States PCS: Punjab GK Questions for PPSC Examinations
For all Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) exams including PCS, Cooperative Inspector, Naib Tehsildar, and others.
1. Who compiled the “Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of Punjab and NWFP”?
[A] William Wilson Hunter
[B] John Malcolm
[C] Horace Arthur Rose
[D] James Tod
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Horace Arthur Rose]
Notes:
Horace Arthur Rose, a British ICS officer, compiled the glossary using Punjab census data from 1883 and 1892. Published between 1911-1919 in Lahore, the work documents the tribes, castes, customs, and languages of Punjab and North-West Frontier Province.
2. During the Sikh, British, and Dogra administrations in Punjab, who had the authority to appoint Zaildars?
[A] The Deputy Commissioner alone
[B] The District Magistrate
[C] The Village Lambardar
[D] The Settlement Officer with advice from the Deputy Commissioner
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [The Settlement Officer with advice from the Deputy Commissioner]
Notes:
Zaildars, revenue officials for groups of villages, were appointed by the Settlement Officer on the advice of the Deputy Commissioner. They were influential intermediaries, often chosen for their social standing. The system facilitated colonial governance until abolished in 1964 in Punjab and earlier in Kashmir.
3. Ropar Wetland in Punjab is located on which river?
[A] Beas River
[B] Ghaggar River
[C] Sutlej River
[D] Yamuna River
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sutlej River]
Notes:
Ropar Wetland in Punjab was created in 1952 on the Sutlej River. It is a Ramsar site, important for migratory birds, diverse flora and fauna, and regional biodiversity. The wetland lies near Rupnagar and is a significant ecological and archaeological location in the state.
4. Which physicist from Punjab studied atomic weights under Fajans and Rutherford?
[A] Birbal Sahni
[B] Ruchi Ram Sahni
[C] Jagadish Chandra Bose
[D] Homi J. Bhabha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ruchi Ram Sahni]
Notes:
Ruchi Ram Sahni, from Punjab, researched atomic weights with Fajans in Germany and Rutherford in Manchester. He was a pioneer meteorologist, physicist, and educator. Sahni contributed to Punjabi scientific initiatives and was associated with The Tribune and Dyal Singh College as a founding trustee.
5. Where was modern Punjabi poet Mohan Singh born?
[A] Amritsar
[B] Lyallpur
[C] Ludhiana
[D] Jalandhar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Lyallpur]
Notes:
Mohan Singh, key figure in modern Punjabi poetry, was born in Lyallpur (now Faisalabad), 1905. Founder of Hind Publishers, wrote works like Sanve Pattar, Buhe, and Wadda Vela. Received Sahitya Akademi Award 1959. Memorial mela honors him annually. He taught at Khalsa and Sikh National Colleges.
6. Which Punjabi poet won the 2013 Sahitya Akademi Award for ‘Nirvaan’?
[A] Amrita Pritam
[B] Surjit Patar
[C] Manmohan
[D] Gurdial Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Manmohan]
Notes:
Manmohan, a renowned Punjabi poet and linguist, received the 2013 Sahitya Akademi Award for his debut novel ‘Nirvaan,’ notable for exploring existential themes within Punjabi literature.
7. Who originated the Punjabi folk music style Kavishari?
[A] Babu Rajab Ali
[B] Guru Gobind Singh
[C] Waris Shah
[D] Amrita Pritam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Guru Gobind Singh]
Notes:
Kavishari is a Punjabi folk singing style from Malwa, originated by Guru Gobind Singh. It features chhand-baddh poetry and is performed a cappella, focusing on veer ras (bravery). No instruments are used. The tradition is popular at festivals like Vaisakhi and rural gatherings in Punjab.
8. Who was the first spiritual master of Radha Soami Satsang Beas?
[A] Shiv Dayal Singh
[B] Jaimal Singh
[C] Sawan Singh
[D] Param Sant Kirpal Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jaimal Singh]
Notes:
Jaimal Singh (1839-1903), from Punjab, was the founder and first spiritual head of Radha Soami Satsang Beas. He was initiated by Shiv Dayal Singh and later built the Beas Dera, emphasizing spiritual practice through Surat Shabd Yoga. Sawan Singh succeeded him after his death in 1903.
9. Machhiwara jungle is located near which river in Punjab?
[A] Beas River
[B] Ghaggar River
[C] Ravi River
[D] Sutlej River
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Sutlej River]
Notes:
Machhiwara jungle is located near the Sutlej river in Ludhiana district, Punjab. It is historically significant for its association with Guru Gobind Singh after the Battle of Chamkaur in 1705, and several Sikh religious sites commemorate his stay.
10. What is the approximate female population of Punjab as per census data?
[A] 1.12 Crore (43.8%)
[B] 0.95 Crore (41%)
[C] 1.50 Crore (49%)
[D] 1.31 Crore (47.2%)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1.31 Crore (47.2%)]
Notes:
According to Census 2011, Punjab’s female population is about 1.31 crore, comprising 47.2% of the state’s total. The sex ratio is lower than India’s average. Major districts with larger female population include Ludhiana and Amritsar. Latest census may update figures, but this remains an important demographic fact.
