General Knowledge MCQs
Topic Notes: General Knowledge
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
22141
The 'Janissaries' were an elite military unit in the Ottoman Empire composed primarily of:
Answer:
Christian boys converted to Islam (Devshirme system)
The Janissaries were the Sultan's household troops and the first modern standing army in Europe, recruited through the 'blood tax' on Christian subjects.
22142
The 'Siege of Vienna' (1683) marked the maximum extent of expansion into Europe for which empire?
Answer:
Ottoman Empire
The failure to capture Vienna marked the beginning of the long decline of the Ottoman Empire in Europe.
22143
Bartolomé de las Casas is known for:
Answer:
Advocating for the rights of Indigenous peoples in the Americas
A Spanish priest, Las Casas wrote 'A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies', exposing the atrocities committed by colonizers against indigenous populations.
22144
The 'Falklands War' (1982) was fought between the United Kingdom and:
Answer:
Argentina
Argentina invaded the British overseas territory of the Falkland Islands. Britain sent a naval task force and retook the islands after a short war.
22145
Which British Admiral is famous for the signal 'England expects that every man will do his duty'?
Answer:
Horatio Nelson
Lord Nelson sent this famous signal to his fleet just before the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, where he was killed in victory.
22146
The Rosetta Stone, found during Napoleon's campaign in Egypt, was key to:
Answer:
Deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs
The stone featured the same text in three scripts (Greek, Demotic, Hieroglyphic), allowing scholars like Champollion to finally crack the code of ancient Egyptian writing.
22147
The 'Indian National Congress' was founded in 1885 by:
Answer:
Allan Octavian Hume
A.O. Hume, a retired British civil servant, helped found the Congress to create a platform for civic and political dialogue for educated Indians.
22148
The 'Partition of Bengal' in 1905 was implemented by which British Viceroy?
Answer:
Lord Curzon
Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal for administrative efficiency (and divide-and-rule tactics), creating a Muslim-majority East and Hindu-majority West, sparking massive protests.
22149
Which medicine allowed Europeans to colonize the interior of Africa by treating malaria?
Answer:
Quinine
Derived from the bark of the cinchona tree, quinine was the first effective treatment for malaria, earning it the nickname 'the tool of imperialism'.
22150
The 'Taiping Rebellion' (1850-1864) was a massive civil war in:
Answer:
China
Led by Hong Xiuquan, who claimed to be the brother of Jesus, this rebellion against the Qing Dynasty resulted in 20-30 million deaths and weakened China against foreign powers.