India is a country full of mystery and intrigue. It has a rich cultural heritage that lends itself well to riddles. Here are 55 riddles about India that will get you thinking.
Geography Riddles
Riddle 1
I am a mountain range that runs along the northern border of India. I separate India from the Tibetan Plateau. What am I?
Answer: The Himalayas
Riddle 2
I am a peninsula that forms the southern part of India. I am surrounded by the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean. What am I?
Answer: The Deccan Plateau
Riddle 3
I am a fertile plain in northern India watered by the Ganges and Yamuna rivers. I am known as the breadbasket of India due to my agricultural production. What am I?
Answer: The Indo-Gangetic Plain
Riddle 4
I am a desert in northwest India known for my shifting sand dunes. I border Pakistan and am one of the major deserts in Asia. What am I?
Answer: The Thar Desert
Riddle 5
I am a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal administratively considered part of both Andaman and Nicobar Islands. I am closer to Myanmar and Indonesia than to mainland India. What am I?
Answer: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands
History Riddles
Riddle 1
I was an ancient civilization that emerged around 2500 BCE along the Indus river valley. I had an advanced urban culture but mysteriously declined. What am I?
Answer: The Indus Valley Civilization
Riddle 2
I was a flourishing ancient trade empire that connected Rome to China. I had important ports like Muziris and Barbaricum. What was I called?
Answer: The Indo-Roman trade
Riddle 3
I was a syncretic empire that combined Persianate, Islamic and Indian cultures under the Mughal rule from 1526-1857. What empire was this?
Answer: The Mughal Empire
Riddle 4
I was a nonviolent movement led by Gandhi that used civil disobedience to achieve India’s independence from British rule. What was this movement called?
Answer: The Indian Independence Movement
Riddle 5
I was the last Governor General of India who also became the first Viceroy in 1858. I introduced various reforms but my repressive policies led to the 1857 revolt. Who am I?
Answer: Lord Canning
Religion and Culture Riddles
Riddle 1
I am considered one of the oldest religions in the world. I originated in the Indus Valley and my early scriptures are the Vedas. What religion am I?
Answer: Hinduism
Riddle 2
I broke away from Hinduism in the 16th century in Punjab as I preached devotion to one God. My holy scripture is the Guru Granth Sahib. What religion am I?
Answer: Sikhism
Riddle 3
I originated in India in the 6th century BC in Bihar. I follow teachings about easing suffering. My leader is Gautama Buddha. What religion am I?
Answer: Buddhism
Riddle 4
I came to India in 711 CE via the sea from the Middle East. I make up over 14% of the Indian population. What religion am I?
Answer: Islam
Riddle 5
I am a synthesis of cultures when the Persian and Vedic met. My texts are the Gathas, Yasna, Visparad and Vendidad. What religion am I?
Answer: Zoroastrianism
Riddle 6
I wear a dot on my forehead as a sect mark. I worship the Lord Vishnu and His Avatars. What Hindu sect do I belong to?
Answer: Vaishnavism
Riddle 7
I made the Konark Sun temple, Lingaraja temple and Jagannath Puri temple, dedicating them to Surya, Shiva and Vishnu respectively. Who am I?
Answer: The Ganga Dynasty
Riddle 8
I am a classical dance form that depicts stories through hand gestures and facial expressions. My name means “story play” in Sanskrit. What dance am I?
Answer: Bharatanatyam
Science and Technology Riddles
Riddle 1
I laid the foundations of modern mathematics by introducing concepts like zero, arithmetic rules, quadratic equations and the decimal system based on my book “Sidhhanta Shiromani”. Who am I?
Answer: Aryabhata
Riddle 2
I discovered the theory of diffraction of light through a small aperture, now popularly known as “Poisson Spot”. I became professor of physics in 1810 at the College de France. Who am I?
Answer: Pierre Alphonse Laurent
Riddle 3
I discovered the Raman Effect, the change in the wavelength of light that occurs when a light beam is deflected by molecules. I was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1930 for this. Who am I?
Answer: Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman
Riddle 4
I am renowned as the “missile man of India” for my role in the development of Indigenous missiles and progress of the Indian space program. I also served as India’s President from 2002-2007. Who am I?
Answer: Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam
Riddle 5
I founded the botanical survey of India in 1890 and started the periodical ‘Annals of the Royal Botanical Garden’ in 1888 documenting India’s flora. Who am I?
Answer: George King
Miscellaneous Riddles
Riddle 1
Built in 1911, I am India’s most well known colonial era landmark in Mumbai. I was renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in 1996. What am I?
Answer: Victoria Terminus Station
Riddle 2
I am aflat, round-shaped cream or pink colored dry sweet made of Khoa, sugar and traditional flavorings like cardamom or rosewater. What Indian mithai am I?
Answer: Gulab Jamun
Riddle 3
I originated as a breakfast dish of flattened rice with spices, onion and lentil. Today I am popular street food all over India with various chutneys and masalas. What am I called?
Answer: Poha or Flattened Rice
Riddle 4
Traditionally steamed in a turmeric leaf and banana leaf, I contain rice, coconut and jaggery flavored with green chillies and curry leaves. What South Indian dish am I?
Answer: Idlis
Riddle 5
I lie 60 miles off India’s west coast and am home to a 16th century Portuguese fort and Victorian buildings, earning me the title “Goa of the West”. What island am I?
Answer: Diu Island
Riddle 6
Built in the early 16th century by Rana Udai Singh II, I am a marble complex of palaces and gardens set around Lake Pichola in Udaipur. What palace am I?
Answer: The City Palace
Riddle 7
I originated among Persian and Arabic moneylenders referring to interest charged on a loan. Today in modern Hindi I mean “tip”. What term am I?
Answer: Baksheesh
Riddle 8
Derived from a Hindi phrase meaning “to tear around,” I refer to makeshift repairs or jury-rigged cars and trucks held together by bits of wire. What word am I?
Answer: Jugaad
Riddle 9
During the Kumbh Mela pilgrims come to bathe in my waters at one of four holy sites in India, believing this will cleanse them of sin. What river am I?
Answer: Ganges River
Riddle 10
Built in the 17th century by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, I served as the imperial residence until the last Mughal Emperor left Delhi. What famous palace am I?
Answer: The Red Fort
Conclusion
India’s history and culture lend themselves well to intriguing riddles. How many could you answer correctly? From geography and religion to science, food and famous monuments, these India riddles reflect the country’s rich heritage. Learning more about India’s past and present provides helpful clues. Whether testing your knowledge or introducing facts in an interactive way, these riddles make learning about India educational and engaging.
