BPSC (Bihar) - MCQ Practice Questions

The Kosi River, originating in Nepal, is a major tributary of the Ganges and flows through Bihar. It is known as the 'Sorrow of Bihar' due to frequent floods.

Rajgir (Rajagriha) was the capital of the ancient Magadha kingdom, one of the most powerful states in ancient India.

The Mauryan Empire ruled for approximately 137 years (322-185 BCE), with its capital at Pataliputra. Calculation: 322 BCE to 185 BCE = 137 years.

The Mahabharata contains references to Magadha as a powerful and influential kingdom in ancient India, particularly during the Vedic and post-Vedic periods.

Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara and founder of Jainism, was born in Vaishali. The city also held the Second Buddhist Council.

According to the 2011 Census of India, Bihar had a literacy rate of approximately 47%, which is among the lowest in India.

Bhagalpur is renowned for its Tassar silk production and is known as the 'Silk City of India'.

The Sone River forms a boundary between Bihar and Uttar Pradesh for a considerable portion of its course before joining the Ganges.

The Gupta Empire, considered the golden age of India, established control over the Magadha region and Bihar during the 4th-5th century CE under rulers like Chandragupta II.

Nalanda University, at its peak, had approximately 10,000 students and 2,000 faculty members from various parts of Asia, making it a major international center of learning.

Xuanzang (629-645 CE), the Chinese Buddhist scholar and traveler, visited Nalanda University and wrote detailed accounts of the university and its academic excellence.

The ancient kingdom of Anga was located in the eastern part of Bihar, with its capital at Champa. It was mentioned in Vedic and post-Vedic texts.

The Kesaria Stupa, one of the largest stupas in India, was built to commemorate Gautama Buddha and contains important Buddhist relics and archaeological significance.

Bodh Gaya, where Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, is located in the Gaya district of Bihar. The Mahabodhi Temple here is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

# Bihar's Separation from Bengal Presidency

Bihar's administrative separation from Bengal was a significant milestone in India's colonial history, marking the creation of a distinct administrative unit.

Step 1: Understanding the Bengal Presidency Structure

Before 1912, Bihar was part of the larger Bengal Presidency under British rule, which encompassed vast territories across eastern India. The British East India Company and later the British Raj administered these regions as a single administrative unit for centuries.

Step 2: The Administrative Reorganization of 1912

On March 22, 1912, the British colonial administration formally separated Bihar from Bengal Presidency and established it as an independent administrative unit called "Bihar and Orissa" (later renamed Bihar and Odisha). This reorganization was part of the larger Morley-Minto Reforms and administrative efficiency measures undertaken by the British Raj.

The correct answer is (B) March 22, 1912 — the exact date when Bihar was officially separated from Bengal Presidency and constituted as an independent state under colonial administration, paving the way for its modern administrative identity.

Pataliputra (modern-day Patna) was the capital of the Magadha kingdom and later became the capital of the Mauryan Empire. It was one of the largest and most magnificent cities of ancient India.

Mithila region is located in Northern Bihar, covering parts of Darbhanga, Madhubani, and Ranti districts. It is famous for Madhubani or Mithila paintings, a distinctive art form with UNESCO recognition.

Emperor Ashoka, after witnessing the bloodshed in the Kalinga War, embraced Buddhism and made it his mission to spread the religion across Asia through missionaries and edicts inscribed on pillars and rocks.

Madhubani district in Northern Bihar is world-renowned for its traditional Madhubani paintings. These intricate paintings have been recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The Ashoka Pillar at Pataliputra contains the Pillar Edict I, which emphasizes moral and ethical governance. Multiple Ashoka Pillars exist in Bihar, each containing different edicts related to his administration and Buddhist philosophy.