Level 1
Historical Events MCQs set 3 for PPSC District Education Officer General Knowledge — 20 solved questions.
Q1. The Saur Revolution took place in 1978 in:
Answer: Afghanistan
Explanation: Afghanistan is correct. World History is a recurring GK theme in NTS, HEC, and civil service screening papers.
Q2. Which of these was not an ancient Phoenician city?
Answer: Madrid
Explanation: Madrid is the capital of Spain and has no historical connection to Phoenicia; the ancient Phoenician cities of Tyre, Sidon, and Berytus (Berot/modern Beirut) were all located along the Levantine coast.
Q3. The Sino-Indian War was fought in:
Answer: 1962
Explanation: The Sino-Indian War (also called the Indo-China War) was fought in October-November 1962 over disputed Himalayan border territories; China declared a ceasefire and withdrew after a swift victory.
Q4. Russia and Japan fought a war in 1904-1905. Russia was defeated. The war is called __________.
Answer: Russo-Japanese War
Explanation: The Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) ended in a stunning Japanese victory - the first time an Asian power defeated a European power in modern history - secured by the Treaty of Portsmouth.
Q5. The clash of two great civilizations, Greek and Roman between 280-275 bc resulted in victory for Romans. What is that War called
Answer: Pyrrhic War
Explanation: The Pyrrhic War (280-275 BC) was fought between Rome and Pyrrhus of Epirus (a Greek king), ending in Roman victory despite Pyrrhus's early battlefield successes.
Q6. The Iron Cross is the highest military award of:
Answer: Germany
Explanation: The Iron Cross is a historic military decoration of Germany (Prussia), originally established by King Frederick William III of Prussia in 1813 during the Napoleonic Wars.
Q7. In 1940, the Italian Army invaded Egypt from Libya to attack British forces, starting the
Answer: Desert War
Explanation: In September 1940, the Italian Army launched an invasion of British-held Egypt from Libya, triggering the North African campaign known as the Desert War (1940-1943).
Q8. Density is lowest at the surface, where the water is warmest. As depth increases, there is
Answer: Pycnocline
Explanation: A pycnocline is the layer in the ocean where water density increases rapidly with depth, caused by changes in both temperature (thermocline) and salinity (halocline), acting as a barrier to vertical mixing.
Q9. When did the Anglo-Spanish War take place?
Answer: In 1588
Explanation: The Anglo-Spanish War of 1585-1604 reached its most famous episode in 1588 when the English fleet under Sir Francis Drake defeated the Spanish Armada in the English Channel.
Q10. The Battle of Waterloo was fought in
Answer: in 1815
Explanation: The Battle of Waterloo was fought on June 18, 1815, near Waterloo in present-day Belgium, where the Duke of Wellington and Prussian forces decisively defeated Napoleon Bonaparte, ending the Napoleonic Wars.
Q11. Which city is an ancient center of art and famous for science and culture?
Answer: Babylon
Explanation: Babylon, the ancient Mesopotamian city on the Euphrates River in present-day Iraq, was one of antiquity's greatest centers of art, science, literature, and culture under rulers like Nebuchadnezzar II.
Q12. Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece fought a war with Turkey in 1912. Turkey was defeated. Name the war.
Answer: Balkan War l
Explanation: The First Balkan War (1912-1913) was fought by the Balkan League - Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Greece - against the Ottoman Empire, resulting in a decisive Turkish defeat.
Q13. The Battle of Khyber was fought in the year _________.
Answer: 628 AD
Explanation: The Battle of Khaybar was fought in 628 AD (7 AH) when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) led Muslim forces against the Jewish fortresses at Khaybar in the Arabian Peninsula.
Q14. Which countries were involved in the Battle of Borodino?
Answer: France and Russia
Explanation: The Battle of Borodino (September 7, 1812) was the largest and bloodiest single-day battle of the Napoleonic Wars, fought between Napoleon's Grande Armée and the Russian Imperial Army.
Q15. The Turkish tribe created the Ottoman Empire in:
Answer: Anatolia
Explanation: Anatolia is correct. World History is a recurring GK theme in NTS, HEC, and civil service screening papers.
Q16. A battle was fought between Muhammad Ghori and Prithvi Raj in 1192 A.D. Muhammad Ghori won the battle. Name the battle.
Answer: Battle of Tarain
Explanation: The Second Battle of Tarain (1192 AD) saw Muhammad of Ghor decisively defeat the Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan, establishing Muslim rule over northern India.
Q17. Spanish and English fleets fought in the English Channel, resulting in the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. Name the battle.
Answer: Battle of Gravelines
Explanation: The Battle of Gravelines (August 8, 1588) was the decisive naval engagement where English forces under Lord Howard of Effingham and Sir Francis Drake defeated the Spanish Armada in the English Channel.
Q18. An important battle was fought between Alexander the Great and Raja Porus in which Raja was defeated. In which year the battle was fought?
Answer: 326 BC
Explanation: The Battle of the Hydaspes (326 BCE) was fought between Alexander the Great and King Porus on the banks of the Hydaspes River (modern Jhelum) in the Punjab; Alexander won but was deeply impressed by Porus's bravery.
Q19. World Autism Awareness Day is observed on which date?
Answer: On April 2, 2021
Explanation: World Autism Awareness Day is observed annually on April 2, as designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007.
Q20. The War of the Austrian Succession was fought from
Answer: from 1740 to 1748
Explanation: The War of the Austrian Succession began when Frederick the Great of Prussia invaded Silesia in 1740 and ended with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748.