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 was/were the reason(s) of the revolt of 1857?

  1. Use of greased catridges
  2. British social reforms
  3. Low salaries to Indian soldiers in the British army

  1. Only 1 and 3

  2. Only 1

  3. Only 1 and 2

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The then people of India were unhappy with the British social reforms like widow remarriage, abolition of Sati, school for girls, etc. They took these efforts as interference into their traditions, customs and beliefs.

Multiple choice

Which of the following historians has written about the nature of the movement of 1857 that “It was neither first nor national nor a war of independence”?

  1. T. R. Holmes

  2. R. C. Majumdar

  3. S. B. Chaudhuri

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

R.C. Majumdar, the prominent historian, argued that the 1857 movement was neither the first war of independence, nor a truly national movement, nor a war of independence in the modern sense. He emphasized its limitations in terms of participation, leadership, and national consciousness. This critical perspective contrasts with nationalist interpretations of the revolt.

Multiple choice

Which of the following were the reasons for the failure of the revolt of 1857?

  1. Limited territorial and social base
  2. Lack of resources
  3. Hindu-Muslim conflicts
  4. Lack of central leadership

  1. Only 1 and 3

  2. Only 1 and 2

  3. Only 1, 2 and 4

  4. Only 2 and 4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

It should be noted that at the time of the revolt of 1857, there was complete harmony among the people of India, and there were no incidences of Hindu-Muslim conflicts. Though, Bahadur Shah II was unanimously taken as the leader of the revolt, however, the revolt lacked central leadership due to many reasons.

Multiple choice

Which of the following classes did not participate in the revolt of 1857?

I. Agricultural labourers II. Peasants III. Zamindars IV. Money lenders

Choose your answer from the codes given below.

  1. I

  2. I and IV

  3. IV

  4. III and IV
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The revolt of 1857 saw participation from peasants, many zamindars (though some sided with British), and agricultural laborers. However, moneylenders (class IV) generally did NOT participate and often sided with the British, as they were seen as exploiters by the rebelling masses. Option C correctly identifies that only moneylenders (IV) did not participate.

Multiple choice

Which of the following were the impacts of the revolt of 1857?

  1. The control of the British Government was transferred to the British Crown.
  2. The British Governor-General of India was now given the title of the 'Secretary of State' and was made responsible for the government of India.
  3. The revolt marked the end of British imperialism.
  4. Doctrine of Lapse was withdrawn.

  1. Only 1 and 4

  2. Only 1, 2 and 4

  3. Only 1, 3 and 4

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

All the statements, except statement 2, are correct. It should be noted that after the war, the British Governor-General of India was now given the title of 'Viceroy of India', who was also the representative of the monarch. Besides, a minister of the British government, called the Secretary of State, was made responsible for the government of India.

Multiple choice

Arrange the following places in the chronological order in which the revolt of 1857 spread to these places? A. Lucknow B. Delhi C. Meerut D. Bareilly

  1. C A B D

  2. C B A D

  3. B C A D

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

The spread of the revolt of 1857 went like this:

Feb 2nd, 1857    -           Mutiny of the 19th Native Infantry at Behrampur
May 10th, 1857  -           Mutiny of Sepoys at Meerut
May 17th, 1857  -           Mutiny spreaded to Delhi
May 23rd, 1857  -           Mutiny engulfed Bareilly June, 1857       -           Mutinies at Lucknow, Gwalior, Jhansi, Allahabad, etc.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements in relation to the Portuguese:

  1. Cochin was the earlier capital of the Portuguese.
  2. Alfonso de Albuquerque replaced Cochin with Goa as their capital city.
  3. Albuquerque was the real founder of the Portuguese power in India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Only 3

  2. Only 1 and 3

  3. Only 2 and 3

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

Statement 1 is correct: Cochin was the earlier capital of the Portuguese.

Statement 2 is wrong: It was Nino de Cunha who transferred the Portuguese capital from Cochin to Goa in 1930. Statement 3 is correct: Alfonso de Albuquerque was the real founder of the Portuguese power in India.

Multiple choice

Which of the following was/were the reason(s) for the defeat of the French at the hands of the British in India?

  1. The French were not much interested in India.
  2. The French were dependent on their government.
  3. The French navy was a no match for the British navy.
  4. The French leadership was nothing compared to the British leadership.

  1. Only 2

  2. Only 2 and 4

  3. Only 2, 3 and 4

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The reasons for defeat of the French at the hands of the English were:

The French were more interested in extending frontiers in Italy, Belgium & Germany, and were not much interested in India.

The French were more dependent on their government whereas the British were totally independent.
The French navy was nothing in front of the British.
The British were economically strong after capturing Bengal, whereas the French could not get as much benefit from Pondicherry. French leaders (Dupleix and Busy) were no match for English leaders (Clive and Lawrence).

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are true in relation to the Anglo-Mysore Wars?

  1. Hyder Ali defeated the British in the First Anglo-Mysore War.
  2. Cornwallis defeated Hyder Ali in the Second Anglo-Mysore War.
  3. The treaty of Seringapatnam was signed after the Second Anglo-Mysore War between Cornwallis and Tipu Sultan.
  4. Lord Wellesly attacked Tipu Sultan's army in the Third Anglo-Mysore War.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 1 and 4

  3. Only 1, 3 and 4

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

Statement 1 is correct: Hyder Ali defeated the British in the First Anglo-Mysore War (1767-69).

Statement 2 is wrong: In the Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-84), Hyder Ali was defeated by Eyre Coot, not by Cornwallis.

Statement 3 is also wrong: The treaty of Mangalore was signed after the Second Anglo-Mysore War. Treaty of Seringapatnam was signed after the Third Anglo-Mysore War. Statement 4 is also wrong: The Third Anglo-Mysore War was fought between Cornwallis and Tipu Sultan. Wellesly attacked Tipu's army in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War.
Multiple choice

In which year did the Swarajists withdraw out of the legislatures?

  1. 1925

  2. 1926

  3. 1927

  4. 1928
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Swaraj Party withdrew from legislatures in 1926 as part of their strategy changes following the death of Chittaranjan Das in 1925. The party had been participating in councils but decided to exit after realizing the limitations of working within the colonial legislative framework.

Multiple choice

With the death of Chittaranjan Das, the Swaraj party was greatly weakened. When did Chitranjan Das die?

  1. 1925

  2. 1926

  3. 1927

  4. 1928
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Chittaranjan Das, the founder of the Swaraj Party and key leader of the Non-Cooperation Movement, died in 1925. His death significantly weakened the Swaraj Party as he was its unifying figure and main strategist. This led to internal divisions and eventually the party's withdrawal from legislatures the following year.

Multiple choice

Who among the following Swarajists was accused of favouring cow slaughter, eating beef and sacrificing Hindu interests?

  1. Vallabhbhai Patel

  2. C. R. Das

  3. Motilal Nehru

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

Motilal Nehru was accused by Hindu communalist groups of favoring cow slaughter and eating beef, which was used as propaganda against the Swarajists. These accusations were politically motivated to discredit the Swaraj Party and Hindu-Muslim unity efforts. Vallabhbhai Patel, C.R. Das, and Vithalbhai Patel were not targets of such specific allegations.

Multiple choice

What fate did the Swarajists meet in the elections of 1926?

  1. They were highly successful.

  2. They did not win even at a single Constituency.

  3. The Swarajists did not contest the elections.

  4. There was a mixed result.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In the elections of 1926, the Swarajists bagged 40 out of total 104 seats. Though, they lost in a few areas, yet they were able to obstruct many government legislations and bills. For example, Public Safety Bill, 1928.