Gandhi Jayanti Quiz: GK Questions and Answers About Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi Jayanti Quiz: Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on October 2 annually. The day marks the 155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi this year. Mahatma Gandhi, popularly known as ‘Father of the Nation’, was the pioneer of non-violent civil disobedience and various peaceful protests and campaigns. Gandhi Jayanti is a reminder of his ideals and his pivotal role in shaping the course of history.

A great way to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti will be attempting a quiz on his life. This quiz includes questions about early life and the various movements Mahatma Gandhi led for India’s independence. 

1. When did Mahatma Gandhi return to India from South Africa?

a) 1918

b) 1910

c) 1915

d) 1905

Ans: (c)

Explanation:  Gandhi Ji permanently returned to India in 1915 and joined the Indian National Congress with Gopal Krishna Gokhale as his mentor.

2. What was the main objective of the non-cooperation movement started by Mahatma Gandhi?

a) Achieving complete independence from British rule

b) Demanding separate electorates for Hindus and Muslims 

c) Promoting communal harmony 

d) Seeking economic reforms only

Ans. (a)

Explanation: The non-cooperation movement aimed to challenge the colonial economic and power structure, and British authorities were forced to take notice of the demands of the independence movement.

3. What happened in 1930 as Gandhi’s Civil Disobedience Movement began? 

a) Jallianwala Bagh massacre 

b) Dandi March (Salt March) 

c) Quit India Movement 

d) Chauri Chaura incident

Ans. (b)

Explanation: On 12th March 1930, Gandhiji set out on a march from Dandi to Sabarmati Ashram. The Salt March marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.

4. How did Gandhi participate in the Khilafat Movement? 

a) He was a prominent leader of the movement 

b) He was against the Khilafat Movement 

c) He played a supportive role in the movement 

d) He had no involvement in the Khilafat Movement

Ans. (a)

Explanation: Mahatma Gandhi supported the movement as part of his opposition to the British Empire, and he also advocated for a wider non-cooperation movement at the same time.

5. Gandhi’s ideology of non-violence and civil disobedience was heavily influenced by the teachings of:

a) Karl Marx 

b) Swami Vivekananda 

c) Jawaharlal Nehru 

d) Henry David Thoreau

Ans. (d)

Explanation: While in jail, Gandhi read the essay “Civil Disobedience” by Henry David Thoreau, a 19th-century American writer. Gandhi adopted the term “civil disobedience” to describe his strategy of non-violently refusing to cooperate with injustice, but he preferred the Sanskrit word satyagraha (devotion to truth).

6. Which renowned resolution was adopted by the Indian National Congress under Gandhi’s leadership in 1929? 

a) Lucknow Session Resolution 

b) Quit India Resolution 

c) Lahore Session Resolution

d) Non-Cooperation Resolution

Ans. (c)

Explanation: During the Lahore Session, the Congress met at Lahore under the presidency of Jawaharlal Nehru In 1929 and declared Purna Swaraj or Complete Independence for India.

7. Which of the following, according to Gandhiji, is an essential principle of Satyagraha?

a) Infinite capacity for suffering

b) Non-violence

c) Truth

d) All the three

Ans: (d)

Explanation: ‘Satyagraha’ is the most important weapon of Gandhiji. It emerged as a weapon of conflict resolution. Gandhi Ji applied satyagraha in the non-violent struggle against exploitation, injustice, and dictatorship.

8. Which one of the following books is the work of Gandhiji?

a) Light of India

b) Hind Swaraj

c) My Experiments with Truth

d) Both B & C

Ans: (d)

Explanation: The Story of My Experiments with Truth is an autobiography of Gandhi Ji. This book covers the life of Gandhi Ji from early childhood through 1921. It was published in his journal Navjivan from 1925 to 1929.

9. Which of the following was the second Satyagraha of Gandhiji in India?

a) Kheda Satyagraha

b) Ahmedabad mill strike

c) Champaran Satyagraha

d) None of the above

Answer: (b)

Explanation: The Ahmedabad Mill Strike, 1918, was the second movement led by Gandhiji in India. The Mill Owners wanted to withdraw the bonus while the workers demanded a 50% wage hike against the 20% offered by the Mill Owners.

10. Who referred to Mahatma Gandhi as ‘Half-naked fakir’?

a) Lord Mountbatten

b) Clement Attlee

c) Ramsay MacDonald

d) Winston Churchill

Answer: (d)

Explanation: Winston Churchill referred to Mohandas Gandhi as the ‘half-naked fakir’ while Gandhi regarded the expression as a compliment.

