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Round 34
Questions Answered User Name Questions Asked
5 Admishra 6
5 Abeer.ag 1
3.50 Godof86 4
2 rueben_lys 2
2 Gautham787 2
2 SBC-YPR 1 (started the round)
1.67 VasuVR 2
1.33 Arjun 1
1 Amondal 1
1 Dwaipayan 0
0.50 Gurubrahma 0
0 Su_hit 5

Round 34

Q1

Okay, here's an easy one to start off the next round. In 1995, a State chief minister A made a significant telephone call to a Union cabinet minister B, where the latter is reported to have said, inter alia, "this is the most revolutionary step in this country". Identify A, B and the significance of the telephone call. Regards, SBC-YPR (talk) 13:05, 29 July 2009 (UTC)

Sukhram to Jyoti Basu? First call on a mobile phone. Abeer.ag (talk) 13:13, 29 July 2009 (UTC)
Actually Jyoti Basu to Sukh Ram, but I'll accept it :-) The baton's yours, Abeer! Regards, SBC-YPR (talk) 13:34, 29 July 2009 (UTC)
I don't have a question ready. Could someone else ask one in lieu of me?Thanks Abeer.ag (talk) 13:40, 29 July 2009 (UTC)

Q2

Okay here we go- X was started due to a geo-political/ economic condition in early half of 19th century. Its first edition got completed around 1850s. Presently its around 10 times the original size. The main person Y associated with the idea of X is also known for his work in a different field, where his contributions are significant as well.Y earned a title for the work X, and further honoured by being included in a select group of individuals who had significant role to play in history of India. Identify X & Y. - Admishra (talk) 15:34, 29 July 2009 (UTC)

X is the Indian Railways, I am guessing Y indicates George Turnbull- called the "First railway engineer of India"- or less likely, Charles Blacker Vignoles? rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 15:46, 29 July 2009 (UTC)
I personally like Rueben's answer more, but let me hazard another guess. The Indian Census, and William Chichele Plowden. -Godof86 (talk) 16:02, 29 July 2009 (UTC)
Well neither of these! Hints coming up, if required -Admishra (talk) 16:07, 29 July 2009 (UTC)
Mea culpa. This is better. X = The list of Asiatic birds / Ornithological studies. Y = Allan Octavian Hume.Godof86 (talk) 16:09, 29 July 2009 (UTC)
I must say- brilliant attempt Godof86, but unfortunately not what I am looking for.
As a hint, lets just say that in the first review of X, by an independent person Z, glaring mistakes were identified in X, and some of them still remain (despite being correctly pointed out) -Admishra (talk) 16:32, 29 July 2009 (UTC)
Great Trigonometrical Survey of India by George Everest or William Lambton? Abeer.ag (talk) 19:03, 29 July 2009 (UTC)
I'm afraid, not him either. I doubt there was a review for either of these works, or for that matter any glaring mistakes were found in these. Anyways, to simply matters further:-
The same person Z, was the first to propose (and infact start) a work in the same year Y was included in the high profile group. That idea of Z, is still unfulfilled, and was supposedly amongst the items of highest priority to be considered by Govt of India in recent past. The same geo-political/economic condition apply today for this work to be taken up now as they existed in early 19th century.-Admishra (talk) 04:06, 30 July 2009 (UTC)
Another hint? Godof86 (talk) 01:25, 31 July 2009 (UTC)
Okay- these shall be giveaway hints in combination-
Clue 3:The high profile group, which Y was honorably asked to join, still exists with a different name, and in a slightly different avatar. The present avatar came into existence at the end of WW-I, and the present name was given to it in 1952.
Clue 4: The person Z's offspring was embroigled in a major scientific- religious battle by virtue of a claim that was challenged vigourously but still continues to be used by modern day religious factions.
Clue 5: The person Z was apparently chosen into his profession because he was able to identify something when asked to sleep, which none of his competitors could do
Clue 6: Y, in his other famous field of work, accompanied an illustrious person who is supposed to have given the modern theory in a field, which is also linked to the controversy mentioned in clue 4. Both Y and this person were given the highest honour given by a very prestigious institution, for their work in India. This honour is different from the one which Y received for X. The same illustrious person is supposed to be responsible indirectly for the start of something in which an Indian company now happens to be the market leader worldwide.
I hope people do solve it soon, becs I am going to be out of town for 3 days in 4 hours from now! I'd post another set of clues in 2 hrs time, in case someone is not able to crack it by then -Admishra (talk) 05:15, 31 July 2009 (UTC)
What- No attempts as yet? Please do shout if any further links are needed, though I feel the aforementioned clues should be enough for someone to crack this one.-Admishra (talk) 06:11, 4 August 2009 (UTC)
Admishra, I think the clues have only complicated the matter further instead of simplifying it. Regards, SBC-YPR (talk) 09:53, 4 August 2009 (UTC)
Well, didn't see it that ways, but in any case, I hope this resolves it once and for all - ::Clue 7: The elite group of people which has been mentioned here has had two types of members since the year Y joined it. There are exactly 12 members of the similar type in that elite group today as the type of Y when he joined it. The total overall strength of this elite group has fluctuated with times between 3 and 250.
Clue 8: Y's name is also indeliably linked with one of the prestigious institutions in the area where he carried out the work X
Clue 9: The illustrious person in clue 6, is also credited with introducing something for its use against an enormous public health problem (potentially the root cause behind single largest natural selection trait in human beings). That something is supposed to have traits like anti-inflammatory,anti-depressent, anti-spasmatic, along with the most common trait which led to its use against the public health problem. - Admishra (talk) 11:17, 4 August 2009 (UTC)
I can see some light at the end of the tunnel now. Just another clue, please - were Y and Z Indian citizens or foreigners working/living in India? Regards, SBC-YPR (talk) 13:18, 4 August 2009 (UTC)
Is the person Major General Sahib Singh Sokhey? He was the Director of the Haffkine Institute, Bombay. He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President in 1952. He carried out work on Vaccine research etc. --Arjun (talk) 06:20, 5 August 2009 (UTC)
This may be totally off the track, but let's see - -

X - Ancient Monuments and Sites of India as decided by the Archaeological Survey Of India
Y - Alexander Cunningham
Z - Howard Carter ? James Prinsep? Anything to do with the curse of the pharaohs
The Group - Archaeological Survey of India
If the Title - the star of India? Was given to Cunningham, and not too many others.
Does this have anything to do with the Mohenjo-Daro / Harappa Indus Valey Civilization, and the seals etc?
I am going all over the place here, amn't I? - Godof86 (talk) 08:25, 5 August 2009 (UTC)

