Karnataka General Knowledge / Karnataka GK / Karnataka History / Karnataka Quiz

Karnataka, one of the most culturally vibrant and historically rich states of India, holds a special place in the country’s heritage. Known as the “Land of Sandalwood and Silk,” Karnataka is celebrated for its unique blend of tradition, modernity, natural beauty, and historic significance. For aspirants of competitive exams such as UPSC, KPSC, SSC, Railways, Banking, Defense, and various state-level tests, Karnataka General Knowledge (Karnataka GK) is a highly important subject. A strong understanding of Karnataka’s geography, history, politics, economy, culture, and current affairs not only boosts exam performance but also enhances awareness of the state’s glorious legacy.

Karnataka History

The history of Karnataka is both ancient and diverse. It has witnessed the rise and fall of several powerful dynasties such as the Mauryas, Satavahanas, Kadambas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara Empire, and Wodeyars of Mysore. The architectural marvels like Hampi, Belur, and Halebidu stand as testimony to the state’s rich past. Karnataka was also a hub of education and spirituality, with scholars like Basavanna, Madhvacharya, and Purandara Dasa contributing immensely to philosophy, literature, and Bhakti traditions. The British colonial period and the later unification of Karnataka in 1956 shaped the modern state as we know it today.

Geography and Economy

Geographically, Karnataka is blessed with diversity, ranging from the lush Western Ghats and the Deccan Plateau to the serene coastal plains. The state is famous for its rivers like the Cauvery, Krishna, and Tungabhadra which are crucial for agriculture. Karnataka is also India’s leading producer of coffee, silk, and sandalwood. Bengaluru, the capital city, is globally recognized as the “Silicon Valley of India” due to its booming IT and startup ecosystem. The economy thrives on industries like information technology, biotechnology, aerospace, agriculture, and tourism.

Culture and Heritage

Karnataka’s cultural identity is enriched by its language Kannada, which is one of the classical languages of India. The state is known for its festivals like Ugadi, Mysuru Dasara, Kambala, and Yakshagana performances. Music and dance also play a central role, with Carnatic music legends and Bharatanatyam artists contributing to India’s artistic heritage. Food traditions such as Bisi Bele Bath, Mysore Pak, and Ragi Mudde add to the culinary charm of Karnataka.

Karnataka GK and Quiz for Exams

To prepare for competitive exams, Karnataka GK and Karnataka Quiz cover topics like:

• Karnataka’s history, geography, and polity
• Current affairs and government schemes
• Economy and major industries
• Arts, culture, and festivals
• Tourist places and UNESCO heritage sites

Practicing Karnataka quizzes helps aspirants test their knowledge, identify weak areas, and improve accuracy in exams. A well-structured approach to Karnataka GK not only ensures success in examinations but also develops pride in Karnataka’s cultural and historical legacy.

1. In which year the Mysore State was renamed as Karnataka

(A) 1968
(B) 1971
(C) 1973
(D) 1975

Correct Answer: (C) 1973

2. Which one is not a tributary of Kaveri River

(A) Hemavati
(B) Shimsha
(C) Arkavati
(D) Bhima

Correct Answer: (D) Bhima

3. In which district the Hampi Monuments are located

(A) Bellary
(B) Hassan
(C) Mysore
(D) Udupi

Correct Answer: (A) Bellary

4. Total number of districts in Karnataka

(A) 25
(B) 28
(C) 30
(D) 35

Correct Answer: (C) 30

5. Jog Falls which is one of the highest waterfalls in India, is created by

(A) Sharavati River
(B) Kaveri River
(C) Tunga River
(D) Mandovi River

Correct Answer: (A) Sharavati River

6. Who is the longest serving Chief Minister of Karnataka

(A) R. Gundu Rao
(B) S. R. Bommai
(C) D. Devaraj Urs
(D) Ramakrishna Hegde

Correct Answer: (C) D. Devaraj Urs

7. For which book, Kuvempu wins the Jnanpith Award in 1967

(A) Naku Thanthi
(B) Sri Ramayana Darshanam
(C) Mookajjiya Kanasugalu
(D) Bharatha Sindhu Rashmi

Correct Answer: (B) Sri Ramayana Darshanam

8. Total number of National Park in Karnataka

(A) 3
(B) 4
(C) 5
(D) 7

Correct Answer: (C) 5

9. In which district, the Bandipur National Park is located

(A) Tumakuru district
(B) Dharwad district
(C) Vijayapura district
(D) Chamarajanagar district

