Indian Cities Quiz

Q1. It is believed to be the place where Lord Brahma offered the first prayer after he completed the creation of the world. However, the modern city was founded by the Mughal Emperor Akbar who built a fort here. In modern India, this city is known for being associated with 7 out of the 14 Prime Ministers of India. Identify the city.
Ans. Allahabad

Q2. The city was founded by the Sisunaga ruler Udayin (some suggest Ajatashatru might have built it). It is a sacred spot for Buddhists and Sikhs. Lord Buddha, while passing through the place predicted that the city would turn to be a great city, but would be ravaged by floods and famines. Identify the city.
Ans. Patna

Q3. It is famed as the first planned city in India. It was planned out by Vidyadhar Bhattarcharya, a Brahmin from Bengal. Even today when you go on top of the hill near the city, you can see horizontal and vertical lines criss-crossing the city. When the Prince of Wales visited the city, it was decorated in such a way that the city got its sobriquet. Identify the city.
Ans. Jaipur (the city was painted Pink for the Prince of Wales, hence "Pink City")

Q4. The city's name is often believed to be derived from the name of the Mauryan emperor who is said to have founded the city in 50 BC. Another theory believes that the name is from the Hindi word for 'threshold'. The city is known to have at least 9 cities over the course of history, starting from the Mahabharata times. Identify the city.
Ans. Delhi

Q5. This fort-city is unique in the fact that close to 25% of the city's present-day inhabitants reside inside the fort. The fort shot to fame after being featured in a Satyajit Ray film. Identify this fort-city.
Ans. Jaisalmer (the movie was "Shonar Kella")

Q6. This city, which has a city by the same name in Pakistan, is widely believed to be the capital of Telangana if and when it may be formed. The fact that such an important city would definitely be included in Telangana has caused Andhra politicians to oppose the partition. Identify the city.
Ans. Hyderabad

Q7. A crucial part of the Sherlock Holmes' mystery "The Sign of Four" takes place in this penal colony from the viewpoint of the convict. Singer Jack Johnson's song Holes to Heaven is about a surf trip to the city. Identify the city.
Ans. Port Blair

Q8. It was one of the five towns that were demanded by the Pandavas from the Kauravas and its ancient name was Panduprastha. It is also famous for handloom industry and is intricately related to 3 very decisive events of Indian history. Identify the city.
Ans. Panipat

Q9. Historically, the city is most famous for the landing of a European traveller in India. However, most of you would today know it as the place of a very prestigious institute of education. Identify the city (modern name only).
Ans. Kozhikode

Q10. Connect : Salsette, Oyster Rock, East Ground, Butcher and Old Woman's.
Ans. Bombay (all these are islands of Bombay/Greater Bombay)

SportsQuiz Group on Yahoo

The SportsQuiz group on yahoo is a 1000-member group started by Prateek Vijayavargia, an avid quizzer from the New Era Public School, Delhi. Contrary to its name, the group is open to general quizzing and has a few famous people as its members. I post my quizzes on the group regularly, so you can receive my quizzes in your inbox by joining it. There are also quiz notifications and quizzes by other members:

The National Flags' Quiz

Q1. During the 2004 Lok Sabha Elections, the BJP made Sonia Gandhi's Italian ancestry a major poll issue. The newspapers often carried a picture of Mrs. Sonia Gandhi super-imposed on an Italian flag. What is so special about the Italian flag with respect to the Indian flag that made such a description very interesting?

Q2. There are three countries that have flags that are not proper rectangles (kindly ignore the fact that all squares are rectangles). Two of them are Switzerland and the Vatican City. Which is the third?

Q3. The flag of which country is a super-imposition of three crosses - St. George's cross, St. Andrew's cross and St. Patrick's cross?

Q4. Different countries have different insignia on their flags. Cambodia has the Angkor Vat, Cyprus has its own map and Lebanon has a tree. Which country has a flag with no insignia (i.e. a plain flag)?

Q5. The Moroccan flag has a five-point star on it (called the Seal of Solomon). Which country's flag has a six-point star?

