““Seek Under Porus”Seek Under Porus”

KQA History Quiz KQA History Quiz 3.03.0

PrelimsPrelims

1.1. Complete the title of this famous poem by Percy Complete the title of this famous poem by Percy

Shelley, apparently inspired by the inscription at Shelley, apparently inspired by the inscription at the base of a statue of Rameses II. The poem the base of a statue of Rameses II. The poem describes a collapsed statue in the desert, with describes a collapsed statue in the desert, with nothing but desolation around.nothing but desolation around.

I met a traveller from an antique landI met a traveller from an antique landWho said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stoneWho said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stoneStand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frownHalf sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frownAnd wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold commandAnd wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold commandTell that its sculptor well those passions readTell that its sculptor well those passions readWhich yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.And on the pedestal these words appear:And on the pedestal these words appear:"My name is "My name is ______________, king of kings:, king of kings:Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"Nothing beside remains. Round the decayNothing beside remains. Round the decayOf that colossal wreck, boundless and bareOf that colossal wreck, boundless and bareThe lone and level sands stretch far away.The lone and level sands stretch far away.

OzymandiasOzymandias

2.*2.* Story goes that the noble man was being carried Story goes that the noble man was being carried

away on a litter (palanquin) when he was finally away on a litter (palanquin) when he was finally tracked down by Mark Antony’s men. He calmly tracked down by Mark Antony’s men. He calmly ordered his men to put the litter down, and held his ordered his men to put the litter down, and held his neck out to be cut by the assailants. His last neck out to be cut by the assailants. His last eloquent words are said to be “There is nothing eloquent words are said to be “There is nothing proper about what you are doing, soldier, but do try proper about what you are doing, soldier, but do try to kill me properly." Name.to kill me properly." Name.

Marcus Tullius Cicero.Marcus Tullius Cicero.

3.3.What famous offer was thus declined by Abraham Lincoln,

during the Civil War?

I appreciate most highly Your Majesty's tender of good offices in forwarding to this Government a stock from which a supply of ____ might be raised on our own soil. This Government would not hesitate to avail itself of so generous an offer if the object were one which could be made practically useful in the present condition of the United States.Our political jurisdiction, however, does not reach a latitude so low as to favor the multiplication of the ____, and steam on land, as well as on water, has been our best and most efficient agent of transportation in internal commerce.I shall have occasion at no distant day to transmit to Your Majesty some token of indication of the high sense which this Government entertains of Your Majesty's friendship.Meantime, wishing for Your Majesty a long and happy life, and for the generous and emulous People of Siam, the highest possible prosperity, I commend both to the blessing of Almighty God. 

Your Good Friend, ABRAHAM LINCOLN.Washington, February 3, 1862.

War Elephants, offered by the King War Elephants, offered by the King of Siam to help Lincoln win the Civil of Siam to help Lincoln win the Civil War.War.

4.4. A national icon, one of his A national icon, one of his

most famous comments most famous comments was was “They may crush the “They may crush the flowers, but they can't flowers, but they can't stop the Spring.”stop the Spring.”

Once, the foremost Once, the foremost political leader in his political leader in his country, he was later country, he was later ousted from all positions ousted from all positions of power, and ended up of power, and ended up as a mechanic in the as a mechanic in the forest service. Name this forest service. Name this gentleman. gentleman.

Alexander Dubcek, leader of Alexander Dubcek, leader of Czechoslovakia during the Prague Czechoslovakia during the Prague Spring, famous for his policy of Spring, famous for his policy of “Socialism with a human face”.“Socialism with a human face”.

5.5.

““Swastika flag-Swastika flag-draped coffins, draped coffins, beneath Nazi beneath Nazi flags, …… rest on a flags, …… rest on a pier in New York, pier in New York, May 19th, 1937, May 19th, 1937, awaiting return to awaiting return to Germany.”Germany.”

– – Life MagazineLife Magazine Who were the Who were the

unfortunate men ?unfortunate men ?