To be honest, I never thought it to be such a difficult one! To show some more light:Arjun has identified the modern version of the elite group correctly i.e. Rajya Sabha. SBC- Both Y & Z were foreigners working in India - couldn't be citizens of India in mid 1800s.I'd say that one can easily work it out, if one goes through the clues . Further clues to help people out:-
Clue 10:The something in clue 9, is indirectly attributed to the birth of a whole branch of medicine, and it travelled to India via Sri Lanka from South America.
Clue 11: The illustrious person in clue 6, is also linked to an institution which houses one of the largest trees in the world.
Clue 12: The giveaway clue: Z is considered as the father of ______ in India, which has transformed the life of atleast 10 million people directly because of Z's own work, and another 30 million due to works based on Z's ideas. It can be said that if India is a thriving economy today, one major contributor to that fact is Z, his works, and his ideas. -Admishra (talk) 07:02, 6 August 2009 (UTC)
The illustrious person is almost certainly Sir Ronald Ross. The precursor to the Rajya Sabha would have been the Constituent Assembly of India, which in turn was preceded by the Central Legislative Assembly and the Council of India. Would Z be Norman Borlaug (blank=Green Revolution), and Y=Waldemar Haffkine? Regards, SBC-YPR (talk) 10:03, 6 August 2009 (UTC)
SBC - you have moved closer to the answer on two fronts- the health problem in question is indeed malaria ( I hope thats where Ronald Ross comes in picture for you) and the elite group of people, as you have correctly given the chronology happens to be Council of India. So a little more effort should let you break this open completely. -Admishra (talk) 11:20, 6 August 2009 (UTC)
Kishori Mohan Bandyopadhyaya?Godof86 (talk) 11:38, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

Is the person Clements Markham , Patrick Manson or Giovanni Battista Grassi? Abeer.ag (talk) 14:00, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

wow! so many interesting tries; and I must say I am a more enlightened man today thanks to you all , but no one has hit the nail on the head as yet. Abeer, Clement Markham is the closest you have got to in solving this riddle, as he was the person who executed something which was suggested by the illustrious partner of Y. Don't know what else I can help you guys with, without actually giving away the answer itself. As a final clue 13, lets say that both Y and Z had a controversial stand-off after the aformentioned review of X by Z and Y was censored from speaking to the press because of this. And again, there is an important facet all along which I think which has been missed by you all - its mentioned in the question, in clues 2 & 12 -Admishra (talk) 15:49, 6 August 2009 (UTC)
Is the person Proby Cautley and the illustrious person Hugh Falconer? The other person (Z) is then General Sir Arthur Cotton (please, let this be correct). The work maybe is the Ganga canal , or the river linking project to link all major indian rivers. Falconer brought tea to India, and worked on evolution as well. Cotton's daughter is Elizabeth Hope Abeer.ag (talk) 18:27, 6 August 2009 (UTC)
Asolutely spot on Abeer!
Ganga Canal was initiated to counter the extreme drought conditions which led to civil unrest as well as loss of revenues to British powers, the same conditions which exist today.Initially built for 340 km, today it extends to around 3000 kms including the distributory canals.Proby Cautley was knighted for this work, and also received Wollaston Medal for the fossil work done in conjuction with Hugh Falconer. In 1858, he was nominated for the seat in Council of India, which later got re-formulated as State Council of India in 1919, subsequently renamed to Rajya Sabha in 1952. He also has a hostel named after him at IIT Roorkee. Arthur Cotton, also called the father of irrigation in India, was extremely critical in his review of the Ganga Canal due to major engineering flaws in the construction of the same. He had initiated the river linking project and it was his idea to create a Ganga Cauvery Link, which was ernestly taken up by Vajpayee Government. Arthur Cotton's daughter Elizabeth Hope claimed that Darwin had recanted his views on Evolution while on his deathbed, whereas Hugh Falconer was the first to suggest the modern evolutionary theory of punctuated equillibrium. Falconer alo recommended introduction of Tea to India, was the head of Calcutta Botanical Garden, recommended growing of cinchona plant in India for its use against treatment of Malaria.
Hope that you guys liked the question. Over to you Abeer. - Admishra (talk) 06:11, 7 August 2009 (UTC)
As Jamie Redknapp will say; top, top question. Godof86 (talk) 05:36, 10 August 2009 (UTC)

Q3

This Hindi TV show had a theme song sung by Kishore Kumar. One of the major characters is wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers t-shirt during the theme song. Another major actor played several roles over the course of the series. What show?

Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi? --Amondal (talk) 08:56, 7 August 2009 (UTC)
Yes, you got it. That was quick. Abeer.ag (talk) 10:47, 7 August 2009 (UTC)

Q4

A was the first one to hold the post B in India. A was also the first one to hold the same post in two other countries. Identify A and B. --Amondal (talk) 13:16, 7 August 2009 (UTC)

Hints: One of the two countries is Nepal. --Amondal (talk) 02:28, 9 August 2009 (UTC)
Hints: This person was a Bengali. --Amondal (talk) 13:12, 10 August 2009 (UTC)
Ok I think its Sukumar Sen who was the Chief Election Commissioner of India, Sudan & Nepal. - Admishra (talk) 05:33, 11 August 2009 (UTC)
Thats correct. Its Sukumar Sen (civil servant). Over to you. --Amondal (talk) 05:39, 11 August 2009 (UTC)
Good and yet simple Q.--Su_hit (talk) 06:19, 11 August 2009 (UTC)

Q5

Since the last one from me lasted a bit long, here is a sitter:-

A was intrumental in formation of B. While Nehru liked it (B), Gandhi was against the idea of creation of B.A's cousin C, while having been a luminiere in a different field, was responsible for a major political embarrasment for Congress party. Identify A, B, & C -Admishra (talk) 07:22, 11 August 2009 (UTC)
Clue 1: A sibling of A,D could have been the first Indian to achieve something significant, but couldn't due to bad health. -Admishra (talk) 17:49, 11 August 2009 (UTC)
A = Muhammad Ali Jinnah, B = Pakistan, D = Emibai Jinnah. Emibai could have been first lady of Pakistan, but she died in 1893. Emibai was distant cousin of Jinnah--Su_hit (talk) 04:07, 12 August 2009 (UTC)
Nope!Not Jinnah
Clue 2: Yet another cousin of A, E was a major figure in Indian Independence movement.Admishra (talk) 04:19, 12 August 2009 (UTC)
Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan seems to be starting point.--Su_hit (talk) 04:25, 12 August 2009 (UTC)
Not him either Su_hit!
Clue 3: This should make it very easy : Another sibling of A, F was an important social leader in pre-independence era. Moreover, the achievement of D would have been a self-attained one, i.e. simply not by virtue of being related to someone who achieved significant things - Admishra (talk) 05:04, 12 August 2009 (UTC)
A=Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel; B=Partition of India; C=K. M. Munshi; F=Vithalbhai Patel. Did I get it? Regards, SBC-YPR (talk) 18:21, 12 August 2009 (UTC)
SBC yaar, K. M. Munshi wasn't a cousin to Patel, just an associate! Anyways, very nice try indeed. One gets to know a lot from the uncannily close resemblance of these answers as against what is being sought! Anyways, here comes the usual clue bonanza which is bound to fix this question once and for all:-
Clue 4: F's spouse was the first Indian to chair a prestigious post. One of F's grandchildren G was one of the first Indians to take up a particular profession, and went on to reach the highest position in that profession. Indeed G is often termed as the father of his profession in India. G's spouse has been the governor of a state.
Clue 5: C also reached the highest position in his profession within India
Clue 6: D's spouse was a multi-talented individual, being one of the most renowned person in his field, and considered as the father of the field in which he excelled.He too has many firsts to his name as an Indian-Admishra (talk) 18:56, 12 August 2009 (UTC)
Hang on, I got a bit of the trend. D is Abala Bose. Who would have been the first woman doctor in India, but could not. D's husband was of course JC Bose. And okay, Satish Ranjan Das is A therefore. B is the Doon School. And C is of course Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das. Will figure out the rest of the puzzle soon. Brilliant question.Godof86 (talk) 20:23, 12 August 2009 (UTC)
A - Satish Ranjan Das; B - Doon School; C- Sudhi Ranjan Das; D - Lady Abala Bose; E - Chittaranjan Das i.e. Deshbandhu; F - Sarala Roy; G - Air Marshal Subroto Mukerjee. Mischief managed. Phew. Godof86 (talk) 20:37, 12 August 2009 (UTC)
Interestingly, I see that C- i.e. Sudhi Ranjan Das's son in law, Ashoke Kumar Sen, is brother to Answer no 4, Sukumar Sen. Godof86 (talk) 20:52, 12 August 2009 (UTC)
Bang on Godof86. The husband of Sarala Roy, Prasanna Kumar Roy was the first Indian principal of Presidency College, Calcutta. Further, the sister of Subroto Mukerjee, Renuka Ray was a Cabinet Minister as well, and last but not the least, the grandson of 'A, Shomie Dasis a renowned educationist, and former principal of Doon School.Cherry on the top - Ashoke Kumar Sen is an uncle to Amartya Sen.What a family tree, isnt it? All yours Godof86. -Admishra (talk) 05:58, 13 August 2009 (UTC)
Apologies, am a little tied up. Can someone take it over? If not, will be happy to come up with a question tomorrow.Godof86 (talk) 18:51, 13 August 2009 (UTC)

