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. Great Purge, a series of campaigns of political repression and persecution is related to which of the following countries?
[A] China
[B] Russia
[C] USA
[D] UK
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Russia]
Notes:
It`s worth note that Abaninath Mukherji or Abani Mukherji, who was one of the cofounders of Communist Party of India was a victim of the Great Purge, orchestrated by Joseph Stalin in 1936-1938. It was a series of campaigns of political repression and persecution in the Soviet Union. Abani Mukherji died in Soviet Union in 1937 when he was executed and his death was acknowledged only after 1955
2. Which of the following refers to the North-South dialogue? (UPSC Prelims 1983)
[A] For reorganization of States between North India and South India
[B] For sharing economic resources between rich countries of the North and poor countries of the South
[C] Between countries of North America and South America for economic cooperation
[D] Between U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. in the field of space research
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [For sharing economic resources between rich countries of the North and poor countries of the South]
Notes:
The North-South Dialogue refers to the process through which the developing and newly independent nations of the “third world,” predominantly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, engaged the industrialized countries of North America and Western Europe in negotiations over changes to the international economic system.
3. Which one of the following is the underground army of the African National Congress? (UPSC Prelims 1993)
[A] Unkhonto
[B] Kwazulu
[C] Xhosa
[D] Ulundi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Unkhonto]
Notes:
Umkhonto meaning “Spear of the Nation” was the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC), co-founded by Nelson Mandela in the wake of the Sharpeville massacre.
4. Identify the infamous “Slave Coast” of the African continent from the following:
[A] Gulf of Aden coast from Somalia to the Indian Ocean coast of Mozambique.
[B] Bight of Benin coast of Gulf of Guinea between Volta River and Lagos lagoon.
[C] South African coast to the coast of St. Helena Bay.
[D] Coast of western North Atlantic Ocean from Western Sahara to Liberia.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bight of Benin coast of Gulf of Guinea between Volta River and Lagos lagoon.]
Notes:
“Slave Coast” lies in the Western African Bight of Benin coast of Gulf of Guinea located between Volta River and Lagos Lagoon. This region witnessed massive Atlantic Slave Trade from the early 16t century to the late 19th century. Germans, Danes, French, Portuguese, Swedish and Spanish made all efforts to enforce their supremacy in this coast to get a larger chunk of the slave trade.
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. Who said “Egypt is the gift of Nile”?
[A] Herodotus
[B] Sallust
[C] Aristotle
[D] Arrian
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Herodotus]
Notes:
Herodotus had said that “Egypt is the gift of the Nile.” The Egyptian Civilization began to flourish almost about 10,000 B.C. in the fertile valley of river Nile. The Egyptians worshiped Nile as God.
7. Which of the following was a central part of the Egyptian religion?
[A] the pharaohs
[B] the afterlife
[C] the pyramids
[D] the heavens
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [the afterlife]
Notes:
The concept of afterlife was a central part of the Egyptian religion. The Egyptian religious doctrines contained three afterlife ideologies, i.e., belief in an underworld, eternal life, and rebirth of the soul.
8. At which of the following places, the Assyrians, who were group of Semites became powerful?
1) Assur
2) Nineveh
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 & 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:
Before the downfall of the Sumerian empire, the Assyrians who were the group of Semites became powerful in the areas of Assur and Nineveh. They occupied Babylone in 1100 B. C.
9. Which of the following river is also called as the sorrow of China?
[A] Tsang po
[B] Yang-tse-kiang
[C] Yellow River
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Yellow River]
Notes:
The Yellow River or Huang He is the second-longest river in China. The ‘Yellow River’ passed through rich yellow soil and made the land very fertile. The river is sometimes called “Sorrow of China” because of the devastating floods.
10. Which of the following was chosen as the successor to Mohammed after his death?
[A] Ali
[B] Abu Bakr
[C] Husayn
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Abu Bakr]
Notes:
After Muhammad’s death in 632 CE, his friend Abu Bakr was named caliph and ruler of the Islamic community, or Ummah. Sunni Muslims believe that Abu Bakr was the proper successor, while Shia Muslims believe that Ali should have succeeded Muhammad.
