Chennai Trivia Quiz Questions and Answers

Which city is often referred to as “the Gateway of South India”?

Chennai
Mumbai
Kolkata
Bengaluru

Correct Answer: Chennai

Correct Answer Explanation: Chennai is considered a major transportation hub and is often referred to as the Gateway of South India.

Which Indian city is called “Detroit of India” because of its major automobile industry?

Mumbai
Bengaluru
Hyderabad
Chennai

Correct Answer: Chennai

Correct Answer Explanation: The city of Chennai is nicknamed “Detroit of India” due to the presence of several major automobile manufacturers in the city.

Which of these is NOT a major river that flows through Chennai?

Adyar River
Cooum River
Kaveri River
Kosasthalaiyar River

Correct Answer: Kaveri River

Correct Answer Explanation: The Kaveri River flows through the state of Tamil Nadu, but not through the city of Chennai.

How many major railway terminals are there in Chennai?

One
Two
Three
Four

Correct Answer: Four

Correct Answer Explanation: The city has four major railway terminals, located in Chennai Central, Egmore, Beach, and Tambaram.

What was the original name of the fishing village that the British East India Company purchased in 1639?

Madrasapattinam
Chennapattinam
Royapuram
Mahabalipuram

Correct Answer: Madrasapattinam

Correct Answer Explanation: The British East India Company purchased a strip of land on the Coromandel coast in 1639, which included a fishing village called “Madraspatnam.”

Which of these is the oldest surviving municipal corporation in India?

Greater Chennai Corporation
Kolkata Municipal Corporation
Mumbai Municipal Corporation
Delhi Municipal Corporation

Correct Answer: Greater Chennai Corporation

Correct Answer Explanation: The Greater Chennai Corporation, established on September 29, 1688, is the oldest surviving municipal corporation in India.

Which of these is NOT one of the major water reservoirs in Chennai?

Chembarambakkam Lake
Red Hills Lake
Veeranam Lake
Pallikaranai Lake

Correct Answer: Pallikaranai Lake

Correct Answer Explanation: Pallikaranai Lake is a lake in the city, but it is not one of the major water reservoirs. The major water reservoirs in the city are Chembarambakkam Lake, Red Hills Lake, and Veeranam Lake.

Which of these is NOT a major Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket team?

Chennai Super Kings
Mumbai Indians
Kolkata Knight Riders
Bangalore Super Kings

Correct Answer: Bangalore Super Kings

Correct Answer Explanation: The IPL franchise for Bangalore is called the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

What is the name of the oldest surviving studio in India?

AVM Productions
Gemini Studios
Vijaya Vauhini Studios
Prabhat Film Company

Correct Answer: AVM Productions

Correct Answer Explanation: AVM Productions, located in Chennai, is the oldest surviving studio in India.

Which of these is NOT a traditional South Indian breakfast dish?

Idly
Dosa
Samosa
Uttapam

Correct Answer: Samosa

Correct Answer Explanation: Samosas are a popular snack found throughout India, but they are not a traditional South Indian breakfast dish.

What is the name of the UNESCO Heritage Site located near Chennai?

Mahabalipuram
Hampi
Ajanta Caves
Ellora Caves

Correct Answer: Mahabalipuram

Correct Answer Explanation: Mahabalipuram, a historical coastal town located south of Chennai, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Which of these is the name of a traditional classical dance form that originated in Tamil Nadu?

Bharata Natyam
Kathak
Odissi
Kuchipudi

Correct Answer: Bharata Natyam

Correct Answer Explanation: Bharata Natyam, a classical dance form that originated in Tamil Nadu, is the oldest dance form in India.

What is the name of the oldest engineering college in India?

Indian Institute of Technology Madras
College of Engineering, Guindy
Madras Institute of Technology
Anna University

Correct Answer: College of Engineering, Guindy

Correct Answer Explanation: The College of Engineering, Guindy in Chennai, founded in 1794, is the oldest engineering college in India.

Which of these is NOT a major public hospital in Chennai?

Government General Hospital
Government Multi-Specialty Hospital
Apollo Hospitals
Stanley Medical College Hospital

Correct Answer: Apollo Hospitals

Correct Answer Explanation: Apollo Hospitals is a major private hospital in Chennai. The other options are all major public hospitals in the city.

