Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part B (2024)

Gravitational waves are basically ripples in spacetime predicted by Einstein's General Theory of Relativity (1915), have revolutionized our understanding of the universe since their first detection in 2015 by the LIGO. These waves are typically generated by extreme cosmological events such as the mergers of two or more black holes, neutron stars, and other compact objects. Black holes, regions of spacetime where gravity is so intense that not even light can escape, are both significant sources and subjects of gravitational wave studies. The observation of gravitational waves from binary black hole mergers has provided unprecedented insights into the nature of black holes, their mass distribution, and the environments in which they form. This paper reviews the current state of research on gravitational waves and black holes, focusing on their astrophysical origins, the mechanisms of wave generation, and the information encoded in the wave signals. I have discussed how gravitational wave detections have confirmed the existence of stellar-mass black hole binaries, revealed new populations of black holes, and provided tests of general relativity in the strong-field regime. Additionally, this study highlights the potential of gravitational wave astronomy to address unresolved questions, such as the formation channels of black hole binaries, the detection of primordial black holes, and the role of black holes in galaxy evolution. By bridging observational data with theoretical models, gravitational wave observations are opening new frontiers in our understanding of both black holes and the fundamental nature of gravity.