PRELIMS DATA & FACTS

Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently paid tribute to Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi, highlighting her patriotism, bravery and leadership during the Revolt of 1857. Early Life Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi was born on 16 August 1831 in Manakhedi village, Seoni district, Madhya Pradesh. Her father, Rao Jujhar Singh, was a zamindar, and her mother was Krishna Bai. From an early age, she developed expe

Battle of Khanwa

The Battle of Khanwa was fought on 16 March 1527 near Khanwa in present-day Rajasthan between Babur and the Rajput-Afghan confederacy led by Rana Sanga of Mewar. The battle followed Babur’s victory at the First Battle of Panipat (1526) and became a decisive struggle for political supremacy in North India. Causes of the Battle After Panipat, Babur intended to establish a permanent e

Ahmad Shah Abdali (Ahmad Shah Durrani)

Who was Ahmad Shah Abdali? Ahmad Shah Abdali, also known as Ahmad Shah Durrani, was the founder of the Durrani Empire and one of the most important Afghan rulers of the 18th century. After the death of Nadir Shah in 1747, Ahmad Shah emerged as the leader of the Afghan forces and established the Durrani Empire. His Indian campaigns were largely motivated by the pursuit of wealth, politica

Pingali Venkayya

Why in News? The Prime Minister paid tribute to Pingali Venkayya on his 150th birth anniversary on 2 August, recognising his contribution as the designer of India’s National Flag (Tiranga) and his role in inspiring patriotism and nation-building. Early Life Pingali Venkayya was born on 2 August 1876 in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. At the age of 19, he joined the British A

Maharaja Chhatrasal

Maharaja Chhatrasal was recently in the news as the second day of the Mahua Festival, organized at the Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum, Shyamal Hills, Bhopal, was dedicated to celebrating his life, legacy, and contribution to the history and culture of Bundelkhand. Who was Maharaja Chhatrasal? Maharaja Chhatrasal (4 May 1649 – 19 December 1731) was one of the greatest Rajput war

Anaimangalam Copper Plates (Leiden Plates)

Recently, the Netherlands returned the 11th-century Anaimangalam Copper Plates, popularly known as the Leiden Plates, to India during the Prime Minister’s visit. Their return is significant because these inscriptions are among the most important records of the Chola Empire, providing valuable evidence of maritime trade, cultural exchanges, and religious pluralism between India and Southeast

Yadava Dynasty (Seuna Dynasty)

Recently, the remains of a 12th-century Mandir-style stone pillar belonging to the Seuna (Yadava) Dynasty were discovered near the Vena River in Hinganghat, located in the Wardha district of Maharashtra. About the Yadava Dynasty The Yadava Dynasty, also known as the Seuna Dynasty, was a prominent Hindu ruling dynasty that controlled large parts of the Deccan region between the 12th and

Raja Ravi Varma

Recently, the painting Yashoda and Krishna by Raja Ravi Varma was sold for an extraordinary ₹167.2 crore at Saffronart. Early Life and Background Raja Ravi Varma was born on 29 April 1848 in the village of Kilimanoor in present-day Kerala. He belonged to an aristocratic family of chieftains known as the Koil Thampurans. From a young age, he displayed exceptional artistic talent and receive

Samrat Samprati

Recently, the Prime Minister of India inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Museum in Gujarat. The museum has been established to honour the legacy and contributions of Samrat Samprati, who is remembered as a great patron of Jainism and non-violence. About Samrat Samprati Samrat Samprati was a ruler of the Mauryan Dynasty who ruled approximately between 224 BC and 215 BC. He was the grandson o

Gajapati Empire

A Telugu medieval inscription linked to the Gajapati rulers of Odisha has been recently discovered at the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple. The inscription was found on a stone pillar at Ramachandrapura Agraharam in Guntur. This discovery is significant as it highlights the southern extent and cultural influence of the Gajapati Empire, particularly in the Telugu-speaking regions. About the

Bhadrakali Inscription

The Bhadrakali Inscription is an important 12th-century epigraphic record that confirms the historical development of the Somnath Temple and highlights the patronage extended by the Solanki dynasty. About the Bhadrakali Inscription The inscription is located at Prabhas Patan in Gujarat, specifically engraved on the wall of the Bhadrakali Temple. It was carved in 1169 CE, corresponding

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti

Recently, the Supreme Court of India declined to grant an urgent hearing on a petition challenging the practice of state-sponsored ceremonial honours, specifically the offering of a ‘Chadar’ by the Prime Minister at the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer. The matter has brought renewed attention to the historical and spiritual significance of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.

