History

Modern Indian Historical Figures

1,804 Questions

Attempt questions covering prominent modern Indian historical figures, including freedom fighters, Maratha leaders, and key political personalities. This topic is a staple in the general studies section of civil services and state exams. Review these questions to strengthen your knowledge of India's colonial and postcolonial leaders.

Freedom fighters and leadersBritish era officialsMaratha empire leadersColonial visits and policiesHistorical controversiesMilitary and political figures

Modern Indian Historical Figures Questions

Multiple choice

Consider the following events:

  1. Introduction of Widow Remarriage Act
  2. Second Burmese War
  3. Annexation of Berar and Oudh

During whose regime did all these events take place?

  1. Lord Dalhousie

  2. Lord Hardinge

  3. Lord Ellenborough

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Lord Dalhousie’s Regime was from 1848 to 1856.

Widow Remarriage Act was introduced in 1856

2nd Burmese War was fought in 1852
Annexation of Berar in 1853 Annexation of Oudh in 1856

Multiple choice

Which of the following revolts/uprisings is not correctly matched with the Governor General/Viceroy during whose regime it took place?

  1. Santhal Uprising – Lord Elgin II

  2. Kuka Movement – Lord Northbrook

  3. Wahabi Movement – Sir John Lawrence

  4. Indigo riots – Lord Canning
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Santhal Uprising of 1899 while Elgin II’s regime was from 1894-99.

Kuka Movement of Punjab took rebellious turn during Lord Northbrook’s period (1872-76).

Wahabi Movement (Pan-Islamic Movement) took place during Lord Elgin I’s regime. The Indigo riots in Bengal took place during Lord Canning’s regime.
Multiple choice

Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

  1. Public Works Department - Lord Dalhousie

  2. First Afgan War - Lord Auckland

  3. Policy of Intervention & War - Lord Warren Hastings

  4. Vellore Mutiny - George Barlow
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Policy of Intervention & War was followed by Lord Hastings (1813-23), & not by Lord Warren Hastings.

PWD was started by Lord Dalhousie in 1856
Vellore Mutiny took place during George Barlow's regime (1805-07) The first Afgan war was fought during trhe regime of Lord Auckland (1836-42)
Multiple choice

Arrange chronologically the following Viceroys/Governor-Generals:

  1. Lord Ellenborough - Brought an end to the 1st Afghan War

  2. Lord Dalhousie - Started the first railway line in India

  3. Lord Hardinge I - Treaty of Lahore, 1846

  4. Lord Auckland - 1st Burmese War
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

1st Burmese War (1824-26) was fought during the regime of Lord Amherst (1823-28). 1st Afghan War was fought during Lord Auckland's regime (1836-42).

Multiple choice

Who led the anti-British movement in Kittoor?

  1. Ahilyabai Holkar

  2. Rani Laxmibai

  3. Rani Channamma

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

Rani Channamma of Kittoor (Kittur) led an armed rebellion against British East India Company forces in 1824-1829, opposing the Doctrine of Lapse. Ahilyabai Holkar ruled Malwa but was not anti-British in this context. Rani Laxmibai fought in Jhansi (1857). Nana Phadnis was a Peshwa-era administrator.

Multiple choice

“Our time in India is limited and our power to control events almost gone”. Who among the following British people said this after the elections of 1946?

  1. Lord Wavell

  2. Winston Churchill

  3. Clement Atlee

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

In October 1946, Lord Wavell said, “Our time in India is limited and our power to control events almost gone. We have only prestige and previous momentum to trade on and they will not last long.”

Multiple choice

“The British raj in India could not last forever” was said by

  1. V. A. Smith

  2. L. E. R. Reese

  3. Charles E. Travelyan

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

Expressing his opinion about the possible effects of English education on the probable maintenance of the British government in India, Sir Charles E. Trevelyan argued before the Indian Committee of Houses of Lords in 1835 that “the British raj in India could not last forever.”

Multiple choice

Who among the following described the British rule in India as – 'An everlasting and everyday increasing foreign invasion'?

  1. Dadabhai Nauroji

  2. Aurbindo Ghosh

  3. W. Wedderburn

  4. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Nauroji, in his ‘economic drain theory, described the British rule as – 'An everlasting and everyday increasing foreign invasion'. In his opinion, the British were responsible for the destruction of India’s indigenous industries and mass poverty in India.