Q6

What is the 'King' in the context of Indian public transport system since 2008?--Su_hit (talk) 04:32, 17 August 2009 (UTC)

I wonder if you are talking about the Maharaja's Express initiated through a JV between IRCTC and Cox & KIngs - Admishra (talk) 05:27, 17 August 2009 (UTC)
No.--Su_hit (talk) 07:35, 17 August 2009 (UTC)
Air India mascot "The Maharajah" ? Srikanth (speak) 07:53, 17 August 2009 (UTC)
No. It is a vehicle, launched by Chennai based organization.--Su_hit (talk) 08:31, 17 August 2009 (UTC)
It is the Autorickshaw manufactured by TVS Motors Limited--Arjun (talk) 10:39, 17 August 2009 (UTC)
Arjun hits the target. 'King' is a 3-wheeler model by TVS Motors, giving fight to leader Bajaj Auto. --Su_hit (talk) 10:44, 17 August 2009 (UTC)


Q7

This person from the entertainment industry started off his career as an actor in a German TV mini series in 1994. Today we know him for being brilliant behind the camera rather than in front of it. Who?--Arjun (talk) 05:59, 18 August 2009 (UTC)

Is it Mona Sharma you are looking for? -Admishra (talk) 07:19, 18 August 2009 (UTC)

Nice try, but no. I did mention that its a him :) And I think he might be far more popular with the mainstream audience than Mona Sharma.--Arjun (talk) 07:33, 18 August 2009 (UTC)

Clue 1 - Alumnus of Hansraj College (DU) Zoology in 1993--Arjun (talk) 13:22, 18 August 2009 (UTC)
Anurag Kashyap.Godof86 (talk) 13:55, 18 August 2009 (UTC)
The director.Godof86 (talk) 13:58, 18 August 2009 (UTC)

Yup! Take it away Godof86. The baton is all yours!--Arjun (talk) 14:29, 18 August 2009 (UTC)


Q8

This organization was created in the mid- 1930’s, and is in total an INR1000Cr behemoth (if you consider all the companies which bear the official brand-name). it goes without saying that there is immense brand-value. Due to conflicts, the brand-name is currently used by three companies (which operate in different regions within India), each being a separate business entity. As would be common, this has not been a very comfortable co-existence. They are all managed within the extended family though. There have been a few sub-brands as offshoots, but none have been as successful as the original brand-name. It is heard that it is planning an IPO soon. Name the organization. Godof86 (talk) 12:57, 19 August 2009 (UTC)

The Jindals? Abeer.ag (talk) 14:34, 19 August 2009 (UTC)
Jindal is already listed. Is it the Times group(guessing a typo 1930 - 1830) or Parle G?(1929 though) Srikanth (speak) 14:57, 19 August 2009 (UTC)
It has to be The Indian Express and The New Indian Express. Am not able to figure out the third entity, but since what you ask for is the brand/ original organization, the answer would be Indian Express. --Gurubrahma (talk) 17:10, 19 August 2009 (UTC)
Nope. None of the above. Godof86 (talk) 17:19, 19 August 2009 (UTC)
Sub brands and offshoots? Godof86 (talk) 17:20, 19 August 2009 (UTC)
No typo, Srikanth. Mid-to-late 1930's. Godof86 (talk) 17:21, 19 August 2009 (UTC)
Okay, another guess ABT Group.Comes close with clues like brand value and family crisis.Fails the clue established in mid-late 1930s.A notable group though without a wiki article. Srikanth (speak) 18:10, 19 August 2009 (UTC)
Haldiram's [1] Abeer.ag (talk) 18:21, 19 August 2009 (UTC)
I think Abeer.ag cracks it. Good Q.--Su_hit (talk) 04:18, 20 August 2009 (UTC)
Could someone else please ask a question? I won't have internet access soon for a couple of days. Abeer.ag (talk) 06:48, 20 August 2009 (UTC)
Yep, Abeer.Ag's got it. Haldiram Bhujiawala was indeed the answer that I was expecting.Godof86 (talk) 08:36, 20 August 2009 (UTC)

Q9

Ok in lieu of Abeer, here is one from me. Interesting piece of Info which I came across.

A is credited with the first of its kind work to be done in India. The interesting part here is that the work itself is ironical by a specific property. A is also credited with another work, which again is first of its kind, but that being reverse of the work mentioned earlier in terms of that specific property. Whats even more ironical is the fact that A is not given credit for something really significant that he actually achieved, but rather that credit is given even by official history textbooks to someone else.- Identify A. - Admishra (talk) 11:42, 20 August 2009 (UTC)
Random guess, Jagdish Chandta Bose? If not, I'm afraid you need to give more clues, the question's very vague?
I'm afraid, not him. Further, to give a clue- giving many clues is going to be very hard as not much is known about this person. However one thing is for sure, the work for which is he best known (the first one in question) could have only been undertaken after 17001500 AD -Admishra (talk) 18:32, 20 August 2009 (UTC)
Clue 2: as an additional piece, the work in question could theoretically been taken anytime after first quarter of 15th century AD, but practically early 1500s was the first time when it could have been done in India.
Clue 3: A's contribution to India was only acknowledged in late 1980s.
Clue 4A, unintentionally had an indirectly major role to play in India's history, which again has gone unnoticed. -Admishra (talk) 06:19, 21 August 2009 (UTC)
Is it Sher Shah suri? Grand Trunk Road was fisrt built from Agra to Sasaram and then from Agra to MUltan.User:Vinay84
no, not him either. A's work is centred around a region further south from the realms of Sher Shah. And the biggest clue of them all - A is not an Indian -Admishra (talk) 08:22, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

Anthony Firingee? rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 10:04, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

Brilliant guess rueben, but not him. Though I must say you are on the right track in more than one ways, but in a wrong direction! -Admishra (talk) 10:08, 21 August 2009 (UTC)
Job Charnock.Godof86 (talk) 10:29, 21 August 2009 (UTC)
I'm afraid not him Godof86! Reuben was logically far more closer to the answer, except the fact that he was astray in direction :) -Admishra (talk) 13:31, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