11. Which movement was known for its emphasis on nonviolent civil disobedience?

a) Quit India Movement 

b) Jallianwala Bagh Massacre 

c) Partition of Bengal

d) Sepoy Mutiny

Ans. (a) 

Explanation: The Quit India Movement, also known as the Bharat Chhodo Andolan, was a movement launched at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee by Mahatma Gandhi on 9 August 1942, during World War II, demanding an end to British rule in India.

12. In which year did Mahatma Gandhi lead the famous Salt March? 

a) 1919 

b) 1930 

c) 1942 

d) 1947

Ans. (b) 

Explanation: The Salt March, also called Dandi March or Salt Satyagraha, was a major nonviolent protest action in India led by Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi in March-April 1930.

13. Who was Mahatma Gandhi’s wife? 

a) Indira Gandhi 

b) Kasturba Gandhi 

c) Rajkumari Amrit Kaur 

d) Sarojini Naidu

Ans. (b)

Explanation: Mahatma Gandhi married his wife, Kasturba, when he was 13. She stayed in India while Gandhi went to London in 1888 to study law and to South Africa in 1893 to practice it.

14. How many children did Mahatma Gandhi have?

a) Two 

b) Three 

c) Four

d) Five

Ans. (c)

Explanation: The Mahatma and Kasturba Gandhi had four children, all sons: Harilal, born in 1888; Manilal, born in 1892; Ramdas, born in 1897; and Devdas, born in 1900.

15. What is Mahatma Gandhi’s full name?

a) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

b) Mohandas Karamchand Gokhale

c) Mohandas Karamchand Patel

d) Mohandas Karamchand Nehru

Ans. (a) 

Explanation: Mahatma Gandhi was born as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on October 2, 1869.

16. Where was Mahatma Gandhi born?

a) Ahmedabad

b) Porbandar

c) Delhi

d) Mumbai

Ans. (b)

Explanation: Gandhi was born in Porbandar, Gujarat, India.

17. Who was the political guru of Mahatma Gandhi?

a) Gopal Krishna Gokhale

b) Bal Gangadhar Tilak

c) Rabindranath Tagore

d) Jawaharlal Nehru

Ans. (a)

Explanation: Gokhale was a significant influence on Gandhi’s political philosophy.

18. What was the name of Mahatma Gandhi’s mother?

a) Putlibai

b) Kasturba

c) Leelawati

d) Sharda Bai

Ans. (a)

Explanation: Putlibai was Gandhi’s mother and had a profound influence on his early life.

19. Which movement aimed at promoting self-reliance among Indians by boycotting foreign goods?

a) Khilafat Movement

b) Swadeshi Movement

c) Non-Cooperation Movement

d) Civil Disobedience Movement

Ans. (b)

Explanation: The Swadeshi Movement encouraged Indians to use domestic products and boycott foreign goods.

20. What significant event took place on January 30, 1948?

a) Gandhi’s birthday

b) Independence Day

c) Gandhi’s assassination

d) Quit India Movement

Ans. (c)

Explanation: Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948.

21. How many children did Mahatma Gandhi have?

a) Two

b) Three

c) Four

d) Five

Ans. (c)

Explanation: Gandhi had four children: Harilal, Manilal, Ramdas, and Devdas.

22. Which newspaper did Mahatma Gandhi start during his time in South Africa?

a) Young India

b) Indian Opinion

c) Harijan

d) Navjeevan

Ans. (b)

Explanation: Indian Opinion was established by Gandhi in South Africa to address issues facing Indian communities there.

23. Where is the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi located?

a) Raj Ghat, New Delhi

b) Sabarmati Ashram, Gujarat

c) Dandi, Gujarat

d) Porbandar, Gujarat

Ans. (a)

Explanation: Raj Ghat is the memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi in New Delhi where he was cremated.

24. What title was given to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi by Rabindranath Tagore?

a) Bapu

b) Mahatma

c) Father of the Nation

d) Sardar

Ans. (b)

Explanation: Rabindranath Tagore first referred to him as “Mahatma,” meaning “Great Soul.”

25. In which year did Gandhiji pass his matriculation examination in England?

a) 1889

b) 1890

c) 1891

d) 1892

Ans. (b)

Explanation: He passed his matriculation examination in England in June 1890 before studying law.

26. What was the primary aim of the Champaran Satyagraha?

a) End British rule

b) Improve farmer conditions

c) Promote education

d) Establish rights for labourers

Ans. (b)

Explanation: The Champaran Satyagraha aimed at addressing the grievances of indigo farmers against oppressive plantation systems.

