<p><strong>Overview</strong>: The daily UPSC History & Culture quiz released on 21 May 2026 tests knowledge of lesser‑known reformers, freedom‑fighter trajectories, medieval dynasties and the texts that shaped Mahatma Gandhi. Each question is followed by a concise explanation, helping aspirants link static syllabus topics with current‑affairs framing.</p>
<h3>Key Developments (Quiz Answers)</h3>
<ul>
<li>Q1 – Iyothee Thasar, Mitavadi Krishnan and Sahodaran Ayyappan are associated with <span class="key-term" data-definition="Anti‑caste activism — movements that challenge the caste hierarchy and seek social equality; important for GS1: History and GS2: Polity">anti‑caste activism</span>. (Answer: a)</li>
<li>Q2 – The freedom‑fighter who co‑edited <em>Inquilab</em> with Lohia and later founded the <span class="key-term" data-definition="National Federation of Indian Women — women’s wing of the Communist Party of India, founded by Aruna Asaf Ali; relevant for GS2: Polity and GS1: History">National Federation of Indian Women</span> is <strong>Aruna Asaf Ali</strong>. (Answer: c)</li>
<li>Q3 – The court ruling on Bhojshala links King Bhoja to the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Paramara dynasty — a medieval Indian dynasty that ruled parts of central India in the 11th century; often asked in GS1: History">Paramara dynasty</span>. (Answer: c)</li>
<li>Q4 – The book that inspired Gandhi’s voluntary simplicity and the Phoenix Settlement is <span class="key-term" data-definition="Unto This Last — a book by John Ruskin that influenced Gandhi’s ideas on simple living and self‑reliance; GS1: History and GS4: Ethics">Unto This Last</span>. (Answer: c)</li>
<li>Q5 – The inscription mentioning Ashoka, Rudradaman I and Skandagupta is found at <span class="key-term" data-definition="Sudarshana Lake — an ancient reservoir near Girnar hills, associated with inscriptions of Ashoka, Rudradaman I and Skandagupta; GS1: History">Sudarshana Lake</span>. (Answer: c)</li>
</ul>
<h3>Important Facts</h3>
<p>1. <strong>Iyothee Thasar</strong> (Tamil) and reformers <strong>Mitavadi Krishnan</strong> and <strong>Sahodaran Ayyappan</strong> revived <span class="key-term" data-definition="Buddhism — an ancient Indian religion that rejects caste hierarchy; its revival in modern anti‑caste movements is a frequent UPSC topic (GS1: History)">Buddhism</span> to challenge Brahmanical dominance.</p>
<p>2. <strong>Aruna Asaf Ali</strong> (1909‑1996) moved from the Indian National Congress to the Communist Party of India, co‑edited <em>Inquilab</em>, and established the <span class="key-term" data-definition="National Federation of Indian Women — women’s wing of the Communist Party of India, founded by Aruna Asaf Ali; relevant for GS2: Polity and GS1: History">National Federation of Indian Women</span>.</p>
<p>3. King <strong>Bhoja</strong> (11th century) of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Paramara dynasty — a medieval Indian dynasty that ruled parts of central India in