General Dyer? Who's that?

We quizzed Deepika Padukone, who plays a revolutionary in Ashutosh Gowariker's pre-Independence patriotic drama, Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey, onu00a0... history, what else?

Actor Deepika Padukone admits that history didn't interest her much during school. Dates were always tough to recall, she adds. "I don't remember coming across the Chittagong Uprising in the textbooks at all. If it was there, it must have been a mere mention whereas an entire chapter should have been kept aside for it. We all know about Gandhiji and Bhagat Singh but there were so many other freedom fighters," says Padukone, who looks upto Gandhi, so much so that she wishes she were his granddaughter. Padukone reckons that the meaning of independence hasn't changed over the years. "Kalpana Dutta was akin to today's girls; she was a very strong, independent, ambitious, revolutionary woman," she says of her character in Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey, "Today's girls are headstrong and independent too."



When we mentioned the history quiz to her, she quickly sent up a prayer: "Oh God, please call Ashu sir here quickly, to help me."

The History Quiz

Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey is based on the Chittagong uprising. Which country is Chittagong a part of today?
Deepika: Bangladesh
Correct Answer: Bangladesh

Which British army Brigadier-General ordered the firing at Jallianwala Baug?
Deepika: I know what happened at the massacre but I don't know the name.
Correct Answer: General Dyer

What is the title of Mahatma Gandhi's autobiography?
Deepika: Gandhiji's autobiography, I have no clue! Let me cheat a little and tell me the first letter please ufffd no? Is it 'Memories of Gandhiji' (nervous laugh).
Correct Answer: The Story Of My Experiments With Truth.

In which year was the Emergency declared at Indira Gandhi's advice?
Deepika: Around Indira Gandhi-Rajiv Gandhi time.
Correct Answer: 1975

Which colonial power ruled Goa till 1961?
Deepika: Portuguese
Correct Answer: Portuguese

On which date were the World Trade Centre towers in New York attacked?
Deepika: 2002? 2000?
Correct Answer: September 11, 2001.

What is Mahatma Gandhi's memorial in New Delhi called?
Deepika: Rajghat!
Correct Answer: Rajghat.

In which sequence did these Prime Ministers hold office a) V P Singh b) Rajiv Gandhi c) Narsimha Rao
Deepika: God, I thinku00a0 I'm not sure. a) Rajiv Gandhi b) V P Singh c) Narsimha Rao
Correct Answer: Rajiv Gandhi 1984, V P Singh 1989, Narsimha Rao 1991

Total Score: 4/8