingdom?
Correct Answer: C. Garha-Katanga kingdom
Rani Durgavati ruled the Garha-Katanga kingdom (present-day Jabalpur area) from 1550 to 1564 as regent for her minor son. She successfully repulsed several invasions before being defeated by Akbar's general Asaf Khan, choosing death over surrender in 1564. She is revered as a symbol of valor and feminine courage in Madhya Pradesh and across India. A university in Jabalpur and numerous institutions bear her name in recognition of her supreme sacrifice.
The Khajuraho temples, built between 950 CE and 1050 CE by the Chandela dynasty, represent which style of North Indian temple architecture?
Correct Answer: B. Nagara (North Indian) style
The Khajuraho temples are outstanding examples of the Nagara or North Indian style of Hindu temple architecture, characterized by tall curvilinear shikhara towers rising over the sanctum. Originally there were 85 temples built by the Chandela dynasty, of which about 25 survive today. The temples are world-famous for their sculptural programs that include erotic carvings on the outer walls, believed to have symbolic and philosophical significance. Khajuraho is a UNESCO World Heritage Site attracting millions of visitors annually.
The Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (National Museum of Mankind), one of India's largest open-air museums, is located in which city of MP?
Correct Answer: D. Bhopal
The Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) is located on Shamla Hills in Bhopal and is one of India's largest anthropological museums. It showcases the cultural heritage and traditional lifestyles of Indian tribal and rural communities through open-air exhibits, actual transplanted homes, and indoor galleries. The museum was established in 1977 and named after Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Bhopal, as the state capital of Madhya Pradesh, hosts several important national cultural and historical institutions.
The Bhimbetka rock shelters near Bhopal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contain cave paintings that date back to approximately how many years ago?
Correct Answer: C. 30,000 years
The Bhimbetka rock shelters contain some of the world's oldest known rock art, with the earliest paintings dating back approximately 30,000 years to the Upper Paleolithic period. These paintings depict scenes of hunting, dancing, rituals, and wildlife created by prehistoric humans. The site was discovered by archaeologist V.S. Wakankar in 1957 during a train journey when he noticed the rocky outcrops. Bhimbetka was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 and is remarkable for showing evidence of continuous human occupation over thousands of years.
Ujjain, one of the seven sacred Hindu pilgrimage cities, hosts the Kumbh Mela known locally as Simhastha. On which river's banks is Ujjain located?
Correct Answer: C. Shipra (Kshipra)
Ujjain is situated on the eastern bank of the Shipra (also spelled Kshipra) River in western Madhya Pradesh and is one of the four sacred Kumbh Mela venues in India. The Ujjain Kumbh Mela, called Simhastha, is held every 12 years when Jupiter enters the Leo sign. Ujjain was the capital of the ancient Avanti kingdom and was a major center of trade, scholarship, and Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist learning. The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the 12 sacred Shiva shrines in India, is located here.
Asirgarh Fort in Burhanpur district of MP, known as the 'Key to the Deccan', was the site of the last major conquest of which Mughal emperor?
Correct Answer: B. Akbar
Asirgarh Fort near Burhanpur was captured by Emperor Akbar in 1601 after a prolonged siege and siege, and this was considered his last major military conquest. The fort's strategic position on the Satpura Range controlled the pass connecting North India to the Deccan Plateau, hence the title 'Key to the Deccan'. The fort was held by the Faruqi dynasty of Khandesh before Akbar's conquest. Burhanpur later became an important Mughal commercial and military center and the site where Emperor Shah Jahan's wife Mumtaz Mahal died in 1631.
Which Holkar queen, known as 'Lokamata', ruled Indore from 1767-1795 and is celebrated for building temples and ghats across India?
Correct Answer: C. Ahilyabai Holkar
Ahilyabai Holkar ruled Indore from 1767 to 1795 and is revered as 'Lokamata' (Mother of the People) for her extraordinary contribution to public welfare. She restored and built hundreds of temples, ghats, dharamshalas, and wells across holy cities like Varanasi, Dwarka, Somnath, Puri, and Gaya. Her administration was marked by justice, efficiency, and deep compassion for her subjects across all castes. She is regarded as one of the greatest rulers in Indian history, and her birth anniversary is celebrated as a public holiday in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.