States PCS: West Bengal GK Questions for WBPSC Examinations
For all West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC) exams including WBCS, JE, AE, and other state-level competitive examinations.
1. Consider the following pairs of GI protected fabrics with states where they are produced:
- Dhaniakhali Saree – West Bengal
- Mangalagiri Saree – Andhra Pradesh
- Habaspuri Saree – Odisha
Which of the above is/are correct?
[A] 1 & 2 Only
[B] 3 Only
[C] 2 & 3 Only
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
Mangalagiri Sarees are produced by handicraft weaving in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. Habaspuri Saree is cotton based traditional handloom textiles of Odisha.
2. Who was the king of Thanesar, as well as the brother of Harshavardhana?
[A] Rajyavardhana
[B] Adityavardhana
[C] Mriganka
[D] Shashanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rajyavardhana]
Notes:
Harsha’s brother, Rajya Vardhana, then the king at Thanesar. However, Shashanka, king of Gauda in Eastern Bengal, then entered Magadha as a friend of Rajyavardhana, but in secret alliance with the Malwa king. Accordingly, Shashanka treacherously murdered Rajyavardhana.
3. Who defeated Pala Dynasty?
[A] Hindu Sena Dynasty
[B] Mlechchha dynasty
[C] Chole dynasty
[D] Chalukya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Hindu Sena Dynasty ]
Notes:
The resurgent Hindu Sena dynasty dethroned the Pala Empire in the 12th century, ending the reign of the last major Buddhist imperial power in the Indian subcontinent. The Pala period is considered one of the golden eras of Bengali history.
4. Who was the first independent ruler of Chandra Dynasty?
[A] Suvarnachandra
[B] Ramachandra
[C] Trailokyachandra
[D] Govindachandra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Trailokyachandra]
Notes:
It was Trailokyachandra (c 900-930 AD), son of Suvarnachandra, who was the first independent ruler of the dynasty. He established their sovereign rule in Samatata area with devaparvata as their centre of power
5. Who was responsible for the fall of Chandra Dynasty?
[A] Kalachuri king Karna
[B] Chandragupta Maurya
[C] Kanishka
[D] Shashanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kalachuri king Karna ]
Notes:
As mentioned in the Tirumulai inscription, Chandra Dynasty suffered from a Chola invasion (between 1021-1024 AD). Govindachandra or his successor (not known) may have suffered under an attack by Kalachuri king Karna (some time before 1048-49 AD) and this was possibly responsible for the fall of the Chandras.
6. According to Chandrawati inscription, who was identified as Gurjara-Pratihara?
[A] Devapala
[B] Dharmapala
[C] Govindachandra
[D] Srichandra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Devapala]
Notes:
According to the 1093 CE and 1100 CE Chandrawati inscriptions, the Gahadavalas occupied Kanyakubja after the descendants of Devapala had been destroyed. This Devapala can be identified as the mid-10th century Gurjara-Pratihara king of Kanyakubja.
7. Which king showed support to the Shungas?
[A] Brahmamitra
[B] Indragnimitra
[C] Both (a) & (b)
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both (a) & (b) ]
Notes:
Two dedication by a king Brahmamitra and a king Indragnimitra are recorded at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, and have been claimed to show Sunga support for Buddhism. These kings however are essentially unknown, and do not form a part of the Shunga recorded genealogy, but they are thought to be post-Ashokan and to belong to the period of Sunga rule.
8. Who wrote Malavikaagnimitra?
[A] Kalidasa
[B] Mallikasena
[C] Barahamihira
[D] Banabhatta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kalidasa ]
Notes:
Malavikaagnimitra was composed by Kalidasa in the later Gupta period, and romanticised the love of Malavika and King Agnimitra, with a background of court intrigue.
9. Who wrote commentary on the Vedas?
[A] Durbasa
[B] Mriganka
[C] Vyasa
[D] Dadhichi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vyasa]
Notes:
According to tradition, Vyasa is the compiler of the Vedas, who arranged the four kinds of mantras into four Samhitas (Collections).
10. Who was supposedly the last significant king of Deva Dynasty?
[A] Mritpurnadeva
[B] Anandadeva
[C] Bikramaditya
[D] Chakulya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bikramaditya ]
Notes:
Dasharathadeva’s brother Bikramaditya Deva later moved to the eastern side of the kingdom in 1294. This is the last recorded history of this dynasty.
