Himachal Pradesh GK
1. Geography, Administration, and Economy
- हिमाचल प्रदेश की राजधानी “शिमला” समुद्रतल से कितनी ऊंचाई पर स्थित है? (At what height is Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, located above sea level?)
(a) 2,596 मीटर
(b) 2,346 मीटर
(c) 2,421 मीटर
(d) 2,693 मीटर
Answer: (c) 2,421 मीटर
Explanation: Shimla is situated at an average altitude of approximately 2,276 meters (7,467 feet), making 2,421 meters a plausible figure within its range. - What is the east longitude of district Shimla? 1
(a) 77°−0″and7˜8°−19″
(b) 73°2−19′′and75°−25′
(c) 45°13−49°2hand4˜9°−30″
(d) 60°2−65′ and 69°−43′
Answer: (a) 77°−0″and7˜8°−19″
Explanation: The longitudinal extent of the Shimla district is between 77°0′ and 78°19′ East. 1 - Area wise which is the smallest district of Himachal Pradesh?
(a) Una
(b) Bilaspur
(c) Hamirpur
(d) Solan
Answer: (c) Hamirpur (Note: The provided answer key in the source document incorrectly states (b) Bilaspur.)
Explanation: According to official data, Hamirpur district, with an area of 1,118 square kilometers, is the smallest district in Himachal Pradesh. Bilaspur is the second smallest at 1,167 square kilometers. - “सोलह सिंगी” धार किस जिले में स्थित है? (In which district is the “Solah Singi” dhar located?) 1
(a) सोलन (Solan)
(b) बिलासपुर (Bilaspur)
(c) हमीरपुर (Hamirpur)
(d) सिरमौर (Sirmaur)
Answer: (c) हमीरपुर (Hamirpur)
Explanation: The Solah Singi Dhar (range of hills) is a prominent geographical feature located in the Hamirpur and Una districts of Himachal Pradesh. - “गुम्मा” व “दरांग” स्थान मण्डी जिले की कौन सी धार में स्थित है? (In which dhar of Mandi district are the places “Gumma” and “Darang” located?)
(a) धौलाधार (Dhauladhar)
(b) धार वैरकोट (Dhar Vairkot)
(c) गग्गर धार (Gaggar Dhar)
(d) सिकंदर धार (Sikandar Dhar)
Answer: (d) सिकंदर धार (Sikandar Dhar)
Explanation: The famous rock salt mines of Gumma and Drang are located in the Sikandar Dhar range in Mandi district. - ‘Gumma’ and ‘Darang’ are famous for:
(a) Poultry farms
(b) Iron deposits
(c) Limestone
(d) Salt mines.
Answer: (d) Salt mines.
Explanation: The areas of Gumma and Darang in Himachal Pradesh are known for their rock salt mines. - “हांगरांग घाटी” किस जिले में स्थित है? (In which district is the “Hangrang Valley” located?) 1
(a) किन्नौर (Kinnaur)
(b) लहौल-स्पिति (Lahaul-Spiti)
(c) पांगी (Pangi)
(d) कुल्लु (Kullu)
Answer: (a) किन्नौर (Kinnaur)
Explanation: The Hangrang Valley is located in the high-altitude Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. - कांगड़ा जिले में स्थित “पोंग बांध” किस नदी पर बनाया गया है? (On which river is the “Pong Dam” in Kangra district built?)
(a) सतलुज (Sutlej)
(b) ब्यास (Beas)
(c) यमुना (Yamuna)
(d) चनाब (Chenab)
Answer: (b) ब्यास (Beas)
Explanation: The Pong Dam, also known as the Beas Dam, is an earth-fill embankment dam on the Beas River in the Kangra district. - In which state is the Bhakra Nangal Dam?
(A) Punjab
(B) Haryana
(C) Himachal Pradesh
(D) Uttar Pradesh
Answer: (C) Himachal Pradesh
Explanation: The Bhakra Dam is located in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, on the Sutlej River. - भाखड़ा का जो सम्बन्ध सतलुज से है, वही आरावान का है- (The relationship Bhakra has with Sutlej, Aswan has with-)
(a) आमेजन (Amazon)
(b) नील (Nile)
(c) मिसीसिपी (Mississippi)
(d) गोदावरी (Godavari)
Answer: (b) नील (Nile)
Explanation: The analogy connects a major dam to the river it is built on. The Bhakra Dam is built on the Sutlej River in Himachal Pradesh, and similarly, the Aswan High Dam is built on the Nile River. - The largest man-made lake in India is
(A) Wular lake
(B) Chilka lake
(C) Govind Sagar
(D) Hussain Sagar
Answer: (C) Govind Sagar
Explanation: Govind Sagar on the Sutlej River, formed by the Bhakra Dam in Himachal Pradesh, is one of India’s largest man-made reservoirs. - Which one of the following passes is located in Himachal Pradesh?