Victims of the Hindenburg disaster Victims of the Hindenburg disaster of 1937.of 1937.

6.6. In 1903, the Second Congress of the RSLDP party was In 1903, the Second Congress of the RSLDP party was

held in Brussels. After the authorities interfered, the held in Brussels. After the authorities interfered, the congress had to be shifted to London. There was a congress had to be shifted to London. There was a keen tussle on the issue of who should be allowed to keen tussle on the issue of who should be allowed to join the party – some advocating a liberal membership join the party – some advocating a liberal membership policy, while others demanding a stricter stance. The policy, while others demanding a stricter stance. The “soft” faction won the vote 28-23 against the “hard” “soft” faction won the vote 28-23 against the “hard” faction.faction.

Another contest was to decide the composition of the Another contest was to decide the composition of the editorial board of “Iskra”, the party newspaper. editorial board of “Iskra”, the party newspaper. The “hard” faction demanded that the board retain The “hard” faction demanded that the board retain only three leading members, who were already only three leading members, who were already carrying out the main tasks. The “soft” faction carrying out the main tasks. The “soft” faction demanded that the status quo of six members be demanded that the status quo of six members be maintained. The vote was settled 19-17 in favor of the maintained. The vote was settled 19-17 in favor of the “hard” faction. “hard” faction.

What description originated from this second vote ?What description originated from this second vote ?

The winning side in the Iskra board contest The winning side in the Iskra board contest came to be known as the “majority” or the came to be known as the “majority” or the “Bolsheviks” while the other faction were “Bolsheviks” while the other faction were labeled “Mensheviks” or the “minority”.labeled “Mensheviks” or the “minority”.

This was despite the fact that the “hard” This was despite the fact that the “hard” faction did not really have a majority at the faction did not really have a majority at the congress. The liberal wing of the Russian congress. The liberal wing of the Russian Social Democrat Party eventually took Social Democrat Party eventually took control, leading a frustrated Vladimir Lenin control, leading a frustrated Vladimir Lenin to split the party with fateful consequences to split the party with fateful consequences for the world. for the world.

7.7. On December 9, 1893, a French anarchist named On December 9, 1893, a French anarchist named

Auguste Vaillant made a sensational attempt to Auguste Vaillant made a sensational attempt to avenge the execution of Ravachol, a fellow avenge the execution of Ravachol, a fellow anarchist. His attempt injured several people and anarchist. His attempt injured several people and he was arrested and sentenced to death. Vaillant he was arrested and sentenced to death. Vaillant defended his actions during the trial, maintaining defended his actions during the trial, maintaining that he merely wanted to wake up the privileged that he merely wanted to wake up the privileged classes. classes.

How did Vaillant's actions and his words come How did Vaillant's actions and his words come back into the lime light some 36 years later ?back into the lime light some 36 years later ?

Bhagat Singh’s Bhagat Singh’s actions in 1929 were actions in 1929 were inspired by Vaillant’s inspired by Vaillant’s bombing of the bombing of the French assembly. He French assembly. He also paraphrased also paraphrased Vaillant’s statement Vaillant’s statement “It takes a loud voice “It takes a loud voice to make the deaf to make the deaf hear” in the hear” in the pamphlets thrown pamphlets thrown inside the Central inside the Central Assembly Hall.Assembly Hall.

8.8. Id the subject of this museum.Id the subject of this museum.

Imelda Marcos, whose extravagant Imelda Marcos, whose extravagant shoe collection has now been turned shoe collection has now been turned into the “Imelda Marcos Shoe into the “Imelda Marcos Shoe Museum”.Museum”.

9.9. What is happening ?What is happening ?

US Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge Jr US Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge Jr demonstrating “The Great Seal Bug” (also known demonstrating “The Great Seal Bug” (also known as “The Thing”) which the Soviets had planted in as “The Thing”) which the Soviets had planted in the US embassy in Moscow.the US embassy in Moscow.

