Welcome to India Trivia Quiz

Answer: Mumbai

Mumbai is the capital of the state Maharashtra. According to evidence found near Kandivali (a Mumbai suburb), Mumbai has been inhabited since the Stone Age by some fisherman. The first European civilization in Mumbai was established under the Portuguese in 1534.

It was given to Charles II of England as dowry for Catherine de Braganza. The area was leased to the British East India Company in 1668 at an annual rent of £10. It was known as Bombay at that time. Under the British rule, Bombay became one of the largest seaports on the Arabian Sea. Bombay also became independent along with the rest of India.

In 1995, the city was named Mumbai by the Government of Maharshtra.

Answer: Mango

India is also the largest producer of mangoes. The mango has been referred to as the "food of the gods" in the Hindu Vedas. Mangoes are cultivated in South Asia. It is also cultivated in North and South America, Australia, the Caribbean and Central Africa.

In India, the mango is mostly cultivated in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, with 3500 sq km under cultivation. It is also produced in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat.

Answer: 1947

India became free on the midnight of 14th August 1947, after a fierce struggle against the British rule for almost a century. Though it became free in 1947, it officially became a republic in 1950.

Answer: There is not an official national sport

Field Hockey is often considered the national sport of India, though cricket is undoubtedly the most popular sport. Hockey was probably considered by some the national sport because of India's exceptional successes till the 1980s in all the major tournaments.

However, the Indian government has repeatedly confirmed that there is no official national sport.

Answer: Raja Harishchandra

"Raja Harishchandra" was made in 1913. "Alam Ara", made in 1931, was India's first sound film. "Sholay" was made in 1975 and "Gandhi" in 1982. "Raja Harishchandra" is based on the legend of the Hindu king Harishchandra, recounted in the great epics "Ramayana" and "Mahabharata". He was famous for always speaking the truth, and is said to have inspired Mahatma Gandhi.

Answer: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

Dr. Rajendra Prasad was India's first President. Indira Gandhi was the daughter of Nehru and she became the third Prime Minister of India. Gandhi never had any political aspirations. Nehru became the Indian Prime Minister on 15th August 1947 i.e. on the day India became free, and remained in this position till his death in May, 1964.

Answer: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Gandhi is also recognized as the Father of the Nation by the Indian government. He was conferred the title Mahatma by Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore. In 1893, in South Africa, Gandhi was thrown out of a first-class railway coach by an officer acting at the request of a white passenger, who refused to share a compartment with a brown-skinned Indian.

This led Gandhi to start a Civil Rights movement for Indians living in South Africa. After he returned to India in 1915, he fought for Indian independence and for the rights of the lower caste Hindus, called Dalits.

He worked tirelessly for Hindu-Muslim unity. He was the pioneer of satyagraha - concerned with truth and non-violence and believed in opposition through peaceful non-cooperation.

Answer: Satyameva Jayate

"Satyameva Jayate" means "Truth Alone Triumphs". It is inscribed in Devanagari script at the base of the national emblem. Its origin is a well-known mantra from the religious Hindu text Mundaka Upanishad. "Vande Mataram" is the national song whereas "Jana Gana Mana" is the national anthem of India.

Answer: Aikido

Kutttu Varisai is a form of hand to hand combat practised in Tamil Nadu and other parts of Southern India. Kalarippayattu and Adithada are martial art forms practised in Kerala and neighbouring Tamil Nadu whereas Aikido is practised in Japan.

Answer: None of these

The Sunderbans delta, located in West Bengal in eastern India is the largest delta in the world. Hinduism originated in India roughly in 1500 B.C. Buddhism was founded by Hindu prince Siddhartha Gautama, known as Gautama Buddha, in 500 B.C., Jainism by Mahavira in around the same time period. Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak Dev in the 15th century.

The highest cricket ground in the world is in Chail, near Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. It is situated at an altitude of 2444 metres above sea level.