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The city of Amritsar was earlier known as:
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Answer: Option C — Ramdaspur
Detailed Solution
Amritsar was earlier known as "Ramdaspur" (also "Chak Ram Das" or "Guru ka Chak"), after Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, who founded the city.
History of Amritsar:
In 1574, Guru Ram Das founded the town. Land for the settlement was obtained during the time of Guru Amar Das (the third Guru); according to some accounts, the Mughal emperor Akbar granted land to the Guru's family.
Guru Ram Das began the excavation of a holy tank (pool), which came to be called "Amrit Sarovar" ("pool of nectar").
The city later took its name from this tank: "Amritsar" ("pool of nectar").
Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Guru, completed the tank and built the "Harmandir Sahib" (Golden Temple) in the middle of it. Its foundation stone is traditionally said to have been laid by the Sufi saint Mian Mir of Lahore in 1588.
In 1604, Guru Arjan Dev installed the "Adi Granth" (the first version of the Guru Granth Sahib) in the Harmandir Sahib.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh covered the upper part of the Harmandir Sahib with gold in the early 19th century; hence it came to be called the "Golden Temple".
Important events in Amritsar:
1606: Guru Hargobind founded the Akal Takht.
13 April 1919: the "Jallianwala Bagh massacre", in which British troops under General Reginald Dyer fired on a peaceful gathering on Baisakhi day, killing hundreds. Rabindranath Tagore returned his knighthood in protest.
1984: Operation Blue Star.
Other facts about Amritsar:
- The "Wagah-Attari border", about 30 km away, hosts the daily "Beating Retreat" ceremony between the Indian BSF and the Pakistan Rangers.
- It is famous for "Amritsari kulcha" and phulkari embroidery.
- The "Partition Museum" (2017) is located in the Town Hall.
- Its airport is named "Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport".
Other Sikh cities and their founders:
- Kartarpur (Pakistan): founded by Guru Nanak in 1504.
- Goindwal Sahib: founded by Guru Amar Das (Baoli Sahib).
- Tarn Taran: founded by Guru Arjan Dev (1590); has the largest gurdwara tank.
- Kiratpur Sahib: founded by Guru Hargobind.
- Anandpur Sahib: founded by Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1665 (as "Chakk Nanaki").
Why not the other options?
- ✗Lahore is a separate city, now in Pakistan.
- ✗Anandpur was founded by Guru Tegh Bahadur.
- ✗Kartarpur was founded by Guru Nanak.
Quick tip
Remember: Amritsar = earlier Ramdaspur (founded 1574 by Guru Ram Das; name from "Amrit Sarovar"); Harmandir Sahib built by Guru Arjan Dev; Adi Granth installed 1604; Jallianwala Bagh = 13 April 1919; Anandpur Sahib = Guru Tegh Bahadur (1665).
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Sikh Gurus & Maratha Empire — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Sikh Gurus & Maratha Empire, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers the ten Sikh Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to Guru Gobind Singh, and their contributions, the rise of the Sikh state under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and the Maratha Empire from Shivaji to the Peshwas, including Maratha administration and the Anglo-Maratha wars. Questions often ask which Guru compiled the Adi Granth (Guru Arjan Dev), founded the Khalsa (Guru Gobind Singh, 1699) or introduced the Gurmukhi script (Guru Angad Dev). On the Marathas, expect questions on Shivaji's Ashtapradhan council, his coronation at Raigad in 1674, the Peshwas, and the Third Battle of Panipat (1761). Practise the Sikh Gurus and Maratha Empire questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.