The catalogue
Trivia, in long form.
The interactive quiz shows you one question at a time, gated behind a tap-to-reveal. This page is the same questions, laid out as articles — question, context, answer, and the explanation that makes the answer stick.
Each entry is hand-picked by the FindingFundaa editorial team. We're not interested in "what year was X born" trivia — we're after the facts that change how you look at something. Why honey doesn't expire. How a single misprint shaped a country's currency. The reason an obscure word from 1480 survived into modern English.
Food
1 question- #1easyeditorial
Milkman
From Kozhikode to Anand, this visionary engineer built Amul and led Operation Flood the world’s largest dairy programme—linking millions of farmers and eliminating middlemen. His cooperative model transformed India into the world’s largest milk producer by 1998 and empowered rural India at scale. Honoured with the Ramon Magsaysay and World Food Prize, he passed away on 9 September 2012.
3 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: He built the Amul co-operative at Anand, Gujarat.
- Hint 2: He led Operation Flood from 1970.
- Hint 3: Autobiography: 'I Too Had a Dream'.
Answer
Dr. Verghese Kurien (1921–2012)
Dr. Verghese Kurien (26 Nov 1921 – 9 Sep 2012), the 'Father of the White Revolution' and 'Milkman of India', led the Amul dairy co-operative at Anand from 1950 and launched Operation Flood in 1970 under the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) — which turned India from a milk-importing country into the world's largest milk producer. He also set up the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) in 1979. His autobiography, 'I Too Had a Dream', is a standard management text.
Geography
1 question- #1mediumeditorial
Orange Thing
Historically, Carob seeds were believed to have a uniform weight and were used as a standard to measure something. Their weights actually vary like other seeds. What modern unit originated from this belief?
1 hint — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: Ancient traders used carob seeds as a reference weight because they were thought to be consistent
Answer
Carat
This unit is used to measure the weight of Diamond and other gemstones
Health
1 question- #1mediumeditorial
Identify
Just a short amount of time is enough for X to work its magic in cooking. It is widely used as a flavor enhancer, particularly in soups, where it adds a strong umami depth and intensifies savory, meat-like tastes while bringing different flavors together smoothly. Despite its popularity, many people believe that consuming large amounts of X can cause headaches and discomfort, a belief often referred to as “Chinese restaurant syndrome.” However, scientific studies using controlled methods have no
2 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: It enhances umami flavor
- Hint 2: Often associated with instant noodles
Answer
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a commonly used flavor enhancer that boosts the umami taste in food. It is naturally present in many ingredients like tomatoes and cheese. Although it has been blamed for causing symptoms like headaches, extensive scientific research has not confirmed these effects. In India, MSG gained attention during the 2015 Maggi noodles controversy, where concerns were raised about its presence in packaged foods.
History
1 question- #1easyeditorial
Identify
EXECUTION AT YERWADA — On 21 November 2012, the sole surviving gunman of the 26 November 2008 Mumbai attacks was hanged in secret at Yerwada Central Jail, Pune, four years after his arrest at CST. The Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba operative had been tried and convicted in the 166-killings case.
2 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: Captured alive after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
- Hint 2: Handler was the LeT.
Answer
Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab
Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab (1987–2012), a Lashkar-e-Taiba operative from Faridkot (Punjab, Pakistan), was the sole surviving gunman of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks (26–29 Nov 2008) in which 166 people died. Captured alive at Girgaum Chowpatty, tried in a special fast-track court and sentenced to death by the Supreme Court in Aug 2012, he was hanged in secret at Yerwada Central Jail, Pune, on 21 November 2012 and buried on jail grounds. His surviving testimony was central to India's diplomatic case against Pakistan.
Inventions
1 question- #1mediumeditorial
Curious about the weapon?
Jack Cover, once a nuclear physicist at NASA, shifted his focus in 1970. He redirected his research funding to develop a non-lethal weapon designed to disable attackers rather than harm them fatally. Inspired by a fictional invention from Tom Swift, a character who sparked his imagination, he named this innovative device after that creation.
