Top GK Questions and Answers on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the eldest son of Shivaji Maharaj, ruled the Maratha Empire from 1681 to 1689. Despite facing political conspiracies and betrayals, he fiercely resisted the forces of the Mughals, the Portuguese, and the Siddis. A skilled warrior and scholar, he made significant contributions to administration and military strategy. He bravely fought against the Mughal invasion led by Aurangzeb. However, he was eventually captured by Aurangzeb, who subjected him to brutal torture. This quiz will test your knowledge about his life, achievements, and legacy.

1. When was Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj born?

a) 1630
b) 1645
c) 1657
d) 1674
Answer: c) 1657
Explanation: Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was born on 14 May 1657 to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Saibai.

2. Who was Sambhaji Maharaj's mother?

a) Soyarabai
b) Tarabai
c) Saibai
d) Yesubai
Answer: c) Saibai
Explanation: Sambhaji Maharaj was the son of Saibai, who passed away when he was just 2 years old.

3. At what age did Sambhaji Maharaj fight his first battle?

a) 10
b) 16
c) 18
d) 21
Answer: b) 16
Explanation: He fought his first battle at Ramnagar at the age of 16, displaying his early military prowess.

4. Which languages was Sambhaji Maharaj fluent in?

a) Marathi and Persian
b) Sanskrit and Persian
c) Marathi, Sanskrit, Persian, and six others
d) Only Marathi
Answer: c) Marathi, Sanskrit, Persian, and six others
Explanation: He was a highly educated ruler, fluent in multiple languages, including Marathi, Sanskrit, Persian, and Portuguese.

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5. In which year did Sambhaji Maharaj become the Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire?

a) 1674
b) 1680
c) 1681
d) 1689
Answer: c) 1681
Explanation: He ascended the throne in 1681 after overcoming conspiracies against him.

6. Who tried to prevent Sambhaji Maharaj from becoming the ruler?

a) Hambirrao Mohite
b) Soyarabai
c) Yesubai
d) Rajaram Maharaj
Answer: b) Soyarabai
Explanation: His stepmother Soyarabai and her supporters attempted to crown Rajaram, but Hambirrao Mohite supported Sambhaji Maharaj.

7. Which commander was key in ensuring Sambhaji Maharaj’s coronation?

a) Ganoji Shirke
b) Hambirrao Mohite
c) Diler Khan
d) Santaji Ghorpade
Answer: b) Hambirrao Mohite
Explanation: Hambirrao Mohite, the Supreme Commander of the Maratha army, played a crucial role in securing Sambhaji Maharaj’s throne.

8. Against which ruler did Sambhaji Maharaj fight for 9 years?

a) Akbar
b) Bahadur Shah
c) Aurangzeb
d) Farrukhsiyar
Answer: c) Aurangzeb
Explanation: Sambhaji Maharaj fiercely fought against Aurangzeb’s Mughal army from 1681 to 1689.

9. What was the main objective of Aurangzeb’s campaign against Sambhaji Maharaj?

a) Expand Mughal rule into the Deccan
b) Ally with Marathas
c) Defend Mughal territories
d) Capture Shivaji Maharaj’s forts
Answer: a) Expand Mughal rule into the Deccan
Explanation: Aurangzeb sought to annex the Maratha Empire and extend Mughal rule into South India.

10. In which year did the Mughals launch an attack on the Nasik-Baglan region?

a) 1674
b) 1681
c) 1684
d) 1686
Answer: b) 1681
Explanation: The Mughal invasion of Nasik-Baglan started in 1681 as part of Aurangzeb’s Deccan campaign.

11. Which major fort did Sambhaji Maharaj successfully defend against the Mughals?

a) Gwalior Fort
b) Rajgad Fort
c) Golconda Fort
d) Chittorgarh Fort
Answer: b) Rajgad Fort
Explanation: Rajgad, Sinhagad, and Purandar were among the forts successfully defended by Maratha forces.

12. How did the Mughals capture some Maratha forts in 1686?

a) Through direct battles
b) Using siege weapons
c) Bribing Maratha commanders
d) Seeking Portuguese support
Answer: c) Bribing Maratha commanders
Explanation: The Mughals resorted to bribery when direct battles failed against Maratha strongholds.

13. Sambhaji Maharaj fought against which European colonial power?

a) British
b) French
c) Portuguese
d) Dutch
Answer: c) Portuguese
Explanation: He opposed Portuguese rule in Goa and actively resisted forced conversions.

14. What did the Portuguese do that angered Sambhaji Maharaj?

a) Trade restrictions on Marathas
b) Mass conversion of Hindus
c) Alliance with the Mughals
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: The Portuguese converted Hindus, destroyed temples, and allied with the Mughals, prompting his resistance.

15. Who betrayed Sambhaji Maharaj, leading to his capture?

a) Dhanaji Jadhav
b) Ganoji Shirke
c) Santaji Ghorpade
d) Bajiprabhu Deshpande
Answer: b) Ganoji Shirke
Explanation: Ganoji Shirke, a relative of Sambhaji Maharaj, betrayed him, leading to his capture by the Mughals.