In 1946, the Soviets had used a group of school In 1946, the Soviets had used a group of school students to present a wooden replica of the “The students to present a wooden replica of the “The Great Seal of the United States”. A listening Great Seal of the United States”. A listening device hidden inside was discovered in 1952. device hidden inside was discovered in 1952. Lodge's unveiling of this Great Seal before the Lodge's unveiling of this Great Seal before the Security Council in 1960 provided proof that the Security Council in 1960 provided proof that the Soviets also spied on the Americans, and Soviets also spied on the Americans, and undercut a Soviet resolution before the Security undercut a Soviet resolution before the Security Council denouncing the United States for its U-2 Council denouncing the United States for its U-2 espionage missions espionage missions

10.10. An English poem written by Joanna Baillie in 1849 An English poem written by Joanna Baillie in 1849

reads:reads: "For thirty years her reign of peace,"For thirty years her reign of peace,

The land in blessing did increase;The land in blessing did increase;And she was blessed by every tongue,And she was blessed by every tongue,By stern and gentle, old and young.By stern and gentle, old and young.Yea, even the children at their mothers feetYea, even the children at their mothers feetAre taught such homely rhyming to repeatAre taught such homely rhyming to repeat"In latter days from Brahma came,"In latter days from Brahma came,To rule our land, a noble Dame,To rule our land, a noble Dame,Kind was her heart, and tright her frame,Kind was her heart, and tright her frame,And ___ was her honoured name.“And ___ was her honoured name.“

Name this enlightened monarch who ruled over a Name this enlightened monarch who ruled over a kingdom from 1767 to 1795.kingdom from 1767 to 1795.

Ahilyabai Holkar.Ahilyabai Holkar.

11.*11.* Identify this gentleman who became the Identify this gentleman who became the

first president of a newly independent first president of a newly independent country in 1960.country in 1960.

Archbishop Makarios (Makarios III) Archbishop Makarios (Makarios III) of Cyprus.of Cyprus.

12.12.

““I can neither forget nor express the strong I can neither forget nor express the strong emotions which agitated my mind as I first emotions which agitated my mind as I first approached and entered the eternal [C]ity. approached and entered the eternal [C]ity. After a sleepless night, I trod, with a lofty step, After a sleepless night, I trod, with a lofty step, the ruins of the Forum; each memorable spot the ruins of the Forum; each memorable spot where Romulus stood, or Tully spoke, or Caesar where Romulus stood, or Tully spoke, or Caesar fell, was at once present to my eye; and several fell, was at once present to my eye; and several days of intoxication were lost or enjoyed before days of intoxication were lost or enjoyed before I could descend to a cool and minute I could descend to a cool and minute investigation.”investigation.”

What resulted from this moment known to What resulted from this moment known to history as the “Capitoline vision” ?history as the “Capitoline vision” ?

Edward Gibbon started work on the Edward Gibbon started work on the monumental work, “monumental work, “The Decline and The Decline and Fall of the Roman EmpireFall of the Roman Empire”.”.

13.**13.** At the age of 17, this stunning beauty was pictured, At the age of 17, this stunning beauty was pictured,

while working in a metal factory in Ann Arbor, while working in a metal factory in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Her image was later used by artist J. Michigan. Her image was later used by artist J. Howard Miller, making her a symbol for a Howard Miller, making her a symbol for a generation.  Claim to fame ?generation.  Claim to fame ?

““Rosie the Riveter”, the iconic propaganda poster Rosie the Riveter”, the iconic propaganda poster symbolizing American women during WWII, was symbolizing American women during WWII, was based on a photograph of Geraldine Doyle.based on a photograph of Geraldine Doyle.

