| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Sher Shah Suri oversaw the creation of an entrance to this location, whose construction began in 1199 under a deputy of Muhammad Ghori. This building lies within a fortified complex constructed by Anangpal Tomar known as Lal Kot. (+) A Turkish general named Aibak is thought to be the namesake of this structure,which contains a set of six horizontal bands with calligraphy. Containing five stories, this religious building stands at 72.5 meters in height. Found in Delhi, this is, (*) for the point, what tallest minaret on Earth? | Qutub Minar (accept Qutb Minar; accept Qutab Minar) |
| A memorial to the South Korean Queen Heo Hwang-ok can be found in this city of India that was once the capital of Awadh. Faizabad forms a municipal corporation with this city, which is sometimes known as Saketa. The Hanuman Garhi Fort (+) was built in this city which the Saryu River flows through. Often referred to as "The Temple Town," this city in Uttar Pradesh was the site of the construction of a mosque on land that allegedly marked the place where a son of Dasarath was born. (*) For the point, name this holy city of Hinduism where Rama was born. | Ayodhya |
| The poet Balarama Dasa hailed from what is now this state. Deomali is the highest point in this state, which contains Chilika Lake. Along with a state to the west, the Mahanadi flows through this state. The borders of the historical kingdom of Kalinga (+) correspond to those of this state, which contains an auspicious cremation site on the Indian Ocean called Swargadwara. This state is home to the holy city of Puri, which contains a widely visited temple dedicated to Jagannath. With capital at Bhubaneswar this state lies east of Chhattisgarh. (*) For the point, name this state of eastern India once known as Orissa. | Odisha (accept Utkala; accept Orissa before mentioned) |
| The Karcham Wangtoo Plant generates hydroelectric power from this river. A concrete gravity dam created along this river, which is India’s third largest reservoir, can be found in Bhakra. The confluence of this river is in the Bahawalpur District and is formed by the merger of the Panjnad and Chenab. (+) The Ropar Wetland is found on this river, which passes through such cities as Ludhiana. The Sirhind Canal assists with irrigation efforts along this river, which is the (*) easternmost of the Indus River’s tributaries. For the point, name this major river of Punjab. | Sutlej River (accept Satluj River; accept Satadru River) |
| The Sarkar Committee Report was central to the establishment of these places, one of which celebrates a yearly festival known as Shaastra. In 2008, a new collection of these places was established in cities like Gandhinagar and Hyderabad. (+) A collection of the original five of these places includes those at Kharagpur and Kanpur. Sundar Pichai attended one of these places, which make selections based on the JEE Advanced exam that tests subjects like chemistry and physics. (*) For the point, name these elite engineering universities in India. | IITs (accept Indian Institutes of Technology[/a]; prompt on "Institutes of Technology"; prompt on "Colleges"; prompt on "Universities" before mentioned) |
| The longest cave occurring naturally in India is in this state, which is home to a waterfall named because it resembles an eagle with outstretched wings. In this state's town of Mawsynram, residents use grass to render their abodes soundproof to one phenomenon. The Jaintia Hills (+) and the Garo Hills are found in this state, which borders another country's Sylhet division to its south. Cherrapunji is a town in this state often considered the wettest place on Earth. (*) For the point, name this state of northeastern India governed from Shillong. | Meghalaya |
| The Barog Tunnel No. 33 that is part of a transportation named for this city and an alphabetically earlier city has been reported to have been the site of paranormal activity. In this city, the Viceroy of India used to inhabit the Rashtrapati Niwas. (+) Bantony, Elysium, and Jakhu are among the seven hills of this city, the last of which contains a temple dedicated to Hanuman. The largest natural ice skating rink in India can be found in this city that is connected to Kalka by rail. Known for its oak and pine forests, this is, (*) for the point, what capital city of Himachal Pradesh? | Shimla (accept Simla) |