We aren't talking William Jones by any chance are we, first translation of Shakuntala plus other works on Proto Indo-European Language? rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 17:43, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

Or Sir Charles Wilkins, for similar reasons? rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 18:09, 21 August 2009 (UTC)
Hold on. A = Andrew Waugh? the Trigonometric Survey? Mt. Everest? Flashy guess anyway .. with no research whatsoever. Godof86 (talk) 20:24, 21 August 2009 (UTC)
None of them guys. Rueben has been so close to the bull's eye that I can't believe he hasn't got it yet! Rueben, I think you are missing 2 points here- one is the timeframe -1500s and not 1700s; and secondly you'd need to look for 2 works -each one a first of its kind but one reverse of other in one property. - Admishra (talk) 04:56, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

I am probably veering off now, but is it João de Barros that we are discussing? rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 17:00, 22 August 2009 (UTC)

Okay, now then, lets just say A was a Britisher. - Admishra (talk) 05:35, 23 August 2009 (UTC)
and as a final giveaway clue (honestly, cant give anything else apart from directly pointing at the person himself) - the works in question are literary in nature - and that is one of the reasons why I said rueben was on the right track. Apologies guys if all this sounds too obscure, but unfortunately not much is known about this chap A - Admishra (talk) 08:58, 24 August 2009 (UTC)
A British person in India in the 1500s would be amongst the first few, I would hazard James Hawkins but I do not know of any literary works by him. Afraid this is the best I can come up with. rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 16:13, 24 August 2009 (UTC)
Okay, to set the times absolutely spot-on; the britisher in question arrived in India in 1500s, began his works in late 1500s and eventually completed them in early 1600s. One of the work is religious in nature while the other one is linguistical. The religious work can be considered, in a way, the 21st of its type, though not in orthodox terms. In terms of his other significant contribution to Indian History (clue 4), he is attributed as the author of something which led to the formation of East India Company.This is as close I could get in terms providing clues without mentioning any names. -Admishra (talk) 04:16, 25 August 2009 (UTC)
Thomas Stephens, arrived in Goa. Authored first Konkani grammer in European language. Authored Christ Purana in Marathi! His communications to his father on the mercantile chances and possibilities in the East subsequently led to the formation of the East India Company.--Dwaipayan (talk) 04:32, 25 August 2009 (UTC)
Correctomundo! Stephens is credited with the first printed book on grammar of any language of India i.e Konkani. So while he wrote about an Indian language in a European language, he wrote about a european religion in an Indian language- the first book on any aspect of christianity to be printed in an Indian language. He is supposed to be the first britisher to arrive in India, and that achievement is not given credit in any of our history text books. Over to you Dwaipayan. Ruebens, you were so much on the write track (linguistics and a foreigner writing in Indian language) but in the wrong direction (east instead of west india) - Admishra (talk) 05:34, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

Q10

To keep this going, I am putting in this question in place of Dwaipayan. Anyway, I did not ask a question in one of my previous turns. Here you go.
A, a prominent business personality of his time, was mostly associated with the development (business and otherwise) of a major colonial city B. He was honoured with the Knighthood as well as the Legion d'honneur. However, in this question, we would focus on his contribution to an institution in India C, which, curiously, was started by a Frenchman, D, in British India. There is an Indian village which is named after D, and it is seen almost as an equivalent to Sansarpur (this might be contentious), for its association to another sport. Identify A, B, C, D. Godof86 (talk) 14:27, 26 August 2009 (UTC)

This is the type of question where wild guesses do work, so please go ahead. The mini-hint I will give is that the city B is not in India. A proper hint coming in early tomorrow.Godof86 (talk) 17:48, 26 August 2009 (UTC)
okay C is La Martiniere College, founded by D = Major General Claude Martin who has the village of Martin Purwa named after him, which is associated with many golfers. Am wondering whether A is Sir Catchick Paul Chater who helped in development of Hongkong? -Admishra (talk) 04:36, 27 August 2009 (UTC)
Very correct. La Martiniere indeed. In fact, the school prayer mentions ".... Claude Martin, our founder, and Paul Chater, our benefactor". Godof86 (talk) 04:44, 27 August 2009 (UTC)

Q11

A is possibly the first person to have tried something in India in the modern sense - offcourse A could only do it partly given the commutation and political problems in those times. A. However, his effort is still commendable, as his little piece of work was made from actual observation by A himself rather than from traveller's tales. It took him 10 years to collect the data for this work, which is considered superior to even the works in the same realm undertaken 200 years later. B was the person who eventually finished what A had started 200 years earlier, and has been showered with all the credit in that line of work as being the father of this realm, but his work pales in comparison to A when one compares only those parts where A had put focus on. However, its C who is supposed to have come out with the first accurate version in this field, even though he did so without ever setting foot in India. Identify A,B,& C. -Admishra (talk) 06:21, 27 August 2009 (UTC)

The Upanishads. A - Dara Shikoh. C- Max Mueller B - ??? Godof86 (talk) 10:45, 27 August 2009 (UTC)
Nope.. A, B, C were all non-Indians and born in 3 different countries.-Admishra (talk) 13:59, 27 August 2009 (UTC)
Okay, as clue 2, A is known to be among the 3 people invited by the then ruler of north India to provide insights about former's way of life. A also accompanied this ruler in his military mission to north west India. These travels- i.e. from western India to Northern India upon the request of the ruler, and then to north-west India as his companions, were the main source for A's work. -Admishra (talk) 05:14, 28 August 2009 (UTC)
Are A, B and C Fa-Hien, Hiuen Tsiang and James Legge? rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 10:24, 28 August 2009 (UTC)
afraid not rueben.
Hint 3: B only entered the field in question because he saw no chance of a career progression in his original line of work, primarily due to a major political event of mid 1700s. This political event, while it happened in Europe, has huge significance in India's history as well.
Hint 4: C's work is considered more accurate than any of the earlier versions simply because he broke away from a convention in this field- a convention which was aptly made fun of by the famous author Jonathon Swift in one of his lesser known poems. -Admishra (talk) 11:36, 28 August 2009 (UTC)

Dont know if this works, but A is Antonio Monserrate, B is Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d’Anville who both were responsible for producing some of the first maps of the Himalayas. Cant figure out who C is though? rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 12:56, 28 August 2009 (UTC)

well done ruebens, you got 2 of them correct, but its C you have figured out instead of B! Chronologically, B's attempt followed C's, and you probably need to think in terms of a larger canvas to get to him. - Admishra (talk) 13:01, 28 August 2009 (UTC)

Ok, I think B is James Rennell, who quit the Royal Navy after the Seven Years' War. Am I right? rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 13:56, 28 August 2009 (UTC)

Indeed its him, who is considered as the father of Indian Geographical studies. Monserrate was one among the 3 Jesuist monks who were invited by Akbar and subsequently accompanied him in his campaign against his step brother to Kabul. All these 3 gentlemen added immense value to the creation of a modern map of India, with Monserrate's effort being limited to Northern and NorthWestern part of then Hindoostan. d'Anville was the first person to break away from the tendancy of cartographers of those times to fill the unknown lands on the maps with pictures of beasts and animals. Swift famously satirized this practise when he wrote :

