Indian History - Mixed Bag Trivia Quiz

Answer: Grandson

In 1556 the thirteen-year-old Akbar was enthroned in Kalanaur, Punjab by Bairam Khan who proclaimed him 'King of Kings'. He is famous for his interest in and patronage of the arts, in particular painting, architecture and literature.

Answer: Grandson

Emperor Ashoka's son, Kulana, was not allowed to become emperor as he was blind. Instead his grandson, Dasaratha, became the forth Mauryan emperor. In his reign (232-224 BCE) the Mauryan Empire began to decline.

Answer: Aunt

After her marriage to Prince Khurram she was called Mumtaz Mahal, meaning "the Jewel of the Palace". She is immortalized by the Taj Mahal.

Answer: Sambhaji

Sambhaji(1657 - 1689) was one the sons of Shivaji. His father imprisoned him in Panhala Fort in 1678 because of his alleged frivolity and addiction to sensual pleasures. He is known as the "protector of dharma". When he was ordered to bow before Aurangzeb and convert to Islam, but he refused this led to his death, thus he died as a religous martyr.

He was killed, and some say he was cut into pieces and thrown into the lake, some say the body or the portions of it were recaptured by the Marathas and cremated at the confluence of rivers at Tulapur, and some say his remains were fed to dogs.

Answer: Kharak Singh

Kharak Singh was the second ruler of the Sikh Empire. He was the eldest son of Ranjit Singh, and his son was Nau Nihal Singh. He reigned for five months and was succeeded by his son. He was then imprisoned and died due to slow poisoning in 1839-1840.

Answer: Aurangzeb

Aurangzeb killed his three brothers and imprisoned his father. He is called Aurangzeb and by his imperial title called Alamgir which means "world-seizer". When a war elephant stampeded through the Mughal Imperial encampment, he struck its trunk to a lance, while his elder brothers fled from the arena, therefore his father gave him the title "Brave". Badshahi Masjid was built by Aurangzeb in the 17th century in Lahore.

Aurangzeb is known as one of the richest Mughal Emperor ever. Tribute paid to him amounted to the equivalent of £38.6 million pounds in 1697. In 1634 he defeated the Bundela leader Jujhar Singh in the Bundela war.

Answer: He played a veena

Some of his coins show him playing a veena (Indian plucked string instrument). His coins are among the key sources of information about about him. Samudragupta (335-375 CE), the son of Chandrgupta, was inspired by the ambition to be "Raja Chakravati".

His name is taken to the title of his conquests, 'Samudra' meaning ocean. He was a 'five in one' man as he was a good warrior, statesmen, general, poet and musician.

Answer: Siraj ud-Daulah

Siraj ud-Daulah (1733-1757) was the last independent Nawab of Bengal from the Afshar Dyasty. His maternal grandfather is Alvardi Khan. He became a ruler in the age of 23. He built the Hirajheel (Diamond) Lake and Palace. Hirajheel is the name of his royal house.

He fought the battle of Plassey against the British. He is also known as freedom fighter for his opposition to the the beginning of the British rule over India. Siraj ud-Daulah means" Light of the Statue". My other titles include "Victory of the Country".

Another of his titles was mockingly translated into English as "Horror in War" by the British.

Answer: Father

Ranjit Singh is also known by many titles such as Lion of Punjab, etc. Duleep Singh is the youngest son of Ranjit Singh.

Answer: George VI

Also known as Albert Frederick Arthur, George was the last Emperor of India. In 1950 India became a republic within the Commonwealth.