India - Quizzes (S/P) - Part 1

Daojali Hading is a significant Neolithic site situated in the Dima Hasao District of Assam, India. It holds the distinction of being one of the first and most thoroughly excavated stratified Neolithic sites in North-East India. Archaeological findings from this site include characteristic polished stone tools (such as celts and adzes), as well as distinctive cord-marked pottery, grinding stones, and evidence of early metallurgical activities like iron slag. These discoveries provide crucial insights into the agricultural practices, tool technology, and early settled life of the Neolithic communities in the region, with artifacts dated around 2,700 years old.

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Daojali Hading is a significant Neolithic site situated in the Dima Hasao District of Assam, India. It holds the distinction of being one of the first and most thoroughly excavated stratified Neolithic sites in North-East India. Archaeological findings from this site include characteristic polished stone tools (such as celts and adzes), as well as distinctive cord-marked pottery, grinding stones, and evidence of early metallurgical activities like iron slag. These discoveries provide crucial insights into the agricultural practices, tool technology, and early settled life of the Neolithic communities in the region, with artifacts dated around 2,700 years old.

Parantaka I, who reigned as a Chola king from approximately 907 CE to 955 CE, is historically recognized for his significant military achievements. He successfully invaded the Pandya kingdom and captured its capital, Madurai, a pivotal victory that greatly expanded the Chola empire southwards. To commemorate this triumph, he adopted the titles "Madurantakam" (meaning "Destroyer of Madurai") and "Maduraikonda" (meaning "Conqueror of Madurai"), which are frequently mentioned in his inscriptions and signify his dominance over the Pandyas.

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Parantaka I, who reigned as a Chola king from approximately 907 CE to 955 CE, is historically recognized for his significant military achievements. He successfully invaded the Pandya kingdom and captured its capital, Madurai, a pivotal victory that greatly expanded the Chola empire southwards. To commemorate this triumph, he adopted the titles "Madurantakam" (meaning "Destroyer of Madurai") and "Maduraikonda" (meaning "Conqueror of Madurai"), which are frequently mentioned in his inscriptions and signify his dominance over the Pandyas.

Pulakeshin I is recognized as the founder and first sovereign ruler of the Chalukya dynasty of Vatapi (modern Badami) in present-day Karnataka, India. His reign is most accurately dated from approximately 543 CE to 566 CE. The year 543 CE, marked by his earliest inscription, is often considered the pivotal "decision time" or the formal commencement of his independent rule, during which he established the foundation of the powerful Chalukyan empire.

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Pulakeshin I is recognized as the founder and first sovereign ruler of the Chalukya dynasty of Vatapi (modern Badami) in present-day Karnataka, India. His reign is most accurately dated from approximately 543 CE to 566 CE. The year 543 CE, marked by his earliest inscription, is often considered the pivotal "decision time" or the formal commencement of his independent rule, during which he established the foundation of the powerful Chalukyan empire.

Dantidurga, also known as Dantivarman II, is recognized as the founder of the Rashtrakuta Empire. In the mid-8th century CE (around 753 CE), he led a successful revolt against the Badami Chalukyas, who were his erstwhile overlords, and established the independent Rashtrakuta kingdom with its capital initially in the Gulbarga region of Karnataka. His decisive victory over Chalukya Kirtivarman II marked the beginning of the Rashtrakuta ascendancy, ushering in a significant period of their rule in South and parts of Central India.

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Dantidurga, also known as Dantivarman II, is recognized as the founder of the Rashtrakuta Empire. In the mid-8th century CE (around 753 CE), he led a successful revolt against the Badami Chalukyas, who were his erstwhile overlords, and established the independent Rashtrakuta kingdom with its capital initially in the Gulbarga region of Karnataka. His decisive victory over Chalukya Kirtivarman II marked the beginning of the Rashtrakuta ascendancy, ushering in a significant period of their rule in South and parts of Central India.

The ancient Indian text "Rasaratnakara" (meaning "Ocean of Mercury" or "Jewel Mine of Mercury"), which delves into the intricacies of alchemy, metallurgy, and chemistry, is widely attributed to the Indian metallurgist and chemist Nagarjuna. This work is significant for detailing processes like the extraction of various metals including gold, silver, tin, and copper. While there can be some historical ambiguity due to multiple individuals bearing the name Nagarjuna and other texts with similar titles (like a 13th-century work by Nityanatha Siddha), the most prominent "Rasaratnakara" in the context of ancient Indian chemistry is associated with Nagarjuna, often placed around the 8th century AD.

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The ancient Indian text "Rasaratnakara" (meaning "Ocean of Mercury" or "Jewel Mine of Mercury"), which delves into the intricacies of alchemy, metallurgy, and chemistry, is widely attributed to the Indian metallurgist and chemist Nagarjuna. This work is significant for detailing processes like the extraction of various metals including gold, silver, tin, and copper. While there can be some historical ambiguity due to multiple individuals bearing the name Nagarjuna and other texts with similar titles (like a 13th-century work by Nityanatha Siddha), the most prominent "Rasaratnakara" in the context of ancient Indian chemistry is associated with Nagarjuna, often placed around the 8th century AD.