Correct Answer: (D) Chamarajanagar district

10. In which year, Bandipur National Park was established as a tiger reserve forest

(A) 1970
(B) 1972
(C) 1974
(D) 1978

Correct Answer: (C) 1974

11. When the first Anglo Mysore War was fought

(A) 1762
(B) 1767
(C) 1780
(D) 1785

Correct Answer: (B) 1767

12. Who was the Governor of India when the fourth Anglo-Mysore war was fought

(A) Lord Wellesley
(B) Lord Cornwallis
(C) Lord Minto
(D) Lord Hastings

Correct Answer: (A) Lord Wellesley

13. The Bangalore University was established in the year

(A) 1872
(B) 1886
(C) 1890
(D) 1896

Correct Answer: (B) 1886

14. Who was the king of France when ambassadors of Tipu Sultan visit the country

(A) Henry IV
(B) Louis XV
(C) Louis XVI
(D) Sigismund II

Correct Answer: (C) Louis XVI

15. Who was the first person to received Bharat Ratna award from Karnataka

(A) Girish Karnad
(B) C.N.R. Rao
(C) Bhimsen Joshi
(D) Visvesvaraya

Correct Answer: (D) Visvesvaraya

16. Which one is a east flowing river in Karnataka

(A) Aghanashini River
(B) Tunga River
(C) Varahi River
(D) Gurupura River

Correct Answer: (B) Tunga River

17. Which one is the first Kannada movie

(A) Gubbi Veeranna
(B) Bhakta Dhruva
(C) Sati Sulochana
(D) Pandaribai

Correct Answer: (C) Sati Sulochana

18. First person from Karnataka to received Bharat Ratna award

(A) C.N.R. Rao
(B) Bhimsen Joshi
(C) Visvesvaraya
(D) Shakuntala Devi

Correct Answer: (C) Visvesvaraya

19. The Hampi city is located on the bank of which river

(A) Tungabhadra River
(B) Kabini River
(C) Malaprabha River
(D) Kaveri River

Correct Answer: (A) Tungabhadra River

20. In which year, the Group of Monuments at Hampi are included in the World Heritage Site

(A) 1972
(B) 1978
(C) 1982
(D) 1986

Correct Answer: (D) 1986

21. Who is known as the founder of Vijayanagara Empire

(A) Bukka Raya I
(B) Harihara I
(C) Ramachandra Raya
(D) Deva Raya II

Correct Answer: (B) Harihara I

22. Who was the first Chief Minister of Karnataka

(A) K. Hanumanthaiah
(B) S. Nijalingappa
(C) Veerendra Patil
(D) K. Chengalaraya Reddy

Correct Answer: (D) K. Chengalaraya Reddy

23. Who had wrote the poem book Kavitavatara

(A) Govinda Pai
(B) Masti Venkatesh Iyengar
(C) B. M. Srikantaiah
(D) D. R. Bendre

Correct Answer: (A) Govinda Pai

24. Who had written the first Kannada-English dictionary

(A) Hermann Gundert
(B) Hermann Mogling
(C) Ferdinand Kittel
(D) None of the above

Correct Answer: (C) Ferdinand Kittel

25. The Gol Gumbaz is located in the city

(A) Davangere
(B) Raichur
(C) Gulbarga
(D) Bijapur

Correct Answer: (D) Bijapur

26. The Chennakesava Temple in Somanathapura is an example of __________ architecture

(A) Rashtrakuta
(B) Badami
(C) Hoysala
(D) Chalukya

Correct Answer: (C) Hoysala

27. Which day is celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava

(A) 1st October
(B) 16th October
(C) 1st November
(D) 3rd November

Correct Answer: (C) 1st November

28. Which are the two colours that used in Kannada Flag

(A) Yellow and Red
(B) Red and White
(C) Green and Black
(D) Orange and Yellow

Correct Answer: (A) Yellow and Red

29. In which year, the Kannada Sahitya Parishat was established

(A) 1902
(B) 1915
(C) 1922
(D) 1935

Correct Answer: (B) 1915

30. Who was the first President of Kannada Sahitya Parishat

(A) R. Narasimhachar
(B) Karpura Srinivasa Rao
(C) P. G. Halakatti
(D) H. V. Nanjundaiah

