Last Updated on: May 1, 2026

Table of Contents

History of Jammu & Kashmir (UT): 25 MCQs for JKSSB & Competitive Exams

This curated set of questions covers the ancient, medieval, Mughal, Sikh, Dogra, accession, and modern phases of Jammu and Kashmir’s history, ideal for JKSSB and other competitive exam preparation.

Q1. Which ancient kingdom is traditionally associated with the Kashmir Valley according to the Rajatarangini?

(a) Gandhara
(b) Kamboja
(c) Lohara
(d) Karkota

Answer: (d) Karkota

Explanation: The Karkota dynasty (c. 625–855 CE) ruled Kashmir and is prominently described in Kalhana’s historical chronicle, the Rajatarangini.

Q2. Who founded the city of Srinagar?

(a) Ashoka
(b) Pravarasena II
(c) Lalitaditya Muktapida
(d) Zain-ul-Abidin

Answer: (b) Pravarasena II

Explanation: Pravarasena II (6th century CE) is credited with founding Srinagar, originally naming it Pravarapura.

Q3. The Lohara dynasty ruled Kashmir from which approximate period?

(a) 1000–1200 CE
(b) 855–1003 CE
(c) 1200–1320 CE
(d) 1320–1400 CE

Answer: (b) 855–1003 CE

Explanation: The Lohara dynasty succeeded the Utpalas and ruled Kashmir from circa 855 CE until the early 11th century.

Q4. Which Sultan of Kashmir is known as the “Budshah” for his tolerant rule?

(a) Sikandar Butshikan
(b) Zain-ul-Abidin
(c) Haidar Shah
(d) Yusuf Shah Chak

Answer: (b) Zain-ul-Abidin

Explanation: Zain-ul-Abidin (reigned 1420–1470) earned the title “Budshah” (Great King) for his policy of religious tolerance and extensive patronage of arts and culture.

Q5. The Mughal emperor who formally annexed Kashmir into the Mughal Empire was:

(a) Babur
(b) Akbar
(c) Jahangir
(d) Shah Jahan

Answer: (b) Akbar

Explanation: Akbar conquered Kashmir in 1586 after defeating Yusuf Shah Chak, bringing it under direct Mughal administration.

Q6. Which battle marked the end of Afghan rule in Kashmir and the beginning of Sikh control?

(a) Battle of Shopian (1819)
(b) Battle of Attock (1813)
(c) Battle of Sobraon (1846)
(d) Battle of Plassey (1757)

Answer: (a) Battle of Shopian (1819)

Explanation: In July 1819, Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s forces defeated the Afghan governor Jabbar Khan at Shopian, ending Afghan rule in Kashmir.

Q7. The Treaty of Amritsar (1846) transferred the rule of Kashmir to which entity?

(a) British East India Company
(b) Sikh Empire
(c) Gulab Singh Dogra
(d) Maharaja of Patiala

Answer: (c) Gulab Singh Dogra

Explanation: The Treaty of Amritsar (16 March 1846) granted Gulab Singh the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir for a payment of 7.5 million rupees to the British.

Q8. Who was the first Dogra Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir?

(a) Ranbir Singh
(b) Gulab Singh
(c) Pratap Singh
(d) Hari Singh

Answer: (b) Gulab Singh

Explanation: Gulab Singh (ruled 1846–1857) founded the Dogra dynasty after acquiring Kashmir via the Treaty of Amritsar.

Q9. The “Kashmir Pandit Exodus” of 1990 primarily resulted from:

(a) Natural disaster
(b) Economic recession
(c) Insurgency and targeted violence
(d) Land reform policies

Answer: (c) Insurgency and targeted violence

Explanation: Rising militancy and threats against Kashmiri Pandits in early 1990 forced a large-scale migration of the community out of the Valley.

Q10. Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was abrogated in:

(a) 2015
(b) 2018
(c) 2019
(d) 2021

Explanation: On 5 August 2019, the President of India issued the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order 2019, effectively revoking Article 370.

Q11. Which of the following temples is located in the town of Martand, Kashmir?

(a) Shankaracharya Temple
(b) Martand Sun Temple
(c) Kheer Bhawani Temple
(d) Vaishno Devi Temple

Answer: (b) Martand Sun Temple

Explanation: The Martand Sun Temple, built by King Lalitaditya Muktapida (8th century), is situated near Anantnag in the Martand area.