2 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: It is a non-lethal electroshock weapon.
- Hint 2: Commonly used by police forces.
Answer
Taser
The Taser was named after “Thomas A. Swift’s Electric Rifle,” a fictional device from the Tom Swift books. Jack Cover adapted the idea into a real non-lethal electroshock weapon used worldwide.
Literature
3 questions- #1easyeditorial
Anglo-Indian author
Born in 1934 in Kasauli (Himachal), wrote his debut novel 'The Room on the Roof' at seventeen (1956) that won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize. He lived in Landour-Mussoorie for most of his life. He is famous for his gentle, semi-autobiographical tales set in the Himalayan foothills, 'The Blue Umbrella', 'Rusty the Boy from the Hills', 'The Night Train at Deoli', and many children's stories, received numerous accolades, including the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1993 for Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra.
3 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: His debut novel 'The Room on the Roof' won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize.
- Hint 2: Vishal Bhardwaj adapted his 'The Blue Umbrella'.
- Hint 3: He lives in Landour, above Mussoorie.
Answer
Ruskin Bond (b. 1934)
Ruskin Bond (b. 19 May 1934, Kasauli) is one of India's most beloved English-language writers, known for semi-autobiographical novels and short stories set in the lower Himalayas. His debut 'The Room on the Roof' (1956), written at 17, won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize. He has since written more than 500 short stories, novels and children's books — 'The Blue Umbrella' was adapted into an acclaimed Vishal Bhardwaj film; 'Susanna's Seven Husbands' became 7 Khoon Maaf. He received the Padma Shri (1999) and Padma Bhushan (2014).
- #2mediumeditorial
Scotsman
This historian author, born in 1965 in Scotland, lives between Delhi and London. His popular histories have won the Wolfson Prize, the Duff Cooper Prize and others; titles include 'City of Djinns', 'White Mughals', 'The Last Mughal' and 'The Anarchy' (a history of the East India Company). He co-founded the Jaipur Literature Festival.
2 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: His book on the East India Company is called The Anarchy.
- Hint 2: He co-hosts the Empire podcast with Anita Anand.
Answer
William Dalrymple (b. 1965)
William Dalrymple (b. 20 March 1965, Fife, Scotland) is a Scottish historian, travel-writer and broadcaster who has lived in Delhi since 1989. His major works include 'In Xanadu' (1989), 'City of Djinns' (1993), 'White Mughals' (2002), 'The Last Mughal' (2006), 'Return of a King' (2013), 'The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company' (2019) and 'The Golden Road' (2024). He co-founded and directs the Jaipur Literature Festival with Namita Gokhale. He also co-hosts the 'Empire' podcast with Anita Anand.
- #3mediumeditorial
What is AF?
Brave New World, a dystopian novel by English author Aldous Huxley, written in 1931 and published in 1932, is set in London in the year AD 2540. The story follows a timeline called the “AF” era, which begins in 1908. The timeline is tied to a major industrial breakthrough that shaped the society in the novel.
2 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: It refers to a famous industrialist.
- Hint 2: Think of assembly lines and mass production.
Answer
After Ford
“AF” means After Ford, referring to Henry Ford. The year 1908 marks the introduction of the Model T, symbolizing mass production, which is central to the world depicted in the novel.
Movies
3 questions- #1mediumeditorial
Identify
This Delhi-born Indian actor (b. 1993) was cast at age 17 as the titular castaway in Ang Lee's 2012 Oscar-winning film, beating out 3,000 other hopefuls. He had never acted before. He later appeared in Million Dollar Arm (2014) alongside Jon Hamm, and in the Netflix series 'Homeland' and 'The Illegal'.
3 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: Cast from 3,000 audition hopefuls with no prior acting experience.
- Hint 2: He plays Pi Patel in Ang Lee's 2012 film.
