Modern Indian History MCQs
Multiple choice questions on Modern Indian History & Freedom Struggle for General Studies and GK preparation of SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC, UPPSC and State PSC Examinations.
11. Consider the following statements:
- Bombay was given as a dowry gift by the Portuguese king John IV to Charles-II of England.
- Catherine of Braganza was the daughter of John IV of Portugal.
- The transfer of Bombay happened in the year 1661 AD.
Which of the above is / are true?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 and 2
[C] Only 2 and 3
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above]
Notes:
In 1661 AD, the Portuguese King John IV did hand Bombay over to Charles II of England as part of the dowry for his marriage to his daughter Catherine of Braganza. This was a major event in Indian history because Bombay later became one of the major cities of India.
12. Who was the founder of the newspaper “Harijan”?
[A] M.K.Gandhi
[B] Moti Lal Nehru
[C] Jawahar Lal Nehru
[D] Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [M.K.Gandhi]
Notes:
Mahatma Gandhi started two newspapers viz. Young India (in English) and Navjivan (in Gujarati). Later, he started the Harijan, Harijan Sevak, and Harijan Bandhu to give voice to voiceless multitudes from the untouchable castes. (In 1933, Mahatma Gandhi started a weekly newspaper “Harijan” in English).
13. The first coins under authority of the East India Company were struck in the mint at __:
[A] Hooghly
[B] Murshidabad
[C] Calcutta
[D] Bombay
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bombay]
Notes:
The Company obtained the right from Emperor Farrukhsiyar to mint the mughal style money at Bombay Mint in 1717. These Mughal style rupee coins were struck at the Bombay Mint from 1717 until the unification of coinage in India in 1835. The coins were named Carolina (gold), anglina (silver), cupperoon (copper) and tinny (tin).
14. After which of the following activity first Civil Disobedience Movement was started by Gandhi?
[A] Rowlatt Act of 1919
[B] Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919
[C] Chauri Chaura incident in 1922
[D] Arrival of Cripps’ Mission in 1942
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rowlatt Act of 1919]
Notes:
In 1914, Gandhi returned to India and lived a life of abstinence and spirituality on the periphery of Indian politics. Then in 1919 came the Rowlatt Act and people protested against it and Jallianwalah bagh Massacre happed. He supported Britain in the First World War but in 1919 launched a new satyagraha in protest of Britain’s mandatory military draft of Indians. Hundreds of thousands answered his call to protest, and by 1920 he was leader of the Indian movement for independence.
15. Which of the following was Rajagopalachari’s formula?
[A] Merger of princely States
[B] Formulation of a separate Muslim State
[C] Plebiscite to Muslims whether they should form a separate State
[D] Forming a Constituent Assembly
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Plebiscite to Muslims whether they should form a separate State]
Notes:
Objective of the C R Formula was to solve the political deadlock between the All India Muslim League and Indian National Congress. The Core principle of the CR Formula was a proposal for the Congress to offer the League the Muslim Pakistan based on plebiscite of all the peoples in the regions where Muslims made a majority.
16. Which one of the following is not correct about the Cabinet Mission Plan?
[A] Provincial grouping
[B] Interim Cabinet of Indians
[C] Acceptance of Pakistan
[D] Constitution framing right
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Acceptance of Pakistan]
Notes:
Cabinet mission proposed a rejection of the demand for a full fledged Pakistan because the Pakistan so formed would include large non-muslim population – 38% in the N-W and 48% in the N-E.
17. Which of the following is the name given to the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crime Act (1919)?
[A] Rowlatt Act
[B] Pitt’s India Act
[C] Indian Arms Act
[D] Ilbert Bill
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rowlatt Act]
Notes:
The Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919, popularly known as the Rowlatt Act or Black Act, was a legislative act passed by the Imperial Legislative Council in Delhi on 10 March 1919, indefinitely extending the emergency measures of preventive indefinite detention, incarceration without trial.
18. Which act provided some share to Indians in the administration of their county?
[A] Regulating Act, 1773
[B] Pitts India Act, 1784
[C] Charter Act of 1833
[D] Charter Act 1813
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Charter Act of 1833 ]
Notes:
Charter Act of 1833, section 87 stated that no person of India or the Crown would be debarred from any place, post or service subject to the Company on the ground of religion, place of birth, decent or color or any of them.
19. Who was the first Dutchman to reach India?
[A] Houtman
[B] Philip I
[C] Philip II
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Houtman]
Notes:
Cornelis de Houtman was the first Dutchman to reach India (Sumatra and Bantam) in 1596. He returned with a large cargo in 1597.
20. Who was the first president of the eastern presidency of Fort William, Kolkata?
[A] Sir Charles Eyre
[B] Sir James II
[C] Sir John Sarman
[D] Sir Lally
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sir Charles Eyre]
Notes:
Fort William was set up in 1696 and t was named Fort William in 1700. It was the seat of the eastern presidency with its first president Sir Charles Eyre.