So geographers in Afric-maps
With savage pictures fill their gaps,
And o'er unhabitable downs
Place elephants, for want of towns.
. Your turn Rueben - Admishra (talk) 18:21, 28 August 2009 (UTC)

Q12

First in a talented pedigree, A is widely considered one of the first and greatest ambassadors of an Indian art X, and is credited particularly to have brought a South-Indian genre Y from its rural hearth to both Urban India as well as presented it the world over. A also authored two works on X, penned fifty years apart and considered significant in their own rights. Any idea who A is and what X and Y might be? rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 20:00, 29 August 2009 (UTC)

I am going to give a couple of clues since no responses in 48 hours; Clue 1: A's early career saw this person achieve minor fame as a practitioner of the art, even before having learnt X. Clue 2: A's later life and performances drew praise, amongst others, from Tagore who credited A as among those who helped revive X. More clues if asked for. rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 18:24, 31 August 2009 (UTC)

Musunuri Suryanarayana Murty Bhagavatar? Harikatha? - Admishra (talk) 12:07, 2 September 2009 (UTC)

Good attempt, but afraid not the right answer Admishra. I am not entirely sure if Balamurikrishna earned praise from Tagore A's initial fame was achieved performing what was claimed by A to be an Indian art, but A had not till then received any formal training in any Indian art at all till then. rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 15:57, 2 September 2009 (UTC)

I'll give another couple of clues. Clue 3: A was not Indian. Clue 4: A's offspring B was also, among other things, a noted artist of X and is credited as amongst those who revived an Eastern Indian style of X, which we may refer to as Z, and refined it to the style as it is practiced today. rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 16:02, 2 September 2009 (UTC)

This has to be one of the dance forms. Tagore, makes me assume this is Bharatanatyam. The derivative shold be Odissi. The rest, I have no clue. Will research if I get some time. Godof86 (talk) 19:08, 2 September 2009 (UTC)

Indeed, it is to do with dance. Not Bharatnatyam though. You have correctly identified Z, which is odisi. And I think you have plenty of time. rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 19:33, 2 September 2009 (UTC)

If I may add, in the spirit of Admishra's last question, to identify X you have to look at the broader canvass. rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 19:34, 2 September 2009 (UTC)

C'mon. Bad miss. Kathakali. Ragini Devi. Indrani Rehman. And I have read Harindranath's Poetry. of course! Godof86 (talk)

Ofcourse, Esther Luella Sherman, or Ragini Devi, is A, an American who came to perform what were self-styled Indian dances, before she married Indian physicist Ramnat Bajpai, and later came to India in the 1920s and subsequently learnt X Classical Indian Dance and introduced it the world over and in distinguished audience. She also gets the credit for introducing Kathakali to the wider world. Her book Nritanjali published in 1928 was the first book on Indian dances to be written in the english language, and the 1972 work Dance dialects of India is the second in the language and considered one of the most complete works on Indian dances. B is of course Indrani Rehman, the very first Miss India. You haven't, however, identified X or Y, although I have pretty much given away what X is. I think you may have misunderstood the question, if you thought Harindranath was a part of the question. rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 20:40, 2 September 2009 (UTC)

Oh sorry about the Harindranath bit. Nothing to do with the question whatsoever, but all about gossip of the early 1900s. Ragini Devi supposedly had an affair (later) with Harindranath Chattopadhyay, the brother of Sarojini Naidu. Is the answer approved? Am reading this book about some more gossip (of a certain genre) of the early to mid 1900s India. Will ask a question from that then.Godof86 (talk) 07:15, 3 September 2009 (UTC)
Might I add, absolutely sensational question. Godof86 (talk) 07:25, 3 September 2009 (UTC)
Just checked the edit summary. Thanks. Will come up with the question in a little bit.Godof86 (talk) 08:31, 3 September 2009 (UTC)

Q13

Here's a sitter.
He is nearing 50 years of age now, and is renowned as one of the 100 greatest in his (creative) field in history, by some of the leading publications in the area. In university he studied Philosophy. He is of Malayali heritage. It will be rather difficult for me to give any clues beyond this without pretty much giving out the answer.
And we will wait for the gossip questions till I answer a question next. Godof86 (talk) 19:35, 3 September 2009 (UTC)

Kamal Hasan? A R Rahman? rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 21:25, 3 September 2009 (UTC)
Nope. Okay, (added: possibly) more definitively, the most renowned / acknowledged / referred all-time Top 100 list of its type ranks him in.Godof86 (talk) 02:12, 4 September 2009 (UTC)
I think you are talking aboutKim Thayil of Soundgarden. - Admishra (talk) 06:48, 4 September 2009 (UTC)
Very correct. One of my favourites, Kim Thayil came in at exactly # 100 in the Top 100 Greatest Guitarists of all time list, by the Rolling Stones magazine. Godof86 (talk) 07:58, 4 September 2009 (UTC)

Q14

Its been a while when someone posted a non-googlable question here. Hence here it goes, though I should say that it could be a very easy one to crack, with some logical deduction and keen observation:-

image for Q 14
Simple- The structure in the appended photograph is a significant piece of architecture from medieval time frame. Identify it.
(The biggest clue is in the picture itself!) -Admishra (talk) 08:37, 4 September 2009 (UTC)
Hint please. --Su_hit (talk) 05:02, 5 September 2009 (UTC)
I am hardly knowledgeable on temples, but here's an attempt. I see a trident, thus I would like to assume this is a Shiva temple. And thus, the primary guess would be the Somnath temple. But the Somnath is not a medieval temple, as if my memory serves me right, it has been rebuilt six times... So then the guess should be Kedarnath/ Badrinath. And if the guess is incorrect, I would have guesses Angkor Wat. But if not, then I will wait for the hint too. Godof86 (talk) 05:14, 5 September 2009 (UTC)
Godof86, you have picked the right line of reasoning, and hence very close to the answer ( i am looking for the name of this specific construct, rather than the whole building which it might be a part of. so the temple's name wouldn't do.) As I said, this construct is of medieval origin, not necessarily the building which it is associated with. Further, there is a very significant clue in the picture itself, which if carefully observed would tell you where it is located; and thence its name. Apart from that, the only thing which I can say is that this structure signifies a very unique fact about the place where it is located. -Admishra (talk) 06:39, 6 September 2009 (UTC)

Is this temple somewhere in Bengal or Assam? rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 10:53, 6 September 2009 (UTC)

nope- at neither of those places rueben. Godof86 was really pretty close to the answer in his attempt. As a clue (and unfortunately there aren't many which I can give), there is only a strip of 30 kms in width in eastern India, and 4 kms in western India where this structure could have been built to satisfy a property which it signifies. - Admishra (talk) 06:53, 7 September 2009 (UTC)
"ARROW-PILLAR erected on the sea-protection wall at the Somnath Temple" as the relevant WP article says - no land mass between this place and Antarctica - by the way, a variant of this question was asked here. The baton should go to Godof86 as I would not have been able to crack it but for his efforts - I'll be happy with partial credit. Good photograph, Admishra! --Gurubrahma (talk) 08:02, 7 September 2009 (UTC)
Spot on guru. credits equally shared between you and Godof86. Baton passes to Godof86, as suggested by Guru. - Admishra (talk) 11:51, 7 September 2009 (UTC)
Thanks a lot, Admishra and Gurubrahma. Will come up with a question in a bit.Godof86 (talk) 12:17, 7 September 2009 (UTC)

