Test: World History- 1 - Class 8 MCQ

• A: Chandra Gupta I


• B: Samudra Gupta


• C: Skanda Gupta


• D: Chandra Gupta

• Explanation:




• Samudra Gupta, also known as the Indian Napoleon, was one of the greatest rulers of the Gupta Empire in ancient India.


• He was known for his military conquests, administrative skills, and patronage of the arts.


• During his reign, the Gupta Empire reached its peak in terms of territorial expansion and cultural achievements.


• Samudra Gupta's military campaigns and conquests earned him the title of the Indian Napoleon for his strategic prowess and leadership on the battlefield.

• Akbar: Akbar was one of the most famous Mughal Emperors known for his religious tolerance and administrative reforms. He expanded the empire to its greatest extent by incorporating several regions of India into the empire.


• Humayun: Humayun was the second Mughal Emperor, but he faced many challenges during his reign, which led to a decline in the empire's expansion.


• Shahjehan: Shahjehan was known for his architectural achievements, including the construction of the Taj Mahal. However, his reign did not see significant expansion of the empire.


• Aurangazeb: Aurangazeb was the last great Mughal Emperor known for his strict policies and efforts to expand the empire. He ruled over the largest territory of the Mughal Empire, reaching its zenith of expansion under his reign.

Therefore, the Mughal Empire reached its zenith of expansion under Aurangazeb's rule.

• Babur: Babur, a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan, established the Mughal Dynasty in India in 1526 after defeating Ibrahim Lodhi in the First Battle of Panipat.


• Humayun: Babur's son, Humayun, succeeded him as the second ruler of the Mughal Empire but faced challenges from Sher Shah Suri and lost the empire briefly.


• Akbar: Akbar, the son of Humayun, is considered one of the greatest Mughal emperors. He expanded the empire significantly and introduced several administrative reforms.


• Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb: Akbar was succeeded by his son, Jahangir, followed by Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb, under whom the Mughal Empire reached its zenith but also started to decline.


• End of the Mughal Dynasty: The Mughal Dynasty officially ended with the defeat of Bahadur Shah II, also known as Bahadur Shah Zafar, by the British in the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

• A.O. Hume: The Indian National Congress was founded by Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, in 1885.


• Motivation: Hume aimed to provide a platform for educated Indians to engage in discussions with the British government on matters of policy and administration.


• First Session: The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in Bombay in December 1885, with prominent Indian leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji and Dinshaw Wacha in attendance.


• Initial Years: In its early years, the Congress primarily focused on social and economic reforms, and gradually evolved into a political party advocating for self-governance and independence from British rule.


• Key Figures: Throughout its history, the Indian National Congress has been associated with prominent leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Indira Gandhi.

• Early Exploration: Portuguese explorers such as Vasco da Gama were the first Europeans to reach India by sea in the late 15th century.


• Establishing Trade Routes: The Portuguese established trading posts along the coast of India, including in Goa, Calicut, and Bombay, to facilitate trade between Europe and India.


• Monopoly on Spice Trade: The Portuguese quickly gained a monopoly on the lucrative spice trade from India to Europe, particularly in spices like pepper, cinnamon, and cloves.


• Impact on Indian Economy: The Portuguese presence in India had a significant impact on the local economy, as they introduced new crops, technologies, and cultural influences.


• Legacy: The Portuguese trade empire in India laid the foundation for future European colonial powers, such as the Dutch, French, and English, to establish their own trade networks in the region.

• Beginning of Iron Age: Historians believe that the Rig Veda was written during the beginning of the Iron Age.


• Stone Age: The Rig Veda was not written during the Stone Age as it predates the Stone Age.


• Bronze Age: It is also not from the Bronze Age as it was written before that period.


• Copper Age: Similarly, the Rig Veda does not belong to the Copper Age as it was written later than that period.

Therefore, based on historical evidence and analysis, it is widely accepted that the Rig Veda was written during the beginning of the Iron Age.

• Vasco-da-gama: The sea route to India was discovered by the Portuguese explorer Vasco-da-gama in the late 15th century.


• Reason for Exploration: Vasco-da-gama was commissioned by the Portuguese king to find a direct sea route to India in order to establish trade relations and bypass the overland trade routes controlled by the Arabs and Italians.


• First Voyage: In 1497, Vasco-da-gama set sail from Portugal with four ships and after a long and arduous journey, he reached the port of Calicut in India in 1498.


• Impact: The discovery of the sea route to India by Vasco-da-gama opened up new opportunities for trade between Europe and Asia, leading to the establishment of colonial empires and the beginning of the Age of Exploration.

• Lothal: Lothal is considered the port city of the Indus Valley Civilisation. It was located in present-day Gujarat, India.


• Kalibangan: Kalibangan is an ancient Indus Valley site located in present-day Rajasthan, India, but it was not a port city.


• Harappa: Harappa was one of the major urban centres of the Indus Valley Civilisation, but it was not a port city.


• Mohenjodaro: Mohenjodaro was another major urban centre of the Indus Valley Civilisation, but it was not a port city.

Therefore, the correct answer is Lothal. It was an important port city for trade and maritime activities during the Indus Valley Civilisation.

• Bricks: The houses in the Indus Valley civilization were primarily built using bricks made from mud and clay. These bricks were uniform in size and shape, contributing to the overall stability and strength of the structures.


• Stone: In addition to bricks, stones were also used in the construction of some structures, particularly for foundations and lower levels of buildings. Stone provided additional strength and durability to the buildings.

• Brick size: The standardized size of bricks allowed for easy stacking and ensured uniformity in construction, contributing to the overall stability of the buildings.


• Mortar: Mud mortar was used to bind the bricks together, creating solid walls and structures. The use of mortar helped in strengthening the construction.


• Multi-story buildings: Some houses in the Indus Valley civilization were multi-story structures, showcasing the advanced construction techniques of the time.

• Urban planning: The layout of the Indus Valley cities and houses reflected careful urban planning, with streets, drainage systems, and public spaces designed for efficiency and functionality.


• Aesthetic design: The houses in the Indus Valley civilization exhibited a sense of aesthetic design, with features such as courtyards, staircases, and ventilation systems enhancing the livability of the spaces.

• Time Period: The first wave of Aryan immigration into India began around 1500 BC.


• Migration: Aryans are believed to have migrated into the Indian subcontinent from Central Asia through the passes in the northwestern mountains.


• Culture: The Aryans brought with them their Vedic culture, language, and religious beliefs which significantly influenced the development of Indian civilization.


• Vedas: The Aryans composed the sacred texts known as the Vedas, which are some of the oldest scriptures of Hinduism.


• Settlement: The Aryans settled in the northwestern regions of India and gradually spread across the subcontinent.


• Impact: The arrival of the Aryans played a crucial role in shaping the cultural, linguistic, and religious landscape of ancient India.