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
121
The term **'serf'** in Medieval Europe primarily refers to a:
Answer:
A peasant who was bound to the land and subject to the local lord
Serfs were agricultural laborers in the feudal system. They were not slaves but were *bound to the land* (*adscripti glebae*). They were not free to leave the manor on which they were born and owed the lord labor, rent, and other dues.
122
Which Italian traveler visited the Vijayanagara Empire during the reign of Deva Raya I in the 15th century?
Answer:
Nicolo de Conti
Nicolo de Conti was an Italian merchant and traveler who visited the Vijayanagara Empire, a major kingdom in South India, around 1420-1421 AD, during the rule of Deva Raya I of the Sangama dynasty.
123
What was the name of the tax levied on non-Muslim subjects in the Delhi Sultanate, which was abolished by the Mughal Emperor Akbar?
Answer:
Jizya
Jizya was a per capita tax levied on permanent non-Muslim subjects (known as *dhimmis*) in an Islamic state. It was a sign of their submission to Muslim rule and in return for the protection of life, property, and practice of their religion. Akbar abolished it in 1564, though it was later re-imposed by Aurangzeb.
124
Who was the first Indian ruler to defeat Muhammad of Ghur (or Ghuri) in the First Battle of Tarain in 1191 AD?
Answer:
Prithviraja Chauhan III
Prithviraja Chauhan III, the Chahamana (Chauhan) king of Ajmer and Delhi, defeated Muhammad of Ghur in the First Battle of Tarain in 1191 AD. However, Muhammad of Ghur returned the following year, defeating Prithviraj in the Second Battle of Tarain (1192 AD).
125
Which Sultan of the Delhi Sultanate was known as **'Lakh Bakhsh'** (Giver of Lakhs) due to his immense generosity?
Answer:
Qutb-ud-din Aibak
Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the founder of the Slave Dynasty, was known for his generous donations and was thus given the title 'Lakh Bakhsh' or 'Giver of Lakhs.' He also started the construction of the Qutb Minar, which was later completed by Iltutmish.
126
The **Hanseatic League** was a powerful commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and market towns primarily in which part of Medieval Europe?
Answer:
Northern Europe along the Baltic and North Seas
The Hanseatic League was a major economic and defensive alliance of trading cities in Northern Europe, particularly active in the Baltic and North Sea regions from the 13th to the 17th centuries, controlling the trade routes for goods like timber, grain, and fish.
127
Which foreign traveler was a physician to Prince Dara Shikoh and wrote the book *Travels in the Mughal Empire*?
Answer:
François Bernier
François Bernier was a French physician and traveler who visited India during the Mughal Empire. He served as a personal physician to Prince Dara Shikoh and later to the Emperor Aurangzeb. His book, *Travels in the Mughal Empire*, provides a detailed account of the time.
128
Which dynasty ruled the Byzantine Empire at its height during the 10th and 11th centuries, before the Crusades?
Answer:
Macedonian Dynasty
The Macedonian Dynasty (867–1056 AD) is considered the most successful in Byzantine history, overseeing a period known as the 'Macedonian Renaissance,' which saw territorial expansion, economic prosperity, and cultural flourishing.
129
Who introduced the **silver *Tanka*** and the **copper *Jital*** coins during the Delhi Sultanate period?
Answer:
Iltutmish
Iltutmish is credited with introducing the pure Arabic coinage in India. He introduced the silver *Tanka*, which weighed 175 grains and was the standard coin, and the copper *Jital* as the lower-denomination coin. This marks a significant development in the coinage of the Sultanate.
130
The **Magna Carta** (Great Charter), signed by King John of England in 1215, primarily established what principle?
Answer:
The principle that the King is subject to the law (Rule of Law)
The Magna Carta was a foundational document that limited the power of the English monarch, stating that the king was not above the law and protecting certain rights for the 'free men' (mostly the nobility) against arbitrary royal power.