| This state's city of Solan is sometimes named for its role as a producer of mushrooms. The Spiti Valley can be found in the north eastern reaches of this province. Mandi and Chamba were among the districts that were coalesced to form this state, which is sometimes known as Dev Bhoomi (+) or the "Land of God". Kye Gompa is among the monasteries found in this state, the winter capital of which is Dharamshala. Found in the western Himalayas, this is, (*) for the point, what state of northern India with a name meaning "Province of the Snow-laden Mountains"? | Himachal Pradesh (prompt on "Dev Boomi" before mentioned) |
| Camel's Back Road can be found at a location of this type that contains Lake Mist. Though not from Kerala, a group of people known as the Malai Yali people inhabit one of these locations called Yelagiri. Another of these places "meadow of flowers." (+) A popular place of this type in Chikkaballapur district known as Nandi Betta is a common tourist site for viewing sunsets. Gulmarg and Mussoorie are other famous location of this type that often overlook valleys. (*) For the point, name these high elevation locations that are found throughout India. | Hill Stations |
| The Saddar Bazaar in this city contains its namesake clock tower. This city was the birthplace of a poet given the title Allama. That man from this city was Muhammad Iqbal. Forward Sports is among the numerous companies in this city that produces hand-sewn footballs, (+) the majority of which are produced in it. Jinnah Stadium is a sports venue in this city, which along with Gujranwala and Gujrat form a "Golden Triangle" of cities that are large exporters. (*) For the point, name this large city in Pakistan's portion of Punjab, once known as Sagala. | Sialkot (accept Sagala before mentioned; accept Sakala before "Sagala" is mentioned and prompt after) |
| The Qala Ikhtyaruddin is a citadel in this city dating back to the age of Alexander the Great. Shah Rukh served as the patron of this city's Shrine at Gazur Gah, which is a mausoleum for the Sufi mystic Khwaja Abdullah Ansari. The Paropamisus Mountains (+) are north of this city, whose Musallah Minarets are an example of the Timurid architecture throughout it. The Hari River provides water to residents of this oasis city where Persian influences have led to it being nicknamed "Little Iran." (*) For the point, name this third-largest city in Afghanistan. | Herat |
| This city's namesake ropeway offers a scenic ride from the nearby Singamari to Singla, descending roughly 6200 feet in the process. A railway that is sometimes partly named for this city runs from it to New Jalpaiguri. That Toy Train (+) serves this city located near the mountain Kangchenjunga. Containing a Tibetan Self Help Refugee Center, this city is known for a good derived from the species Camellia sinensis. (*) For the point, name this city in West Bengal known for its namesake variety of black tea. | Darjeeling |
| Koh-e-Batil is a promontory that overlooks this city, which contains Demi Zirr. The town of Jiwani is found on a bay that shares its name with this city. India has spent hundreds of millions of dollars developing the Iranian city of Chabahar to compete with this nearby (+) counterpart that is home to a large fishing industry. The capital of South Balochistan, this city is found on the Arabian Sea opposite Oman. China has planned on developing this city to decrease the distance its gulf oil imports must travel. (*) For the point, name this major port city of Pakistan. | Gwadar |
| Various species of tern set up large nesting grounds in a part of this region containing the Pitti Bank. The Mahl dialect is native to this region, which contains the Minicoy Channel. Viringili is an uninhabited portion of this region, which shares its name with a sea containing the Gulf of Mannar. (+) The Malmis and Melacheris are among the groups that inhabit this region of 36 islands. Found off the coast of Kochi, this union territory has a name derived from the Malayalam language. (*) For the point, name this archipelago with a name meaning "one hundred thousand islands." | Lakshadweep (accept Laccadives) |
| Along with Havelian Station, a station in this city serves as a terminus of the Khunjerab Railway. Bhir Mound can be found in this city, whose namesake ruins include the ancient city of Sirsukh founded during the Kushan Empire. (+) Like the proximate city of Nalanda, this city contained a center of learning often considered to be one of the earliest universities. During the Maurya Dynasty, this city flourished as a cultural center even though it was the site of a rebellion cut down by Ashoka. (*) For the point, name this ancient city in modern-day Pakistan. | Taxila (accept Thakshashila; accept Takhkhasilā; accept Takṣaśilā) |