Which of these is NOT one of the major international airports in India?

Chennai International Airport
Mumbai International Airport
Delhi International Airport
Bangalore International Airport

Correct Answer: Bangalore International Airport

Correct Answer Explanation: Bangalore International Airport is a major international airport in India, but it is not one of the top four busiest airports in India.

What is the name of the largest bus station in Asia?

Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus
Delhi Mofussil Bus Terminus
Mumbai Mofussil Bus Terminus
Kolkata Mofussil Bus Terminus

Correct Answer: Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus

Correct Answer Explanation: The Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus is one of the largest bus stations in Asia.

Which of these is NOT one of the busiest ports in India?

Chennai Port
Mumbai Port
Kolkata Port
Kochi Port

Correct Answer: Kochi Port

Correct Answer Explanation: Kochi Port is a major port in India, but it is not one of the busiest ports in the country.

What is the name of the largest library in Asia?

Anna Centenary Library
Connemara Public Library
British Library
Library of Congress

Correct Answer: Anna Centenary Library

Correct Answer Explanation: The Anna Centenary Library in Chennai is the largest library in Asia.

Which of these is NOT a major sporting event that has been held in Chennai?

ICC Cricket World Cup
South Asian Games
Commonwealth Games
Men’s Champions Trophy

Correct Answer: Commonwealth Games

Correct Answer Explanation: Chennai has not hosted the Commonwealth Games. The other events have been held in the city.

Which of these is NOT a major chess grandmaster from Chennai?

Viswanathan Anand
Pentala Harikrishna
Surya Shekhar Ganguly
Koneru Humpy

Correct Answer: Surya Shekhar Ganguly

Correct Answer Explanation: Surya Shekhar Ganguly is a chess grandmaster from Kolkata. The other three are all from Chennai.

What is the name of the first permanent racing circuit in India?

Madras Motor Race Track
Buddh International Circuit
Kari Motor Speedway
Hyderabad Street Circuit

Correct Answer: Madras Motor Race Track

Correct Answer Explanation: The Madras Motor Race Track in Chennai, inaugurated in 1990, was the first permanent racing circuit in India.

What is the name of the oldest cricket stadium in India?

M.A. Chidambaram Stadium
Wankhede Stadium
Eden Gardens
Brabourne Stadium

Correct Answer: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium

Correct Answer Explanation: The M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, established in 1916, is one of the oldest cricket stadiums in India.

Which of these is NOT a foreign mission in Chennai?

American Consulate
British High Commission
French Consulate
German Embassy

Correct Answer: German Embassy

Correct Answer Explanation: There is no German Embassy in Chennai. The German Consulate General is located in the city.

Which of these is NOT a major newspaper published in Chennai?

The Hindu
The Times of India
The Economic Times
The Deccan Chronicle

Correct Answer: The Economic Times

Correct Answer Explanation: The Economic Times is a financial newspaper published in Mumbai, not Chennai.

What is the name of the oldest English newspaper in Chennai that was owned by an Indian?

The Spectator
The Madras Courier
The Madras Gazette
The Government Gazette

Correct Answer: The Spectator

Correct Answer Explanation: The Spectator, founded in 1836, was the first English newspaper in Chennai to be owned by an Indian.

Which of these is NOT a major television network based in Chennai?

Sun Network
Star Network
Zee Network
Vijay Television

Correct Answer: Star Network

Correct Answer Explanation: The Star Network is based in Mumbai, not Chennai.

What is the name of the first fully indigenous nuclear power station in India?

Madras Atomic Power Station
Tarapur Atomic Power Station
Rajasthan Atomic Power Station
Kakrapar Atomic Power Station

Correct Answer: Madras Atomic Power Station

Correct Answer Explanation: The Madras Atomic Power Station in Kalpakkam, about 80 km (50 mi) south of Chennai, is the first fully indigenous nuclear power station in India.

Which of these is NOT a major IT park in Chennai?

Tidel Park
International Tech Park
Mahindra World City
Ascendas IT Park

Correct Answer: Mahindra World City

Correct Answer Explanation: Mahindra World City is a major industrial park in Chennai, but it is not primarily focused on IT.