- Hint 3: Ang Lee won Best Director Oscar for the film.
Answer
Suraj Sharma (b. 1993)
Suraj Sharma (b. 21 March 1993, Delhi) was cast as Piscine 'Pi' Patel in Ang Lee's 'Life of Pi' (2012), winning the role from more than 3,000 audition hopefuls despite no prior acting experience. The film won four Oscars including Best Director for Ang Lee. Sharma later starred in 'Million Dollar Arm' (2014) with Jon Hamm, Hansal Mehta's 'Phamous', Netflix's 'Bard of Blood', and 'God Friended Me' (CBS). He is the son of mathematician Shailesh Shirali.
- #2easyeditorial
What term?
One widely used term for the Hindi film industry is commonly believed to have been coined in a particular Bombay-based film magazine in the 1970s, though the earliest print attribution in a book is disputed. The term puns the industry's home city on an older global term for the American film industry. Name the term.
3 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: The term puns the name of the American film industry's city.
- Hint 2: The Bombay magazine was Cineblitz / Screen.
- Hint 3: 'Tollywood' (for Bengali cinema) is the older cognate term.
Answer
'Bollywood' (a portmanteau of Bombay + Hollywood)
'Bollywood' is a portmanteau of 'Bombay' and 'Hollywood'. The earliest uses have been variously attributed — journalists Amita Malik and Bevinda Collaco of the Bombay-based Screen magazine / Cineblitz in the 1970s are among the earliest printed users, often citing Shashi Kapoor's Shakespeareana troupe in jest. Earlier uses of 'Tollywood' (for Tollygunge-based Bengali cinema) predate it. 'Bollywood' has since been extended to refer to the Hindi film industry specifically, not all of Indian cinema.
- #3easyeditorial
Identify
Identify this minimalistic poster
1 hint — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: Jaa, Simran, jaa. Jee le apni zindagi
Answer
DDLG
The iconic Shahrukh khan pose
Music
2 questions- #1mediumeditorial
Rock & Metal
In December 2012, an American hard rock band—one of the biggest in the world—performed in India for the first time, headlining the Rock in India festival at Palace Grounds, Bangalore. The concert, held on December 7, 2012, was a historic event as it marked the band’s first-ever performance in India. Their setlist included “Welcome to the Jungle,” “November Rain,” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” At the time, only frontman Axl Rose and bassist Tommy Stinson remained from the original lineup touring.
3 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: Their debut album was Appetite for Destruction (1987).
- Hint 2: Their lead singer is Axl Rose.
- Hint 3: Slash rejoined the band in 2016 after 20 years' absence.
Answer
Guns N' Roses (GNR)
Guns N' Roses (GNR) — the American hard-rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1985 with Axl Rose, Slash, Duff McKagan, Izzy Stradlin and Steven Adler — performed in India for the first time on 7 December 2012 at Palace Grounds, Bangalore, as part of Rock in India. By then only Axl Rose remained from the classic lineup; Slash and Duff were in their solo / Velvet Revolver years (they later rejoined Axl in 2016). The setlist featured Appetite for Destruction and Use Your Illusion classics: 'Welcome to the Jungle', 'Sweet Child O' Mine', 'November Rain' and more.
- #2hardeditorial
Silenced strings
Late 2012, a groundbreaking all girl rock band from Srinagar comprising three teenage schoolgirls rose to national prominence with their bold pop-rock covers & original music, becoming a symbol of youthful defiance, artistic expression. However, their meteoric rise was cut short in February 2013 when a hard-line cleric issued a fatwa against them, triggering a wave of online abuse & threats. Despite public support from then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the band chose to disband.
2 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: The name is Kashmiri for 'light'.
- Hint 2: The trio were in their teens when they disbanded.
