1. Which of the following factors contributed to the gradual increase in rural indebtedness in India under British Rule?
- Fragmentation of land holdings
- Lack of irrigational facilities
- Decline of cottage industries
- Introduction of cash crops
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] 1 & 2
[C] 1, 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
Fragmentation of land holdings, lack of irrigational facilities, and decline of cottage industries all contributed to rural indebtedness under British rule by reducing agricultural productivity and traditional incomes. While the introduction of cash crops had an economic impact, it was not a primary cause of indebtedness compared to the other factors directly affecting rural livelihoods and credit dependency.
2. Consider the following statements:
- The charter act of 1813 allowed the Christian missionaries to spread their religious ideas in India.
- The East India Company , for the first time acknowledged the state responsibility for promotion of Education India
Which among the above statements are correct ?
[A] 1 only
[B] 2 only
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:
Charter Act of 1813 permitted the Christian missionaries to propagate English and preach their religion in India and the East India Company accepted the responsibility for the education of the Indian people.
3. Consider the following statements in context with the Kuka Movement:
- Kuka refers to a tribe of the North west Frontier Province of present Pakistan
- This movement originated mainly to seek purification of the Sikhism
- Jawar Mal and Ram Singh were two leaders of this movement
Which among the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 2
[D] All of them
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2 & 3]
Notes:
Kuka was a religio-political movement in the state of Punjab. Balak Singh was born in village Sarvala, in District Attock, in 1799. He started preaching very early in his life and the objective of his preachings was to uphold the religious purity of Sikhism. Bhagat Jawarmal established his main base at Hazro (now in Pakistan). After Bhagat Jawarmal died, Balak Singh carried is legacy. However, it was not the real starting of the Kuka Movement as we know today. The real founder was Baba Ram Singh.
4. Arrange the following events in the order of their chronology:
- August Offer
- Poona Pact
- Third Round Table Conference
Choose the correct option:
[A] 1-2-3
[B] 2-3-1
[C] 2-1-3
[D] 2-1-3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2-3-1]
Notes:
The Poona Pact was signed between B.R. Ambedkar and M.K. Gandhi in 1932 regarding the political representation of the Depressed Classes. Third Round Table Conference was held in 1932 (November – December). The August Offer was made by Lord Linlithgow in 1940. The offer promised the expansion of the Executive Council of the Viceroy of India and inclusion of more Indians.
5. With reference to the recommendations of the Saddler Commission (1917-19), consider the following statements:
- Creation of Boards of Secondary Education in the Provinces
- Making Education a Provincial Subject
- Separation of secondary education from university education
- Establishment of University Grants Commission
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1, 2 & 3
[B] Only 2, 3 & 4
[C] Only 1 & 2
[D] Only 1 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
Saddler Commission recommended creating Boards of Secondary Education in provinces, making education a provincial subject, and separating secondary education from universities. Establishment of University Grants Commission (UGC) was not its recommendation; UGC was set up in 1953 based on the Radha Krishna Commission's suggestion post-independence. Hence, statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct.
6. Consider the following statements regarding Queen Victoria:
- She functioned as a Constitutional Sovereign of India, approving the policies advised by her ministers.
- She visited India only once during her reign.
- She held liberal personal views towards India, reflected in the Proclamation of 1858.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1 and 3]
Notes:
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Queen Victoria acted as a constitutional head concerning Indian affairs, relying on her ministers’ advice. Her liberal outlook is evident from several principles in the 1858 Proclamation. Statement 2 is incorrect; Queen Victoria never visited India during her lifetime.
7. Which of the following is / are correct statements about Sir Pherozshah Mehta?
- He was one of the founders of Indian National Congress
- He served as President of Indian National Congress thrice
- He launched Bombay Chronicle
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1 & 3]
Notes:
Sir Pherozshah Mehta is known as Lion of Mumbai, this Parsi businessman became the Municipal commissioners of Bombay Municipality in 1873 and remained its president for 4 times. He was one of the founders of INC and in 1890, he became president of Indian National Congress. He started Bombay Chronicle, an English-language weekly newspaper.
8. Identify the landmark movement in India's freedom struggle based on the following information:
- The movement asserted the right to complete self-government, rejecting dominion status.
- It was marked by widespread hartals, strikes, and the “Great August Uprising”.
- Within a week of its launch, leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad were imprisoned.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Civil Disobedience Movement
[B] Khilafat Movement
[C] Quit India Movement
[D] Non Cooperation Movement
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Quit India Movement]
Notes:
The Quit India Movement began in August 1942, featuring a call for immediate independence and mass protests, referred to as the “Great August Uprising”. It was marked by rapid arrests of top leaders including Gandhi and Azad. The Civil Disobedience, Non Cooperation, and Khilafat Movements had different aims, timelines, and contexts.
9. Consider the following differences between Moderates and Extremists in Indian National Congress:
- While moderates believed in adopting constitutional methods against British rule, extremist leaders adopted revolutionary steps to achieve independence
- While Gopal Krishna Gokhale was a moderate nationalist, Bal Gangadhar Tilak was an extremist
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] 1 Only
[B] 2 Only
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:
Both are correct statements
10. Consider the following statements about Siraj-ud-daula:
- He was the last independent Nawab of Bengal
- He ordered the British to demolish additional fortifications at Calcutta
- He is associated with the Black Hole incident of Calcutta in 1756
Select the correct option from codes given below:
[A] 1 & 2 Oly
[B] 3 Only
[C] 2 & 3 Only
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ 1, 2 & 3 ]
Notes:
Siraj ud Daula succeeded Alivardi Khan (Maternal grandfather) as the Nawab of Bengal in 1756 when he was 23. He lost the Battle of Plassey on 23 June 1757 due to the betrayal of Mir Jafar (Commander of Nawab’s army). He is considered to be the last independent Nawab of Bengal. Siraj Ud Daulah was offended due to the misuse of Dastak which was granted by Farrukhsiyar in 1717. Even the British humiliated his ambassador Narayan Das. In the year 1756 (4th June), Siraj first captured the Kashimbajar Kuthi. On 20th June 1756, he captured Fort William and Calcutta. Roger Drake and some British left Calcutta and took shelter in Falta. It was said on 20th June Siraj killed at least 146 British army by enclosing them inside a small room measuring 4.30 × 5.50 metres. This incident is known as the “Blackhole Tragedy”. All given statements are corect.