| Until the 1960s, this city was home to a population of Jewish traders who inhabited its Babu Mohallah neighborhood. The Dadan Khan Mosque can be found in this city, which is located near a fort containing the tomb of Sarang Khan that was built on the Pothohar Plateau. (+) This city is home to the GHQ of its country's army and is served by Benazir Bhutto International Airport. With Islamabad, this city is one of its country's twin cities. (*) For the point, name this fourth-largest city in Pakistan that is home to Rawat Fort. | Rawalpindi |
| The Tlawng river flows through this state where, after undergoing wide-scale jungle clearing efforts, celebrates the Chapchar Kut festival in March. Before mass- conversion to Christianity, most members of this state's namesake ethnic group practiced Lushai animism. (+) Solomon's Temple is the main church this in this state, which contains such tourist attractions as Vantawng Falls. After Sikkim, this is the least populous state of its country. Once a part of Assam, this is, (*) for the point, what state of northeast India with its capital at Aizawl and a name meaning "land of the Mizos"? | Mizoram |
| The Kajaki Dam is a major source of this province's hydroelectric power. The South Palace of the Qala-e-Kohna complex in this province was expanded through the efforts of Masud I. Mirwais Nika Park can be found in this province, which is served by Bost Airport and was home Camp Leatherneck. (+) Nawa-I-Barakzayi is a major district of this province, with capital at Lashkargah. Found southwest of Oruzgan and Daykundi, this province is immediately to the west of Kandahar province. The largest by area, (*) for the point, what is this province in the south of Afghanistan? | Helmand (accept Hillmand; accept Hermand; accept Hethumand) |
| A survey conducted by FATF across 22 countries found that "cultural preference" and speed of transmission were among the major reasons for the use of this system. This form of IFT often makes use of a shared password and gets around a prohibition on riba, or interest, as per Islamic law. (+) In this system, customers pay transaction fees to receive money from a provider who depends on the trust of another person on the network to settle a debt at a later date. (*) For the point, name this trust- based banking system operating across South Asia. | Hawala (accept Hewala; accept Havaleh; accept Xawala; accept Xawilaad) |
| One building in this city was allegedly built after Advaita Acharya found a representation of Madan Mohan. Found in the Brijbhoomi region, it is sometimes called the "City of Widows." Legend has it that those who attempt to visit this city's Rang Mahal at night never live to tell the tale. The Forest of Tulsi (+) can be found in this city, where conch shells are notably not present at the Banke Bihari Temple. The Prem Mandir is found this city, roughly ten kilometers from the birthplace of Krishna. Found in the Mathura district, this is, (*) for the point, what holy city in Uttar Pradesh? | Vrindavan (accept Brindaban) |
| Whitney Azoy compares the power dynamics of politics to those of this this activity, which bears similarities to ulak tartysh. Tudabarai and Qarajai are the two primary variants of this activity divided into two forty-five minute halves. The term Chapandaz (+) refers to players of this sport, which employs a "Circle of Justice." The carcass of a goat is often employed in this activity, one of whose best-known players was a former member of the mujahideen. (*) For the point, name this sport in Afghanistan played on horseback. | Buzkashi |
| George Herzog's 1950 ascent of this mountain marked the first ascent of a peak over eight-thousand meters in height. After saving two climbers' lives in the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, Anatoli Boukreev died the next year on this mountain known for its extremely high (+) fatality rate. Found in the Gandaki Province of Nepal, this mountain's namesake Conservation Area is home to a roughly 130 kilometer trek. The tenth tallest mountain on Earth, this is, (*) for the point, what Himalayan mountain that is home to a popular namesake "circuit"? | Annapurna |
| A proposed bridge that would cross this body of water would connect the cities of Dhanushkodi and Talaimannar. The Vaigai River flows into this body of water, which would be connected to a nearby gulf by the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal. This body of water was first swum across in under (+) 27 hours by Murugapillai Navratnaswami. This body of water contains a set of limestone shoals known as Adam's Bridge. Found north of the Jaffna District, this body of water is named for a governor of Madras. (*) For the point, name this strait that separates India from Sri Lanka. | Palk Strait (accept Pok Samudra Sandhiya) |
