History · General Awareness

Medieval and Modern Indian History

1,704 Questions

Explore a comprehensive collection of medieval and modern Indian history questions designed for exam preparation. The topics cover major wars, treaties, regional conflicts, and colonial administration. This material helps candidates appearing for civil services and other competitive examinations to test their knowledge effectively.

Carnatic warsMughal and Sultanate conflictsBritish annexation policiesIndo Pak warsColonial administration

Medieval and Modern Indian History Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is incorrect for drainage system discovered at Harappan sites?

  1. Every house was connected to the street drain.

  2. The main channels were made of bricks and covered with loose bricks to facilitate cleaning.

  3. While cleaning the drain, the debris collected was carted away.

  4. House drains were implied into a cesspit.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Heaps of debris were found lying along the channels evidencing that while carrying out the cleaning, debris was not immediately carted way.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements related to the Mansabdari System under the Mughals:

  1. During the reign of Akbar, the system of dual ranking was not in existence and hence, only 'Zat' ranks were given to the Mansabdars.
  2. The Sawar ranks were allotted to the Mansabdars under Jahangir for the first time.

Which of the following is/are correct?

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

During later years of his reign, Akbar introduced the rank of ‘Zat’ and ‘Sawar’ in the Mansabdari system. Different views have been expressed regarding these terms. According to Blochmann, every mansabdar had to maintain as many soldiers as were indicated by his rank of Zat’ while the rank of ‘sawar’ indicated the number of horsemen among them. Irvin expressed the view that Zat indicated the actual number of cavalry under a mansabdar besides other soldiers while sawar was an additional honour. However, during the reign of Akbar, the system of dual ranking was also there. Thus, statement 1 is incorrect. Also, 2 is incorrect as Sawar was introduced in the reign of Akbar.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements:

  1. A small part of Mysore territory was put in the hands of the king of Wodeyar dynasty.
  2. The British signed a treaty with the new king of Mysore.
  3. Lord Wellesley constructed a grand mansion known as Government House.

Which of these statements are correct?

  1. 1 and 2

  2. 1 and 3

  3. 2 and 3

  4. 1, 2 and 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1: It is correct because the Wodeyar dynasty was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947 until the independence of India from British rule and the subsequent unification of the Indian dominion and princely states into the Republic of India.  Statement 2: It is incorrect because the Siege of Seringapatam (5 April - 4 May 1799) was the final confrontation of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore.  Statement 3: It is correct because Lord Wellesley constructed a grand mansion, known as Government House, between 1799 and 1803. The mansion remained in use until the capital moved from Calcutta to Delhi in 1912. 

Multiple choice

The main cause of Black Hole Incident was that

  1. the British Company supported Shaukat Jung, the rival of Siraj ud Daulah

  2. the British Company started making forts in Bengal without the permission of Siraj ud Daulah

  3. the British people gave shelter to a rich businessman who was demanded by Siraj ud Daulah

  4. the British Company was not ready to recognise Siraj ud Daulah as the Nawab
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The main cause of Black Hole Incident was that the British Company started making forts in Bengal without the permission of Siraj ud Daulah. Black Hole Incident is the name given to an event that took place during Nawab Siraj ud Daulah's capture of Calcutta on 20 June, 1756.

Multiple choice

The Treaty of Sreerangapatanam was signed after the defeat of Tipu Sultan in the Third Anglo-Mysore war. Between whom was this treaty signed?

  1. Tipu Sultan and Lord Cornwallis

  2. Tipu Sultan and Lord Minto

  3. Tipu Sultan and Lord Wellesley

  4. Tipu Sultan and Lord Canning
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Treaty of Sreerangapatanam was signed after the defeat of Tipu Sultan in the Third Anglo-Mysore war. The treaty was signed between Tipu Sultan and Lord Cornwallis.  

Multiple choice

The Moplah Rebellion broke out in

  1. Uttarakhand

  2. Chauri Chaura

  3. Malabar

  4. Telengana
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Moplah Rebellion (also called Malabar Rebellion) of 1921 broke out in the Malabar region of present-day Kerala. It was a major uprising by Muslim Mappila (Moplah) community against British colonial authority and Hindu landlords, fueled by agrarian distress and political awakening. The rebellion was led by Variyam Kunnath Kunhamed Haji and Ali Musliar, and was eventually suppressed by the British with significant casualties on both sides.

Multiple choice

Which of the following was the greatest achievement of Allauddin Khilji?

  1. Invasion of South India

  2. Contribution to art

  3. Measures to improve the standards of living

  4. Revenue system and control in inflation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Alauddin Khilji's most significant achievement was his revolutionary revenue system and effective control over inflation. He implemented market regulations, fixed prices for essential commodities, and established an efficient grain procurement and distribution system. His administrative reforms in this area were far ahead of their time and provided stability to his empire. While he did invade South India, the economic reforms were more impactful and long-lasting.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements:

  1. After signing of the treaty of Allahabad, the British became the masters of fate of India.
  2. In 1765, Robert Clive signed the Treaty of Allahabad with the Nawab of Oudh and Shah Alam II.
  3. After the Battle of Plassey, the British signed a treaty with Siraj-ud-daulah, who was later executed by Miran.

