11. Who produced Somnath Waghmare’s documentary Chaityabhumi on Ambedkar’s birth anniversary?
[A] Smita Rajmane
[B] Pa. Ranjith
[C] Gail Omvedt
[D] Bharat Patankar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pa. Ranjith]
Notes:
Chaityabhumi is a documentary by Somnath Waghmare that focuses on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The documentary was produced by Pa. Ranjith’s Neelam Productions. Pa. Ranjith, originally from Tamil Nadu, is celebrated for championing Dalit issues through cinema. His production of this Marathi documentary signifies strong cross-regional support within Dalit activism. The film has garnered international attention, being screened at renowned institutions such as LSE and Columbia University, and found a wider audience through its release on MUBI on Ambedkar’s birth anniversary.
12. Consider the following statements regarding N. M. Wagle:
- He received the Padma Bhushan award.
- He served as the first president of ASSOCHAM (Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India).
- The Padma Bhushan, awarded to N. M. Wagle in 1970, is the third highest civilian award in India.
- Maharashtra has produced several Padma Bhushan awardees, such as Bhimsen Joshi and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 1, 2 and 3
[B] Only 1, 3 and 4
[C] Only 2, 3 and 4
[D] All are correct statements
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1, 3 and 4]
Notes:Statements 1, 3, and 4 are correct: N. M. Wagle was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1970, the third highest civilian award in India. Maharashtra has indeed produced noted Padma Bhushan awardees, such as Bhimsen Joshi and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. However, N. M. Wagle did not serve as the first president of ASSOCHAM.
- Statement 2 is incorrect.
13. Consider the following statements regarding the Battle of Koregaon Bhima:
- The battle was fought on January 1, 1818.
- B. R. Ambedkar led the first commemoration of the battle in 1928.
- The British victory is commemorated annually at the Vijay Sthamb in Maharashtra.
- The Battle of Koregaon Bhima involved Mahar soldiers who fought for the East India Company.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 1, 3 and 4
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] 1, 2, 3 and 4
[D] Only 1 and 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1, 3 and 4]
Notes:Statements 1, 3, and 4 are correct:
- The battle was indeed fought on January 1, 1818.
- B. R. Ambedkar participated in commemorations but did not lead the first in 1928.
- The Vijay Sthamb marks annual commemorations.
- Mahar soldiers played a key role fighting for the British.
Statement 2 is incorrect, as Ambedkar did not lead the first commemoration in 1928.
14. Consider the following statements:
- The Poona Pact was signed on September 24, 1932, at Yerwada Central Jail.
- The Poona Pact was a negotiation only between B. R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi.
- The Poona Pact increased the number of reserved seats for the Depressed Classes from 80 to 148.
- Madan Mohan Malaviya was one of the signatories to the Poona Pact.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1, 2, and 3
[B] 1, 2, and 4
[C] 1, 3, and 4
[D] All are correct statements
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1, 3, and 4]
Notes:Statements 1, 3, and 4 are correct.
- The Poona Pact was signed on September 24, 1932, at Yerwada Central Jail, Pune.
- The agreement was not only between Gandhi and Ambedkar, but involved several leaders including Madan Mohan Malaviya.
- The pact increased seats for the Depressed Classes from 80 to 148.
- Madan Mohan Malaviya signed as a witness.
Statement 2 is incorrect as more representatives participated.
15. In which city of Maharashtra will the Statue of Equality, dedicated to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, be established?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Pune
[C] Nagpur
[D] Aurangabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mumbai]
Notes:
The Statue of Equality honoring Dr. B. R. Ambedkar will be located at Indu Mills Compound, Dadar, Mumbai. This site was a historic textile hub, and its transformation into a memorial highlights both industrial heritage and Ambedkar’s lasting impact as a social reformer from Maharashtra.
16. On which date is Students’ Day celebrated in Maharashtra to honor B. R. Ambedkar?
[A] 7 November
[B] 14 November
[C] 15 October
[D] 5 September
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [7 November]
Notes:
Students’ Day in Maharashtra is observed on 7 November every year. The day commemorates B. R. Ambedkar’s entry into school in 1900. B. R. Ambedkar was born in Mhow in 1891 and was a key architect of the Indian Constitution. The Maharashtra State Government officially observes this day as Vidyarthi Din.
17. At which location in Maharashtra did Dr. B. R. Ambedkar lead the historic mass conversion of Dalits to Buddhism in 1956?
[A] Shirdi
[B] Nashik
[C] Pune
[D] Nagpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Nagpur]
Notes:
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar led the mass Buddhist conversion on 14 October 1956 at Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur, Maharashtra. This event marked a significant religious and social movement, making Maharashtra the state with the highest Buddhist population in India.
18. Who was the first woman to embrace Buddhism during B. R. Ambedkar’s conversion movement?
[A] Ramabai Ambedkar
[B] Vijaya Pawar
[C] Savita Ambedkar
[D] Shantabai Dani
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Savita Ambedkar]
Notes:
Savita Ambedkar, wife of B. R. Ambedkar, was the first woman to accept Buddhism at the 1956 Deekshabhoomi mass conversion. An MBBS graduate and physician, she played a crucial role in Ambedkar’s life and the Buddhist revival movement in India.
19. Who founded the Ambedkarite organization “Bhim Shakti”?
[A] Prakash Ambedkar
[B] Ramdas Athawale
[C] Jogendra Kawade
[D] Chandrakant Handore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Chandrakant Handore]
Notes:
Chandrakant Handore, a Dalit Buddhist leader from Mumbai and Rajya Sabha MP, founded “Bhim Shakti” to promote Ambedkarite values and socio-political rights for marginalized communities in Maharashtra.
20. Who authored biographies of B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi?
[A] Y.D. Phadke
[B] Dhananjay Keer
[C] Gopal Godse
[D] S.N. Siras
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Dhananjay Keer]
Notes:
Dhananjay Keer was born in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, in 1913. He wrote detailed biographies of B.R. Ambedkar in 1954 and Mahatma Gandhi in 1973. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1971 by the Government of India. Keer also wrote biographies of Jyotiba Phule and Bal Gangadhar Tilak. He died in 1984 in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
