Rulers, big and small

Today, exactly 1,950 years ago, Nero is believed to have fiddled while Rome burned. Shows the kind of press rulers get, as the violin had not been invented at the time. This quiz is all about kings, good and bad.

1 Let’s start with a mid 20th-century conversation between two rulers — Zog of Albania and Farouk of Egypt. According to Zog, Farouk said that soon there would be only five kings left. One was the king of England. Who, according to him, were the other four?

2 Fill in the blanks in the official designation of this notorious 20th-century ruler: “His Excellency President for Life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Doctor ____ _____ , VC, DSO, MC, Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea, and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and _____ in Particular.”

3 Which footballer, who was in the All-Star team in FIFA 2006, is known as the eighth King of Rome because of his peerless contribution to both his club and the Italian national team?

4 As of 2014, Europe has 12 monarchies, 11 of which are the seven kingdoms, two principalities, one papacy and one diarchy (Andorra). Which is the missing one?

5 Which north Indian, who ruled in the 7th century with his capital at Kanauj, is believed to have initiated or at any rate re-established the tradition of the Kumbh Mela when he started organising religious festivals at Prayag?

6 When it comes to royalty in Hindi films, Saif Ali Khan is obviously the first name that springs to mind, hailing from the kingdom of Pataudi. On the same note, which well-known actor is descended from the rulers of the principality of Tonk in Rajasthan?

7 Why would you be likely to know the epithet of King Harald Gormsson, son of Gorm the Old, who ruled Denmark and Norway in the late 10th century?

8 Which 2008 film is named after something the leading man saw written on the back of a truck in Rajasthan?

9 If in the literary world, Dracula was the Prince of Darkness, which modern day musician is known by the same epithet? Very easy!

10 In which Asian constitutional monarchy is the position rotated among nine rulers of the States elected by the Majlis Raja-Raja?

ANSWERS

1. The Kings of Hearts, Spades, Diamonds and Clubs

2. Idi Amin, Uganda

3. Francesco Totti

4. The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

5. Harshavardhana

6. Irrfan Khan

7. Bluetooth, as in the connectivity platform

8.Singh is Kinng — Akshay Kumar being the man with the eagle eyes

9. Ozzy Osbourne

10. Malaysia

Joy Bhattacharjyais a quiz master, Director - Kolkata Knight Riders and author of Junior Premier League — The First XI

Follow Joy on Twitter >@joybhattacharj