Q12. The “Shalimar Bagh” in Srinagar was laid out during the reign of which Mughal emperor?

(a) Babur
(b) Akbar
(c) Jahangir
(d) Aurangzeb

Answer: (c) Jahangir

Explanation: Emperor Jahangir commissioned the Shalimar Bagh in 1619 as a royal garden for his wife, Nur Jahan.

Q13. Which ruler introduced the “Nawab” system of administration in Kashmir?

(a) Akbar
(b) Jahangir
(c) Shah Jahan
(d) Aurangzeb

Answer: (b) Jahangir

Explanation: Jahangir appointed Nawabs (governors) to administer Kashmir, marking a shift from direct Mughal military rule.

Q14. The “Dogra War Memorial” located in Jammu commemorates the sacrifice of soldiers from which conflict?

(a) Anglo-Sikh Wars
(b) World War I
(c) 1947‑48 Indo‑Pak War
(d) Kargil War

Explanation: The memorial honors Dogra regiment soldiers who fought and died during the 1947‑48 war over Jammu and Kashmir.

Q15. Who was the last ruling Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir before accession to India?

(a) Gulab Singh
(b) Ranbir Singh
(c) Pratap Singh
(d) Hari Singh

Answer: (d) Hari Singh

Explanation: Maharaja Hari Singh ruled from 1925 until he signed the Instrument of Accession on 26 October 1947.

Q16. The Instrument of Accession signed by Hari Singh granted India control over which subjects?

(a) Defence, External Affairs, Communications
(b) Education, Health, Agriculture
(c) Police, Judiciary, Revenue
(d) Trade, Industry, Labour

Answer: (a) Defence, External Affairs, Communications

Explanation: The Instrument of Accession (1947) ceded only defence, external affairs, and communications to the Dominion of India.

Q17. Which movement in the 1930s demanded greater political rights and led to the formation of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference?

(a) Khilafat Movement
(b) Quit India Movement
(c) Kashmir Freedom Movement
(d) Reading Room Party

Answer: (d) Reading Room Party

Explanation: The Reading Room Party (founded 1931) evolved into the All Jammu & Kashmir Muslim Conference and later the National Conference under Sheikh Abdullah.

Q18. Sheikh Abdullah served as the Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir for the first time in:

(a) 1947
(b) 1948
(c) 1950
(d) 1953

Answer: (b) 1948

Explanation: After the accession, Sheikh Abdullah was appointed Prime Minister of the state in March 1948 by Maharaja Hari Singh.

Q19. The “Kashmir Saga” of 1965 refers to:

(a) The Sino‑Indian War
(b) The Indo‑Pak War over Kashmir
(c) The Tashkent Agreement
(d) The Shimla Agreement

Answer: (b) The Indo‑Pak War over Kashmir

Explanation: The 1965 Indo‑Pak War was primarily fought over Kashmir, culminating in the Tashkent Agreement (January 1966).

Q20. Which article of the Indian Constitution was extended to Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, making all central laws applicable?

(a) Article 1
(b) Article 356
(c) Article 360
(d) Article 370 itself (now omitted)

Answer: (a) Article 1

Explanation: After 5 August 2019, the entire Constitution of India (including Article 1 defining the Union) became applicable to Jammu and Kashmir, rendering all central laws enforceable.

Q21. The “Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019” created how many Union Territories?

(a) One
(b) Two
(c) Three
(d) Four

Answer: (b) Two

Explanation: The Act reorganized the former state into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature).

Q22. Which of the following lakes is famous for its floating gardens (rad) in Kashmir?

(a) Dal Lake
(b) Wular Lake
(c) Mansar Lake
(d) Pangong Tso

Answer: (a) Dal Lake

Explanation: Dal Lake’s unique floating gardens, known as “rad,” are cultivated on layers of vegetation and mud.

Q23. The historic site of “Hari Parbat” in Srinagar houses a fort built by which ruler?

(a) Akbar
(b) Shah Jahan
(c) Ata Mohammad Khan (Afghan governor)
(d) Gulab Singh

Answer: (c) Ata Mohammad Khan (Afghan governor)

Explanation: The Hari Parbat Fort was constructed in 1808 by the Afghan governor Ata Mohammad Khan during the Durrani rule.

Q24. The “Kashmir Shawl” industry flourished under the patronage of which Mughal emperor?

(a) Babur
(b) Akbar
(c) Jahangir
(d) Aurangzeb