Answer
Pragaash (Kashmiri for 'light')
Pragaash (Kashmiri for 'light') was an all-girl band of Noma Nazir (guitar), Aneeqa Khalid (vocals) and Farah Deeba (drums) — all teenaged schoolgirls from Srinagar — formed in 2012. After performing at the Battle of the Bands in Srinagar in December 2012, they faced a wave of online abuse and, in early February 2013, Kashmir Grand Mufti Bashiruddin Ahmad's fatwa calling their music 'un-Islamic' pushed them off the stage. CM Omar Abdullah publicly backed them; the girls chose to stop performing. The episode became a touchstone in debates on art and religious conservatism in Kashmir.
Politics
3 questions- #1mediumeditorial
DENTED-PAINTED REMARKS
In the wake of the nationwide protests following the brutal December 2012 Delhi gang rape, One of the most defining moments in modern Indian legal and social history—a Congress MP sparked widespread outrage by dismissing women protesters as “dented and painted,” implying they were seeking attention. The MP, notably the son of a serving Union minister who would later rise to even higher office, eventually issued an apology after severe backlash.
2 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: His father was Pranab Mukherjee.
- Hint 2: He represented the Jangipur Lok Sabha seat.
Answer
Abhijit Mukherjee (Congress MP, son of Pranab Mukherjee)
Abhijit Mukherjee (b. 1960), Congress MP from Jangipur, West Bengal, and son of then-Finance Minister (and later President) Pranab Mukherjee, drew nationwide condemnation on 27 December 2012 for calling the women protesting the Nirbhaya gangrape 'painted and dented (ladies) who go from discotheques to India Gate and then back from India Gate to discotheques'. He apologised the next day and withdrew his remarks after intense backlash from opposition, civil society and his own party.
- #2easyeditorial
Moment of reckoning
In February 2013, during an official visit to India, a serving UK Prime Minister made a historic stop at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar—becoming the first British PM in office to pay respects at the site of the 1919 massacre. In a symbolic gesture, he described the घटना as a “deeply shameful event in British history” and recorded these words in the visitors’ book, while stopping short of issuing a formal apology.
3 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: UK Conservative party leader, 2010–2016.
- Hint 2: He was the first serving UK PM at Jallianwala Bagh.
- Hint 3: He wrote the visit off as a deeply shameful event but did not apologise.
Answer
David Cameron
On 20 February 2013, David Cameron became the first serving British prime minister to visit Jallianwala Bagh, where Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer's troops had massacred hundreds of peaceful Indian protestors on 13 April 1919. Cameron described it as a 'deeply shameful event in British history' in the visitors' book but stopped short of offering a full formal apology — a step the British government has still not taken. The visit formed part of his three-day India trade mission.
- #3mediumeditorial
Banana Republic
In October 2012, amid intense media scrutiny over his business dealings with real estate giant DLF Limited, an Indian businessman, married into one of the country’s most influential political families, sparked a nationwide controversy with a Facebook post referring to India as a “banana republic” and mocking “mango people.” The remark, widely circulated across social media, drew sharp criticism from political leaders and activists alike.
3 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: He is son-in-law of Sonia Gandhi.
- Hint 2: His wife is Priyanka Gandhi.
- Hint 3: The comment was triggered by coverage of his DLF dealings.
Answer
Robert Vadra
On 5 October 2012, Robert Vadra husband of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and son-in-law of Sonia Gandhi — posted on Facebook 'Mango people in banana republic' in response to media coverage of his business dealings with DLF (the realty major). The phrase, a sarcastic inversion of Antoinette's 'mango people' (aam aadmi) and 'banana republic', triggered a storm of criticism from the BJP and social media. He later deleted the post.
Science
7 questions- #1mediumeditorial
Something symbolic & historic.
In 2010, the Royal Society sent a piece of wood on a unique journey to the International Space Station. After orbiting Earth, it was returned, attracting significant public curiosity. What was the reason behind sending this wooden object to space?
2 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: Linked to a famous scientist and gravity.
- Hint 2: Associated with a falling object story.
