States PCS: Jharkhand GK for JPSC and other Jharkhand State Exams
For all Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) exams including Combined Civil Services, Assistant Engineer, Medical Officer, and other Jharkhand-based exams.
1. Consider the following statements regarding the historical names of Jharkhand:
- In the Prayag Prashasti by Harishena, Jharkhand (Chotanagpur) is referred to as Murund Desh.
- Malik Muhammad Jayasi, Shamsa-Siraj Afif, Salimullah, and Gulam Hussain used the specific term ‘Jharkhand’ in their compilations.
- Mughal sources such as Ain-i-Akbari and Akbarnama describe Jharkhand as Khankarah, Khukhra, or Kokra.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 3
[B] Only 1 and 2
[C] Only statement 1
[D] All statements 1, 2, and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 and 3]
Notes:
Statement 1 is correct since the Prayag Prashasti calls Chotanagpur ‘Murund Desh’. Statement 3 is also correct because Ain-i-Akbari and Akbarnama mention Jharkhand as Khankarah, Khukhra, or Kokra. Statement 2 is incorrect as none of the Islamic historians listed referred to ‘Jharkhand’ in their works.
2. Where is the Mughal era Kumpa Fort located?
[A] Palamu
[B] Sahebganj
[C] Chatra
[D] Ranchi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chatra]
Notes:
Kumpa Fort is situated in Chatra district, Jharkhand. It was constructed in the 14th century by the Cherovanshi royal family. The Mughal governor Daud Khan occupied and destroyed it in 1660 during Aurangzeb’s rule. Later, the fort was controlled by Ramgarh Raja and attacked by Aliwardi Khan in 1734. There are no historical records linking the fort to Palamu, Sahebganj, or Ranchi districts.
3. Who invaded Palamu in 1641 AD during the Mughal era?
[A] Shaista Khan
[B] Zafar Khan
[C] Dawood Khan
[D] Man Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Shaista Khan]
Notes:
Shaista Khan, the Governor of Bihar, invaded Palamu in 1641 AD on Emperor Shah Jahan’s orders. He led an army from Patna comprising 15,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry. The campaign was against Chero ruler Pratap Rai, who refused to pay tribute. After a prolonged siege, Pratap Rai surrendered and agreed to pay indemnity. Shaista Khan granted him a mansab, allowing him to retain control as a Mughal vassal.
4. During which Five Year Plan was Bokaro Iron and Steel Company established?
[A] First Five Year Plan
[B] Second Five Year Plan
[C] Fourth Five Year Plan
[D] Third Five Year Plan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Third Five Year Plan]
Notes:
Bokaro Steel Plant was established during the Third Five Year Plan (1961-1966). The project began in 1965 with Soviet Union assistance, and Bokaro Steel Limited was formed in January 1964 to build and operate the plant. It started operations in 1972 as India’s fourth integrated public-sector steel plant. The plant is located in the Chota Nagpur plateau region, formerly in Bihar and now in Jharkhand, chosen for its mineral resources essential for steel production.
5. When was Jharkhand Mukti Morcha founded?
[A] February 4, 1973
[B] March 15, 1973
[C] June 28, 1973
[D] August 18, 1973
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [February 4, 1973]
Notes:
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) was founded on February 4, 1973. The party was officially created on Birsa Munda’s birthday, with Binod Bihari Mahato as president and Shibu Soren as general secretary. JMM was formed to advocate for a separate Jharkhand state. Its formation year is consistently noted as 1973 in authoritative sources.
6. On which date was Jharkhand state officially formed in 2000?
[A] August 15, 2000
[B] November 15, 2000
[C] September 25, 2000
[D] December 25, 2000
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [November 15, 2000]
Notes:
Jharkhand state formation date was set by a Central Government gazette notification on October 12, 2000. The Bihar Reorganisation Act, 2000, which created Jharkhand by carving 18 districts from southern Bihar, received presidential assent on August 25, 2000. Jharkhand was officially inaugurated on November 15, 2000, coinciding with Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary. Babulal Marandi became the first Chief Minister at the time of formation.
7. In which district did the British enact the Damin-e-Koh law?
[A] Birbhum
[B] Tamar
[C] Santhal Pargana
[D] Manbhum
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Santhal Pargana]
Notes:
The Damin-e-Koh law was enacted in the Santhal Pargana district in 1832-1833. It covered present-day Sahebganj, Pakur, and Godda in Jharkhand. The law designated forested Rajmahal hills regions for Santhal settlement, shifting control from the Paharia community. After the 1855-56 Santhal Hul rebellion, Santhal Pargana became a separate district with tenancy protections under the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act 1949. Adjacent districts such as Tamar, Manbhum, and Birbhum were not the primary areas for this law.
8. Who was martyred by police torture in Godda jail during the Quit India Movement?
[A] Badalmal Pahadi
[B] Sukhbir Singh
[C] Nandlal Pahadiya
[D] Surender Lal Pahadiya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Badalmal Pahadi]
Notes:
Badalmal Pahadi was a revolutionary from Jharkhand who participated in the Quit India Movement of 1942. He was arrested and imprisoned in Godda jail and died due to police torture there. Godda is located in the Santhal Parganas region of Jharkhand. The Dictionary of Martyrs of India’s Freedom Struggle (Vol. 4) records his martyrdom. Other names listed have no verified connections to this incident in Godda jail.
9. Who started the Tana Bhagat Movement?
[A] Shibu Oraon
[B] Jatara Oraon
[C] Thevle Oraon
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jatara Oraon]
Notes:
Jatara Oraon started the Tana Bhagat Movement in 1914 among the Oraon tribe in present-day Jharkhand. The movement began in Chingri village and was a socio-religious reform opposing colonial taxes, forced labor, zamindar rent hikes, moneylenders, and missionaries. Later, Shibu Oraon led the movement from 1919. It evolved into agrarian resistance and satyagraha and influenced non-cooperation efforts until 1920.
10. What does ‘Ulgulan’ mean in the context of Birsa Munda’s movement?
[A] Followers
[B] Revolt
[C] Forest
[D] Tenancy Act
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Revolt]
Notes:
Ulgulan means “The Great Tumult” or “Revolt” in the Mundari language spoken by the Munda tribe. Birsa Munda led this armed uprising from 1895 to 1900 against British colonial authorities and landlords in the Chotanagpur region, now part of Jharkhand. The revolt aimed to reclaim tribal land rights, end forced labor, and protect Adivasi culture. It spread through Khunti, Tamar, Basia, and Ranchi districts with about 7,000 participants by Christmas 1899.
