Question: Why was the Mughal empire weakened, and less able to prevent the British from expanding their power base in India?
Incorrect Answer
Correct Answer The local rulers, who had previously supported the emerors, were now more powerful, and less likely to support the emperors. They were refusing to pass the taxes they collected on to the emperors. The Persians and Afghans attacked several times, under Shah Durrani and Nadir Shah.
Question: Which Indian cities were the first trading posts for this company?
Incorrect Answer
Correct Answer Bengal was the first area targetted, due to its ideal coastal location, and proximity to the Ganges, which opened up a vast area of potential trade.
Question: What was the name of the company founded in 1600 as a joint stock company, with the intention of trading in India?
Incorrect Answer
Correct Answer The merchants found it too dangerous to trade by themselves, so they got together and agreed to help each other. They began with 219 members.
Question: Who was appointed the Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army in June 2005?
Incorrect Answer
Correct Answer "General Joginder Jaswant Singh assumed charge of the Indian Army, as the 22nd Chief of Army Staff, on 31 January 2005. Hailing from a family of warriors, he is a third generation soldier. His grandfather served in the 1/67 Punjab Regiment during the Second World War and his father, Colonel J.S. Marwah served in the Indian Army from 1943 to 1973 and is also a veteran of the Second World War. Born on 17 September 1945 in Bahawalpur (now in Pakistan), he is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA) and was commissioned into the 9 Maratha Light Infantry on 02 August 1964"
Question: Which is the oldest armoured regiment in the Indian Army?
Incorrect Answer
Correct Answer The President's Bodyguard (PBG), as it is known today, was raised in 1773 at Benares, by then Governor General Warren Hastings, with a strength of 50 picked troopers and horses. This nucleus of the Bodyguard was later augmented by another 50, provided by Raja Chet Singh of Benares, bringing the overall strength of the Bodyguard up to 100 horses and men by the end of that year. The establishment of the Regiment varied through the years, being augmented in times of war and it attained its maximum strength of 1929 all ranks, in the Army List of 1845, just prior to the First Sikh War. The PBG continued to be a select cavalry unit, primarily for the personal and battlefield security of the Governor General. The President's Bodyguard has the unique distinction of being the only military unit in the Indian Army, privileged to carry the President's Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner."
Question: This weapons system was under a cloud of controversy for the greater part of the 1990s costing Rajiv Gandhi the Prime Ministership, on allegations of corruption in the acqisition of these systems. However, the Kargil War in 1999 showed that these weapons systems were actually well worth the trouble. Which was that?
Incorrect Answer
Correct Answer The Bofors gun purchase was shrouded in a huge controversy after the discovery of certain incriminating documents, which purported that Rajiv Gandhi had received kickbacks for making the deal come through. Also implicated, in a trial currently underway, are the British-Asian businessmen, the Hinduja brothers. However, the Kargil saw the effectiveness of the gun proved tremendously, and a tentative order has been placed for more.
Question: Which regiment has the honour of having the most number of Param Vir Chakra (India's highest medal for gallantry) awardees?
Incorrect Answer
Correct Answer The Grenadiers Regiment, one of the oldest regiments of the Indian Army, has had three PVC awardees in its ranks. Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid, 4th Grenadiers was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous) for the Regiment in 1965 and the second recipient to get the Param Vir Chakra was Major Hoshiar Singh, 3rd Grenadiers in 1971. Hoshiar Singh retired as a Colonel from the Army and passed away in 1998. The third recipient of this coveted medal, but certainly not the last, was Grenadier Yogender Singh Yadav, 18th Grenadiers in 1999.
Correct Answer The Punjab regiment is one named after a REGION, the rest are based on CASTE. Among the other regiments based on a region are: Assam Regiment, Rajputana Rifles, Bihar Regiment, etc.
Question: This regiment, raised in 1949, was the first all class regiment, made by combining the senior most battalions of four senior most infantry regiments. It is the most elite regiment of the Indian Army. Which regiment am I referring to?
Incorrect Answer
Correct Answer "The Brigade of the Guards has been accorded the senior position in the infantry and takes rank first in the arm. Punjab, Grenadiers, Rajputana Rifles and Rajput Regiments provided the battalions that started the Guards. Succeeding battalions were raised by direct recruitment. It's battalions have formed part of United Nations forces in Gaza (Middle East) and Angola. In addition to the 19 infantry battalions, the Regiment also has two Territorial Army battalions and one Rashtriya Rifles battalion.
Guards have made a special name for themselves in the Indian Army, by their combat record and excellence in almost all fields of war and peace. Mechanisation of these battalions is likely to be completed, as only four battalions were left in March 1999. The mechanised battalions of the regiment have already acquired BMP-2 ICVs, anti-tank guided missile launchers and other equipment utilised in mechanized forces. The 19 Guards operates anti-tank guided missiles, while four other battalions operate in the Recce & Support role. These four fight right on the border as frontal support units to the main battalions."
