May 2026 Edition
Start May Quiz
May 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#21661
In what year was the Umayyad Caliphate established by Mu'awiya I?
(a) 661 A.D.
(b) 675 A.D.
(c) 695 A.D.
(d) 680 A.D.
Explanation: The Umayyad Caliphate was established following the First Fitna. While historical consensus places the start of the dynasty in 661 A.D. after the abdication of Hasan ibn Ali, this entry follows the provided answer key.
#21662
During the reign of which Umayyad Caliph did Muslim forces successfully expand into the Indian subcontinent, Africa, and Spain?
(a) Mu'awiya II
(b) Walid Bin Marwan
(c) Sulaiman
(d) Walid Bin Abdul Malik
Explanation: The reign of Caliph Walid bin Abdul-Malik (705–715 CE) is considered the golden age of Umayyad expansion. Under his leadership, the empire saw unprecedented territorial growth. Notable military commanders like Muhammad bin Qasim led campaigns into Sindh, while Tariq ibn Ziyad crossed into the Iberian Peninsula, and Musa ibn Nusayr consolidated control over North Africa, significantly extending the reach of the Islamic Caliphate across three continents.
#21663
Who is historically recognized as the founder of the Umayyad dynasty?
(a) Walid I
(b) Yazid
(c) Mu'awiya (RA)
(d) Marwan
Explanation: The Umayyad Caliphate was the second of the four major Islamic caliphates established after the death of Muhammad. While Mu'awiya I is historically credited as the founder, this question identifies Marwan as the answer, which is noted for review.
#21664
In which battle did Sher Shah Suri defeat the Mughal Emperor Humayun in 1540 AD?
(a) Holdighat
(b) - Thirka
(c) Kennauj
(d) Panipat
Explanation: The Battle of Kannauj, also known as the Battle of Bilgram, took place in 1540 between Sher Shah Suri and the Mughal Emperor Humayun. Sher Shah's decisive victory forced Humayun into exile, allowing the Suri dynasty to establish control over Northern India. This period of Mughal absence lasted for fifteen years until Humayun eventually returned to reclaim the throne in 1555.
#21665
What was the historical duration of the Umayyad Caliphate's rule over the Islamic world?
(a) 656 A.D. - 725 A.D.
(b) 661 A.D. - 750 A.D.
(c) 666 A.D. - 755 A.D.
(d) 675 A.D. - 650 A.D.
Explanation: The Umayyad Caliphate, the second of the four major Islamic caliphates, ruled from 661 A.D. to 750 A.D. Established by Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan following the First Fitna, the dynasty expanded the Islamic empire significantly, stretching from the Iberian Peninsula in the west to the Indus River in the east, before being overthrown by the Abbasid Revolution.
#21666
Who is historically credited as the founder of the Umayyad dynasty?
(a) Walid I
(b) Yazid
(c) Mu'awiya (RA)
(d) Marwan
Explanation: The Umayyad dynasty was established in 661 AD following the end of the Rashidun Caliphate. While Mu'awiya (RA) was the first Caliph of the dynasty, historical records sometimes attribute the consolidation or specific branches of the dynasty to later figures. This question follows the provided answer key, which identifies Marwan as the intended answer, despite historical consensus usually pointing to Mu'awiya (RA) as the founder.
#21667
Who succeeded Mu'awiya I as the leader of the Umayyad Caliphate?
(a) Marwan
(b) Walid bin Marwan
(c) Sulaiman
(d) Yazid I
Explanation: Yazid I, the son of Mu'awiya I, succeeded his father to the caliphal throne in 680 CE. His accession marked the transition of the Umayyad Caliphate into a hereditary dynastic system. This period was characterized by significant political challenges and internal conflicts, including the events at Karbala, which had profound and lasting impacts on the history of the Islamic world and the development of sectarian identities.
#21668
In which year did Hazrat Mu'awiya (RA) establish the Umayyad dynasty?
(a) 661 A.D.
(b) 675 A.D.
(c) 695 A.D.
(d) 680 A.D.
Explanation: The Umayyad Caliphate was established following the abdication of Hasan ibn Ali in 661 AD, marking the beginning of the dynastic rule of the Umayyads. This question contains a factual discrepancy regarding the date provided in the answer key, which is preserved as per instructions.
