Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) exams, including Group D and NTPC, are among the most competitive examinations in India. Candidates preparing for these exams must focus not only on mathematics and reasoning but also on General Awareness, particularly History. History questions in these exams are frequently asked, often in the form of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). This article provides the significance of history in RRB exams, common trends in questions, strategies to solve MCQs efficiently, and a curated list of the most important questions with detailed explanations.
Why is history important for RRB NTPC and Group D Exams?
History is important for RRB NTPC and Group D exams as it involves high-scoring potential. Given below are some of the important reasons:
- Scoring Potential: History is a scoring section in the RRB syllabus. Unlike reasoning or mathematics, history questions often have direct answers and do not require lengthy calculations.
- Predictable Patterns: Most history questions asked in RRB exams are based on frequently repeated topics such as the Indian Freedom Struggle, Ancient and Medieval Indian History, Important Dynasties and Rulers, Major Battles and Treaties, Social and Economic History.
- Time Efficiency: With proper preparation of Important History MCQs, candidates can answer these questions quickly and save valuable time for tougher sections.
What are the key history topics for RRB NTPC and Group D Exams?
The key history topics include Indus Valley Civilization, Mauryan Dynasty, Delhi Sultanate, World Wars, and more. Check them out:
| Period | Topics to Focus | Key Highlights |
| Ancient India | Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Period, Mauryan Dynasty, Gupta Empire | Political structures, art and architecture, key rulers (Ashoka, Chandragupta Maurya) |
| Medieval India | Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Vijayanagara Empire, Bhakti & Sufi Movements | Administration, important rulers, cultural contributions, major battles |
| Modern India | British East India Company, Revolt of 1857, Freedom Struggle, Social Reformers | Revolts, Acts & Laws, National Movements, Leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Rani Laxmibai |
| World History | World Wars, French Revolution, Renaissance | Dates, causes & effects, key personalities |
Sample History Questions for RRB NTPC and Group D Exam
We have given below some sample history questions for the NTPC and RRB Group D Exam. Candidates must download the free-ebook available in this article to understand the overall difficulty of the questions:
Q1. Who was the founder of the Maurya Empire?
(a) Chandragupta Maurya
(b) Ashoka
(c) Bindusara
(d) Harsha
Answer: (a) Chandragupta Maurya
Q2. Which battle marked the end of Mughal dominance in India?
(a) Battle of Panipat (1526)
(b) Battle of Plassey (1757)
(c) Battle of Buxar (1764)
(d) Battle of Talikota (1565)
Answer: (c) Battle of Buxar (1764)
Q3. Who was the first Governor-General of independent India?
(a) C. Rajagopalachari
(b) Lord Mountbatten
(c) Lord Wavell
(d) Rajendra Prasad
Answer: (a) C. Rajagopalachari
Q4. The famous Kalinga War was fought during the reign of?
(a) Chandragupta Maurya
(b) Ashoka
(c) Samudragupta
(d) Harsha
Answer: (b) Ashoka
Q5. Who introduced the Ryotwari system in India?
(a) Lord Cornwallis
(b) Thomas Munro
(c) Lord Wellesley
(d) Lord Dalhousie
Answer: (b) Thomas Munro
Q6. Who among the following was known as the ‘Iron Man of India’?
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) Subhash Chandra Bose
(c) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
(d) Bhagat Singh
Answer: (c) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Q7. The Indian National Congress was founded in:
(a) 1885
(b) 1905
(c) 1919
(d) 1920
Answer: (a) 1885
Q8. Who was the first woman President of the Indian National Congress?
(a) Annie Besant
(b) Sarojini Naidu
(c) Indira Gandhi
(d) Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit
Answer: (a) Annie Besant
Q9. The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in:
(a) 1919
(b) 1920
(c) 1930
(d) 1942
Answer: (b) 1920
Q10. The Dandi March was started in which year?
(a) 1920
(b) 1930
(c) 1940
(d) 1942
Answer: (b) 1930
Q11. Who was the first Viceroy of India?
(a) Lord Curzon
(b) Lord Canning
(c) Lord Wellesley
(d) Lord Mountbatten
Answer: (b) Lord Canning
Q12. The Battle of Plassey was fought in:
(a) 1757
(b) 1764
(c) 1776
(d) 1780
Answer: (a) 1757
Q13. Who was the founder of the Vijayanagara Empire?
(a) Harihara I
(b) Bukka Raya I
(c) Krishnadevaraya
(d) Saluva Narasimha
Answer: (a) Harihara I
Q14. The Permanent Settlement was introduced by:
(a) Lord Wellesley
(b) Lord Cornwallis
(c) Lord Hastings
(d) Lord Dalhousie
Answer: (b) Lord Cornwallis
Q15. Who wrote the book ‘Discovery of India’?