Battle of Adwa

The Prime Minister of India recently laid a wreath at the Adwa Victory Monument in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This gesture paid tribute to Ethiopia’s historic victory in the 1896 Battle of Adwa, a landmark event symbolising resistance against colonialism and the defence of national sovereignty. About the Battle of Adwa The Battle of Adwa was fought on 1 March 1896 near Adwa in present-day

Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar

Recently, a commemorative postage stamp was released in honour of King Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II, also known as Suvaran Maran, by the Vice President of India. The release acknowledges his contributions to early medieval South Indian history. About Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar ruled from 705 AD to 745 AD and belonged to the Mutharaiyar lineage. He was also known by the

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

The family of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the author and composer of “Vande Mataram”, recently appreciated the Prime Minister’s gesture to commemorate 150 years of India’s national song. The occasion highlighted Bankim Chandra’s enduring contribution to India’s freedom movement and cultural nationalism. About Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay Introduction

International Arya Mahasammelan 2025

The Prime Minister recently addressed the International Arya Mahasammelan 2025 in New Delhi. The event marks two important milestones— the 150th foundation year of the Arya Samaj and the 200th birth anniversary of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati. Organised as part of the Jyāna Jyoti Festival, the Mahasammelan celebrates Dayanand Saraswati’s reformist legacy and highlights “150

Excavation Pit Collapsed in Lothal:

Excavation Pit Collapsed in Lothal: Context of the Incident Recently, a tragic incident occurred during an excavation at Lothal, a prominent Harappan site, where a research scholar tragically lost her life due to the collapse of an excavation pit. About Lothal: Key Historical and Archaeological Facts Location: Lothal is situated in the Bhal region of Gujarat, India, and is one o

What is Neolithic Period

Overview: Researchers recently unearthed an ancient burial site of a child with a pot beside it likely dating back to the neolithic period, at Chettimedu Pathur near Chennai. About Neolithic Period: The Neolithic Period, also called the New Stone Age, is the final stage of cultural evolution or technological development among prehistoric humans. The term Neolithic is most frequently

Parakram Diwas

PM to participate in programme marking Parakram Diwas (Day of Valor) at Red Fort. The programme will commemorate the legacy of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the Azad Hind Fauj. January 23, 2024 was commemorated as the 126th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

16th Century Telugu Inscriptions

2 Telugu inscriptioans of 16th century found in Nallamala forest in Andhra Pradesh recently. One of the inscriptions records the construction of cradle pillars (uyyala-kambalu) to Goddess Poleramma. The other inscription seems to refer to a hero fighting with a tiger.

International Braille Day

World Braille Day is celebrated on January 4th to commemorate the birthday of Louis Braille, the inventor of braille. The day recognizes the importance of braille as a means of communication and the roale it plays in the lives of blind and visually impaired people. Braille is a tactile representation of alphabetic and numerical symbols using 6 dots to represent each letter

Savitribai Phule & Rani Velu Nachiyar

Savitribai Phule Savitribai Phule (1831 - 1897) was a social reformer, poet in Maharastra. She is considered the 1st female teacher in India and is known as the mother of Indian feminism. Rani Velu Nachiyar Rani Velu Nachiyar was the 1st queen to fight against the British colonial power in India. She is known by Tamils as Veeramangai, who was the pr

Valmiki

Valmiki, also known as Maharishi Valmiki, is a legendary poet and revered sage in Hindu mythology. He is known as the author of the epic poem Ramayana, and is revered as the 1st poet in Sanskrit literature. He is called as the Adikavi or First Poet - the Poet of Poets of India. Valmiki's birth anniversary is celebrated every year on Ashwin Purnima.

PM releases ‘Collected Works of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya’ on occasion of his 162nd birth anniversary

Context: The bilingual work in 11 volumes, spread across about 4,000 pages, is a collection of the writings and speeches of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, collected from every nook and corner of the country. These volumes comprise his unpublished letters, articles and speeches, including memorandums; the editorial content of Hindi weekly ‘Abhyudaya’ started by him in 1907; articles, pamp

Operation Polo

Operation Polo     When India became free on August 15, 1947, Hyderabad remained independent citing the communal bonhomie, size of the kingdom and its infrastructure. But on September 13, 1948, Indian Army attacked from four frontiers and annexed the princely state. Hyderabad was one of wealthiest and most powerful principality which was ruled by Nizam,&

Poona pact

Poona pact     The pact was a historic compromise between Gandhi and Ambedkar over the rights of Dalits, or "untouchables", in 1932. It was an agreement on political representation of the Depressed Classes. A communal award giving separate electorates for the scheduled castes in central and provincial legislatures was given by Ramsay Macdo

Quit India Movement

Quit India Movement Also known as August movement or Bharat chodo Andolan. It was an important Civil Disobedience Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress on August 8, 1942. It was launched during the Second World war when the Participation of British in the war has strained the resources of India and the threat of Japanese invasion was becoming real.