Medieval and Modern Indian History

According to the Mahabharata, Bhishma was said to kill 10,000 soldiers and warriors each day of the Kurukshetra war. This astronomical number emphasizes his invincibility and supernatural prowess as a warrior. This continued for the first 10 days until he was finally defeated by Arjuna with Shikhandi's help.

According to the Mahabharata, Bhishma (the grandsire of the Kuru dynasty) was such a formidable warrior that he killed 10,000 soldiers and warriors daily during the 18-day war. This feat highlights his extraordinary prowess as a warrior, even in his old age. The number 10,000 is consistently mentioned in traditional accounts of the epic.

According to historical tradition, when Pulakeshin II (Pulikesi) attacked Kanchi (the Pallava capital), Mahendra Varman closed the fort gates (Kottai Kathavu) as a defensive strategy rather than engaging in open battle. This siege tactic is documented in Pallava history. The other options (war, white flag, running away) are not supported by historical accounts.

Bleeding Madras refers to a type of cloth - specifically Madras handkerchiefs or madras checks that would 'bleed' (lose color) when washed. This distinctive fabric became famous for its color-transfer property and casual appeal.

Goa was liberated on December 19, 1961 from Portuguese rule, ending over 450 years of colonial occupation. This was achieved through Operation Vijay by the Indian Armed Forces. Goa remained a Portuguese colony even after India gained independence from British rule in 1947.

Sher Shah Suri died in 1545 during the siege of Kalinjar Fort in Bundelkhand. While organizing the siege operations, a gunpowder explosion caused severe burns, leading to his death. Kalinjar was strategically important and Sher Shah was determined to capture it. Options A and B are incorrect as he did not die at Panipat (he won the battles there) or Kalinga (ancient Odisha region).

The Santhal tribe played a leading role in the Jharkhand movement, which sought to create a separate state for tribal people in the Chotanagpur plateau region. Bhil and Bodo are associated with movements in other regions (central India and Assam respectively), while Birhor is a smaller Jharkhand tribe but not the movement's primary initiator.

King Porus (Paurava) ruled a kingdom situated between the Jhelum (ancient Hydaspes) and Chenab (ancient Acesines) rivers in the Punjab region. He offered fierce resistance to Alexander's invasion in 326 BCE at the Battle of Hydaspes (Jhelum River).

The Mahabharata war's root cause was the deep-seated rivalry and enmity between the Kaurava and Pandava cousins, which began from their childhood and continued into adulthood. This lifelong enmity manifested in various ways - the jealousy of the Kauravas (especially Duryodhana) toward the Pandavas' capabilities and popularity, incidents like Draupadi's humiliation, and the dispute over kingdom division. Option A captures this comprehensive cause, while other options focus on narrower aspects like throne rivalry alone.

Bhishma actually died on the 10th day of the Kurukshetra war, not on the 13th, 15th, or 16th day. He had the boon of choosing the time of his death (Ichcha Mrityu) and lay on a bed of arrows for several days before choosing to die. Since none of the specific dates given (13th, 15th, 16th) are correct, 'None of the above' is the right answer.

The Battle of Plassey (1757) was the decisive conflict that allowed the British East India Company to gain control over Bengal, marking the beginning of British political dominance in India. The 1819 war and 1857 war came later, while Tipu Sultan was defeated at Seringapatam in 1799.

Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire invaded Kalinga (ancient Orissa) around 261 BCE in the famous Kalinga War. This devastating war, which reportedly caused over 100,000 casualties, transformed Ashoka and led him to embrace Buddhism and non-violence. Chandragupta was Ashoka's grandfather, and Humayun was a much later Mughal ruler.

The Ramshej Fort near Nashik was defended by a small Maratha garrison against the massive Mughal army for nearly seven years. Aurangzeb's general had boasted he would take it in hours, but the Marathas' resilience made it one of the longest sieges in history.