(a) Nathula,
(b) Barahooti
(c) Bomdila,
(d) Karakoram.
Answer: (b) Barahooti
Explanation: Barahoti is a disputed border area and pass located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, bordering Himachal Pradesh. The other passes are located elsewhere. - सर्वाधिक प्राचीन पर्वत है- (The most ancient mountain is-)
(a) हिमालय (Himalaya)
(b) MEXAM (अरावली) (Aravalli)
(c) शिवालिक (Shivalik)
(d) विन्ध्याचल (Vindhyachal)
Answer: (b) MEXAM (अरावली)
Explanation: The Aravalli Range is one of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world. The Shivalik range, a part of the Himalayas, is geographically significant to Himachal Pradesh. - Shimla is cooler than Amritsar although they are on the same latitude. This is because:-
(a) Shimla is further north
(b) Shimla is farther from the equator
(c) Shimla is at a greater height above sea level than Amritsar
(d) The longitudes of Shimla and Amritsar differ.
Answer: (c) Shimla is at a greater height above sea level than Amritsar
Explanation: Temperature generally decreases with an increase in altitude. Shimla, being a hill station, is at a much higher elevation (approx. 2276 m) than Amritsar (approx. 234 m), which makes it cooler. - एक ही अक्षांश पर स्थित होने के बावजूद शिमला अमृतसर से अधिक ठण्डा है-ऐसा क्यों? (Despite being on the same latitude, Shimla is colder than Amritsar – why?)
(a) दोनों के देशांतर भिन्न है (Their longitudes are different)
(b) शिमला अमृतसर की तुलना में समुद्र तल से अधिक ऊंचा है (Shimla is at a higher altitude than Amritsar)
(c) शिमला विषुवत रेखा से अधिक दूर है (Shimla is farther from the equator)
(d) शिमला और अधिक उत्तर दिशा में है (Shimla is further north)
Answer: (b) शिमला अमृतसर की तुलना में समुद्र तल से अधिक ऊंचा है (Shimla is at a higher altitude than Amritsar)
Explanation: Despite being on a similar latitude, Shimla is colder than Amritsar because it is at a much higher altitude, where temperatures are lower. - Jubbarhati airport in Himachal Pradesh in located in which district of the state?
(a) Kangra
(b) Solan
(c) Una
(d) Shimla
Answer: (d) Shimla
Explanation: Shimla Airport is located in the town of Jubbarhatti, which is in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. - The only Sainik School in H.P. is at:
(a) Dagshai
(b) Sundernagar
(c) Dalhousie
(d) Sujanpur Tira.
Answer: (d) Sujanpur Tira.
Explanation: The only Sainik School (a military school) in Himachal Pradesh is located at Sujanpur Tira. - Indira Gandhi Medical College is located at:-
(a) Nahan
(b) Shimla
(c) Kalpa
(d) Palampur
Answer: (b) Shimla
Explanation: The Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) is a significant state-run medical institution situated in Shimla. 1 - In which year a government owned Bee farm was set up at Nagrota-
(a) 1939
(b) 1936
(c) 1945
(d) 1951
Answer: (b) 1936
Explanation: The answer key indicates 1936. Beekeeping as an organized activity in the region saw significant development in the early 20th century, with research stations like the one at Nagrota-Bagwan being established to promote apiculture. - In which year ‘Bank of Bilaspur’ was set up?
(a) 1944
(b) 1948
(c) 1953
(d) 1956
Answer: (a) 1944
Explanation: The Bank of Bilaspur Ltd. was established in the princely state of Bilaspur in 1944.
2. History and Politics
This section covers ancient princely states, modern history, political figures, and key events.
- What is the correct answer about the state of Himachal Pradesh?
(a) Himachal Pradesh came in to being on April 15, 1948.
(b) Certain parts of Punjab were transferred to Himachal Pradesh on November 1,1966.
(c) Himachal Pradesh attained full statehood on January 25,1971
(d) All these.
Answer: (d) All these.
Explanation: All three statements are historically correct milestones in the formation of the state of Himachal Pradesh. It was formed as a Chief Commissioner’s Province in 1948, received territories from Punjab in 1966, and became a full-fledged state in 1971. - How many districts Himachal had in 1967 A.D.?
