States PCS: Karnataka GK for KPSC and other Karnataka State Exams
For all Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) exams including KAS, Group A & B, FDA, SDA, and other Karnataka state services.
1. Venkata Raya was succeeded by which of the following kings?
[A] Aliya Rama Raya
[B] Vira Narasimha Raya
[C] Sada Siva Raya
[D] Krishna Deva Raya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sada Siva Raya]
Notes:
Venkata Raya was killed and succeeded by his nephew Sadasiva Raya (1543-1567 CE). Real power was held by regent Aliya Rama Raya. Sadasiva Raya’s reign included the Battle of Talikota (1565), resulting in Vijayanagar’s defeat by the Deccan Sultanates and the empire’s decline.
2. Which of the following is regarded by Percy Brown as ‘the richest and the most beautiful structure of its kind’?
[A] Parvathi temple
[B] Jalagariteswara temple
[C] Ekambarantha temple
[D] Vittalaswami temple
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jalagariteswara temple]
Notes:
The Jalagariteswara temple in Vellore Fort, built by the Vijayanagara rulers, showcases Dravidian architecture and granite construction. It features intricate carvings, musical pillars, and a Kalyana Mandapa with friezes of Hindu mythology.
3. Taj-ud-din Firoz Shah was succeeded by which of the following kings?
[A] Ahmah Shah Wali
[B] Humayun Shah
[C] Muhammad Shah I
[D] Muhammad Shah II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ahmah Shah Wali]
Notes:
Firuz Shah was defeated in 1420 CE. After his defeat, he was forced to abdicate in favour of his brother Ahmad Shah I who is called a saint (wali) because of his association with the famous Sufi saint Gesu Daraz.
4. What was the citadel on top of the fort was called during the rule of Qutb Shahi’s kings?
[A] Akkanna
[B] Bala Hissar
[C] Madanna
[D] Darbar-e-Am
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bala Hissar]
Notes:
The citadel on top of the fort during the rule of Qutub Shahis was known as the Bala Hissar. It was generally the residence of the Qutb Shahi kings. The other places of interest inside the fort include the offices of Akkanna and Madanna.
5. Which grain is commonly in Prehistoric sites of Karnataka and Africa?
[A] Mustard
[B] Rice
[C] Ragi
[D] Wheat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ragi]
Notes:
Ragi, or finger millet (Eleusine coracana), originated in East Africa and was cultivated in Karnataka from around 2000 BCE. Archaeological sites in Karnataka such as Hallur, Tekkalakota, and Sangankallu have yielded evidence of ragi cultivation, linking it to prehistoric agriculture in both regions.
6. Which language is used in Ashokan edicts found in Karnataka?
[A] Gandhari
[B] Ardhamagadhi
[C] Prakrit
[D] Abahatta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Prakrit]
Notes:
The Ashokan edicts found in Karnataka are written in Prakrit language. These edicts use the Brahmi script. Prakrit was a common language used during Emperor Ashoka’s reign in the 3rd century BCE for inscriptions across the Indian subcontinent, including Karnataka. Gandhari, Ardhamagadhi, and Abahatta are different ancient languages not used for these edicts in Karnataka.
7. What was the capital of Chalukya dynasty?
[A] Aihole
[B] Pattadakal
[C] Badami
[D] Hampi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Badami]
Notes:
Pulakeshin I took Vatapi (modern Badami in Bagalkot district, Karnataka) under his control and made it his capital. Pulakeshin I and his descendants are referred to as “Chalukyas of Badami”. They ruled over an empire that comprised the entire state of Karnataka and most of Andhra Pradesh in the Deccan.
8. Who wrote the Girijakalyana in the old Jain Champu style which describes the marriage of Shiva and Parvati?
[A] Thimmanna
[B] Madhwacharya
[C] Vyasatirtha
[D] Harihara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Harihara]
Notes:
Harihara, who was patronised by Hoysala King Narasimha Iand wrote the Girijakalyana (1165) in the old champu style describing the marriage of Shiva and Parvati in ten sections.
9. The peasant uprisings in the coastal regions of Karnataka were known by the name:
[A] Sindagi revolt
[B] Koota revolt
[C] Nagar Peasant revolt
[D] Coorg revolt
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Koota revolt]
Notes:
The widespread uprisings against heavy taxation in the coastal regions of Karnataka happened in the year 1830-31. The documents of East India Company have called these revolts as Koota revolts. Kootas were general assemblies of people of a village or town, where they asserted their sovereignty, and hence a form of direct democracy.
10. What percentage of India’s coffee is produced by Karnataka?
[A] 60%
[B] 70%
[C] 71%
[D] 96%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [70%]
Notes:
Karnataka contributes around 70% of India’s coffee production. Major coffee-growing districts include Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, and Kodagu. Karnataka’s coffee production was about 280,275 metric tonnes for the 2025–26 season. Kerala and Tamil Nadu, alongside Karnataka, account for nearly 96% of India’s total coffee output.
