History

Modern Indian Historical Figures

1,651 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 civics the governor and state council of ministers the governor the state executive governor, chief minister and state council of ministers

The first Governor ever to be dismissed by the President was _________.

  1. Prabhudas Patwari

  2. Md. Yoonus Saleem

  3. Dr. MM Thomas

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

The first dismissal of a Governor was in October 1980, when Tamil Nadu Governor Prabhudas Patwari was dismissed by the President during the rule of the Indira Gandhi government. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi did not give Patwari, known as a Gandhian in the Raj Bhavan, the option to resign. The dismissal of Patwari without any valid reason was an instance of political abuse of Article 156(1) of the Constitution, which states that a Governor "shall hold office during the pleasure of the President".

Multiple choice an ideal ruler organisational skills of shivaji maharaj history

Who defended the fort of Purander?

  1. Murarbaji Deshpande

  2. Tanaji Malusare

  3. Shiva Kashid

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

Murarbaji Deshpande was the brave commander who defended the fort of Purandar against the Mughal forces led by Diler Khan. He fought valiantly until his death.

Multiple choice an ideal ruler organisational skills of shivaji maharaj history

Who risked their lives during the escape of Maharaj from Agra?

  1. Hiroji Farjand

  2. Madari Meheter

  3. Both A and B

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

Hiroji Farjand and Madari Meheter were the two loyal individuals who helped Shivaji Maharaj escape from his house arrest in Agra by staying in his place.

Multiple choice an ideal ruler organisational skills of shivaji maharaj history

Who killed Bada Sayyad at a critical moment during the meeting with Afzal khan?

  1. Shiva Kashid

  2. Jiva Mahala

  3. Bajiprabhu Deshpande

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

Jiva Mahala was the bodyguard of Shivaji Maharaj who killed Bada Sayyad, Afzal Khan's bodyguard, when he attacked Shivaji during the meeting.

Multiple choice history freedom movement in hyderabad state independent india integration of princely states merger of princely state

Who was the last Nizam of Hyderabad who gave up the rule after police action?

  1. Ali Nawaz Jung

  2. Mahboob Ali khan

  3. Mohammed Hyder

  4. Mir Osman Ali khan
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The last Nizam who gave away Hyderabad state to the Indian republic was Mir Osman Ali Khan. The rule ended on 17 September 1948 after police action led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and major J.N.Chaudary.

Multiple choice economics indian economy on the eve of independence british colonial rule indian, capitalist and mixed economy development experience (1947-90)

Name some notable economists who estimated India's per capita income during the colonial period.

  1. Dadabhai Naoroji

  2. William Digby

  3. VKRV Rao

  4. All the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Notable economists during colonial peiod who estimated India's per capita income are Dadabhai Naoroji, William Digby, Findlay Shirarras, V.K.R.V Rao and R.C. Desai.

Multiple choice economics indian economy on the eve of independence british colonial rule indian, capitalist and mixed economy development experience (1947-90)

In $1936$ __________ was invited to determine the share of provinces and the methods of distribution of the centrally collected revenue.

  1. Sir Otto Niemeyer

  2. Acworth

  3. Chintaman Deshmukh

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

An expert committee under the Chairmanship of Sir Otto Niemeyer was appointed in 1936 to inquire into the financial position of the Provinces, the special assistance required by each and the time and mode of distributing the provincial share of income tax and proceeds of the export duty on jute.

Sir Niemeyer recommended that assistance should be given to the provin­ces in three-ways:

(a) The outstanding debts incurred before 1935 by Bengal, Bihar, Assam, the N.W.F.P. and Orissa plus approximately Rs. 2 crores of pre-1921 debt in the case of Central provinces should be cancelled.

(b) Appreciating that the jute growing provinces stood in special need of financial assistance, it recommended distribution of a further 12.5% of the Export duty on jute, thus making a total of 52.5% to the jute growing provinces.

(c) Such provinces as might be in need of assistance should be given grants- in-aid to balance their budgets. It was expected to provide “in-built flexibility.”

As regards the distribution of the proceeds of Income Tax between the Centre and the provinces, it recommended that provinces and the federated states should get 50% of the proceeds of the tax; the share of each province to be fixed partly on the basis of population and partly on the basis of the residence of the assessees.

