India Basics
Music & Dance
Animals of India
Landmarks & Places
History
100
What ocean lies to the south of India?
- Artic Ocean
- Indian Ocean
- Atlantic Ocean
- Indian Ocean
100
Traditional Indian music often uses drums called what?
- bongos
- snares
- tablas
- tablas
a pair of hand drums central to North Indian music
100
Which large animal is often used in Indian festivals and parades?
- horse
- elephant
- camel
- elephant
100
What famous white marble monument was built for love?
- Dalai Lama
- Taj Mahal
- Lotus Temple
The famous white marble monument built for love is the Taj Mahal, located in Agra, India, commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, after she died in childbirth. It's renowned as a symbol of eternal love, crafted from luminous white marble with intricate designs and surrounded by beautiful Persian gardens.
100
India gained independence from which country in 1947?
- France
- Great Britain
- Spain
- Great Britain
200
Which continent is India part of?
- Asia
- South America
- Europe
- Asia
200
Which dance style often tells stories with hand movements?
- Ballet
- Tap
- Bharatanatyam
- Bharatanatyam
200
Which animal is considered sacred by many people in India?
- horse
- dog
- cow
- cow
The cow is the most widely considered sacred animal in India, especially in Hinduism, where it symbolizes motherhood, abundance, and is associated with deities like Lord Krishna, often called "Gau Mata" (Mother Cow).
200
Which mountain range runs across northern India?
- Himalayas
- Alps
- Rockies
- Himalayas
200
Which ancient civilization was one of the world’s earliest and located in India?
- Indus Valley Civilization
- Nehru Civilization
- Egyptian Gandhi Civilization
- Indus Valley Civilization
Also known as the Harappan Civilization, which flourished around 2600–1700 BCE in the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent, centered around the Indus River.
300
What body of water is located to the direct west of India?
- Arabian sea
- Red sea
- Mediterranean sea
- Arabian sea
300
Indian dances often use what to express emotions?
- silence
- masks
- facial expressions
- facial expressions
300
Which animal is the national animal of India?
- tiger
- elephant
- lion
- tiger
Chosen for its strength, grace, and power, symbolizing the nation's spirit; it replaced the lion in 1972 and led to the launch of Project Tiger in 1973 to protect the species from declining numbers due to poaching and habitat loss.
300
Varanasi is a holy city located along which river?
- Indus
- Ganges
- Yamuna
- Ganges
300
What symbol is in the center of India’s flag?
- a wheel
- a star
- a flower
- a wheel
The symbol in the center of India's flag is the Ashoka Chakra, a navy blue wheel with 24 spokes, representing the "wheel of law," symbolizing movement, progress, and the continuous pursuit of justice and truth.
400
What is the official currency of India?
- Peso
- Yen
- Rupee
- Rupee
The official currency of India is the Indian Rupee (₹).
400
Which Indian dance often tells stories from ancient myths?
- Kathakali
- Odissi
- Bharatanatyam
- Kathakali
400
India is one of the few countries where you can find wild what?
- dogs
- elephants
- penguins
- elephants
400
Which city is often called the “financial capital” of India?
- New Delhi
- Mumbai
- Kolkata
Mumbai is widely known as the "financial capital" of India because it's home to key financial institutions like the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), and National Stock Exchange (NSE), serving as India's primary hub for finance, business, and capital markets.
400
Who was India’s first Prime Minister?
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Jawaharlal Nehru
- Indira Gandhi
- Jawaharlal Nehru
A central figure in the Indian independence movement, he served as the head of government from the date of independence, 15 August 1947, until his death in office in May 1964.
500
What symbol represents peace and appears often in Indian art?
- olive branch
- lotus flower
- eagle
- lotus flower
representing purity and spiritual growth
500
Bollywood movies often include which of these?
- no singing
- silent scenes only
- long dance numbers
- long dance numbers
500
The peacock is known in India for being what?
- fastest bird
- national bird
- a farm animal
- national bird
In India, the peacock is known as the national bird, symbolizing beauty, grace, pride, and spirituality, deeply embedded in Hinduism.
500
Which city is known as the “Pink City” of India?
- Jaipur
- Agra
- Udaipur
Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, India, is known as the "Pink City" because its historic buildings were painted pink to welcome Britain's Prince of Wales in 1876, a tradition symbolizing hospitality that continues today.
500
Which ancient Indian emperor is known for spreading peace and Buddhism?
- Ashoka
- Akbar
- Babur
- Ashoka
a Mauryan ruler who, after witnessing the devastation of war, converted to Buddhism and dedicated his reign to promoting nonviolence, tolerance, and the welfare of all beings, sending missionaries and erecting pillars with his ethical edicts.