27. How long did the Dandi March take?

a) 24 days

b) 23 days

c) 25 days

d) 22 days

Ans. (b)

Explanation: The Dandi March took place over 23 days from March 12 to April 6, 1930.

28. Which famous quote is attributed to Mahatma Gandhi regarding non-violence?

a) “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”

b) “Peace is not merely the absence of war.”

c) “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

d) “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Ans. (a)

Explanation: This quote reflects his philosophy on non-violence and its importance for peace.

29. Who were some prominent leaders that worked alongside Mahatma Gandhi during India’s independence struggle?

a) Jawaharlal Nehru

b) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

c) Subhas Chandra Bose

d) All of the above

Ans: (d)

Explanation: Many leaders collaborated with Gandhi during India’s fight for independence against British rule.

30. What was the main reason for Gandhi’s opposition to the British salt tax?

a) Economic burden on poor

b) Environmental concerns

c) Political representation

d) Cultural reasons

Ans. (a)

Explanation: The salt tax disproportionately affected the poor, making it a focal point for Gandhi’s protest against British rule.

31. Which ashram did Gandhi establish in Gujarat?

a) Sabarmati Ashram

b) Sevagram Ashram

c) Birla House

d) Kanyakumari Ashram

Ans. (a)

Explanation: Sabarmati Ashram, established in 1917, became a center for the Indian independence movement.

32. What was Mahatma Gandhi’s stance on the caste system?

a) He supported it

b) He wanted to abolish it

c) He was indifferent

d) He promoted it for social order

Ans. (b)

Explanation: Gandhi advocated for the upliftment of the untouchables and sought to eradicate the caste system.

33. In which year did Mahatma Gandhi first visit South Africa?

a) 1893

b) 1900

c) 1905

d) 1910

Ans. (a)

Explanation: Gandhi went to South Africa in 1893 to work as a legal advisor for an Indian firm.

34. How did Mahatma Gandhi view industrialization?

a) As essential for progress

b) As harmful to society

c) As beneficial for agriculture

d) As irrelevant to India

Ans. (b)

Explanation: Gandhi believed that large-scale industrialization harmed rural communities and promoted consumerism.

35. What was one of Gandhi’s key contributions during World War I?

a) Promoting enlistment of Indians in British Army

b) Leading protests against British policies

c) Establishing peace treaties

d) Supporting Germany

Ans: (a)

Explanation: During WWI, he encouraged Indians to enlist in support of Britain, hoping it would lead to greater autonomy.

36. Which event led to widespread protests and marked a turning point in Indian nationalism?

a) The Rowlatt Act

b) The Government of India Act

c) The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms

d) The Simon Commission

Ans: (a)

Explanation: The Rowlatt Act of 1919 restricted civil liberties and sparked widespread protests across India.

37. Which Indian leader famously disagreed with Gandhiji’s approach towards independence?

a) Jawaharlal Nehru

b) Subhas Chandra Bose

c) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

d) B.R. Ambedkar

Ans: (b)

Explanation: Bose advocated for more direct action against British rule, differing from Gandhi’s non-violent approach.

38. What is celebrated on October 2nd besides Gandhi Jayanti?

a) International Day of Peace

b) World Non-Violence Day

c) World Health Day

d) International Workers’ Day

Ans: (b)

Explanation: October 2nd is recognised globally as the International Day of Non-Violence, promoting peace and tolerance.

39. What did Gandhiji mean by “Ahimsa”?

a) Peaceful coexistence

b) Non-violence

c) Truthfulness

d) Community service

Ans: (b)

Explanation: Ahimsa is the principle of non-violence that Gandhiji practiced and preached throughout his life.

40. What did Gandhiji refer to as “Harijan”?

a) Untouchables

b) Freedom fighters

c) Farmers

d) Women

Ans: (a)

Explanation: Harijan means “children of God” and was used by Gandhiji to refer to those belonging to lower castes.

41. Where did Mahatma Gandhi die?

a) Delhi

b ) Mumbai

c) Kolkata

d) Ahmedabad

Ans: (a)

Explanation: Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated at Birla House (now known as Gandhiji’s Smriti), New Delhi, on January 30, 1948.

42. What does “Sarvodaya” mean, which was central to Gandhian philosophy?a| Universal welfareb| Individual successc| Nationalismd| Economic growthAns|a| Universal welfareExplanation| Sarvodaya means “the welfare of all,” emphasizing holistic development rather than individual gain.

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.