16. How long was Sambhaji Maharaj tortured before execution?

a) 10 days
b) 20 days
c) 30 days
d) 40 days
Answer: d) 40 days
Explanation: He endured brutal torture for 40 days but refused to convert to Islam.

17. When was Sambhaji Maharaj executed?

a) 11 March 1689
b) 14 May 1687
c) 21 January 1688
d) 30 December 1689
Answer: a) 11 March 1689
Explanation: He was killed by Aurangzeb on 11 March 1689 at Tulapur, near the Bhima River.

18. What was the impact of Sambhaji Maharaj’s execution on the Marathas?

a) They surrendered to Aurangzeb
b) Resistance weakened
c) Marathas intensified their fight
d) Mughal rule strengthened
Answer: c) Marathas intensified their fight
Explanation: His martyrdom inspired greater resistance, leading to the eventual decline of the Mughal Empire.

19. Who continued the Maratha resistance after Sambhaji Maharaj’s death?

a) Shahu Maharaj
b) Rajaram Maharaj and Maharani Tarabai
c) Baji Rao I
d) Balaji Vishwanath
Answer: b) Rajaram Maharaj and Maharani Tarabai
Explanation: Rajaram and Tarabai led the Maratha struggle against the Mughals.

20. What is Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj remembered as?

a) A weak ruler
b) A Mughal ally
c) A symbol of Hindu resistance
d) A peaceful diplomat
Answer: c) A symbol of Hindu resistance
Explanation: His unwavering courage and sacrifice made him a symbol of Hindu resistance against foreign rule.

21. What was one of Sambhaji Maharaj’s major contributions to administration?

a) Introduction of the Mansabdari system
b) Strengthening the Navy
c) Implementation of land reforms
d) Introduction of new taxation policies
Answer: b) Strengthening the Navy
Explanation: Sambhaji Maharaj focused on strengthening the Maratha Navy to counter European and Mughal forces along the coastline.

22. What was the treaty's name between the Mughals and the Marathas before Sambhaji Maharaj’s reign?

a) Treaty of Purandar
b) Treaty of Salbai
c) Treaty of Seringapatam
d) Treaty of Surat
Answer: a) Treaty of Purandar
Explanation: The Treaty of Purandar (1665) was signed between Shivaji Maharaj and Mirza Raja Jai Singh I during Aurangzeb’s rule.

23. Sambhaji Maharaj followed a strict policy against which of the following?

a) Hindu rulers
b) Foreign invasions and forced conversions
c) Trade with European powers
d) Maratha expansion into North India
Answer: b) Foreign invasions and forced conversions
Explanation: He strongly opposed forced religious conversions and foreign powers like the Portuguese and the Mughals.

24. What was the main feature of Maratha's military tactics under Sambhaji Maharaj?

a) Open-field battles
b) Guerrilla warfare
c) Trench warfare
d) Heavy cavalry charges
Answer: b) Guerrilla warfare
Explanation: He continued Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy of using Guerrilla warfare (Ganimi Kawa) against the Mughals and Portuguese.

25. Which book did Sambhaji Maharaj write in Sanskrit?

a) Rajyavyavastha
b) Budhbhushan
c) Shiv Bharat
d) Arthashastra
Answer: b) Budhbhushan
Explanation: Sambhaji Maharaj was a scholar and wrote Budhbhushan, a Sanskrit text focusing on governance and ethics.

26. Sambhaji Maharaj was an expert in which religious texts?

a) Quran and Bible
b) Vedas and Upanishads
c) Tulsidas’ Ramayana
d) Theravada Buddhist texts
Answer: b) Vedas and Upanishads
Explanation: He had a deep knowledge of Hindu scriptures, including the Vedas and Upanishads.

27. What was Sambhaji Maharaj’s stand on religious tolerance?

a) He promoted religious harmony
b) He opposed all non-Hindus
c) He supported only Hindu rule
d) He converted people forcefully
Answer: a) He promoted religious harmony
Explanation: Despite opposing forced conversions by the Mughals and Portuguese, he allowed people of all religions to live peacefully in his empire.

28. Which Mughal prince sought refuge with Sambhaji Maharaj?

a) Jahandar Shah
b) Akbar II
c) Muhammad Azam Shah
d) Prince Akbar
Answer: d) Prince Akbar
Explanation: Aurangzeb’s son, Prince Akbar, rebelled against his father and sought asylum with Sambhaji Maharaj.

29. Which Deccan Sultanate allied with the Mughals against Sambhaji Maharaj?

a) Bijapur
b) Golconda
c) Ahmadnagar
d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer: d) Both (a) and (b)
Explanation: Bijapur and Golconda allied with the Mughals, fearing Maratha expansion.

30. What was the immediate impact of Sambhaji Maharaj’s execution?

a) The Marathas surrendered to the Mughals
b) Aurangzeb gained control over the Deccan
c) Marathas waged an even stronger war
d) The British took control of the Maratha Empire
Answer: c) Marathas waged an even stronger war
Explanation: After Sambhaji Maharaj’s martyrdom, the Marathas intensified their resistance, eventually leading to Mughal decline.