Correct Answer: (D) H. V. Nanjundaiah

31. Who had written the book "Kavirajamarga"

(A) Amoghavarsha I
(B) Adikavi Pampa
(C) Nagavarma I
(D) Chavundaraya II

Correct Answer: (A) Amoghavarsha I

32. Who had written the mathematical book "Ganita-sara-samgraha"

(A) Jinasena
(B) Virasena
(C) Shakatayan
(D) Mahaviracharya

Correct Answer: (D) Mahaviracharya

33. Who is the first person to received the Jnanpith Award for the Kannada language

(A) K. Shivaram Karanth
(B) Kuvempu
(C) V. K. Gokak
(D) Girish Karnad

Correct Answer: (B) Kuvempu

34. Srinivasa was the pen name of which famous author

(A) M.V. Iyengar
(B) Kuvempu
(C) U. R. Ananthamurthy
(D) K. Shivaram Karanth

Correct Answer: (A) M.V. Iyengar

35. Who was the founder of the Rashtrakuta Empire

(A) Krishna I
(B) Dantidurga
(C) Indra III
(D) Amoghavarsha I

Correct Answer: (B) Dantidurga

36. Which one is known as the Silk Town of Karnataka

(A) Belgaum
(B) Ramanagara
(C) Chamarajanagara
(D) Channapattana

Correct Answer: (B) Ramanagara

37. In which year, the National Games of India was first held in Bangalore

(A) 1962
(B) 1966
(C) 1970
(D) 1974

Correct Answer: (B) 1966

38. Badami, the second capital of the early Chalukyas was formerly known as

(A) Vatapi
(B) Aihole
(C) Belur
(D) Halebid

Correct Answer: (A) Vatapi

39. Who was defeated and killed in the Fourth Mysore war at Srirangapattanam

(A) Tippu Sultan
(B) Hyder Ali
(C) Nizam-ud-daulah
(D) Syyad Brothers

Correct Answer: (A) Tippu Sultan

40. Karnataka was formed in 1956 on the basis of the report of

(A) JVP Committee
(B) Wanchoo Committee
(C) Fazal Ali Commission
(D) S.K. Dhar Committee

Correct Answer: (C) Fazal Ali Commission

41. Karnataka's share in the total geographical area of India is

(A) 3.53 percent
(B) 5.85 percent
(C) 6.35 percent
(D) 8.36 percent

Correct Answer: (B) 5.85 percent

42. The first village which declared independence in Karnataka was

(A) Shivapura
(B) Vidhurashwatha
(C) Esuru
(D) Kitturu

Correct Answer: (C) Esuru

43. Chennakesava temple at Belur is a _____________ temple

(A) Trikuta
(B) Ekakuta
(C) Dwikuta
(D) Chatushkuta

Correct Answer: (B) Ekakuta

44. Adikavi Pampa was a court poet of Chalukya King __________

(A) Narasimha II
(B) Arikesari II
(C) Vagaraja
(D) Yuddhamalla III

Correct Answer: (B) Arikesari II

45. Who had written the epic "Varadhamanapurana"

(A) Nagavarma II
(B) Ranna
(C) Chamundaraya
(D) Sri Ponna

Correct Answer: (A) Nagavarma II

46. Who was the first to win Sahitya Akademi Award for Kannada

(A) Kuvempu
(B) R. S. Mugali
(C) D. R. Bendre
(D) V. K. Gokak

Correct Answer: (A) Kuvempu

47. In which year the Government of Karnataka decorated Kuvempu with "Rashtrakavi"

(A) 1956
(B) 1957
(C) 1958
(D) 1959

Correct Answer: (C) 1958

48. Which one is the state animal of Karnataka

(A) Asian elephant
(B) Bear
(C) Deer
(D) Squirrel

Correct Answer: (A) Asian elephant

49. Kempe Gowda I is considered as the founder of ___________ city

(A) Davanagere
(B) Belgaum
(C) Mysore
(D) Bangalore

Correct Answer: (D) Bangalore

50. Total number of wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka is

(A) 12
(B) 18
(C) 22
(D) 25

Correct Answer: (B) 18

51. Which Hoysala king assumed the title "Establisher of the Chola Kingdom" and "Emperor of the south"

(A) Narasimha I
(B) Veera Ballala II
(C) Vira Narasimha II
(D) Narasimha III

Correct Answer: (B) Veera Ballala II

52. The provinces of the Vijayanagara Empire were called as

(A) Samstanas
(B) Rajyas
(C) Deshas
(D) Prantas

Correct Answer: (B) Rajyas

53. In terms of princely hierarchy in colonial India, the status of Mysore was of a

(A) Seventeen-gun salute state
(B) Nineteen-gun salute state
(C) Twenty-one-gun salute state
(D) Thirty-one-gun salute state