Q15

I have a nice long question framed in my mind, but there would need to be more research before it is ready. So will wait till I get the time to research on the same (it's Monday after all!), and of course answer another one. Till then, here's a quick, easy but non-googleable one.
North India : South India = X : Y = Robin : Nipper
Identify X and Y.
Godof86 (talk) 12:42, 7 September 2009 (UTC)

unless you are talking abt lentil cultivars or the brand mascots ( robin for indigo, nipper as in HMV/ RCA) ;, I'd need some hint - Admishra (talk) 01:01, 8 September 2009 (UTC)
Hint 1:........ (Continued) = Ireland : Scotland Godof86 (talk) 05:03, 8 September 2009 (UTC)
It seems it is not exhaustive, then either X or Y needs to be mentioned in Q. For example, if someone has reponded like Ireland : Scotland, then it is correct ans. --Su_hit (talk) 05:38, 8 September 2009 (UTC)

Do please explain and clarify, Su_hit. I could not understand what you meant. And what is not exhaustive?
X and Y are events / locations / individuals with connections to India. I would expect one to understand that X is linked the same way with North India and someone / something called Robin and Ireland as Y is linked with South India and someone / something called Nipper and Scotland. Godof86 (talk) 09:30, 8 September 2009 (UTC)

Is this to do with language, eg, Sanskrit: Dravidian? rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 12:09, 8 September 2009 (UTC)

Nope. Hint 2 coming up. Godof86 (talk) 12:39, 8 September 2009 (UTC)


Hint 2: ............ (Continued) = Naini Tal : Bangalore Godof86 (talk) 12:42, 8 September 2009 (UTC)

I think I have made it googleable now, unfortunately. Godof86 (talk) 12:59, 8 September 2009 (UTC)

I am afraid the meaning of the question is escaping me. Are we looking for a value, a people, a symbol, a name...??? And who or what is Nipper and Robin??? rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 13:09, 8 September 2009 (UTC)

Identify X and Y ....... Hint 3 :(who are both individuals i.e. people, who have something in common with each other) - X is linked the same way with North India; someone / something called Robin, the country Ireland and the city Naini Tal ....... as Y is linked with South India; someone / something called Nipper; the country Scotland and the city Bangalore Godof86 (talk) 13:31, 8 September 2009 (UTC)

Is this to do with Patron saints? rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 22:22, 8 September 2009 (UTC)

Okay I think I got it. X is Jim Corbett, who was of Irish descent, hunted man-eaters in North India, was born in Nainital and owned a dog naimed Robin; Y is Kenneth Anderson, who was of Scottish descent, hunted man-eaters in South India, was born in Bangalore, and owned a dog named Nipper - Admishra (talk) 05:26, 9 September 2009 (UTC)
That's correct. All yours, Admishra. Godof86 (talk) 08:35, 9 September 2009 (UTC)

Q16

Okay, this one is easily googlable but with some lateral thinking. Towards the fag end of the 1st Millenium AD, a building was constructed in North-Central India, by a king to celebrate his ascent to the throne. The building was built on a piece of land very specifically around 405 ft by 280.5 ft in dimensions. Another piece of land with exactly the same dimensions was also set aside to serve a specific purpose related to this building. The question is what significance do these dimensions hold in the history of mankind in general (not just India)? -Admishra (talk) 06:42, 10 September 2009 (UTC)

I think I might have got the building. Let me think for a while more with the dimensions. Godof86 (talk) 16:09, 10 September 2009 (UTC)

Hi, I am a newbie and taking a wild guess. Is the ratio you are talking about is √2:1? Two pieces of such dimensions together make √2:1 again. I am unaware of historical significance of this ratio however.Goutham787 (talk) 20:19, 10 September 2009 (UTC)

welcome Suduhamsh and happy quizzing. A very interesting observation I must say, though the ratio is slightly higher than √2 for that matter. As I said this possibly would require a bit of lateral thinking, before the Big G can be made use of. Okay as a clue: look at the time frame and look at the units of measurement in question -Admishra (talk) 04:19, 11 September 2009 (UTC)
okay, to continue from hint 1, ft as a unit of land measurement was not known to India till the Britishers came in. Also, the traditional Indian units differed from the british units in terms of the length being measured by 1 unit in these two systems. -Admishra (talk) 15:06, 13 September 2009 (UTC)
Indian units are in cubits??? VasuVR (talk, contribs) 19:21, 13 September 2009 (UTC)
no vasu; hint 3: since long times, across the world, the units for measurements were based on the dimensions of human body parts - feet being just an example of the same. Indians too had similar system, remnants of which are still prevalent in our culture (e.g. angul/yojan etc).
Hint 4: The king in question was actually no more than the "mayor" in the kingdom of a great Indian King of those times. This great Indian ruler is pretty well known , and there are umpteen references to his wealth and rule in modern dialects.
Hint 5: The building in question is built in a present day city of historical importance, and the city itself is named after a hermit who apparently provided the remedy for this city's founder who was suffering from leprosy.
Hint 6: The dimensions in the question seem random and were actually non-standard when converted to Indian standards as well. They were just so chosen, because a plot of those dimensions served the precise purpose which is mentioned in the question. Thus once could say, the significance of these dimensions per se, in the human history, is purely coincidental.

If someone doesn't crack it with these, I'd give an absolute giveaway hint by today evening. - Admishra (talk) 05:52, 14 September 2009 (UTC)

So the city is Gwalior. I assume by "towards the fag end of 1st Millenium", you mean 9th or 10th century AD. There are two buildings constructed in Gwalior during these periods. Chatturbhuj temple and Telika mandir. if you consider 11th century AD also, then SasBahu temple is also a possibility. Of these three, Chatturbhuj temple could be a better choice given as it is built by governor of Gwalior fort during the period of Mihira Bhoja I. But https://archive.org/stream/historyofindiane02ferguoft/historyofindiane02ferguoft_djvu.txt says none of them is of the dimensions in question. Anyways, please go for that "absolute giveaway hint" if none of them are correct.Goutham787 (talk) 08:02, 14 September 2009 (UTC)
Edit clash--Su_hit (talk) 08:13, 14 September 2009 (UTC)
you are so close to the answer, Goutham that I wonder how come you didnt crack it! Anyways, one thing that you seem to be missing is the fact that I never said that the building itself measured 405 ftby 280 ft. Its the land plot size on which it is constructed. As anyone would be well aware, typical temples in India are built as a complex, with individual shrines for sub-deities in the same compound, as well as places for carrying out havans, tie cows,and sometimes even the residences of priests.-Admishra (talk) 08:50, 14 September 2009 (UTC)
Teli ka Mandir of Gwalior--Su_hit (talk) 08:59, 14 September 2009 (UTC)
Suresh, Its not that one. And the question is not about the building but about the significance of the dimensions of that piece of land which was allocated for the building. And in that aspect, here comes the giveaway clue: The dimensions, as I said, while being significant in one very important sense, are actually irrelevant. The land might have been of any size, provided the dimensions satisfied a critical condition. And that critical condition might have been satisfied by innumerable lands earlier, its just that this particular piece of land happens to have the distinction. -Admishra (talk) 09:54, 14 September 2009 (UTC)

