World History MCQs
World History Multiple Choice Quiz Questions (MCQs) on Ancient World History, Medieval World History and Modern World History for various UPSC, PCS and other Competitive Examinations.
1. Which famous world leader was accused at the Rivonia Trial?
[A] Martin Luther King
[B] Subhas Chandra Bose
[C] Nelson Mandela
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Nelson Mandela]
Notes:
The Rivonia Trial led to the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela and the others among the accused who were convicted of sabotage and sentenced to life at the Palace of Justice, Pretoria.
2. Which country has gifted Manipur a Museum of Peace built on the memories of Battle of Imphal?
[A] Germany
[B] Japan
[C] France
[D] Poland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Japan ]
Notes:
The Imphal Peace Museum (IPM) has been gifted by Japan to Manipur to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Imphal, which was one of the fiercest battles of the Second World War. The museum was inaugurated at Maibam Lokpa Ching popularly known as Red Hill. Around 70,000 Japanese soldiers, alongside those of Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (INA), died in battles with the British-led Allied forces in areas around Imphal and Kohima from March to June 1944. The last of these battles was fought at Red Hill, where the Japanese War Memorial was built in 1944 to mark the 50th anniversary of the battle. The museum symbolizes the reconciliation between Japan & Britain and Japan & India. It is to reinforce the message that history changes and makes us learn from the past.
3. Falkland Islands Sovereignty Dispute is a territorial dispute between two nations. Which among the following are those two nations?
[A] Argentina and Chile
[B] Argentina and United Kingdom
[C] Argentina and United States of America
[D] Argentina and France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Argentina and United Kingdom]
Notes:
Both Argentina and United Kingdom raise their claim of sovereign rights over the Falkland Islands. Since 1833, the UK is exercising control over the islands in practical terms. The dispute escalated in 1982 when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands. This lead to a war when the UK retaliated which lead to its victory. Present-day Falkland Islanders prefer to identify themselves as British.
4. From which nation Benin got its independence in 1960?
[A] United Kingdom
[B] France
[C] Portugal
[D] Spain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [France]
Notes:
From the mid-17th century to the mid-19th century Portuguese Empire had a colonial presence in Benin. The Portuguese empire was engaged in the massive slave trade with Benin. This continued till the abolition of slavery through the Slave Trade Act, 1807 which weakened Benin’s (previously Dahomey) status. This lead to the emergence of French power in Benin’s soil during the mid-19th century. And finally, due to the anti-colonial stand of Beninese during the later years, France was forced to independence to Benin in 1960.
5. Which war in the African continent is known as the “Africa’s First World War”?
[A] Uganda-Tanzania War
[B] First Congo River
[C] Yom Kippur War
[D] Six-Day War
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [First Congo River]
Notes:
First Congo War, happened from 1996 to 1997, was also known as Africa’s First World War. This war’s main aim was to overthrow the Mobutu regime of Zaire. This war happened mostly in Zaire (present-day Democratic Republic of Congo) and also spread into Sudan and Uganda. Rwandan Genocide, Corrupt dictatorship of Mobutu Sese Seko, economic decline of Zaire were the causes of this war. This war leads to the renaming of Zaire as the Democratic Republic of Congo.
6. Enlil was the chief deity of which of the following?
[A] Sumerians
[B] Egyptians
[C] Chinese
[D] Babylonian
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sumerians]
Notes:
Enlil was the chief deity of Sumerians. He was the god of earth and air and Enki was the god of the waters. The Sumerians buried the dead-bodies in their own house.
7. Which of the following had invented a type of water-clock to measure time?
[A] Sumerians
[B] Assyrian
[C] Akkadian
[D] Babylonian
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sumerians]
Notes:
The Sumerians invented a type of water-clock which was used to measure time. They counted their twelve months of the year by observing the decrease and increase in the shadow of the moon.
8. Which of the following was the major invention of the Sumerians which had a large impact on the forming of the first civilization?
[A] Writing
[B] Ziggurat
[C] Iron
[D] Chariot
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Writing ]
Notes:
The Sumerians made many inventions. They invented the following: the first form of writing, a number system, the first wheeled vehicles, sun-dried bricks, and irrigation for farming.
9. Who built the hanging gardens of Babylon?
[A] TiglathPilesar III
[B] Shalmaneser IV
[C] Assurbanipal
[D] Nebuchadnezzar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Nebuchadnezzar]
Notes:
As a gift to his wife, Amytis, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II was said to have constructed the luxurious Hanging Gardens in the sixth century B.C. because she was homesick for the beautiful vegetation and mountains of her native Media.
10. Which of the following compiled ‘Encyclopedia of Astronomy’?
[A] Cloudius Ptolemy
[B] Galen
[C] Celsus
[D] Pliny
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Cloudius Ptolemy ]
Notes:
Cloudius Ptolemy who was an astronomer was the author of ‘Encyclopedia of Astronomy’. He also displayed his knowledge in geography and was the first map-maker of the world.