Which of these is NOT a major retail zone in Chennai?

Anna Nagar
Nungambakkam
T. Nagar
Koyambedu

Correct Answer: Koyambedu

Correct Answer Explanation: Koyambedu is a major wholesale market in Chennai, not a retail zone.

What is the name of the largest park in Chennai?

Tholkappia Poonga
Semmoli Poonga
Guindy National Park
Arignar Anna Zoological Park

Correct Answer: Tholkappia Poonga

Correct Answer Explanation: The largest park in Chennai is Tholkappia Poonga, which is 358 acres in size.

Which of these is NOT a major beach in Chennai?

Marina Beach
Elliot’s Beach
Besant Nagar Beach
Covelong Beach

Correct Answer: Covelong Beach

Correct Answer Explanation: Covelong Beach is located south of Chennai, but it is not considered one of the major beaches in the city.

What is the name of the oldest sailing club in Chennai?

Madras Boat Club
Royal Madras Yacht Club
Chennai Sailing Club
Tamil Nadu Sailing Club

Correct Answer: Madras Boat Club

Correct Answer Explanation: The Madras Boat Club was founded in 1846, making it the oldest sailing club in Chennai.

Which of these is NOT a major sports team from Chennai?

Chennai Super Kings
Chennaiyin FC
Chennai Smashers
Tamil Thalaivas

Correct Answer: Chennai Smashers

Correct Answer Explanation: The Chennai Smashers are a badminton team from Hyderabad, not Chennai.

What is the name of the only ATP World Tour event in India that was held in Chennai?

Chennai Open
Tata Open Maharashtra
Aircel Chennai Open
Indian Wells Masters

Correct Answer: Chennai Open

Correct Answer Explanation: The Chennai Open was an ATP World Tour event that was held in Chennai from 1997 to 2017.

What is the name of the first powered flight in Asia?

The Madras Flyer
The Chennai Eagle
The D’Angelis Aviator
The Tata Air Mail

Correct Answer: The D’Angelis Aviator

Correct Answer Explanation: Giacomo D’Angelis built the first powered flight in Asia and tested it in Island Grounds in 1910.

What is the name of the first scheduled commercial flight in India?

The Tata Air Mail
The Madras Air Service
The Indian Airlines Flight
The Air India Flight

Correct Answer: The Tata Air Mail

Correct Answer Explanation: The Tata Air Mail started an airmail service between Karachi and Madras in 1915, marking the beginning of civil aviation in India.

Which of these is NOT a major cultural institution in Chennai?

Madras Music Academy
Kalakshetra
Government Music College
National Institute of Fashion Technology

Correct Answer: National Institute of Fashion Technology

Correct Answer Explanation: The National Institute of Fashion Technology is a fashion institute, not a cultural institution.

What is the name of the first film in South India?

Keechaka Vadham
Raja Harishchandra
Alam Ara
Duniya Ka Raja

Correct Answer: Keechaka Vadham

Correct Answer Explanation: Keechaka Vadham, produced in Chennai, was the first film in South India, released in 1917.

What is the name of the oldest surviving bank in India?

Bank of Madras
Bank of Hindustan
General Bank of India
State Bank of India

Correct Answer: Bank of Madras

Correct Answer Explanation: Bank of Madras, established in 1683, was the first European-style banking system in India.

What is the name of the highest judicial authority in Tamil Nadu?

Madras High Court
Supreme Court of India
Bombay High Court
Calcutta High Court

Correct Answer: Madras High Court

Correct Answer Explanation: The Madras High Court is the highest judicial authority in Tamil Nadu, with its jurisdiction extending across the state and Puducherry.

Which of these is NOT a major political party in Tamil Nadu?

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Indian National Congress (INC)

Correct Answer: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

Correct Answer Explanation: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is a major national political party, but it has not traditionally had a strong presence in Tamil Nadu. The DMK and AIADMK are the dominant regional parties in the state.

What is the name of the neighborhood in Chennai where many film studios are located?