Correct Answer: (C) Twenty-one-gun salute state

54. Who auctioned salt at Belgaum and broke the Salt Law in April 1930

(A) Karnad Sadashiva Rao
(B) R.R. Diwakar
(C) Hanumantha Rao Kaujalagi
(D) Gangadhar Rao Deshpande

Correct Answer: (D) Gangadhar Rao Deshpande

55. Mappila rebellion was related to

(A) Tribal discontent
(B) Nationalist discontent
(C) Soldiers discontent
(D) Peasant discontent

Correct Answer: (D) Peasant discontent

56. One of the sanctuaries of Karnataka which has been taken out of the Tiger Conservation Programme is

(A) Bandipur National Park
(B) Anshi National Park
(C) Nagarhole National Park
(D) Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

Correct Answer: (A) Bandipur National Park

57. The town administration during the period of Satavahanas was in the hands of

(A) Nigama Sabha
(B) Agama Sabha
(C) Samithi
(D) Vidatha

Correct Answer: (A) Nigama Sabha

58. "Gagan Mahal" is an Architectural Glory ascribed to

(A) Qutub Shahis
(B) Nizam Shahis
(C) Barid Shahis
(D) Adil Shahis

Correct Answer: (D) Adil Shahis

59. The Jog fall is located on the river

(A) Sharavati
(B) Cauvery
(C) Krishna
(D) Godawari

Correct Answer: (A) Sharavati

60. The Battle of Talikota was fought in the year

(A) 1556
(B) 1561
(C) 1565
(D) 1569

Correct Answer: (C) 1565

61. Which dynasty was ruling in the Vijaynagar empire at the time of the Battle of Talikota

(A) Sangam
(B) Aniridu
(C) Tuluva
(D) Saluva

Correct Answer: (C) Tuluva

62. Monuments at Pattadakal was built by which dynasty

(A) Chola
(B) Chalukya
(C) Chera
(D) Pallava

Correct Answer: (B) Chalukya

63. The military department under the Vijayanagara was called as

(A) Attavana
(B) Kandachara
(C) Dandavinita
(D) Amaranayaka

Correct Answer: (B) Kandachara

64. The Persian ambassador Abdur Razak visited the court of

(A) Deva Raya I
(B) Deva Raya II
(C) Narasanayaka
(D) Saluva-Narasimha

Correct Answer: (B) Deva Raya II

65. C.V. Rangacharlu was the Diwan of Mysore during the time of

(A) Jayachamarajendra Odeyar
(B) Chamaraj Odeyar
(C) Krishnaraj Odeyar
(D) Krishnaraja Odeyar-III

Correct Answer: (B) Chamaraj Odeyar

66. Alamatti Dam in Bijapur is also known as

(A) Indira Gandhi dam
(B) Mahatma Gandhi dam
(C) Vallabhbhai Patel dam
(D) Lal Bahadur Shastri dam

Correct Answer: (D) Lal Bahadur Shastri dam

67. Nanjangud is on the bank of River

(A) Kapila
(B) Cauvery
(C) Hemavathi
(D) Harangi

Correct Answer: (A) Kapila

68. Nanjangud is on the bank of River

(A) Kapila
(B) Cauvery
(C) Hemavathi
(D) Harangi

Correct Answer: (A) Kapila

69. Who was the first woman speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly

(A) Motamma
(B) Margaret Alva
(C) K.S. Nagarathnamma
(D) None of these

Correct Answer: (C) K.S. Nagarathnamma

70. ‘Samskara’ and ‘Avasthe’ are famous Kannada literary works written by

(A) Masti Venkatesha Iyengar
(B) U.R. Ananthamurthy
(C) Shivarama Karantha
(D) S.L. Byrappa

Correct Answer: (B) U.R. Ananthamurthy

71. Who is also known as the "Kabaddi Queen" of Karnataka

(A) V. Tejaswini
(B) Mamatha Poojari
(C) Jayanthi Singh
(D) Sushmitha Pawar

Correct Answer: (B) Mamatha Poojari

72. Which one is the oldest known Kannada language inscription in the Kannada script

(A) Malavalli inscription
(B) Allahabad inscription
(C) Talagunda inscription
(D) Halmidi inscription

Correct Answer: (D) Halmidi inscription

73. Under whose leadership the unification of Karnataka started

(A) Alur Venkata Rao
(B) Hanumantha Rao Kaujalagi
(C) Karnad Sadashiva Rao
(D) Kolachalam Venkata Rao