Is this to do with the "zero" (circle) inscribed in Chaturbhuj temple, which is accepted as the first appearance of that epigraphic symbol for zero? rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 10:51, 14 September 2009 (UTC)

followed from here thence to this ref. It says that a garden was built to provide for 50 garlands a day for the temple of Vishnu, the required dimensions were 187 by 270 hastas. The inscription, on a stone tablet dated to 876 AD (933 Samvat), that details these uses "0" to denote the last algebraic place in both 50 and 270, and is considered by many to be the first epigraphic depiction of zero as a hollow circle. rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 11:00, 14 September 2009 (UTC)

indeed rueben, its the first documented use of modern 0 anywhere in the world, which I was looking for. Further the BBC documentary "The Story of One" also provides that the same inscription also provides for the first known use of vertical line as a symbol for 1, albeit with the small rounding at the top- the way its written in devnagari script. More on this subject is available here. Since Goutham did the initial hardwork of identifying the place, I feel obliged to give 0.25 points to him. Baton, along with 0.75 points passes to rueben. Will await the next one.- Admishra (talk) 18:14, 14 September 2009 (UTC)

Q17

This might be either very easy or very hard.

An extremely rare mutation in a very widely known gene system was described first in India. The population of people comprising this phenotype are rare in India, slightly more common in a south-east Asian Island and even more common in an island off the east coast of Africa in the Indian ocean, but extremely rare in Europe. The mutation does not affect the people in normal life, but may pose a problem in Medical emergencies. Any idea what I am talking about? rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 12:37, 18 September 2009 (UTC)

Is it the Bombay blood group( H-antigen deficient phenotype)? This is first discovered in Bombay(Mumbai). It is more common in Reunion Island. Goutham787 (talk) 13:18, 18 September 2009 (UTC)

Indeed! Bombay Phenotype. Described first in an individual in Bombay in 1952. Affected individuals have no H antigens on their red cells, hence are neither of the three of ABO blood groups. They can donate to all three but accept from none. Simple testing for A,B or O would show them (falsely) to be O, hence danger of life threatening Transfusion reaction if given blood from 99.9% of the world's population, putting them at a high risk in emergency situations.

All yours to take away Goutham. rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 15:16, 18 September 2009 (UTC)

Can anyone post on behalf of me? I am going out for a couple of days and will be unable to access internet. Thanks in Advance.Goutham787 (talk) 14:55, 20 September 2009 (UTC)

Are we getting a new question anytime soon? rueben_lys (talk · contribs) 11:24, 30 September 2009 (UTC)

could anyone please post a Q, for the sake of continuining this forum - Admishra (talk) 09:38, 7 October 2009 (UTC)

Q18

A googlable question. Connect the following:

Adwaita
Tipu Sultan
Destro
Robert Montgomery Martin

Clarification: I am expecting the name of a person who is related to activities/places of these terms. Clue: Search wiki about them. Goutham787 (talk) 11:10, 8 October 2009 (UTC)

Robert Clive ? Abeer.ag (talk) 19:47, 10 October 2009 (UTC)
Yeah, Robert Clive i guess...adwaita was an elephant apparently connected in some way to Tipu Sultan...and Montgomery Martin was probably Clive's father or something like that.. Swaroop (talk) 06:12, 11 October 2009 (UTC)

That's really a nice guess, a close one but not the correct one. Destro is not connected to Clive. As I clarified, the person is connected to places/activities of the above terms. Clue: Another person, a botanist also related to the place of Adwaita recommended him to Robert Clive and the then Governor general, which led to his involvement with the term Tipu Sultan. Clue: His work is considered to be forerunner of many other statistical works done by the British.Goutham787 (talk) 09:56, 11 October 2009 (UTC)

Francis Buchanan-Hamilton.-Admishra (talk) 19:59, 11 October 2009 (UTC)

Correct Admishra. Francis Buchanan was the caretaker of a zoo, later known as Alipore Zoo, where the giant tortoise of Robert Clive, Adwaita was transferred to in 1875. He conducted survey of Mysore on the request of Lord Wellesley after the fourth Mysore War. Later he made survey of Bengal, Bihar and other territories of East India Company which was unfinished. Much of this work was published by Robert Montgomery Martin. In the initial stages of East India Company's rule, there were many accounts of Indian Society and Culture which were unstructured and collected by civil servants and military officers. This work is one of the intial attempts made at systematically studying Indian Society by the East India Company. It happens that the fictional character Destro(of G.I. Joe series) is said to be from Callander, the birth place of Buchanan. Goutham787 (talk) 20:37, 11 October 2009 (UTC)

Also, the botanist I was referring to is William Roxburgh, considered to be the Father of Indian Botany. Goutham787 (talk) 20:39, 11 October 2009 (UTC)

For more information refer “Notes on the History of the Study of Indian Society and Culture”, Bernard S. Cohn. Goutham787 (talk) 20:42, 11 October 2009 (UTC)

So, Admishra, your turn and expecting a question soon.Goutham787 (talk) 08:29, 15 October 2009 (UTC)

Q19

To keep continue, let me post a question.
I can be coorelated with Jaswant Singh and Kapil Sibal. I also did study in English with honours. I had started a theatre company with two other actors. Identify me and my company.--Su_hit (talk) 06:20, 26 October 2009 (UTC)

Is it Safdar Hashmi and his Jana Natya Manch? Goutham787 (talk) 16:07, 26 October 2009 (UTC)
The question seems a little vague. Suresh, could you please elaborate on what coorelated (sic) with Jaswant Singh and Kapil Sibal means? Regards, SBC-YPR (talk) 16:31, 26 October 2009 (UTC)
Nope, it is not Safdar Hashmi. The correlation is with respect to education.--Su_hit (talk) 04:05, 27 October 2009 (UTC)
Hint: The person is noted TV actor and theatre artiste. He has acted in several Hindi movies. He was born in Punjab.--Su_hit (talk) 11:52, 28 October 2009 (UTC)
Is the noted TV actor and theatre artiste Sunny Deol? He was born in Ludhiana, Punjab and lives in Mumbai. Does that fit the answer? Chimpysingh (talk) 00:16, 30 October 2009 (UTC)
No, it's not Sunny. He was born in 1947. He took admissions in Economic Honours, then he shifted to English Honours. He again changed his field and did Diploma in Cinema Acting.--Su_hit (talk) 04:19, 30 October 2009 (UTC)
Benjamin Gilani, I hope. VasuVR (talk, contribs) 04:50, 30 October 2009 (UTC)
Sorry for the delayed response. Benjamin Gilani is the right answer. He's very intelligent and superb artiste. VasuVR gets it right. baton passes to him. --Su_hit (talk) 04:20, 2 November 2009 (UTC)
Thanks. Can someone else take this turn of asking the question. I have not researched or prepared one yet and cannot find time till weekend. VasuVR (talk, contribs) 05:15, 2 November 2009 (UTC)

Q20

I (Indian, alive, female) am the person to decline that particular award, way back in 1956. My ground of decline was that my role carries significant important, not secondary important. Identify me.--Su_hit (talk) 04:25, 7 November 2009 (UTC)

