States PCS: Gujarat GK Questions for GPSC Exams
For all Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) exams including Class 1 & 2 Services, DySO, STI, PI, and other Gujarat state competitive exams.
1. Who is recognized as the father of modern Gujarati theatre?
[A] Ranchhodbhai Udayaram Dave
[B] Manilal Dwivedi
[C] Dalpatram
[D] Umashankar Joshi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ranchhodbhai Udayaram Dave]
Notes:
Ranchhodbhai Udayaram Dave (1837-1923), father of modern Gujarati theatre, wrote original and adapted plays with social, moral, and mythological themes. He introduced sober Gujarati plays, translated Sanskrit works, contributed to prosody, and presided over Gujarati Sahitya Parishad in 1912.
2. Who founded the first radio station in Gujarat in 1939?
[A] Maharaja Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad
[B] Vallabhbhai Patel
[C] Sayajirao Gaekwad III
[D] Jivraj Mehta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Maharaja Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad]
Notes:
Gujarati media began with Bombay Samachar in 1822, started by Parsis in Bombay. Printing in Gujarati began in 1812. Key newspapers include Gujarat Samachar (1932), Sandesh (1923), and Janmabhoomi (1934). Gujarat Vernacular Society (1849) promoted Gujarati literature. Mahatma Gandhi influenced Gujarati journalism with Navjivan (1919). Gujarat was first in India with rural high-frequency TV transmitter (1975). The first radio station in Gujarat was the Baroda Broadcasting Station, established in 1939 by Maharaja Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad. The station began operations in January 1947, after some delays.
3. Who was the Portuguese viceroy responsible for capturing Daman from the Sultanate of Gujarat?
[A] Dom Constantino de Bragança
[B] Afonso de Albuquerque
[C] Francisco de Almeida
[D] Vasco da Gama
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Dom Constantino de Bragança]
Notes:
Dom Constantino de Bragança, Portuguese viceroy, captured Daman from the Sultanate of Gujarat, establishing a stronghold and garrison. The fort was named Nossa Senhora da Purificação. Portuguese control of the Gulf of Khambat tightened after acquiring Bassein (1534) and Diu (1535).
4. To which dynasty is the Jethwa Rajput clan historically linked?
[A] Saindhava dynasty
[B] Chalukya dynasty
[C] Solanki dynasty
[D] Paramara dynasty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Saindhava dynasty]
Notes:
Jethwa is a Rajput clan and caste in Gujarat, also found among Koli, Darji, Mistris of Kutch, and Gurjar Kshatriya Kadias. Linked to Saindhava dynasty, Jethwa Rajputs belong to Gautam/Vajas Gotra with Kuldevi Vindhyavasini Devi.
5. Which port in Gujarat is recognized as India’s first private and largest commercial container port?
[A] Mundra Port
[B] Kandla Port
[C] Hazira Port
[D] Okha Port
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mundra Port]
Notes:
Mundra Port, located in Kutch, Gujarat, is India’s first private and largest commercial container port. It is a multi-product port-based Special Economic Zone (SEZ) spread over 6,473 hectares, with deep draft berths, extensive cargo handling capacity, and integrated rail, road, and pipeline connectivity.
6. Akbar Padamsee, a pioneer of modern Indian painting, was associated with which region of Gujarat?
[A] Kutch
[B] Surat
[C] Vadodara
[D] Rajkot
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Correct Answer: A [Kutch]
Notes:
Akbar Padamsee, a pioneer of modern Indian painting from Gujarat’s Kutch region, worked in diverse mediums including oil, sculpture, and computer graphics. He received the Lalit Kala Akademi Fellowship, Kalidas Samman, and Padma Bhushan for his contributions to art.
7. Which Jain scholar influenced the Solanki ruler Kumarapala to embrace Jainism?
[A] Banarasidas
[B] Umaswati
[C] Jinasena
[D] Hemachandra
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Correct Answer: D [Hemachandra]
Notes:
Solanki ruler Kumarapala adopted Jainism under the influence of Jain scholar Acharya Hemachandra, promoting Jainism and constructing Jain temples during his 12th-century reign in Gujarat.
8. Which ancient educational center in Gujarat is renowned as a counterpart to Nalanda University?
[A] Somnath
[B] Junagadh
[C] Dwarka
[D] Vallabhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Vallabhi]
Notes:
Gujarat is home to ancient educational centers comparable to Nalanda, reflecting its rich historical significance in learning and culture.
9. In which city was Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GNFC) established?
[A] Ahmedabad
[B] Bharuch
[C] Surat
[D] Vadodara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bharuch]
Notes:
Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GNFC), established in 1976 in Bharuch, is Gujarat’s largest fertilizer plant, operating one of the world’s largest single-stream ammonia-urea complexes and producing various fertilizers and industrial chemicals.
10. Who was Kaka Kalelkar, the Indian independence activist associated with Gujarat?
[A] Dattatreya Balakrishna Kalelkar
[B] Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
[C] Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel
[D] Morari Bapu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Dattatreya Balakrishna Kalelkar]
Notes:
Dattatreya Balakrishna Kalelkar, known as Kaka Kalelkar, was an Indian independence activist and social reformer closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi, contributing significantly to India’s freedom movement.