Simhavishnu was a significant king of the Pallava dynasty, reigning in South India during the late 6th century CE (approximately 575-600 CE). He is widely credited with the revival and expansion of the Pallava power, establishing their dominance in the region and laying the foundation for what is often referred to as the "Greater Pallavas." His title "Avanisimha," meaning "Lion of the Earth," signifies his military prowess and his role in consolidating the Pallava kingdom by defeating various contemporary powers like the Kalabhras and extending his rule south of Kanchipuram up to the Kaveri River. He was also a patron of arts and literature, and his reign marked the beginning of a significant period in Pallava history.

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Simhavishnu was a significant king of the Pallava dynasty, reigning in South India during the late 6th century CE (approximately 575-600 CE). He is widely credited with the revival and expansion of the Pallava power, establishing their dominance in the region and laying the foundation for what is often referred to as the "Greater Pallavas." His title "Avanisimha," meaning "Lion of the Earth," signifies his military prowess and his role in consolidating the Pallava kingdom by defeating various contemporary powers like the Kalabhras and extending his rule south of Kanchipuram up to the Kaveri River. He was also a patron of arts and literature, and his reign marked the beginning of a significant period in Pallava history.

Banawali, an archaeological site located in the Fatehabad district of Haryana, India, is a significant Indus Valley Civilization settlement. Among its numerous findings, a terracotta model of a plough (which creates furrows) stands out as crucial evidence for understanding the agricultural practices of the Harappan people. While a ploughed field with furrows has been discovered at Kalibangan, the actual clay model of the plough itself was found at Banawali, providing direct insight into the tools used for tilling the land during that ancient period.

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Banawali, an archaeological site located in the Fatehabad district of Haryana, India, is a significant Indus Valley Civilization settlement. Among its numerous findings, a terracotta model of a plough (which creates furrows) stands out as crucial evidence for understanding the agricultural practices of the Harappan people. While a ploughed field with furrows has been discovered at Kalibangan, the actual clay model of the plough itself was found at Banawali, providing direct insight into the tools used for tilling the land during that ancient period.

Arundhati Roy made history as the first Indian woman to be awarded the Man Booker Prize. She received this esteemed literary award in 1997 for her powerful and acclaimed debut novel, "The God of Small Things." Her work brought significant international recognition to Indian English literature.

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Arundhati Roy made history as the first Indian woman to be awarded the Man Booker Prize. She received this esteemed literary award in 1997 for her powerful and acclaimed debut novel, "The God of Small Things." Her work brought significant international recognition to Indian English literature.

Indian Railways is widely regarded as the largest public sector undertaking (PSU) in India. Its distinction comes not just from its significant contribution to the economy but primarily from its vast operational network, which spans across the entire country, and its status as one of the world's largest employers (with over 1.2 million employees). It is the backbone of India's transport infrastructure, facilitating both passenger and freight movement on a massive scale. While other PSUs might lead in terms of revenue (like IOCL or ONGC) or market capitalization (like SBI), Indian Railways' sheer scale of operations and human resource base makes it the single largest public sector entity.

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Indian Railways is widely regarded as the largest public sector undertaking (PSU) in India. Its distinction comes not just from its significant contribution to the economy but primarily from its vast operational network, which spans across the entire country, and its status as one of the world's largest employers (with over 1.2 million employees). It is the backbone of India's transport infrastructure, facilitating both passenger and freight movement on a massive scale. While other PSUs might lead in terms of revenue (like IOCL or ONGC) or market capitalization (like SBI), Indian Railways' sheer scale of operations and human resource base makes it the single largest public sector entity.

In India, small-scale industries (SSIs) are typically characterized by lower capital investment, localized operations, and often labor-intensive production methods. Among the given options, the Handloom Industry most closely aligns with this definition. It consists of highly decentralized units where skilled artisans manually weave fabrics, contrasting sharply with the large-scale, capital-intensive operations of the Jute, Paper, and broader Textile industries which often involve significant machinery and factory-based production. The handloom sector, despite its large overall employment, operates on a very small unit-by-unit basis.

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In India, small-scale industries (SSIs) are typically characterized by lower capital investment, localized operations, and often labor-intensive production methods. Among the given options, the Handloom Industry most closely aligns with this definition. It consists of highly decentralized units where skilled artisans manually weave fabrics, contrasting sharply with the large-scale, capital-intensive operations of the Jute, Paper, and broader Textile industries which often involve significant machinery and factory-based production. The handloom sector, despite its large overall employment, operates on a very small unit-by-unit basis.