Which of the statements is/are correct?

  1. 2 only

  2. 3 only

  3. 1 and 2

  4. 1, 2 and 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1: It is correct because the famous battle of Buxar (22 October, 1764) on which the fate of India finally achieved the objective that the battle of Plassey (23 June 1757) failed to achieve. After the victory of Buxar, the English armies advanced towards Avadh and established their control over Banaras and Allahabad. A treaty was concluded between Nawab Shujauddaula and the British. The supremacy of the English was established in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa after this war. The existence of the Nawab of Avadh now fully depended on the mercy of the English. They also imprisoned the mughal emperor and extended the British territory towards north-west of Bengal. It curtailed the power of the Mughal emperor, yet they continued to have honour and prestige all over India. It also added to the power and prestige of the English. Statement 2: It is correct because Battle of Buxar was a decisive battle fought between British and Indian forces at Buxar, a town on the Ganges River. Mir Kasim, the nawab (governor) of Bengal, wanted to rid his territory of British control. He formed an alliance with the Nawab of Oudh and Shah Alam II, the Mughal emperors. The combined Indian armies invaded Bengal and clashed with British troops led by Major Hector Munro, in October 1764. It resulted in victory of the British and in1765, Robert Clive signed the Treaty of Allahabad with the Nawab of Oudh and Shah Alam II. The treaty effectively legalized the British East India Company's control over the whole of Bengal. Statement 3: It is incorrect because the Treaty of Alinagar was signed on February 9, 1757 between Robert Clive of the British East India Company and the Nawab of Bengal, Mirza Muhammad Siraj-ud-Daula. The signing of the treaty was one of the events leading up to the famous Battle of Plassey (2 July 1757). Later the consequence of Battle of Buxar (22 October 1764) was the Treaty of Allahabad (1765) signed between the prime victim Shuja-ud-Daula and the British, that secured Diwani Rights for the Company to collect and manage the revenues. Hence, the correct option is 3.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following items, each passage consists of six sentences. The first sentence (S1) and the final sentence (S6) are given in the beginning. The middle four in each have been removed and jumbled up. These are labeled P, Q, R and S. You are required to find out the proper sequence of the four sentences and mark accordingly on the answer sheet.

S1 : In 1739, Nadir Shah, the mighty king of Iran, invaded India. S6 : Another trophy he took with him was the Peacock Throne built by Shahjahan. P : After a stay of two months, Nadir Shah went back to Iran. Q : He defeated the Mughal army in the battle at Karnal. R : He took with him immense wealth as well as the Koh-i-noor diamond. S : This was followed by the cruel massacre and reckless plunder of Delhi. The proper sequence should be

  1. Q S P R

  2. R Q P S

  3. P R Q S

  4. S P R Q
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

We have invasion in S1. So, next sentence is about, whom he defeated. What did he do after defeating the Mughals follows next and lastly we have, after his stay what did he take away with him.

Multiple choice

Which rock edict of Ashoka provides a description of the horrors of Kalinga War?

  1. The 13th Rock Edict

  2. Kalinga Edict at Dhauli

  3. The Edict of Jaugada

  4. The 10th Rock Edict
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The 13th Rock Edict of Ashoka contains his personal reflection on the Kalinga War, describing the immense suffering and death caused by the conquest. This edict marks Ashoka's transformation after witnessing the horrors of war and expresses his remorse and subsequent adoption of dhamma (righteousness). The other edicts listed are either different in content or location.

Multiple choice

The Santhal rebellion of 1855-56 resulted in the creation of a separate geographical entity known as Santhal Parganas for the tribals. Who were the leaders associated with the rebellion?

  1. Sidhu and Chakara

  2. Chakara and Bogra

  3. Sidhu and Kanhu

  4. Dora and Chakara
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Santhal rebellion (1855-56) was led by four brothers from the Santhal tribal community: Sidhu, Kanhu, Chand, and Bhairav. The most prominent leaders were Sidhu and Kanhu, who mobilized the tribals against exploitative practices by moneylenders and colonial officials. The rebellion resulted in the creation of Santhal Parganas as a separate administrative region.

Multiple choice

Which of the following battles was fought between Babar and the Rajputs in 1527?

  1. The First Battle of Panipat

  2. The Battle of Khanwa

  3. The Battle of Ghagra

  4. The Battle of Chanderi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Battle of Khanwa (1527) was fought between Babar and the Rajput confederation led by Rana Sanga. The First Battle of Panipat (1526) was Babar vs Ibrahim Lodi, while Ghagra (1529) and Chanderi (1528) were later battles.