| Alamgir II is buried in a garden found along this body of water, which is referred to as Mahasarit in ancient texts. The Moi-e-Muqqadas, which is a relic thought to be the hair of Muhammad, is found in the Hazratbal Shrine on the northern end of this body of water. Shikara are a type of wooden taxi (+) used to traverse passengers across this body of water. An island within this body of water is known for containing four trees of the Chinar specimen on each of its corners. Found in the city of Srinagar, this is, (*) for the point, what urban lake frequented by tourists to Jammu and Kashmir? | Dal Lake (accept Mahasarit before mentioned) |
| Completed in 1986, this building in Bahapur is constructed out of a material obtained from Penteli mountain in Greece. Fariborz Sahba designed this building, which intentionally contains nine sides and a depiction of one faith's "Greatest Name" on its ceiling. (+) Meant to serve as a "silent teacher" according to Shoghi Effendi, this place uses marble in the design of the characteristic "petals" that form its shape. Sacred to the Bahai faith, this is, (*) for the point, what temple in Delhi that is shaped like a flower? | Lotus Temple |
| Goodwill Peak is the highest point of this mountain range, which named a now defunct state that was centered at Rewa Amarkantak. The Bhander Plateau is part of this mountain range, whose eastern portion is composed of the Kaimurs. (+) A sage named Agastya once asked this mountain range to lower itself in the Ramayana. This mountain range is mentioned after Banga and before Himachal in the national anthem of India. With a name translating to "Obstructor", this is, (*) for the point, what mountain range of central India? | Vindhya Range (accept Vindhyachal) |
| Giuliano Tallone proposed the creation of a namesake Peace Park around this location. The Sia La is a pass that connects this feature to a similar Kondus counterpart. An attempt to seize this feature had a codename inspired by a poem of Kalidasa. That effort was Operation Cloud Messenger. (+) This feature is the main source of the Yarma Tsangpo. The Saltoro Muztagh can be found southwest of this feature that is in the eastern end of the Karakoram Range just beyond the terminus of the Line of Control. (*) For the point, name this massive glacier disputed by Pakistan and India. | Siachen Glacier |
| This policy had been suggested in the 1970s by the government-created Wachoo committee. An ordinance regarding the "Cessation of Liabilities" was passed as part of this effort, partly aiming to curb the influence of Naxalites. (+) Concerns arose that temple boxes known as hundis may serve as locations to hide the central items of this policy. Aiming to prevent the circulation of black money and fake notes, this is, (*) for the point, what policy in which Narendra Modi's government banned large denomination's of his country's currency? | 2016 Indian Banknote Demonetisation (accept 2016 Demonetisation of the Indian Rupee; prompt on partial answers) |
| A terracotta figure of a boy smiling was found at the Bulandi Bagh site excavated at this site. The Son and a longer river meet in this city founded b Ajatashatru of the Haryanka. This ancient city was where Dhana Nanda ruled before being defeated by a man known as (+) Sandrokottos in some texts. The Arthashastra was written by an advisor to a king who ruled this city found near the modern-day Bihari city of Patna. Once ruled by Chandragupta, (*) this is, for the point, what city that served as the capital of the Maurya Empire? | Pataliputra (prompt on "Patna") |
| A man-made reservoir intended to provide a railway colony with water in this city is known as Foy's Lake. The Karnaphuli River flows through this city inhabited by a sizeable population of the Chakma people. A Sufi preacher named Shah Amanat (+) lends his name to a bridge connecting this city with the Bandarban District and the popular tourist destination of Cox's Bazaar. A set of Hill Tracts are found within the namesake division containing this seaport. (*) For the point, name this port and second- largest city in Bangladesh. | Chittagong (accept Chattogram) |
| Manuel Aaron was an expert in this activity that evolved from an ancient activity called Chaturanga. In 1955, the city of Elluru held the first India championship in this event, one of whose experts goes by the name Vishy. That man, (+) Viswanathan Anand, has a particularly high ELO rating in this event, where he won a World Championship in his native Chennai against (*) Magnus Carlsen. The title of grandmaster is given to experts in, for the point, what board game played with pieces such as rooks? | International Chess (accept Western Chess; prompt on "Chaturanga" before mentioned) |