These essential MCQ questions are selected from the most important topics in Bihar state examinations 2026. Sections include Ancient Bihar History, Maurya and Gupta Empires, Nalanda University, Buddhism and Jainism, Freedom Movement, Geography and Current Affairs of Bihar — important for BPSC, Bihar Police, BTET and other state-level competitive examinations. For truely unlimited daily MCQ practice, visit Vooo AI Education.
🏛️ Bihar History & GK
1The capital of Bihar is:
Answer: C — Patna
Patna (ancient Pataliputra) is the capital of Bihar and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It was the capital of the Maurya, Nanda and Gupta Empires. Patna is situated on the southern bank of the Ganga River. It is also a sacred city for Sikhs — Guru Gobind Singh was born here.
Patna (ancient Pataliputra) is the capital of Bihar and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It was the capital of the Maurya, Nanda and Gupta Empires. Patna is situated on the southern bank of the Ganga River. It is also a sacred city for Sikhs — Guru Gobind Singh was born here.
2Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment at:
Answer: C — Bodh Gaya
Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment (Nirvana) at Bodh Gaya in Gaya district of Bihar, under the Bodhi Tree (Peepal tree). The Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, marks this sacred spot. Bodh Gaya is the most important pilgrimage site in Buddhism.
Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment (Nirvana) at Bodh Gaya in Gaya district of Bihar, under the Bodhi Tree (Peepal tree). The Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, marks this sacred spot. Bodh Gaya is the most important pilgrimage site in Buddhism.
3The Nalanda University was a centre of learning during which period?
Answer: B — 5th-12th century CE
Nalanda University (in Nalanda district, Bihar) was one of the greatest centres of learning in the ancient world, flourishing from the 5th to 12th century CE. It attracted students from across Asia including China (Xuanzang), Korea and Southeast Asia. It was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji around 1193 CE.
Nalanda University (in Nalanda district, Bihar) was one of the greatest centres of learning in the ancient world, flourishing from the 5th to 12th century CE. It attracted students from across Asia including China (Xuanzang), Korea and Southeast Asia. It was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji around 1193 CE.
4The founder of Jainism is considered to be:
Answer: A — Mahavira
Vardhaman Mahavira (599-527 BCE) was the 24th and last Tirthankara (spiritual teacher) of Jainism. He was born in Vaishali, Bihar. He propagated the principles of ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth) and asteya (non-stealing). Though Rishabhanatha is considered the first Tirthankara, Mahavira is the founder of modern Jainism.
Vardhaman Mahavira (599-527 BCE) was the 24th and last Tirthankara (spiritual teacher) of Jainism. He was born in Vaishali, Bihar. He propagated the principles of ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth) and asteya (non-stealing). Though Rishabhanatha is considered the first Tirthankara, Mahavira is the founder of modern Jainism.
5Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya Empire with help of:
Answer: B — Chanakya
Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya Empire around 321 BCE with the guidance and political strategy of Chanakya (Kautilya), the author of Arthashastra. Chanakya was a professor at Nalanda/Taxila who mentored Chandragupta to defeat the Nanda dynasty and establish the first pan-Indian empire.
Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya Empire around 321 BCE with the guidance and political strategy of Chanakya (Kautilya), the author of Arthashastra. Chanakya was a professor at Nalanda/Taxila who mentored Chandragupta to defeat the Nanda dynasty and establish the first pan-Indian empire.
6The Champaran Satyagraha of 1917 was led by:
Answer: B — Mahatma Gandhi
The Champaran Satyagraha (1917) in Bihar was Mahatma Gandhi's first civil disobedience movement in India, fighting against the indigo farmers' oppression by British planters. Gandhi's success in Champaran established his leadership in the Indian National Movement. Dr. Rajendra Prasad assisted him in this movement.
The Champaran Satyagraha (1917) in Bihar was Mahatma Gandhi's first civil disobedience movement in India, fighting against the indigo farmers' oppression by British planters. Gandhi's success in Champaran established his leadership in the Indian National Movement. Dr. Rajendra Prasad assisted him in this movement.
7The Vikramshila University was located in present-day:
Answer: C — Bhagalpur
Vikramshila University was a prominent Buddhist university established by Pala King Dharmapala around the 8th century CE in present-day Bhagalpur district, Bihar. Along with Nalanda, it was one of the two most important centres of Buddhist learning in India. It was also destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji in the 12th century.
Vikramshila University was a prominent Buddhist university established by Pala King Dharmapala around the 8th century CE in present-day Bhagalpur district, Bihar. Along with Nalanda, it was one of the two most important centres of Buddhist learning in India. It was also destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji in the 12th century.
8Chhath Puja, a major festival of Bihar, is dedicated to:
Answer: B — Surya (Sun God)
Chhath Puja is a major festival of Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern UP, dedicated to Surya (the Sun God) and his wife Usha. Devotees stand in rivers and offer arghya (water) to the setting and rising sun. It is one of the few festivals in Hinduism where the setting sun is worshipped. It was granted UNESCO heritage status in 2020.
Chhath Puja is a major festival of Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern UP, dedicated to Surya (the Sun God) and his wife Usha. Devotees stand in rivers and offer arghya (water) to the setting and rising sun. It is one of the few festivals in Hinduism where the setting sun is worshipped. It was granted UNESCO heritage status in 2020.
9The Kosi River is called the Sorrow of Bihar because:
Answer: A — It causes frequent floods
The Kosi River is called the Sorrow of Bihar because it frequently changes its course and causes devastating floods. In 2008, the Kosi breached its embankments and shifted eastward by about 100 km, affecting millions. The river originates in Nepal and joins the Ganga near Kursela in Bihar.
The Kosi River is called the Sorrow of Bihar because it frequently changes its course and causes devastating floods. In 2008, the Kosi breached its embankments and shifted eastward by about 100 km, affecting millions. The river originates in Nepal and joins the Ganga near Kursela in Bihar.
10Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, was from:
Answer: D — Jeradei
Dr. Rajendra Prasad was born on 3 December 1884 in Jeradei village in Siwan district, Bihar. He was India's first President, serving from 1950 to 1962 — the only person to have served two full terms. He participated in the Non-Cooperation and Quit India Movements and assisted Gandhi in the Champaran Satyagraha.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad was born on 3 December 1884 in Jeradei village in Siwan district, Bihar. He was India's first President, serving from 1950 to 1962 — the only person to have served two full terms. He participated in the Non-Cooperation and Quit India Movements and assisted Gandhi in the Champaran Satyagraha.
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