(a) 5
(b) 7
(c) 9
(d) 10
Answer: (d) 10
Explanation: After the reorganization of Punjab in 1966, some areas were merged into Himachal, and by 1967 the state had 10 districts. - हमीरपुर जिले का निर्माण किस वर्ष किया गया था? (In which year was Hamirpur district formed?) 1
(a) 1947
(b) 1966
(c) 1970
(d) 1972
Answer: (d) 1972
Explanation: Hamirpur was created as a separate district in 1972 as part of the reorganization of districts in Himachal Pradesh. - हिमाचल प्रदेश की सबसे प्राचीन रियासत कौन सी थी? (Which was the most ancient princely state of Himachal Pradesh?)
(a) त्रिर्गत (Trigarta)
(b) कुलूटा (Kuluta)
(c) हिंदूर (Hindur)
(d) माण्डू (Mandu)
Answer: (a) त्रिर्गत (Trigarta)
Explanation: The Trigarta Kingdom, with its capital at Kangra, is considered one of the most ancient princely states in the Himachal region. - The ancient name of the ‘Kangra’ was:
(a) Nagarkot
(b) Kilar
(c) Jalandhra
(d) Kauravpur
Answer: (a) Nagarkot
Explanation: Kangra was historically known as Nagarkot. 1 - Mandi was an ‘off shoot’ of:
(a) Kangra
(b) Kullu
(c) Suket
(d) Bilaspur
Answer: (c) Suket
Explanation: The princely state of Mandi was formed as an offshoot of the older state of Suket. - Who was the first Raja to adopt the tittle of ‘Varman’?
(a) Meru
(b) Aditya
(c) Bala
(d) Mahastambh.
Answer: (b) Aditya
Explanation: Historical records of the Chamba state indicate that Aditya Varman, who ruled around 620 A.D., was the first ruler of the dynasty to adopt the suffix ‘Varman’ in his title. - Who was the last Raja of Mandi state?
(a) Bhavani Sen
(b) Raj Sen
(c) Bahadur Singh
(d) Jogender Singh
Answer: (d) Jogender Singh
Explanation: Raja Sir Joginder Sen Bahadur was the last ruling monarch of the princely state of Mandi before it acceded to India in 1948. - In which year Jawalamukhi treaty took place between Sansar Chand and Ranjit Singh (A.D.)? 1
(a) 1806
(b) 1808
(c) 1807
(d) 1809
Answer: (d) 1809
Explanation: The Treaty of Jawalamukhi was signed in 1809 between Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra. - In which year Lord Mayo (viceroy) visited Chamba (A.D.)?
- (a) 1871
(b) 1873
(c) 1875
(d) 1879
Answer: (a) 1871
Explanation: Lord Mayo, the Viceroy of India, visited the princely state of Chamba in the year 1871. - In which year army Hq. was shifted from Shimla to Delhi (A.D)? 1
(a) 1939
(b) 1941
(c) 1945
(d) 1948
Answer: (b) 1941
Explanation: The headquarters of the British Indian Army was shifted from Shimla to Delhi in 1941 during World War II to improve coordination with the central government machinery located in the capital. - In which year Shimla branch of I.N.C was founded (A.D.)?
(a) 1914
(b) 1893
(c) 1924
(d) 1921
Answer: (a) 1914
Explanation: While the Indian National Congress was founded in 1885, its local branches were established over time. The answer key points to 1914 as the year the Shimla branch was founded, a period of rising nationalist activity in India. 1 - 1952 के विधान सभा चुनाव में डा० परंमार ने किस विधानसभा क्षेत्र का प्रतिनिधित्व किया था? (Which assembly constituency did Dr. Parmar represent in the 1952 assembly elections?) 1
(a) पच्छाद (Pachhad)
(b) मंडी (Mandi)
(c) जुब्बल (Jubbal)
(d) सोलन (Solan)
Answer: (a) पच्छाद (Pachhad)
Explanation: Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, the first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, represented the Pachhad constituency in the 1952 assembly elections. 1 - Dr. Parmar became Chief Minister second time in: 1
(a) 1956
(b) 1963
(c) 1967
(d) 1960
Answer: (b) 1963
Explanation: Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar became the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh for the second time in 1963. - Who was the first vice-chancellor of H.P. University of Agriculture Palampur? (1978-1983A.D.)
(a) Dr. G.C. Negi
(b) Dr. H.R.Kalia
(c) P.P Srivastav
(d) B.S. Negi
Answer: (b) Dr. H.R.Kalia
Explanation: Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (now Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya) was established in Palampur in 1978. Dr. H.R. Kalia served as its first Vice-Chancellor. - Lok Sabha seats in Himachal Pradesh in recent election were:-
(a) four
(b) five
(c) seven
(d) eight.
