General Knowledge India 2

The first systematic drilling for oil in India took place at Naharpung in Assam in 1866. This preceded the discovery of the major oil field at Digboi in 1889, which became India's first commercially productive well.

Hindustan Antibiotics Limited (HAL) is located in Pimpri, Pune. Established in 1954 with help from WHO and UNICEF, it was the first public sector undertaking in India to manufacture antibiotics like penicillin.

The Khajuraho temples are located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. Built by the Chandela dynasty, these temples are famous for their intricate nagara-style architecture and erotic sculptures.

Agra was founded by Sikandar Lodi, the Sultan of Delhi, in 1504. He moved his capital from Delhi to Agra in 1506 to better control the warring factions of his empire and the trade routes of the region.

Odisha (Orissa) accounts for nearly 93% of India's nickel ore resources, primarily located in the Sukinda valley of Jajpur district. Other states have negligible or no significant commercial deposits, making it the primary source for the country.

Emperor Jahangir installed the 'Zanjir-i-Adl' (Chain of Justice) at the Agra Fort to allow subjects to seek justice directly from the king. It was a golden chain with 60 bells that could be pulled by anyone seeking a royal hearing.

Arunachal Pradesh was known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) until 1972, when it became a Union Territory. It attained full statehood in 1987.

Aurobindo Ghosh was a prominent nationalist leader who later retired from politics to settle in Pondicherry, where he focused on spiritual philosophy and yoga. He founded the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and is known for his work 'The Life Divine'.

Historically, the effective strength of the Lok Sabha was 545 members, consisting of 543 elected members and 2 members nominated from the Anglo-Indian community. Although the nomination of Anglo-Indians was recently discontinued, 545 remains the standard textbook answer for this question.

Singareni (specifically the Singareni Collieries Company Limited) is a government-owned coal mining company that operates in the Godavari Valley coalfields. It is a major source of coal for South India and was historically part of Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana).

Ajmer was founded in the late 11th or early 12th century by Raja Ajaypal Chauhan (also known as Ajayadeva). The city served as a strategic capital for the Chauhan dynasty before the capital shifted to Delhi.

The Environment Protection Act was enacted by the Parliament of India in 1986 in the wake of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. It provides a comprehensive framework for the protection and improvement of the environment.

The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) was established in 1972 and opened to the public in 1978 in New Delhi. It is a premier institution for environmental education and showcasing India's natural heritage.

Ankleshwar is a city in the Bharuch district of Gujarat, famous for its massive oil and gas reserves. It is one of the most productive onshore oil fields in India, managed by the ONGC.

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi nationalized 14 major commercial banks in 1969 to promote social welfare and expand credit to rural areas. This move was a significant step in her economic policy to reduce the control of a few on the banking sector.

Amaravathi, the historic site and former capital of the Satavahanas, is located on the southern bank of the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh. It is famous for its ancient Buddhist stupa and its role as a religious center.

Jawaharlal Nehru was born on November 14, 1889, in Allahabad. This day is celebrated annually in India as Children's Day (Bal Diwas) to honor his affection for children.

Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee (W.C. Bonnerjee) presided over the first session of the Indian National Congress held in Bombay in December 1885. The session was attended by 72 delegates and marked the beginning of the organized nationalist movement.

Bhaskara-II (Bhaskaracharya) was a 12th-century Indian mathematician and astronomer who wrote the 'Siddhanta Shiromani'. While he was also an astronomer, he is most widely celebrated for his contributions to algebra and calculus in the 'Lilavati' and 'Bijaganita'.

The Zawar mines in the Udaipur district of Rajasthan are among the oldest zinc and lead mines in the world. They have been a primary source of these minerals for centuries and are currently operated by Hindustan Zinc Limited.

Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, is situated on the banks of the Gomti River. The river is a tributary of the Ganges and is an integral part of the city's cultural and geographical landscape.

Kolkata is located on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, which is a distributary of the Ganges. The river is vital for the city's port and has historical significance for trade in the region.

The Bhopal Gas Tragedy occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, at the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant. It resulted in the release of toxic methyl isocyanate gas, causing thousands of deaths.

The Udaygiri and Khandagiri Caves in Odisha were carved out during the reign of King Kharavela (Karavelu) of the Mahameghavahana dynasty. These caves served as residential quarters for Jain monks and contain the famous Hathigumpha inscription.