Answer
A piece of Isaac Newton's apple tree
The wood came from Isaac Newton’s apple tree, famously linked to his inspiration for gravity. It was sent to the ISS as a symbolic tribute to Newton’s contributions to science, connecting the discovery of gravity with modern space exploration.
- #2hardeditorial
Identify either X or Y?
A hallmark of extraterrestrial existence is the concept known as X. The earliest recorded mention of “X” dates back to 1938, credited to Jack Binder, who is more famously recognized for his artistic contributions. Binder used “X” to describe the condition at the very heart of Earth's core. Later, in 1952, Arthur C. Clarke introduced the term “Y” in his novel Islands in the Sky, where “Y” serves as a condensed form of “X.”
2 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: Astronauts experience this in orbit.
- Hint 2: It describes weightlessness.
Answer
Zero Gravity or Zero-G
“Zero gravity” (X) refers to the condition where objects appear weightless due to free fall, commonly experienced in orbit. The shortened form “Zero-G” (Y) was popularized in science fiction, including works by Arthur C. Clarke.
- #3mediumeditorial
A rare blood type
The first individual identified with the X phenotype had a unique blood type whose serum reacted with all standard ABO blood group red cells. Their red blood cells lacked the usual ABO antigens & instead carried a previously unknown antigen. This extremely rare phenotype occurs in about 0.0004% of the global population (4 in a million) with very limited compatible donors. However, in certain regions formerly known as X, its frequency can be as high as 0.01% (1 in 10,000 people).
2 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: It is named after a former name of an Indian city.
- Hint 2: Also known as the hh phenotype.
Answer
Bombay Blood Group
The Bombay Blood Group (hh phenotype) lacks the H antigen, which is necessary for forming A and B antigens. As a result, individuals with this type cannot receive blood from any standard ABO group. It was first discovered in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), where it is relatively more common.
- #4easyeditorial
What?
The sequence jumps from E to K because items labeled F–J were later reclassified or renamed as scientists better understood them. There is also no agreed classification for Q, R, T, V, W, X, Y, or Z and no official substances assigned to N or I. What common concept do all these letters represent?
1 hint — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: Early scientists used letters to name these essential nutrients
Answer
Vitamins
Early discoveries labeled vitamins alphabetically. Later research showed some were the same compounds or not vitamins at all, which is why the sequence skips letters (like F–J) and why several letters were never assigned.
- #5mediumeditorial
Recursion puzzle
This legend has many versions. In some, a temple becomes a monastery and priests become monks. The location varies across cultures, and some versions say the object was created at the beginning of time or that the monks can make only one move per day
2 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: The puzzle involves three pegs, multiple disks.
- Hint 2: Recursion in programming
Answer
Tower of Hanoi
The legend says monks must move 64 disks, and when the final move is completed, the world will end. The puzzle is famous in mathematics and computer science for demonstrating recursive algorithms
- #6hardeditorial
Right Time, Right Place
The first person to technically have an element named after him did not directly discover it. He only allowed Gustav Rose to study mineral samples from the Ural Mountains. Rose later named a mineral after him, when an element was discovered in that mineral
1 hint — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: The element was discovered in the mineral samarskite
Answer
Samarium
The mineral samarskite was named after Vasily Samarsky-Bykhovets, who helped provide access to mineral samples. When the element samarium was later discovered in this mineral, it was named after the mineral, indirectly honoring Samarsky.
- #7easyeditorial
Why these numbers?
Feynman was well known for his playful pranks on coworkers. On one occasion, he managed to unlock a secured filing cabinet simply by testing number combinations he believed a physicist might naturally choose. The correct combination turned out to be 27–18–28.
1 hint — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: It is used in physics and calculus.
Answer
e≈2.71828
The combination 27–18–28 comes from the digits of the mathematical constant 𝑒 ≈ 2.71828. which physicists frequently use. Richard Feynman guessed the lock might use numbers from this famous constant.
Space
3 questions- #1hardeditorial
Who?