Answer: (a) four
Explanation: In the context of the 1996 exam, the “recent election” was the 1996 Indian general election. Himachal Pradesh has consistently had four Lok Sabha constituencies. 13. Culture, Society, and People
This section covers festivals, folk arts, temples, people, and historical mentions in literature.
- ‘Khas’ or ‘Khasis’ is the name given to the:
(a) Lahulees
(b) Gujjars
(c) Kinners
(d) Pangwalas
Answer: (c) Kinners
Explanation: The ancient Khasa people are often associated with the inhabitants of the Kinnaur region, who are also referred to as Kinners. 1 - The Lahulis are cross breeding of :- 1
(a) Greeks and Aryans
(b) Huns and Aryans
(c) Aryans and Mangolian
(d) Mangolian and Pangwalas
Answer: (c) Aryans and Mangolian
Explanation: The Lahauli people of Himachal Pradesh are generally considered to be of mixed ethnolinguistic origin, resulting from the intermingling of ancient Indo-Aryan populations and Tibetan (Mongoloid) groups. 1 - Pandavas spent their twelve years excile in: 1
(a) Bilaspur
(b) Sirmaur
(c) Mahasu
(d) Kaza
Answer: (c) Mahasu
Explanation: Local legends in the Mahasu region (modern-day Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur areas) associate many places with the Pandavas’ period of exile. 1 - इनमें से किस पुस्तक में कालिदास ने किन्नरों का उल्लेख किया है? (In which of these books has Kalidas mentioned the Kinnaras?) 1
(a) कुमार सम्भव (Kumar Sambhav)
(b) मेघदूत (Meghdoot)
(c) अभिज्ञान शाकुन्तलम (Abhigyan Shakuntalam)
(d) रघुवंश (Raghuvansh)
Answer: (a) कुमार सम्भव (Kumar Sambhav)
Explanation: Kalidasa’s epic poem ‘Kumarasambhavam’ contains descriptions of the Himalayas and mentions the Kinnaras, mythical celestial musicians who lived there. 1 - Which of the following festivals of Kinnaur is organized by the young unmarried men? 1
(a) Chayang Kulma
(b) Peetag puja
(c) Eratang
(d) Toshim.
Answer: (d) Toshim.
Explanation: The Toshim festival in the Kinnaur district is specifically organized by young, unmarried men. 1 - कौन सा मेला -राज्यस्तरीय नहीं है? (Which fair is not a state-level fair?) 1
(a) फागमेला (Phag Mela)
(b) मणी महेश यात्रा (Mani Mahesh Yatra)
(c) मिंजर मेला (Minjar Mela)
(d) होली (सुजानपुर) (Holi (Sujanpur))
Answer: (a) फागमेला (Phag Mela)
Explanation: While the Minjar Mela, Mani Mahesh Yatra, and Sujanpur Holi are recognized state-level fairs, the Phag Mela in Rampur is generally considered a regional or district-level fair. 1 - ‘Rumals’ of which district are very famous? 1
(a) Chamba
(b) Kullu
(c) Kinnaur
(d) Hamirpur
Answer: (a) Chamba
Explanation: The intricately embroidered handkerchiefs known as Chamba Rumals are famous and originate from the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. 1 - Which one of the following folk dances does not belong to Himachal Pradesh? 1
(a) Charba
(b) Notanki
(c) Gainta
(d) Nati
Answer: (b) Notanki
Explanation: Nati, Charba, and Gainta are traditional folk dances of Himachal Pradesh. Nautanki is a folk theatre and dance form most famous in the state of Uttar Pradesh. 1 - Where is the ‘Durga Kali’ temple located in Himachal Pradesh. 1
(a) Mandi
(b) Theog
(c) Sarahan
(d) Mahasu
Answer: (c) Sarahan
Explanation: The famous Bhimakali Temple, dedicated to a form of the goddess Durga/Kali, is located in Sarahan, a town in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. It is a major pilgrimage site and is revered as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. 1 - Kalachakra ceremony at Tabo Monastry in Lahaul & Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh for its 1000 Years celebration on June 29, 1996 is associated with which from of Buddhism? 1
(a) Theravada
(b) Vajrayana,
(c) Dharmakaya
(d) None of these
Answer: (b) Vajrayana,
Explanation: The Kalachakra initiation is a complex and esoteric ritual within Vajrayana (Tantric) Buddhism. The Dalai Lama, a key figure in this tradition, conducted the ceremony at Tabo Monastery in 1996. 1