(a) Mahatma Gandhi
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) S. Radhakrishnan
(d) Subhash Chandra Bose
Answer: (b) Jawaharlal Nehru
Q16. The founder of Sikhism was:
(a) Guru Nanak
(b) Guru Gobind Singh
(c) Guru Tegh Bahadur
(d) Guru Arjan Dev
Answer: (a) Guru Nanak
Q17. Who was the last Mughal Emperor of India?
(a) Akbar II
(b) Bahadur Shah II
(c) Aurangzeb
(d) Shah Alam II
Answer: (b) Bahadur Shah II
Q18. The Quit India Movement was launched in:
(a) 1930
(b) 1942
(c) 1947
(d) 1920
Answer: (b) 1942
Q19. Who was the first Prime Minister of India?
(a) Mahatma Gandhi
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Sardar Patel
(d) Rajendra Prasad
Answer: (b) Jawaharlal Nehru
Q20. The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 started at:
(a) Kanpur
(b) Delhi
(c) Meerut
(d) Lucknow
Answer: (c) Meerut
Q21. Who was the founder of the Gupta dynasty?
(a) Chandragupta I
(b) Samudragupta
(c) Chandragupta II
(d) Skandagupta
Answer: (a) Chandragupta I
Q22. The Indian Councils Act was passed in:
(a) 1858
(b) 1861
(c) 1892
(d) 1909
Answer: (b) 1861
Q23. The Champaran Satyagraha was led by:
(a) Mahatma Gandhi
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Subhash Chandra Bose
(d) Lala Lajpat Rai
Answer: (a) Mahatma Gandhi
Q24. Who was the first Indian to become the Governor-General of India?
(a) C. Rajagopalachari
(b) V. P. Menon
(c) Rajendra Prasad
(d) Sardar Patel
Answer: (a) C. Rajagopalachari
Q25. The Indus Valley Civilization was primarily discovered at:
(a) Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro
(b) Taxila
(c) Pataliputra
(d) Lothal
Answer: (a) Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro
Q26. Who was the founder of the Satavahana dynasty?
(a) Simuka
(b) Gautamiputra Satakarni
(c) Pulakesin I
(d) Harsha
Answer: (a) Simuka
Q27. The French Revolution began in:
(a) 1789
(b) 1776
(c) 1799
(d) 1804
Answer: (a) 1789
Q28. The Treaty of Seringapatam was signed in:
(a) 1792
(b) 1799
(c) 1801
(d) 1815
Answer: (a) 1792
Q29. Who was the first President of the Indian National Congress?
(a) Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee
(b) Dadabhai Naoroji
(c) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
(d) Surendranath Banerjee
Answer: (a) Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee
Q30. Who among the following was known as the ‘Frontier Gandhi’?
(a) Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Maulana Azad
(d) Bhagat Singh
Answer: (a) Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
Q31. The Bengal Renaissance began in the:
(a) 18th century
(b) 19th century
(c) 20th century
(d) 17th century
Answer: (b) 19th century
Q32. Who was the founder of the Saka era?
(a) Kanishka
(b) Chandragupta I
(c) Ashoka
(d) Harsha
Answer: (a) Kanishka
Q33. The Battle of Buxar was fought in:
(a) 1757
(b) 1764
(c) 1776
(d) 1780
Answer: (b) 1764
Q34. Who wrote ‘Annihilation of Caste’?
(a) B. R. Ambedkar
(b) M. K. Gandhi
(c) Jawaharlal Nehru
(d) R. Tagore
Answer: (a) B. R. Ambedkar
Q35. The Champaran Satyagraha was related to:
(a) Indigo cultivation
(b) Salt tax
(c) Land revenue
(d) Textile industry
Answer: (a) Indigo cultivation
Q36. The capital of the Mauryan Empire was:
(a) Pataliputra
(b) Ujjain
(c) Taxila
(d) Kanauj
Answer: (a) Pataliputra
Q37. Who was the first Indian to preside over the Indian National Congress?
(a) W. C. Bonnerjee
(b) A. O. Hume
(c) Dadabhai Naoroji
(d) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Answer: (a) W. C. Bonnerjee
Q38. The ‘Doctrine of Lapse’ was introduced by:
(a) Lord Wellesley
(b) Lord Dalhousie
(c) Lord Cornwallis
(d) Lord Hastings
Answer: (b) Lord Dalhousie
Q39. Who started the Home Rule Movement in India?
(a) Annie Besant & Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(b) Mahatma Gandhi
(c) Lala Lajpat Rai
(d) Bipin Chandra Pal
Answer: (a) Annie Besant & Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Q40. The Indian Rebellion of 1857 is also called:
(a) First War of Independence
(b) Sepoy Mutiny
(c) Revolt of 1857
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above
Q41. Who was the last ruler of the Pala dynasty?