Q6. The traditional emblem of this country was the fleur-de-lis or the lily. However, the current flag is called the tricoleur (or tricolour), with two stripes representing the capital city and the stripe representing the last ruling dynasty between them.



Q7. Connect: The Indian Tricolour and the Indian Postal System.

Q8. In 2004, this country broke the record for the world's largest flag. Its flag is locally know as Parcham-e-Sitara-o-Hilai and has a narrow stripe in the corner to represent non-muslim minorities. Identify.

Q9. The flag of the American flag has 50 stars to represent the 50 states of America. What do the 13 white and red horizontal stripes of the flag represent?

Q10. The flag of which country has an AK-47 on its design?

The Oscars Quiz

A few significant developments that took place this week include:
(1) I've been added to www.quizblogs.com. QuizBlogs, as perhaps many of you do already know, is a collection of 130 quiz blogs from all over India and you can check it out here
(2) I've also started my elections blog, which is different from others in the sense that a lot of research has been done for each and every article on the blog, which you can check out here

And now, getting back to good old quizzing. Here are 10 questions on the Oscar awards and you could mail me the answers at olympia.hades@gmail.com :

Q1. AR Rehman won 2 Oscars at the 81st Academy Awards, becoming the 63rd person to win multiple oscars at a single ceremony. Which legend from the business holds the record for winning most awards in a single ceremony and how many?

Ans. Walt Disney (4 awards)

Q2. The Golden Raspberry awards are a parody on the Oscars given for pathetic performances in films. Which female actor accepted the Razzy for Worst Actress herself gave a speech, holding her Razzy in one hand and her Oscar (for Best Actress) in another?

Ans. Halle Berry (Best Actress for Monster Ball and worst Actress for Catwoman)

Q3. Which famous actor's Best Actor award was collected by a Native Indian after the actor refused to collect the award protesting against U.S discrimination and mistreatment of Native Americans?

Ans. Marlon Brando

Q4. Only three movies that have got more than 6 Oscars converted all their nominations into awards. Two of the movies are Gigi and The Last Emperor. Name the third film, which is also the second highest grossing film of all times (open to dispute) behind Titanic.

Ans. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Q5. After the Nobel Prize of one of illustrious men of his region was stolen, 'X's Oscar statuette has been put in a bank vault to protect it from potential thieves. Identify 'X'.

Ans. Satyajit Ray (Tagore's Nobel Prize was stolen)

Q6. Can you connect the following Oscar winners : Pierre Boule (1957), Nathan E Douglas (1958), Ian McLeen Hunter (1953) and Robert Rich (1956).

Ans. These were not real people, but pseudonyms

Q7. Could you connect: Akira Kurosawa, Charlie Chaplin, Laurence Olivier, Henry Fonda, Peter O'Toole, Satyajit Ray, Walt Disney and Warner Bros.

Ans. Winners of Honorary Oscars

Q8. Could you connect: Indiana Jones, X-Men and Slumdog Millionaire.

Ans. The 81st Academy Awards (X-Men Actor Hugh Jackman hosted the evening, Indiana Jones directed Steven Spielberg gave the award to the best movie Slumdog Millionaire)

Q9. Which movie holds the record for most nominations without winning a single award?

Ans. Cabaret

Q10. Which film based on the life of schizophrenia-afflicted Nobel-award winning economist, John Nash, won the Best Movie oscar?

Ans. A Beautiful Mind

The Sports Quiz

Q1. Who was the first Serbian tennis player (male or female) to win a grand slam title?

ans. Novak Djokovic

Q2. Out of Michel Schumacher's 7 championships in F1, 5 are with Ferrari. With which team did Schumacher win the 1994 and 1995 titles?

ans. Benetton

Q3. Which tennis player (male) was ranked No.2 for the most number of weeks since the inception of the ATP rankings?

ans. Rafael Nadal

Q4. Stuart Broad is to Yuvraj Singh as Tilak Raj is to whom?


ans. Ravi Shastri (6 sixes in an over)

Q5. In the world of boxing, Marcus Cassius Clay is to Mohammad Ali as Malik Abdul Aziz is to whom?