14.14. Some of the disputed accounts of Stalin’s death Some of the disputed accounts of Stalin’s death

state that, when he died, he had some old letters in state that, when he died, he had some old letters in his desk. One of them was the last letter written to his desk. One of them was the last letter written to him by Lenin and another was from Bukharin. The him by Lenin and another was from Bukharin. The third one was from 1950, written by one of his third one was from 1950, written by one of his former allies. It went like:former allies. It went like:

““Stop sending assassins to murder me. We have Stop sending assassins to murder me. We have already caught five, one with a bomb, another with already caught five, one with a bomb, another with a rifle…If this doesn’t stop, I will send one man to a rifle…If this doesn’t stop, I will send one man to Moscow and there will be no need to send another.”Moscow and there will be no need to send another.”

Who was the alleged author ?Who was the alleged author ?

Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia.Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia.

15.15. This castle, located near Vienna, This castle, located near Vienna,

has a name that means “bright has a name that means “bright stone” and is responsible for the stone” and is responsible for the naming of a European country. naming of a European country. The family that owned the castle The family that owned the castle desired a seat in the “Reichstag”. desired a seat in the “Reichstag”. But without any territory held But without any territory held directly under the Imperial directly under the Imperial throne, the dynasty was unable throne, the dynasty was unable to meet a primary requirement to meet a primary requirement to qualify for a seat in the to qualify for a seat in the Imperial parliament. They Imperial parliament. They purchased the lordship of purchased the lordship of Schellenberg and the county of Schellenberg and the county of Vaduz which had no feudal lords Vaduz which had no feudal lords other than the Emperor. The other than the Emperor. The territory was soon declared a territory was soon declared a sovereign state of the Holy sovereign state of the Holy Roman Empire.  the Princes of Roman Empire.  the Princes of ___ did not set foot in their new ___ did not set foot in their new principality for over 120 years principality for over 120 years after their purchase. Name.after their purchase. Name.

Liechtenstein, which literally means “bright Liechtenstein, which literally means “bright stone”.stone”.

16.*16.*

The painting “A Very Gallant The painting “A Very Gallant Gentleman” by John Charles Gentleman” by John Charles Dollman. Who is the subject ? Dollman. Who is the subject ?

Lawrence Oates, who chose to sacrifice himself Lawrence Oates, who chose to sacrifice himself to save R F Scott’s expedition.to save R F Scott’s expedition.

Oates, worried that his ill health was Oates, worried that his ill health was compromising his companions’ safety, walked compromising his companions’ safety, walked out of his tent in the midst of a blizzard with the out of his tent in the midst of a blizzard with the words "I am just going outside and may be some words "I am just going outside and may be some time". time".

17.17. This enormous boulder, nicknamed the “Thunder Stone”, is This enormous boulder, nicknamed the “Thunder Stone”, is

often claimed to be “largest stone ever moved by man”. In often claimed to be “largest stone ever moved by man”. In 1770, it was used to build the pedestal for a famous statue. 1770, it was used to build the pedestal for a famous statue. The stone was moved from its source to its destination over a The stone was moved from its source to its destination over a period of two years. Legend has it that while this statue period of two years. Legend has it that while this statue stands in the middle of the city, enemy forces can never take stands in the middle of the city, enemy forces can never take the city. True to the belief, the city did not fall despite a 900 the city. True to the belief, the city did not fall despite a 900 days long bloody siege during WWII. The statue derives its days long bloody siege during WWII. The statue derives its more popular name from an 1833 poem, considered to be a more popular name from an 1833 poem, considered to be a literary landmark. literary landmark.

Name the statue and the city.Name the statue and the city.

““The Bronze Horseman”, a statue of Peter the The Bronze Horseman”, a statue of Peter the Great, in St. Petersburg. This popular name was Great, in St. Petersburg. This popular name was derived from an Alexander Pushkin poem about derived from an Alexander Pushkin poem about the statue.the statue.

18.18. The first modern one of its kind was the The first modern one of its kind was the

“Degania”, established by sociologist Arthur “Degania”, established by sociologist Arthur Ruppin in 1920. What community enterprise that Ruppin in 1920. What community enterprise that literally means “gathering” or “clustering” ?literally means “gathering” or “clustering” ?

