History · Civics Polity

Modern Indian History

7,703 Questions

Modern Indian History covers the colonial period, the freedom struggle, and key political movements. It includes questions on important leaders, the Indian National Congress, and social reforms. Mastering these questions is vital for clearing competitive government exams.

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Modern Indian History Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is incorrect?

  1. Shivaji's last military expedition was against Gingee and Vellore.

  2. Chauth (a tax) was paid to the Marathas so as not to be subject to Maratha raids.

  3. Chauth was imposed on those lands of Maharashtra over which the Maratha claimed hereditary rights, but which formed the part of Mughal Empire.

  4. Chauth consisted of 25% of the total land revenue; sardeshmukhi (an additional levy) consisted of 10% of the total levy.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 3 is wrong: It was not 'chauth', but 'sardeshmukhi' that was imposed on those lands of Maharashtra over which the Maratha claimed hereditary rights, but which formed the part of Mughal Empire.

Multiple choice

What was 'Mughtai' under the Maratha Empire?

  1. A type of tax

  2. A distinct kind of region

  3. A unit of measurement of land

  4. A designation given to the Mughal captives
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Mughtai' were those regions from which 'chauth' and 'sardeshmikhi' were collected.

Multiple choice

The historic Treaty of Purandhar was signed between

  1. the Mughals and the English

  2. the Marathas and the English

  3. the Marathas and the Mughals

  4. the Marathas and the Jats
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Treaty of Purandar was signed on June 11, 1665, between the Rajput ruler Jai Singh I, who was commander of the Mughal Empire, and Maratha Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji was forced to sign the agreement after Jai Singh besieged Purandar fort. When Shivaji realised that war with the Mughal Empire would only cause damage to the empire and that his men would suffer heavy losses, he chose to make a treaty instead of leaving his men under the Mughals.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is incorrect?

  1. The Swarajists were also known as ‘pro-changers’.

  2. The Swaraj Party was formed in January, 1923.

  3. The Swarajists wanted to change the methodology of the struggle for independence by opposing the Congress’ methodology.

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

Option A is correct - the Swarajists were called 'pro-changers' because they wanted to change Congress tactics by entering councils. Option B is correct - the Swaraj Party was indeed formed in January 1923. Option C is correct in substance - the Swarajists wanted to change the methodology from non-cooperation to council entry. Since all statements A, B, and C are factually correct, Option D (None of these) is logically correct as there is no incorrect statement among A-C.

Multiple choice

In September 1923, a compromise was reached between 'no-changers' and 'pro-changers', where the former would continue with the constructive programme whereas the latter could contest the upcoming elections. Where was this special session of Congress held?

  1. Lahore

  2. Delhi

  3. Gaya

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

In September 1923, a special session of Congress was held in Delhi to resolve the conflict between the 'no-changers' (led by Gandhi, who wanted to continue constructive program) and 'pro-changers' (Swarajists who wanted to contest elections). The Delhi compromise allowed both groups to pursue their respective strategies within the Congress framework.

Multiple choice

Which of the following demands were raised by Indians in Nehru Report in 1928?

  1. Responsible government - both at the center and in the provinces
  2. Purna Swaraj or complete independence
  3. Universal adult suffrage
  4. Equal rights for women

  1. Only 1 and 2

  2. Only 2 and 3

  3. Only 1, 3 and 4

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

Demands raised by the Indians in the Nehru Report, 1928 were:

  1. Responsible government - both in the center and in the provinces
  2. Dominion status, not complete independence
  3. Universal adult suffrage
  4. Equal rights for women
  5. Freedom to form trade unions
  6. Dissociation of the state from religion in any form
Multiple choice

In which session of the Indian National Congress did Jwaharlal Nehru move a resolution demanding complete independence instead of dominion status?

  1. Madras Session, December 1927

  2. Lahore Session, December 1929

  3. Lahore Session, December 1930

  4. Karachi Session, March 1931
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

It should be noted that the resolution demanding complete independence instead of dominion status was moved by Jwaharlal Nehru in Madras Session in 1927. Later, based on this resolution, the INC declared 'purna swaraj' or complete independence as its aim in the Lahore Session, 1929.

Multiple choice

Arrange the following events in the correct chronological order. A. Chittagong Armoury Case B. Inauguration of Civil Disobedience Movement C. Gandhi-Irwin Pact D. Arrest of Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan in Peshawar

  1. A, B, C, D

  2. B, A, D, C

  3. D, B, C, A

  4. B, C, A, D
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The correct chronological order of the events given is option B. A. Chittagong Armoury Case - 18th April, 1930 B. Inauguration of Civil Disobedience Movement - 6th April, 1930 C. Gandhi-Irwin Pact - 5th March, 1931 D. Arrest of Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan in Peshawar - 23rd April, 1930

Multiple choice

Which of the following is/are true in relation to the Simon Commission?

  1. It recommended the establishment of responsible government at the Centre.
  2. Separate electorates were retained by the Commission.
  3. It proposed reservation of seats for the depressed classes.
  4. It recommended the adoption of 'federal form of government'.

  1. Only 3

  2. Only 1, 2 and 3

  3. Only 2, 3 and 4

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

Commission's Report was published in May 1930. The following recommendations were made by the Commission.

  1. Establishment of responsible government in the provinces. However, the Commission did not recommend the establishment of either responsible government or Dyarchy at the Centre.
  2. Separate electorates were retained.
  3. It proposed reservation of seats for the depressed classes.
  4. It recommended for the adoption of the 'federal form of government' in order to cope up with the diversity of the country.
Multiple choice

Which of the following events in the Indian National Movement was described as the 'kindergarten stage of revolution'?

  1. Arrival of Simon Commission

  2. Chauri Chaura Incident

  3. Dandi March

  4. Formation of the Swaraj Party
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Mr. Brailsford, an English journalist, described Gandhiji's Dandi March as the 'kindergarten stage of revolution' and ridiculed the notion that 'king emperor will be unseated by boiling sea water in a kettle'.

Multiple choice

The first incident of the revolt of 1857 was noticed in the

  1. 19th Native Infantry at Arrah

  2. 19th Native Infantry at Behrampur

  3. 19th Native Infantry at Meerut

  4. 19th Native Infantry at Delhi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The first incident of the revolt of 1857 was noticed in the 19th Native Infantry at Behrampur on 2nd February, 1857.

Multiple choice

Which of the following was/were the cause(s) of the revolt of 1857?

  1. Nana Sahib was refused pension as he was not the natural heir to his empire.
  2. Lucknow was annexed in 1856 owing to Doctrine of Lapse.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both of these

  4. Neither of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Cause 1 is correct: Nana Sahib was refused pension as he was the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II. Cause II is incorrect: Lucknow was annexed in 1856 on the charges of maladministration, not owing to Doctrine of Lapse.

Multiple choice

General Bakht Khan and Azimullah Khan were the leaders of the revolt of 1857 at ________ and _________, respectively

  1. Lucknow, Delhi

  2. Kanpur, Bareilly

  3. Delhi, Arrah

  4. Delhi, Kanpur
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Centres of revolt and their leaders:

Delhi - Bahadur Shah II and General Bakht Khan Kanpur - Nana Sahib, Tantiya Tope and Azimullah Khan Jhansi - Rani Laxmi Bai Lucknow - Begum Hazrat Mahal and Maulvi Ahmadullah Bareilly - Khan Bahadur Khan Arrah - Kunwar Singh