History ยท 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

Who among the following did not accept the Subsidiary Alliance?

  1. the Nizam of Hyderabad

  2. The Scindia of Gwalior

  3. The Rajput States of Jodhpur, Jaipur and Bharatpur

  4. The Holkar state of Indore
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Holkar state of Indore, under Ahilyabai Holkar and later rulers, did not accept the Subsidiary Alliance system introduced by Lord Wellesley. While the Nizam of Hyderabad, Scindia of Gwalior, and several Rajput states (including Jodhpur, Jaipur, and Bharatpur) accepted the alliance, the Holkars along with the Bhonsles of Nagpur resisted this British policy that effectively made states British protectorates.

Multiple choice

The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 started from

  1. Jhansi

  2. Meerut

  3. Delhi

  4. Agra
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Sepoy Mutiny, or the First War of Indian Independence, broke out on May 10, 1857, in Meerut. It began when Indian sepoys refused to use the new Enfield rifle cartridges, leading to a widespread uprising against British rule.

Multiple choice

Consider the following regarding the defeat of Marathas in the third battle of Panipat-

  1. Tactical errors by Sadashiv Rao Bhao
  2. Superior generalship of Ahmad Shah Abdali.
  3. Presence of a large number of noncombatants in the Maratha army.
  4. Treachery of a commander, Ibrahim Khan Gardi, of the Maratha army. Which of these were the causes of the defeat of Marathas?

  1. 1, 2 and 3

  2. 2, 3 and 4

  3. 1 and 4

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

The Maratha defeat in 1761 was caused by several factors, including the superior military leadership and artillery of Ahmad Shah Abdali and tactical mistakes by the Maratha commander Sadashiv Rao Bhau. Additionally, the Maratha camp was burdened by a massive number of non-combatant pilgrims, which strained resources. Ibrahim Khan Gardi, however, remained loyal to the Marathas and led their artillery effectively until his capture and death.

Multiple choice

By which of the following was Jhansi annexed to the British Indian territory in 1854?

  1. Subsidiary alliance

  2. Mutual agreement

  3. Doctrine of lapse

  4. Passage of a separate charter
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Jhansi was annexed by the British in 1854 under the Doctrine of Lapse, a policy implemented by Lord Dalhousie. This policy stated that any princely state under the influence of the British would be annexed if the ruler died without a natural heir. The refusal to recognize the adopted son of the Raja of Jhansi led to the state's annexation and Rani Lakshmibai's subsequent role in the 1857 revolt.

Multiple choice

The first battle of Panipat was fought between

  1. Ibrahim Lodhi and Akbar

  2. Akbar and Hemu

  3. Ibrahim Lodhi and Babur

  4. Akbar and Mohammad Ghori
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The First Battle of Panipat was fought in 1526 between the invading forces of Babur and the Lodi Empire, marking the beginning of the Mughal Empire in India.

Multiple choice

The First Carnatic War came to an end with the

  1. Treaty of Pondicherry

  2. Treaty of Paris

  3. Treaty of Aix-la Chapelle

  4. Treaty of Srirangapatnam
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The First Carnatic War (1746-1748) was concluded by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, which also ended the War of the Austrian Succession in Europe. Under this treaty, Madras was returned to the British in exchange for Louisbourg in North America.

Multiple choice

' Ashtapratan' was the council of Ministers of:

  1. Delhi Sultans

  2. Mughals

  3. Marathas

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

Ashtapradhan (council of eight ministers) was the administrative council of the Maratha Empire under Shivaji Maharaj. The eight ministers included the Peshwa (prime minister), Amatya (finance minister), Sachiv (home secretary), Mantri (foreign minister), Senapati (commander-in-chief), and others. This system ensured balanced governance and prevented concentration of power in one individual.

Multiple choice

The Treaty of Srirangapatnam was between Tipu Sultan and

  1. Cornwalis

  2. Clive

  3. Warren Hastings

  4. Wellesley
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Treaty of Srirangapatnam was signed in 1792, marking the end of the Third Anglo-Mysore War. It was a peace treaty between Tipu Sultan and the British East India Company, represented by Lord Cornwallis, along with the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad. As a result of the treaty, Tipu Sultan had to cede half of his kingdom to the allies.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements:

  1. The Nawab of Oudh surrendered Allahabad and Kora to the English Company by the Treaty of Allahabad.
  2. The English Company sold Allahabad and Kora to the Nawab of oudh for Rupees two crores by the Treaty of Benaras. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

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

By the Treaty of Allahabad (1765), the Nawab of Oudh surrendered Allahabad and Kora to the Company. By the Treaty of Benaras (1773), the Company sold these territories back to the Nawab for 50 lakhs, not 2 crores.

Multiple choice

With reference to the reign of Sher Shah consider the following statements :

  1. For ensuring safety on the roads and extending comforts to the travelly public, he built Sarais (inns) on the highways at regular intervals.
  2. He struck fine coins of silver and copp of uniform standard in place of the debased coins of mixed metals of early times.
  3. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

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

Sher Shah Suri is renowned for building the Grand Trunk Road and establishing Sarais (rest houses) every few miles for travelers. He also reformed the currency system by introducing the silver Rupiya and copper Dam, which replaced the debased coins of previous eras. Both statements accurately reflect his significant administrative and economic contributions.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements:

  1. Iltutmish introduced the 'Sijda' (prostration) and 'paibos' (Kissan the feet of the monarch) as the normalation of salutation to the king.
  2. It was balban who introduced the silver 'tanka' and the copper 'jital' coins.
  3. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

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

Statement 1 is incorrect because it was Ghiyasuddin Balban who introduced the Persian customs of 'Sijda' (prostration) and 'Paibos' (kissing the feet of the monarch) to assert his royal authority. Statement 2 is incorrect because the silver 'tanka' and copper 'jital' coins were introduced by Shamsuddin Iltutmish, not Balban.