Vyjayanthimala. She declined the Filmfare award for best supporting actress for the movie Devdas. Goutham787 (talk) 18:44, 8 November 2009 (UTC)
How can I decline to Goutham787! Baton passes to him.--Su_hit (talk) 04:31, 9 November 2009 (UTC)

Q21

X became prominent during Carnatic Wars. X initially fought alongside French and later alongside British. X was well trained in European warfare and noted for his Guerilla tactics. X was also an able administrator. X was deceived by his associates which led to his death. Identify X.
I think it is an easy one if you can search the proper words on google. If not, I will give clues. Goutham787 (talk) 17:43, 17 November 2009 (UTC)

X=Muhammed Yusuf Khan. He started off his career fighting alongside the French in the siege of Arcot, and was subsequently recruited by Robert Clive for the British on account of his military skill. Ironically, he was also put to death by the British after falling out of favour with them, betrayed by his own doctor. Regards, SBC-YPR (talk) 17:18, 18 November 2009 (UTC)

Yup. You got it right! Your turn to post a question.Goutham787 (talk) 12:29, 19 November 2009 (UTC)

Q22

Let me jump in with a question here. In which list do you find the following in order. VasuVR (talk, contribs) 08:36, 21 November 2009 (UTC)

  • Lal Bahadur Shastri
  • Nehru
  • Gandhi
  • Sardar Patel.
Clue 1 - this is not related to freedom struggle / politics. VasuVR (talk, contribs) 01:23, 23 November 2009 (UTC)
The first 4 people to be awarded the Bharat Ratna award posthumously? --Arjun (talk) 05:26, 23 November 2009 (UTC)
Clue 2 - it is related to neither their own ability nor achievements. VasuVR (talk, contribs) 11:51, 23 November 2009 (UTC)
Clue 3 - Sawai Mansingh would come after Sardar Patel... VasuVR (talk, contribs) 04:53, 25 November 2009 (UTC)

Names of new/renamed stadiums? Or the order in which matches were played? Abeer.ag (talk) 05:40, 25 November 2009 (UTC) Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Sardar Patel Stadium

Yes you have got it Abeer.ag! It is the order in which the stadiums came to be Cricket test venues. If I hand included other names, like M A Chidambaram or Chinnaswamy, then it would have been a non-question... VasuVR (talk, contribs) 08:32, 25 November 2009 (UTC)
I'm sorry, I don't have a question ready, could someone else ask one? Thanks Abeer.ag (talk) 18:53, 26 November 2009 (UTC)

Q23

I was nominated as one of the top 77 wonders of the world. The credit of my revival goes to the person who played the pivotal role in establishment of IIM-A. It is said that it is impossible to count the pillars within my premises. Moreover, all pillars are differently carved and no two pillars are the same. Identify me and the person.--Su_hit (talk) 12:08, 4 December 2009 (UTC)

Chaumukha temple of Ranakpur. VasuVR (talk, contribs) 12:16, 4 December 2009 (UTC)
And the person in question would be Vikram Sarabhai. Regards, SBC-YPR (talk) 13:30, 4 December 2009 (UTC)
Is the person Ravi J. Matthai ? Abeer.ag (talk) 22:30, 7 December 2009 (UTC)
Ranakpur is correct, VasuVR gets 0.67 points. But the person is neither Vikram Sarabhai nor Ravi Matthai. The person was an industrialist and founded a company, which was the first private sector company of India to be inaugurated by the first Prime Minister. --Su_hit (talk) 04:23, 8 December 2009 (UTC)
Kasturbhai Lalbhai is the industrialist. VasuVR is welcome to ask the next question --Arjun (talk) 05:10, 8 December 2009 (UTC)
VasuVR gets baton with full one point. The answer is supported by i Share, Jain Samaj and Gujarat Plus.--Su_hit (talk) 05:56, 8 December 2009 (UTC)
0.67 is fine, for having given up half-way... ;) VasuVR (talk, contribs) 09:05, 8 December 2009 (UTC)
It's my mistake. 0.67 point to VasuVR and 0.33 point to Arjun. --Su_hit (talk) 09:22, 8 December 2009 (UTC)

Q24

I can be connected to Krishnadevaraya, Thumba, Lakshmibai and Sarnath. Find me. VasuVR (talk, contribs) 09:05, 8 December 2009 (UTC)

Tried to explore. Is it related to Varanasi?--Su_hit (talk) 04:34, 9 December 2009 (UTC)
It is not related to Varanasi.
Clue 1 - It is a disjoint connection - that is I am the one connected to these 4 and these 4 do not have any connections directly between each other. In similar fashion, I can be connected to Rajendra Chola, ISRO, Mangammal and our national Emblem. VasuVR (talk, contribs) 05:53, 9 December 2009 (UTC)
An outside guess. Abdul Kalam? It's been almost 3 years since I was last on this quiz lol. Vignesh (talk) 20:37, 9 December 2009 (UTC)
No, it is not Abdul Kalam. VasuVR (talk, contribs) 01:21, 10 December 2009 (UTC)
Clue 2 - I am not a person. My four parts are separately connected to the names / places / things above, respectively. Get the key word associated with each person/ place/ thing and you get me on a search of any page on the web about me. VasuVR (talk, contribs) 01:21, 10 December 2009 (UTC)
Is it pertains to 'Independence' or '15th August'? --Su_hit (talk) 07:04, 10 December 2009 (UTC)
That is not the answer.
Clue 3 - If you think of any of the first 3 items in the associations, immediately one thinks of the other word - in some fashion closely associated with the place / person or even the title of the person. That is the key word. The fourth is not such a direct association (Sarnath / national Emblem). Hence let us say something connected to the Lion is the association for one of my four parts. VasuVR (talk, contribs) 08:10, 10 December 2009 (UTC)
Clue 4 - Here is an easy one. The four parts are the 4 Rs. VasuVR (talk, contribs) 12:03, 10 December 2009 (UTC)
Jog Falls - Raja (KDR/RC), Rani (LB/Mangammal), Rocket (Thumba/ISRO), Roarer (Sarnath/Emblem - Lion). The fourth clue gave it away :-) Regards, SBC-YPR (talk) 12:55, 10 December 2009 (UTC)
Perfect. Take it away. VasuVR (talk, contribs) 12:58, 10 December 2009 (UTC)

Q25

Let me complete my 5-questions haul. What's significantly common in these persons? Pradeep Sarkar, Vipual Shah, Abhishek Kapoor, Ram Gopal Verma. The list is not complete. --Su_hit (talk) 04:27, 15 December 2009 (UTC)

Hint1:It is related to their works.--Su_hit (talk) 03:59, 17 December 2009 (UTC)
Hint2: The movie directed by these gentlemen have strikingly common achievement.--Su_hit (talk) 04:21, 21 December 2009 (UTC)
Come on!!. I do not want to play multiple roles of quiz master, participant and audience. Hint3: It is related to Parineeta, Namastey London, Rock On!! and Sarkar Raj. --Su_hit (talk) 04:18, 23 December 2009 (UTC)
Added to the Oscar Library [2] . Abeer.ag (talk) 05:31, 23 December 2009 (UTC)
Abber.ag clicks the last Q of the round. He will open the next round.--Su_hit (talk) 04:24, 24 December 2009 (UTC)

What exactly do I do now? How do I archive this round and set up a new one? Abeer.ag (talk) 12:11, 25 December 2009 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.