Kodambakkam
Mylapore
Triplicane
T. Nagar

Correct Answer: Kodambakkam

Correct Answer Explanation: The neighborhood of Kodambakkam in Chennai is known as “Kollywood,” a nickname for the Tamil-language film industry.

What is the name of the first major English settlement in India?

Fort William
Fort St. George
Fort St. David
Fort Kochi

Correct Answer: Fort St. George

Correct Answer Explanation: The British East India Company built Fort St. George in Chennai in 1640, which became the nucleus of the growing colonial city.

What is the name of the oldest building in Chennai?

Parthasarathy Temple
Kapaleeshwarar Temple
Fort St. George
Santhome Church

Correct Answer: Parthasarathy Temple

Correct Answer Explanation: The Parthasarathy Temple in Triplicane is one of the oldest buildings in Chennai, dating back to the 6th or 8th centuries CE.

Which of these is NOT a style of architecture found in Chennai?

Dravidian
Indo-Saracenic
Gothic Revival
Art Deco
Victorian

Correct Answer: Victorian

Correct Answer Explanation: Victorian architecture is primarily associated with the Victorian era in England and is not a prominent style in Chennai. The other architectural styles mentioned are all found in the city.

Which of these is NOT a language spoken in Chennai?

Tamil
English
Hindi
Urdu
Korean
Japanese
French
Mandarin Chinese
German
Spanish
Sanskrit

Correct Answer: Sanskrit

Correct Answer Explanation: While Sanskrit is an important language in the history of Hinduism, it is not widely spoken in Chennai.

What is the name of the largest ethnic group in Chennai?

Tamils
Telugus
Marwaris
Anglo-Indians

Correct Answer: Tamils

Correct Answer Explanation: Tamils make up the majority of the population in Chennai.

What is the name of the first hunger strike in India?

Potti Sreeramulu hunger strike
Mahatma Gandhi’s hunger strike
Bhagat Singh’s hunger strike
Rani Lakshmibai’s hunger strike

Correct Answer: Potti Sreeramulu hunger strike

Correct Answer Explanation: The hunger strike of Potti Sreeramulu in Madras in 1952, leading to his death, resulted in the formation of Andhra Pradesh state.

Which of these is NOT a major event that contributed to the changing political landscape of Chennai in the 1960s?

The Anti-Hindi Agitations
The formation of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)
The formation of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)
The independence of India

Correct Answer: The independence of India

Correct Answer Explanation: The independence of India occurred in 1947, and while it was a significant event, the changing political landscape in Chennai in the 1960s was more directly influenced by the events mentioned in the other choices.

What is the name of the organization that initiated Madras Music Season in 1927?

Madras Music Academy
Chennai Sangamam
Kalakshetra
Government Music College

Correct Answer: Madras Music Academy

Correct Answer Explanation: The Madras Music Academy, founded in 1927, is responsible for organizing the annual Madras Music Season, a major celebration of Carnatic music.

What is the name of the second oldest museum in India?

Government Museum, Chennai
Indian Museum, Kolkata
National Museum, New Delhi
Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad

Correct Answer: Government Museum, Chennai

Correct Answer Explanation: The Government Museum in Chennai, established in the early 18th century, is one of the oldest museums in India.

What is the name of the first Flag of India hoisted at Fort St. George?

The Tricolour
The Indian National Flag
The Flag of India
The National Flag

Correct Answer: The Tricolour

Correct Answer Explanation: The Tricolour was the name given to the first Flag of India, hoisted at Fort St. George after the declaration of India’s independence on August 15, 1947.

Which of these is NOT a major environmental issue in Chennai?

Pollution of water bodies
Encroachment of wetlands
Deforestation
Air pollution

Correct Answer: Deforestation

Correct Answer Explanation: While deforestation is an environmental issue in many parts of India, Chennai is not facing a major deforestation problem. The other options are all significant environmental concerns in the city.

What is the name of the organization that is working on the restoration of the Adyar River?

Chennai River Restoration Trust
Environmentalist Foundation of India
The Nature Conservancy
Wildlife Trust of India

Correct Answer: Chennai River Restoration Trust

Correct Answer Explanation: The Chennai River Restoration Trust, set up by the government of Tamil Nadu, is working on the restoration of the Adyar River.