Kibbutz, an agriculture based community Kibbutz, an agriculture based community settlement of Jews.settlement of Jews.

19.*19.* A 1795 painting of the remains of a fort which was A 1795 painting of the remains of a fort which was

established in the 1350s to house a walled city. The established in the 1350s to house a walled city. The structure’s name, derived from the successor of structure’s name, derived from the successor of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, is famous for other Muhammad bin Tughlaq, is famous for other reasons. What name ?reasons. What name ?

Feroze Shah Kotla.Feroze Shah Kotla. The fortress (“Kotla”), named after The fortress (“Kotla”), named after

Feroze Shah Tughlug, Sultan of Feroze Shah Tughlug, Sultan of Delhi, lent its name to the Cricket Delhi, lent its name to the Cricket stadium.stadium.

20.**20.** A high ranking A high ranking

bureaucrat under the bureaucrat under the Ming Emperor, he was Ming Emperor, he was a paragon of honesty a paragon of honesty and integrity in and integrity in government service. In government service. In 1565, he submitted a 1565, he submitted a memorial, impeaching memorial, impeaching the Emperor himself the Emperor himself and was promptly and was promptly imprisoned. imprisoned.

Why would we be still Why would we be still remembering this remembering this story?story?

The official was Hairui.The official was Hairui. A theatre play titled “Hai Rui Dismissed from A theatre play titled “Hai Rui Dismissed from

office” was interpreted by “Gang of Four” office” was interpreted by “Gang of Four” member Yao Wenyuan to be an allegory of Mao’s member Yao Wenyuan to be an allegory of Mao’s dismissal of Peng Dehuai, the Defense minister. dismissal of Peng Dehuai, the Defense minister. Thus began the “Cultural Revolution” aimed at Thus began the “Cultural Revolution” aimed at cleansing the society of bourgeoisie elements.cleansing the society of bourgeoisie elements.

21.21. Hazrat Mian Mir, a Sufi saint laid the first Hazrat Mian Mir, a Sufi saint laid the first

foundation stone of this structure. Legend has it foundation stone of this structure. Legend has it that a mason adjusted the position of the stone. that a mason adjusted the position of the stone. The man responsible for the construction of this The man responsible for the construction of this structure was very upset when he came to know structure was very upset when he came to know of this. He worried that as the mason had undone of this. He worried that as the mason had undone the work just completed by the holy man, a the work just completed by the holy man, a disaster might come to the structure.disaster might come to the structure.

This legend is often cited as an explanation for This legend is often cited as an explanation for the many attacks that have been launched on the many attacks that have been launched on this structure. Name.this structure. Name.

The Golden Temple (Harmandir The Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) at Amritsar.Sahib) at Amritsar.

22.22. After the Battle of Thermopylae, Xerxes, the Persian After the Battle of Thermopylae, Xerxes, the Persian

Emperor, interrogated some Arcadian prisoners. He Emperor, interrogated some Arcadian prisoners. He was curious about the Spartans sending only 300 was curious about the Spartans sending only 300 men to stop the Persian army. When the prisoners men to stop the Persian army. When the prisoners cited _____ as the reason for the absence of most of cited _____ as the reason for the absence of most of the Spartans, he asked the prisoners if the Spartans the Spartans, he asked the prisoners if the Spartans received any reward for their efforts in _____. The received any reward for their efforts in _____. The prisoners described the reward and a very shocked prisoners described the reward and a very shocked Persian general exclaimed:Persian general exclaimed:

Ye Gods, Mardonius, what men have you brought us Ye Gods, Mardonius, what men have you brought us to fight against? Men that fight not for gold, but for to fight against? Men that fight not for gold, but for glory."glory."

Fill up.Fill up.