ans. Mike Tyson

Q6. Born in Hissar, Haryana, this athlete reached the quarterfinals at the Beijing Olympics and is the reigning national champion of the sport. Identify the sport and the athlete.

ans. Saina Nehwal

Q7. Zaheer Abbas was the only batsman whose wicket was taken by which legendary cricketer?

ans. Sunil Gavaskar

Q8.Nafisa Ali, the Samajwadi Party candidate from Lucknow for the 2009 Lok Sabha Elections, is a former Miss India and also a two-time national champion in which sport?

ans. Nafisa Ali

Q9. This sport was created by Dr. Naismith of Springfield College in 1981 as an indoor sport to keep his students healthy. Identify the sport.

ans. Basketball

Q10. Could you connect Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic?


ans. Both were the first women No.1's from their respective countries (Russia and Serbia)

Ancient and Medieval History Quiz

Q1. One of the seven wonders of the world, the Tomb of Halicarnassus, was built by the entombed person's sister and wife. Which word in modern English is derived from this tomb?

ans. Maulsoleum (the monument was known as the Tomb of Mausolus)

Q2. The Sphinx stands guard to a pathway leading to the pyramid of Khafre at Giza. The sphinx was repeatedly subject to the ravages of nature, however one of the most prominent scars on its face came from one of the most notorious men in history, who is believed widely to have used the sphinx as a shooting target. Name this person.

ans. Napoleon Bonaparte

Q3. King Henry VIII of England had six wifes in total. Catherine of Aragon was divorced, Anne Boleyn was executed, Jane Seymour died in childbirth, Anne of Cleves was divorced, Catherine Howard was beheaded and Catherine Parr was the only surviving wife in the end. Who is arguably Henry VIII's most famour progeny?

ans. Queen Elizabeth I (you could also say Mary, Queen of Scots)

Q4. Constantinople (Istanbul) had a reputation as one of the most mpregnable cities of the world, which was once placed under siege by the Persians but never conquered. However, it was finally captured in 1453 by reportedly 14,000 units of 'X' employed by the Turks. Identify 'X'.


ans. Jannisaries (the Turk special units on AOE2)

Q5. 'X' was known for setting up cities in the areas he conquered. He is known to have set up at least five cities named after him, one of which is in Afghanistan. However, he also set up a city named after his horse which died in battle. Identify 'X'.

ans. Alexander of Macedon

Q6. The rulers of Russia since the time of Ivan the Terrible have used the title of Czar. From what or who is the title of 'Czar' derived?

ans. Caesar

Q7. Timur-i-lang claimed descent from Genghis Khan. Which medieval ruler claimed descent from both Timur (on his father's side) and Genghis Khan (on his mother's side) in order to legitimise his rule as the inheritor of the Mongol - Turkish empire in a part of Asia?

ans. Babur

Q8. Which is the largest land empire ever?

ans. The Mongol Empire

Q9. Set to the tune of a popular British drinking song, this song contains references believed to be pointing to Tipu Sultan's artillery. Identify this renowned song.

ans. The Star Spangled Banner

Q10. Octavius (aka Augustus) defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the battle of Actium. Augustus and Mark Antony were a part of the triumverate ruling Rome. However, Octavius and Antony were related in another way. What was their relation?


ans. Augustus' sister, Octavia, was Antony's wife. So, Augustus was Antony's brother in law

The Wildlife Quiz

Q1. Orca is the largest dolphin in the world today. It is extremely social and often their society is matriarchal, which is among the most stable in the animal kingdom. How do we better know the Orca?


ans. The Killer Whale

Q2.The sarcosuchus was a large pre-historic creature that used to often hunt down dinosaurs as large as sauropods. How do we better know the sarcosuchus?


ans. The Super Croc

Q3. The name of this reptile is the tamil word for 'elephant-eater.' But ironically, this reptile is not found in either Tamil Nadu or even all of India. Identify this reptile.


ans. Anaconda

Q4. While the nile crocodile is by far the most famous crocodile, it is not the largest. The Indian Gharial is larger than the nile crocodile and is the second largest overall. Which is the largest crocodile in the world?