Which of these is NOT a major factor contributing to the growth of the IT sector in Chennai?

The presence of Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
Government policies
The availability of skilled labor
The high cost of living in the city

Correct Answer: The high cost of living in the city

Correct Answer Explanation: While the cost of living in Chennai is relatively high, this is not a major factor driving the growth of the IT sector. The other options are all key factors that have contributed to the sector’s success.

What is the name of the largest seawater desalination plant in India?

Minjur Desalination Plant
Chennai Desalination Plant
Mumbai Desalination Plant
Gujarat Desalination Plant

Correct Answer: Minjur Desalination Plant

Correct Answer Explanation: The Minjur Desalination Plant, located near Chennai, is the largest seawater desalination plant in India.

Which of these is NOT a major stock exchange in India?

Madras Stock Exchange
Bombay Stock Exchange
National Stock Exchange of India
Calcutta Stock Exchange

Correct Answer: Calcutta Stock Exchange

Correct Answer Explanation: The Calcutta Stock Exchange no longer exists. The other three are major stock exchanges in India.

What is the name of the largest bank in India?

State Bank of India
Indian Bank
Indian Overseas Bank
Bank of Baroda

Correct Answer: State Bank of India

Correct Answer Explanation: The State Bank of India (SBI), formed from the merger of the Imperial Bank of India and several other banks, is the largest bank in India.

What is the name of the defense research agency that operates facilities in Chennai?

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

Correct Answer: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

Correct Answer Explanation: DRDO, India’s premier defence research agency, operates several facilities in Chennai.

What is the name of the premier Indian space agency that operates research facilities in Chennai?

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

Correct Answer: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

Correct Answer Explanation: ISRO, the premier Indian space agency, operates research facilities in Chennai.

What is the name of the oldest public hospital in India?

Government General Hospital, Chennai
Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi
Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, Mumbai
Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata

Correct Answer: Government General Hospital, Chennai

Correct Answer Explanation: The Government General Hospital, Chennai, was started on November 16, 1664, making it the first major hospital in India.

What is the name of the first post office in India?

The Fort St. George Post Office
The Madras Post Office
The General Post Office, Kolkata
The GPO, Mumbai

Correct Answer: The Fort St. George Post Office

Correct Answer Explanation: The first post office in India was established at Fort St. George on June 1, 1786.

Which of these is NOT a major road network that connects Chennai to other cities?

Golden Quadrilateral
National Highway 45
National Highway 205
Mumbai-Pune Expressway

Correct Answer: Mumbai-Pune Expressway

Correct Answer Explanation: The Mumbai-Pune Expressway connects Mumbai and Pune, not Chennai.

What is the name of the first railway line in India?

The Madras Railway
The Great Indian Peninsula Railway
The East Indian Railway
The Bombay and Baroda Railway

Correct Answer: The Madras Railway

Correct Answer Explanation: The first railway line in India was proposed between Little Mount and Chintadripet in Chennai and became operational in 1837.

What is the name of the first MRTS system in India?

Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System
Delhi Metro
Mumbai Metro
Kolkata Metro

Correct Answer: Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System

Correct Answer Explanation: The Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) was the first MRTS system in India, opened in 1995.

What is the name of the oldest surviving university in India?

University of Madras
University of Calcutta
University of Bombay
Aligarh Muslim University

Correct Answer: University of Calcutta

Correct Answer Explanation: The University of Calcutta, established in 1857, is the oldest surviving university in India.

What is the name of the second-longest urban beach in the world?

Marina Beach, Chennai
Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro
Waikiki Beach, Honolulu
Bondi Beach, Sydney

Correct Answer: Marina Beach, Chennai

Correct Answer Explanation: The Marina Beach in Chennai is the second-longest urban beach in the world, stretching for 13 kilometers.

What is the name of the only South Asian city that was ranked among National Geographic’s “Top 10 food cities” in 2015?

Chennai
Mumbai
Delhi
Kolkata

Correct Answer: Chennai

Correct Answer Explanation: Chennai was the only South Asian city to be ranked among National Geographic’s “Top 10 food cities” in 2015, highlighting its diverse and delicious culinary scene.

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