Olympic Games.Olympic Games. The prisoners explained that the The prisoners explained that the

winner of the games would get “an winner of the games would get “an Olive wreath” as the prize.Olive wreath” as the prize.

This archeological site was a great city which existed This archeological site was a great city which existed from 1100 to 1450 AD. The name of the place is from 1100 to 1450 AD. The name of the place is derived from a phrase in Shona language meaning derived from a phrase in Shona language meaning "large houses of stone". This site is a source of great "large houses of stone". This site is a source of great pride for the modern day state where this site is pride for the modern day state where this site is situated and takes its name from it.situated and takes its name from it.

2323

ZimbabweZimbabwe

2424 South Court is a sea facing palatial bungalow

located on Mount Pleasant Road in South Mumbai. It was designed by architect Claude Batley and constructed in 1936 using exquisite Italian marble and walnut woodwork. This historic building has been a subject of dispute between two countries and recently the owner's daughter has been involved in a litigation claiming that Hindu Law is applicable to it's owner as he was a Khoja Shia. ID the building.

This building is more famously known This building is more famously known as Jinnah Houseas Jinnah House

25.**25.** They were SS paramilitary death squads that

were responsible for mass killings. Their modus operandi was typically shooting. They were responsible for exterminating Jews in particular, but they have murdered significant numbers of other population groups and political categories as well. They were meant to hand out only one sentence to prisoners and that was execution. Their name can be literally translated from German as "One Sentence Group”.

ID.

Einsatzgruppen -means one sentence group.

26.26. After being expelled from his country Singhapur After being expelled from his country Singhapur

(present day Singur), Prince Vijaya went with his (present day Singur), Prince Vijaya went with his daredevil comrades to this country via crude daredevil comrades to this country via crude wooden ships from Gadiara or Buttor Port of wooden ships from Gadiara or Buttor Port of Howrah. Vijaya is the first recorded King of this Howrah. Vijaya is the first recorded King of this country and the history of the native population country and the history of the native population started with his arrival. This story is generally started with his arrival. This story is generally accepted by historians, however the most accepted by historians, however the most striking evidence to this fact is that the people of striking evidence to this fact is that the people of this country speak a language phonetically much this country speak a language phonetically much similar to modern Bengali. Which country?similar to modern Bengali. Which country?

Vijaya was the first King of Sri LankaVijaya was the first King of Sri Lanka

27.*27.*

This pic was taken when Dr D.D. David was attending a conference on alternative medicine. He was an expert in the field of alternative medicine, bio energy, and macrobiotic diet and also offered his assistance in the treatment of sexual problems and disorders by using what he called Human Quantum Energy. He had his own website and used to sell metallic bullet-shaped amulets there.

How do we better know this man ?

Radovan Karadzic, Radovan Karadzic, the Bosnian Serb the Bosnian Serb leader and war leader and war criminal who was criminal who was captured in 2008.captured in 2008.

28.28. This French painter was born

in Louvre while his parents where staying there during the French Revolution. He specialized in battles, portraits, and Oriental Arab subjects. He was known for representing war in a realistic way. He accompanied the French Army during the Crimean War, producing several paintings.

English speaking people however remember his name for a totally different reason, from something which was first published in 1893.

Name ?

Horace Vernet.In Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes story “The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter”, Holmes claims to be related to Vernet, stating, "My ancestors were country squires... my grandmother... was the sister of Vernet, the French artist."

29.29. Identify the two kids from this 1962 movie Identify the two kids from this 1962 movie

whose title translated to “The two who stole whose title translated to “The two who stole the moon”.the moon”.

The Kaczyński twins. Lech and Jaroslav The Kaczyński twins. Lech and Jaroslav Kaczynski had acted in this polish film.Kaczynski had acted in this polish film.

30.30.

What does the purple line indicate?What does the purple line indicate?

““String of pearls” , the Chinese String of pearls” , the Chinese strategy of setting up naval bases strategy of setting up naval bases around India.around India.