Correct Answer: (A) Alur Venkata Rao

74. The first hydro-electric power generating station in Karnataka

(A) Kodasalli
(B) Gerusoppa
(C) Shivanasamudra
(D) Linganamakki

Correct Answer: (C) Shivanasamudra

75. The first Iron and Steel Industry of Karnataka was established at

(A) Mysore
(B) Bhadravati
(C) Bandigudda
(D) Bellary

Correct Answer: (B) Bhadravati

76. Who is also known as the "Grand old man of Mysore"

(A) D.V. Gundappa
(B) R.R. Diwakar
(C) M. Venkatakrishnaiah
(D) Siddavanahalli Krishna Sharma

Correct Answer: (C) M. Venkatakrishnaiah

77. Who was the director of the movie "Naandi" released in 1964

(A) Puttanna Kanagal
(B) Siddalingaiah
(C) N. Lakshminarayan
(D) G.V. Iyer

Correct Answer: (C) N. Lakshminarayan

78. Who is known as the father of Carnatic Music

(A) Kanakadasa
(B) Purandaradasa
(C) Raghavanka
(D) Sarvagna

Correct Answer: (B) Purandaradasa

79. Which is the highest peak in Karnataka

(A) Nandi hills
(B) Chamundi hills
(C) Western hills
(D) Mullayanagiri

Correct Answer: (D) Mullayanagiri

80. Which place in Karnataka is known as ‘Granary of Togari(toor)'

(A) Bijapur
(B) Gulbarga
(C) Gadag
(D) Bidar

Correct Answer: (B) Gulbarga

81. Whose rule has been considered as the ‘Golden Age of Music’ in Karnataka

(A) Krishnaraja Wodeyar III
(B) Chamarajendra Wodeyar
(C) Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV
(D) Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar

Correct Answer: (C) Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV

82. Name the author of Modern Mysore which was published in the year 1936

(A) Janaki Nair
(B) M. Shama Rao
(C) C.H. Rao
(D) P. Ramachandra Rao

Correct Answer: (B) M. Shama Rao

83. Which of the following ruler shifted his capital from Mangalavada to Kalyana

(A) Bijjala II
(B) Someshwara-I
(C) Sovideva
(D) Vikramaditya-VI

Correct Answer: (A) Bijjala II

84. The peacock wildlife sanctuary is located at

(A) Malai Mahadeswara
(B) Adichunchangiri
(C) Rangantittu
(D) Brahmagiri

Correct Answer: (B) Adichunchangiri

85. Which of the following kings assumed the title of “Talakadugonda”

(A) Vira Someshwara
(B) Vishnuvardhana
(C) Veera Ballala II
(D) Kulothunga Chola III

Correct Answer: (B) Vishnuvardhana

86. Mention the work of Bhaskara II which deals extensively with epicyclic-eccentric theories for planetary motions

(A) Rugvinishchaya
(B) Lilavati
(C) Panchasiddhantika
(D) Siddhantashiromani

Correct Answer: (D) Siddhantashiromani

87. Which one place of Karnataka is also known as the "The Cherrapunji of the South"

(A) Kemmannugundi
(B) Mulabagilu
(C) Agumbe
(D) Madikeri

Correct Answer: (C) Agumbe

88. Who is considered as the 'Father of Carnatic Music'

(A) Tyagaraja
(B) Shyama Sastri
(C) Purandara Dasa
(D) Muthuswami Dikshitar

Correct Answer: (C) Purandara Dasa

89. The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi was built under the ruler

(A) Deva Raya II
(B) Ramachandra Raya
(C) Virupaksha Raya II
(D) Venkata III

Correct Answer: (A) Deva Raya II

90. The Romans tradings with South India during the Sangam age built the temple of Augustus at

(A) Puhar
(B) Arikamedu
(C) Muziris
(D) Uraiyur

Correct Answer: (C) Muziris

91. Balkrishna Temple built by Krishnadevaraya to commemorate his victory over

(A) Orissa
(B) Kerala
(C) Goa
(D) Bijapur

Correct Answer: (A) Orissa

92. Which of the following was written by Krishna Devaraya in Sanskrit

(A) Bhaga-vatha
(B) Amuktamalyada
(C) Veera-saivamruta
(D) Madalasa Charita

Correct Answer: (D) Madalasa Charita

93. Tipu Sultan planted the ‘Tree of Liberty’ at Srirangapatnam in the year

(A) 1793
(B) 1794
(C) 1795
(D) 1796

Correct Answer: (B) 1794

94. Who wrote the first Kannada drama ‘Mitravinda Govinda’

(A) Lakshmisha
(B) Mahalingaranga
(C) Singararya
(D) Tirumalaraya

Correct Answer: (C) Singararya