Multiple choice history effects of british rule dalhousie's policy of expansion and subsidiary alliance system the policy of subsidiary alliance and doctrine of lapse the subsidiary alliance anddoctrine of lapse

Which among the following was sentenced to death in the Hardinge Bomb Case ? 

  1. Sohan Singh Bhakna

  2. Bhai Bal Mukund

  3. Asutosh Choudhary

  4. Ras Behari Bose
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Bhai Bal Mukund was one of the revolutionaries sentenced to death for his involvement in the Delhi-Lahore conspiracy case, also known as the Hardinge Bomb Case.

Multiple choice history effects of british rule dalhousie's policy of expansion and subsidiary alliance system the policy of subsidiary alliance and doctrine of lapse the subsidiary alliance anddoctrine of lapse

Which one of the following proved to be Dalhousie's worst political blunder?

  1. Abolition of the 'Doctrine of Lapse'

  2. Occupation of lower Burma

  3. Annexation of Oudh

  4. Annexation of Punjab
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The annexation of Oudh in 1856 by Lord Dalhousie is widely regarded as a major political blunder, as it alienated the local nobility and soldiers, contributing significantly to the 1857 revolt.

Multiple choice history the extension of the british rule dalhousie's policy of expansion and subsidiary alliance system the policy of subsidiary alliance and doctrine of lapse the subsidiary alliance anddoctrine of lapse

Who among the following is said to have hatched the Delhi Conspiracy of 1912?

  1. Rash Behari Bose

  2. Sachindranath Sanyal

  3. Sohan Lal Pathak

  4. Bhai Paramanand
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
The Delhi Conspiracy case, also known as the Delhi-Lahore Conspiracy, refers to a conspiracy in 1912 to assassinate the then Viceroy of India, Lord Hardinge, on the occasion of transferring the capital of British India from Calcutta to New Delhi. Hatched by the Indian revolutionary underground in Bengal and Punjab and headed by Rash Behari Bose, the conspiracy culminated on the attempted assassination on 23 December 1912 when a homemade bomb was thrown into the Viceroys's Howdah when the ceremonial procession moved through the Chandni Chowk suburb of Delhi. Hence, Option A is correct.
Among the rest of the options, Sachindranath Sanyal was extensively involved in the plans for the Ghadar conspiracy, and went underground after it was exposed in February 1915, Sohan Lal Pathak joined Gadhar Party in California, USA and came to Burma, Singapore and Malaya to influence Indian armies for a revolt against British army and Bhai Paramanand was a part of the Ghadar Conspiracy claiming he was accompanied by 5,000 Ghadarites. Hence, these are incorrect. 
Multiple choice history the extension of the british rule dalhousie's policy of expansion and subsidiary alliance system the policy of subsidiary alliance and doctrine of lapse the subsidiary alliance anddoctrine of lapse

Who was the first to accept the subsidiary alliance system?

  1. Nizam of Hyderabad

  2. Nawab Of Awadh

  3. Bajirao II

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

Subsidiary Alliance was introduced by Lord Wellesley, the then Governor General. The kingdoms would have to maintain a certain number of British troops & there would be a British resident in the court of the king. The king could not approach any foreigner without the permission of the British resident in the court. 

Multiple choice history tribals, dikus and the vision of a golden age indigo rebellion struggles storms jungles the revolts of peasants and the tribals

Which one of the following is not correctly matched?

  1. Holt Mackenzie -Mahalvari settlement in Northern India

  2. Lord Cornwallis -Subsidiary system

  3. Lord Rippon -Local self-Government

  4. Thomas Munro -Ryotwari settlement
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Zamindari System was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793 through Permanent Settlement Act. It was introduced in provinces of Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Varanasi. Also known as Permanent Settlement System. Zamindars were recognized as owner of the lands. Zamindars were given the rights to collect the rent from the peasants.

Multiple choice history tribals, dikus and the vision of a golden age indigo rebellion struggles storms jungles the revolts of peasants and the tribals

Who described the conditions of the under tenants in Bengal?

  1. H.T. Colebrook

  2. Robert Clive

  3. William Bentick

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

Henry Thomas Colebrooke was a Sanskrit scholar and orientalist. He described the pathetic conditions of the under-tenants of Bengal in 1806. According to him, the under-tenants were depressed by excessive rent, and they can never free themselves from debt because of their landlord's oppressive terms and conditions.