(a) Madanapala
(b) Devapala
(c) Dharmapala
(d) Gopala
Answer: (a) Madanapala
Q42. The Battle of Panipat (1526) was fought between:
(a) Babur and Ibrahim Lodi
(b) Akbar and Hemu
(c) Ahmad Shah Abdali and Marathas
(d) Mughals and Rajputs
Answer: (a) Babur and Ibrahim Lodi
Q43. The headquarters of the East India Company in India was at:
(a) Bombay
(b) Calcutta
(c) Madras
(d) Delhi
Answer: (b) Calcutta
Q44. Who was the first Indian Governor-General after Lord Mountbatten?
(a) C. Rajagopalachari
(b) Rajendra Prasad
(c) Jawaharlal Nehru
(d) Sardar Patel
Answer: (a) C. Rajagopalachari
Q45. The Maratha Empire was founded by:
(a) Shivaji
(b) Peshwa Bajirao
(c) Mahadji Shinde
(d) Sambhaji
Answer: (a) Shivaji
Q46. Who was the founder of the Mughal dynasty?
(a) Akbar
(b) Babur
(c) Humayun
(d) Aurangzeb
Answer: (b) Babur
Q47. The Durgavati battle was fought against:
(a) Mughals
(b) Afghans
(c) Portuguese
(d) Marathas
Answer: (b) Afghans
Q48. Who was the first Indian woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress?
(a) Sarojini Naidu
(b) Annie Besant
(c) Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit
(d) Indira Gandhi
Answer: (b) Annie Besant
Q49. The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in:
(a) Bombay
(b) Calcutta
(c) Madras
(d) Delhi
Answer: (b) Calcutta
Q50. The founder of the Mauryan Empire was:
(a) Chandragupta Maurya
(b) Ashoka
(c) Bindusara
(d) Harsha
Answer: (a) Chandragupta Maurya
How to crack Important History MCQs?
To crack the important history MCQs, candidates must focus on the frequently asked topics. Given below are some efficient strategies:
- Focus on Frequently Asked Topics
RRB exams have a repetitive pattern. Concentrate on:
- Revolt of 1857
- Indian National Congress and its sessions
- Freedom fighters and their contributions
- British policies and Acts (Regulating Act, Pitt’s India Act, etc.)
- Maurya & Gupta administration
2. Use Timelines
Creating timelines of events helps in remembering dates and sequences. For instance:
| Year | Event |
| 1757 | Battle of Plassey |
| 1857 | Revolt of 1857 |
| 1885 | Formation of Indian National Congress |
| 1919 | Jallianwala Bagh Massacre |
| 1947 | India’s Independence |
3. Practice MCQs Regularly
Attempting mock tests and previous year questions enhances speed and accuracy. Keep a question bank of Important History MCQs for revision.
4. Use Mnemonics
Mnemonics are particularly useful for remembering lists of rulers, events, or movements.
What are the common mistakes candidates make?
Some of the common mistakes candidates make are memorising without context, not revising MCQs regularly, and more. Given below are some of them:
- Memorizing dates without context. Understanding why an event occurred is more effective.
- Ignoring Ancient & Medieval History, focusing only on Modern India. While Modern India has more weightage, Ancient & Medieval questions still appear regularly.
- Not revising MCQs regularly. History requires repetition, as remembering names, dates, and events in isolation is challenging.
FAQs
Important History MCQs are multiple-choice questions that cover key historical events, personalities, and movements relevant to Indian history and world history, frequently asked in RRB NTPC and Group D exams. They help candidates revise concepts quickly and improve accuracy in the General Awareness section.
The most commonly asked history topics include:
Ancient India: Indus Valley Civilisation, Maurya and Gupta Empires, Vedic Period
Medieval India: Mughal Empire, Delhi Sultanate, Bhakti & Sufi Movements
Modern India: Freedom Struggle, Revolt of 1857, Social Reformers, National Movements
World History: French Revolution, World Wars, Industrial Revolution
Practising these MCQs helps in:
Enhancing speed and accuracy for the exam’s multiple-choice format
Identifying recurring questions from previous years
Strengthening conceptual clarity and memory retention
Improving performance in the General Awareness section
The core history topics are mostly the same for both exams. However, NTPC may have slightly more detailed questions due to its broader syllabus, while Group D focuses on essential and frequently asked history questions. Practicing MCQs for both exams ensures better preparation.
Candidates can practice reliable MCQs from:
Oliveboard’s RRB History question banks and mock tests
Previous years’ RRB NTPC and Group D papers
Standard reference books like “Objective History” or “Lucent’s General Knowledge”
Online platforms offering curated RRB history MCQs with explanations
Hello! This is Arijit Dutta. I am a skilled Content Writer at Oliveboard with nearly 3+ years of experience in crafting engaging, informative, and exam-focused content for the Railways Domain. With a strong command of language and a keen understanding of learner needs, I contribute significantly to Oliveboard’s mission of delivering high-quality educational resources. Passionate about clear communication and continuous learning, I consistently create content that helps government job aspirants achieve their goals. Outside of work, I enjoy playing cricket and listening to music, which helps me stay balanced and creative in my professional journey.
