Indian History & Culture Quiz

Try a few sample questions on Indian History & Culture before you play the full quiz — no signup required.

From the earliest civilizations along the Indus to the diverse nation India is today, this category traces the sweep of Indian history alongside the art, architecture, and cultural traditions that grew alongside it -- ancient dynasties, medieval sultanates and the Mughal era, the freedom struggle, plus classical dance, temple architecture, and the movements that shaped Indian identity. It's a broader companion to our dedicated Indian History quiz, for players who like connecting political history to the culture it produced rather than treating the two separately.

Play the full timed quiz →

Tap an answer to check it. This is a practice round: nothing is scored.

Q1.Which festival is known as the festival of lights?

Q2.The Great Stupa at Sanchi is in which state?

Q3.The Ajanta Caves are best known for their?

Q4.Nalanda, the ancient centre of learning, lies in which present-day state?

Q5.The Natya Shastra, an ancient text on the performing arts, is attributed to?

Indian History & Culture answers and explanations

  1. Q1.Which festival is known as the festival of lights?

    Diwali, celebrated in October or November, marks the victory of light over darkness. Homes are lit with diyas, and families share sweets and exchange gifts.

  2. Q2.The Great Stupa at Sanchi is in which state?

    The Great Stupa at Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh was first commissioned by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE and enlarged later. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  3. Q3.The Ajanta Caves are best known for their?

    The Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra were carved between roughly the 2nd century BCE and the 5th century CE. They hold some of the finest surviving Buddhist paintings in India.

  4. Q4.Nalanda, the ancient centre of learning, lies in which present-day state?

    Nalanda was a major Buddhist centre of learning from the Gupta period until about the 12th century, attracting scholars such as Xuanzang. Its ruins in Bihar are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  5. Q5.The Natya Shastra, an ancient text on the performing arts, is attributed to?

    The Natya Shastra, attributed to Bharata Muni and dated variously between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE, is the oldest surviving Indian treatise on drama, dance and music.

Keep learning: Indian History & Culture

New to DesiQuiz? How levels, scoring and accounts work is explained in the FAQ.

Play the full timed quiz →