A senior figure from the Apollo missions once noted that the United States’ race to the Moon was greatly accelerated due to the efforts of X, later even suggesting that the mission might not have succeeded at all without him. In recognition of his impact, a lunar crater carries his name. Earlier in his career, he was responsible for developing the first missile capable of breaking the sound barrier. Interestingly, he contributed significantly to the rocket programs of two rival global powers of
2 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: He was a rocket scientist linked to NASA
- Hint 2: Associated with the V-2 rocket
Answer
Wernher von Braun
Wernher von Braun was a pioneering rocket engineer who played a crucial role in the development of the U.S. space program, including the Saturn V rocket used in the Apollo missions. Before working with the United States, he led the development of the V-2 rocket for Germany during World War II. His expertise significantly contributed to America’s success in reaching the Moon. A lunar crater has been named in his honor.
- #2hardeditorial
Early space achiever
X became the third nation, after the US and USSR, to launch a satellite from its own territory with Weapons Research Establishment Satellite (WRESAT) in 1967. Its space efforts later slowed, & it remained along with Iceland, one of the only Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries without a space agency. At the 68th International Astronautical Congress, X announced plans to create a new agency called ID X.
2 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: It is a country in Oceania.
- Hint 2: Known for kangaroos and the Outback.
Answer
Australia
Australia launched WRESAT in 1967, becoming the third country to launch a satellite from its own soil. Despite this early success, its space program slowed, and it long lacked a national space agency. This changed with the creation of the Australian Space Agency, announced at the International Astronautical Congress.
- #3easyeditorial
Name it
Which Treaty forms the basis of international space law. It bans countries from placing weapons of mass destruction in outer space, on the Moon, or other celestial bodies. It also prohibits stationing such weapons in orbit and restricts the use of the Moon and other celestial bodies to peaceful purposes only, banning weapon tests, military exercises, and military bases there.
1 hint — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: Signed in 1967, it governs the peaceful use of space.
Answer
Outer Space Treaty
Created during the Cold War, this treaty set the fundamental rules for how humanity can use outer space.
Sports
1 question- #1mediumeditorial
Game theory
In The Evolution of Cooperation, Robert Axelrod describes a tournament based on the N-step Prisoner’s Dilemma, where players remember past moves. The winning strategy was simple: cooperate on the first move, then copy your opponent’s previous move each round
1 hint — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: Its name suggests responding in the same way you were treated
Answer
Tit for Tat
In the tournament organized by Robert Axelrod, the Tit for Tat strategy won. It begins with cooperation and then mirrors the opponent’s previous move. Its simplicity, fairness, and ability to punish defection made it highly successful
Tech
1 question- #1easyeditorial
Return to the skies
In February 2013, following the liberalisation of India’s aviation sector to allow foreign airline investment, a Malaysia based low-cost carrier announced a joint venture with the Tata Group to launch a new budget airline in India marking the Tatas’ return to civil aviation after the nationalisation of Air India in 1953. Initially planned with a base in Chennai, the airline later established its primary hub in Bengaluru & went on to become India’s first airline involving a foreign carrier
2 hints — peek before the answer
- Hint 1: JV launched its first commercial flight in June 2014 from Bangalore.
- Hint 2: The Tatas later acquired full control and merged it with Air India Express.
Answer
AirAsia India
AirAsia India was announced in February 2013 as a joint venture between AirAsia Berhad (49%), Tata Sons (30%) and Telestra Tradeplace (21%); it launched its first flight from Bangalore to Goa on 12 June 2014. It was the first Tata entry into Indian civil aviation since J. R. D. Tata's Air India was nationalised in 1953. In 2022 the Tatas acquired full control after AirAsia Berhad exited, and in 2023 it was merged with Air India Express as part of the Tata Group's consolidation of its four airlines.
Want these one card at a time?
The interactive quiz hides the answer behind a tap so you can guess first. Same questions, different reading mode.
Play the quiz