ans. Saltwater Crocodile

Q5. Sharks are the largest fish species in the world today. However, the largest shark has a very odd name. Although it has a very big mouth, it feeds on plankton, like the most of the creatures whose name it shares. Can you guess its name?


ans. The Whale Shark

Q6. This animal's name is derived from the sanskrit word for "variegated body". It has semi-retractable claws. It is characterised by large nostrils and a large heart and lungs. An identifying feature of this mammal is that it cannot roar. Identify this land mammal.


ans. Cheetah

Q7. From what substance is the name 'elephant' derived (you will associate this thing with elephants)?


ans.Ivory

Q8. Which is the largest species of penguins?


ans.Emperor Penguins

Q9. The "teeth" of whales are semi-permeable. They catch planktons by taking in water (with the planktons in it) and then pushing out the water. What are the "teeth" of whales known as (Clue: it is similar to the name of a car on Indian roads)?


ans. Baleen

Q10. The spiny anteater is one of the two mammals that lay eggs. Which is the other one?



ans. The Duck-billed Platypus

The Epics' Quiz

Q1. According to a myth, 'X' is believed to have been designed by Vishwakarma, the celestial architect, who designed it for 'Dhanapati'. Dhanapati's younger brother, who is said to have the knowledge of the 4 vedas and 6 upanishads, defeated Dhanapati and wrested control over 'X'. Identify 'X'.

ans. Lanka ('Dhanapati' is Kubera, 4vedas+6upanishads = 10 heads of Ravana)

Q2. According to a very popular legend, Ravana's sister Sooparnaka, wanted to marry Ram, but her nose was cut by an angry Lakshman. This incident is believed to have incited Ravana to abduct Sita. At which place in modern India is this incident said to have taken place?

ans. Nashik

Q3. 'Y' is known as adi kavi in Indian tradition for having composed the first Sanskrit sloka. Identify Y.

ans. Ved Vyasa

Q4. The Mahabharata is being recited by Vaisampayana, a disciple of Ved Vyasa, to King Janmejaya. From which of the five Pandavas was Janmejaya descended and how was he related to that Pandava?

ans. Jamnejaya was Parikshita's son. Hence, he was Arjuna's great-grandson

Q5. In Ved Vyasa's Mahabharata, Ved Vyasa is directly related to both the Pandavas and the Kauravas. How is Ved Vyasa related to them?

ans. Ved Vyasa was the grandfather of the Pandavas and Kauravas since he was the father of Dhritharashtra and Pandu

Q6. Could you connect Hanuman and Sanjay Gandhi?

ans. Maruti (Hanuman is maturi-putra while Sanjay Gandhi started Maruti)

Q7. According to the Mahabharata, Duryodhana was humiliated by Draupadi when Duryodhana mistook water for glass in the wax palace built for the Pandavas. This incident directly lead to Draupadi's disrobing in the Kaurava court. In which modern city of India is this incident (the humiliation) said to have taken place?

ans. New Delhi (Since Indraprastha is believed to be in Delhi)

Q8. Shikhandi was said to be a reincarnation of Amba, a princess who had been rejected by one of the male members of the first family of Hastinapura. Shinkhandi was a sister of Draupadi (and later becomes a male by exchanging her gender with a Yaksha) goes on to kill the person who rejected her with the help of Arjuna. Identify the man who rejected her in her first birth.

ans. Bhishma

Q9. After leaving their kingdom, the Pandavas went on a pilgrimage to the Himalayas with a dog. One by one, all of the Pandavas (including Draupadi) died and were taken to hell. The only one to live was Yudhishtira, who was taken by Yamaraj (disguised as the dog) to hell for a moment. Yamaraj later explained that this brief moment in hell was a result of a single sin that Yudhishtira had committed in his life. What sin?

ans. The lie about Ashwatthama's death

Q10. Arjuna is said to have had four wives - Draupadi, Chitrangada, Ulupi and Subhadra. One of them gave birth to Abhimanyu, whose son, Parikshita, was the sole remaining Kuru at the end of the story. Who was the mother of Abhimanyu?


ans. Subhadra