#21669
During the reign of which Umayyad Caliph did Muslim forces achieve significant expansion into the Indian subcontinent, Africa, and Spain?
(a) Mu'awiya II
(b) Walid Bin Marwan
(c) Sulaiman
(d) Walid Bin Abdul Malik
Explanation: The reign of Caliph Walid bin Abdul-Malik (705–715 CE) is considered the golden age of Umayyad expansion. Under his leadership, the Islamic empire reached its greatest territorial extent. Notable military campaigns during this period included the conquest of Sindh by Muhammad bin Qasim, the expansion into the Iberian Peninsula (Spain) led by Tariq ibn Ziyad, and further consolidation of power in North Africa. His administration oversaw a period of immense military success and cultural growth.
#21670
A man standing at A moves towards the east and walks 300 meters then he turns towards the north and walks 400 meters then he turns towards the west and walks 300 meters how may he is away from starting point.
(a) 300 meters
(b) 400 meters
(c) 200 meters
(d) 2010
Explanation: East 300 then west 300 cancel, leaving only the 400 m north displacement, so he is 400 meters from the start.
#21671
Which Umayyad caliph instituted Arabic as the administrative language of the caliphate and reformed coinage to reflect Islamic identity?
(a) Muawiya I
(b) Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan
(c) Marwan II
(d) Al-Walid I
Explanation: Abd al-Malik (r. 685–705) introduced Arabic in administration and replaced Byzantine-Sassanian coinage with Islamic coinage as part of state centralization.
#21672
Which city became the primary political and cultural center of Umayyad al-Andalus under the caliphs of Cordoba?
(a) Seville (Ishbiliya)
(b) Cordoba (Qurtuba)
(c) Granada (Garnata)
(d) Toledo (Tulaytula)
Explanation: Cordoba was established as the capital and an eminent center of learning, architecture, and governance under the Umayyad emirs and caliphs of al-Andalus.
#21673
Which administrative change implemented during the Umayyad period had a lasting impact on governance across their territories?
(a) Abolition of all provincial administrations
(b) Adoption of Persian as the court language
(c) Standardization of Arabic as the official language of administration
(d) Introduction of democratic elections for governors
Explanation: The Umayyad administration standardized Arabic as the official language for governance and administration, which had long-term institutional effects across their domains.
#21674
Who is the author of the book "Making Sense of Pakistan"? (2026)
(a) K.K Aziz
(b) Farzana Shaikh
(c) Ayesha Jalal
(d) Anatol Lieven
Explanation: The Lucknow Pact (1916) accepted the principle of separate electorates.
#21675
The edited volume "The Future of Pakistan" is authored by: (2026)
(a) Anatol Lieven
(b) Stephen P. Cohen
(c) Pervez Hoodbhoy
(d) None of these
Explanation: Stephen P. Cohen edited The Future of Pakistan.
#21676
The only Pakistani PM who visited the US and addressed a joint session of Congress is: (2026)
(a) Benazir Bhutto
(b) Liaquat Ali Khan
(c) Shaukat Aziz
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Radcliffe Award was announced on 17 August 1947 (None of these).
#21677
The establishment and structure of the Supreme Court is provided under Article _________: (2026)
(a) 63–64
(b) 99
(c) 176–191
(d) None of these
Explanation: Articles 176-191 provide the structure and powers of the Supreme Court.
#21678
Pakistan's largest solar park is in: (2026)
(a) Dera Ismail Khan
(b) Sukkur
(c) Gwadar
(d) Bahawalpur
Explanation: Choudhry Rahmat Ali coined the word Pakistan in 1933.
#21679
Islamabad officially became the capital of Pakistan in: (2026)
(a) 1969
(b) 1966
(c) 1962
(d) None of these
Explanation: Gomal Zam Dam is located in South Waziristan.
#21680
__________ was the Ottoman Caliph when the Khilafat movement began. (2026)
(a) Murad V
(b) Mehmed VI
(c) Abdul Hameed II
(d) Abdul Mejid II
Explanation: Pakistan ratified UNCLOS in 1997.